Chapter Text
Ruby couldn't believe the sight in front of her. So much so she was tempted to rub her eyes and pinch herself to see if she was dreaming. But no. One look at her fellow teammates and Jaune's face told her that this was real.
Before them, past the expanse of gritty golden sand, hovering menacingly in the air above the kingdom of Vacuo, were the airships of each of the four kingdoms. All of their staple designs, in a show of solidarity that made Ruby want to cry. Prepared to defend the one kingdom that has not been touched by Salem's forces. Yet. The thought sobered Ruby from her disbelief, dragging her back to reality and forcing her to consider if that line of thinking was even true. The Blacksmith's words seized her by the throat, strangling her and her next breath came out slightly ragged.
We're in Vacuo. But when?
The Blacksmith told them she was going to send them back to when they were needed most. Not where. The panic evolved into dread as she attempted to keep her thoughts from appearing on her face. And just as an extra precaution, she clenched her fists to stop them from shaking, unaware of the studious and concerned gaze she was receiving. Her mind was racing with all the possibilities and what the best case scenario would be. Even so, the 'best' was not very reassuring. Any kind of passage of time between their fall and the Atlesian refugees' arrival in Vacuo was anxiety-inducing. Logically speaking, a few days would most likely be okay. Ruby assumed that even Salem wouldn't have been able to do much in that time. All of her plans were too meticulously crafted, (for some reason, she felt like she was grasping at straws). Also logically speaking, it would not have taken just a few days for the military might her eyes were trained on to arrive and be arranged in a defensive formation. Optimistically (stupidly), she thought a month would be a reasonable amount of time to have passed. She peered at her friends and sister, trying to gauge their reaction.
She didn't have to try too hard.
At some point since her mind wandered from this plane, her sister, Blake, and Jaune had surged forward to take in the once again unbelievable scene before them. Yang had pulled Blake closer to her and the latter leaned into her, placing her free hand onto her chest. Her sister had also pulled Jaune closer to her, albeit not as gently. She threw an arm around his neck and he stumbled into her a little with his leg comically outstretched to his free side. Ruby hadn't realised that she herself took a step forward too. It wasn't until she felt a gaze from behind her that she noticed her partner had not moved from her spot after stepping through the portal. She looked over her shoulder, instantly meeting eyes with Weiss. The intensity with which blue held silver startled her and she became afraid that she had been figured out. Judging by the angle of their positions, Weiss probably didn't get a good look at her face. But Ruby knew her partner. After everything that happened in the Ever After, it looks like Weiss won't take any chances. She's sure of it when Weiss inclines her head at her, eyes intent, as if to ask, "is everything okay?"
No.
Unfortunately, before she could answer her partner (with the truth or a lie?) Ruby heard a low hum in their immediate vicinity. She recognised that sound as the unpleasant memories wrestled it's way to the forefront of her mind. She instantly unhooked Crescent Rose from its holster. A void surrounded by a blood red hue appeared, distorting space and confirming Ruby's suspicions. For a long moment, the mass remained there and as Ruby stared into the darkness, she was reminded of the void they had all fallen into, not knowing if they were going to die. She repositioned her hands on Crescent Rose. Distantly, she hoped that Weiss didn't notice. She didn't dwell for long because as soon as she acknowledged the thought, a very familiar figure stepped through the portal.
Raven Branwen
Ruby's hold on her scythe tightened. She crouched low, ready to attack at the slightest provocation. Her hands paled to a deathly white and she had to refrain from launching herself at the woman. Only because she knew she wouldn't win (a part of her wanted to do it anyway) she held back. "Raven," she snarled instead, immediately making her distaste for the older woman known. Raven's eyes darted all over them, wide with many emotions that Ruby honestly did not care for, though she did register the relief as the tension in the woman's shoulders seemed to dissipate. Her eyes lingered on Yang. She staggered forward, her hand twitching as if to reach out to her daughter and as Ruby glared at Raven's face, she was overcome with an emotion she didn't think she'd felt before. It was a visceral and ugly thing. Her jaw rigidly clenched and her teeth audibly ground together, whilst her grip on her scythe somehow tightened, causing the veins on her hands to bulge. Then, her vision flashed with red and she hoisted Crescent Rose, bringing the weapon behind her-
"Mom?" a voice filled with disbelief, hope, confusion, and fear all at once reached her ears and broke her out of... Whatever that was. Yang, her sister, addressed Raven, which seemed to break the older woman out of her stupor as her hand relaxed by her side and she stood straighter.
"Yang." Raven stated as the portal closed behind her, and Ruby could not stand how she so casually spoke her sister's name. After everything she had done, how could she look at her with such- such joy . It was also only then that Ruby realised Weiss had stepped forward and had placed herself slightly in front of her, angled as if to protect her. She had Myternaster drawn and though it wasn't pointed at Raven, it was visibly raised. Ready to defend her friends from an enemy. On one hand, Ruby was satisfied with the reaction, as a quick glance to the side told her that Jaune and Blake had done the same, even if Blake seemed slightly confused. On the other, Ruby didn't understand why Weiss was standing protectively in front of her. Did Weiss think she couldn't defend herself? The thought sparked a slight irritation in the depths of her mind. Her growing turmoil evaporated, however, when red eyes finally landed firmly on her. Raven looked her up and down, assessing the changes in her.
What does she see?
Ruby couldn't help but wonder. Does she see the minute changes in her stance? The assured confidence in the way she holds her weapon? Or were the consequences of her trials and tribulations visible in the way she carried herself? She couldn't tell.
Then, Raven looked at her face and froze when she saw her eyes. Silver unwaveringly held red. Her hand fell to the hilt of her ōdachi, but she did nothing. That... Okay, that was not what Ruby was expecting. Had she petrified her with her powers like she does the Grimm? No, she didn't feel any reaction from her eyes that there was any Grimm presence so this was not the case, though she was not averse to the idea. Raven glanced away, before quickly returning her gaze to Ruby, cooly saying, "we thought you were all dead." This time it was Ruby's turn to freeze. Did she hear that correctly?
We?
Her shock must've shown on her face because Raven frowned, adding "Qrow and the others." Okay, it was official. Raven was weird. She was also losing it if she thinks she's talking on the behalf of the others. That must've also shown on her face because Raven scoffed with all the audacity in the world.
"You didn't think I wouldn't do something if I suddenly felt my bond with my daughter change?" Raven rolled her eyes. All Ruby could do was just stare at the insane woman incredulously. She just stared. So many thoughts running through her mind that she could not decide on a conclusion from the bombshell that had been dropped on them. It was wrong. Very wrong. Raven, the woman she first met at Haven Academy, who was aloof and arrogant. Who held her cards close to her chest. Who didn't easily let people in. Who callously helped Cinder in attacking her and their group at the time, in an attempt to kill them. Weiss almost died- and here she is daring to stand before them like all is forgiven and forgotten. Looking as if she actually cares about Yang and showing more sincerity in what she was feeling than ever before as if something or someone had softened her.
Something?
It was like a dam had burst.
Ruby doesn't know when she moves. One second she's staring down Raven, the next she's behind the damn woman, blasting her with a sniper round.