This chapter might be a huge AU seperation from the main show (backstory wise.). So slight warning for that. I honestly did not enjoy writing this one, but I kinda need to get this out of the way so I can move on with the story. I don't THINK it's bad? But it did take me a year to write this damn thing. I got busy at work. Lost a family member, lost a house and then lost a job so... I've been living a soap opera for the past several monthes, But, hopefully I can be more consistant now. Thank You all for waiting and I'm sorry this took so long. I don't think there are any continuity errors but, feel free to flame me if there are. I did spend about a whole year on this so yeah, I wouldn't be surprised. -chrisreader

Chapter Ten

Beryl

The voice chuckles within my head. "This should be interesting...'

"Yeah, I do." Qrow says in a gruff tone. Though that might just be Qrow's default tone of voice.

Ruby nods, turning the scroll slightly so that I'm now in his field of view. Grabbing a paper towel, I wipe my hands clean while Qrow looks between Ruby and I.

"Holy shit." He says before slowly unscrewing the cap off his flask and taking a long drink. I raise an eyebrow and look at Ruby. She shrugs fondly in response . After several seconds, he continues. "Oz was right, you do look like my niece."

'Oh great...'

'It seems the wizard has been busy.'

I scratch my head. "Yeah, I've been getting that alot lately."

Ruby smiles. "We do look alot alike don't we?"

I stare blankly at Ruby as the voice chuckles. "And here I thought you were one of the few people who hadn't noticed that." I mutter before looking back at Qrow, I smile. "Well anyway. It's nice to meet you."

Qrow nods. "Likewise." He folds his arms. "Yang... called me about you." He leaves that in the air. ."

'Of fucking course this is about that.'

Ruby tilts her head. "Yang called?" She glances at me.

"Yeah." I rub my neck uncomfortably. "Yang walked into my bathroom without knocking and saw some huge scars on my back. I don't know how I got 'em but... they seemed to freak her out a bit." I'm silent for a second.

"Yang did what?!" Ruby pipes up.

"Is she okay?" I ask, ignoring Ruby. I send her an apologetic glance.

"Yang's fine." Qrow says and I actually let out a sigh of relief. "She did however, insist that I meet you and... now I think I see why." He takes another drink. "You're gonna want to sit down kids, this might take awhile."

Ruby and I share a glance, before we both grab nearby stools and sit as instructed.

Qrow sighs before going silent for several seconds, most likely gathering his thoughts. After a few more moments of uncomfortable silence Qrow finally speaks up. "God this is gonna be awkward ..." He sighs. "If you remember Ruby, you used to have a twin brother."

Ruby nods with a sad smile. "I don't remember him very much though... Yang mentioned once that we used to be attached at the hip."

Qrow snorts. "That's an understatement, we couldn't even put you in seperate cribs without you both screaming like the world was ending." He sighs again. "Back when... well you know when-" He sends Ruby a meaningful look. "-Yang managed to find something, a clue she thought might lead her to her mother." He pauses with a grimace. "She waited for Tai to leave the house and packed you both in a wagon-"

'...Son of a bitch.'

'This sounds familiar does it not?' If at all possible, I think I feel the voice smile. 'You should know most of this story by now. Volume 2... if your memories are to be believed?'

I blink in surprise. 'How do you-?'

Hearing Qrow still talking, I try to tune back in.

"-Anyway, as you know, that damned shack was nothing but trouble. You were attacked by a pack of Beowolves and... well..." He looks down to his flask. "I wasn't able to save all of you. By the time I showed up... Beryl was already being dragged off in the jaws of an Alpha. I tried to find him but... well..." He looked back up, he looked tired. "Anyways, I got you and Yang home and tried to calm down Tai but... he didn't take the news well as expected. Some words were said... things that couldn't really be taken back, and... well Yang hasn't quite forgiven herself for it all."

"Okay..." Ruby says after a moment of silence. "What does this have to do with Toby?"

Qrow turnes his gaze to me specifically. "Silver eyes ain't exactly a common trait. As for the rest... it should be obvious."

I feel Ruby turning her gaze on me. Glancing over, I pause. She glances at me with wide searching eyes. She keeps staring and I find myself getting uncomfortable, I turn my gaze back to the image of Qrow. They are both staring at me.

Finally Qrow speaks. "I think you just found your family kid."

I blink again. Not from shock obviously, but...

'How the hell am I supposed to react to this?'

I feel myself pulled into a bone crushing hug by Ruby, who's smiling wildly. "My twin is alive!" She lets out a sound that falls somewhere between a screech and cheer. It might of been endearing, if I wasn't currently getting the oxygen crushed out of me.

'How the hell is she doing this with only one free arm?!'

"Ruby... air!" I manage to force out before the squeezing intensified.

I hear Qrow sigh. "Ruby, please don't re-kill your brother..."

She gasps, letting me go. I quickly take in a gasp of air. "Sorry!" She says quickly. She hops in her seat excitedly. "Oh! I need to tell Yang! And Dad! He's gonna flip!"

'...Why do I suddenly feel so... guilty?'

...

'...Beryl huh?'

Suddenly and without warning, Ruby dashes out of the room; scroll in hand. I shout in surpise as the stool she had been sitting in falls to the floor with a loud bang. Not even two whole seconds pass before I hear a familiar shout of surprise and I hear Ruby shout from down the hallway. "Sorry Pyrrha!"

I blink. Looking up, I see Pyrrha walking into the lounge with a confused expression. Seeing me, she smiles and waves. "Hello again!" She greets happily.

Hearing that familar sound gets me to crack a smile. "Hey." I wave back. "What brings you here?"

"I'm afraid breakfast didn't last." She glances back. "Where was Ruby headed off to in such a hurry?"

I grimace before I can stop myself. "Well-"

A loud ding sounds through the room as I numbly stare at the source of the noise. 'Oh... cookies are done...'

Wordlessly, I stand up and make my way over. Grabbing a plate I'd kept nearby as well as a spatula, I fished out the dozen or so chocolate chip cookies and tossed them on the plate. I move them over to the main island.

"You made cookies?"

I shake my head absent-mindedly. "Sorta, Ruby wanted to make us all cookies to celebrate our first week here. She didn't really know how though, so I offered to help." I glance back up at her. "She went to find Yang."

Pyrrha nods and I silently make my way to the mixture I had left unattended. I continue to stir as Pyrrha makes her way to what I assume is the fridge or pantry.

'I know I saw this dumbass sub-plot coming a mile away but...'

...

'Whatever... Cookies. I need to make cookies.'

"Are you... alright?"

I look up and see Pyrrha standing in front of me across the island table,her green eyes filled with concern.

I blink. "Yes... Maybe? I don't know."

Pyrrha picks up the fallen stool before sitting down. "What's wrong?"

"You remember my amnesia thing?" She nods and I sigh. "I uh... found my lost family; turns out I'm Ruby's twin brother."

She smiles brightly. "That's great!" I try to smile in return but I think I only manage a grimace. Her smile falls. "Isn't it?"

'My sudden guilt says otherwise...'

I sigh again. "It feels... wrong."

She raises an eyebrow. "How so?"

'Maybe because I'm not Beryl? Hell I'm not even really Toby... I'm just... me. Not some long lost brother; stupid fucking sub-plot or no...'

'Your memory is flawed boy.' He chuckles. 'How does one live in a world without being born into it?'

'I don't fucking know, fanfic bullshit.'

"Toby?" Pyrrha's voice returns me to the present. I shake my head.

"It's just... what if they're wrong?"

She gives me a soft smile. "And what if they're not? You have the chance to have a family."

I look back down to the cookie dough. 'I already have a family...'

...

'I need off this conversation.'

I look back up. "Excuse the change of subject, but I have a question."

Pyrrha blinks. "Yes?"

I look back down at the cookie dough. "To tell you the truth this has been on my mind the whole time I've been cooking these... and I'm not sure there's a way to ask this tactfully but..." I point to the cookies. "I'd rather not kill my partner and I heard that dogs can't eat chocolate so... can a dog faunus safely eat chocolate? I mean he was eating a chocolate bar earlier but..."

Pyrrha still wears her soft smile. "I don't believe he should suffer any ill effects."

"Good." I start to scoop out the finished cookie dough and put down another dozon before setting it in the oven and setting the timer. Hearing movement, I see Pyrrha grabbing my previously forgotten bag of grapes and pulling out a...

...

It occurs to me that I don't know what to call... whatever that thing the grapes are attached to.

'Is it like... a small vine or...?'

...

'I think it's just grapevine... Isn't it?'

I blink. 'Why do I even care?' Shaking my head, I return to my bowl of mixture as Pyrrha returns to her seat with a bowl of grapes. I blink in slight surprise.

She gives a smile as she picks up a grape. "So, how are you enjoying your first week at Beacon?"

I shrug slightly while I stir. "Good I guess? I think I might have finally gotten used to the constant soreness. I barely notice it now. Although..."

I pause as I remember the little "Pop Quiz" that Dr. Oobleck hit us with yesterday. Turns out that while I may know a shitload of lore from the few bits of the show I had seen ;which was roughly about two seasons worth. And several from fanfics I used to read which... may have been very undependable now that I think about it... It showed me just how little I actually KNOW about the world of Remnant.

'Regardless... I was woefully unprepaired for that shit.'

I clear my throat. "I think the whole... amnesia thing." I surpress a wince as my shit ass lies yet again. "Might of had a severely negative effect on my normalish grades. So... I might have to deal with that later down the line."

Pyrrha nods in understanding before giving me a soft smile. "I suppose that would be understandable. If you would like, I could help you review the material until you no longer need to."

I feel a very strong bout of silent excitement. Other then Weiss, I'm pretty sure Pyrrha would be the best person I could hope for to help me out with school related crap.

I send her a happy smile. "If it's not too much trouble than yes please! It would honestly be a lifesav-" Suddenly I hear my scroll going off as the default beeping sound blasts. I send an apologetic glance towards my future tutor as I pull out said device. Looking down, I see it's my partner, I press the answer icon before putting it to my head.

'Hello? What's up?" I immediately hear a... shrill sound of... screaming?

"Hello Toby. Are you in the know as to why Ruby just sped into, as well as broke, her dormroom door?"

I pause. "She what!?"

I imagine him nod as he continues. "Yes. She did not seem to feel the need to stop. She is fine but... Weiss is very unhappy."

Arnold lets that hang in the air as the shrill sound seemingly gets closer. "That's Weiss!?" I exclaim before making eye contact with Pyrrha who sends me a puzzled look.

The shrill sound gets ever closer and I imagine my partner wincing. "Indeed. I feel I should warn you. Ruby is... very excited about whatever it is you seemingly did and... well. Everyone is talking and shouting over one another so... What happened?"

I blink. "Um... We got a phone call from her Uncle Qrow and-"

Suddenly I hear the sound of death screaming on the other end. "You!"I wince as well as Pyrrha who sends me a slightly alarmed look.

I hear a horrified whimper from my teammate. "The beast approaches..."

"Is that Toby! Give it here!"

I hear a very startled squeek of "Yes ma'am" before I hear the scroll exchanging hands. "You!"

I wince again. "Me." I respond. "And could you not shout in my eardrum? I can hear you just fine."

I hear Weiss huff before she continues... slightly quieter than before. Not by much but... "What did you do?!"

I hear what sounds like... Ruby in the background."Weeeeeiiiiissssss. Beryl didn't do anything! If you would all just listen!"

Weiss shouts back as I move the scroll a bit away from my head to save my poor eardrums. "Well we've been trying! Maybe now that everyone has calmed down-"I snort. "-Shut up you! Anyways! Ruby! Why did you break our door?" She pauses. "And why did you just refer to Toby as... Barrel was it?"

I hear a soft gasping like sound from... someone.

Several seconds pass before I hear Ruby."The door was an... oopsie? I was just excited to tell Yang that... well... Toby is our long lost brother! His real name is Beryl! Like the gemstone! For some reason I ?I'mnotsurebut-"

"Ruby! You're getting overexcited again! We can barely understand you when you do that! And did you say Bro-"

The line goes silent as I hear... sniffles? I am only confused for about a milisecond when the obvious dawns on me and I feel another sudden rush of guilt.

"Yang? Are you... alright?"

"I-I'm fine. I need the scroll."

"Are you sure? You-"

"I'm fine!..."I hear her voice say forcefully if somewhat shakely. "I just... need to talk to my baby brother..."

There is a pause before Weiss continues... In a surprisingly gentle voice. "Alright... Toby. I'm giving Yang the scroll. We're all headed to you. This sounds like a situation that should be handled in person! And Ruby, you might want to call your Uncle. Considering you ended that call by breaking our door."

"Crapbaskets!"

I hear the scroll exchanging hands. A couple moments pass...

"...Beryl?"

'Good job asshole. You made Yang cry...'

"I... guess?" I say lamely. "Are you okay?"

'Are you stupid?! Of course she's not okay! What kinda dumb fuckass question is that?'

"I'm... fine. But... you. I- I saw you get..." I hear Yang sniffle a bit before she starts to sobbing. "I'm so s-sorry!" The line then breaks into almost uncontrolable sobs as I hear... Blake?... start to try to calm her down.

'...I feel like the biggest...'

I hear that voice pipe up in my head. "I would advise you to silence that overthinking brain of yours. Forget your ridiculous conspiracy theories and needless guilt for I grow tired of both. A word of advise? This girl WILL be affected dearly by whatever you deign to say now. I advise that you finally acknowledge your place here and respond in kind."

'...What the hell do you mean by that? Are you talking about this bullshit brother sub-'

"Despite how amusing it would be to hear you finish your deluded beliefs; It would be best if you accepted the following as fact. Know that I placed your soul here as your old body perished. This is where you where reborn and I will one day have need of you, despite the possible... side effects of sharing this brain space. Regardless, it would be smoother in the long run if you fixed this. We will need many allies if you are to survive here."

I sit in silence for a second as I try to sort my brain through everything he said. 'Wha-"

"Fix your sister you dense boy. I will answer your questions some other time." I feel the presence in my head recede.

'...'

Tuning back to reality, I see Pyrrha giving me a... rather puzzled look. And I feel my... Aura draining?

'Son of a... I must of been using my Semblance through that whole convo... Anyways... Yang.'

Based on the sounds of sniffles and sobs receding, I imagine that means I've only missed out on a couple of seconds. "Yang. You still there?"

"Y-yeah. I'm okay. Just... needed a minute."

I nod for... my own benefit I guess. "It's okay. Listen Yang I... honestly don't know what to say. Like at all. But, I don't blame you. For anything."

"But if I hadn't..." She trails off with a few sniffles before whispering. "I... I thought I saw you die! You've been away from home for years! And now you... you.." She trails off into a mix of a whimper and whisper. "You would hate me if you could remember..."

I clear my throat. "Well... based on what Qrow said... Amnesia aside, I think I might of been to young but... that's beside the point. I'm not mad whatsoever just..." I sigh. "I think Weiss is right. I think this is something that would be better dealt with if we were all together. Um... how close are you?"

"Just three more sets of stairs."

I nod."Okay. We'll hold off on this until you guys get here... okay?"

"A-alright. Um... Arnold?" I hear a pause. "Here's your scroll back. Sorry."

"It's quite alright."

Sounds of exchanging hands and then... a click.

'Well... that was kinda rude... Though I guess they ARE on the way...'

'...'

'Um... cookies. I should probably hide the cookies.'

Wordlessly, I search the nearby cabinets for some plastic wrap. Finding it almost instantly,I make my way to the kitchens main island and begin to wrap the first plate out of the four plates of cookies already made. After a moment, I blink as I see Pyrrha beginning to help me.

"...Thanks." I saw quietly.

She gives me another soft smile before it slips away, replaced by concern once again. "Do you need to talk?"

I'm silent as we finish wrapping the plates. Moving them back to the counter near the fridge, I open a cabinet that I had previously found empty. Hideing them there and turning back, I grab the mixture from the island and then store it in the fridge.

Then I found myself with nothing else to do... So I took a a calming breath before facing my worried companion.

"Honestly? I wouldn't even know what to say. I don't really know how I feel let alone my..." I pause. "Family?"

The word feels wrong coming out of my mouth.

'...'

"Pyrrha?"

"Yes?"

I take a seat at the island before rest my head in my hands. Sighing I look back up. "Let's say you remember another family... Maybe an adopted one." 'Fucking bullshit.' "Is it wrong to say I don't feel... That is to say..." I groan in annoyance. "What am I supposed to feel here?

Pyrrha takes a seat next to me. I feel her lay a hand on on my shoulder as she speaks. "I can't say I would know... But what do you feel?

"...Upset? Confused?"

"And why is that?"

I sigh. "Because I feel like I already have a family."

Turning my head, I see Pyrrha nod before she speaks. "I guessing this is why you changed the subject earlier. Do you remember much of them? Where are they?"

"I remember... lots. But they're... gone." 'More like I"M gone...'

Pyrrha's eyes fill with sympathy. "I'm sorry."

Several moments pass before she continues. "If it helps..." She says tentatively. "I'm sure your adopted family would be happy for you and I'm sure that wherever they are, they know how much you love them. Nothing that happens today or in the future will change that."

Glancing back a Pyrrha, she sends me a small smile.

'She... does have a point. But still...'

'..'

'But even still... I'm not Beryl.'

Just at that moment, I hear footsteps approaching. Looking up, I see all of Team RWBY as well as... Ren, Nora and Jaune.

'Great. The whole gang is here.' I fight back a bout of annoyance. 'How fucking great. Just pile it on, I can take it.'

I see Arnold and Blake giving me a sympathetic glance as my... Semblance activates? Goddamnit. I click it off... Ot not. I close my eyes and take several calming breaths. Then it clicks off. I open my eyes again.

"So..." I say awkwardly. "This is gonna be wierd for pretty much everyone involved so..." I stand up from my chair and gesture to the lounge area the kitchen itself is attached to. "The upside is there's like... nobody here so... I guess we just find a seat?"

Most of everyone nods but... Yang makes her way to me and stops in front of me. She looks... tired... and almost... afraid. She lifts a hand and touches the side of my face. A moment passes before hesitently, she retracts her hand.

Suddenly, Pyrrha speaks up. "I think the rest of us should make our way back to our dorms. Give them a minute to themselves?"

Suddenly Nora pipes up. "Whaaat? But we walked sooo far!"

Ren thankfully grabs her shoulders and semi-gently, guides her to the door. I can't hear what he says to her but whatever it is makes her deflate and nod. Soon all that remained where Arnold and Team RWBY. Blake, Weiss and my Partner exchange a glance before Weiss clears her throat. "We should... go as well. If you need us just call." My partner and Blake nod in agreement.

...

An now, it was just Ruby, Yang and me... Beryl Rose...

Supposedly.

'... Can this Saturday be over yet.'

Looking away from Yang, I see my... twin I suppose, sending our... big sister... a worried glance.

'Compared to Yang, Ruby doesn't seem nearly as upset about this whole thing. Makes sense I guess. I have enough stress for the both of us...'

Glancing back at Yang, I notice that she hasn't taken her eyes off me. "I saw you die..." She whispers as her gaze falls to the floor. I watch as her hair falls in front of her face. "For so long I thought I had killed you... Even Dad said..." She pauses as she starts to sniffle again.

Ruby approaches her big sister with an empathetic frown. She grabs Yangs hand with a comforting squeeze. "Yang..." A moment passes before she glance my way, an expectant look in her eyes.

'What are you expecting ME to do? I have NO idea what to do in this situation!'

The presence in my mind worms it's way back to the forefront of my thoughts.

"I would advise you to comfort the girl. If not for her sake or your own, then for the future. As she is now, she carries a baggage unseen in your so called "show". If she continues as she is now, she will be no use to us when the time comes..."

'Well... your certainly an asshole.'

I surpress a wince as my brain suddenly flairs in an awful headache... that dissapears as quickly as it had come.

"Be mindful who you insult boy. I have said my piece... I suggest you consider your next action carefully..."

My head begins to clear and I am alone in my brainspace once more. In the present, Ruby looks away in... dissapointment? Yang I notice hasn't moved at all as she cries silently.

'... Am I really going to let my sis-... Yang feel bad about herself because I can't get my shit together?'

I sigh silently as I step closer. I shut my eyes before taking a breath. 'Ignoring everything else... I guess... I am Beryl. Even if I'm not. Not really.'

Wordlessly, I move myself closer the duo before, with the help of a softly smiling Ruby who semms to get the idea, pulling us all into a gentle hug. Yang looks up at both of us and sniffles, but she gives us both a small smile.

I try to smile back but I don't think I match Ruby in the happy factor. Despite this, it seems to make Yang finally calm a bit.

"Sorry." She says as we break apart the hug and she wipes her eyes. "It's just..." She shakes her head before clearing her throat. "I shouldn't be crying right now! We should be celebrating!" She looks around the kitchen. "Where's the cookies?"

Ruby's eyes widen as I blink silently. "What cookies?" She says in a too innocent tone.

Yang sends her sister a mischievous smile. "You're not very good at secret keeping little sister. Plus, the room smells like cookies... and also you have flour in your hair."

Ruby blinks before groaning and furiouslt brushing her hands through her hair. "Damnit..." she whispers.

My eyes widen as does Yang's. 'Great... I've corrupted Ruby. Good going me.'

Yang slowly turns her gaze to me and folds her arms. She sends me an inquisitive eyebrow. "And where I wonder did my baby sister pick up such lauguage?"

'...I plead the fifth...'

Though Yang doesn't seem like she's gonna accept silence. At least now Ruby is sending me an apologetic smile as she, for the second time today, has thrown me in front of the metaphorical bus.

'...'

I blink. "Um... Most likely me. Because apparently despite everything I'm a potty mouth?"

"Mmhmm." Yang responds with a shake of her head. "Makes sense." She suddenly glances back to Ruby. "You. Don't use that word in class, around teachers, Dad or Uncle Qrow. Got it?"

Ruby smiles wildly before doing a fake salute. "Yes ma'am!"

"And you!" Yang gives me a warning glare that instantly morphs into a soft smile. "Just... try not to curse so much around teachers. You tend to do that."

"I don't-" Her eyebrow raises once again. " Well I do around Professor Oz-" I pause. "Damn, your right."

Yang shakes her head with a mock sigh. She puts an arm on my shoulder before speaking in mock sadness. "Alas, I am afraid you are too long gone dear brother. Forever cursed to speak in such foul language."

I shrug. "I blame my..." I supress a wince. "Nope. No excuse. I got nothing."

I surpress a relieved sigh when Yang laughs before patting my shoulder and moving to Ruby, demanding cookies.

'Very nearly blamed my potty mouth on Mom. Gotta watch that shit.'

"No cookies Yang! They're for everyone! Plus I don't know where they are!"

Yang sends me a questioning glance. I shake my head. "Nope not telling, plus..." I pull out my scroll. "...It's like five minutes till lunch so. Let's go eat, and celebrate later. We should just tell everyone to leave some room for later."

"Or..." She sends us both a winning smile. "We could take some with us. Start early?"

Ruby groans. "You're not gonna stop trying until we say yes are you?"

"Nope!"

Ruby groans but has a smile on her face. "Fine."

Moving over to the cookie cabinet, I open it and pull out a a plate. "Here. We have a dozen per plate, so one should do the trick."

Both Ruby and Yang blink at me. "Nora." They both say at the same time. I blink in response... before grabbing another plate.

"Good point." I say. "Though I think we only just barely have enough for Ruby and Nora."

A moment passes while me and Yang share a smile. Ruby nods before slowly stopping and glaring at me.

"Oh ha ha. Very funny." She sticks her tongue out at me before grumbling with a smile. "First day with my twin back and already regreting it."

"Get used to it Little Red." I say with a smile as I make my way towards the hallway leading out.. "I think you're gonna have to get used to me."

We spend the next several minutes teasing each other until we meet up with the rest of our friends. And of coarse, they in turn get in on the teasing. The attention now off me, I surpress a sigh.

'I hope this doesn't blow up in anyone's face. The fact is that I'm just some random lying asshole that somehow woke up in a fictional story... I am NOT Beryl. Hell... I'm not even Toby.'

I'm pulled out of my musings when, Weiss of all people, gives me a look that looks suspiciously like concern... despite the fact the look came from Weiss of all people. I smile in response... and she immediately looks unhappy with my response. She doesn't say anything though, she just bites her lip. I do get a look that probably means we'll be talking later.

'Great. Weiss sees past the bullshit.'

I glance at all of my friends and... family as we make out way into the schools cafeteria.

'I hope I haven't made a horrible mistake.'

"You haven't... All that remains is to enjoy yourself. We will speak tonight, and I will explain why your amusing worries are unfounded." The voice pauses. "Though it may take awhile. You have not shown yourself to be the most quick witted of individuals.

The voice once again leaves.

'Whatever asshole...' I sigh. 'Well... At least I have that to look foreward to...'

END OF CHAPTER