Amplify (A RWBY Story)

After reuniting with Qrow, Oscar and Ryder had to wait for Qrow to finish drinking despite Ozpin's pleas. During that time, Ryder and Qrow talked to each other. Apparently, Qrow revealed the truth. Well partially to RNJR. This led to an argument with Qrow, but Ozpin intervened and assured Ryder that everything will be fine. They also learned about Qrow's brief reunion with The Headmaster of Haven and let's just say both Ozpin and Ryder were suspicious.

Once Qrow was finally done, it was a chore getting him back to the House that he, Ruby, Jaune, Nora and Ren are living in right now. Ryder was nervous about meeting them again as last time he just left them. He also needs to be careful with what he says as he doesn't want to reveal the Dragon Balls to them. If he did, he knows they will want to help. Once they locate the house holding the others, Oscar stepped up and knocked on the door while Ryder guided a drunk Qrow. 

After a moment, the door opens, and Oscar sees Jaune standing in the doorway. Inside the house, Ren and Nora were sitting down on one of the two red couches. Jaune was confused and looked at his teammates before turning back to Oscar. 

"Can I help you?" Jaune asked. 

"Um... yeah." Oscar said, nervously. "Is there a Ruby Rose here?" 

Tensions rose and both Ren and Nora stood up and looked like they were ready to fight. 

"Why?" Nora asked. 

"Well..." Oscar said. 

Ryder lost his hold on the drunk Qrow and Qrow moved over to Oscar, grabbing him by the shoulders. 

"I found him!" Qrow rejoiced drunklike. 

Qrow then let out a laugh before he walked into the house. 

"Damn it, Qrow!" Ryder cursed as he stepped into view for Jaune and the others to see. 

"I think her uncle could use some help." Oscar said, pointing at Qrow who walked over to the couch and fell onto it. 

"I found him." Qrow said again. 

Ryder growls in annoyance and walked inside. Jaune looked at Ryder. 

"What happened?" Jaune asked. 

"What do you think? He's drunk." Ryder said. "Made us wait forever. " 

Soon footsteps were heard as Ruby came into the room from elsewhere in the house. 

"What is going on out there?" Ruby asked, clearly annoyed. "Can't a girl read her comics in peace?" 

Ruby then noticed a drunk Qrow and sighed. Though, she wasn't surprised. 

"Qrow, did you get drunk again?" Ruby asked. 

"Maybe~." Qrow said. 

Oscar then noticed something about Ruby as he stepped further into the house. It was also in this time that Ruby noticed Ryder's presence. 

"You have Silver eyes." Oscar commented. 

Ruby looked at Ren and Nora for an answer, but they didn't give her one, so she decided to ask Oscar who he was. 

"Who, are you?" Ruby asked. 

"Oh, your gonna love this." Ryder mumbled humorously. 

"Um. Well. My name is Oscar Pine." Oscar introduces. 

"Wait for it." Qrow said faintly. 

"But you probably know me as... Professor Ozpin." Oscar revealed. 

This revelation did shock team RNJR. Qrow on the other hand laughed. 

"I DID IT!" Qrow rejoiced before falling off the couch and onto the floor. 

The group then looked at Ryder. 

"He's telling the truth by the way." Ryder said. 

"How though?" Nora asked. 

"It's a long story." Ryder answered. 

It took some time for Qrow to sober up, but once he did, he went off into the Kitchen while the others excluding Ryder gathered around Oscar. Oscar saw in a red chair in between the two red couches. RNJR was still trying to piece together the revelation that Oscar is Ozpin. 

"Did he age backwards?" Nora asked. 

"He's possessed!" Jaune concluded. 

"Or Reincarnated." Ren suggested. 

"isn't it weird?" Ruby asks. 

These words came to Oscar rapidly. The group was a bit close to Oscar. 

"It is a bit weird, yes." Oscar answered. 

"Okay, okay!" Qrow said, walking into the room with a mug. "Let's all just take a second and remember that this is all very overwhelming for everyone." 

Team RNJR then backs up from Oscar before heading to take a seat. Ryder chuckles to himself. He himself was sitting on one of the couches. But he stands up and walks out of the room. He guessed that Ozpin was about to make his grand debut and didn't really want to be present for that all over again. As he stood in the other room, Ryder made sure no one was watching him before he grabbed his satchel and opened it. He saw the Dragon Balls inside of the satchel including the Dragon Radar. He has one Dragon Ball left to find and two locations to check. Menagerie and Atlas. He does need to finish searching Mistral, but he can most likely stop searching Mistral for now and come back to it later. He closed his satchel and then heard Oscar call his name. 

"Ryder, would you come here for a moment?" Oscar asked. 

Based on how he was talking, Ozpin was in control. Ryder turned and went back to the living room. Once he entered, he noticed all eyes were on him. 

"What did you need?" Ryder asked. 

"I was just about to discuss what are next move will be to stop Salem." Ozpin said. 

Ryder knew Ozpin was getting RNJR involved. He didn't want them involved, but they already know about Salem. The best he can do right now is ensure they're safety by being with them. 

"Okay, but why call me back?" 

"Because there is one key component to defeating Salem, the very things you've spent months searching for." Ozpin said. 

RNJR looked at Ryder. 

"What is he talking about?" Ruby asked. 

Ryder hesitated. Ruby noticed his hands started shaking and knew his anxiety was hitting him. Ruby got up from the couch and approached Ryder. She stood beside him and placed a calming hand on his shoulder. Ozpin noticed this but didn't comment. Ryder then opened his satchel and grabbed one of the Dragon Balls. He then showed it to the others. 

"For the months I've been gone, I've dedicated myself to searching for these." Ryder said. 

"That just looks like a Crystal ball." Jaune points out. 

"They're more than just a Crystal Ball Mr. Arc." Ozpin said. 

"They're called Dragon Balls." Ryder said. 

"Dragon Balls?" Nora asked, confused at their purpose. 

"There's seven of them in total. According to Ryder, you collect all Seven. You can get any wish for your desire granted." Qrow explained. 

"As long as it's within Shenron's power." Ryder said. 

"Shenron?" Ren asked. 

"That's the name of the Dragon the Dragon Balls summon. He's the one granting the wishes." Ryder said. 

"So, I could wish for infinite pancakes?" Nora asked excitedly as she stood up. 

"Yes. But that is not what we're using that Wish for." Ryder said, sternly. 

Nora puffed out her cheeks with a pouting face as she crossed her arms and sat down. Ruby though realized something. 

"This whole time, the months you've been gone. You've been looking for the Dragon Balls. Alone?" Ruby asked. 

Ryder nods. 

"I didn't want to get you guys involved. All I wanted was for you guys to be safe. So, I went alone." Ryder explained. 

"We would've been fine." Ruby said calmly. 

Ryder then snapped his eyes to her with a glare. 

"Oh really?" Ryder asked. 

Ruby flinched and stepped back. 

"Qrow told me about your fight with Tyrian. If he wasn't there you could've been captured or worse killed!" Ryder said, in a scolding tone. "You should've stayed in Patch and never even attempted to come to Haven!" 

"Ryder. Calm down, buddy." Jaune said, calmly, trying to defuse the situation. 

Ryder realizes that he kinda snapped and saw Ruby's face. She looked a little hurt by the harshness of his tone. A moment passes and Ryder calms down. 

"I-I'm Sorry." Ryder said quietly. 

Before Ruby would respond, Ryder turns and walked away. Heading elsewhere in the house just to be alone. Everyone showed visible concern. Qrow was stoic as he watched Ryder walk away. 

"Something is... seriously wrong with him." Jaune said, sounding concerned. 

Qrow sighs and stands up. 

"I'll handle this." Qrow said as he walked off to find Ryder.