RWBY: Grimm Slayer (Vol.3) (Male Reader x RWBY)

Chapter 20

Ruby: "H-Hey, Emerald..."

Emerald: "U-Uhm, hey, you two."

Immediately, Ruby bows a little to the green-haired girl, much to Emerald's and Y/N's surprise.

Ruby: "A-As Yang's team leader, I-I'm so sorry for what happened to Mercury. I really am."

Emerald: "That's so nice to hear you say that."

Quietly, Emerald tries to walk off and give Ruby and Y/N the cold shoulder but, Ruby persistently continues her talk with Emerald. 

Ruby: "I feel really, really bad about what happened and I'm afraid something similar to that might happen again."

Emerald: "O-Oh, you think so?"

Upon saying this, Emerald tries to walk off only for Ruby's voice stop her dead in her track, all while Y/N remaining quiet.

Ruby: "Y/N and I think there's something more going on because Yang has never been a bad sport, right Y/N?"

Y/N nod to his team leader.

Y/N: "If it can happen to her and our friends, then it can happen to more people."

Ruby then turns to Emerald, who has her back turn but glancing over them.

Ruby: "Please, Emerald. We need your help on this. That way, once we found out what's really going on, we can have justice for Mercury and save Yang's reputation as a huntress in training."

Y/N chimes in, still staring at Emerald.

Y/N: "Well, what do you say, Emerald?"

In response to their remarks, Emerald place a hand on her arm, rubbing it and feeling very awkward to even answer back. It doesn't help that she can feel them staring behind her, especially with Y/N.

Emerald: ("Damn it. I was only hear as an extra bit of insurance to make the next match dramatic as possible...")

Ruby: "Emerald...?

Emerald slowly glance over Ruby as her wholeheartedness and begging her for help catches her off guard.

Emerald: ("S-She... reminds me... of... myself...")

As Emerald is somewhat lost in thought, Y/N is looking at her mannerisms.

Y/N: ("She's acting... off...")

Ruby: "Will you help us out, Emerald?"

Emerald: "U... Uhm... I-"

Her words are interrupted by the sudden announcement for the next match from the announcer's box.

Oobleck: "All right, it's now time to begin the randomization process for our next fight!"

The sound of the roulette is heard faintly. Thinking on her feet, a smiling Emerald casually turns around to face Ruby and Y/N.

Emerald: "Say, why don't you guys tell me all about it after the match."

Ruby excitedly replies.

Ruby: "Really?!"

Emerald nods to her.

Emerald: "Yeah. In fact, why don't we sit over... ah, over there."

Y/N: "Why there?"

Emerald shrugs his question.

Emerald: 'Because it's the closest seats, duh." 

Ruby: "Alright. Let's go, Y/N."

Y/N sigh before responding.

Y/N: Okay. Let's go sit." ("Emerald... she... she couldn't have...")

The three goes sit at the seats Emerald mention, putting them right near of one of those maintenance tunnels. Y/N sitting next to Ruby, and Ruby sitting next to Emerald. As they go to sit down, the roulette stops showing the two images of the two combatants.

Port: "It looks like our first contender is Penny Polendina from Atlas!"

Y/N: "Huh, Penny's first."

Port: "And her opponent will be... Pyrrha Nikos from Beacon!"

Upon hearing this announcement, the crowd begin to cheer and applaud loudly. As Y/N applaud, Ruby nudge Y/N a bit.

Ruby: "Hey, Y/N? Is Pyrrha doing okay?"

Y/N stares at Pyrrha, who's entering the arena with the happy Penny.

Y/N: "She seems pretty okay. Why?"

Ruby: "Well, she and the rest of JNPR have been very distant with each other, especially between Pyrrha and Nora."

Y/N: "Don't worry, Rubes. They had an argument but, Jaune told me that they can handle it. So, I have faith that they will resolve their issue soon."

Ruby nod to him, giving him a warm smile.

Ruby: "Okay, I understand. But still, this match is going to be awesome!"

She then quickly turns to Emerald.

Ruby: "Don't you think so, Emerald?"

The awkward Emerald, who is more focus on the match than their conversation, snickers. 

Emerald: "Heh, that's some irony. Putting that Polendina girl up to someone who can manipulate metal." 

Upon hearing this, Ruby and Y/N share a brief laugh at her remark but, after a few seconds later, they catch up to what Emerald just said. About Pyrrha's semblance and Penny's robotic nature. Ruby slowly turns to look at Emerald, with Y/N already doing the same, staring her down.

Ruby: "Hey, Emerald. What do you mean about Pyrrha?"

Immediately, Emerald soon realizes what she just said to them as she rushes to come up with a good excuse, all while mustering up a casual smile.

Emerald: 'Oh, uh... M-Mercury figures out Pyrrha's semblance a long while ago d-during their sparring match, you know?"

Y/N: "Really? How?"

Emerald: "U-Uhm, it's thanks to his metal legs."

Upon saying this, Emerald quickly places a hand to cover her mouth as her response only allow both Ruby and Y/N put the pieces together.

Ruby: ("No way...")

Y/N: ("Don't tell me... she...")

Trying to change the subject the best she can, Emerald then faces Y/N, still putting on a smile.

Y/N: "Ruby, I-"

Emerald: "Y/N!"

They were taken aback by her sudden outburst.

Y/N: "W-What?"

Emerald immediately bows to him while sitting on her seat. 

Emerald: "I-I want to tell you that I-I'm sorry for Cinder's behavior and trying to check on your personal life. She just wants the latest scoop as Ash Aut-"

Once more, Emerald swiftly places a hand to cover her mouth as she glances over Y/N and Ruby. Eyes widen, Y/N slowly ask her.

Y/N: "How... How would you know something like that?"

Ruby: "Ash? Ash Autumn?"

Once the two teammates realize that their "friend" is in on the strangeness of the tournament, the sound of the announcer's box can be heard throughout the Colosseum.

Port: "Okay, everyone! Time to start the match!"

Emerald's and Y/N's eyes toughened, Ruby's eyes widened, and they stare each other down, unbeknownst to the crowd and the two announcers.