Amplify (A RWBY Story)

After receiving a rough description of what he missed, Ryder knew he missed a lot but didn't expect to miss so much. The most important thing he missed was that Ruby wasn't in Vale anymore and was most likely somewhere in Mistral by now. He was extremely worried about Ruby and had to hold himself back from attempting to chase her down. But he knew it would take forever to find her and would divert his attention away from the Dragon Balls.

But once he returns to looking for the Dragon Balls, he'll keep an eye out for Ruby. Maybe he can bring her back to Patch where she'll be safe. But when he heard that Ruby wasn't alone and was with what remains of Team JNPR, he was worried even more. More of his friends potentially in a dangerous situation. While he gets it, it's a part of being a Huntsmen, but given what's been happening he can't help but be worried for them. 

He's sure they can handle themselves but if Salem sends her goons after them, they might not stand a chance. But his mind was put at ease when Tai mentioned that Qrow went after them. Qrow is a professional Huntsmen and has many years of experience. If anyone can at least keep Ruby and the gang safe, it's Qrow. But he cannot help the small ounce of anxiety. As he sit on the couch in the living room of the Rose-Xiao Long household, Yang sat beside him while Tai sat on the chair that was next to the couch. 

"Well, besides recent events regarding us. How have you been since, everything happened?" Tai asked. 

"In Vacuo mostly. Got to meet the headmaster of Shade Academy." Ryder informs. 

"Oh, so you met Theodore. How did it go?" Tai asked. 

"He gave me an extra dorm room to stay at during my time in Vacuo." Ryder said. 

"What else did you do in Vacuo?" Yang asks. 

"Went around the Kingdom, helping around where I could." Ryder said. 

"Anything interesting happen?" Yang asked. 

Ryder was about to answer but stopped himself. He did not want to tell them he killed someone and failed to save a village. He didn't know what they'd think of it. When Ryder went silent, both Yang and Tai got worried. Tai was about to ask Ryder what was wrong before a knock is heard at the door. Figuring it's something important; Tai stands up. 

"I'll get the door, could be Glynda." Tai said to both Yang and Ryder. 

Once he walked off towards the door it left Yang and Ryder alone. Yang wanted to change the subject, so she tried to think of a question to ask Ryder. She then got an idea of a new topic to talk about. She turns her head to Ryder. 

"So, have a special someone i mind?" Yang asks. 

"Hm?" Ryder looked at her, he was snapped out of his thoughts by her question. 

"I mean do you have a crush on someone?" Yang asked. 

"Why ask that?" Ryder asked back. 

"Well, figured we should change the subject, and that topic just came to mind." Yang explains before turning in her seat to face Ryder. "So, tell me, do you have a crush on someone?" 

Ryder thought about it for a moment. 

"Don't know to be honest." Ryder answered. 

"Oh, come on! You gotta have at least someone on your mind all the time." Yang said, getting more interested in the topic. 

"Well, I think about my friends a lot." Ryder said. 

"That doesn't count since it's multiple people." Yang states. "Is there someone you think about more than most people?" 

Ryder sat there and thought about it. Could there be someone he thinks about more than most. Well, he primarily thinks of Ruby and Yang as he sees them as family, same with Tai. He thinks about all his friends like Jaune, Nora, Ren, Blake and.... Weiss. Now that he actually thinks about it, the first person who truly comes to mind is Weiss. Does he have a crush on Weiss? 

"Well?" Yang asks. 

Before Ryder could respond, he hears a familiar voice. 

"Well count me surprised." The familiar voice said. 

Ryder and Yang look at the source of the voice and see Kairos walking into the living room with Tai. Ryder stands up to greet his teammate. Kairos walks up to Ryder and the two share an arm wrestle handshake. Ryder and Kairos hold a firm grip before letting go of each other's hand. 

"When Glynda told me that you'd returned. I had to see for myself." Kairos said. 

"Well, here I am." Ryder said. 

"I take it you've been keeping up with your training?" Kairos asked. 

"Kinda. I did train but not all the time. But i can tell you definitely kept training." Ryder said. "Nice outfit by the way." 

Kairos wore a black leather jacket with a purple accent. He also wore dark grey jeans with all black shoes that had a faint purple decal on the side of it. Underneath his jacket he had a grey T-shirt. 

"Figured I'd need a change of uniform. Given what struggles we'll face." Kairos said. "You certainly didn't change your outfit." 

"Never really had the time to." Ryder said in a humored fashion. "Been venturing around helping where I can." 

"Hope you got enough training in." Kairos said, crossing his arms. 

"Oh, I got enough training in." Ryder said confidently. 

"You better have. I don't want the person i consider a rival to fall to far behind." Kairos said. 

"What makes you think I'll fall behind huh?" Ryder asked in a challenging manner. 

Kairos just smirks at the challenge. Tai and Yang just watch on with smiles on their faces watching this rival reunion. While Ryder enjoys this reunion, he does know he'll have to leave once more to continue searching for the Dragon Balls. He needs to find them in order to prevent any more catastrophe and to defeat Salem. Those orbs are his biggest weapon, and he must find them all. No matter what.