Ruby wasn't exactly sure what happened. One moment, she was staring at Penny. Her body lay in pieces, torn apart, her swords scattered everywhere. Pyrrha had been standing there, eyes wide and filled with horror. She had felt her own eyes burn with tears, felt her own chest cave in with emotion-
And then, just like that, the scene was gone.
Pyrrha and Penny were fighting, Penny knocking Pyrrha's weapons out of her hands. She could hear Mercury shouting in confusion somewhere far off, but she couldn't hear him. Couldn't hear anything over the roar of the crowd.
What just happened?
She couldn't comprehend anything at the moment, mind racing at a million miles an hour. What was that?
Then Penny raised her hands, her swords fanning out behind her, and Ruby saw Pyrrha stumble backwards, eyes widening in horror.
Instinct carried Ruby forward-well, maybe not instinct, but something caused her legs to move, made her rocket forward and barrel towards Pyrrha, who's face then took on a very determined expression. Before she could do anything, however, Ruby knocked her to the ground, screaming "STOP!" and she heard Pyrrha gasp out in shock beneath her. Penny's swords lowered and she cocked her head to the side curiously, lips tugging upwards.
"Ruby, is that you?" She called, though her voice was barely heard over the noises of the crowd. A few peals of laughter, but mostly sounds of confusion. Ruby rolled off of Pyrrha, suddenly out of breath. Her chest ached for more oxygen, and her head pounded with pain, as if a hundred Nevermores were scratching at her brain.
"Ruby!" A voice shouted at her, but Ruby couldn't open her eyes. Everything hurt too much. The noises of the crowd were drowning her. The image of Penny's body scattered all over the arena floor was burned into her brain.
What just happened?
And that was the last thing Ruby Rose remembered thinking before passing out in front of thousands of people.