Chapter 35

Yang laid Ruby flat on the ground with her head propped up on Yang's leg. Ruby raised her arm and wiped the blood out of her eye. "I beat it." Ruby said.

"You sure did." Yang said. "What did it do to you?"

"I did this." Ruby replied. She gestured toward Crescent Rose. "I had to."

Rise scanned Ruby as Yang wiped away the blood. It was soon replaced by fresh blood as the wounds continued to bleed. "She's got a lot of metal in her face." Rise reported. "I think she's going to need a doctor."

"So we retreat and get her to a doctor now." Yang said.

"There's no exit." Rise said. "The only way out is to end the dream."

"My neck hurts." Ruby said. Rise used her healing abilities on Ruby. "That's a little better." Still she continued to bleed, though the volume decreased.

"Look, the sooner we rescue Aigis, the sooner we can get Ruby to a doctor." Naoto said, placing her hand on Yang's shoulder. "Let's finish this."

"I'll stay here with her." Yang volunteered.

"That's not a good idea." Yu said. "We need everyone to fight the last shadow."

"He's right, we can't risk splitting our forces." Blake said. "Besides, you would be dangerously vulnerable. We can all fight the shadow and protect her together if you bring her with us."

"Ruby, are you okay to move?" Yang asked.

"Yeah." Ruby replied. "I'm just really tired."

"Alright then, let's go." Yang said. She pulled Ruby across her shoulder to carry her. Weiss picked up Crescent Rose and Rise agreed to carry it for her.

The depleted group headed up the stairs to rescue Aigis. "She's in the last room on the right." Rise reported.

Aigis sat beside Makoto on the edge of his bed. "It still feels weird being in here." Aigis said. She was nervous and knew she was no good at hiding it.

"What's the big deal?" Makoto asked. "It's just my room."

"Yes, but it is your room." Aigis replied.

"We've been dating for months." Makoto said. "You've been in here dozens of times."

"For some reason it still makes me anxious." Aigis said. She looked down at her feet. "I guess I am weird."

"You sure are." Makoto said. For a moment a look of shock and dismay flashed across Aigis' face. "But if you weren't, you just wouldn't be you."

"But why do you like me?" Aigis asked. "There are prettier girls, girls who are not weird, and so many who are better than me."

"Don't say that." Makoto admonished her. "There's no one better than you. I don't care how pretty a girl may be, I don't think anyone looks as good as you. And so what if you're quirky. It's better than being boring and normal. You're also the kindest person I know. How could I not like you? How could I not love you?"

"I am sorry." Aigis said. "I am just being insecure. It must be so troublesome to deal with me when I'm like this. I just…"

Makoto lifted Aigis' chin and turned her head to face him. "Stop." He said. "I love you." He started to lean in to kiss her.

There was a loud pounding on the door. "Open up!" Yosuke demanded. He pounded again.

"Yang do it." Rise said. Yang, with Ruby still draped across her shoulder, kicked the door open. The flimsy wood splintered before her kick.

Aigis and Makoto stared at the intruders in stunned silence. "Aigis, we're here to rescue you." Yu said. He looked at Makoto. There was something strange about him but Yu could not place it.

"What is going on?" Aigis asked. "What are you doing?"

"Aigis, this world is a dream." Weiss said. "None of this is real. You need to wake up."

"I…I don't understand." Aigis stammered. "Who are you people?"

"Don't you remember us?" Yosuke asked. "We fought together in Inaba to save your sister Labrys."

"I do not have any siblings." Aigis said. "I have never heard of Inaba and I have certainly never been in a fight."

"Who's the guy?" Blake asked.

"Makoto." Aigis replied. "What is the meaning of all this?"

"Makoto Yuki?" Naoto asked. Aigis nodded. "Of course. It all makes sense now."

"What does?" Aigis asked.

"That's not the real Makoto." Naoto said. "The real Makoto sacrificed his life to save the world in an incident several years ago. This is an imposter."

"That is insane!" Aigis shouted. "Everything you have done and said here is insane!"

"Aigis, you have to remember." Naoto said. "Don't you remember SEES, Nyx, the Shadow Operatives?

"Nyx…" Aigis trailed off. She grabbed both sides of her head in pain. She recoiled, finding mechanical attachments there instead of ears. "What is this?!"

"You're not human." Yu said. "You're a robot built to fight shadows."

"No, I'm human, Makoto's alive, and this is not a dream!" Aigis declared. "All the proof I need is right here beside me."

"That's not Makoto." Rise said. "That's a shadow."

"You underestimate me." Makoto said in someone else's voice. The voice was deep, distorted and for some reason unsettling. "I am no mere shadow." Aigis fell to the floor and clawed her way back to the wall in terror. Her mind was at war against itself, one side clinging to the dream, the other struggling in favor of the truth. It was all too much.

Blake raised Gambol Shroud and pointed it at Makoto's head. "Who are you?" She asked. "Eris?"

"Eris, no." Makoto replied. "My sister has no role in this, though it is interesting that I find myself at odds with those that foiled her plans."

"Eris is your sister?" Rise said. "Does that make you a god too?"

"Eris is my sister in the sense that we were born of the same mother." Makoto replied. "If you wish to call me a god, I will not deny it. I am above your mortal realm."

"So who are you and what do you want?!" Blake demanded. She took a step forward. "I don't care what you are. Answer the questions or I'll blow your brains out!"

"You can certainly try." Makoto laughed. "I will answer your questions. I am Hypnos. I want people to be happy. These poor souls, the ones you refer to as the Shadow Operatives, have seen such misery. Their connection to this world has allowed me to bring them happiness. You destroyed that happiness by dragging them back to their wretched reality."

"Why take on that form?" Naoto asked.

"It made my work easier." Hypnos answered. "Though my power is great in this world, my abilities in your world are limited. I am more than a match for any one of them. I could likely deal with all of them assuming fortune ruled in my favor. Still, such an outcome would be uncertain. This body, however, this body made them hesitate. It made them question themselves. That small advantage was more than enough."

"So why only inhabit Aigis' dream?" Yosuke asked. "It would have been easier for you to stop us if you confronted us at every turn."

"That is true, but the strongest mind requires the strongest restraint." Hypnos said. "Aigis, the one who inherited the power of this body, is far more capable of resistance than the others. Only my presence could keep the dream together."

"So we defeat you, the dream collapses and we all go home?" Yang asked. "Good, let's end this."

"Fools." Hypnos said. His expression was one of disappointment. His eyes glowed red as he stretched out his arm toward Teams RWBY and YYRN. They fell limp all at once and dropped to the ground. "As predicted."

"What did you do?!" Aigis cried.

"I gave them the happiness I have given you." Hypnos said.

"I don't want it!" Aigis shouted. "I want to go back to the real world! Now that I know the truth I can't stay here."

"Every mind, even a synthetic mind such as yours, has incredible capacity for self-deception." Hypnos said. "In time you will forget the truth and return to your happiness as you did when you arrived."

"I'll destroy you!" Aigis screamed. "Athena!" Nothing happened.

"Your powers are of no use." Hypnos said.

"But mine are." A voice said from the doorway. Hypnos and Aigis turned to see another Makoto standing there. "Messiah." Behind Makoto a great robotic angel appeared. It was all white, had his appearance and had metal wings. A ball of energy appeared before the Persona shining with blinding light. Makoto thrust his hand forward and the ball rocketed into Hypnos.

"How very disappointing." Hypnos said as he slowly disintegrated. When the light faded there was nothing of him left.

Alone with this new Makoto, Aigis sat on the floor awestruck. "Is it really you?" She asked, her voice trembling. Makoto just smiled. Along with the rest of the world he melted away as the dream collapsed.

Aigis' eyes suddenly snapped open and darted back and forth. "She's awake!" One of the mechanics reported.

"Let me move!" Aigis demanded. "They need my help!" She was still immobilized so the mechanics could make repairs.

"Who does?" Kikuno asked.

"Yu and his friends." Aigis replied. "They are still in there. We need to rescue them. Hypnos did to them what he did to me!"

"Who's Hypnos?" Kikuno asked.

"The culprit." Aigis replied. "Allow me to move now!"

"You're too badly damaged." Kikuno said. "If you move you'll make the damage worse."

"I don't care, they need help." Aigis said.

"Let me go instead." Labrys offered. "My damage isn't as severe."

"No, you're in no condition to fight." Kikuno said.

"We don't need to fight." Aigis said. "We just need to recover their physical forms for now."

Kikuno waved one of the engineers over. "Is it safe for Labrys to do some light lifting?" Kikuno asked. "Maybe two hundred pounds at most."

"I'd say she's clear to about three hundred, but the less the better." The mechanic replied.

"Deactivate the immobilizers and let her go then." Kikuno said. "Labrys, just carry them out here. If you encounter any enemies, retreat immediately."

"I will." Labrys promised. The mechanics freed her from her paralysis and she rushed into the television.

"So, how are things going at Beacon?" Yang's mother asked via scroll.

"It's alright." Yang replied. "I'm on a team with two other girls. Our leader is a Schnee."

"A Schnee, really?" Her mother said. "That's good, there are certain advantages to be gained from such an association."

"Isn't it weird that we only have three people?" Yang asked. "All the other teams have four."

"I'm sure Ozpin did that for a reason." Yang's mother assured her. "How are you getting along with your teammates?"

"It's okay I guess." Yang answered. "Weiss, that's the Schnee, is a little arrogant but she's not too bad. My other teammate Blake is really quiet. It's not all fun and games but we get along I guess."

"Alright, your father and I have some business to attend to so I have to go." Yang's mother said. "I love you."

"I love you too mom." Yang said. "Talk to you soon."

"So the whole three person team thing is bugging you too?" Weiss asked. "I'm really happy to be team leader but it feels weird."

"The room even has four beds." Blake said. "It does feel like someone's missing."

"Blake, while I have the chance, I wanted to apologize." Weiss said.

"For what?" Blake asked.

"For the way they treated the Faunus in the past." Weiss replied. "It was terrible."

"That was decades ago." Blake said. "All is forgiven as far as I'm concerned. We have equal rights and equal treatment, so why dwell on the past."

"I just don't want you to hold it against me." Weiss said.

"Why would I?" Blake asked. "You had nothing to do with all that. Now, if you turn out to be a lousy leader, I will hold that against you."

"I don't think you have to worry about that." Weiss laughed. "Hey Yang, what's up with you?"

"What do you mean?" Yang asked.

"Well, you've been staring off into space." Weiss said. "It looks like you've got something on your mind."

"I'm still on the three person team thing." Yang explained. "I can't put it into words, but I just feel like something's missing. Something isn't quite right."

"I know what you mean." Blake said. "I feel it too. Something just feels…off."

"It's probably just our imaginations." Weiss said. "It's late. We should get some sleep." She slipped her books off the desk and into her backpack, got up from the chair and headed for her bed. Her foot hooked on her backpack's strap and she began to fall, stumbling in a desperate attempt to stay on her feet. She lost the battle and fell into the red curtains that covered the window. Grabbing them, she pulled them down and they wrapped around her like a cloak. The curtains still draped over her, she stood. "I'm okay." Weiss said. "That was embarrassing." Blake and Yang stared at her, eyes wide. "What, am I bleeding or something?"

"A red cloak…" Blake trailed off.

"Ruby!" Yang exclaimed. "That's what's missing, Ruby!"

"How did we forget Ruby?" Weiss asked.

"Yeah, wasn't she the team leader?" Blake asked.

"And she's my sister…by a different mother." Yang said.

"I remember now." Blake said. "Hypnos, he must have put us in a dream."

"But where's Ruby?" Yang asked.

"We can figure that out later." Weiss said. "Now it's time to wake up." The world melted around them as the dream collapsed.

Rise's day of shooting had gone badly. It was not her fault. She was on point. The other actors were having difficulty and it made the whole thing take forever. She was glad when mercifully, the director decided to end for the day in the hopes that things would go more smoothly tomorrow. Still, Rise had a lot to be happy about. She was Japan's most popular idol, maybe its most popular celebrity. She was everywhere. She was on numerous television programs, and endless list of movies, performed frequent concerts, and it was hard to turn around in a public place without seeing one of her ads. There was not even any serious competition to her media dominance.

"Rise, do you have a moment?" Inoue, her manager asked.

"Sure, what is it?" Rise asked. She was exhausted but if Inoue thought it was important, it probably was. The look on his face made her think it was very important.

"I just got an offer." Inoue said. "I think this could be huge for you."

"What is it?" Rise asked.

"I got a call from Hollywood." Inoue replied, barely containing his excitement. "You've been offered the starring role in a major film! This could be the break you needed to really hit the international stage."

"I don't know." Rise said. "My English isn't very good."

"That's alright, your part is almost all in Japanese." Inoue said. "So, what should I tell them?"

"What's the catch?" Rise asked. "There has to be a catch."

"Not really." Inoue said. "You have to move to spend a few months in the United States, but that's about it. I know it can be hard to be away from your friends and family for so long, but I know you can handle it too."

"Let me make one phone call." Rise said. She whipped out her phone and called someone she had on speed dial. "Hi! I just wanted to ask you something." There was a brief pause as the other person spoke. "I was offered a movie deal but I'd have to leave the country for a few months. What do you think I should do?" There was a longer pause this time. "You're the best. I'll talk to you later." She was about to hang up but the person on the other end said something. "Teddie? No, I don't remember how we met. Why?" There was a pause. "That is weird, I'll call you back if I remember. See ya'."

"Who was that?" Inoue asked.

"My boyfriend." Rise replied.

"What did he say?" Inoue asked.

"He said I should follow my dreams!" Rise said. "Tell them I'll take the part."

Inoue immediately pulled out his phone and made the call as Rise headed for her dressing room. She wanted to rest but she could not stop thinking about what Yu had asked her. She could not remember how they had met Teddie. It was strange. Come to think of it, she could not remember how she had met Yu. It was in Inaba, but why was she in Inaba? She must have been visiting her grandmother, but she would not have been able to meet anyone with the fans swarming all over the place. But what if there were no fans? But why would there not be fans? For some reason the idea that she had taken a hiatus of some sort popped into her mind. But she had been acting non-stop since she started. Right? No, she did take a hiatus, but that was impossible. Unless…

Inoue knocked on the door that stepped in. "The arrangements are all set." He said. "Once this production wraps we'll head off to California."

"Inoue, who's the second most popular idol in Japan?" Rise asked.

"Why does it matter?" Inoue countered.

"Indulge me." Rise said.

"Uh, I don't know." Inoue said. "There really isn't a clear number two."

"What about Kanamin?" Rise asked.

"I've never heard of her." Inoue replied.

"But you're her manager." Rise pressed. "I'm sure of it."

"Are you feeling alright?" Inoue asked. "Maybe you need some rest."

"This world isn't real." Rise concluded. "In the real world I took a hiatus and it set my career back. Kanamin took my place. I'm not the most popular idol in Japan, she is, but I don't really care as long as I'm having fun. I want to wake up." With that the world melted away as the dream collapsed.