Altercation at the Auspicious Auction
As everyone started to file into the theatre, Ghira tapped Tai's shoulder.
"Mr. Xiao Long, a moment?"
"Huh? Oh, sure. What do you need?"
"Just a confirmation. My wife and I already agreed that, once we get back and find the girls, we should talk to them about what happened with Adam Taurus. Killing someone…it leaves scars."
Tai nodded solemnly. "Yeah. I don't have any remorse for him, he did take my daughter's arm-"
"And I don't either. However, I want to make sure my daughter is mentally fine."
"You're right. Won't let that bastard have the last laugh."
The two nodded, but before Tai could continue on, Qrow gripped his shoulder.
"Tai, did you know about Raven's…"
Tai chuckled, "Come on, Qrow. This is me we're talking about."
"Yeah, and you got caught off guard for both pregnancies."
"Okay, you got me there."
"I just want to make sure Raven-"
"I'm stopping you right there, Qrow. Raven did nothing to coerce me into letting her stay. If anything, I had to fight tooth and nail to keep her on Patch, and even that didn't stick for long. We both ended up going to Mistral to relocate her tribe."
Qrow rolled his eyes. "Of course she did."
"She then sent me back to Patch, and I didn't hear from her for a month. After that, she'd go to the tribe every couple of weeks, just to make sure they're still alive."
"I just…"
"Qrow, I get it. Believe me, I was enraged when she told me what she did. I was about ready to kick her out. But then she got to the part about her argument with Yang in the Spring Vault. Trust me, I don't think she's going to run."
Qrow nodded, "Yeah. She mentioned that she wouldn't."
"Alright, so, will you two please keep a lid on it until we get back?"
Qrow smirked, "No promises. We are twins, after all."
"Yeah. That's what I'm worried about."
The two took one step to the theatre—
"AAAAAAAAAHHH!" A scream filled the area as a familiar black clothed individual appeared through the theatre wall, skidding his feet across the ground so hard a pair of flame trails were left behind. Needless to say, damn near everyone jumped in shock.
"Mr. Moon," Klein questioned, "Are you alright?"
"Sorry, just on a tight schedule," Colva then noticed the flame trails, "Huh, Back to the Future, much? Anyway, I kinda forgot to bring someone. Yes, funny enough, even extremely powerful beings can screw up every once in a while. You should know all about that, Oz."
Colva pulled out a small glass canister, with a green and red swirling orb.
"I don't have time to explain it all to her, so you guys fill in the blanks."
"Wait," Glynda exclaimed, "Who—?"
Colva tossed the canister into the air, pulled out a gun, and shot it. The canister exploded into a dust cloud, with a figure dropping from it.
"Who-What-?!" The figure cried out, but several people immediately recognized it.
"Emerald!" Nora cried out as she leapt at the greenet, giving her a hug.
"What, Nora? Wait, where are we?"
"Sorry, no time!" A purple flaming portal opened behind Colva, "I've got three apocalypses to fix, two of them my own fault, and I've got to go!"
Colva then immediately jumped into the portal, leaving a VERY confused audience.
"What…just happened?" Whitley questioned.
"I…have no idea." Oscar replied. Glynda then recognized Emerald.
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh," Emerald replied, "Didn't you get the memo, Goodb-" Emerald stopped herself, remembering that she is on their side now, so insulting nicknames wouldn't help.
After Oscar gave a quick nod, Ozpin briefly took control, turning to Glynda.
"Miss Sustrai is now on our side."
Glynda merely narrowed her eyes, before taking a deep breath.
"Well, I've had to deal with Raven, I can deal with this."
Ozpin nodded, releasing control.
"Sooo…" Emerald slowly drawled, "Where are we?"
As emerald was brought up to speed, Glynda leaned towards Qrow.
"Qrow," Glynda almost growled, "How long has she been on our side?"
Qrow shrugged, "A few days, now. She helped evacuate everyone from Atlas. I wouldn't trust her, but, well…" He jerked his head towards Raven.
Glynda pinched the bridge of her nose. She wanted to say 'Even though she's part of the reason Beacon fell', but, considering that she allowed Raven to remain on Patch, that would be hypocritical of her.
Emerald took all the information, but wasn't responsive. Merely skeptical. It wasn't until they showed her the rooms, and how they don't conform to logic, that she started to believe it.
"So…they're alive?" Emerald slowly questioned, "And in a fairy tale?"
"Yep." Nora chimed.
"Specifically," Ren added, "We think they're in 'The girl who fell through the world'."
Emerald threw her hands into the air.
"You know, I'm not even surprised at this point. With all the bullshit you guys do, I'm pretty sure you could shoot yourselves in the head and still come back stronger than before!"
Nora giggled.
"Let's not tempt fate." Oscar pleaded.
"Fair enough. Though, I'm not surprised Neo, even while falling, still wants Ruby's head."
"You knew more about them than either of us."
"Yeah, but that's not saying much. I could never tell what their relationship was. Couple? Siblings? They kept that tight lipped."
"Now, where are you going to sit?"
"I can switch to the back row," Saphron answered, "If that's alright?"
Qrow shrugged his shoulders, "Doesn't bother me."
"Of course." Tai added.
With that, everyone took their seats, with Saphron heading to the fourth row, and Emerald now sitting in the first.
"So…how do we start this thing?"
"Supposedly," Oscar guessed, "Once everyone's ready, we just…will the next episode to continue."
"Oookay." Emerald replied hesitantly.
Everyone stared at the screen, before the YES suddenly had a red, colored-in box surround it. Just as fast as it appeared, it vanished. The lights then dimmed, as the screen went black.
*Team RWBY overlooks the whimsical land before them from the precipice.
YANG: So are we gonna just stand around thinking about this in silence? Or…?*
'Glad Bimbo is saying what we're all thinking.' Emerald thought with a smirk.
*RUBY: I knew this place is weird, but a fairy tale? I mean that's impossible.*
"Ruby," Nora exclaimed, "After everything you've gone through, how is this not possible?!"
*Little nods. Blake clears her throat. Ruby and Little look at Blake pointing her finger at Little. Ruby gives a sweat drop.
WEISS: What we've seen is improbable, but that doesn't mean we're in an actual fairy tale. Are we seriously entertaining this?*
"Sister," Whitley answered, "The more you try to make logic from a fairy tale, the more your mind is going to break."
"Whitley?" Willow questioned.
"Believe me, I'm just as skeptical as she is, but…after an army of mice captured her and Blake, I'm just going to let whatever nonsense that happens happen."
*YANG: Do you have a better explanation for what's going on?
WEISS: Well, let's try to be more logical, shall we? We fell from the sky. Ruby made friends with a tiny mouse.
LITTLE: Friends!
WEISS: Blake and I got caught by killer vines. (Blake cringes) And… uh… you got your arm stolen by… a… What was it that you said?
YANG: A talking raccoon riding on a purple wagon filled with trash.
Weiss blinks at Yang's predicament.*
Most of the audience mimicked Weiss's response.
"So," Saphron stated, "The Jinxy Peddler?"
"That's the only raccoon from the story." Ghira replied.
Glynda didn't notice Raven subtly turn her head towards her, a grin on her face.
"I'm starting to understand what you mean, Whitley." Glynda stated, still unaware of Raven, who turned back to the screen.
*WEISS: Yes, that. Okay, I see your point of view. I am going to go over here now.
Weiss walks away, she starts to talk nonsense to herself as she tries to grapple with the team's current situation.*
"Wait!" Emerald exclaimed, "Where did the speech bubbles come from?"
"This is presented to us as a TV series, right?" Nora chipped in, "Maybe dear Colva added some special effects to us. I mean, did you see the sweat drop Ruby had a moment ago."
Of all the craziness that's happened in the past…a couple of hours, that was probably the most logical thing that has been explained.
*RUBY: As crazy as it sounds, something about this is familiar.
BLAKE: The Girl Who Fell Through The World. I… I think we're in the Ever After.
WEISS: Blake, that world is make-believe. It was just part of the story we all read as kids.*
"Frankly," Saphron deadpanned, "With all I've learned, at this point I'm just going to assume every fairy tale across all of Remnant is actually true."
"That's a healthy way of looking at it." Raven replied, completely serious.
*LITTLE: It's not make-believe, it's where I live!
BLAKE: Can you tell us all about it? Have you ever heard the name Alyx?
LITTLE: An "Alyx"? Is that a purpose?
BLAKE: In the story, Alyx fell from the sky and met with the Hunter Mice, got trapped in vines, fought a Jabberwalker, and got her knife stolen by... A talking raccoon.
Weiss groans and crosses her arms.
YANG: Yeah. And then she beat the Red King at a board game, met the Curious Cat, the Rusted Knight, and finally got out through…
Yang and Blake look at the giant tree.
BLAKE: (off-screen) The tree.
WEISS: So what now? Do we go to the tree? Look for Alyx? Yang's arm? Ruby, you're still missing Crescent Rose.
LITTLE: I'll bet the Jinxy Peddler has it.
WEISS: (angry) WHO?!
Little yelped and ducked behind Ruby.*
Emerald snickered. "Man, this place is going to put Weiss through the ringer, isn't it?"
Nora, also giggling, replied, "Yeah, the smart ones are usually the ones who crack first."
*LITTLE: The Jinxy Peddler? That's the only talking raccoon I know.
Weiss angrily grumbles to herself.
BLAKE: Do you know where he might be?
LITTLE: Of course! (scurrying up to Ruby's head) I'll lead the way right to–
Little is once again snoring on top of Ruby's head as Team RWBY continue trekking through the jungle.*
Sun took the wrong moment to take a sip, because he nearly choked on his drink. It wasn't as funny as it looked, but he couldn't stop himself. Neither could others, it seemed, as Kali, Whitley, and Nora all chuckled.
*BLAKE: So, the town is just ahead, right?
Ruby pokes Little to wake them up. Little ignores and keeps sleeping.
BLAKE: I've been thinking. If we're going to this town, we need to be careful. Alyx didn't know their customs and ended up starting a war among the townsfolk. Trouble followed her everywhere she went.*
Emerald scoffed, "Yeah, that's not happening. With the track record you guys get into," when several others gave scolding looks, "I'm talking about back at Beacon! Remember when they had to fight Roman in a Paladin, and thought the best way to deal with him was to take him to a freeway?"
Nora raised a hand to retort, but then thought about it. She sat back down, pouting.
*YANG: Well, yeah. But she was kind of a mean person, right? She lied and cheated her way through most of the book.*
'I'm very interested in what really happened here.' Ozpin thought.
'You don't know?' Oscar questioned.
'In a past life, I knew of the Pleandills, Alyx's family. It's how I knew that there was some truth to her story. At the time I simply believed it was more of a spiritual adventure, one of the mind. Unfortunately, I was dealing with a cult that worshiped Salem, so I couldn't go and inquire more on her journey.. It was about a couple generations after that that the fairy tale started to get picked up. By then, the family itself was destroyed due to multiple reasons, chief amongst them being rival families.'
'Yikes.'
*WEISS: She was just trying to survive. The morals of those old stories are so simplistic.*
"Sometimes, Miss Schnee," Klein stated, "The simplest stories are the ones that last the longest."
*BLAKE: Either way, we need to tread lightly.
Little almost falls as they quickly scurry back on top of Ruby's head. Little stretches.
LITTLE: The town is just up ahead. The Jinxy Peddler always stops by our village before he goes to town.
YANG: Do they steal stuff from you guys too?
LITTLE: Steal? Never. They just take the things we're not looking at. Fair is fair.*
Emerald snorted as she said sarcastically, "Okay, I might try that logic, see how far it gets."
Both Ren and Winter groaned.
"Please don't," Winter retorted, "It took me a full day to convince Theodore not to throw you in a cell, don't give him a reason to."
*Little goes back to sleep.
WEISS: (sarcastically) Sounds like a legitimate business person. How did they manage to steal your arm anyway?
YANG: I was knocked out from the fall. When I came to, that sneaky raccoon already grabbed my arm and ran off before I could stop them. (As she says this, a thought bubble appears showing Yang unconscious with stars spinning above her head. She then awakens, watching comically helpless as Jinxy makes off with her arm on his wagon.)*
"Okay, wow," Qrow said, "That's…that's a dick move."
*(The thought bubble is then popped by Blake when she jumps in next to Yang)
BLAKE: (giggles) So would you say they caught you unarmed?*
Raven, Glynda, and Qrow all cried out in horror.
"No!" Glynda yelled, "Do not succumb, Blake Belladonna."
"We already have two of them!" Qrow added, "We don't need it to spread."
"Please," Raven finished, "Keep that curse contained to Tai's blood."
"Hey," Tai retorted, "Puns ar-"
"NO THEY AREN'T!" the three rebutted.
*(Yang gives Blake a little playful nudge fight) How disarming. I guess we'll have to catch…
Blake's and Yang's hands brush against each other, merely inches away. Weiss softly smiles at them.*
"Okay," Nora mumbled to herself, "I know we're all thinking it, but, if those two don't kiss by the time they get back home, I might just lose my mind."
"Wait," Emerald stated quizzically, "You mean they aren't dating? With how those two acted, I thought I was obvious."
"That's what I've been saying!"
*WEISS: About time.
RUBY: For what?
WEISS: Nothing.
RUBY: Don't worry. We'll find a way outta here and we'll go back home.
Weiss stops walking, Ruby also stops walking and looks at her while Blake and Yang continue walking ahead of the other two.
RUBY: Weiss?
WEISS: It's... It's all gone... There's nothing left for me to go back to... Just like Beacon…
RUBY: (moving Little off her head into her hands) You did the best you could for Atlas, Weiss.
WEISS: But it wasn't enough! We hatched a crazy plan that put a whole kingdom at risk, and we don't even know if we saved the Relics from…(sighs) Maybe…Jaune and Winter were able to get them out, despite…everything…despite us…*
'Mind if I have a moment?' Ozpin asked. When Oscar nodded, Ozpin took control.
"I think Miss Schnee is being too hard on herself. There were a lot of factors that played against them and, even with the odds stacked against them, they were able to come up with a plan that nearly accomplished all their goals. I won't sugarcoat it, though. There were certainly things that could've been done better. Such as withholding all of the information you learned from Jinn."
"You mean like you kept things from us?" Nora quipped back.
"I held back certain information. Whether I was right to withhold it isn't the issue, it's that you didn't tell him anything. If I was in your position, I would've at least told him about how the war between me and Salem started, and what would happen if all the Relics are brought together. It would've told James just how big the stakes are, while avoiding giving him the news that Salem cannot be killed. You didn't even need to say what the Lamp's password was, or that there was still one question."
"Okay, enough." Willow interjected, "We can debate all day whether we made the right choices or not. It doesn't matter."
"Willow's right," Ghira added, "What matters, right now, is finding out what's happened to Blake and her friends. That way, when they get back, we can get them and help them regroup."
Ozpin nodded, sitting back down, giving back control.
'Didn't expect you to feel that strongly about it.' Oscar thought.
'It's unfortunately a hobby of mine. Thinking about how my mistakes could've been avoided.'
'Your mistakes?'
'If I didn't hide myself after Jinn, I might've been able to help James, and maybe prevented a lot of what happened.'
*(beat) I…I know that Penny…I know that was a lot to hear.
Ruby remains silent, she simply turns around and walks away. Thunder sounds above, and Weiss proceeds to follow her teammates.
The team then arrives at a rickety bridge.*
"How in the world does that bridge—" Whitley stopped himself, "Remember, it's a fairy tale world. Things aren't supposed to make sense."
*BLAKE: So, this is the entrance to the other... "acre" you called it?
LITTLE: (yawning as they wake up) Yep! All we do is cross the bridge and we'll be... well, wherever over there is.
YANG: You don't know?
LITTLE: Nope! Never been this far from home.*
Raven snorted, "Claims to be their guide, yet never left home. This is going to go as well as I expect."
*RUBY: Oh, uh, maybe you should go back?
LITTLE: (still smiling) I wouldn't have any idea how to go back. Maybe I'll live by this bridge.
Upon hearing this, Team RWBY all have various shocked expressions for taking Little away far from their home.*
Most of the audience matched RWBY's expressions.
"Congratulations, Ruby," Emerald snarked, "You just took a kid from their home."
"Must you…?" Winter retorted.
"Yes."
*Weiss, fed up, goes forward.
WEISS: I'll handle this…
Little then builds a makeshift home from sticks, stones, and leaves.
LITTLE: (sing-songy) Building a house, my very first house, gonna find my purpose in my first house!
WEISS: Would you like to come with us?
Little's house then collapses behind them.
LITTLE: Yeah, that's probably for the best.
Entering the town, Team RWBY look around at the different townsfolk, all of them resembling various toys.*
"I'M DONE!" Whitley yelled out as he jumped from his seat, startling his family, "Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to outburst like that, I just…GAH!"
Qrow chuckled, "Figured a Schnee would be the first to break at this fairy tale nonsense."
Whitley walked to the side of the theatre and went into his own mumble storm, mimicking Weiss, about the nonsense of the Ever After. He already accepted that it was a fairytale, but, at worst, he expected only talking animals, not…whatever those people were.
"Whitley?" Willow questioned.
Whitley took several deep breaths, "I'll…I'll be fine, mother. Just needed a minute."
*They pass by a pamphlet saying, "BY ROYAL DECREE OF HIS HIGHNESS: THE PREEMINENT BIRTHDAY PARTY OF HIS MOST ROYAL IS HEREBY ANNOUNCED!" The same pamphlet is placed on parts of the street. Team RWBY continue walking by various vendors and stalls in the marketplace.*
"Um," Saphron stated, "When do you think they landed in the Ever After?"
"What do you mean?" Glynda replied.
"I mean, is it before or after Alyx's time there? Because if it's after, then they might have a problem: The Red King."
"What do you mean?" Nora questioned.
"Right," Glynda answered, "Alyx tricked the Red King, beating him at his own game. He might harbor some anger at that. Which means humans might not be welcomed there."
"Oooooo." Nora grimaces.
*BLAKE: Just…act like you belong, everybody.
LITTLE: I've always wanted to be long, but I'm still just small.*
Tai snorted, "Frankly, I would've said 'but I'm still just Little."
Glynda's eye twitched, as the Branwens looked at Tai with venom.
*Yang smiles a bit at Little's comment.
In the center of town, the townsfolk gather around the purple wagon. The name "JINXY" can be seen on it in big white letters.
YANG: (gasps) There it is! So what's the strategy? Just start roughin' him up or what?*
Whitley rolled his eyes. "Make sense a…" Whitley then remembered that one of Mistral's most infamous killers was sitting a row behind him, "Forward thinking person like her would have a simple plan."
"Don't try to play nice, kid," Qrow retorted, "None of us are in a position to be able to actually kill each other."
"I'm talking about once we get out of this place."
"I make no promises." Raven smirked, making Whitley slink down into his chair. Winter simply scowled at Raven, who's smirk deepened. She wasn't actually going to hurt Whitley…probably, but scaring the kid was certainly in her cards.
*Blake notices some toy soldiers watching the crowd, likely to keep order.
BLAKE: In the book, Alyx had to barter with Jinxy for her dagger.
YANG: Yeeeaah, I think I'd rather hit him.*
Tai facepalmed, "Not helping you case, Dragon."
*The wagon is shown opening up with purple smoke. Jinxy can be seen walking out onto the stage waving to the crowd.
JINXY: Welcome, one and all!
WEISS: (gasps) He's adorable! (teasing Yang)
BLAKE: And a lot older than I remember from the book…*
"Okay," Ghira stated, "So after Alyx's journey. Let's hope they don't start a fight. Otherwise the King will be on to them."
*JINXY: I am Jinxy, and these... are the finest treasures of the acre!
Jinxy taps the shelf behind him with his walking stick, a yellow scepter appears first, then a pink rabbit statue, and a green marionette-like doll shows up last. The crowd cheers while Team RWBY looks on perceptively.
YANG: I... don't see my arm.
BLAKE: All of Jinxy's treasures... are just other items in disguise, so that people think they're buying something extremely valuable.
WEISS: Okay…so, which one is Yang's arm?*
"Really," Whitley deadpanned, "Maybe look at the only one up there that's yellow?"
"And…how would they know that?" Ilia rebutted, "They're at the back of the crowd. I'm pretty sure all they can see is that it's a staff."
Whitley simply crossed his arms, his mother placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
*BLAKE: What does your heart tell you? That's how Alyx knew.
Weiss sticks her tongue out of disgust and boredom.
YANG: I mean... (looking at the scepter) That one looks roughly arm-sized... ish.
Blake sighs before noticing Ruby stare at something.
BLAKE: Ruby?
RUBY: There's... (looking at the green doll) ...something about that one.*
Pietro also had a strange feeling about the doll, but he couldn't know what it was.
*Jinxy spins around the stage, showing off the pink rabbit statue in his hand.
JINXY: First item! (the crowd oohs and aahs at the item) The diamond-studded rabbit! You! (pointing to a yellow toy-like townsperson before appearing on their shoulder) Jinxy's! (winks)
The townsperson chuckles and joins Jinxy on stage.
WEISS: How are we going to bid without any money?
BLAKE: I don't think there's any money in the Ever After. Jinxy just names whatever price he wants.
WEISS: What did Jinxy want from Alyx?*
"Something about memory." Saphron mumbled to herself.
*BLAKE: Her saddest memory... and her happiest.*
"Um" Kali stated, "She's not meaning that literally, right? Like, if Alyx took the deal, she'd lose those two memories, right?"
"Honestly," Glynda replied, "With how this place works, it might just be just that."
"That's it?" Sun exclaimed, "That's not so bad."
"Depends on how you look at it, monkey boy," Emerald retorted, "If your entire life was miserable, and you only had one good memory, would you be willing to give them up? Give up your only happy memory, and be left with the bad ones, even if the worst amongst them is gone?"
"Not only that," Raven added, "But your worst memory might've been the one that gave you the most courage, to make sure you never have to deal with it again. Losing it might make you a weaker person."
"Okay, I change my mind!"
*JINXY: Sold! For... a hug.
Jinxy hugs the townsperson, the crowd goes "aww" in response.
LITTLE: (gasps) Hugs are very valuable!
YANG: (smiling) Maybe this won't be so bad after all.*
Raven snorted, "Anyone want to bet that the next price will be something irreplaceable?"
"No bet," Willow replied, "It's going to happen."
"Yeah," Saphron added, "Kinda like that movie with the swallows. First was their favorite color, then was the population of Mantle sixty years ago. That's how fairytales work."
*JINXY: Second item! A golden scepter! You!
Jinxy points at both Yang and a Toy Soldier, who both raised their hands and said "Me!" at the same time.
YANG: Huh?!
JINXY: The bidding starts at-
YANG: No! I was the first one to-
JINXY: ...knowing... what it is to feel loved.*
"Oh," Nora scoffed, "That's a dirty move."
"With all my daughter's gone through, to make her give up that feeling? Yeah, if I was there, I'd probably kick his teeth in."
"Weren't you just mumbling," Qrow retorted, "That you didn't want the girls to start a fight here."
"Well I take back my words!"
Raven herself was quiet, but she narrowed her eyes at the peddler, and even moved her hand to where Omen would've been.
*Yang gasps upon hearing this.
JINXY: A fair price for some, I'd say.
While Yang ponders the words, the Toy Soldier has help from another Toy Soldier write something down on a parchment paper.
TOY SOLDIER 01: Knowing what it's like to feel loved! By royal decree.
The Toy Soldier holding the parchment paper shows it with the words printed on it, "BY HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS'S DECREE, TO BE PAID IS THE SUM" followed by the written words "WHATEVER JINXY WANTS". The bottom of the parchment has a red heart with a crown above it and some signature.
JINXY: Sold!*
"Okay, that's a horrible way to barter," Whitley declared, "You've got no way of knowing if they are serious about that. Besides, wouldn't that mean that they won't know what it's like to be loved by their Red King."
A couple were about to say 'it's fairytale land, so logic isn't a good idea', but the last part certainly had merit.
*YANG: Wait! That's my arm!
TOY SOLDIER 01: Whatever it is, it's royal property now. No price is too high for his majesty's birthday.
Yang huffs in anger and her eyes turn red.*
"Tai," Qrow chuckled, "You wanted Yang to kick some teeth. Looks like it'll be that toy's teeth instead of the peddler's."
*JINXY: Last item! The jade marionette!
YANG: We tried it your way, Blake.
Blake looks on nervously.
JINXY: You!
RUBY: (raising her hand) Me!
WEISS: Ruby, what are you doing?
JINXY: Bidding starts at... (pulls out an empty jar) Enough hope to fill this jar!*
"Oh," Nora cheered, "Eeeeeasy. She's got enough to fill a whole lake!"
Ozpin narrowed his mental eyes.
*Ruby gasps hearing this, and she hesitantly lowers her hand.
JINXY: Hm... You don't have enough, do ya?*
Nora jumped from her seat, "WHAT?!"
Everyone who knew Ruby personally, even Raven herself, were shocked at Ruby's response.
"Ruby…" Tai muttered. His daughter was always a ray of…well, hope. To imagine that she doesn't have enough hope to fill a simple jar.
'After everything she's been through,' Ozpin thought, 'Miss Rose may finally be reaching her limit.'
*Unbeknownst to Jinxy, Little sneaks up on stage next to the marionette. Jinxy hears something move next to him, noticing the marionette gone from its place. He then notices Little trying to drag it off the stage.
LITTLE: Huh?
JINXY: Why you little…!
Jinxy lunges forward, and Little runs out of the way.
JINXY: Leave that alone! You can't touch it until the deal is done!
Suddenly, the marionette disappears in a puff of purple smoke, and it turns into one of Penny's Maiden-powered Floating Array swords. Ruby gasps in shock as she recognizes it.*
Those who recognized the style of the sword, especially Pietro and Winter, matched Ruby's reaction.
"Okay, now a fight's going down," Nora exclaimed, "Cause Ruby isn't leaving without that!"
"You're damn right she isn't." Winter replied, shocking herself with how passionate she said it.
Pietro wasn't just shocked, though, he was confused. "It looks like Penny's sword, but why—"
"Right," Ren answered, "Penny was infected with a virus that was trying to force her to the Vault."
Pietro nodded, "I suspected something like that happened after Penny lost contact with me and Maria."
"Well, we used the staff to create a human body for Penny."
"Can't remember the exact wording," Nora added, "But Penny became a real girl," she then frowned, "For as short as it was," Nora smiled again, "But, at least for me, she was always a real girl."
Pietro's eyes shined at the idea of his girl becoming a real person. Though, in the back of his head, it meant that his daughter was well and truly gone. No memory cores to retrieve and download, nothing. He didn't want another spiral, so he distracted himself with logic.
"Then, it makes sense that she would create new swords. Her Floating Array only worked because of her mechanical body and mind."
*TOWNSPERSON: Huh?
The Townsperson looks down on the diamond-studded bunny in their hands. The white mouse eating the cheese vegetable magically appears in the diamond-studded bunny's place.
MOUSE: Huh?*
"So, not just items, but he steals people as well." Klein said, then sneezed, "I ought to crack this bloke's head."
*TOWNSPERSON: (holding the false item in their hand) It's a fake!
The townsfolk booed and shouted in outrage at Jinxy. The lead toy soldier holds their chin in suspicion, looking over to their fellow soldier holding the scepter that has now changed back to Yang's prosthetic arm. The soldier screams as they toss the arm away.
YANG: I'm going for it!
Weiss looks on as Blake looks to the crowd holding her head between her hands making a nervous noise.*
"Yikes," Ilia commented, "They're starting a war in the town, just like Alyx did."
*Yang and a Toy Soldier do a tug of war for the prosthetic arm, with Yang dodging out of the way of the soldier's sword swing, followed by Yang shooting them away with the gauntlet. Ruby runs towards the stage.
LITTLE: Fair is fair!*
"The mouse has a point," Sun chuckled, "You were looking away, Jinxy."
"I don't think he's going to care much about that rule." Winter retorted.
"Besides," Kali added, "I think that was just Little's idea how it worked, not an actual rule."
*Ruby picks up Penny's sword, sobbing and clutching it tight. Yang then runs past Ruby holding her arm with her teammates not far behind.
YANG: I got it!
BLAKE: Ruby, come on! (runs off)
Weiss simply walks away with them. Ruby picks up Little and they run after the team. Jinxy growls and shakes his fist in the air as they run away. The Townsperson from earlier approaches Jinxy with their arms out.
TOWNSPERSON: Ahem!
Jinxy groans and hugs the townsperson as a "refund".*
"Hey, a trade's a trade," Qrow taunted, "You didn't deliver, so you have to pay back."
"It's just a hug." Glynda retorted.
"A trade's…a trade."
*Outside the town, Yang laughs as Team RWBY enters the red forest.
YANG: (huffing between breaths) Those people... take auctions... very seriously. (holds up her prosthetic) High five?*
No one decided to comment on it, just a few people groaning.
*Blake groans and walks past her.
YANG: High five?
Weiss scoffs and walks past her.
BLAKE: (distressed as she holds her head) We're doing the same thing Alyx did! We're ruining everything!
WEISS: That's your biggest concern right now?
Yang reattaches her arm.
BLAKE: I've read so many stories. I never thought... (takes a seat on a nearby log)... I'd be the moral of one.*
"The difference, Miss Belladonna," Glynda stated, "Is that you are regretting it. Unlike Alyx, who didn't take her actions seriously, you tried to avoid it."
Several people nodded in agreement.
*Ruby, still looking down at Penny's sword in her hands, takes a seat next to Blake. Her teammates look at her in concern.
YANG: Ruby?
Ruby remains silent for a moment.
RUBY: I couldn't explain why, but I... I was drawn to it.*
Pietro and Tai shared a knowing look. Tai's eyes glistened at seeing Ruby's despair.
*Thunder sounds and the sky turns dark. It's raining again.*
'Interesting,' Ozpin thought, 'The rain only appeared when Ruby first began to cry, then again here.'
'You think the rain is responding to Ruby's emotions.'
'Considering where they are, I'd say it's certain. Though, given how the sky also darkened, I think her mood is even worse.'
*WEISS: Great, now it's raining on just us. That's it! We're getting out of this nightmare! Alyx went to the tree, right? Let's go.
BLAKE: I don't think it's gonna work like that. In the book—
WEISS: We are not in a book!*
"Weissy," Nora chuckled, "Denying the truth won't help you."
Ilia leaned next to Sun, "Am I a bad person for enjoying seeing the Schnee losing her mind?"
Sun shrugged, "Not really. If she was actually getting hurt, then yeah, probably. But it's only fairytale land making her go nuts."
*And even if we were, we know how it ends: right over there! (pointing to the tree)
Weiss walks off towards the tree, and her teammates watch. They look to the opposite side of the clearing to see Weiss was walking in a loop. Weiss gasps and decides to quicken her pace. She goes in a loop one more time. Frustrated, she picks up a rock.*
Whitley took a sip of his grape juice.
*WEISS: Stupid tree!
Weiss throws the rock, but it just goes in a loop too and hits her head from behind, knocking her to the ground.*
It took all of Whitley's strength to hold the juice in and not spit it immediately into the back of Ren's head. His throat hurt as he struggled to swallow it instead. While most of the adults winced at Weiss being knocked to the ground, most of the students were just laughing.
"Damn," Emerald wheezed, "You think she knocked herself out?"
"Wouldn't surprise me!" Nora cackled.
"Damn," Qrow chuckled, "Hope your sister had her Aura engaged."
"I'd hope so! She's in an unfamiliar area, they should have their Auras up at all times."
*LITTLE: Yeah, already tried that earlier. You can't get any closer to the tree that way.
YANG: Well then, what do we do now? We got my arm, but we still don't have Crescent Rose or the slightest idea how to get out.
Weiss is in the background talking nonsense again.
TOY SOLDIER 02: (off screen) This way! Somebody's sad!
TOY SOLDIER 01: (off screen) I'd be sad too... if I ruined the royal birthday!
Weiss scoffs hearing them.
YANG: These guys again…*
"With Yang on this one," Sun stated, "Looks like we're about to have another fight."
"How did they find them so fast, though?" Ren questioned.
"Since they're residents of the Ever After," Saphron answered, "Perhaps they know how certain things work. If the rain is because someone is sad, and they were chasing team RWBY in the same direction, it's not hard to imagine they'd investigate."
Internally, she was wondering where Jaune was. He hadn't showed up yet, and she didn't want to know WHAT her brother was getting involved in.
*RUBY: (still looking down at Penny's sword) Blake? What did Alyx do next?
The rain starts to suddenly clear and the sky brightens again.
BLAKE: She... went to the Crimson Castle... and beat the Red King at his own game.
Suddenly, the Toy Soldiers hop out of the bushes, riding on horse sticks.
TOY SOLDIER 01: Hands up! You treasonous birthday ruiners!*
"Technically," Whitley rebuffed, rubbing his still sore throat, "They would only be treasonous if they had any loyalty to the Red King. Since they don't, then it's not really treason."
"Really?" Nora snarked at the grammar nerd.
"Hey, I'd rather focus on that than the HORSE STICKS!" Willow put a hand on Whitley's shoulder to calm him down.
"Sorry, mother."
"It's alright," she leaned closer to him, "I'm just as done with this fairy world as you are."
*YANG: (cocks her gauntlets, smiling) Okay.
The Toy Soldiers reel back in fear.
RUBY: (quietly) We want to go to the birthday party... (raising her voice, lifting her head up) We want to go to the birthday party! (stands up)*
"That would make sense," Ghira said, "Following Alyx's actions might seem like the best way back home. But, since we know this is after Alyx's adventure, the Red King will definitely not help them here."
"Yeeeeah," Tai grumbled, "I sense a big fight coming up."
*TOY SOLDIER 01: Well, too bad, because we're going to- (blinks in realization) Oh, yes…*
Nora and Sun chuckled.
"Kinda threw you for a loop there, eh, toy man?" Nora snarked.
*TOY SOLDIER 01: Ahem, that's where we're taking you! As prisoners! For stealing royal property!
RUBY: What if I offered you something better?
The soldiers look with intrigue.*
Most of the audience matched their curiosity. What could Ruby possibly offer them?
*RUBY: The weapon of a powerful warrior... (holds out and presents Penny's sword)*
"Ruby, what are you doing?!" Nora cried out, "You just started a war to get that sword back, and now you're giving it away so easily."
'This…isn't good.' Ozpin stated.
'You know what's going on?'
'I've seen it enough times. Ruby is not in the right state of mind.'
Pietro and Tai gave a brief glance to each other, remembering their talk about Ruby and Penny possibly being in love with each other. Both of them had the same thought.
'What is she doing?!'
*Team RWBY looks at their leader with shocked looks on their faces. The soldiers get up close to Penny's sword and look with awe.
TOY SOLDIERS: Oooh!
TOY SOLDIER 01: Go on…
RUBY: (looking down at the sword) Not just a powerful warrior, the most most powerful to ever lived. She was touched by magic, and she gave her life for thousands. She took a message of hope to the stars, and she saw the world through better eyes. (looking up) Take us to the royal birthday, and allow us to present this most precious gift.*
Most of the audience's eyes were gleaming with tears, while Pietro and Winter had tears going down their cheeks.
*TOY SOLDIER 01: (rubbing his eyes, still tearful) Yes... by royal decree! (takes the sword) Come on, men! You heard her! We got a birthday to celebrate!
The Toy Soldiers proceed to gallop on their horse sticks, saying "Hup, hup, hup" as they go.*
"So they'll be seeing the Red King," Raven stated, "Though, I'm not sure if Ruby's friends think the price is worth it."
"Are you telling me you wouldn't?" Winter retorted.
"Oh no, I would. But I'm not Ruby."
*BLAKE: Ruby, are you sure about this?
RUBY: Look, we may not know exactly what's going on, but for whatever reason, this place is putting us on a similar path as a book we all read as kids. I say we follow it. (starts walking) And stop pretending we know what we're doing…
The rest of Team RWBY all exchange confused glances at each other, before joining their leader and following the Toy Soldiers to their next destination: The Crimson Castle.*
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE: YES/NO
"Did…" Sun stated, "Did anyone else notice how…I don't know, dead, Ruby's words sounded."
Oscar turned his head to the side, listening to Ozpin's words.
"What does Ozpin say?" Winter questioned.
"He…he says that Ruby might just be done with everything. Before, Ruby could've found a way to not only get to the Red King, but also keep Penny's sword. She hoped for the best. Now, she's just going to throw it away without even considering a better plan. It's like she said 'Stop pretending we know what we're doing.'."
"Ruby's lost hope in herself." Kali replied, "I've seen that face on you, Ghira. When you decided to step down from the White Fang."
Ghira nodded. "I can only hope that Ruby's friends can notice what's happening."
Ozpin decided to borrow control at that point. "That's…Unlikely. I'm reminded of what I said to her back at Beacon. If Ruby isn't doing her best, then what reason does it give for others to follow her. She's…she's hurting, but she refuses to let anyone see it."
"And," Qrow added, "Since Yang and the others have only seen Ruby tough it out through their troubles, they might not realize what's going on until it's too late."
Ozpin nodded.
"I know we're talking about Ruby," Saphron exclaimed, "But, where is Jaune? If he fell, and I know that he knows about the fairy tale, then he'd probably do the same thing Ruby is doing. So…why haven't they met up?"
"Considering how big this place seems to be," Emerald replied, "We should be lucky that four of them landed in the same place. For all we know, Jaune could be on the complete opposite side of the Ever After," she then mumbled to herself, "Still can't believe they landed in an ACTUALLY fairy tale."
Saphron merely hugged her shoulders, to which Glynda and Qrow switched seats to Glynda could comfort the Arc sibling
"Let's," Ilia stated, "Let's just start the next episode. Maybe Jaune will show up there."
Author's Notes: I want to make something clear, while Pietro and Saphron were retconned into the story, Emerald was ALWAYS going to be added to the group after Episode 1.
As always, leave a review, fav/follow, and I'll see you all next time.