Max Vermillion: A RWBY Story

Chapter 10: The Meeting

Max, who was leading a large group Beacon students, would run through the dense woods of Vale. His face was covered in sweat as he jumped over the many natural obstacles that lined the forest floor. He'd turn his back occasionally before looking forward, making sure that the 12 students were still on his tail. The screeching sound of a grimm would echo throughout the forest as the students started to pick up pace, all hoping to evade the potential threat nearing their position. Suddenly, an arm would shoot out from the forest, and wrap itself around Ruby's waist before hosting her up into the air. The little huntress would attempt to punch the arm, hoping to weaken it to break free. 

Ruby: "HELP!" Ruby would shout as a portion of the Beacon group would halt and immediately turn back to help Ruby. The rest would continue on their main course, hoping that the group helping Ruby would buy them enough time to escape. While leaving a Beacon student behind was not something taught to the group, they still had a desire to live and fight another day. Max, who was the fastest of the group, would sprint ahead of the rescue party, unsheathing his blades and preparing an attack.

Max: "WINGS OF THE IMP-"

*CRACK*

Ruby's lifeless body would hang from the hand of the grimm, blood would begin to swell up in her eyes, and a single blood tear would trickle down her face. Everyone would halt in their tracks, even Max, the person with the most combat experience would freeze up, his eyes staring at Ruby's. 

???: "AAAAAHH!!!!!!!!

Yang would rush pass Max, her hair burning bright yellow, and her eyes a fiery red. She would jump off the ground, with a powerful step off, which caused the ground to break apart. Her body would turn into embers as she reeled her fist back.

Yang: "DDIIIIEIEE!!!-Ack!"

A tentacle would shoot out from the forest and stab Yang through her chest.

Breaking out of his trance, Max would rush towards Yang.

Max: "WINGS OF THE IMPERIAL DRAGON!" Max would shout as he jumped off the ground, his semblance would activate, as a pair of wings would appear behind the huntsman as he evaded multiple tentacles. He'd cut the tentacles and catch Yang. "You alright, Yang-." 

Yang's bloodied body would not move, in fact, Yang looked peaceful. Max would sigh as he slowly put Yang on the ground before closing her eyes. The student assistant would turn, but suddenly fall back down to the ground as the corpse of his rescue group would all lay on the ground in their own pile of blood.

Max: "No. No. No. No."

The zomibifed corpse of Ruby would stare at Max.

Ruby: "Mr Vermillion, how could you have let me die?"

Max would remain silent, just looking at the patch of ground beforehand. 

Ruby: "Is it because....of something that I did? Maybe I should have ran faster." Ruby would say, obviously trying to get a reaction out of Max.

Max: "It was not your fault, Ruby. It was mine."

Ruby: "Ah yes, the Beacon student without a team, why did your team leave you?"

Max: "It was a choice..."

Ruby: "One that you made?"

Max: "One that was out of my hand." Max would answer, now looking up at Ruby.

Ruby: "Well, I guess this will be out of your hands as well." Ruby would say before looking up at the sky as a red liquid dropped from it.

Suddenly, a huge pile of blood and limbs would fall onto Max, covering him and even drowning him in blood.