As Sienna's eyes focused she noticed the unusual place she found herself in. The skies were clear and a calm air settled against her skin. Her mind was blurry and she found herself unable to recall how she ended up wherever she was. Before her stood a small house, one that looked eerily familiar.

"Grandpa Quartz?" It wasn't the most endowed or fanciful home, but it was one that brought with it a sense of comfort that she couldn't deny. Sienna slowly and carefully approached, curious as to why everything felt so... abnormal.

The inside held the usual furnishings she'd grown accustomed to; a simple layout with nothing but the barest essentials. Gramps was always one for the more simple lifestyles, and it showed in the décor. He never did like the more extreme ends of decoration, but was always supportive of the few in Menagerie who did hold a passion for such.

"Just cause it ain't for me doesn't mean other folks can't enjoy it." He was always enthusiastic when it came to cheering the other citizens of the island on, even when it was for things he never liked himself.

Sienna shook her head as a small giggle freed itself from her lips; even when things were weird she couldn't help but think back to the man who'd practically raised Menagerie's children alongside their parents. This left her with a lingering bubble of nostalgia in her gut, one that kept the small smile across her lips present as she looked around.

It was quiet, and the air was comfortably warm. Sienna never felt any form of stress, nor any real worries as she looked around. Mr. Quartz had always told everyone they were welcome to visit anytime they liked, and most children as well as adults often dropped by regularly. This known fact however had the woman questioning why it was so quiet to begin with.

Where is everyone? It was relaxing to be away from the noise for sure, but the silence had started to outstay it's welcome and Sienna grew suspicious. She looked back to the streets and saw they were just as empty as the house. It started to get downright creepy with how alone she was.

"Something the matter dear?" The voice caught Sienna off guard, and yet despite this she could only feel a mild curiosity as she turned towards the woman's voice. Sienna raised a brow as the elderly lady smiled and offered a wave; just something about her gave off a distinct feeling of distant comfort.

"Nothing... it's just a bit... quiet compared to what I'm used to." She answered as the woman wore a look of understanding.

"I suppose it is today." She didn't seem bothered by the lack of life around them; instead turning to head inside. "Why not come in and relax a bit while I get some tea ready. It's such a nice day for a chat don't you think."

Sienna really should have been hesitant at being offered something from a woman she'd never met before, but something about her just made Sienna want to be around her. It felt like she could truly relax around whoever the woman was, so much so that Sienna only noticed herself following the woman after a few steps.

Whatever, I'll just keep an eye open. She'd already started moving so it would look strange for her to suddenly stop. Even if she was walking into a potential trap Sienna was more than confident in her ability to come out on top. However she highly doubted there would be any trouble. The woman who lead her inside to the small couch just beyond the porch seemed to be joyfully laid back, and based on the movements held no obvious desire to attack.

Sienna decided to keep her guard up though, just in case.

"Now then." The woman returned after a few moments with two saucers, each with their own cup, and handed one to Sienna. "How are you feeling today?"

"Fine I suppose." It wasn't entirely a lie, the air was warm and everything looked peaceful, even the woman asking her didn't seem too bad for company. "The evening is nice and the peace and quiet is a welcome change of pace. How about you?"

"Much of the same, although I can't say so for noise or anything. It's usually quiet around here, and even when I have visitors they often enjoy the silence much like we are now."

"Really?" Sienna asked with a hint of surprise. "I've always walked down this road at least twice a week and have yet to see it even remotely close to this quiet."

"It's true, but in all honesty I prefer it this way. The silence means everything is well." The woman's words were soft, and yet Sienna felt a small nude at the back of her head upon hearing that.

As she thought of it however Sienna realized that a lot of things didn't add up. For starters the road wasn't just quiet, but entirely void of anybody else, and as she realized just how alone they were her senses reared up. The sky was clear, devoid of any clouds; the air was still with not a spot of wind; most damning of all however was the absence of any animals of insects around.

It was just the elderly woman and herself.

"Where are we?" The words forced themselves through the motionless air as Sienna felt the woman shift.

"Pardon?" Sienna looked to her as a well of desperation flooded her voice.

"Everything's wrong, this... this can't be what it looks like." Her breathing was heavy as their eyes locked. "Where are we?" The woman looked to finally understand what she meant, and the accompanying sigh did nothing to help calm Sienna's worries.

"Usually it takes a lot longer than this, and I did hope we'd get more time to relax." Her eyes held a distant look in them, one of both worry and acceptance. "But if you wish I can tell you."

"Please." Sienna all but whimpered. Everything was wrong, and for some unknown reason a burning flame of terror flooded Sienna against her will. The woman motioned her closer, and as Sienna leaned over she was pulled into a gentle embrace.

"May I ask you something dear?" She asked as Sienna allowed the warmth to overcome her.

"Yes?"

"What is it you want more than anything else in the world?" The question confused Sienna slightly as she struggled to come up with an answer.

"Peace and equality for the Faunus?" It came out more as a question than anything and the woman laughed lightly.

"Silly girl, I mean what do you want more than anything?" Again Sienna was confused by the woman's words, especially considering how the elder held her close as she asked. The warmth dulled her fear, and for a moment she felt truly safe, more so than any other point in her life.

"I..."

What did she want? Throughout all her time in the Fang she never really gave it much thought. Everything she did had been fueled by her anger towards how unfair everything was. Her fury towards the cruelty of the Humans had been what drove her to the extreme lengths of outright malevolent violence she'd wrought upon her foes. As she realized this Sienna felt it all click and all of a sudden it hit her. She recognised the cause behind it all; the driving force that pushed her onward.

"I wanted to make a difference." The words blew softly throughout her voice. "I wanted to change things; I wanted the efforts I gave to matter." Pressure built at the back of her throat as she forced the words out. "I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something that mattered; that I could at least save someone from my horrible state of life. I wanted to believe that my life wasn't a mistake like the Humans told me." And just like that all the pain and frustration boiled over as her vision blurred.

"That is a noble goal." The woman comforted as Sienna felt herself pulled closer. Yet through burred vision Sienna pulled herself away, cheeks wet with the tears of her own regrets and self-hatred.

"It didn't matter though. All I've done over the past few years was cause more and more pain." Sienna felt the horror of it all as memories of all the orders she gave as leader came flooding back. "I've sent many to their deaths, and commanded the destruction and ruin of more than I could count." Sienna could deny it no longer as she finally let it all out. "All I've done is made things worse. Instead of trying to save the suffering I devoted myself to making everyone else pay and actively ignored the ones in need. I-I... I didn't save anyone."

"I see." The woman reached her arms out around Sienna and pulled her back in. "I must say however that I don't quite agree with you there."

"You can only say that because you don't know." Sienna mumbled from within the grasp. "You never saw the chaos I created, nobody here on Menagerie has."

"Chaos or no I still don't believe you." The woman released Sienna as a gentle face of pride settled softly across her features - much to the ex-leader's confusion.

"Believe it or not it still happened." Sienna told as the woman giggled; which only puzzled her further.

"That is true, whether we believe something or not it doesn't change how things are. I however still stand by my statement however: I don't believe you."

"And what don't you believe?" Sienna asked as the woman's energetic joy morphed into a motherly comfort.

"That you never saved anyone." The woman looked out to the empty streets with a relaxed smile. "Those who escaped from suffering have a chance at a better life, and who's 'chaos' do you believe allowed them to break free?"

"That was never intentional." Sienna told as her tone fell. "They just so happened to be captured most of the time. The intent was always to cause damage to the Humans."

"Even so it still saved those trapped. I'm sure they're thankful for that." The woman leaned back as her eyes relaxed. "And who was it that gave them hope hmm? Those that followed you did so regardless of how much you acted out didn't they?"

"They were desperate." Sienna said as her voice strained. "They would have rallied with anyone if it meant having even the slightest chance."

"Very well then. Riddle me this: how did saving the Humans captured by your own previous followers relate to damaging Humans?" Sienna opened her mouth, and yet nothing came out.

Why did I- it all came back.

"More so you saved one who many consider the cause of much Faunus suffering; why was that?"

Weiss, she saved Weiss; everything rushed back as Sienna felt her body slump back against the couch.

"I-I..."

"You say you've failed to save anyone, and yet you've not only rescued one who you had previously seen as an enemy, but also many of those you set out to hurt. Are you trying to say that was all just an accident?" The woman took hold of Sienna's hand, and through whatever strength remained Sienna managed to face her. "Or is there perhaps another reason behind it all. Tell me the truth dear and be honest: why did you save them?"

"Because it was wrong." Sienna's voice was strained. "I was tired of always causing damage, of all the killing. I just wanted to rescue someone for once, to protect instead of destroy. I didn't want to hurt people anymore."

"And you succeeded." The woman's smile was comforting. "You saved them."

"Did it matter though?" Sienna asked as she looked down to her hands. "The Fang are still out there, and Adam still want's a war. Will everyone be okay?" She was wrapped in the elder's arms once more as she allowed the pain and worries to flow out.

"They're strong aren't they? I'm certain that whatever the future throws at them they'll be able to overcome it." Sienna felt the arms loosen. "For now you should rest."

"Yeah..." Sienna looked up to her. "Can I ask something?"

"You may."

"This place..." Sienna looked around. "Everything just came rushing back a bit ago." She looked to the elder. "This house... it's cleaner than usual. Most of the time at least something is lying around." The woman giggled as she gave Sienna an amused look.

"I will admit that my husband isn't always the most organized of men, but he usually remembers where things are most of the time."

"I see... so I take it you must be Mrs. Quartz."

"Yes, that is true." She spoke with a relaxed tone. Sienna felt a tremble echo throughout her body as a tiny wilted chuckle escaped her lips.

"So then, this place must be what I think it is." Sienna looked back to the woman with broken eyes. "This mean's I'm not with them anymore, am I?"

"I'm afraid not dear." The woman spoke kindly as Sienna sighed and stood. She took a few steps before wrapping her arms around herself.

"It's weird, you know?" Sienna said as Mrs. Quartz approached from behind and rested her hands on the tense woman's shoulders. "Just when I though we finally had a chance, when I finally did something right, It's all stolen away." Sienna let out another tear filled chuckle. "How funny is that?"

Both remained silent for a time, and slowly Sienna's shivering managed to quell before Mrs. Quarts spoke again.

"Do you regret it?" The elderly lady asked. "If you left everything alone you may have lived."

"No, I don't." Mrs. Quartz smiled from behind as she pulled Sienna close. "I wanted to save them, and I was willing to die if I had to." Sienna chuckled lightly, although this time it held a sense of peace. "And it seems I did."

"Maybe." Mrs. Quartz gave. "But that doesn't mean it's hopeless. Even if you never got to see it though I'm sure you've saved them in more ways than one."

"How so?" Sienna asked as she turned to face the woman who wore a strong look, one that made Sienna herself feel a sense of pride she'd never held before.

"You've shown them that there's hope for everyone, regardless of how bleak things seem." Mrs. Quartz giggled. "I guess I'm just trying to say I'm proud of you."

"Really?" Sienna felt an odd wave of joy flow into her. The elderly woman gave a bright smile

"Yes." Her eyes grew distant. "I've been here for years, and have watched over all the souls of Menagerie's people as if they were my own children; waiting for when my husband could come to greet me. I'd wanted a family for most of my life, but was unable to have children of my own. So I took to looking after the others of the town, until the years caught up with me and a particularly nasty sickness did me in."

"I'm sorry." Sienna spoke as Mrs. Quarts simply laughed.

"Don't be. I've had a fulfilling life, and looking after the tots of our home gave me the peace I always wanted. I'll admit it's sad when I see another soul wander here, but I always do my best to help them come to terms with their passing."

"So this really is what the afterlife looks like." Sienna said aloud as she looked around. "It's more... quaint than I expected."

"It's usually different for every person, but even so it's always in a place of peace and rest." Mrs. Quarts told. "This place is where the souls of the recently passed gather before moving onwards. They may choose to wait for others and rest up here, or move on to be reborn. I remain here as the souls of our little island always end up crossing this particular point, and with my constant presence it takes a form personal to me even as the other souls pass through."

"So, what happens now?" Sienna asked as the woman looked to the couch.

"We can stay here and chat for as long as you like, and even wait for a few years for others to join us." Mrs. Quarts turned and looked outside. "Or I can take you to be reborn. Your memories will be lost, you might end up in a dire life, and you might not even be Faunus, but there is the chance for you to live a peaceful life free from all the fighting. A life of happiness you never got this time around."

"Happiness..." Sienna let out as Mrs. Quarts held out her hand.

"It might be small, but there is a chance of a better life. The choice is yours, and yours alone." Mrs. Quartz reached out to her.

"Will the others be okay?" Sienna just had to ask, as even something so tempting as the prospect of peace wouldn't sway her unless she knew the others would be okay. Sienna needed to hear it again; just one more time to ensure it to herself.

"They're strong Sienna, and remember that they're not alone. Whatever problem shows itself I have full faith in them." It was senseless, childish even, but Sienna found herself believing those words as she eyed the woman's extended hand.

Faith huh? I guess I can give them that at least. Sienna took the hand.

"You've decided." The elder stated as Sienna nodded, moving closer as a child would to their mother.

"I'll go."

Sienna was tired of all the pain and suffering, of all the anger and drama. Knowing that the others would be alright and putting her faith in them she decided she would take the offer in hopes of a better life.

Sienna had given them everything she had, and now it was up to them to carry on.

Author's note

...

Short again, but this time with much more impact. Bet you never saw this coming, especially with how I've handled similar events before.

This is, much like previous scenes, one of the several major events I had set up from the beginning, one step closer to the end. As much as I'm sure a lot of you will probably hate it this outcome was planned since Sienna was first introduced.

As sad as it is it's essential to what's coming, and believe me I mean it when I say that.

This is it for now, be ready for next time.

See you.