#velvey scarletina

[bridgyrose]

If your 'what if' request are open could you please do a what if Ruby was the only person in team remnant that didn't fall when Cinder and Neo attacked, maybe with some ladybug sprinkled in if you would be so kind. (PS I love your page it's always a treat to see the notification that you posted something)

(Im very much treating this as Oscar and Emerald still having made it through as part of the plan, while Ren and Nora stay behind to help fight once Cinder arrives)

Ruby fell through the portal, blinded by the sandstorm that rolled past. She quickly turned around to watch the portal disappear behind her, frozen in place and still processing everything that had happened. Even when she felt a hand on her shoulder, she still couldnt find it in herself to move. 

“Ruby?” asked Emerald. “What happened? Where’s everyone else?” 

“Cinder… Cinder attacked us. I barely escaped-” 

“We dont have time to talk, we need to clear out the grimm or all of this will have been for nothing!” Oscar yelled out as she slammed his cane against a ravager that had attempted to pick up one of the children. “And we need to calm as many people as we can!” 

Ruby slowly stood up, her silver eyes glowing as she faced the grimm that were starting to swarm around the survivors from Mantle and Atlas. She knew they werent able to save everyone, but Oscar was right. They couldnt quit now. Not after everything they did to get here. She clenched her fist and closed her eyes for a moment, focusing on the sand that flew around in the air. 

The wind from the sandstorm started to die down and the sand stood in place, slowly moving to give the hunters and huntresses that made it through sight of the grimm. In a swift motion, the sand launched at the grimm, piercing through wings, bone, and flesh. Grimm fell and plumes of ash and smoke started to fill the air from the dissipating bodies. The sounds of gunshots could be heard from the distance, the surviving grimm starting to drop. 

Ruby opened her eyes and watched as the grimm outside of her reach started to drop one by one. She rushed with her semblance to see what was going on, a scythe of ice and fire formed in her hand as she grew closer to the sounds of gunshots. The fire in her eyes died and the scythe disappeared as she saw a familiar hard light weapon shatter against a grimm. 

“Why am I not surprised you and your team are involved in this?” Coco asked as she walked up from behind Velvet. “Its good to see you again, Ruby.” 

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“That's quite the story.” Velvet sat down a tray of food for Oscar, Ruby, and Emerald as they sat down. “Though, I’ll admit, that message you sent out terrified us.” 

Ruby stared into the cup she held, her eyes staying on her reflection. “T-thanks for coming to rescue us…” 

“Its no big deal, we were out in the area anyway trying to clear up a few grimm.” Coco glared at Emerald. “Though, I dont understand why *she’s* here.” 

“Emerald helped us out with stopping Ironwood and she has valuable information to help prepare us for Salem’s arrival.” Oscar sat his cup down and looked over team CFVY. “She’s not going to harm any of you.” 

“Its still partly her fault that Beacon fell!” Coco slammed a hand on the table, startling Velvet while Yatsu and Fox exchanged a few looks. “I’m not going to trust her-” 

“I’m asking you to give her a chance, Miss Adel.” Oscar’s eyes glowed for a moment as Ozpin took control and smiled at Coco. “I know she was involved with Beacon’s destruction, but she’s wanting to help correct her own mistakes starting with making sure Vacuo and the relic at Shade academy doesnt fall into her hands.” 

Coco blinked for a moment as she watched Oscar and listened to the sudden change in his tone. “What… just happened?” 

Fox sighed. “I tried to tell you earlier that that kid was off.” 

Ruby finally sat her cup down and looked at her old friends. “Professor Ozpin is in Oscar’s head. I know its a lot to take in considering everything we’ve told you and the message I managed to get out, but… there’s a lot more we havent quite explained.” 

“Like the relic he’s talking about?” Yatsu asked. “Seems like you and your team are always getting into something dangerous.” 

Ruby nodded and let her eyes glow with a silver fire . “Yeah, like the relic, the maidens, Salem…” She let out a sigh and stood up. “I’m going to go take a walk.” 

Velvet sighed as she watched Ruby leave the makeshift barracks. “Its strange to see her like this.” 

Oscar’s eyes glowed once more as he took control back and rested his head in his hands. “She’s lost her teammates and friends while watching her plans get torn to shreds right in front of her eyes. I dont blame her.” 

Ruby took a breath of fresh air as she walked just beyond the walls of the city and sat down to stare up at the sky. She sat a hand down in the sand, heating it into glass as she took a few breaths. “I’ll find a way to get you all back. I swear it.”