Remnant's Master

Chapter One

All she'd wanted was to pick up her new weapon magazine, maybe some Dust to try some new rounds. Then she was going to go home, read her comics and sleep. But noooo, of course some meanies would decide to rob her favorite Dust shop in Vale, like, come on!

So there Ruby Rose was, standing in the middle of the street with a bunch of bad guys collapsed on the ground while she had a stare down with the white jacket, bowler hat, cane man.

"Well, Red, I think we could say this has been an eventful evening," he calmly drops his cigar, putting it out with his cane, only to point at her like a gun, "but this, is where we part ways."

The end of the cane flips open as a large blast is fired at her. Ruby manages to launch herself from harm's way though, but by the time she lands the man is already fleeing up a fire escape. Ruby looks to the shopkeeper, "You okay if I go after him?"

The shopkeep looks around the downed baddies before looking her in the eye, "Uh huh," he nods in the affirmative. And with that, Ruby is off at incredible speed, just catching up as the man reaches the edge of the building. So focused she was on her target she didn't even take the time to see the sight of Vale in the darkness, sprinkled with lights like the night sky.

Before she could say more than a word though a bullhead sails in to pick him up, as the airship is lifting off he turns with a large red Dust crystal, "End of the line, Red!" He throws the crystal at her, firing a round from his cane at almost the same moment has no time to react as she sees a flash of white as the Dust explodes…

...Ruby kind of wished she'd been blown to little cute bits.

Gloved hand outstretched, the fairly tall woman with flowing white hair stood with a familiar wired construct reminiscent of a round shield, connected to the woman by a single cable coiled firmly to her hand. As the dust settled, the shield lost its form, uncoiling at an immense rate to become what appeared to be an unwieldy whip. With a casual flick the whip coiled at her side with hardly any effort.

The woman's free hand ran her hand through her hair, snow-white strands coming loose and glowing faintly. The hair quickly took shape and before the pair, hovered about half a dozen caricatures of birds which rocketed towards the bullhead, firing small energy blasts all the while.

Ruby watched with wide eyes as the mock birds flew around the bullhead at harrying speeds in an attempt to keep it from escaping, when a figure she couldn't quite make out stepped into the place the robber had previously been in. They began to systematically destroy the birds with balls of fire, the white haired woman Ruby knew very well was already bringing her free hand back to her head when a massive wave of some power blew out from the bullhead, tearing the other birds apart.

Ruby noticed the ground beneath her taking on a crimson hue, only to have the white haired woman tackle her out of the way before the shifting rooftop exploded in fantastic fashion. As Ruby and her savior got to their feet though, the bullhead managed to pull away, disappearing into the night sky.

Ruby wasn't really looking for the would-be thief anymore though… no, Ruby was more concerned with the woman who was now staring (more of a terrifying glare, really) at her in a sharp and calculating manner.

Ruby scratched at her scalp while trying to smile in the most appeasing way she knew how, unfortunately, it probably came as more of a grimace. "Eh, hehehe, he-hey Big Sis…"

Those piercing red eyes narrowed dangerously, "Oh no, I'm away for a few weeks. And when I get back, patrolling the city for less than a day and I find you at the center of a robbery?" Ruby's eldest sister flicks the wrist of the hand holding the whip and the weapon casually coils around her midriff, creating an armored layer for her abdomen, "You are in so much trouble, Ruby Rose."

Ruby's world cracks around her at the thought of what's to come, "No! Illya, I just wanted to help!"

Illya waves Ruby to follow her, but Ruby misses the proud smile when the huntress looks away.

ooOOoo

Illya watched her sister through the two-way mirror. The fifteen year old girl was looking a little nervous now, and as much as it pained her, Illya couldn't be in there...not yet. She wasn't entirely sure if she would comfort or berate her sister, despite how proud of her sibling she was, Ruby shouldn't have gotten involved. Then again, she had few options… Illya sighed as she decided that no matter what happened she would be supportive...even if she punished Ruby with some, elaborate training exercises. Sometimes being Big Sis was great.

"She's quite remarkable, isn't she?"

Illya is jolted from her thoughts as she turns to see one of most intriguing men she's ever met, "Professor, I didn't realize you were in Vale tonight."

"Please, Illya dear, I'm no longer your teacher, call me Ozpin," the headmaster chuckled.

Illya just smiled lightly as she looked back through the glass. Professor Goodwitch had just walked in, proceeding to inform Ruby of her satisfaction of the young girls' performance in her… particular fashion. It just made Illya grin, Glynda was a total softie under that hardass exterior.

Glynda's riding crop cracking against the table made Ruby - and Illya - flinch.

Well, maybe not a total softie.

"... But, there's someone who'd like to meet with you." Illya perked at Glynda's words while Ozpin began moving to the interrogation room door.

"Professor…"

"Nothing to worry over, Illya, just listen a little longer."

Still a little wary, Illya was wound like a spring, ready to jump to her little sister's aid, consequences be damned. So she watched as Ozpin walked into the room, and somehow managed to find a plate of cookies along the way. She wasn't sure if she should laugh or not as the conversation continued, what with Ruby either gorging herself on the treats or talking with her hands more than anything. Ozpin seemed to be putting Ruby at ease with a bit of small talk and a light jab at their uncle.

"So tell me Miss Rose, have you spoken with your mother recently?" Ozpin's question was a little off the cuff if Illya was being honest, but she still listened all the while.

"Oh! Yeah, you know my mom don't you?" Ruby hummed to herself before Ozpin could say anything, "Well of course you do, you're her boss and all, being Headmaster at Beacon. But yeah, she calls all the time. I think she's worried about dad being lonely. But she visits as much as she can so I think things are really good!"

The man chuckled a little, "I'm glad to hear things are going well. But please, I have a question: What would you say if I offered you a place in my school?"

Illya watched as Ruby's eyes went wide at the offer; she was sure her eyes showed similar shock. But something in Ruby's eyes changed, Illya couldn't quite place it when Ruby spoke, "I don't think there's anything I want more."

Ozpin looked to Glynda, who sighed in exasperation, then, Ozpin looked at the two-way glass for hardly a moment as he turned back to Ruby, "Well okay. I shall see that the paperwork is filed. First semester for Beacon starts the beginning of next week. Congratulations, Miss Rose. Glynda, please make sure that Miss Rose receives transport home, would you?" At Glynda's nod, Ozpin rose from his chair and strode form the office. She was on his tail the moment he left though. The man was already well on his way out when she finally caught up with, damn, the man was fast.

"Ozpin-"

"Illya, good, please walk with me. I wanted to discuss something with you."

"-listen I don't know what you're doing but Ruby is still not ready for Beacon. I know she is better than most in her classes at Signal, but that isn't your school. Please reconsider this!"

Ozpin's cane clacked along the floor as the pair walked onward, he wasn't silent for long though, "I know that Miss Rose is your sister. That's why I wished for you to listen in, I meant what I said. She is remarkable. True, she will be behind in most aptitudes when she arrives, but I believe she can rise to the task. But it is also one of the reasons I wished to speak with you."

Illya was curious, "What do you need?"

"'Need' isn't the word so much as a request. Summer is already a part time employee within my faculty but her role is more along the lines of observation. Since her injury, she hasn't been keen on fieldwork - which is understandable. Her fortitude simply isn't what it used to be, and an eye isn't something technology can replace as of yet."

Illya clamped down on the guilt Ozpin's words brought, but he noticed.

"I'm sorry. That was quite callous of me, I shouldn't have…" Ozpin sighed quietly, "Frankly, I feel it may be time for Summer to retire, she's still young but... it's been difficult on her, no matter what she says to anyone. Which is why I want to offer you a position as a Professor."

"What?"

Ozpin stopped walking and looked Illya in the eyes, "I would like you to teach at the academy, Illya. You are bright, talented, as well as an excellent huntress. Your presence would help a great deal. I have been looking into hiring more staff but it's difficult to find someone with the qualities I look for in an educator, and I believe you possess them. You would do well as a combat instructor."

"I...I'm well, I'm honored that you would consider me but what about professor Goodwitch? She is the combat instructor."

"Yes. The only combat instructor as of late. I wish to lighten her load so she can focus more on the third and fourth year students," Ozpin's lips quirk slightly, "and hopefully she won't have an excuse to complain about all the paperwork we do."

Illya looked to the ground in thought, was she really ready for something like this? Teach students? She was hardly a graduate herself with only a year of experience, true she was skilled, but that hadn't meant a thing when it counted. Had Mom not been there when it happened… she clenched her gloved hand, thinking of her first failure.

"Illya," Ozpin's voice brought her out of her own head before she could go too deep. He grasped her shoulder with his free hand, "What happened isn't your fault," tone hard with a finality to it, "you did your very best at the time; I know this to be true. I know how difficult it can be to let go of such guilt, it's something all survivors must bear. You are not to blame. The only one who does is you."

"But, it's…" Illya's breath was a little shaky from the emotions, "it's hard, Ozpin."

He nods, "I know. But I'm asking for your help. I can wait a day or two, please think about my offer, I need those who I can trust." Illya quirked her head at how heavy those words felt as he turned to walk away.

ooOOoo

Illya sat upon a random rooftop, looking over Vale, seeing Beacon Academy shining in the distance even in dark night. After seeing that Ruby was on her way home safely she'd decided to think about Ozpin's offer before she found a hotel to stay the night at - it was far too late to get to Patch now.

Maybe she could do something good, teaching new huntsmen and huntresses. A way she might atone, even a little, for what she couldn't save before. It was hard to believe it wasn't even two years ago that her team fell apart. And that her Mom had come to pick up what was left. Illya looked at her scroll, not even thinking of the time she placed a call.

"Sweetie? What's wrong?"

"Oh, hey Mom," she was a bit surprised that she'd answered so fast. "I'm fine...I'm sorry I haven't called you in a while. Yeah, so Ruby got herself in a mess - don't worry, I was there to help her out of it."

"I think I already know the gist of it, Illya. Glynda called me when you took Ruby down to the station." Summer Rose chuckled lightly, her voice raspier than Illya remembered it being, "You girls just seem to attract all of the trouble that can be thrown your way."

"Yeah, we've been a handful, haven't we? Listen, Ozpin offered me a job."

Summer made a noise that Illya couldn't decide the meaning of, "Is that so. I was wondering who he might have thought would be a good replacement for me… I don't know how I feel about this though."

"What do you mean?" Illya waited in silence as her mother remained quiet on the other end, when she thought that an answer might not be forthcoming, Summer spoke.

"It's… it's not for me to say. But I need you to think very hard about this, this isn't just a job and if you go too deep, there's no going back from it. Not really."

Illya felt how the words came from her mother, it was...disconcerting, "Mom, you're kind of scaring me."

"I know. But if you are going to do this, I want you more prepared than I was when Ozpin asked my team to help him… It's only you now."

The guilt in her gut and the gloved hand brought back memories Illya didn't want to deal with right then, "Yeah. I know."

"Illya, trust yourself. You are a remarkable young woman and I am so proud of you, never doubt yourself. No matter what, understand?"

"Yes."

"Good. I love you Illya, get some sleep."

"You too." Illya pulls the scroll away as she looks to the shattered moon. The faces of her little sisters grinning after they have pulled some prank at their dad's expense. Thoughts of Ruby and Yang facing the dangers she's seen and how she could guide them, protect them, for at least four more years. She smiles, but there's a hard edge in her eyes when she's made up her mind.

ooOOoo

"I'll...keep this brief. You have traveled here today in search of knowledge-to hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose – direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step. And one such individual who has begun her journey returns to impart her knowledge as the newest addition to the staff here at Beacon, I hope you will welcome: Professor Rose, the new first and second year combat instructor."

Illya couldn't stop her lips from turning up completely at the squeal of unadulterated joy from the group of first year students as she came to stand by Ozpin and Glynda, "Thank you, Headmaster, I know I haven't been gone long but it's good to here."

"No. Thank you, Professor."

A/N: I'm sorry this took so long. Been busy with work coming up since we're coming up on the holidays. Think of it like a gift for whatever holiday you celebrate. I doubt there'll be a new chapter before the NewYear, but, miracles can happen. Take care, and happy reading!

CS.