RWBY: Tale of Two Roses

Chapter 13: Promises Kept

The group travel for a while then set up camp. Aries and Blake keep watch. "Why'd you invite that girl to stay?"

"Because I sensed in her the same thing I did in you, hesitation. She doesn't want to hurt us but she has her own reasons."

"You have a lot of faith in people. Wish I was the same way" Aries shrugs. "Charlie taught me that no person is beyond redemption. She needs good people. And I can't imagine better people than Ruby and Summer."

"What's their deal? Ruby seems a little standoffish with Summer. Didn't she really love her mom?"

"That's, a long story. And not mine to tell." Aries pulls out Charlie's journal and flips through it. He turns to a page with a picture of young Aries, Ruby, Yang, and Leo at the shop. He takes out the photo and looks at it. "Blake."

"Yeah?"

"Make me a promise. If I die."

"Aries don't-"

"IF I die. Didn't say I was aiming to. If I die, protect Ruby for me. And try to reach Leo. He has good in him, buried deep down, I can feel it. Just try for me, okay?" Blake nods and Aries closes the book, staring at the photo. He folds it up and hands it to Blake. "For safekeeping." Blake smiles and takes the photo, tucking it in her pocket. Aries senses a disturbance. "Blake, run, RUN!" They sprint back to base camp and start to wake everyone up. Aries senses them getting closer and folds his scythe into flight configuration. He flies around and does a strafing run, hoping to drive them back and buy them time.

Qrow and the others are frantically packing, getting all their gear packed up. Aries flies back. "I can't hold the flanks! There's too many!" Qrow and Summer grab their weapons and join him "This is bizarre. I've never seen grimm so coordinated. A death stalker strikes at him and he dodges but he's blindsided by a nevermore, knocking him off the scythe. "Aries!" Ruby shouts as she runs over.

Blink and you'd miss the nevermore turn toward Ruby and fling its feathers. Aries has no time to form a barrier so he launches himself at Ruby, shielding her from the feathers as they plunge into his back. Ruby opens her eyes and sees Aries over her, blood dripping down from his back. "Aries?"

"I'll be alright. Just give me a moment." He uses a barrier to snap the feathers and he rolls over onto his side. He looks around and sees everyone fighting but being pushed back by the Grimm. "Ruby."

"Aries?"

"Fight hard, find Yang. Save her for the both of us. And tell her thanks for me, okay?"

"Aries, what are you saying? C'mon get up we gotta move!"

"I can't feel my legs anymore. One of the feathers must've hit my spine. I made a promise to Qrow. I said I'd protect you with my dying breath." Aries places a hand to her cheek. "I gotta go, little rose. I'll see you in the next plane. Until then I'll be waiting with Charlie." She places her hand to his and starts to cry. "Please don't go." Aries uses his other hand to give her charlie's journal. "I love you." Aries says with a smile. He waves his hand in front of her face, knocking her unconscious. He levitates her toward Summer, who takes Ruby in her arms then looks at Aries. Aries launches them all into the air, far away from the grimm horde that's approaching him. He rolls onto his back and closes his eyes. "I hope you see the light Leo. I'm sorry I won't be able to say goodbye, to you or mom or dad. I won't see another family dinner, or see you smile and laugh like when we were little, before you let anger into your heart. But I'll be watching you, and I'll be hoping you finally learn what we wanted you to learn. Goodbye, brother." Aries says his final words and the beowolves charge in and begin to tear his body apart.

Ruby wakes up and everyone is dusting themselves off from the landing. "Aries! Where's-" She looks around and everyone's looking at the ground. She feels a weight in her throat, the grief slowly overtaking her. She leans against a tree and starts to cry. Aries was gone.