203Red like Roses
Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY, Kingdom Hearts, or the characters associated with them as they are the property of Monty Oum, Rooster Teeth, Tetsuya Nomura, and Square Enix in respect to who they are associated with.
"Talking"
Thoughts
Ch. 2
They had been many stories told about keyblades and their wielders as it had been passed down from generation to generation.
A story that predated kingdoms, hunters, the maidens, and even the silver eyed warriors. A tale that was so old it had to have been a myth. Some tall tale told to children to inspire hopes and dreams.
With this in mind, Qrow was still having a difficult time accepting that this thing was a keyblade considering some of the outlandish stories he's heard.
Looking up to the shattered moon above Remnant, this was one of it's tales. A story of how two keyblade wielders fought there resulting in the celestial body breaking under the monstrous battle between the two. Of course most disregarded this tale as it was unthinkable for anyone to hold that kind of destructive power.
Even the season maidens who were one of the most powerful beings in this world couldn't perform such a feat.
Yet here it was. The proof was slapping him right in the face as it laid next to his youngest niece.
"Ahh man" as Qrow rubbed the back of his head. "I don't even know where to begin with this".
Supposedly as powerful as the keyblade was, it was only equal to it's mystery as no one really knew anything about it. With how potentially dangerous this thing was, he was going to have to stick around Patch island for a while to determine what his next move should be. But just as importantly was keeping this thing away from Atlas intel. The last thing he wanted was for old Ironwood's army coming here kicking down the door and dragging Ruby away to be used as a science experiment. Frankly he didn't put it past him that he would. But if worse comes to worse, he could have Ruby just explain it away as some sort of new bleeding edge dust technology.
Picking up both Yang and Ruby, he saw as the keyblade disappeared into red petals of light. Leaving his thoughts aside he brought the children home to a very relieved Taiyang. "Hey, found your brats" Qrow called out. "Oh, I'm also going to need a room. I'll be staying for a while".
Getting them inside and putting the kids to bed, the blond huntsmen had a talk with his brother in law learning what had happened out there in the forest. Talking till early morning, "that's absurd. You have to be mistaken. A keyblade is pure fiction. No proof of it had ever said otherwise".
"Well what can I tell ya. But from what I could gather from listening around it looks like this pure fiction was out there in the forest all this time. With all the kids who tried to lift it, it seemed Ruby was the one who was chosen. For what reason even I don't know. Perhaps it might be related too . . . ."
"Don't . . . ." as Taiyang glared at him. "You will not mention that in this house or near my daughter!"
But this was a genuine curiosity on Qrow's part as he needed more information concerning the keyblade. Especially to why it chose Ruby and none of the other kids. The only thing he could think of that separated her from the others was like her mother she was a descendant of the silver eyed warriors. Now if that had any part to play, he didn't know. But for now he would leave it alone in respect to Taiyang with how much of a touchy topic this was.
Before anything else could be said, "why are you and uncle Qrow fighting?" as Ruby recently awoken walking out rubbing her eyes. "Did Yang or I do something bad?"
"No it's nothing like that" Taiyang quickly answered. "I was just so happy that both of you came home safe and sound".
She didn't understand what that meant since she was asleep during the entire ordeal as she shrugged it off. "Then why are you fighting with uncle Qrow?"
The scythe huntsmen figured this was a good a time as any to ask Ruby a few questions. Seeing Taiyang at the corner of his eye, he would also avoid talking about that topic. "Ruby . . . . That keyblade . . . . Why do you have one?"
"I'm not really sure. It said something about a strong heart. But I didn't understand the rest as it all felt like a dream".
"The rest?", "what were you able to understand then?"
Starting from the beginning of what she could remember Ruby recounted the story of place called Daybreak town. Then from an incident it led into the keyblade war as light and dark users clashed across many worlds leaving much destruction in their wake. But in the end, their war led to the decimation of both sides. If there were any keyblade wielders left, who really knew. Though for the one keyblade abandoned on Remnant, it was left there in the hope that it was not the end of their civilization.
Listening closely, it's purpose was clear. The keyblade that Ruby touched would serve as a legacy. A lifeboat in history so they wouldn't be forgotten in who they were and where they came from. But it also had to have given another thing. "Ruby, can you call it to you?"
"Sure" little red smiled brightly. Reaching out her arm, a light of red petals shined as her keyblade appeared in her hand stunning both her father and uncle.
"Magic! That was real magic!" Taiyang almost shouted much to his daughter's amusement.
"I figured it would come with some sort of instruction manual" said Qrow as he snatched the magic blade away from his niece.
"Hey! Give it back!" Ruby pouted only for her keyblade to reappear back in her hand as she gave a gleeful smile.
"Huh, learning something new everyday" Qrow grinned. If she was able to summon it back to her hand like that, it was impossible to disarm a keyblade wielder. But Ruby was still too young to fight let alone wield a magic sword like that properly. Even if she was given the knowledge, she lacked maturity and experience to understand it. Thus coming to a decision, "looks like I'll be training you for a while" which caused Ruby to look on brightly while Taiyang's face sagged.
~ Patch island ~ (three months later)
In that time, it was a learning process as Qrow and Ruby tried to understand the full extent of what a keyblade could do.
But for starters his niece had affectionately called her key Crescent Rose.
And for these three months, Qrow had learned quite a bit about it.
The most obvious was that Ruby was certainly far stronger and faster then before as her physical abilities were enhanced.
With no edges, the keyblade seemed to possess an aura of it's own which acted as the blade itself allowing it to cut through targets. As such it conformed to whatever Ruby wished of it whether she wanted to hit something or cut it.
Even stress testing it, Qrow had Ruby lay her keyblade on the ground as he swung his sword with everything he had. But in the end Crescent Rose came out unscathed without so much as a dent or a scratch showing it's incredible durability.
As Ruby continued to practice she learned from the memories that a keyblade was simply a reflection of her heart and thus had no fixed form. So she could manipulate it's shape to what she desired. Being a child as she was, Qrow could only describe her contraption as some sort of roller blades with wheels floating on the sides of her feet as she was able to skate/fly through the air with them. More so as suggested by her uncle, her key was able to take the shape of fire arms as Crescent Rose became a rifle.
But more interesting then that was her ability to use true magic as it was not some cheap dust imitation. Initially experimenting to see how a keyblade would react to a few different shards, Ruby was able to replicate their affects almost immediately after a few exposures. The more she practiced her magic, the stronger and more potent the effects became. However the use of magic came with both mental and physical limitations as she started to suffer fatigue depending on the duration and strength of her spells. Though after a while she would recover from a little rest.
Though Qrow learned much about the keyblade after three months, there seemed to be much more that it could do. If he had to say, a keyblade wielder's growth potential was near limitless.
Feeling she might be ready, the scythe huntsmen took his niece deeper into the forest in order to take on her first challenge.
"Are you sure about this uncle Qrow?" asked Ruby slightly nervous.
"You'll be alright kid" as Qrow patted her head. "Just remain calm and remember what you've learned. And don't worry. I'll be right here watching over you so that nothing goes wrong". Seeing some rustling in the bushes, "looks like we're about to begin. So get ready".
Popping out from the leafs was a lone boarbatusk grimm as it snorted kicking it's feet in the ground ready to charge. Preparing herself Ruby summoned Crescent Rose as she settled into her guard stance.
Making the first move, the soulless monster curled into a ball launching itself into a roll out.
Reacting on instinct, Ruby jumped out of the way. "Don't be scared!" Qrow called out. "You're much stronger then it! Remember your training and you'll be fine!"
Nodding in resolve, Ruby went back into guard stance as the grimm double backed. Putting confidence in her abilities, she raised her keyblade up as she swung at her opponent with all she had. With that one strike alone, the battle was ended as the pig like grimm evaporated into black vapor. At defeating her first grimm, a wide smile stretched on her face as she was jumping for joy. "I did it! I did it! I did it uncle Qrow!"
"Good job kid" the scythe huntsmen grinned. Hunting through the forest Ruby gained valuable experience and confidence as she used her weapon. For each grimm she went up against she got plenty of practice in using magic and sharpening her technique. But as such Qrow had noticed two things. First was how incredibly effective a keyblade was against grimm as it didn't take much to destroy them. Though he surmised stronger ones could probably withstand a few more hits. But then the second was the most concerning. Something he began to notice along with his niece as the keyblade seemed to naturally attract grimm as the soulless monsters began appearing in higher volume.
Of course it wasn't out of negative emotions. But more then likely it was out of fear of the keyblades power. With that coupled with her mother's inheritance, Ruby would undoubtedly grow up to something to be feared or awed by the grimm, humans, and fanus alike. But how she chooses to use this power, it'll take both time and guidance to see what future she will make for herself.
Calling it a day, the two returned home.
~ Patch island ~
Ever since that near death experience Yang had been a little depressed. Not only did she endanger herself but almost got her little sister killed due to her recklessness.
For a time she had been trying to find the right opportunity to talk to Ruby and apologize for her actions. But as of late her uncle had been personally training her in which she didn't get to see her much. Even when she was given days off to go play, Ruby would just run into the forest and then disappear the next moment. The longer she waited the harder it was getting to face her.
So gathering her courage as Qrow and Ruby left for their training, Yang chased after them into the forest.
"Yang?" said Ruby turning to see her big sister out of breath from all the running she had to do.
Hunched over grabbing her knees, the young blond steadied her breathing as she looked up to the curious looks of her family. Then after a moment she embraced her sister in a hug as tears escaped her eyes.
"Huh? Why are you crying?" as she was confused to her sister's sudden reaction. As long as she had known her Yang was always so confident and brave. A big sister she looked up too and admired. But to see her cry like this was rather shocking.
Though Yang had promised not to be so pathetic she couldn't help herself. She had almost gotten her precious sister killed. Just remembering it, her heart sank. "I'm so sorry! I'm sorry for what I did! Please forgive me!"
A little stunned, Ruby had learned what happened from her uncle. But frankly she didn't think anything of it. Since she was asleep for the entire ordeal, she really couldn't comment on it. Besides she knew her big sister wouldn't knowingly endanger her life. So with a bright smile she hugged her back. "I forgive you. So don't be sad anymore".
Taken back at how easily she was forgiven, Yang gave a relieved smile as she hugged Ruby tighter. For her sake and that of herself, she promised to be more responsible from now on.
Thinking of a way to cheer up her big sister, "hey Yang! Want to see a magic trick?!"
"Yeah" she sniffled. "Sure".
Waving her hand with showmanship showing they were empty, she focused as Crescent Rose appeared in a flash of red light. "Ta da!"
Dumbstruck, the young blond gaped. Though it was different in color and shape, it was certainly that weird sword from the tree. "Ruby! How did you get this?! Where did it come from?!"
"It's magic!" Ruby brightly smiled. "And watch this!" as she handed over her keyblade for Yang to hold. Reaching out her hand to recall her sword back, ". . . . Huh?" as it wasn't returning to her hand. "That's weird, why isn't it coming back?"
"Is something supposed to happen?" as Yang looked over her sister's magic sword while swinging it a bit.
"What the?!" as Qrow became wide eye. "Hey, let me see that for a minute". Taking the red key from Yang, it had almost immediately returned back to Ruby's hand. ". . . . Huh?" After experimenting a bit more it was quite apparent Yang could hold Crescent Rose without it disappearing on her. At discovering this piece of information, he felt it would be wise to keep an eye on Yang for a while.
~ Inner world ~
It had been a little over two weeks since Yang apologized and made up with Ruby.
But since that day the young blond had been having these rather strange dreams as of late. Dreams about falling into vast ocean of darkness as she continued to sink further down.
"What is this?" she thought.
"Where am I?"
"Why . . . . Is this happening?"
However they were lingering thoughts as they were there for a moment and then gone the next. It just didn't seem important to ask nor dwell on. Though normally most people and most certainly children would feel afraid in circumstances like this, such notions never crossed Yang's mind. She was fearless and daring at heart always pushing the boundaries of her possibilities. As most normal people would want to wake up from the sensation of falling, Yang wanted to see where this particular rabbit hole ended.
Continuing to fall for what seemed like endless miles of empty void, something had finally appeared at the end of this tunnel after so many nights of dreaming.
"Light . . . ." Yang worded out as she saw the small glimmer in the distance. Getting closer as her descent began to slow she saw a large stain glass like platform. A station of some sort. Seeing the image, ". . . . Ruby" she breathed out as her little sister was on it with her keyblade as the surrounding were decorated with a floral design. Coming to a slow she softly landed on the station. Walking around, there was nothing but darkness out there.
But then out from the void, "Though you may fall at times . . . ." as pillars started to pop up. "True strength comes from those who choose to stand again . . . ." as weapons started to appear on them. "But what form will your power take . . . . Choose wisely".
Yang though startled was not afraid. She didn't understand how, but she felt calm as she knew what she had to do as her heart willed her to it. Looking around to her options she knew which one she wanted. Her father had recently been teaching her the basics of self-defense. So naturally she chose the bracer. Upon taking it they disappeared from her hands.
"The power of the warrior. Invincible courage. A resolve to stand against all obstacles. Your path is set . . . . Now what will you give up in exchange?"
Looking to the other weapons, she didn't really have much need for the staff. But upon touching it the station shattered beneath her as she fell once more. However she didn't fall for long as she saw another station in the distance. But this time her father and uncle were on it as she landed on it.
"There will come a time you must fight . . . . As long as there is light so shall there be darkness . . . ." Just like that these grimm like creatures started to appear. Sensing danger, Yang instinctively summoned her bracers as the armor encased her forearms. Though the memory of encountering those beowolf grimm were still fresh in her mind, she knew what she was fighting for as she dared not back down from these creatures as they were small fries by comparison.
Not being very threatening themselves, Yang made the first move with her hands up as she dashed in with a hard right cross. Throwing that punch with everything she had the little humanoid grimm vanished in an instant. Gaining confidence from her victory, she was quick to dispatch the rest of them. After knocking out at least five of them, "this is . . . . Actually kind of fun!" as she never knew fighting could be this entertaining.
But upon finishing off the last of them the station she stood on shattered causing the young blond to fall into the darkness once more.
On instinct she flailed around in a slight panic. But soon enough she realized she wasn't falling. Rather she was laying on the ground apparently kicking around for no reason. Quickly sitting up she instantly recognized this as the front yard to her home as around was her family as her father was in the middle of laundry. Her uncle was lounging in the hammock. And her sister was coloring something on the table.
Not sure what this meant as she wasn't sure if she was awake or still dreaming, she decided to approach Ruby first.
Before she could even speak, "what's most important to you?" Ruby asked as she still continued to color her paper.
It was then that Yang understood that she was still dreaming. But having come this far, she might as well have kept going with it. Though her family members seemed aloof to her presence, the question she was asked felt quite serious in wanting a sincere answer. Thinking over everything in her life in regards to those she loved and cherished, things she adored and protected, and the prospects that still awaited her in the future, "strength" she simply answered. "The strength to never hold anyone back or to keep moving forward".
With nothing further to say she went to see Qrow. "What are you afraid of?" as he briefly looked to her before continuing to drink his liquor.
". . . . Losing. Losing when it mattered most that I had to win".
Finally there was her father as he was straightening out some sheets. "What do you want out of life?" as he continued with his task.
This was a rather difficult question. Even adults who had years to think about it have yet to really know the answer. But if there was at least one thing in Yang's life that she desired most that encompassed everything about her, "freedom" giving a small smile.
Fading out to black, the scenery rapidly changed as the young blond found herself falling again. But the station that awaited her this time caused her eyes to stretch open in surprise. There in the stain glass painting was her mother Raven. Landing softly on it, so many thoughts began to race in her mind. There was so many things she wanted to ask her about. Talk to her about. So many things that left her heart in disarray. But to find those answers she needed to find her mother first. This was her deepest wish that her heart yearned for.
Then from out of the void, ". . . . Obsession are but chains that binds the heart . . . . Free yourself of them . . . . And you will attain a power far greater then you could possibly imagine . . . ." Rising up from Yang's shadow was some sort of grimm version of herself. Upon fully materializing shadow Yang took a combat stance as it dashed at it's target.
Yang immediately reacted as her bracers appeared on her arms. Fighting like her life depended on it the two were at it for what seemed like hours. Exchanging punches, it was practically evenly matched as neither side could get the upper hand. But throwing a right cross, her shadow ducked underneath twisting into a hook causing her opponent to cough out in pain. Holding her hurt sides, "am I . . . . Am I going to lose?" Her shadow showed no signs of tiring and she wasn't sure she would be able to continue. Not waiting for her to recover, her shadow continued the assault as she beat Yang without mercy.
Being beaten as such, the young blond didn't even have the strength to keep her hands up as her opponent continued to hit her. Yet as her body was breaking her mind continued to race contemplating how she got here. Though her doubts and worries crossed her mind, she had to remember something important. Her purpose in choosing to fight. But most importantly what the voice had told her.
However she couldn't let go of the yearning she had for her mother as there were so many things she needed to know. But reflecting about everything in her life, her little sister crossed her mind. ". . . . Ruby".
As the shadow threw a punch, Yang caught it's fist with her hand as her bracers started to shine an intense light.
Facing that near death experience in that forest, it was now Yang had reached her epiphany. Though she would never stop her search for her mother she shouldn't let this be the center of her world. She had her own life to live. Regardless of reason or circumstance constantly worrying about things she couldn't change or control wasn't going to help either. At reaching this conclusion, she found the strength she needed as she understood what this battle meant. It was a fight to overcome herself. Finding her resolve, she clenched the right hand into a fist as she dashed at her opponent.
Doing the same, shadow Yang mimicked her movements throwing a right punch.
But the moment their fists met, the battle was decided as Yang smashed right through her opponent with little effort as it disappeared on sight. Now standing alone on the station, Yang breathed out in relief as she stared out into the void.
~ Patch island ~ (sometime later)
As Qrow was taking Ruby out to the forest for another day of training, "wait!"
Looking back they saw as Yang was running after them. "Hmm? Is there something wrong?"
"No" as a wide smile started to stretch on Yang's face. "There was just this really cool trick I wanted to show you".
"Really?!" Ruby shouted in excitement. "Let me see! Let me see!"
Practicing it since the time it first appeared to her, Yang reached out her hand as she called out to it.
"No way, it's can't be!" as Qrow couldn't believe it.
Appearing before them now was a keyblade which was primarily yellow, some black, and metallic silver in it's design. It was blunt looking and had a kind of mechanical feel to it while only being roughly one in a half feet long. Interestingly though this was supposed to be a magic sword, it's overall configuration looked like a punching weapon due to it's brass knuckle like hand guard along with the way it's handle was oriented.
As Yang swung her keyblade around proudly while Ruby's eyes twinkled at how cool it looked, Qrow could only slap his forehead while smearing his face.
"Ugh, either I'm really drunk right now or I haven't been drinking enough".
To be continued . . . .
Author's notes: I'll give this a few chapters to see where this might go. Now onto some commentary.
It's a bit difficult to gauge the power of a keyblade wielders when weighing out gaming mechanics with reaction events and cinematics. But considering Sora who wasn't a keyblade master at the time of KHII had shown incredible physical feats. He was strong enough to throw a structure the size of a sky scrapper at the final dragon boss. Also fast enough to dodge sniper fire from nobodies. Xehanort in the keyblade graveyard was able to completely bend the terrain by accordance to his will. Just looking at the keyblade graveyard, the entire terrain had been completely altered from the war. So I don't think it's unreasonable if two keyblade masters were able to shatter a moon from their fight.
Essentially the keyblade Ruby touched not only gave her the power to wield a keyblade but also passed onto to her the knowledge and abilities of it's former master. It's purpose was as Qrow stated as it was to serve as a life boat of their civilization.
Now how the keyblade changes shape or how a wielder learns/practices magic has not been explained yet as it was just part of the gaming mechanics. However learning new things seems to come naturally to them. So I figured I'll just give it to them as such. I'm also going with the KHII magic system in which magic use is unlimited but requires a recharge time after using so much.
Now the dive to the heart is a bit of a mystery as we don't have much in reference to refer too. We know of Sora's. But Ventus and Roxas can't really count since they all share history with Sora's heart dive. Though Ventus heart dive reflected his shattered heart when Vanitas was missing from his station and later reappeared on it when they reunited. So without any other references this is all just guessing for everyone what appears in the dive to the heart.
So if there are any questions or concerns feel free to ask.
I thank you for reading and I further my gratitude if you can review it as well.