Warning: I haven't watched RWBY yet. Only read fanfictions and wiki. Reactions and dialogue of characters may sound off and I may get some info wrong.
The watchers found themselves in an alleyway. There was snow on the ground and in the night sky. Ruby and Nora visibly pouted when they attempted to make snowballs and their hands went right through the snow like ghosts.
"Any ideas where we are? You know, besides an alleyway?" Jaune asked.
Pyrrha pointed to the end of the alleyway, where she and the others saw light. "We should get out of here and find out."
"Someone's approaching," Ozpin informed them all. He was the first to notice a shadow at the end of the hall. Someone familiar came in.
Ruby walked into an alleyway, reading a sheet of paper.
"There I am." Her counterpart looked pretty much the same as her. The only noticeable difference was the black cloak covering her whole body rather than acting like a cape. Too bad there was no red on her. At least they both had a hood.
"You lost or something?" Ruby shrugged to her sister.
"Lucky you got your cloak. You could catch a cold," Qrow chided.
"What you are even doing here anyway is what I'm wondering." If her partner was wandering into dark alleyways in the middle of the night while it was snowing, then Weiss better get a good explanation. "Eek!" Alternate Ruby had walked right through her! Her friends moved out of the way of the other Ruby. Even though nothing would happen, they really didn't want to experience a whole person phasing in and out of their bodies.
"Guess we should follow after Red." Torchwick saw no other option. While Ruby mentally whined for the thief to not call her that, the others agreed and walked behind other Ruby. One sister briefly stayed behind to look after the other.
"Hey, wait!" How rude! Weiss wasn't done composing herself after that scarring incident. Winter grinned and followed after her sister.
"Says you should be right... here." She stopped, put the paper away in her cloak, and looked down at a little boy.
There were gasps and wide-eyed faces from almost everyone. "No!" Nora shouted and ran to the little boy she instantly recognized. "Ren!" She made frantic attempts to hug young Ren, but her efforts proved futile as she kept phasing through him.
Ren himself looked as frozen still as his counterpart. His child self was sitting in the snow against the wall, curled into a ball and head down covered by his legs. His feet and hands were unprotected, and his clothes looked torn. He thought about his past. Was this Ren similar in that aspect too?
Ironwood grimaced. "This child doesn't appear to be suffering from hypothermia yet, but his condition needs to be checked immediately."
This almost looks familiar, Cinder mused as she watched.
"Hey, wakey wakey." Ruby shook Ren, and he slowly lifted his head.
Ren asked slowly, "Who... are... y-you?"
Ren and Nora saw it all in the little boy's eyes. Fear and loneliness was something they could easily recognize.
To the others, they could only see emptiness. They could feel their hearts breaking.
No child should ever have that look, Winter and Goodwitch thought with grimaces.
Adam was slightly pleased at the despair he saw. Cinder looked at teen Ren and shrugged at the loss of a potential recruit. Not like he was needed, but another pawn wouldn't hurt.
Ruby gave him a comforting smile. "Just a friend. Let's get you out of here and to a nicer place, okay?" She offered him a hand.
The child was silent, but he nodded. He took it, and he soon found himself lifted up. He was in Ruby's arms. He held on tight and smiled at the headpat he was receiving as the two made their way out of the alleyway.
Now their hearts warmed at the sight.
"Thank you, Ruby."
"Oh, uh you're welcome, but it was other me."
"You would do the same." Ruby conceded to Ren's point.
Yang threw an arm around her sister's shoulder. "That's why you're the best." When she saw the grateful looks from Team JNPR, fond smiles from her team, approval from the Ozpin and his group, and the proud look from her uncle, Ruby couldn't help but blush.
"Hey slowpokes." All of their attention went to Torchwick, who was now out of the alleyway with Neo at his side. "Feel free to come any time." The two went off, Salem, Cinder, Adam, and Raven already ahead.
"Slowpoke!?" Ruby's eye twitched and she bolted out. Her friends could only shake their heads as they and the rest of them exited the alleyway.
"Anyone know what this place is?" Jaune asked as followed.
"Nope."
"No idea."
"Uh uh."
Not even the adults recognized the city they were in. It was a bright area, with so many lights on that one could mistake it as day if they weren't paying attention. There were unfamiliar buildings and stores with names they didn't know. The streets were packed with cars, none matching ones on Remnant. Of course, there was snow blanketing everything their eyes landed on.
"Either this is a city of separate world, where we inhabit it instead of Remnant, or it is Remnant, but with a completely different history," Ozpin hypothesized. Both explanations made sense, so they all accepted his guess.
"Ow ow ow! That hurts! Let go of your leader's ears!" When they caught up with the others, Yang and Weiss had to drag the nagging Ruby away from Torchwick.
"Yeah yeah, laugh it up," he uttered to grinning Neo.
As she walked, Ruby said to the child, "I have three other people I need to visit around here. Is it okay if we see them first?" Ren gave a hum of approval. "Okay. Just sit tight okay?" While holding him up with one arm, Ruby grabbed a new piece of paper from inside her cloak. "Melanie Malachite..."
Malachite. Yang wondered what Ruby wanted with one of the twins that worked for Junior. She better not be heading to the club. She'll have to give a stern talking to Ruby otherwise.
Cinder stared at the paper other Ruby held. It was in some language that she couldn't understand, but it apparently had the name of one of her "associates." Was it a hit? No, the child currently in her arms would not be there in the first place. Perhaps this was a recruitment. There wasn't much to go on, so she decided to wait for the answers to come. May as well observe the city in the meantime. It was completely unknown to her, so it'd be nice to get some pieces of information, no matter how relevant.
Alternate Ruby crossed streets and turned corners, all the while comforting Ren, who had closed his eyes and relaxed, but didn't fall asleep. "Aww!" Went the girls as they huddled around the child's face and pretending their pokes could touch his cheeks. Jaune envied how said boy's adult self looked so impassive at the attention his other was getting. Perhaps he was used to embarrassment.
This place is empty, Ozpin noted along with Salem. There wasn't a whisper of activity. It was complete and total silence. The Headmaster had a bad feeling about this place. His eyes wandered, taking more mental notes of the city. Salem just thought about how this all came to be, more curious than anything else.
Recording saved. Beginning next recording. Penny concluded that the data she was collecting would at least be useful for any future architectural plans.
Qrow stopped. "That don't look good." All of them paused to look at the sight in front of them. They had arrived at a park, where a car had drove into a tree.
Winter noticed the tracks on the ground and followed its trail back onto the street. "The weather must have caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle."
"Do you think the driver is okay?" Ruby asked with concern.
Sun was already ahead to get a closer look. "Only one way to find out."
With one hand, Ruby got the unconscious Melanie out of the passenger's seat and onto the ground. "Hey." Ruby shook her. "Time to get up."
The group arrived and crowded around the three. Yang inhaled sharply, having recognized the one of the twins. She didn't think positively of either of them, but this version was in a car accident.
"Looks she's doing fine," Sun commented on the lack of visible injuries.
"She should still be checked for internal injures," Goodwitch said. She did fall unconscious. The professor doubted that she came out unscathed. "Miss Rose, next time you see a victim of an accident like this, immediately contact for medical support. That goes for the rest of you students."
"Y-Yes Ms. Goodwitch."
After the small lecture, Pyrrha took a look inside the car through the windows. "There's no other passengers. No driver either. The key is still inside the ignition." Then she gasped and stepped away. "On the windshield... blood." That prompted Ironwood, Winter, and Blake to get a look as well. The cracked glass was indeed stained red.
"On the passenger's side." Blake looked the unconscious Melanie, who was starting to wake up. "Where she was sitting."
"But she's not suffering from any injuries or wounds. Not even a scratch." Ironwood cupped his chin in thought. "Odd."
With a groan, Melanie slowly opened her eyes. She tiredly got up to her feet. "You alright?" She turned her head to Ruby.
"Just fine."
"Do you remember what happened?" Melanie crossed her arms and closed her eyes in thought. After a few seconds, she went wide-eyed and gasped. She spun around. She quietly stared at the wreck in front of her.
They stared along with Melanie or at her, unsure of what else to do. Some of them were thinking about the accident though, mainly-
"I wonder what happened to the driver," Blake said.
Nora guessed, "You think they left?"
Winter pondered, "That's one reasonable possibility, but that doesn't sound correct."
"You got any other theories Ice Queen?" Winter glared at Qrow, but didn't respond. She needed more time to think on the matter.
Ozpin took the time to inspect the vehicle himself. He announced his findings, "The seat belt is still plugged in on the driver's side." Understandably, he got looks of confusion. Even more when they decided to look inside themselves to confirm his statement.
"So wait," Qrow had to make sure he had this right. "for one reason or another, the driver got out of the car... but took the time to plug in the seat belt?"
Goodwitch nodded. "Even if the driver was not in the right state of mind, doing something like that still doesn't make any sense."
Ozpin retorted, "Yet, we can't deny what's in front of us." He crossed his arms in thought, his mind running to find a solution to this puzzle.
After a long pause, Melanie asked, "Miltia?"
"She's going to be alright."
"Oh." Melanie placed a hand over her heart. A small grin formed. "That's good."
"Miltia?" Ruby repeated.
Yang answered, "Her twin sister."
"Oh. Wait, you know them?"
"Remember that club I trashed? I met them there."
Qrow perked up. "What was that about a club you trashed?"
Yang started to sweat. "Uh, I meant a club I... got smashed! Yeah. Got a totally bad hangover."
"You went underage drinking?" Yang cursed herself in silence.
Goodwitch scowled at the memory of that night. She and Ozpin had spent it doing damage control for the up and coming Beacon student. That was fun.
A hand touched Melanie's cheek. She turned her head and saw the child in Ruby's arms reaching over to her. Melanie chuckled at the attempt at comfort. "Thanks kid." The two shared smiles.
As if the girls' hearts couldn't melt any more.
"You were a good kid," Jaune praised.
"That's not me." Yet, Ren couldn't help but feel good at what his counterpart did. It reminded of the days when he gave Nora that same comfort, and her doing the same for him.
"There's still two more people to visit." Ruby walked away, Ren still in her arm. "Follow me, okay?" Melanie quickly trailed behind, but not before giving one last look at the car.
It was time to go, but they still didn't solve the puzzle of the car accident. That irritated Cinder a bit, but in the end it was nothing to worry about. Melanie and Miltia were but simple pawns, and this was not her world. Unfulfilled curiosity about their fates wouldn't kill her. She was in the same boat as everyone else since they didn't couldn't figure this mystery out either, not even her Mistress. Salem dismissed the thought and left as soon as other Ruby said that she was finished here.
Ozpin wanted to figure this out before they left, but it was clear that he didn't have a choice. He left, his group (plus Winter) following next to him. He saw that Salem, Cinder, Torchwick, Neo, and Adam were ahead, being the first ones to leave. Raven was behind them, probably keeping an eye on them. At least, on Salem and Cinder. He hurried his steps to do the same.
Penny put aside the notes she took of this incident, making a note to come back to it later. She followed after her friend Ruby and Ruby's friends. She paused when they did, allowing the white-haired girl from the accident to get her last look and get ahead of them.
Ruby pulled out from her cloak a black piece of paper. "Weiss Schnee..."
A Schnee's name on a black paper. Adam had no idea what that meant, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for what's to come.
Cinder focused on the black paper. It was a different color from the other two parallel Ruby Rose pulled out. What's the significance? She thought about the events she witnessed in this world thus far as she followed. Salem looked at the paper in curiosity, but waited patiently. They'll soon see this other Weiss Schnee girl.
"Well that isn't ominous at all," Torchwick commented to his partner. Neo rubbed her gloved hands together with a smirk aimed at him. "Yeah. Should be interesting."
"So, what'd we miss?" Torchwick and Neo looked behind them. Apparently, the Headmaster, his posse, and Red's little group caught up, though the small breath the blonde noodle released indicated that they made a break for it to catch up. Seeing as how the others he and Neo left with weren't responding, Torchwick decided to be nice and answer the faunus' question.
"Nothing important monkey boy."
"Hey!"
"Let it go Sun," Blake said as she sent a glare at Torchwick. Sun sighed and did what Blake told him.
The rest of the walk was spent in silence, once more taking in the sites. Other Ruby, and her companions (both groups), stopped outside of an apartment complex. "This place don't look too bad," Yang said as she examined the building. The other Ruby gestured for with her finger for Melanie to keep following her. They phased through the entrance, and the watchers followed suit.
Jaune asked in curiosity, "Anyone know who we're visiting?" He got denials from his friends and silence from the rest.
Ruby looked at the child in her arms. "Hold onto me tight." Ren understood and wrapped his arms around her neck. Ruby held her hand to Melanie. "Grab on." While confused, Melanie did what she commanded. She let out a screech when Ruby suddenly decided to jump.
"Woah!"
"What the-"
"AAH!"
The suddenness of instantly passing straight through three floors had nearly all of the occupants stumbling.
Ozpin hummed. "So this is what F meant by "follow the camera.""
Goodwitch added, "It seems selective. We did need to follow Ms. Rose on foot after all."
"That was a rush," Yang said as she and her friends got their footing.
"Again!"
"No Nora," JPR denied, with Jaune feeling slightly sick.
"Over there everyone." The android had spotted other Ruby, Ren, and Melanie going through a door labelled four.
Qrow uttered, "Well, let's ge-"
"Ah!"
"What was that?" Ruby didn't wait for an answer as she sped pass everyone else and phased through the door.
"Ruby wai-"
"Ah!" They saw the girl crawl back out on the ground, pale faced and hyperventilating.
"Ruby!" Her friends and uncle came to her side. "What's wrong?" Yang questioned while holding her hands.
"W-" Inhale. "W-" Inhale. "W-"
Qrow patted her back. "Calm down. Deep breaths. In. Out."
Roman looked at Red curiously, then looked at the door she came out from. "Wonder what's got her worked up?" Neo went on ahead to see for herself. Shrugging, he he walked through the door himself. He got a good look and nodded in understanding. "Oh, that's what."
"Hmm, I see." Roman looked over to see Cinder staring impassively at the sight in front of her, the Salem woman acting similarly.
"Heh heh heh. Ha, ha! Hahahahaha!" The bull faunus was apparently having the time of his life.
Raven closed her eyes, taking in what she saw while thinking about the info she gathered from this world. "W-Wh... Thi-This can't... Why? Why would..." The Branwen ignored the older Schnee's distress and focused on the child Ren and Melanie. What did this mean for them?
Ironwood took it upon himself to comfort his Specialist. She needed it right now.
Glynda's eyes widened, and she held a hand to mouth. "No. Miss..."
Ozpin stared, refused to take his eyes away from the sight of the counterpart. While he had seen this kind of scene before, it would always be unnerving. He muttered to himself, "What happened? What forced you to this point?"
Qrow and Yang stayed outside. Weiss, Blake, JNPR, Sun, Penny finally came through the door and saw it.
Penny wasn't sure what to do. She could only stand still and watch. "Oh dear..."
"Woah!" Sun jumped back in surprise. He clenched at his chest in an attempt to slow down his rapidly beating heart.
Jaune and Pyrrha shook, constantly looking between their friend and what was in front of them.
Nora and Ren went white, but instinctively knew that they weren't the ones who needed comfort right now. The went over to her. Nora embraced her along with Blake, and Ren stayed close, a hand on her shoulder.
"Weiss..." Blake held her close, for Weiss would have fallen over in sheer disbelief. "That's not you. You aren't like that..." Blake was grateful to Nora. Honestly, she felt like collapsing herself.
"Why? Why? Why? Why?" Weiss never felt colder. "Why... would I...?"
"Do you see this often?" Melanie hesitantly asked.
"It happens every now and then," Ruby bluntly answered as she stared at Weiss Schnee...
hanging from the ceiling with rope around her neck.
"Weiss!"
"..Winter?" The girl barely whispered when her older sister freed herself from the general and flung herself at her. She felt her sister's hands travel around her back and her ear above her heart. She felt the tears dripping onto her. Winter's on her chest, Blake's traveling down her shoulder, and Nora's on her back. "Winter..."
"Weiss... Pl-Please..." Weiss didn't respond. "Please... don't..." Winter hugged harder. "Weiss!" The hands on her gripped harder. Weiss felt four more pairs grasp onto her, one person blocking the sight of "her" corpse.
She finally allowed the shock to fade to comfort her sister with her own hug.
"Hold onto the kid." Melanie was given no chance to deny the request as Ren was shoved into her arms. She carefully held the child while they both watched Ruby. She held her hand out, and, from black smoke, a scythe materialized.
"The hell?" Torchwick uttered in surprise, but composed himself soon after. "At least that's consistent." Neo leaned in, curious at what would happen next, Adam doing the same, not bothering to hide his giddiness.
Cinder placed her chin in her hand. "Scythe, people's names, corpse..."
'Child out in the cold, car accident, suicide,' Raven internally listed.
'I see now,' Ozpin and Salem realized. This world's Ruby Rose...
The blade glowed red, and immediately Ruby sliced at the corpse.
Weiss's body was soon enveloped completely by red glow. Ruby pointed her scythe at the body and the weapon consumed the red energy. To Melanie's and Ren's horrors, they heard the screams of a girl as the scythe was fed.
...is Death.
"Wh-What is-?"
Ren mustered up as much mental strength as he could as he was the only one of the teens, besides Penny, watching Death. "Shh Weiss. Don't focus on the noise."
Penny supported, "Yes Friend Weiss Schnee. Leave the disturbing sight for us to watch."
"So this is Death," Salem mused in slight fascination. "Interesting."
Ozpin said to himself with narrowed eyes. "Death... is different from what I expected."
As he watched, Ironwood morbidly thought to himself, 'Is this what it's like on Remnant?'
"Yes!" Adam uttered with a crazed grin. "Feel that Schnee? No less than what you deserve!"
When the screams stopped, Weiss's body was gone.
Ren informed, "It's over now." No one let go of Weiss, himself included.
Torchwick grimaced with a shudder. "So not looking forward to that." Neo shook her head in agreement, not as frightened as her partner.
Cinder's eyes were focused solely on Ruby Rose's counterpart, admiring the performance. "Such power. As expected from Death itself."
Ruby dissipated her scythe and turned to Melanie and Ren. The two opened their mouths to say something, but Ruby cut them off. "Let's go." She pulled out her final paper, a gray one this time, and proceeded to leave.
Salem and Cinder followed Death, intrigued at what would happen next, with Raven keeping her distance behind them. Adam, Torchwick and Neo left after them, the faunus completely satisfied at the showing and the the latter two felt a bit uncomfortable staying in the room.
Ozpin hurried after them, but not before sparing a look to Goodwitch, who understood immediately, and Qrow, still out in the hallway, asking him, "What happened?"
Ozpin saw the his world's Ruby Rose, who was covering her eyes, flinch. He answered, "I'll leave it to your imagination," and went on ahead.
'I think I got a good guess,' Qrow thought as he picked up his younger niece. "C'mon Yang." His older niece followed, though staring at the ground with a blank face. She had been like that for the past couple minutes.
As she went off, Melanie held Ren closer to her, the boy burying his face into her shirt, and followed Ruby.
"Students," Goodwitch said softly. "It's best that we leave."
"Schnee, Penny, you two as well," Ironwood added. "I don't think any of us want to linger here anymore."
They slowly got off of Weiss, though Winter and Blake continued to hold her hands. They left all together. Weiss turned her head for one final look, but JNPR, Sun, Penny, Professor Goodwitch, and General Ironwood were walking behind her. She couldn't see a glimpse of "her" room.
Melanie caught up to Ruby just in time to barely hear her saying, "James Ironwood..."
'Black is hell, and white probably means being saved. Is gray limbo?' Cinder wondered.
Ozpin looked at the gray paper in Death's hand. He hoped, 'Perhaps you'll have a better fate.'
The General of Atlas too? Adam didn't think this world could get any better.
"Oh Jimmy," Qrow sighed with a frown. Suddenly, he felt Ruby jump off and run behind him. He looked back to see everyone else and Ruby hugging the younger Schnee. He faced Yang and turned her around. Wordlessly, she too went over to embrace Weiss.
"Who's next?" Looked like Glynda and Jimmy were with him now.
With a wince, he answered Glynda's question by handing Ironwood his flask. "Save some for me."
Ironwood frowned and Goodwitch's mouth opened in surprise. Still, they followed him and Ozpin, who were all lost in thought.
The entire group had left the building and wandered around the city, Death in the lead. It was a silent walk, some reflecting on what they've seen in this world while the others didn't want to think about it. They wanted this viewing of this world to end already.
They eventually came to a house. As Death Ruby, Melanie, child Ren, and his fellow watchers went inside, James gripped tighter on Qrow's flask. "I've seen plenty of bodies," James softly reassured himself. "This should be no different."
They all jumped through to the second floor, stopping outside a door. The general steeled himself once more.
Ruby, Melanie, and Ren went into the room. There they saw James Ironwood, lying face down on the ground, one hand on his chest and the other outstretched.
Ironwood stared for a few seconds.
He took a drink.
"Not all of it, remember." Screw you Qrow. He'd drink as much as he wanted to.
Ozpin looked at the body, then to the desk where the body was near. On top of the desk was a bottle. He examined the label. He reported, "It appears you had a heart problem."
"Just great." He took another sip.
A little disappointing, but Adam wouldn't say this was bad news. Torchwick and Neo unknowingly agreed with him. Maybe this was one problem off their backs, or their others' backs to be exact.
Ruby knelt down to the body and shook the shoulder once while placing the folded gray paper in Ironwood's hand. "We're done here."
All of them shared the same thought. Just like that?
"...Just like that?" Melanie couldn't help but ask.
"Yeah." She looked at the two. "Now let's get you two where you need to go." She left the room. Once again, Melanie followed. Ren stared at the body with a curious face as they left.
"Well, that was short," Ironwood commented, not displeased.
"Good." His hand then felt empty. "I'll be taking this back." Qrow took a sip as he left.
"I appreciate your generosity," Ironwood thanked half sarcastically, following Qrow.
How dull. Salem, Cinder, and Adam left feeling disappointed at the lack of a performance, with the bull faunus not bothering to hide it with his mutterings.
"Still don't know what gray is, but I'm hoping for that," Torchwick said to Neo as they walked out. His partner responded by pointing at his black hat. He sighed. "I'm aware. Got anything in mind to raise our karma or whatever?" She rubbed her index and middle finger with her thumb. "I ain't donating to charity!"
"Our final stop," Ozpin said to Goodwitch. "If I'm right, Mr. Lie and Melanie Malachite get a happy ending."
"At least this world will end on good note," Goodwitch said while looking at the silent teens and Winter. The older Schnee was still holding onto her sister's hand and Miss Rose had taken Miss Belladonna's place, grasping onto Weiss Schnee's whole arm. The disguised cat faunus and Miss Xiao Long were also standing close to their teammate, while the others were walking near them, taking looks at Weiss every now and then.
After some more time of walking, they all found themselves at graveyard.
"Why am I not surprised?" Qrow remarked. "And what's with the light?"
They stopped in the middle of the graveyard and in front of them was a light in the shape of a door.
Goodwitch was mesmerized. "Is that...?"
"I believe so Glynda," Ozpin answered just as fascinated. Despite the incredible shine, none of them felt the need to turn away or block their eyes. Even the solemn students and Specialist were brought out of their mood to look at the magnificent light.
"Well, here's your stop."
"Um... thanks, I guess."
"Why are you thanking me? This is all you." Melanie looked a little surprised at that.
'Doubt she's as good in my world,' Yang thought as she looked at Melanie. 'But maybe I should give another visit. Just to see for sure.'
"This is goodbye?" Ren asked, a tone of uncertainty in his voice.
Ren felt a tug on his sleeve. "Not as long as I'm here." Ren gave Nora a one armed hug.
Ruby extended her hand to Ren. He flinched and closed his eyes, but gasped when he received a headpat. When he looked at Ruby, he saw a comforting smile. "Yeah. It was nice knowing you kid."
The boy finally relaxed and returned his own smile.
A soft "Aw..." was heard from the teens.
Ren smiled at his other. 'If your life is similar to mine, then you deserve a good afterlife.'
The three stared at each other before Ruby motioned for them to move along. "Oh. Yeah. Sorry." Melanie turned around took one step before pausing. "When you see my sister, can you tell her I said hi?"
"I won't remember by then."
"...Oh."
"Mean," Ruby couldn't help but weakly chastised.
"Besides, you can tell her yourself when you see her."
"...Heh. You're right."
"That's better."
Ruby was enveloped in someone's arms. "Even when you're like that, you're still a good kid."
She chuckled. "Thanks Yang."
Melanie walked once again. She asked the child in her arms. "So, what's your name?"
"Ren."
"Hey Ren. I'm Melanie." Melanie stopped right in front of the light. "You got any family Ren?" The child shook his head.
'Just like me. Just like Nora too.' Ren was a bit upset to know that Nora wasn't present at all, much less if she was a part of this Ren's life. Then again, he was glad that she was still alive somewhere.
"Well, if we see each other again," she tightened her hold. "I'll be your big sister."
"Big sister?" Ren repeated in surprise.
A big sister? Ren never entertained the thought.
"Yeah. You alright with that?"
She stood in silence, waiting for a response. What she got was arms around her neck and a whisper of, "Melanie Nee-chan."
"...I don't know what that means, but I'll take that as a yes." Melanie into the light, and both she and Ren disappeared.
Looked like his counterpart got attached quick. Well, he got a big sister in his pleasant afterlife. 'All's well that ends well, I suppose.' He turned when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Remember what I told you?"
Ren grinned. "You thought I was the brother you never had." He felt another hand on his shoulder.
"Then, do you mind if take the older sister role?"
"Sure," he responded with his own half-joke to Pyrrha.
"I love you all." The three smiled at Nora and went into a group hug.
Ruby swung her scythe once more and the light vanished.
"You got thirty seconds?" Ruby spun around to face a figure dressed like her.
"Hey Mom."
Gaps and sharp intakes of breath came from Yang, Qrow, Raven, Ozpin and Goodwitch, but the loudest one was Ruby, who turned around faster than them all.
"Mom!?"
There she stood. Summer Rose, dressed in all black with her own black cloak just like this world's Ruby.
"Mom!" Ruby ran to her mother with tears in her eyes. "It's me Mom!" She threw her arms out. "You're back!" She ran straight through her and tripped. "No! Mom!" She got back up and tried again.
"How was your recent batch?"
"Mom, please!"
She tripped.
She tried again.
"Two whites, one black, one gray."
"Mom, look at me! Don't you recognize me?"
She tripped.
She tried again.
"Mom!"
"I got myself four blacks."
"A draw then."
"Please Mom," Ruby sniffled. "Don't do this."
She tripped.
She tried again.
Summer nodded. "I'm betting one white and three grays for my next batch."
She tripped.
"Mom..." She tried to grasp her leg. Her ankle.
Again.
"Two blacks, two grays."
And again.
"Same punishment?" Summer extended her hand.
And again.
"Same punishment." The two shook on it.
And again.
Summer reached into her cloak. "Welp, back to work." She pulled out her first paper. "Gray! Alright!" She took off with a sprint.
"No!" Ruby got back up, only to fall again. "Wait! Mom!" She watched her mother run off in the distance. "Please come back! Come back! Please!"
Summer Rose was no longer in sight.
"Mom!"
"Cheater," Ruby pouted before pulling out her own paper. "Gold? Who's getting reincarnated?"
Ruby hummed in understanding. "Ah. Should've known." She walked away with a smirk and twirling her scythe. "Automatic win! See you later Mom!"
The world changed back to the endless void. "Pre-recorded message: You have finished viewing this world. The next world shall start in one minute. End message."
Ruby shook her head furiously. "Nonono! No! Mom was... S-She was here," she whimpered, snot and tears running down her face. "Mom... why'd you have to leave again?" She felt arms wrap around her. "M-Mom?"
"That wasn't her Ruby," Yang whispered, a tear escaping her eye.
"Yang... Mom..."
"I know Rubes. I know."
A hand rubbed her head. "We miss her too."
"Unc-" Sniffle. "Mom..."
"Let it all out."
"...Mommy!"
Neo looked over to Torchwick, who turned away from Red and her family. Out of annoyance or respect, Neo didn't bother to figure out.
Salem and Cinder ignored the crying child.
Adam was mentally celebrating. Human suffering. What a great result that world gave.
JNPR and Sun watched sadly, with Penny being stopped by the them, being told this was to be a family matter.
Ironwood and Winter bowed their heads in respect.
Ozpin and Goodwitch did the same, though with a feeling of their own despair at the memory of Summer Rose.
The only sound left was the cry of a young girl being comforted by her sister and uncle, with her aunt, Raven Branwen, eyes closed and arms crossed, standing over her.
Rating's been changed to M.