Promised (Reluctant) Victory In Remnant

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.

I'm also occasionally chilling in JaxWolf4's (Author of Nah, I'd Adapt and Zenin Days) Discord Server. It's a chaotic lobotomy mess. Not for the faint of heart.

Here's the link:

Disc: HrPrTeam

(Special thanks to Anti-Storm for the Beta Reading Labor!)

-Story Start-

In contrast to their... ill teammate, the girls of Team RAWP had found sleep that night not so easy to come by.

After a nightly outing into the city of Vale to help Blake and the entirety of Team YRBN, followed by Alex's frankly absurd admissions and midnight feast, the girls went to sleep roughly around 3:30 AM.

...

Classes start at 8:00 AM.

The loud beeping of an alarm reverberated at 7:00.

And despite the poor sleep, the young Rose rose up with a reluctance only surpassed by her partner.

Blinking her eyes open as she let loose a mighty yawn coupled with a stretch, the bags under her eyes surfaced, indicating her exhaustion.

Even so, Ruby was determined to be a proper Leader.

Their team had come pretty far in terms of proper wake-ups.

From chaotic awakenings and rushed tidying up to a relatively tame and routine timely awakening.

Ruby's eyes widened momentarily as she turned her head to hear the shower running in their restroom, exclaiming her honest admiration of her teammate, "Pyrrha's so amazing..."

Indeed, even with... negligible sleep, Pyrrha persistently stuck to schedule and went on her routine 6:00 AM run.

A yawn, although more elegant in nature or haughty depending on whom you asked echoed in the room - uttered by a similarly awoken Weiss.

Taking a deep breath, Ruby gathered her energy for the day and hopped from her bed in a single motion, revealing her pajama-clad visage.

With a swift approach, she turned off the alarm at the desk nestled between the two bunk beds, ensuring it wouldn't wake the sleeping Alex.

If he still hadn't woken up, anyway.

Seeing the time on the alarm, Ruby turned to the open window, a subtle breeze gently moving strokes of her short hair as the sun peeked over the horizon and some students were already clothed and outside on the Campus.

Turning her head, Ruby tilted her head at Weiss's sitting figure, her exhaustion staining her beauty.

"Good morning, Weiss. Didn't get your beauty sleep?" Ruby teased with a tired yet amused tone.

Weiss let out a soft groan, brushing a hand through her disheveled hair. "It's hardly a good morning, but yes, I suppose it qualifies as one."

She mentioned with a note of envy, "You're lucky you don't need any beauty sleep." She pointed at the bags under Ruby's eyes, which were only subtly visible.

Ruby giggled, "I don't think yours are that bad." She casually waved Weiss off.

The latter took out her scroll and opened the camera feature, her groan only increasing in volume at the sight of the gigantic bags under her eyes.

Shaking her head helplessly, Weiss rose up from her bed and approached Ruby, tiredly questioning the rose, "You think he's still asleep?" She pointed at the cocoon of sheets that Alex had covered himself in on the top bunk in front of them.

"There's no way to tell, but I'd prefer not to wake him up after... yesterday." Ruby smiled awkwardly, proceeding to question, "Why? Do you want to ask him somethi-" Ruby's voice was interrupted by Weiss's blunt admittance.

"I want to use his coffee machine and beans. I can't function like this." Exhaustion and determination laced her tone as she uttered that absurd statement, pointing at her weary eyes.

Ruby lowered her head momentarily, deep in thought as concern flashed in her eyes.

Protective wasn't an adjective she'd ever use to describe Alex.

Until one of them touched his Coffee without permission, that is.

Ruby would admit, that his vengeance in the form of requesting her, specifically, to be his opponent in Glynda's Class in retaliation of that act was a painful lesson.

Literally.

It's a good thing Alex's been given the strict order of 'Holding Back' in the class.

'I wasn't sure if he would have, otherwise.' Ruby shivered at the memory of her being manhandled and the fear of Crescent Rose shattering in the face of... Excalibur.

Though she just might be exaggerating, since...

'He did make sure not to damage my baby.' Ruby nodded as she recalled.

'Alright, I got it.' Ruby's lowered head rose back to meet Weiss's weary blue eyes.

"I'm not taking responsibility. I think he warned us properly." Ruby deadpanned and promptly turned around to grab her uniform.

"Leade-"

"Don't play that card!" Ruby huffed, pointing at Weiss with a harsh finger.

Weiss sighed in unadulterated agony, having realized she didn't have the support of her Leader in this risky endeavor.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." The Schnee mumbled with resolve, as she headed to the coffee machine situated at their miniature kitchen area.

"I will remember you, fallen soldier!" Ruby saluted the strolling figure of Weiss whilst she put on her uniform.

Without giving a reply, Weiss went on ahead to brew herself a fine cup of coffee, and the door of the restroom opened to reveal the uniformed and smiling figure of Pyrrha.

The dry hair wasn't a surprise for the young reaper, given the dull sound of the hair dryer echoing from the restroom.

"Good morning, Pyrrha!"

"Good morning to you two as well," Pyrrha nodded and smiled back, only to raise a skeptical eyebrow at Weiss's tired look as the coffee machine ran, "Are you certain that is a good idea, Weiss?"

"If he does anything, I at least trust my partner to team up with me to stop him," Weiss mentioned with a weak glare and a hint of mirth at Ruby, who shrugged uncaringly.

Pyrrha chuckled as she approached, "Even if we tried, I doubt we could stop him," she said with a wry smile.

"God's chosen indeed," Weiss muttered, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

The bitter and worrying reminder set them all on edge, and for a moment Ruby considered chastising Weiss.

That very subject was what made sleeping especially troublesome for Ruby.

While the idea of accepting it as it was - an illness, and moving on as if all was normal and only acting 'supportive' when he needed it was appealing in Ruby's mind...

She couldn't imagine how it must have felt in his mind, all that he spoke of.

So vivid it was, to the point of changing his behavior, making him forget things that he had habitually should have remembered.

A month of fighting.

And yet...

'It feels like we're avoiding the issue...' She bit her lip.

But was avoiding the issue any better?

The subtle, concerning, and mind-boggling possibility of...

Alex's situation not being a product of his mind set her on edge, and not only her but her teammates as well.

She wondered, 'How can I help him?'

Her gaze hardened, tracing back the trigger to his reaction - Blake.

But, for now, whilst Alex peacefully slumbered, avoiding the issue was what the Leader decided to do:

Ruby frowned lightly but shook her head, switching the topic, "You don't look tired, Pyrrha. What's your secret?"

The thin line on Pyrrha's face was exchanged for "A run and a shower does wonders, I highly recommend it."

Quickly catching onto the topic shift, the rest of the girls wordlessly agreed on avoiding the issue, for now at least.

As they went on their usual routine unbothered:

However, Ruby and the others couldn't help but feel a certain missing piece of the puzzle as they left the dorm room for classes.

Ruby stopped at the door for a moment to turn and look at the missing piece:

No pushing Alex off the bed.

No Weiss screeching at Alex to keep his eyes on the wall while they dress up.

No Alex calmly and peacefully watching the weather report provided by the rather attractive bunny Faunus reporter as he sipped his luxurious Coffee supplied by blatant favoritism.

Nor is he watching the Huntsman Mixed Martial Arts Channel that Pyrrha excitedly watched in the morning as he kept a deadpan look.

Even now, he slept on the top bunk of her bed, rested in that cocoon of his in a state he'd only repeat on a weekend of no classes.

An encouraging pat on Ruby's slumped shoulder brought her out of her anxious gazing state, her head turning and raised to meet Pyrrha's similarly worried and sad smile.

"Let's give him the rest he needs. I'm sure we'll feel better after he wakes up," Pyrrha encouraged.

Weiss nodded, "It gives me time to get in touch with the best mental health professionals, hopefully, I can book him a meeting at a week's notice."

Ruby frowned, "Weiss..."

"I am not backing down, Ruby. Just because he said he doesn't need therapy means we should stop helping him." Weiss mentioned as they closed the door and headed out to the hallway.

Pyrrha voiced her opinion, as their steady steps echoed in the now noisy hallway, "Do you think he'll attend even if you do book him an appointment? Not to sound arrogant, but I think it's best the three of us try our best to help him ourselves."

Ruby agreed with fervor, rapidly nodding at Weiss, "And only if that doesn't work out, then we can try sending him to therapy!"

Weiss waved them off, "Either case, it's fine since I'll book an appointment in advance. He might surprise us and go anyway." She shrugged.

Only to be met with deadpan looks from both Pyrrha and Ruby.

"There's no way he'd voluntarily go."

"No way he's going."

They respectively voiced in unison.

Indeed, it was a fascinating paradox for the girls of Team RAWP.

Most would admit Alex lacked a presence without his Semblance.

And yet, his lack of presence in the usual routine of the girls was a most notable absence - a significant void.

A void he shamelessly had created, and shamelessly allowed for anxiety and worry to fill said void at his groundbreaking admissions.

Ruby couldn't help but mumble, "I just hope he wakes up soon, I'd honestly prefer to see him going about his day than this feeling..."

Weiss snorted, "Alex sleeping in might be the best way he'd consider going about his day."

Pyrrha giggled at Weiss's blunt jest, lightening the mood considerably.

-----------------------------

"I had recalled Mister Andrite had eaten dinner, so do tell what profound starvation led him to do... this?" The stern yet disbelieving tone of Glynda rang loudly as she stood beside the destroyed door leading into the Dining Hall.

The naming of the infamous student and perpetrator behind the blatant vandalism had prompted hushed whispers from the Beacon Students alongside some outlandish theories.

Ruby smiled awkwardly, "I really don't know what to tell you, Professor Goodwitch, he was reallyyyyyyyyy hungry." She emphasized, sheepishly rubbing the back of her head.

Arching an eyebrow, Glynda let loose a sigh, "Where is he?"

Pyrrha supplied the answer, a surprising one to all those curiously listening in, "He's sick. He's sleeping in right now, we were planning on informing the Professors not to look for him during classes."

Glynda blinked as she processed the rather simple answer.

Pinching her brows, she came upon an answer, "After eating all that he did? I'm not surprised he's fast asleep."

"Do inform him when he awakens that he's to head straight to Ozpin's Office."

"Uh-oh, someone's in trouble~" Nora giggled from the side, Team YRBN being a part of the large audience building up from the blocked entrance.

The girls nodded, with Ruby mentioning, "Umm, he did say he's going to pay for the damage! Hehe?" She awkwardly chuckled in the face of Glynda's unimpressed look.

"Fixing a door is no issue, but many of the recipes of today's Lunch and Dinner menu relied upon the stocks he had... consumed." Glynda could only mention it in exasperation, having witnessed the result of his gluttonous act.

Weiss could only nod in sympathy, "I've seen him in action, it was vile."

Nodding, Glynda stood aside, letting Team RAWP enter the Dining Hall with parting words, "In any case, have a Good Morning students, and a fine meal. The Breakfast Menu is undamaged."

A student from the crowd raised his hand, a rather tall individual, "What about Lunch? Are we going to have to head out to Vale?"

Glynda turned to address the question, "You don't have to concern yourself with that or change your daily routine in any way, Mister Daichi. If the Head Chef fails to find an alternative to serve food up to his standard, Headmaster Ozpin will order food to be delivered here from Vale."

Without further argument and understanding, Teams began to flood the Dining Hall.

Team RAWP & YRBN not being an outlier to the situation.

However, as they went and got their food, as they strolled and sat down on their table...

Ruby's silver eyes occasionally traced Blake's figure, mixed emotions and bubbling frustration simmering beneath the young rose's surface.

-----------------------------

Despite the short blockade of the Dining Hall, breakfast proceeded as routine for the Beacon Students of all years.

Team RAWP sat in one of the long tables alongside Team YRBN.

With the explanation that Alex had gone sick, their fellow Team accepted it as it was.

For the most part.

"That guy can regenerate a completely broken neck without Aura but can get sick? How the Mighty Mooch had fallen..." Yang waved her fork with faux disappointment as she took a bite of an omelet.

Nora chimed in with a declaration, "He fell into a food coma! Renny pass me my disciplinary tool and I'll wake him up short-"

"Ignore her." Ren retorted swiftly, shutting her mouth with a piece of apple pie.

Folding her hands, Ruby huffed with a stern glare directed at her dear sister, "Remind me how he broke it in the first place?"

Yang froze, chuckling awkwardly with a nervous sweat, "Hahaha, h-he told you?"

"No, it's just a mixture of knowing you, the fact an accident happened, and some deduction..."

 "Also you just told me!" She pointed at Yang with her fork, a victorious smirk decorating her features.

Yang shook her head helplessly, mentioning with a note of concern, "You're growing into a scary little sister, Rubes."

Blinking, Ruby turned to Weiss, "That's a compliment right? She never called me scary."

"Can't say, my older sister never called me scary either." Weiss shrugged as she elegantly ate her breakfast, posture, and everything.

"Ah right! You've got an older sister!" Ruby beamed in the light of kinship with her teammate Weiss.

Weiss proudly introduced her sister, "Winter Schnee, one of Atlas's-"

"Ace Operatives, your sister is famous, Weiss there's no need to introduce her." Ruby smiled cheekily, waving her hand, "I just forgot she was your sister."

Blinking, Weiss admitted in genuine astonishment and a sigh, "Your rapid fluctuation from Genius to Idiot perplexes me, I can't tell which term fits you best."

Blake for the first time voiced her opinion, as she had been mostly silent, "There is a theory that there exists a fine line separating a Genius and an Idiot - the two terms capable of describing the same type of behavior."

Yang turned to Blake with an arched eyebrow, and a devious grin, "Hoho, how insightful... and here I thought you only read steamy literature~?"

Blake's exposed ears twitched, a threatening glare settling on Yang, only prompting the blonde's roaring laughter.

...

With Blake and Yang being the center of attention among the two teams, a reminder rang in Ruby's mind.

'Blake... the trigger for Alex's situation.' Ruby bit her lip as her fists clenched.

She had been holding back thus far, but Blake's lack of reaction or concern, as she freely spoke, the subtle relief that Alex wasn't present today at the dining hall...

Ruby had lost her patience.

Deciding to poke her nose into something that, shouldn't be her business.

But it was.

'I'm the Leader, Alex is my partner and...'

'That's what a Hero would do.'

"Blake," Ruby said evenly, her silver eyes narrowing, "what exactly did you say to Alex yesterday?"

Pyrrha and Weiss's eyes widened as they turned to look at Ruby with genuine surprise.

They were curious themselves but hadn't expected Ruby to just go ahead and ask Blake, not to mention in front of everyone and not in a private setting.

Ruby's tone and bluntness had caused a shift in the jovial and light mood, recognized by all those present.

Blake's subtle smile fell immediately, exchanged with a thin line and subtle glint of disdain in her eye at the mention of the unspoken party.

Turning her head, Blake regarded the Leader of Team RAWP with a suspicious look, and dismissive tone, "That's between me and him. If he hadn't told you, then-" her words were interrupted by Ruby's voice.

"I don't know what you said to each other. But he did tell me how you acted, and well, he looked pretty troubled after you two had spoken with each other." Ruby sharply stated.

Truth be told, Ruby didn't have the right to chastise Blake here for triggering such a reaction from Alex.

Ruby knew that whatever the reason or intention Blake had when she said whatever rude thing she did to Alex, something like... what he went through couldn't have been on her mind.

That's what Alex believed since he didn't blame Blake for it.

And, reluctantly, Ruby believed it as well - even when she and her teammates theorized that Blake was the trigger behind it.

Even so...

What Ruby wanted was...

Sensing the tense air, Yang inquired with a troubled frown, cutting to the chase, "Rubes, what do you want from Blake?" A certain protectiveness laced Yang's tone.

"An apology."

...

A tense, weighty silence followed Ruby's sudden demand.

Blake frowned, "Did you even think of considering my side of the story?"

"How could I? If I hadn't heard it all?" Ruby pointed at herself, a thin line on her face.

"I know my partner, and I trust my partner. And so... I am sure that you are in the wrong!" Her voice grew in volume, rising up from the table.

...

Pinching her brows, Yang involved herself, "Rubes do you realize how stupid that sounds?"

Huffing and standing firm, Ruby folded her arms as she retorted, taking a page out of Alex's book, "I don't care." She sat down slightly calmer now at her sister's reminder.

Profound confusion and worry crossed Yang's features, "You've... never acted like this? What give-"

"A dear friend and partner got hurt, and I know who is responsible. If anything like that happened to you, I'd do the same." Ruby confirmed with a strong nod.

A strong hand on Ruby's shoulder prompted her to turn to Pyrrha who shook her head, "Alex wouldn't like this, you know that."

"He frankly wouldn't care, I doubt he'd even appreciate your gesture," Weiss mentioned from the side.

"I'm not doing it for his appreciation, though." A sad almost bemused frown decorated Ruby's features as she looked at her fellow teammates.

Only to freeze at Blake's perplexed inquiry, "What would giving you my apology even do?"

"Apologize to him." Ruby corrected.

"I don't have any reason to." Blake genuinely admitted.

"Again, this is between me and him. Whether I acted badly towards him or the other way around, it's none of your or anyone else's business." She pointed at the young Rose.

Continuing her tangent, "Worst of all, you've admitted that no matter what I say, you'll be on Alex's side. Why should I cooperate and waste my energy on this? I've got better and more important things to deal with." She patiently yet frustratingly and bluntly replied, her fists clenched as she recalled her goals.

...

Ruby's frown deepened, yet the pressure of the glares and Yang's anxious shocked look put a stop to Ruby's bubbling frustration.

Sighing audibly, Ruby put a stop to this uncomfortable situation, "Forget it. I'm not going to argue." She refocused on her food.

...

Eating silently as the mood soured considerably, worried looks settled on both Ruby and Blake respectively, neither planning to exchange a word or eye contact with the other, as Yang and Nora were doing their best to brighten the mood.

'...Maybe confronting her in the first place wasn't a good idea, or I should have approached her privately.' She admitted in retrospect with a frown.

There she went, ruining the mood and all, losing her patience and acting rashly.

Indeed, Ruby Rose still had a lot to learn, or so she believed.

-----------------------------

With slumped shoulders, Ruby headed out of the Dining Hall, requesting some private time for herself as Weiss and Pyrrha reluctantly agreed to leave her alone.

Striding with a depressed and slow pace, Ruby's body language radiated gloom.

A gloom that was quickly picked up on and noticed by a fellow Beacon Student.

"I know a fellow troubled Leader when I see one!" A confident feminine tone reached Ruby's ears, and before she knew it, she felt a hand wrap around her shoulder.

Jumping at the sudden invasion of her personal space, Ruby immediately activated her semblance, almost teleporting a few feet away, petals flying around the hallway.

Turning around, Ruby was met with a rather tall and very fashionable woman.

She appeared quite mature, and definitely not a first-year she could recognize.

"W-Who are you!? Why did you just hug me?!" Ruby pointed at the cheeky smile of the older girl with clear dismay.

Hearing the lack of recognition, "I'm hurt you don't know who I am, First Year~"

"Coco Adel, Leader of Team CFVY, the cream of the crop of Beacon's Second Year Students... and the rest of the years if we're going to be honest." She introduced herself with unadulterated confidence.

Approaching Ruby, as the young Rose tried and failed to recognize the team, Coco reached arms length and lowered her head, her brazen dark-brown eyes met Ruby's innocent silver eyes.

"Ruby Rose, Ozpin's recruited prodigy, 15 years old and Leader of Team RAWP... Leader of the Team that has the alleged Strongest Hunter In The World?"

...

"Aww stop it! I'm not that good." Ruby beamed at the prodigy title, rubbing the back of her head at the praise - her one weakness.

"Chin up! First Year!" Coco put a finger under Ruby's chin, suddenly lifting the girl's head to look into Coco's eyes.

"You're a Leader, damn it! None of that sheepish or shy crap beat it out of yourself or I'll do it." She threatened with a narrow-eyed look.

Prompting a nervous gulp from Ruby and a shaky nod.

"Good! Now, remember, as a Leader you must stride with confidence, with certainty! Especially when you both have the Invincible Girl and the Strongest on your Team! Weakness is unforgivable in your position!"

...

"Yes Ma'am!" Ruby saluted, her eyes starting to glitter at the wisdom of the more experienced leader.

Nodding pleased, Coco grinned, "Very good. Now, tell me what troubles you?"

...

Ruby's head lowered once more, as a frown settled on her face.

"I SAID CHIN UP!" Coco's roar reverberated across the now-empty hallway given classes were moments away from being started.

"S-SORRY!" Ruby jumped at the sudden shout, lifting her head once again.

Her teammates approached, one of which being a Faunus with rabbit ears, "Umm, should we-"

"Oh, I'll catch up to you guys later, this looks important." She shooed her teammates away with a swift gesture.

As they walked away, Ruby pointed at herself with a sweatdrop, "I have classes as well-"

"Which one?"

"Port's Class."

"Ah that won't be a problem, he's a pal, I'll have a word with him and settle your absence in a jiffy. Now talk to me."

Usually, deeply ingrained stranger danger instincts would flare up in the Young Rose; instincts instilled by a very protective single Father.

As of late, those are more of an ingrained instinct for the better of the poor sod who attempts anything.

Even so, for some odd reason, Coco had managed to negate that instinct.

Was it her confidence?

Or Ruby's admiration of a fellow Leader?

No one knew the answer.

"Okay! Thank you!" She expressed her eager and grateful agreement.

-----------------------------

After surmising the situation shortly with some obviously omitted information, the light of the sun glared harshly on the fellow Leaders seated in one of many parks with a waterfall situated in Beacon's Campus.

"So even the Strongest has problems, huh," Coco admitted after absorbing the information.

"Why wouldn't he?"

Coco waved Ruby off, "Doesn't matter, I've got the gist of it, here's my advice and opinion on the matter-"

Lowering her sunglasses to meet Ruby's eyes she nodded proudly, "Nice job!" Giving Ruby an approving look.

"...Really?" Ruby asked with an incredulous look and pointed at herself.

"Of course. You cared and acted as a proper Leader, taking responsibility and caring for your teammates, I approve of such protectiveness in a Leader. It's more than even I had done in your age."

"But... I've resolved nothing, heck, I think I've made things worse, by souring the mood and-"

Coco cut her off, "Nonsense. You've acted rashly and didn't put too much thought into it, thinking you'd manage to resolve the conflict like that. But you realized this even without my prodding? Self-reflection is the key to growth and furthermore..."

"Why be ashamed of making a mistake? Mistakes, when used right, sharpen one close to perfection - such as myself." 

"You've got the heart, never lose that. Think a little harder and try better next time, alright?"

"As for practical advice here? In your shoes I'd just ignore that dismissive girl or beat her to a pulp, I don't have enough information to give you any other advice though." She shrugged.

"W-Wha? Beat her up... why? Without even knowing everything that happe-"

A harsh glare shut Ruby up, as Coco sternly chastised, "Don't. Doubt. Yourself." She slowly ordered.

"You are certain that she's in the wrong?"

"Umm, yeah." Ruby nodded.

"Then don't doubt yourself! Stand your ground! Be persistent in your belief! You might have approached the situation incorrectly and rashly, but your belief and heart are not! Stand by that!"

Sighing audibly, Coco took a step back, "Rethink your strategy, your approach. But never doubt your own belief, not with real good reason. There's more to lose than win with that kind of attitude..."

"If you're not willing to teach her a lesson or anything like that, I think you've done enough. You've unconsciously marked your territory and boundaries, and anyone who crosses it, like that Blake girl, will have to answer to you."

"Although in my opinion that lesson is only properly ingrained through violence, but whatever, Cya." She adjusted her sunglasses as she waved goodbye to the young rose.

...

A small smile formed on Ruby's face as she nodded, watching the distancing figure of Coco and waving cheerfully, "Thank you! Master Coco!"

"You've got my number if you need any more advice, kid." Coco's distancing figure exclaimed with certainty, as pride and confidence radiated from each step she took as she strode.

Ruby nodded once more, keeping her chin up as she contemplated aloud:

"Marked my territory and boundaries, huh..."

On second thought, maybe her rash confrontation hadn't been so rash after all.

She might not have convinced Blake to apologize to Alex.

But she did learn a lesson and drew a clear line.

-----------------------------

The day flew by from that point, with her chin-up Ruby continued to be herself, without a hint of shame nor regret in her confrontation.

With that renewed confidence, the others continued as usual, the sour mood replaced by the casual air they always had.

Even with Alex's absence.

Even with Ruby's clear distance from Blake.

Although Alex's lack of awakening was a cause for concern once they returned to the dorm room in the evening, upon slowly and quietly opening his sheets, the brightness of... Excalibur and the steady rising of Alex's chest on top of his monstrous Aura were indicators of his proper physical well-being.

A routine weekly video call with her Dad with Yang and the day was done and dusted.

Although, she couldn't help but note that Yang appeared a little angry when she joined the call.

It wasn't at her, Ruby was certain of it.

Maybe Yang had fought with her partner?

When Ruby asked, Yang only shrugged it off.

"That time of the month," Yang muttered, brushing aside Ruby's concern with a wry smile.

Ruby wasn't wholly convinced, but she wasn't going to push it.

Instead, she took it as her cue to pamper her sister.

Chocolate.

Lots of chocolate.

'If it's 'that time,' then Yang can have all the sweets she wants!' Ruby thought, trying to make her sister feel better, even if she wasn't entirely sure what was going on.

Beyond that?

Everything seemed normal...

Until her scroll rang in the dead of night, and with it, realization of what had been going on.

-----------------------------

The loud noise of her scroll ringing awakened the Young Rose.

Her eyelids cracked open as she groaned loudly, and it appeared that she wasn't the only one whose sleep was disturbed.

"Whoever that is, should consider himself my mortal enemy from this point forward." Weiss's eye twitched amid the dark and unlit room.

Rising up, Ruby ignored her teammate as she mechanically extended her hand to take her scroll, walking at a zombie's pace.

She immediately sobered up at recognition of the Caller ID.

"Yang..." Ruby mumbled as a nervous sweat trickled down her forehead.

Midnight calls from Yang weren't an unusual occurrence in the Rose Xiao Long Household.

They usually meant that Yang was caught up in trouble, and either Ruby or Dad had to help her.

As much as Ruby adores and admires her sister...

Regrettably, Yang has a knack for getting herself caught up in trouble.

Answering with a cringing and anxious frown, Ruby hesitantly asked, "Yang...?"

Only for Ruby's eyes to widen at the tone.

It wasn't the usual awkward laughter as she found herself in a pickle.

Nor the begging for help with something.

No.

It was a sniffle, the sound of crying, a muted and restrained hic.

No matter what, Yang always hid her tears, and always held the appearance of strength...

Before Ruby could recover from the shock, Yang's cracked and weak voice brought her back to reality, "C-Can you come to the hospital? I need you." The attempt to keep stability in her tone only worsened the effect it had on Ruby's psyche.

...

"H-HOSPITAL?!" Ruby's shout reverberated, startling the dismayed and angered Weiss and awakening Pyrrha from her deep slumber.

And, without a moment's delay or hesitation, without a word of explanation.

Ruby dashed out of the dorm room with the help of her semblance in her pajamas.

Leaving the perplexed and gobsmacked teammates on their lonesome.

"HOW IS HE STILL SLEEPING THROUGH THIS?!" Weiss could only exclaim her shock as she ran out of the dorm room in pursuit of Ruby in her similarly disheveled state.

Struggling to keep up with the swift figure of Pyrrha, whose features were hardened in seriousness.

To Be Continued!

-Author Note Start-

I might, just might, have overdone it.

We've got 1 last interlude chapter left, and it's not gonna be this big, I guarantee it.

I'll feed you guys a nugget of info since this is a Ruby-centric chapter, after all.

Through the power of PHENOMENAL AUTHOR POWERS.

Here's the [Relationship Status] of Ruby Rose (ALEX HAS NOTTTTTTTTT VIEWED ANY OF THESE NOR DOES HE KNOW HOW THEY WORK):

Ruby Rose [59/100 Close Friend]

As for how the system is quantified:

-50

Mortal Enemy

-40

Nemesis

-30

Hated

-20

Disdainful

-10

Distrustful

0

Neutral

10

Acquaintance

20

Familiar

30

Friendly

40

Good Friend

50

Close Friend

60

Trusted Ally

70 

Loyal Companion (Platonic/Romantic)

80

Devoted Partner (Platonic/Romantic)

90

True Love (Platonic/Romantic)

100

Soulmate (Platonic/Romantic)

The higher you are, the lower the point gain or reduction respectively, and from +60 or -20 points you need a drastic/emotional event in the mind of the person to go to the next 'Tier'.

It can be as simple as a thoughtful yet meaningful gift, or something as drastic as saving the world.

Lol.

Romantic feelings are at the bare minimum only possible at the 70 mark, one can be a platonic 'Devoted Partner' at 86/100 and have no romantic inclination until something happens and oopsie 87/100 is a romantic one.

Do keep in mind that these things aren't ironclad.

Meaning one can be 100/100 Soulmate and still get angry at their 'soulmate'.

The System assesses the "deep-seated emotions that reside in the heart and mind."

You can be angry at someone due to reason A/B/C but you still like/love them.

Or, you can completely hate someone but agree with their opinion, it might do you a favor or be a temporary ally, but that's an out-of-the-moment thing rather than an indication of the person's ACTUAL opinion.

Some are not even aware of their feelings or opinions, which is also important to take note - it's stranger to be keenly aware, in all honesty.

Recall, these are 'Humans'.

Anyway this part wasn't written in a strict manner cause it's me speaking, not the System and I've got the feeling it's likely impossible the System itself will ever show the [Relationship] feature since Alex isn't using it at all and it's more detailed in there.

Not a complicated system, but it was never a complicated one in the first place.

On that note!

Bu bye!

Love ya!

If ya'll feeling frisky and rich you can donate to my P. A .T R 3 0 N to show some nice and kind support - This is purely support no benefits except early chapters (That I do not do yet properly lmao) which will eventually be available for everyone... like a twitch donation typa thing.

Here's the link:

patre0n.com/BurgerNoTomatoes