A/N: This one will probably be long. And no, I'm not summarizing it with a TL;DR at the end.
UPDATE: I've made a change to this chapter, clarifying the 'time-skip'. As I've said at the end of this chapter, jumping back into writing is always difficult and confusing for me. I usually find myself wondering where to go from where I left off.
Sorry about the long wait on this update. My editing software was down and I had to fix it. Also, I'm updating to let you all know that I'm moving over to Archive of Our Own. As there's far less restrictions on that site, plus that seems to be where all the cool kids are going.
I'll be posting all future updates over there after this one. So, I apologize in advance.
I also backed up any and all stories of mine and book covers, so if my account and/or stories disappear, I will have them. I should also note that if they do happen to "mysteriously vanish" – it was not my doing, as I hadn't intended on doing as such.
Anyway, I just wanted you all up to speed.
And, I would like to add that I'm (hoping) probably going to be moving soon. So, any updates on my other account may be scarce. I would like to apologize once again for that.
If – (and I am not intending to pressure any of you in any way by saying this) – you would like to find me on Archive of Our Own, search up my penname from here, but with underscores, rather than spaces.
Also, I attempted to leave a link to my other profile on this profile. If you have any problems, just pull up the site, click on the 'Search' button, next to 'Fandoms' and 'Browse'. And when it opens to 'Works', 'Bookmarks', 'Tags', 'People'; click 'People' and enter my penname. It's a complicated process, I know and I'm sorry.
Thanks to all of you, you've all been supportive and helpful along the way and none of you had to take the time to read my story, but you did. And that means a lot. And the fact that you chose to favorite, follow and review it speaks volumes. God, I swore I wouldn't get mushy. Anyway, thank you. And goodnight. ~ Patch Cipriano's Angel.
Thus kindly, I scatter.
Chapter 7: The Calm Before The –
"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 sight 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.
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."
anotamous: Thank you for understanding. And she does, doesn't she? With her implantation, it's a strong possibility that it is some side effect. And it does seem that way, doesn't it?
blaiseingfire: Hmm. It could have been.
Guest: I'm so sorry. Forgive me?
TheSilverHunt3r: I hope I can. I don't plan on stopping this story at anytime soon.
Vixenlovesninjago: I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Guest: I continued! And that's quite alright.
Zwill711: I'm glad to be back. And that's okay. I was awfully late with this update. And I'm sorry. Getting back into the writing game is always difficult for me. Especially when I've taken a break. Thanks for the advice.
puzzle241: Indeed, he can. He used it on a few occasions. I just failed horribly at writing it in. Sorry.
Guest: I made an attempt to do just that. But, I don't think FFN wanted me to. The links I tried adding didn't open to my other account at all. And I'm sorry about that. Hopefully, the little addition I made will help? I'm hoping. And it's very possible they know something is going on with Team RWBY. I'll try to work on the next chapter as soon as possible.
The Nightangale: Aww, thanks! I'm trying my hardest to. And I know. I screamed when I recognized his voice. I was shocked. And very excited.
Iron-ninja: I'm sorry. I tried linking it to my profile here. Hopefully it works. If it doesn't, you can try the steps I listed above?