Crossroads of Destiny Rewrite.

Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY and Final Fantasy VII remake they are the rightful property of RoosterTeeth and Square Enix.

Original Fanfiction by: Gravenimage.

Italics are thoughts

Bold and Italics are flashbacks

**Communications from electronic devices

Author Note: There haven't been any updates for almost two years. So, I decided to rewrite this series because of how much I liked it. There will be added dialog, better power scaling or at the least more accurate representations of their power-ups, I will change parts of the story, fix a lot of grammar issues, and try to make better lines. I'm not trying to diss the writer, I really like the series, but he or she really needs to read their own work and edit a bit of it. Well, without further ado, this is Z3R0's version of Crossroads of Destiny.


Chapter 1 Lost Forever

(Location: somewhere in Mantle region Atlas Solitus continent Kingdom of Atlas Remnant)

"It all felt like a bad dream, so many things happened that made me think that I was dreaming. Everything was going so well since we arrived at Atlas. We all had good times, met new people, got new gear, and tried our hardest to make the right decisions." Ruby thought while holding her tears back.

Of all people, she thought she and her teammates would be able to avoid Ozpin's mistakes, but boy was she more than wrong. The moment they doubted the General's motives, she's started making mistake after mistake, starting with not telling Ironwood the truth about Salem, and that she was immortal.

Everything was her fault. Keeping that secret from the General led to him to betraying the Hunters and Huntress from Vale, abandoning the people of Mantle in order to save his people, and ordering the Ace Ops to apprehend them, Ruby blamed herself for all of it.

Ironwood was ready to use the Relic of Creation to levitate the kingdom into space so that Salem would never get her paws on the staff.

To make matters worse, Ruby discovered that Salem knew her mother, and spoke about her as if she had met her face to face. Ruby didn't know if her mother had died by the Grimm witch's hand, or if she was lying to get a rise out of the Silver-Eyed Huntress.

After all, Salem wouldn't tell her anything about her mother when the witch discovered that Ruby was the daughter of Summer Rose, and not knowing what happened to her mom was killing her inside.

Her teammates were able to stop the Ace Ops from capturing them, ending up with them getting split up.

The only thing Ruby thought while escaping was to regroup and try to come up with a plan.

After learning that Salem was coming, she did her best to plan out a course of action that would help them grain some ground in this shadow war against the Queen of Grimm and mankind.

They thought they were making progress, especially when the members of Salem's court of Watts and Tyrian showed up. However, even them finding out about their presence in Atlas as all part of her plans.

The flunkies were decoys to buy the Wicked Witch time to arrive with an army of soulless Grimm.

By the time they realized the Grimm Queen's plan, it was too late.

The tears were still falling. Ruby was losing count to how many times that it has come to this situation. Fight, lose someone, run away.

They were able to get Penny, Weiss and everyone except her uncle and Oscar. Penny has somehow become the new Winter Maiden after Fria died and Cinder escaped, but not before the witch's lackey had another unfortunate encounter with the power from Ruby's silver eyes.

But the Fall Maiden got the last laugh as she was able to take the Lamp of Knowledge from Jaune, Ren, Nora and Oscar, and it was all thanks to Neo.

So, they lost a relic, they were wanted by the Atlas Military, and Salem would be knocking on the kingdom's door someday soon. She truly thought that it wouldn't or couldn't get any worse.

Once again, Ruby was wrong, dead wrong.

After successfully escaping on a Bullhead, they picked up a communication from the military detecting unknown readings coming from the distant mountains.

It only took them a short while to discover that what was causing the radar to go haywire. It was a supermassive, flying, giant, Whale Grimm.

It was like nothing they have ever seen before. It was beyond huge, and it was flying without any form of propulsion.

The giant mountain-sized Grimm was being followed by a massive group of flying Berringels.

That was also new. Berringels weren't supposed to be flying Grimm, at least none of that the modern-day Hunters had seen.

The creatures attack their Bullhead without remorse or fear, eventually damaging the ship to the point it could no longer stay in the air.

Maria did her best to control their descent, but it was no use. They were going to crash. Even if they could somehow land safely, or fix the problem, the Berringels were still attacking it as they screamed, destroying hull of the Bullhead piece by piece.

The Hunters and Huntresses did their best to fend them off, but their numbers were too great. To make matters even worse, some in their group were almost out of aura because they were fighting intensively long before boarding the now crashing Bullhead.

The ship crashed down into the snowy plains below seconds before the engines exploded, sending out shrapnel and heat that killed some Grimm while the concussive force from their crash landing tossed the passengers dozens of feet from the wreckage.

Everything went black until Ruby felt heat. The Silver-Eyed Warrior opened her silver eyes in a panic.

Ruby quickly took in her surroundings and realized that she was no longer on the Bullhead. She was alone, not a single one of her friends could be seen near here. Assuming they were nocked further away or still inside the burning airship, she tried her best to stand up and find them.

However, a sudden pain hit her like a freight train going 200MPH. Ruby coughed up a bit of blood, realizing that her wounds from the crash were more than serious.

She had a large gash in her leg, her ribs were broken, and her aura was so low that her wounds weren't healing as quickly as they should have.

Then it happened, the moment that would come to haunt her for years to come. It took less than a second for everything to occur, and the poor Red Reaper could do nothing but watch how everything in her life fell apart.

A burning blade rushed for her chest, but before it hit her, someone ran in front of her putting themselves in in the line of fire.

The sword pierced his flesh and went through his chest before Ruby's eyes widened from the horror.

The thrust was so strong that it stabbed through the teenage boy and pierced into her torso.

Ruby coughed blood. Her aura was too low, so she knew that her wounds won't be able to heal this, it was a mortal wound.

Before her eyes stood Cinder with an evil grin on her lips. The cruel Maiden had finally managed to land a fatal blow on the petite Huntress, and as a bonus, the wicked villain managed to stab through someone that meant the world to the Rose.

When Ruby saw who tried to protect her, she was beyond shocked. The person that tried to shield her with his own body was none other than Jaune Arc.

The knightly hunter was having a hard time trying to breathe or speak, but the blond goofball tried his best to maintain his image and force a smile on his face.

The red cloak girl was already in tears, and it only got worse when she saw Jaune crying as well. She didn't want to see this. She couldn't believe he did this. Why would he put his life on the line in an attempt to save her?

The chaotic thought tumbled around in her head while Ruby's hands reached for his face, shaking as she watched him coughing too much blood. She knew that Jaune didn't have long unless Cinder removed the sword to allow his massive store of Aura to heal himself.

Cinder kept her ecstatic grin as another person slowly approached her side. It was a familiar face, one Ruby lamented seeing, and worse off, she had the lamp of Knowledge strapped on her back.

It was none other than Neo who was grinning from ear to ear. However, it annoyed her she didn't get the chance to kill Ruby herself to avenge her boss and beloved friend, Roman Torchwick.

The corrupt Fall Maiden was truly pleased. All the complications the group had given her over the last several months faded and the built-up frustrations she had melted away.

Cinder has the relic and killed the red-cloaked bitch that was responsible for the loss of both her eye and arm, and because her Mistress demanded it, she held back the hatred and desire to kill the red-themed Huntress for too long.

It was the first time she had gone against Salem's orders. The Grimm Witch told her, clearly, and without remorse that she wanted Ruby Rose alive for something her Mistress refused to share. However, now Cinder could care less if Salem gets upset with her.

Once she brings her the Lamp of Knowledge, she's sure to forgive her, and if that wasn't enough, Cinder could always use the fact that she was a Maiden that was too important to be thrown away. However, either way, it just didn't bother or worry her anymore.

Cinder had finally fulfilled and ended the vendetta between the Reaper and herself.

Not to mention the blond weakling who failed to protect his partner back in Vale. She was a little surprised that actually chose to sacrifice himself for little red. It was so poetic, she almost laughed.

It took her such a long time, but Cinder finally did it, revenge is truly a dish best served cold. The Fall Maiden chuckled thinking that that statement had to be true, seeing that they were surrounded by nothing but snow, cold stones, and frost in all.

"Fools that fight together, die together," said the Fall Maiden before chuckling with jolly tone.

"Jaune...W...Wh...Why?" the silver-eyed petite stared at the Arc with a look of abstract horror.

The goofy knight's face turned to her, and even with all the blood flowing into his lungs and the intensifying pain he was feeling, Jaune was able to give her a smile.

The sight of it broke her heart was she knew they going to die here.

"Were both going to die here, I don't want this…I don't want him to die with me! It's not fair!" Ruby's thoughts continued to run rampant.

"I couldn't let it happen again. I failed to protect Pyrrha…I didn't want to see such a tragic scene again. Cough…cough…there was nothing I could do. I saw you from afar and before I knew my body started acting on its own. I couldn't help but run and try to save you. This time, I really thought I could do something. Silly me, looks like I failed again. I'm so sorry, Ruby…."

The girl did all she could to summon any strength left, the silver eyes why couldn't she use them like last time. Just when she needed to use them, they failed her.

Maybe it was because she was too weak, Ruby had no Aura left, and she was standing at death's door.

Both Huntsman and Huntress were still stabbed through by Cinder's sword, and the wicked Maiden continued to enjoy the moment by gloating merrily. However, when the excitement of the situation faded a bit, Cinder realized that Salem might really kill her.

The Fall Maiden then smirked as she thought that she could just tell Salem that the girl got killed by a Grimm. She was very confident her mistress would welcome her back once she shows her the relic.

Of course, that still leaves the Staff of Creation. Once she's had her fill her, Cinder planned to go after that robot abomination and claim her new powers. Next, she would open the Vault at Atlas Academy to take the relic that supports the floatation device that keeps Atlas in the sky.

"If I have two relics, Salem will definitely forgive me for my past failures. Ohh, and this little act of insubordination too of course!" Cinder thought as her mirth filled grin looked down at the fallen would-be-heroes with a mocking expression.

How Cinder wish to see Watt's face when he finds out what she has accomplished. She will take all the credit.

When Cinder finally grew tired of seeing her the pain and drinking in the pool of negativity of her victims, she removed the sword with a quick jerking motion. The blood from the flaming sword spilled in a sloppy line, leaving a trail in the snow while two bodies fell to the snowy ground.

"Don't worry Ruby. I haven't forgotten about your friends, your sister, your uncle, and of course your little robot friend that stole what should be mine. I will find them all and kill them one by one. I will take the greatest of pleasure in taking the lives of those you hold dear. They will all face my wrath as Salem conquers Atlas and all of Mantle."

The red cloak girl glared in tears, but her body was too weak to muster any form of resistance, it was starting to fail her.

"You...How can you be so cold hearted?" spoke the weakened Jaune, "Do you feel nothing killing so many innocent people? Don't you regret anything...?" Jaune managed to cough out while his Aura worked overtime to try and heal the damage to his body.

"I do regret not killing you and your friend sooner, and I do feel something. I'm not as emotionless as you think I am. I feel great joy killing my enemies."

"You a monster...cough…cough…and I hate your guts…so much that I pity you. No one has probably ever cared for you…cough…and no one ever will, who could love a monster…cough…after all?" Jaune coughed up more blood.

"Pity me, no boy, you're the pitiful one. It must really suck being you. You have never accomplished anything in your life, you're the weakest of the group, and that why your partner died, she never had a competent person backing her up. You we're never going to amount to anything, just a smalltime hick that could never achieve greatness like I have. You are nothing but a black sheep in a herd of wolves. Just what was it that Ozpin saw in you anyway?"

The Arc grew so angry that he almost didn't notice that Crocea Mors was too far away for him to grasp. After failing to reach his weapons, with what little strength he had left in him, Jaune was able to get on onto his knees.

In his current state, it was impossible to stand, just keeping his back straight was about all he could do without passing out. Facing the amber eyed woman, Jaune spit on her face with a glob of blood and smiled at her before saying, "I hope there's an afterlife. Cause I'm going to visit you in hell, and trust me, we'll see who's laughing then."

Cinder glared at the blond Arc while removing the disgusting spit from her cheek.

"How dare YOU IGSIGNIFICANT ANT? I will make you pay?" Cinder thought with a look of absolute rage.

However, instead of continuing to blow her top, she calmed down a bit, smirked, and then proceeded to say, "You know, the fact you are still playing hero even when you know you have lost, it's pathetic. Just like that red-headed bitch's attempt to fight me...ooh, what was her name again?"

"Her name was Pyrrha, and she was better than you in every way!" Jaune shouted as his Aura flashed around his body, similar to how it acted when Cardin tried to punch him all those years ago.

Luckily, his blinding technique bought him some time. While Cinder fumed and Neo rubbed her eyes in pain, Jaune held on tightly to Ruby's hand and activated his Semblance. He knew he was done for, so he decided to give Ruby everything he had, thinking that if he did, she might survive at the cost of his own soul.

Cinder had enough of her gloating and the boy's witty retorts, so once she regained her sight, she reached out and stabbed him with her sword repeatedly. That was it, Jaune's eyes closed, his blood spilled out from the wounds, and his body fell limply into the snow, but at the same time, almost all of the Blond Knight's remaining Aura reserves flowed into Ruby.

Cinder mounted his side and continued to stab away at his corpse while screaming, "Bug! Ant! Worthless piece of shit!"

Ruby saw everything, as much as she wanted to look away at the Fall Maiden desecrating the blond knight's body, she couldn't. Pure, unadulterated anger filled her very soul. The eyes of the Huntress slowly began glowing a radiant silver hue.

Neo saw this and gasped as she warned the Maiden, kicking her with snow to get her to stop stabbing Jaune's body. Cinder gazed at the ice cream girl, trying to figure out what she was saying before her eyes widened and she turned back to face the red reaper.

Cinder's mouth opened in shock as the little teenage girl shouted in hatred over the loss of her best friend, "GET O-F-F-F OF H-I-M!"

The silver eyes of the huntress suddenly began releasing a powerful silver beam divine energy that hit the wicked maiden, covering her body completely.

But it didn't stop there. The power and might of Jaune's semblance mixed with the blessing from Ruby's Silver-Eyes lit up the entire Mantle region. Any Grimm that got caught up in its light were destroyed without having the slightest chance of resisting.

The area of effect was so gargantuan that it reached all the way to Atlas. Probably every single creature of the Grimm was turned into a statue made of silver ice.

After the full might of the Silver-Eyed Warrior was unleashed, Ruby finally lost unconscious and fell down beside he recently deceased friend. The huntress felt her heart stopped beating, and she died along with the Arc.

Both of their bodies lay together in the frozen tundra, the snow quickly piling on top of their bodies while their hands held together in a similar fashion that was reminiscent of the moment when they first met at Beacon.

It was as if their fate was connected like the way their fingers intertwined with one another.


Ruby's eyes suddenly opened in a shocked manner as she got up and began looking over her body for wounds.

The poor girl was completely bewildered as she thought, "Was everything a dream, but…it…it felt so real. It has to be real."

Their ship crashing, getting separated from the others, engaging Cinder, and losing. Jaune protecting her, and watching him dying because of her, it was too much to be a dream.

"If it was a dream it has to be the worst nightmare I've ever had in my life," The petite thought before she took notice of her surroundings.

"No snow, no withered trees, or huge rocky formations. This doesn't look like the outskirts of Mantle or the Solitus continent," Ruby mumbled aloud.

She was surrounded by green life, so much grass and countless beautiful flowers lay before her eyes. Everywhere there were trees, grass, lakes, and rivers. It was just so amazing for her to look at she lost her breath.

Ruby also took notice of some buildings nearby. They looked old, like they were ancient ruins you'd see in a travel magazine.

Her eyes widened then widened as her thoughts drifted to something else, "What about Jaune? If it wasn't a dream, then he…I…we're both dead."

The red cloak girl wanted to deny it. Yet something was telling her that this place could very well be the 'other side' people talk about from time to time.

"Is this…is this where good people go when they passed on?" Ruby questioned before she heard a groan.

Her eyes shot over to the noise before she looked at the sprawled-out knight laying a few feet away from her.

"Jaune!" Ruby shouted as she ran to the unconscious blond.

She kneeled down beside him, propped his head up on to her knees, and started checking his pulse while holding her finger under his nose to check for air.

A sigh of relief came over her as Ruby realized that he was okay. However, she also remembered the events of that day as clear as water.

The Arc got in front of her trying to protect her from Cinder's attack, but it didn't work, she got hurt too. Tears filled her eyes remembering his words. He wanted to protect her because he couldn't do the same with Pyrrha.

"The blond goofball was still hung up on the past. When is he going to learn that it wasn't his fault…it was mine," Ruby sniffed as she tried to hold back her tears.

Ruby was present when she reached the top of Beacon Tower, and she was there to watch Cinder firing that arrow through the Champion's armor.

The petite Huntress vividly remembered how the arrow hit Pyrrha's heart before the Fall Maiden touched her head turning her into ashes that scattered into the winds.

Just like that, she was gone. One of her best friends was gone.

"It was my fault! I couldn't protect or save her either, Jaune," Ruby mumbled lifted his body as she wrapped her arms around him while letting few sobs.

Ruby was so caught up in her grief, she didn't realize her tears were falling on his face, making him slowly opening his eyes as he came to.

A groan escaped his lips as the petite removed her arms and got up with a rapid movement, letting out a high pitched "eep" as Jaune's head fell to the ground with a loud thunk.

"Ow…."

"Sorry!" Ruby went to his side again, drying her tears immediately as she put his head on her lap.

"Uh...Ruby?" Jaune's blue eyes widened as he gasped and asked, " Where….where are we?"

"I don't know," Ruby replied as she started looking around again.

The Arc got up looking at his surroundings. Ruby didn't know why, but she felt a bit miffed about the lack of reaction for the lap pillow she oh so graciously gave...after dropping his head on the ground like a sack of rocks.

"Okay, this was new," Jaune mumbled before saying, "The last thing I remember, the ship crashing because we got attacked by flying Berringels, then we were in the snow…freezing, bleeding…dying in fact. I definitely remember the cold…and that's the opposite of whatever this place is. Did we get rescued…or are we…"

Jaune's memory of his untimely passing was still fresh. He vividly remembered that he and the silver eyed girl were killed in battle. Murdered by Cinder Fall no less, all while an army of Grimm arrived at Atlas and Mantle.

Yet, here he was, here was the red cloak girl he's known for more than two years.

Jaune had no idea what was going on, everything just felt so confusing for him. Soon he found himself traversing down the same thought process as the red reaper. Was it all a dream? Were they still alive and somewhere on Solitus?

"It doesn't make sense. This can't be Solitus. This place is just too beautiful to be that snow covered Grimm infested hell. And what with those old buildings? What about the others? Could they somehow be here too?" Jaune mumbled. He needed answers and he wanted them fast.

"Okay…This is definitely weird. What is this place? Did someone save us?" Jaune asked loud enough for the petite huntress to hear.

"I'm as clueless as you. I just woke up a few minutes ago," Ruby shrugged her shoulders.

"Do you remember dying at the hands of Cinder Fall?" Jaune asked.

Ruby nodded her head before Jaune sighed and said, "Alright…I don't suppose we can say what just happened was a bad shared dream experience?"

"I don't think so. It was too real Jaune, I think we're-" Ruby hand covered where she was stabbed through.

"No don't say it! We can't be…if we are…that means Ren, Nora, Penny, Oscar, Maria…." Jaune's voice got caught in his throat.

"Weiss, Yang, Blake, uncle Qrow" Ruby followed up, giving a slight pause before she continued by saying, "I'm in the same boat as you, Jaune. We remember getting killed and then poof, I open my eyes and here we are."

"Well…whatever this place is we'll figure out together. It's just that…I can't…no I don't want to believe it. We...It's really over. I can't believe we died. We...we were so young, and dang it, we were too pretty to die," Jaune said, trying to lift the red reaper's spirits.

However, instead of cheering her up, it seemed to have the opposite effect. Ruby sounded upset as she yelled out, "You're making jokes? At a time like this? God dang it, Jaune! You…you…idiot! You wouldn't have died if you didn't try to save me!"

"Excuse me?" Jaune looked both offended and scared. He had never seen Ruby looked so furious before. Not even when he got stealing a cookie from her plate.

Her eyes filled with tears as she slammed on his chest with her weak but fast fists while shouting, "What were you thinking? You…you…big dummy! You protected me from Cinder and-"

Jaune grabbed her shoulders and shouted back, "But nothing! Ruby, even if it happened again, I do it without thinking. I care for you, Ruby. I didn't want you to die! You can't blame me for that."

Ruby stopped hitting him but kept crying into his chest plate.

Jaune sighed in response to seeing her this broken up about it. He then let out a sigh and said, "It didn't do lick of good anyways. You died, and I failed...again," Jaune whispered the last part.

"Jaune…I…didn't mean to yell…I'm sorry," The petite's upper lip started trembling.

He hugged her tightly until she calmed down and said, "So we're really dead then? I guess that means this must be the afterlife. Well...at least there's some good news to this whole situation we find ourselves in."

Ruby gave him a look that said, "Really? Do explain!"

"If the others aren't here, then that must mean they're not dead," Jaune said as if it was a matter of fact.

Jaune infectious and optimistic attitude was the same as usual, making the red cloak girl smile a bit as she finished crying her eyes out and began drying her face with her sleeves.

He always tries so hard to sound positive, just like her. But it was more than hard for her to remain in such high spirits after what just happened. Ruby was worried sick for everyone. She felt a pit in her stomach as she thought of all those Grimm attacking the innocents of Remnant, and mostly about what Cinder and Salem would do now that they were gone.

The reaper tried her best to not to think about it all because she knows it will only lead to more tears, and she needs to keep her wits about her in such an unknown place.

"What were the others doing? Were they safe? What about the people of Mantle, Atlas, Ironwood, Oscar and her uncle?

It was just the two of them here, so she was happy that meant they might have survived. However, it was clear that Ruby was already missing them, especially her older sister.

Ruby was lost in thought until a pair of rugged hands landed on her shoulders, bringing her attention back to reality.

"Hey, try to calm down. I know it's not easy but let's just take our time and figure things out," Jaune gave her his trademarked smile.

Surprisingly, that smile helped her think clearer, "Yeah...Like, for starters, what is this place?"

"We still have each other, our bodies, and surprisingly all of our gear," Jaune said as he held up his sword and shield.

"Yeah, that is a little weird. Can this place…Is this really the Heaven place dad used to tell me about?"

"It has to be. That is, if we're really dead. But I don't see anyone, no angels, no demons, and no gods. You think there'd be someone to greet us or show us some paperwork."

"Paperwork what are you talking about?" the petite couldn't help but laugh a bit, "What...you think they have a list of all the people that die?"

"Well yeah, that's what my mom told me. They check your name and if you appear on their list they will decide if you get to stay in paradise or get sent the other place," Jaune informed as he looked around a bit.

"Other place?" Ruby lifted her brow.

"You know…the place below the ground? The fiery one?" Jaune said as he pointed down.

"Oooh, the bad place for bad guys, right. Maybe we should look around and see if we can find anyone," Ruby said as she looked around.

"Is anyone out there?!" shouted the Arc.

"HELLO!" Ruby shouted even louder.

"We're dead! I think! We need...um...Guidance or something!" Jaune followed up.

Ruby placed her hand around her cheeks to amplify the sounds of shout, "Can you at least tell us if we're dead? Is this place 'The' Heaven?!"

"This is the birthplace of my ancestors," A new, softer feminine voice spoke shocking both teens.

As it turns out, they weren't alone in this place after all.

The owner of the voice appeared right before them a brilliant bright light. It quickly took the form of an adult woman, but the light was so bright and covered her body, hiding her face from view, so they couldn't see who she was.

"Are you an angel?" Jaune was in awe, recalling the memories of the time his mom told him about the celestial beings that ruled over Heaven.

"I know this is hard to understand, and this may come as a shock to you two…but both of you have recently died in a battle and find yourselves in unfamiliar grounds."

Ruby and Jaune lowered their heads while thinking "So it's true. We're dead. Cinder did in fact, kill both of us."

"This is not the afterlife you are hoping it to be. As I said, this is where my ancestors were born. They created this paradise using the power of Mako, and by giving life to nature."

"Mako?" blinked the silver eyed girl.

"Uh…." the Arc had no idea either.

"I suppose it's better to get to the details. You know that you were both killed, and that this is not the Heaven place you speak off. You're not in your world anymore. Both your souls and bodies have been sent across time and space to end up here instead."

Both teens looked at each other. It would've made more sense to hear that they died with their bodies still on Remnant and that they were disembodied souls floating in the afterlife. But the lady said they still had their bodies and life force. The begs the question, if this wasn't Heaven, and they weren't dead then...

"Why are we here?" the Hunters spoke in unison.

"I know that it's sudden, you don't know or owe me anything, and know that I'm being selfish by asking so much of you two. Just know that it is not yet your time, and that if you agree to the terms, you both will be able to live again. The will of Gaia will see to it that you both will be given new lives."

"What?" Ruby's jaw dropped.

"You're kidding?" the blond was asked just as shocked as he fellow Hunter.

"You mean you can bring us back to our world?" Ruby was about to tear up please let it be true.

"I'm afraid that is impossible. You two died, and your bodies have left your world. We cannot send you back…I am sorry."

"Then why say any of this? Why get our hopes up and tell us we'll be able to live again? How can you say that it's not our time and not send us back to Remnant?!" Jaune was upset. He thought that this being was toying with their emotions.

"Is just some lie to hurt us?" Ruby followed up, the anger growing more apparent in her expression.

"Not at all. I can grant you both new lives… just not on the world you come from. But in another one, a world that is in constant suffering and on the brink of extinction."

"What are you talking about?" asked the red cloak reaper.

"Jaune Arc and Ruby Rose,"

The two were about to ask, but they mysterious lady held up her hand and said, "Please don't be shocked. I already knew your names for it was the will of the planet that told me. It was also the same planet that brought you here, and by its will, it wants you to go to my world and save it from destruction."

"The planet wants us to save it?" the Arc was getting more confused by the second.

"Why us? Why can't you do it?" Ruby asked with a shaky voice.

"I am already dead and have become one with the planet. I am part of the living life stream; therefore I can no longer interact with the physical plane. However, you two still have your bodies, and are the only ones that can achieve this task. The planet has also seen into your hearts, you both possess great strength and carry the hope needed for the task at hand."

"So…You want us to play heroes in another world?" Jaune questioned while tapping his foot against the ground.

He then held his hands out and started to draw his sword while he moved closer towards the mysterious figure and asked, "What about our friends? What about what we left behind?! Will we even be able to see them when they die?!"

"Jaune don't," the silver eyed girl halted him before saying, "If we're dead, then there's nothing we can do for them. Please don't make this harder on us than it needs to be."

The Arc heard her hurting tone. This was killing her as much as him. He relented and tried to calm himself while Ruby stepped up.

The dark-haired huntress stared at the glowy female being with a bit of scorn in her expression before she said, "You want us to go to this world and help save it? Yeah, you weren't kidding about being selfish. We know exactly nothing about you or this world you want us to risk our lives for. You can't expect us to go without giving us a choice."

"Yeah, this planet can't decide for us. We didn't ask to be brought here," Jaune followed up.

"We didn't ask to die either" muttered the RWBY leader.

"You're both right, which is why I will give you two your available choices. As you have already perished on Remnant, you can either join us within the planet's will and become one with the stream of life, or you can take your second chance to live again."

"And complete this mission?" the Arc gave a sigh. To him, it felt like they weren't really giving them a choice that they wanted. They either die or play by somebody else's rules and live.

"The planet has seen the courageous actions and the efforts you both put yourself through in your world to try and save it. The will of Gaia sees you both worthy, fitted to be one of the heroes of our world, and a welcome addition."

"Great, you have heroes in that world, but still need us?" The blond asked as turned to the silver eyed petite.

Ruby was silent. Thinking on what to do, she went over the facts. She was dead, she wasn't returning to Remnant, and she won't see her sister, uncle, father, or friends anymore. She failed as a Huntress and recently deceased leader, and yet someone or something wanted her and Jaune to try and save another world.

It all seemed like she was destined to fail, and she was afraid still that she'd fail yet again.

Jaune was in the same boat. What can they do after failing miserably to protect Atlas and Mantle? What chance in hell did they stand in saving another world?

But then again, what were the chances of being thrown into a different world after dying. It was a second chance, a chance to overcome their failures and do something right.

Both were staring at each other. It was almost like they could read their minds just by looking into their eyes.

They may have failed on Remnant, but they refused to give up and let it end here. But still, it was painful to admit that their lives in Remnant are over.

After accepting that singular fact, it became obvious what choices would be. It was clear to the Hunters that this was no dream, and that they will have to try and move on without their loved ones.

It was going to be a test of their will power, emotional stability, and sanity. Probably the hardest test they have ever taken in their entire lives.

"Okay. But you have to be specific. How do we save this world?" spoke Ruby.

"Then have you chosen?" the woman in light asked the blond.

"Yeah, there's no way I'm letting her go on her own," Jaune gave a reassuring smile towards the petite reaper, and she did the same back at him.

"I'm glad that you have yet to lose your kind hearts. You can start by locating my daughter. Find her, get to know her, and please, protect her. You must protect the last Cetra."

"The last what?" blinked the Arc.

"Since you have accepted, take these with you."

The being made two small spheres appeared before they floated over towards the two teenagers. Ruby and Jaune caught them, and although they had no idea what they were, they appreciated the gift.

"Please, protect my daughter. For the sake of the planet, Gaia…and for the sake of everyone living on it."

With that said, the bodies of the two Hunters suddenly started to vanish.

"Hey! You still haven't told us everything yet! How are we going to fit in this world when we don't know anything about it! No fair!" Ruby threw her hands into the air

"You will have to make time to learn and get adjusted. I pray you will find my daughter and the others."

"Others?" spoke Jaune.

Before she could answer, both were already gone, and the female being vanished into the life stream once more.

The fate of the planet was now in the hands of those children.


Jaune slowly opened his eyes realizing he was on something grassy.

Getting up, he discovered that he was laying over a little spot in a wrecked building that yellow and white flowers in a small patch of dirt in the room.

Ruby groaned before he noticed her next to him waking up. The Arc gazed around and took notice that they were inside of a building not like the old ones they saw earlier in the life stream. However, it was slightly different because this one was mostly made of wood, while the ones they saw in paradise were entirely made of stone.

Jaune saw that it had a lot of space, similar to a church or chapel he'd see back home, but it was broken down and a circular section where they sat showed the dirt and broken floorboards.

He then looked saw the spot of the flowers he was in again and looked up to see a hole in the roof where the moon light shined in.

Behind him was an altar on the end of the room with an organ and chair on the left corner. The blond was surprised by the sight of the instrument. It looked very old, at least compared to the one his mother used to have.

"Where do you think we are?" Ruby said as she stood up.

"This place looks like a church, I learned about them when my mother read me fairy tales. Churches are places where people will gather to worship the Gods, a place to remind them of their faith and dedication towards their gods, and it's used to get married. However, this place looks to be abandoned. Maybe it been neglected because of a natural disaster. It could be scheduled for demolition too," Jaune rambled on to calm his nerves while turning to the petite reaper to see her wide eyed and awed as she looked around.

"I meant where we are in the world…I know what church is, Jaune," Ruby crossed her arms before saying, "My uncle's a catholic."

"Oh, okay then…I haven't the faintest of clues," Jaune replied with a lackluster tone.

There was a short silence between them before they looked at each other and spoke in unison, "Do you think it was just a dream?"

"Which part?" The Arc followed up.

"Oh, you know, just that 'PART' about getting killed by Cinder and that glowing lady that tell us she will take us to her world to save it, find her daughter, and all that other stuff too!" Ruby bounced around while running her hands through her hair.

"I know what you mean. I wish both were all just a dream and we're still on Solitus, or Remnant, but something tells me that's not the case," Jaune said while shrugging his shoulders.

"How are you so calm about this?!" Ruby said as she finally stood still.

"Oh, I'm not. I'm freaking out on the inside. But then again, I died, Ruby. What's there left for me be to lose my calm over?" Jaune replied as he leaned against a pillar and sighed.

"I guess you have a point," Ruby said before small crumbs of rubble from the roof nearly fell on her head.

"This place is pretty big and run down, huh?" the red reaper noticed the holes and cracks.

"Yeah, I noticed," Jaune said as he looked with her.

The sound of thunder echoed through the skies as it shortly started raining. Not wanting to get wet, the two teenagers left the area where the flowers grew, running under the sturdiest part of the building they could find to get some cover.

They stopped near one of the glass windows with a nice decorative painting of the city they were most likely in. Almost as if it was put there to mock them, the two realized that they had never seen a place like that before on Remnant. The buildings, architecture, and layout of their streets, everything was different from what they knew.

"I guess this means it was real," Jaune said as he shook his head, getting the rain off of him.

"Yeah…I guess so," Ruby put her head on Jaune's shoulder and watched the rain fall outside the window,

The Huntsman and the Huntress stood silent for a few minutes, just taking it all in while the thunder roared and the rain picked up pace.

"At least we still have their weapons. We even have our Scrolls...though, we can't use them without the CCT we can still use them as cameras and play the off-line games on them. I guess it wouldn't be fair for us to be sent to another world to save it without them," Ruby commented.

"About that, what do we do when we run out of Dust?"

"Shit…" Ruby sighed before covering her mouth.

"Ruby…did you just curse?" Jaune looked surprised.

"I..no! I'm just worried about the health of my baby," Ruby looked away before holding her Crescent Rose.

Jaune laughed, which in turn caused Ruby to chuckle as well. However, the laughter didn't last long before they both sighed with a depressed tone.

Even though they could see the glowing city through the windows, even with the painting of Midgar in front of them, it didn't feel real yet. Both of them were still coming to terms that they were dead moments before and now they were back, alive and kicking.

Jaune turned to where the rain was falling inside of the church and thought, "It looks so beautiful. Is this really a new world?"

It sounded crazy, but after what they've seen, what they've experienced, there wasn't really any place for doubt left.

Jaune's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by soft sobs coming from the girl next to him.

Ruby had put on her hood and her head was hanging down, gazing at the ground while tear dripped onto the floorboards.

Thinking back on it, Jaune has never seen her with her hood up. He understood now that this was a sign that his only remaining friend was trying to hide her feelings, and he 100% sympathized with her current emotional state.

She was taking this whole event rather hard. Dying, being revived, and then being sent to another world. It sounded like a fairy tale, a tale no one would ever believe. Yet here they were, in an unknown world without their friends or family to comfort them ever again.

"Just what have we gotten ourselves into?" Jaune sighed. He couldn't stand it seeing quirky and excitable Ruby like this. He knew her best as a joyful person, cheery full of life.

But now, it's like she was broken, depressed, and losing the spark that made her the Ruby Rose he knows and loves. Though, he couldn't blame her. Jaune was feeling the same string of emotions plaguing his thoughts.

He wanted to run away from it all as well, but he'll be damn if he lets her go through this alone. Ruby was still his friend and someone very important to him, and Arcs will always be there for their friends.

Jaune hand reached out to her and held her hands in his own before calling out to her, "Ruby?"

She didn't answer or react to his touch, but she slowly stopped sobbing and tried to reign in her emotions.

Jaune knew very well what she was doing. The petite reaper has always put a strong front so that no one will be able to tell how she was feeling. It may have worked in the past, but not anymore.

Yang could always see through her, and so does he.

"Must be a sibling thing," Jaune thought before pulling her into another hug.

Ruby's eyes widened a bit of blush was on her face before she realized what Jaune was doing and hugged back.

"Sniff…I'm sorry, Jaune…I must look like a wreck," Ruby sniffled.

"It's okay...You can cry if you want to. You don't have to pretend like everything's fine. I know you're hurting, and I am too. If you're sad then let it out."

"I'm a horrible person" she whispered while leaning her forehead against his chest piece.

"What are you talking about?" Jaune nearly shouted with his eyes widened in surprise.

Ruby did her best to stifle her tears as she said, "I'm talking about me, Jaune. I'm a terrible person. I'm a bad Huntress, a bad leader, a bad everything. I chose not to tell Ironwood about Salem's immortality and kept it a secret. Yang was right, I'm no better than Ozpin. If I had only told him instead of lying...hic...would've never gone against us. We wouldn't have had to fight the Ace Ops. We wouldn't be wanted by the Military. We wouldn't have been attacked by Salem...and…We…wouldn't have died."

"Ruby-" Jaune was about to tell he how wrong she was when the reaper cut him off again.

"Why couldn't have I been a better Huntress. I just wanted to be a hero and strong like my mom-"

"Ruby," Jaune called out again.

"I failed everyone. Ozpin should have never let me skip two years-"

"RUBY!" Jaune shouted rather loudly.

The red cloak petite raised her head from his chest while the thunder flashed, lighting up her face, and allowing Jaune get a better look at her.

Her eyes were filled with tears and running down her face like small waterfalls. It was a very rare sight to see. In Jaune's eyes, Ruby was always one of the strongest persons he knew. She was smart and always tried to look on the brighter sides of things, but seeing this broken state she was in, it changed his opinion of her by just a bit.

It made him feel a bit upset that he thought Ruby was completely different from other girls. He used to think that she was built for this kind of stuff. Jaune couldn't help but shake his head while thinking, "I guess even Ruby has her breaking point. I shouldn't have put so much on her shoulders. I should have helped her carry more the burden."

Suddenly, Jaune reached out to her hood before pulling it down with one swift motion. He then placed his hands on her cheeks and wiped away her tears with his thumbs while saying, "It wasn't your fault. We all chose to follow your lead of our free wills. We thought we were doing the right thing at the time. We felt the same then and feel the same now. We all thought that Ironwood might change after hearing the news and might even do something crazy. We're human, Ruby. So, you can't blame yourself for a mistake that we all made. Heck, everyone in our ragtag group has a long list of wrong choices, for example, me lying my way into Beacon, not telling Ironwood about Yang and Blake informing Robin about the communications tower, or Blake running from her issues, or Nora learning explosions aren't always the best choice, even Ren needed to snap out of his Sloth-like moods at Beacon. Point is, we're not perfect, Rubes, we're bound to make mistakes."

"But…" Ruby tried to say something, but this time, it was Jaune's turn to cut her off.

"Even if you have done the 'right thing', it wouldn't have changed anything. Watts and Tyrian would have made their move, Cinder and Salem too. We weren't just ready for it all, we weren't experienced enough. It was just like the fall of Beacon all over again."

"But you and I…If not for me, we wouldn't have had to…"

Jaune shook his head and wrapped his arms around her back before saying, "Shhh…I told you before, I chose to try and protect you. It was my choice, Ruby. I put my life on the line for you as I'm sure any other our friends would do the same for us."

"You...big...dum-dum," Ruby shook her head as she continued to sob into his chest.

"I'm sorry, Rubes. I never wanted you to blame yourself for my reckless actions. It's just…I needed to do something, anything instead of watching a friend die. I didn't want lose you."

"I didn't want to lose you either. You shouldn't treat your life like it's not precious, Jaune, because it is. Ren and Nora will never forgive me," Ruby banged her hands against his chest plate.

Hearing that, Jaune felt himself choking up before he said, "I know that we both died, but like I've told you before, I don't regret it. Ren and Nora will understand. We're both hurt that we won't see our friends and families again. I won't lie to you, Ruby. This is not going to be easy. Living in a whole new world away from our loved ones, it might even be the biggest challenge of our lives. So...for starters, I don't want to hear you calling yourself a horrible person, ever again. I know for a fact that you're the opposite of that."

"By now...Atlas and Mantle, and everyone they're…." Ruby released more tears.

"I know…." Jaune couldn't take it anymore. The emotions he was trying to repress came to the surface as he began shedding tears.

Jaune pulled her softly into his arms, letting her cry her heart out. He joined her and let their tears flow, only for them to be disguised by the thunder and the rain pelting against the windows.

Their emotional moment was cut short as suddenly many ghost-like things appeared, surrounding the two in a swarm pattern.

The Arc broke the embrace as both were now staring at cloaked beings flying around. Although they looked like ghosts, after everything they have seen during their stay in Remnant, these guys didn't surprise them at all.

The only issue they had was that there were so many of them, and although it looked like they were flying all over the place, there was an intelligence to their movements that they weren't used to. Almost as if they were following a flow or rhythm.

The Hunters got up while taking their weapons out. However, the ghosts didn't seem to react to their provocations.

It was pretty clear for the two Hunters to see that these things were after them for some reason, and the strange specters weren't planning on leaving them in peace anytime soon.

Feeling the frustration had long since passed its peak, the Red Reaper and the Blond Knight charged towards a ghost and struck out.

Ruby's scythe went right through one of them, and the same happened with the Arc's sword.

"They really are ghosts!" Ruby shouted as she noticed that even if they kept on attacking, the strange specters would vanish only reappear seconds later with more of them by their sides.

"Get away from me!" Ruby shouted as she hacked through dozens of them with Crescent Rose.

"I think we should leave. We're obviously not welcome here!" Jaune said as he rammed his shield through one of them and stabbed through another.

While they continued their attacks, Jaune changed his weapon to great sword mode and started slashing the hooded specters with incredible power and accuracy.

Ruby used her semblance and started spinning her scythe while moving and shooting with intense bursts of speed.

When she landed back on the ground and pointed her riffle into the air, Ruby noticed that they were all gone.

Both Hunters were clueless to what was going on. The specters just vanished without a warning, and they didn't seem to be coming back.

The seconds and minutes went by, yet there was still no sign of them.

"What happened?" Ruby asked.

"They left," Jaune replied while sheathing his sword.

"That's it! I've seen enough strangeness for one day. I'm tired!" said Ruby as she threw her butt against one of the benches.

"Yeah, I'm with you there, Rubes. We should get some rest. We can think about this other world craziness later," the Arc agreed, deciding to leave the topic of those ghosts for another time. He sat down beside her and tried to close his eyes and clear his head.


Hours had passed and the rain stopped as the rays of the sun were passing through the hole in the church, illuminating the flowerbed bellow. It was also reflected in the windows as some small rays hit the two teenagers.

They were sleeping in the same place they sat the previous night. Jaune didn't realize that Ruby had her head leaning on his shoulder, and that she was sleeping peacefully beside him.

The small blotch of light coming through the stained glass hit the Arc's face, stirring him from his sleep seconds before he heard soft footsteps approaching from not that far away.

For a moment, Jaune thought he was dreaming, but the sounds of the footsteps were getting louder by the second.

Then, when they reached the peak of their volume, the footsteps just stopped.

Jaune slowly opened his eyes, and he was surprised that there was a young woman in front of him staring at the both of them with curious eyes.

The blond jumped from the startle he was given, letting out a frightened yelp that made the stranger yell at the same time. The noise of their screams woke the red cloak girl in the process.

"Huh? Wha? Are we under attack?" Ruby said while grabbing her weapon before she tripped over her own feet.

Jaune was breathing heavily when the silver eyed petite noticed the new person in the church. It was a young woman looking in her early twenties. She had long brown hair tied on a long braid with a pink ribbon, and emerald eyes that gleamed with bright light. She was wearing a red silk jacket with a pink silk dress that reached below her knees, knee high brown boots, and gold bracelets on both her hands.

They almost missed that she was holding a brown basket filled with yellow and white flowers.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you!" The woman held her hands out with a worried expression on her face.

"You just stood there staring. Maybe I over reacted, sorry," Jaune sighed as he sat back down.

"I'm just happy it wasn't those creepy ghost thingies again" Ruby said with a look of respite.

"Ghost thingies?" the brunette stood in thought.

"We've… had a rough night," said the Arc, knowing that that was a massive understatement.

"It's okay! I should have said something instead of staring. I was just surprised to see people here of all places. Nobody comes here except me."

"And where is this place?" asked the blond.

"This is an old church in the Sector 5 slums. It's been abandoned for a long time. I usually only come here to harvest the flowers over there," the young florist said as she gave a gentle smile.

The Arc and the reaper looked at each other. They never heard of this Sector 5, and then it hit them again, they were really in another world.

"Sector 5?" asked the silver eyed girl as she stretched out her limbs and let her Aura heal her soreness.

"Yeah, Sector 5. You know, it's where we are right now,"

"And where is this Sector 5?" asked the Arc while cracking his neck and rotating his arms to limber up.

"In Midgar," the brunette florist gave a look like she thought these two were clueless.

"Er…we don't know much about this place," Jaune said while holding up a finger.

" I see, you must be new to Midgar. Did you guys come from another town or city?"

"Yeah, you can say that," said the blond while he gave a nervous expression.

"I'm Ruby, nice to meet you!" Ruby hopped over and shook the florist's hand.

"I'm Jaune. Sorry for freaking out like that." Jaune held out his hand, making the florist use both hands to shake the newcomers.

"Dilly-Dally Shilly-Shally, I'm the one who startled you, you don't need apologize for anything. I'm Aerith by the way. I'm a florist, so I sell the flowers that grow here" the brunette smiled at the two as the Hunters dropped their hands from the shake.

"That's nice" the blond smiled while thinking that it should've been obvious based on the basket full of flowers she was carrying.

A huge grumbling roar was heard as Ruby grabbed her gut and blushed while chuckling nervously.

Jaune's sweat dropped off his brow, but he couldn't blame her after everything they've been through. They didn't eat before the mission on Remnant, and it has been almost 14 hours since they last tasted food. Since he was just as hungry, Jaune thought it was only natural that Ruby was also starving.

"Someone's a little hungry," Aerith chuckled softly as she put her hand over her mouth.

"I need some grub, where's the near restaurant?" Ruby groaned.

"I do know a couple of places here, and they have nice prices too," Aerith informed as she let a few louder giggles.

"How much Lien will it cost?" Jaune asked while pulling out his wallet.

"What? Lien…?" Aerith scratched her head.

"I'm sure lien is worthless in this world" the reaper whispered to Jaune.

"Oh right…what I meant to say is money. I hope it's not that expensive," Jaune chuckled while rubbing the back of his head.

"They won't charge you much Gil if I go with you," Aerith smiled.

"You would do that? I mean…You don't have to," Ruby said while they both realized that the money is called Gil.

"No problem. I just got back from the city, and although I haven't made much progress in my business ventures, I have enough Gil to at least buy you two something to eat," Aerith informed with a confident smile.

Hearing that Gil is the name of the money from this world, it was once again confirmed they weren't on Remnant anymore and that they didn't have a way to repay the nice lady.

Still, they were more than hungry, so they swallowed their pride and agreed take the flower girl up on her kind offer.


After agreeing to being treated to a meal, the trio left the church and started walking the streets of the Sector 5 slums.

Jaune and Ruby were in awe, but not in a good way. They were in the slums, and everywhere they looked they saw things that proved that was exactly where they were.

Old buildings, old houses, many places abandoned, dirty and worn out. The whole area could use a serious makeover.

It was first time they were seeing such a poor sight, not even Grimm attacked villages looked this bad, heck they were sure that Vale looked better this place, even after the fall.

Their opinion of the place improved a bit when they saw the people wearing decent clothes at, some of the kids even had bicycles.

Since they saw the electric poles, it was clear that they must have power, communications, television, and radios.

Jaune guessed that they even had some source of viable fuel when they spotted a couple of cars passing by.

"This world isn't that far behind compared to Remnant's technology still…" Jaune commented before Ruby finished, "Yeah…the tech from Remnant was still a bit superior, especially if we compare this world's technology with the stuff we saw in Atlas."

The duo shared their opinion. However, the most impressive thing so far has to be what was above them.

It's like there was a giant plate over hanging over their heads, and as it turned out, that's exactly what was it.

The two Hunters gasped when they heard there was an entire city above them that was countless times more advanced than the slums below.

When the duo from another world reached a small restaurant, Aerith led them inside with a cheerful smile.

The interior was just a shoddy as everything else they've seen thus far, though at least it was clean.

They kept their comments to themselves and got seated without so much as a complaint. While they waited for a waitress, their stomachs growled like a starving lion's roar. The two Hunters couldn't help but real back in shame.

Jaune was more fretting over the fact their Lien was useless here and that they are now broker than broke. Heck, they might as well admit to being homeless, because that was what they were, homeless and penniless, or rather Gil-less to be more accurate.

The people at the place obviously knew the florist as they brought the menus. Both teenagers ordered the least expensive dish not wanting to act selfish towards the brunette.

For a couple of minutes, they chatted about Midgar when they were brought a hot meal that was placed in front of them. It was a meat and potato stew that made their mouth water before taking a spoonful to shove in their mouths.

Aerith smiled as she watched them scarfing down the meal and dipping the bread sticks before inhaling them like a drink. She could help but think, "Yep! I was right about them. They were pretty hungry, must have been starving."

Deep down, Aerith could tell there was something more than off about them, even if she just met them, it was pretty clear for her to get the idea they weren't from anywhere around here.

The first thing the florist noticed was that their clothes were quite unique, especially Ruby's. The same could be said about their weapons.

Jaune looked like a knight from those ancient legends her mother told her about, but for the love of Gaia, that hair, it was bad. It was like his hair couldn't decide whether it was trying to be a yellow bonfire or a head full of bananas.

The pink schemed florist did her best not to laugh as her eyes kept glancing over at the banana head. She will definitely have to tell him sooner or later that he needed to change it, immediately.

After the duo finished eating everything on the table, they were full as can be. The food really hit the spot and they were both feeling much better since they didn't feel like their stomachs didn't feel like a thunderstorm was brewing inside them.

Still, they were feeling uncomfortable that the brunette had to pay for their meal. It wasn't fair that she should spend what little Gil she earns on two complete strangers.

While the Arc wallowed in self-guilt, he saw the sign on a metal wall and mumbled the words to himself, "Shinra Electric Power Company."

"Thanks Aerith, we really needed that, you're the best," said the red cloak petite with a jubilant smile on her face.

"No problem. I'd feel bad if I let you two starve to death," Aerith chuckled as she sat down the money for the meal.

"She's so kind. A girl like this is too good to be true," Jaune thought while mentally shedding tears.

"So, you live around here?" the Arc decided to change the topic.

"Yeah, my house is a little further away from the slums. Do you two have a place to stay in mind?"

Both the Huntsman and Huntress looked at each other and sighed. They didn't. They just arrived at this world and were completely clueless about everything. They needed knowledge and understanding before they can truly say they have adjusted.

"The glowing lady should have us more about this place before sending us here," Ruby's cheeks puffed up.

"Are there any hotels here?" Jaune asked.

"Inns? Yeah. There are three and the price is good. But it won't work since you two don't have a single Gil to your names," Aerith replied.

"True" both sighed mentally.

"You guys should try getting some jobs. It's not that hard to find something to do here. Do you have any talents?" Aerith asked.

"Of course we do" Ruby smiled before holding up her fists and swinging a couple of times before saying, "We can fight, and we're very good at it."

Without blinking, Ruby took her weapon from her back and transformed it from compact mode to scythe mode as she announced, "This is my baby, Crescent Rose! It's a scythe that is also a gun."

"Wow! I've...Never seen anything like it," The florist commented in awe while staring at the red and black weapon.

"Yep, it's a two in one weapon. I built it myself," The red reaper proudly declared as she finally seemed to have perked up a bit.

"Mine isn't that special" Jaune unsheathed Crocea Mors" the only thing special is the sheath that turns into a shield. The shield is pretty good too, it can make light constructs, but…the fuel is limited."

"Don't forget big sword mode, show her!" the silver eyed girl squealed in excitement. It was clear to see talking about her favorite subject was finally letting her calm down.

"Oh, right, almost forgot about that," Jaune chuckled while rubbing the back of his head.

He actually forgot.

As he changed to great sword mode, Jaune smiled and said, "There, my attacks are stronger when it's in this form but a little heavy. Though, I've already gotten used to the weight."

"It's still impressive," For a second there, since he was lifting the greatsword without any effort, Aerith thought the blond was a SOLDIER, but she shrugged it off when she saw that he didn't have the same eyes SOLDIERS get after being infused with Mako.

"Well, I guess you two already have an answer to finding some good jobs. If you have fighting experience, then I'm sure you can become mercenaries. You can also do certain jobs requested by the people and get paid in return," Aerith listed off as she held the tip of her finger on her chin.

"You know, that's not a bad idea," The red cloak girl nodded her head. She like the sound of that, using their abilities to ear Gil it wasn't any different from being a Huntsman to earn Lien.

"Guess it's worth a shot," the Arc smiled while and threw his hands behind his head before saying, "Well, that was one problem solved."

"Now if only we can find that glowy lady's daughter," Jaune thought as he remembered that they're supposed to find and protect her, but there was just on issue, neither of them knows who she is or where to even begin looking for her.

"Say, Ruby Jaune would you like to come to my house? I have to pick up something, I promise it won't take long" The brunette asked as she gave one of her infectious and sweetly gentle smiles.

"We don't see a problem with that," Ruby replied while she turned to the blond to see him nodding.

"Not like we have any better place to be, not in a hurry either," Jaune replied.


True to her words, Aerith's house was pretty far from the slums and the crowds.

After walking for twenty minutes or so, they crossed a wooden bridge made from wooden planks. When they saw the environment of Aerith's house, the two Hunters gasped in shock.

There was a beautiful waterfall with some green life along with pieces of metal cylinders protruding from the ground and around the river. They were obviously for pumping water.

Compared to the rest of Sector 5 slums, this place was the only area the two had seen with such bountiful nature. There was green grass, healthy soil, and and even flowers with different colors asides the ones from they saw in the church.

The house was small but it was definitely the prettiest one they've seen since they got here. It had a triangular shape roof and windows. Really nice, it suited a young lady like the brunette. Just before they could get any closer to the house the florist stopped on her tracks facing them.

"I think we should talk before you meet my mother" still she kept her usual expression, "You two aren't from here, are you? "

"We already told you, we're from out of town," replied Jaune.

"No. You're not from Midgar or even Wutai. Just, where are you from?"

The two teens turned to the other, so much for keeping it a secret. Not like they were making the effort to begin with. They've only been in this world for like a few hours.

"I don't think you will believe us, even if we told you the truth," said Ruby with a depressed expression.

"Try me" Aerith smiled confidently.

The red cloak girl nodded as she decided to tell her everything, and she meant everything. Ruby spoke about her life in Patch with her older sister, father, and pet dog. Then she went on about Remnant, Beacon, Huntsmen and Huntresses, the Grimm, Salem, the four maidens, and the four relics.

The silver eyed reaper made sure not to miss any details. Throughout the whole thing, Aerith's expression was on of fasciation and wonder, even Jaune was surprised at the speed in which Ruby was telling her entire life story up to the point when they arrived at Atlas.

When she was done, the two-toned haired petite needed to catch her breath, and panted heavily while waiting to hear the florist's reaction.

Aerith stood in deep thought before a smile her features.

"I believe you."

"Say whaaaat?" they said in unison.

"You have no reason to lie to me, you had no idea what Midgar was, and you didn't even know what Gil is. I bet you don't know about Mako, or the Life Stream either."

"The person that brought us here mentioned Mako, but you're right, we pretty much don't have a clue about any of that stuff," said the Arc with a depressed expression.

"So…How did you two get here? You said that you both died during a tough battle, but that doesn't explain how you ended up on Gaia,"

"I was about to get to that part. We suddenly woke up in this pretty place filled with flowers and grass, trees similar to here, ooh and some old buildings that looked like ancient ruins," said the young reaper with her usual pip.

The brunette reacted but stood in thought having a feeling what could it be, or who.

"The only reason we were brought to this world is because this person or being told us to save the planet. That it was on the brink of extinction, and that we were the only ones that can do it," Jaune said while scratching his head.

Aerith's eyes widened upon hearing that, "The planet wants you two alone to save it?"

"No, she said that there's supposed to be others. I know it's so confusing, but please bear with us, we're still trying to get used to the fact that we died one minute and then suddenly found ourselves back here, living in another world," Jaune replied while shaking his head.

"Sooo…The will of the planet brought you to Midgar?" Aerith's interest was piqued.

"That's what she told us," Ruby replied.

"Ruby, remember what she gave us?" said the blond Huntsman while he pulled out a red orb.

"Oh yeah," Ruby slapped her forehead before doing the same.

Aerith stood in thought as the two teens have taken something from their pouches. Small Mako Spheres glowed radiantly, but it seems they weren't active yet.

"Materia."

Both blinked another thing they didn't know.

"These are Summoning Materias. It is very helpful during battle," Aerith explained as she pointed at them.

"Okay" Jaune sweat dropped things can't possibly get more confusing.

"Since you told me everything about you two and your world, I will do the same. I will tell you everything you need to know. But first, can you tell me who this glowy person was that showed up after you died?"

"We don't know because she was covered in light," said Jaune while he put his hands on his hips and hung his head.

"She was way too bright…no pun intended. She also told us something else asides saving the planet" followed the red cloak petite.

"To find and protect her daughter, something like she's the last Ce...Cedan, is that it?" Jaune scratched his head.

"No, no silly you got it wrong. It's Centaur," Ruby put her hands on her hips and let out a proud, "HMPH!"

"I don't think that's it either" A sweat dropped down Jaune's brow.

"I think you mean, Cetra. It's that is the original name given to the Ancients. I will tell you all about it later." Aerith informed while she smiled.

She knew perfectly well who it was that sent Ruby and Jaune to her. Even in death, her mother was still watching over her and attempting to protect her.

"So, mom, no, the will of the planet sent these two to help me. But this turn of events will surely complicate things. With Jaune and Ruby's presence the future has become uncertain." Aerith pondered as she looked over her new little guardians.

Whatever was in store for her, Aerith wanted to see it through.

"It was the will of the planet of our meeting, it was fate. I can help you find the Last Cetra or the Last Ancient."

"Really? That's great who is it?" The Hunters asked in unison.

"That will be me" Aerith smiled while pointing to her face.

Both blinked rapidly.

Realizing that they have already found the person they were supposed to protect that was quick and easy, they looked at each other and said, "Oh."


To be continued