A/N: I'm back once again with another concussion chapter. I hope you are all doing well and staying safe in this crazy world we live in. I just want to say thank you all so much for the support you've shown to this story. I never thought that a small idea I had while watching RWBY could turn into something like this for so many of you to see. So thank you all once again, it truly means the world to me. As for the two little girls, they are based on someone close to me. She's had a rough go at things, but is still a kind and amazing girl. And just as my girlfriend has helped me immensely, she too has been there for me. With that being said, I hope you all enjoy. Rhino out.
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Mary: "I don't know much about their story, or their past. I'm sorry, I only met them as this craziness started."
Joanna: "Any information can help."
Mary: *sighs* "This is what I know…"
Mary looks towards the two girls, a look of concern and confusion fairly evident on her face.
Mary: "From what they've told me, their past is a rather rough one. As I'm sure you know, being a faunus isn't the easiest thing at times."
Topaz: "Yeah, I understand that, especially around Atlas."
Mary nods her head once and continues.
Mary: "The two of them were raised here in Mantle, but weren't allowed to interact with anyone. I've tried asking about their parents, but whenever I bring it up, the two begin crying. It breaks my heart."
Topaz: "It's alright. We'll get everyone here back to the rest of our group and they won't ever have to worry about anyone trying to harm them ever again."
Mary: "Thank you."
The little girl with the cat ears takes a tentative step towards Topaz, and looks up towards him.
?????: "You have a tail and ears."
Topaz: "Yes I do, but mine aren't as cute as the two of yours."
?????: "Hee~ you're nice mister."
Topaz: "Call me Topaz, mister makes me feel old."
?????: "Topaz, like the gem?"
Topaz: "That's right, not sure why my mom named me it but I like it."
?????: "Can you-"
ROOOAAARRRR!!!!
Before she could finish her sentence, a chilling roar echoes around the street. She runs over to the other girl and hugs her tightly, visibly shaking. Topaz turns and sees an alpha beowolf walking towards them with three other beowolves following close behind. Topaz steps in front of the group and looks towards Joanna.
Topaz: "I'll take care of them, you start making your way back with them."
Joanna: "Right, be careful."
Topaz: "I will, see you soon."
Without waiting for a reply, Topaz rushes at the alpha beowolf. Sliding under an outstretched set of claws, Topaz spins and stabs into one of the normal beowolves, killing it instantly. Jumping up Topaz steps off another outstretched paw and slashes at the beowolf trying to slash at him. From the corner of his eye, he sees Joanna herding the four ladies away. Raising his spear, Topaz blocks the alphas attempt of an attack, and then Topaz kicks it in its chest, using the motion to give himself a little space. Deciding to end the little bout, Topaz spins and slashes the remaining beowolves. With nothing but black dust dispersing into the wind, Topaz turns and makes his way back towards where Joanna is leading the girls. After running for a few minutes, he catches up to them, and sees them in a standoff with an Atlas robot.
Robot: "Halt. Under the order of *static sounds* you are to drop your weapon."
Joanna: "Drop my weapon, in the middle of a grimm infested city. All after General Ironwood decides that Mantle doesn't need to be protected? Screw you"
Taking a step towards them, Topaz sees an all to familiar symbol on the back of the robot. The robot raises its gun and levels it at Joanna's torso.
Robot: "You are ordered to drop your weapon and step away from the animals."
Hearing enough, Topaz rushes the robot and cuts it in half. Turning to look at the girls he gives them a worried look.
Topaz: "Are you all alright?"
The two faunus girls give a shaky nod, and Mary nods, sighing in relief that her daughter is still asleep in her arms.
Joanna: "Yeah, I'm good. Just what the hell is General Ironwood playing at, trying to get me to drop my weapon here of all places."
Topaz: "It wasn't one of Ironwoods."
Joanna: "What?"
Topaz: "Look at its back."
Joanna: "It's back? Oh…"
On the back of the robot, is the familiar Schnee symbol, but instead of its usual elegant white, it's a blood red.
Topaz: "Jacques…"
Joanna: "I thought he was arrested when you confronted him with evidence?"
Topaz: "He was, but then I was told he escaped with help from someone outside. And from what some trusted sources have told me, he's allied himself with Salem."
Joanna: "Salem?!"
Topaz feels a small tug on the back of his shirt, and turns to see the small girl with the bright pink hair and cat tail looking up to him.
?????: "Isn't Salem the bad guy the nice lady was telling us about on the big screens?"
Topaz: "Nice lady? Did she have Darker brown hair with a little bit of reds toward the tips?"
?????: "Yeah her! She looks so cool."
Topaz: "That's my sister, Ruby."
?????: "Your sister! Can we meet her, please?!"
Topaz: "Sure, she'd love to meet you all. When all this is over though, okay?"
?????: "Okay!"
Joanna: "Ruby is your sister?"
Topaz: "Cousin technically, but I grew up with her family and at this point she and Yang might as well be my sisters."
Joanna: "That's cool."
Topaz: "Come on, let's get these ladies back to base."
Joanna: "Right."
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Fiona: "You guys are back! And you found some survivors, that's great!"
Joanna: "Hey Fi."
Fiona: "So… is he as good as we were told?"
Joanna: "Honestly, he might be better."
Fiona blinks her eyes in surprise a few times and then laughs loudly.
Fiona: "I never thought you would admit that. But it's great to have someone so capable on our side."
Joanna: "I agree."
As Fiona and Jonna are talking, Topaz is showing the four girls around the small settlement. Mary finds some friends of hers and rushes over to them holding Sue. With her speaking to her friends, Mary all but forgets about the group of three behind her.
Topaz: "Come on girls, I'll introduce you to my friends."
?????: "It's okay, we don't want to be in the way*
With a sad tone, the little girl with the brown hair and cat ears turns to look towards the other girl with her ears drooped.
?????: "Come on sis, let's find a good corner to hide away in."
Topaz: "No."
?????: "Huh?"
Topaz: "I said no, I won't let you girls hide away and feel like that. You are both wanted around here."
Topaz leans down and pulls both girls into a gentle hug. At first the two girls tense up in his arms, but after a little while they loosen up and begin to cry quietly into his arms.
?????: *sniff* "Thank you, we've never had someone be so nice to us."
Topaz: "You don't have to thank me. Everyone deserves to be treated well, just as everyone deserves to be happy."
A few more sniffles are heard as the two girls begin calming down. They both look up at Topaz with large, teary eyes.
?????: "C-Can you name us?"
Topaz: "You want me to name you?"
?????: "Yes!"
Topaz: "Um… I guess I can. Do you have any ideas of what you want to be called?"
?????: "What was that girls name again? The one we saw on the big screen."
Topaz: "You mean Ruby?"
?????: "Yeah her!"
?????: "She looked so cool in that video of her!"
Topaz: "Ruby Rose, probably the youngest girl to ever get into Beacon Academy before it fell. She's childish, hyper, but always reliable when you need her to. Someone I, my team, and all of our friends trust with our lives."
?????: "I will be Ruby Rose Jr then."
?????: "What?! No! I will be Ruby Rose Jr."
Topaz starts chuckling at the two girl being the children they should.
?????: "Topaz, who do you think gets to be Ruby Rose Jr?"
Topaz internally rolls his eyes and chuckles to himself. Making it look like he's actually pondering their question he eventually squats down and looks between the two girls.
Topaz: "How about this girls, you will be Ruby, and you will be Rose."
Pointing towards the brown haired girl with the cat ears as he said Ruby, and the pink haired girl with the tail as he said Rose.
Ruby: "I'm Ruby, and she's Rose… I love it!"
Rose: "Me too!"
Topaz: "Ruby, Rose, follow me. I'll bring you to my friends and introduce you."
Ruby: "A-Are they scary?
Topaz: "No they aren't. They've been by my side through some dark times, and have helped me keep my head up."
Rose: "They sound very nice, I think we should try meeting them sis."
Ruby: "Fine."
Topaz smiles at the girls and begins leading them towards the shack where his friends are waiting. Walking up to the front of the shack, he knocks firmly onto the door, and then opens the door.
Topaz: "Hey guys- What are you doing here?"
…