Chapter One
Ruby trodded slowly through the Paper Acre, alone in her thoughts. She had left her friends and her sister behind, and even told Little to leave. With nowhere to go, all she could do was walk and think. She thought about how she failed time and time again to save those closest to her: Penny, Pyrrha, and everyone who died. She thought about how things might have been better if she wasn't there, if someone faster and stronger were in her place. Jaune's words kept ringing in her head.
What about you? It's ALL ABOUT YOU!
She was so distracted by her own thoughts, she didn't notice the figure bounding after her until they bumped into her leg and tripped her. Ruby hit the ground hard, before rolling over to gaze into the bright blue eyes and purple face of the Curious Cat.
"Why hello Ruby," the cat greeted jovially, "I'm surprised to run into you again. And all alone, as well."
"Why are you here?" Ruby asked, no emotion in her voice.
"Well, I was chasing a most interesting butterfly, when I felt such a feeling of heartbreak and misery. So, imagine my surprise when I track down the source, and find you wandering without aim. What's wrong, dear little Huntress?"
Ruby didn't answer at first, instead propping her back against a paper tree and burying her head in her arms. "I don't think you can help me."
"Nonsense," the Cat said softly, "it's my purpose to help those with broken hearts. You may not be an Afteran, but I can't ignore what I was put here to do."
"But you said you wouldn't help us anymore," Ruby pointed out.
"Oh yes. Well, I had some time to think out my thoughts, and I thought about you and Alyx. The more I thought, the more different you two seemed. Alyx was always thinking about herself and what she wanted, lying and cheating all the way. But you aren't her. You are a kind and honest heart who's been crying for help. Once I thought out my thoughts, I thought I should seek you out and apologize for my rash thoughts."
Ruby blinked, processing what the Cat just said. They simply looked in her eyes, willing her to speak.
"I don't know what to do anymore," she finally admitted, "everything I tried just wasn't enough. I swore to protect those who can't protect themselves, but it never makes any difference. I'm not strong enough, or fast enough, or good enough to be what I want to be. I just can't do this anymore."
"Oh," the Cat sighed sadly, "you poor thing. I had no idea you were so broken. Surely your friends tried to help you, as friends do, right?"
Ruby shook her head, tears falling down her cheeks. The blue checkers on the Cat's body dulled slightly, then flared back up.
"Perhaps this is why we were meant to meet here, Ruby," they said. "I believe we both may be able to get what we want so desperately."
Ruby looked up at the Cat. "Wh-what do you mean?"
"As I told you once, I can use my own heart to piece together the hearts of others. But after Alyx deceived me, I found my own heart has been aching. I want so badly to see the world of Remnant with my own eyes, to enjoy the unique foods and drinks and sights that exist there. And you want to save that same world—to be the hero. What if I told you we could both have our cake and eat it too? What if you could be everything you ever wanted, and more? If you let me in, if you open your heart to me, I can help you ensure that nobody and nothing can hurt us again."
"I... I don't understand," Ruby said quietly. "How would that help me?"
"I was made differently from the other Afterans, little Huntress. I hold powers beyond what you have seen, but my greatest power is the one I hold over the hearts of others. Imagine the horrors that could be prevented if you could simply tell Salem to stop. You would be able to protect anyone and everyone, and nobody would be able to deceive you. What do you say, Ruby Rose? Will you open your heart to me? Will you let me in of your own free will?"
"I... I can't," Ruby answered sadly. "If I do that, I'll just put you in danger, too."
The Cat's colors faded again. "I see. Such kindness for others, even when you yourself are suffering. Very well, but I will be there for you if you ever change your your mind." And with that, they walked off, leaving Ruby alone again. Alone to walk and think once again.
Later...
Ruby looked on in utter horror at the still body of Oscar. She was surrounded by her friends and family who were looking at her with the same horror she felt. Crumpling under the weight of the stares, she fell to her elbows and knees, crying. Neo slid a teacup containing a leaf from the Tree in front of her and stood back, expecting her to finally take a drink and be erased. What she didn't expect was a blast of blue energy to slam into her side and propel her out of her own mansion.
FOOOOOSH!!
It took some time for Ruby to look up, but when she did, Neo was nowhere to be seen. Instead, she saw the concerned smile of the Cat looking at her.
"It's okay, Ruby. It's over, now."
"I... I'm sorry," Ruby sobbed. "I don't want to be me, anymore."
"Shh shh shh, don't fret, little Huntress," the Cat replied quietly, hopping onto her chest. "You don't have to be you alone. I can help you heal if you let me. Will you? Will you open your heart to me? Will you let me in of your own free will?"
Ruby stared at the Cat through her tears. They were able to force Neo away with little effort, while she couldn't even protect herself. She realized that they really were as powerful as they claimed. And if she really could have that power, maybe the hurting really would stop.
Unable to say a word, Ruby nodded. She was ready.
The Cat closed their eyes and breathed in through their nose, as if they felt a weight lifted off of them. "Puurrrrfect."
With an excited, ear to ear grin, they dug their hands deep into Ruby's chest, causing her to cry out as fresh pain coursed through her body. She could hear the Cat's next words in her head as well as her ears.
"Alone, the two of us could do nothing but let ourselves be hurt, deceived and our precious things taken from us. We've both been betrayed and left to rot, broken and abandoned."
Neo rushed back into the mansion, only to see Ruby writhing and whimpering as the Cat sank deeper into her chest. Above, Little watched from the chandelier in horror as she began to convulse violently.
As the Cat's mouth sank beneath her body, Ruby could only hear their voice thundering in her head, filled with anger and malice as the world began to fade away.
But now, with us as one, we can do anything, be anything. No one will ever deceive us. No one will ever take from us. And no one and nothing will hurt us, EVER AGAIN!
Ruby let out one last scream that echoed throughout the Dark Acre.
Meanwhile...
Yang's eyes widened as she heard her sister's scream. Charging in its direction at full speed, she and the others crossed the bridge in seconds and reached the Dark Acre, finding the crumbling mansion in under a minute. Yang immediately broke down the door, only to be greeted by a horrifying sight.
On the mansion floor lay two bodies. One was mangled and mauled so badly, the group only recognized her from the bowler hat that lay next to her. The other was bruised and battered, but all too familiar.
"Ruby!" Yang quickly ran to her sister's side, followed closely by Blake and Weiss. Jaune held back with Juniper, on guard in case the real Jabberwalker showed up. Rolling her over, Yang checked Ruby's pulse, then breathed a sigh of relief. "She's okay," she said. "Jaune! Get over here and heal her!"
Jaune immediately ran over to the others. Crouching down, he activated his Semblance, boosting Ruby's Aura to let her heal her wounds. It had been a long time since he last used his Semblance, but it was thankfully second nature to him. Right before their eyes, Ruby's injuries began to vanish, and she began to stir.
"I don't believe it," Blake said, staring at Neo's broken body. "What went on, here?"
"Oh, nothing you couldn't have prevented," a voice said. Everyone froze. The voice was clearly Ruby's, but different. The tone was completely off—it was whimsical, yet condescending and passive-aggressive. Turning around, the group watched Ruby rise to her feet. Her eyes opened, and everyone flinched in shock at what they saw. Instead of the shining silver they were used to seeing, they were looking at two bright white slits in pools of black. "If you came to save her, I'm afraid you're all a bit late to that little tea party." She grinned ear to ear, showing a mouth full of sharp teeth.
"You," Jaune growled, realizing who it was. "What did you do to Ruby!?"
"To her?" Ruby-Cat asked, tilting her head curiously. "Why, I did nothing to her at all. What I did for her, however, was all her decision. We struck a bargain together, one where she takes me with her to Remnant, and I help her with all her woes. That's far more than any of you can claim."
"You bastard!" Yang screamed, her hair flaring up and her eyes turning red. Without even thinking, she threw a right hook right into her sister's face. Normally, Ruby would have dodged an attack like that, but instead punch sailed right through her face like it wasn't even there, and Yang stumbled and fell.
"Such temper!" Ruby-Cat gasped mockingly. "No wonder you couldn't help her." Turning around, she looked up at the Tree, a grin of longing plastered on her face. She stepped towards it, only to be stopped by a black Glyph.
"Where are you going with her?" Weiss demanded.
"Going? I don't think you understand. It's not a place you go, it's a place you know. And I know it well." Opening her mouth wide, Ruby-Cat spewed a blast of blue energy sufficient to send Weiss flying into a wall. The Glyph dissipated, and She turned back to the Tree. "I look forward to seeing if you can follow. Farewell, Huntresses. Until next time, Rusted Knight."
Ruby's body transformed into a mass of red and blue petals, flying out of the ruined mansion and heading straight towards the Tree.
Later...
Upon arriving at the Tree, Ruby-Cat quickly made her way to the enormous doorway. The Cat grinned in anticipation of finally stepping through to see the new world made by their makers, looking at the carvings on the doors themselves.
Wait, Ruby said mentally, are those...?
"Yes," the cat nodded. "My makers. Or as you call them, the Brothers. Long ago, the Ever After was their home. They would clear away the bramble and plant beautiful life. When they brought me into being, I performed my purpose happily, but when they left, I was left alone and curious, cursed to never learn why. When Alyx promised to take me back with her, I felt happier than I ever did before, knowing I would be closer to having my answers. But she deceived me and I was forced to stay here."
I... guess that's what the Brothers do. They create a world, make a mess out of it, then have others clean up afterwards.
"Well, soon enough we'll be able to ask them about it. Once Salem is no longer a threat and the humans stop fighting each other, we can summon my makers and get the answers we both want."
Ruby-Cat started towards the door, coming to a halt just in front of the light within. Timidly, she reached out a hand and touched the light. Usually when the Cat tried to leave through the door, it would just push them back. But now, the hand passed through the door with ease. Grinning from ear to ear, she began to step through.
Wait!
Ruby-Cat's foot jumped back, and she hissed in annoyance. "What is it?"
We have to leave with the others. It's not fair for them.
"The others? Why? So they can shower you with their comforting words and white lies? We don't need them anymore, Ruby. The two of us are all we will ever need."
Please! They just think you forced this on me. If they don't understand, they won't stop. Just let me talk to them. Remnant isn't going anywhere. I'll still take you there, but I need them to understand.
The Cat pondered her words. While they were impatient to get to Remnant, they did have to admit that the others hounding them would become very annoying very quickly. With one final hiss, they relented.
"Fine, but I won't wait long. And no last minutes changes of heart, understood?"
With that, Ruby-Cat hopped onto one of the tree's branches and waited, knowing that the desperation of Ruby's friends would hasten their journey to the Tree.