Gamer4 in. I won't argue that I was shocked at this most recent development- to my own surprise, I felt tears coming. Goodwitch was sympathetic.

"So now, sadness comes. And... revelation."

My head perked up- were answers coming at last?

"Yes, but... there is a depression when an answer is given. It was... almost fun, not knowing. Nevertheless... now we know. Or rather, we know what we sought in the beginning. Yet still, the question remains- 'Why?' This question will linger, on and on, until the final answer comes.

"Until the knowing is so full, there is no longer any room for questions."

Chapter XX

Ring

It took less than an hour after the discovery of Jacob Arc's body for Winter to return to Vale, after which she conducted a thorough autopsy before meeting up with Ruby, Yang, and Ren- the four walked together back to the police station.

Along the walk, Winter produced a small pouch with a scrap of paper in it- upon it was the letter N. "More fan mail- it's the same freak who killed Jaune. Under the left ring fingernail- of course. I also found strands of white fur in his right hand, laced with formaldehyde- a stuffed albino weasel. Cause of death, blunt force trauma to the head."

"I've got some calls to make," Yang growled. "Jacob's parents have to know- I'm sure Nick or Nichole can give me their numbers."

"Not yet," Ruby stepped in. "Yang, hold off on the calls- give me 24 hours."

"Why?" Yang asked in exasperation.

"Because in that time, I'll find the killer."

"Have at it," Winter grunted. "Ruby, if I could speak privately..."

Yang sighed and beckoned Ren- they moved ahead, allowing Winter to fix Ruby's gaze. "I'll be absolutely honest with you, Ruby- we've found ourselves on a car gone out of control, and I don't know where it's going. All I know is that the only one with the coordinates is you. Do whatever you need to do- meditate on the meaning of life, brew some potions, cast some magic spells- just find this bitch before she gets her claws into someone else."

Ruby nodded, and Winter took her leave. Ruby turned to her sister. "Yeah... I'm gonna find her... but God help me, I don't know where to start."

Ren placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're already on the path, just keep following- don't worry about where it leads."

XXXX

"About time!" Sun grinned as Pyrrha arrived at his booth at Coco's Diner. "I was starting to wonder if you were even showing up!"

Pyrrha matched his smile as she took her seat. "I went for a ride this morning- it felt good. The engine sounded like a thousand people singing the Hallelujah Chorus!"

Sun laughed. "Well, while you were out tearing up the roads, I got you a little present from the store."

He slid a small box across the table towards her- she turned violently red as she realized what it had to be. "Sun!"

"Go on, open it!" he beamed, leaning back in his seat.

She did- revealing a small, silver ring.

"Had to guesstimate the size," Sun recalled. "My hands wouldn't do, and the girl at the jewelry shop's hands were somehow even bigger..."

Pyrrha's hands shook as she slipped the ring onto its appropriate finger on her left hand. "It... fits wonderfully, Sun."

"I obviously don't plan on getting married quite yet," he acknowledged, "but... I know I've been a real jerk for a while now, so I wanted to show that everything's cool... and I still want to be together- if that's okay with you, of course!"

"That sounds grand," Pyrrha smiled, leaning forward into a kiss.

Coco, on the other hand, was busy trying to ignore her mother as she brewed a fresh pot of coffee. The woman was sitting at the counter, gagging exaggeratedly at the omelette she'd just been served. "What sort of foul fowl did you take these eggs from?" she scoffed, chuckling internally at her own wordplay.

"If you don't like it, all you gotta do is say so," Coco grumbled.

"Very well- I'm afraid I'm going to bite into a thumbtack."

Coco breathed deeply. "You know, I'm trying to recall the last time you said anything nice to me. It's... quite the challenge. I've worked my ass off to make this restaurant what it is, but as usual, nothing is ever good enough for you. At least- nothing I do."

"You're exaggerating," Coco Sr waved aside. "Your menus are... presentable."

Coco crossed her arms and glowered.

"That was a joke," her mother pointed out. "If you'd like an honest suggestion, truly memorable omelettes can be made with white veal sausage and morel mushrooms."

"Good, great, I'll get right on that- I'll go pick the mushrooms now."

She glared as she brought the coffee to Fox, who accepted it absentmindedly- he was writing something down on a paper in front of him, pondering over it.

Why did God create a dual universe? So that he could say, "Be not like me, I am alone," and it might be heard.

He repeated the words to himself quietly- but not so quietly that Sun didn't hear it. "What... what did you say?" he asked, rising to his feet and moving over to him.

"Oh, sorry, I was reading out loud," Fox apologized, showing Sun the quote as Pyrrha approached, confused. "Hello, Sun- Pyrrha."

Sun's eyes widened as he went over the paper. "Where... where did you hear this?"

"It's a quote from a book- HOUSE of Leaves."

"Yeah, I know, but is that where you heard it?"

"Is something wrong, Sun?" Pyrrha asked, expressing her confusion.

Sun read the paper out loud. "'Why did God create a dual universe? So he could say, 'Be not like me, I am alone,' and it might be heard.' Fox... did you meet Lisa Henkel and Cody Taylor? Cody- he said this to me."

"I'm afraid I don't know those names," Fox denied. "This was Penny Polendina's suicide note."

Sun clenched his fists. "...I need to talk to Ruby Rose." He stood up straight and rushed out of the Diner, Pyrrha following behind.

"Wait, Sun! What is this? What's this all about?!"

XXXX

Less than an hour passed before Sun was leading Ruby and Nora to the lot between Penny and Lisa Henkel's houses. "Lisa's the one who told me about Penny," he explained. "She has a godson who said this to me while I was visiting- 'Why did God create a dual universe? So that he could say, 'Be not like me, I am alone,' and it might be heard.' The same words in Penny's suicide note!"

"And you think he said it to Penny?" Ruby guessed.

"No," Sun shook his head. "Words were everything to Penny- she was trying to say something with her note."

He led her to Lisa's door and knocked eagerly.

A tall, plump woman answered the door. "Can I help you?"

Sun blinked in confusion. "Er... is Lisa Henkel home?"

"Lisa Henkel? Nobody like that lives here, son. I own this house- my name's Kris Harmon."

Sun's eyes widened. "But... Lisa was here! I spoke to her- her and her godson, Cody!"

"I don't have any children," Kris denied.

"But... but he was here! They both were!"

Ruby sighed. "Maybe we should just go, Sun."

"Sun?" Kris repeated. "As in, 'Sun Wukong?"

Sun had been about to protest to Ruby, but turned on hearing this. "Yeah, that's me."

Kris snapped her fingers. "Wait right here, don't move an inch, I'll be right back!"

She turned back into her house, leaving Sun to face Ruby alone.

"I swear, I've never seen her in my life!"

"Didn't you deliver meals here?"

Before he could respond, Kris was back, holding an envelope. "It was terrible, what happened to poor Penny. The morning after, I found this in my mail- addressed to you, young man."

Sun opened the screen door and accepted the envelope with shaking hands. "Th...thank you."

He and Ruby returned to the gate where Nora was waiting. "It's her handwriting," Sun reflected, observing the envelope closely.

"Open it up," Ruby ordered.

Sun nodded, opening it as delicately as she could, and producing a folded paper. "It... it's a page from Jaune's journal!"

"Can you read it?"

Sun looked down at it, then wordlessly handed it to Ruby, who in turn, handed it to Nora.

"Playing some hot potato, huh?" she laughed. "Don't worry, I'm a licensed letter-reader! Hmmm..."

"Last night, I dreamed about her again- the woman with the pink and brown hair. She calls herself Neo, or 'The Arm.' We were in the Velvet Room, as usual- the room with the purple drapes. She didn't offer me the ring this time, though- instead, she was introducing me to an old woman in a chair.

"The woman was beautiful- long, black hair, tipped with red, and her eyes... they were silver. I tried to talk to her, to tell her about Cinder- somehow, I thought she could help. My voice... it was distorted. I couldn't say what I wanted- she asked me if I was Jaune, and all I could say back was, 'I know the name, but sometimes my arms bend back.'

"Neo got distracted and started dancing, so I got up and walked to the woman myself. I kissed her, and suddenly, I could talk normally again. I bent over and whispered my greatest secret into her ear.

"I know it was just a dream, but... somebody has to stop Cinder. According to Neo, in my dreams, there's a man Cinder fears- a man named Arthur. Obviously, the woman wasn't Arthur.

"I don't know if the woman really exists, or if she heard me. But I hope she did. Nobody else believes me.

"I'm going to die soon- I know it. I have to. It's the only thing that will keep Cinder away from me. The only thing that will stop her. She wants me- I can feel her fire. If I die... she can't hurt me anymore."

Nora slowed to a stop, her face twisting in pain- nothing to the pain on Sun's face. There was no effort to stop the tears, letting them flow freely.

Ruby placed a comforting hand on his shoulder as she faced Nora. "Jaune and I had the same dream."

"But... that's impossible!" Nora pointed out.

"Yes... yes it is. Nora... take Sun home, would you? I need to talk to Torchwick."

XXXX

Torchwick's condition was still growing worse- his clothes had been removed, his skin was oily with sweat, and a wet cloth was on his forehead. "He won't drink- he needs his medicine," Michelle reported when Ruby arrived.

"Soon," Ruby promised. "Arthur- Arthur, can you hear me? I need you to talk to me!"

"This is a matter of life and death!" Michelle emphasized.

"Arthur!" Ruby repeated, pleadingly. "Cinder has killed again!"

That got Arthur's attention- he looked up at her, still panting and breathing heavily. "I... hear you..."

"I need you to help me- you were in my dream. You, Jaune, and Cinder. Jaune had the same dream the night before he died. He told me who did it- I need to unlock that! I need to- the answer is in me!"

Arthur nodded, mumbling frantically under his breath. "Cindy and I... when we were killing together... it was a perfect relationship. Appetite... satisfaction... a golden circle!"

"Golden circle..."

Arthur smirked and nodded, raising his hand and folding it into a circular shape.

"A... a ring!"

"Yes..."

"What about Ozpin? What does he have to do with this?"

"Oh, we know Ozpin..." Arthur nodded.

"He's real?"

"As real as I. He knows Cinder- he can lead you to her."

"How? Tell me how!"

"You must... know how to... ask him!"

"How?!"

"You have... everything you need! The answer... is not here, my friend." He reached up and tapped her forehead. "The answer... is in here." He lowered his hand to her chest.

"I don't understand!"

"This... is a great responsibility..."

Torchwick let out a long, rattling groan, and passed out.

Ruby sighed, retreating into the hallway- Michelle was already preparing some medicine to force down Torchwick's throat.

Ruby stood in the hall alone for a moment, before she suddenly felt her breath grow short- she fell to her knees, coughing. The room seemed to grow imperceptibly darker, like a cloud had passed over the sun. She heard a voice in her ears, frantically calling out to her in distorted, backwards speech- Dloh ruoy noitisop- od ton od siht! Dloh ffo, yats tup!

She struggled to breathe... until she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, and the experience ceased. The light returned to normal, and she felt she could breath normally again.

An arm linked with hers and assisted her to her feet. "Thank... thank you..."

"No problem, little lady," her savior whispered gently, and she backed away in surprise- it was Uncle Steve, smiling at her. "I've heard about you, remember? The milk will cool down on you... but it's starting to warm up now."

He moved away, but turned back at the hall's corner, smiling and flashing a thumbs up before disappearing.

XXXX

"One stuffed, albino weasel," Yang pointed out- she and Ruby were leading a search through Willow Schnee's office, and they'd just discovered the animal in question. "And we got the records of her calls on the night of the murder. Here it is- the call Nichole told us about. Look at that weasel, Rubes- Jacob was here. I'm thinking, Willow kills him here, then takes him to the waterfall. Case closed- Willow killed Jaune, then Jacob."

Ruby produced Willow's autopsy report. "Jacob was killed the night before last, between 10 and midnight."

"Right before we arrested her," Yang snarled. "Damn, if only we'd been just a little faster!"

"We also have Willow's blood test," Ruby reported, producing another paper. "...O. I suppose it's possible..."

XXXX

After finishing lunch, Ren returned to the police station to oversee the checks on the sprinkler systems- there were concerns that they were getting jumpy.

He immediately turned his attention to Nora when she entered. "Nora, I'd like to discuss the child- our baby."

"...Maybe," Nora whispered uncomfortably.

"Maybe?" Ren repeated.

"Ren... we can't be sure that it's actually ours," Nora pointed out shamefacedly.

"It could be... Neptune's?" Ren guessed, closing his eyes in resignation.

"Ren, I thought you were the father at first, but then you told me about the guys on the boat, so I thought it had to be Neptune, but now that you're a whole damn town again, I don't know anything anymore!"

Ren took a deep breath, then pulled out his scroll, dialing very quickly- to Nora's confusion.

"Hello? Yes, I need to speak to Neptune Vasilias- Men's Fashions. Yes, I can hold."

Nora bit her lip in concern. "You're not gonna hurt him, are you, Renny?"

Ren flashed her a small, reassuring smile, before refocusing on the call. "Hello, Neptune, this is Ren- Lie Ren. We need to speak. At your earliest convenience, of course."

XXXX

Willow groaned as she wiped her face with her handkerchief- she couldn't stand this cell.

She looked up when she heard footsteps, and was surprised to see Wu Ya stepping into the holding cells. "Ah, Mr. Ya! This is an unexpected surprise- but a welcome one."

"You are... imprisoned," Wu Ya noted in that gravelly voice of his.

"A momentary inconvenience, I assure you."

Wu Ya tilted his head, then reached into a briefcase. "We have papers to sign."

"Hienton- of course. But, as I'm sure you've noticed, there's been... a bit of a snag. Given the current circumstances, I am unable to sign any agreements at this time."

"Then I request the return of my five million lien." Wu Ya may have worded it as a request, but his tone made it clear that it was a demand.

"I would love to," Willow spoke through her teeth. "Even better, I'd like to sign the contracts. However, as you can see, I've been incarcerated. On false accusations, I assure you. My husband, genius that he is, is out looking for a better lawyer. And until justice is done, and I am turned free, I beg for your understanding.

"I am in the dark night of my soul... all I can do is search for the tiny, flickering flame within."

Wu Ya stared directly at him, and removed his glasses.

Willow did a double take upon seeing the prominent red in his irises.

She knew these eyes.

"...Raven?!"

Raven smirked. "Willow. Long time, no see."

"Raven!" Willow's shock gave way to a beaming smile. She fell to her knees and kissed at her feet. "You're here! You're here to save me, right? You can tell your daughter where I was the night Jaune died- with you!"

"I could do that, I suppose..."

"You want me to beg?!" Willow pleaded. "I can do that!"

"I don't need begging," Raven maintained her smirk. "I need Hienton and the mill signed over to me."

Willow looked at the papers from Raven's case. "Hand them over."

Raven obliged, sliding them through the bars and providing a pen.

"A brilliant disguise, I must say," Willow praised as she went to a wall to sign the papers. "You must tell me how you hid your voice so well!"

"That's one secret I'll keep to myself, thank you," Raven shook her head.

"As you wish," Willow shook off as she returned with the papers. "Here you are- signed, sealed, delivered. Now, you can tell the sheriff!"

Raven accepted the papers and examined them closely.

"Yes... I can consider it."

Willow's eyes widened. "Raven! Raven, it's the truth!"

Raven smirked as she turned her back, donning her glasses again. "Willow Schnee, you are the slimiest bitch I've ever had the displeasure of dealing with, and I intend to make whatever remains of your life a living hell. We've spent our entire lives lying to each other- why spoil it with the truth now?"

"Raven? Raven? RAVEN!"

XXXX

Nichole answered a knock at her door to find Sun standing there in a pair of sunglasses. "Oh, Sun! I'm glad to see you- it seems like forever since we had the chance to just... sit and talk. Would you like some lemonade?"

"Sorry to disappoint ya," Sun shook his head regretfully, "but I'm not staying, I only have a minute. The other night, we recorded a song with Pyrrha- I have it here." He produced a tape and handed it over. "I was hoping you could send it on."

"Of course," Nichole smiled indulgently. "He told me about that, you know. He said he loved spending time with you two." She paused. "Hmm... about those sunglasses..."

"Oh, these? Yeah, they were Jaune's- Jacob gave 'em to me."

"Oh, yes- I thought they looked familiar." Nichole's smile became somewhat more forced as she stepped into the living room, gazing out the window.

Sun watched her go. "...Mrs. Arc? Did you know they found Jaune's secret journal?"

"Of course- they found it in his room."

"No, not that one- he had another. I didn't even know about it- you?"

Nichole turned to him, her eyes widening. "No."

"He left it to a woman named Penny Polendina. She... she killed herself a few days ago, and the cops found it in her place."

"I...I had no idea," Nichole whispered, trembling.

"I... wonder what he kept in there. I can't stop thinking about him," Sun admitted.

Nichole smiled at him, and started approaching, only to be distracted by a call on her scroll. "Oh- excuse me."

She answered in the next room. "Hello? Oh, Lily! How are you?" Her smile dropped. "No... not since yesterday. Well, of course- I took him to the bus station myself! Oh- that's odd. I... I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation. Of course- if I find anything out, you'll be the first to know."

Throughout the call, Sun felt his heart sinking lower and lower. Finally, Nichole returned, looking nervous. "It's... odd... Jacob's not home yet."

Sun flinched.

Nichole blinked, and put on a brave face. "Sun, don't worry about a thing. How about I get you that lemonade- I'm sure they say that two heads are better than one. We can sit back, relax, and see if we can't figure out where that boy went."

Less than a minute later, she had the lemonade ready, and they sat down on opposite ends of the living room, overseen by Jaune's picture on the mantelpiece.

"He... was expecting us," Sun related, not taking a drink- he felt too sick. "Stupid me, huh, taking him for granted."

"Don't worry about it so much," Nichole assured him. "I'm sure, wherever Jacob is, he's just fine."

She rose to her feet- Sun followed suit. "You know, I think I know what will make you feel better- the finest cure for all ills, I've found."

She produced her scroll and started up a song- lighter and more fast-paced than Sun would have expected from her, but it was little wonder she didn't have it on a record.

Iiiiiit's nooooooot easy having yourself a good time!

Greasing up those bets and betters, watching out they don't four letters-

Fuck and kiss you both at the same time!

Smells like something I've forgotten, curled up, died, and now it's rotten.

Nichole rose to her feet and began dancing. "A little off-color, but it's great fun to dance to," she whispered. "Would you care to join me?"

He smiled, and was about to do so when the doorbell rang. Nichole blinked and put her scroll to sleep. "Stay right there, okay?"

She hurried to the front door to find Yang there.

"Sheriff Xiao Long! Is something wrong?"

"Nichole, we need your help- there's been another murder."

"Oh, God!"

Nichole's sentiments were echoed- screamed out- by Sun's heart.

"Look," Yang continued, "I can't tell you why or how, but we need your help, and we need it now."

"Of course, of course, anything! Let me get my coat!"

Sun watched them go before seeing himself out.

He wept freely as he walked along the road. "Jacob! Jacob, I'm so sorry!"

He made his way to Haven Park and sat at a bench to watch the river flow by- that was where Pyrrha found him.

The moment he saw her biking in, he ran over to her and wrapped his arms tight around her.

She was surprised. "Sun? Is something wrong?"

"Jacob... Pyrrha, Jacob is dead!"

Pyrrha gasped, and raised her arms to wrap around him as well.

"I... heard Nichole get a call from Jacob's parents- then Yang came in to talk to her, too!"

Pyrrha gulped. "We... we should have helped him."

"How?!"

"I... I don't know!" Pyrrha admitted tearfully. "Maybe... maybe we couldn't have. Maybe nothing we do matters. Maybe nothing will ever change. What's the point of being happy when the rest of the world is burning around us?"

Sun held her as tight as he could as they wept into each others' arms.

XXXX

Night fell, and a thunderstorm began to brew as a small congregation filled up the otherwise-empty Crow Bar. Willow, still wearing handcuffs, helped herself to a basket of breadsticks left behind on one of the tables. She was pointedly ignoring the presence of Winter, who was sitting at the bar alongside Ruby- she'd already made it clear she had no intention of hugging it out, even if Willow proved innocent.

Yang and Nichole were next to arrive. Ruby strode into the dance floor to meet them. "Yang! Nichole!"

Yang smiled and went to the bar to stand with Winter. Nichole, meanwhile, asked, "What are we doing here, Ms. Rose? Are we meeting someone?"

"Yes," Ruby nodded.

"...The killer?"

"I don't know," Ruby confessed. "Maybe."

Next came Yatsuhashi. "Big Yats!" Ruby greeted with a smile. "Can you help us clear the room?"

"Of course," Yats agreed, leading Yang and Winter in the endeavor.

Lightning flashed overhead.

Willow glanced at the entrance. "Well, well, well, the gang's all here."

Fox had appeared, pushing Adam Taurus in his wheelchair, Cardin not far behind.

"Cardin, can you take Adam over there?" Ruby requested, pointing to a spot near the stage. "From there, keep quiet as you can, alright?"

Cardin nodded, patting Fox on the shoulder. "Give yourself a raise, Foxy boy," he grinned as he took over Adam's wheelchair. Fox watched him go, unamused.

Ruby cleared her throat, and addressed the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, two days ago, Jacob Arc was found murdered by the same person who killed Jaune Arc and Ilia Amitola. I have reason to believe the killer is in this room.

"As a huntress, it's my job to find simple answers to difficult questions. In my hunt for Jaune's killer, I've used Hunter's Guild guidelines, deductive technique, methods from North Menagerie, instinct, and a lot of luck. It hasn't been enough- I need something else, something new. Something that, since I've got nothing better, I'll call... magic."

More lightning.

"I didn't mean it quite so literally," Winter whispered to herself.

"Is this the part where we hold hands and sing Kumbaya?" Willow asked derisively.

"Seriously, what's next?" Yang spoke up.

"Yang... I don't know," Ruby admitted. "We're still missing someone."

The clock chimed 3, and two more men appeared in the entrance. In front was Major Joseph Winchester. "Sorry I'm late," he apologized. "I was on my way when I encountered this kind gentleman- he said he needed a ride."

It was Uncle Steve, in his flannel shirt and jeans. He beamed around at them as he hobbled into the bar. "I brought cookies!" he announced happily, handing one to Ruby, then moving to Yang and handing her one as well.

Yang examined her cookie, and bit into it. Her eyes lit up. "Rubes, you have to try this! They taste just like Mom used to make!"

Uncle Steve smiled indulgently at her. "Those cookies you like are coming back in style!"

Lightning flashed, but didn't disappear. Everybody froze except for Ruby, as Uncle Steve's words rang in her ears. Those cookies you like are coming back in style!

Ev'i tog doog swen- esoht seikooc uoy ekil era tuoba ot emoc kcab ni elyts!

She saw Neo, the woman with the pink and brown hair and eyes, dancing away. She saw Jaune approaching her, felt his lips on hers, then, at last, clearly heard the words he whispered into her ear.

Her eyes widened as the truth was laid bare before her.

Everyone else disappeared- it was only her in the Bar. Her... and Ozpin.

For the first time, she was seeing him up close, while she wasn't lying down. She was roughly half his height- she had to crane her neck to meet his eyes.

She met them steadily. "I have witnessed your words, and hold them to be true."

Ozpin nodded, reaching into his coat and producing her cross, still attached to its necklace. He held it out, then disappeared, allowing it to fall towards the ground- but she reached out and deftly caught it.

The lightning finished flashing, and the others continued moving.

Ruby looked around at everyone, donning her necklace again and taking a bite of her cookie- it really did taste just like Summer Rose had once made.

She cleared her throat. "Willow Schnee, you are under arrest for the murder of Jaune Arc. I'm sure you'd like to speak to an attorney- could you come with us, Nichole?"

Nichole nodded as Yang rose and went to her sister's side.

Willow dropped her breadstick, looking horrified as Fox coerced her to her feet and marched her out into a cruiser. She didn't struggle- after everything she'd been through over the past couple days, she simply didn't have it in her.

One by one, they all filed out. Soon, only Joseph, Cardin, Adam, Yats, and Uncle Steve were left, watching as Ruby headed to the door. She turned back before taking her leave, smiling at them. She grinned and flashed a thumbs-up- one that was returned only by a beaming Uncle Steve, while the rest looked on in confusion.

XXXX

Fox drove the car with Willow in the back, Nichole at her side the whole time. With Winter in the passenger seat, this left Ruby and Yang in a car of their own, where Ruby explained everything to Yang.

Everything.

They arrived at the police station, where Yang whispered something to Fox before ordering him to take Willow to the interrogation room. Nichole turned to Ruby. "Ms. Rose- is she going to be charged?"

"Yes," Ruby nodded without hesitation.

Nichole breathed deeply. "I'd like to begin bail proceedings as soon as possible."

"She'll get her day in court," Ruby assured her, before following them to the interrogation room.

Yang opened up the door, then moved to push Willow in.

Nichole reached out to her. "Everything's going to be okay, Willow."

"Damn right it will," Yang nodded- then, in one fluid motion, she shoved Willow to the side and worked together with her sister to push Nichole into the interrogation room instead before quickly shutting the door.

From the other side, they watched in horrified awe as Nichole went ballistic, ripping off her coat and throwing it at a wall, letting out inhuman screeches as she began running at the walls and pounding at them.

Ruby remained calm. "Fox, take Willow upstairs and let her go."

Willow barely reacted to news of her own release. "N...Nichole?" she asked, eyes wide.

"No, that's not Nichole," Ruby shook her head.

"How did you know?" Winter demanded.

"Jaune told me... in a dream."

Yes, she remembered exactly what Jaune had whispered in her ear.

"My mother... killed me."

XXXX

Please R&R, constructive criticism, theories, and guesses welcome, Gamer4 out.