Winter flew the gummi ship back to Traverse Town. They landed in the first district and were surprised to see Ilia standing in the plaza.

"Hey, it's cheerful you again!" Neo teased playfully.

Ilia sighed, but smirked slightly at the playfulness.

"I'm actually interested to see what Miss Hill has to say about these keyholes," Ozpin noted.

"We might actually get an answer to my question," Velvet nodded.

Ilia greet them with a cheerful wave, "Hey guys, what's up?"

"Hey, Ilia!" Ruby returned the greeting and emotion, "What are you doing in the first district? I thought it was safe?"

"Probably guard duty," Clover observed.

Adam nodded, "Even if you think an area is safe, you should always post at least one guard. Keeps you from being surprised."

"It usually is," Ilia shrugged, "But someone has to guard it against the Heartless. I just drew the short straw today."

"I agree," Harriet groaned, "I hate guard duty."

"I get that it has to be done," Yang agreed, "But, yeah, standing around waiting for something to happen is boring."

"Ah," Ruby nodded.

"So why are you guys back?" Ilia asked.

"We're looking for Robyn. Do you know where she is?" Ruby asked.

"She's probably at the underground cavern," Ilia shrugged, "She trains there often."

"So I get that I'm trying to protect the town," Robyn noted, "But why am I so intense about it?"

"I would wager you lost your world," Leonardo reasoned, "I don't think Miss Rose is the only one who ended up in this town that way."

"Correct," Gordeau nodded, "As to why you're so intense about it, I'll explain shortly."

"Thanks!" Ruby said, "How do we get there?"

"The channel in the alleyway is connected to the cavern," Ilia explained, "Just move the grate and you should be able to get there."

"Got it," Ruby nodded before taking off.

The group reached the channel fairly quickly. After lifting the gate, they entered a small waterway. Robyn was inside practicing her swings, while Summer watched.

"So should I still look into a blade like that?" Jaune asked.

"You should invest in a firearm," Ruby nodded, "But not that. The blade doesn't have any hinges or any sights, so it can't be that accurate."

"I didn't notice that before," Pyrrha nodded, "But you're right. Even just some hinges would make firing that much more effective."

"Hey, don't be stealing my designs!" Qrow protested.

"Hey, Robyn!" Ruby greeted as she entered.

"Ruby," Robyn acknowledged with a nod, "What's going on?"

Ruby explained what had happened in both Wonderland and the Deep Jungle. Robyn nodded in understanding, "So, you found the Keyhole."

"Here it comes!" Velvet sat up.

"Yeah," Ruby said with a puzzled look, "The Keyblade locked it automatically."

"Good," Summer chimed in.

"Every world among the stars has a Keyhole," Robyn explained solemnly, "And each one leads to the heart of that world."

"And the Heartless consume hearts," Cinder shuddered, still not entirely comfortable with that concept.

"So that's how they destroy worlds," Blake noted as a collective shiver ran through the room.

"There must be one in this town as well," Robyn noted.

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked, still slightly confused.

"It was in Ansem's report," Summer explained patiently.

"Oh, Ansem again," Ozpin wondered, "I find this Ansem more and more intriguing every time we hear about them."

"The Heartless enter through the Keyhole and do something to the world's core," Robyn recited.

"What happens to the world?" Ruby wondered.

Summer sighed, "In the end, it disappears."

"What!" all three travelers yelled at once.

"So what's Ruby's connection to all of this?" Weiss wondered.

"I'm sure it has something to do with the Keyblade," Penny answered.

"That's why your key is so important," Robyn went on.

"Please lock the Keyholes," Summer pleaded, "You're the only one who can."

"Is that all the explanation we're getting?" Emerald asked.

"For the moment, yes," Gordeau sighed, "So when Ruby seals a Keyhole, it makes the world's heart inaccessible to the Heartless. Therefore, she can stop worlds from falling to darkness."

"I don't know…" Ruby sighed, not wanting to stop looking for her friends.

"C'mon me!" Ruby scolded, "You get to save the worlds and go on an adventure! We can still find Weiss and Pyrrha on the way!"

"It would probably have helped if we'd explained it better," Summer scolded her on screen self, "Gordeau's explanation was much better and more convincing than just asking."

"Seeing other worlds would probably serve you well," Robyn advised.

"Yeah!" Winter agreed.

"We gotta find your friends!" Qrow reasoned, "And Princess Blake!"

"I guess you're right…" Ruby agreed reluctantly, "Okay!"

"Okay, this is bugging me," Roman noted, "Red's been pretty gung-ho about this quest so far, so why the sudden change in her opinion?"

"I gotta agree with him there," Sun nodded, "At least when I changed my mind I had a good reason for it."

"When was that?" Neptune asked.

"First universe," Sun noted, "Don't worry too much about it."

Robyn nodded and went back to her training, but Ruby interrupted, "Hey, Robyn?"

Robyn sighed and turned around as Ruby showed her the gummi blocks from the Keyholes, "This gummi block's different from the others. Do you know what it's for?"

Robyn didn't say anything, but put her hand up to her forehead.

"Am I that fed up with you already?" Robyn chuckled to herself, "I mean, so far you kids have been a bit annoying, but nothing that stress inducing."

"Try dealing with them for months," Emerald grumbled to herself.

"Ask Roman," Summer suggested, "He should know."

Everyone turned to Roman and raised an eyebrow.

The thief just shrugged, "So I guess I'm the gummi ship expert."

"Yeah," Neo laughed with a scoff, "They guy who just pushed every button he could on the first Atlas ship he'd ever been on is the gummi engineer."

"Hey, I was actively trying to cause chaos that time," Roman defended, "If I had been trying to fly it I'm sure I could have figured it out."

Neo deadpanned at him as the universe went on.

"Really?" Ruby asked with wonder.

"Doesn't look like she believes it either," Qrow smirked.

"Oh c'mon!" Roman huffed in annoyance.

Summer nodded, so Ruby began to walk away.

"Wait, Ruby," Robyn stopped her, "Take this with you." She handed Ruby a small stone with a brown and green hue.

"Oooh," Nora smiled, "Shiny!"

"This stone holds some mysterious power," she explained, "I've been carrying it for luck. I want you to hold onto it."

"How do you use it?" Ruby asked, curiously. Robyn put her hand on her forehead again.

"If you don't know what it does, why do you assume it has mysterious powers!" Robyn growled in frustration, "I mean… it's just… Ugh!"

As she finished, she did the same thing with her hand that her on-screen counterpart did.

"Well, look at that!" Clover chuckled, "I was wondering how long it would take."

"Wait, so that's not the universe bleeding over?" Tai asked.

"No," Clover laughed, "She used to do that all the time at the academy."

Robyn scowled but kept her hand in place.

"Maybe we should ask Leonardo before we leave?" Winter suggested.

Ruby nodded and began to head back to the accessory shop, when she heard a light barking. In the corner of the room were three more puppies.

Ruby frowned, "If they were right there why didn't you return them!"

"I'm sure I was going to, sweety," Summer smiled, "I would never just leave them there."

"Why didn't you return these?" Ruby turned and glared at Robyn.

Robyn shrugged, "They just showed up here a little while ago, we were going to when we had the time."

"I'll take care of it!" Ruby offered. She received nods in response so Winter teleported them to the ship.

"We should drop off the puppies we've collected while we're here too," Winter noted.

"Efficient," Winter agreed with herself.

The trio headed to the dalmatian's home and dropped off the puppies they had collected. They watched with warm smiles as the dogs ran around the house and up to their mother and father.

"They're so cute," Weiss ogled.

Blake rolled her eyes as Nora turned to Gordeau.

"Did we ever get the two adult dog's names?" she asked.

"No," Gordeau shook his head, "The male with the red collar is Pongo and the female with the blue collar is Perdita."

They turned to leave when Pongo nudged against Ruby's leg.

"Huh, what is it boy?" she asked as she pet his head.

He looked down and Ruby noticed a small box by her feet. She opened it and found a gold pot inside.

"Another item?" Oscar asked, "People in this universe like giving you things, Ruby."

Qrow whistled is amazement, "That's an impressive gift, Ruby. That's an Elixir. It both heals you and replenishes your magic."

"A very useful gift," Ren agreed, "I wonder if you can find more of those."

"I'm not so sure," Qrow noted, "I seem pretty impressed by it."

"Thanks boy, we'll find the rest of the puppies soon," Ruby promised before the group made their way back to the accessory shop.

"Hey, Roman, how's it going?" Ruby greeted as they entered.

"Well, hey there, Red," Roman greeted back as he leaned on the counter, "You find your friends yet?"

"No," Ruby sighed.

"Hey, cheer up Red," Roman smirked, "It still seems like you're just starting out on this journey, so you have lots of time."

"No," Ruby sighed in disappointment, "But I have a question for you," she pulled out the gummi blocks.

"What've you got there?" Roman asked in anticipation.

"Hey!" he exclaimed in recognition, "Well if it ain't a gummi block."

"Well they know that already," Mercury chuckled, "If that's your expertise, I feel sorry for everyone."

"He could just need a moment to identify it," Neo defended.

"Yes, it is," Winter nodded.

"What's this one for?" Qrow asked.

A look of shock hit Roman's face, "You're kiddin' me!"

"You're flyin' a gummi ship and you don't know nothin' about navigation gummis?" He shout asked.

"See? I knew what it was," Roman smirked, "I just thought they did too."

"I'm surprised Qrow and I didn't," Winter admitted, "We've been flying the ship around and seem knowledgeable about it. So why would we not know?"

"Maybe Blake's the one who's been using it up to this point, and this is really the first time you've explored with it," Neptune suggested.

"Bunch of pinheads," he sighed, "Interspace ain't no playground!"

"That much must be true," Penny noted, "Since we can't get there ourselves."

"I think Qrow's the only pinhead in the group though," Raven smirked, "Ruby's a little naïve and Winter's overly stubborn sure, but you've securely got that moniker on solely you, brother."

"Hey, I believe this version of me's proper nickname is palooka," Qrow defended.

"There's a lot we don't know," Ruby admitted, "But so what! We have to use the gummi ship to go to other worlds. We don't have a choice."

"Whoa, easy," Roman calmed down the both of them, "I didn't know. No hard feelings, all right?"

"Why did they both get so upset about that?" Velvet asked, "I get Roman being a little upset if gummis are his passion, but why did Ruby get so upset?"

"I think she's just tired of being treated like a kid," Tai noted, "She's handled quite a few dangerous things now and between Roman and Phil they treat her like a child."

He sighed, "Well, I guess I could lend y'all a hand, then."

"Thanks," Ruby said sweetly.

"Basically," Roman explained, "With navigation gummis, you can go to new places."

"You want one on your ship, right?" he clarified.

"Uh, of course?" Sun said hesitantly, "Isn't that the point? I mean why wouldn't they want to get to new places?"

"Business talk," Weiss explained, "By asking, if they use the part and end up somewhere they don't want to be, Roman can claim he warned them and not be liable."

"I don't think I thought that far ahead, Ice Queen," Roman chuckled.

After the trio nodded, he nodded right back, "I'll install it for you. But I got this thing I gotta go deliver first."

"What do you need to deliver?" Ruby asked impatiently.

"For being so hesitant just a minute ago, you sure are impatient to get underway, Rubes," Yang pointed out.

"I still don't know why I didn't want to go," Ruby shrugged, "This is much more consistent with how I've been acting so far."

"Just this book," Roman explained as he held up the book, "It's real old. When the guy brought it in, it was practically falling apart. Too beat up to restore to the way it was."

"Now I know how you feel, Rob," Roman rolled his eyes, "Accessory salesman, gummi expert, and now book repair man? How many jobs do I have?"

Robyn glared at him, "Don't call me Rob."

"Sorry," Roman shrugged, "It's stuck now. That's your name to me."

Robyn glared as Ruby laughed, "Best to just go along with it like I have."

Robyn placed her hand to her head in annoyance and dropped the subject.

"But overall," he went on, "I did a decent job puttin' it back together."

Seeing the look on Ruby's face, Roman smirked, "Anyway, you mind deliverin' it for me?"

Ruby nodded and took the book, "It's the old house past the Third District. Look for a big fire sign."

"Wait, it's my book?" Lionheart asked, "If so, why didn't I magic it back together?"

"Maybe there's a specific reason you couldn't, Leo," Ozpin noted, "I'm sure we'll find out shortly."

Ruby tilted her head, "You mean Leonardo's house?"

"That's the one," Roman agreed when suddenly a loud clang shook the store.

Velvet and Blake winced at the loud noise.

"Another broken doorbell?" Weiss asked.

"At least this one doesn't come with a creepy version of me," Ren pointed out.

"What was that?" Ruby wondered.

"Hmm," Roman hummed, "The bell at the old Gizmo Shop is ringing. Check it out if you like, but deliver that book first. I'll go install this gummi for you and meet you in the empty house in the Third District when you're done."

Ruby nodded started to leave. As she did though, she bumped into something entering the shop.

It was a small, white creature with wings and a small red poof ball attached to its head.

"A moogle!" Velvet awed.

"This universe is full of cute creatures," Weiss smiled, "Between Chirithies and Moogles it's hard to choose."

Ruby didn't recognize it however, so she summoned the Keyblade.

"No! Bad me!" Ruby scolded, "It's not gonna hurt you!"

"But she doesn't now that," Blake noted, "Better safe than sorry, right?"

"But it's so cute!" Ruby cooed.

"Hey, cute doesn't mean safe Red," Neo smirked, "I mean just look at me!"

Ilia rolled her eyes, only to receive an elbow in her side, "Oh, you know I am!"

"Yeah, you're right," Ilia admitted.

"Geez, Red," Roman called from the counter, "Haven't you ever seen a Moogle before? They're no danger to you, so put that thing away, will ya?"

"Sorry," Ruby said sheepishly as she put away the blade.

"No problem, kupo," the Moogle said, "That's a fine weapon you have there."

"Robyn did mention they were crafters," Ozpin pointed out.

"Maybe they can craft you an upgraded Keyblade!" Penny smiled.

"That's the Keyblade," Qrow nodded, "It's one of a kind!"

"One of a kind, kupo?" the Moogle asked, "I sure would like to study it!"

"I don't know…" Ruby hesitated, still not exactly trusting the creature.

"Moogles are known for their crafting," Winter noted, "He might be able to upgrade it for you."

"Déjà vu," Emerald shook her head.

"Yes, kupo!" the Moogle cheered, "If we can study it enough I'm sure we could!"

"All right," Ruby gave in. She showed the Moogle her Keyblade and all of its forms that she currently had.

"Hmm," the Moogle hummed, "I don't think I have enough data yet, kupo. If you get new forms, please bring it back. I'm sure we could figure it out, kupo."

"So am I gonna get a new Keyblade in every world?" Ruby asked.

"Looks that way," Raven nodded, "But that's good. Versatility is a commendable strength."

"All right," Ruby nodded.

"See? That wasn't so bad," Roman smirked, "Now get going to Leonardo's house. He's expecting that book!"

"Oh yeah!" Ruby remembered and took off.

The group made it there with no problems. "Hello, Leonardo," Winter greeted as they entered.

"Ah, my three adventurers, what can I do for you?" He asked earnestly.

"We're here on an errand from Roman," Ruby explained as she pulled out the book.

"I hope this actually has a meaning," Jaune shook his head, "Otherwise this is just busy work like the tasks on the island were."

"Man, I hate those quests, they're so boring," Mercury groaned. As he did quite a few people looked at him strangely.

"Hey," he defended, "Just because I'm not on your side doesn't mean I can't play video games!"

"I guess he's right," Yang admitted.

"Not a video game," Pyrrha grumbled.

"Oh, that book…" Leonardo mused, "So, Roman asked you to bring this. Thank you."

He took it, but noticed the look on Ruby's face, "You wish to know what kind of book it is?"

Ruby nodded and he chuckled, "I don't even know myself. In fact, it's not mine."

This time it was Lionheart who let out an exasperated sigh, "I know I can be a little absent minded, but this is a little ridiculous."

"Somehow," he shrugged, "It found its way into my bag one day."

"It was such a curious book," he smiled absently, "I asked Roman to repair it for me."

"A book that finds you?" Blake wondered in awe.

"That's one of your dreams, isn't it," Yang teased playfully.

"Well," he snapped out of his thoughts, "I guess I'll put it here somewhere, for now." He placed the book on a small stand and turned back to Ruby, "This book holds a great secret. Its missing pages will unlock it. Do look at it whenever you like."

Cinder rolled her eyes, "How can you know it has power if you don't even know what it is?"

"Yeah," Adam agreed, "It could just be a normal book or stone for all they know."

"When you get back," he went on, "Give my best regards to Roman for repairing it for me."

"Will do!" Ruby exclaimed, "I also wanted to ask about this stone."

"Oh, the poor thing!" Glynda observed from across the room, she rushed over to Ruby.

"Well at least someone knows something," Summer smiled.

"Of course Glynda does," Ozpin smiled, "She always could figure these things out, even if I didn't explain them."

"So she knows about you?" Raven asked slyly.

"I'm sure she figured most of it out," Ozpin shrugged, "While I can't say she knows for sure, I know she at least guessed that Salem and I ran deeper than just old enemies."

"He has turned into a summon gem," she explained.

"A summon gem?" Ruby asked.

"This little creature lived in a world that was consumed by darkness," Glynda explained, "When a world vanishes, so do its inhabitants."

"Doesn't this world's existence counter that theory?" Blake asked.

"That does kinda counter her point, doesn't it?" Neo agreed.

"Maybe only certain people can avoid the destruction," Lionheart theorized, "Ruby is a Keyblade wielder so it could have protected her."

"But what about Weiss?" Winter asked.

"She must have something special about her too," Lionheart shrugged.

"But," she went on, "This one had such a strong heart, he became a gem instead of vanishing with his world."

"Why wouldn't they just show up here?" Jaune wondered, "This seems overly complicated."

"Let's just say that in order to become a summon gem this way, you have to be from specific worlds," Gordeau explained, "Worlds that would seem out of place in Traverse Town."

Ruby looked down in sadness, "Can he regain himself?"

"Yes," Glynda looked sad as well, "But only his spirit."

"Now, watch!" Glynda pulled out a wand, waved it at the gem, and said the words, "Bibbity bobbity boo!"

The students, Qrow, Tai, Summer, and Raven all started laughing.

Ozpin lightly chuckled, "Now I'm actually glad Glynda isn't here. I couldn't even imagine how furious she'd be seeing herself like this."

"I know!" Yang agreed, "It's hilarious!"

The gem flashed, and Ruby suddenly knew how to use it, "Thanks, Glynda."

"Well that's convenient," Emerald rolled her eyes.

"At least we don't have to sit through a boring explanation this time," Mercury shrugged.

"You're quite welcome, dear," Glynda responded sweetly, "If you find any more of these, bring them to me. When the worlds are restored, they will return to their homes."

"That's good," Ruby sighed, "I really hope everyone gets to go back to their own worlds."

"Even those of us who wanted to leave?" Weiss said sheepishly.

Ruby shrugged, "Even if we go back to the islands, I think we'd find a way to leave again. And do it right this time!"

Suddenly Glynda sighed, "I'm so worried about Cinderella."

Cinder stood up, with a very angry glare on her face, "Where did she hear that?!"

"Does that mean something to you?" Emerald asked.

Cinder grumbled at sat down in anger, leaving the room wondering what could make her that angry about a name.

"Who's that?" Ruby asked.

"A Princess from my world," Glynda noted.

Silently Cinder mused to herself, Am I princess in this world as well?

"When our world disappeared, she was taken," Glynda explained, "But I know she's alive. Ruby, please save her."

"Will do," Ruby nodded and turned away.

Qrow and Winter went to leave, but Ruby stopped them, "I want to take a look at that book."

Winter sighed, "Ruby, we don't have time…"

"Go ahead, Ruby," Qrow interrupted, "We'll wait outside for you."

Blake sat up, "I wonder what this book is about."

"I doubt it's what you want it to be, Princess," Yang teased.

Ruby nodded as the two walked off, Winter giving Qrow death glares.

Ruby walked over to the book and opened it. The book gave off a flash of light, and suddenly Ruby was standing in an empty meadow. In the middle of it was a large tree that had fallen over. Sitting on the tree, was a small, yellow bear with a red shirt.

"The book is its own world?" Nora asked, "Are all books other worlds?"

"I hope not," Ozpin shuddered, remembering the 'Another Pun' book he found earlier.

"Not all of them," Gordeau noted, "But some of them are. As Leonardo said, this is a very special book."

He was tapping his head repeatedly saying the words, "Think, think, think."

"I would be surprised that the bear can talk," Roman noted, "But we've already met a talking cricket, so it's not that surprising."

Ruby approached cheerfully, "Hi there," she started. She noticed the bear was distressed so she asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," the bear responded, "Just thinking."

"Well that was obvious," Raven rolled her eyes.

"Oh," Ruby started, confused as to what he meant.

"I was thinking," the bear continued, "of how to say goodbye to Pooh."

"Pooh?" Ruby ask/laughed.

The more immature people in the theater snickered.

"Yes?" the bear responded.

"Wait a second," Ruby said trying to get a grasp on the situation, "You're Pooh?"

More snickering from the group.

"Why was he trying to say goodbye to himself?" Summer asked.

"You can't really do that," Cinder shook her head, "No matter where you are, you are always there."

Mercury snorted and laughed, "That wasn't as profound as you thought it was. You know that right?"

Cinder ran the statement back through her own head before groaning, "You're right. That was a stupid thing to say."

"Yes," Pooh confirmed, "I'm Winnie the Pooh. Pooh for short. Who are you?"

"I'm Ruby," She said cheerfully.

"Oh. Hello, Ruby!" he greeted, "Have you come to say goodbye to Pooh, too?"

"We just met," Ruby chuckled, "Why would I want to say goodbye to him?"

"Pooh is a little childish," Pyrrha smiled.

"I like him," Nora smiled, "He's cute!"

"Well, no," Ruby stated confused, "Why would I do that? We've only just met."

"Because everyone's gone away," Pooh stated sadly.

"What do you mean?" Ruby questioned.

"That must be what I meant by missing pages," Lionheart mused, "I would guess that each page holds another person from Pooh's world."

"Well," Pooh explained, "We all lived here in the Hundred Acre Wood. And we'd take walks together, or play Pooh sticks…"

"Those are actually some big woods," Ren noted, "Maybe Pooh's friends are just lost."

"I don't think so," Ilia noted, "While Pooh does seem a little absent minded, I don't think he just lost his friends."

"And every day," Pooh reminisced, "I'd eat some honey."

Pooh stomach growled, "Just one small smackeral would taste very good right now."

"But now," he sighed, "Everyone's gone."

"This is sad," Nora pouted, "He should be a happy and cute bear. Not a sad and gloomy one."

"Hey, I'm sure I'll help cheer him up," Ruby smiled, "He'll be happy in no time!"

He looked down in sadness, "All my friends, and my favorite Hunny Tree too."

"Everyone must've gone away while I was napping," he reasoned, "I think…"

"So, who knows?" Pooh hopped off the tree, "Maybe I shall end up going away somewhere as well."

"But I wonder," he pondered, "How do I say goodbye to myself? Think, think, think."

Robyn groaned in annoyance, "Just because you leave the world doesn't mean you leave yourself!" she put her hand up again, "What a stupid bear!"

"He's not stupid!" Nora defended, "Maybe a little silly, but not stupid!"

Ruby looked at the strange bear in thought.

Pooh's stomach growled again, "Oh, my tumbly is getting rather rumbly."

Nora beamed, "I'm gonna start using that!"

Ren rolled his eyes, but smiled at her quirkiness.

Pooh walked out of the meadow and the words '100 Hundred Acre Wood' appeared on screen along with a swarm of bees.

Ruby went to followed Pooh to a small house in the base of a tree. Pooh entered the house. Above the door, a sign read "Mr. Sanderz" but with the n backwards.

Sun raised an eyebrow, "I though his name was Winnie the Pooh?"

"I think it is," Neptune noted, "I don't know where Mr. Sanderz came from."

Ruby entered the house to see Pooh sitting on the floor staring into an empty pot.

"Oh, bother," Pooh complained, "There's no more honey left."

"Poor Pooh!" Nora pouted, "Ren! Make him some pancakes!"

"You know I can't get to him, Nora," Ren shook his head with a smile.

"If only the Hunny Tree would visit…" Pooh mused, "Then I could eat my fill."

Pooh and Ruby left the house only to be stopped by an owl. Pooh ignored him and walked away, but the owl addressed Ruby, "Let me guess: You'd like to know what happens next."

"Not really," Cinder shook her head, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but can we get back to the other story in this world?"

"Really?" Mercury asked.

Cinder shrugged, "And you wouldn't like to get back to the action?"

Mercury shrugged in agreement.

"Unfortunately," the owl sighed, "Some of the pages are missing, so I can't tell you yet."

"The five pages are scattered over many worlds," the owl explained, "Would you find them for us?"

With that, Ruby was suddenly back in Leonardo's house.

"Find the five pages," Ruby nodded, "Got it!" she walked out and joined Qrow and Winter.

"Aw…" Nora pouted, "I hope we see more of Pooh soon."

"Well, if Rubes is looking for the missing pages, I'm sure we will," Yang noted.

"Well, we'd better head to that house," Winter grumbled, "I bet Roman's done by now."

"Right," Ruby nodded and the trio headed back to the Third District.

"I agree," Winter noted, "As nice as Pooh's world is, we should get back to the mission."

"We should still try to help him though," Qrow growled a bit.

As they did, Heartless appeared right in front of them. They readied themselves, but out of nowhere Weiss jumped down and took them out with her new sword. It looked like a purple and red bat-wing with an eye in the grip.

"Weiss!" Ruby cheered, "I found you!"

"Actually looks like I found you," Weiss smirked.

"I wouldn't celebrate just yet," Raven warned.

"And why not?" Yang asked, "Ruby finally found one of the people she's looking for."

"No, she's right, Yang," Blake said warily, "Look at her sword."

Everyone did before Clover gasped, "Is that the Master's eye?"

"I've actually never gotten conformation if it is or isn't," Gordeau shrugged.

"Either way," Ilia noted, "Remember who the last person we saw Weiss with was."

Neo nodded, "That green skinned woman who leads the villains."

Weiss paled as she hoped she wasn't with that woman.

"There you are," Weiss said with a grin, as Ruby's jaw dropped, "What's going on?"

"Weiss!" Ruby grabbed Weiss's face and tugged to make sure it was real.

"After the incidents with me," Pyrrha smiled, "That actually seems like the reasonable thing to do."

"Hey, hey!" Weiss protested, "Cut it out."

"I'm not dreaming this time," Ruby asked, "Right?"

"I hope not," Weiss smirked, "Took forever to find you."

"Seems like I've been looking for you as long as you've been looking for me," Weiss noted with a smile.

Ruby smiled back, but didn't say anything as she noticed something in Weiss's smile. She shook it off quickly, assuming she'd imagined it.

"Weiss!" Ruby smiled cutely, before realizing something, "Wait a second, where's Pyrrha?"

"Isn't she with you?" Weiss asked in shock.

Ruby looked down in shame. Seeing this, Weiss tried to comfort her, "Well, don't worry. I'm sure she made it off the island, too."

"The question is where?" Oscar wondered.

"I think we'll learn it eventually," Ozpin noted.

Weiss looked up at the night sky, but turned her back to Ruby, "We're finally free. Hey, she might even be looking for us now."

"Normally, I definitely would be," Pyrrha agreed, "But with the way I looked before the Island disappeared, I don't think I'm in any condition to."

"I just hope you landed somewhere they can heal you," Jaune noted, "And not a world like Deep Jungle."

Suddenly, a Heartless appeared behind Weiss and leapt to attack her, but she kept talking as an overly confident air entered her voice, "We'll all be together again soon. Don't worry. Just leave everything to me. I know this…"

Weiss growled at her on screen self, "Stop gloating and turn around, you dolt!"

Ruby cocked her eyebrow up, "I thought that was my nickname?"

Weiss blushed lightly, "Well, I'm not being very smart here, am I?"

"Still reminds me of our first few weeks at Beacon," Blake chuckled.

She was interrupted by the noise of a Heartless disappearing. She turned around to see Ruby post-swing, with her Keyblade outstretched.

Ruby hefted the Keyblade on to her shoulder confidently, "Leave it to who?"

"Okay," Weiss sighed in relief, "Now it reminds me of the first few weeks of Beacon."

"Ruby, what did you," Weiss wondered, almost stunned into silence.

"Killed the Heartless?" Neo scoffed, "Seems pretty obvious to me."

"Yeah, but the last time Weiss saw Ruby, she was the stronger of the two in combat," Winter noted, "For her to see Ruby take out Heartless in one swing like that probably impressed her."

"I've been looking for you," Ruby explained, "And Pyrrha, too, with their help." She gestured to Qrow and Winter. Winter and Weiss looked at each other oddly, but shrugged the resemblance off as nothing.

"Ya know I'm not sure how I'd react to seeing someone who looks almost exactly like me, but wasn't related," Sun wondered.

"Yeah, I get it with my sisters all the time," Jaune noted, "But it would be weird."

"Who are they?" Weiss asked, with suspicion in her eyes.

"Why would she be that suspicious of them?" Ilia asked, "They haven't done anything to her."

"That's a Schnee for you," Adam grumbled, "Doesn't trust anyone different from them."

Winter cleared her throat, "My name is…" but Ruby interrupted her enthusiastically.

"We've visited so many places and worlds, looking for you," she went on.

Qrow rolled his eyes and groaned, "Well, that's gonna piss the Ice Queen off."

"Normally, I'd shrug it off and move on," Winter defended, "But this version of me seems to have a much shorter fuse than I do."

Clover chuckled, "Your fuse isn't exactly known for being long, Winter."

Winter scowled, but actually also blushed in embarrassment.

"Really?" Weiss asked, sarcastically, "Well, what do you know? I never would have guessed."

"Wow," Yang glared at the screen, "You could just be happy she's looking for you, not a snarky bitch about it."

Ruby started to protest, but Weiss interrupted her, "No, she's right. This me is being a bitch."

Most of the room just stared at Weiss in shock that she swore.

"And guess what?" Qrow smirked, "Ruby's the Keyblade master."

"Who would've thought it?" Winter grumbled.

"Oh yeah," Harriet chuckled, "She is not happy."

"And you would be any different?" Robyn asked with a smirk.

"Nah," Harriet shrugged, "Probably not."

"What's that mean?" Ruby turned and she and Winter had a glaring match.

"So, this is called a Keyblade?" Weiss asked. Ruby turned to her and saw the Weiss was now holding the Keyblade. Unlike when Robyn held it, it didn't appear back in Ruby's hand.

Eyes went wide around the theater.

"How can she hold it?" Summer asked, "When Robyn did it just appeared back in Ruby's hand!"

"I did say Miss Schnee must have something special about her didn't I," Lionheart pointed out.

"Does that mean I'm a Keyblade wielder too?" Weiss asked.

Gordeau just sat in silence, trying not to give anything up.

"Huh?" Ruby asked before realizing what had happened, "Hey, give it back."

"And yet, Red thinks nothing of it," Roman shook his head, "I thought you were smarter than that."

"She is," Neo, surprisingly, defended, "This version of her is just caught up in too many emotions to see it."

The surprise slowly left everyone's faces as they figured out why Neo was defending her.

Weiss examined it briefly before tossing it back to Ruby, almost like it wasn't worth her time, "Catch!"

"Hey, don't dismiss that," Weiss scolded her other self, "You could also use a weapon that seals worlds hearts! You could help!"

"She can help with that other sword!" Nora noted as she looked expectantly and Gordeau.

Said man cleared his throat, "I actually can't say the blades name yet. I gives away too much it I do that now."

Now everyone wondered what the swords name was and what it had to do with the plot.

Ruby caught it and then nodded to Weiss, "Okay, so, you're coming with us, right? We've got this awesome rocket. Wait 'til you see it!"

"So it looks like she will be joining up," Ren nodded, as Ruby and Weiss smiled at each other, "Good call, Nora!"

"Wait for it," Clover warned.

"No, she can't come," Winter said bitterly.

"What!?" Ruby and Weiss said at the same time; the smiles falling from their faces.

"I agree," Winter said cautiously, "Without a way to seal the worlds, all Weiss is going to do is distract us from finding Blake. In terms of the mission, she's a liability."

"But you can't expect me to stay here while Ruby looks for my friend!" Weiss protested.

Ruby realized something and gasped, "So if we had found Blake before Weiss, you would've sent me back here and ditched me!"

"I wouldn't have," Qrow grumbled.

"Maybe," Winter admitted, "But at that point the mission would be over. I might have helped you out in my free time. However, if I had gotten another mission, then yes."

"What?" Ruby asked as she got in Winter's face.

"Forget it!" Winter yelled.

"Oh come on!" Ruby protested, "She's my friend!"

"I don't care!" Winter exclaimed.

In the theater a heated staring match between RW and Winter had begun, as they silently argued about bringing this version of Weiss along.

Qrow rolled his eyes at the two and went to apologize to Weiss, but when he looked over she was gone. "Uh, guys? She's gone!"

"Wow," Blake whistled, impressed, "I can't even disappear that silently."

"Neither can I," Ilia admitted.

Neo smirked, "You just haven't tried yet."

Ilia blushed, remembering the comment Neo made during the Deep Jungle portion of the world.

"But," Neo continued, "Admittedly, neither can I. I leave behind a shattering sound."

"I can," Cinder smirked.

Ruby groaned as she remembered the Beacon CCT incident.

Ruby looked around frantically, "Weiss?"

"Nice going," she said as she glared at Winter.

"That is not entirely my fault," Winter said, breaking the staring contest between the three, "With how little this Weiss trusted us, I doubt she would have come along anyway."

Weiss shrugged in agreement, "I guess that's true…"

"Oh, well," Ruby sighed, "At least she's okay. And who knows? Maybe we'll run into Pyrrha soon, too."

"C'mon, me!" Ruby yelled, "Go look for her! Don't just accept it!"

"At least you're looking on the bright side, Ruby," Tai pointed out, "You found one friend, now you just need to find the other!"

"And Blake," Yang added.

"And Saphron," Jaune noted.

"C'mon Ruby," Qrow sighed, "Let's go see if Roman's done with the ship."

The three walked to the house and entered to see Roman talking to Robyn, and Ilia talking to Summer.

"And the gang's all here," Summer noted.

"Is it just me," Mercury started, "Or are we spending a lot of time in this world this time?"

"We are," Velvet agreed, "But we've gotten a lot of important information out of it!"

"Hey guys!" Ilia greeted and waved them over, "This room will be our secret base now! It's nice and snug here."

"Roman told us that was a navigation gummi," Summer stated.

"Right," Roman said as he entered the conversation, "By the way, you guys ever hear of Maleficent?"

A shudder ran through the room.

"That," Cinder whistled, "Is the most impressively evil name I've ever heard."

"I'm guessing that's the lady with the green skin?" Oscar asked, only to see a confirming nod from Gordeau.

"Well, we know her name now," Ozpin sighed in relief, "Let's just be glad she doesn't exist in our world."

"I just hope I'm not working with her," Weiss mumbled to herself.

Ruby shook her head. Roman sighed, "I hear she's in town."

"Who is she?" Ruby asked.

"A witch, girl, she's a witch!" Roman yelled.

Roman jumped at little at his outburst, "If I'm that scared of her, she must be pretty damn powerful."

"Yep," Neo nodded, "The only other person you've talked about like that is Matchstick."

Ruby pulled back in shock. Robyn sighed, "She's the reason this town is full of Heartless. Don't take her lightly."

"She's been using the Heartless for years," Summer chimed in.

Robyn nodded, "We lost our world, thanks to her."

Roman sighed, "One day, a swarm of Heartless took over our world!"

"That was nine years ago," Robyn looked down in shame.

"Okay, that explanation now?" Robyn asked, impatiently.

"You were leading the defense of your world," Gordeau noted, "When you couldn't stop it and had to run, you blamed yourself for the world being lost. So, you do whatever you can to protect your new home. Even if everyone else fled this world, you would probably stay behind and die trying to save it."

Robyn nodded as the rest of the room gasped, "It all makes sense now. Thanks."

Roman nodded, "I got out of that mess and came here with these guys."

"That's awful!" Winter gasped.

"And yet you don't seem that broken up about Ruby's world," Raven scowled.

Winter groaned at how hypocritical the version of herself on screen was being.

"Our ruler," Robyn continued, "Was a wise ruler named Ansem."

"They dedicated they're life to studying the Heartless," Robyn explained.

"The report should tell us how to get rid of the Heartless," Roman confirmed.

"Where's this report?" Ruby asked, hopefully.

"We don't know," Robyn stated, "It got scattered when our world was destroyed."

"We knew that already," Emerald rolled her eyes, "Why repeat things we already know?"

Roman growled, "I'm sure Maleficent's got most of the pages."

"Because of that," Emerald realized, "Got it now."

Unknown to the group inside, Weiss was watching from the street outside. Standing next to her was the green skinned woman.

Weiss went pale, "I am with her!"

"You see?" Maleficent stated, "It's just as I told you. While you toiled away trying to find your dear friend, she quite simply replaced you with some new companions and one that looks just like you too."

"Oh boy," Yang winced, "You really should've gone and looked for Weiss when she ran away Rubes."

"I know!" Ruby pouted.

"It's not just that," Yang shook her head, "Maleficent is playing the abandonment card on Weiss."

"I see it," Adam noted, "It's the same thoughts that I had when I first saw you, Blondie."

Blake paled, knowing they were both talking a little bit about her, though Yang could also have been talking about her mother.

"Evidently," she continued, "Now she values them far more than she does you."

She looked down at Weiss, who just stared into the house with bitterness and rejection, "You're better off without that wretched girl. Now, think no more of her, and come with me."

"I'll help you find what you're searching for…" she offered sweetly.

Weiss just started angrily at Ruby through the window.

"And now I've gone evil," Weiss placed her head in her hands.

"But we drove you to it," Winter noted.

"Yeah," Ruby played with her fingers in guilt, "It was kinda our fault."

"But I chose it," Weiss noted, "I could've said no, but I didn't."

"Different universe, remember?" Neo noted, cautiously, "Don't make the same mistake I did."

Back inside, Roman returned to immediate concerns, "So, you delivered that book?"

Ruby nodded, so Roman continued, "Good, that navigation gummi's installed and ready to go. You find another one, you bring it to me. I threw in a warp gummi for the heck of it."

Ruby looked confused, so Roman explained, "Now you can jump to worlds you've been to before."

"Helpful for travel," Tai noted, "Though I don't know why we needed to hear about it."

Gordeau smirked, knowing about a large mammal coming up shortly.

"Well," Roman smirked as he lit his cigar, "Better get back to my real job."

Before Ruby could ask, Roman continued, "What's my real job? You'll see. Come see me in the First District."

"Judging by what's been going on," Oscar theorized, "I would guess Roman works on gummi ships."

"That's probably a good guess, Newbie," Roman agreed.

Ruby nodded. Summer started to think out loud, "I've been thinking about the bell in the Second District."

"That one that rang a bit ago?" Ruby asked.

"The one above the gizmo shop," Ilia contributed, "There's a legend about it, you know."

"Heck," Roman shrugged, "Go check it out. Ring it three times and see if anything happens."

"Oh good," Mercury rolled his eyes, "Superstitions. Ten Lien says it's a waste of time and nothing happens."

"I'll take that bet," Emerald smirked.

Ruby nodded, "Okay, we will!"

The trio walked out and headed for the gizmo shop. Along the way, they were surrounded by a large group of Heartless.

They sprung into action as Ruby noticed three new Heartless. The first two both looked like the Nocturnes and Rhapsodies, but they were yellow and green.

"Yellow Operas and Green Requiems," Gordeau noted as Nora took notes.

"So all of those Heartless are named after types of music," Weiss noted.

The Yellow Operas attacked with thunder magic and danced around the battlefield. Every time Qrow or Ruby got close, they would dash away. So the trio silently let Winter take care of them with her magic.

"I'm not surprised, considering what family they belong to," Ozpin noted, "But these Operas look particularly difficult to deal with."

"Considering the Thunder magic doesn't seem to have an elemental opposite," Winter agreed, "They do seem to be taking their toll."

As Ruby fought a Soldier Heartless, a Green Requiem flew over her head. She readied herself for an attack, but it never came. Instead, the Requiem flew over the Soldier and a green cloud appeared.

"What's it doing?" Nora asked, "And why does it feel like we've seen it before?"

Ren went wide-eyed, "Because we have. That's the same color the Cure spell uses."

"They can heal?!" Ruby groaned in frustration.

"More things we can be glad Grimm can't do," Lionheart shook his head.

Ruby watched in awe as the Soldier appeared to regain its strength.

"Look's like we need to deal with them first," Qrow grunted as he observed the same thing with a Large Body he had been fighting.

"Depends on how much they can heal," Adam noted, "They don't appear to have an attack of their own, so you could take out the others first then take the healers out with no problem."

"But," Raven countered, "If they can heal the stronger ones, you should deal with them first."

Ruby nodded and began to target the Requiems, but stopped as the third new Heartless entered the fray. It was a purple color, but had a brown helmet on with goggles. It was flying.

"Air Soldier," Gordeau noted for Nora's sake.

Thankfully, the Air Soldier wasn't much different from the regular ones, it could just fly. Ruby ignored them and continued on to the Requiems.

Unfortunately, the Heartless just kept coming and started to overwhelm the group.

"How did we get ourselves in this position?" Winter asked.

"Yeah, that does seem weird," Qrow agreed, "We haven't had any problems with the small fry Heartless since Ruby showed up."

"But the Heartless seem to be getting stronger in every world you go to," Ilia noted, "And you have to keep finding new strategies to take out the new ones."

"That's a good point," Winter admitted.

"Ruby!" Winter yelled as the trio backed into each other, "Try the summon."

"Right," she nodded and held the stone in her hand. It flashed a bright light, and out of nowhere, a male lion appeared.

"Woah!" a few people gasped out.

"He's majestic looking," Yang pointed out.

"Him, or his mane?" Blake teased, before leaning down and whispering, "Or do you just have a thing for cats?"

Yang suddenly felt herself get really hot.

"Simba," Ruby muttered, she didn't know how she knew his name, but she did.

The lion let out a loud roar that destroyed the Heartless horde before disappearing.

"I understand now," Lionheart pointed out, "Even if Faunus like myself or Miss Amitola aren't seen as strange, a full-grown male lion like Simba would definitely not fit in in Traverse Town."

"So he became a summon gem," Neptune nodded, "That makes sense."

"Well, that worked," Qrow muttered.

Ruby felt a bit tired though, "But it leaves me exhausted. Let's only use that if we have to."

"A last ditch power move," Mercury nodded.

"It worked though," Jaune noted, "He took out all the Heartless with one roar!"

The other two nodded and they headed for the bell.

They arrived, and Ruby grabbed the rope attached to the bell. She rang it once and the mural on the wall of the Second District rotated.

And again. And one more time, but this time it revealed the Keyhole.

"Pay up!" Emerald smirked triumphantly.

"Yeah, yeah," Mercury groaned, "No need to be smug about it."

"The Keyhole!" Qrow pointed as he observed.

"Let's go seal it!" Winter said as she ran towards it.

"Right," Ruby nodded. The trio ran towards the mural, when a sound caught their attention. They looked up and the Guard Armor from earlier fell to oppose them.

"This guy again," Yang rolled her eyes.

"At least they know how to deal with it," Pyrrha pointed out.

"Yeah!" Nora cheered, "Go get him and break his legs again!"

The trio smirked at each other. They beat this thing once when they had no training at all. This should be easy.

It was easy. Using the same strategy as before, the trio dealt a ton of damage to the armor.

Suddenly the armor stopped. It leaned forward and planted its hands on the ground. Its body flipped upside down and its feet turned into claws. The mask on its visor fell down to reveal its eyes.

"It reversed itself," Ilia noted, slightly confused.

"Reverse-Armor!" Nora exclaimed.

"She's actually right," Gordeau noted.

"Well, that's new," Qrow noted.

"What's the plan, Ruby?" Winter asked.

"Cautiously use the same strategy, but watch out for new moves," Ruby shrugged.

"Yep," Jaune nodded, "That's the way I'd handle it."

"Let's test it out," Ruby advised, "See how it attacks and then go from there."

They circled the armor and waited. The armor struck at Qrow, but he was ready and dodged.

Ruby tilted her head in confusion. The armor's attack had looked different, but it was fundamentally the same attack.

"This has to be a trick, right?" Winter (both of them) noticed the exact same thing.

"I don't think so," Ruby noted, "This Heartless just generally seems the same."

"I could be hiding a move," Adam noted, "Saving it's power attack for last."

"But compared to Cerberus this thing seems super weak," Roman pointed out, "I don't think Red will have any problems."

"Maybe," Qrow agreed.

"Alright," Ruby nodded, "Same plan as last time then, but be careful for new moves."

Ruby, Winter, and Qrow resumed their assault. The Reverse-Armor continued to take hits without a problem.

"It doesn't seem to be giving you to many problems," Weiss noted.

"I still think it's a trick," Winter said warily.

The armor suddenly tucked itself in and pointed its body at Ruby. It turned itself into a large gun and shot fireballs at her.

"Well, Rubes knows how to handle this," Yang smirked, "Batter up!"

Ruby smirked and tried to knock it back like she did with Cerberus, but the ball just passed right through her blade and connected.

"Strike one," Mercury teased.

"Why didn't that work?" Jaune wondered, "It worked with Cerberus."

"These look different," Ruby noted, "I guess they're not made of the same thing."

"Ouch," Ruby muttered. True, they didn't actually hurt that much, she just didn't like being caught off guard, "Guess I'm dodging then."

Compared to Cerberus though, these fireballs were much easier to avoid, and Ruby dodged them easily. The Opposite-Armor fell, and its heart disappeared. A white orb appeared under where it was.

"That was much easier," Winter eased up, "I guess it didn't have a good trick in its arsenal."

"That's an Aero spell," Winter noted, "You can use it to shield yourself or others from damage. I haven't had to use it yet, but I think I might have to soon."

"So now Ruby has a shield and a healing ability," Summer noted, "I don't think she'll be taking many more hits."

"But, like the chameleon said," Raven pointed out, "The Heartless are getting stronger."

Ruby nodded and then sealed Traverse Town's Keyhole like she did the others, and another navigation gummi fell out.

"Another navigation gummi?" Roman noted, "Guess you need to see me before you leave, Red."

"Okay, this world is safe," Ruby said confidently.

Winter nodded, "We should see Roman before we go."

They walked out and headed to the First District. Roman wasn't in his shop, but was out by the entrance to the Second District.

"Hey," he greeted, "Now that was quick!"

Ruby looked behind him and saw he was setting up a store stocked with gummi parts. He smirked, "Now you know. I'm in the gummi block business."

"Well, we already guessed that," Sun rolled his eyes.

"It's still a strange thing to think," Neptune chuckled, "I don't think he'd make a good pilot."

"Hey, I piloted that Paladin just fine, thank you very much!" Roman defended.

He sighed with fondness, "Workin' on your gummi ship sure was great. Come again and I'll give you a big discount."

"Speaking of," Ruby pulled out the new navigation gummi.

"Hey," Roman said with a twinkle in his eye, "Got another navigation gummi there, eh? I'll bet you want it installed."

"Uh, duh!" Ruby noted, "That's why I brought it to you."

"Again," Winter noted, "Liability issues."

"Yeah," Ruby nodded, "Please."

"Hmm…" Roman hummed as he examined the piece, "Looks like this is one of those blocks that come in sets," he handed it back to Ruby, "You gotta find the mate to this one."

"That's conveniently annoying," Emerald rolled her eyes.

"Just one more reason we have to keep coming back to this world," Mercury agreed.

Ruby groaned with irritation, "Okay, when we do, we'll come see you again."

"Hey, Red," Roman stopped her before she left, "You might wanna stop in with Whitley before you go. I hear he got a new shipment of goods in, including some specifically for your two friends there."

"Whitley got something specifically for me?" Winter wondered.

"We did establish he's not as bad here," Weiss pointed out, "Even if he has the same attitude sometimes."

"Thanks, we will," Ruby nodded. She headed for Whitley's shop, but heard a noise from the accessory shop.

"Did Roman leave someone in charge?" Qrow asked.

"Maybe it's the moogle," Velvet pointed out.

"If he did," Winter thought, "Then he didn't tell us."

Ruby was troubled by it, so she walked in, "Hello?"

Huddled under the counter was a wooden puppet in red shorts, a black shirt, and a yellow hat. There was a small box next to him.

"That's not the moogle," Pyrrha wondered.

"It's a wooden puppet," Penny noted.

Jiminy jumped out of Ruby's hood, "Well, well, as I live and breathe! If it isn't Pinocchio!"

"Oh!" Pinocchio raised his head at the familiar voice, "Hi, Jiminy."

"A living puppet," Penny smiled at the screen.

"Seems familiar, doesn't it," Ruby smiled at her friend.

They smiled at each other, but Jiminy was suspicious, "What in the world are you doing down here?"

"Um…" Pinocchio looked off into the distance, "Playing hide-and-seek."

Jiminy started pacing, "I just don't believe it. And here I was, up all night, just worried sick about you."

"Why of all the…" He continued when suddenly, Pinocchio's nose grew longer by an inch.

In the audience, Penny hiccupped.

As she did, Penny blushed, her cheeks turning a light green instead of red.

"How can Penny get the hiccups?" Yang asked.

"She can't," Winter raised an eyebrow, as she was the only one who knew what it meant.

"Pinocchio," Jiminy scolded, "Are you telling me the truth?"

"Yes!" Pinocchio lied and his nose grew again.

Penny hiccupped again as well.

"It's a lie detector?" Blake asked incredulously.

"Yes," Penny said dejectedly.

"Oh, that's why you were hiccupping at beacon when you tried to deny meeting me," Ruby said in comprehension.

"Yes," Penny blushed again in embarrassment, "What I don't understand is why it's happening when Pinocchio lies."

Gordeau laughed, "You and Pinocchio hold a special connection, Penny. It's difficult to explain, but when Pinocchio lies, his nose grows. Due to that connection, you also hiccup when he lies."

Penny actually glared at the screen, "Stop lying, Pinocchio! I don't want the hiccups!"

Jiminy looked at him sadly, "Then tell me, what is this?"

"It was a present," Pinocchio stated.

Penny waited for the hiccup again, but this time nothing happened.

"Huh," Blake noted, "I guess that wasn't a lie."

"It could have been a half-truth though," Winter noted, "Penny's detector isn't always accurate."

"No fibbing, now!" Jiminy scolded, "You know you're not supposed to tell lies."

"A lie only grows and grows, 'til you get caught!" Jiminy explained, "Plain as the nose on your face!"

Eye's turned to him as Ozpin shifted in his seat.

"But if you want something," Pinocchio argued, "Why wait? Why not just take it?"

"Oh my!" Jiminy gasped, "Who told you that?"

The eyes suddenly turned to either Roman or Emerald, who both whistled nonchalantly.

"You need some advice from your conscience!" Jiminy reasoned.

"That's right!" Pinocchio remembered, "You're my conscience, Jiminy! I'll never tell lies as long as you're around."

"Isn't a conscience inside your head?" Jaune asked, before adding, "Well, for most people."

"Yes, but because of Pinocchio's unique background he doesn't have one," Gordeau pointed out, "So, Jiminy was appointed as his, and to keep him on the right path."

Pinocchio's nose shrunk back to its normal size. Jiminy sighed, "You need to be good so you can become a real boy. You promised Geppetto you would be, right?"

Penny went wide-eyed, "Does that work? If I'm good, can I become a real girl?"

"Penny," Ruby said softly, "You are a real girl. I said it before, 'Just because you've got nuts and bolts instead of squishy guts doesn't make you any less real.'"

"Wise words," Winter smiled, "I'm sure most of us feel that way Penny."

"Thank you," Penny smiled, "But that doesn't mean I wouldn't like a human body."

"Oh!" Pinocchio exclaimed happily, "Do you know where Father is?"

"He's not with you?" Jiminy asked.

Pinocchio stood up with a determined look, "Jiminy, let's go find Father!"

"I'm not sure how much help Pinocchio would be," Qrow noted.

"He doesn't look as competent as Penny," Tai agreed.

"Just one more person we have to find," Ruby sighed.

"Now, hold on!" Jiminy reasoned, "There are all sorts of dangers and temptations out there! I'll go find Geppetto, so you just wait here."

Jiminy gestured to the other three in the room, "These fellows here will be helping me."

"We will?" Ruby asked/agreed.

"Nice of him to ask," Raven mumbled, "And suddenly he's Ozpin."

Ozpin rolled his eyes at her.

"Well, shall we go, Ruby?" Jiminy asked, with no plan to discuss it further.

"You could've asked us first…" Ruby muttered, as they headed out.

Jiminy jumped back in her hood and they walked to Whitley's shop.

"And now we have to deal with Brother again," Winter scrunched her face.

"Again, at least it's not our version," Weiss noted.

Whitley looked up, and smiled as they entered, "Ah, Sister, just the person I wanted to see."

"Hello, Whitley," Winter nodded, "I heard you got some things in for us."

"Yes," Whitley nodded, "When you came in here and I knew you were on this new quest, I figured you and Qrow could use some better gear."

He reached below the counter and pulled out a staff with a star on top and a shield with three interlocking gears on it.

"About time we got a weapon upgrade," Qrow noted, "The Pip-squeak's been getting one in every world, so why shouldn't we get one?"

"An excellent point," Winter nodded, "We could use all the help we can get."

"These should do, provided you have the munny for it," he smirked.

Winter scowled, but Qrow stepped in front of her and placed the munny on the counter.

After stocking up on potions and ethers as well, the trio headed for the gummi ship.


AN: (Sheepishly) Hi… sorry for taking so long. Work has been weird lately and I could seem to get into the writing spirit. I hope this decently long chapter makes up for it.

I have nothing else to talk about at the moment. No new characters except for Pooh and Owl, but I'll just state that the entire Hundred Acre Wood cast is staying the same.

I'm not going to respond to reviews this time, as it's been such a long time that I couldn't respond to them all. If you have a pressing question, please leave it with this chapter.

I do want to say thank you to everyone who wished me well, stood up for me, and wondered about my health during this unplanned break. It means a lot to me.

Seating Chart:

Laps:-Ruby: Jinn;-Weiss: Zwei;-Sun: XXXXXXXX-;Roman: XXXX;-;Pyrrha: XXXXXX;-

Row one: Penny; Ruby; Weiss; Winter; Blake; Yang; Velvet; XXXX; Jaune; Pyrrha; Nora; Ren

Row two: XXX; XXXXXXXXXX; Neptune; Sun; Ilia; Neo; XXXXXX; XXXXX; XXXXXX; XXXXXX; XXXXXXX; XXXXX

Row three: Taiyang; Summer; Raven; Qrow; Roman; Robyn; Leonardo; XXXXXX; Ozpin; Oscar; XXXXX; Gordeau

Row four: XXXXXX; XXXXXXX; XXXXX; XXXXXXX; XXXX; XXXX; XX; XX; XXXXX; XXXXXXX; XXXXXX; XXX

Row Five: Clover; Harriet; XXXXXX; XXX; XXXX; XXXXXXXX; XXXXX; XXXXXX; XXXXX; XXXXX; XXXX; XXXX

Row Six: XXXX; XXXXXX; Adam; XXXXX; XXXXX; XXXXXX; XXXXXX; XXXXX; XXXXX; Cinder; Emerald; Mercury

And the poll:

Tied for 10th: Winter Schnee and Coco Adel at 6

Tied For 9th: Emerald Sustrai and Salem (Blonde) at 8

Tied for 8th: Salem (Girmm) and Velvet Scarlatina at 9

7th: Weiss Schnee with 10

6th: Blake Belladonna at 12

Tied for 5th: Glynda Goodwitch and Raven Branwen at 14

4th: Cinder Fall at 15

Tied for 3rd: Kali Belladonna and Sienna Kahn at 16

Tied for 2nd: Neo Politan, Ruby Rose, and Yang Xiao-Long at 21

1st: Pyrrha Nikos at 23

Thanks again and I'll see you all soon.