Queen Ruby

Chapter 2

The sun just started to go down. I made it just in time. I wonder who wants to meet me here. Well, whoever it is, this might not have been the smartest move on my part. I mean seriously. Going to meet some stranger just because he told me to. I can only hope that this isn't a trap and that whoever it is, will at least give me more information about Salem, whose file was almost empty. The sunset is now bright red and it's starting to get cold. I stand up to leave when I hear someone or something moving behind me. I spin around getting Crescent Rose, holding her up to my eye ready to fire.

"No need to shoot." A dark figure steps out of the shadows. I recognize him and realize that this in fact was a trap.

"It's just me Red. Look I'll put my cane down..." Torchwick slowly places his cane on the ground and holds his hands up. "And you put your weapon down. I promise this isn't a trap. I just need to talk to you." When I don't respond he starts walking towards me, slowly like as to not scare me off. "I promise you this is no joke or prank. This is serious. We need to talk. I know that Oz probably hasn't told you anything yet and probably never will. But you need to trust me and put the gun down."

"What is Ozpin not telling me ?" I lower Crescent Rose but don't put her away. He looks relieved that I'm not shooting him but still keeps his distance.

"Today you turned 16-" "I know that." "Well... you have come of age to take your mother's place. Oz will probably try to stop you but you need to take back what is rightfully yours. It's your heritage."

"You're not making any sense. Why should I even trust you?" I put Crescent Rose away. I don't trust him but he seems genuine. Out of nowhere, he sinks to the ground in front of me. He is kneeling. Like a knight before his queen.

''The time has come for you to take your rightful place on the throne, you probably don't remember anything about your heritage; you were too young to comprehend what was happening when it all fell apart. But you are now older and stronger. You have the potential to be even more powerful than any Rose Queen before you. As the last surviving Member of the Rose Guard, I swear to the Crown that I will protect and serve you with my life!" He shouted it so fast and I am still trying to understand what he even said. This is madness. He has lost his mind. He's completely insane.

"Y-You're crazy... You've gone mad. What are you trying to accomplish? Do you actually believe any of what you just said?" Why is he doing this? I slowly back away. He is starting to scare me. I want to run but my body is frozen. I don't understand all I want-

"Please listen. You are the Rose Queen. It's a title passed down from generation to generation. We don't have time tonight but for now, I would advise you against telling anybody about this. As for me, I will do as you order. Until now I had seen it fit for me to infiltrate Salem's inner circle. If you wish I will continue at my current position and report to you about all their activities. I have made a report of everything that happened since I left you in the care of your father eleven years ago. On the scroll, you will find all the information I have been able to gather and most of your family's history. I am aware that you have no reason to trust me, but I hope you can forgive me for not contacting you earlier as you Mother had ordered me."

He grabs my hand, holding it to his forehead. When he looks at me he's almost crying. Tears are starting to form in his eyes and he gives me a pleading look. He's desperate and I can tell he needs me to understand. I don't want to but I'll listen to him, mostly because my curiosity is too strong to hold back, but he doesn't need to know that.

"I don't understand anything you just told me, but I will trust you for now. Not because I want to but because you don't look like your lying and I want to know how you knew my mom. So tell me everything. If what you tell me is true, I will trust you and cooperate but if I find out you are lying I will personally hand you over to Ironwood."

He nods and let go of my hand.

"Start with this whole Queen thing, and stand up. This is making me uncomfortable."

He does as I tell him to and stands.

"I want to tell you everything...but not here... someone could hear us. It's too dangerous."

"And where do you expect us to go instead?" I raise an eyebrow. Giving him some space.

"I hate to ask you of this but would you mind coming to my apartment? It's safe there and..."

"Fine. But no funny business!"

He nods and picks up his cane. I follow him to the edge of the forest. He looks more relaxed now. It was alarming to see someone like Torchwick so desperate. Now he almost seems happy. With a slight grin on his face. Not the kind he usually has but a kind smile. I try making small talk while walking.

"So... You knew my mom?"

"I only met her personally once. It was the night our village was destroyed. Salem's men came and slaughtered everyone. Back then I was still a trainee at the Royal Guard. You see the Rose family had lived in Forever Fall Forest for hundreds of years. The Guards are trained from an early age to serve the Queen. The Guards are always by her side. Being chosen to serve was a great honor. I'm getting off track sorry... When Salem's men came, your Mother the Queen handed you to me and told me to run. She gave me a book and instructed me to find your biological father. I was to drop you off there and alter his and your sister's memories to make them believe you had always been there. At the time you were four years old and couldn't remember what had happened. You forgot it because you didn't understand it." Well, I was going for conversation but if he was willing to answer my questions instead, I would listen. "And Who is Salem?"

"That I will tell you as soon as we're at my place. We are going to need to cross town so you should hide your face with your cape. Can you use your semblance to bring us to my apartment? I'll tell you when to turn."

I pick him up and start running. After a few minutes of him giving me directions, we are standing in his apartment. It's not very big but it's not small either. He takes my hood and his jacket and hangs them. I sit down on the sofa and look at him. He makes his way to the kitchen. The whole apartment is tidy and clean. Everything is organized and everything has its place.

"Would you like something to drink? Did you have dinner yet?"

"Um... I haven't had dinner. I just ran out on my friends. Could I have some juice please?"

" I'll cook something. You can stay as long as you want. I have a room for you. Orange or apple?"

"Orange please."

He hands me a glass and goes back to the kitchen to start cooking. Should I really stay here? Can I trust him? I should run out but something deep inside of me is telling me to trust him, to stay and listen. I stand up and walk over to him.

"Can I help?"

"No. Please sit down."

"Why?"

"It's my duty to take care of you and serve you. I take orders from you and only you. Your well-being is all I care about. So since you haven't eaten, I will make you dinner."

"Did they teach you that at guard school?" I try to joke.

"Yes actually." He replies. Now he looks more serious. No smile, no fear, no sadness. His voice is now monotone.