Chapter 9: Forever Falling pt 2

Or: A Wolf in Sheep's clothing

A/N: As previously mentioned, follow up with Blake will happen after this. Weiss will also get a follow up. Author's note below because I am sure you will have some questions. Let me know if you want to argue or have some questions.

Disclaimer: There will be stuff that wasn't in the show in this chapter. Ruby gets a little dark and there is implied gore happening.

To say that Yang was nervous was a bit of an understatement. She had been able to lose herself somewhat with talking with her friends about gossip, random jokes, and what-have-you on the way here, but now that she was standing in the forest with her sister nowhere in sight she couldn't help but feel a bit of worry bubble in her chest. Even in the Emerald Forest Yang had made a bit of a habit to try and keep an eye on her sister. Then again this was Forever Falls.

The red leaves and black tree bark gave the place a serene if eerie feeling. The strangest part however was that there was no life to be found here… At all… Having grown up on the Island of Patch, with it's green forests and array of wildlife Yang had not expected the area to be so… quiet. Like there truly was nothing for miles. No insects, no squirrels or birds… just slowly falling red leaves and the sound of her own breathing. Sadly, this did nothing to calm her worried state. Especially not when she realized that even if Ruby was in trouble she wouldn't be able to find her red and black clad sister in the forest's underbrush.

Velvet, as the youngest member of Team CFVY, had been assigned to Yang as her stand in partner. As Velvet had yet to truly bond with her new team it made sense that she'd be excluded a bit. Still, Yang was happy for the bunny girl's company. It was easier to pretend to be happy when you had an audience after all.

Velvet shifted her weight from one foot to the other awkwardly as she tried to come up with a suitable conversation topic. Yang didn't really feel like talking, but there was something on the other girl's mind.

She had been in a different train compartment on the ride to the forest, mostly to avoid having to be alone in the same compartment as Weiss for too long, the girl tended to irritate her, and partly because seeing Ruby all tired and hurting would only make her want to hurt Cardin even more than she already did. What that boy did to her sister was unforgivable in Yang's eyes, but then again Ruby had specifically made her promise not to get involved. Those big, sad, silver eyes and words like 'trust me to do this on my own' and 'I know you will always be there for me' had made Yang give in a little too easily though… Yang still wasn't okay with the situation, but that didn't mean she wouldn't honor her sister's request, no matter how stupid it sounded…

Even still… Yang was fighting everything in her to avoid going out there right now and hunting Cardin down to teach him a lesson. Honestly… How had her life devolved into such a weird place? Her sister- no, Yang corrected bitterly, half-sister, was being bullied after getting into her dream university. Not super strange yet, besides somehow getting in at fricken' fifteen, and Ozpin himself being the one to get her in. Then there was the fact she was on a team with the Schnee Heiress, the closest thing to royalty in this day and age, and her partner was a Faunus whom may or may not have some sort of grudge or blood feud between her and Weiss. Yang shook her head; she was still having trouble wrapping her mind around that one.

On one hand, she had trouble seeing Blake as anything other than Human. Unlike Ruby, Yang had been to the slums of Vale many times visiting friends and hanging out after their lessons at Signal. Blake didn't give off the same… vibe, as the other Faunus. She was sophisticated, almost to a fault, and was more and just… She was nothing like the gang-bangers and 'civil-rights' activists. She didn't correct her on every little thing either like the other social justice warriors, though she seemed to have a pretty firm opinion… It's like she knew the world was messed up and trying not to get involved. On the other hand, Blake lied, Blake ran, and now that she thought about it, Blake had known Ruby was in trouble and instead of just telling Yang had dropped hints. That… was something Yang didn't know if she could forgive, Faunus or no.

"You seem tense." A voice said making Yang turn to see Velvet, the girl Ruby was trying to save from humiliation at the hands of those assholes on Team CRDL. Yang tried not to wince.

"Eh… a little." Yang said plastering on her best smile. The one she always wore when trying to reassure someone that yes, she was okay. Velvet gave her a look that told her that she didn't buy that for a minute, but she wasn't going to pry.

"I had an interesting conversation with Weiss." Velvet said carefully. Yang raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah?" Yang asked looking far away, her mind too caught up in how worried she was about her sister to notice the way Velvet frowned.

"I had gone to check on Ruby." Velvet said. "I noticed she didn't seem to be feeling well…"

Velvet certainly didn't miss the way Yang's hands clenched.

"Is that right?" Yang asked non-committedly. Velvet's eyes narrowed.

"You may not know this, but part of my semblance is I can read other's body language rather well." Velvet said softly. "I can tell when someone is lying, or when they don't want to share something. I don't like to pry but I have been getting some interesting… readings, as of late…"

"…" Yang said, not trusting herself to speak, or even move really. Shit that was a scary semblance bunny-girl had…

"Yang." Velvet said in a warning tone. Yang turned to glare at her and saw Velvet looking at her with a steeled expression. Shy or no, timid or not, this girl was still a huntress in training. "How did Ruby's ribs get broken?"

Jaune charged in with a furious bellow, shield raised. How dare this monster hurt his friend!

The monster seemed to right itself after Pyrrha's shield smash and met his charge. Jaune ducked to the left, slashing at it to keep it's attention and prevent it from hurting Cardin, and building up as much Aura as he could manage, keeping his body fresh and primed for battle.

Then something happened that he never expected and certainly would never think would happen in a million years. His sword bounced off.

Not because of incompetence on his part. He had actually surprised himself how much stronger he had gotten and had kept his form. His rage supplied plenty of power and his strike was well aimed for the hind legs the creature seemed to be favoring.

No, that wasn't what caused his mind to freeze and stare in utter incomprehension.

The moment his sword struck it's blackened flesh a barely visible glowing red forcefield sprang to life stopping his blade in it's tracks.

Jaune stared. The beast for it's part just turned it's furious glowing glare at him before growling. Jaune raised his shield and quickly retreated.

Whatever this thing was, this monster, demon, devil thing… One thing was perfectly clear.

Somehow, someway, this thing had Aura.

Shit.

Ruby was in a sea of blurry blacks and greys. Was she… dreaming?

She felt memories fill her mind, good and bad. She felt dizzy and off kilter. She also had a pounding headache as she tried to piece together what exactly happened.

She was being bullied and Cardin said mean things. A Beowolf appeared but it was HUGE… um… Ruby looked around. She had a concussion or possibly brain damage.

Everything was still in black and white, her eyes trying to focus on something, anything. Some part of her brain, some dark, hard, angry part of her wanted to just lie here and wait for everything to go back to normal, but Ruby forced herself up.

Looks like she got hit in the head so hard she went color blind… Ruby just hoped her Aura would fix it soon. Everything kinda… burned? It was a tingly, itchy feeling. She was too hot! It was a cool summer day! It was even kinda cloudy! Well… not that she knew of… Everything was still kinda grey and blurry…

Shaking her head she tried to find some kind of point of orientation but quickly became even more confused. She had no idea where she was… But more than that where had the Beowolf gone? Huh… must have disintegrated already… but that was a BIG Beowolf… It would have taken forever to disintegrate.

How long had she been out?

Ruby felt a strange 'pull' to her left. Catching her attention she looked, and saw color? Disoriented, Ruby began walking towards the color. She felt wobbly and heavy, her side was killing her, but she figured she could at least make it to the strange color…

The closer it got the more colorful (?) it became. It was weak and shaky, but it was also moving… huh… it seemed to stop… Blinking she thought she could see that it was strangely human shaped. Or rather person shaped… Ruby sighed. She really needed to work on thinking of everyone as just 'people' so she didn't offend any Faunus. Ruby tilted her head as the little figure, it really was tiny, got up shakily only to be bowled over by some kind of bright white figure. Ruby tried not to laugh, afraid to scare them.

The White one was helping the other up, that one was an Indigo color, while both were joined up by a little Black figure. Indigo looked kinda shaky and hurt, White was trying to help but Indigo pushed it away. Ruby frowned. That wasn't very nice… Ruby stepped forward. She was still a little tipsy. Maybe she really did have a concussion… Ugh… Her head hurt… Oh, wait, trying not to scare the little people. Right…

"Hello!" Ruby said thinking maybe she could help. The little outlines looked… scared. Especially the Indigo one… Ruby frowned further. How could she tell that? Whatever, her head felt like it was full of fluff. She probably just imagined it. She headed forward a moment, tumbling over her feet and nearly falling over. She still wasn't super able to balance… Oh shit! Did she squish one of them?!

The little White one was helping her up but struggling. Poor thing… Ruby tried to reach out her hand, making a very obvious 'are you okay?' gesture, when the little Black figure raised what looked like a shield and- OOF! Ruby tumbled over surprised by the strength of the blow. Ow… Her ribs still hurt…

Ruby tried to get up muttering in pain. "Okay… ow… um… whoa! I'm so sorry!"

Little Indigo was still hurt! She tried to get up again, but Little White drew a sword and slashed her! Thankfully she had Aura but… Little White seemed really surprised.

"Um… did you just try to hurt me?" Ruby asked the trembling little White figure. "Oh… you were trying to protect your friend… I get it… sorry for scaring you…"

Ruby tried to back away slowly when she saw this… utterly wrong little thing… While White and Black were well, white and black in a black and grey forest Ruby could still see the colors. These things looked… blank. Like they had outlines, but they were clear? It was hard to describe but as soon as she saw them Ruby was filled with rage.

Grimm… somehow those things were Grimm. She glanced at the group of little figures, she'd protect them from these tiny Grimm, and they would understand! She meant them no harm because she was a Huntress!

Little Black was helping Little Indigo up when Ruby suddenly walked towards the Grimm ready to attack.

Jaune nearly peed himself. He was not ashamed to admit that. A Grimm with Aura… not only that but one that massive… He'd need his whole team for that! Maybe even Team RWBY's help and a teacher to actually take that thing down!

What was worse however was apparently his feelings of panic, Pyrrha's worry and Cardin's pain had somehow called more Grimm to the area!

Jaune gulped. He was going to die here. He was going to die, and nobody would even know! Jaune's last name wasn't even Arc! That was the name of the town he was from! Gah! He had so much to live for! He swore that if somehow got out of this he would go back home to Arc, settle down with a nice, safe farming job with the rest of his family and never set foot outside of his hometown again! He swore he'd be nice to his sisters and that he would respect his parents and-

Suddenly, Jaune felt the massive Beowolf's massive footsteps behind him. It circled them and positioned itself between them and the others.

'Were these the Big Grimm's family?' Jaune's terror filled mind asked. 'We probably somehow stumbled onto a Grimm nest…'

Jaune came from a small farming town. He didn't even know what Aura was until he came to Beacon. He just thought of it as 'Hero stuff' he wanted to learn. And what little he knew about Aura; he knew even less about the creatures of Grimm. Hell, he still would have called them devils in his mind if it hadn't been for his friends helping him…

"Jaune… Take Cardin and run…" Pyrrha said in a low voice. "I'll hold them off…"

"Ta hell… with that noise…" Cardin said from over Pyrrha's shoulder, shakily leveling Dove's gunblade at the largest beast. "I'm near dead anyways I can…"

Cardin began to cough violently. He was clearly in no condition to fight. Jaune felt so useless…

"We can't move him." Jaune said taking Cardin from Pyrrha and helping him to the ground. "I'll take care of him. Pyrrha…"

Pyrrha wouldn't look at him, merely drawing her sword and raising her shield and walked to stand between them and the beasts of Grimm.

"Jaune Arc, Cardin Winchester…" Pyrrha said softly hoisting her shield and preparing for her last stand. "It was a pleasure working with you."

Jaune felt so useless! All his life he wanted to help and now his partner was going to die protecting his sorry butt and Jaune felt never so helpless before! The large Grimm started to growl. Jaune looked at Cardin and things started to click in his mind. Jaune began to remove Cardin's armor while Pyrrha and the large Grimm had a standoff.

He- wasn't going to die useless! Maybe he could help somehow! He would patch up Cardin, so he didn't bleed out and then-! The sounds of metal on Grimm bones rang through the air as Jaune worked and started applying pressure to Cardin's wound while he fought with the first-aid kit he had in his- Shit! He forgot it back home he-

Things seemed to slow down. Jaune, honestly just wanted to help. His father had laughed at his dream to come to Beacon, his sisters tried to dissuade him but Jaune had kept to his stupid, foolish, and asinine dream... He was going to be a Huntsman.

His hands began to glow.

Even if it wasn't much, he could do this much. Even someone like him had to be able to do something right?

The glow spread across Cardin's chest as he stared at the wound in a trance.

He refused to be useless and let his friends or anyone else die while he had a breath left in his body! Even if he spent all his strength and effort to do so!

Jaune's face was pouring with sweat as he stared at Cardin's wound panting. Th-there... all better...

Jaune blacked out.

Ruby was eager to fight the Grimm! It looked like the little Black figure was going to help! Yay!

Ruby was excited through her mental haze. These Grimm were tiny! She could totally take them! Ruby didn't wait for the Grimm to make the first move. Ruby wobbled over to the largest clear looking Ursa and kicked the tiny glass figure over. Ruby hummed in satisfaction as she began to gleefully stomp on the rest. Little Black stood back with a tiny shield and spear raised. It was soooo cute! She would have a lot of fun with the little colored figures! Maybe she could make them tiny little guns! That would be awesome!

These thoughts fueling her Ruby began to viciously curb stomp a Ursa against one of the fallen black and grey tree. Something… dark… came over her while she attacked.

It felt… good…

Ruby attacked more and more viciously. This was fun!

One of the Grimm tried to bite her but Ruby just grabbed it and nearly giggled as it squeaked like a rubber ducky. Ruby then threw it up in the air and spiked it down like a volleyball. Ruby tried not to enjoy the little 'crunch' sound it made. She felt loopy and excited. Was this what Uncle Qrow felt like when he drank? Ruby swatted another Beowolf upward, this time drop kicking it like she had seen during football games her dad sometimes coached.

Ruby actually did giggle at the morbid crack and sharp whine it gave reminding her of that one Pumpkin Pete commercial. The little bunny, defender of humanity's most delicious cereal, would always send the Scary Berry the evil master of Grimm and all his minions flying with kick like that.

"Silly Grimm lord!" Ruby snickered. "Pumpkin Pete's cereal is for kids!"

Ruby then turned her attention to the next few, wondering what she should do to the next Grimm.

Pyrrha was trying to make sense of the scene before her and had to admit she had no idea what was going on.

Pyrrha was a champion of the ring. She held the record for the most wins of someone her age. A prodigy, a deadly dancer of the spear and shield. Pyrrha had no words for what she witnessed. Not only was the massive Grimm attacking it's own kind, something the books specifically said they never did, not even in territorial disputes, Pyrrha could only watch slack jawed as the large Grimm used so very violent but very Human tactics.

It was an absurd situation and Pyrrha would be quick to write it off as a dream when she saw something. The thing, whatever it was, had begun to 'curb-stomp' an Ursa against a fallen tree. It then proceeded to tear apart the pack that had assembled. It even drop kicked one…

Yep… definitely needed to go see a psychiatrist… She must have tried one of Ren's smoothies on the way here and passed out. Ren swore they were good for you, but Pyrrha had been an athlete willing to eat or drink anything short of drugs to get an edge in the ring and even she wouldn't drink those…

She was snapped out of her stupor when an Ursa was charging her, probably called over by the fight or by Jaune's panic. Dutifully, Pyrrha stood in the way, eyes narrowed, and shield raised. She was ready to die to defend those she loved. Despite the situation and the freaking Ursa charging at her, Pyrrha felt a little flutter in her heart as she realized she loved Jaune. Far from distracting her she focused on it and it gave her even more reason to- and everything went black.

Pyrrha looked around the blackness only to feel a hand, slick with sweat and rough from calluses, grip her shoulder. Pyrrha looked around confused, she could still hear the Ursa breathing, pacing, and sniffing around her. Did it just blind her? She knew Grimm could have strange powers sometimes to cause more fear and chaos but had never heard tale of an Ursa that could cause blindness…

Despite this, the Grimm didn't attack… well them at least. The massive Grimm outside had finally made enough ruckus to garner it's attention. Pyrrha looked around the dark expanse. What was this? Was this what being dead felt like.

"Chill Nikos." None other than Cardin Winchester said behind her. "Just my Semblance."

"Your semblance is Darkness?" Pyrrha asked staring into the black void before her eyes.

"No…" Cardin's voice whispered through the black expanse, right next to her ear. Honestly, it felt like she was back in that cave with Jaune and the Deathstalker. "It's Refraction. I can refract light around me and spread my Aura out… and since I bend all the light around me, it gets a little dark in here..."

Pyrrha looked around in wonder. "But you were-"

"Jauney Boy." Cardin said tersely. He sounded both relieved and angry. "He somehow healed me. What's more is I feel like a million bucks. Whatever he did knocked him out cold though. We need to get him out of here. What's the situation?"

Pyrrha did her best to explain...

Many things could be said about the Faunus. That they were vengeful or animalistic. None of this compared to Velvet… Yang spilled. She didn't want to, but Velvet could read her body language like an open book and threatened to bring in Fox. Yang didn't know much about Velvet's blind teammate, but his semblance Telepathy could probably do some weird Professor X level shit, so Yang talked.

Velvet, for her part, after hearing the 'Yang version' of what happened looked like she was ready to cry. Her ears were drooping adorably for the terror bunny she was and her sad brown eyes watered.

"She did that… for me?" Velvet asked shakily, almost like she was afraid to believe it.

"Well… yeah." Yang said awkwardly. Yang wasn't a 'feelings' type of gal. Or rather she was emotional, say that to her face and you'll eat pavement, but she didn't handle other's emotions so well. More specifically crying. Yang hated crying. Crying felt like you had given up. A crying Ruby was a bit of her worst nightmare. Yang didn't do crying.

So, when little terrorist bunny, who just pumped her for info better than the freaking Mafia, started to cry, Yang was totally out of her depth. Velvet was sad crying. Not angry crying, not happy crying, or scared crying. Sad crying. The worst kind… And she was adorable… Yang hated seeing the cute ones cry.

"How about we go find her?" Yang said with an easy smile, earning a small smile in return. "I get to go beat up Cardin, and you get to thank Ruby."

"It's just…" Velvet said softly. "Nobody has gone that far to help me before. She…"

"Save the lesbo moment with my sister involved for when I am outta ear shot please!" Yang chimed in, making the bunny girl turn bright pink. That's it, try to make the girl smile, make her laugh, forget about her bad feels and just live. Just focus on me babe…

"It's not like that!" Velvet defended herself quickly. A little too quickly…

"I was just teasing, but now you got me curious with that quick response!" Yang teased while Velvet covered her face. "It's fine. I was hoping to be an aunty, but I guess you and Rubes could always adopt. I wouldn't mind sis having some bunny babies!"

"Yang!" Velvet squeaked.

Yang was totally joking but Velvet's responses were too cute. They traveled to roughly where Ruby would be stationed, Yang all the while teasing Velvet gently about her 'crush' on Ruby and cracking jokes. It was a nice little walk… That is until a half disintegrated Grimm carcass fell from the sky.

The sound of battle filled the air. Yang and Velvet rushed to the area seeing a giant Beowolf standing around the carcasses of its fellows and roaring triumphantly.

Ruby felt awesome!

She wondered if this was how the monsters in monster movies felt like. She felt big, and strong and powerful! These little Grimm were easy! She was sad when she couldn't see the little colorful figures anymore.

The White one had done something to heal the wounded Indigo one and then little Indigo had done something to hide all of them, even little Black from her sight. She could still kinda see them, but it was like… blurry. Like little Indigo was spread out and faded as well. She could still tell they were there just… they seemed less interesting.

A Ursa and its little friend joined in the fray. The tiny, translucent Grimm swatted at her with their little glass like paws. Ruby sighed and scooped them up. The biggest one was almost the size of a medium sized teddy bear to her. The remaining Beowolfs were like largish rats.

Ruby then got an idea. Ruby held the translucent Ursa in her arms, it roaring in defiance until the very end and- Squish!

Ruby couldn't help it. She laughed. The glass Ursa just squished in her arms like rotten fruit. Ruby laughed and picked up the next one and the next one. They tried to run away from her or attack, but her Aura kept them from actually hurting her and it was kinda fun! Ruby smiled darkly as a thought came to her mind.

It was like playing with bubble wrap!

Squish!

Crack!

Pop!

Crunch!

Ruby giggled as she broke a Beowolf by hugging it, squishing it's brains out it's ears. She laughed as the last tiny, translucent Beowolf's head came off with a sharp Crack!

Ruby kept giggling, somewhere in her mind she might have been disturbed how easily and brutally she killed them but right at the moment Ruby felt awesome! That was so much fun! Like playing Mortal Combat! It was kinda icky, but it made the dark part of Ruby's heart flutter to hear so many cracking bones.

Ruby blinked.

Dark part? Where had-? Something snapped back into place in Ruby's head with the force of one of Yang's punches as reality set in and her concussion seemed to finally heal. Ruby stared at her surroundings.

Ruby killed them…

Ruby looked down at her hands. W-would mom be ashamed of her for doing this? Ruby began to shudder, not even noticing the way the White, Black and Indigo figures were joined by a bright Yellow and Bronze little figure.

Hate.

Hatehatehatehatehate…

Ruby angry. But confused. She was mad. But she was scared. She was sad. But still felt giddy. She was all kinds of upset at herself. But she didn't know why and that scared her even more...

She had just-

Ruby wanted to vomit.

There was a line. A line Ruby would not cross.

No matter how much she hated the Grimm she would never allow them the satisfaction of winning. She would never allow them to make her like them. She would hold herself back. She would not let them win by becoming like them.

She would be a Huntress. A hero.

Not this…

Ruby stared at the quickly disintegrating bodies of the Grimm she just brutally murdered and felt… empty. She felt hollow. Ruby had lost control… She let her lust for battle and for revenge overcome her… In more than one way she had betrayed everything she had held dear.

Ruby's eyes snapped open, a soft growl escaping her, as she stalked towards the little figures. A sharp, delicious smell was wafting off the Yellow one. Like cookies… like strawberries… Sweet despair… The Bronze one smelt nice too. They all did… All assembled in a neat little row… with their pretty little colors… Just like pretty little M&Ms… The little figures got into a fighting position. Ruby scoffed. How dare they try to-

'No!' Ruby thought regaining control and she shook her head. She was protecting the little colored figures! They were cute! She was going to make them little weapons! They... they... they smelt so good…

Ruby snapped back to the other part of her. Staggering towards her quarry snarling, Ruby was irritated with herself. Why did she think that? Cute? Make them weapons? What was-?

Ruby didn't have time to think further as a chubby red figure leapt out of nowhere, broke through her Aura in a single blow, and smote her head clean off her shoulders.

Pyrrha and Cardin waited with a passed out Jaune. The sounds of dying Beowolves and Ursa, breaking bones, and then something that could only be described as laughter. Laughter… Pyrrha was holding on to her spear with a white knuckle grip. This was wrong… Were Grimm truly so vile that they would kill their own this sadistically? Pyrrha had almost felt sorry for a Grimm as she heard it's last dying whines grow weaker and weaker.

Cardin was silent and had a solid grip on her shoulder. He told her he didn't know how long he could keep it up with three people to hide. Cardin was strong and had managed to last nearly a minute before his Semblance finally fizzled out and they were returned to the world of light. The air, while hot and stuffy in Cardin's enclosure was crisp and cold. Blinking, trying to adjust to the brightness again, Pyrrha looked around and saw the forms of Yang and Velvet coming towards them. Velvet helped her up and even hesitantly offered a hand to Cardin. This was swatted away as he shouldered not only his own but Jaune's weight.

"Okay, mind telling me what the hell is going on?" Yang asked Pyrrha, but it was Cardin who answered.

"That thing nearly killed me, thought it hurt Red and I went after it. Ran into Spear Maiden over here and Jauney Boy-" Cardin started but at Yang's red eyed glare decided to keep be slightly more respectful. "Jaune over here bowled into me and then that thing," Cardin said pointing with Dove's sword. "Came out from behind me and attacked us. Jaune panicked bringing even more Grimm but somehow managed to get me healed. I used my semblance to hide us and the big one over there decided to play with it's buddies instead. Ripped em to shreds."

Velvet paled as she turned to look at the Grimm. "C-cardin… where's Ruby?"

Cardin looked down. Yang stepped forward with a growl.

"Where's my sister asshole!?" Yang snarled grabbing his wrist. Cardin met her crimson eyes dead on.

"She's probably dead okay?!" Cardin said as Yang backed away slowly with a soft 'nonononono.' "She took a stand, and fought that thing with everything. Bought us enough time to run. She died a hero."

Yang slumped to her knees in shock as Cardin looked away. The girls, Pyrrha included, wanted to weep. They had worried and thought about the possibility but…to have it out in the open like that… It was heart wrenching and made everything so, so very real… Yang worked her jaw like she was trying to say something, but a soft growl filled the field.

The largest Beowolf on record came just short of this thing's shoulders. Pyrrha had never dreamed that something this huge was living so close to her new home in Vale. It was big, it was powerful, and it was drooling slightly, panting it's horrendous breath and it's sharp teeth gleaming.

Pyrrha raised her spear, Velvet had a hand on her picture box, Cardin set Jaune down and took Jaune's weapons from him, and Yang stood wiping her tears and engaged her gauntlets in a firm expression.

That's right, Pyrrha thought. This was what Humanity was. This was what it meant to be a Huntsman. You were Humanity's last line of defense. The last stand. It was so easy to forget with the walls, the border guard and even the Huntsmen themselves, but Humanity was always on the brink of extinction. She would not let it fall!

Before they could do anything, however, in a scene reminiscent of one of his 'tales of youth' Peter Port, Grimm Hunter extraordinaire, had sprung out of nowhere and with a clean blow smote the beast's head off it's shoulders.

It was a moment of perfect anti-climax.

Pyrrha could only stare as the chuckling man expertly twirled his axe/blunderbuss. Pyrrha Nikos fell to her knees. She nearly died… Everyone nearly died… but she was alive! But Ruby… Pyrrha shot a look at Yang.

Yang for her part could only stare at the disintegrating corpse with tears streaming down her eyes. Her sister…

Suddenly, Yang's eyes snapped open wide and she ran towards the corpse. Pyrrha thought she was going to aid in it's trip to the world beyond, but her own eyes widened in surprise as Yang ripped the flesh of the beast open and pulled out-

"Hoho! Good eye Miss Xio-Long!" Professor Port said heartily even in this situation. "Be sure to check her vitals and-"

Pyrrha couldn't hear the rest of what the man said as Yang cradled her sister to her body and wept like a small child holding her sister in her arms. Velvet, who had been watching the whole thing and weeping, sank to her knees and began offering a prayer of thanks to the Faunus gods.

Ruby Rose would live to fight another day…

Somewhere else that same time of day in a much less dramatic and dangerous part of Vale three young Huntsmen were looking for their fourth teammate.

"You sure she went this way?" Ciel asked her black haired teammate. He nodded softly. It was his partner they were looking for.

"She saw a bookstore she wanted to visit later." the boy with black hair and icy blue eyes said in a bland tone. "Figured she might be this way."

Ciel had to admit that it was a good plan. The dotty girl seemed to love the brightly colored and cheerful sign of the bookshop when they came in from the docs the other day.

"Oh! That delightful little shop?" Her third teammate asked prancing around, their gaudy red hair and clothing bouncing as they looked around excitedly. Ciel fought the urge to grit her teeth. How she ended up with a Faunus for her partner she would never know. Especially one such as this… "I wonder if Penny darling would like to go shopping later? I bet she would… Oh Whitely, dear may I borrow your partner this afternoon? I bet we could find something cute!"

"No, Grell. I don't need both of you missing." Ciel said tersely. Grell's shimmering green eyes and shark teeth gleamed at her. Ciel wondered, did they knew how much they pissed her off or was just naturally talented?

"Well I was just thinking that we could see the sights together, dear!" Grell said sending a leer towards Whitely who was doing a great job ignoring them. "There was this amazing looking noodle shop as well! I hear they sell fish on the menu!"

"… I thought you were a fish?" Whitely asked, genuinely confused. Grell ignored the unintended slight, however.

"I am a Shark! See, darling!" Grell said with a big smile revealing their rows of sharp teeth and wrapped an arm around Whitely's shoulders, Grell could be kind of handsy. Especially with Whitley… "As I was saying, they sell fish on the menu and noodles for my darling teammate. I might even get to see the girl eat!"

Ciel sighed. Grell, was convinced that Penny was some kind of robot, but even after a month of living in the same dorm could the shark Faunus find any evidence. Grell was so annoying…

"But... Penny eats…" Whitely said with a blank stare. "We made her eat that apple remember?"

"Well… that doesn't matter! I will get her to eat noodle until she explodes!" Grell said squeezing the younger boy's shoulders in a way Ciel was sure was borderline sexual harassment. "So let's find her and-"

"You just want some fish." Ciel and Whitely said accusing the Faunus in a bland monotone.

"And prove your crazy theory that she's a robot…" Ciel continued.

"And apparently to go on a date with me." Whitely commented. Grell flushed.

"W-what? Nonsense! I only wish to show my dear friend Penny and my other valiant teammates something I feel they may truly enjoy!" The Atlesian Faunus said with mock offense. "I have nothing but trust for my compatriot in arms! Even if one of them be a robotic soldier of doom!"

Grell bowed like they had just given a grand oration and received a standing ovation with cries of 'encore'.

Ciel sighed. This was her life now…

Because of the new trade agreement between Vacuo and Atlas some regulations had been changed by some of the more progressive supporters and they had somehow managed to slip into a bill about Faunus rights a segment which would allow a Faunus to become trained Huntsmen of Atlas. Not that Atlas needed soldiers, but the inclusion showed good faith in the Faunus and was a step towards their integration and assimilation into proper society. The problem was that while Grell was a Faunus they were also dramatically for Atlas' interests. Grell's vigor and their natural talent were something to behold but… Ciel was used to the more regimented portion of the Altesian military.

Even so, she accepted the Faunus into her team. One does not ignore a personal recommendation from Admiral Caroline Cordovan for nothing and she had seen his ability firsthand… but she just wished Grell was a little more professional… and that the rules for proper conduct didn't ask for her to honor their request to use gender neutral pronouns… Granted Grell was androgynous enough to make Ciel question whether they were either gender…

'I am simply me darling! Fabulous incarnate! I have no need for such stuffy labels!' Grell's grating voice scoffed in her head, much to Ciel's chagrin.

All this with her partner, combined with Penny's eccentricities made the leader of Team CSPV or Crispy wish she had been able to lead a more… normal team...

They were just about to come upon the book shop when-

BOOM!

Penny and a mysterious black haired girl burst from the window following an explosion worthy of a Spruce Willis movie. But that wasn't the strangest part.

The girl before, the one that seemed to have rescued their teammate, was a Faunus with small black cat ears.

A/N: Questions will be answered in PM or in the next chapter. Let me know what you think.

OC list: Yes, sadly I now have one.

Grell:

The third member of Team CSPV, partner to the extremely serious Ciel. Name and look are a reference to Grell Sutcliff from 'Black Butler' or 'Kuroshituji'.

'Grell' is German and can mean 'abrasive', 'gaudy', and 'tacky'. Their last name is 'Valentine' which is normally associated with Red or Pink color wise and love culturally. So his name literally means 'tacky or abrasive love letter' which I just thought really fit.

I chose their character design because I was intrigued watching the first season of RWBY when Penny asked if Blake 'Was a man' despite Blake being very female looking. So, I figured she must have encountered someone that her little robot brain couldn't comprehend, such as someone claiming they were non-binary… Get it? Because she's a robot and- I'm sorry...

Then, afterwards, watching Caroline's men and Caroline herself made me wonder if there were more people like them in the Atlas military who were more patriotic than the rest.

So, Grell the gender neutral, flamboyant, dramatic, and overly patriotic Shark Faunus was born.

Whitely:

Penny's partner and the fourth member of Team CSPV. Yes, he is who you think he is. He is on the OC list because instead of the Jacques clone mini-me he is in cannon, this Whitely is OOC.

Sorry, I just felt he would be a good foil for Ruby and give Weiss something to do. More on him later. He is basically the 'black sheep' of the family though and the most affected by his now broken home. Gave him black hair to differentiate him from his sisters.

CSPV:

Crispy can refer to golden brown or the popular puffed rice cereal known for their soft beige color and snap crackle pop sounds!

…

Oh. You want to talk about the elephant in the room? Okay fine.

Cardin's Semblance: Refraction

Cardin Winchester was supposed to be an allusion to Henry Beufort, the Cardinal of Winchester county England who was supposed to be the one presiding at the burning of Joan of Arc.

However, he was only rumored to have been there at the time by a single eyewitness. So, given my version of Cardin's 'less lying and more bending the truth' way of dealing with things and the fact his historical counterpart was said to be there at the burning, but was never seen... I thought it would be funny to give him the power to make himself invisible.

While refracting light around him leaves him in the dark as light is moved around him in order to conceal him. But this concealment isn't total as he can still be sensed other ways such as a semblance or Faunus senses, though these will be a tad muffled.

…

…

…

… OKAY FINE…

Ruby's Semblance/Silver eyes power: Grimm Fusion

Yep. Took normal fusion and made it emo! Flames for the edgelord!

Honestly though, the idea came to me while talking with VigorousEmperor on PM. They suggested using Grimm with special powers as sort of 'mini bosses' and it got me thinking… Eldritch Bunny Rabbit. Like a rabbit Grimm that could move super-fast and take foes off guard… Kinda like Ruby…

Then I asked a very dumb question: What if a Grimm was somehow given Aura?

This sparked my mind into a frenzy as to what a Grimm with Aura could actually do. Grimm, having no Aura, actually being a challenge to most Huntsmen suddenly having Aura… was terrifying. So, I wanted to give this awesome terrifying power to sweet little Ruby!

Figured she could use it like Naruto's Fox cloak...

Or Ichigo's Hallow form...

Or whatever Black Clover kid's got…

Or just about any other shonen protag's super rage fueled power up... You get the idea.

The major caveat being that she needs a component, a Grimm, to fuse with. So she would still need help fighting off normal people.

Second caveat is that this is still a 'fusion'. Ruby is still somewhere in that monster, but the monster is now in Ruby's head. Thankfully not many of the Grimm are incredibly intelligent but she is still influenced by their instincts. Something older or more experienced in battle, like the Nucleave or the Leviathan have the chance to take over her head and use her Aura to protect itself while she is trapped in there…

As for how the glorious 'Ruby Titan' was defeated so easily, Professor Port is actually a beast. Figured there had to be something to his tall tales and given he is supposed to be a teacher like Ooblek I figured he was about Port's level. As for why Ruby wasn't harmed, Ruby's power keeps her safe in the Grimm's body until the Grimm is killed and disintegrates. Think Attack on Titan with Eren's transformations… but then imagine the Armored Titan and it's defensive glory. You could maybe break through but good luck.

Same shit, just with Aura for Ruby.

Once again, sorry for the unoriginal idea but apparently the edginess makes it better than 'love and friendship laser eye bullshit'.

Let me know what you think and do not be afraid to PM me or tell me why my story is bad in a review.