Author's Notes: Firstly, I'd like to mention that I WILL be using episode transcripts to detail what happens in the episode. It's already going to be a hassle trying to write the reactions themselves.
Secondly, I decided to add Pietro and Saphron Arc to the crowd (Prologue has been updated to accomodate for this). My reasons for why they weren't there to begin with...I just forgot about them. I won't be adding anymore, though, as having too many reactors kills some reaction fanfics.
A Place of Particular Concern
"So, is everyone ready?" Taiyang asked. After spending a minute getting some refreshments, everyone was seated. Some found the idea of getting any kind of food while watching RWBY-J's future, but, while they weren't going to age, they could still feel hunger.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Nora exclaimed. Qrow, holding a water battle, popped it open and took a drink. He was going to get something alcoholic, but it seems this place doesn't provide such drinks. Not even soda. Just juice and water.
After a round of yeses, there was a moment of silence.
"Soooo…how do we start this thi—"
A parchment materialized above Taiyang. Grabbing it, he read it aloud.
I KNEW I forgot something. Okay, the way the television works, is that once everyone has their attention on the screen, the show starts. If your attention is broken, depending on how much of it is broken, it will pause. So if any of you like to whisper to each other while you watch, that's fine. But trying a full on conversation will stop the show.
Hearing Colva's words, they all put their attention to the screen. The lights dimmed slightly, as the screen flickered to life.
*NARRATOR: This is the story of a girl, who had a lot of problems…*
Qrow choked on his drink, spitting some of it to the ground. Tai, Raven and Glynda weren't much better, while everyone else was more shocked by Qrow's reaction.
"Who was that?" Nora questioned.
"S-Summer." Glynda eked out.
"Ruby's mother?" Ren questioned.
Tai was in shock. It had been so long since he actually heard his second wife's voice. Raven wasn't much better. She hated Summer's blind optimism, but damned if she didn't miss that voice.
'Oz,' Oscar thought, 'Any idea why we're hearing Ruby's mom?'
'None at all. At best, I only have guesses. Let's continue.'
*The screen remains black, sounds of an explosion are muted before eyes blink, revealing Ruby's point of view of what happened in the Evacuation Central Explosion. Team RWBY and Penny turn to find an explosion caused by Cinder Fall. Ruby panics as the evacuees run in fear before quickly blinking, transitioning to black*
"Okay, sorry to bring the mood down IMMEDIATELY," Nora exclaimed, "But, Colva! If Jaune and the others survived, did those people that Cinder knocked off also survive?"
Another parchment formed from thin air, and landed on Nora. Grabbing it, she read the parchment aloud.
Unfortunately, Cinder's initial blast killed all those that were knocked off. The only ones who fell off and survived were team RWBY and Jaune.
"Aaaand back to depression."
"It was foolish of me," Winter said, "To think that only Weiss and her friends fell there. However, to hear that the blast killed them all is…"
"Unnerving." Whitley finished, to which Willow wrapped an arm around him gently.
*YANG: (Off-screen) Ruby!
The scene transitions to Neopolitan attempting to attack Ruby, but she was tackled out of the way by Yang, who took the brunt of Neopolitan's slash and broke her Aura. Ruby then constantly blinks in a panic as she watches Yang being thrown backwards, tumbling over the platform.*
'So, Yang shielded Ruby from the attack.' Raven thought. She remembered Yang's words, back at her camp.
You can spout off whatever you want, but nothing is going to keep me from my sister.
'For all Yang knew, she was going to die there. And to the same girl I saved her from years ago. And she didn't hesitate to protect her. She…' Raven's eyes widened, 'She had the strength to do what needed to be done.'
Meanwhile, Tai was having a mental freakout at seeing Yang fall. The only reprieve was the foreknowledge that Yang wouldn't die here.
*Later, Ruby helplessly tries to reach Crescent Rose, but watches it slide over the edge and fall into the abyss. Ruby blinks, and she's hanging on to Neo's ankle as Cinder glares down at them. Ruby's silver eyes start to glow faintly.
CINDER: And you…should never have been born…*
Most of the group clenched their hands tightly, Tai and Qrow most especially. It was a simple insult that shouldn't affect them. However, given everything they went through, what Cinder put them through. Yeah, it deserved a reaction.
*Cinder uses the staff to smash Neo's hand, causing her to lose her grip and fall. Ruby starts to fall with her, and the glow from her eyes disappears. As Ruby is falling, Blake holds her while swinging Gambol Shroud back up to the platform. However, the ribbon gets burned off by Cinder. Ruby helplessly watches Blake fall before disappearing into the abyss.*
Ilia's breath hitched. Seeing the girl she loves plummet to what could have easily been her death…even if you know it's coming, it still gives her pause. Sun wasn't in a much better position. Despite how much he loves Blake, he knew that he had to be somewhere else. He neglected his team for far too long. Now…now he wishes he was there to help them, in any way.
"How," Pietro stated, "How did your sister and Jaune fall?" Saphron paid particular interest, wanting to know how her baby brother ended up falling.
Winter clenched her hands. "It was…after Penny died."
Pietro's eyes clenched shut. He had a dark feeling, ever since he came here to see the future, but Penny didn't. But he wanted to hope beyond hope. Winter continued.
"After she died, I entered through the portal to find Weiss and Jaune fighting Cinder. I tried to hold her off while they escaped, but…" Winter shut her eyes tight, "Cinder caused an explosion underneath them. It sent Weiss falling."
"And…Jaune?" Saphron pleaded.
"Jaune and I were running to the exit, and I presume Cinder used the Staff to create something else. Because, just as I reached the portal, I heard something behind me. Looking back, I saw the path disappearing, right behind Jaune. Before I could react, I went through the portal."
"Why didn't you go back for him?!"
"I tried, but it wouldn't let me."
"Same thing happened to me," Oscar added, "When I realized Penny and the others hadn't arrived, I tried going back. Ozpin thinks it has something to do with Ambrosius—"
Just like with Nora, a parchment materialized above Oscar. Taking it, he read it aloud.
That is partially Weiss's fault. In her own words 'People enter from Atlas and Mantle from one side, and leave on the other side, with a one-way ticket to Vacuo.'. Man, Ozpin, when you said Ambrosius was a fickle bastard, you weren't kidding.
"Damnit," Ren stated, "Such a simple word, and everything went wrong."
The rest were in agreement at that.
*Ruby opens her eyes to find herself surrounded by floating red balls. She looks down at her hand encoated by one of them before it begins floating from her hand.*
"Okay," Saphron exclaimed, "Is anyone else a little creeped out about this place?"
"Thank you!" Nora replied, "I thought it was just me."
*Ruby then sees Neo delivering a punch to her.*
Most of them jumped at Neo's sudden attack.
"REALLY?!" Nora screamed, "Neo, for all you know, you are falling to your death! And you're still trying to kill Ruby!"
"Wouldn't you feel the same thing if someone killed me, Nora?"
"Okay, first, you have a point, second, give me one good reason why I shouldn't punch you for putting that image in my head?"
"Got to admit," Tai stated, "That girl's drive is something. Two years since Roman Torchwick died, and she's still going. Just wish it wasn't about killing my daughter!"
"You got that right, Tai." Qrow added.
*Ruby tries to defend herself as she grabs Neo by both of her hands. Neo tries to grab Ruby by the neck as Ruby pushes Neo's hand away from her. Neo uses her Semblance to transform into Oscar Pine, and roughly pulls her hands away from Ruby. Neo glares as she transforms into Yang as Ruby defends herself.*
Needless to say, Yang's friends and family, particularly Tai, were glaring death daggers at Neo. Oscar himself twitched his eye at seeing 'himself' attack Ruby.
*Neo punches away Ruby's hands and grabs them, again transforming into Penny.*
Pietro liked to think he was a kind man, and, to an extent, he was. But seeing Neo using his daughter's form to attack Penny's closest friend…Frankly, he silently wished Neo doesn't survive this journey.
*Ruby struggles as Neo armlocks her, strangling her.*
Everyone tensed up. They knew that the fall didn't kill them, but Colva never said that they wouldn't die along this journey. And none of them, particularly Tai and Qrow, wanted Ruby's journey to end here.
*Ruby almost loses her breath as her vision becomes blurry, but she's able to break free from Neo by kicking her legs backwards. Ruby tumbles over and watches Neo in the distance as they both fall through the clouds.*
'Well, it seems they are about to land soon.' Ozpin stated.
*An out of focus shore, beach, trees and cliffs stretch out across the distance.*
Everyone was practically glued to the screen, trying to discern where they were.
"Could that be Sanus?" Klein inquired. Raven shook her head.
"No, the trees look southern Anima."
"But," Qrow countered, "Southern Anima is notorious for its swamp-like beaches. Even if the trees match the area, the beach itself doesn't.
Ozpin took brief control of Oscar's body, "I think we're missing an obvious clue: the starfish. That doesn't match any species I've seen in all my years."
"That's…a disturbing prospect, Ozpin." Glynda replied.
*PENNY: (Off-screen) Ruby! Ruby! Ruby!*
Pietro felt tears in his eyes again. He'd never get to see his baby girl again, so these might be the last words he'd hear from her.
*Ruby bolts up, panting moments before surveying the area. Large conch shells and six-armed starfish intermittently dot the beach, which seems to stretch for miles in either direction. In the distance, Ruby sees two intact moons seemingly orbiting each other as they orbit…wherever she is.*
At the sight of the twin moons, the entire room went silent.
"Okay," Sun exclaimed, "I think we can clearly say they aren't on Remnant anymore."
"Ozpin," Taiyang exclaimed, "Please tell me you know where this world is."
"Oz," Oscar said to himself, "Any hints?"
'...Just one. However, I'd like to wait until we see more of this land before coming to a conclusion.'
Oscar nodded, turning back to Tai, "He says he may have an idea, but isn't completely sure. He'd like to wait until he's absolutely sure."
"That makes sense." Glynda replied, though she heard Raven scoff, mumbling "Typical Ozpin."
*Ruby stands up and wrings the water from her cloak. Directly in front of her, sits a tropical albeit equally strange forest. The palm trees form odd bulbous shapes, some wrap around each other while others appear to be two or three trees stacked together. The tree in the center, however, is enormous towering over the distance. It stands so tall that only the bottom section of its canopy is visible as the rest. A flock of large birds burst out from the top of the forest, drawing Ruby's attention to a not quite as distant cliff edge on the other side of the forest.*
"That's one big tree." Sun exclaimed.
"Don't go start swinging there, monkey boy."
"One, I resent that, Ilia, but, two, I hate how you called out what I wanted to do."
'A tree…' Ozpin communicated.
'Oz,' Oscar replied, 'Got an idea?'
'A theory. Do you remember our talk back at Atlas? About Alyx?'
'The Girl who Fell through the World? You think Ruby and the others landed in the Ever After?'
'It certainly seems likely. However, I'll keep my opinion quiet until we have more evidence.'
*Ruby stares at the giant tree and walks towards the forest. As Ruby continues to progress through the forest, she squeezes through a group of trees into a clearing. An oddly-colored bird screams as she enters the clearing. Ruby sees the giant tree again in the distance, before proceeding forward and squeezing through another group of trees. In an odd sense of deja vu, Ruby squeezes into the same clearing again, confusing Ruby. The bird from before screams again and starts to babble nonsense.*
"Oh, great," Raven commented sarcastically, "We're dealing with one of those places. The kind that just likes to screw with your mind."
"Have to agree with the bandit," Ghira added, "Those kinds of places are never good."
"Yeah, they are definitely not on Remnant," Saphron commented, "That's no species of bird I'm familiar with." When she got a few curious looks from people, she gave an almost offended look, "What? I like birdwatching."
"Anyone else feel like that bird is laughing at Ruby?" Nora questioned, to which Whitley, Sun and Ilia raised their hands, while Raven only nodded with a hint of a smirk.
*Ruby looks up to the giant tree again, realizing she is not getting any closer. Ruby proceeds forward again, passing by a mouse sleeping on a large seashell. She squeezes through the same trees again, and the bird flies away this time. Ruby grunts in frustration as she walks forward again.*
"Ruby." Tai chuckled. Despite the terrifying situation he found himself in, he couldn't help but imagine Summer doing the same thing. Or himself.
*At this point, the mouse has woken up, watching Ruby go through the same thing again and again. Ruby looks up at the tree one more time, before going off to lean and sit at the base of a nearby palm tree. She curls up and starts to sob, causing some thunder to sound and raindrops to fall.*
"Oh, Ruby." Tai mumbled. What he'd give to just jump through the screen and hug his girl. Given everything that she no doubt had to go through, she desperately needed one.
*Ruby then notices the mouse trying to pull a sprout out of the ground, but to no avail. Ruby then picks up the mouse and pulls out the vegetable with ease.*
Qrow was about to make a snarky comment on how that felt like something Summer would do, helping a mouse get food, only to see the vegetable. Needless to say, he shut his mouth.
"Uh," Whitley commented, "That is a cheese…growing out of the ground."
"It would appear so, Master Whitley."
Whitley's eyes started to twitch. "Okay…remember, Whitley, they aren't on Remnant. The rules are different there."
* Ruby stares at it in confusion before handing it over to the mouse who wants to eat it. Ruby smiles as the mouse eats its food.
RUBY: (frowning again) Now if only you could help me…*
Nora smirked as she whispered to Ren. "That mouse is totally gonna talk."
*The mouse then looks to Ruby, gulping its food.*
Ren rolled his eyes. "Nora, don't be ridiculous. There's no wa—"
*MOUSE: I could try.*
"Nailed it!" Nora cheered as everyone stared gobsmacked at the mouse.
Oscar could hear Ozpin chuckling.
"What's so funny?" Oscar accidently said aloud, prompting everyone to look at him.
'It's just that, with everything you've learned. Maidens, Salem, the Brother Gods, a talking mouse is where you draw the line.'
"This is different."
'How…'
Oscar's cheeks flushed red in embarrassment, unable to come up with an answer.
"Oscar," Glynda inquired, "What did Ozpin say?"
"Just that, with everything we know, how is a talking mouse the thing that confuses us."
Qrow pointed his now refilled water bottle at Oscar. "Point. However, there's a point where a person's sanity has to give."
*Ruby stares at the mouse wide-eyed for a moment, before suddenly screaming out, startling the mouse as well.*
"Yeah," Kali exclaimed, "I'd probably do the same thing."
"I think ALL of us would, Kali."
*MOUSE: Why are you yelling?!*
"I have a better one," Willow retorted, "Why are you talking?!"
*RUBY: (stammering) I. Uh. Because. You. Oh! You're—
MOUSE: Did you wanna share?*
"Okay," Kali stated, "That's actually adorable."
Nora giggled, still riding high on being right.
*MOUSE: Oh, I guess it's only fair—
RUBY: No, that's- that's alright. Uh, I guess, uh… I've just never really spoken to, uh… a mouse before?
MOUSE: Hmm, well, I guess I've never spoken to a… you before. What are you?*
"That's a fair point," Glynda noted, "Just as Jaune and team RWBY have never been to this world, the people of this land likely have never been to our own. There might not be any humans here."
"No humans?" Pietro added, "Well, I guess, in that case, evolution would make those animals talk."
"I don't think—" Ghira began, but Qrow stopped him.
"Just—Just let him have this moment, before my mind slips any further."
*RUBY: Oh, uh, I'm a human. (the mouse tilts their head) A girl? (it tilts their head lower) A Huntress? (it tilts their head the third time)*
"Ruby," Tai chuckled, "You aren't helping yourself."
*MOUSE: That's a lot of things.
RUBY: I'm…(Sighs) I'm Ruby Rose.
MOUSE: And to Ruby Rose is… your purpose?
RUBY: No. No, that's my name. Do you have a name?
MOUSE: I'm still young, so… not yet.*
"Interesting," Klein states, "In this land names might be indicative of a job. Like, for me, I'd be called 'Butler'."
"Wonder what names we'd have." Qrow snarked.
"Drunk." Raven replied dryly. Qrow turned a glare to his sister.
"Bandit."
"Deadbeat." Raven stood up.
"Traitor." Qrow got up. Everyone was tensed, expecting the two to fight.
"Cursed child!" Raven got closer.
"Stupid wh—!"
"Enough!" Tai roared out as he and Glynda got between the two, "Both of you, sit back down!"
Qrow glared at Raven, as she simply scoffed, getting back in her seat. Qrow soon followed.
Tai ran a hand down his face.
'Maybe taking that offer was a bad idea.' He thought.
Meanwhile, Ozpin silently pondered Little's question of purpose.
'What does Ruby Rose think her purpose is?'
*Ruby points to her chin in thought.
RUBY: How about I call you… Little, for now. Would that be alright?
LITTLE: Hm, how does one… Little?*
"Okay," Saphron giggled, "That is unbearably adorable." Kali and Willow agreed and, while no one saw it, so did Glynda.
*Ruby giggles a bit before frowning again.
LITTLE: Huh? What's wrong?
RUBY: I'm… uh, have you seen other people? Humans, like me.
LITTLE: Exactly like you?
RUBY: No, not… exactly like me. (she puts Little down, who hops off her hand carrying the cheese) I mean, we're similar, but different.
LITTLE: I'm sure it'll make sense eventually.
RUBY: Um… one would have long, blonde hair, the other has… well, uh uh… cat ears. (makes a motion imitating cat ears)
Little yelps, hiding behind the cheese.*
Several audience members chuckled at the sight.
"Actually," Whitley stated, "That makes me wonder," he turned to Kali and Ghira, "Mr. and Mrs. Belladonna, if it's…impolite, do Faunus sometimes have reactions like that to each other? Not being offensive, of course."
Ghira initially raised an eyebrow. The boy clearly was trying not to be racist, but the way he said it left much to be desired. Kali herself giggled.
"It can happen from time to time. After all, Blake can't seem to help herself when it comes to fish."
"Or whenever someone has a laser pointer nearby." Nora added, to which Kali's eyes widened.
"She still does that?!"
*RUBY: Sorry! I—I should've known. I've seen plenty of cartoons.*
"Ruby," Taiyang said, "I think mice are just afraid of cats in general. Cartoons have nothing to do with it."
*LITTLE: (steps out from behind the cheese) Well, I've never seen anyone who does, or doesn't, look like you. But, maybe someone in my village has. They're always out foraging, you know, since we need food and stuff.
Ruby sighs in relief.
LITTLE: Speaking of which… a few more of these wouldn't hurt!
Little points to more of the cheese sprouts planted in the ground.*
Willow snorted, "Not old enough to have a name, but knows how bargaining works."
At Willow's comment, others began to chuckle.
*Elsewhere…The two moons are shown before panning down to more birds sitting on treetops.
BLAKE: You really think it's around here somewhere?*
Kali, Ghira, Sun, and Ilia's breaths all hitched. They knew that Blake was likely alive, as Colva did say that RWBY and Jaune would survive the fall. But hearing it confirmed just put a bit more life back into their hearts.
*WEISS: I wouldn't exactly say I'm certain about anything at the moment…*
The Schnees and Klein mirrored what happened when Blake's voice was heard.
"Now we just need Yang." Raven mumbled, too quiet for most to hear, except for Glynda.
*Weiss and Blake are seen walking together in the forest.*
Kali gasped, "My baby girl, what have you done with your hair?!"
"That's your concern?" Winter questioned.
"She always liked to keep her hair long, and hated having it short."
"Well, dear, in some cultures, having a different hairstyle marks the end of one chapter and the start of another."
"Well," Nora added, "Considering she and Yang axed her crazy ex-boyfriend Adam, it makes sense."
"Wait, she KILLED ADAM TAURUS!" Ghira cried out, with the other people quickly following suit, with the exception of Ren and Oscar. Nora wilted.
"Oh, I thought she talked to more people about that. Whoops."
"Yang…killed someone." Tai muttered, his head spinning. She knew Yang could be violent, even go too far at times, but—He shook his head. Adam Taurus was the one who took his daughter's arm. And he knows Yang wouldn't do something like that unless absolutely necessary...right?
Raven, on the other hand, almost felt a smirk coming on. 'You took your payment on Taurus. Well done.'
Kali and Ghira were both in shock. Neither of them liked Adam, but they knew that Blake had some attachment towards them, no matter how strained it had become. But, to imagine Blake killing him…
"Look," Ren exclaimed, "We can talk about these things later. We should refocus on the show."
*Weiss and Blake are seen walking together in the forest.
WEISS: Gambol Shroud fell after you and Ruby, but before I did. And we found each other, so… what is this place?
BLAKE: I don't know. None of my guesses really make sense.
Blake looks behind her, seeing a vine moving on a tree.
WEISS: Blake… (the two turn to face each other) I'm really glad you're okay.*
Winter and Willow were happy that Weiss had such a close bond with her team. Same with Kali and Ghira, though their minds were still on what Nora said about Adam.
"Makes sense she's glad," Ilia commented, "Winter, in what order did they fall?"
"When I arrived, only Weiss, Jaune, Cinder, and…" Winter choked on her words for a second, "Penny's body were remaining."
"Then, to the Heiress, all she knew was that her friends were…well, gone. I mean, you all thought they were, before we came here. Makes sense she's relieved to be wrong."
*BLAKE: (smiles) I'm really glad you are too. (lowers her head in thought) And if we are, then that means Yang and Ruby might be.
Weiss smiles before turning away with a frown.
BLAKE: Weiss… can you… what happened after we fell?
Weiss pauses for a bit, sighing.
WEISS: We should focus on finding everyone else first.*
"A good idea," Qrow stated, "You don't want to have to give bad news more than once, especially if it's as bad as what they got."
*Blake looks down, frowning, before hearing Weiss yell out.
WEISS: I think I see something!
Blake proceeds forward to join her. They find the katana part of Gambol Shroud entangled in thorny vines.*
"Okay," Sun exclaimed, "That was easy."
"No way it's that easy, kid," Tai retorted, "Look at those vines. Who knows if the thorns are poisonous. Not only that, but, after the fight they just had, their Aura's must be drained."
*BLAKE: I guess it could've been worse…
WEISE: Well, good news, I'm low on Dust.
BLAKE: That wasn't an invitation, Weiss.
WEISS: Sorry.*
Qrow snorted, "Hold on! Did a Schnee just make a good joke?"
"Bit me, Qrow." Winter snarked back.
*The two girls proceed to work on trying to get the katana out of the vines. Blake tries to pull, but to no avail. Weiss then tries to slash through it with Myrtenaster, but the vines immediately grow back, causing Weiss to groan in frustration. Blake then tries to reach for it by leveraging herself from a palm tree.*
"Ooooo," Kali whined, "Be careful, kitten." She really didn't want her daughter to get poisoned. She didn't think they were poisonous, but Tai's words put the thought into her forefront.
*Weiss is seen cheering Blake on.
WEISS: Yeah! Woo!*
Weiss's actions earned a couple amused looks from the adults, and a giggle from Nora and Ilia.
*Blake's hand barely touches her katana, but suddenly the vines sprout out towards her.*
"Okay!" Raven exclaimed, "They aren't poisonous, but this is much worse!"
"Have to agree with my sister on that one."
*WEISS: Huh?
The vines start to head toward Weiss too, and the two are ensnared in the vines. Suddenly, a swarm of mice emerge, cheering.*
"Well," Klein commented, "Looks like they found Little's village. I do hope that Miss Rose can arrive and clear up this confusion."
*The mice stop in front of the trapped Huntresses.
MOUSE #2: The trap has been sprung!
The mice tribe leader is then seen running up the vines.
MOUSE LEADER: Justice befalls our prey!
The mice tribe cheers.
WEISS: Are they…talking?
BLAKE: (writhing in the vines) Not what I'm worried about right now!*
"Uh, no," Whitley exacerbates, "You should be concerned about the mice."
"But shouldn't they try to get out of the vines, first?" Sun replied.
"I doubt they'll be able to do that quickly. And, since the mice can talk, maybe they can talk their way out of this."
"Huh," Nora commented, "That's the second good idea the rich boy made."
Whitley didn't know if that was a compliment or an insult, so he simply kept silent.
*Meanwhile, Ruby continues through the forest, hearing the noise of the mice tribe. Little is snoring on her shoulder.*
Saphron giggled. "Okay," Saphron exclaimed, "I know Weiss and Blake are in a bad spot, but seeing a snoring mouse on Ruby's shoulder is just too adorable."
Kali herself was covering her mouth in an attempt to stop her own laughing. Others didn't bother.
*RUBY: Are you drooling on me? (sticks her tongue out in disgust)
Ruby then stops, seeing Weiss and Blake tied up in vines to wood surrounded by the mice tribe.*
"Wait, how did they move them?" Winter questioned. "They were bound together in the vines!"
"Well, the vines appear to be sentient," Pietro answered, "And, since it seems the mice set this up as a trap, maybe the vines simply moved them by their command?"
*MOUSE LEADER: And on this day, we were not the prey, but the hunters!
The mice tribe cheers again. Ruby stares in bewilderment at the sight, nudging her shoulder to wake Little up.
LITTLE: What's going on? (noticing the commotion) Oh, hey, it's your cat friend. (yelps again)
Ruby catches Little in her hands, and the mice tribe notices them.
MOUSE LEADER: A new adversary approaches! We must liberate our kin!
The mice tribe cheers again.*
Nora giggled, "She's gonna squash them."
"Doubtful," Qrow retorted, "Ruby's got one hell of a heart. Those mice didn't do anything wrong. On top of that, did you forget about the living vines that grabbed her friends?"
*Some time later, the mice tribe listen to Little's first encounter with Ruby.*
"Oh," Raven commented, "So we're just skipping over how Ruby got out of that situation?" Raven shrugged her shoulders, "Alright, then."
*LITTLE: I didn't know what to do because she looked sad. But then we talked, and she seemed less sad. Then she pulled the cheese out of the ground on her own!
The mice tribe gasp in surprise. A white mouse with red eyes faints. The Mouse Leader runs towards Blake, who is now free from the vines. She kneels down to speak to them.
MOUSE LEADER: You have our sincerest apologies! Please understand that our kind is a bit skeptical of cats… and snakes… and cats.*
"Very understandable," Tai said, "And I'm glad some things are consistent in this word compared to our own."
"Yes," Ghira added, "I would not like to see every law of nature broken here."
*BLAKE: We understand. If… we could ask, have you seen anyone else who looks like us? Long, blonde hair, looks kinda scary but isn't?
WEISS: But could be if she wanted to.*
Raven smirked. She was reminded of simpler days, STRQ days.
*Ruby chuckles sheepishly. The Mouse Leader shakes its head. Blake stands up to rejoin Ruby and Weiss.
RUBY: (saddened) Thanks anyway… (to Weiss and Blake) Before all of… this, I was trying to go to that cliff over there. (points to said cliff) I figured going to higher ground and getting my bearings would be good.
WEISS: Sounds like the best option for now.*
The Huntsmen of the group agreed, getting a higher vantage point was the best option right now.
*LITTLE: (scurrying up Blake) If you wanna go to the cliff, I can help with that.
Blake gets startled after Little climbs up to her shoulder.*
"Blaaaake," Nora teased, "Do not eat the mouse!"
Ren put a hand on his face while a few others giggled at Nora's joke.
*LITTLE: I don't have anything to do yet.
RUBY: Yet?
LITTLE: I can be your trusty guide.
Little is shown snoring in Ruby's hood. Ruby smiles at them.*
The audience laughed at the sudden shift. Most surprisingly was Raven laughing just as hard.
"Okay," she exclaimed, "Qrow, you can hate me, but that's definitely Tai."
"You're damn right it is!"
"HEY!"
"Tai, don't try to deny it. You were constantly sleeping during camping trips."
Raven decided to join in on the bashing, "Seriously, the man couldn't go a few hours into a forest without needing a break."
Glynda smirked. It had been so long since Raven felt this…cordial. And she was going to milk it for every drop. "Not to mention his sense of direction."
"Glynda," Tai cried out, "Not you, too."
"Tai," Qrow retorted, "Just like we swore never to let Summer drive a four wheel car, you are never allowed to have a map."
Tai merely pouted, crossing his arms. "I hate all of you."
Ozpin merely grinned. Or, as well as a ghost inside someone's head can grin.
*WEISS: Or… (trying to swat away an insect with rocking horse legs) I guess we could figure it out ourselves.
BLAKE: At least they got us to this path. We need to hurry. Yang's been down here the longest and we still haven't found her.
RUBY: Weiss, I was wondering… if you fell, then are there others down here too? What happened?
Weiss is silent for a moment.*
"Is she still not going to tell them?" Sun questioned.
"Considering—" Ren replied, turning his head to Pietro, "That Weiss knows Penny died, she may not want to say it until everyone is back together."
"That…could end badly." Winter muttered. Keeping a horrible moment like that to yourself, and leaving your friends in the dark…It wouldn't end well. She's seen it happen before.
*RUBY: I just—
Suddenly, the three hear a roar in the distance. They run up to the top of the cliff and notice a strange, purple, masked creature twitching.*
Everyone was shocked at the creature. It clearly wasn't a Grimm, but it most certainly didn't look friendly.
"What the hell is that?" Saphron exclaimed.
'Oz, answers please.' Oscar thought, wide-eyed.
'I think I have a definitive answer. Depending on how this creature reacts.'
*JABBERWALKER: Seeking… Searching… Scouring… Stalking… Searching… Scouring… Stalking…*
Something seemed to click for Saphron. A giant tree, an alien world, a creature…jabbering.
"It couldn't be." She muttered, though no one heard her.
'That seals it. Ruby and her friends are in the Ever After.'
'You're sure?' Oscar questioned.
'Definitely. That has to be the Jabberwalker.'
*Little gasps and hides in Ruby's cloak. The creature hears them.
JABBERWALKER: Detecting… Listening…
The Jabberwalker turns its head. Blake and Weiss draw their weapons. Ruby tries to reach behind her, but Crescent Rose is still missing.*
Tai put his head in his hands, "Qrow, how has Ruby's hand-to-hand training gone."
Qrow grimace, which was all the answer Tai needed.
"Ozpin," Raven commanded, "How do Weiss and Blake fight this thing."
Oscar turned to the side, only for his eyes to widen.
"Ozpin!"
Oscar turned his head around. "He said 'I don't know the truth about every fairy tale. I didn't even know this place actually existed.'."
Raven scowled. "So you know where they are."
"Ozpin thinks that they might be in the Ever After, from 'The Girl who Fell through the World'."
"That's ridiculous," Winter exclaimed, "There's no way they landed in a fairy tale."
"Winter," Qrow snarked, "Given everything you know, no, scratch that, that we ALL know, are you really surprised?"
Winter bit her lip at Qrow words.
"Okay," Saphron added, "I don't know what's the deal with you calling Oscar 'Ozpin', but I also agree. That creature is the Jabberwalker. I was reading the story to Adrian just a week ago."
*They keep their distance as the creature faces them. It then proceeds to charge forward.
JABBERWALKER: Danger! Death!
Blake jumps forward.
JABBERWALKER: Bite! Rip! Tear!
The Jabberwalker swipes its claw at Blake, but she blocks it with Gambol Shroud.*
Everyone, minus Raven, tensed up at the conflict. Kali was gripping Ghira's coat as her husband glared daggers at the monster.
*Weiss runs forward to assist, but suddenly stops.
YANG: (off-screen) I said I wasn't done with you yet!*
Raven then gave the smallest amount of tenseness hearing Yang's voice. Meanwhile, despite the fight happening, Tai actually relaxed. He already knew they were alive, but hearing both his daughters were alive gave some fire back into him.
*The large rock is thrown at the Jabberwalker, who jumps away from Blake after the rock hits them. Yang heavily pants and looks up, her prosthetic arm is missing. Weiss, Blake and Yang surround the Jabberwalker.
JABBERWALKER: Recede… Retreat… Wait… Return.
The Jabberwalker makes their retreat as it jumps high to the next cliff and disappears into the forest. Weiss and Blake run after the Jabberwalker.*
"Interesting wording." Glynda remarks, "It implies that the…Jabberwalker, is going to be stalking them from now on."
"Yeah," Sun replied, "NO THANKS!"
*Yang pants heavily and ends up kneeling, exhausted. Ruby runs towards Yang.
RUBY: Yang! I—
YANG: Dammit! You weren't supposed to be here…
Ruby kneels down next to Yang.
RUBY: If you thought we wouldn't come for you, then you must've forgotten who raised me.*
Tai hung his head down. Ruby was right. After Summer died, he completely failed to be the father they needed. And, unintentionally, left that burden on Yang's shoulders.
*Yang sighs.
RUBY: What happened to your arm?
YANG: I don't think you'd believe me if I told you…*
"Says—" Whitley began, with the intention of talking about Little.
*LITTLE: Why not? You seem trustworthy.*
Whitley stopped himself, then crossed his arms in annoyance.
*YANG: (staring at Little wide-eyed) Uh, Ruby? What is that?
Yang suddenly gets tackled by Blake to the ground. Blakes embraces Yang in relief.
BLAKE: Yang…
Yang embraced Blake back.*
Kali and Ghira gave each other knowing looks, same with Tai and Raven. Ilia's freckles turned pink, while Sun gave a sad smile. Sure, he may have wanted to be the one to date Blake, but he wasn't going to stop being her friend. Especially since Yang could probably kick his butt if he did that.
*WEISS: I sort of thought you'd be a little happier to see us.*
"Way to kill the mood, Ice Queen." Sun snarked.
*YANG: I am… It's just… It must have gone pretty bad, huh?
Ruby and Blake look at Yang. Blake looks back at Ruby before they turn to see Weiss beginning to break down in tears.
RUBY: Weiss…
WEISS: (tearfully) I… Everything happened so fast. No one came back from Vacuo to help… And Penny! She- Jaune tried to help, but… she sacrificed herself! (inaudible)
Ruby, wide-eyed, listens to Weiss of what happened, her words slowly being muted out as she continues speaking, but suddenly ends up passing out until she hits the ground.
YANG: (off-screen) Ruby?!*
"Ruby!" Tai cried out at the same time Yang did. Everyone, even Raven herself, jumped at seeing Ruby pass out.
'May I?' Ozpin requested.
'Sure.' Oscar relented, his eyes glowing briefly. Ozpin stood up, turning to the others.
"Frankly, Miss Rose's reaction is understandable. Twice now she's done everything she could to save Miss Polendina, and twice she's failed, resulting in her death."
Pietro took off his glasses to wipe his eyes. "Penny had such a wonderful friend."
"That she did, Doctor Polendina. However, I fear that she'll place an unnecessary burden upon herself. Penny's death was not Ruby's fault."
"Ruby won't see it that way," Tai retorted, "She's too kind for that."
Ozpin sighed, "I fear you're right." With that, Ozpin sat back down, giving control back to Oscar.
*The screen suddenly cuts to black. Sometime later, Ruby starts to wake up. She could hear Yang, Weiss, and Blake discussing their current situation. It's raining again.
YANG: (off-screen) So, we have no idea what happened to the Relic? Or what happened to everyone in Vacuo? Or where Neo is?
BLAKE: Maybe everyone else made it?
WEISS: I don't know, but I have a bad feeling.
Little is fanning Ruby with a small piece of grass as Ruby regains her consciousness.*
Despite Ruby's condition, a few found Little using grass as a fan cute.
*RUBY: Neo's here too.
YANG: Hey, are you alright?
Ruby doesn't immediately answer.
RUBY: She attacked me when we were falling.*
'That's not a good sign.' Ozpin said.
'What do you mean?' Oscar replied.
'Yang was wanting to make sure Ruby was alright. Instead of answering it, she changed the subject.'
Unknown to the two of them, Tai, Qrow, and Raven all had similar thoughts.
*BLAKE: (sighs) Okay. (stands up) Ruby's weapon is still missing. Yang's arm was stolen. I think we focus on getting everything back, then we can figure out exactly how to get out of here… Wherever here is…
Suddenly, the rain stops and rays shine on Blake. She walks towards the source of light.
WEISS: But, what if we can't leave? Or, what if—
YANG: What if we're dead? (beat) Until you all found me, I thought for sure I was.
BLAKE: No, I don't think we're dead. I know how it sounds, but…
As Blake pushes away the vines a little, she looks to the giant tree in the center of the land.
BLAKE: (off-screen) I think we're in a fairy tale.
Peeking over the hill, the giant tree is surrounded by many other unusual environments: a red forest with a red castle, an area of creamy dessert and sweets, a forest with giant colorful mushrooms, among other things.*
The screen turned black, and, in its place, a message appeared.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE: YES/NO
Before anyone could reply, Pietro spoke up.
"Before we go ahead, maybe we…take a minute to compose ourselves."
Ozpin took control as he stood up.
"I agree. Given everything that we've learned, I think some time to think over what we saw would be nice."
Author's Notes: Alright, Episode 1 is now done. MAN, aren't I glad for happy accidents. I originally was going to write this story two weeks ago. Now that we know the Narrator from the start is actually Summer, there's no way TRQ wouldn't recognize her voice.
Next chapter will have some interactions with the group, sharing news about what's happening. Maybe even a couple secrets revealed. What's DEFINITELY going to happen is Qrow vs Raven.
Just to be clear about the viewing itself, there will be NO MUSIC. Why, because sometimes the lyrics of a song spoil what's about to happen.
As always, leave a review, fav/follow, and I'll see you all next time.