What Lies Within III

The sound of a pen being dripped was heard as a man in a dark coat sat at a desk with a candle acting as a light. He sighed and dropped the pen on the desk next to the book he had been writing.

"Finally." He said in a dramatic fashion. "Never thought it would be finished."

He marveled at the completed book now in front of him.

"And I still have to make at least six more incomplete copies." He rubbed his chin and sighed. "And then there's the new parts."

This was actually what caused him to spend much more time writing in the book.

"I have to admit, my little water droplet. You really surprised me here but I guess the blame can hardly be yours." He said as he flipped over a page.

On the next page was a drawing of a young woman with blue and eyes, kneeling down while holding a blue key shaped weapon on hand while blue cloths tied around her waist flapped around her, looking like tidal waves.

"Who knew a single moment in time could alter an entire history?" The man mused. "Brought on by seven little stars."

He flipped the page again to see what he had drawn next.

A girl with red and black hair, a cute smile and silver eyes her stature almost heroine like.

A girl with white hair and blue eyes dressed in white and acted much like a princess.

A stoic girl with long black hair and yellow eyes with cat ears on top, having a mysterious aura around her.

A girl with long beautiful blond hair and lilac eyes, sporting a cocky grin that showed a rather adventurous side.

A young farm boy with forest green eyes.

A blond haired boy holding a sword and shield with a nervous but heroic posture.

And a girl with brown and pink hair, holding a parasol over her shoulder in one hand while the other was placed on her hip, flashing a confident smile and her form screamed mischief.

Under each of them was a star drawn with colors matching to each of them.

Red

White

Black

Yellow

Green

Silver

And a mix of white, pink and brown

"Seven stars shining bright, falling deep into the depths of the night. Should they unite to fight or be overcome with hate, a choice to determine their world's fate." The man read what he had written down. "Ah, the sheer mind boggling frustrations of prophecies. And yet, all so true. A world ravaged by an endless cycle of betrayal and destruction and in one sheer moment of desperation they unintentionally woven the fate of their world with the fate of all worlds."

He flipped the page back over to the blue haired woman.

"And you, my little water droplet. You will be tested as much as they are in this. For a teacher must be willing to pass on their knowledge and their wisdom to all their students." The man said as he stood up.

He walked over to another table and on it where three swords, all of them shaped like keys.

"The Master Defender," The man touched the first one that resembled a basic key. "Meant to open the path to the Realm of Darkness."

"The Gazing Eye, even if it is not given an official name." Next was a Keyblade with black demonic wings and a face at the base it and sporting a blue eye and black slit pupil. "Able to show me the future and of what will happen. To ensure a future beyond all the darkness and destruction is still possible."

"And my final creation, Gungnir." The man beheld the final Keyblade he had created. "Made in response to the new world that I have seen. Meant to have a guardian to protect this new world from both light and darkness, until the end of days finally comes."

Xxx

CLASH-CLASH-CLASH!

In the forests of the Ever After, a pair of Keyblade clashed and sent sparks flying. Terra remained perfectly stationary, his arm and Keyblade moving too fast for the human eye to see while blocking the strikes by Neo.

While Neo was proficient with a Keyblade now, that didn't mean she planned on slacking off anytime soon.

So with Aqua off in her little time adventure, Terra had stepped up and decided to continue Neo's training.

CLANG!

So far it was going well.

Terra's status as a heart embodying a suit of armor allowed him to fight without any physical limits and his reflexes seemed to be even faster than when he was flesh and blood. Compared with his usual fighting that involved heavy hits Terra was more than a match for Neo who had to rely on her skillful agility just to keep up. Neo made quick strikes and slashes at Terra who easily blocked and immediately counter-attacked with powerful sweeping strikes that Neo hastily dodged, not bothering to block or parry.

She was smart enough to know that trying to block would be detrimental to her, considering Terra's virtually unlimited strength.

Neo liked to think she had made some progress since she had first been given her Keyblade but she was smart enough to know that compared to Terra and Aqua was still a rookie. She continued her training from her time as a student at Lady Browning's Preparatory for Girls with one of their teachers being a rogue Huntress, hence why Neo had been so skilled. She liked to think her Semblance had evolved too, having gone from an 'Overactive Imagination' as her mother liked to say and into something else.

Maybe having a Keyblade enhanced her Semblance as well.

"Excuse me?" Both wielders paused and turned to see Penny approaching. "Am I interrupting?"

Terra shook his head, lowering his Keyblade. "I think we're pretty much done for now. You needed something?"

"I would like to speak with Neopolitan if no one here minds." Penny answered, causing Neo to raise an eyebrow.

Outside of their encounters in Amity and in the Central Location, Neo doubted that Penny would much need to speak with her. Especially since first couple of times they met was when they were enemies.

So what would make Penny want to speak with her?

Terra dismissed his Keyblade, seeing no problem. "All right. I want to see how Aqua is doing."

He head back for the base of the tree, leaving Neo and Penny in the middle of the clearing.

Neo sighed and dismissed her Keyblade. "So what do you want?"

"You seem unsettled." Penny noted. "As if speaking with me makes you feel uneasy."

"We're not exactly on good terms. At least not enough for us to be speaking casually, I think." Neo shrugged. "So the fact that you suddenly want to talk to me makes me wonder what we could possibly have to discuss."

"Your journey in the Realm of Darkness." Penny answered, surprising the former criminal. "Drasil was not able to see what happened there because it's outside of the realms of the Brothers. So I do not know what happened either."

"And why would you want to know about that?" Neo placed one hand on her hip. "Worried I did something when we tried restoring Remnant?"

"Did you?" Penny asked simply.

Neo scoffed. "So that's what got you on edge. You doubt I didn't do something when Aqua wasn't looking."

"You entered the Realm of Darkness with Aqua and came back not just with a Keyblade but you also were able to speak." Penny pointed out. "That is enough to tell me a great deal happened."

"Maybe a lot of stuff did." Neo crossed her arms. "Doesn't mean I have to tell you."

"Not even to prevent a danger worse than Salem from destroying Remnant again?" Penny asked.

Neo had no argument for that.

"We know about Xehanort and we've already encountered a few of his followers." Penny stated. "So we know that they'll be back and Remnant will likely be in danger. You're the only one besides Aqua who knows what happened in the Realm of Darkness and what might be coming."

"And you would trust my word after the last couple of times we met?" Neo raised an eyebrow. "You could ask knighty about what's out there too."

"I did. Terra told me about what happened to him." Penny answered. "But he wasn't with you and Aqua at the time."

"So you got a good idea then." Neo turned away. "No need for my input."

"Talking about the past is rather hard for you, isn't it?" Penny questioned. "Especially if you're afraid it makes you feel vulnerable."

Neo threw a harsh look over her shoulder. "And you know this because you decided to look into…my past?"

"I do." Penny nodded. "I can look into all the possible timelines around Remnant, so I can even know your past Neopolitan…Or should I say Trivia Vanille?"

Neo spun around with a fierce glare and pointed one finger at Penny. "You get one pass."

"For what?" Penny tilted her head slightly.

"Let me be clear, tree girl. That girl is dead; she died in the fire that destroyed her home and the two worthless idiots who birthed her." Neo said harshly. "Actually she probably died long before that."

"And how can she be dead if you are standing right in front of me?" Penny asked, genuinely confused. "I can understand disassociating yourself with your past but how can you say-"

"Then I'll explain it to you in a way you can understand." Neo rudely her off. "I was not born Neopolitan. I became Neopolitan because that was everything Trivia wanted to be. Free to do whatever she wants."

"Including hurting and killing people?" Penny questioned with a frown.

Neo scoffed and rolled her eyes. "You trying to make me repent my wicked ways now too?"

"I am not but I confess even if I can see your past and every possible timeline revolving around it, I admit I do not understand you, Neopolitan. I cannot admit to understanding letting many people die while only one life can matter in your eyes, even if that one life was supposedly the only good thing you say he was." Penny remarked. "Not when another good thing came along and helped you when you needed it."

"You mean Aqua." Neo sighed.

"Yes. I have watched enough to understand she has started become important to you, even as important as Roman Torchwick was, even though you have not known each other that long." Penny stated.

"And what about Little Red and her friends inside you?" Neo narrowed her eyes. "Do they know my past now too?"

"They do." Penny nodded.

"Wonderful." Neo scoffed, rolled her eyes and turned around. "So why should I tell you anything after you went to showed them my life without my permission? Seems a little self-defeating to the whole purpose of wanting me to open up about my experience in the Realm of Darkness."

"Because they and I want to understand." Penny answered. "How does someone with virtually no regard for life end gaining a weapon as powerful as a Keyblade if it only allows for people with strong hearts to use it? Why would Aqua trust you that much if she knew about what you have done?"

"Is that what this is about?" Neo turned around. "Are they butt-hurt that I was able to get a Keyblade but they didn't? That I went to help bring back Remnant instead of them? Me, a supposed criminal and a psycho did all that instead of them?"

"As I said, I want to understand the threats that are out there. Threats worse than even Salem but I understand their feelings in the matter." Penny said honestly. "After all, you helped in the Fall of Beacon and later the Fall of Atlas which lead to me dying twice and all us, yourself included being stranded here to avenge someone who believed if he stayed loyal to Cinder the both of you would have been spared. Only now we all know that was a lie as Cinder would have discarded you either way, whether it was at Beacon or in Atlas."

Neo narrowed her eyes. "My actions do not need to be explained."

"I know them anyway, Neopolitan." Penny replied. "Remember I know your past. I know you treasured Roman Torchwick because he did the one thing not even your family ever did for you."

"Which is?" Neo turned away.

"He treated you like a human being." Penny stated. "He treated you that your eye color and lack of a voice back then didn't matter. He was your friend…maybe even something more to you."

Neo shut her eyes and her lips seemingly trembled. "And you expect me to open up just because you know? That I should be treated differently because of that?"

"No." Penny shook her head. "I am not sure anyone would forgive your actions even if they did know-"

"Good because I'm not looking forgiveness!" Neo barked, spinning around to glare at Penny. "I stopped believing in that hogwash long ago! The only thing that mattered was looking out for yourself and the few people that matter to you! Just take what you need to make a living and leave it at that, that's what Roman and I did! And that's something I will never apologize for!"

Penny watched as Neo turned and stomped off, not making any move to go after her.

Xxx

"Well that could have gone better."

That was all Yang could say after listening to Penny's conversation with Neo. When Penny showed the past of Neopolitan to them everybody was beyond stunned and beyond heartbroken with what they had seen.

And yet it made sense.

Ruby now understood why she said those things to her and why she hates huntsmen and huntresses like her. Neo's parents were abusive to her and bribed those that knew to turn a blind eye, including a former combat teacher who should have suspected Neo's abuse and reported it to the authorities. She felt nothing more than disgust towards the few so-called Huntsmen and Huntresses who didn't lift a finger to help, even though her uncle warned her about huntsmen and huntresses straying away from the path.

As much as she hated to admit it, Yang sympathized with the girl because this was beyond abandonment, this was absolute abuse. She was lucky enough to have a loving father and then Summer after Raven abandoned her not long after birth. She saw what Neo's mother was like and couldn't help but see similarities between her and Raven. An awful person who didn't care for her daughter's needs and was even an assassin that murdered people that were innocent or not, just like her own mother.

Blake thought her own kind had it rough but seeing Neo's abuse and tough times, not only lacking any family, she realized she was fortunate to have a loving family and that her parents always supported her, even when she was making the wrong choices. Roman had done for Neo what she had thought Adam had done for her, only Roman had been genuine in helping Neo, if that was even possible. No wonder Neo had gone above and beyond to seek revenge for his death.

Weiss was beyond sorry for this girl, even though she had been one of their most dangerous enemies. Neo had grown up in a home that was more of a prison and despite being with her parents she had nothing to begin with and was forced into things that she didn't want to do. She thought her father was awful but those parents were not just worse than human beings they were the scum of the earth.

Jaune realized how similar he was to Neo, given his own feelings for wanting to avenge Pyrrha's death. He could admit to feeling sorry for this girl and that her life was horrible and why she latched onto Roman. He may have run off to Beacon but he knew his parents still loved him along with his sisters. They never would have dreamed of treating him as badly as Neo's parents treated her and just because she was mute and had two eye colors.

For Brother's sakes, one of his sisters was deaf and they all learned sign language to help communicate with her!

Just what was so bad about not being able to speak or having two different eye colors?

Another one of his sisters had two eye colors from both their parents and there was nothing wrong with that.

At least no one in the Arc family say anything wrong with that.

"So this why she is the way she is now." Jaune said as the image of Neo meeting Roman and their beginning adventures faded away.

"Yes." Penny nodded. "On the night her parents died, Neo had cast aside her old name Trivia and embraced the identity of Neopolitan, the name she had for the 'friend' she had created with her Semblance. It was also the beginning of her bond with Roman Torchwick. About two years later, they would be recruited by Cinder in her plan to spread chaos through Vale and bring down Beacon."

After being shown her past, Ruby and the others were beginning to understand Neapolitan's hardship. It didn't absolve of her crimes but they understood her better now.

"Ruby, there is something else you should know." Penny looked to Ruby now. "That power you had…The one that helped stop Salem's Heartless. Do you remember when you first felt that power, during your battle with Neo?"

"Yeah, why?" Ruby answered and asked.

"From what I learned from Aqua and Terra, this power was awakened from what Neo told you about the Huntsmen and Huntresses that did not help her when she needed it. It seems to have awakened this power and even caused you to regain your drive and purpose." Penny spoke. "Before, you and the others were consumed by vengeance and grief."

Ruby along with sister and friends looked ashamed at the mention of that.

"And yet this power…According to Aqua, it is a power known as one seven pure hearts of light." Penny continued, surprising the group with what she had said. "It was able to destroy Salem's Heartless and I dare say that if that power combined with your Silver Eyes it would destroy Salem when she is reformed."

"Seven pure hearts of light?" Ruby muttered in surprise.

"Aqua and Terra told me that the seven hearts of light have the power to either expel darkness forever or open the door of darkness that would lead to Kingdom Hearts, the Heart of all worlds." Penny explained.

That was completely amazing for them to hear that. Ruby herself was stunned and speechless that she was now one of the seven pure hearts of light.

"Of course Terra and Aqua called the seven pure hearts of light, the seven Maidens of Heart…" Penny smiled. "Or even a Princess of Heart."

"Wha-WHA?!" Ruby gaped with her eyes now wide as dinner plates. "I can't be royalty!"

"It's just a title, Ruby." Penny giggled. "You don't have to literally be a princess to be a pure heart. Then again, you don't have to be a princess to marry a prince either but you'd still be called one."

"GAH-WAH-HUH?!" Ruby was now blushing as red a tomato as she stammered.

Yang on the other hand was actually laughing. "I think Penny's tooling you, Ruby."

"Wha-PENNY!" Ruby brought her hood over her face.

Penny simply giggled. "I thought I would try a little humor. I think I am getting the hang of it."

Ruby sighed, lifting her hood up. "Depends on the joke."

"I thought it was funny." Yang admitted with a smile before becoming serious. "Okay, so we know Neo's past and she is less happy about it than she usually is. She's not likely to open up anytime soon."

"Maybe the only way we can get to talk is in a way she understands." Blake spoke, causing everyone to look at her. "Penny, can we have a little run down of your powers?"

Xxx

SLASH!

CRASH!

Neo had gone off to train somewhere else after her heated discussion with Penny. It infuriated her to know that the former robot girl and her friends knew her past.

The past she had worked hard to forget and burry.

And now she expected her to be helpful after looking through her history without even consulting her?

Fat chance!

Just as she was about to slash down another tree, the sound of a shotgun was heard followed by a projectile shooting right at her. Neo spun and somersaulted out of the way in time.

BOOM!

The projectile blasted the very tree Neo was about to hit with her Keyblade and immediately fell over.

CRASH!

Neo's eyes widened when she saw who had fired at her.

"Hey there." Yang Xiao Long lowered her fist.

(Jeff William's I Burn Starts)

She then placed both fists behind her and both gauntlets fired, the recoil of which sent Yang shooting right at Neo who hastily spun out of the way as Yang aimed a fist at her head.

(Jeff William's I Burn Ends)

(Jeff Williams From Shadows Starts)

Neo followed up with a slash but to her shock Yang was immediately replaced by Blake who left a clone in her place, shooting up over Neo's head and delivering a kick to her face.

"GAH!" Neo's Aura took the hit but she still sailed back.

She managed to land on her feet and her head shot up, showing an angry look on her face. "You…"

"Me." Blake retorted before she shot at Neo.

Neo pointed her Keyblade at the incoming Blake. "Fire!"

From the tip of her Keyblade came a blast of fire that flew at Blake who then morphed into Weiss, surprising Neo. "Wha-"

(Jeff Williams From Shadows Ends)

(Jeff Williams Mirror Starts)

Weiss managed to catch the fireball with a black glyph that sent it flying back at Neo who yelped and jumped out of the way. However Weiss had already prepared for that as the arm of her Arma Gigas reached and grabbed Neo's foot, stopping her in mid-air and leaving her open to her own attack.

SHATTER!

Only for it to be revealed she had switched herself with an illusion.

Weiss narrowed her eyes as she carefully looked around for Neo, only for the illusionist to appear behind her and tried stabbing at her.

(Jeff Williams Mirror Ends)

(Jeff Williams Red Like Roses Starts)

However Weiss then morphed into Ruby who split herself into a dozen spiraling roses, appearing behind Neo and swung the blunt end of her Crescent Rose and hit Neo before she could react and was sent sailing through the air again.

Neo somersaulted and landed perfectly on the ground, casting an infuriated look at Ruby. "You!"

"Up for a rematch, Neo?" Ruby asked calmly.

"And what's in it for me?" Neo stood perfectly up. "You want to know what happened in the Realm of Darkness?"

"How about we make a bet here?" Ruby asked. "If you manage to knock us down once, no matter who is at the controls, we'll give up."

Neo paused as she considered the proposal. "And what are my stakes?"

"Every time we land a hit you have to answer a question." Ruby answered. "No matter what the question might be."

Neo was silent for a moment as she mulled over Ruby's proposal…and then smiled. "All right, Red. You have a deal."

"Really?" Ruby asked carefully.

"A chance to blow off some steam and have you and your friends as the perfect outlet with the odds in my favor? I see what you're doing here. You think I'll be more willing to talk if I let my anger out on you or whoever takes over." Neo shook her head but kept a dangerous smile. "A really obvious and cheap tactic to butter me up…Not bad. Just don't complain to me that I'm too hard to hit."

Ruby then morphed into Yang who grinned as she brought her fists together. "I don't think we'll have complaints…Considering we already got two hits in."

"You weren't the one who got a hit in. In fact you're the only one who has never got a hit in, Blondie." Neo taunted. "Funny, considering you like being armed and ready?"

Yang's eyes flared red and her hair blazed, knowing that Neo was making a crack at her arm which was now back.

"Oh yeah, looks like you got your arm back now? I got to know, were you a leftie before you originally lost it?" Neo asked with a taunting smile, noting the glare Yang was giving her. "Oh come on, Blondie. I thought you LOVED puns."

"Oh, this is going to be fun." Yang cracked her neck.

"For me." Neo held up her Keyblade.

They stared each other down for a moment as a leaf fell onto the ground…

And then both shot right at each other.

BOOM!

The battle between Team RWBY and Neopolitan began again but who would emerge victorious this time?

Xxx

Oscar's eyes widened when he saw Aqua enter the portal created by Heimdallr…but saw something.

It was for a brief second but he was sure he saw the Brother Gods on the other side of the portal.

"Oh no!"