Amplify (A RWBY Story)

It's been about a day since Ryder arrived at Shade Academy. He had been helping around the Academy while also sneaking in some training. He knows the Dragon Balls are his top priority right now, but he does want to train to try and get himself past 10X with his Semblance. He remembered how he pushed himself to 10X during his fight with the Greater Warden, but at that time he forced his way to that level of power. Ever since Beacon fell, he had been training and is getting closer to 10X.

So, his training goal is to go past 10X. When he did try to force himself to 10X he noticed his Aura was being weakened and drained. So, he kept a mental note to never forcefully push past his limits unless absolutely necessary. But he is also focusing on his Magic. Trying to come up with new techniques, or well spells in this case, to use in battle against anything that Salem might send his way. 

But Ryder doubts that he's ready. He wasn't at all ready for the Fall of Beacon nor was he ready to lose Pyrrha. He's never prepared for the harshness of the world. This happened on Earth. As a kid he always thought the world was fine until he grew up and learned the truth. He nearly lost his faith in Humanity a few times, had trust issues and always had his guard up. But Ruby and Yang taught him otherwise.

Thanks to them, he's lessened his guard and is more trusting towards people. They changed him and he's grateful. But Ryder can think of his friends on a later date as right now he was flying around Vacuo in search of Dragon Balls with the Dragon Radar in hand. He looked away from the radar and looked around towards the ground, not that he could see anything. 

He's high up in the sky so seeing something as small as the Dragon Balls will be a challenge. He then heard a beeping sound coming from the Radar, so he looked at it and saw a blip on the radar. He smiles before he descends from the sky in the direction of the Dragon Ball the radar picked up. As he gets closer, he spots a village that has smokestacks rising into the sky. He double checks and confirms that the Dragon Ball is inside the village. Whether or not it was, he needed to help them. He picks up his flight speed and dives down towards the village.

As he got closer he saw a single Bandit causing chaos. Based on what they're weapon looks like, it's a Rogue Huntsman. Ryder lands in the village and hit the ground hard enough to create a small crater and kick up a lot of dust and sand. The Rogue Huntsmen turned around to the source of what he assumed was an explosion. But when the dust settled he saw Ryder who was glaring at him. The Rogue Huntsman smiled. 

"Someone tryin' to play hero huh?" The Rogue Huntsman asked. 

"Someone has to." Ryder responded. 

"Well, I don't like heroes. They always get in the way of fun." The Rogue Huntsmen said. 

"And harming innocent people is fun to you?" Ryder asks, a little angry. 

"Pretty much. Ever since Beacon Fell, it's been so easy to cause chaos." The Rogue Huntsman said. 

Ryder activates his Semblances and a crater forms under him as his green aura intensifies. The rogue Huntsman flinched a little but regained his composure and prepared his large sword for combat. 

"I say give it up, because I've been doing this for years." The Rogue Huntsmen said. 

"How many?" Ryder asks. 

"Over a decade." The Rogue Huntsman said, a smile coming to his face. 

Suddenly, four other Bandits emerged from the surrounding village and charged Ryder. Ryder didn't flinch nor react, making the Rogue Huntsman grin. But as they got close, Ryder chambered Wind Dust and Lightning Dust into his gauntlets before he leaped forward and dodged the four Bandits. Ryder then turns around and slams his hands together sending out a shockwave of Wind and Lightning that launches the Bandits.

He then heard something, so he turned his head and saw the Rogue Huntsman about to hit him with his sword. Ryder simply ducks under the sword before jumping up and spin kicking the Rogue Huntsman in the face. This attack surprisingly only pushed him back a small distance but did cause his Aura to flicker brightly. 

"Agh! Damn, you pack one hell of a punch!" the Rogue Huntsman said. 

Ryder was confused for a second. He then realized he held back in the punch unintentionally. The Rogue Huntsman let a grin come to his face. One of the four bandits from before got up and charged Ryder. Ryder simply dodged his sword and slapped the bandit in the face launching him into a building. Ryder heard a scream and turned back to the Rogue Huntsman who now held a hostage. It was one of the villages and they were young. Most likely a teenager. Ryder's eyes widen. 

"What's it going to be hero?" The Rogue Huntsman asked. "You either leave, or this villager dies." 

Ryder didn't want anyone to die but he wanted to stop him. Ryder powers down and turns off his Semblance. The Rogue Huntsmen smiled before he snaps the neck of the villager. Ryder's eyes widen as his heart stops briefly. The world seemingly froze for him. Ryder heard a cry of agony from a civilian and he looked at them. It was a mother. She just lost her child. She was then killed by a Bandit. This deeply angered Ryder. Ryder's shock swiftly turned to unbound RAGE.

Ryder let out a primal war cry as his Semblance activated and went to 10X. Ryder dashed at the Rogue Huntsman who tried to defend himself. Ryder threw a punch, and his punch shattered the Huntsman's aura before it ripped right through him. Ryder's fist tore through the Huntsman's chest and came out the other side. A shade of red decorated the ground below and Ryder's hand. Ryder's fury remained before he ripped his hand out of the Huntsman with more red painting the floor. 

As he comes out of his anger fueled state, Ryder realizes what he had just done. The rogue Huntsman drops to the floor and quickly dies. Ryder then looked horrified before he looked at his right hand. Covered in red. His gauntlet now dawned a red paint that dripped onto the ground below. He looked around and saw nothing but death and chaos, like he was in a warzone. Bodies scattered across the ground with buildings in flames. He failed to save these people. He hears the Dragon Radar go off, so he grabs it and sees where the Dragon Ball is within the village. Still in shock, he walked towards the area to secure the Dragon Ball.

He just killed someone. He never could bring himself to kill someone before, but he was just so angry that he gave in and killed someone. He finds the Dragon Ball and grabs it with his clean left hand. His right hand was still covered in blood. He stared at the orb before a single tear went down his face. He thought back to Pyrrha and all those hurt in the Fall of Beacon. He failed to save some lives that day and he failed to save more lives today. He even killed someone. Ryder finally turns his semblance off before he leaps into the sky and flew away from the village.