The nightmare came in a wave of burning crimson. Ruby was alone, floating in a dark, empty space. Below her, the ground was a sea of fire, a roaring inferno that crackled and hissed. But she wasn't afraid of the fire. She was afraid of the man who stood in front of her, his holographic form flickering in and out of existence. It was Dr. Merlot.
He was smiling, a cold, clinical smirk that made her skin crawl. He held out his hand, and a vial of the same viscous, burning substance he had used on her floated into his grasp. He gestured to the fire below. "Do you see it, my sweet?" he said, his voice a low, chilling whisper. "This is what you are. A beautiful, terrible beast. A weapon of pure, unadulterated power."
The burning pain in her veins intensified, a thousand tiny needles of fire piercing her skin. She screamed, but no sound came out. She was helpless, a puppet in his twisted experiment. She felt the beast within her stir, a malevolent force that welcomed the pain, a thing that was not her, but was a part of her. It wanted the fire. It wanted the power. It was a part of her now.
She tried to fight it, to push it down, but the fire below beckoned. "Don't fight it, my dear," Merlot said, his smirk growing wider. "Embrace it. Become the weapon I created you to be." He then threw the vial of the substance into her chest, and it exploded, a million tiny needles of fire burning at her. She screamed, and the beast inside her roared in delight as it welcomed the pain.
"A power I intend to control"
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From the very edge of a high cliff, overlooking the endless, crashing waves of the ocean, Ruby stood alone. The wind was a constant, mournful presence, whipping her cloak around her legs. In front of her, a simple, weathered headstone stood vigil, the name carved into the stone a quiet testament to the person beneath.
"...This is her?" Ruby whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the wind. She knelt down, her fingers tracing the name: Summer Rose.
She turned her head, her eyes finding Yang and a man who was unmistakably their father, Taiyang. They stood at a respectful distance, giving her this moment. Yang smiled, a small, encouraging nod that told Ruby to go on, that this was okay. Taking a deep, shaky breath, Ruby turned back to the headstone and slowly pulled down her hood, revealing her tired, tear-filled eyes.
"Hey… Um… Mom?" she started, her voice a little shaky. "It's me. Ruby. It's been so long… years, in fact. I'm…" Her voice caught, and she felt the hot tears forming. She quickly rubbed them away with the back of her hand, but as she did, her gaze landed on her skin. The black veins, a stark, sickening web of ink, crawled up her hands and arms, a constant, physical reminder of the substance that Dr. Merlot had given her. The pain was gone now, a faint echo of the constant agony, but it had left deep scars.
"It's my fault," she whispered, the words filled with a terrible, crushing guilt. "If I hadn't been taken… if I hadn't left Yang's side that day… then I—then you… wouldn't have gone away." She knelt, her knees hitting the hard ground, and she rested her hand on the cold stone, a silent connection between them. "So, I'm sorry… for everything."
A small, genuine smile touched her lips, a sudden break in the solemnity. She wasn't going to dwell on the past. The time for that was over. She would move forward. "You should know, when I first came to Beacon, I was so angry, so sad… maybe even hurt. I wanted all the heroes to suffer… to die by my hands. Because… no one would save me from this nightmare I was trapped in."
She paused, looking up at the clear blue sky. "But… I was wrong. So wrong about my way of life. I made a bunch of friends… formed a team. We're called Team RWBY, by the way. I'm so glad to have met my father for the first time since I was taken. Everything was so right. I also met this girl… she's wonderful, and you might like her. She's always so clingy to me, but… I love her that way. When I get back, I'm finally going to tell her how I feel."
Ruby slowly stood up, her cloak flowing in the wind behind her. "I haven't felt this happy since forever… I haven't felt this… free in forever. And I'm glad. I'm so glad I'm back in my family's arms… back in yours." She clutched her fists at her side, her knuckles white, and took a deep breath once more. "I miss you… so much."
Just then, Zwei started to bark from behind them, a joyful sound that brought a smile to Ruby's face. She looked back down at the headstone. "It seems Yang is getting restless, and… Tai… our father is also wanting some time together," she said with a soft laugh. She slowly turned away from the headstone. "It… it was nice meeting you," she whispered, a quiet farewell before she pulled her hood back onto her head.
As she did, the back of her neck was exposed, revealing the same black veins, pulsing faintly, a dark web spreading beneath her skin. She didn't notice them, her gaze already fixed on her waiting family. She began to walk, but stopped once more. "I'm glad… I got to talk to you," she said, her voice filled with a peaceful finality. "...It was… nice." And with that, she continued on her way, back to her family.
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The roar of the crowd was a physical force, a tidal wave of sound that crashed against the walls of the Amity Colosseum. Thousands of spectators, their faces illuminated by the bright arena lights, were cheering wildly, a frenzied cacophony of excitement. In the center of it all, Team RWBY was locked in a fierce battle with Team ABRN.
A blur of crimson and black, Ruby expertly blocked an attack from an unseen foe with her blood-forged scythe. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she spun her weapon and charged, a red-eyed storm of motion aimed at her opponent. Across the battlefield, Blake gracefully deflected a powerful strike from Reese, her katana-like weapon meeting the force with a soft clang. Nearby, Weiss, a vision of calculated elegance, moved with a balletic precision, her Glyphs humming as she launched a series of icy projectiles at her opponent. Meanwhile, Yang, her gauntlets ignited with a golden glow, traded blows with Arslan, the leader of Team ABRN, their attacks a blur of kinetic energy.
From their perch in a press box high above the arena, Professor Port and Dr. Oobleck provided the breathless commentary. Port, his voice booming with theatrical flair, gestured grandly at the unfolding spectacle. "Oh! It seems we have another astonishing bout ahead of us! Wouldn't you agree, Professor?"
Dr. Oobleck, ever the intellectual, adjusted his glasses with a lightning-fast motion. "Doctor. And yes, Peter, I think it's safe to say: this match may be one of the closest we've seen in the four-on-four round of the tournament! The speed of Team RWBY and the raw power of Team ABRN are truly a sight to behold."
Professor Port cleared his throat, his voice shifting into a more formal, welcoming tone for the global audience. "For those of you just joining us, welcome to the Vytal Festival Tournament! Broadcast live from the Amity Colosseum! If this is your first time watching, allow us to break down the rules."
"The tournament is divided into three distinctive rounds," Dr. Oobleck stated, his words rapid and precise. "Teams, doubles, and singles. Age and school year are irrelevant. In this tournament, the only attribute being tested... is skill."
"Correct!" Professor Port said, his enthusiasm returning. "The winners of this battle will elect two of their members to represent them in the doubles round! Followed by the winners of that round choosing one member to advance once again! The remaining combatants will then fight their way through the final bracket in the hope of achieving victory for their kingdom!"
Dr. Oobleck leaned into his microphone, his voice a quick, emphatic hum. "And yes, Peter, these certainly are some spectacular spectacles on which to spectate. And I don't think anyone tuning in around the world is going to disagree with me on that."
"Ah, and why would they?" Professor Port said, his booming laugh echoing through the arena. "Now, let's get back to the match between Team RWBY of Beacon, and Team ABRN of Haven!"
Reese's hoverboard sliced through the arena air, a low hum following her as she sped directly toward Blake. She was a blur of motion, her confidence radiating from every move. As she closed the distance, she leaped into the air, spinning off her board and sending it hurtling like a deadly boomerang straight at Blake.
Without flinching, Blake met the projectile head-on. With a fluid, graceful motion, she blocked the spinning board with her blade, Gambol Shroud. The force of the impact was palpable, but she held firm, using her momentum to ricochet the board back at Reese. The hoverboard spun through the air, but Reese, nimble and quick, snatched it with ease.
Blake didn't hesitate. She immediately charged forward, her blade a silver blur as she unleashed a flurry of attacks. Reese used her board as a shield, the hard surface blocking Blake's strikes with a series of sharp clangs. With a final, desperate leap, Reese jumped back, readying her board for another attack, and once more rode it toward Blake.
This time, Blake was ready. As Reese closed in, Blake brought her blade down in a swift, decisive arc. There was a sharp crack, and the hoverboard was cleanly sliced in half, the two pieces skittering across the arena floor. The sudden loss of momentum sent Reese flying into the air.
She quickly regained her composure, catching the two individual pieces of her board in mid-air. With a quick flick of her wrist, they transformed into a pair of gleaming twin pistols. She fired a volley of shots at Blake before landing. However, her landing was far from graceful. She hit the ground with an unceremonious thud, landing squarely on her backside. A small, pained wince crossed her face.
Back in the Arena, the ground trembled with every strike. Yang, with a fierce battle cry, leaped high into the air. As she came down, she smashed her gauntlets into the ground, sending a shockwave rippling through the battlefield. Arslan, caught off guard by the sheer force of the blow, was forced to leap back, avoiding the fissures that split the ground.
Yang charged forward, her fists blazing with golden energy. She aimed a powerful right hook at Arslan's face, followed by a jab to her gut. To her surprise, the blows had little to no effect. Undeterred, Yang swung her fists once more. This time, her fists were met by Arslan's, their auras colliding with a loud CRACK! The force of the blow caused the very lava in the arena to tremble, the ground cracking around them. Both fighters were thrown back, landing heavily on their feet.
Arslan, seeing her opportunity, charged forward. She delivered a sharp, focused kick that sent Yang flying. Yang landed with an unceremonious thud on the icy part of the stage, the cold air rushing from her lungs. She groaned, pushing herself up, but her legs gave out on the slippery surface, and she stumbled. Before she could regain her balance, Arslan was upon her, delivering a powerful punch that sent Yang sprawling onto the ground.
From the sidelines, Nadir of Team ABRN aimed his weapon at the helpless Yang. He was about to fire when a blur of crimson and black sped across his vision. Before he could react, he was struck by a projectile that froze the ground beneath his feet, the chilling red substance quickly enveloping his legs. Nadir was completely frozen, the ice holding him in place. "W...what the hell is this stuff?" he said, his body going completely numb, and he found he couldn't move.
A grin spread across Ruby's face as she came to a stop beside her friend. "Got your back!" she said, her voice full of confident cheer.
Just then, Bolin of Team ABRN appeared behind Ruby, his staff twirling menacingly. "Who's got yours?" he taunted, ready to strike. But before he could even attack, a black, ethereal Glyph appeared beside him. Weiss suddenly appeared, her foot flying out and connecting with Bolin, sending him hurtling through the Glyph. He flew across the arena and landed with a loud crash.
Ruby turned to face Weiss, a wide, playful grin on her face. "I could've handled that!" she said, her arms crossed.
Weiss simply rolled her eyes, but a fond smile played at her lips. "I'm sure you could have, you dolt."
Ruby returned the expression with a playful salute before the two partners separated once more, disappearing into the chaos of the battlefield to continue their fight.
Bolin, still reeling from Weiss's last attack, staggered to his feet. He looked over to see a shimmering White Glyph suddenly forming near him, and with a gasp, he realized his mistake. Weiss, a blur of grace and motion, immediately launched her attack. Her rapier, Myrtenaster, was a flash of silver, and her assault was a seamless combination of fluid movements and powerful thrusts that kept Bolin off-guard.
Bolin, however, was a formidable fighter. He managed to block Weiss's second strike, his staff meeting her rapier with a metallic clang. But just as he was holding her off, a second, equally bright White Glyph appeared behind Weiss. With a burst of speed and a flash of crimson, Ruby jumped onto the glyph, launching herself high into the air.
Ruby soared, her blood scythe held high, a terrifying whirlwind of red and black. She swung it down with all her might, meeting Bolin's staff in a spectacular clash. The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, causing the ground around them to spiderweb with glowing cracks. Ruby gritted her teeth, but instead of pushing the attack, she used her scythe's unique properties. A small amount of energy formed into a crimson-hued bullet at the tip of her weapon, and she fired it, the recoil sending her flying backward through the air.
She landed gracefully beside Weiss, her scythe's tip still smoking. Bolin, dazed but not defeated, stood up, his eyes narrowed in a cold, furious glare at the two partners. He then charged forward, his staff a blur. Weiss shot a volley of ice dust at him, but he ducked and rolled out of the way with an acrobat's agility. He then charged past Ruby, who swung her blood scythe, but Bolin expertly dodged by leaping over her head.
He landed beside a large, protruding crystal of earth, and with a swift, powerful strike from his staff, he sliced off a shard. He then hurled the crystal to Reese, who had just recovered from her fall. Reese looked back at him, a determined look in her eyes as she caught the shard in her hand with ease. With a flick of her wrist, she plugged it into her hoverboard. The board's color immediately changed to a deep, fiery lava-red, and it began to hum with a new, raw power.
Reese winked at Blake before flying toward Nadir. The blood ice that had him encased began to crack and melt under the intense heat of Reese's hoverboard. With a final, satisfying sizzle, Nadir was free.
Reese didn't waste a moment. She rode the hoverboard over to Blake, who was prepared for her attack. Reese leaped, her board flying at Blake's weapon, hitting it with a powerful thud, before she jumped off her board, kicking Blake back. The force of the kick sent Blake flying through a large ice crystal, shattering it into a million pieces.
Reese's board was momentarily stuck in the ice, but she quickly ran over to it, pulling it out and preparing to attack Blake again. But Blake spun out of the way, hitting Reese's hoverboard, before jumping back, leaving behind a shadow clone to block Reese's attack. The real Blake used her ribbon to propel herself away, hiding in the shadows. Reese smirked as she hovered to where Blake was hiding, but she was met with a shadow clone once more, which disappeared upon her attack.
Blake appeared behind her, using her ribbon attached to her weapon to wrap around Reese, stopping her dead in her tracks. With a powerful swing, Blake launched herself toward Reese, landing a decisive kick to her chest that sent her flying out of the ring. Reese hit the wall of the arena with a loud thud before falling to the ground, her aura completely depleted.
From the press box, Professor Port's booming voice rang out. "Oooh, a double whammy! Reese Chlorus is eliminated by both the ring-out and Aura level!"
"She really should've worn a helmet," Dr. Oobleck added, his voice dry.
Back in the arena, the fight raged on. Arslan skidded across the ice, a blur of motion as she tried to outmaneuver her opponent. Behind her, Yang pursued relentlessly, her gauntlets spitting rounds into the air. Arslan suddenly stopped, turning on her heel to face Yang.
Just as they were about to clash, Nadir flipped into view, his pistol at the ready. But he wasn't alone. Weiss, with a calculated kick, launched Bolin into him, sending both members of Team ABRN crashing to the ground in a tangled heap. Weiss landed gracefully nearby and, with a flick of her wrist, a shimmering black Glyph appeared beneath the two fallen fighters. The Glyph pulsed, lifting Bolin and Nadir into the air and forcing them to collide with each other, before a white Glyph appeared and created a giant ice hand. The massive hand closed around the two men, encasing them in a giant ball of ice.
The giant ice hand was then sent rolling toward the edge of the ring, where it would surely be eliminated. But Arslan wasn't about to let that happen. She rolled her eyes, a mixture of annoyance and determination on her face, before using her string-like weapon. She attached it to a nearby ice crystal, a clever move that allowed her to slide right in front of the rolling ice hand. She pulled her arm back, her aura flaring with power, and launched her fist into the ice ball, shattering it and setting her teammates free.
"Yang!" Weiss suddenly called out, her voice cutting through the chaos. With a graceful motion of her rapier, she created a wave of ice, a signal to her team. "Now!" she yelled.
Yang's eyes glowed with a fiery determination, and she used her gauntlets to gain momentum, ready to strike. Just then, Blake ran past, throwing her weapon, Gambol Shroud, with the ribbon still attached to it, towards Yang. Yang caught the weapon, just as Blake used her Faunus agility to launch Yang forward. Blake herself then leaped onto Ruby's blood scythe, who launched Blake forward, sending her soaring past Yang.
Blake then pulled on her ribbon, a clever move that sent Yang flying past her, her gauntlets at the ready. With a single, powerful move, Yang's fists collided with the last three members of Team ABRN. The force of the blow was immense, sending them all flying out of the ring with just one punch.
The audience erupted in a deafening cheer, a storm of excitement and triumph.
"And that's the match!" Professor Port's booming voice announced. "Team RWBY is victorious!"
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Later that same day
The air on the fairgrounds outside the arena was thick with a joyful chaos. The smell of freshly-fried dough, sweet funnel cakes, and salty popcorn filled the night. Crowds of people milled about, their laughter and excited chatter a buzzing symphony of celebration. Amidst the festive atmosphere, Ruby let out a dramatic groan and clutched at her stomach.
"Is anyone else starving?" she whined, rubbing her belly. The roar of the crowd had been exhilarating, but it had worked up an appetite.
"I may have worked up an appetite," Blake admitted, a quiet understatement. The moment the words left her mouth, a loud, undeniable rumbling emanated from her stomach. The rest of the team burst out laughing. Yang giggled, a warm, bright sound, before getting a swift elbow to the side from Blake, who quickly hid her embarrassment.
"Geez, if only there were somewhere on campus to get food around here," Weiss said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she gestured grandly at their surroundings. "Oh wait."
Ruby, ever the playful one, flashed a bright, mischievous grin. "It's okay, Weiss, I forget about the fairgrounds too."
Weiss rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, but a small smile betrayed her. "Dolt," she murmured, a fond nickname that was now a part of their comfortable rhythm.
The group started to walk, the joyful atmosphere of the fairgrounds a welcome relief after the intensity of the fight.
Just then, Weiss's scroll started to ring, the sharp, electronic sound cutting through the celebratory noise. Weiss stopped walking, a frown immediately forming on her face as she pulled her scroll from her pocket and looked at the caller ID. It was her father. She let out a frustrated sigh, her shoulders slumping. With a decisive roll of her eyes, she hung up the phone. She slid the scroll back into her pocket and let out a long, weary sigh.
Ruby, ever attentive, noticed the immediate shift in her partner's demeanor. "Weiss? Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine concern.
Weiss gave a small, forced nod, her face a blank mask of polite composure. "I'm fine," she said, her voice quiet.
Ruby tilted her head, not convinced. Without a word, she reached for Weiss's hand, her fingers gently lacing with her partner's. Weiss's body perked up, her gaze snapping to Ruby's. "Ruby?" she asked, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
Ruby just smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she looked at Yang and Blake. "You two go on ahead," she said. "I wanna take Weiss somewhere to eat by myself."
Yang and Blake exchanged a knowing look and grinned, their shared understanding a silent language. They nodded and continued on their way.
Ruby and Weiss were about to start walking when a voice called out behind them. "Hey! Might be hard to eat without this!"
Looking back, Ruby saw Emerald, a familiar, mischievous smirk on her face as she held up Ruby's lost wallet. Ruby's playful grin disappeared, her eyes narrowing slightly, but she quickly hid her suspicion behind a fake smile. She checked her pockets, realizing the wallet was indeed gone.
Emerald laughed, a light, airy sound that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Good to see you, Ruby." She walked over and handed the wallet back to her.
"Thanks, Emerald!" Ruby said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "Guess I dropped it."
"What's up, Em?" Yang asked as she walked back over, Blake at her side.
"Just left the stadium after watching your amazing fight," Emerald said, her smile genuine now as she spoke to the rest of the team. "You guys were awesome."
"Thanks," Ruby said, her voice friendly, but her hand gripped Weiss's tightly, a silent, protective warning. She subtly pulled Weiss closer, shielding her from the sudden, perceived danger. The beast from within her stirred, a low, guttural growl vibrating in her mind, recognizing the threat. But Ruby, now in control, ignored it.
"I heard your team progressed to the next round, too," Blake said, her tone cool and analytical.
Weiss looked down at Ruby's hand, frowning at the iron grip, before looking back at Emerald. "You know, I feel like we never see your other teammates," she said, her voice laced with a subtle hint of suspicion.
"How'd they do in the fight?" Yang added, her hands on her hips, her smile gone as she looked at the new arrival.
Emerald paused for a moment, the question from Yang and Weiss hanging in the air. A slow, knowing smile began to form on her lips, her eyes glazing over as she allowed her mind to drift back to the fight.
A Flashback: The Tournament Match
The arena was a kaleidoscope of color and motion. Emerald, her pistols blazing, fired with a focused, methodical precision, her shots arcing through the air to strike opponents with unwavering accuracy. In another part of the arena, Mercury was a whirlwind of aggressive, acrobatic kicks, his leg-guns firing in a rhythmic series of deafening blasts as he dodged and weaved through the chaotic battle.
At the center of it all, Cinder moved with an effortless, predatory grace. She dodged a charging opponent and, with a swift, powerful kick, sent them flying high into the air, a silent testament to her overwhelming power. The crowd roared, oblivious to the fact that they were watching their future downfall.
Across from them, another figure was on the move. A young man, his form fluid and unconcerned, slid across the ground, and as he did, Neo, her face a mask of mischievous glee, stepped over him and delivered a precise, well-aimed kick to his face. She was in a simple disguise, her signature pink-and-brown outfit hidden beneath a generic tournament uniform, a silent observer in the shadows of the fight.
Back at the Fairgrounds
Emerald's smile widened. The brief, triumphant montage of her team's power replayed in her mind, a comforting promise of what was to come. She looked back at Ruby, Yang, and Blake, her expression calm and confident.
"Really well," she said, the two words holding a quiet satisfaction that her opponents would never understand.
"That's cool, well, I was on my way to treat Weiss to some food," Ruby said, her tone a little too casual. She paused, a sigh escaping her lips. She really didn't want a third wheel, especially one she didn't trust, but she couldn't risk making them suspicious. "Do you wanna come?" she asked, the offer feeling forced.
"Oh! Gosh, that's so nice of you, but my teammates are all kind of... introverted," Emerald replied, her smile bright and completely disarming.
Everyone looked over to see Mercury, his back to the group, sniffing the inside of a boot with an intense, almost unsettling focus. His posture was completely unnatural.
"What is he doing?" Yang whispered, a mix of confusion and disgust on her face.
Emerald sighed with a practiced patience. "Really socially awkward."
"Oooh, yeah. I could see that," Yang said, completely buying the bizarre excuse.
Emerald then shifted the subject, her eyes flicking back to Ruby and Weiss. "So yeah. Looks like Mercury and I will be moving on to the doubles round. What about you guys?"
Ruby's hand, still clutching Weiss's, tightened instinctively. "Well... after a long deliberation, I thought about it and..." she began, her voice trailing off. She really wanted to make the decision herself. She sighed, giving Weiss a playful, but pointed, glare.
"We put it to a vote," Weiss said, cutting in with a small, knowing smile.
"Yes. But I decided that we should put it to a vote," Ruby clarified, earning a soft, playful eye-roll from Weiss.
"We voted for Weiss and Yang," Blake stated, her voice calm and definitive.
"I'm happy to represent Team RWBY," Weiss said with a confident grace, her smile softening as she looked at Ruby.
"Yeah, we're gonna kick some butt!" Yang said, her eyes gleaming with fiery determination as she flexed her biceps.
Emerald let out a light chuckle. "Well, if Mercury and I see you down the line, don't think we'll go easy on ya."
Yang chuckled in return, a confident, amused sound. "Wouldn't have it any other way," she replied.
"Alright. Well, we're gonna go catch some more fights," Emerald said, a pleasant smile on her face.
Ruby slid one hand into her pocket, but the other was still firmly gripping Weiss's. "Cool, have fun then," she said, her voice a little too flat.
"See ya later!" Emerald called out, turning to walk away.
Ruby immediately turned, leading Weiss away from the suspicious encounter. Yang and Blake smiled at each other, giving them a knowing look, before they went in a different direction.
As Emerald walked past Mercury, she rolled her eyes. He leaned in, his voice a low, casual whisper. "So, how are the new friends?"
"I hate them," Emerald said flatly, her friendly facade gone in an instant. "And it seems that Ruby still doesn't trust us."
Mercury shrugged, a cold, nonchalant gesture. "Even so, orders are orders," he said, his voice a steady, emotionless hum.
Emerald sighed, her shoulders slumping in a defeated gesture. "Unfortunately."
Mercury leaned in closer, his voice dropping even lower. "So, did you at least get what we want?"
Emerald rolled her eyes again. "It's the heiress and the bimbo," she said, her tone dripping with contempt.
Mercury put a hand on his chin, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Hmm, alright. At least now we know who we're working with."
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Ruby led the way through the bustling fairgrounds, her hand still gently holding Weiss's. The crowd's cheers and chatter were a distant memory, replaced by the lively symphony of the fair. The air was a sweet mix of candied apples and funnel cake, and the colorful lights from a dozen different game booths and food stands cast a vibrant, welcoming glow over everything.
Weiss's initial tension slowly began to melt away under Ruby's quiet, easygoing presence. She didn't press her about the phone call, didn't ask what was wrong. She simply led her forward, a comforting anchor in the sea of noise and people. Ruby's smile was genuine and infectious as she stopped at a small food cart.
"Funnel cake?" Ruby asked, her eyes gleaming with childlike excitement.
Weiss couldn't help but crack a small, rare smile. "How terribly unhealthy," she said, but her tone lacked any real disapproval.
They shared the giant, powdered-sugar-covered pastry, their fingers brushing as they pulled off pieces. The sugar was a pleasant distraction from the worry that had been clinging to Weiss. As they ate, they walked, simply enjoying the moment.
"Thanks, Ruby," Weiss said quietly, her voice barely a whisper above the noise of the fair. She wasn't just thanking her for the food.
Ruby's smile softened, and she gave Weiss's hand a small squeeze. "What are partners for?" she replied, her words simple but filled with a sincerity that made Weiss's heart flutter. It wasn't a grand gesture, just a simple kindness, but to Weiss, it meant the world. The fairgrounds, once a place of distracting noise, became a quiet, intimate world that belonged to just the two of them.
Ruby and Weiss walked through the fairgrounds, the loud music and excited chatter fading into a dull roar behind them as they found a quieter path lined with carnival games. The sweet smell of sugary food hung in the air, but the sugar rush was starting to fade, replaced by a comfortable, easy silence. They moved as one, Ruby's gentle grip on Weiss's hand a constant, reassuring warmth.
Weiss broke the silence first, her voice soft and hesitant. "Ruby... I've been meaning to ask you about your hands."
Ruby's body stiffened slightly. She pulled her hand back, instinctively trying to hide the black veins that crawled up her skin. "They're... fine," she said, a lie that was betrayed by the anxious look in her eyes.
Weiss stopped and took Ruby's hand back in hers, her touch firm and gentle. "Don't say that," she said, her voice filled with a quiet, earnest concern. "I can see them. And I can see how much they frighten you. Tell me what happened."
Ruby looked at Weiss, at the unwavering sincerity in her eyes. She saw no fear, no disgust, only a deep, profound worry for her. "I... I'm not really sure," Ruby admitted, the truth finally escaping her. "It's... some kind of substance. It's inside me. And I don't know what it's doing. I'm scared... I'm scared that someone will look at them and... and call me a monster."
Weiss tightened her grip, her thumb tracing the dark lines on Ruby's skin. "Listen to me, Ruby," she said, her voice low and fierce. "It doesn't matter what's on your hands, or what anyone else thinks. It doesn't matter what some villain did to you. I know you. I know the girl who is the best leader, the kindest friend, and the most annoying partner I've ever met." A small, genuine smile touched her lips. "You are not a monster. You are Ruby Rose, and you're my partner. That's all that matters to me."
Ruby's eyes welled up with tears, not of fear, but of a profound, overwhelming gratitude. She squeezed Weiss's hand back, and in that moment, the noisy fairgrounds, the distant music, and the swirling lights all faded away. The only thing that mattered was the two of them, standing together, an unspoken promise of unwavering support hanging between them. The night had started with a mission to distract, but it had ended with a bond forged in a quiet act of love and trust.
Ruby let out a shaky breath, the cheerful sounds of the fairgrounds fading into a distant hum. She rubbed at her eyes, feeling the warmth of her own skin against her fingertips, a desperate attempt to ground herself. It's now or never, she thought, the words a frantic mantra in her mind. She looked back at Weiss, her gaze filled with a fragile determination. "Weiss... I—"
Her voice caught in her throat. She took Weiss's hand, her grip more firm this time, a silent plea for her to stay. "What if… I don't want to just be… your friend?"
Weiss's heart skipped a beat. Her eyes widened, and a sudden, soft gasp escaped her lips. She turned her body fully toward Ruby. "What?" she whispered, her voice barely a breath.
A soft whine escaped Ruby's lips, and she groaned, her gaze dropping to their intertwined hands. "Damn… why is this so hard?" she murmured to herself. She took another deep breath, forcing herself to meet Weiss's eyes. "What I meant to say…" Ruby's hands began to shake slightly. "I want to be more." The words came out in a rush, a quiet declaration filled with a terrifying vulnerability. "I've been thinking about this for… so long. And… I'm in love with you, Weiss."
Weiss's eyes widened, a flicker of shock and disbelief crossing her face. She repeated the words as if to convince herself they were real. "You… are in love with me?"
Ruby gave a single, firm nod, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs.
"Since… when?" Weiss asked, her voice still a whisper.
Ruby's response was instant, without a moment's hesitation. "I don't know...but I assumed it was when we first met."
"Ruby…" Weiss began, her voice filled with a quiet, profound emotion. But Ruby pulled her hand away, shaking her head frantically as she tried to stop the words. "I… it's okay if you don't feel the same! I… I mean, I know I said it so suddenly, but really! If you don't feel the same then it's fine! I understand! Everything was so sudden, please… forget I even said any—"
Ruby's rambling was cut short by a soft, warm pressure on her lips. It was Weiss. Her hands were on Ruby's cheeks, her touch gentle but firm as she silenced her with a kiss. It was a quick, tender kiss, full of a quiet reassurance that spoke louder than any words. After a moment, Weiss pulled away with a soft, knowing smile.
"Are you done?" she whispered, her lips still inches away from Ruby's.
Ruby's heart was a drum in her chest, and she could only stare at her partner, her mind reeling. "Weiss…" she breathed.
"Yes?" Weiss whispered again, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
A soft, genuine smile spread across Ruby's face, a newfound confidence filling her. She leaned forward, her hands hovering over Weiss's hips before she gently placed them there, pulling her close. With a quiet grace, she closed the distance and initiated another kiss, this one longer, more tender, and filled with a silent, mutual understanding. Weiss's arms slid around Ruby's neck, pulling her close, deepening the kiss as the world around them disappeared.
The kiss ended as softly as it began. Ruby and Weiss slowly pulled away from each other, their foreheads resting together. The sounds of the fairgrounds, the music, and the distant cheers, rushed back into their awareness. For a moment, they just stood there, suspended in a bubble of quiet, shared understanding. A soft, genuine smile blossomed on Ruby's face, and Weiss's eyes, normally so guarded, were filled with a bright, joyful affection.
They walked back toward the main fairgrounds, their hands still intertwined. The simple contact felt different now—it was a firm, silent promise. They found Yang and Blake waiting for them near a food stand, and the moment Yang saw them, her playful grin widened. She saw the way their hands were still joined and the quiet, radiant happiness on both their faces.
"Well, look at that," Yang said, a knowing smirk on her face. "You two finally figure it out?"
Ruby's cheeks flushed a light pink, but she didn't let go of Weiss's hand. "Something like that," she said, a wide, genuine grin spreading across her face.
Blake just offered a small, knowing smile, a quiet congratulations.
The conversation quickly shifted to the upcoming doubles match. Yang's eyes lit up with renewed fire. "Alright, so the plan is pretty simple. Weiss and I are going to crush it. We'll be a one-two punch they won't see coming."
As they discussed their strategy, a subtle, cold thrumming ran through Ruby. The "beast" inside her stirred, a low, unsettling vibration in her mind. It was a faint, familiar warning, sensing the approaching confrontation with Emerald and Mercury. But this time, it was different. The fear that had once paralyzed her was now tempered by a newfound sense of peace. With Weiss by her side and her team behind her, the beast's presence felt less like a threat and more like a challenge to be faced.
"They won't know what hit them," Ruby said with a firm nod, her voice filled with a quiet confidence she hadn't felt in a long time.
"Now, enough of that," Ruby said, her tone a mix of fond exasperation and determination as she gently squeezed Weiss's hand. Her eyes shifted to Blake and Yang. "Have you two eaten yet?"
"Unfortunately not," Blake replied, crossing her arms with a sigh. "Yang got distracted."
Yang rubbed the back of her head, a sheepish laugh escaping her lips. "Sorry! I saw this awesome motorcycle and I just couldn't look away!"
Ruby shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. "That's so you." She looked to her team, her eyes shining with affection. "Alright then. Let's get something to eat. All four of us this time."
"Right! I know just the place, too!" Yang declared, her appetite now her sole focus.
After a few minutes of navigating through the vibrant, bustling fairgrounds, the team arrived at a small, unassuming food stall. The air was thick with the scent of sizzling noodles and savory broth. They found a table and settled in, the four of them comfortable in each other's presence. They looked over at the stoic cook, ready to order.
"I'll have a bowl of the regular, please," Yang said, her voice clear and confident. With a swift motion, the cook slid a giant bowl filled with steaming noodles and vegetables across the counter to her.
Ruby's eyes lit up. "Nice, I'll have the same!" In a blink, an identical bowl was slid over to her.
Weiss took a moment to consider her order, her brow furrowing slightly. "Um... do you have anything with a low salt content?" A third giant bowl was slid over to her with a quiet thud.
Blake simply looked at the owner, a subtle smirk playing on her lips, and nodded. The owner nodded in return, their silent exchange a language of its own. He turned and disappeared behind the stall, and with a series of quick, practiced movements, he returned and slid a fourth giant bowl onto the table. It was filled to the brim with perfectly cooked fish, a meal tailored to Blake's tastes. Her eyes widened, sparkling with pure delight.
As the bowls sat on the table, Weiss pulled out her credit card. "I'll get this," she said, holding it out to the cook.
"Aww, Weiss! What's the occasion?" Yang asked, her eyes softening.
"Well," Weiss said with a proud smile, "it's for sending me to the doubles round."
Ruby giggled, a sweet sound that made Weiss's heart flutter. "Well, I couldn't go even if I wanted to."
Weiss simply rolled her eyes, but leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Ruby's cheek. Ruby's face immediately flushed a deep red. "Heh, thanks, Weiss," she said, her voice a little shy.
Suddenly, the credit card was thrown back at them. It spun through the air and embedded itself in the wooden table with a sharp thwack! Everyone stared, wide-eyed, at the card's position. The cook turned the register screen toward them, which displayed a single, damning message: DECLINED.
"What?!" Weiss exclaimed, her composure shattered. "How can my card be declined? I was barely into my monthly allowance!"
At that moment, the cook swiftly snatched Blake's giant bowl of fish from her. Blake laid her head on the counter, a look of profound sadness on her face. "Nooooo..." she whimpered, her delicious meal now just out of reach.
Ruby sighed, the sound heavy with frustration, and crossed her arms. "Well, I can't help," she said, defeated. "I already treated Weiss to dessert."
Just then, a voice, gentle but firm, cut through the noise of the fairgrounds. "Maybe I could help?"
Team RWBY looked over to see Team JNPR walking toward them. Pyrrha Nikos stood at the front, a kind smile on her face.
A relieved smile immediately appeared on Ruby's face. "Hey, Pyrrha."
"Aw, you don't have to!" Yang said, ever polite, though her stomach rumbled in protest.
Blake, however, was far more pragmatic. She appeared beside Yang, her eyes fixed on the delicious, stolen bowl of fish. "But she could!" she said, a hint of desperation in her voice.
Pyrrha chuckled softly. "It's no trouble at all. And besides," she said, her eyes filled with admiration, "I think you all earned it after that battle."
As Pyrrha stepped forward, a young woman with blonde hair and a friendly face walked up beside her. It was Jessica. "Mind if we join you?" she asked, her smile warm and inviting.
A few minutes later, the clatter of bowls and the scrape of chairs signaled that everyone had finished their meals. Bellies full, the two teams sat back, a comfortable silence settling over them.
"Are you sure it's wise to have eaten before a fight?" Ren asked, ever the voice of caution.
"Of course," Pyrrha replied, her tone unwavering. "It will give us energy."
"Well, I feel refreshed—" Jessica began, but a sudden lurch in her stomach cut her off. She groaned, rubbing her stomach with one hand and resting her head on her palm with the other. "Although, I also feel like my stomach isn't agreeing with me, which kind of makes me want to barf..."
"Oh!" Nora said, her eyes lighting up with a mischievous spark. "Aim it at the enemy!"
Ren sighed, a long, weary sound. "Nora! That's disgusting. But," he added, a hint of dark humor in his voice, "if you do feel the urge..."
"You guys are gross," Jessica mumbled, but a small smile betrayed her amusement.
Pyrrha offered a gentle smile to Jessica before standing up. "Well, we should be off."
"So, you guys think you're ready?" Ruby asked, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and concern.
Nora's face lit up with her signature boundless energy. "Of course! We've got a world-renowned fighter on our team, what's basically a ninja, I can bench five of me, and Jessica!" She then lowered her voice to a more serious tone. "We've trained all year, our weapons are awesome, Glynda barely yells at us anymore, and... uh... Jessica!"
"Are you gonna take that?" Ren asked Jessica with a raised eyebrow.
Jessica sighed. "Well, so far my training has been good... although not great. So... she's not wrong."
Nora's infectious laughter filled the air. "I'm kidding! She knows I'm kidding, don't be so nervous! The worst that could happen is that we lose." Her face suddenly went pale, and her laughter morphed into a sad, hollow sound. "Then it's just a few more years of walking around school with everyone knowing we're failures, our friends will slowly abandon us to preserve their social status—" Nora's rambling grew faster and more frantic. "We won't be able to show our faces in class, no one will sit with us in the cafeteria, Ren and I have no parents, we have no home left to go to, we'll be officially renamed Team Loseifer." She slammed her face against the counter, her whole body slumping in defeat.
The rest of the team stared at her, horrified.
"So," Ren said, a wry smile on his face. "Yeah, we're feeling pretty good."
Pyrrha gently laid a hand on Nora and Jessica's backs. "Don't fret. If anything, we should be looking forward to a fight with actual guidelines and not... well, murderers."
Ruby laid her head on the table with a sigh, a small, wry laugh escaping her lips. "Yeah, those murderers wouldn't really be here if it wasn't for me." She paused, and an affectionate, relieved smile crossed her face as she looked at her team. "Thanks for everything, guys."
"Yeah, don't sweat it. We've all faced way worse before," Yang said with a comforting grin.
Blake started counting on her fingers, a faint smirk on her face. "Let's see: Grimm invasions, a violent scientist madman, destructive sociopaths—"
"And that's all!" Ruby said, cutting her off and raising her hands in a playful surrender. "That's literally all. No more of that. We were still in training."
Just then, the arena intercom crackled to life. "Team JNPR, please report to the battlegrounds immediately," Professor Port's booming voice announced.
"Well, it looks like this is it," Pyrrha said, standing up with a newfound determination. Her teammates followed suit, their playful banter replaced with the quiet resolve of warriors.
"You guys got this," Ruby said, her voice filled with a confident pride. Her hand instinctively found Weiss's, a silent promise of support.
"Thanks, we'll see you guys soon!" Jessica called out, waving as she followed her team. And with that, Team JNPR walked away, ready for the fight ahead.
+-+-+-+-+
The roar of the crowd was a physical wave, an exhilarating tide of noise as Team RWBY walked into the arena. Behind them, Emerald and Mercury followed, their movements a synchronized study in practiced nonchalance. As Team RWBY veered toward their designated waiting area, Emerald and Mercury continued onward, heading to the opposite side of the arena. Before they disappeared from view, they exchanged a brief glance, a flicker of cold, shared understanding passing between them before they continued on their way.
Just then, Team JNPR strode onto the stage, their determined faces a stark contrast to the cheering frenzy. High in the stands, Mercury grabbed a large bucket of popcorn and sat down, his eyes fixed on the arena. Emerald took her seat beside him.
"I wonder who's gonna win," Mercury said, his voice a low hum.
Emerald gave him a dismissive glance. "Tsk. As if we didn't already know."
A third figure, Cinder, appeared behind them, her movements silent and graceful. She reached over and plucked a handful of popcorn from Mercury's bucket. "Oh, come now," she said, her voice a velvety whisper that held a hidden edge. "Even if you know how a story ends, that doesn't make it any less fun to watch."
Just then, another figure approached the group. Alex, a quiet confidence in her posture, walked up and stopped, her gaze fixed on Cinder. "Mind if I sit next to you?"
Cinder's smile was as chilling as it was beautiful. "Alex... my love," she whispered, a possessive undertone in her voice that only Alex would hear.
Alex's body tensed, but she quickly forced herself to cool down. "Don't," she said, her voice low and steady. "I just... want to watch the fight. That's all. Will you let me?"
Cinder's smile widened. "Of course, by all means." But the way she said it was a chilling promise, her words like a cold blade. Alex took a deep, steadying breath and sat down next to Cinder.
A moment passed, the crowd's cheers a distant buzz in her ears, before Alex felt a hand on her thigh. She glanced over to see Cinder's smile, a look of pure satisfaction in her eyes. "Cinder..." Alex whispered, her voice laced with a quiet warning as she gripped the armrest of her chair, her knuckles turning white.
Ignoring her plea, Cinder simply kept her hand in place, her eyes fixed on the arena, waiting for the fight to begin. The gesture was a declaration of ownership, a silent power play.
Suddenly, the intercom crackled to life. "Team JNPR of Beacon versus Team BRNZ of Shade," Professor Port's booming voice announced.
The arena, which had been a clear, flat platform, began to transform. Screens popped up on each platform and started to spin, a digital roulette of environments. When the spinning was done, the ground began to shift. Half of the arena's floor descended and rose again as a dense, realistic forest, complete with towering trees and thick undergrowth. The other half was consumed by a stormy mountain, jagged peaks and swirling clouds appearing as the ground shifted.
From the audience, Ruby, Yang, Blake, and Weiss watched, their faces filled with anticipation.
"Three... two... one," Professor Port began, his voice filled with a dramatic flair.
"Begin!"
With a synchronized roar, Team JNPR and Team BRNZ charged at one another, and the battle began.