Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Who's gonna fight for what's right? Who's gonna help us survive?

We're in the fight of our lives, and we're not ready to die.

Who's gonna fight for the weak? Who's gonna make them believe?

I've got a hero living in me.

I've gotta fight for what's right. Today, I'm speaking my mind.

And if it kills me tonight, I will be ready to die.

A hero's not afraid to give his life. A hero's gonna save me, just in time. I

need a hero to save me now. I need a hero.

Save me now! I need a hero to save my life.

A hero will save me, just in time.

Hero - Skillet

Hi, my name's Leonard Church.

But over the years, I was known as Epsilon and Alpha and the Director of Project Freelancer.

You see, I had this kinda brilliant plan.

I would fragment myself and disintegrate, saving countless others, including those that I worked with.

I'm not sure if 'friends' would be an accurate description.

But, at least, there were some I hated less than others.

Anyway, I was going to put this plan into action, but next thing I know, I'm gone.

Not in a dead sense, though.

I have died before though. Ha, ha. That's another story.

I just vanished.

And now, I'm trapped. In the mind of a fifteen-year-old girl.

And trust me, it's not that entertaining.

If you can hear this beacon I'm sending out, send help!

If you happen to be one of the soldiers from Blood Gulch, never help me again!

Ruby Rose's silver eyes blinked open, and she winced, sitting up.

What happened? She thought dismayed.

The back of her head throbbed painfully. Her hand danced over the aching area gingerly before she yanked it away, feeling wetness. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw the crimson stains on her fingertips.

What is this?!

"That's what I'm wondering," a voice said.

She bolted upright, her heart stuttering agonizingly against her ribcage. After a few moments of heart-pounding terror, she glanced around, taking in her surroundings. This place seemed familiar. Remembrance sent another shockwave of fear through her.

It was Mountain Glenn, the ghost town that had been destroyed, overtaken by Grimm and nature. And it appeared that she was in the old hospital. She lay on an old, creaky bed that felt like it was ready to crumble beneath her. To her left and her right, monitors and machines sat in disrepair.

A small IV holder sat next to a machine to her left, the bag drained and slumped sadly, the needle in the crook of her elbow. The walls bore dusty, stained and peeling wallpaper and paint. The window was grimy and let in the dusky moonlight. The only light available as the overhead lights didn't appear to work.

Weiss! Yang! Blake!

"They're fine," the voice said, sounding, even more, annoyed.

"Who's there?" Ruby called.

"I'm over here."

She turned to the sound and jolted back. A small, translucent figure hovered near her shoulder. It looked like a man, wearing strange armor.

"Who are you?" Ruby asked, her voice cracking. But as she asked, memories flooded her mind, making the ache turn to a pound. "Ch - Church?" She asked, sucking in a sharp breath through her teeth.

"Yeah," the figure sighed, "You can call me Church. I'm your AI, I guess."

How did this happen...?

"It's a long and complicated process. Look, you might want to get out of here. I'm detecting multiple hostiles headed your way."

Hostiles?! She clambered off the bed, prying the IV needle from her elbow, staggering slightly before reaching for her weapon. To her horror, her fingers skimmed over an empty holster. Ruby froze, her heart thundering angrily in her chest.

She slowly sucked in a shuddered breath, calling on her Semblance to flit across the room and down the hallway. She slammed into the double doors without looking back. After she'd made it a safe distance, she dropped to her knees, breathing in jagged breaths that felt like glass shards slicing through her lungs.

"What is happening to me?!" She shrieked.

Church flickered into view, pointing at her, "First, ow! You're loud. Second, I'm just as in the dark as you are. Third, ow! Damn. The pipes on you." He made a show of rubbing the side of his helmet like he'd rub his ear.

Ruby stood on trembling legs, touching the back of her head, gasping when her fingers brush over a cold, smooth surface. "Oh, God." She began to breathe erratically, hyperventilating.

"Let's not panic, here. Okay?" Church said in an attempt to calm and reason with her.

"How can I not panic?!" Her voice grew shrill as tears welled in her eyes, "You've been implanted into my brain!" She began to pace, her hands shaking at her sides.

"Well, yeah..." Church said with a shrug, "You kinda got me there."

Ruby flailed unhappily as she wheezed.

"Look, we're both stuck together. This situation isn't ideal, but we're both in it together," Church started gingerly, his body language telegraphing that he was uncomfortable, "So, quit your bitching, Sweetheart. Life sucks for us both." He concluded.

Ruby was so stunned by his bluntness that she stopped pacing and hyperventilating. Her trembling subsided, and she nodded, whispering, "Yeah. I guess you're right."

"I know I am," Church sounded smug before flickering to her shoulder. "Come on," He cajoled, "Let's get out of this death trap."

"Okay," Ruby nodded again, stooping to pick up a length of pipe.

"Wait," Church stopped her before pointing to a small black box. "Pick that up."

Ruby blinked at him before picking it up. The box fit snugly in her hand. "Now what?"

"Press the button!"

Ruby did as she was told. Light emerged from the box, spreading in an arc, making a shield. "Whoa," Ruby gaped before a King Taijitu lunged at her, the dark half colliding with the shield, making her hand sting from the friction. She gasped before giving the shield a shove.

"On your left!" Church announced, making her turn.

She deflected the second half and ducked, rolling across the ground, grabbing a rebar, wielding it like a sword. As Ruby readied herself for the next attack, Epsilon paused, calculating the next move and how to counter it. "Okay..." Church began scanning the area as Delta appeared next to him, "Hey, Delta."

Delta glanced at him, "Epsilon, are you sure this is the best course of action?"

Church glanced at his summation. "Huh... Maybe you're right." He reassessed the situation. "Thanks, D."

"You're welcome," with that, Delta disappeared.

"Okay," He appeared next to Ruby, calling out the next moves, "Duck! Shield! If you round off that wall, you can ambush it." Ruby did as told and tapped into her Semblance, leaping up to the wall and shooting from it, driving the end of the rebar into the head of the light half of the King Taijitu before kicking off the head of the dark half, the slipstream of her Semblance sending it spiraling before it struck the wall. The impact had obliterated the remainder of the Grimm before it dissolved.

Ruby doubled over, resting her hands on her knees, breathing raggedly, "Well, you are useful after all."

"Thanks," Church deadpanned. "Let's just go, alright?"

"Okay," Ruby tucked the Hardlight Shield into her pocket, walking down the street, "If I can find -" She trailed off, hearing her name shouted. "Is that - ?!" Her heart leapt with joy when she saw a group of familiar figures. "Church! They came for me!" She chirped.

"Good for you," Church sounded forlorn.

She paused mid-stride. "Church, are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm just fine." He shook his head before a barrage of memories invaded her mind. People with red and blue armor of varying shades, and one person with orange-ish armor and another in pink armor, flitted past.

"Oh..." Ruby bit her lip. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Church's voice regained its sharpness. "Let's just get back to your friends, okay?" He spat the word 'friends' as though it were disgusting.

"Church - "

"I don't want your pity!" He snarled, "So wipe that stupid look off your face!" He blinked out of existence, leaving a stricken Ruby behind. She deflated and slowly walked down the street, tears welling in her eyes. As much as he tried to hide it, Ruby felt his hope rising when the voices echoed down the street, only to fall when he recognized them as Ruby's friends, not his. The blow struck her just as hard as it struck him.

I'll help you find them, Church. I promise. And I never break my promise.

He didn't reply, but she knew he was still hurting. Which only fueled her desire to help him.

"Ruby!" Yang's voice shook her from her reverie.

"Yang!" Ruby's voice cracked as her sister collided with her, wrapping her in a bone-crushing hug.

"I was so worried!" Yang sounded choked, which was funny because Ruby was the one being choked.

"Yang - can't breathe!"

"Don't be silly! I'm breathing just fine - Oh, sorry!" Yang released her.

Ruby gasped for air for what felt like the fiftieth time that day.

"So, what happened to you?"

"I..." Ruby was at a loss for words. "I don't know." She shook her head. "I just woke up here, in the hospital."

"What?!" Weiss shrieked.

She'd just arrived, Blake in tow.

"You'll need to be checked out when we get back," Yang said.

Ruby remembered the AI device implanted in the base of her skull.

"No! I'm all right." She insisted. "Let's just get back to Beacon."

She hurried past them, navigating the streets in search of the Bullhead her team used to reach Mountain Glenn.

"You didn't tell them about me, I noticed." Church finally made an appearance.

"If I did that, they'd probably try to get rid of you. And I didn't want them to do that." She shook her head.

"Why? After what I said, I really wouldn't blame you."

"Because it's the right thing to do, Church."

Church sighed heavily, "Yeah, okay. Sure."

Ruby forced a smile at him before turning to the airship, stepping on board, sending Church offline. She sat down on one of the seats, sighing softly, lowering her head, her fingertips slipping over the AI unit before she pried it from the slot, wincing. Ruby flipped the small box-like object over in her hands.

A symbol she didn't recognize was etched into it. "Hmm..." She traced the symbol before setting the apparatus back into place and sitting back as her teammates arrived and the Bullhead rose into the air, flying them back to Vale.

Don't worry, Church. We'll figure this out. Together. I promise.

Chapter Text

You hid your skeletons when I had shown you mine.

You woke the devil that I thought you'd left behind.

I saw the evidence, the crimson soaking through.

Ten thousand promises.

Ten thousand ways to lose.

And you held it all.

But you were careless to let it fall.

You held it all.

And I was by your side.

Powerless.

Powerless - Linkin Park

Ruby hummed to herself as she strolled to the bathroom, Epsilon perched on her shoulder, leaning forward, his arms on his legs as he pondered silently. After stepping into the bathroom, Ruby turned to the holographic figure on her shoulder.

"Uhhh, Church?" She began nervously.

He usually went offline before this point. But he seemed distracted today.

"What?" He muttered.

"Do you mind?" She asked, raising a brow.

Church raised his head, looking at the bundle of clothes she held and realization clicked in.

"Oh. Right." With that, he winked out of existence.

Ruby removed the AI device and set it on the small side table with her clothes before peeling off her pajamas and climbing into the shower. As soon as she'd been cleaned up and dressed in her school uniform, she slipped the unit back into place and waited for Church to return. After a few moments of waiting, she began to grow worried.

"Church?" She called. When that didn't work, she tried again, "Epsilon. Command. Online!" Her voice grew shrill.

"Okay, okay. Damn." Church's voice came from next to her ear, "You're loud for such a small girl."

Ruby exhaled a sigh of relief and gathered her things, walking out of the bathroom.

"You know, instead of waiting for me to disappear every morning, you could command me to go offline. Or just remove the device," Church said conversationally.

"But, that's rude!" Ruby protested.

"Yeah? And commandin' me to come back online isn't?" Church retorted.

"I was worried," Ruby said, returning to her team's room.

She waved to Church to cloak himself. Which he did. Her friends and sister still didn't know about Epsilon. And that's the way she wanted to keep it. If they knew, they might try to destroy him. Or delete him. Either way, she didn't want him to leave. She liked Church. He was her friend. At least, she thought of him as a friend. He probably found her annoying.

"Are you ready to go?" Weiss asked, her brow rising as she gathered her books into her bag.

"Yeah! Just about." Ruby grabbed her book bag and began shoving her books and homework into it.

"Your answer on page 16 was wrong, by the way," Church said from inside her mind.

Ah! Really?! Oh, no!

She heard Church laughing and sulked.

Were you just messing with me just now?

He didn't answer.

She followed the others to class. One thing she was thankful for during Professor Port's lectures were Church's distractions. During the class, he'd usually create a light show or something like that to entertain himself.

Today, fireworks danced, sparked and exploded at the edge of her vision. They crackled in many different colors.

"And that's when I -" Professor Port droned on.

"Dear God," Church groaned, "And I thought Caboose was annoying."

Ruby blinked before a series of memories flickered through her mind.

"You know what? I have an idea." He began to drift toward the Professor.

Wait! You can jump from person to person?! Is that how you -

"Relax," Church looked back at her, "I'm implanted in your mind. I might be able to jump into other people, but I'm tethered to you."

Ruby sunk into her seat, relaxing slightly, but still shaken. It'd been a while, and she still hadn't figured out how Church had been implanted into her mind. But, she wasn't focused on that at the moment. She watched as Church leapt into the Professor, overcoming him quickly before settling in.

"Professor?" A girl in the front row said, worried.

"Professor?" Church-Port asked before realizing, "Oh, right. Me." He cleared the Professor's throat before saying, "I just thought of another story to tell all of you. It's about a group of soldiers in a box canyon." He nodded Port's head.

The class begun to whisper amongst themselves, before a wave of Port's hand silenced them and Church began to speak.

"So, anyway, there was this box canyon, called Blood Gulch. And these soldiers were stationed there. They wore armors of different color. One team was Red. The other was Blue. We'll just call the Blue team the awesome team, yeah? Anyway, the teams spied on each other for years, until one day things got really interesting. You see the Red team got a jeep. And Team Awesome got a tank. And both teams got new rookies, but that isn't really that important. Anyway, one day, the Red Team's rookie stole the Blue Team's flag. And Blue Team's admirable leader left to get it back. But, unfortunately for him, the rookie on his team had the tank. You see, the rookie -"

The clock on Ruby's desk chimed the hour, and Church paused. "Oh, class is over, I guess." He left Professor Port and returned to Ruby.

"What? What is -" Professor Port blinked, looking around as everyone gathered their books.

"Hey," Yang said, catching up to Ruby, "Did Professor Port seem weird to you?"

"Weirder than usual?" Weiss shot back, her lip quirking.

Church snickered in Ruby's mind, "I like her."

Ruby made her way to the cafeteria with her friends.

"So, I was thinking about our class assignment, we could -"

Ruby zoned out at this point, what do you think, Church?

"What? For your school assignment?" He sounded bored, "Do whatever you want."

Ruby sighed and pulled out the papers she'd had yet to turn in, flipping through them.

So, which one were you talking about?

"The third one from the top on page 16. You said it was A. The correct answer is C." Church flickered into view at her shoulder.

Oh! Right! I shouldn't have stayed up so late, working on this.

"I told you so," Church stated.

Ruby quickly scrubbed out the incorrect answer with her pencil eraser before scrawling in the correct answer.

So, how did you know that?

"Are you kidding me?" He asked, sounding offended before a glimpse of his memories invaded her mind.

He'd been jumping into her Scroll while she was asleep.

I should have known.

"Instead of going into the Forever Fall Forest for our assignment, what if we signed up for one of the investigations?" Ruby chimed in, startling the others.

"You want to investigate?" Weiss deadpanned.

"Yeah, why not?" Ruby beamed.

"Where are you going with this?" Church asked, suspicious.

You want to find your friends, right?

"They're not my friends," Church responded, "But, yeah. I'd like to know what happened."

"Fine!" Weiss shook her head and stood, walking away to sign them up.

"Great!" Ruby cheered.

"You're far too enthusiastic about this." Church sighed heavily.

After lunch, they soldiered through more classes before dinnertime. Ruby finished her meal and walked out to the hallway before whispering to Church, speaking lowly and carefully so as not to be seen talking to herself. "So, what do you think?"

"About our chances of finding anyone I knew? I don't think we will." Church hovered before her, shaking his head.

"I don't think you should give up hope. They might be out there, looking for you, worried about you."

"How can you do this?" Church asked, growing frustrated. "How can you be so -" He broke off, growling in frustration.

"Because, if we lose hope, then what's left? You're my friend, Church, whether you think you are or not. And I want to help you. I'm going to help you." Ruby raised her chin, gazing back at him stubbornly before Yang and the others entered the hallway. Ruby waved Church away.

"Who are you talking to?" Yang asked, looking around.

"No one!" Ruby said quickly before walking away.

"You know, sooner or later, they'll find out about me." Church put his two cents in.

I'd rather it be later. Much later. But, we'll deal with that when it happens.

She nodded, walking into the dorm room, grabbing her pajamas. "So, when we leave out for our class assignment, I'll try to find your friends."

"You don't give up, do you?"

"No, I don't." She gazed at him then asked, "Could you... go offline for a little bit?"

"Fine!" Church seethed, disappearing.

She changed into her pajamas as her sister and friends entered the room.

"Okay, you're going to tell me what's going on," Weiss announced.

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked innocently as she began to climb the bunk bed.

"You've been acting very strange lately. At first, I thought it was just you being you, and then I realized you weren't you at all."

Ruby sighed slowly, "Okay. I'm doing this for a friend." She announced, turning to her teammates. "He was separated from his friends, and he wants to find them again."

"Who?" Yang asked.

"I already told you more than I should have." Ruby looked down, "I can't tell you any more."

"Okay," Weiss announced, the others nodding along with her. "We'll help you and this mysterious friend of yours. Even though, we all think this is a bad idea."

Ruby bit her lip on a smile. Later that evening, she lay on her side, the AI unit still implanted.

"So, what all did you tell them?" Church appeared before her. Ruby opened her mouth to protest but halted when he held his hand up, "Don't bother lying. Just tell me."

She sighed, whispering, "I told them that I'm helping a friend find his friends. That's it."

"You didn't tell them that the friend you're helping is also an artificial intelligence that's implanted in your brain?" Church sounded incredulous and a lot like he's scowling now.

"Nope. That's all they need to know." She rolled onto her back.

"Why didn't you remove me yet? You usually remove the device and hide it under your pillow before you sleep."

Ruby looked over at him, alarmed.

"What? I'm an AI; I'm not stupid or oblivious." Church snorted.

Ruby rolled her shoulder into a shrug, replying in a small voice, "I'm scared. I didn't want to be alone."

"What are you afraid of?" Church asked, impatient.

"What if we don't find your friends? Or rather, what if we do find your friends? I don't want you to go, Church. I like having you here. You're my friend. And I'll miss you if you go." Ruby whispered, her eyes welling with tears.

Church uttered a choked sound of surprise before sitting down at the edge of her pillow, "I'm not going anywhere. Not yet, anyway. And why would you miss me? I'm kind of an asshole, if you haven't noticed."

Ruby shook her head, silently and deftly avoided the question, "Could you tell me a story?"

"Which one?"

"Well, you promised you'd tell me about the time that Caboose got his head stuck in the freezer."

"Oh. Right. Well, Tucker and I decided that..."

Church spun the story, and Ruby slowly relaxed and whispered to him as she drifted off, "G'night, Church..."

He sighed as he watched her slip into a deep slumber before detaching from the apparatus and drifted towards her Scroll. He waited for it to switch on and glanced around the room before accessing the internet, searching for any sign of the Reds and the Blues. But nothing.

"Wait," He muttered, scrolling back several screens before seeing a picture of Agent Washington in black armor with gold accents, his helmet off and his back to the camera, head ducked in a solemn manner.

The article read, "Tragic Airship Crash Rocks Remnant With Mayhem. A ship of unknown origins came tumbling down from the sky in a blaze before crashing into - "

"What?!" Church cried, "No!"

He paused, hearing Ruby stirring sleepily, almost waking. Church disconnected from the Scroll, returning to the implement, sitting at the edge of Ruby's bed, wrapped up in his troubling thoughts. He was so wrapped up that he didn't notice the change in her breathing.

"The article didn't say that they all died, you know."

He jumped, whipping around to face Ruby, who gazed at him with heavy-lidded eyes.

"It didn't say they were alive either." He returned.

"True," Ruby acknowledged. "But they could very well be alive. And if they are, they'll need us, Church. They'll need you."

Church sighed heavily, turning away from her before saying dismissively, "Go back to sleep. Even I can tell you're not functioning at full capacity. You're not even at optimal capacity."

"Fine," Ruby retorted, "You're just upset because you know I'm right." She rolled over, her back facing him and drifted off to sleep.

"Maybe you are," Church murmured to himself, "But we'll just have to see about that, won't we?"

With that, he went offline.

Chapter Text

Ruby grunted when she slid across the classroom's floor. Cardin Winchester had flung her aside as though she were a doll. Nothing seemed to make his Aura level drop. He blocked each of her attacks without breaking a sweat. She winced, climbing to her feet.

It was a one-on-one sparring class, overseen by Glynda, who watched with disapproval on her features. Ruby watched her Aura level lower yet again.

Where was Church?

She clambered to her feet, determined to not mess up again.

"Come on, Ruby!" Yang called out. "You can do this!"

Ruby's hands curled into fists as she raised them, dropping into a defensive crouch. The first thing Cardin did was disarm her. He knew she couldn't defend herself as well without Crescent Rose.

The scythe had been returned to her on the flight home. Apparently, finding it on the outskirts of Mountain Glenn had lead to her teammates finding her. Upon receiving the weapon from her sister, Ruby turned it over in her hands, both missing the scythe and feeling as though it were alien to her.

She dropped her shoulder and charged toward Cardin.

Church! Her mind screamed.

The AI unit was still attached to her neural implants. But Church still hadn't made an appearance. He vanished last night and never reappeared. She hadn't seen him at all that morning.

Before when he'd do this, he'd always reappear around lunchtime. But lunchtime came and went. And still no sign of him.

"God, what?"

Until now. He appeared at the corner of her mind.

"Bank left!" He said, realizing her intention.

She did as told and flipped toward the ground, rolling through the opening between Cardin's legs. He'd been standing guard over her scythe. But not anymore. She grabbed the compacted weapon and unfurled it, gripping it with both hands as she rose to her feet.

Church observed the scene before looking at the Aura meters.

"Why didn't you tell me it was this bad?" He thundered.

I tried, Ruby shot back. But you were gone again.

Church cursed creatively before glancing at Cardin.

"Don't worry, Kid. I'll even things out."

He tapped into Cardin's Scroll before surveying the guy in question, humming softly to himself before looking at the surroundings.

"Okay, Cardin's knee was dislocated a week ago, we could use that to our advantage..." He muttered softly. He whistled softly as he devised a plan of attack before speaking to Ruby, "Okay, let's do this."

Ruby nodded as all the information rolled through her mind.

She ducked and wove between Cardin's attacks before shooting a kick to his barely healed knee, reinjuring it and rolled beneath his haymaker before swinging Crescent Rose in an arc, sweeping him to the floor as Church darted into Cardin's Scroll, tampering with his Aura meter.

Ruby leapt aside when Cardin jackknifed to his feet before gawking at his Aura level, wincing as he rubbed his knee.

"That's right, Asshole," Church said to Cardin softly so that no one else could hear him, "God doesn't like it when you pick on little girls!"

Cardin yelped, looking around before spotting Ruby just before she dealt the finishing blow, knocking him to the floor, stunning him.

"Ruby Rose is the winner!" Glynda announced before stepping over to Cardin, "Maybe you should think carefully before picking your opponent, Mr. Winchester."

Ruby's team jumped to their feet, cheering and whooping as the girl took her bow, pleased.

We did it, Church!

"Yeah, I guess we did," He replied, "Know what? You're not so bad after all, Kid. In fact, I think you're getting better."

She hurried over to her teammates, cheering along with them, beaming.

"When you started to rush Cardin, I thought you'd gone crazy!" Yang exclaimed.

It was dinnertime and Teams RWBY and JNPR were all gathered at their tables, tucking into their meals.

"Please," Ruby waved her hand casually, "I had a plan all along."

She heard Church snort as he flickered into view at the edge of her vision.

"Yeah, you had a plan." He drawled, folding his arms as he gazed up at her from the table.

"What was that?" Weiss asked suspiciously.

Ruby slammed her hand down over the holographic Epsilon, saying quickly, "Nothing!"

"I thought I heard something." Weiss narrowed her eyes, looking around.

"So did I," Blake put in softly, her bow-covered ears twitching.

Yang's brows raised, "Like what?"

"I thought I heard someone talking." Weiss shook her head.

Church! Ruby shrieked mentally.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know." He grumbled.

Do you really think it's a good idea to tell them? She thought tentatively.

"To be honest, I don't know. I just know that keeping this a secret isn't the best idea, Ruby."

She nodded at his words but continued to eat, spotting him at the edge of her vision, perched on the edge of Yang's tray, his legs dangling toward the table.

I'll think about it; she replied, gazing around at her teammates and friends.

She didn't want this happiness and camaraderie to end. But, she knew it would the second she brought up Church and how she found him. That was simply something she'd worry over later.

After dinner, she cleared her tray and walked back to the dorms, taking a small detour to the courtyard.

"So, if I did tell them, what should I say?" She asked nervously.

"The truth," Church said with a shrug.

"The truth," Ruby said, feeling knots twist in her stomach. "Right, the truth." She nodded, sinking to the ground.

"Hey," Church hovered above the ground, "It'll be okay. They'll understand. Unless, of course, they happen to be anything like my teammates," He laughed, memories of their misadventures floated to the surface of Ruby's mind.

She smiled faintly at the memories before a small pang struck her heart. It was agonizing.

If this is what it felt like for her, how did it feel for Church?

"Okay, what is it?" Church asked, kicking at a wildflower, his foot phasing through the plant harmlessly.

"Everything?" Ruby shrugged, hugging her knees to her chest. "I guess... I just..." She stopped to swallow back a lump in her throat. "Your friends.."

"Yeah? What about them?" He stopped trying to correct her when she referred to them as friends.

"You miss them, don't you?" Her voice was barely a whisper now.

"Well..." Church trailed off, lost in thought. "I guess I do. From time to time." He rolled a shoulder into a half-shrug.

Ruby stood and began to cross the courtyard, walking as slowly as possible, "What do you think tomorrow will be like?" She asked tentatively.

"I dunno," Church replied, "But think about it this way, it can't be any better and it sure as hell can't be any worse."

Ruby nodded firmly and entered the dorms.

She made her way down the labyrinth of halls and stopped when she came across Jaune, who seemed to be waiting for her.

"This guy have a thing for you or somethin'?" Church asked, feigning rubbing his chin.

"What? No!" Ruby sputtered, "He's my friend."

"Hey," Church held up his hands in silent surrender, "He's the one waiting outside your room. I'm just saying."

"Hey, Jaune!" Ruby chirruped, striding over to the young man.

"Hey, Ruby." He looked around before turning to her, "I just wanted to come by and congratulate you on winning the match today."

"Thanks," Ruby beamed, pulling her Scroll from her pocket.

"I just..." Jaune began uncertainly, "I saw something today."

What?!

Ruby screamed mentally, freezing in the act of unlocking the dorm room door, "W - what do you mean?" She stammered.

"Well, I... saw..." Jaune glanced around again, "I saw something... with you, during the match."

"Something like what?" Ruby asked, her voice quivering.

"Something... like a small... figure?" Jaune trailed off near the end of his statement, making it a question.

Ruby unlocked the door quickly and stepped inside, yanking Jaune in by his shirt.

"What do you mean, a small figure?" Ruby asked him, paling.

"I don't know! I just saw.." He swallowed thickly.

"Something like me?" Church finished for him, cutting into the conversation with his sudden appearance.

Jaune yelped, flying backward into the door and uttered a soft sound of terror before croaking out, "You see the floating man too, right?"

"Church!" Ruby cried, shocked.

"Church?" Jaune stared at her in disbelief. "You named it?!"

"Hey, watch it, pal!" Church snarled, sounding infuriated now, "I am not a thing!"

Ruby stepped in, "I didn't name him. He already had a name, when I... found him." She finished lamely.

"You found him?" Jaune sounded incredulous.

"Yeah," Ruby nodded quickly.

"Actually, I was implanted into her head," Church said casually, shrugging.

"What?!" Jaune screamed.

"Yeah, there's a process, it's complicated." Church finished, waving a hand.

"Church!" Ruby cried as she covered Jaune's mouth with both her hands.

"What? It's the truth!" Church retorted.

Jaune paled and removed her hands from his mouth,"He was implanted in your brain?"

Ruby sighed softly before taking a step back, turning her back to him before lifting up her hair, revealing the AI device.

She heard Jaune gasp before hearing his horror-stricken voice, "Oh, my God. Ruby."

"I'm all right, now," She replied, lowering her hair, smoothing it down to cover the implement and turning to face him. "It took a while to grow used to it and to heal, but I'm doing much better." She smiled faintly.

"Heal?" Jaune sounded, even more, horrified.

"Okay," Church interrupted what he presumed to be even more shocked babbling from the blonde boy, "Yes, she needed to heal. And if you so much as think about telling anyone about my presence - and trust me, I'll know - I'll possess you and make you jump off the CCT tower."

"Church!" Ruby cried, aghast, as Jaune paled.

"Don't tell anyone," He mumbled, nodding, "Got it. See you, Ruby." He turned and scrambled from the room.

"That wasn't necessary." Ruby chided Epsilon. "Besides, I thought you wanted my teammates to know what happened?" She began to sift through her clothing, pulling her Huntress outfit from the shared wardrobe to pack for their journey.

"I do," Church said with a shrug,"I just think they should hear it from you."

"And, I'll tell them," Ruby said, shaking her head, "Just not right now. And not today."

Church heaved an unnecessarily loud sigh, "Fine, keep your secrets from your teammates - " He began to crackle and static like a radio that can't pick up a signal from a station.

Ruby dropped the outfit, her eyes widening, "Church!"

" - See where that gets - " He pixellated, flickering in and out of view, " - You -" He blinked back into her field of vision, rubbing his helmet. "Huh," He sounded dumbfounded.

"Church," Ruby breathed a sigh of relief. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," He muttered, "I just felt a little - " With that, he winked out of existence.

"Church!" Ruby shrieked. "Epsilon, command, online!" She cried, "Church?!" She yanked the AI apparatus from the implants with a shout of pain before turning it over in her hands, tears of pain and fear welling in her eyes as she dropped to the floor, cradling the unit gingerly, her voice cracking as she said brokenly, "Church? Church...?"

I knew exactly - I knew exactly what this would feel like.

To hear the same voice that said, "hello" say, "Goodbye."

Illusory Light - Sarah Blasko

Chapter Text

Look for the light that leads me home.

Tired of feeling lost. Tired of letting go.

Tear the whole world down. Tear the whole world down.

Tired of wasted breath. Tired of nothing left.

Tear the whole world down. Tear the whole world down.

Failure.

Failure – Breaking Benjamin

Ruby was still seated on the floor, clutching the device, when her teammates arrived. She wiped her eyes and stood when they entered.

"Ruby?" Yang's worried voice cut through the silence.

"I'm all right," Ruby said quickly.

She grabbed her clothes and walked to the bathroom, where she changed into her pajamas, and when she reentered the room, her teammates were standing close together, whispering amongst themselves. Ruby cast a glance at them and climbed into her bunk. Yang and the others watched her, worry etching into their features.

Ruby closed her eyes, hot tears trailing down her cheeks as she rolled onto her side, her back to her friends and her sister. The others sighed, relenting before they changed and retired to bed.

Ruby held the AI apparatus in her hands, turning it over and over in her hands. She remembered when she decided to paint over the odd symbol and drew her emblem over it.

"You're defacing government property, you know," Church said, disapproval bleeding into his voice.

" It's not my government." Ruby retorted, blotting out the mark of Project Freelancer with paint.

"Well..." Church started before giving up, "You got me there."

She drew her emblem onto the device.

"There!" She proclaimed happily.

" Yay," Church drawled, sounding annoyed now, "You painted me red."

"Oh, come on, Church." Ruby cajoled, "Red is such a lovely color. You'd look nice in red."

"No freakin' way!" Church said, offended.

Ruby just laughed.

Now, tears stained her cheeks before she finally fell asleep, exhausted emotionally. Ruby's sleep was restless and dreamless. She drifted in and out of consciousness.

"Damn it!" A voice broke through the fog. "No, the other way. You stupid train!"

Ruby's eyes fluttered open, sticky with tears.

"Church?" Ruby croaked.

He was hovering near her Scroll, cheery music and beeps and buzzes emanating from the device. Church snarled as the trains coasted along the tracks and to the stations.

"Not the green station! The red statio - that's it! I've had it!"

He ended the game.

"I'm gonna hack that damn game and make my own modifications, so help me!"

"Church." Ruby sat up, staring at the holographic figure.

"Yeah, what is it, Kid?" He turned to her.

"Where'd you go?" She asked softly, the cadence of her teammates breathing telling her that they're all still sleeping.

"What do you mean?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.

"You disappeared last night," Ruby said slowly.

"Oh, that." Church looked around the room, "Did I ever tell you that these are some really nice digs, I mean it. You guys really -"

"Church." Ruby stopped him, frowning.

"Okay, okay. Fine." He turned back to face her, "I just got a little exhausted. That's all. I needed a break."

"A break?" Ruby deadpanned.

"Yeah, a break. I was a little overworked."

Ruby didn't believe him. And she knew that he could read that much from her expression.

"Look, don't worry about it. I'm okay now." Church said. "Get some rest. Don't we have a trip to take in the morning?"

Ruby sighed, flopping back on her bed.

"Yeah, sure."

She turned her back to him, pulling the blankets over her shoulders. Church watched her fall asleep and looked down before going offline.

The sunrise seemed to approach too quickly, as Ruby was being shaken awake by Weiss not two hours later.

"Ruby! Wake up. Or we're going to be late."

Ruby blinked a few times, shaking her head before sitting up, seeing the others moving about the room, packing their bags.

Ruby snatched the AI unit from under her pillow before hopping down from her bunk. She grabbed her combat skirt and hood, walking to the bathroom. After a quick shower and a change of clothing, she attached the implement and walked back to her dorm, grabbing her prepacked bag.

Church? She thought tentatively.

There was no immediate reply. She felt her heart fracture a little. Ruby was so sure she saw him last night. But, now her belief was suspended. No. It was destroyed. Ruby reached towards the underside of the bedside table, her fingertips skimming over the wooden surface before they touched something cold and smooth.

She wrapped her fingers around it and pulled the Z-90 Photonic Coalescence Emitter from the table. She slipped it into her pocket and walked to the door. She walked out of the dorm and down the hallway, shoulders slumped. She felt – she didn't know what she felt.

Church was her friend. He wasn't a very good friend. But –

"I take offense to that," the voice came from the area next to her ear. "I happen to be a fantastic friend."

Church!

Ruby's heart soared to new heights.

"Yeah," he drawled, "That's my name. Don't wear it out."

Where were you?!

"Jesus," Church sounded annoyed, "What is this, an interrogation?"

"No," Ruby replied quietly, abashed. "I was worried, again. You disappeared."

"I didn't," Church protested. "I just got a little tired." He sounded sheepish.

Ruby nodded, even though she didn't believe him.

Church could tell that she wasn't having any of it.

"Look, let's just get to the Bullhead." He shifted uncomfortably, "Your teammates are probably looking for you."

She straightened the strap of her bag before continuing down the hallway. Her teammates looked up at her as she arrived, and they boarded the ship as one.

Doctor Oobleck had already arrived ahead of them, it seemed and prattled on, briefing them on their mission. Ruby attempted to focus on him but found herself wondering about Church's recent disappearance.

"Y'know," Church started, "This guy sounds kinda familiar…"

Ruby hummed softly, acknowledging that she knew he spoke, but didn't reply.

Unfortunately, that was the moment Oobleck had decided to turn his attention on her.

"So, Miss Rose, what can you tell me about Menagerie?"

Ruby blinked, startled.

Uh, what?

She thought, nonplussed.

"Wasn't that the island the humans forced the Faunus to live on?" Church asked.

Ruby nodded and repeated Church's question.

Oobleck looked impressed, and her teammates looked surprised.

"I was asking you that question," Church sounded amused.

Oh, Ruby thought. Right.

"Right you are, Miss Rose." Doctor Oobleck praised her.

"Why thank you, Doctor Oobleck," Church retorted in a high-pitched imitation of Ruby's voice.

I don't sound like that!

Ruby rolled her eyes.

"Ruby?" Yang questioned her sister, confused.

"Oh," Ruby just realized her teammates' eyes were on her. "I just…."

She scrambled for an answer.

"Oh, way to go," Church quipped. "I don't have to help you tell your teammates. It seems you're doing just fine on that front."

Ruby turned away from the others, focusing on the open door, the city flying past beneath them as their teacher continued to explain their duties. Ruby smoothed her hair down as the wind whipped around them.

"Whew," Church said, "Sure is windy today."

Ruby didn't answer.

"Just gonna ignore me then?" He sounded hurt, "That's cool."

I'm not ignoring you. I'm just… thinking. Also, if you could stop meowing in Blake's ear every morning, that'd be great.

"She told you about that?"

Ruby could hear the laughter in his voice.

She complained about it.

Church chortled softly.

What's so funny?

Ruby felt her patience slipping.

"I was just thinking," He replied.

Of more ways to annoy my friends?

"Well…" He began.

Ruby huffed inwardly as the airship began its descent.

Wait…

"Huh," Church sounded bemused. "Suddenly, all Oobleck's questions about Menagerie make sense."

The Bullhead lowered, hovering a few feet off the ground and its passengers leapt down. Ruby examined their surroundings. The island looked as though man had never traversed it. It was beautiful and wild, canopies made from tree branches shielded them from the sunlight, and grass grew around them, tall enough to hide them from predators.

Wild birdcalls could be heard in the distance accompanied by the sound of wings fluttering above their heads. It was breathtaking and terrifying all at once.

"Alright, girls," Oobleck began, "I'll secure the perimeter. You can set up the camp."

With that, he set off, disappearing into the thick brush.

Ruby and her teammates had exchanged glances before they began clearing away debris to make camp. She and the others began gathering sticks and fallen branches for firewood when Church appeared at the edge of her vision.

"Hey, uh – can I talk to you for a minute?"

There was an edge to his tone that Ruby recognized. She stepped toward Doctor Oobleck when he returned and passed him the bundle of twigs she'd collected and wandered a small distance from her group.

She turned to face Church, folding her arms, "Okay."

"So, tell me again how you plan to find my – ahem – friends again." Church began, looking around with her. "Because, as far as I know, they aren't here!"

Church seemed to grow manic as he spoke.

We'll find a way; Ruby shot back. You just need to believ -

"Yeah," Church scoffed, "I don't know if you know this, but where I'm from, faith and hope and all that happy-go-lucky crap you've been peddling to me? It's not just something you can pick up in a store. Hate to burst your bubble, Kid."

Ruby released a soft growl of frustration before stamping into the woods, ignoring the protests of her teacher and teammates.

"Really?" She screeched at Epsilon, as soon as she believed them to be alone. "Now you choose not to believe in me or anything I say?"

"Uh, Kid?" Church began warily.

"No – no! I would really like to know, just what exactly you're trying to do!" Ruby shouted, her cheeks reddening with anger.

Epsilon cleared his throat before saying awkwardly, "Well, I was trying to warn you that your teammates are standing behind you, but now that's clearly been shot out of the water. So…"

WHAT?!

Ruby whipped around, seeing that he'd been telling the truth. Her teammates had been standing behind her. And they had all drawn their weapons, training them on Church.

"I, uh –" Church began, before rubbing the back of his helmet sheepishly, "This isn't what it looks like."

Chapter Text

Would you believe me if I said I'm tired of this?

Well, here we go now. One more time.

'Cause I tried to climb your steps. I tried to chase you down.

I tried to see how low I could get, down to the ground.

I tried to earn my way. I tried to tame this mind.

You better believe that I have tried to beat this.

So, when will this end? It goes on and on.

Over and over and over again.

Keep spinning around, I know that this won't stop.

'Til I step down from this for good.

Sick Cycle Carousel – Lifehouse

Church cleared his throat.

"Just to be clear, keeping me secret wasn't my idea." He said to Ruby's teammates.

"Yang," Ruby pleaded, looking from her sister to their friends, "Weiss… Blake…"

But, no matter where she looked, they were all facing Church, weapons at the ready.

"Come on, guys," Church sounded amused, "I'm a hologram. You can't seriously think you could kill me."

His statement was met with silence, before he continued, "Look, let's all get this out of the way. My name's Leonard Church. I was also known as the Director, Alpha, and Epsilon. I'm an AI. An artificial intelligence created by a man also named Leonard Church. I was based on his memories. For several complicated reasons, he attached me to a flash cloned body and sent me to the Freelancer Simulation Outpost designated Blood Gulch. I didn't even know what I was until I... Well, my body was killed. A lot of crazy sh... Stuff happened after that. I don't even know how I got here. The last thing I remembered, the guys I was with were preparing to fight off some really bad people. I had... fragmented myself. Next thing I know, I'm implanted into her mind." He nodded to Ruby.

Blam!

A bullet whizzed through Church, making him flicker.

He glanced down at his chest incredulously before growling, "Okay, now that was just rude."

Yang lowered her Ember Celica shrugging, "Sorry. Hair-trigger."

She stepped forward, leaning toward Church, scrutinizing him carefully, "Huh…"

Church leaned back, holding his hands up, "Hey, if you're gonna be getting this close, the least you could do is buy me dinner first."

Weiss and Blake snorted at his comment while Ruby rubbed the back of her head.

Uh, what? She thought, nonplussed.

"Nothing, Kid."

"She didn't say anything," Weiss said, staring at Church.

"She didn't need to," Epsilon began, "I – uh – I can hear her thoughts. Well, when she wants me to."

Yang leapt back as the other girls cried out in protest.

"What?"

"Torchwick! Roman Torchwick implanted him in her head!"

"Get him out! Get him out!"

Church heaved a loud sigh, "I'm starting to see what you meant."

He cast Ruby a pointed glance as more bullets passed through him harmlessly, making him blink in and out of view.

He turned to the older girls, shaking his head, "I'm not working with Roman Torchwick!"

Church turned to Ruby, "Talk some sense into 'em, would ya?"

The girl sighed heavily before looking upon her teammates beseechingly, "He's one of us!" She insisted.

"Personally," Her sister began, "I'm more worried about him –" she jabbed an accusing finger at Church, "– spying on us for his own reasons."

"What do you mean?" Weiss asked suspiciously.

"Well, he is a guy," Yang stated with a shrug. "Aren't you, little dude?" She called to Epsilon, who grunted his acknowledgment.

"But, that's –" Weiss sputtered, her cheeks inflaming with embarrassment.

"Oh, come on!" Church finally shouted in his own defense. "I would never do something like that!" He snorted, before finishing sheepishly, rubbing the back of his helmet, "Today." Which earned him several more bullets through his head.

"Okay, now this is getting ridiculous!" He snarled.

Ruby stepped in front of him and activated her Hardlight Shield. The others lowered their weapons reluctantly.

"He's on our side," She repeated.

"Where did you get that?" Weiss asked. "It doesn't look like any Atlesian technology I've seen."

"I – uh," Ruby stammered, trying to think of a way to explain it, "I found it." She nodded.

"You found it?" Weiss sounded incredulous.

"Yeah…?" Ruby swallowed thickly.

She turned away from the others quickly and a soft gust of wind brushed against the nape of her neck, ruffling her hair.

"Wait," Yang caught her arm and shot a glance at the others. She pulled Ruby closer, leading her towards her, Weiss and Blake.

"Show me," Yang said, the edge in her voice sharp enough to cut through diamond.

"I –" Ruby began, unsure of what her sister meant. Yang gripped her younger sister's shoulders and forcibly turned her away and lifted her hair. The silence was such that Ruby swore she could hear a pin drop.

She knew what they were seeing and felt as if the AI apparatus were burning a hole in the back of her head. Varying sounds of shock and horror met the sight.

"Ruby!"

"Oh, my God."

"How did this happen?"

"Are you okay?!"

"I – I'm fine," Ruby stammered.

"Is that where –" Weiss asked hesitantly.

Ruby closed her eyes for a moment, before reaching towards the back of her head and withdrawing the unit and pulling it from the neural implants with a click.

When she turned to face her friends and sister, she saw that their faces were tinged with deviating shades of green. Simply put, they all looked disgusted.

"Who did this to you?" Yang's voice shook with barely controlled rage.

"I don't know," was Ruby's soft reply.

"You don't know." Weiss said stonily.

"No," Ruby began. "I don't remember."

"How is that possible?" Blake asked. "That kind of thing isn't easy to forget."

"Well, remember the Grimm Invasion? We were all so tired." Ruby spoke up. "I remember the fight and our conversation about the Vytal Festival afterward. I just don't remember anything after that."

Weiss opened her mouth to continue questioning her, her cerulean optics narrowing, but was cut off by the sudden appearance of their teacher, Doctor Oobleck, "Is everything alright, girls?"

The others of Team RWBY turned to their leader, who'd tucked away the shield and slipped the AI unit back into place.

"We're fine!" She chimed brightly.

Ruby turned to Church for help but realized he was gone. Church? There was no response. She sighed and joined her teammates for dinner before they shimmied into their sleeping bags.

Ruby was absorbed into a deep slumber when a voice rudely cut through her dream of eating an abnormally large chocolate chip cookie.

"Ruby. Ruby. Damn it, Ruby!"

She bolted upright, wincing. Her eye twitched as she looked around for the source of the angry voice. Church hovered in front of her.

"It's about time," he groused.

"What time is it?" Ruby stretched, yawning before glancing at the sleeping forms surrounding the dying fire.

"Stop that," Church said waspishly before yawning as well, causing her to do the same.

That was your fault, she thought.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. But only because you started it."

Ruby snorted in response before crawling out of the bag, grabbing Crescent Rose as she stood.

"So, what are we doing?" She asked blearily.

"We're going to find out if what I thought is correct," Church announced, casting a glance at Oobleck, who'd slumped against a tree trunk, head down and arms folded.

"Okay," Ruby agreed, following Epsilon deeper into the wood.

After what felt like hours of travel, Ruby felt her belief in their journey slowly dissipate.

"Are you sure this is the ri -" She started before staggering to a stop.

A large rift was scored in the earth, revealing darker dirt beneath the sparsely covered ground.

"Whoa." She breathed out. "That was a big ship."

"Yeah," Church gazed at the fissure carefully.

Ruby knelt, sifting through the dirt with her fingers. "Think anything might be left behind?"

"I doubt it," Church remarked with a snort, gazing at the scene of the crash.

Ruby continued searching the ground before pausing, unearthing what looked like a memory card.

"Church!"

He zapped to her side, "I'll be damned," He was stunned. "Gimme a second and I'll -" He broke off, watching her pull her Scroll from her pocket, extending it to tablet-size before slipping the card into the slot.

Ruby tapped several buttons on the holographic screen and accessed the files.

"Or you could do that." He slumped, disappointed.

Ruby shot him a small smirk and returned to the screen, a solemn expression settling over her features as she opened the last audio file on the memory card.

A loud beeping emanated from the Scroll before a male voice Church's memories identified as Agent Washington shouted over the noise, "Damn it! We're losing power! Tucker! Get to those terminals and see what you can do!"

Another voice joined the first, Tucker, apparently, "What I can do?! What the hell do you think I can do?!"

Agent Washington clearly wasn't impressed, "Tucker! We're crashing! Just do whatever you can to make sure those idiots don't screw up and we don't die in the process!"

Two voices joined in the argument, shouting in unison, "What do you think we're doing?!"

Church verified that they were Grif and Simmons.

Tucker scoffed, "Dude, I don't think he was talking to you! He was talking about you."

"You all should've switched to diesel fuel, and then we wouldn't be in this mess!" Sarge.

"Why didn't anyone give me anything to shout about?!" Caboose. His name came to her.

Agent Washington shouted above all of them, "Everyone, shut up!"

The voices stopped before Agent Washington's voice returned, "Mayday! M -"

The recording ended there, and Ruby looked at Church, her eyes wide.

Church just looked deflated. He slumped, hovering at her shoulder, his head lowered.

He was perfectly still for a moment before a shudder rippled through him and when he spoke, his voice cracked, "Well, guess we know what happened now, don't we?" He floated away, his back to her.

"Church," Ruby started, removing the card from her Scroll, slipping both into her pocket.

He held up his hand, saying slowly, "I let you yank me around, feeding me all these hopes that they might be alive. And when we get here, not only are they not here, but from what we heard, almost all of them are dead. What could you possibly say that might fix that?"

Ruby swallowed a lump rising in her throat and whispered, "I'm sorry. I didn't -"

"Shut up," Church snapped, "Just shut up."

Ruby fell silent and lowered her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks. She strode away from the scene of the accident and after a while, Church followed her. Neither of them spoke for several minutes. But she could sense Church's state of mind. He was still hurting and angry.

Ruby could tell he was angrier with himself than with her. He was mad at himself because he allowed himself to believe in what she believed. And then he was let down not long after.

"Wait..." Ruby halted, speaking more to herself than to Church, "Agent Washington is alive."

She nodded and her eyes widening as the pieces fell into place, "Agent Washington is alive!"

She grabbed her Scroll and searched for 'Agent Washington'. Zero search results. She huffed softly.

"Try Project Freelancer," Church suggested, finally speaking up.

She looked at him before keying in the search. Same as the last search. Nothing.

"I guess I should have known that wouldn't work," She remarked before flicking through the search page and froze. It was the article that Church read. "I know that place!" She pointed to the picture.

"You do?" Church hovered over her shoulder. Things seemed to be looking up. Again.

"I know you're upset, Church, but I think we should find Agent Washington and find out what actually happened. And if your friends are still alive." Ruby said.

"Nothing can keep you down, eh?" Church said dully.

"Nope!" Ruby said cheerfully.

"Thought so," Church replied, defeated.

Ruby nodded and said, "I know all we have to go on is the picture, but I think someone should have noticed a strange guy in strange armor just walking around, you know?" Silence.

Then, "You got a point there."

Chapter Text

I watch the city burn. These dreams, like ashes, float away.

Your voice I never heard. Only silence.

Where were you when our hearts were bleeding?

Where were you? It all crashed down.

Never thought that you'd deceive me. Where are you now?

How long can you stand the pain? How long will you hide your face?

How long will you be afraid? Are you afraid?

How long will you play this game? Will you fight or will you walk away?

How long will you let it burn? Let it burn! Let it burn.

Let It Burn - Nightcore

Ruby made it back to camp in time to shimmy into her sleeping bag and after a few moments of shuffling around to find a comfortable position, she fell into a deep sleep.

"Meta, wait! We don't need to hurt her; we only need -"

"No!"

Ruby jolted awake, glancing around wearily. Everything was clouded in a thick haze of exhaustion. Instinctively, her mind reached out for Epsilon. But recoiled when it brushed against something cold and dark.

She huffed quietly before rolling over, tugging the edge of her sleeping bag over her shoulders and closed her eyes. But she couldn't sleep. Church's thoughts and feelings were intense and very noisy.

She attempted to focus on the sound of birds chirping as sunlight filtered through the trees, lighting the campsite with a ghostly glow. Her teammates were still sleeping, and Doctor Oobleck wasn't anywhere to be found.

Ruby had only just closed her eyes again and attempted to drift off again when Doctor Oobleck's voice echoed across the campsite, "Rise and shine, girls! Are you ready to fight some evil?"

Ruby attempted to feign sleep, but their teacher descended on her.

"Miss Rose!" Oobleck said cheerfully, "You're awake."

No, I'm not; Ruby thought desperately, I'm still asleep. Please, go away!

Before she could curl up in a defensive position, she was ripped from the safety of her warm sleeping bag.

"What –"

Yang set her down by her hood.

"Morning, sis." Her elder sister said cheerfully.

"Yang," Ruby cried in protest.

"So, is –" Yang gestured around, indicating Church. "– around?"

"I don't think so," Ruby said.

Yang gazed at Ruby before nodding and rejoining the others, who were currently yawning and grumbling about being awakened so early.

Oobleck had begun to march away into the woods, chattering on about Menagerie's history, oblivious to the fact that no one was following him. Ruby grabbed her compacted weapon and followed him quickly.

"Wait," Blake was murmuring.

"Huh?"

She turned to the cat Faunus, who continued, "Does anyone else find it strange that we haven't encountered any Grimm whatsoever?"

"Yeah," Ruby jumped in, "It's very strange. Almost like -"

She broke off, stiffening at the sound of rustling in the underbrush.

The girls drew their weapons, only to breathe out an exasperated sigh of relief when they realized it was simply their history teacher, come back to check on them.

"Keep up, girls!" He cheerfully stated, "We have a long day ahead of us!"

Ruby visibly deflated before trudging after him. Menagerie, beautiful as it was, seemed unusually sinister. Mountain Glenn bore its history with something akin to pride. You could see how the city fell by viewing it through a telescope. Menagerie was something else altogether.

And Ruby couldn't quite put her finger on it. If it were a novel she'd read, she would've thought it to be the outcome of a curse. Or that the island itself were alive and somehow devouring its inhabitants.

There was an unusual stillness to the isle that grated like sandpaper against her nerves. And with a single look, she confirmed that her teammates felt the same way. Every breath of wind that shook the trees had them reaching for their weapons or clenching their hands into fists.

What she'd thought to be beautiful and wild a day ago has transfigured into something else entirely in the light of a new day. Something downright unsettling. Ruby began to tap her hand against her ammo pouch uneasily before it was swatted away.

"Stop that," Weiss scolded her, the twist of her mouth projecting how unsettled she felt. Even Doctor Oobleck seemed agitated.

Something needs to happen soon.

According to Oobleck, they were searching suspicious activity in Menagerie.

"This area had been investigated before because of the crash. But, when it was investigated, there were no signs of intelligent life. And not one week ago, a passing Bullhead, filled with Mistral students, flew over Menagerie and spied lights. As though someone had been searching for something."

Or someone.

Ruby had an inkling as to what had been going on that day but remained silent. Even after her colleagues shot her questioning glances. She followed Oobleck a few more feet before slowing and falling a few feet behind.

Ruby still couldn't get a sense of Church, what he was thinking or feeling. It was almost like he wasn't there. Ruby slowly and carefully lowered a wall between her and him, before swallowing thickly, brushing her fingers against the base of her skull and prying the device from the implants with a wince.

Ruby looked down at the object, turning it over in her hand before slipping it into her pocket.

"Miss Rose!" Doctor Oobleck called, making her jump.

"Sorry!" She scurried after them as though she'd been scalded.

Ahead, she heard varying sounds of surprise before pushing her way through the crowd and spotting the gash the 'ship Church's friends were in rent through the ground. Ruby felt a lump rising in her throat.

Her teammates adopted thoughtful expressions. Their leader brushed her fingertips over the device gently, her hand shaking slightly.

After moments of being lost in thoughts drenched in worry, she returned to her sister and friends and saw their history teacher kneeling in the center of the schism, using a sort of pan to sift through the earth.

"Is he...?" Weiss began, sounding very confounded by their teacher.

"I think so," Ruby replied, although, she had been wondering herself what on earth their teacher was doing.

The sound of an approaching Airship reached her ears, and she craned her neck to peer up, watching it pass overhead before hearing it slow for descent.

What? She thought, following the sound. I don't remember another team being assigned to Menagerie.

She trekked through the wood, stepping carefully to avoid treading on dried leaves and twigs as she searched for the 'ship that arrived. Ruby pushed the brush aside and peeked around at the Airship, which she now identified as a Bullhead.

She watched, frozen, as Faunus, dressed in the White Fang uniform and wearing Grimm masks exited the 'ship.

Oh, no. Ruby thought, ice trickling into her veins. I need to find Doctor Oobleck!

She pushed away from the clearing and reached for her Scroll and Crescent Rose.

Great, she thought hopelessly when her Scroll beeped, indicating that it wasn't connecting with a Tower, why did this have to happen today?

Ruby summoned her Semblance and dashed toward the crash-site.

Where is everyone?!

Panic flooded her senses. It seemed that everyone had left in search of the airship and Ruby. She staggered to a stop, her foot catching on a root and sent her tumbling to the ground.

She winced as little lights burst before her eyes and sat up, her lungs burning and her side aching. Ruby forced herself to her feet. She'd stop it. She'd stop them. She'd -

"Miss Rose?" Doctor Oobleck's hurried tones came to her as if traveling through water.

Huh? Ruby thought, dazed.

What was that that had come over her? Anger. Her mind supplied for her. She was angry. And trembling because of it.

Ruby forced the emotion away and looked up at her history teacher, speaking quickly, "The White Fang, they're here."

"My word," Oobleck breathed out. "Well, there's only one thing to do then, Miss Rose." He extended his coffee mug into its flamethrower form. "We have to stop them."

"But, what are we stopping them from doing?" Ruby asked, confused.

What could they possibly want? The aircraft accident happened so long ago...

"Perhaps they were biding their time until all investigations ceased." Doctor Oobleck seemed to answer her thought unknowingly.

"Maybe." Ruby murmured before nodding to him, "Let's stop them."

"We need to gather your teammates," Her teacher said before dashing off into the wood.

Ruby emitted a soft groan of unhappiness before following him.

"What are the White Fang doing here?" Yang asked, rubbing her palms over her shot-gauntlets uneasily.

They had all regrouped at the campsite.

"I doubt it has anything to do with a 'ship crash," Blake quipped, checking that Gambol Shroud's cartridges were loaded.

"How would you figure that?" Weiss asked, smoothing down the sleeve of her jacket.

"Because the White Fang wouldn't be interested in an old 'ship wreck." Blake whispered. "They're here for another reason."

Memories of the weapons crates aboard the Staff of Charon flickered through Ruby's mind.

"I think I know what they're after," A wave of cold fear splashed over her, drenching her in icy sensations. Her team turned to her, and she swallowed thickly before addressing their teacher, "Have any of the investigators recovered weapons?"

Doctor Oobleck adopted a thoughtful stance, "Hmm, now that you mention it, no."

Ruby's heart sank.

"The airship was carrying weapons?" Weiss seemed skeptical.

"In a way," Ruby said in an attempt at off-handedness.

"Ruby," Yang sounded shocked before nodding in resignation. "Okay. What's the plan?"

"We stop them." Ruby said firmly.

I've already seen what these weapons can do. She thought grimly as Epsilon's memories of the destruction wrought by the arms filled her mind, making her wince as bile rose in her throat. She didn't like this. Any of it.

She grabbed Crescent Rose and checked her pockets for her Hardlight Shield. It wasn't there. Panic seized her heart, and she shook as she searched the camp for it.

Where'd it go?!

"Are you ready to go, girls?" Oobleck called, making Ruby jump.

Ruby swallowed hard before straightening and nodding.

"Yes, sir." Her lip quivered.

Ruby sucked in a shaky breath and straightened, following their teacher. They moved through the wood in silence, listening carefully for any sounds of movement.

Ruby halted when she noticed the bow on Blake's head twitch and gazed at the older girl questioningly. Blake silently gestured to a path off to the side, and they fell into step with her. What they saw made them stop altogether.

Several Faunus stood before strange metal crates marked with the symbol of the UNSC. Ruby could sense her teammates' confusion. She knew what they saw. Icy prickles covered her as something in her chest tightened with fear.

The crates opened, and the Faunus were rummaging through them, shouting to one another.

"Let's get the -" Yang began before Ruby's hand shot out and clutched at her forearm.

The look on her sister's face made Yang freeze. Ruby was pale, her eyes widened and she shook her head.

It isn't worth it. Her expression said.

Yang grunted with a nod and stepped back. And apparently the White Fang didn't find what they were looking for. Because they kicked the crates over, scowling and stormed away. Ruby sunk to the ground with relief, before she shot to her feet.

What if there are more of those - ?!

She bolted after them, rose petals fluttering in the air where she had once been.

"Ruby!" Everyone cried.

She ricocheted off trees, boosting her speed before scrambling backward when she saw a familiar figure standing on the Bullhead. The woman in the red dress stood in the shadows, but it was clearly her.

What is she doing here? Ruby thought, alarmed before scrambling for her Scroll.

She snapped a few discrete photographs before slinking back as the Faunus continued to move through the brush.

There's too many of them!

She turned and scurried away as quickly as she could. She heard varying sounds of surprise as she broke into a run.

Run, run, fast as you can. You can't catch me -!

She felt something collide with her diaphragm, knocking the wind out of her.

"Gotcha!" A deep, gleeful voice said.

Ruby hit the ground and raised her head, spotting a tall Faunus standing above her, wielding what looked like a metal bat. She rolled to her feet, drawing her scythe, expanding it to complete scythe form and flicked her hair out of her eyes before gesturing to him.

He circled her before stepping forward to strike, and she dodged his attack before replying with one of her own. She danced around him, spinning and aiming a kick at the back of his knee before swinging Crescent Rose.

He flipped out of the way of her scythe and pressed a switch on his bat, blades extending from the club.

A morning star?

Ruby glanced down at her abdomen, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw that her combat skirt wasn't ripped before collapsing the scythe into its sniper rifle form, firing explosive rounds at his feet, propelling him into the air.

Ruby watched him soar before leaping and shooting a kick to the face of the attacking Faunus.

"Hyah!" Ruby cried as her foot connected with his face, driving him to the ground.

"Never mess with a girl in a combat skirt," She said with a huff, dusting said skirt off for dramatic effect before collapsing her weapon into storage mode and slipping it back into its holster.

She strolled through the woods before muttering, "Great. Now which way do I go?"

She ventured deeper into the forest, pausing when the sounds of battle reached her ears. Ruby burst through the trees, spotting Weiss, Blake, Yang and Dr. Oobleck locked in combat with the remaining Faunus.

I need to help!

She leapt forward, calling out, "Ice Flower!"

Weiss summoned a Glyph as Ruby reached her and began firing rounds through the symbol, ice encasing the legs and feet of the Faunus.

"Bumblebee!" Ruby shouted.

Blake tossed the ribbon to Yang, who caught it before she had been tugged into the air. Ruby watched as her elder sister flew through the air, her fist connecting with the Faunus and impelling them backward.

Ruby was sure that she could see birdies flying around their heads before she pivoted to face her teacher, "What do we do now, Doctor Oobleck?"

He pushed his glasses up his nose. "We find their 'ship," He said seriously. “And we defend this island!”

“Right!” Ruby cheered, pumping her fist, eager for battle.

Chapter Text

Did you know there's a light?

A love you once knew?

So, let me reignite the fire in you.

When fear burns out the light, we'll carry on.

When dreams seem out of sight, we'll carry on.

You can make your life worth living.

Don't look back, just keep on giving.

When everyone's asleep and no one's chasing dreams,

We'll carry on.

Carry On – Bad Seed Rising

“We find their ‘ship,” Doctor Oobleck announced, pushing his glasses up his nose. “We defend this island!”

Ruby cast a glance at her defeated history teacher. Not long after that announcement, he phoned Ozpin to update the headmaster on their findings. And Glynda answered the phone instead. He looked broken after the browbeating he received from her. Finally, he told them to pack their things and prepare for their Bullhead back to the Academy.

The red hooded leader stood at the edge of the opening in the Bullhead, tearing her eyes off the slumped teacher and watching as aquatic Grimm swum the ocean below.

"You know, now that I see it, I can understand Neptune's fear." Weiss said, peering down at the water.

Ruby grunted in acknowledgment.

Weiss's oceanic hues settled on the hooded girl, "Are you okay?"

Ruby snorted again.

"We did the right thing. Ozpin will know what to do." The Ice Queen sounded resolute.

Rather than reply, Ruby pulled her Scroll from her pocket and switched it on, starting Chill in Remnant. Music poured from the tiny device's speakers and Ruby's teammates exchanged an anxious glance. Their leader certainly seemed to enjoy video games. Of the horror genre.

The Bullhead continued its voyage back to Beacon as Ruby battled an Onryo. The music and sounds that spilled from her Scrolls speakers were nothing short of terrifying.

"I wish you hadn't shown her video games," Weiss said to Yang, annoyance evident in her tones.

"Me?" Yang began defensively. "Blake was the one that introduced her to horror."

The Faunus merely shrugged and said, "I was only trying to help her get over her fear. I didn't intend for her actually to become addicted to it."

All their eyes drifted over to Ruby, who was entirely focused on her Scroll, and didn't seem to notice the translucent blue figure that hovered over her shoulder for a moment before disappearing.

Ruby saved her game and closed her Scroll as the Bullhead began its descent and noticed that her teammates released a sigh of relief in unison.

"What?" She asked, somewhat confused.

"Nothing," the others chimed, all at once.

They all exited the airship as one. Ruby looked around the campus. Something about it looked different. But, she couldn't quite put her finger on what. Maybe it was that she saw it in a different light. Especially given what had just happened.

"Hey, guys!"

Team RWBY turned to the cheerful voice of Jaune.

"Back already? That must've been the shortest investigation ever."

"Yeah," Yang said, sweeping her hair over her shoulder. "You could say that."

"Whew!" A familiar voice floated through Ruby's mind. "That wall was almost impossible to break down."

Epsilon settled into place at the edge of Ruby's vision.

"So, what'd I miss?" He looked around before recognition clicked in. "Wait. What are we doing back here?" Indignation rose in his voice.

Instead of replying, Ruby pulled her headphones from her pocket, unfolding them and slipping them on. I Don't Care by Apocalyptica flooded her ears and drowned out Church's voice.

"Ruby, don't ignore me!" He snapped, attempting to regain her attention to no avail. "Damn it, Ruby!" Church snarled.

Ruby followed the group into the main building. She watched as they talked the entire way. It was a strange thing to witness as their mouths and hands moved. She hummed along softly as they entered the cafeteria. It must've been lunchtime, as it looked as though the entire school had attempted to fit itself in the one room.

Ruby's eyes fell on Mercury, Emerald, and Cinder and she waved at them, smiling. The trio waved back quickly before resuming their conversation. That's weird, the scythe-wielder thought before grabbing a tray. She felt a not-so-gentle prodding at the edge of her mind as she plonked bowls and plates of food on her plate.

Ruby grit her teeth and set her mouth into a firm line.

Go. Away. She thought, inwardly seething.

"Make me!" Was Church's childish response.

She raised her chin and walked to the table occupied by her teammates and friends. Her struggle with Epsilon didn't go unnoticed.

"Are you alright?" Pyrrha asked, worry seeping into her words, her green eyes focused on Ruby's face.

"I'm all right." Ruby said, sitting down.

"You look pale," The redheaded warrior continued.

"I'm always pale," Ruby's sterling orbs shifted nervously.

At her cue, Yang took the lead in the conversation, turning it to the Vytal festival.

Jaune leaned against the table, murmuring to her, "Is it because of… Church?"

Ruby swallowed thickly, nodding to him. Jaune had kept her secret, and he was a good friend to her, but she wasn't sure how her teammates would react to learning that he found out before they did.

Knowing Yang, not well…

Ruby looked back to her tray pointedly when Blake and Weiss looked over to her and the blond swordsman.

"Thank you, Jaune." Ruby said aloud, smiling at him brilliantly. "Apple juice sounds fantastic. It should help with my headache."

Jaune blinked, confused at first before following her gaze to her teammates and nodded in understanding.

"Right," He began slowly. "I'll go get that for you."

He pushed away from the table and walked toward the line. Everyone, including Ren – who was usually unassuming – and Pyrrha turned toward the girl in the red hood.

"What?" Ruby said as haughtily as she could. Even Weiss paled at her behavior. Ruby's tiny hands clenched into fists at her sides. "I'm not hungry anymore," The young huntress said, her voice shaking.

She stood and bounded from the room.

What's happening to me?

Her head was spinning, and everything seemed to be moving fast and slow all at once as she leaned against a plinth.

"Hello, Rose." A familiar and annoyingly arrogant voice said from behind her.

Ruby narrowed her eyes as she pushed away from the column and turned to them.

"Hello, Cardin." She smirked at him, "How's your knee?"

The hunter-in-training scowled at her, "Better. No thanks to you."

Ruby chortled, which only seemed to annoy him further, "Oh, good times."

She brushed past him and walked to the dormitories. Ruby caught a sliver of movement as she crossed the courtyard. Mercury and the others of his group were walking toward the guest dorms. Ruby halted in her tracks, her eyes skimming over his profile.

Huh…

It was just occurring to her how handsome Mercury was, almost as if she just saw it.

Jaune's cute too. But, more in a, "Hey, my friend's puppy is kind of cute" sort of way. I don't think I'd like him in that way…. Ever.

Ruby felt dazed and lightheaded.

I need to lay down…

She walked into their building and jabbed the call button for the elevator.

Does this mean I'm noticing boys now? Is that what it means?

She recalled a conversation she'd overheard her worried father having with her uncle Qrow. Which ended with Qrow reassuring Taiyang that Ruby was far too innocent.

A burst of white-hot anger flared at the back of Ruby's mind, and she could almost feel Church seething.

"Like hell you are!" He almost seemed to be saying.

Ruby shrugged, brushing off his protective anger and entered the elevator when it arrived.

She pressed the button for their floor and leaned back against the wall.

Ugh. I hate my life….

Ruby rubbed her temples, pouting before feeling annoyed. At everyone.

No, wait. I hate everyone else's lives. And I wish they didn't have them.

Her cheeks tinted with pink as she stomped off the elevator when it arrived. She scanned her Scroll at the door and walked into the room, shoving the door closed behind her roughly before climbing to her bunk and flopping down. She had a few moments of blissful peace and the pounding in her head ceased.

Until…

BANG!

The door slammed open.

"Ruby!"

Weiss stamped into the room, her hands on her hips. Yang and Blake trailed after her.

"What was that back there?!" Her voice grew shrill, which only brought on another headache.

"What?" Ruby groused.

"Your behavior was unacceptable!" Weiss continued.

"Really?" Ruby grabbed a pillow and covered her head with it to block out the Ice Queen's tirade.

"Weiss…." Yang gripped the shoulder of the heiress, pulling her back slowly.

"What?" The irate Heiress targeted the blonde with her anger.

Yang gazed back at her tiredly, "Just... leave it alone."

She pressed past Weiss and entered the room, changing into her pajamas.

Weiss scowled for a moment before throwing her hands into the air, snarling, "Fine!"

Ruby rolled onto her side, facing away from her teammates and clutched her Zwei shaped pillow to her chest, closing her eyes and praying for a better tomorrow.

Chapter Text

You told me, ‘Yes’. You held me high. And I believed when you told that lie.

I played soldier. You played king. You struck me down when I kissed that ring.

You lost that right to hold that crown. I built you up, but you let me down.

So when you fall, I’ll take my turn. And fan the flames as your blazes burn.

And you were there at the turn, waiting to let me know we’re building it up, to break it back down.

We’re building it up, to burn it down. We can’t wait to burn it to the ground.

Burn It Down – Linkin Park

"You think we should ask her?" Yang muttered to Weiss as they observed Ruby, who was pulling on her jacket, buttoning it over her vest.

Weiss shot Yang a glance, "Yes. She was acting strange yesterday. Moody. Irate. Sarcastic. It's not like Ruby."

"What are you thinking?" Blake asked.

"Aside from being worried that Ruby is competing against you for the title of Ice Queen?" Yang cut in with a smirk.

"Hey!" Weiss cried, affronted.

They froze when Ruby's head shot up, to stare at them, her silver optics narrowing and zeroing in on them with suspicion.

"Don't move," Weiss breathed, shakily. "Her vision is based on movement."

Eventually, the young leader lost interest in them and continued with pinning her cloak to her jacket.

"You're right," Yang chirruped, "I should've said Weiss Queen."

"You –!"

Yang chortled as she walked away, sashaying out the door.

"I'm just worried about Ruby," Weiss admitted, humbled.

"Worried about –” The Blonde Bombshell gestured, indicating the AI that had been forcefully implanted in the young scythe wielder's head.

"Yes," Weiss looked down at her shoes, "What if he's somehow affecting her?"

They turned to gaze upon said leader, who was currently engrossed in her Scroll.

"I don't think he is," Yang said in an attempt to sound matter-of-fact, but her voice wavered with doubt ever-so-slightly. "Ruby's too strong." She said firmly, reinforcing her faith in her sister.

“Hey, guys!” The girl in question shouted, sounding cheerful, a welcome contrast to her mood from the previous night. “We have combat class! Two teams against two teams!”

The others of Team RWBY exchanged a nervous, but hopeful glance.

“I’m picking Team JNPR for our secondaries!” She hurried down the hallway.

“Well, there goes that theory," Blake muttered.

Cardin sucked in a deep breath. This sucked. In fact, this entire situation was such bullsh – "I would just like everyone to know that I suck." He announced, his features reddening with embarrassment and rage.

Glynda face-palmed and Ozpin watched with mild amusement as Teams RWBY and JNPR snickered behind their barricades.

"And?" Yang called out, prompting the bully to continue.

"And that I'm a girl," Cardin dragged on, his teammates smacking their foreheads.

"What else?" The red hooded girl, known as Ruby, prodded.

"And I like ribbons in my hair," Cardin concluded, sounding murderous, "And I want to kiss all the boys."

"This may be the greatest surrender of all time." Jaune choked out between fits of laughter.

Pyrrha and Blake both shared a 'my teammates are so childish' look, followed by a shake of their heads. Ruby and Yang both collapsed to the ground, giggling and snorting while Weiss disguised a soft chuckle behind her hand. Ren was propped against the barricade, sound asleep while Nora smiled deviously. As soon as their amusement subsided, the teams picked themselves up.

"Okay," Yang cracked her knuckles. "Round two." She smirked.

Before they could make a break for it, Team CRDL shared a look of horror, all thinking simultaneously, Oh, sh –!

"Well, that was over quickly," Ruby grumbled as the teams trudged to their next class.

"Well, Yang wanted a turn at them," Weiss muttered.

"Hey, it's not my fault that they may as well be made of blown glass." Yang tossed her head, her hair rippling behind her.

They took their seats while Doctor Oobleck took his place at the front of the room. Church popped into Ruby's field of vision.

"So…." He began, "Are you still pissed at me?"

Ruby focused on her notebook, her pen gliding over the paper.

"I guess so." He sighed heavily. "What the hell are you doing?" He looked at her notes.

Ruby had written a bullet-point list titled, "Places I'd Rather Epsilon Were Implanted" If not for the fact that he needed her and her help, the absurdity of the list would've made him laugh. The list read as follows;

• A Cat
• Roman Torchwick (Because then Yang could hit him. And it would hurt.)
• A Horse's Butt (Because his head is filled with poo anyway.)
• A Grimm (Because then I could behead him when he makes me angry.)

Church rubbed his helmet. If he had a physical body, he would be getting a headache right about now. "Ruby," He began sternly.

The young huntress blatantly ignored him. Epsilon growled in frustration before shimmering and disappearing. After he had left, she slumped against the desk, pondering more places she could send him. Soon, she was being shaken awake by Weiss.

"Wha…? What happened?" Ruby yawned.

"What do you think?" Weiss rolled her eyes slightly.

Ruby packed up her books and took her exam results from Weiss as they exited the classroom. An angry shout drew their attention, and both pivoted to see Cardin clutching his test in his fist, his face slowly turning beet red.

"I guess he didn't get the score he thought he deserved," Weiss remarked.

"We may as well surrender to Torchwick if the day we all rely on Cardin Winchester's intelligence to save us arrives," Ruby said snarkily before turning and walking away, leaving a stunned Weiss behind.

"Okay, are you done acting immature and childish?" Church snarled.

"I'm immature?" Ruby said dangerously. "Me?! Well, I suppose I am! Wonder why? Oh, wait! I'm only fifteen!" She shrieked, "Of course I'm childish! I'm still a child, Church! I have a right to it. What's your excuse?"

Groups of hunters and huntresses-in-training had all stopped to stare at Ruby, while she screamed at the holographic figure only she could see.

Epsilon breathed out a long and unnecessary sigh before rubbing his helmet, "Yeah. Okay. You got me there."

Ruby stalked away from the hallway, dragging Church along with her, before he spoke up again, "Hey, you wanna go do some training?" He offered her tentatively.

Ruby nodded, "Yeah. Fine."

Fifteen minutes into their training session, a slow clapping reached them. Instinctively, Epsilon faded away. Ruby turned to the source of the sound. Mercury was perched on Glynda's desk, observing her with keen interest.

"Well done, Little Red." He said smoothly.

Color blossomed in Ruby's cheeks as she replied, embarrassed, "Thanks."

She rubbed the back of her head, her argent hues flickering to the door, wondering how he'd entered the room without her knowing.

"I don't like the way he said that," Church remarked.

Ruby could sense the scowl in his words. The silver haired young man leapt from the table and sauntered toward her.

"You did well," He said, crossing the room. "But, I noticed that when you sparred with Cardin, you were helpless without that." He jabbed a finger at Crescent Rose.

Ruby collapsed the scythe and slipped it into its holster at the base of her spine, averting her eyes sheepishly.

"Why don't we train together? Maybe I could give you a few pointers." Mercury offered.

Ruby's eyes raised to his, astonishment lighting her features. "Really?" She asked.

Mercury nodded, a smirk slanting across his mouth, "Of course."

Over the next hour, they sparred, with Mercury correcting her stance and moves.

Ruby slouched as she walked to her dorm. "My muscles hurt." She complained.

"Oh, come on, you big baby," Church said sardonically. "It wasn't that bad. Besides, don't you already have muscle built?"

"Not the ones I used today," Ruby grumbled, collapsing onto her bed, rubbing her arm with a wince.

Church glanced around before spotting a Scroll on the bedside table. "I shouldn't do it," he muttered to himself.

A knock startled both AI and host. Ruby hopped off the bed and padded to the door, grousing as she went over her sore muscles.

"Jaune," She gasped, stunned to see her friend at the door.

"Hey," the blonde knight said offhandedly. "Can we talk? It's important."

Chapter Text

I’m caught up in your expectations. You try to make me live your dream.

But I’m causing you so much frustration. And you only want the best for me.

You’re wanting me to show more interest. To always keep a big bright smile.

Be that pinky, little, perfect princess. But I’m not that type of child.

And the storm is rising inside of me. Don’t ya feel that our worlds collide?

It’s getting harder to breathe. It hurts deep inside.

Just let me be who I am. It’s what you really need to understand.

And I hope so hard for the pain to go away. And it’s torturing me.

But I can’t break free. So, I cry and cry, but I just won’t get it out.

The silent scream.

Silent Scream – Anna Blue

“Good morning, Team RWBY!”

The chirruping voice of the aforementioned Team’s leader had filled the room before Weiss felt something hit the bed she slept on with enough force to launch her into the air. The white-haired girl had yelped before she tumbled to the floor.

When she glowered up at the offensive object, she spotted Ruby, lying on her bed, facing her with her chin resting on her palm. The leader was grinning down at her.

“Morning!” She chimed.

Weiss scowled, snapping back, “What so good about it?”

Before yanking the covers from the bed and covering her head with them and flopping back down onto the floor. Ruby pouted before leaping onto her sister’s bed, waking her with a shriek.

She continued this process with each team member.

Blake being the only one to open her eyes, face the girl and roll over, falling back to sleep.

Ruby grumbled at Weiss and Blake before dragging her half-dressed, half-asleep sister to the cafeteria for breakfast, chattering away about whatever she’d thought up, her talk with Jaune weighing heavily on her mind.

“Hey,” He said in an attempt to sound offhanded, “Can we talk? It’s important.”

“Sure,” Ruby stepped aside, letting him into the dorm.

“What is it?” She asked worriedly.

If something happened to one of their friends….

“It’s about Church,” Jaune said hesitantly. “Is he around?”

Ruby could feel Church pressing at the corner of her mind, curious to hear what the young paladin had to say.

“No.” Ruby said quickly, chasing that statement with, “Not really. Why?”

“And you’re sure?” Cinder asked as she paced the room, thinking before she spoke again. “Tell me again, what you saw.”

Mercury leaned back and tilted his head as though remembering, “I saw the girl, the one in the red hood, enter the classroom and when I followed her in, I saw something shining over her shoulder. It was small and blue. But it disappeared quickly.”

“I thought the Atlesians’ AI were only in the prototype stage,” Emerald cut in. “I mean, look at that ‘Droid, whatever her name is.”

“Penny,” Mercury interjected.

“Yeah, sure,” Emerald said with a dismissive wave.

“It is,” Cinder said, musingly. “Hmm… Monitor the girl. See if you can find out where she received this technology and if it has anything to do with that ‘ship crash. Befriend her, if you have to.”

“Great,” Emerald rolled her eyes. “I’ll get right on that sh –”

“I was speaking to Mercury.” Cinder’s voice made the temperature of the room drop several degrees. “He made better progress than you; it seems,”

Mercury smirked at Emerald, who threw a pillow at him in retaliation.

“Will do, Boss,” Mercury said lazily. “And once I have the information?”

Cinder waved a careless hand, “Kill her.”

Ruby made her way to their first class of the day, History with Doctor Oobleck, then afterward, Science with Professor Peach. She rubbed her brow to ease an encroaching headache, the second one that had struck her that week. Ruby wondered what could be causing them.

Stress, maybe?

A quick review of what had occurred reinforced that idea. Ruby took her seat as their history teacher zipped around the room, handing out their graded tests. The bright red number at the top of her paper made her heart sink, and a snicker from over her shoulder made her stomach burn with anger.

“Looks like you failed, Rose!” Cardin hissed at her, under his breath so quietly that Oobleck couldn’t hear him.

That was it!

Ruby slammed her hands onto the desk and stood suddenly, snapping back at him, “Oh, yeah?! Well, so did your father’s condom, Douchebag!”

The room fell silent, and Doctor Oobleck dropped the coffee mug he was holding, shocked. Cardin’s face reddened with rage, and his teammates snickered. Ruby looked back at her teacher, finding him shaking his head in disapproval and knew what was coming.

Soon, she was in an elevator, on her way to Ozpin’s office. Ruby closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, wincing when the ache grew at her touch and kneading the pain away with her knuckles.

A loud ding alerted her to her arrival, and she stepped off the elevator and walked into the office, folding her hands behind her back as Cardin rose from his seat and stomped past her, snarling, “This isn’t over, Rose!”

“Oh, I think it is, Douchechester.” She hissed back before taking a seat before Ozpin.

“So, would you like to explain what your dispute with Mister Winchester is all about, Miss Rose?” He asked of her genially.

“Not particularly, no,” Ruby replied promptly, her annoyance growing.

Is everyone growing more annoying? Or just stupid? She thought, disgruntled.

“Hmm,” The headmaster hummed shrewdly, “When you returned from Mountain Glenn over a month ago, you claimed to have no memory of what happened and that you were perfectly fine upon waking. You even denied medical assistance.”

Ruby shifted nervously at Ozpin's words.

“Do you still maintain that you don’t remember anything from that experience and that you are all right, Miss Rose?”

Ruby nodded stiffly before her eyes widened when he placed a folder, three inches thick, on the desk before her.

“Your transcripts over the course of this month,” Ozpin announced. “Not only have your grades increased only to fall again, but your teammates have submitted their worries for your overall well-being. You’ve also declared being bothered and sometimes apathetic as of late.”

“That’s not true!” Ruby bolted to her feet, indignant.

How… How dare he?!

Professor Ozpin quietly sipped his coffee, gazing at her, unaffected by her sudden outburst.

“Is that so?” He asked calmly, “I apologize for making such an accusation. Would you kindly return to your seat?”

Ruby sat, her cheeks hot.

“Are you certain that nothing is bothering you, Miss Rose?”

“I am!” Ruby said vehemently.

“Then why have you been feuding with Cardin Winchester? That is not like you at all.”

“He’s a jerk!” Ruby cried, “That’s why!”

“I see,” Ozpin said, steepling his fingers in silent contemplation.

“And how is he a ‘jerk,' Miss Rose?” The headmaster asked patiently.

Ruby racked her memory, remembering how he’d bullied Jaune from day one and recounted the tales to Ozpin, her hands clenching at her skirt until her knuckles whitened.

“Hmm. But didn’t Mister Arc handle that on his own?”

“He did,” Ruby said with a nod.

“If you don’t mind my asking, Miss Rose, may I speak to ‘Church’?”

Ruby faltered.

How did he know?!

She gritted her teeth, looking away, her cheeks burning.

Church?

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” The AI muttered before looking at the man. “Whaddya wanna know?”

“Impressive,” Ozpin remarked. “He has a conscience all his own, does he not?”

“If you’re asking whether or not I can think for myself, I can tell you the answer to that.” Church shot back, “Yeah. And I’ve heard everything.”

He pointed to Ruby, “Good on you for what you said for Dickchester, by the way.”

Ruby’s brows rose, “I don’t know why everyone looked at me when I said it, though.”

“It’s a long story, kid.” Church rubbed the back of his helmet.

Ozpin watched their interaction with mild interest before speaking, “Might I ask, is it possible for an artificial intelligence to ‘rub off’ on its host?”

“What do you mean?” Church shot back.

“Your personality, for example. Would it not be affecting Miss Rose’s?”

Church looked as though he were about to speak, but didn’t.

“What’re you talking about?” Ruby inquired.

“He’s talking about me,” Church said curtly.

“About….”

“About how I’m ‘influencing’ you.” Church cut in.

“But that’s ridiculous!” Ruby said.

“You’re my friend, Church. And I don’t care what anyone has to say!” She added, shooting Ozpin a pointed look before marching to the elevator.

Ruby smashed the button angrily and boarded the elevator when it arrived.

“Kid…,” Church muttered.

“No, I don’t want to hear it.” Ruby snapped, jabbing the button for the lobby. “In fact, I don’t want to hear anything!”

She let out a breath of surprise when the doors opened, revealing a familiar silver-haired figure.

“Mercury?”

“What I wanted to say is, I think Ozpin knows,” Jaune said, sounding nervous. “About what?” Ruby asked warily, suspecting what he meant. “About Church. I don’t know how, but…”

Chapter Text

Oh, father, tell me.

Do we get what we deserve?

Oh, we get what we deserve.

And way down we go – go – go.

Way down we go – go – go.

Said way down we go.

Way down we go.

Way Down We Go – Kaleo

“What does a fifteen-year-old girl need with so many horror games?” Church asked, looking over Ruby’s shoulder at the holographic screen.

They’d returned, begrudgingly, after her visit to Ozpin’s office.

After her initial surprise at the upperclassman from Haven’s appearance, she uttered a surprised, “What’re you doing –?”

To which, he smoothly replied, “I've been summoned.”

He lifted his Scroll, showing her a message, a summons, from Ozpin.

“Oh.” Ruby bit her lip to quell her disappointment.

“Is something wrong?”

Her head rose at his question, “Huh?”

“You just seem down.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just…”

Ruby racked her brain for an answer that wouldn’t sound insane.

“It was just the whole incident with Cardin.” She finished.

“Ah, I heard.” Mercury chuckled.

Her cheeks grew warm with embarrassment. She didn’t know why she’d been so angry all this time. It couldn’t have been because of what Yang referred to as her “woman’s time.” That wasn’t meant to happen yet, not for another week. And she’d know, wouldn’t she?

“…. Wondering if maybe we could hang out?” Mercury was saying.

Ruby blinked, shaking off the embarrassing thoughts.

“Wh – what?” She stammered.

“There’s this music festival thing happening as a kind of pre-Vytal festival in a couple of days,” Mercury repeated. “And I was wondering if maybe you wanted to hang out at it?” He asked, clumsily.

Ruby nodded, eager at the prospect of making another friend. “Sure!”

Now, she sat in front of her gaming monitor, searching through her collection of horror games. My Week at Teddy’s.

“You take the role of Jeremy Schmidt, a security guard, who works the night-shift in Teddy Brownbear’s Family Diner. You must survive one full week as the furry mascots attempt to eat you alive?!” Church read aloud, “What the f –”

“Meh, I already played it and beat it.” Ruby remarked, swiping the game away.

Memoria filled the screen with a Gothic font. Ruby swatted the game aside and settled on Abbey Road.

"Take on the role of Harry Sunderland, a man searching for his missing wife and daughter, who finds himself lost in the mysterious coast-side town of Abbey Road. Do your best to survive as Harry's sins manifest as monstrous creatures that actively pursue you and piece together his mysterious past." Church sounded incredulous. "These games keep getting worse and worse." He muttered as Ruby started the new game and atmospheric music poured from the speakers.

It sounded a mixture of music box chimes and organ music. The effect made was terrifying. The game faded in, and the cutscene began with a man being startled from sleep.

“Ugh,” Church groaned, “This looks terrible.”

After several minutes of game-play and a couple of scares that startled him, Church was shouting instructions over Ruby’s shoulder. “No, no, no! Go that way! What are you doing? You’re running right at him! Ah, damn it!”

“You’re Dead,” filled the screen.

Ruby groaned and turned to Epsilon, “Stop backseat gaming!” She shouted, frustration seeping into her words.

He held up his hands in silent surrender, “Okay, okay. I will.”

Ruby restarted the game. She tapped the buttons furiously, the main character fighting against a monster as it clutched him tightly.

“Oh, oh, oh!”

Church clenched his hand into a fist, tapping his foot uneasily. Ruby could tell that he was anxiously squirming as she fought the creature with several well-timed clicks. Church kept fidgeting and muttering under his breath as Ruby navigated and fought her way through the town, retrieving clues and artifacts before jolting when a warm live hand came down on her shoulder.

“Are you still playing that game?” Yang’s teasing voice reached her ears.

“Yeah,” Church groused. “And she keeps yelling at me.”

“Because you try to play the game yourself.” Ruby retorted, hitting the ‘Save Game’ button and exiting the game.

She stood and smoothed out her skirt.

“So, why are you so eager to be friends with that guy, anyway?” Church asked. “I thought you were all moony over his ‘good looks,' planning out your marriage and how many kids you’d have together. And how cute the kids would be.” He concluded with an exaggerated swoon.

“Shut up!” Ruby shot back, “And stay out of my head!”

“Uh, can’t help that last one, kid.” Epsilon replied sardonically.

“It’s an expression.” The young huntress fumed. “And besides, he’ll never see me as anything more than a friend.” Ruby lowered her eyes, frowning, as she toyed with her skirt sadly.

“Kid….” Church began before yelping and flickering out as the door to Team RWBY’s dorm slammed open.

“Hello, Team RWBY!” Nora Valkyrie shouted as she burst into the room.

“Nora!” Ruby cheered.

“What’s going on?” Jaune asked as he entered the room.

“Nothing, really.” Yang said, casting Ruby a narrowed glance, to which her sister replied with a quizzical expression.

“We were just heading into Vale,” Pyrrha said, “Would you like to join us?”

“Yes!” Ruby jumped onto the offer as though it were a lifeboat and she were adrift in sea.

“I suppose we are,” Yang said, bewildered.

Ruby grabbed her Scythe and her wallet before zipping past the stunned Team JNPR, before Nora followed, hot on her heels.

“Why so eager?” Church asked from inside her mind.

Ruby shook him off and kept running to the airbus and halted at the edge of the dock.

“Ru – !” A voice called, before coughing interrupted the yell.

She turned, spotting Jaune, staggering toward her.

“What’s….” He gasped for oxygen, only to have it knocked from him when an excitable Nora collided with him.

“Hi!” She chimed before looking at her leader in concern, “Are you... okay?”

“F – Fine.” He gasped, doubling over. “Running…. Tired.”

“Okay!” Nora nodded and heaved him over her shoulder, carrying him toward Ruby and setting him down as gently as she could.

Which wasn’t very. Jaune screeched when he was set down.

He walked towards the other team’s leader, “You okay?”

Before Ruby could respond, Church appeared next to her, “Yeah, she’s fine. Except for when she’s bitching at me.”

“Shut up.” Ruby hissed at him, waving him away.

“Um… okay…” Jaune murmured before their teammates approached.

A strong gust of wind announced the arrival of the airbus. Soon, it docked and the up-ramp lowered. The group boarded the bus and Ruby took a perch near a window, looking down at the ocean below.

“So, why so eager to go to Vale?” Church asked from inside her mind.

I wanted to look for more clues about Agent Washington.

“And what do you expect to find?”

I don’t know! Something! She shot back mentally. At the most, we can try to get into the military craft there and you can maybe hack into their mainframe –

“And see if they know what happened to the ‘Ship the guys were on.” Church finished for her, realizing her goal. “Kid, you are goddamned genius sometimes.”

Thank you. I try. Ruby thought back to him, feeling a tad smugger than she did before. Ironwood probably set up base near the warehouses at the docks. Last semester, there was an incident –

“I know. Your memories are mine now.”

– Well, anyway, I overheard him mentioning to Ozpin that he’d set up a ‘base of operations’ there.

“Good thinking. But, it’d probably be better, if I researched this first.”

Okay, I’ll slip off to the library, then and plug you into a computer.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking, Kid.”

Ruby stood, rushing to the door as the bus landed and the moment her boots touched pavement, she activated her Semblance and dashed away. The startled cries of her friends and sister fading on the wind. The shops and buildings blurred into muddy puddles of color at the edges of her vision.

Distantly, she heard Church screaming in horror before she slowed to a halt and looked up at the building above her, The Vale Public Library was scrawled on the sign in golden, elegant script. Some of the letters were cracked and peeling, weathered by age.

She stepped up to the sensor, hearing a beep and the whoosh of doors sliding open. Ruby stepped into the building and made her way to the computers. After seating, she took the AI unit from its implants with a wince, removing the chip which held the essence of Epsilon, she plugged the chip into the computer slot and sat back, waiting for Church.

She remembered Jaune asking what it felt like to remove the AI and she’d compared the feeling to removing an earring back that’s too tight. It wasn’t painful but it wasn’t exactly pleasant either.

“I’m in!” She heard his soft announcement.

Ruby sat up, awaiting more news.

“Hmm… There wasn’t anything on the military. But that’s expected.”

Ruby’s heart sank.

Only to perk back up when he continued, “But there’s been reports of a fleet of suspicious ‘ships near the docks. So, you were right about that.”

“Okay!” Ruby hissed, “Let’s go!”

“Right.” Church disconnected from the computer and she reinserted the chip into the AI device and returned it to the base of her skull and rushed from the library.

“Now, to the docks!” She broke into a run, weaving through the crowd of people.

Her breath hitched as a cold wave splashed down her spine. Her heart thundered against her ribcage as she pushed past the strangers.

“Kid, you okay?” Church’s voice carried an unfamiliar note of concern.

I’m fine. It’s just – I can’t – crowds of people… She could barely focus on a singular thought for much longer than a second.

Understanding flooded the AI and warmed the back of her mind.

“Kid, I want you to do something for me. Okay?”

O – okay.

“I want you to list five things you can see.”

What?

“Just do it, kid.”

Um… Okay, sky.

“That’s one.”

Birds.

“That’s two.”

Buildings.

“Three.”

Trees.

“Four.”

Clouds! At that thought, she’d escaped the crush and leaned against a wall, gasping in oxygen.

“Breathe in deeply, hold it for five seconds then let it out.” Church instructed and Ruby did so.

Her heart-rate went down slowly and she relaxed.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you suffer from anxiety?” Church chided her.

“It’s only when I’m in huge crowds.” Ruby replied defensively. “And it’s never been that bad before.”

“Okay,” Church muttered.

Ruby pushed away from the wall and walked to the docks. She peered through a small gap in the gates.

“That looks like an Atlas ship!” Ruby began to climb the gate.

“Uh, kid?” Epsilon interrupted her and pointed to the opened gate.

“Oh, right.” Ruby said, hopping down. She darted into the dockyard and peered around suspiciously.

“This way,” Church said, gesturing to a large airship.

“Whoa….” Ruby breathed out, awed. She walked over to the ship and nodded to Church. He connected to the control panel and overwrote the security quickly, unlocking the doors.

Ruby rushed onboard, “Okay… So, can you access all of the stuff from here?”

“Should be a piece of cake,” The AI said, rubbing his hands together as she inserted the chip into the computer.

Ruby took a seat, watching as information flashed across the screen.

“Okay, I got it!” His voice came from the speakers.

“Did you find anything?”

“Yeah… I think I know where –”

“What do you mean the gate was ‘just open’?” Ironwood’s voice boomed across the dockyard, echoing its way into the ship.

“Church! We have to go!” Ruby hissed.

“Okay, okay. Give me a second.”

Footsteps clipped across the pavement, seemingly growing closer.

“Church!” Ruby all but shrieked.

“Whoa!” His voice came from the speakers. “Kid, you won’t believe what I just found!”

“Program, override! Acknowledge last directive!” Ruby snapped.

“Acknowledged.” Church replied, sounding disgruntled.

She removed the chip as the footsteps halted outside of the ship.

“Why is this door open?!” Ironwood thundered.

Ruby returned Epsilon to the implants as a soldier stammered out an excuse and she called upon her Semblance, preparing to dash away when Ozpin’s voice cut through the air, “What is going on here?”

Ruby nearly collapsed with relief.

“Oz!” Ironwood sounded surprised and halted in the act of tearing one of his subordinates a new one.

“I was rather hoping you’d show me that device you said you’d been working on.” Ozpin sounded genial.

“I…” Ironwood started before relenting, “But, of course.”

Their footsteps retreated.

“Now, Kid!” Church prompted.

Ruby summoned her Speed and darted from the ‘ship and past Ironwood and Ozpin. She flitted through the gates and down the street.

She slowed as soon as she felt she were far enough.

“We did it, Church!” She cheered. “Now what?”

“Well, sources say the ‘ship had been taken back to Atlas for examination.”

“Great.” Ruby groaned.

“But,” Church interjected, “Some integral pieces have been kept here.” He added with relish, “Ozpin kept them.”

“What?!” Ruby gasped, “But where?”

“Don’t know. Apparently, Ozpin didn’t tell Ironwood that much. I guess he’s more paranoid than we thought.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Ruby said thoughtfully.

“Looks like we have some more searching to do.”

“Did you find something else?”

“I did. I’ll tell you later, though. Come on.”

Ruby ducked her head and followed the directions Epsilon gave her.

They hurried back to their docked airbus, and Ruby’s heart sank somewhat to see her teammates and a browbeaten Jaune awaiting her.

“Kid, we don’t have time for this!”

I know.

She hurried past them, boarding the bus.

“Ruby, we need to talk –!”

“Yeah, don’t care!” Ruby shot back, closing the door and shouting a command to the driver, “Take me to Beacon, now!”

The ship rose and flew away from her disappointed sister and friends.

“I know, it’s difficult –” Epsilon began.

Just forget it, She snapped.

Soon, the hooded Huntress was darting across the quad to the Tower.

Can’t believe I’m doing this, she thought, entering the building.

She flickered to the elevator and stepped inside. Ruby jabbed the button for the top floor, Ozpin’s office. She stepped off the elevator and into the Headmaster’s office.

“Okay, we’re looking for some sort of record detailing where he might keep something important…. Right?” Ruby said, tiptoeing across the floor.

“Yeah. What I found didn’t exactly give me all the details. A lot was redacted. And I couldn’t decrypt the cleared records.” Church muttered.

The young Huntress hummed and removed the unit, inserting the chip into Ozpin’s computer.

“You in?”

“Yeah, just give me a –”

“Miss Rose, might one inquire as to what you are doing here at such an hour?”

Ruby bolted to her feet, color draining from her face.

She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, Epsilon spoke for her.

“God-fucking-damn it.”

Chapter Text

Did you try to live on your own?

When you burned down the house and home?

Did you stand too close to the fire?

Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone.

When it's time to live and let die.

And you can't get another try.

Something inside this heart has died.

You're in ruins.

21 Guns – Green Day

 “Well, Miss Rose?” Professor Ozpin asked, walking over to his desk. “Or would you prefer I speak to ‘Church’, instead?”

“I… I…” Ruby was at a loss for words.

“Don’t worry, Kid,” Church cut in. “Whaddya want?” He looked at the headmaster.

“Well, first, I would like to know what your association with the airship is. And second, why you’ve chosen to search my office.”

“First, it’s none of your damned business, Pal.” The AI snarled. “And second, go back to the first. Come on, Kid.” He gestured to Ruby, who removed his chip from the computer and began walking.

“Miss Rose,” Ozpin stopped the young huntress in her tracks. “You might find this useful in your search.” He placed a chip into her hand.

“What – ah – what is this?” She asked him.

The headmaster only gave her a shrewd look and walked to his desk. Ruby boarded the elevator, placing the AI unit back into the implants.

“What the hell was that?” Epsilon asked as they began their descent.

As they exited the elevator, Ruby wondered how her life became this.

It seemed only weeks ago that she’d awoken to a migraine and a second voice in her head.

Church had become such a part of her life that the idea of just handing him back to his friends left a pit in her stomach.

“What’re you thinking about?” Church asked, observing her.

Nothing. Why?

“You got that look on your face. And I hate it when you do that thing where you’re thinking but shut me out when you do it.”

What thing would that be?

“The one you’re doing right now!”

I was just thinking… Her thought trailed off there.

She didn’t really want to tell him the truth.

“Thinking of what?” Epsilon pressed.

Finally, she gave in and allowed him access to her thoughts.

“Kid…” His exasperated voice filled her mind.

“I know!” She finally said aloud. “But… You’ll be leaving soon.” Her voice dropped to a whisper.

“I know. But…” The AI started before shaking his head. “It won’t be forever.” He said finally.

“Promise?” Ruby sounded hopeful.

“Promise.” He nodded, “If we find them.”

Ruby turned the chip over in her hand as she walked back to the dorms. “I wonder what’s on this,” Ruby said softly.

“There’s only one way to find out.” Church admitted.

“Right,” Ruby replied shortly, stepping into the building.

She pulled her Scroll from her pocket and activated it, before inserting the chip.

After locating the file, she opened it.

It was a video log.

Casting her AI companion a worried glance, she turned back to the video, pressing play.

It showed all the men from her shared memories.

They all seemed to be frantically trying to slow or stop their rapid descent.

"Damn it! We're losing power! Tucker! Get to those terminals and see what you can do!" The man in the dark armor, with yellow accents, shouted, gesturing to his left before he began typing in a frenzied manner.

The one in cyan, shouted back, "What I can do?! What the hell do you think I can do?!"

And the man in the dark armor, Agent Washington, shot back, "Tucker! We're crashing! Just do whatever you can to make sure those idiots don't screw up and we don't die in the process!"

Tucker obeyed the command and rushed to the aforementioned terminals.

And two men in the back, maroon and orange, Simmons and Grif; looked up from where Simmons was kneeling, Grif holding a flashlight, reluctantly and shouted, "What do you think we're doing?!"

And the man known as Tucker scoffed, "Dude, I don't think he was talking to you! He was talking about you."

A man in bright red armor appeared on scene, "You all should've switched to diesel fuel, and then we wouldn't be in this mess!" Sarge.

A man in dark blue armor trailed after him, "Why didn't anyone give me anything to shout about?!" Caboose. His name came to her, once again.

Agent Washington clenched his fists, and though his face wasn’t visible to her, Ruby could tell he was feeling very frustrated.

He shouted, "Everyone, shut up!"

Red lights flared around them and an alarm sounded.

“Uh, Wash?” Tucker began, sounding concerned.

“What?” Washington snapped.

“We’re crashing.”

“I know, Tucker.” Wash seethed.

“No. I mean, we’re crashing, now.” Tucker said.

Washington grabbed a radio, shouting into it, "Mayday! M -"

And the recording turned to static.

But, not before the sound of impact and crumpling metal was heard.

“Enough,” Church said, quietly. “I don’t need to see my friends de –”

A groan cut them off, followed by coughing and varying oaths.

Church and Ruby exchanged a glance of surprise.

“What the hell, Dude?” Tucker’s voice cut through the static.

“We’re… alive.” Agent Washington sounded surprised.

“Don’t be so disappointed, Dude.” Tucker sounded amused.

“Church?” Caboose sounded worried. “Where’s Church?”

“I don’t –”

“Hello?!” A new voice cut in. “Are there any survivors aboard? If so, identify yourselves!”

“Yes! There are survivors!” Washington shouted back. “I am Agent Washington. And with me are, Tucker, Grif, Simmons, Sarge, Caboose, Donut, and Doc!”

A murmur was heard, before, “We will extract you from the wreckage. Please, remain calm.”

“Will do. But, first, who are you? Where are we?”

“You’ve crashed on Menagerie. We were on patrol over Mistral when we saw your ‘ship go down. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. That’s all you need to know.”

Ruby closed her Scroll silently and collapsed to the floor.

“Holy shit,” Epsilon breathed out. “They’re alive.”

“And we know where they are, now.” Ruby said. “What do we do now, Church?”

“We find them.” He said, his voice growing garbled before he begun to static again.

“Church?’’ Ruby grew troubled.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that.” He said, his voice distorting further. “I’m f –”

And he winked out, once more.

Ruby sunk further to the floor, her eyes wide, clutching her Scroll.

She closed her eyes before screaming, “Church!”

Chapter Text

Now, maybe I didn't mean to treat you bad. But, I did it anyway.

And now, maybe, some would say your life was sad. But, you lived it anyway.

And, so maybe your friends they stand around they watch you crumble as you fall to the ground.

And someday, your friends they stand beside as you were flying. Oh, you were flying oh-so-high.

But then, someday people look at you for what they call their own. They watch you suffer.

Yeah, they hear you calling home.

But then, someday we could take our time to brush the leaves aside so you can reach us.

But, you left me far behind. Now maybe, I didn't mean to treat you oh-so-bad. But, I did it anyway.

Now maybe, some would say you're left with what you had. But, you couldn't share the pain.

No, no, no.

Far Behind – Candlebox

The shop was called, "Coral's Robotics and Engineering Repair Shop”. And the interior smelled strongly of motor oil, metals, rubber and other fuels that made her eyes sting and water. Ruby raised her arm to cover her face as she maneuvered around shelves and stacks of machinery. A robotic arm reached out and grabbed for her ankle as she passed, like a crab claw.

"Hello?!" She called out, "Is anyone here?"

"Yeah, whataya want?" A voice shouted.

"Umm..." She looked at the object in her hand before closing her fingers around it. "I..." She stepped around what looked like a wall of scrap metal before spotting a young woman covered in grease, her short red hair sticking up on her head, held back by a pair of goggles.

The girl turned her garnet eyes upon the girl before snapping in a husky voice that didn't suit her youthful features, "Whataya want?"

Ruby swallowed thickly, geez, she's grumpier than Church.

She set the AI device on the table. "I need this fixed."

The young woman dropped what she was holding with a clunk. "Oh, my God!" The reverence in her voice suggested she'd never seen something like it before. "This tech... by the stars, the moon, the gods and every kind of Dust!" She stroked the unit almost lovingly. "Where did you find it?"

"Uhh, it was implanted in the back of my head?"

"What?" The woman's head snapped up, shock flickering across her face.

Ruby turned awkwardly and lifted her hair, revealing the neural implants in the base of her skull.

"Holy..." The young woman croaked before lowering her goggles over her eyes.

Ruby realized that the goggles doubled as eyeglasses when the girl pressed a button near one of the lenses, and the dark screens disappeared, revealing her now enlarged eyes. She clapped her hand over her mouth to stop herself laughing, or quite possibly screaming. In no time at all, the young woman had taken the appliance apart. Black smoke unfurled towards the ceiling, rising from the device.

"Ooh," The mechanic coughed, waving the smoke away before peering into the unit. "Well, I see the problem now."

Ruby stepped closer, peering into the module. The inside was almost charred black.

"While it's certainly advanced, some of the parts are outdated."

"Huh?" Ruby's brow crinkled in confusion.

"Whoever put it together, mixed old and new tech. And played fast and loose with what they supplemented for missing parts." She wagged her finger, "Big no-no." She began picking up tools and set to work on the apparatus. After a few moments of tinkering, the young woman hummed, "Hmm." She lifted a small rectangular computer chip that looked untouched and pristine. "This looks important."

"What's that?" Ruby asked, awed.

"It's some kind of... well, to be honest, I don’t know…" The young woman trailed off before shaking her head, setting the chip aside.

Ruby snatched it up, turning it over in her hands.

It's Church.

Her breath caught in her throat at the realization before slipping it into her pocket discreetly. There was no way she was letting this woman get her hands on Epsilon. Soon, the entire device had been taken apart. Certain parts of it were melted, charred and otherwise ruined.

"Can you fix it?" Ruby asked tentatively.

The young woman wiped her hands on an oily rag before gazing at Ruby suspiciously, "That depends. How much are you willing to pay for it?"

Ruby fished some lien from her pocket before holding it up for the mechanic to see. The young woman had reached for the money before Ruby snatched it away.

"I'll pay you all this," Ruby began, "And more. If you fix it."

The young woman pondered the girl's words.

"Fine. Come back for it tomorrow night."

A whole day without Church?

Ruby felt lightheaded with unease but nodded.

"It had better be in working order too."

She turned and started to weave through the shelves before the young woman called out to her, "Hey, kid. What's your name anyway?"

Ruby turned to her, "Ruby Rose."

The young woman nodded, "Coral Antonelli."

Ruby bowed her head to Coral before sprinting out of the shop. She patted her pocket, still feeling the chip and sighed in relief.

Maybe…. Ruby trailed off, biting her lip as the pulled the chip from her pocket and examined it carefully.

She inserted the chip into her Scroll and waited. Nothing. She breathed out a heavy sigh of disappointment and made her way back to The Ice Cream Shoppe on Poinsettia Avenue and watched as her teammates bickered good-naturedly. An invisible fist squeezed her heart, as though it were trying to crush it into dust and she gasped, the pain and panic at the possibility of Church disappearing into the void forever made her ache.

Ruby collapsed onto a bench, clutching her side, wincing as fire danced between her ribs. Tears welled in her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. And she allowed herself to fall to pieces. After she’d cried herself out, she noticed that the sun had begun to dip over the horizon, flirting with the sky. And a man loped past, his gaze locked on the Scroll in his hand. Something about his gait and the way he carried himself seemed familiar. It poked and prodded at her memories.

Or, more like Epsilon's memories.

Before she could stop herself, she screamed with joy, "Agent Washington!"

The man stumbled before fixating her with a stunned gaze.

"Excuse me?" He choked out.

“Is it you? Is it really you?” Ruby shouted, bounding to her feet.

“I’m sorry,” The man began carefully, “But, I think you’re mistaken.” And he started off again.

“Church needs you!” Ruby cried and the man staggered to a halt before turning to face her, his features overtaken with suspicion.

A scar above his left eye, that struck through his eyebrow withered when his brows knit together and his eyes narrowed. Ruby noted that something cold swam past, somewhere behind his eyes, which where a pale gray. His hair, which had once been dark, with blond streaks through it, had paled into a similar gray. Time, and the stress of what he’d suffered at a young age, hadn’t done him justice. He bore many scars, physical and otherwise. And the distrust he wore made Ruby’s heart hurt even more. And she knew much of the sadness she felt, Epsilon had felt. For him.

“I don’t know any Church,” The man said through gritted teeth. And Ruby knew he lied.

“Are the others okay, at least?” She asked.

“What others?” Washington asked before turning and walking away once again.

Ruby allowed him a head-start, before following him. She darted across the street and with the help of Crescent Rose, vaulted up the side of a building and raced along the rooftop. She followed him as he turned the corner and made his way further down the street.

Where is he going?

Eventually, she was forced to descend the rooftops and follow him, ground-level. And soon, he stopped. They had parted ways with the city and moved into the wood. Ruby approached him silently and halted when she heard the whoosh of an energy sword being activated.

“Who are you and why are you looking for us?” A voice the Epsilon-designated part of her brain recognized, asked.

Ruby drew Crescent Rose and unfurled her beloved Scythe. She turned, sweeping the blunt of her blade under the legs of one of her assailants and darted around, bullets screaming past her as she wove through them and wielded the Scythe. She knocked one down, and the other unconscious. She had the man, known as Agent Washington, held at Scythe-point. She pulled the slide back, revealing the round in the chamber before releasing it.

“Are you still planning to fight me?” She asked, an edge to her voice.

“No.” He replied warily. She noticed that he nodded to the others.

“I told you. Church needs you!”

“Holy shit! You know Church?!” The other man shouted, rousing from the temporary slumber she’d put him in.

“Yes,” Ruby said slowly. She turned her back to him and Wash and lifted her hair for the second time that day.

“Whoa!” The other man, she now knew as Tucker.

“How the hell did that happen?” Washington said, his voice strained.

“I don’t know.” Ruby admitted. “I just woke up like this. Church has been… scrambling.” She mumbled sadly.

“Oh, shit…” Tucker whispered.

“Yeah,” Ruby said faintly. “I sent his unit to a repair shop. But, I don’t know how much that will help. He still needs work. Any ideas?” Ruby looked between the soldiers hopefully.

Washington’s features clouded over and he heaved a sigh while Tucker gazed at him, his teal eyes focused on him with a seriousness that Ruby knew Epsilon had only witnessed on rare occasion.

“I have an idea,” Washington said slowly. “But, I’m not sure either of you will like it.”

Chapter Text

You made me tough. You made me numb.
You are the maker of what I've become.
And, now I am strong where I was weak.
And, I am unafraid of being me.
So, say hello to the monster that you made.

Thank you for the pain. Thank you for the hate.
Thank you for the way that you left me scarred.
Thank you for the stain that you left on my brain.
Now, because of you, I've got a heart of Novocaine.
A heart of Novocaine.

Heart of Novocaine – Halestorm

"Ruby!"

She awoke to someone nudging her.

"Church?" She asked without thinking.

The hands on her shoulder froze, "Uh, no. It's your sister. Yang."

Ruby shook off the grogginess, alarmed.

"Yang!"

"Yeah, that's what I just said," Yang blinked her violet eyes.

Ruby felt around for the AI chip she'd held the night before, grabbing it up before Yang noticed.

She turned the chip over as she thought.

Maybe I could ask Weiss if there's a way Dust could help him.

She shook off the thought almost immediately.

No, what am I thinking? General Ironwood? Professor... Professor Ozpin!

She stood abruptly, making Yang jump back.

"I need to make a call," Ruby announced.

She grabbed her Scroll and walked out of the room. As soon as she was a safe distance from the others, she keyed in Ozpin's number. He answered almost immediately.

"Professor!" Ruby gasped.

"Hello, Miss Rose." The Headmaster's formal tones echoed through her ears. "To what do I owe this unexpected call at such an hour?"

"Yes – I – Ummm..." She swallowed softly before trying again, "I wanted to ask you about AI."

"Artificial Intelligence? My, my. Why on earth would you ask about that?"

"Well, I... I found some. A.... a few months ago. And now, it's failing, and I don't know how to fix it! I thought it might just be the device, but then a thought struck me. What if the AI is broken too? How can I fix it?" She rambled on.

Something about Professor Ozpin made her feel at ease, as though she could come to him with any problem and he'd help her. She waited with baited breath as he went over her question.

"Am I correct in assuming that this AI you uncovered is ‘Church’?” His question caught her off-guard.

Of course, he'd know about that!

Her heart pounded, but still she replied, "Uh-huh."

"I see. Well, you certainly ask the hard questions, don't you, Miss Rose?"

"Um, sorry?"

"Don't be. You could try to find a copy of the scan that created the AI and use that to revive your AI."

"And that'd work?"

Ruby's eyes widened as she went through every memory she had of Project Freelancer, left behind by Church. A large ship swam through her mind, Mother of Invention...

"It just might. Is there anything else you need, Miss Rose?"

"No. Thank you, Professor!" She hung up and bolted to her shared room and dressed quickly.

"Where are you going?" Weiss sounded groggy and annoyed.

"There's something I need to do! Don't wait for me!"

As she dashed down the hallway, she recalled the events of the day before.

"Where's the Mother of Invention?"

"You don't fool around, do you, kid?" Wash groaned as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Don't avoid the question," Ruby said accusingly.

Washington lowered his head, exhaling a heavy sigh.

"Fine. I don't know where it is. Why?"

“Because, I thought it might help with your idea.”

“How?”

“I don’t know.” Ruby admitted.

Now, she had an idea. And hurried to catch the Airbus picking up students for their field trip. She sped onto the bus, waiting impatiently as it coasted over the water and drifted over the kingdom of Vale.

She jumped off there, using her Semblance as a boost, to keep her from making impact with the ground. She rushed to the wooded area where she’d last seen Tucker and Washington.

“Hello?” She called out softly. “Hello?!”

“What?”

The irritated voice of Agent Washington reached her ears.

“You know, your voice kinda sounds like Professor Ozpin's…” Ruby remarked as she turned to face him.

"Who?"

"Oh, my headmaster at Beacon. It's a school that trains Hunters and Huntresses."

"What?"

"It's a combat school."

"And you go to this school?"

"Yep! Why are you looking at me like that? Agent Washington? Agent Washington? Hello?"

"You're - you're a little girl."

"And?"

"Jesus, for a kid, you're scary as hell. You know that?" Agent Washington grumbled tiredly. “Now, what do you want?”

“Well, I have an idea how to help Church!”

“What is it?”

"By using a copy of the original scan that created him."

Wash blinked, "Huh?"

Ruby gave him a smug smile, "Now are you going to help me, or not?"

“Yeah, fine. We'll need a ‘ship. And some coordinates.”

“Well, I’m fairly certain that General Ironwood has your ‘ship. I don’t know if it’ll work. I think one of the reports I read said that it was in pieces.”

“Goddamn it.” Wash muttered.

“Yeah, I think they want to study it.”

“Study it? Why?” Tucker had finally joined them.

“Because no one on Remnant has ever achieved well… leaving Remnant. And then you guys arrive, in a ‘ship. From somewhere other than Remnant.” Ruby gestured as she spoke to drive the point home.

“Right…” Washington sighed heavily, closing his eyes. “We need to get to our ‘ship. And fix it. Especially if we’re going to help Church.”

“Yeah, we do!” Ruby nodded. “Any ideas as to who can fix the ‘ship?”

Tucker and Wash shared a glance. “Maybe…”

“¿Por qué en la tierra quiero ayudarte?” Lopez queried as he worked on a car.

“Uh, what?” Tucker asked, scratching his head.

“Por favor, ayúdanos. Sólo esta vez y nos'll le dejan ser.” Ruby said, stepping forward.

Wash and Tucker stared at her in amazement.

“Usted sabe español?” Lopez asked, also staring at the red hooded Huntress.

Ruby nodded, “Todo el mundo sabe remanente de, al menos, tres idiomas.”

Lopez looked at Tucker and Agent Washington, saying, “Bien, bien. Yo'll hacerlo.”

“Yes!” Ruby fist pumped.

“Great. Now, how do we steal back our ‘ship?” Washington wondered aloud.

“About that…” Ruby began slowly.

“Why do I have the feeling I’ll hate whatever your plan is?”

“Hate is such a strong word.” The Huntress-in-Training said.

Chapter Text

I see the world has folded in your heart. 

I feel the waves crash down inside.

And they pull me under.

And I would give you anything you want, oh.

You were all I wanted.

And all my dreams have fallen down.

Crawlin' around.

Somebody save me.

Let your warm hands break right through.

Somebody save me.

I don't care how you do it, just stay, stay.

C'mon, I've been waiting for you.

Crawlin' around.

Somebody save me.

Let your warm hands break right through.

Somebody save me.

I don't care how you do it, just stay. (Stay with me.)

I made this whole world shine for you.

Just stay, stay.

C'mon, I'm still waiting for you.

Save Me - Remy Zero

The room was silent. Deadly silent.

For a brief moment, Ruby was worried that Wash, Tucker, and Lopez had all simultaneously had a stroke or something of the like.

No one spoke.

No one moved.

All gazed at her in a mix of horror, shock, and from Lopez, admiration.

Until he spoke.

“Está loca.”

“Hey!” Ruby cried, huffing at him, her cheeks puffing as the robot left the room. “I am not  crazy!  ”

“No one’s saying that.” Wash began quickly, raising his hands in a defensive gesture.

“Then why do you look so afraid,   Agent Washington?  ” The words escaped the Huntress with a growl.

“I’m just… gonna see if Lopez needs help.” Tucker piped up, backing towards the door. “With washing his lugnuts. Bow chicka bow wow.”

With that, he was gone.

And it was just Wash.

And Ruby, currently glaring him down.

Even though he’d towered over her, at the moment, he felt ridiculously small.

“M - maybe there’s a better way to go about this?” He asked, his voice shaking.

There was an almost amazingly amount of Epsilon reflected in the way she rolled her eyes at him. “  Fine.   ” She hissed, sounding even more like the AI. “What’s   your   plan?”

Atlas would be  freezing . There was no doubt about that.

Also, Wash's plan was utterly ridiculous. But, Ruby was choosing to let him believe it would work.

She almost admired his reluctance to listen to or ask help from Ironwood.

Church had explained Wash's paranoia many times before.

But this was the first time she was seeing it in  action .

Ruby went over the finer details in her mind as she packed for the cold of Solitas.

There was absolutely  no  way she'd be back before anyone noticed she was gone.

Which was where her Uncle Qrow came into play.

She'd asked for him to check her out of the school on an "extended training mission".

Frighteningly enough, Ozpin relented.

He knows.  The Epsilon part of her mind whispered.

That was Phase One.

Phase Two, the Retrieval of Church was to be enacted before they left.

Ruby counted the lien in her wallet again and again.

She knew she had the right amount, but the counting helped ease her nerves.

Not only was she exempt from the school for this false mission, but  all  of Team RWBY was.

Much to the perplexity of her team.

Great.  Ruby had thought in frustration when she'd heard the news.

"You will all be in the care of Qrow." Ozpin had said. "I am trusting you all to behave accordingly and with the prudence, decorum, and courage of Huntresses while under his tutelage." He gazed at each of the girls in turn.

Qrow had snorted in derision at that last part, earning a scathing look from Ozpin that did not go unnoticed by Ruby.

She entered Coral's Robotics and Engineering Repair Shop, the bell announcing her arrival.

"Be with you in a minute!" Coral had called.

Ruby perused the shelves, noting that some of the items on the shelves had been changed, or were simply gone.

The robotic arm was still there. And it still crept after her like something out of a nightmare.

Ruby ducked and wove between shelves until she heard Coral approach the table.

"Oh, you again," Coral noted, sounding almost disappointed.

"Do you want to be paid or not?" Ruby asked, holding out her hand for the implant.

Coral begrudgingly turned away and knelt, opening a safe and retrieving the object.

"That piece was missing," She quipped, standing and facing Ruby. "I'm guessing you took it?"

"Yeah, sorry," Ruby replied, sounding not at all sorry. "It's not that I don't trust you. It's just I don't trust you."

Something akin to respect flared in Coral's eyes as she offered the implant to Ruby. "Here." She said, gruffly.

Ruby passed her the lien and cradled the device in her hands, like a precious gemstone.

"It may not work the same, because some of the parts don't  exist  on Remnant. But, I did what I could." Coral continued. "I wish I could meet the mad genius that made it. Honestly."

"Thanks." Ruby nodded to Coral as she exited the shop. She slipped the device into her hip pouch with the chip that was Church's heart and mind.

Once I get the final pieces, I can put him back together.  Ruby reminded herself, approaching the station.

Tucker and Wash would board as passengers to Atlas and then they'd meet on their way to the military compound.

"Pack for the cold." Ruby had told them.

"Trust us, we know what the cold is like." Washington had said, remembering Sidewinder.

"That's nice." Ruby retorted in a very Church-like manner. "Pack for the cold. Then pack for the freezing cold."

As she approached the terminal, she saw Wash and Tucker boarding shortly before she and her group did.

Don't worry, I'm sure it's all uphill from here.  Ruby thought, a small bubble of hope swelling in her chest.  I can feel it, Church. Smooth sailing from here.

Famous last words.

Chapter Text

I'm black and blue, my back's against the ropes.

Your hand’s around my neck, but I won't choke.

My heart is strong, my veins are paved with hope.

And when I stand up your bones will all be broke - broke.

When the reaper comes knocking at my door, we'll be going 12 rounds.

Tell the Devil I'll be coming back for more. We'll be going 12 rounds

'Cause I fight for everything I die for. 

Everything I bled onto the ground and sacrificed for.

When the reaper comes knocking at my door, we'll be going 12 rounds.

12 Rounds - Bohnes

The chill of Atlesian weather cut through the airship.

Everyone was shivering.

Except for Qrow, who found his warmth at the bottom of his flask.

And Weiss, who gazed out the window in trepidation.

Noticing her teammate’s distress, Ruby leaned over, resting her head on the Schnee Heiress’ shoulder comfortingly.

Weiss patted her team leader’s hand absentmindedly.

It seemed like the trip took forever.

But, it was only a few days.

Now, here they were, freezing .

“S - so cold! ” Ruby cried before glaring at Weiss, who was engrossed in her Scroll. “Why did I let you talk me into this?”

“Because you’re a foolish twit,” Weiss replied without missing a beat or even looking up from her Scroll.

“ Hey! ” Ruby huffed.

“Girls,” Qrow said by way of warning. “Can’t you both just -”

Before he could finish his sentence, something collided with the side of the airship, sending its passengers, screaming, against the opposing wall.

“What the -!” Ruby heard Agent Washington shout.

“I was afraid of this,” Qrow muttered, before reaching for Harbinger.

Ruby grasped Crescent Rose, and briefly, her mind flicked to Church, missing his words of encouragement.

She wondered what he’d say at a time like this, as she watched the other passengers struggle to stand as the airship shook from more collisions.

“Ruby! Don’t just stand there!” Weiss shouted.

He’d probably say something like that, Ruby thought, bolting towards the window, seeing large felid Grimm, flying at the ship.

Some more closely resembled lions.

They all bore bone armor.

Some in the form of spikes.

Others crested masks.

All terrifying and currently targeting the screaming passengers.

“Cover me!” Ruby shouted, pulling the door open.

The last thing she heard before she plummeted from the ship was the shouts of her uncle and teammates. And Tucker and Agent Washington.

The rush of air in her ears chased with the screams of the Grimm, drowned everything else out.

For a fleeting moment, she was falling, before she called upon her Semblance.

She dashed towards the nearest Creature of Grimm, firing Crescent Rose as she landed on its back, racing down the length of it before leaping off, extending her weapon to its full form, the blade whistling through the air before glancing off the Sphinx’s armor harmlessly.

“Whoops,” Ruby chuckled nervously before redirecting her attack.

It was fruitless.

At least it seemed that way.

“ Ruby! ” A familiar shout shook her back into focus, just in time for her to dodge the gnashing teeth of a Manticore.

“Ch - Church?!” Ruby gasped.

“ On your left! ” It was Agent Washington.

A mixture of grief and relief flooded her and she pivoted as instructed, hooking the curve of her Scythe beneath an attacking Sphinx and firing Crescent Rose, she bifurcated the large Grimm.

The sounds of gunfire and the whistle of blades called her attention to her uncle and teammates, all furiously defending the passengers.

“ Above you! ” Agent Washington shouted.

Ruby looked up in time to deflect a stinger descending upon her.

She leaped atop the airship, sprinting across the roof before turning on one foot, sweeping the Scythe beneath the feet of a Sphinx, knocking it into the air.

But, it halted its downward trajectory, unfurling its wings.

The Sphinx roared at her, a gust of hot, putrid breath that smelled of death and rot.

Ruby coughed, her eyes watering, and attempted to wave away the odiferous exhale.

“Ew,” She uttered in disgust. “Breath mint?”

Her quip was lost on her opponent, as the creature dove at her, jaws opening to swallow her whole.

She raised the weapon in her hands, readying herself to fire.

Bullets whizzed past her head in a hailstorm, each pelleting the Grimm.

A pathetic screech rang out as it slammed into the roof of the airship, metal curling from the bone armor carving swaths as it slid towards the Huntress before disintegrating into a wisp of black vapor.

“You okay, Kid?” Agent Washington was asking her.

“Yeah,” Ruby said before snapping indignantly, “I had that one!”

Agent Washington’s eyes widened comically before the ship shook beneath them violently.

Alarms shrilled and lights flashed as the pilot spoke through the comms, his voice a forced calm, “Hang on, everyone!”

Ruby cast Wash a glance and his expression read not again.

A black Glyph wrapped around the airship steadying it before it pulled free.

Another caught it.

And another.

Just enough to soften the impact.

But it wouldn’t be by much.

Ruby grasped Agent Washington’s hand and they both burst into rose petals, reforming on the ground.

The Huntress vanished once again, appearing with more passengers.

Until she’d fully evacuated the airship.

The empty vessel made impact with a tremendous crash, the ground shaking from the force.

“Well, that was enough adventure for one day,” Weiss announced, clearly shaken, as Tucker doubled over to vomit.

Wash cast the other Blue a disgusted glance, patting him on the back half-heartedly.

“Well, it’s not like the day could get any worse,” Ruby announced optimistically.

“On the contrary, Miss Rose,” General Ironwood began from behind her. “I’m afraid it’s going to be much, much worse.”

Ruby’s face fell and she turned to face Ironwood, chagrined.

“Now, do explain to me why you crash-landed into my Kingdom, accompanied by wanted fugitives.” Ironwood gazed down at her, hands folded behind his back and a warning etched across his features.

Ruby rubbed the back of her neck with a sheepish laugh. “About that…”

Chapter Text

Spiteful, ruinous.

I’m all the things you feared I was.

Another villain in your story.

You think that I’m a spitfire?

You should.

Afraid you’re on my bad side?

That’s good.

If I wanted to end you, I could.

I could.

I’m sinking down.

If you only knew how hard it is for me to climb out.

I’m kicking and screaming, but no one can hear me.

So what happens now?

The shadows are creeping in.

I didn’t ask for - I didn’t ask for this.

I Didn’t Ask For This by Beth Crowley

The voices were echoing down the hallway, outrage in one, a soothing reassurance in the other.

Atlas looked as cold as it felt, mechanical, scientific, and medical.

All of its humanity seemed to be stripped away.

Ruby could see and feel the difference.

Vale was vibrant, full of life and warmth.

Atlas was blues and silvers, swallowing all color and warmth and returning only cold.

No wonder Weiss hates it here, Ruby thought with a shiver.

Then a pair of hands draped a blanket over her shoulders.

Yang.

Her older sister also offered her a warm drink.

“Coffee!” Ruby grasped the steaming mug gratefully.

“Oh, I see.” Ironwood’s thunderous voice rumbled against the floor, making the girls grimace.

Agent Washington and Tucker were hauled away in cuffs, neither offering resistance, only dour acceptance of their fates.

“To hell with protocol and with me , is that it?” The snarl was also tinted with hurt.

It asked, do you not trust me anymore?

“James,” Qrow’s voice was soft. “I didn’t mean to -”

“You did,” The General seemed to deflate. “I thought you knew me better than that.”

“Of course, I do,” Qrow began before continuing with a slight edge of repentance, “But you know how Oz can sometimes be. He didn’t give me much room to warn you beforehand.”

This seemed to ameliorate the General’s temper and he relaxed.

“Fine,” He said after a moment. “But, those… fugitives won’t be joining any of you. Not until I talk to them, at the very least.”

“Understood,” Qrow gave an ‘oh, well’ sort of gesture, aware that all of Team RWBY had spied on the conversation. “What do I tell the girls?”

“Not a damn thing,” Ironwood said firmly. “They’re children. This shouldn’t be any of their concern.”

“Children,” Ruby scoffed before catching the annoyed glances of her teammates. “What?”

Weiss sighed, rolling her eyes, and rubbed at her temple.

“ What? ” Ruby looked to Blake next who mumbled an excuse before looking to Yang for salvation.

“It’s just…” Yang trailed off. “Well…”

Ruby grumbled, glaring daggers at the others before finishing off the warm drink in her mug, setting it down with a clink before rising to her feet.

“Whatever,” She muttered in a very Church-like manner. “I’m not doing anything just sitting around and listening to others telling me what I can and cannot do.”

With that, she adjusts her hood, humming to herself.

“First things first,” She announces. “Upgrade time.”

“Up…grade… time…?” Weiss muttered, finally looking up from her Scroll.

“Mm-hmm!” Ruby nodded, pulling a wallet filled with lien from one of her hip pouches. “All my allowances! Now, let’s find some new gear.” She danced from foot to foot as the Heiress rolled her eyes.

“Fine,” She acquiesced. “But I will only go to the finest Atlesian clothing stores.”

“Whatever that means,” Ruby snickered before looking at her sister and remaining teammate.

“Sure,” Blake muttered in agreement.

“Yay!” Ruby cheered and watched the others milling to the doors, talking amongst themselves.

They were all so happy. At least they all seemed that way.

With the exception of Blake.

That’s understandable, though. Ruby added, chewing on her lip as she slowly joined them.

They stood outside of the first shop Weiss had chosen, three of them shivering as Weiss admired the sign that hung just above the door.

“This,” Weiss gestured grandly, “Is one of the few clothing vendors I patron.”

“That’s nice,” Yang gritted through chattering teeth. “Can we go inside now?”

“Hmmph,” Weiss sniffed indignantly. “You have no patience.”

“No, I’m about to turn into an ice block out here!” Yang fired back. “Seriously, how do you stand it?”

“‘It’?” Weiss glowered.

“The cold!” Yang shouted, ignoring the haughty glares of the passersby on the street.

“I grew up here,” Weiss replied simply, unfazed by the yell. Her brow perked and she breezed into the store, followed by the rest.

One patron side-stepped Blake with an arched brow cast toward her cat ears and a snooty cough.

Weiss whipped around to fire a glacial glare in the woman’s direction as Blake pulled her shoulders in to make herself small.

And Ruby stepped before her feline teammate, silver eyes also narrowing.

“Do you have a problem? ” Ruby didn’t sound like herself.

Instead, she sounded more like -

“Church?” Yang muttered, her hand resting on Blake’s shoulder in silent reassurance.

Ruby had changed so drastically.

Where had the sweet, innocent little girl gone?

The disdainful older woman looked horrified but said nothing.

Instead, she walked in the opposing direction as Ruby muttered, “That’s what I thought! ”

She shook off the annoyance and turned to her sister and friends, brightening almost instantly.

“Let’s try on cute clothes!”

Annnnd, she was back to her old self again.

Chapter Text

Nothing here to see, just a kid like me, trying to cut some teeth.

Trying to figure it out.

Figure It Out by Royal Blood

Ruby watched as Ironwood’s Ace Ops handcuffed Agent Washington and Tucker, her features blank.

“We only have one shot at this,” Wash had said.

“I know,” Ruby replied breezily, “Think you can do it without messing up?”

She gestured for her teammates to follow and as she passed the fugitives, she discreetly slipped Agent Washington what he’d asked for.

A key cloning device.

It wasn’t easy to figure out how to acquire it and it was equally difficult to acquire.

As he and Tucker were being checked for weapons, she watched as he shifted it from hand to hand, then passed to Tucker who did the same.

The practice was shown in their work as they pulled the sleight of hand off with ease.

“I still can’t believe that you didn’t say anything,” Weiss remarked of Ruby’s cold stance on the men being arrested.

“They’re innocent,” Ruby retorted. “And Ironwood will see that. Just watch.”

Now, as the moon began her ascent, Ruby leaned against the wall of the Academy.

At least Ironwood and Qrow finished their argument.

The silence was almost deafening , though.

She could hear her blood pumping through her ears and her heartbeat pulsing.

Then a crunch nearby launched her to her feet.

Whispered voices reached her as her fingers coiled around Crescent Rose’s grip.

“Finally,” She quipped, “I thought you two had gotten lost.”

Tucker and Wash cast her a wary glance before the Freelancer spoke, “Where to now?”

“This way,” Ruby turned, slipping away from the Academy.

She made her way to the nearest docks to an airbus.

There, the rest of Team RWBY waited, all surprised when Ruby brought the men in tow.

“Did you doubt me?” Ruby quipped, gesturing at the aforementioned Blue Team soldiers.

“No,” Weiss said, but doubt colored her response and Ruby glared at her.

“We should go!” Weiss chirruped with a strained smile.

After boarding, Ruby tossed the men their duffle bags, “You might want to change. It’s only getting colder from here.”

“What do you mean?” Wash asked slowly, replaying their previous conversation about the cold.

“We’re going out into the Tundra,” Ruby announced. “There are some abandoned mines out there.”

“Ruby doesn’t believe that Ironwood would keep your ‘ship near the station or school,” Weiss supplied.

“Why would we?” Ruby asked. “There’s always the chance someone would sneak over to snoop! Keep it hidden and you can search and experiment all on your own.”

“That’s insane,” Weiss said at the same time that Washington said, “That’s understandable.”

The duo exchanged a glare and the men moved to an adjacent cabin to change as Ruby adjusted her fingerless gloves.

Her new combat uniform had faux fur trimming around the thick, wool hood.

She now wore wool stockings, a red skirt that belled out over her knees with her emblem printed on it in black, mid-thigh leather boots with metal plating, and a gray sweater beneath an overbust corset and leather fingerless gloves that stretched to her elbows above the sweater’s sleeves.

Her mother’s emblem had found a new home, clipped to the collar of her hood above her left shoulder.

Yang now wore corduroy pants and knee-high boots with faux fur lining and a fleece collar-lined jacket over a white long-sleeved thermal top.

Blake changed out her outfit for a black coverall with a long white coat lined with black faux fur and high-heeled boots.

Weiss switched out her dress for a long peacoat style dress with a hood that was lowered at the moment and spike-heeled boots.

Out of the four girls, Weiss was the only one that wasn’t shivering.

And when the men returned, wearing their warmest jackets and pants, they joined the others in shivering.

“Fuck me , I thought Sidewinder was cold, ” Tucker complained, earning a glare from Wash for the language he’d used in front of Team RWBY. “I ain’t apologizing. I’m going to go sterile from this cold. Bow chicka bow wow.”

“J - j - just stow it ,” Ruby grit out in a very Church-like way. “We’ll be there soon.”

“Not soon enough,” Wash said grimly. “I just wish I knew where the others are.”

“We’ll find them and get Church back,” Ruby said quietly, hoping with all her might that they’d do so.

When the airbus docked, they all stepped out into the snowy white of the Tundra.

Ruby hadn’t understood the term snowblindness until she peered around, attempting to find anything amongst the blinding whiteness.

The sunlight refracting off the white crystals didn’t help.

Instead, the group grimaced, hissing complaints and attempting to shield their eyes until the pain and brightness settled in their vision.

When their eyes adjusted, they set out, shivering and gasping with every step, snow crunching under their boots.

“Well, you wanted to explore the Tundra,” Weiss said as Ruby whined once again.

“I - I - I didn’t expect it to be f - f - freezing, ” Ruby’s teeth chattered.

“Hey, what’s that?” Yang called, pointing to a dark pinprick in the distance.

“One of the old SDC mines,” Weiss announced as her mood soured.

Ruby knew that she darkened almost immediately, remembering the past crimes committed by her father’s company.

That particular mine happened to be one of them.

Stepping inside, the girls drew their Scrolls and switched the lights on to illuminate their paths.

“Be careful,” Weiss warned them. “There are still active Dust crystals. Touch them and we all go when the mine caves in on us.”

“Got it,” Wash replied.

“Yup. Fucky the Dust and the Dust fucks us back.” Tucker quipped before a smack rang out, followed by his yelp, “Stop that!”

“You first,” Agent Washington retorted.

“ Men, ” Weiss rolled her eyes, shaking her head and pressing forward.

“Do you… hear that?” Ruby asked, hearing a muffled rhythmic sound.

“It… I…” Blake’s cat ears twitched as she attempted to place the sound.

“Let’s just keep going,” Yang said firmly. “This place gives me the creeps.”

They followed Weiss deeper into the mine, halting when they all felt the ground rumble.

Centipede Grimm slithered from the unbroken earth like nightmares, wriggling and legs squirming.

“ Disgusting, ” Weiss gagged at the same time that Ruby breathed out, “ Cool. ”

They exchanged a glance where Weiss glared and Ruby gave a semi-apologetic shrug.

Ruby started forward to attack, only to be halted when Weiss called, “Don’t!”

Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Weiss gesturing frantically to the entrance before running to it.

Ruby hesitantly followed, hearing that odd rhythm growing louder and louder.

“For the Gods’ sake, what is that, music?! ” Yang shouted as they emerged, followed by the Centinels.

And then, a large jeep crested the hilltop, leaping over the girls with the music blaring from the speakers.

The three men aboard the vehicle whooped and shouted happily before the machinegunner attachment fired upon the Creatures of Grimm, bifurcating them with a hailstorm of bullets.

“ Sarge?! ” Ruby, Tucker, and Washington shouted at the man in the shotgun seat, who had been firing said shotgun, whether it be into the air or at the Grimm.

He was celebrating.

“Take that, you treasonous backstabbers!” The older, gruff man called Sarge shouted. “And you filthy front-stabbers!”

The man in the driver’s seat sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, and shook his head.

“How did you get here?! ” Wash thundered at the trio. “Where’s the others?!”

“We drove,” Sarge said simply, leaving everyone stunned and filled to the brim with disbelief.

“You…” Yang begun.

“Drove…” Blake added.

“ Here?! ” Weiss concluded for them. “What, are you insane?! ” She almost turned to a human hummingbird, she flailed so much.

“Where are the rest of our friends, you idiots?” Tucker asked, just as irritated as Wash.

“Back at camp,” Simmons, the man on the machine gun, replied.

“Take us there, now, ” Wash commanded.

“Fine, fine.” Sarge conceded. “But, I demand bloodshed!”

“If you don’t bring us to this camp, you’ll have it,” Washington seethed.

“Can you keep up?” Grif asked from the driver’s seat.

“Hmmph,” Ruby harrumphed, hands on her hips, a smug little smirk on her face. “ Can we?”

“Can you?” Grif challenged.

“Of course, we can!” Ruby hissed, glaring at him.

“Oh, for f -” Wash began.

The race was on.

Chapter Text

My patience is waning.

Is this entertaining?

Our patience is waning.

Is this entertaining?!

Bones by Imagine Dragons

“ Woohoo! ” Ruby whooped as she soared through the air, ignoring Yang’s shouts for her to stop.

Or, at the very least, slow down.

She didn’t.

But, at least Yang tried.

Somewhere, Wash and Tucker were screaming too.

And swearing.

A lot .

Everything became a blur and the wind whipped at Ruby’s face, making her eyes water.

All the Reds had seen was a trail of multicolored rose petals as everyone - Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, Wash, and Tucker - vanished into a rainbow streak.

Grif cursed and slammed on the gas before Sarge could give the order, leaving both his partner and his superior yelping and shouting at him.

The Tundra blended into a white, blue, and silver swirling canvas.

And Ruby’s heart soared and sang the song that it always serenaded her with when she tapped into her Semblance.

She felt so free.

“ Stop! ” Wash’s command rang out and she skidded to a halt, dropping everyone who’d become entangled in her Semblance.

“Did we win?” Ruby asked eagerly as Tucker doubled over to vomit.

“No,” Grif’s voice drawled.

“But -!” Ruby stamped her foot.

Somehow, they’d reached the camp first.

“You -!” Ruby wagged her finger at the man in the driver’s seat as he chortled, pulling a candy bar from his pocket.

In an instant, the young Huntress swiped it and danced out of his reach.

“Come on - give that back!” Grif whined, sluggishly chasing her. “My legs are still jelly from all this cold!”

“You snooze, you lose!” Ruby retorted as her teammates facepalmed at their antics.

“ Enough! ” Agent Washington snapped and everyone halted. “Where are the oth -”

“Hey, guys!” Donut’s cheery tones rang out and regret immediately crossed Washington’s features.

The girls’ greetings chimed together.

“Where’s everyone -” Wash began, rounding on Donut before a man popped up behind the Freelancer.

“Hello!” He chimed, making everyone jump.

“Caboose!” Tucker gasped, clutching at his chest.

“That’s me,” The man said simply.

“We know,” Wash said sternly, but the relief on his face was nearly palpable .

“Where’s Church?” Caboose asked obliviously.

Ruby grimaced at the question.

“Where’s Doc?” Agent Washington asked to change the subject.

“Oh, he’s back at the camp, working on the garden!” Donut said cheerfully.

“A… garden,” Yang said, her eyes blank.

“In this weather,” Blake continued, just as dead-eyed.

“At this point, I give up.” Weiss deadpanned. “Everything goes with these people.” She gestured vaguely.

“That was quicker than I expected,” Ruby remarked of Weiss relinquishing her sanity.

The Heiress shrugged again.

“Right,” Wash muttered, rubbing his temple. “Well, we need to talk to everyone. It’s important.”

“Alright! Meeting in the war room. I’ll bring the drinks and snacks!” Donut cheered.

“The what?” Washington blinked.

“Don’t ask,” Grif sighed.

“It was Donut’s idea,” Simmons chimed in.

“And he insisted on decorating,” Sarge finished.

“Why am I not surprised?” Washington asked rhetorically. “Don’t.” He said warningly when Tucker opened his mouth to respond.

Chapter Text

So, you wanna start a war?

In the age of icons?

So, you wanna be immortal?

With a loaded gun?

Start a War by Klergy (feat. Valerie Broussard)

“Okay,” Grif was saying, hand raised as if asking a question in class. “So, you want us to steal our ‘Ship back, fix it, and fly off to Sidewinder, to save Church? Again? ”

“Yeah,” Wash replied as if it were obvious.

“Just makin’ sure,” Grif muttered, looking away.

“This is insane,” Simmons chimed in. “How can anyone be sure it’d even work? The plan? The ‘Ship?”

“Take it on faith,” Ruby cut in, “You guys have been through worse and still came out on top.”

“Hold up,” Grif interjected. “Who the hell are you?” He directed the question at Team RWBY. “Why are a bunch of little girls involved in this? Am I the only sane one here?”

“Trust me, they’re tougher than they look,” Wash defended them.

“Yeah, no kidding,” Tucker huffed, rubbing his shoulder where Yang had struck him for a comment he’d made.

“Also, I woke up with Church implanted in my head,” Ruby said, earning gasps of shock.

“But, you’re…” Grif began.

“Just a kid ,” Donut finished for him, horrified.

“Not anymore,” Ruby replied grimly.

It was at this juncture that her teammates could see the weight of Church’s memories on her, the exhaustion, and the shared trauma.

She turned and lifted her hair, showing the implants to the Reds and Blues.

Wash and Tucker having already seen them, turned away with grimaces.

The silence that filled the room was deafening.

Ruby could hear her own blood pumping through her veins.

“Who…?” Simmons’ question seemingly died on his lips.

“I don’t know,” Ruby shrugged hopelessly. “I woke up like this after the Grimm Invasion. I was back in Mountain Glenn,” she concluded with a gesture.

“Mountain…” Sarge trailed off.

“Glenn…” Simmons followed suit.

“Oh, you mean that hollowed-out city where we found Caboose?” Grif piped up.

“I’m here!” Caboose chimed cheerfully, blissfully ignorant of the seriousness of their conversation.

“Wait,” Weiss stepped in. “So, you were likely there at the same time Ruby was?” The accusation in her voice was imminent as her blue eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

“Yes?” Grif replied, brows rising.

Yang found herself restrained by Weiss and Blake before Wash and Tucker followed suit, holding her back from attacking the Reds and Caboose.

“What’s her problem?” Simmons asked, looking confounded.

“After you had left with Caboose, her teammates found her, with Church implanted in her mind,” Wash explained through wheezing breaths as he attempted to restrain Yang.

“I’m fine,” Yang said, seeming to relax. “I’m good.”

The others let go, right as Ruby shouted, “ Don’t! ”

Within seconds, Yang’s hair and eyes were aflame and the Reds were screaming in a mixture of pain and terror.

“Ow,” Grif groaned unhappily.

“Why’d you have to go and piss her off?” Sarge accused Grif.

“I didn’t!” Grif defended himself.

“Well, clearly you did something ,” Simmons joined Sarge’s side against Grif, holding an ice pack to his nose which had finally stopped bleeding.

“She thinks you implanted Church, dipshits,” Tucker finally clarified. “ Did you?”

“ No! ” The three men chorused together before shuddering and inching away from each other.

“Okay, problem solved,” Tucker gave a careless shrug.

“I don’t believe them,” Yang hissed, eyes glowing red again.

“Calm down, Goldilocks,” Tucker reprimanded her breezily.

Yang growled, lunging for him as Weiss, Blake, and Ruby held her back.

She was halted mere inches from his face, swinging at him and growling, curses and spittle flying from her lips.

Tucker looked unfazed, almost amused.

He leaned to the side Ruby clung to and called out, “Hey, Kid. When your sister calms down, ask her if she’d go out with me. I think I felt a connection between us last time she hit me.” With that, he departed.

“He’s certainly grown bolder,” Weiss remarked of Tucker’s blase reaction to Yang. “I think you hit him too often.”

“Not often enough.” Yang seethed, cracking her knuckles.

“Yang,” Ruby said in warning.

“No, he’s definitely paying for that last remark,” Yang pulled away from her teammates.

“Yang!” Her sister and teammates shouted before Tucker’s screams echoed throughout the camp.

Chapter Text

(We are, we are)

From the City of Angels,

An empty vessel of Devils.

(We are, we are)

Is there no one to save us?

Through my eyes, see the world that you gave us!

We Are by Hollywood Undead

Ruby’s brows knitted together in concentration as she worked with her tools, throwing them down when Grif announced, “Done!”

“ Unfair! ” Ruby shouted in her tantrum, stamping her feet as the Red soldier laughed.

“Hey, I don’t make the rules -” He began when a flash of blue-white light streaked past them. “ Hey! ”

The Schnee Heiress simply shrugged.

Ruby’s snowman was finished, looking oddly like Professor Ozpin.

Grif’s seemed to be an idealized version of himself.

“Okay, are all of you - oh, for God’s sake!” Agent Washington began, walking out to the field.

He clapped his hand over his eye, holding a steaming mug with the other.

“He definitely looks like Professor Ozpin like this,” Ruby remarked.

“Especially when he has to deal with you ,” Weiss agreed.

“ Hey! ” Ruby glared at her teammate who smiled angelically.

“No!” Washington shouted, stepping between them, stopping the fight before it could begin. “No more fighting. No more arguing. We all need to work together. We need to have clear heads.”

“Fine,” Ruby hissed, folding Crescent Rose, which had somehow found itself aimed at Wash’s head.

The Freelancer exhaled a breath in relief.

The youngest one was the scariest.

No remorse or hesitation.

“We think we have the mines that the ‘Ship could be hidden in narrowed down to three,” He announced. “We need to check them all as soon as possible. The second your General Ironwood suspects what we’re looking for, it’ll be moved and we may never find it.”

“How do you know?” Blake asked, her head tilting.

“It’s what I’d do,” Washington replied grimly.

“Okay, so we need three teams,” Ruby clapped her hands.

“Sarge, Grif, Blake, and Doc,” Wash announced, “You four take the mine in sector 3.”

“Sure,” Sarge grumbled.

“Tucker, Yang, Donut, and myself,” Wash continued. “Mine in sector 5.”

“And us? Ruby asked, curious about how and why he chose the people that he did.

“You, Weiss, Simmons, and Caboose,” Washington announced. “The mine in 7.” He unfolded the map to show the young leader.

“On it,” Simmons complied almost cheerfully.

“He’s… peppy,” Yang noted, slightly disturbed.

“He likes orders,” Wash and Ruby answered in unison as the others followed him.

“Good luck,” Weiss called to Blake and Yang who waved back in response.

They climbed into a vehicle and Simmons began to drive, white Tundra blinding the four of them.

Their comms chimed, signaling that someone wanted to communicate.

“Made it!” The robotic filtered voice of Tucker called.

“Wait for orders,” Washington replied. “Team Charlie, have you made it to your destination?”

“Almost,” Grif responded, seeming not to care about the entire ordeal.

“Ooh! What’s that ?” Doc’s voice interrupted.

“Found it,” Grif amended his previous statement.

“Stop and wait for orders,” Wash commanded again.

“Fine by me,” Grif retorted.

“Alpha Team?” Agent Washington asked.

“Almost,” Ruby says before Simmons could. “I see it!”

The mine loomed in the distance, looking like a dragon lying in wait to attack them.

The edges of the mine that fold into the trees could very well be the wings.

The ridges at the top could be the fin-like webbing between the spines along the dragon’s back.

The opening at the entrance could be the dragon’s maw, open and waiting for its meal.

“Why did the jeep stop?” Weiss asked Simmons accusingly.

“Because it’s scared,” Simmons replied, his voice trembling.

“Just get out of the driver’s seat,” Weiss snapped, effectively kicking him from the driver’s seat and taking it for her own.

Weiss finished the journey for them.

“Alpha Team has arrived at their destination,” Ruby said into their comms.

“Okay,” she heard Wash mutter to himself. “Let’s finish this.”

“Right,” Blake agreed.

“Got it!” Donut chimed.

“We have this,” Ruby assured everyone before leading her team into the mine.

“I don’t like this,” Weiss whispered to Ruby. “We’re all spread so thin. What if that’s what someone wants? ”

“ Now you bring that up?” Simmons’ fearful voice cut in.

“I didn’t want to be rude,” Weiss responded.

“So, what would be the plan then?” Ruby asked, not quite buying this idea.

“A team would be waiting for us in the deepest recesses of the mine,” Weiss recounts. “When we enter, they’d blow explosives that are strategically placed so that they can trigger a cave-in, trapping us.”

“You’ve thought about this a lot,” Simmons muttered.

“I just wanted to be ready,” Weiss lifts her chin.

“Then we’ll just watch for these explosives,” Ruby announced.

“Sounds good to me,” Simmons didn’t sound any more assured.

“Ruby,” Weiss whispered urgently.

“What?” Ruby hissed back.

Her answer was silence.

Ruby pivoted, looking for her teammate.

Weiss was frozen, staring into the amphitheater of the mine.

Ruby approached her quietly, aware that Simmons and Caboose were behind her.

“That’s just…” Simmons sounded defeated. “That’s just inhumane! ”

Sections of the ‘Ship were laid out as one would lay specimens on a dissection table.

“It….” Ruby began. “It can still be fixed, right?”

Just then, their comms beeped, “Uh, guys?” Tucker’s wary voice rang out in their ears. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news… but…”

“The ‘Ship is in pieces,” Ruby sounded hollow.

“Yeah,” Sarge grunted.

“What now?” Weiss asked, perplexed.

“We can take parts from the Jeeps -” Sarge began.

“ No! ” Ruby, Tucker, and Wash shouted.

“ Fine, ” Sarge huffed. “Crushin’ my creativity. We can take parts from the -”

“ No! ” Ruby, Tucker, and Wash cut him off, once more.

“Does anyone else have any ideas?” Washington asked.

“Well, I -” Caboose began.

“Someone sane ? And intelligent? Preferably?” Washington sounded almost desperate.

“Quiet!” Ruby snapped, spotting a shadow darting past.

The comms went dead.

“I don’t think we’re alone,” Weiss mumbled, stepping back toward the group.

“What gave you that impression?” Caboose asked before pausing, “No, really. Why do you think that?”

“Shh!” Ruby shushed the Blue.

Before she could finish her thought, the ground rumbled beneath them.

It seemed Weiss’ fears weren’t unfounded.

“ Go! ” Ruby shouted into the comms. “Now!”

Before the others on her team could ask or even register what was happening, they were caught in Ruby’s riptide as she tapped into her Semblance, warping them all into rose petals as she gathered what she could of the Staff of Charon.

Their surroundings melded like the way watercolors sometimes would, blurring into a single color palette.

She heard Simmons’ screams and curses, and Weiss’ panicked pleas for her to slow down, but Caboose remained silent.

Ruby could hear the crunch and scrape of stone before the aftershocks reverberated behind them.

Light flooded their eyes, blinding them all again.

Once they were securely outside, the last of the rock slid down, blocking any entrance into the mine.

“ Goddamn it! ” Wash’s enraged cry rang in their ears. Then, “Is everyone okay?”

“Yeah,” Ruby wheezed.

It was getting more strenuous to carry people.

“You need to eat and sleep before doing something like that again,” Weiss remarked, seemingly reading her mind.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ruby shot back weakly.

“So, what should we do with the parts we salvaged?” Blake asked abruptly.

“The…” Washington was stunned.

“Yeah,” Ruby agreed.

“How did you -?” He began, excited.

“Thief,” Blake said dryly. “Well, former .”

“I used to pickpocket from Yang all the time,” Ruby added joyfully.

“You did what? ” Her sister interjected, sounding furious.

“I used to pickpocket from Qrow all the time!” Ruby amended her statement.

Mirth was her reply as the tension drained from the Soldiers and Huntresses.

“So, what now?” Ruby asked, curious.

“Now… we pull our resources,” Agent Washington sounded far older than he truly was. “And we hope like hell we can make something out of nothing.”

Chapter Text

I can take so much,

‘Til I’ve had enough.

Human by Christina Perri.

“Did we snag the right parts?” Ruby asked Simmons as he looked over the parts the team had managed to collect.

“I will tell you what I said just a few minutes ago when you asked the third time,” Simmons began, losing his patience with the excitable Huntress. “I don’t know!

“But, I thought you were the Red Team’s unofficial Science Officer!” Ruby argued.

“That doesn’t mean anything!” The increasingly stressed Red fired back. “It just means I’m better at math and science than those three!” He jabs his thumb at Sarge, Grif, and Donut.

Ruby gazed at him in silence before remembering something that Church had told her.

“Take a deep breath and hold it for three seconds,” She instructed him, gesturing to herself before demonstrating. “Then let it out.”

They did so until Simmons looked more relaxed.

“Now, how can I help?” Ruby asked cheerfully, brightness returned.

“Oh, just by handing me that thingy over there,” Caboose had interjected.

Without another thought, Ruby passed him a socket wrench.

"Wait, no! ” Simmons shouted, realizing what was happening.

“Well, that was a disaster and a half,” Weiss grumbled, wiping soot from her cheek.

Yang’s eyes still hadn’t returned to normal as she meticulously trimmed singed strands from her hair.

They still glowed aflame as she glared at the dense Blue that set the base ablaze.

Caboose was merrily living in his own world.

“Why’d you help him?” Blake asked Ruby, checking her cat ears for damage.

“I didn’t realize what was happening!” Ruby flailed her defense. “I was trying to help Simmons through his panic attack. I didn’t know what Caboose was doing!”

Yang groaned, pouting at her golden locks, “My hair is ruined! ”

“I’m sorry,” Ruby’s eyes widened to a doe-like expression.

“It’ll take forever to grow back to the way it was,” Yang concluded. “You know what that means!”

“What’s she on about?” Tucker asked, having finally stopped coughing.

“Her hair,” Ruby began numbly before shrugging and continuing in disappointment, “Her strength is there, you know when it goes all fiery.”

“Oh,” Tucker blinked, astounded by this new information and Yang continued her lament in memoriam of her loss.

“ Relax , Samson,” Wash grunted at Yang, startling her out of her grief. “We’ll all push through somehow. And besides, it’ll grow back.”

“Who?” Weiss blinked at the Freelancer owlishly.

“Never mind,” Washington waved at Weiss. “Thing is, despite the disastrous circumstances, Caboose may have been onto something.”

“I didn’t think I was,” Caboose says, looking at the earth beneath his feet in wonder.

“Simmons had found something,” Wash continued, ignoring the Blue and his antics. “There was a lot of techno-babble, but the gist is, he thinks if we can get our hands on a big enough ‘Ship, we may be able to rig that sucker to fly.”

“Into the sky?” Yang asked, feeling dumb. “They do that anyway.”

“No,” Wash chuckled, looking his actual age momentarily.

The amusement took years off his appearance, revealing the young man he truly was.

“Into space ,” He finished, combing his fingers through his graying locks. “We’re going to Sidewinder.” He looked at her sister and team leader.

Ruby’s smile was one of savagery and spoke poems of battle.

Washington’s grin matched hers.

“We’re all doomed ,” Weiss moaned.

Chapter Text

First they incite the violence.

Turn around and then they invite the silence.

Burn it down and I think I need some guidance.

The kids don't stand a chance.

No, the kids don't stand a chance.

Oh No! By Grandson

“On your six!” Wash shouted as a blast rang out.

Shrapnel and chunks of stone scattered into the air, making Ruby cough as she dodged.

She leaped into the air, kicking off the wall to roll into another dodge, narrowly avoiding the whistling blade that split the air where her head once was.

The guards were definitely vigilant.

“Ironwood must’ve tipped them off!” Yang shouted, knocking the guard in pursuit of Ruby to the ground.

Ruby could see the perspiration on her sister’s forehead as she made extra effort to knock him unconscious.

“Thank you!” She called to her before turning to Weiss and Simmons, “How much longer?”

“I could disable the tracking system if he’d stop distracting me!” Weiss snarled back.

“I’m trying to help you!” Simmons argued.

“By panicking and distracting me?” Weiss accused him.

“Fine! I won’t help!” Simmons threw his hands into the air and stepped back as Weiss rolled her eyes and returned to the task in front of her.

“Everyone stop arguing and try to work together!”

Surprisingly, the reprimand didn’t come from Agent Washington.

It came from Ruby.

“For the record, I’ve been working with everyone,” Caboose chimed in.

“Good work,” Ruby praised him before ducking when a flash of light streaked over her head.

“Can we worry about this later? ” Washington snarled into the comms. “When we’re not, oh say, in danger? ”

“No,” Blake and Yang cut in unison. “Mid-battle banter is kinda our thing.”

“It used to be ours,” Tucker put his two cents in. “But, then everyone’s panties found themselves in a bunch!”

“Stuff it, Blue,” Grif growled.

“Wow, salty,” Tucker responded teasingly.

“I’ll show you salty!” Grif snapped back.

“He really just said that,” Weiss deadpanned.

“And saw nothing wrong with it,” Blake chimed in, equally distraught.

“Uh, what?” Ruby was lost.

“Don’t worry about it, Ruby.” Yang jumped in to save her sister’s innocence.

“Guys!” Blake called, waving to the ‘Ship.

“That was fun!” Ruby called to the downed soldiers. “We should spar again soon!”

The guards only looked at her in mild horror.

That… was sparring?

“She’s a monster,” One of them groaned as they all collapsed, too exhausted and in too much pain to do anything else.

“Red Seven,” Ironwood’s voice echoed through the comms as the ‘Ship lights flicked on. “If you don’t return to base immediately you will be treated as hostile. ”

The group shared a grave look before the radio crackled and a familiar voice echoed through.

“ Go! Now! ” Qrow Branwen commanded.

“Can you fly this?” Ruby asked a confounded Grif, who was currently flipping switches and jabbing at buttons.

“Y - yeah, sure.” Grif was mumbling distractedly. “Where’s the ‘Go’ button again?”

“The what!?I ” Weiss shrieked at him, jolting him.

With a jab and a click, the ‘Ship rumbled and Grif smirked.

“And you all doubted me,” with that, he gripped the yoke. “Hang on to something!”

“ Wait! ” Wash shouted before the ‘Ship launched into the air.

Screams echoed from the vessel, followed by Grif’s unhinged laughter.

A loud rumble shook the interior of the craft.

“Did we… make it?” Ruby asked haltingly.

Her ears were still ringing.

“If we did, the Heavens look a lot like Hell,” Weiss seethed. “Because honestly, I don’t think any of you belong there.”

“ Hey! ” Yang shouted, eyes flashing red briefly.

They all rose from the floor, grimacing and stretching in attempt to relieve some of the pain they felt.

Grif, on the other hand, looked pleased with himself, hands folded behind his head, feet propped and relaxing in the cockpit.

“I’ll kill him,” Yang ground out.

“Get in line,” Tucker hissed, working his shoulder.

“You said you could fly this thing!” Weiss yelled.

“Did any of you die?” Grif retorted.

“ We all almost did ,” Washington seethed.

“Oh, relax,” Grif waved a careless hand. “Now, fix this puppy up so we can soar through the skies .” He sounded far too giddy.

“No thanks,” Blake shook her head. “We’re better off on the ground.”

“Church needs us!” Ruby reminded the group. “We have to.”

“For an AI?” Yang scoffed. “You're asking people to risk their lives for a computer program."

"He's not -" Ruby began her protest, cheeks flushed in anger.

"Look at what’s happened to us so far! Ruby, we’re wanted criminals now! They get to leave and never think about this again, but this is our home! And everyone thinks we’re stealing from the military!” Yang gestured at the Reds and Blues, “They can escape this! They can run and go somewhere else and cause more problems there! We don’t have that luxury!”

“ Hey! ” Tucker sounded outraged and genuinely angry at the accusation.

“No, she’s right,” Wash looked solemn. “We brought nothing but pain and grief to them. They’re kids and should have never been involved in any of this.”

“ Exactly ,” Now Weiss was chiming in.

“Weiss?” Ruby was hurt.

“We could have died , Ruby.” Weiss said as gently as possible. “At any point in all of this. I went along because you’re my friend and my leader. But now?”

“It all just got too real,” Yang mumbled.

After a moment of silence, Ruby raised her eyes to her teammates - her friends - and her eyes were steel.

“Then go,” She said quietly, but firmly. “I don’t need any of you.”

“Ruby -!” Weiss was shocked.

Yang was too hurt for words.

Blake was grief-stricken.

The young Huntress stepped off the aircraft, “Grif, Simmons.”

The Reds quietly complied.

“Seriously?” Tucker scoffed at the girls. “You couldn’t have had this revelation sooner? Ya know, before we all got neck deep in this sh-”

“ Tucker, ” Washington warned him.

“Un-fucking-believable,” Tucker grumbled, walking after the Reds.

“No one blames all of you for being afraid,” Agent Washington informed the remaining team members. "Today, could've gone a lot worse."

Something dark danced behind his eyes. Echoes of loss ringing out in the silence.

“We’re not - ” Yang began, indignant.

“You are,” Wash cut her off, not unkindly. “Just be careful returning home. If you’re stopped, you can tell them we forced you to help. It wasn’t your fault.” With that, he chambered a round in his pistol. “If they come after us again, we won’t be holding back a second time.”

And with that, he followed the others, leaving Weiss, Yang and Blake to contemplate their options.

Chapter Text

Little did you know your home’s really only a town you’re just a guest in.

Florida!!! By Taylor Swift ft. Florence + the Machine

Ruby’s stomach flipped and flopped as the ‘Ship took to the skies, breaking through the atmosphere and leaving Remnant.

She stared down at the planet she called home with homesickness brewing in her stomach.

I’ll be back, guys.

I promise.

The stars looked much different from up here.

“It’s kinda scary,” Wash spoke her mind gently. “The first time I enlisted and I left for UNSC, I felt so homesick for months. But, then I reminded myself why I had to leave. I wanted to help people, to stop the Great War before more casualties piled up.”

“Then you disobeyed orders, injured your Sergeant and got court-martialed,” Ruby finished for him.

A chuckle of surprise left Washington’s lips and he nodded.

“Right,” he muttered sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I keep forgetting Epsilon was implanted in your mind.”

Ruby gave a shrug, “I do too, sometimes.”

Silence befell everyone on the ‘Ship and Wash gestured vaguely, “Try to get some rest, Ruby. We’ll all need to be ready. Who knows what we’ll find on Sidewinder.”

But sleep wouldn’t come easily.

Ruby kept checking her Scroll, a frown creasing her features when the device kept reminding her that she didn’t have a signal anymore.

Eventually, going over scenarios in her mind until she wore herself down seemed to help.

And everything faded into darkness.

A steady beeping and low rumble disturbed her rest.

“Yang?” Ruby groaned, reaching for the alarm clock.

But when her hand touched a flat, but ridged surface, her eyes flew open.

The ‘Ship had landed.

Or rather, crashed .

At least that’s how it seemed from her limited view.

The bay doors were opened and snow and chilled air flooded in.

Ruby’s teeth chattered together and she pulled her cloak around her as she rose.

Stepping out onto the planet of snow and ice, she turned, looking to and fro.

But no Reds and Blues in sight.

Taking a deep breath, the Huntress-in-Training focused on the snow crunching beneath her boots as she walked.

“It’s okay,” she reassured herself. “You’re okay. Remember what Church taught you.”

And then she focused on the 5-4-3-2-1 method of grounding herself.

If only the others could be here to see this.

With that thought in mind, she began taking pictures.

It was actually kind of pretty.

Wildly different from Atlas and Mantle.

Ruby was halted in her tracks when she saw what remained of the frigate.

It lay in scattered pieces.

And her heart sank.

Would her plan still work?

Could they save Church?

In the distance she heard clattering, clanging and swearing.

“Stop that!” Simmons seemed to be shouting.

“Work, damn it!” Tucker’s frustration echoed up the cliffside.

And Ruby leaped down, shifting into a plume of rose petals as she soared to the shattered vessel.

Tucker was slamming his hands against a power panel when Ruby stepped onboard.

A click and a whirring sound echoed into the lab, followed by chirps and beeps.

“Aha!” Tucker looked pleased with himself. “Percussive maintenance wins again!”

Washington cleared his throat before nodding his head to the panel he stood next to.

“Oh, screw you, Dude,” Tucker glared.

“What’s going on?” Ruby chimed in, making the soldiers jump.

“Ruby,” Washington acknowledged her, startled. “Um.”

“What are you all doing?” Ruby asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“Just trying to get systems back online,” Washington said carefully.

“Then why are you all acting so -” The Huntress in Red began before a rumble shook the base.

“What was that?” She asked.

“Exactly what I was afraid of,” Agent Washington replied cryptically before nodding to Tucker and the others. “Just focus on helping Church.” He reminded her before the group of simulation troops left with him.

“And how do I do that?” Ruby muttered before looking around the lab.

Fragments of memory danced in her mind’s eye.

The AI units.

The Director and Counselor.

The torture.

“If only you were here to help me, Church,” The Huntress whispered, pulling the Unit from her pocket, turning it over in her hands.

Then she took a deep breath before beginning to work, using memory alone and hoping it would be enough.

“Wash, I need backup!” Tucker shouted, ducking as a stream of Needles flew past, the pink glowing spikes embedding themselves into the boulder behind him.

“Busy at the moment!” Was Wash’s strained reply as he struggled against an armored troop.

“Damn it!” Sarge worked himself free, elbowing his would-be captor in the face. “What the hell is up with this? They haven’t guarded this place before!”

“Wanted… criminals… Now, Sarge!” Washington managed while fighting for his own freedom and oxygen.

“We saved a planet! ” Sarge insisted, catching his breath and watching his comrade struggle.

“We were declared criminals ,” Tucker reminds Sarge before bolting toward Wash to help him free himself.

“We were pardoned! ” Grif interjects. “Then Church did all that techno wizardry and sent the files to everyone!?”

"Well, excuse me!" Sarge cut in. "It's getting kinda hard to keep all these storylines straight with all the damn retconning and plot twists!"

After pausing, Washington rubbed at his neck in confusion while Tucker continued striking their opponent, “That’s true.” He conceded thoughtfully.

“Tucker!” He called when the Blue hadn’t stopped his attack.

“Oh, right.” Tucker rose next to him, just as another guard in black armor arrived.

“ Oh, come on, ” Grif whined loudly before a blast sent the stranger flying.

“Wha -?!” The Reds and Blues started in surprise.

“Oh, you gotta be fucking kidding me,” Tucker spoke at last when their rescuer stepped into view.

Chapter Text

Watch the torch set aflame.

Watch it burn, watch it fade.

Watch the armies gather suit.

Someone’s gotta win and lose.

Villains Aren’t Born (They’re Made) by PEGGY

The explosions, shouts and curses were distracting.

Ruby wanted to scream at them all to shut up.

But she didn’t worry about that.

Not at this point.

She searched the drives for the original copy of Epsilon.

Hell, finding Alpha would work too.

And then she found it.

A happy gasp escaped her as a rumble shook the Mother of Invention.

But, she didn’t care .

With shaking hands, she inserted the card into the computer and uploaded the drive, watching the percentage rising.

10%.

Then 40%.

Come on, Church.

“Seriously, who sent these guys?” Yang snarled, punching out another armored guard.

“That’s what we’re all wondering!” Wash interjected.

“Why would you bring my sister to a place that’s heavily guarded and dangerous?! ” The Wrath of Yang was directed at the Reds and Blues.

“Kick our asses later!” Tucker shouted. “Survive now!”

Weiss flicked her wrist, summoning a Glyph, directing Blake and Yang to leap into action.

“By order of the UNSC,” one was attempting to say before Blake gave her ribbon a mighty wrench.

Yang flipped over Blake’s shoulder, her fist colliding with his helmet covered face.

A crunch of metal rang out and the team shared a look with the Reds and Blues.

“Did that… sound a little metallic to you?” Weiss asked, unsettled.

“I thought that was just me,” Agent Washington admitted.

Prying the helmet off, the rending of metal pierced their ears before the entire head came free.

“ You - you killed him! ” Caboose howled in horror.

“No, no,” Wash lifted his hands defensively. “I - it’s a robot , Caboose!”

“Not making it better,” Yang pointed out as Tucker stepped in to comfort their horror stricken teammate.

“Why would anyone have this place guarded by robots ?” Blake inquired. “It’s not exactly a goldmine .”

“The information that was abandoned by the UNSC and Project Freelancer?” Washington asked, his brows knitted together. “But that means they were waiting for someone to come here.”

“Right,” Weiss waved a hand. “Why would they suspect that ?”

Something darkened in Washington’s eyes.

“Ruby,” was all he said.

89%.

“Come on, ” Ruby whined, dancing impatiently.

“You are intruding on UNSC property,” a metallic voice interrupted her fit, following the clicking of a gun being racked. “Tampering with evidence and what appears to be stealing. You will be brought before the court and tried for your actions.”

“No,” Ruby said simply. “I won’t.”

Beeping alerted her to the completion of the program.

She snatched the chip from the computer and quickly pieced the AI Unit back together, setting it into place.

“Church?” She called, dodging bullets as they whistled past, ricocheting off walls and clattering against the floor.

“ Epsilon, command, online! ” Ruby screamed, flipping across a table as it crashed to the floor, shaking the ship.

“ Ruby! ” Yang’s panicked voice echoed off the walls.

But, it seemed to be coming from every direction.

The sounds bouncing from the walls, dancing off the metal fragments of the broken frigate, did not help.

Each sound was a vibration in Ruby’s skull.

“God, what? ” A familiar voice groused.

Ruby’s heart leaped in joy.

More and more, the guards were keeping them from finding the young huntress.

But Yang wouldn’t let them stop her from reaching her little sister.

It didn’t matter how many were sent.

She cracked her knuckles and stepped forward, reloading Ember Celica.

But then…

A flash of red sliced through their vision and the guards charging them were airborne.

Screaming, they collapsed into a painful heap.

“Miss me, assholes?” A familiar voice shouted.

Standing atop the frigate, Ruby stepped into view with a familiar blue figure on her shoulder.

“ Church! ” The soldiers chorused in relief.

“Love to catch up on all your fuck-ups, but we gotta move ,” Epsilon pointed out. “We got company. And not a single one of them is happy.”

“Who are they?” Wash asked.

After a long moment of silence, Church looked away then back at his friends, “I’ll fill you all in on the ship. Right now, we have to go.”

“Right,” Tucker was already on the move. “Don’t have to tell me twice.”

“Apparently I do!” Epsilon fired back.

“Dick!” Tucker shouted.

Church chuckled, giving Ruby a shrug.

“Maybe I kinda missed you all,” he admitted sheepishly. “Thanks, Kid.”

“No problems,” Ruby replied, boarding the Staff of Charon. “Just don’t do that again.”

“Do what?” Church spread his arms. “I told you, I’m good.”

“ You sure about that? ” A sinister rumble at the back of Church’s mind cut in.

“I am,” He countered, unsure himself. “It’s fine. Everything is fine. I’m all fixed up now.”

But, still.

He wasn’t sure how much of that he believed.

Chapter Text

And time is something they say,

You never understand until it slips away.

And looking back I think you knew.

I wanted to be just like you.

If I only knew then what I know now.

Then what I know now.

If I only knew then what I know now.

Then what I know now.

And now I'm tired of the violence, I'm so tired of the sirens.

And, “it's better me - better me than you!”

Now I'm tired of the violence, I'm so tired of the sirens.

And, “it's better me - better me than you!”

Remember When by Bad Wolves.

They were flying.

They were, somehow, flying after them.

“Did they get their hands on jetpacks? ” Tucker was screaming.

“Maybe they got them in the party pack with the robots?” Grif was in disbelief as he attempted to avoid their attackers.

“Or cyborgs?” Simmons suggested.

“Maybe someone had a creepy cyborg baby?” Tucker added with a crooked smirk. “Bow chicka bow -!”

He was cut off with a yelp.

“ Stay focused! ” Washington snapped as the Blue rubbed the back of his head with a pout.

“I got this!” Ruby called.

And before anyone could stop her, she leapt from the ship.

“ Ruby! ” Everyone screamed.

But she didn’t hear it.

Instead, she focused on Church’s tactics and swinging Crescent Rose.

The cleave and rending of metal shrieked through the air as robot limbs and appendages flew, clinking off the sides of the ‘ship.

Ruby was lighter than air, floating along and racing along the backs of the enemies, striking with deadly accuracy.

“ On your right! ” Church’s shout rang out just as something collided with Ruby on the aforementioned side.

She slammed into the side of the ‘ship, lights bursting behind her eyes.

The shouts of her teammates and friends faded into an echo.

Chapter Text

So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street.

Crash the party like a record scratch as I scream,

“Who’s afraid of little old me?!”

I was tame, I was gentle, ‘til the circus life made me mean.

‘Don’t you worry, folks. We took out all her teeth.’

Who’s afraid of little old me?!

Well, you should be. You should be. You should be.

‘Cause you lured me, and you hurt me, and you taught me.

You caged me, and then you called me crazy.

I am what I am ‘cause you trained me.

So, who’s afraid of me?

Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me? By Taylor Swift

“ Ruby! ” The voices cried, shocked.

She was floating on a cloud.

Everything was warm and soft.

But her body was aching.

Head to toe.

What happened?

The distant screams came roaring back to her.

Where am I?

“Kid?” A voice called to her.

It was familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time.

“Dad?” Ruby mumbled as the fog held her in a cool embrace.

“Kid?!” The voice shouted again.

“Mom’s h…” Ruby fell into the darkness again.

She saw her, not far ahead, walking through the mist.

But no matter how fast Ruby ran or how much she tapped into her Semblance, she couldn’t catch up.

“Mom!” Ruby shouted after Summer, reaching for the white cape.

But she couldn’t grasp it.

The fabric slipped through her fingers, every time.

“ Wait! ” Ruby’s heart cracked in two as her mother disappeared from her life, once again.

A loud whistling pierced her ears as cold bit at her skin.

“ Ruby! ” Church shouted as everything seemed to come into focus.

Everything was flying by as she sunk.

That was when she remembered the Grimm.

The fight.

And how one of them slammed into her, sending her flying back and colliding with the side of the ship.

Her head felt huge and heavy.

“Stay with me,” Church was begging her. “She doesn’t look good,” he was telling someone else.

Then arms found her.

“ Ruby! ” Yang’s panicked tones reached her ears.

Then the world spun again.

“How is she?”

There were the voices again.

Am I crazy?

“Better, now.” A sigh followed the statement. “Luckily, her Aura replenished. It’s helping her now.”

Ruby groaned, the voices were making her head pound.

“Although, she seemed to fragment the technology that was installed in the base of her skull during the fight.”

“I’m sorry, the what? ” The speaker seemed outraged.

“Th - there seemed to be some kind of technology installed in - I saw it only a few hours ago when she was brought in. I thought it was - I don’t know what it’s for, I promise.” The other person seemed to panic. “It looks like it’s been there a while. You didn’t know about it?”

“ No .” There was a rustling sound, as if someone had been let go and the other person seemed to depart.

Ruby let the waves of sleep wash her away again.

Church?

She reached for Epsilon, but didn’t seem to get a response.

Hmm. Hopefully he’s okay.

She exhaled deeply, feeling the warmth welcome her home.

“Come on, Kid,” One of the voices pleaded. “Don’t let this keep you down.”

I’m trying not to.

She couldn’t make any promises, though.