The plan looked suicidal. Ruby shrugged and agreed to it.

They would use sewers and access tunnels under the city to get close, swarm in with everyone they had and put Ruby in the lead. If they tried to turn her on her companions, she would just fight harder against Ozpin's people. There were a lot of unknowns when it came to Ozpin's headquarters. They knew there would be a lot of security and probably all well trained. It was all or nothing now. Kara Long would be staying behind, if anything went wrong she would be made president and do her best to keep the people safe.

Of course Ruby knew what would happen. Ozpin would be waiting, they would be trapped, forced to tell the location of the compound and the resistance would be over. She would have to watch as everyone was executed, then she would die and wake up to do it all over again. At least this time she would get to feel like she was doing some good.

After the meeting she trudged back to her room, pausing when Rose came running toward her as she passed through the common room. She smiled faintly as the little girl launched into the air, caught hold of her neck and hung there like a necklace, hugging her almost too tight for Ruby to breathe.

"I missed you, Miss Rubyrose!"

"I missed you, too." She said with as much conviction as she could muster. Play along… She reminded herself, trying not to think about Rose stabbing her again.

"Can you teach me about scythes tomorrow? Pleeeeeeease?" Rose asked, looking up at her with a bright, hopeful smile.

"When we get back from the mission, okay?" She forced herself to smile back.

"Yay! You promised! No more sleeping all the time!" She ordered as she dropped back to the ground and ran to tell her parents the good news.

Ruby sighed and turned back to her door and almost ran into Sky. He studied her with open concern. "Are you really sure about this?"

"Why not?" She shrugged. "It's something to do other than sit around here waiting for something to happen."

"Do you still think this is a dream?"

"Nightmare." She nodded, watching him warily. "Same as usual."

It was tiring trying to predict the direction things would go. It wouldn't surprise her if he turned on her now, spoke the trigger phrase or just outright killed her. It would be sort of a pity, she was looking forward to the siege. It was something new. A different way to die.

"What would convince you that you are actually awake? That this is real?" He asked.

"If I die and don't wake up again." She shrugged.

"You… sound like you're okay with that." His shoulders slumped ever so slightly and she actually felt bad when she saw the pained realization in his eyes.

She stepped around him and opened her door, knowing he would not believe any lie she had to offer to make him feel better. Ruby froze as she felt arms around her and Sky whispered. "Please, don't die. You have to survive this."

"I'll try." She said, wanting to mean it. How could she care so much about the feelings of an illusion? He let her go and she didn't turn around as his footsteps retreated, just stepped in to her room and closed the door.

It didn't matter. Tomorrow they would all die and she would wake up again.

She woke to knocking. A quick look around showed her apartment, a dubious relief. Dragging herself up from the bed she answered the door and Jaune smiled at her. "Time to get ready. We leave in four hours. Once you're prepared join us in the conference room. We're going to go over the strategies a couple more times to make sure everyone remembers what to do if things go wrong."

With a nod she closed the door. This would be the first time she'd faced Ozpin in a fight and she wasn't any more certain of what to expect than anyone else. Glynda was the only one who had actually seen him in a fight and had no idea whether he had kept practising over the years. The night before she had said it was best to assume he was still in top form which would make him very dangerous. She advised against a fair fight - this was more important than honor. No one seemed to have much of a problem with that.

She went to the closet to get her armor and smiled faintly. Her old set had been replaced. The new armor was heavier, red with black roses and vines etched into the surface. When she was about to put the chestplate on she noticed a mark on the inside, looking closer she realized it was a tiny but familiar symbol. Sky had made this for her.

Not sure what to think about that, she pushed it to the back of her mind and finished getting ready. With Crescent Beacon at her side, she headed out to get more information about backup plans. They hadn't discussed that much the night before.

Dove fell in step with her as she neared the elevator. He looked extremely grumpy.

"Where's Mezza?" She asked, frowning when his only response was a growl. "Not coming then?"

"Her staying is the only way to get Rose to stay. Neither of them are happy about it." He scowled.

"Should have let them come." Ruby shrugged.

"Are you insane?" He snapped. "Mezza can handle herself but I'm not going to risk Rose-"

"Who is a better fighter than you." She pointed out. "You're telling two highly skilled, headstrong women to stay home from an important battle. You might as well be prepared for some defiance. Maybe a few 'I told you so's, too."

"You're on their side?!" He snapped, pushing the button for the proper floor harder than necessary.

"I'm just being realistic." She shrugged.

"I'm not going to risk my daughter's life. If something goes wrong the people here will need someone to protect them. I don't want her fighting to survive unless she has to."

Since his bad mood didn't seem likely to lift any time soon, Ruby let it drop and they finished the ride in silence. The next few hours seemed to disappear in a heartbeat as everyone went over the plans, suggested ways things could go wrong and helped come up with solutions. Very little of it mattered to Ruby since almost every alternate plan involved her being dead.

Once everyone was prepared, Weiss led them to a hidden exit. A rail ran underground to the city - this was how the compound was kept a secret. It was impossible to just follow people to work. There were many hidden entrances to the tunnel from the far end, mostly false walls in buildings owned by the Schnee company or their most trusted friends at the time. A great many of them were seized by Ozpin but that didn't make much difference now. They would just have to move fast once they stepped out of hiding.

They were divided into teams, each team had one member trained to drive the railcars. Dove was driving theirs and once he was situated, seven more people piled in. Ruby sat in the floor at the back, she would be the first to exit. Sky, Nora and Jaune sat on the long bench on one side. Across from them were Glynda, Yang and Sun. Her sister was holding the faunus' hand and his tail was coiled around her leg. When Yang saw her notice, she winked.

Each person was tense, lost in their own world as they prepared for what was about to happen. All of them hoped for the best but prepared for the worst. For Ruby, the certainty that Ozpin's men would meet them as soon as the car stopped dragged her further into hopelessness. Everything was going to go wrong… the resistance was doomed.

A cookie appeared in front of her and she blinked, looking from it to Sky. He gave her a small smile. "For luck."

Once she took it he passed some out to the others. Ruby looked at the chocolate chips and felt the first real smile she could remember. She clung to the little scrap of happiness as she enjoyed the wonderful, sweet treat.

When the sense of motion stopped she tensed and prepared for the inevitable. The door slid open and she hopped out with Crescent Beacon ready… but the dark tunnel was empty. The unexpected luck was more unnerving than reassuring. It didn't make sense.

"This isn't a dream, Ruby." Yang said softly, wrapping an arm around her. "Expectations don't shape reality."

"How did you know what I was thinking?"

"That's the only reason for you to look confused right now." Yang said with a forced smile. "Come on, we have to put an end to this so I can properly introduce you to Sun."

She nodded and led the way down a nearby offshoot. The narrow path was dimly lit by lines of dust embedded in the stone - it was just enough to see by. She followed the instructions Weiss gave them, passing a number of other offshoots in what turned out to be virtually catacombs before turning down the one she indicated. None of them were labeled in a conventional manner. Some had symbols or small marks but no names to identify where they went.

They came to a set of stairs that ended with a door. They were given the 'key', a small card that would react to the hidden dust and unlock the panel. It would be a section of wall in a disused hallway of an apartment complex. They would only have to make it two blocks to reach the building Ozpin would be in.

Dove monitored a scroll, sending a message to the other teams and waiting for confirmation that they were all in place. It wasn't a long wait. Word was given and they pulled the door open and rushed through. Ruby kept at the front but didn't use her semblance - she had to stay close enough to help if they got attacked, close enough for them to make her stop if she lost control.

They stayed low and as much out of sight as possible but they were still a block away before they heard someone shout an alarm. Yang cursed as they saw guards congregating further down the road – one of the other teams were spotted. They had been instructed to ignore it and make use of the distraction and get in the building – no saving other teams.

The sounds of fighting followed them as they pushed through the main doors. There were already people rushing toward them in response to the alarm outside. Ruby charged in without hesitation and quickly cleared the hallway. They took the stairs – Ozpin would be in his office on the fifth floor. By the time they reached the second floor landing there were people both above and below firing at them, those nearer were trying their best to counter Crescent Beacon but having very little luck.

They were halfway to the third floor when there was a pause in the attack and a voice echoed down. "Hello, Red!"

Ruby stumbled to a stop as the terror became overwhelming and she stood on a fire escape in the alley.

"He's on the fifth floor!" She heard Yang call out behind her. "Go!"

Her confusion faded and she looked up at Torchwick's men above her and rage rose up to match the fear. Yang... they were going to kill Yang this time. He had to be stopped. She charged forward, using her semblance to clear away the danger before any of them could hurt her sister.

"Don't." A voice said in her ear.

"Don't what?!" She snarled and slowed to a stop, shaking. She glanced behind her and felt sick, the walls were splattered with blood as far down as she could see. Bodies and limbs were scattered along the edges of the stairs.

"Stop looking, we have to keep moving." Jaune said, moving to block her view. She nodded and turned back to the door with the large 5 painted on it. Almost there.

The guards in the hall stared at her in shock as she kicked the door open and made her way toward them. One began stumbling away from her, not taking his eyes off the scythe. "It didn't work? She killed them?"

"Call for backup." The other ordered, preparing to face Ruby.

"We're already here." A cheerful little voice said from the door of the stairwell on the far side.

"DAMN IT, MEZZA!" Dove roared, glaring at the unrepentant woman in blue armor. Ruby wasn't sure how to feel - this was where it would go wrong… but Rose was adorable in that armor. It looked exactly like Ruby's but blue instead of red.

"Dove, stay out here with them and stay focused." Jaune ordered.

"How could you let them do this?" He snarled.

"Your wife doesn't make empty threats and I really do want kids of my own some day. We have few fighters who can stand against your daughter and nothing is more dangerous than a mother protecting her child. I'm more worried about your safety than theirs.

Weiss, Blake, Pyrrha, and Neptune took Dove's place, they left the guard team in the hall and opened the door to the office, prepared for a trap.

"You're late." Ozpin said from his desk. He looked up from paperwork, picked up his coffee and leaned back in his chair. There was a guard on each side of the desk, their dust imbued armor glowing. None of them seemed concerned.

"Just had to fix a few problems." Jaune said calmly.

"You missed one." Ozpin smirked. "Ruby Rose, kill a traitor."

Her head pounded and everything became clear. She spun and Crescent Beacon slashed through the armor of one of the people behind her. She heard a hammer fall to the ground as she walked toward Ozpin. A guard side-stepped and she took her place beside him, looking back at the shocked faces of those who fought against inevitability. How had she believed in their empty daydreams?

"You see," Ozpin said with an easy smile. "You have no hope of success. Surrender now and your people will all survive. Ms. Schnee, I know how hard you have worked to keep those loyal to you safe and I admire your resolve but it is misplaced. Let us bring them all back here and you will live in peace. No more fighting, no more fear."

"Never!" She shouted.

"Ruby, kill her." Ozpin said indifferently.

She stepped forward but so did Sky. "Don't."

There was only a moment's pause as obedient thoughts fell away and Ozpin laughed. "Do you think you can reason with her? Kill him, too."

Ruby spun, Crescent Roses' blade sank to the hilt in the chest of the man who destroyed her world.

"Wh-what?" His wide eyes focused on Ruby as she pulled the blade out and prepared for another attack. The two guards leaped into motion but her team was already fighting them back.

One more swing and his head fell to the desk, his shock and the dawning fear still frozen in his expression. She was still staring at the lifeless eyes when the sound of battle fell silent around her. Glynda pulled the chair away from the desk and set to work informing the world that there was no longer an Overlord.

Ruby kept waiting for something to change, the head to come back to life, his ghost to appear… When would she wake up? The terrible thing had happened but she didn't wake up. She looked up at Nora's body, Sky knelt beside her and mourned silently. Ozpin was gone but nothing was happening… it didn't make sense.

"It's not a dream, Ruby." Jaune said softly, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You aren't going to wake up. He's gone."

"I should go." She whispered. "All I can do now is hurt people. Even if he's gone there are other triggers. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to believe this world is real and seeing what that does to everyone is… I should go."

"Not yet." Glynda said from her place at the desk while she was tapping commands into Ozpin's computer. "We can isolate you if you wish but we cannot let you go anywhere yet."

Ruby nodded and Jaune took her to a sitting room adjoining the office.

"Are you okay?" He asked, sitting beside her.

She shook her head and fought back tears. "I'm an insane murderer, how am I supposed to be okay?"

"It'll be alright." He said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "We'll figure something out."

It wasn't long before Jaune was called away and Ruby was alone. She thought about going out the window and just disappearing but then she remembered Rose. You promised!

She sighed and sat back on the couch. Maybe it wasn't a dream… chances are everything would be fine for a while then she would wake up back in the compound. If this was real, though… she wanted to keep her promise to Rose.

Ruby spent the next hour staring out the window, watching the sun fall toward the horizon. It had been a long time since she had just enjoyed watching shadows move along the ground. Finally the door opened and Glynda entered with a portly little man who slumped as if he had the weight of the world resting on him.

"Ruby, please have a seat." She said, pulling two chairs close together. Out of habit she obeyed the command from her old professor and sat in one of the chairs.

"I'm so sorry…. so, so sorry…" The older man said weakly. "Please understand, he gave me no choice. I didn't want to do it… I'm so sorry…"

She had no chance to reply before her mind emptied and everything went dark.

Ruby woke in an unfamiliar room, light made the cheerful yellow curtains on the windows glow. When she wondered where she was memories began to return, sometimes creeping slowly into her awareness, other times crashing down as if trying to drown her. Ozpin was dead. He had tried to drive her insane, he had tried to make her kill everyone she cared about and now he was dead.

"Are you feeling better?" Book asked. She jumped, his chair was set back behind her pillow and she hadn't noticed him. She nodded and he smiled. "Good. I was worried Glynda wouldn't be able to find the one who tampered with your mind but once she got in to Ozpin's computer she tracked him down."

"No more nightmares?" She asked, almost willing to hope.

"No unnatural nightmares. You've been through a lot and I can't promise only good dreams, but what you went through won't happen again." He stood and moved to sit at the foot of the bed. "Mr. Gild asked me to convey his deepest apologies. He's been tormented by the knowledge of what he's done - you weren't the only one to have something done. Glynda is taking him to see all the others and fix whatever he was forced to do."

"So he gave me the nightmares as well as the trigger words?" She sighed, genuinely happy to hear that.

"Yes, he said Ozpin told him to make sure the nightmares would begin within two days of the first use of a trigger word, while you were still upset by what happened."

She nodded, wishing she could kill Ozpin again.

"He also said that it would have been impossible for you to wake up if you hadn't surrendered at least once." Book said softly. "I can only imagine how terrible it must have been to drive you to that… but under the circumstances, I'm glad you did."

She felt her face burning, embarrassed that anyone would know about her lapse. It still hurt to know that her conviction hadn't been as absolute as she had hoped.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone else. Come out when you are ready." He patted her leg when she smiled and let himself out.

It was over. She was awake. It still felt like a dream. She was lost in thought, letting tears flow unabated as she thought about the terrible things she had done, and gasped when someone touched her shoulder. She looked up at Sky and quickly looked away again. How could he stand to be in the same room with her?

"I'm sorry…" She managed, the weak words seemed meaningless. She had killed the woman he loved.

"So am I." He said as he turned her head and kissed her. "I know you don't care about me. Not in the same way. I've never said anything before and I won't bring it up again. Just please, don't blame yourself. I need you to understand I don't blame you. You were not in control and it could have been any of us. I loved Nora and I'll miss her… but she never held the place in my heart I will always have for you."

She watched him walk out of the room, too shocked to move or speak. Sky?

Ruby blinked at the door, feeling like she was back in one of those dreams. Had that really happened?

Her mind turned back to their time together and she realized that he had always been the nicest, the most supportive, the most upset when she was upset even though he had tried to hide it. She had been so distracted by Cardin, Torchwick and Ozpin she simply hadn't realized the obvious. Ruby climbed out of bed, put on her armor, smiled at the little symbol she now realized would rest over her heart, and went out to join the others.

She was alive, she was awake, and she was going to give Sky so many cookies!