Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY or its Characters. Please support the official release.
A/N: And now we get to see Ruby's perspective in the NFG universe.
Ruby yelped as she landed through the portal, her face colliding with cold metal. She felt dizzy as she backed away from… a locker. She blinked as she looked around in amazement, it looked like she was back at Beacon. She stepped back looking at her locker, it had her name. But it felt off, for starters it had an entire shelf of alcoholic drinks and several cartons of cigarettes. And more weapons than her Crescent Rose?
"Hello, Ruby." She jumped in surprise from the voice she heard. It can't be. She thought to herself as she saw someone that was long dead. Her long bright red hair gleamed in the low light.
"Pyrrha?" Ruby asked, her jaw felt like it had fallen off.
"Yes, that's me. Sorry for interrupting you. I know you wanted to beeline it back to your locker to get that letter from your date. But I was hoping you could end Jaune's training early today. We have that test tomorrow, and I don't know if he can do so well when he needs to heal his bones again." Pyrrha said with a calm smile, though there was a bit of an edge to her smile.
Ruby for her part was confused by her phrasing. Training? Me training Jaune? Broken bones? What? Pyrrha tilted her head at Ruby's unusual silence. Usually, the redhead she knew would either dismiss her, demand another fight, or cuss at her in some crude manner. "I uh...Sure?" Ruby finally answered at a loss for words.
"Well thank you. Shall we go retrieve him?" Pyrrha asked politely, though she continued to notice more odd things about her odd friend. She was even dressed differently, instead of her leather jacket, and dominantly black and red corset, with long arm sleeves and complete legging and combat boots. She was wearing something with white poofy sleeves, and a boob window of all things, and a red cape. This wasn't the kind of thing she usually wore.
Ruby nodded mechanically, still confused about her situation but decided to follow along with Pyrrha anyhow. She didn't know if she was in a dream or an illusion, but it was probably best to ride it out. She followed the spartan out of the room, closing her locker behind her carefully. Walking out of the locker room, things continued to seem normal. And she felt a wave of nostalgia, having not resided in Beacon for a year. The travels on the road, all her experiences had changed her, but being back where it had all truly began with a friend that had died before her very eyes. It left feelings in her that she couldn't understand.
She was in such a daze, she didn't notice Cardin. She bumped into him, and she shook her head as she looked up at the taller boy. But instead of a snide comment from him like she usually expected. He was quivering his boots, as he backed away in fright. "I am sorry! Please don't shoot me again today. Here!" He flung some money at her and ran away screaming. What just happened? Ruby thought to herself completely baffled as Pyrrha helped her off the ground.
"Are you feeling well?" Pyrrha asked with some concern in her voice.
"I feel like I should be asking him that. Did I do something to him?" Ruby asked with worry in her voice. Pyrrha's jaw dropped in shock at that question.
"Did you hit your head? Or are you still recovering from another bender?" Pyrrha asked as kindly as she could.
"Huh?" Ruby asked, scratching her head. Pyrrha shook her head.
"We will look into it, first we go to Jaune. Then your sister should know what to do." The spartan said with a sigh, as she pulled Ruby along after her. If this is an illusion, someone must be really bad at their job. But at the same time, for some reason, I don't think this is an illusion. Like something just doesn't feel like it is one, so then what is it?
They walked for what felt like an hour, going to the forests surrounding Beacon. Ruby was wondering just what kind of training, she had supposedly put Jaune through. There was a loud booming noise, and Ruby instinctively took out Crescent Rose and dashed off into the forest. Pyrrha following close behind her, the worst thoughts rushed through her mind. What if Jaune was hurt, what if Salem had concocted some kind of time travel scheme. Many things leaped out at her, but when she entered the forest. She was stunned to see Jaune shooting, that's right shooting of all things at a boulder. He was covered in sweat and sporting muscles. Nearby by him was a pile of weapons. He turned around wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Hey Ruby, Hey Pyrrha. Good to see you both. I killed as many Grimm as you asked, I did the laps, the crunches and I did the weapons 'Homework' you gave me." He said with a tired smile. Ruby looked down with shock at the blisters on his hand, and he had a little blood dripping from his hands.
"Jaune! You're hurt!" Ruby exclaimed with worry, shocking her two friends. "We need to patch you up and get you out of here before Grimm get here. And...why are you both staring at me like that?" She asked, seeing them puzzled and somewhat amused.
"Ruby, we're training to become huntsmen. We can handle the Grimm in this forest. Glynda and the other teachers aren't that far from here. Besides, it's just a light scratch." Jaune said his aura glowing, healing his hands, surprising Ruby. It's not his semblance, I know his semblance. So then did he somehow suppress his aura when using these weapons or did he somehow use his semblance earlier? Ruby had way too many questions, as Pyrrha went around collecting the random weapons. Ruby shook off her confusion and helped out, wondering just what kind of situation she was in. She walked behind Jaune and Pyrrha on point, she couldn't quite hear what they were whispering about. But she started to think about the situation she was in, it reminded her of those comics she used to read. But surely that would be quite the insane situation, she couldn't possibly be in an alternate reality.
Alternate reality… Of course! It sounds crazy. But it also makes sense. I remember now, a portal, I saw myself screaming in anger, and now I'm here. And the locker, me training Jaune apparently. What else is different about this universe? She kept an eye out as they got back to Beacon.
"Hey, sis!" Ruby let out a squeak as Yang's voice rang out, and soon she was lifted up into a crushing bear hug. Ruby felt herself gasping for air, as she weakly began kicking out against the blonde.
"Let me go. Can't breath." She gasped out as she felt her life flashing before her eyes.
"Very funny sis. C'mon, you break out my grip all the time." Yang teased as she squeezed tighter, and Ruby soon lost consciousness in a matter of seconds. Only vaguely hearing a pop, and Yang sounding worried as she yelled out Ruby's name.
Ruby groaned as she woke up in a warm soft bed. She blinked open her eyes and looked around. The room was dark, with some tools thrown about everywhere, a workbench, and there was a strong potent smell of dust, oil, and metal everywhere. "Ah, you're finally awake." A familiar voice called out to her. It was Yang, she smiled at her little sister, holding a hand to her forehead.
"I called mom. But she's still out there on a mission. Sorry." Yang said with sympathy. Ruby was stunned. Her mother was alive in this reality. "Uncle Qrow is nowhere to be found." She commented with a groan.
"And...Dad?" Ruby asked, and she felt immense guilt. The expression on Yang's face looked like someone had shot Zwei.
"Ru-Rubes...Dad's been.." Yang stammered, not knowing how to break the news to her sister. So much didn't add up, did her sister have amnesia?
"Oh," Ruby said with realization. "So Dad's gone here, but mom's here. I am not from this universe. I am from another universe. I don't know how or why. But I just want to know, am I a bad person here?" Ruby asked, having seen the way in the corner of her eye, how everyone turned away from her like they were intimidated.
"No! You're not a bad person… You just aren't exactly the most cuddly person," Yang said with an expression that looked like she was having a hard time expressing her thoughts. "Yeah the you here can be crass, often overly violent, a bit unhinged, but you're also always honest. You stick up for what you believe, and you don't give up on anyone. Even if you have to drag their asses to the finish line. And you always finish what you start." Yang said with admiration in her eyes. "To be honest, I've always been a little jealous of you," Yang said.
"Funny I could say the same about you," Ruby said with a smile. Yang looked at her with curiosity. "My Yang. She's my older sister, she's two years older than me. And everyone always talked about her. The boys all wanted her, even some girls, she was always so confident. I am the youngest person in Beacon, and it feels weird to be bossing around people older than I am." Ruby chuckled nervously.
"Heh here. I and You are pretty much the same age, not that much time apart. But if you're Yang is anything like me. She's your sister, and she's gonna be there for you come hell or high water. Just like I know my Ruby is going to be there for me. Granted we will likely beat the shit out of each other first." She chuckled.
"Yang mostly just teases me with a lot of puns," Ruby said with a laugh.
"Oh, well ain't that puntastic?" Yang said with a cheeky wink. Ruby began laughing harder, even if she found the joke just a little cringe-worthy. Then before she knew it, a portal opened behind her. And she was sucked into it, much to Yang's shock. The blonde brawler touched the portal but found she couldn't go through.
The spaces between spaces
Ruby let out an oof as she hit what felt like solid ground, but it looked like she was in a kaleidoscopic multicolor void.
"Huh so you're the good me, I've been hearing about." Ruby looked up hearing a voice that sounded like it smoked constantly. And she saw herself, they looked the same, save for their outfits and the expressions on their faces.
"And you're me as well. I heard you can be a bit...mean." She said shyly.
"Eh. Some call it mean. I call it giving no fucks. People are naturally idiots." NFG said with a shrug.
"Heh. You sound confident in that." Ruby said a little bitterly.
"You okay?" NFG asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, not really. I learned in another world, my mom is alive, and I am a total jerk. And then seeing Beacon, the friends I lost when it fell. It reminds me of what has been lost. And I wonder if I can even do anything!" Tears began pouring from her eyes. "I've tried so hard, but every time, it just keeps getting worse no matter what we do. We had one or two victories, but they feel so small." She finished.
"Well, you didn't die. So that's a start, and hey you got to Atlas before you got sucked into my reality." NFG pointed out while giving a small awkward pat on Ruby's shoulder.
"I just don't know what I do next. I know we can't let Salem get the relics. But when we fought at Haven, the headmaster was a traitor. What if Ironwood turns out to be untrustworthy as well? He has Atlas in martial law! But I said we wouldn't lie like Ozpin." She sat down on the incorporeal ground.
"So you would lie to him then? No offense. But fuck you bitch." NFG said, crossing her arms. Ruby looked at her with an offended expression. "You called Ozpin a bastard for lying. But you do the same? That's fucking hypocritical, sure Ironwood ain't squeaky clean and has fucked up before. But have you not learned a fucking thing from well...EVERYTHING?!" She threw her hands up in the air while walking around Ruby. "Yeah, I was told everything. And from what I can tell, the thing that scared the piss out of Salem the most was having people united. But guess what you're doing, you're not playing ball when you lie to him. You know you have to work together, but you start off with a lie?" She shook her hand.
"Leo…" Ruby started.
"So what? You never knew that guy to begin with. You know Ironwood. He gave your sister a fucking mechanical arm, you didn't get shot down when flying into Atlas. I get it, you still don't know him too well. But that's the thing about trust you little cunt. If you want to be trusted, you have to give some trust. You can't just expect it to be one-sided. Like for fuck's sake, that's like relying on Zwei to be there for you, but you don't give him any fucking food or water." NFG sat down next to Ruby.
"But that's not the real issue is it?" She said putting out her cigarette and watching it fall into the infinite void.
"I...Don't know what you're talking about." Ruby looked away to the side.
"Yes, you fucking do." NFG snorted. "Look. I don't claim to know what you're going through personally. I didn't live it. I have my own fucking bullshit to deal with. But here's what I fucking know." She gripped Ruby's shoulder, forcing her to look at her. "You can't keep bullshitting yourself, you're a leader, sure. But you're also Ruby Fucking Rose. The girl who created a badass scythe, the girl that had dreams bigger than anything else. So tell me, what made you give up on that shit? Was it some fucktards calling you too kid-like? Or was it the fact that you abandoned those aspects in order to be more what you thought people needed you to be?" NFG said looking deeply into Ruby's eyes, and Ruby felt like her soul was being pierced into.
"I… I just kept moving forward… It was all I could do." She said, tearing up. Then NFG pulled her into a tight hug, surprising her immensely. She never would've expected this version of her to ever comfort her. She was shocked still for a few moments, before finally bawling and wrapping her arms around her odd counterpart.
"You're allowed to fucking grieve. It's good to fucking cry every now and again. And you shouldn't fucking force yourself to be something that someone else needs. You need to be the person you need to be for yourself. Aka be fucking honest to yourself, you love weapons right?" She asked, and Ruby nodded, her eyes still in NFG's shoulder. "Then don't shy away, be creative, make more fucking insane shit. You have resources at Atlas, or anywhere else. Go wild. And even if the world seems harsh, you gotta fucking put yourself out there, but don't be an idiot. The world isn't shit nor is it goody gumdrops. But that doesn't mean you should fucking give up on how you want it to be." NFG patted Ruby strongly and the hug ended. "And you are the only person that can be you. So who the fuck are you?" She asked looking Ruby in the eyes.
Ruby smiled at her crass counterpart. "Ruby Rose." She stated.
"Are you chicken shit? I asked who the fuck are you?!" NFG raised her voice.
"RUBY FUCKING ROSE!" Ruby bellowed and then began laughing, and NFG joined her in her laughter.
"Heh. Good bitch. Now I don't know what's going to happen next. I assume we might go back to our realities. So if you want to ask me anything, go ahead I guess. Though I have a question. Why the boob hole?" NFG gestured at Ruby's chest. The little red reaper blushed covering her chest, and NFG shook her head as she took out a whiskey bottle.
"So what's mom like? Do you actually hate her?" Ruby asked NFG. NFG paused and then put the bottle away.
"It's complicated. And I am nowhere near stocked up on enough booze and nicotine to be going into that mess. Sorry." She said with a genuine apology.
"So why the jacket?" Ruby asked NFG.
"Heh. It's a trophy from the time I beat the shit out of Cardin Winchester, he was a little shit that kicked Zwei. I wasn't going to let him walk away from that in one piece." NFG said with a vicious smirk.
The space around them began to distort, both girls stood up. They could instinctively feel like they were going to go back to their reality.
"Hey, two last things." NFG stated reaching behind her. "First show me your baby while I show you mine." She pulled out her version of crescent rose, and Ruby followed suit. The two reapers looked at the weapons with glee and awe. They had the same color, but NFG's looked rougher and had a modular design with a more heavy barrel.
"Ooo did you gear Crescent to being a semi-automatic sniper rifle?" She said with hype in her voice.
"Yep. I also made it modular, really handy with my semblance." NFG said smugly.
"You incorporated your semblance with Crescent Rose? How?!" Ruby asked with excitement.
"I could tell you. But you gotta figure that out yourself." NFG said playfully smacking Ruby's nose, and then ruffling her hair. "And the second thing." She said as the void became filled with bright light.
"Yeah?" Ruby asked with a giggle.
"That's an awesome cape." NFG said as the light pulled them apart, sending the girls back to their respective realities.
A/N: And that's the end of the April Fools Special. The next time you see anything from NFG. The Yellow Trailer will be finished and I can leap back into the main story. Also, the reason why it felt so short in NFG's world is that I felt like Ruby was reasonably a lot more confused, and didn't really have much reason to go exploring here and there.