Remnant of Dream

AN: Sorry this one taking time to type out, but I swear I am getting better and it has nothing to do with playing ESO all the time. Anyway enjoy the end of this arc, the end of battle of Vale.

Chapter 21 – Celebration of Cakes

The blinding bright light was exceptionally painful to Blake, due to her Faunus heritage and being part cat. It took her a few moments to blink the blotches of shadow from her eyes. When she opened her eyes, she really wished she hadn't.

Kaleidoscope of bright colour met her vision, she and the others found themselves in a place of clashing fantasy, dreams and impossible logic. Bright rainbow colour building, enormous curtains of rainbow colour drapes made of ethereal lights, flowed down from the skies. Giant size tea cups, sweets and everyday miscellaneous scattered through out the landscape. There was no order to anything, it was both beautiful and bizarre.

"W-What the hell! W-What is this place?" Weiss said with a tinge of hysteria in her voice.

"I... I don't know..." Blake tried to apply logic in this strange place, but that was an obvious mistake as she felt an enormous head ache developing.

Blake looked around to see how everyone else reacted.

Yang looked around with a massive grin, then mentioned that one time when some idiot spiked her drink with unexpected result. Namely she almost crippled the guy and turned his house into a burning ruin.

Sun and Neptune looked at everything with a slack jawed expression. They looked like a pair of drooling idiots.

Qrow and Raven were also stunned, but that soon changed when Raven punched Qrow across his jaw.

"What the hell!?" Qrow yelled angrily.

"Yep, still awake. I'm not dreaming." Raven replied.

"Punching me proves that you're still awake!? How does that work!" Qrow complained bitterly.

Professor Ozpin looked at this bizarre world with analytic eyes, humming all the while.

It was then Blake noticed Ruby was missing. "Weiss, Yang, where id Ruby?"

Before anyone could say anything. Sun shouted. "Everyone! Over there!"

Sun was pointing down at the edge of their platform. Blake came to realized they were at the very edge of this bizarre world. Behind them were a surreal wall of patterns and colours. Blake focused what was in front of her, where Sun was pointing.

What Blake saw was a massive round table. Madoka, Mami, Sayaka, Kyoko and Ruby sat around the table on their respective chair. At the centre of the table was the Grimm dragon, reduce to the size of a small dog, it sat on a silver dinner tray with a large transparent glass cover. And on top of the cover was Bebe in her doll form. The Grimm dragon spun and looked around within it's prison.

"What the hell!?" Sun said with shock.

"Dude! How did they do that to the Grimm dragon!?" Neptune piped in.

Before anyone else could say anything more. Bebe in her doll form opened her mouth impossibly wide. An enormous serpentine 'Grimm' erupted from her mouth, it then flew in circle around the five girls and the table.

Everyone except Qrow and Ozpin were reduced to stunned silence. Those two already knew about Bebe's unique form, while the others...

"The Sweet Witch... Charlotte." Blake said with a trembling voice. Ruby's description was spot on. However seeing a Witch in person was something else altogether.

"I-It's real... T-They are actually real." Weiss was shaking her head in denial. Blake knew Weiss always had a hard time believing Ruby's story and experience as Homura Akemi. And this just blew whatever shred of doubts into ashes.

Yang's jaw just hit the floor altogether. Blake doubt she even remembered The Sweet Witch Charlotte. Yang wasn't good with details, no matter how much Ruby and Weiss explained it.

It was then Blake became alarmed, Ruby was down there! She had no idea how Ruby was going to react to a Witch that had killed Mami in numerous time lines.

Blake wasn't wrong in her assumptions. Ruby almost activated her time stop and shot Bebe, she only stopped when a comforting voice stopped her.

Madoka said with reassurance. "It's okay Ruby. Bebe is on our side, you don't need to be afraid."

Ruby calmed herself down, her previously racing heart slowed back down to it's normal pace. Madoka's reassuring words helped Ruby greatly, even thought she had a thousand questions. She knew it will have to wait. "I'm okay. I'm ready."

Ruby turned a little red at what she was about to do next. Sayaka had told her what needed to be done, it seem simple enough as well. Unfortunately they didn't have time to explain all the details or mechanics to her.

Ruby followed after her friends around the table as they sung.

"Big cake, round cake, right in front of me. Who do you think this cake could be?" Everyone on the table sung as they all sway left and right to the rhythm of the music in the background.

"Is the cake Sayaka?" The Sweet Witch asked as she faced Sayaka.

"No, it's not me. I'm just a little, old, raspberry. That big, round, cake's too red, don't you know?" Sayaka made a cross with her arm, then pointed to Kyoko. "Could the cake be Kyoko?"

A raspberry magically appeared above the confined dragon, it ate the raspberry in one bite. A strange shine entered it's eyes.

"Na, not me. A'm the juicy apple in dis story. Dat big round cake loves Bebe, can't ya see?" Kyoko leaned back on her chair as she tapped the table with her palms. "Is da cake Mami?"

An apple magically appeared above the dragon, it enthusiastically leaped up and devoured the fruit.

"No, it's not me. I am the cheese. This big, round, cake is tumbling, you see." Mami made a cross with her fingers, then she looked over to a very nervous Ruby. "Could the cake be Ruby?"

A triangular slice of cheese magically appeared above the dragon, it ate the cheese with gusto as it's tail sway left to right.

"N-No, n-not me. I-I am the pumpkin, full of seeds. T-This big round cake looked sweeter then sweet." Ruby stuttered with nervousness, then quickly looked over to Madoka. "Is the cake Madoka?"

A pumpkin magically appeared above the dragon, it ate the pumpkin with obvious joy then eagerly awaited for it's next treat.

"No, it's not me. I'm the melon, don't you see? When you slice the melon, it will bring you sweet dreams." Madoka sung as her iris turned bright gold.

A whole melon appeared above the dragon, it ate the melon with a happy squeal of delight. Numerous shinning stars began to flash brightly within the depth of the Grimm dragon's eyes.

"So why is the dream so bitter of late? Cause the kitty's dream is the one on the plate. It's so plump, it's gonna taste great!" Everyone sung as they got up from their chair, each one pulled on their table cloths.

As the cloths were pulled away, the Grimm dragon transformed into an enormous cake with raspberries, apple, cheese, pumpkin and melon topping. The Sweet Witch dived down from above.

"Mo-ju-Mo-Be." The Sweet Witch sung before devouring the enormous cake whole.

Almost everyone couldn't believe what they just saw. Blake along with Weiss were completely baffled and lost through out the entire song... and battle? If one could even call it that!

"That just made it to the top of weirdest stuff I have ever seen in my life list." Qrow said as he caught Raven's fist. "And no, hitting me isn't going to confirm if you are dreaming or not!"

While almost everyone were responding to this bizarre and weird event like any other normal human or Faunus. Yang had a completely different priority.

"Well. I just got that all on the scroll. The blackmail potential are endless! I can't wait to see Kyoko's face when I show her this." Yang laughed lecherously.

Blake had to resist the urge to shoot Yang, but within moments they had bigger things to worry about. As Bebe belch out an enormous black cloud, almost the size of the Grimm dragon before it entered this bizarre realm. Also said realm began to crack apart like an egg. The labyrinth shattered giving way to the real world, Blake and her companion found themselves high in the skies, the fall would have been fatale..

However instead of falling rapidly, something slowed their descend to the ground to a gentle float, it was almost pleasant..

"It's okay now, you don't have to curse anyone any more. You don't have to hate anyone any more. I will take on all your burdens. You are all free from your curse." Madoka said in a voice that was angelic, peaceful, even majestic. Blake had to resist the urge to gasp in shock as she looked into Madoka's golden eyes.

'No! It's can't be! She is...' Blake was cut short when the black cloud turned white, a white that was as pure as snow and as bright as the sun itself, and yet not as painful to look at, there was no pain at all. Then the ball of white light expanded suddenly, engulfing everyone.

Blake felt her aura flare and swell, flashes of memories not her own appears before her eyes, happy and joyful events that almost brought tears to her eyes, it brought hope to her very soul. The complete opposite of the Grimm.

The flash of light spread out through the city, every human, Faunus and Grimm were touched by the light. Those who were in despair found hope and a reason to fight. The boost allowed them to fight back even harder, their determination bolstered by the mysterious and holy light from Beacon.

It had the opposite effect on the Grimm. They were repelled by the light, they hesitated, they became slower, they became confused. Those Grimm within the city became easy target. Those on the outskirts, those that had lived for a long time turned and ran. They know they had lost.

(Line break)

Victory should have been in her grasp. Nothing should have been able to defeat the ancient Grimm dragon, no weapon should have hurt it on a permanent basis. Nothing on Remnant should have been able to kill one of the four immortal Grimm.

However reality defied Salem. One of her greatest weapon and creation permanently destroyed, one of her greatest asset permanently removed from the chess board.

Salem snarled in disgust as the white light that was once the Grimm dragon shone brightly from Beacon, smoke rise from her pale flesh, her eyes was burning looking into the light. Salem felt her anger and hate rises as she felt the nature of the light. It was anathema to her very being, to what the Grimm represented.

"Watt! We are leaving!" Salem said with anger, she would not let this stand, they have won the battle, but not the war.

"Yes Ma'am." Dr Watt said as he and the Incubator looked towards the source of the light, their eyes gleamed with hidden glee.

(Line break)

As Ruby along with Madoka, Mami, Sayaka and Kyoko landed on Beacon's ground. She couldn't help but feel a great sense of achievement. Bebe plopped down on her shoulder in her doll form.

"Bebe proud of Ruby! Ruby did good." The little witch said in a childish voice.

Ruby should be afraid of Bebe, she knew how dangerous a witch could be, but Ruby could feel in her heart of heart, that Bebe was and always will be a kind girl. Ruby couldn't bring herself to hate the bubbly, joyful and beyond adorable girl.

Just as Ruby was about to answer Bebe, everything became hazy, she felt dizzy along with something warm and wet hitting her hand. Ruby looked down and saw splotches of blood on her hands and the floor beneath her, that seem to be increasing in numbers and volume.

Ruby could only stare in confusion as shouts of concern surrounds her. Everything sounded muffled, everything became even more blurry and she eventually lost her footing. Someone caught her before she hit the ground. Ruby looked up and saw Madoka, there was tears in her eyes, she looked really concerned and worried. Within moments everything turned black.

(Line break)

It had been just under a day since the massive battle of Vale, things could have been a lot worse, there could have been far greater casualty then a mere handful for such a huge Grimm incursion.

They had been very fortunate and very lucky. However it did not feel like a victory for team RWBY and all those close to Ruby Rose.

The young girl has been unconscious since that fateful battle. Ruby laid motionless on the medical bed within Beacon's infirmary. Yang sat beside her, she has not slept at all since Ruby collapsed, her eyes red and puffy.

"Rube... please wake up." Yang pleaded softly.

Sayaka had already done all she could to help Ruby, she fixed all of Ruby's physical ailments. Ruby's nose bleed was due to sever haemorrhaging within her head, Ruby even suffered a concussion due to how much she overused he time stop. Both injury happened because Ruby's body couldn't handle the strain of such powerful magic. But amazingly Sayaka was able to fix all that.

However what Sayaka couldn't fix was the severe depletion of Ruby's magic and Aura. They also didn't know what kind of effect magic depletion has on someone like Ruby. Since neither Sayaka, Mami, Kyoko, Madoka or even Bebe ever used their magic to the point of depletion.

Yang began to feel depressed as she remembered how frantic Weiss tried to push for an answer, but all she got was uncertainty. Yang cried at the thought of Ruby never waking up again.

(Line break)

Ruby gradually opened her eyes and found herself in a strange place. It was night time without a cloud in the skies, there were stars and a whole unbroken moon... an unbroken moon!

It was then Ruby realized she was standing on a very, VERY high place, namely a red construction crane. In her surprise she almost lost her footing, luckily she regained her balance and her footing. Although it might take awhile to calm her beating heart.

Ruby wondered how she got here and why. It was then she noticed a familiar girl sat on the far end of the crane. Her long black hair blew in the wind, her dark purple eyes looked longingly out towards the sea of artificial lights that was the city.

"Homura." Ruby said in recognition. "But how?" Ruby realized she wasn't looking at this from Homura's perspective.

Of course this was still a memory, Homura did not respond to Ruby's question. Homura looked into her hand, a red ribbon flittered within. Tears began to gather within Homura's eyes.

"I miss you. Everyday without you by my side... I want to be with you again. I don't care what I have to do..." Homura cried.

Ruby felt her hearts ache, she could almost understand what Homura was going through. If it was her who lost Madoka, Ruby knew she would be just as hurt and miserable as Homura.

As Homura cried into the ribbons in her hand, a transparent Madoka appeared behind her, Madoka's long pink hair trailed behind her, her golden eyes shone with sadness and hope.

"I'm sorry Homura, you've waited all this time for me." Madoka embraced Homura from behind. "But we will be together soon. I promise."

The scene brought tears to Ruby's eyes. Homura did not notice what had just transpired. Madoka was as invisible as the air itself, her reassurance were as silent as the night.

It was then Ruby saw the Incubator sat at the end of the crane, with a malevolent smile on it's face. Then everything turned black before Ruby's eyes.

AN: A little side story to tie you all over, it will give you a little insight into what's happening on Remnant. Hope you enjoy this little extra.

Side story – Buran

"This is space shuttle Buran to Atlas command. We have successfully detached from the rocket and heading into the exosphere." A female astronaut reported in.

"Copy Major Tereshkova. We read you loud and clear." The onboard communicate replied. "Congr...*static*...atulation o...*static*...n bei...*static*...ng the fi...*static*...rst..."

"Command repeat. You are breaking up." Major Tereshkova looked over to her fellow astronaut. "Check the instrument. We need to re-establish communication."

The man nodded. "Yes ma'am, I will... oh merciful God, what the hell!" The man swore as he looked out the view port of the space shuttle.

Major Tereshkova looked out the same view port, she could not believe her eyes. From horizon to horizon, a strange formation of light was covering everything as far as the eyes could see. She went from view port to view port, it was everywhere. The rainbow hue light formed multiple triangular formation around what she began to suspect to be the entire planet of Remnant.

How was it they did not see this from the ground!? It was then to her horror she saw something that was most certainly not made by nature itself. At the junction of those triangle of lights, red glyph orbit the planet, and within those red glyph were a single eye with red iris, it was looking down at the planet. Her face paled as she saw more and more of those eyes in the distance.

"Captain..." The man was in shock. "Oleg!" The Major shouted.

"Major." The man instantly replied.

"Get the recording device and film all of this. Remnant must know about this!" The Major felt a chill down her back, she turned and saw one of the eye was looking at her, at the space shuttle.

Then everything went to hell, the entire shuttle began to shut down and veer out of control. "This is Major Tereshkova of the Atlas shuttle Buran! Something! Someone is watching our planet! It has surrounded Remnant in some kind of force field! One of it's... eyes has shut down our shuttle! If you find this. Warn Remnant! Warn the world! We are not alone! The target is hostile! I repeat! They are hostile!"

The Major recorded what was outside the shuttle as she was shouting into the recording device. As the shuttle began to buckle around them, the major threw the recording device into the black box. Soon the shuttle burst into flame as it made a violent re-entry into the atmosphere

At the burning wreckage of the space shuttle Buran. Watt approached the shuttle's black box along with the Incubator. He took out the recorder and replaced it with an identical device.

"Hopefully this will dissuade them from making any further attempt from going into space." Watt said as he looked towards the Incubator. The white cat tilted it's head side way. Watt nodded. "A full report of Dust become ineffective as it move further away from Remnant would be more then sufficient."

The Incubator looked into the distance and perked up. Watt looked in the same direction. "Oh my... She succeeded I see. The child actually called down the Goddess for us." The Incubator looked towards Watt. "I will begin surveillance of Patch and the child Ruby Rose. This is most fortuitous indeed."

That day was forever know as the day the ambition of space colonization ended, the dream to be free from the Grimm ended with the revelation of Dust losing it's potency when it move further away from Remnant.

Unbeknown to most however, this was also the day when a tiny little voice, a honest little soul cried out for help. And it was answered in the most unexpected way.

AN: The final end of the Grimm dragon Fafnir might raise some eyebrows, but I like to use something a bit original and outside the box, and I really like to think no one has pulled this out of the hat yet. The opportunity to turn a Grimm dragon into a cake was too much to resist, sorry if this isn't what you're expecting.

Now onto the review.

pre74: I thought it might be a bit strange to start any sort of conversation between them. Since Raven did leave Yang almost at birth (I think). That's a bit of a big pink elephant in the room so to speak. Also thanks for the encouragement, will get better as time goes by, I hope.

ultima-owner: Pheww... It's always good to receive some sort of feed back on battle scene, I'm trying to aim for exciting but not drawn out over ten thousand words. Thank you for the fee back.

Student: You won't have to wait long for the other three to make a mini appearance. I already on my way on typing up what I wrote in my note book.

As for your question on God tier and how they got there. There is one simple factor that always held true in Madoka series. The longer a magical girl survives and live, the more powerful they become.

If you take Mami for example, in the beginning she could only use her ribbons... well, as ribbons. That's how she lost against her first witch and had to abandon a child to the witch she was fighting. At later stage she was able to form guns and other weapon with her ribbons as she gain more experience and understanding.

This also applied to Sayaka in Rebellion. The only factor that could have change Sayaka from useless with sword and suicidal charging in like a bull to awesome dual sword fighting with various magic backing her up was time itself.

As this fanfic progress, you will discover some of the more hidden plot that's in progress. If I say any more on this I gonna end up spoiling you.