Remnant of Dreams
A/N: Two more chapters to go until the epilogue. This chapter will reveal one of the crucial plot of this story. As for what that is, read on. I will discuss that at the end of this chapter. Please enjoy this chapter of Remnant of Dreams.
Chapter 38 – The Law of Cycle
The scene before Ruby's eyes looked as if someone ran an archaic movie player in slow motion before burning the film with a match.
Ruby once again found herself looking down at a dying Madoka, laying her head on her knees, within the broken ruin of Mitakihara city.
'This is were it all started.' Ruby thought as she tried her best to suppress the despair welling up within her hearts.
Once again Ruby found a pitch black pistol in her hand. Indescribable guilt filled her hearts as she raised the firearm.
The scene changed in an instant, Ruby was back in her own body, Crescent Rose levelled at the kneeling black outline of Homura. To Ruby's horror, she could not control her body. She desperately tried to point Crescent Rose away from Homura, but to no avail.
A wave of guilt, loathing and despair washed over Ruby, urging her to pull the trigger, to end it all.
The sound of a single tear drop echoed in the infinite darkness. "Please Homura. Stop."
And just like that, Madoka's voice broken Homura's control over Ruby. Ruby fell to her knees in relief as she regained control.
"Madoka?" The shadowy Homura said as she raised her head.
The scene around them changed, the pitch darkness began to fill with stars and nebulas, a single white window with double door frame appeared.
"I told you before, you shouldn't go off by yourself like that." Madoka's soothing voice said as the window gradually opened.
A surreal pure white arm with an ethereal inner glow gently reached out for Homura. Ruby felt tears ran down her face as she saw the numerous scars on what she knew without a doubt was Madoka's arm.
The 'Real' Madoka's arm. A foreign thought ran through Ruby's mind.
"No matter where you are or how much time have passed. You will always be you. And I will never abandon you." As Madoka said this, an image flashed before Ruby's eyes.
Madoka dying in Homura's arms, she cried as Madoka reach up to touch her face with a content smile. A wave of guilt, sorrow and regret flooded Ruby's heart from Homura.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Homura said as she reached out and embraced Madoka's hand. "I just wanted you back with me again. I didn't care what I had to do."
The darkness and distortion around Homura broke away and vanished as if she was cleansed by a wave. "Even if it turns me into a monster... as long as I can have you back, then none of it really matters."
Even as rolling emotion slammed into Ruby, only a small portion of her thought asked what Homura meant by that.
The Madoka Ruby knew appeared before Homura with a smile. "Come on Homura. Let's end this... together."
Before Ruby could ask what Madoka meant, the world she was in flooded with blinding white light.
(Line break)
During that very moment when Bebe's blow horn trumpeted across Vale, the silent wave of supernatural sound was also a signal to all they have worked towards during the past four years of travel.
At the ruin village of Kuroyuri, white motes of light began to drift up from the ground, they launched themselves towards the skies.
The same events happened across all the continents of Remnant, on all the abandon or ruin settlements and cities.
Many observer were baffled when they saw multiple white orbs launched themselves into the skies from the ruin of Mt Glenn. However what happened next shocked everyone under the open skies of Remnant. The bright light shattered the skies and revealed a surreal sight of multiple red glyphs and numerous eyes, all with angular prism of rainbow light between them.
The Incubator's planetary size isolation field was revealed for all the world to see.
"W-What the hell!?" Qrow swore as team CFVY, team JNPR looked at the skies in grim fascination and shock.
"The Incubator's Isolation field. They been here since the creation of Remnant." Bebe answered as she focused on one part of the seal.
"What is the purpose of this isolation field?" Nobunaga asked with trepidation.
"To interfere with Madoka and stop anyone from leaving Remnant."
"What are those lights from Mt Glenn? What did you do?" Raven asked with interest.
"Bebe along with Mami, Sayaka and Kyoko have been cleansing Grimm in key location. When Bebe and everyone else did the cleansing. We imbued a part of our power into that place and the soul are set free." Bebe looked back at the seal. "Bebe just told all those we helped. It is time to fight back. Bebe told them it is time to break the illusion and set everyone free from the Incubators."
It was then a bright pink light shone brightly from the centre of the city of Vale.
Elsewhere Ironwood was on the ground, closes to the source of the light. He helped a gravely injured Ozpin to sit up.
"Oz. Hung in there. The medics will be here any minute now."
"J-James. Tur... Turn me towards... the light. I-I want to... see." Ozpin said with short gasping breath.
Ironwood held back his grimace. "Of course."
Ironwood help Ozpin to face the source of the light and became transfixed by what he saw before him.
It was strange and beautiful sight. Homulilly's head transformed into a blooming cherry blossom tree.
A massive sigil of 'The Law of Cycle' appeared above Homulilly, with four smaller sigils orbiting the largest sigil. Radiant light illuminated the city of Vale.
Everyone within visual sight of the unearthly and surreal sigils were in awe by the strange and divine phenomenon before them. Even the Grimm seem to be drawn to this strange event.
Madoka and Homura stood under the blooming cherry tree. "Homura. You're not afraid, are you?"
Madoka along with Homura raised their right hand towards the heaven. Homura shook her head. "Nun-un. I'm ready. I'm not afraid any more."
A massive white bow appeared in their hands, the bow was indescribable to look upon. It appeared as if it was created out of the very concept of beauty, the divine and purity. It's size was as visible as the tree itself.
Then within moment, a comet size arrow of bright pink energy was launched at the primary node of the Incubator's isolation field. All those on the ground gasped in awe as the Isolation field shattered and the cascade effect caused it to shatter globally.
(Line break)
Mistral airspace
Three Mistral transport ships flew over the ocean and in-between floating island size landmass, those tiny island stayed afloat due to the gravity dust crystal on them.
Despite the size and defence on those transport ship, all three were in trouble. They were being attacked by a swarm of Grimm Lancer, a hornet like Grimm.
The Black brothers were helping with defence and repairs, while doctor Iris along with doctor Ichiro tend to the injured on deck.
It was in between patients, a small white orb appeared before doctor Iris.
"What the..." Before the good doctor could finish, the orb vanished leaving a letter behind.
Doctor Iris picked up the letter and opened it. Her house key fell into her hand, the very same one she handed to Madoka.
Doctor Iris barely held back her tears as she read the letter. 'Thank you for everything. Goodbye. Love Madoka.'
"Nurse Kaname..." It was then the skies lit up, that was soon followed by the strange eyes and glyph filling the skies.
All the Grimm suddenly stopped attacking as they looked up. The strange skies shattered and was replaced by numerous circular pink glyphs as far as the eyes could see.
Infinite pink bolts of energy, similar to those Madoka launched from her bow began to rain down. Each arrow found a Grimm, then shattered them out of existence. Within mere moments, the swarm of Lancer were wiped out, even it's queen was shattered with a single arrow.
Doctor Iris realized what Madoka had done for them, for all of them when she saw countless pink bolt of energy rained down from horizon to horizon.
"Sis! What is going on!?" Kyo shouted as he watched the skies rain down pink arrows.
"Madoka..." Iris Black held the key close to her chest with a happy smile. "She's getting rid off all the Grimm on Remnant."
Iris had no idea how true her words was. No matter how deep the Grimm dwell in the ocean or under the earth, no matter how enormous or old those Grimm were. Each arrow of Salvation found their target. Most shattered in one hit, while those that took more then one, there were infinite numbers of those arrow from The Law of Cycle.
Several refugee caravan groups and settlements that was under siege from Salem's command to eradicate all Faunus and Humans, saw their hordes of Grimm eradicated instantly in front of their eyes. Many had trouble believing what was happening, but that only lasted a short time. Soon many of those besieged settlements cried out in joy and celebration.
(Line break)
City of Vale
The pitiful wail of Fenrir echoed the city as Madoka's arrow shattered it out of existence. The immortal Grimm was no more. Jormungandr along with Huginn and Muninn also met the same fate. The sight and the event that had just transpired were so unbelievable, all those participated in the battle were left speechless. That was soon broken by cries of jubilation, as they all came to realize they had won, they have beaten the odds.
During the celebration, Kyoko looked towards Homulilly with a small smile.
"Miss Sakura..." Goodwitch said as Kyoko turned her attention to her. "It is not easy for me to say this. But thank you for what you have done for this city and all those you saved. Once the clean up is done, your effort will be recognise..."
"A'm afraid, A won't be around ta see tat. But thanks anyway."
It was then Glynda saw the sadness and regret within Kyoko's eyes. "What ever do you mean..."
"There ain't enough time ta explain. Tat time is better spend with da one person who need tat ta most." Kyoko turned towards Homulilly. "Goodbye Goldilocks, find a good man ta marry n live a nice long life."
Before Goodwitch could retort or demand an explanation. Kyoko vanished before her eyes, as if she never existed.
Unbeknownst to Goodwitch, Mami, Sayaka and Bebe also vanished at the same time.
(Line break)
Outskirts of Vale
'No! No! No! This is not happening!' Salem thought frantically.
Salem, the de facto leader of the Grimm. She always has a link to the numerous mass of the Grimm on Remnant. Although she could not directly control all of them at once, she could sense all their presence.
And what she was sensing terrified her. Her Grimm were being wiped out, every last one of them erased at ungodly speed.
Salem screamed in both fury and fear as her immortal Grimm were erased. She spun on her three Grimm seers, only to see them shattered by pink bolts of light.
She became more and more frantic as her connection to the Grimm dwindled rapidly. What could possibly destroy so many of her Grimm in such a short time!? Nothing short of a...
"No! I refuse to believe such a being exist! There is no such thing as a God! There is no hope! There is no light! There is only darkness!" Salem screamed as she descend into madness.
A pink light shone as she looked up defiantly at the glyph cover skies. She cried out in fear as a pink bolt flew straight at her.
But instead of pain or coldness of death. Salem felt warmth, she opened her eyes and beheld a girl floating before her. She knew this girl. This was the first time she met her in person. This was her first face to face meeting with Madoka Kaname.
"That is enough, you don't have to do this any more. You don't have to shroud yourself in darkness, in hate, in curses." Madoka said with a soft melodic voice.
"What do you know! What could you possibly know!?" Grief, anger and sorrow suffused Salem's heart. A feeling long buried from a time she long forgotten began to surface. "I cried out for help in my darkest hour."
Memories began to surface, a pious woman of the north, unwavering faith in her God. She wielded miraculous power that she gave thanks to everyday.
"Even with all my power, even with all my faith. I couldn't save him." A familiar yet unfamiliar face surfaced within her memories. "I served God faithfully all those years and yet they would not grant me that one wish, they took him from me!"
Human feeling began to break through the Grimm exterior of Salem's heart. Another memories surfaced. In the hours of her most dire need, when she was most vulnerable. A voice whispered to her, promising to grant her wish in exchange for her soul.
"I sold my soul willingly, just to see him one more time." But even that voice betrayed her. A stranger claiming to be her love showed up.
In her panic, in fright. She reacted in way she never predicted. The Grimm answered her call and took form. They killed the stranger, then her neighbours, then the entire village. When she realized the truth form of her wish, it was too late.
"I killed him... I brought him back only to kill him with my own two hands. I killed them all."
Something darker, more malicious took her over. It was almost like she became the Grimm itself. The terror of humanity.
"That is not you. The real you always love and cherish those you met. So please, don't blame yourself any more. Because I am here to take those burdens away. I am here to set you free." Madoka said with a kind and benevolent smile.
During those short confession, Salem only began to notice the gradual transformation she underwent. Her pale white skin began to regain their healthy pink tone. The dark and purple veins vanished. Her eyes returned to those of bright crystal blue. Salem returned to her human form, her Grimm side vanished under the light of Madoka.
Salem was an elderly old woman of seventy with snow white hair. She looked at her wrinkled human hands and cried in joy. The darkness of Grimm that had clouded her mind for untold aeon was gone. Emotion other then anger, hatred and loathing came back to her.
She was human again.
"What is going to happen now?" Salem asked, dreading the answer. Will she be condemned to damnation for all her sins?
"It is time to go home. It is time to rest and be at peace."
"I see. I could do with that. If it is not too much trouble. May I ask who you are?"
"I am Madoka, The Law of cycle. I am the incarnation of hope, the salvation of all Puella Magi."
Salem smiled peacefully as she vanished in a burst of light along with Madoka.
(Line break)
"Hang in there Oz." James Ironwood said as two medic worked frantically to secure their patient.
"J-James... It is beautiful... is it not..." Ozpin rasped, as he looked at the glyph filled skies.
"Save your energy. Just hold on a little longer."
It was then James spotted a single pink arrow flew straight for Ozpin, he shouted out a warning as the medic dove for cover. But before the arrow could strike Ozpin, it burst in a splash of pink light.
Madoka Kaname with a surreal glow about her floated before them all with a serene smile.
"I see... I never thought... this day... will come... It is time... for me to go." Ozpin said with a grimace of pain.
"Wait! What!?" James said in panic.
"Tell me... are they all gone... the Grimm... Salem?"
"Yes, soon all the Grimm will vanish from Remnant. Salem has return to The Law of Cycle." Madoka held out her hand. "And it is time for you to let go of your burden, to return to your rightful rest."
"No! Wait!" Ironwood shouted. "You can't take him, please! The people of Remnant still needs him, we need him."
"No James... The people of Remnant... are stronger then they think... I am... A relic of the past..."
"Please Oz, don't do this. We need you. I need you, I am not ready for this." Ironwood pleaded.
Ozpin smiled. "You will... in time... believe in yourself..." Ozpin looked towards Madoka and reached out. "Thank you... for doing what I could not... for putting Salem to rest..."
Ozpin vanished in a flash of green light along with Madoka's pink light.
"Goodbye Ozpin. Thank you for everything you did for Remnant." Ironwood said stoically as the two medic resemble fish out of water.
(Line break)
The Incubators in their thousands looked at the skies in disbelief. The Grimm were all gone, all their work over the millennia completely wasted. A final burst of pink energy flew at the remaining Incubators.
"This is so illogical!" The collective Incubator cried out as they were blasted into atoms. Their presence vanished from Remnant.
(Line break)
When the blinding white light finally subsided from Ruby's eyes, she found herself looking out into the city of Mitakihara.
The city was truly marvellous to look at during the night. There was a sense of peace and serenity to the city. A truly beautiful place where Madoka was born and lived in when she was human.
Ruby wondered what it would have been like to grow up in such a peaceful world like this. A world that was not under the constant threat of Grimm.
"Ruby." Ruby turned towards the source of the familiar voice.
She was greeted by the sight of Mami with Bebe sat on her lap, Sayaka and Kyoko were also there. They sat around a low table with tatami mats under them.
It was then Ruby realized she was in Mami's apartment. She could barely remember it from Homura's memories, since she only came here at the beginning of the time loop.
Now that Ruby had taken a good look and feel of Mami's apartment, she came to realize it was a warm and homely place. A place that was never meant to be live in by only one person, this is a place that was meant to be live in by family and best friends.
"Come sit with us Ruby. Make yourself comfortable." Mami said in her ever kind voice.
"O-Okay." Ruby said as she sat down. She noticed there were tea, cakes and her favourite chocolate chips cookies on the table.
Ruby couldn't help the squeal of delight as she reached for the cookies, but she froze when she noticed Kyoko's plate was empty and none of the snack has been touched yet.
Ruby felt a pit opened up in her stomach, the only time when Kyoko wasn't eating something, was that one time before they left Patch. The day when they told her they were leaving the tiny island village.
Ruby slowly withdrew her hand from her favourite snack, her head lowered, she couldn't bear to look at Mami, Sayaka, Bebe or Kyoko. She was afraid to be correct, to be right about her guess.
"Y-You're leaving again..." Ruby stuttered, she barely held back her emotion.
There was a moment of silence between all of them.
"...Sorry, there really is no easy way of saying this." Sayaka said with a pained tone.
Streams of tears rolled down from Ruby's eyes. "B-But why? W-We only just got b-back together. A-All of us. W-Who knows how..."
The it hit Ruby. 'They are not coming back. They are going for good. They all are...'
"Y-You a-are not coming back... a-are you..." Ruby felt her hearts break at this revelation, her whole body began to numb as shock begin to set in.
Ruby then suddenly felt someone hug her tightly, the smell of spice and the feel of warm summer embraced her.
"A'm sorry... A'm sorry for leaving it till now ta tell ya... I want nothing more then ta stay... then ta live on Remnant wiv ya all." Ruby was shock by what Kyoko has told her and the tears that she could feel on her shoulder.
"T-then don't go... stay..." Ruby pleaded.
"We can't..." Sayaka said tearfully. Before Ruby could ask why. "Ruby... we all died a long time ago. Remnant... even thought it was our second chance, it's always a temporary one. We are fortunate to even get this much."
"I-I don't understand. Y-You're alive... Y-You're here... Y-You all are..." Ruby didn't want to face the cruel reality. Even if she knew the truth deep down.
"Ruby. We are all part of The Law of Cycle, it is because of Madoka, we are even able to have this second chance. But in the end, the dead cannot be returned to life... even Madoka don't have that kind of power." Mami said with a glimmer of tears.
"...but Madoka, s-she is here... isn't she?" Ruby wondered why Madoka isn't here.
Sayaka held Ruby's hand. "Ruby. The Madoka you knew. The Madoka you grew up with, is a fragment of the original. The Madoka you have been living with was the Madoka before she became The Law of Cycle."
"Rube. A know how much dis hurts. That Madoka isn't here. She didn't do dis on purpose, because A know she would want ta see ya one more time before we all hafta leave." Kyoko said in a pain tone.
"The Madoka you grew up with has returned to The Law of Cycle, the moment the Incubator's barrier came down. I... really don't know if the real Madoka will remember the life she had on Remnant." Mami said as she cup Ruby's tearful face, gently raising it so they could see eye to eye.
Tears ran down Mami's eyes. "There is so much I wanted to do and say. But it really would be asking too much." Mami hesitated for only a moment. "Ruby. I know this isn't what you want or hope for. But when you meet the real Madoka... Please don't be angry at her."
"I... I won't." Ruby honestly could never hate Madoka. She wanted to stay with all of them, to be with them.
"...Please... Take me with you." Ruby whispered.
"R-Rube!" Kyoko said with shock.
"T-Then we can all be together. Just like before all this started. Just like before I join Beacon..."
"Please... Ruby..." Mami was crying as she tried to stop Ruby.
"Like how we always go on adventures. It can be like that again. We can..." Ruby said with a hurt smile.
"Ruby stop!" Sayaka shouted in tears. "What about Yang. Your dad Qrow or your uncle Taiyang. What about your teammate Weiss and Blake, or your friends at Beacon. Jaune, Pyrrha, Nora and Ren..."
Ruby choked back her tears. There was nothing she could use to counter Sayaka's argument.
"...or your dream to become a huntress and help everyone. You have so much to live for, please don't throw all that away." Sayaka pleaded.
"...but... I want to... be with you all... I want to be with... Madoka."
"I know, but please don't make the same mistake I made. You have family and friends that loves you very much. Don't leave them for us." Sayaka said as she embraced Ruby.
Mami patted Ruby on top of her head. "This isn't good bye forever. We will meet each other again. So live a full life..."
Kyoko then interrupted. "Find a good man and have lotza kids, then tell us all ya adventure an ya great an awesome life."
Ruby turned bright red then laughed. "Okay. I will. I'm really going to miss you all. It's never going to be the same without you."
"N A'll miss ya ta." Kyoko said as all four girls hugged Ruby fiercely.
"Bebe promise to give you the best cheese cake in heaven when you finally come by." Bebe was also influence by everyone's emotion.
"I'll be sure to look forward to it." Ruby said with a fond smile as they were all enveloped by a bright light.
(Line break)
Ground zero, battle of the witches
At the ground where Homulilly once stood. Nothing was left of the massive witch, building for a mile around were flattened. All that were left at the centre of this clearing was a pure white slab of dust crystal with Homura Akemi laying atop of it.
Her eyes closed with her black rose bow held to her chest, she wore a beautiful black gown dress as if she was in eternal mourning. One could have easily assumed she would sleep forever.
Qrow gently picked up the dark purple soul gem that was beside the white slab of dust crystal, then placed it on Homura's chest.
'They are as different as night and day.' Qrow thought as he tried to compare Homura to Ruby. He really could not find a single similarity. He wondered if Homura had grown up with them, would she then be just like Ruby. However that was only a fleeting thought on his part.
"Let go! You stupid old man!" Qrow thoughts were interrupted by Raven's angry shout.
Qrow turned around and beheld the sight of Nobunaga wrapping his arms around Raven's waist and being dragged across the ground by her.
"Hell no! Ya ain't getting away till ya explain why the maiden just vanished like that!" Nobunaga yelled at Raven as she grind the handle of her katana into his head.
Qrow sighed as he noticed both Yoichi and Toyohisa watched the unfolding chaos with a grin on their faces. Soon many more people congregated at his location. Taiyang along with Team JNPR and CFVY. Team RWBY without Ruby staggered up to him. Taiyang fussed over Yang with her injury. Winter and Goodwitch soon followed with students from all four Kingdoms. Ironwood arrived last.
"This is Homura Akemi?" Goodwitch said as she moved next to Qrow.
"Yes. The original maiden of the seasons." Qrow answered with a small smile.
Before anyone could add anything more. A blinding light flashed into the clearing. When it dissipated, Sayaka, Kyoko, Mami, Bebe and Ruby appeared. The four Puella Magi embraced a sobbing Ruby.
Qrow couldn't hear the whisper Mami said to Ruby, as soon as they broke away from the embrace. Weiss Schnee ran to Ruby with glimmer of tear in her eyes.
Qrow could never guess what was on Weiss's mind or the truth she learned after her team confrontation against the witch Oktavia.
(Flash back)
A resounding slap echoed the silent street as Weiss struck Sayaka with glimmer of tears within her eyes.
"How dare you... How can you do that to Ruby! How can you expect us to keep her from despair when all of you will leave her!" Weiss shouted in anger.
Sayaka looked away with sadness within her eyes, her cheek stung and redden from the earlier slap. "We don't have a choice."
Weiss grabbed Sayaka by her collar. "I don't believe you! Everyone has a choice! You and everyone else chose the most selfish and hurtful course of action against Ruby. How can you even call yourself her friend..."
Sayaka suddenly became translucent and completely insubstantial. Weiss lost her hold, it felt like she was grabbing smoke, she was speechless at what she was seeing before her. A translucent Sayaka with consistency of smoke and air.
"We died a long time ago. What you see before you, what me, Kyoko, Mami, Bebe... and Madoka have are bodies made from pure Aura. We are literally ghost made from Aura." Sayaka said sadly as solidity return to her form.
Weiss was shocked by this revelation. But still... "Stay... Stay for Ruby, don't just leave her after recovering Homura." Weiss tried to hold back her tears.
"We can't... no matter how much..."
"No! I don't believe you! I refuse to think that someone as powerful as Madoka can't just..."
"Do what!? Bring us back to life! Do you think this is easy for us! For Madoka! This Madoka won't even know she will leave Ruby in the end!" Sayaka was getting agitated.
"What? What do you mean!?" Weiss had no idea that Madoka was unaware of the whole thing.
"Madoka isn't all powerful. She already gave up too much for all of us. When this is over, Ruby will be like a day dream to her."
"I hate you! I hate all of you for what you are doing to Ruby! This isn't fair!"
"No one ever said it was." Sayaka wiped away her tears, then looked into the heiress's eyes. "I need to ask you to keep all that we talked about a secret from Ruby and everyone else."
"Why should I." Weiss said defiantly.
"If you want to be the one to break the news to Ruby. Be my guest." Sayaka challenged.
Weiss gritted her teeth in anger. "You bitch! I will keep your secret. But know this, if Ruby comes to harm over this. I will find a way to end you!"
Weiss stormed off in fury. She only barely heard Sayaka's soft whisper.
"Ruby is fortunate to have a friend like you by her side."
(Flash back end)
Weiss gave Ruby an almost bone crushing hug. "W-Weiss!?"
"It's okay. I will always be here for you. I am not going anywhere. I promise." Weiss barely held back her sorrow as Ruby openly cried.
While most wondered what was going on. Mami with Bebe by her side approached a bewildered Qrow.
It was also then Raven managed to bash Nobunaga over the head and off her waist. The old man laid twitching on the floor.
"Bebe, Miss Tomoe. I am so glad to see you are all right." Raven said frantically.
Mami interrupted. "Sorry Miss Branwen. But I need to speak with Qrow for a moment. It is very important."
"... sure." As much as Raven wanted to secure a maiden, she knew she need to bid her time.
"What is it? Kid." Qrow said as he brought out a flask to drink. Mami sighed as she snatched the flask off his hand. "Hey!"
"Qrow... try and take better care of yourself. You don't need those any more." Mami said as she closed the lid on his flask.
"Kid, has it ever occur to you that I might actually like drinking." Qrow argued.
"No. because those taste really awful." Mami said with a smile.
"And how would you..."
"Qrow..." Something within Mami's voice gave him pause. "The past month was really fun. I got to know you a lot better during that month then I did the whole time on Patch. I'm honestly going yo miss travelling with you."
Qrow sighed. "Look... Mami. If it really means that much to you. We can travel together again. Just cut back on the nagging. Okay."
Mami giggled at that. "That is what I have come to love about you. Qrow can I ask you a favour."
"Depend what it is." Qrow said cautiously.
"Close your eyes until I say it is all right to open them."
"Now look here..." Qrow said with annoyance.
"Please." There was that tone of voice that kept nagging at the back of his mind. Something familiar, something he pushed away into the back of his consciousness.
Qrow sighed. "Fine." He closed his eyes. "Kid, I swear if you prank..."
Something moist and soft touched his lips. Qrow's eyes shot open in surprise as Mami gave him a chaste, but warm kiss. It felt like an eternity, when in fact it was only a few seconds.
Mami then broke away with a sorrowful smile and tears in her eyes. "Goodbye Qrow. I really wish we had more time together."
Bebe looked up at him, then to Raven. "Bebe like to thank you all for looking after Bebe. Thank you for the fun time and the cheese."
Before either sibling could ask any questions. Mami became translucent then vanished in motes of yellow sparkling light. Bebe also vanished in motes of silver light.
An unbidden memory surfaced within Qrow's mind. The day when he broke up with Summer. The day when she said goodbye to him as she took their Ruby with her. It was a true farewell that spoke of something wonderful broken forever.
"...Mami. You can't just leave like that. Not after all that." Qrow did his best to hold back his tear and sorrow. It did rain after all.
(Line break)
A little earlier, before Mami bid her farewell to Qrow. Kyoko rushed towards an injured Yang, who was being supported by Blake. A look of concern on Kyoko's expression.
"What da heck happened ta ya!?" Kyoko scowled before placing her hands on the worse of Yang's injury.
"Some building fell on me. But I'm alright, because I'm Yang and hard. Get... Owww-OWWW!" Yang yelled in pain as Kyoko put pressure on her injury.
"NOT! FUNNY! Now hold still YA!" A red glow appeared on Kyoko's hand, Yang's injury began to fade.
There was an uncomfortable silence as neither Kyoko nor Yang said anything to each other. Soon all of Yang injury were gone.
"Blake. Mind giving me some space. A little time between me and Kyoko." Blake gave Yang a doubtful look. "Please..."
Blake sighed as she moved away from Yang. Yang turned to Kyoko as she looked away. "You're leaving again... aren't you." Yang barely held back a sob. "And this time you're not coming back."
"Ya... a lot smarter then peeps took ya for. I always knew ya had figure it out long before now." Kyoko said with a sad smile.
"It's not hard you know. People close to me, left me all my life. Mum, Ruby's mum, Qrow... It's just like five years ago..." Yang barely held back her tears. "Isn't there anything I can say or do to make you stay..."
"I think ya already know why we can't stay. Ya heard Ruby's stories bout us. Then ya should already know..."
"No! It's not fair! All right! Not fair to us! Not to Ruby! And most of all not to you! I know you want to stay!" Yang was openly crying.
Blake rushed back when she heard Yang shout. "Yang! What..."
"If what I said isn't true... then why are you crying." True to Yang's words. Kyoko had tears running down her cheeks.
"Tis true. What ya say tis all true."
"Then stay..."
"Ta dead can't stay. Ya know tat." Kyoko then looked to the skies. "No one choose ta die. No one choose ta leave those they love. We sure as heck didn't choose tat."
"Madoka can bring you back... can't she? Like now. Like before." Yang tried to convince Kyoko, but most of all, she was trying to convince herself.
"She can't. Tis is already pushing da limit. Madoka already done ta much for us... far ta much." Kyoko began to become translucence.
Yang noticed this, it looked like a simple breeze would blow away what was left of Kyoko. She decided to ask one last question, one that she hopes would reassure her hearts.
"So what is it like... up there?" Yang asked with a heart wrenching smile.
"It's like ya having da best dream every day. Time really don't haf meaning unless ya want it ta. Every moment is wonderful, we are at peace. We are happy." Kyoko said with a bright smile.
"Will I see you again?"
"Course ya will. Ya just like us, but ya can live a full life. Even if ya can't see me. A will always look out for ya."
"Try not to peek at me when I undress. I know I'm awesome..." Yang laughed. Kyoko then suddenly hugged her.
Yang found herself at an evergreen field, gentle wind blew across the field and a pure white cathedral. At the steps of the cathedral, Kyoko laughed and shared an apple with a much younger girl with red hair tied into an up top ponytail. Yang could not help the tears or the sudden laughter that came to her as Kyoko said one of the worse pun she ever heard.
Kyoko and the young girl who resemble Kyoko looked towards her. "Take care of ya self. Live a long happy life. Goodbye Yang."
"Ha! I knew it! You can say my name! I..." Yang found herself back in Vale and all she saw of Kyoko was bright red motes of light sparkling where Kyoko once stood, that soon vanished in the next moment.
Yang cried as she fell to her knees, mourning the lost of her friend and rival. Blake held Yang close as she cried along with her.
A/N: Quite some time ago someone pointed out to me that I wasn't using the soul gem system of the Madoka series. It is honestly a fair thing to point out, but as you can see I cannot reveal this plot at that time. So now you know all the Puella Magi are literally ghosts made from Aura, they are also agents to The Law of Cycle.
This bring me to my second discussion that I will head off before I receive complaints over. Madoka's behaviour towards Ruby in this chapter and a strange inconsistency (Congratulation if you spotted that one.) in her action. That I will cover in a bonus chapter just before the epilogue, since it will reveal a massive plot if I do so now.
Now onto the review.
Student: Sorry, no extra story on Adam and his arm. And don't worry, this will not be Rebellion again, there will be a lot more to it. Far far more, as you will see in the next chapter.
FutureTrunksFan94: I hope you kept going to this chapter and saw this message. Hope by then it would have answered all your questions Hope my PM helped a little.
Brave kid: Thank you.
ultima-owner: There are more to come.
Lordsunshine64: There are still more to come. Don't count this as the last of the excitement.
A/N: That is all for now. I will get the next chapter ready ASAP, because that one will be an earthquake, the big reveal so to speak.