#grimm reaper screaming out my name

[supersaiyanjedi14]

RWBY COMBAT ANALYSIS: MARIA CALAVERA, THE GRIMM REAPER

“It is the desire to preserve life which fuels the light inside you. And to make no mistake, it is light. Preservation is an extension of creation, or, at the very least, an enemy of destruction.”

This entry in the RWBY Combat Analysis will be a special detailing the capabilities of Maria Calavera…both of them.  Since Maria’s two on-screen fights are separated by a minimum of thirty years, I will be ranking Maria in her prime and Maria in the present as separate entities, with additional commentary on her development between then and now.  Therefore, while I will be referring to her by both her name and ops-moniker interchangeably, my evaluation of Maria in her prime will be officially labeled as the Grimm Reaper, as she has effectively ceased to be that figure by the time of the show.  Furthermore, the sections will be more condensed than usual for the sake of time, but I do hope I provided sufficient detail where needed.  With all that out of the way, let’s get started.

PHYSICAL

(Grimm Reaper)

A human female, Maria Calavera’s exact age when she was blinded by Tock has not been established, though based on her appearance, I would estimate her to be in her mid to late thirties.  Born into a lineage of Silver-Eyed Warriors, Maria lived a relatively isolated life due to her father’s caution about those with Silver Eyes being targeted and killed, unaware of Salem or her purges.  As a result, Maria did not attend an of the professional Huntsman Academies, instead relying on private tutoring and self-taught experience.  Despite her lack of formal education, she demonstrated an immaculate degree of natural talent, setting a record score on her licensing exam and coming into her own as a legendary though isolated Huntress that became known as the enigmatic Grimm Reaper.

Aside from her magical eyes, Maria was a conventional yet highly impressive specimen, standing at medium height and distinguished by her black hair, tanned skin, and athletic build.  In her physical performance, the Reaper demonstrated a balanced array of attributes, leveraging her dexterity through her skillful handling of twin scythes and her agility through nimble footwork and energetic acrobatics and flanking maneuvers.  She was agile enough to maintain a protracted midair battle with a Nevermore as well as keep Tock and her party in her crosshairs, all the while deflecting their gunfire and fencing evenly with Tock.  Though she was eventually overpowered by Tock’s ferocity, her ability to maintain her grip on the bucking Nevermore indicates that her strength was also respectable.  However, easily the Reaper’s most impressive trait was her exceptional tolerance for pain and injury.  Her battle with the Nevermore ended with her being violently stuck with the creature’s claws onto the rocky ground, yet she was unfazed when she petrified it with her Silver Eyes and went on to battle Tock’s party to a draw.  In that fight, she soaked up several heavy physical blows that broke her Aura surprisingly quickly, yet she remained composed and continued the fight without any noticeable toll on her performance.  The Reaper was only subdued when Tock staggered her with a headbutt and slashed out her eyes, reducing her to a blind, crawling wreck.  Despite screaming in agony, Maria focused through the pain and managed to pull a narrow victory by blindsiding Tock with one of her sickles.  This powerful ability to focus through pain highlights just how jarringly difficult it would be to realistically put this woman down.

Maria’s choice of wardrobe reflected her inconspicuous nature.  Instead of adopting armor, she wore a simple dark blue tunic and corset with cinched sleeves and a ankle-length combat skirt.  She completed the outfit with rugged boots, a hooded cloak, and her signature skull mask.  Despite providing no protection, her garb left her unencumbered and was practical in the field, supporting her more skill-based approach to combat.

RANKING: Tier 2, Peak Human Fitness

Despite a great lack of feats, the Grimm Reaper’s athleticism is still highly polished, demonstrating truly exceptional strength, speed and stamina comparable to other master-level huntsmen.  While none of her assailants were bested on the back of raw physicality, her success instead tied more to skill and power, she was still able to match all of them in the areas that counted, leveraging her attributes for maximum effect.  Furthermore, she proved to be extremely tough and did not go to pieces under strain, her ability to focus through even the most horrific of injuries serving as a testament to her will to fight.  She will not be beaten into submission; it’s a death blow or nothing.

(Maria Calavera)

Moving our attention to modern-day Maria, the now jaded former Reaper was an elderly recluse.  As a figure of urban legend during Qrow Branwen’s pre-Beacon days, she was likely in her early to mid seventies by the time of the Atlas Crisis.  Following her blinding, Maria underwent surgery with the aid of Dr. Pietro Polendina to replace her eyes with prosthetic replacements.  The goggle-like eyes were fitted with shuttering lenses that mimicked natural expressions, as well as including built-in computer equipment that allowed her to interface with data terminals.  However, Maria’s eyes required regular maintenance, and she had to make regular trips to Atlas to have them fine-tuned. M ore telling by far was her change in lifestyle, her humiliating defeat causing her to quietly withdraw from the Hunstman community and become even more isolated.  When she met Team RWBY abord the Argus Limited, she was a wandering hermit whose only meaningful interactions with people was her antagonistic relationship with Caroline Cordovin and her much warmer friendship with Polendina.

As far as Maria’s physical performance was concerned, her capabilities were severely undercut by her age, most clearly visible in her now white hair and hunched diminutive stature.  Her regular walking speed was little more than a trot, she needed a cane to maintain her general mobility, and she even admitted to moderate hearing loss.  Despite this, she was a vigorous old woman, more than able to manage her wandering life unassisted, and was still fit enough to acquit herself surprisingly well in combat.  Though old age had effectively killed her strength, her agility remained polished, able to keep pace with Neopolitan despite the latter’s youth.  To compensate for her limited mobility, she scaled back her use of acrobatics, coasting on momentum rather than actively propelling herself while evading attacks with quick sidesteps.  Her dexterity, while nothing to write home about, was still refined enough to let her fight with Neo and leverage her weapon’s functions with proficiency, notably performing precise binding techniques in close quarters.  However, while she was still quite tough, powering through both the Argus Limited crash and the escape from Brunswick farm, her age had reduced her to a glass cannon.  A few strikes from Neopolitan, a fighter with middling physical strength, was enough to overpower her at Amity, and while never directly stated, fatigue would undoubtedly be a major obstacle for her to overcome in any prolonged engagement.

Despite being retired, Maria’s dress remained largely consistent. Her color scheme remained the same, simply replacing the hooded cloak with a heavy shawl clasped with light pauldrons and covering her hands with rugged leather gloves.  Still lightweight and practical, though reflective of an old woman rather than an active warrior.

RANKING: Tier 5, Decent Human Fitness

Maria’s ability to fight and arguably beat Neo at Amity proves that she is a tough old bird, but her physical limitations are as obvious as she is snarky.  She’s decades past her prime, her short stature makes it harder for her to contend with people of average height, and her athletic performance, while still polished and strong, has atrophied over time.  Additionally, we have Maria’s physical disability to take into account.  Given the regular maintenance she requires her eyes, it’s reasonable to assume that the electronics are fragile and not designed for combat. If damaged or disabled, Maria is completely blind.  Maria’s still very capable and won’t burn out immediately, but she’s old and has her limits.

MARTIAL

(Grimm Reaper)

As the Grimm Reaper, Maria Calavera wielded a pair of enlarged kama sickles known as Life and Death.  The handles scaled to about half of Maria’s height and appeared to be composed of simple wooden staves.  The primary blade curved outward with a slight hooked tip while the secondary blades protruded from the back, with the pommels fitted with retractable spikes.  Each piece of weaponry was topped off with a blue skull ornament that protruded a semiautomatic gun barrel from the back, with the triggers situated under the teeth.  Additionally, the kamas could be connected at the pommels to form a two-sided scythe.  These weapons would go on to serve as an inspiration for Qrow Branwen’s Harbinger and, by extension, Ruby Rose’s Crescent Rose, a testament to the reputation of their wielder.

Due to her father’s insistence on keeping a low profile, Maria Calavera did not attend a formal combat school, instead relying on private tutoring and personal combat experience.  Despite this largely informal instruction, Maria’s father was a former soldier and a Silver Eyed Warrior in his own right, and his training produced results, demonstrated when Maria held the highest score on her Huntress licensing exam that year.  Battle-tested and experienced, the Grimm Reaper was unquestionably one of the most accomplished and skilled martial artists of her day, her feats garnering for herself a quasi-legendary reputation even after her disappearance.  Whether she was dual-wielding or with the conjoined scythe, the Reaper’s core fighting technique was aggressive yet fluid, favoring the use of sweeping slashes and powerful chops the quickly overwhelm her opponents.  Fast and agile, she would regularly contort her body and perform running charges to put her full weight behind her strikes, while quickly moving from one target to the next with blinding flanking maneuvers.  She adopted more grounded postures with the scythe-staff, using the increased length to keep her opponents at arm’s length while maintaining her center of balance.  When forced to defend, she utilized flourishing deflection parries to turn aside strikes, and when fighting with her scythe she relied on twirling blocks to endure attacks and wait for an opening.  She reinforced this heavy offensive style with integrated physical combat and gunfire, preferring hard kicks and sudden shots to blindside opponents, and the unique properties of her Gravity Dust and Semblance, using her weapons to help traverse the battlefield and predicting her opponents’ moves so she could more to intercept.

As a young Huntress, the Grimm Reaper was natural talent but prone to arrogant posturing, causing her to develop into a cocky and daring adventurer.  While not unintelligent, her tactical outlook was very straightforward, simply relying on direct heavy offense to overcome her opponents while freely showboating.  To be fair, she was extremely formidable, as what few feats we have for her speak to her well-earned reputation, though they also showcase her overconfidence.  When attacked by a Nevermore in the wilderness, she almost casually dodged its initial attack, stabbed it in the wing, and forcibly pulled it towards the rocky cliffs to make it kill itself.  However, this did not finish the job, and the Reaper was blindsided by the recovered bird, forcing her to quickly unleash her Silver Eyes to petrify it.  Immediately after this, she was confronted by a small band of mercenaries under the leadership of one of Salem’s agents, the Faunus assassin Tock.  In the ensuing battle, the Reaper felled Tock’s trio of redshirts with aggressive power blows, each strike aimed at ending her opponent so as to move on to the next and focus on the greatest threat.  However, Tock herself was a greater challenge due to her invulnerable Semblance, making it impossible for Maria to overpower her and leaving her exposed to the crocodile’s vicious twin blade onslaught.  After her Aura broke, Maria conjoined Life and Death, allowing her to engage Tock and her surviving henchman more easily, even putting Tock on her back foot. However, Tock’s invincible Aura again allowed her to endure and power through, destroying Maria’s weapon, staggering her with a headbutt, and slashing out her eyes.  Reduced to a crawling wreck, Maria was forced to resort to a desperation tactic to survive, using the Dust in one sickle to call the other into Tock’s back and giving her a chance to instinctively decapitate her.

RANKING: Tier 3, Standard Mastery

While a prodigal talent who took no shortcuts, the Grimm Reaper’s success was predicated on the successful execution of a specific, singular fighting style.  She was a flexible, devastating warrior who boasted a performance level well above most of her peers, able to engage multiple opponents, including one at or near her own level, when dropped in cold, and very nearly came out on top.  However, she lacked adaptability, unable to adjust her tactics to deal with people she couldn’t simply overpower, and her fallback options tended to amount to reacting to the problem rather than controlling the fight.  The Reaper is a product of coasting on raw talent, developing her style according to her aptitudes rather than tactical consideration.  The Grimm Reaper is a sledgehammer. If she can’t overwhelm you, she can’t make a dent.

(Maria Calavera)

Maria’s humiliating defeat caused her to withdraw from the Huntsman community, exploiting her anonymity to quietly retreat into a wandering hermit.  Though she was retired, she still retained one half of Life and Death on her person as a walking cane, and clearly made a point of keeping her skills honed.  Due to the limitations of her age and stature, Maria’s fighting style underwent a significant reconstruction, swapping out her heavy offensive barrage with a slippery defensive retreat.  She would use her cane to execute warding deflection parries, knocking aside the enemy’s strikes while conserving her own energies.  Once she had their measure, she would take the initiative herself, but instead of laying into them with blinding aggression, she relied on counters, turning their attacks around and getting inside their guard.  She would use the hook of her scythe to trap and manipulate the opponent’s weapon, forcing it out of line and leaving them open to retaliation.  While rarely employed, she was perfectly willing to resort to physical combat when necessary, coasting on momentum to deliver flying kicks.

Maria’s tactics and conduct in her old age served as a perfect example of how she learned from her mistakes in her youth.  Having learned the hard way the dangers of overconfident overcommitment, she played it safe and avoided taking unnecessary risks, making efforts to warn the next generation the dangers of such recklessness.  Appropriately, Maria Calavera’s revised strategies revolved around defense, subversion, and retaliation.  She took a slow and steady approach, opening defensively to test the waters and get a feel for the opponent’s fighting style and tactics.  Instead of flinging herself at the enemy and steamrolling them, she allowed the opponent to make the first move, giving her breathing room and buying time so she could assess the threat and work around their own guard.  Where the Grimm Reaper used heavy offense to overwhelm, Maria Calavera used active defense to subvert.  While still prone to sarcastically taunting her opponent, she typically employed these taunts in a more measured approach, using psychological warfare to aggravate the opponent and provoke them into overextending.

Maria’s capabilities as both a tactician and fighter shone through during the battles in Argus and at Amity Tower.  She proved her ability to coordinate as part of a larger strategy by commandeering a Manta airship with Weiss Schnee, though her attempts to blend in were thwarted by Caroline Cordovin’s recognition of her voice.  When Cordo unleashed the Colossus mech, Maria piloted the Manta to provide support for her allies on the ground, using the craft to probe the Operative’s defenses and harass it with missiles, giving Ruby and co. time to slowly chip away at the robot’s weapons and defenses.  Though she did draw a fine line between goading Cordo and actively provoking her, intentionally mocking the specialist with a needless taunt, she reined it in during the battle proper, her comments aimed at manipulating Cordo into overextending rather than simply insulting her.  When confronted by Cinder Fall, Emerald Sustrai and Neopolitan at Amity Tower, Maria initially sought to defend Penny with a bulk loader, but was blindsided by their shuttle, the subsequent wrestling match settled by Sustrai’s illusions allowing Neo to ambush her.  When Neo threw Maria from the mech, the Reaper hit the ground fighting, fending off Neo’s attacks while turning her own counters against her, staggering the underworld assassin with a flying kick and a few scythe strikes to the face.  Neo’s inexperience as the aggressor was worsened by Maria’s cackling laughter, getting under her skin and hampering her ability to press an advantage.  However, Maria would be distracted by Penny, giving Neo an opportunity to strike her unawares, surviving by dint of Penny's interference.

RANKING: Tier 4, Advanced Application

Maria Calavera’s performance against Neopolitan indicates the high level of skill she retained to her age, and her revised tactical analysis arguably made her a far more effective fighter than she was in her youth. However, she is still significantly out of practice and down a weapon, and she cannot retain the performance level she once had.  Furthermore, she wasn’t really put under any serious pressure against Neo, and it’s not unreasonable to assume that more focused offensive heavyweights would be harder for her to deal with.  Maria Calavera’s success in her old age is predicated on her ability to manipulate and control fights rather than slugging it out, and when put between a rock and a hard place, she runs the risk of burning out.  Regardless, her functional defeat of Neo proves that, even with a reduced technique, she is still a force to be reckoned with.

SPECIAL

(Grimm Reaper)

Maria Calavera named her semblance “Preflexes”, providing her with above-average senses that allow her to react to the world around her more effectively.  In practice, it functions as a form of low-level precognition, giving the Grimm Reaper a feel for approaching danger and providing her with the time to respond.  In her prime, the Reaper used the advance warnings of her Semblance primarily for defense, anticipating incoming attacks and allowing her to block or evade them quickly and efficiently.  Against the Nevermore, she leapt off the bridge she was crossing at the exact moment to avoid being struck, giving her an opening to launch her kamas into its wings.  Though nearly bucked off several times, Maria’s Semblance likely allowed her to adjust her weight and positioning to maintain her balance.  Against Tock’s band, she regularly deflected gunfire and blocked attacks from range, even those outside her field of vison.  However, this did not always translate into an automatic ability to avoid injury, as the advance warning still required Maria to act on it appropriately.  Tock was able to dig deep and power through, denying the Reaper the opportunity to respond and ultimately spelling out the doom for her eyes.  Regardless, the Grimm Reaper’s last act was a masterful use of her Semblance, providing her with enough special awareness to blindside and decapitate Tock even while completely blind.

As advanced and tricky as her Semblance was, the Reaper’s far more notable, albeit obscure, special ability was her status as a Silver Eyed Warrior, a divine gift she inherited from her father.  Powered by a desire to preserve life, Silver Eyes allowed the warrior to channel the emptions of their bonds to friends or loved ones to produce power against agents of destruction, specifically Creatures of Grimm.  This power manifested as withering flashes of light that could blind, petrify or simply destroy the target. By Maria’s own admission, this power cannot be properly trained, the only opportunities for such being to go through a trial by fire.  That being said, the power of the Eyes can still be called upon by forming a disciplined state of mind.  It was this power that made Maria such a legendary Huntress, as she was capable of obliterating Grimm in an instant, while her practiced use allowed her to unleash her powers on a whim.  When attacked by the Nevermore, Maria was dazed by a strike from the Grimm, yet was able to almost casually release a flash of power that completely petrified it, its body crumbling to dust upon hitting the ground.  However, this power only has effect on Grimm, making it relatively useless against conventional enemies and forcing Maria to rely almost wholly on her martial arts when faced by more conventional adversaries.

In addition to her native abilities, Maria supplemented her loadout with the unique properties of Dust, using elemental combat to reinforce her fighting style.  Specifically, she incorporated two Gravity Dust cylinders into Life and Death, this substance allowing them to be influenced by gravitational fields as a form of limited telekinesis.  The Reaper’s integration caused the sickles to attract to each other like magnets as well as fly around chosen trajectories.  The Reaper utilized her Dust primarily for tactical support, retrieving her weapons when disarmed and using them as cable-less grappling hooks to traverse the arena.  In the event that her Aura and Semblance were rendered inoperable, she would unleash the Dust to repel her aggressors and give her time to regain her composure.  However, while this did give her someting to fall back on, she almost never used this Dust as a weapon in combat, her only offensive applications being to swing them around as a safe zone around her body and later to pull her discarded sickle into Tock’s back, a clear act of desperation on her part.

RANKING: Tier 3, Specialized Combat

Maria’s Silver Eyes, Preflexes, and the gravity Dust in her scythes were all very potent tools that enhanced her combat viability to a very high degree, providing various practical and situational assets.  However, these traits only had a small handful of uses, and her approach to battle reduced them to a collection of specialized hammers.  Silver Eyes are only effective against Grimm, making them useless in standard combat, her use of her Preflexes only warned her of danger so she could defend, and the Dust functions were usually only for utility.  While the Dust could be used for tactical subversion, the Reaper only used it once out of duress, making it unclear if something like that is in her usual repertoire.  She was flexible and deadly, but as in all other things, the Grimm Reaper’s special abilities were overspecialized and narrow, defined by her aptitudes rather than active skill construction.

(Maria Calavera)

With her eyes slashed out by Tock and one of her weapons lost, the elder Maria was left only with her Semblance as a special ability in her old age.  Despite her arsenal being so heavily reduced, Maria still proved able to utilize her powers in combat, and to a much higher degree than she had before. Much like her martial arts, Maria’s use of her Semblance underwent a revision accounting for her life experiences, and her use of her powers served as the greatest representation of her new defensive approach to combat.  Instead of passively responding to incoming attacks, Maria now actively utilized her Preflexes to intercept and interrupt her enemy’s offensives, taking the initiative and manipulating the flow of the fight.  As previously stated, the elder Maria’s primary strategy was to turn aside incoming attacks and slip in counters, capitalizing on overextentions on the opponent’s part.  And what better power to enable this than precognition?  Calculate where the bullet is going to fly move out of the way before the trigger is even pulled, then move to engage the opponent by intercepting their evasions.  Instead of striking where the enemy is, she strikes where the enemy is going to be.  It was this more calculating use of her powers that allowed her to pose such a serious threat to Neopolitan at Amity.  Neo’s entire schtick is to goad her opponents into overextending before slipping inside their guard, yet Maria’s ability to intercept her attacks before they were even executed before countering immediately made her Neo’s worst nightmare.

Additionally, despite losing her Sivler Eyes, Maria still retained her academic knowledge of them.  Her life of experience had taught her many of the finer practical elements of the magical powers, knowledge that was further elevated by Jinn’s revelations about the Gods of Light and Darkness.  It was this knowledge that allowed Maria to provide limited tutoring to Ruby Rose about her powers, stressing to her the importance of protecting life and the strength that could come from drawing on her friends.  She encouraged her informal protégé to focus on those she loved and how they made her feel, likely stemming from her own application of the power.  Instead of seeing the Silver Eyes as a weapon for destroying evil, she viewed them as a tool to protect the innocent, this calm and comforting focus enabling Ruby to partially petrify a giant Leviathan mere days after the old legend’s instruction.

RANKING: Tier 3, Specialized Combat

Despite losing many of her special talents after going blind, Maria’s revised application of her Semblance has more than made up the difference, allowing her to retain her Tier 3 effectiveness.  Slippery and subversive, Maria’s powers allowed her to manipulate and the opponent, reinforcing her tactical viability in a way she never had before.  Where her former ranking was determined by coasting on raw talent, her current ranking is determined by focused specialization in a specific skill, a result of her supplementary powers being stripped away from her.  Maria still has her limits and lacks any direct offensive ethereal talents, but she has learned to use what she has far more effectively than she once did, retaining potent supernatural ability even with a lesser bag of tricks.

OVERALL RANKINGS

The Grimm Reaper: TIER 3, ADVANCED HUNTRESS

I consider the Grimm Reaper to be an archetypical Tier 3 combatant in the same mold as Adam Taurus and James Ironwood.  All of her skills and abilities are elevated to the master level, and her performance level is more than sufficient to overcome most enemies with raw intensity, but her success is predicated on the direct application of her core abilities, dominating through focused power rather than true versatility.  Her rock-solid physical performance levels are more than sufficient to enable her top-notch fighting style, her marital arts are high performance and overwhelmingly powerful, and her special abilities made her even more deadly by way of supplementary tricks and powers.  However, Maria’s tactical outlook was very straightforward, wielding all of her tools a blunt instrument, and those she couldn’t overpower were more than she could handle.  The Reaper is a prodigy to coasted on natural talent rather than actually building her skill set, and major holes in her style were left unaddressed because they never came up.  When they did, Maria paid the price.  However, much like her young contemporary Yang Xiao Long, Maria Calavera learned from her catastrophic defeat, rebuilding herself to avoid the same oversights that nearly killed her.

Maria Calavera: TIER 4, EXPERT HUNTRESS

Maria’s revisions to her tactics and technique arguably make her a far more effective fighter than she used to be, but these new advantages are counterbalanced by a slew of new weaknesses that hold her back, most visibly her old age.  Maria is a tough, vigorous old woman who can more than handle herself in a fight, but the limitations of age and her physical disability hampers her ability to leverage her body in battle.  As a fighter, her martial arts have clearly atrophied over the years from the lack of real combat experience (relentless training can only make up for so much), yet she still retained expert-level skills that more than qualify her as a master in her own right, able to contend with much younger reigning masters.  Though her special abilities have been severely crippled due to the loss of her eyes and one of her weapons, her revised application of her Semblance enables her more calculating approach to battle, seizing the initiative with clever tricks instead of brute force.  Maria lost a lot with her eyes, but she has learned from her experiences, rebuilt her tactics accordingly, and uses what she still has to the best of her ability.

Between the two versions of the character seen, Maria Calavera’s story is that of someone who rose above a critical failure to make themselves something greater.  As formidable as the Grimm Reaper was, she had her limitations and nearly paid for them with her life, but instead of stewing in self-pity for the rest of her days, she took her failure to heart and made efforts to learn from her mistakes.  Aside from rebuilding herself as a fighter, she also became more aware of the mission Huntsmen are supposed to uphold, remaining dedicated to the core of her mission.  Despite her sarcastic personality, she was extremely compassionate, wise, and hopeful for the best, whether that was being the best she could be within her handicaps or working the make the world a safer place for the next generation.  However legendary the Grimm Reaper was, Maria Calavera remains just as worthy of the distinction of a truly great Huntress.

*originally posted on RoosterTeeth Community page on 1-30-21*

*images taken from RWBY Wiki and @blackdagger456*

RWBY Combat Analysis

#rwby #rwby combat analysis #maria calavera #the grimm reaper #rwby maria #peak human fitness #standard mastery #specialized combat #decent human fitness #advanced application

[willownoir1112]

Hello beautiful people of Tumblr! Wyn here with day one of White Rose Week 2021 to break my silence! I hope everyone enjoys, and I'll see you tomorrow with day 2!

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Love Bites

Summer Rose vanished, and Ruby suffered.

All her life, all Ruby has ever wanted was to belong. She tries so hard to fit in, first with her older sister's friends. But, they all told her to go away. That she's a baby compared to them. "Why would I want to bring you too?" Yang would always declare. "You're still just a baby!" Her friends would laugh with her, call her names as well, and leave her behind just like Yang did.

Her sister's words hurt her, and destroyed any chance of them having a sisterly relationship.

She tried so hard to be a good daughter. But, her father spent more of his time worrying about his troops, his responsibilities, his duties to Goddess and Country. "One day you will understand, Ruby." He would always tell her. "One day, you'll have to make the same sacrifices for a family of your own." His words never changed, nor his actions. He would be gone constantly, leaving her and Yang alone for weeks or even months at a time, meaning she had to grow up far too quickly.

Her father's priorities hurt her and robbed her of her childhood.

She tried so hard to be a good student. But, subjects like english, history, anything really to do with reading simply didn't make sense to her. She could stare at the page of a book for hours and all she could see is a jumble of letters. Everyone called her simple, stupid, a waste of time. "Oh look, it's little Stupid Ruby!" Cardin Winchester would declare every day at school. He and his cronies would torment and belittle her, and once even cut her long hair off. She suffered in silence, her arms the only evidence of her inner pain. Arms she always kept covered even in the worst heat of summer.

Her peers hurt her with their words, with their actions, and made her withdraw further into herself.

She finally stopped being a good sibling. She shut her sister out of her life first, Yang never noticing that Ruby stayed closeted in her room constantly. She was the bright shiny sun of everyone else's lives, with her outgoing and boisterous personality. Everyone's but Ruby's. If Yang is the bright sun, then Ruby has become the darkest moon of the family, and she likes it that way now.

She finally stopped being a good daughter. She did her chores without complaint and without needing to be told, save late at night when her father would already be in bed or Yang too preoccupied with her latest significant other. He never noticed that his younger daughter dresses in nothing but blacks and reds, or that she never let her hair grow back longer than above her shoulders. The career he chose to continue to support his family had a long ago casualty, and Ruby keeps it that way.

She finally stopped being a good student. She kept going to school, despite all but failing in everything. She went through the motions, ignored everyone when they called her things like Queen of Darkness or Salem's heir, or even worse. She ignored the shoves, the bullying, everything done to her until they all finally grew bored of it and her. She was finally left alone to sit in the deepest corner of all her classes, doodling to pass the time until she could return to her room and her solitude.

But then Ms. Peach, the choir director, invited the secretly shy and lonely girl to her class one day and encouraged her to sing. From the moment she heard the piano play, her soul became exultant, and her voice rose in response. Even Principle Ozpin, who was walking by at that moment stopped and listened as the shy, moody, rather dark girl who kept to herself was in possession of a voice that could bring even him to tears. Peach was enthusiastic in teaching her how to read music, how to project her voice, how to truly appreciate her hidden talent for music.

But, Taiyang finally noticed when he was forced to retire. He noticed the true state of his family, and decided to take firm control. He destroyed her growing dreams when he declared she and Yang both were to join Beacon Military Academy to finish school. That they needed discipline and not freedom to thrive like he once did. That neither of his children will follow in his long disappeared wife's footsteps, and lack the discipline needed to succeed where she obviously failed.

He was furious when Glynda Goodwitch admitted her as Ruby, allowing her to keep that one small bit of freedom.

She suffered like never before at Beacon. She was admitted two years early as a favor to her father, and she hated it. Her hate translated itself into her becoming a powerful fighter with her chosen weapon, a red and black fifty caliber sniper scythe she named Crescent Rose, and soon where she was once either dereided or ignored, she was now feared. Even her own sister fears her now, and that makes her happy.

She is the Darkest Reaper of Vale, and she hates them all.

But one person did not fear her. One person saw past her pain, her grief for her denied life. Weiss was from Atlas, a mysterious, inclusive land far to the north, where they say even the Grimm do not tread. A land of dark magic, of creatures even fouler than the enemy of the world. A land even the demiurge Salem has forsaken. Weiss did not fear the Darkest Reaper, and took an odd delight in hearing the whispers about her, about them both.

She has her own secrets, secrets Ruby will know all too soon.

She cannot help but to feel an attraction to the white haired girl from the north. Her porcelain skin is always smooth and cool to the touch. Her brilliant blue eyes are like the clear blue skies she would once sit under with her long departed mother while they laugh and imagine whimsical beasts and imaginary places. Her long white hair moves like the finest of silk curtains as she walks from class to class, her nose turned up to their peers as if they are all beneath her. All except for her. She treats the Reaper with respect, with courtesy, and after a time, holds out a hand of friendship to her, one she takes willingly.

She finally has a friend, a real friend. Someone who cares for her, Ruby Rose.

But certain things stand out to her as well. The way she barely eats anything but meat, and even then almost bloody and nearly raw. The way she approaches every mock battle with the cunning of a predator on the hunt. The skill with which she wields her rapier, a dust revolver styled weapon she has named Myrtenaster, with near lethal intent even during the simplest of spars against anyone willing to challenge her. She is the only one who can stand against her, her own formidable rage and loathing a match for the heiress's feral cunning and ferocity.

But one late night, during a restless night they both secretly shared, a truth is told, and their lives are changed forever.

She herself couldn't sleep. It was the one thing she could always count on being able to do. It was her refuge from the reality of her world, and she retreated to it every chance she could. But tonight, she tosses and turns, she begs and pleads with the treacherous brain that won't stop thinking, and finally surrenders and gets dressed. Taking up her scythe, she easily steals away into the Emerald Forest, the guards ignoring her out of fear. She runs deeply into the darkened woods, no fear for the Grimm that hide in the shadows as well as whatever other creatures may dwell within.

She never realizes that a pair of blue eyes follow her, belonging to the single person who doesn't fear her. The only person who is beginning to secretly adore her.

She finally stops near the old temple to the Brother of Light, which has been long abandoned when he left Remnant to it's fate. Sitting down, she begins to cry deep tears of pain and sorrow. She hates her life now, she hates being taught to kill, to end the lives of others. She despises the fact that she is good at it. She never wanted this. All she ever wanted was to be a good sibling, a good daughter, a good student. All she ever wanted was to belong, to love a certain white haired girl and be loved in return.

She almost screams in terror when the great white furred head lays in her lap, with sad blue eyes that reflect her pain.

She stares at the great beast, marveling at the fact that a wolf has appeared here. One of the few things she has managed to remember from her poor studies is that the Grimm killed all the wolves when they first came to Vale. None were spared, and somehow she knows this one knows that. To her surprise, she begins to pet the wild creature, smiling softly at the way it's tail begins to wag as it whines. And then she begins to talk to it. She talks about her mother, her father, her sister, her life. She is soon sobbing in grief at the sadness of her life thus far, and is surprised to see tears in the white wolf's eyes as well.

But she forgot that sorrow is a feast for the Grimm, and they soon gather around her and the white wolf both.

She makes her decision. She throws her scythe to the ground and gives in completely to her sorrow. She is so tired. She is so tired of being turned into someone she wants nothing to do with. She's so tired of hoping people will finally love her instead of hate her or fear her. She is so tired of dreaming of a pair of blue eyes that will never look lovingly at her. She is ready, and the Grimm will feed well on her. But she doesn't expect the snarling, the sudden sounds of battle. Opening her silver eyes, they widen as she sees the once four legged wolf has vanished, a naked Weiss snarling in her rage as she wields Myrtenaster against the foul creatures.

"YOU KILLED THEM ALL!"

She stares at the rage filled young woman. She's never seen her fight with this much savagery, this much hate. Even in battles in which she is outclassed or outnumbered, she is still controlled. She uses superior tactics, the icy calm she is infamous for, and her obviously hidden rage to still rip victory from the jaws of defeat.

"ALL THE PACKS OF VALE ARE DEAD!"

She picks Crescent Rose back up. The white haired girl is beginning to frighten her, and she does not frighten easily. She watches in growing terror as an Alpha Beowolf appears, howling in challenge, Weiss's answering howl frightening her to her very soul. She watches as the white haired woman tosses her sword to the side and begins to growl as she grows. She listens to the popping of bone and sinew as fur begins to spring from her bare skin. She stares on in horror as the one friend she has ever made turns into…

A werewolf. A creature from Remnant's darkest stories has come to life before her, and is defending her while taking vengeance for the long dead wolves of Vale.

"You will not hurt my Ruby…"

She screams as Weiss leaps towards the Alpha, her fangs bared and her still hand shaped front paws slashing at the creature of darkness. The Alpha charges her as well, it's own jaws wide open to bite and tear at the white werewolf, it's own claws slashing at her unarmored and exposed flanks. She hears her friend's scream of pain as the Alpha strikes harder than she can, and causes more damage than she can possibly manage in return, and she finally leaps into action. Weiss is the first person to be her friend. She is the first person to treat her like a person. She is the first person she's allowed herself to start having feelings for in her short life.

She may be ready to die, but she will not let Weiss die for her own selfish desires.

Crescent Rose strikes the Beowolf quickly, breaking the Alpha and the werewolf apart as the Grimm leaps back to avoid the deathblow Ruby aims at it. But Ruby is enraged now. She sees the bright red blood upon the moonlit ground, and it adds to her fury. She hears the whimpers of the injured wolf, and it increases her rage. She roars in her righteous anger as her scythe becomes a blur, the Alpha soon howling in pain before Ruby's final blow comes in her scythe hooking around its neck before she pulls the trigger, decapitating the beast with one final roar of triumph. It takes her a moment to calm herself, a long moment in which she has forgotten her anger, her sorrow, her self loathing. And then she finally remembers Weiss. In a panic, she begins to look for her friend, desperate to ensure that she is safe.

It doesn't take her long to find her, and her scream of anguish can be heard back at Beacon.

Weiss has managed to get back to a small cave, her clothes as well as some supplies stacked neatly in the back. She herself is panting heavily as blood flows steadily from her injuries. But her tail thumps on the ground weakly as Ruby slides to the ground in front of her. She doesn't hesitate, but begins to treat the slashing wounds, bandaging them carefully while doing her best to ignore the pain filled shrieks from the badly injured werewolf.

"Oh Goddesses, I'm so sorry, Weiss. I'm so so sorry!" Is her litany as she keeps at her work, until the blood finally stops. Until the white wolf goes silent save for her panting.

The sun rises, then sets once more, but Ruby has yet to leave the white werewolf's side. Weiss has slept the entire time, but she has stayed awake. She is too scared to close her eyes, terrified that if she relaxes her vigil for even a moment, she will lose the most important person in her life. But her body's needs will not be denied, and she finally falls asleep, the large canine head still in her lap and her grip firm on Crescent Rose's handle.

She dreams of white fur and sky blue eyes. Of days spent watching the skies and laughing. Of feeling loved once more, and being confident in being able to return that love.

She moans as she feels the urgency of the lips on her own. Of the feeling of cold skin upon her own now bare skin. Of cold hands exploring her body and her own hands wandering across smooth, uninjured skin in return. She moans in longing as lips caress her skin with feather light kisses. As her own fingers discover places on the other willing body that bring moans of pleasure from a voice she has come to adore since beginning at Beacon.

But she moans loudly as teeth sink into her collarbone, a tender, almost loving bite from the woman she knows she loves deeply.

"Ruby…" Her voice is husky as she releases the love bite, full of longing and need. She can feel a certain heat against her leg that is foreign to the cold that the rest of her skin belies. She herself feels so hot, so needed. She has never felt like this before, and she wants more. She needs more. But her eyes widen as she catches her lover's hands as they grab at the hem of her panties, her face full of fear once more.

"Weiss… I…"

"I know, Ruby." Weiss smiles softly at the Reaper. "I know what you are. But I have wanted you for months now. Since I saw your strength for myself. Since I got to know the real you, and not your mask of anger and self loathing that you hide behind."

"Weiss…"

"Ruby, I am the last of my pack." The werewolf informs her sadly. "I came to Vale seeking the packs that once roamed here, hoping to join them and be safe." She sighs sadly, her blue eyes dimming. "I am beginning to fear I am the last of my kind."

She sits up and pulls the werewolf into her arms. She knows all the signs of sorrow, being well acquainted with them herself. "I… Weiss I'm damaged. Why would you want someone like me?"

Their eyes meet, quicksilver staring into sky blue. "Because I have been alone since I was a child. But you make me feel like I am home now." She cuddles deeper into the Reaper's arms. "I feel safe with you, and I know I can trust you with my secret."

Ruby takes a moment to think, to gather her thoughts while considering everything she has been told. But her thoughts always return to a pair of sky blue eyes she loves to look into. Coming to a decision, she lifts the werewolf's face by her chin with a single finger and kisses her deeply, while her free hand pulls her even closer.

This may be a mistake, but it is going to be the best one she ever makes.

The cavern is soon filled with their moans, their cries of pleasure, their whispered words of love, their need for one another. Their lovemaking is tender at times, frenzied at others, and intense throughout. Morning found them once again asleep, this time in each other's arms and in a tangle of limbs, a part of Ruby still inside the white werewolf, who smiles as she sleeps deeply. They wake upon that glorious morning and decide that Beacon has nothing left for them, and decide to seek their fortunes elsewhere. Someplace where no one knows either of them.

Someplace where their future children can grow up safely…

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

Weiss declares her love for her, and for the werewolf, she will throw everything away for a future with her...

Ruby opens one silver eye, smiling at the blue eyed pup staring back at her eagerly as she whines. Sitting up, she yawns as she stretches, her mouth opening wide as her fangs gleam in the light of the morning sunlight. Bowing her head down low, she nuzzles the white haired silver eyed pup tenderly before the two of them leave the comforts of the small, modest home she and Weiss have built together. It has been a decade since she and the white werewolf left Vale far behind and traveled to Mistral. To their surprise, as they explored the deepest parts of the wilds of Anima, they encountered a village full of others like Weiss, led by a lioness named Pyrrha Nikos and her own mate, a human woman named Nora.

She had heard of Pyrrha, who had been reported killed in a massive battle at Haven Academy. A report fabricated by the woman herself so she too could escape with her own mate and their hard won freedom...

They had met so many others, who had fled the destruction of their own packs and prides, their own groups and hutches. They met Velvet, who was a kind and gentle soul of a wererabbit and her mate Coco, who was the heiress of Mistral's largest corporation and their secret benefactor. They met Blake, a panther who loves to read, and her chameleon mate Ilia. There had even been a tearful reunion between Weiss and her older sister Winter, who had also barely survived the destruction of their pack and had also fled. They even met a pair of birds who squabbled constantly, an overly violent Raven and her dusty, drunken Qrow of a brother.

But the biggest shock comes when they reach one small cabin in particular, where a lonely woman lives. A lonely woman long thought vanished by the young woman, but who in truth had been forced to leave by the man she thought loved her.

Ruby sobs as she rushes into her mother's arms, Summer Rose holding her tightly as she too weeps in joy. A mother and her daughter are reunited to their eternal joy, and Weiss cheers in her happiness for them both.

They talked late into the night, the white werewolf asleep in her mate's lap as mother and daughter catch themselves up on years of their lives. Summer is livid at how Ruby has been treated, how she has suffered for so long because of her absence. Ruby had been furious to discover that her mother had been driven off due to a twist of fate, as she had been bitten by another werewolf during a mission. She had been bitten to save her life, and had been punished for it.

Ruby made her own decision that same night, and smiled as her beloved sank her fangs into her skin in a love bite that would change her forever. She turned willingly, determined that Weiss, her sister, and her own mother will not be the last of their kind.

She quietly cheered her mother onward as she found the courage to move on with Raven, who adored her and treated her with kindness, respect, and love. She had happily held her baby sister when she was born two years later, Weiss still at her side and a smile on her own face to match the look of peace in her eyes. She and Weiss had themselves celebrated the birth of their twin pups a year later, naming them after both their mothers.

But the biggest surprise is still to come.

She still checks her scroll from time to time, she and Pyrrha both agreeing that they cannot remain ignorant of the outside world. There is still danger out there, both from the humans and faunus as well as the Grimm, and all while quietly offering safe haven to others like them, as well as their families. They as well as Raven and Nora are the defenders and leaders of their small community, and they take their responsibilities seriously. But Ruby had been surprised to find an email waiting for her one day, when she had travelled far to the south before turning it on, a feat she can accomplish with ease thanks to her semblance and now enhanced senses and superior stamina.

She never expected to hear from her sister ever again.

Downloading it, she returns to the village and her mate, asking her to read it for her. Weiss of course does so, having been the one who finally helped the Reaper figure out that she was not stupid like everyone in her life claimed, but struggled with severe dyslexia. She and Summer have been helping her learn to finally read and write, but it is a slow process, one she still finds herself getting frustrated with as well as embarrassed. Opening it, she soon stops to summon Summer, the two of them sobbing at the state of the brawler's life since they fled. Tai has placed his blame on his eldest for her disappearance, and she has suffered greatly for it. Her life is a disaster now, and she has already been in a failed marriage. She begs Ruby to at least reassure her that she is alive, that she is at least doing well, that her suffering is worth it if it means that the sister she long ignored is finally happy.

That they have traded places, and that her sister is finally whole in spirit and at peace.

Pyrrha does not hesitate to give her permission to bring Yang back. To allow them to reunite, so that she can see for herself that her wishes are indeed true, and that Ruby is happy and thriving. She goes and meets Yang at Mistral's airship port, where the two of them meet in a long overdue hug between sisters, and not the strangers they have been all their lives. They return together, where Yang is also overjoyed to be reunited with her own mother, Raven. Ruby herself nods in satisfaction that her sister is on her way to a peace of mind she now enjoys, and is grateful that she too settles into life in their village, calling it home as well.

Only she and Weiss bear witness to Winter sinking her fangs into Yang's flesh, the two of them falling in love in this place they too call home.

Summer and Luna play happily with the other children, who include their cousins and their aunt. They are gentle with their younger brother, and fiercely protective of their newborn sister. Ruby and Weiss have slowly become the leaders of their still growing safe haven, and lead both by excellent example as well as with hard learned wisdom and knowledge. They share a deep, beautiful commitment to one another that many envy, one forged in mutual understanding and undying love.

Weiss Schnee came into Ruby's life, and she has prospered...

#White Rose Week 2021 #white rose #ruby rose #weiss schnee #Day One #werewolf Weiss #Trans Ruby #here we go!

[niqhtlord01]

Welcome back you blood thirsty fans to another round of ROOSTER TEETH CHAMPIONSHIP! 

Today we have an odd pair stepping into the scene. Both skilled fighters, expertly trained, and with gear so specialized they could make any cosplayer cry in despair. 

In one corner we have the lady of death herself, the shadow on which all grimm fear, the reaper of a thousand monsters; give it up for Maria AKA THE GRIMMMMMMMMM REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPER!!!!!!! And in the other corner we have the crocodile that finally walked on two legs, the eye doctor of despair, the grin that’d make the devil himself blush; let’s here it for TTTTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!! Reaper: *Walks in with both scythes flying into her hands*  Ruby: OMGOSH, another scythe user!  Reaper: It is the most efficient weapon after all.  Ruby: *Extends scythe* Can I get your autograph afterwards?  --------------------------------------------------------------------- Tock: *Walks in activating her clock*  Kazu: Wait a minute......ticking clock....crocodile...... Tock: If you’re finished looking like a half wit times a wasting. Kazu: *Cracks knuckles* If you’re rival is a hooked man I think we are due for a lawsuit. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Reaper: *Walks in with both scythes flying into her hands* Roman: Well, at least you’re not little red for a change; though not much of an improvement.  Reaper: And here I thought criminals likes silver. Roman: *Flips cane and gun cap opens* Personally I prefer gold.  -------------------------------------------------------------------- Tock: *Walks in activating her clock*  Grif: What the hell happened to your teeth?  Tock: What the ell happened to your voice?  Donut: *From crowd* Oooooooh burn!! Grif: *Hefts rocket launcher* Shut up doughnut!  --------------------------------------------------------------------- Nomad: *Walks in with wind blowing up poncho* Tock: Not az much fun when your prey can’t scream.  Nomad: *Looks shocked and horrified*  Tock: *Grins* Le’z see if you’re a real mute after all.  --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Weller & Caliban: *Weller walks in handing Caliban several books.* Reaper: Stand aside, I do not wish to fight an old man.  Dr. Weller: Neither would I, we can be very harsh with our honesty and are fully aware of how gross and sagging we are.  Reaper: *Has scythes circle her* What a strange man you are; I think I might like you. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Tock: *Walks in activating her clock* Sarge: In my day we had a way for handling misbehaving youngsters.  Tock: Whatchya going to do, bend me over and spank me?  Sarge: *Cocks shotgun* Not exactly.  ------------------------------------------------------------------ Reaper:* Walks in with both scythes flying around her* Raven: You should be careful; don’t want to poke an eye out with those.  Reaper: Are you serious? Raven: *Draws sword* Too soon? ------------------------------------------------------------------ Tock: *Walks in activating clock* Julian: I don’t think you want to fight me. Tock: Says the man on borrowed time.  Julian: *Hologram flickers* Alright, I gave you an out. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ren: *Draws both weapons* Reaper: For one appearing so calm your body reads rife with chaos.  Ren: Would you be calm when your world burns down around you? Reaper: *Pulls both scythes to her* No; but I would get angry.  ----------------------------------------------------------------- Toth: *Walks in unsheathing knife* Tock: Fancy tooth pick you got there.  Toth: You’ll be picking it out of your chest after I burry it in you. Tock: *Grins and activates clock* Oh I like you. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Reaper: *Walks in with both scythes flying around her* Sun: So is the mask fake or did you dig up a body for fashion?  Reaper: With a name like “Grim Reaper” what do you think? Sun: *Extends staff* I think you need to get out more for starters. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Tock: *Walks in activating clock* Church: Why is it every woman I meet is a psycho!?  Tock: Your a bit of a mental case yourself from what I hear love. Church: *Draws sniper rifle* I might just make a nice pair of boots out of you to kick your ass with! ------------------------------------------------------------------- Reaper: *Walks in with both scythes flying around her* Doc: Would you like my professional evaluation?  Reaper: I do not heed the words of madmen.  O’Malley: *Hefts rocket launcher* Good, because I recommend putting you down! ------------------------------------------------------------------- Cammie: *Walks in, picks up nugget*  Tock: No wonder the client wanted half price for a kid.  Cammie: I’ll pay you full to shut it before I beat the shite out of ya.  Tock: *Activates clock* Oh, they’ll get their money’s worth now. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Nemesis: *Nano-tech cloud forms Nemesis* Reaper: And what are you supposed to be? Nemesis: De-e-eath.  Reaper: *Grasps both scythes* Sorry, that’s my job. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Tock: *Walks in activating her clock* Locus: I studied your work, and it’s almost impressive but for one thing. Tock: Oh yeah, what’s that?  Locus: *Activates cloak* You talk too much.  --------------------------------------------------------------------- Reaper: *Walks in with both scythes circling her* Felix: All that hard work only to be cut down by some lowly mercs.  Reaper: Is that pity I hear in your voice?  Felix: *Draws knife and pistol* Hardly; more like ironic amusement. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Tock: *Walks in activating clock* Reaper:  Do you even care what you are helping to undo?  Tock: Not really s’longs the money’s good. Reaper: *Pulls both scythes to her* You play right into her hands.  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 

#Rooster Teeth #Genlock #gen:lock #rwby #nomad of nowhere #Red vs Blue #Championship #Mortal Kombat #banter #funny #Tournament #Tock #Grim Reaper #Maria Calavera #Felix #Locus #Nemesis #Doc #O'Malley #Cammie #cammie maccloud #Leonard L. Church #church #toth #sun wukong #lie ren #julian chase #raven #sarge #rufus weller

[razorblade180]

Rosebud Prologue:The first move.

In times of despair and sorrow there are fundamentally two options. Wallow in it, or move forward despite through the pain. A wise person would recommend escaping one’s own personal suffering. A wiser man would ask the question nobody else does. When you move forward, what happens to things left behind? They don’t fade away, not always. Sometimes...they try to keep up.

It was just another day. Ruby was doing dishes while her fourteen year old daughter, Carmine, held her baby brother in her arms. The little monster was enjoying his bottle while his happy sister hummed Gold to him. Ruby couldn’t help but feel all warm inside. Carmine had been doing everything and more to help out. This past year could’ve been way harder without her, but now things had fallen into a decent routine. More importantly, Ruby could say goodbye to sweatpants again and hello to corsets! Her body was back in action like it was before pregnancy. Loving her children had no limits but it felt heavenly to not feel like a balloon again. Jaune never complained though. Most likely because it meant it was his turn to whip her into shape. The sneaky husband loved helping with her stretches.

Ruby put away the last dish and dried her hands. ���Wanna switch off?” She asked, clearly seeing Carmine enjoy her current duty. The girl shook her head no. “I’m fine feeding Garnet. Just another role as big sis!” Her smile practically reached her eyes. Ruby noticed Carmine had her red contacts in. “Going somewhere soon?

“Yep. When dad gets back with groceries I’m gonna head out to do a bit of patrolling. Thought I’d stop by Sun’s place and see if Aero wanted to join. He gets snippy if I don’t at least try and convince him to join.” Ruby laughed, that was pretty on brand for the boy. “Just don’t go around town starting trouble. I’m tired of the cops telling me you’re playing vigilante.” Carmine couldn’t help scoff at such exaggerated claims. “How’s it my fault I happened to encounter a gang leader in his hidden base of operations? It was poorly hidden. Besides, the cops haven’t called in weeks.”

Ruby’s scroll immediately starts ringing with the Vacou police department ID on it. She turns to Carmine and sighs. “Listen, I was wild like this too, but not this wild.” Carmine raised an eyebrow. “But...I haven’t done anything. In a while, or that they can prove…” she hoped. Ruby only shook her head tiredly and answered. “What or who did Carmine break?” The officer laughed lightly before it faded off. “No no, this isn’t about Carmine. One of the stations a couple of miles out of the kingdom to the neighboring towns called our department. If I’m correct, you were very close with Maria Calavera, yes?” Ruby moved away from her kids and spoke lower. Maria had passed away several years ago. It was the first time Carmine looked so hurt. “Yes, is everything okay? Did something happen to her house,”

“Her home is fine, but not her tombstone. Apparently some punk kid decided to defile it. The cops are wondering if you can drop by and scare the punk into proper shape. You know how people get when they meet you. Also you take care and technically on it, so pressing charges have to come from you.” Ruby was still processing someone disrespecting a grave. To what gain? Maria had no more enemies. Not to mention that her grave wasn’t in a cemetery. It was moved to a hill near the outskirts. “Yeah I’ll show up. I can’t promise I won’t scare the kid to death though. I can’t believe a person did such a thing. This world I’ll tell ya; give me a few minutes to head out. Have them with me so they can admire their work before I make them clean it all up.” Ruby hung up and let out a sigh. There was always something.

“Everything okay?” Carmine asked. She walked towards her mother and held Garnet's adorably chubby face in front of Ruby’s face. It was impossible not to smile at it. “Hehe, I’m fine. Looks like a certain baby is fine too. I might have to put this boy on a diet!” She poked his tummy and patted Carmine’s head. “I gotta go to your abuela’s gravesite. Somebody was messing with it and I gotta give them a stern talking to.” Carmine looked as stunned as Ruby did, then her face scowled. Ruby had seen that before. “Nah ah, you can not come and beat them up.”

Carmine poked her lips out. “You’re no fun. I guess I’ll keep the house safe with Garnet then.” As if she had a choice. Who else was gonna do it!? She stopped pouting when Ruby kissed her forehead. Carmine wanted to rub it off but her hands were full. “Mom!” Ruby stuck her tongue out childishly as she walked away. “Lock the door! You dad will be home soon.” The front door was closed and the house became a little more quiet. “Well it’s just you and I now.” Garnet blinked his eye at her curiously before spitting up a little on himself. Carmine closes her eyes to collect herself. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

xxxx

The trip to Esperanza from the outskirts of Vacou was only a couple miles; not a real problem for someone who walked all the way to Haven. Ruby reached Maria’s small and festive hometown in about half an hour. It was still rather early for everyone to be out and about but noise and smells of food sizzling filled the air all the same. Ruby always liked this place. She spotted the tree that stood proudly on the hill on the other side of the town. Even from here she could see some limbs had been broken off and some kind of fabric flowing off of it. “Why would-ugh, teenagers.” Ruby groaned. Under the tree she could see a cop and another individual draped in a black hood. Now she was even more confused. An over eager fan or hater maybe? Many people around here loved Maria and her legendary status. Ruby wasted no time racing up to the vandalism, catching the raven haired officer off guard. Her emerald eyes bugged out at the sudden appearance.

“Gah! Wow, you’re faster up close. You should come with a bell.” Ruby chuckled at the statement. “I bet the grimm would love that idea.” A closer look at the tree revealed more damaged limbs and roughed up ground. Ruby turned to the cloaked figure who avoided her gaze. They were taller than Ruby expected but that’s all she could decipher. “Care to explain why you felt so compelled to ruin a memorial? Disrespecting the dead is pretty low.” She said firmly, crossing her arms for more affect.

The person hid further in their hood. Ruby waited for any possible response but there was only silence. They looked at the ground and dug their right foot into the dirt. The cop touched Ruby soldier. “He’s been pretty silent since I caught him red handed. There’s a mark on the back of the tree they spray painted. I can’t make sense of it but I was hoping you might be able to. For all I know, no gangs use that tag.” Ruby pointed star the culprit. “Don’t you dare try to run. We’re not finished young man.” He nodded. Ruby backed away slowly. There were always a few that tried running. It was as if they forgot what her semblance was.

A few steps from her and the cop told her that the dude was just gonna stay there. She finally turned around to examine the tree. “You said the back right? Gangs spray paint all the time so I might not know what….” her voice drifted into silence as she reached the other side of the trees. She had to take a few steps back to make sure she was seeing things okay. “This-This is…” words still eluded her as Ruby stared at black spray paint that perfectly made the image of a queen chess piece. Ruby could feel her face lose its color. “Cinder…” it was as if her name was a trigger for disaster. The tree suddenly was cut into by a blade that pierced the other side. Ruby was barely able to dodge the surprise attack, getting a clear view of the weapon. It was a scythe. Their culprit was holding a standard scythe that counted swinging at her. A small smirk was visible on the young man’s face as he came at her in full force.

The scythe constantly spun in his hand as he tried to swipe Ruby.The woman was done being surprised however. Ruby easily ducked and whipped out Cresent Rose. “Wanna play huh? Fine.” She hissed. Fighting first and asking questions later was something Ruby could get behind. She gripped the pole of her weapon tight and swung horizontally. The force alone caused enough pressure to push her opponent back while the blade barely scratched his torso. He had good reflexes. Ruby blitzed behind him and slashed him back before disappearing and reappearing in front of him. Ruby spun the bottom of her scythe and clipped his chin, then took a shot to thrust it forward. The sharp metal end would’ve connected to his face if an unexpected bullet didn’t hit Ruby in her arm. She turns her head to see the cop’s gun trained on her with deadly accuracy.

“What the hell are you-huh?” The emerald eyes of the cop turned pink and brown along with her hair. A familiar mischievous laughter comes from the old adversary as she twirls the gun and watches Ruby avoid the opponent in front of her. “Hey Rubes! You’re looking good; filled out quite a bit. I know your husband must like that.” She fired a few more bullets at Ruby’s feet to keep her moving as the red reaper was easily out classing the man in black, but he was nothing but persistent. He forced Ruby to jump by sweeping her feet and shoulder bashed her to the ground. Expert or not, Ruby was only so big. She quickly recovered by tumbling backwards and dashed towards Neo. For the first time in a long time, an ache more deadly than any blade pierced Ruby’s heart. Ruby couldn’t help but be bombarded with the memories of seventeen years ago.

“WHERE IS SHE!?” Ruby screamed at the smirking woman. That smirk pissed her off to no end. Not again, they’re not taking anything again. She swung Crescent Rose downward at Neo’s face, but quickly spun it sideways to shoot herself towards the right. The cloaked figure sprinted in front of her and blocked a horizontal slash that looked like it would’ve hit air, but wouldn’t. The Neo behind her shattered and the real one poked her head out from behind the man, happily surprised. “Damn, nothing gets past you anymore huh? Saw right through me.” Neo tried getting off another shot. “Still fast?” One bullet fired at close range only hit a rose petal. Instincts told Neo to push her partner out the way and duck. It was the right call. The edge of a scythe blade had been dropped and yanked backwards where Neo’s neck was. “I’m faster…”

Neo’s partner swung the end of the shaft to Neo to grab a hold of then Yanked her to safety behind him. “Phew, thanks darling. Told you she was the real deal.” Neo finally stopped smiling and glared at Ruby. “That’s What makes this next part so satisfying.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a detonator. Ruby’s body tensed up and her assault was halted. Neo’s thumb rubbed the top of the bottom rhythmically. “Guess where the bomb is?”

Ruby didn’t even flinch. “Leave the townspeople out of this or I swear-”

“Times up!” Neo hit the button and Ruby gasped. She went to dash at Neo but was hit in the side with a scythe from behind. The image in front of her shattered as she stumbled into it. An anger growl left her throat as Neo laughed. “Hahaha, kidding! This trigger does nothing.” She tossed it to the ground. “Still gullible after all these years. How are you not dead? Oh wait, others die for you.”

“Little…” Ruby grit her teeth and fired round after round at Neo. The cloaked man spun his scythe to deflect each one. He jumped forward with a downward slash but missed. Ruby spun in a tight vortex of petals that kept his feet fry the ground. She hooked his scythe with hers and yanked it out of his hands then hurled it Neo; not a shred of concern was seen as Neo leaned to the side and caught it. She turned to wink but saw Ruby behind her partner with the man on one knee and gripping the pole off Crescent Rose in an attempt to remove it from his neck before Ruby could choke him out. Neo pointed her pistol again but didn’t pull the trigger. With most of Ruby’s body behind his, it wouldn’t be a good idea to test her aim.

“Heroes take hostages now? That’s so cold”

“You would know.” Ruby pulled harder. “Must mean a lot to you if you’re not shooting. Where’s Cinder?”

“What? Am I not enough for you? Is my vengeance second rate? I thought you’d like me more after all we’ve been through.” Neo pouted.

“LAST CHANCE! OR-” Neo dropped the gun and yawned. “Or what? You’ll strangle him? That would be a terrible way to end a reunion, right Dustin?”

Just like that, Ruby felt her body go numb. “D-Dustin?” She muttered. Her grip accidentally loosened and the man ducked under the metal bar against his neck and rolled away in less than a second. The ground beneath Ruby trembled. Vines armed with thrones shot from the dirt and wrapped around her legs, waist, arms, and neck like barbed wire that pulled her down to her knees. The pain drained and felt a numbing, but Ruby could only stare at the black roses that bloomed on them slowly as the man walked towards Neo and grabbed his scythe. He looked back at Ruby who stared in disbelief, tears flooding her eyes. “D-Dustin…?” She repeated, her voice cracking. Ruby watched the man pull the hood off. Suddenly the world didn’t seem real. Her body felt ice cold with only the warmth of her tears on her face that came from silver eyes that became dim and cloudy; a perfect reflection of the ones in front her. Including the red and black hair. The difference being it was on a face that reflected not just her, but the man she married. It was only once, but Ruby never forgot that face. The face of the boy that made her a mother. The face she mourned for more times then she dared remember.

He finally spoke, “Hey mom. Glad you can make it.” The weight of cold and dense bone gripped Ruby’s shoulder. There wasn’t a nerve in her body that didn’t feel like fire and a heartbeat that didn’t sound like a boombox in her eardrums. If she was trembling before then she was now. Ruby didn’t even bother looking up. The shadow on the ground was enough. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. It’s been quite some time since I met your mother in person. Isn’t that right?” The hand grabbed Ruby’s chin and turned it up to the right. Now Ruby had no choice but to look.

Cinder stood there looking down. Her previous outfit was ditched for dark purple leather pants and a black shirt that faintly glowed a deep fiery red like her heels. Not only was her arm different, looking fully formed and in case the bone armor grimm is known for, her eyes weren’t the same. One remained the same as before. The one that was never harmed. It was the injured one that made Ruby’s mouth run dry. The eye, it was silver as well. “Why don’t we catch up a bit? Normally I’m on a time crunch but since everyone is held up….” She turned Ruby’s head to the left and let her see what she had been missing out on. The wind around Vacou had picked up and turned a dust storm. In it, Ruby saw thousands of red eyes and the sign of fire. Alarm sirens blared seconds later.

“My gods…” Ruby gasped.

“Got to love subterranean grimm. Just have them move slow enough and a little magic to tip the weather in your advantage, then boom. Ambushed without a warning.” Cinder finally let her go sauntered over to Neo and Dustin. “Unfortunately it’s more smoke and mirrors than an actual bang. Tragedies on the scale of Beacon’s are hard to replicate. All you kids have grown up now and everywhere. It’s a pain in the ass. This event was just made to keep us uninterrupted.” Ruby tried struggling through the vines but could barely move. Every shift made her wince as they tightened. Not only that, but she actually felt weaker. They were doing more than restraining her. Cinder found amusement in the struggle. “Your son’s semblance is pretty annoying, isn’t it? Best not to move. Dustin, don’t over do it. I still want my fun.”

The pain eased and her strength was less inhibited. Ruby still couldn’t believe what was happening. She stared at her child who stared back, despondent. “Dustin, it’s me. I’m-”

He silenced her by tightening the single vine on her neck quickly. “I know exactly who you are.” Anger and vigor flooded his eyes in a glare that could only be seen as murderous. “And I have nothing to say to you.” Cinder rubbed his back. “Don’t mind him. You know how teens are, all rebellious and angry.” This situation was going so well she couldn’t help but laugh. “That being said, he’s grown into such a fine young man under my-”

“Ahem!” Neo said loudly. Cinder rolled her eyes and shrugged. “Under our guidance. He’s been quite helpful. Killing silver eyed people and learning their abilities has been far easier when he started helping out. It’s a shame, getting old that is. I used to go collecting by myself. Now he brings back the prizes for me sometimes.” Cinder rubbed the side of her face and saw Ruby shiver in shock. Their attention to each other was disrupted by a flashing light from Ruby’s pocket. The girl tried struggling again as Cinder reached for it and pulled out a scroll. Today got even surprisingly better all thanks to a home screen. “Oh well you look at that? Carmine was a person we expected to hear at least once, but I had no idea about the third one. What a handsome boy.”

Dustin’s body tensed tightly. “What…?” He muttered. Cinder tossed him the phone and sure enough, there the baby was with the rest of the family. Brand new silver eyes and all. The photo was blurred as Carmine’s name came up as the scroll rang. There was no hesitation in answering.

“Mom! Vacou’s being attacked and dad still isn’t back. Garnet is fine and no grimm are heading this way yet but-”

“CARMINE! TAKE YOUR BROTHER AND RUN!” Ruby screamed as loud as possible. Dustin hung up and looked at Cinder and she nodded. “Time for a family reunion.” She snapped her fingers and a nevermore descended from the sky for Dustin to jump on and head towards his brother and sister. Even with him gone, his vines still had a grasp on Ruby. It was weaker but the numbing pain still ran through her as she finally forced her way out of the ones around her arms and neck; air and sensation tried to fill her being again as she fell on her hands and knees. “My son, what did you do to him?” She raises her head with tears running down her face. Moving now would be stupid. Ruby had no choice but to recover.

“Me? You make it sound like I brainwashed him or abused him. No, no such thing.Granted it wasn’t my idea to keep him. The boy would’ve been dumped in a grimm pool or something if I had my way, then Neo had to step in and proposed a better idea.”

“Disguising as your nurse was far too much work to just have it end with a dead newborn. Besides, even I have my limits unlike some people” she glares the hell out of Cinder. “I can play the long game. A missing son returning to his family to erase it? That’s way more interesting don’t you think?”

Cinder circled around Ruby, watching the girl carefully as she indulged herself with explaining how a day like this could happen.“You asked me what I did to him. I did the only thing that made sense. I told the truth.” Ruby’s face softened. Her eyes scanned the ground as she tried to understand. The truth? Cinder groaned, “Boring I know, but a lie this big would be impossible. Ruby Rose, a name known by every last goddamn soul on Remnant. Between that and Dustin’s features, he’d figure out that he wasn’t ours sooner or later, so I told him exactly who he was. A child stolen by a hero's worst enemy. You should’ve seen the way he wept for you. I told him all I could. How incredible your reputation was to the masses and how you would be remembered throughout history for all time along with your friends. Surely a hero that elite would rescue their son, right?” She smirked, Cinder could see Ruby get pale from the implications.

“He...was waiting for me.” Ruby’s voice crackled and shook. A stark contrast from the laughter Cinder had. “Hahaha, oh he did more than wait! Time after time, your son tried escaping. Each attempt meant him killing grimm that I didn’t even have to influence, and each time it was up to either me or Neo to save his life. His will was quite astonishing, his mind sharp. He tried for years until one day...he actually escaped.”

“What?” Ruby wasn’t expecting Cinder to say that. “He escaped?” Cinder pulled out a scroll and nodded, “He was young too. Barely twelve if I remember. At this point I was at my wits end. I thought my choices were to cut my losses or kill him out of spite; Never did I expect him to come back with a look in his eyes I’ve never seen. The anger for his situation had changed. All because of one simple little thing.” The scroll was flipped around for Ruby to see. “Remember this day?”

Of all the things that Ruby expected, a picture of her from an old news photo wasn’t one of them. It was her holding Carmen up proudly after the girl’s first tournament. Her daughter had entered a jr competition at eight and took first place. Cinder put the scroll away. “Apparently he made it all the way to that event. Imagine the look on his face, seeing you smiling so purely with the sister he had no clue about? All that faith he put into you...and it meant nothing. Congratulations, how’s it feel to move forward? It brought him closer to me. My sweet Dustin.” Cinder and Neo fawned dramatically. Their laughter grew as Ruby’s anger rose. Her blood started to feel like it’s boiling and vision started to blur. Her eyes started glowing before flickering in and out constantly as she tried her damnedest to eradicate Cinder to no avail. A pounding in her head started forming that made her grip it. Cinder bent down and tugged hard on Ruby’s hair to stare right into her face with complete disdain. “That’s right Ruby, hate me. Hate me as much as I hate you. This isn’t about justice or preservation. Your anger vs ours. Let’s see who edges out.” Cinder backs away and blasts a wave of ice that only freezes then shatters only the vines. Crescent Rose is stabbed into the ground next to Ruby. This day was unavoidable. These feelings had been building a festering for years. Not just because of Dustin. Beacon, Pyrrha, the friends she’s hurt; the despair Cinder brought into Ruby’s life was too much and too often. Ruby had enough. She pulled herself up off the ground with her scythe. Eyes devoid of light beamed into the two pairs of glimmering evil as the clouds darkened the sky. Ruby could only think of one thing.The only thing that Cinder had thought about for ages.

“I’m gonna kill you.”

xxxx

The sounds of thunder and gun fire raged through and electrified the air as Dustin rode the nevermore. He looked back to see a concentration of wind and varying elements coming from where he left. “Looks like they’ve gotten serious. Time for me to get my party started.” He would be over Ruby’s house in a matter of minutes. Karma was finally gonna come knocking on her door. “A shame she won’t see this. Alright, time to see what my little sister I made-” a sudden pressure and force came upwards that hit like a canon. Next thing Dustin knew, the nevermore no longer had a head and was swan dive to the ground. He quickly jumped from the bird and rolled onto the sand to break his fall. Carmine watched the whole thing while cleaning grimm blood of her blade several feet away.

“I’ve never heard mom sound so panicked before. Grimm herds aren’t anything we haven’t handled before so I knew there was more to the situation; but what exactly is the more?” Carmine couldn’t make out his face from distance but the scythe on the sand and cloak were more than enough to be off putting. She stepped closer cautiously. The color of his hair and eyes immediately made her stop and jump back, placing her sword in front of her body as he stood. “Stop! Who are you?” He patted himself off and looked at his sister. Admittedly, he was caught off guard. This was already more interesting than he anticipated.

“What on Remnant possessed you to take out a grimm mid-flight? I doubt you noticed me.”

“A lone grimm going after a house outside of the kingdom when its friends are having a blast inside is pretty freaking suspicious. Now answer my question!” Her body tensed. Carmine didn’t know why but she felt as if his gaze alone might swallow her up like a pit of tar. There was no mistaking that color. His eyes looked fogged and hazy but they were definitely silver. Then there was his face. Carmine never imagined Garnet would look like grown up but this man’s face would’ve been pretty close.

“Huh, figures they never mentioned me. It was probably too shameful and humiliating to reveal such a major example of arrogance.” His words felt like venom and on the verge of being unhinged, yet maintaining a low tone of composure as he grabbed his weapon. “I think you already have a good guess on who I am, or do you need a closer look?”

Carmine saw the man vanish in the blink of an eye. She quickly rose her sword in front of her in a block that covered her entire body. A clash of metal crashed right into it and rattled her arms from the force. Now they were face to face with a similar look of intensity. “I….I don’t understand what’s going on!” Saying that this was unnerving was an understatement. Carmine has a job to do though. The longer he was with her, the further her clone was with Garnet. The only regret was splitting her sure evenly. Fighting an unknown opponent could go wrong.

“It’s simple really. You’re not the first born child of Jaune Arc and Ruby Rose. That kid got snatched by a witch.”

Carmine’s world felt like it stopped. “Cinder Fall.”

“Bingo.” A vine shot from the ground and wrapped around Carmine before flinging her. Dustin followed up with a leaping downward strike but Carmine corrected herself mid-air yo block it. “Heh, look at you…” his hand slid to the bottom of his scythe and started swiping side to side against Carmine’s defenses. Each contact made sparks fly and her arms ache from the weight of the attack. She couldn’t take it anymore and ducked under the next attack to get in close. Both opponents were no stranger to the limitations of a scythe or had to overcome them. Carmine knew he was likely to pull the entire thing back by bringing his hand to the top of the shaft, so she jumped straight up and grabbed her curved blade, Stamen, from both ends and swung it down to have it drop like a guillotine. The impact left a small crater where Dustin stood before he jumped out of the way. She had no expectations of hitting him but she needed breathing room. It was her turn on offense.

Carmine shot off three aura slashes before pursuing him. She watched closely as his scythe spun to block the attack and leaped over him to get a hit in from behind. More vines shot up and stabbed her hand before connecting. A low hiss came from her. This was obviously his semblance but knowing it’s function was hard to tell. More shot up around her in a circle. A simple spin cut them down to size easily and she unleashed a flurry of rapid attacks that clanged and bashed against his scythe when she wasn’t missing him entirely.

“Geez, maybe I overestimated. All the talk about my little sister and this is it?”

“Big talk from someone fighting a kid, and we’re not family!” Carmine swung at his left torso but was stopped dead in her tracks when he grabbed the blade with his hand. A jab to the throat made Carmine choke on her own breath as Dustin twisted her arm behind her then put her in a choke hold. Her feet barely scraped the sand as she desperately tried to breathe. Carmine could feel his breath on her ear as he whispered angrily through his teeth.

“Don’t act stupid and face the facts. It’s the least a sorry excuse for a replacement; don’t even have silver eyes like our brother.” He squeezed her wrist so tight she could feel it start to give. Stamen was dropped as she tried not to scream. “As for the age difference, three years ago I was already filling graves. What do you do? Rule over the talentless? Tournaments are useless. Just like you.”

Carmine squirmed and bit her lip till she bled. Screw the pain and his words. Weak was the last thing she was, and she was gonna prove it. “LET. ME. GOOOO!” Carmine felt a pop in her wrist as she jerked forward, hard. Her feet stomped the ground and two rose clones appeared on each side, the first grabbed her sword and drove it against Dustin’s ribs. The blow broke his hold on the original by pushing him back. The second clone grabbed his legs so he would fall backwards. It worked. Dustin’s head hit the ground and he stared up to the sky as the first clone did the guillotine drop the original did earlier. “Take this!!!!” It screamed.

Dustin hit his fist against the ground. Vines shot pierced right through the clone then swooped low to stab the other. With the last of its strength, the first clone tossed the sword to the original as she watched her clones go limp; their bodies faded as black roses bloomed the vines. Maybe it was their manner of defeat, but Carmine started to sweat. She hadn’t even realized she picked up her blade and was backing away from the man surrounded by a garden of death. A gut feeling told her that being trapped in those spelled the end.

Her semblance was info Dustin knew nothing about. To see it was genuinely surprising, but nothing he had to fear. Not with Carmine looking like a deer in headlights. “Do you know what black roses symbolize?” Carmine didn’t answer. Instead she pulled out the second part of her weapon, Pistil, and combined it with Stamen. The blade curved downward while the collapsible tactical baton connected to the hilt to make her scythe. Dustin felt a surge of excitement run through him. Another surprise from his sister. “HAHAHAHA! Oh please don’t tell me you’re about to challenge me with that?” He laughed hysterically, his calm demeanor completely shifting to nothing short of rage. He stabbed his scythe in the ground. “Rotten Rose will ruin you.”

“Rosebud hasn’t failed me yet.” Carmine got low and held on with both hands. Her right wrist aches but adrenaline and necessity demanded its use. Carmine needed all the reach she could muster. Dustin was done talking and put up his hood. Alarms, screams, explosions, even the wind blowing felt muted to Carmine. The only thing that mattered was the reaper in front of her. She was going to get through this and reject those black roses. Today wasn’t death day. Not for her. The vines shot straight at her. Carmine shredded through them like a blender by twirling Rosebud. Two more vines from each side forced her to jump straight up. She pulled a trigger on the shaft of the used to be tactical baton. A slug round recoil sent her back to the ground where a massive sweeping attack severed the vines. It wasn’t enough.

Her brief rest was interrupted by more sprouting from the ground around her. Another gunshot sent her out of the center before they all stabbed her from every side. More and more dove in and out of the ground like serpents chasing prey. Dustin stood motionless as his sister fired herself in any direction she could to avoid a strike. Occasionally she was forced to stand her ground to cut several before dodging again. She tried to hide it, but Dustin could see the fear in her eyes. He was gonna force it out of her. A wall of thorny vines walled off Carmine from back stepping again. Dozens of vines came from everywhere in the front. The fear he wanted didn’t come. Carmine grit her teeth and started slashing through them head on.

Chunks of plants flew everywhere as Carmine hacked angrily through them. “Haaaaaa!” The girl could only scream through the pain as thorns scraped her skin like a million stabs. “Just...a little...more!!!!” She refused to stop until a swing cut through to the other side. The sight of Dustin’s shocked face spurred her on. Another gunshot was sending her straight at him with Rosebud’s blade eagerly awaiting to connect with his throat. “You’re done!!!!” All her force went into swinging the blade; too much strength in fact. Dustin simply leaned back Carmine completely whiffed. Her momentum kept her body rotating. In the moment her body had turned away from him, her eyes could only see the blood stained thorns she borrowed through. Carmine’s anger subsided and was reminded of the most basic rule of fighting. Keep track of your aura. Her mistake for forgetting was an instant and excruciating pain that crossed her from each shoulder down to the opposite hip. It all had happened so fast yet time felt slow as the ground seemed to rise to meet her.

Carmine laid face down on the ground. Her back started to feel wet. Like if someone was pouring something warm on it, something thick. Tears filled her eyes seconds later when the shock of it all was met by the stinging of sand and reality.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH~”

Carmine couldn’t stop screaming in agony. Her arms did her best to lift her but her right wrist gave out. Everything was giving out. There wasn’t a muscle that wasn’t shaking in her body. There wasn’t a thought of anything anymore with the sound of creeping plants and footsteps approaching while a shadow loomed over her. The silhouette of her blood dripping off the scythe that was ready to draw more. The shaft of it flipped her battered body over for her to stare into the eyes that should’ve been preserving life; but all she saw was them asking for hers. Was this despair? Carmine never felt anything like it before. For the first time in her life she felt powerless, weak. Her tears ran down her bloody and soiled face. “Pl-Please…” she said, quivering. “ I don’t wanna die…” she shut her eyes and lost all sense of self. “I DON’T WANNA DIE!!!”

“CARMINE!!!” Multiple people cried out from a distance. Dustin turned his dead and was immediately blasted by a laser gun in the face that knocked him away. The current of electricity stunned him momentarily as he saw three more people. Two of them he had heard and learned about. The leader of team SSSN and his partner. The third was an unknown boy with bird wings that picked up Carmine while the other two stood in front of them. “Sun and Neptune. What are the odds the partners of a disbanded team are hanging out today of all days? One of you doesn’t even live on this continent.” He glared at Neptune.

The duo immediately recognized the man in front of them and gasped. No way they wouldn’t. Neptune gasped, “Is that…?”

“No way…” Sun said. He looked back at an injured Carmine then to Dustin. No doubt about it. He clapped his hands together and summoned clones. Now wasn’t the time to let his guard down. “I don’t know how you’re here but I’m not letting you go. Aero, get Carmine far away from here.”

“Not on my watch!” Dustin dashed forward immediately. Neither the clones or pro huntsman were quick enough to stop him blitzing the both of them. He reached to grab the boy holding his sister, then poof, nothing. It was like magic. Dustin blinked and they were gone. They went from right in front of him to already being in the sky, several minutes away. Whatever happened wasn’t speed. He didn’t know what that was, but it was definitely the boy’s doing. He looked back at Sun and Neptune who were charging at him in full force. Dustin clicked his teeth and sighed. Play time was over. “Two pro huntsmen like yourselves is way more than I bargained for. Especially after my other reunion, sorry.” A faint light in the distance caught his eye while planning his exit. Whatever it was had speed and was heading towards the storm over Cinder’s battle. “If I was a betting man…” Dustin used his vines to left himself into the air and grab a passing nevermore to ride, leaving Sun and Neptune in the dust.

“Damnit!” Sun yelled.

“Never mind him, let’s get back to town and help.” Neptune said, seeing the light. “Jaune’s gonna be pissed.”

xxxx

Aero was flying as fast as he could to the medical station set up. Finding Jaune or his friend would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. What he wouldn’t give to have a healing semblance right now. The blood that came from Carmine and dripped down his arms as she wept in pain was burning a memory into him he didn’t want to ever see again.

“Hang in there Carmine! You’re gonna be just fine. Your clone found my mom so don’t worry about Garnet. He’s perfectly fine.” He told her to ease whatever pain and stress he could. The way she clung close to him wasn’t inspiring any change. Carmine kept weeping and shaking.

“Hurts…” she winced. “It hurts so much.” Aero felt a lump in his throat. The boy kept flying with all his might. The tears of the strongest person he knew weighed heavily on his heart the entire flight.”

xxxx

That fight against Reaper and Maiden wasn’t fairing too much better. Neo could attest to that as she laid on the ground, aura flickering and writhing in pain. The normally dry, dusty air was soaked with pouring rain thanks to Cinder. Neo picked herself up painfully slow and could barely keep track of the hundreds of petals and embers that danced in the air over panicking villagers. Who would’ve thought Little Red would’ve grown into such a warrior? To Neo, both Cinder and Ruby might as well be freaks. She watched Crescent Rose carv through ice thicker than a goliath’s flesh and slam into Cinder. The woman went right through the already destroyed memorial tree before recovering with a tiny cyclone of lightning and fire that enveloped Ruby. That too was immediately reduced to nothing. Fortunately, Ruby looked tired. Her own aura and breath looked to be draining.

“Looks like this might be it.” Neo aimed her pistol. “Sorry Cinder, I get the kill-” the blur of bright light raced into view and then before Neo. Her eyes were witnesses to the shining white aura of a furious knight with a sword poised to strike her neck. Any time to move was erased to her as the blade was swung. The force would’ve been enough to take her head. The only thing stopping that was Dustin’s scythe between them that went unnoticed until now. Dustin’s arms went numb but his face remained stern as he stared at his father inches away who was lost for words.

“D-Dustin?” He uttered in disbelief. The hesitation left Jaune open for Dustin’s vines to grab him and throw him towards Ruby. The battling women had finally realized company had arrived

Dustin helped lift Neo to her feet. “You alright?” A pinch on the cheek and a nod told him that was a yes. Cinder landed near them while still facing Ruby and now Jaune.

“Why are you back?” She growled.

“Things got complicated, more huntsman. Time to go. We didn’t come here from a swan song.”

“Like hell! I’m just getting started.” Cinder made a bow and arrow out of lightning and took aim. “Ruby dies today.”

Not if Ruby had anything to say about it. She was ready for another exchange of blows but her anger was quelled when the sight of fresh blood was washing off of Dustin’s scythe. “Dustin, what did you do?Where’s Carmine and Garnet!?” Jaune was still shaken by who he was seeing. How was this possible? The sight of Cinder and Neo enraged him but the words Ruby said were brought to the forefront of his mind. “Carmine? Sun and Neptune should’ve-”

“I never saw Garnet.” Dustin interrupted. “As for Carmine...I’m sure she’s in shock by now. Fortunately for her my full swing wasn’t possible with how close she was. All blood, no lasting damage. Well...that’s not true. Trauma is tricky like that.” He smirked at his parent’s mortified faces. Dustin touched Cinder’s back. “Let’s go! We’ll kill them later. That wasn’t the point of this anyways.”

Ruby and Jaune tried their best to ready themselves as their son stepped forward and pointed at them. “Mark today. The peace you’ve cultivated in my absence will fall as easily as your daughter did, by my- our hands.”he declared. Ruby wasn’t even sure who she was looking at. The face she remembered was not covered in a hate and tragedy that mirrored the two by his side. Her heart couldn’t take it, it wouldn’t. Ruby was about to try and grab him when a shriek filled the air. The villagers down below were being trapped and attacked by vines. Ruby looked at Dustin. “Stop this!”

“You can either stop it yourself, or chase us. Choose fast. It’s not healthy to be wrapped too long.” The nevemore more extended its wing for them to walk on. He watched Ruby take another step before tightening his grip on screaming children. Ruby and Jaune looked in conflicting frustration before Jaune went to help them. “Ruby! I can’t do it all alone!”

Once again Ruby was asked to make the choice to chase her child or do her job. Grief filled her as she looked at him then stared at Cinder in seething hate. “Your head will roll if it’s the last thing I do.” Ruby threatened, joining Jaune to save the people. The nevermore took off and Cinder angrily aimed her bow before Neo blocked her sight with her umbrella.

“Don’t. Let’s not give them more reasons to hunt us now. It’s like Dustin said. This was just our first move. Break their world, then their lives. We waited this long. Just look at our handy work.”

Cinder watched the chaos of a small town and kingdom struggle with her grimm. To say it didn’t make her smile would be a lie. Yeah, she needed more of this. “It’s no Beacon, but it’s a damn good place to start.” Cinder looked at Dustin with more pride than she knew how to deal with. “Oh how I have high hopes for you. Do keep making your mothers proud. Dustin bowed respectively and watched the ruin along with her.

Finally a new game had started and the first move was theirs. Dustin couldn’t wait for his next one. “Here’s to a speedy recovery Carmine… Your big brother will be sure to visit.”

#rwby #rwby au #rwby rosebud #jaune arc #ruby rose #rwby lancaster #carmine arc rose #sun wukong #neptune vasilias #dustin arc rose #cinder fall #neo politan #aero amitola

[hailbop1701]

ReaperXFemaleReader

Doom: To Hell And Back

Chapter 3: Lucy in the sky...

Hi guys! Chapter 3 all nice and long and done and edited. Thanks @thottiewithashotgun I freaking love you. <3 again if you would like to be tagged let me know!

“Open the door.” 

At Sarge’s order, Portman and Goat moved through the large doorway. They were quiet for a moment before giving the all-clear. “Pinky, give us a schematic,” Sarge ordered into his comm.  

“Uploading to you now,” Pinky said and a map popped up onto a screen on the wall beside you. “Carmack’s lab is isolated from the rest of the facility. The airlock is the only way in or out.” 

 

“Goat, Portman: Genetics. Kid, Destroyer: Carmack’s office, where he sent the mayday from. Reaper, Crow, keep Dr. Grimm here safe on her salvage op. Duke and I’ll take the weapons lab, make sure all the hardware’s secure.” Sarge barked and nodded his head toward the door. “Portman, Goat, on you.” 

Portman cleared the left, while Goat cleared the right. Portman snorted as we all passed the doorway and it shut with a hiss behind us. “Five bucks says this shit ain’t nothing but a disgruntled employee with a gun,” he said with a short laugh. You rolled your eyes but kept your mouth shut. “Fluorescent markings as rooms are cleared. Go.” Sarge ordered glaring at Portman’s back. 

Reaper took point and you took the rear, with Dr. Grimm in the middle. Your eyes darted around, looking at everything. The hall was dark, the power was obviously on auxiliary. The lights that weren’t broken already, flickered causing a creepy ambiance. Coming up to a door, Reaper nodded to you and you moved forward, keeping Dr. Grimm outside as Reaper cleared the room. “All clear,” he called out. 

You and the good Doctor entered the room and she went straight for a computer terminal. “How much time you gonna need?” Reaper asked his eyes on her. She looked up, “Thirty minutes, tops,” she said looking back down at her work. You wandered the room looking at all of its contents. It looked like anything you’d find in the back of a museum. A couple of books lay open on a table and you read them with interest. 

Reaper glanced over at you as you read through the book that sat on the table in front of you. “Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” you said dryly without looking up. Reaper sighed and shifted looking away. You looked up at this and cocked your head to the side, “Reaper, say what’s on your mind before you brood harder.” you said, leaning against the tabletop. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Dr. Grimm smirk. Reaper gave you a half-hearted glare, “Sarge said you were a quarantine expert.” he said, turning to face you fully. 

You nodded, a frown coloring your features. “My unit had been on point with a few quarantines. Me being the medic, my job was to help clear infected areas. Clear and examine the remains. One of the reasons they call me Crow. Crows tend to circle when death is near.” you said with a shrug, looking away from Reaper toward the books again. The silence was tense before Reaper broke it. 

“You had to separate families, put them down when needed,” he said and you flinched at his words. “John!” Dr. Grimm scolded. You gave a sad smile and shook your head “No, it’s okay. He’s right; when we cleared houses sometimes they contained people infected who were still alive but too far gone to save. I would make them comfortable and sit with them until they’ve passed.” you said giving Reaper a small smile. 

Reaper sighed, “It was the kindest thing you could do for them.” he said shifting looking uncomfortable. “ So ‘Reaper’? As in ‘Grimm’?” Dr. Grimm asked mildly amused. Reaper rolled his eyes, “ They’re Marines, Sam, not poets.” he drawled. You snorted and wandered over to some skeletal remains. It appeared to be female; she was stuck shielding her child; pain etched on her face. You furrowed your brow at the site; ‘what was she protecting her child from?’ 

“Holy shit!” Reaper called out from behind you. You glanced over your shoulder to see Reaper looking at the remains surprised. “Oh yeah, meet Lucy. Lucy, this is my brother, John, another creature from the long lost past.” 

You chuckled, “You found human remains?” Reaper asked incredulously. “Humanoid.” both you and Dr. Grimm corrected. “I bet that was a happy surprise, Dr. Grimm,” you say with a smile. “Sam, please.” 

You nodded and she continued almost excitedly, “ Lucy and her child were our first major find. We’re bringing out more every day.”

“You re-opened the dig?” Reaper asked, sounding pissed. ‘Well there’s something going on here that I don’t know about.’ you thought and watched the two siblings argue like it was a tennis match. 

“I know I should have told you. I didn’t figure it was the sort of thing I could jot down on a yearly birthday card. It’s been stabilized.” Sam said.

“Bullshit.” 

Sam stood up looking as angry as her brother now, “You wanna talk about safe? Like you took a desk job? I’m a forensic archeologist, John. I’ll go where the work is.” she said evenly.

‘Point, set, match. Sam one, Reaper zero.’ you thought more amused at the argument than you should be.

“Is that the reason you’re up here?” Reaper asked coldly. “You wanna know why I’m up here? I’ll show you. Come here.” Sam said, walking back over to the terminal. She plugged a hard drive in and tapped at the keys. Reaper walked over and you with him; the curiosity was just too much sometimes. 

“This Lucy’s chromosome profile. Notice anything?” Sam asked smugly. You gasped and leaned in closer. “No fucking way,” you mutter astounded at what was on the screen. “My molecular genetics is a little rusty.” Reaper said dryly. “What’s the first thing Dad taught us to look for?” Sam asked patiently. Reaper squinted at the screen and frowned; you couldn’t help but smile. ‘He got it.’ you thought impressed. 

“She’s got 24 pairs of chromosomes. Humans only have 23. - But what does the extra pair do?” he asked almost awed. Sam shrugged, “Makes her superhuman. The extra pair makes her super strong, super fit, super intelligent. Her cells divide 50 times faster, meaning she heals almost instantly. The fossil record indicates these people had conquered disease. We found no genetic disorders, no viruses, no cancers.” 

“So what, they were just naturally superior?” Reaper asked, crossing his arms. Sam shook her head, “No. Not naturally. See, the earliest remains we found only had 23. We suspect this extra chromosome may be synthetic.” she said you sigh frowning. ‘Well the remains make sense now, sort of.’ you thought with a wince. 

“Bioengineered?” Reaper asked disapprovingly. Sam looked amused now, “That’s a long word for a Marine.” she said with a smirk. Reaper scoffed and turned away looking at Lucy again. Sam bit her lip, “ Does it ever bother you, you could’ve spent your life looking in a microscope instead of a sniper scope?” 

Reaper ignored the question with one of his own, “ If they were so smart, how come they’re so dead?” Sam shrugged again, “ We don’t know. Maybe they just went with time.” she said a bit sadly. Reaper looked at his sister shaking his head, “You don't shield a baby from time.” he said, pointing out what she wanted to ignore. 

“Crow, what do you think?” Sam asked genuinely wanting your opinion. You winced slightly at the name, “Call me (Y/N). I uh, have to agree with Reaper on this one.” you said, walking closer to them. You bent over a little to get a closer look at the set of remains. “ I don’t care where you’re from or if you think it could cure everything. Becoming something better before you’re ready can cause a lot of problems. Creating a super serum; it’s never had the best track record. And by the look on Lucy’s face...well I guess they paid the price for it. I just hope we won’t have to make the same mistakes.” you whispered and glanced up at the two siblings. Sam thinned her lips and furrowed her brow. Reaper was about to add something else when your comms. blew up with noise. Gunfire and the words “Contact!” You and Reaper looked at each other for just a moment before sprinting towards the door. “ Moving east through Carmack’s office! Fast!” Sarge’s voice boomed through your earpiece. “Confirmed contact. Moving fast, over south corridor.” 

You and Reaper skidded to a halt, aiming your weapons at a lone figure standing in the corner. The man growled at you all, clutching onto a severed arm; you locked eyes with Sarge for a second silently asking to move in and check on him. He hesitated for the briefest of moments before nodding his approval. You swung your rifle onto your back and slowly moved forward, your hands up. “It’s okay, I won’t hurt you.” you whispered sweetly. The deranged man growled but not as forcefully.  

You edged even closer, making sure your hands are in his sight at all times. He dropped the arm and crouched, pulling his arms against his chest. “Lemme just take a quick look at you. It’s okay.” you soothed. Someone behind you cocked their gun and the mad Doctor hissed. You froze for a moment and continued when his eyes locked back onto you. The sound of rushing footsteps didn’t stop you from crouching in front of the man. You look him over and began to catalogue his injuries. 

“Sam, I told you to stay-” Reaper hissed quietly. “But he knows me, John. Dr. Carmack, it’s me. Samantha. That person next to you is (Y/N).  Where are the others? Where are they? Steve, Hillary. I’m not gonna hurt you.” Sam said inching closer. You held up a hand to stop Sam and she slowed, but it was too late. Too many people were crowding around him. Dr. Carmack flung his hand to his ear; with a twist and a strong pull it came off. He threw it to the floor and Sam gave a startled scream of “Jesus Christ!”

“Fuck.” you muttered and quickly pulled out a packet of gauze from the bag on your left thigh. You tore it open and gently pressed it onto Carmack’s left ear. The man looked at you but didn’t protest; you gave him a sweet smile and slowly stood up with him in tow. 

Portman laughed saying, “Nice!” and the Kid looked grossed out, ready to blow chunks then and there. The rest of the unit only looked mildly disturbed. You sighed not batting an eye, “Now, who wants to be a gentleman and help me get him to the infirmary?” 

Duke immediately held up a hand. “Lady’s got a pair.” Destroyer said impressed. “Oh sweetie, you’ve seen nothing yet.” you teased, gently easing your head out of Cormack’s reach.

He seemed to like your hair. 

@thottiewithashotgun

@dw-writes

@lauraaan182

@marvelouslytrekking

#doom 2005 #reaper x reader #slow burn #john grimm #reader insert #ReaperXFemaleReader #karl urban #john grimm x reader

[monolithrose]

Big book of whiterose

Chapter: 5 (????)

prompt: Protective/angry Ruby is best Ruby

This takes place in volume 8 where they’re down in mantle fighting the Grimm and Ruby and Weiss run into Cinder again. Also, BLOOD WARNING!! READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

                                              <<<<0>>>>

“Stay away from her” Ruby hissed, more venom in her voice than in a death stalkers tail

“Oh, the rose has thorns” Cinder laughed

Ruby stayed quiet, glaring and tightening the grip on her scythe. Cinder was only trying to piss her off even more, and she wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of succeeding. Weiss hid behind Ruby, as much as she wanted to help her partner she was wounded and low on aura, continuing to fight would be a death wish.

Cinder and Ruby stood there, silently challenging the other to make a move. Ruby didn’t want to leave Weiss unguarded, and Cinder knew that. But Cinder didn’t want to leave her current position, if she did there was a high chance she’d get blasted by a beam of silver again. Weiss coughed and put a hand to her mouth, but when she looked at her palm her glove was stained in blood.

“Ruby...” She rasped

“I know” Ruby replied, she lowered her voice significantly “Grab my scroll out of my pocket and call for reinforcements” She whispered, moving the scythe so it hid Weiss’ hand grabbing her scroll

Weiss did as she was told and opened the teams group chat, typing the words ‘send help. sharing coordinates now’ she couldn’t call the two, if she did Yang would probably accidentally blow her cover and she wanted to be as quiet as possible. Weiss was sitting behind Ruby, leaning up against her leg in a position so she was mostly hidden by her cape and Cinder couldn’t see her.

Now all they could do was sit and wait, hoping Yang and Blake would get to them before Cinder made a move. Cinder hid behind a mostly clear glass shield she had built with dust and her semblance that the silver eyes couldn’t break through, if Ruby hit it hard enough it would break, but using such power takes a toll on her, it would leave her and Weiss vulnerable.

Weiss began coughing up more blood and felt like she was about to pass out, she put a hand over the gash in her side and desperately tried to stop the blood that had started gushing from the wound. Things began to get blurry and she could feel blood beginning to dribble from her lips. She felt like she was choking and began gasping for air. Ruby screamed her name and Cinder began taunting the silver eyed girl.

“Weiss! No, no, no!” She screamed, turning angrily to Cinder “You bitch!” She screeched at the girl. Ruby had dropped to her knees and was cradling Weiss in her arms, leaving her open for an attack.

Cinder chuckled “I never took you one for using such strong language”

Ruby looked at Weiss, she was choking on her own blood and gasping for breathe, then looked back to Cinder “Kill me. Kill me and spare her.”

“Oh, but that would be no fun, would it? I want to see you lose whats most precious to you, I want to see you suffer” She growled, they way she talked made it seem like it was a game to her.

Ruby saw red. She removed her cloak and maneuvered it around Weiss to try and stop the bleeding, leaned down to kiss her forehead, and whispered to her partner

“I’m sorry Weiss, I'm sorry I couldn’t protect you” She leaned in close “Blake and Yang will be here soon, I’ll take care of Cinder, wait for them if I...” She looked away to the ground sadly “I don’t make it”

Weiss desperately began trying to speak, begging Ruby to not do what she thought she was gonna do, but all that came out was more gasps and choked whimpers. All Ruby did was smile softly at her, then stand up and grab crescent rose from the ground. She had a death glare on her face, one that meant she was pissed.

Cinder eyed her, skeptically. A silver mist began bleeding off of Ruby’s eyes as she walked towards Cinder, scaring the maiden. She knew what those eyes were capable of. Ruby let out a yell of anger, ran forward, and began slashing at the shield with her scythe. Cinder panicked and ran out from the safety of her shield, avoiding every one of Ruby’s rage filled attacks. When Cinder was out in the open, Ruby activated her silver eyes.

A bright silver light filled the area and Cinder screamed in pain, but just as she was recovering Ruby smacked her across the face with the sniper form of her scythe. Cinder whipped her head towards the girl, fire bleeding out from the corner of her eyes. Ruby pressed the barrel of the gun directly onto her forehead

“If you even dare to move, I will pull the trigger” She warned

“Then you won’t be any better than me” Cinder laughed

“I can live with that”

Cinder looked shocked and angry, but Ruby’s icy glare and the way she held her sniper made her realize the leader wasn’t kidding. Cinder had hurt her partner, the person who meant the most to her, and thats what turned, sweet, lovable Ruby into a cold hearted killer who wasn’t scared to paint the ground with her brains. Less than a second later Blake and Yang came rushing in, looked at Ruby, then at Weiss, and both of them got an angry look on their faces.

“Rubes, lower the gun, we’ve got it from here” Yang said, approaching her sister. Ruby did as she was told and the blonde took her place, aiming the gun on her robotic arm at Cinder.

The first thing Ruby did was run to Weiss, who was being helped by Blake. Luckily, Weiss was breathing, but had passed out from the amount of blood she had lost. Blake was trying to stop the bleeding, but Ruby’s cloak had fortunately stopped a lot of the blood.

Ruby took her partner into her arms, brushing her blood-stained hair out of her face. She hoisted Weiss up into her arms and looked back to Yang, who still had her gun trained on Cinders forehead. With a simple nod of her head, Ruby signaled Blake to help the blonde.

“Should we leave her here or...?” Yang asked as Blake used her ribbon to tie her  hands behind her back

“Of course not, but right now Weiss is the main priority” Ruby looked at her partner “We have to get her to the hospital. now”

“Got it, we’ll take care of Cinder, you take care of Weiss” Blake said

“are you sure?” “Positive”

Ruby nodded in thanks and took off down the hall, running as fast as her legs could carry her. She was scared, of course she was. Weiss, her best friend and partner, could die. She had failed to protect her, she had gotten hurt because of her foolishness. Ruby choked back her tears and began thinking positive like she always did in these situations. No. Weiss wouldn’t die, she’s Weiss Schnee for crying out loud! She’s the strongest, prettiest, and most stubborn human alive. She would fight death with every ounce of strength she had. She’d tell the Grimm reaper to speak to her lawyer if he came to take her.

Ruby smiled at the thought of Weiss telling a skeleton in a dark hood and carrying a scythe to speak to her lawyer, it was definitely something she’d do. Yeah, Weiss would be okay. Of course she would. Ruby burst through the door of the nearest hospital that was luckily still open despite all the chaos Salem had caused. There were lots of people there, but none of them had wounds near as bad as Weiss’. Ruby had some cuts and burns, but it was something you could patch up with a first aid kit.

The nurse at the desks eyes went wide and she ran into the back, yelling for the doctor. Ruby held Weiss close, she had made it and her partner would be okay...

                                                 <<<<0>>>>

Have I learned to write angst? No. This was just an edited filler. Maybe I will make part 2 if u guys like it enough.

#Blood/gore #blood/gore warning #whiterose #rwby #weiss schnee #ruby rose #iceflower #weiss x ruby #fanfiction #fanfic #writing #my writing

[rwby-nwbe]

Just Finished RWBY Volume 2...

...and HOLY HECK IT GOT BETTER.

[Warning: Spoilers for Volume 2 and Long Post.]

New antagonists! More huntsman action! More characters and interactions! And the fights, tho. THE FIGHTS!

*Ahem* Okay, clearly I just need to start from the beginning...

Episode 1

We start the new season by being reintroduced to our new antagonists, Emerald Sustrai and Mercury Black. They may be villains, but they're also obviously teens (Mercury radiates prick energy) and they're dynamic is entertaining. Also, RIP Tukson, he seemed like a nice dude...

We then cut back to Team RWBY and JNPR, who are apparently on break at the moment. It's also nice to see Sun again, and we also get to meet Neptune. Anyways, someone throws a pie in Weiss face, and you know what that means...

FOOD FIGHT!!!

Seriously, THESE KIDS ARE CRAZY. Ruby can apparently surf on lunch trays! Weiss used ketchup and a freakin' swordfish like Myrtenaster! Blake used baguettes and a sausage link like Gambol Shroud! Freakin' YANG was punching things with TURKEY! JAUNE... threw a melon, that was cool; nice to see that he's losing the noodleness of his body. NORA RIPPED OUT A PIPE, STUFFED IT TO A MELON, AND CALLED IT MAGNHILD! Note to self: never challenge Pyrrha to a fight near a vending machine (or anytime, really). Ren can kick WATERMELONS, and fight with LEEKS. HOW CAN THEY EVEN DIGEST ALL THAT FOOD!?

RIP Neptune's hair though, I hear grape is hard to wash out...

Then we cut back to the White Fang and Torchwick, who are then met with Mercury, Emerald, and later the great Cinder Fall herself. I'll admit, Mercury's funny but a jerk, and Emerald... I'm pretty sure I was mentally screaming "YOU'RE BEING MANIPULATED" when I saw her and Cinder. First she doesn't give Emerald a hug, then she tells her to not think and just obey? RED FLAGS. RED FLAGS EVERYWHERE.

Oh, speaking of Cinder, while she does radiate boss energy, I'm glad that I don't personally like her. I don't know what it is, but it might be the fact that she's treating everyone else like her pawns (and considering she used a chess piece later in this volume, I wouldn't be surprised). I mean, good villain, but like any good villain, I want her to get roasted, though that might not work given her Semblance.

Also, Roman Torchwick, you beautiful jerk, never change. I love ya, but I also love seeing you get dragged, which is what Emerald did to you at the end of this. Yep, I'm on board for this season!

Also, the new opening. I thought nothing could top "This Will Be The Day." I was wrong. Haven't listened to all of it yet, but "Time To Say Goodbye" SLAPS.

Episode 2

So, several things. There's board games, insert Yu-Gi-Oh reference here... Yang has too much power. Also, if I remember the lingo right, then this is also the episode where the White Rose shippers got crumbs, the White Knight shippers were once again denied, and where the Iceberg shippers were born (while the rest of us were titling our heads in confusion with Jaune). Jaune continues to be a social dork (what's with the blonde boys blowing Blake's secret? Don't think I've forgotten about Sun...). Blake is being consumed with the burden of RESPONSIBILITY. I feel that Blake. Oh, and the ending...

Why do out villains have to be clever enough to infiltrate the actual school!? And Weiss' "We're doomed." I hope that's not secret foreshadowing...

Episode 3

Jaune fails yet again at wooing Weiss (at least Yang comforts him at the end), and the gang begins their espionage. We meet Penny again, Weiss deals with her past, albeit briefly, and Penny... oh boy. She's hiding something, and the hiccups make it obvious. What could it possibly- oh...

Episode 4

Most of us had our suspicions, what with Penny's awkward demeanor and ludicrous super strength, but yep, she's a robot! Aw, get yourself a real one like Ruby. Oh, and Neptune's useless with Yang around. Speaking of, HEY, good to see you again, Junior! So Blake and Sun intercept the White Fang rally and... oh fudge they got giant robots. BAIL! We also get to see Neptune's weapon and Sun's semblance (before they nope off the road and leave the rest of the fighting to RWBY, while they go off and get ramen, the jerks...). Also, nice to see that they have team attack names (I believe some of them double as ship names), and this is where we get to meet the Ice Cream Queen Neopolitan (not to be confused with the now officially dubbed Ice Queen Weiss Schnee. If even the villains are calling you that, then congrats, you have a new title)! Neo then proceeds to give them the slip, and I personally believe that Yang only disliked Weiss' pun because it highlighted her failure.

C'mon Yang, at least she's TRYING!

Episode 5

Pyrrha is a combat queen. 'Nuff said. Suck it, CRDL.

Oh no. Mercury is both a smart aleck AND smart. This will not end well.

Blake, take a break. No, seriously, working yourself to death just because you think you can doesn't mean you should. You will only feel worse. TAKE A BREAK.

Well Jaune, mission failed. You'll get her next time.

Pyrrha Nikos. Sweetie. We're talking about Jaune Arc here. He's not gonna get the hints you're dropping unless that "hint" is a full blown irrefutable confession so obvious that even he can't screw it up. I know you want to help him because you like him (and yes, even like like him), but it's clear Weiss isn't interested, at least not now. Capitalize on that!

And our villain group continues to be dastardly. *Chuckles* We're in danger.

Episode 6

The dance draws near, and it seems that both Blake AND Jaune could use a pep talk!

Poor Blake. It appears your faunus trait makes you more cat-like than just the ears.

Also, poor Ren. He just wants a nice bath, but alas, the power of bromance.

Oof, tough love from Yang. Pretty good flashback, though. Also, Pyrrha, your selfless nature will be your undoing, listen to Nora.

...oh God, if I'm saying "listen to Nora" when the world isn't ending, we might ACTUALLY be in danger.

Aw, the dance looks fun. Poor Jaune, tho. Don't worry, at least Yang, Blake, and Sun are having a good time (and this is the part where I realize I'm becoming a SunnyBee shipper, crap). Poor Ruby, having to wear heels. Don't worry, Ozpin will keep you company.

Oh crap, the villain kids are here! What are you up to!?

Episode 7

This one gets the runner up for my favorite episode. Alternatively, I give it the title "Team Leaders Know What's Up."

Jaune, you may be a dumbass, but you're the rare "Surprisingly Competent Dumbass With A Heart Of Gold," and you get my respect for that. Being socially awkward with Ruby? Comedy gold. Putting things into perspective for Neptune? Props, my dude. Comforting Pyrrha? Friendship goals (even though it should be more than friendship goals, but hey, you put on the dress, I'll give you that). Nice dance moves, by the way, JNPR.

As for Ruby... drinking Jaune's punch? Iconic. Noticing Cinder sneaking away? Nice. Fighting her in heels of all things? You, my dear red reaper, are on another level. A shame that Ironwood couldn't get there faster and that Cinder had to bail, but oh well.

Also: Penny continues to be heckin' adorable. I will never NOT stan.

Episode 8

HEAR YE, HEAR YE, THE NOBLE DOG ZWEI HAS GRACED US WITH HIS ADORABLE PRESENCE. Tremble before his ability to fit in boxes and melt Weiss' heart. Oh, and RWBY gets exposed to Ozpin, but surprise! Even Ozpin doesn't have to play by the rules! Though that could get him in trouble with Ironwood later...

Why does this show keep showing me characters that I want to get to know better in record time!? Team CFVY looks so interesting, and it's nice to see Velvet again! Ooh, I hope we see them more later...

Also, Professor Oobleck, I know we saw a bit of you in Volume 1, and I wish we got to know you better. You seem delightful.

Episode 9

Okay, my previous statement of DOCTOR Oobleck still stands. I love this chaotic fast man.

He's both funny AND deep! His reaction to Zwei? Comedy gold! Him picking apart RWBY's motives and the Grimm? Disturbingly thought provoking, but enjoyable. Also, Ruby, you're great, but you're not entirely a genius, you're just a little bit lucky.

In conclusion: there are a lot of characters to stan in RWBY. Dr. Oobleck is one of them.

Episode 10

We learn about WBY's motivations, now excuse me while I go crying in the club right now.

OH NO, RUBY GOT KIDNAPPED! AND SHE DOESN'T HAVE HER SCYTHE! FRICK, it's a mindset kind of deal! Without her scythe, she thinks she's useless! Oh, and Roman's there too, that's not good.

...that is REALLY not good, Oobleck! Get down there, all of you! Wait, is your thermos... your WEAPON!? HOW THE FU-

(Sidenote, I looked up the name, since most weapons have them and I'm impatient for them getting name dropped. "Antiquity's Roast," eh? Fitting...)

Episode 11

So... this episode.

Poor Ruby. She failed to fight back, she almost ran away but then it turns out Melodic Cudgel is also a GRAPPLING HOOK. Thank god Yang and company finally busted their way in.

...why are Roman and the White Fang going kamikaze with those train car bombs? Oh right, the Grimm. Crap, that ain't good.

Ah, Oobleck. You may have accidentally repeated Ruby's line, but a swig of your thermos/club/flamethrower and then using it to bat Zwei into a cannonball of death redeemed you!

So Neo's back. She's skilled, sassy, has something going on with her eyes... Oh boy, Yang's getting outclassed by a pipsqueak. That's gotta suck.

Does every faunus (baring Blake, Sun, etc.) hate the SDC? Seriously Weiss, what did your father DO!?

Roman, do not get flirty with Blake. Junior tried something similar with Yang way back in the Yellow Trailer, and he got socked in the face. You deserve that kick in the head.

Oh look, Yang's mom is here! Nice, now Neo can't kill her (don't you dare, you little ice cream, I swear...). Oh. OH. That's a big sword. Yeah, ya better run, Neo. You ain't winnin' this fight. Great, now I want to know what Yang's mom's deal is. Figures she just warped away afterwards...

And now the Grimm are above ground. Yeah, seems like a good time for the season finale.

Episode 12

Now THIS is my favorite episode.

Look at that, Jaune's getting good instincts! And it's nice that Team JNPR was able to help RWBY. Also nice that Jaune can actually kill a Grimm now. Good job, man. You earned Pyrrha's smile of approval.

As much as I'm wary of the antagonist trio, I'll admit, they can fight good. Especially Emerald, her guns are sick. Why am I warming up to her so fast? What is this magic!?

...CFVY. CFVY. WHY ARE Y'ALL SO BADASS? Seriously, Yatsuhashi's carying an entire sword and a half. Fox just pulled a Ren and caused a Grimm to explode. Coco... God, Coco- WHY DOES RUBY HAVE SO MANY QUEENS, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!?

"You just destroyed my favorite clothing store. Prepare to die."

I-FREAKING-CONIC!

And she just murders Grimm with a BRIEFCASE. That turns into a GATTLING GUN. BECAUSE OF COURSE IT'S ALSO A GUN. (BTW, Gianduja is a really cool name for it.)

And now I want to know Velvet's weapon! It doesn't look like much now, but apparently it took a semester to build. And we know that Velvet can fight based on what we saw with her and Fox, so how does she ADD to that!?

THAT TRACK IN THE BACKGROUND, TOO! "CAFFEINE~" HELL YEAH!!!

Ooh, Port and Oobleck teamup! Oh no... THE GLYNDA IS MAD PEOPLE. I REPEAT, THE GLYNDA IS MAD! SHE HAS NO PATIENCE FOR YOUR GRIMM BS!!!

Welp, Roman got handled, though I doubt it's for long... Yay, RWBY finally gets a break! Oh boy, trouble brewing between Ozpin and Ironwood, that ain't good.

...bull man's back. Uh, guys, Adam's back! And he's helping the bad guys! THIS IS REALLY NOT GOOD.

...oh, so your name is Raven? And that's what you look like under the mask. There's the resemblance... Oh boy, where have you been all of Yang's life?

...

So all in all, Volume 2 was even better than Volume 1, in my opinion. It's like they took the first volume and amped it up to 11. Longer runtimes, great comedy, great action sequences, great CHARACTERS. It's just a complete trip! 10/10, would ride again. Welp, it's getting late, so I can't immediately start Volume 3. But what Volume 2 gave us is good enough to tide me over.

...I am so glad I started this series. Well, this is goodbye for now. Cheers, internet!

-Mathewton, the RWBY Newbie (22 March 2020)

#rwby #liveblog #kinda #rwby volume 2 #rwby vol 2 #ruby volume two #team rwby #team jnpr #team cfvy #ruby rose #weiss schnee #blake belladonna #yang xiao long #jaune arc #nora valkyrie #pyrrha nikos #lie ren #coco adel #fox alistair #velvet scarlatina #yatsuhashi daichi #roman torchwick #emerald sustrai #mercury black #cinder fall #i've said this a lot but... #I WILL NOT BE READY FOR VOLUME 3 #can't wait! #rwby-nwbe #penny polendina

[of-muppets-and-men]

Her Mother?

Although Atlas may have been the land of stuck-up pricks, no one would ever dare deny its beauty. It’s decadent buildings and towers; as posh and lavish as its citizens. Though it may have been freezing on a good day, Atlas did have the most breathtaking view of the horizon out of any of the four kingdoms. And enjoying said brilliance was Qrow branwen and Maria Calavera.

It had been a few days since their dramatic meeting with Ironwood, and their group was thankfully given a few days grace. After the many times they nearly died; everyone was more than willing to relax. Ruby and Weiss had gone to visit Winter and by extension, the Schnee Manor. Yang and Blake were with Professor Polendina, getting their weapons repaired. And the rest of Team JNPR alongside Ozcar, were exploring the rest of Atlas; while trying not to bring too much attention to themselves.

Now that the “adults” were alone, Qrow and Maria decided to take to a lovely little cafe. Qrow, still shaking his Drinking habits, sat on the veranda, sipping away at his bitter coffee. Maria sat adjacent to him, helping shake his vice by cracking him over the head with her cane every time he reached for his flask. The veteran huntsman grumbled at his idol, rubbing the growing bruise on the back of his head; all the while, Maria kept a smug grin plastered on her face.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” He complained loudly.

“Perhaps.” She grinned devilishly while stirring her tea.

Annoyed, Qrow laid his half finished and criminally overpriced latte back on it’s serving dish. He slunked back into his chair and stared back out to the horizon, hoping to feel some level of ease. But even though the relic was as safe as it was going to get; he couldn’t shake his feelings of grief. He contemplated on his time as Ozpin’s left eye. Years upon years of service, all the people he’s killed, all the friends he’s lost, and for what? Piece of mind knowing a mystic lantern is safe? What a joke. All those broken families for a lost cause. His thoughts continually ate at him, as they always did; the same voice in his head screaming the words ‘It’s your fault’ at him like some twisted mantra. Being the wiser of the two, Maria could tell something was bothering him.

“Y’know that niece of yours is quite something Qrow.” She said, hoping to interrupt his brooding.

“What?” he answered, understandably confused “Where’d that come from?”

“Just a simple observation. Her skill with her weapon is extraordinary.” Maria remarked honestly “Ruby’s nearly as good as I was when I was her age. She must have had an incredible teacher.”

Qrow blushed earnestly at his hero, honoured yet embarrassed by her praise. Never in his life did he think The Grimm Reaper herself would compliment his teaching ability. Maria was relieved her compliment worked; he’d been down since the battle in Argus and his withdrawals weren’t helping him either. It was nice to see his spirits lifted for once.

“You should be proud.”

“I am.” Qrow grinned “I’ve always been proud of her. I’m sure her mom would be too.”

“Her Mother?” 

The old crow’s eyes noticeably widened. He thought about Summer all the time, more than he probably should have, that's for sure. But he’d always managed to keep it to himself. Damn Semblance.

“Uhh yeah...” He awkwardly replied.

“ You’ve never mentioned her before? And now that I think about it… Neither has Ruby.”

A lull of silence fell upon the pair. 

Every word his Idol spoke stung at his heart. Summer had died nearly 14 years ago and yet the idea of her not being here was still hard for him to swallow. Or worse still, Ruby barely even remembering her own mother. It didn’t feel real; he didn’t want it to be real, so much so, he spent those same 14 years drinking away his grief. His abstinence was bringing many things he thought he’d locked in his subconscious. Maria sat idly, knowing she’d likely touched an old wound.

Qrow forced out a weary response, the buried emotion taking shape on his face for the first time in years.

“Well Ruby was still pretty small when Summer…” He breathed, though unable to say the last word.

“Ohh, I see. Forgive me. I should’ve known.”

The air became more uncomfortable as the minutes ticked by. The quiet between the two worsened, spoiling Qrow’s coffee and mood to boot. Qrow, slipping back into his chair, let out a solemn sigh. His hand instinctively reached for his flask. Maria thought it cruel to crack him over the head for having to remember such a thing. So as he went to unscrew the cap, Maria did the only thing she could think of.

“Y’know Qrow. Before you disappoint your niece. How about we talk about…” Maria opened with “Hmm, what her name again? Oh yes, Summer.” 

“Hmm? Why would want to know of all people?” Qrow answered, offense lacing his words.

“Consider it an Old woman’s curiosity. Plus I’m interested to know what she meant to you and Ruby.”

“That’s it?”

“Well, you did go back on your word as soon as you mentioned her. So she must mean something, right?”

The Old hunter was a bit astonished that Maria had figured him out so quick. He wanted to argue, to dispute her, but she was right. Sure he may casually drunk during his days at Beacon, but it was never a problem till… that day. His annoyance turned to melancholy as his mind delved into the past. Remembering when things were so much less complicated; when things were good… better than they are now.

But with a shaky breath and tense hands, he began: “Summer was… one of a kind.”

“She was the leader of my team. Back when I was just a punk kid at Beacon. Now, I had gotten pretty used to being on my own out in the wilds, so the whole “team” thing didn’t sit well with me. Or Raven for that matter. And on top of that my semblance just caused problems wherever I went, so I tried my damnedest to distance myself from the others.”

“Tried?” Maria interjected curiously.

“Yeah, tried would be the word,” Qrow chuckled “No matter what I tried, Sum wasn’t having it. She’d hunt me across campus to get me to participate in group studies, training sessions and whatever else she had for us. Hmph. It was kind of incredible how persistent she was. But then again, she was always uniquely strong-willed.”

The old huntsman shifted forward in his seat, sighing loudly. His hands rubbed together, jittering with anxiety. Knowing full well how this story ended; he struggled against the urge to reach for his flask. Grabbing his coffee as his only option, Qrow took a slow yet deliberate sip of the morning brew before setting it back down to speak again.

“Annoying as it may have been, I slowly strayed away less and less. I stopped altogether when she said something I honestly never thought I would hear. Care to know?”

“Do tell.”

“We’re a team, Qrow. We need you; I need you.” Qrow recalled with a delicate smile “I’d never been told that up until then. It was… nice to feel wanted.”

The old woman had never seen Qrow smile so often or so brightly before. Tempting as it may have been to tease him about opening up, Maria decided to let have his peace. He definitely needed it more than he let on; not that he’d ever admit it.

Maria then remarked with a posthumous compliment, “She must have been lovely.”

“That she was,” Qrow reaffirmed “Sweetest person I’ve ever met. Hell of a baker too. Oh what I’d give to have some of her cookies just one more time.” 

Summer’s cookies. Such a precious and well guarded secret of his little leader. Everybody loved them; Teachers and students alike. Hell, even Raven couldn’t resist scarfing down a tray or two. Qrow and his sister often fought for the last one, while just Taiyang tried to steer clear of their warpath. Another thing he missed so earnestly, yet seemed to slip from his memory. He closed his eyes in an attempt to remember the sweet aroma. Leaning back in his chair yet again, the fragrance of freshly baked cookies drowned his thoughts; even the stupid, frilly apron Summer used to wear.

“Y’know, I may be going out on a limb here, but from how you’ve spoken about this girl, there’s really only one answer.”

“And that is?” He wondered curiously.

“You loved her, didn’t you?”

While his vermilion eyes sank to the floor, a sharp exhale escaped his chest: 

“Yeah… I did.”

A now weary Qrow reached for inside of his dress shirt. Maria feared it was his flask again, but was somewhat relieved when he pulled out a photo instead. Once brought into full view, Qrow caressed the picture of his team, the exact spot where Summer stood. The old woman resonated with the forlorn hunter as he stared longingly at the photo. She very well knew the grief behind the loss of loved ones and didn’t dare to judge him as he pressed the image against his brow. As tears began to form in his eyes, Maria placed her hand on his shoulder, for whatever comfort it could provide him.

“Well, At least I know why you care for Ruby so much.” Maria said dryly.

“Hmmm? What are you talking about?” replied Qrow, puzzled by her statement.

“Ruby isn’t really your niece, is she?”

“Uhhh not technically, no. She’s…”

“Your Daughter?”

The words echoed in Qrow’s mind. He stared blankly into the old woman’s mechanical eyes, trying to swallow an immovable lump in his throat. His breathing grew noticeably heavy, as Maria sat solemnly waiting for a reply. Qrow clutched the photo again, with both hands this time. As a single tear came down upon his lover’s likeness, a heavy sigh let out. A lie came undone and a bitter truth passed his lips.

“Yes. She is.”

“What?” a voice said from behind them.

Qrow’s head snapped and swiveled towards the all too familiar voice. His fears were realized when his gaze met that of Ruby’s; her silver eyes tainted by her sobs. The rest of Team RWBY and JNPR stood by her side, shock plastered on each of their faces. Yang was in disbelief; It couldn’t be true, could it? It had to be a lie...

Before Yang could come up with an answer she liked, Ruby raced past her in a flurry of red flower petals. JNPR gave chase along with Oscar, while Yang, Blake and Weiss continued to gawk. Yang moved first towards her Uncle, eyes red with rage. Qrow slowly stood up in response and barely flinched as she slapped hard across the cheek. The young huntress turned to her friends, shifting between anger and sadness. Yang walked towards the exit, Blake and Weiss following behind her, but not before giving Qrow the dirtiest looks they could manage. Qrow’s niece spoke defiantly as she walked down the stairs.

“C’mon. Let’s go find my Sister.”

#rwby #strq #hummingbird #Flown North #Hunter's Dream #qrow x summer #summer x qrow #qrow branwen #qrow is ruby's dad #maria calavera #ruby rose

[tikitm]

tiki being a music nerd for 13 minutes straight

uhhHh so oscar and ozpin’s theme are mixing more ?? i hear little bits and pieces of ozpin’s theme , then oscar’s in ‘trouble on the argus limited’

in the same track , ‘trouble on the argus limited’ , ozpin’s theme begins to play , but then takes a ,,, darker, more sinister sounding note instead of that higher , more hopeful note in his theme that he usually has

the main theme , rising can be heard when ruby is telling the plan in ‘trouble on the argus limited’ and it’s soft , but it’s there , which carries on the theme that they’re trusting ‘in the light’ and ‘rising like the moon’

the playful theme in ‘mistral central station’ that captures the character’s excitements ?? amazing

then it goes into dee and dudley’s theme that sound Annoying as Heck , and then it blends into qrow’s theme ?? beautiful stunning amazing bird dad

then you hear ozpin’s theme again , which slowly gets taken over by oscar’s theme again , and they they seem to blend together again , like they have been doing

the piano part of smile in ‘mistral central station’ gave me goosebumps !! ilia has come such a long way as a character and it makes me happy that she funny has a straight path she Wants to go on

and there it is - ‘like morning follows night’ - a perfect , slow , version of it that really enraptures sun’s ,,, softness for blake and how he came to support her and after all , he did support her and help her and that makes me soo happy

but then it trails off into a lighter tune when the camera pans to yang and her friends and hhhHhh im soft

wow then it takes a dramatic tone shift to a dark and sinister theme for ‘spider’s web’ because cinder is starting to get into some Shady Shit™️ because she’s desperate for any kind of information on anyone

and then it pans right into that cue music that neo is Right There™️ , ready to attack , and then it goes into softer , more sinister and mischievous music that shows that wow they’re actually up to something , and it’s going to be big and bad and it’s going to put someone to shame

AND THEN THE THEME OF ALL THINGS MUST DIE PLAYING SOFTLY AND SLOWLY ??? amazing. im so excited akdhsks

all things must die slowly transitions into one thing and that makes me happy because it’s their two themes blending into one another , showing that they’re working together - but the sinister undertones show that they don’t fully trust each other and there Are secrets and undertones being kept

‘say her name’ starts out soft and slow and relaxing , but then gets more mysterious and faster as it goes , showing the severity of the situation

ozpin is being really shady and not that trustful right now , and oscar’s trying to Fight It to give them the information they need and stuff , which shows through the undertones of his theme playing throughout the track , then his theme slowly taking over , showing that he is fighting against ozpin’s control - he wants to be his own person , which is way it’s even more upsetting when qrow says that he isn’t

and then the music picks up and up and up faster and faster and louder and louder , showing ruby’s decision to say jinn’s name -

and then it goes silent. it stops

and whOOsh jinn !! genie in a bottle !! genie in a lamp !! her upcoming theme has a few familiar notes that form a familiar melody , but they’re hard to place

and then the music picks up , showing ozpin’s desperation to keep things ‘close to the chest’ and BOOM the music stops

im literally going to do an entirely different thing for ‘a delicate balance’ because there’s so much to say about this track - and it’s e i g h t m i n u t e s

‘our creation’ - im guessing it’s for the god of light’s moment with ozma

it’s soft , slow , and with the choir in the background , it makes the music seem ,,, important and urgent - like something Needs to be done and that something needs to be done quickly

and oof ozma’s theme soft in the background , showing that after all , he is still human and he wants a normal life and all that and hhhh i feel so bad

im skipping around im sorry

‘brunswick farms’ has that sinister , dangerous vibe , but we’re not sure what it is yet - dangerous , mysterious - we don’t know.

and it’s slow - it slows down at certain points to really emphasize on the scariness

the slow piano at a certain point gives it a certain softness that it shouldn’t have - a false sense of security , if you will . but then it turns into more mysterious , with hints of qrow’s theme (which im guessing is for the part of his drinking™️) that is slow

AND OH SHIT THERES THE PART WITH THE DROPPING OF THE BOTTLE

and ruby YANKS herself up and woAh that’s kinda scary

‘the apathy’ is probably the scariest track in the ost. it’s slow , sinister , and it’s literally telling you something is about to happen

AND THEN THE MUSIC PICKS UP !! ITS THE SLEEP PARALYSIS DEMON BAY BEE

they’re running they’re running they’re running they’re running uh oh sisters

every time the music slows down it stops the melody slightly , that’s the part where the apathy SCREAMS , slowly zapping the motivation out of them

and each time it gets louder and louder and bigger because their influence is getting more and more overwhelming

and then the music slows down slightly because they’re giving up , and the sinister , scary theme is getting louder and louder - and then the silver eyes stops the music for a split second

and maria is over there , trying to coach ruby into using her eyes and then - BAM

and now they’re running out of the house , yelling for oscar to GET THE DAMN TIRE

and weiss sets the HOUSE ON FIRE and wow she’s committed arson

and they have to get the HECK out of there as quick as they possibly can

im doing something completely different for the grimm reaper skjsk

‘welcome to argus’ gave me goosebumps. the soft ,, piano of ‘rising’ gives them hope - gives us hope - because they made it. after all that shit , they made it. finally.

and then it gets into a more cheerful , nice theme of argus , with little notes of oscar’s theme in the beginning because ‘CUTE BOY OZ’ and then they’re touring around argus , looking at all the sights and stuff

ruby’s surprise in jaune’s sister is shown through the ‘ooh !!’ moment in the music that interrupts the melody of the entire track

‘cashews’ is amazing. it’s shows the literal stupidity of the entire interaction - from maria and cordoven’s banter , to a more serious match music , then slower , sadder music because ‘oop racism’ , but then it picks up again lmao

there isn’t much to say about the track ‘silver eyes’ but it shows the softness - the emotion - that goes into using silver eyes

‘jaune’s arc’ gives me whiplash. because it’s slow in the beginning - then it picks up speed to show jaune’s anger as he shoves oscar against the wall and Yells because his love died for ‘nothing’ , and he lets oscar go with sadness and regret , but he doesn’t say anything. and then as they’re looking for him , jaune has time to think things over. you hear the melody of ‘forever fall’ towards the middle , then the melody - the song itself - takes over as something to signify that jaune really Misses her , but gets closure

AND THEN OSCAR’S THEME !! HAPPY , HAPPY BOY !! its so happy !! he feels good about his new clothes - and despite what he says , he gave himself closure for now , but im sure itll be touched upon later because of the cut off of his theme , interrupted by qrow’s theme to show qrow’s grumpiness and all that

and then ruby’s speech !! she had a little bit too many speeches , but the theme ‘rising’ plays again , to show her - their - determination to get to atlas and figure it out because they WILL rise like the moon - like the sun - no matter what. they won’t give up.

‘the heist’ !! a theme that gives everyone Anxiety because no one thought it would work , and the moment it did work , it didn’t . weiss and maria sneak onto the airship and take them out , with the others standing around waiting , and yang and blake off on their own

a small version of oscar’s theme plays as he comforts ruby , showing how much he’s grown into his own character

and then the music picks up and oof it turns suspenseful because oh Shit where’s blake

‘into the canon’ is not only scary on screen , but also scary music wise. it’s suspenseful , it mixes both blake and yang’s fights and the other fight together. the music is fast and urgent , showing that they have to get away and fast and if it doesn’t work , bad things will happen. bad things are going to happen.

but first !! the battle music for cordoven’s fight. fast , playful , serious at the same time. it shows both perspectives of the fight - absolute absurdity , which cordoven feels , and the urgency that the team feels. cordoven thinks this is childish - disgraceful. the team thinks this is important - something that Has to happen or else they can’t complete their mission.

and ruby goes DOWN THE CANON

i have to do an entirely different thing for ‘protecting each other’ too

OH NO HERE COMES THE GRIMM

the music gets dangerous , crazy , fast - they have to do something quick or bad things will happen and that won’t be okay. huntsman and huntresses are supposed to protect - if they can’t do that , then what are they good for ?

jinn’s theme , then the hopeful theme of indomitable is just 👌👌

-‘flight to atlas’ gives closure - peace that they couldn’t find for a while. it’s slow , soft , showing that they made it - it was a long , stressful process , but they made it. with a lighter version of qrow’s theme , small undertones of ozpin’s and oscar’s theme , and then how the music SWELLS when they see atlas because it’s beautiful - it’s grand , it’s amazing - and they made it. there’s a sense of triumph in there , a sense of urgency and a sense of pride. they rose , and they’re going to try and stay there

uhhHHh thanks for sticking around to hear my literal Ramblings about the ost and me being a music nerd - this ost is just so good ?? and if you haven’t listened to it go give it a listen ! the vocal tracks are Amazing , and so are the instrumental ones.

#rwby #rwby6 #rwby soundtrack #oscar pine #ruby rose #jaune arc #ozpin #qrow branwen #im tagging the characters that i actually mentioned by name akdhjaa #welcome to tiki #being a music nerd #im so sorry about this

[itsclydebitches]

How would you handle this volume if you had to get the same general plot points. Distrust of Ozpin, Ozpin backstory, Establish Maria, Establish Neo is back, Enter Atlas illegally, and have Adam show back up.

OKAY. I chucked this out off the top of my head so it’s messy as hell, but: 

I would cut out the ‘relic attracts grimm’ thing all together. It was just used as an excuse to disconnect the train/drum up anger at Ozpin, but then suddenly it doesn’t have an effect anymore. No grimm in the forest, no non-Apathy grimm at the farm, none on the drive, no problems at Argus…rather than having an object that mysteriously only has an impact when the plot needs it to, the back half of the train can legit just crash after moving the civilians up front, with RWBY-Oscar on top and Maria still inside. I’d have Blake spotting Adam (in his old outfit–no change that’s gonna confuse people), flinching backwards and closing her eyes. She’s distracted then by the cars as they’re suddenly going off the rails. We’d later realize it was Adam disconnecting it in an effort to separate Blake from a good chunk of her friends–-successfully. JNR is up front and doesn’t even realize at first that half the team is gone. Blake thinks she just imagined seeing Adam. 

We see Cinder and Neo just as before. They’re only a week behind the Argus train. 

Everyone is rattled by the crash (as opposed to mad about something they all agreed to do) and tempers are high. Same conversation about Lionheart and such. Same realization that Ozpin is keeping a secret. I’d have Ruby much more hesitant to use the relic and Yang be the one to finally grab it and ask her question. 

We still get the vision. Backstory was A+

We come out of it and now there’s already some division among the team about that choice, but for now it’s overpowered by the shock of hearing about Salem. They still drive Ozpin off, but we see more hints of regret as things start to cool off. 

That really is Adam at the farm. At the time it’s ambiguous though whether we’re actually seeing him or if Yang is having flashbacks like Blake. While looking for transportation they find another bike and Yang makes a comment about what a piece of junk it is compared to hers. Same conversation about Blake protecting her. 

We’d have another episode at the farm, drawing out the horror setup for the audience (something is nearby, watching, the gang doesn’t realize) and giving everyone time to actually start talking about all this. The emotions the Apathy are drawing to the surface would allow everyone to be far more honest than they normally would be. There’s accusations, frustrations, fears, talk about whether they should go on at all and pushback as soon as that’s voiced. Qrow can’t believe his nieces pulled their weapons on him and though Ruby and Yang haven’t been agreeing at all the last 24 hours, she comes to her sister’s defense in the name of Qrow being useless right now. Didn’t you fall asleep while on watch last night? It’s a legit fight, the likes of which we’ve never seen from them before. Everyone burns themselves out though and we’re left with how tired they all are. They head to bed on the second day, uncomfortable with one another, but not actually mad anymore. They’re just done.  

The next morning is pretty much the same as what we got except no breakfast banter. Everyone is exhausted, quiet, they gang up on Ruby to drop the relic (drawing on last night’s arguments), they encounter the Apathy and a near-death experience finally knocks some sense into everyone. Qrow is rescued from the cellar. 

On the bike we get Maria’s speech, her reveal as the Grimm Reaper, and people start giving small apologies; looking guilty about the last two days. Someone comments that they’d better settle in: it’s a long drive to Argus. Ruby hesitantly asks if Ozpin is still locked up… and yeah, he is. Guilty, fearful looks all around. We cut to someone unseen starting up the other bike in the shed. 

In Argus, JNR has spent the last week looking for RWBY. They don’t know exactly what happened, but there’s talk that of course Ruby and the others will make it to Argus. Somehow. We get to see them calling on Cordovin and asking for help from the military and we establish her as an absolute asshole because she’s not going to use her resources to look for a bunch of children who might not even be lost. JNR gets a clear sense that this woman isn’t letting them over the border. In the meantime they do what they can, splitting up and checking the surrounding woods, going as deep as they dare. We see them encountering some low-level grimm, giving the audience some battle stuff amongst all the conversation this volume. Jaune is alone making one of those rounds when Ruby’s scroll suddenly comes into range. He calls, beyond relieved. 

A week has passed when they finally re-unite. Jaune meets them halfway just outside of Argus and we see what a difference a week has done for the team. At least in terms of being a little more optimistic. Every huntsmen carries rations on them and there was plenty of water nearby. It wasn’t a fun trip, but they survived. It’s clear that the biggest issue has been Qrow: he hasn’t had a drink in a week and it shows. Badly. 

Qrow makes some awful comment that cues Jaune into the fact that something went very wrong out there. They spill the beans about Salem to him without Ren and Nora. He loses it, slams Oscar into another tree, but this time the group actually steps between them. No standing around, not when they were so quick to draw their weapons on both Ozpin and Qrow; not when they’ve had a week to cool off and spend time together. Jaune drops Oscar, looking hesitant. They split at the entrance to Argus, Jaune stomping off on his own. Some of the group actually asks if Oscar is okay while the others worry about Jaune. 

By this point Ren and Nora have noticed their scrolls as well and we get the reunion. They of course want to know where Jaune went. Someone comments that he heard something bad, attacked Oscar, and left. Nora and Ren are obviously shocked by this. Cut to everyone back at the house after explanations. Without Jaune to drum up anger–and knowing how he reacted first–Nora and Ren are a bit more level-headed about all this. They’re obviously still shocked, but they hear first hand how RWBY responded to the news and how much their views have changed since then. They’re given the chance to be better. Yang is still cold when talk of Ozpin starts, but she says something which implies that yeah… grabbing the relic may not have been the best way to go about things. She’s pissed about the secret keeping, but mature enough to know that she could have handled it better. She references how Dad was teaching her to not just plough through problems. Everyone continues talking while having dinner with the Cotta-Arcs (Qrow is in the background raiding what little booze they have). We get some legit acknowledgement of the rest of the vision, the fact that they’ve been fighting an immortal enemy all along (grimm), and it’s staggering what Ozpin has been through, huh? Hesitantly, Nora tries to address Ozpin through Oscar, asking about a new plan. There’s only silence. 

New plan? Ren and Nora explain what a dick Cordovin is and how they don’t think she’ll let them through. It’s bleak, we expect Ruby to rouse the group, but she’s been carrying them too long. Oscar steps up instead and without Jaune his speech isn’t interrupted. There’s a spark of hope; not much, but there. We establish that Oscar is really a like-minded soul to Ozpin. An optimist like Ruby, even if they all need help now and again. They decide to give Jaune more time to cool off and they all head to the gate to give asking Cordovin a legit shot. Same interactions as before–old lady feud to give us some comedy–only this time Cordovin is extra patronizing in her, ‘I’m so glad you survived… but I’m still not helping you.’ 

By now Qrow is at the end of his rope. None of the talking got through to him. He announces that he’s going to find another drink. Ruby, thoroughly done, loses it right there in front of everyone else. There’s no idiotic kids vs. adults stuff, she’s angry at Qrow. You’re really going to go get wasted when we need you the most right now? When drinking almost got you killed? Qrow tries to make an excuse about his semblance and Ruby shuts him down, screaming about how it’s never been about that. He looks guilty, but ultimately walks off. No one knows how to handle an angry Ruby, though a few (like Yang) try. 

Back at the house everyone is trying to give her space, but it’s too crowded. Too much. She heads to the garden and chucks her phone. Maria is there and their conversation starts, but this time Ruby expresses frustration with herself for thinking that the adults around her would always be the answer. They’re not perfect, she knows that, she accepts that, but then what’s she supposed to do? None of them have the answers here. Maria distracts her with SEW info and re-invigorates the idea that it’s about cooperation and protection. Everyone’s safe in the city with full bellies, right? That’s a big win, kid. How about instead of trying to come up with an answer on your own–or expecting another individual to do all the work for you–you collectively draw from the people you’ve helped keep safe? Friends are your greatest resource. 

Meanwhile, with night falling Ren and Nora are getting worried about Jaune. They head out into the city to look for him. We get conversation between them about Salem, moving forward, and some hints at their growing relationship. Ren sees someone hidden in the darkness, immediately on alert. It looks like Adam… but no. They’re exhausted and stressed. Must be imagining things. We as the audience though know it’s really him, especially since Ren would have no reason to imagine Adam like Blake and Yang do. 

We cut to Jaune despondent on a bench, feeling guilty over Oscar. He sees the leaf and follows it to Pyrrha’s statue. He has his talk with the woman. 

Ren and Nora find him there and everything is the same except they actively acknowledge that while Pyrrha’s drive was special, she never had a plan. They realize what Ruby did in volume 4: we can’t forge ahead recklessly and die needlessly. We need to be careful. Strategic. Their conversation mirrors Maria’s about the next generation being better–they’ll honor Pyrrha by learning from her mistake–and Jaune is reassured about his position as leader/friend. You’re our strategist. We need you to help us survive. Jaune spots the airship as he’s saying goodbye to Pyrrha. 

Back at the house JNR finds Qrow on the doorstep and drag him inside. Jaune apologizes to Oscar. A full apology that’s not interrupted. Oscar immediately forgives him, but makes it clear that he’s not going to be treated like that anymore. He doesn’t know what the merge is exactly, how long he might be himself… but while he’s him he expects to be treated as his own person. We see Qrow looking guilty in the background, hungover, struggling with what Ruby said earlier on top of the reminder that he told this kid he was nothing but a meat suit. 

Everyone is happy to be back together, but there’s still no Ozpin. Still no new plan. Jaune pipes up that actually…  we could steal an airship? There’s a humorous moment of WTF Jaune we JUST acknowledged that we can’t pull stupid, dangerous shit like that. Qrow rouses himself and forcefully says no way in a manner that actually gives Ruby some hope–he’s getting involved again. Jaune quickly backpedals and explains that he doesn’t mean we do this, literally. Just that he technically thought of a way across the boarder. Maybe we can all think of something else? 

There are some ideas thrown out, including discussion of using the relic somehow. JNR gets a full explanation of how it works/how to summon Jinn. Eventually Terra overhears and says that maybe they can make use of the relay tower. Didn’t Jaune mention earlier that Ironwood knows you’re coming? Maybe you can contact him and circumvent Cordovin entirely. She offers her services freely–they’re all grateful–and a plan starts to form. Something-something admittedly convenient techno fantasy where they can boost a scroll with help from Terra manipulating the Atlas tech. Blake will sneak in with Terra over the comms; Qrow will keep watch overhead in his bird form, available for when they need to speak to Ironwood; Yang will go with them as support; the rest will create a minor distraction so Cordovin and her men won’t easily pick up on the fact that something is happening at the tower. It’s not a perfect plan, but it’s something to try. They all agree to drop it the moment something goes wrong. They don’t want to piss off the military and Argus is a fortified city. They think they’ll have time to keep coming up with new plans. There’s an obvious theme that they’ve learned to pool their resources and keep trying, no matter how many times they fail. Alone, Ruby and Qrow have a tense, but also loving moment where she says she’s glad he’s on board. Things are far from perfect, but I still need my Uncle Qrow. We’ll figure out the rest as we go. 

We cut to someone listening in from the window, having heard it all. Except this time it doesn’t look like Adam’s silhouette. A small mystery for the audience.

The next day Blake, Yang, and Qrow head off. Ruby and the others are doing stupid stuff that’s meant to be stupid to keep Cordovin busy (some humor before the finale). It’s all going well until Adam shows up. He’s not ahead of Blake, he’s just been stalking her and finally made his move–a surprise for her, but not the audience. Their battle starts and everyone realizes that something is wrong. Yang rushes off to help. Qrow hasn’t realized yet that they’re in danger (giving the girls some time to face Adam alone). The rest of the group drops their silly ‘distract Cordovin’ scheme and tries to make a break towards the tower, but are unexpectedly waylaid by Neo (disguised as a guard) and Cinder. With everyone waiting in Argus/moving through the snow on a bike, they’ve had plenty of time to catch up by normal means of transportation. 

Final battle begins: Yang, Blake, and eventually Qrow vs. Adam. Ruby, Weiss, Jaune, Nora, Ren, Maria, and Oscar vs. Cinder and Neo. Blake and Yang have their emotional catharsis and Adam is killed off in some manner. They have a moment of relief before realizing that the rest of the group is having trouble of their own back in the city. Meanwhile, Cordovin sees that these two have invaded her base and gives the kids a hand. She’s an asshole, but she’s still going to protect this place. A freaking Maiden is casting magic without care and we see her realizing that okay, these kids were being truthful about how there’s something bigger at play here, setting up the possibility that she’d be more willing to listen if they all manage to survive this. Oscar gets into some serious trouble, causing Ozpin to come out of his imposed exile. He powers up and turns the tide, but there’s still a major setback–perhaps the loss of the relic. Neo betrays Cinder, snags the relic for herself, abandons her… and Cinder can’t face all of them alone, especially with Ozpin back. She retreats. We leave the group with another half-victory, but fully re-united since the start of the volume. There’s no time for big conversations between them and Ozpin, but the expressions and few words we get let everyone know that they’re all still a team. We get a few quick apologies like what Weiss gave on the drive out of the farm, enough to tide everyone over. There’s going to be real apologies and forgiveness on both sides in volume 7.   

They were willing to go to Atlas. The question now is, are they willing to hunt a relic back down? Does their loyalty to this mission extend that far? 

It does. We get a brief time skip to the next day when everyone is prepared to head out, relief that they all showed on the front steps to keep going. They say goodbye to the Cotta-Arcs, thank them, promise to keep in touch. Someone realizes though that Oscar isn’t there and after a moment of worry he appears at the last second, dressed in his new digs. He needed combat gear if they’re going on another adventure, right? Ozpin briefly takes control to comment that he insisted on some green. The joke doesn’t quite land, his tone is tired and hesitant, but everyone appreciates the effort. Things are far from perfect–they still need to talk–but a bit of the tension is easing. 

The volume ends with Neo and a summoned Jinn. She was the one at the window, disguised, hearing the super secret info the group spoke about so casually (setting up more themes about who should know what and when you should talk about it). Jinn informs her that there’s one question left and we get a shot of Neo smiling, but no verbal words. Of course not. Jinn is a magical being though and hears the question regardless. She indicates that she’s about to show Neo the answer. 

And cut, leaving us wondering what the hell Neo might have asked about, what she plans to do with that info, and whether our group is now on a fool’s mission to recover a relic that can’t be used for another 100 years. We as the audience know that Tyrian and Watts are heading to Atlas to do who knows what, that Cinder is torn about whether to re-join Salem, that Ironwood is still expecting them in Atlas, and that things are bound to get messy. Volume 7 is gonna be one hell of a ride. 

~The End (lol) 

#Anonymous #rwby #rwby spoilers #mymetas #rwbyfic #(it sorta turned into a fic?) #(fic summary?) #(close enough)

[swordslinger95]

A examination of the Silver Eyes by Weiss Schnee.

An Examination of the “Silver Eyes,” written by Weiss Schnee, formerly of the Schnee Dust Company.

Regarding the appearance subject in question, is that of the Silver Eyes a few select people seem to possess, they appear to be fundamentally different from regular gray eyes, as one Silver Eye user in question, one Ruby Rose, appears to have ticks in the iris of her eyes. If a gray eyed person lacks these aforementioned ticks, then they are not, in fact, a Silver Eyed Warrior, according to Qrow Branwen, honorary uncle of the aforementioned Ruby Rose.

To my knowledge, there is only one Silver Eyed Warrior alive, and that is, again, the aforementioned Ruby Rose.

Ruby Rose, leader of team RWBY, pronounced Ruby, (Yes, it’s confusing, but moving on,) as stated before, she is a Silver Eyed Warrior. To see her full capabilities beyond the Silver Eyes, please see Team RWBY Report #001.

Anyway, Ruby’s Silver Eyes, apparently, give her the power to resist any ailments that a Grimm might be able to cast. See example, The Apathy According to Yang Xiao Long, Ruby’s older sister, it is more like she has high debuff resistance. I must confess, I don’t quite understand what she means by debuff, but I assume that it is a video game thing.

Correction, it is, in fact, a video game thing, I just asked and Yang confirmed it.

Furthermore, Silver Eyes, apparently, give Ruby near perfect vision. I think. Apparently she was once able to spot the thief, Emerald Sustrai, sitting on the other side of the Vytal Festival stadium, in the middle of a crowd. That is well over 300ft, and yet, Ruby was able to clearly discern Emerald’s whereabouts with a single glance.

(What kind of things did they feed this girl, and where can I get some?)

To factor into this, there are some legends about grey eyed people having both clear eyesight and unyielding will. Something about being as strong as steel, or some nonsense. I have read a few books in my family’s library regarding the topic, but I have never found anything concrete. Just passing mentions and the odd name dropping here and there.

Ruby Rose, at the very least, does have a strong willpower, so much so that, after many trials, she still stands tall, armed and ready to face whatever the Grimm have to throw at her, lending some credence to the “Strong as Steel” theory. Then again, it could just be her personality.

Speaking of myths, silver itself has a strong connection to many lunar based legends. See, the Huntsman and Huntress twins, Apollo and Artemis, who are recorded as having silver based arrows.

(Now that I think about it, I can’t help but notice that whenever the moon is full, Ruby always seems to stand a bit more alert. Is she part werewolf?)

On that note, I have pondered, many times, what would happen if Ruby were to truly become angry. Would she turn as cold as steel? Suffice to say, I honestly can’t imagine her ever become that furious with something. I’ve seen frustration, sure, but never outright anger.

….Anyway, back on topic. Using her Silver Eyes, Ruby can emit a bright light from her eyes which either completely vaporize Grimm or encase them in stone. It appears the larger and more powerful the Grimm is, it takes more “power” for the Silver Eyes to take effect. It’s possible that, with enough time, Ruby might be able to outright kill hordes of Grimm with just a glance.

I am never getting into a staring contest with that girl.

What powers the Silver Eyes themselves, I do not know. Ruby hasn’t been forthcoming with details, it is possible they are related to Aura in some way, but I do not know how. For now, I shall treat them as a second Semblance.

That is quite a strange thing to write, but, considering all I have seen in the past few weeks, a bit of skepticism is warranted. Or is it open-mindedness? Eh, details.

A thought occurs: it is possible that Silver Eyes are powered by emotion, much like Yang’s. Though, unlike Yang’s, I do not know what powers it. Sadness? Rage?

 Whatever the case is, it is clear in conclusion that….that…

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“That…That...I have no idea how they work.” Weiss held back a sigh as she looked over her notebook and what she had scribbled down. Most of it was junk, but it was all she could think to do on the flight back to Atlas. Admittedly, in the excitement of stealing a ship, Weiss had forgotten just how boring cross continental flight could be. Hence, the notebook she had (thankfully) remembered to pack. By doing this, she could help clear her head, or, at the very least, distract herself somewhat from the numbing of flight.

Looking up from her notebook, Weiss surveyed the other occupants of their small aircraft. Jaune and Ren were in a losing battle of arm wrestling against Nora, who was somehow beating them both at the same time. Well, she was mostly beating Jaune, Ren was busy reading a book. Yang and Blake were...well, resting up against each other like a couple. Or very close friends.

Either one really, and Weiss wasn’t about to ask for more details. Some things just needed to be talked about in private after all, nor did she want to assume until they made an announcement. And as for Ruby...well, she had fallen asleep. Weiss couldn’t blame her, she put in a full day after all. Qrow and Maria were in the pilot seats, making sure their course was safe.

Safe, what a funny concept that was. When was the last time she had been safe in any retrospect?

Weiss blinked once, then stiffed a yawn, maybe she was getting tired after all. She found herself looking back towards Ruby. It was...kinda amazing, to be honest. All her life, Weiss had known people of fame and power, the best of the best. But Ruby? Ruby was probably the rarest of the rare. A pure, innocent soul that could wipe out the enemies of humanity with nothing but a slightly stern look. It’d be hilarious if she hadn’t seen Ruby freeze a giant Grimm bigger than anything she had seen before. Actually, come to think of it, Ruby was practically a walking oxymoron. A red garbed scythe user with cold, Silver Eyes, that could disappear in the blink of an eye in a flurry of rose petals. And don’t get Weiss started on how many stories had rose imagery. Everything about Ruby’s appearance just screamed, “Reaper” and “Fierce.” The last thing men would see before they’d go to the hereafter.

Yet...well, if Weiss wanted Ruby to stop talking for a minute, all she had to do was bribe her with a plate of cookies with warm milk, and that was really all that had to be said huh?

“You okay?”

Broken out her thoughts, Weiss looked back to see Yang giving her a look of concern. Brow raised, and head tilted slightly, Weiss couldn’t help but find herself wondering what kind of mother Yang would make. A pretty good one, if she was any judge.

“Sorry.” Weiss placed her notebook in her lap, “Just...trying to organize my thoughts.”

“You were looking at Ruby pretty hard.” Yang noted, giving her a sly grin, “Not getting any ideas, are you Ice Queen?”

Weiss chuckled, “And if I was?”

“You’d be dead!” Yang replied cheerfully.

Weiss gave Yang a dirty look, but soon giggled, “Ha, no, I’m just wondering what else the Silver Eyes can do.”

Yang waved her still flesh hand, “Eh, don’t worry about it. Just think of them as our silver lining.”

Weiss blinked, realizing something, “...I don’t think I’ve heard you say a pun in forever.”

Yang froze for a second, “Really?”

Weiss smirked, “Well, I guess you could say that your puns have said xiao long.”

Yang stared at Weiss for a few good seconds, then chuckled, “You’ve been practicing.”

“I’ve had a lot of time in my studies.” Weiss grinned, “When we last met, I was but a learner, now I am the master.”

“Only a master of evil, Schnee.” Yang stuck her tongue out at Weiss, who scoffed.

“Need I remind you, Yang Xiao Long,” Weiss said in as haughty a tone she could muster, “you trained me, so doesn’t that make you the evil one?”

Yang laughed dramatically, “Oh-ho! The puns are strong with this one.”

Weiss smirked evilly, with full, maximum evilness, “Why Yang, didn’t you know? I am the puns.”  

“Dun dun duuun” Nora called over.

Weiss and Yang glared at each other in a duel of fates and eyes, then broke out into a fit of giggles.

“Hehehehe...” Weiss wiped a tear of mirth from her eye, “I needed this.”

“Me too.” Yang agreed.

“We’ve got a long way to go, huh?”

“We’ll make it.” Yang replied, shifting her attention to Ruby for a moment, then back to Weiss, “Together.”

Weiss nodded, smiling brightly, “Together.”

#rwby #weiss schnee #yang xiao long #Fanfic #writing #silver eyes #ruby rose

[tanadidreamer]

Wake Me Up

Notes: The Fett bros and the Outcasts belong to the wonderful @outcastcommander!

--------------------------

“CT-Ninety-Fifty-Six, are you awake?” The clone let out a groan as he came too and blinked up at the woman hovering over him. “Ah, so you are. Do you recall anything, trooper?”.

CT-9056 stared up at the doctor blankly. “No.” CT-9056 answered and paused at the way his voice sounded, it was hoarse like he had been screaming for a long period of time. “What happened? Who are you?”.

“Nothing to concern yourself with now.” The doctor answered as she moved away from him. “I am Nala Se.”.

CT-9056 felt chills run up his spine as he stared at her. “What’s my name?”.

“You have no name, only a number.”.

“Since I’m Grimm and you’re my shadow, why don’t we call you Reaper?” A voice so similar yet different and younger than his own said fondly.

“Reaper.” CT-9056 muttered under his breath, it sounded right. Like it was a part of who he was, but who were Grimm and Reaper? Was Reaper his name? Or was Grimm his name?

CT-9056 closed his eyes again, letting fragmented images play throughout his mind.

(((())))

Voss quietly followed long behind Cabur as the taller clone half-dragged and half-carried Arch into the medbay and dropped the idiot on the bed Wrench gestured towards a free bed.

“Voss, I better not hear any complaints from Wrench about your behavior.” Cabur warned as he grabbed Voss’s shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze and leaned towards him a bit. “We need to find our brother, and we both know what Chaos will do if he can’t go with Plan A first.”. 

“You’re leaving me alone?” Voss asked warily as he glanced at Swipes who looked back at him with an unreadable look before Voss glanced at Arch. “With them?”.

“Wrench is here too.” Cabur said in a reassuring manner before he removed his hand. “Everything will be fine, and I’ll be back shortly.”.

With that, the Alpha quickly left the medbay as Voss glared at Arch then looked at Wrench. “Do I really have to treat this asshole?”  Voss asked as Arch’s eyes flickered open, which caused Wrench to cast him a very distinct look. “What? It’s an honest question!”.

Wrench just gave him another look before turning his attention back to Swipes while Voss huffed and glared back at Arch. “Not like I would try to attack you, Chav’ika?” Arch said, albeit it did sound off due to the broken nose. “You’re my little brother, remember?”.

“I disowned you, backstabber.” Voss snarled in response as he looked at Wrench again. “Do I have to be nice about it?”.

“Yes, you do.” Wrench answered as he gave the younger another Look, the same damn one Knockout always gave when Voss wanted to make somebody pay. “My medbay, my rules.”.

“Huh, you must have really fucked up, Reau.” Swipes remarked as Wrench set to fixing the dislocated shoulder. “He only gets like this with me.”.

“Shut up, Swipes.”.

“What’s the matter, Chav? I’m just saying……”.

“That’s all you ever do! Kit! You! All of them!” Voss cut in as he glared at the older A-Type as he approached Arch to treat the traitor. “I care even less with what the traitor has to say. All of you are like that, talk big, hurt people than ditch out.”.

“Voss…..” Wrench warned as he cast another Look at Voss who promptly closed his mouth and started treating Arch, albeit a bit roughly which earned some whining. “You’re on your own, Voss try be a bit nicer.”.

“I’m allergic to nice.” Voss snipped back as he patched up one of the injuries. “I don’t see why I have to be. It’s his fault all this osik happened, and excuse me if I’m a bit edgy, my little Jedi is being a damn idiot with trying to hide things from Cathar.”.

“What do you mean by that?”.

“She’s expecting. I’m no expert of that sorta thing, so I can’t put a damn date down for when the bratling’s due.” Voss muttered as he ignored the way Arch tensed. “She didn’t even know until that son of Hutt told her on Umbara.”.

(((())))

Jysella sighed as she brushed a hand through her short hair and watched as Chaos checked on Nikov, who was still looking worse for wear which caused her to look away and make eye contact with Master Fett who was giving a penetrating stare, like he knew exactly what she was hiding which caused her to look away quickly.

She resisted the urge to touch her in reflex. Nobody could know about Aryn, there was far too much at stake for anybody to know. Far too much. She had to….to….. “You alright, kiddo?” Jysella was jarred out of her thoughts as she realized Commander Fett was in front of her. “You look pretty pale, do you need some water or something?”.

“N-No, I’m okay.” Jysella answered quietly as she offered a weak smile, that just earned her a doubtful look from the Mandalorian. “Just tired, it’s been a rather busy couple of weeks. Meetings all over the place.”.

“If you think I’m gonna buy that, think again.” Commander Fett said as he looked at her with an icy stare that reminded her of a nexu hunting its pray. “More like the stress of everything is getting to you, and everything with the baby. When’s the last time you went to see Zed or Jewel?”.

“Voss. And just a few days ago.”.

“Right, a Priest cadet knowing anything about that.” Talan remarked dryly as he glanced towards his brother than at her. “Tell Dagorlad what’s going on. If you want us to help you, then quit hiding and be honest. It wouldn’t kill you to.”.

“I don’t want to…..”.

“We’re not going to take your kid, despite what Kal does, we’re not him. Or the Jedi, it’ll be perfectly safe around us.”.

“I…..”.

“What’s this about hiding something?” Master Fett asked as he joined them, which caused Jysella to back up instinctively and glare up at him which caused him to stare down at her with a similar stare as Talan.

“You’re a grown-ass man, I thought you outgrew your radar ears by now.” Talan snipped at his brother and nod at Jysella. “Our little Jedi friend has something to tell you.”.

“Oh?”.

Jysella bit her lip nervously as the glare frizzled out and she just looked down towards the ground and considered her next words carefully. Could they be trusted?

#my writing #my ocs #friend's ocs #Reaper is not a lucky clone #Jysella has the worst luck #Voss is in a mood

[shadows-twilight]

RWBY Volume 6 Chapter 7

My various thoughts and opinions on Chapter 7 of RWBY Volume 6, "The Grimm Reaper"

SPOILERS BELOW:

Did Barbara name this one?

Hmm, so despite Cinder's single-minded drive to kill Ruby, she hasn't forgotten that Salem wants her alive. So her plan is to have Neo kill Ruby instead as a bullshit technicality so that Cinder doesn't get in trouble with Salem. Right, good luck with that, Cinder. Let's see how well that goes for you.

I find it disappointing that, despite having several minutes of screentime so far, Neo's eyes have yet to change color in any way.

Wow. The Nevermore flying at a young Maria from out of the mist is probably one of the most cinematic shots we've seen so far in this show. I love it.

I must say, while current elderly Maria is in no way bad-looking, her younger form is...kinda hot. And by 'kinda' I mean incredibly.

The way Maria uses her scythes and the way they attract each other reminds me of the 'Viridian' trailer from the fanmade 'SLVR' series. It was awesome there, and it's awesome now.

So this obvious-Tick-Tock-the-Crocodile allusion, Tock, she mentions that her boss wants Maria dead. Is she one of Salem's goons from this time era? Did Maria know about Salem before meeting Jinn? I really would like to know just how in the know Maria is.

Props to Melissa Sternenberg. That scream of pain was spine tingling. Damn, Tock's death was brutal. I guess that's what you get for taking to taunt a wounded, cornered warrior, but still. Damn.

Question, if Qrow based his weapon on Maria's, why does is the resemblance more prominent in Crescent Rose?

It is now official. We are getting a "Maria trains Ruby in the Art of Silver Eyes" arc. Really can't wait for that.

Jaune! I'll admit, I was afraid that it would take a lot longer to get to Argus. Glad to see they're not dragging it out any.

Ruby has Jaune in her scroll as 'Vomit Boy'. Gawddamnit, Ruby. "Cute boy OZ!!!" I've said it once. I've said it many times. I will continue to say it many times more. Nora, please never change.

I don't see Lancaster shippers having fun with that reunion at all *insert sarcasm marker here*

Argus looks like San Francisco mixed with those novelty Christmas towns my Grandma puts on her mantle. I quite like it.

Hehe, the license plate on the trolly is the episode's air date. Nice.

Man, not even a year yet and they're already making a movie out of the Fall of Beacon. And I thought Hollywood was exploitative. That being said, I kind of want to see the Remnant-Hollywood interpretation of how that all went down.

Oh my gawd, is that...is that an Arc sister? Is that an honest to goodness Arc sister!? I've waited so long for this day!

Man, from Ruby's excited expression, Jaune's arm-flailing, and Weiss and Yang doting on Saphron's kid (as well as everything from him in general), they're really going all out on the silly and adorable animation. I am loving it!

Ooh, sibling group photo! Ok, so from left to right we seem to have a pair of obnoxious twins, a silly girl in orange, the mature and responsible eldest, Jaune in pigtails (hang in there, buddy), a cutie in pink, what I'm going to guess is the brainy one, and...David. In blonde, female form. Best reference since the Camp Camp theme song in Chibi.

Terra Cotta? Really? Come on guys, even for RWBY, that is just blatant. Also, more gay is always cool.

"Shut up there's FOOD!" I see Ruby is steadfast in being the voice of reason in these trying times Ok, when they talked about things not going well with the Atlas military base, I expected it cutting to everyone being arrested, rather than them simply shutting the door in their faces. Still, I suppose it was too much to hope for anything to go that easily.

Man, I had high hopes for this episode, and even then they managed to exceed them to an extreme level. This has been the volume that just keeps on giving, and I can not wait to see what happens next.

#rwby #rwby spoilers #rooster teeth #rooster teeth animation #RWBY volume 6

[acrobaticcatfeline]

I got an ideaaaaaa

OK has anyone heard the theory that Peter Pan is the Grimm reaper???

Well I have a story idea for that.

OK so with that in mind, captain hook was "rejected" by pan wasn't he? So with this theory, what the hell is hook??? He's an immortal.

These are not accurate in the original story obviously but headcannons.

So.

Peter Pan - Virgil

Captain Hook - Deceit

Tinker Bell - Remy

Lost boys (girls and nonbinary friends) - Roman, Logan, Picani, Kai, Elliott, Terrence, Valerie, Joan, Talyn, and Thomas

And our lovely Wendy Darling - Patton!!!

OK so in this Patton really doesn't want to leave! He loves his family very much, and becoming an adult sounds fun!!! Kids don't get to make decisions they don't get to do anything, why would he want to never grow up???

And Virgil keeps coming back, day after day, because really Patton, neverland is your home now, and your family will join you sooner than you think.

It takes a month for Patton to finally go. And it takes all of Virgil's power to keep Patton from looking back at that hospital window where his parents are weeping over the loss of him. They knew he didn't have long, they'd made their peace. But Patton was just 7 years old, and they lost him. Fuck cancer they screamed, as they were ripped away from their sons lifeless body.

When they arrive in neverland Patton is greeted by curious faces of children his age surrounding him. One, very pale and sickly thin with glasses like his own and short black and dark blue hair, matching his arms almost perfectly, drags him over to the water.

"Look!" He says, "there's a mermaid over there!!! Do you like mermaids? What's your name? My names Logan!!! Mr vee saved me about a year ago!!! Did he just save you? Were you hurting too? Were your parents mean? Mine were super jerks, but now I have cool marks that match my hair, so I guess it's alright. You wanna see some fairies?!" The boy spills out in one breath while smiling brighter than the sun.

"Um, my name is Patton!!! I love mermaids!!! And fairies!!! I dunno if he saved me, my parents were really nice!!! I was hurting though, it wasn't them though. I had a super villain in my brain and he hurt me a lot. At least that's what mommy said. I always got to wear a cool blue dress all the time though!!!!! I'm sorry your parents were mean, when we go back, you can share mine with me!!! How old are you Logan??? I'm 7!!!"

Logan stills for a second and tilts his head. "Well I'm 5! But, what do you mean when we go back? We don't go back!!! This is home now Patton!!! If you go back your super villain will come back!!!" And Patton looks terrified and looks at Virgil, who can't stand to look back.

"MR VIRGIL I WANT TO GO HOME!!!! I WANT MY MOMMY AND DADDY MR PLEASE DONT MAKE ME STAY" Patton curls in on himself as all the lost children back away. Virgil walks over and kneels in front of him, hands placed on Patton's tiny weak shoulder and hollowed cheek.

"Patton, I know you're scared, but you can't go back. This is where people go when things hurt too much. Do you understand death little one?" Patton nods, "well I'm sorry to say you've died. This is where everyone goes after they die. The last month I was trying to take you, you were so very sick. You were too sick to walk, you could barely eat, you were dying kiddo. You won't hurt ever again Patton. I promise you that everything is going to be OK. Now, there's a party here to welcome you. Go on and have some fun. I have some more work to do, but I'll be there soon." Patton cries into the teen looking person who had brought him there.

And that's how you ruin a happy fairytale. You're welcome.

ANYWAYS, THANK YOU LADIES LORDS AND NONBINARY ROYALTY, PEACE OUT!!!!!

#tw cursing #tw swearing #tw cancer #tw death #tw child death #reaper!virgil #peter pan!virgil #tw implied abuse #tw implied child abuse #my story ideas #my headcannons #dark themes #logan was abused #this aint a happy story folks

[rotund-team-rwby]

The truth.

As Ruby and Maria wandered into the cave they saw five figures lumbering rocks away revealing a blue light that showed off their features. With both hooded huntresses soon realizing that the people in front of them were some of their greatest adversaries. They had to be sne-

"We have company." Mercury said as he rushed to attack Ruby. Being bounced back by the unsheating of crescent rose but it wasn't long before Tock ran in clashing blades turning it into a two on one. Then three on one as Cinder extended her arm and grabbed her one true nemesis by the throat. "YOU! HOW DID YOU KNOW THE RELLIC WAS HERE?!" "Th-The what?"

Suddenly Maria hopped up and unsheathed a blade hidden within her cane slicing the grimm arm holding her progeny. "Long story kid. For now lets handle these goons." The grimm reaper said before finding herself clashing once again with Tock. Ruby having to deflect kicks from Mercury and fire attacks from Cinder.

All the while Neo and Torchwick were lifting up the last few boulders. "WE GOT IT!" Torchwick shouted lifting the rellic. "Alright baby let's get that knowledge-GAH!" The red headed mob boss was thrown for a loop finding a parasol hitting his jaw. Neo catching the rellic.

"KID WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

"For once in my life I'm doing what's right. Jin."

Time then stood still in the middle of Ruby dashing through a pillar of fire,Maria on her back beneath Tock,and Torchwick reaching out to what he thought was his only friend. Then rising from a miniature tornado of blue smoke was a large blue woman covered in majestic golden jewellery. "With how you have called my name I assume you want a few answers? Well my girl, ask away."

"Can you show them the truth about Salem?"

Neo pointed to the others still frozen in place and Jin nods. Snapping her fingers the world goes white and everyone finds themselves seeing Salems story. While Neo still stood in front of the guardian of knowledge.

"My next two questions are simple. Where are the maidens and the artifacts?"

"Hm. Those questions could come with risky consequences. But if you so desire."

In a flash Neos eyes went a pure white as the knowledge she needed flooded her mind. Then in another flash Jin was gone and the artifact hit the ground.

"KID WHAT DID YOU DO!?" Torchwick screamed and then an arrow stabbed into Neos chest. Cinder staring at her with rage filled eyes. "I KNEW YOU WERE NOTHING BUT A TRAITOROUS RAT! You deserve to die for what you've do-." Then once again everything went white but this time it was the shine of Ruby's eyes. This powerful light caused Cinder to scream in pain as she fell back,Mercury grabbing the relic and yelling for his fellow followers to. "RETREAT WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED!"

With that Torchwick,Mercury,Tock,and Cinder ran off. With Neo laying on the rocks coughing up blood, tears rolling down her eyes knowing this could possibly be her end she had only one last thought.

"If I die. I died saving everyone I loved." With that she closed her eyes.