Reaper Of Remnant Volume 1 (A RWBY Fanfic)

11.

Reaper is sitting on a chair in the RWBY dorm as Ironwood was talking to Yang and the rest team RWBY.

Ironwood: I'm sorry, but you've left us with no choice.

Yang: But he attacked me!

Ironwood is pacing around the room, not looking at her

Ironwood: Video footage and millions of viewers say otherwise.

Weiss: But Yang would never do that!

Ruby: Yeah!

Ironwood turns around as Yang sighs and places her head in her hands

Ironwood: You all seem like good students, and the staff here at Beacon are fully aware that you would never lash out the way you did... under normal circumstances. What I believe and hope this to be is nothing more than the result of stress and adrenaline. When you're out on the battlefield, your judgment can become clouded in an instant. Sometimes you see things that simply aren't there. Even after the fight is past...

Yang: But I wasn't-

Ironwood: That's ENOUGH! The sad truth is, whether it was an accident or an assault, it doesn't matter. The world saw you attack an innocent student. They've already drawn their own conclusions. And it's my job to inform you that... you are disqualified.

Yang's shock turns into miserable understanding when she looks to the ground, and Ironwood leaves the room. Reaper looks over at Yang.

Yang: You guys believe me, right?

Ruby: Duh!

Weiss: You're hotheaded, but not ruthless.

Yang: Reaper? Blake?

Reaper simply shrugs. Blake turns her gaze away, earning a shocked look between Ruby and Weiss.

Blake: I want to believe you...

Ruby: Huh!?

Weiss: What's that supposed to mean?

Yang's eyes widen, tears forming instantly.

Yang: Blake?

Weiss: How can you say something like that? Yang would never lie to us!

Blake glances at Weiss, then takes a deep breath

Blake: I had someone very dear to me change. It wasn't in an instant, it was gradual - little choices that began to pile up. He told me not to worry. At first they were accidents, then it was self-defense. Before long, even I began to think he was right. This is all just... very familiar.

Yang looks at Blake, tears now falling down her face

Blake: But you're not him. And you've never done anything like this before. So... I want to trust you. I will trust you. But first, I need you to look me in the eyes and tell me that he attacked you. I need you to promise me that you regret having to do what you did.

Yang wipes the tears in her eyes and then looks straight into Blake's eyes.

Yang: I saw him attack me, so I attacked back.

Blake lets out a deep breath as she closes her eyes and smiles.

Blake: Okay. Thank you.

Yang: I think I'm gonna rest up.

Ruby, Blake, and Weiss stand up and head to the door. Reaper stands and follows them.

Blake: We'll get out of your hair.

They all walk out and close the door.

Weiss shakes her head and sighs

Weiss: This is a mess...