I'm back! Sorry for the 3 Week Hiatus!
Thank you guys so much for 100 favorites!
Also, like I said in my hiatus announcement (now deleted) - I said that I might not do the music chapter I teased. This would have been the case. At first, I just didn't feel it - the reactions fell flat and I couldn't find a way to have the music relate to the characters that felt satisfying to me. So I thought that I would just stick with scenes from shows/games/movies etc. However, the artist whose album I was going to do released a new album to begin the year. I listened to it, and I LOVED it. It was cohesive, it flowed well, and all of the songs were good. This brings me to this reaction, for the first reaction of the year - The 2022 Album Dawn FM! Not all of the songs, just some of my favorites. I'll include some interludes to show how the album is cohesive. That being said, don't expect the characters to analyse the album too much.
LISTEN TO DAWN FM BY THE WEEKND TO UNDERSTAND THE SONGS!
All of this being said, the reason as to why this chapter took so long to upload was because of an event that happened in New Year's. I ended up getting COVID to begin 2022. And it suuuuucked. The virus was kicking my ass, especially on the first day - which was New Year's. And I was already vaccinated! What a way to start off the new year! But anyways, that's over now, and I feel a lot better.
I DO NOT OWN RWBY OR ANY OF THE SOURCES THAT I WILL HAVE THE CHARACTERS REACT TO. That being said, all of that is implied since it's fanfiction. I ALSO DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE SONGS THAT ARE QUOTED IN THIS STORY. ALL OF THEM BELONG TO THE WEEKND, XO, AND REPUBLIC RECORDS.
After Hours til Dawn (103.5 DAWN FM)
"Different how?" Ozpin asked.
"Well, this viewing will not show one of your actors, or actresses in a role. Instead, it'll show one of them outside of it." Chrono clarified.
"How will that work?" Pyrrha questioned.
"Easy. You guys are going to listen to one of yourselves sing!"
Many pairs of eyes widened at Chrono's words.
"Seriously?"
"Why?"
"Man, it better be good…"
"Weiss! Maybe it's your actress!"
"Hm. That would be fun to see."
"It's not you." Chrono revealed. It's technically none of them but I'll just say it's one of them. He thought. [1]
"WHAT?"
"How about I just show you all?"
Chrono went down the cinema all the way to another room, and motioned for the audience to come follow him.
"Well this is weird…" Jaune commented.
"Yeah, I thought we're watching stuff!" Nora questioned.
"Not this time!"
Chrono led the entire group to a room that was spacious. All that was in the room was a single table that had a vinyl record player, a bunch of wires that connected the player to a bunch of speakers in the room, and a bunch of vinyl record covers that were shelved. It only showed the names. They were titled 'WEEKND ALBUMS'.
Yang read them out loud. "Beauty Behind the Madness, Starboy, My Dear Melancholy, After Hours…"
"All amazing records. Especially After Hours. But that's not the one we're listening to." [2]
Chrono held up one specific vinyl cover. It featured a glass stairway leading to a transparent skull/alien head amidst a background of the sky and clouds during a sunrise. Atop the record cover were the words 'dawn FM'. [3]
"Dawn FM?" Yang asked.
"That's the album name!" Chrono said. "Technically, Jaune's actor is singing this, by the way." The host lied.
Jaune perked up at the mention of his name. "No way! Seriously?"
"Seriously?" Weiss questioned. She had heard the blonde's singing during his attempts to woo her, and he was not impressed.
"Come on, Weiss - it's a different him, so he can't be that bad." Ruby reasoned with her partner.
"True…"
Chrono got out the vinyl and put it into the record. The entire group listened.
The initial song began out very quietly and got louder and louder.
This part, I do alone
I'll take my lead, I'll take my lead on this road
I need something (something) to hold (to hold)
Make me believe in make-believes
'Cause after the light, is it dark? Is it dark all alone?
All alone
"What does that mean?" Pyrrha asked.
"Don't ask me, I don't even know." Jaune replied. "Maybe it's just music that is meant for fun."
Most of the audience accepted that explanation. However, some like Pyrrha and Ozpin still kept an open mind just in case.
The music faded out and a radio host began to speak.
You are now listening to 103.5 Dawn FM
You've been in the dark for way too long
It's time to walk into the light
And accept your fate with open arms
"Fate? Ominous…." Ren said.
"More like dramatic." Weiss stated.
Scared? Don't worry
We'll be there to hold your hand and guide you through this painless transition
"Well now I'm scared!" Roman joked.
But what's the rush?
Just relax and enjoy another hour of commercial free yourself music on 103.5 Dawn FM
Stay tuned
Ozpin noticed the host's speech change slightly - with him saying 'free yourself' instead of 'free'. Hmm….that was weird…
103.5 Dawn FM!
"Wow, it's like an actual radio channel!" Ruby said excitedly.
"I guess that's why it's called Dawn FM." Blake replied.
A new song began, just like with a radio. It featured a lot of synth and had a retro sound.
I was born in a city
Where the winter nights don't ever sleep
So this life's always with me
The ice inside my veins will never bleed
My, ooh
My, ooh
"Oooh…this sounds like the music we had when we grew up! Right, hun?" Kali said to her husband. She began to move to the groove. [4]
Ghira, and many of the adults agreed.
"Yeah, this does sound like an old-school song." Qrow said, nodding his head to the beat.
Uh, every time you try to fix me
I know you'll never find that missing piece
When you cry and say you miss me
I lie and tell you that I'll never leave, but
I sacrificed (Sacrificed)
Your love for more of the night (Of the night)
I try to put up a fight (Up a fight)
Can't tie me down (Down)
I don't wanna sacrifice
For your love, I try
I don't wanna sacrifice
But I love my timе
My, ooh
My, ooh
"I don't know if I should be happy for you, or concerned." Weiss stated to Jaune.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Well, this song has you singing that you don't want to sacrifice any time to be with the girl you're in this relationship with."
Jaune agreed. "Yeah that sounds kinda bad."
"However, at the same time, if you don't wanna be tied down and compromise yourself, I can respect that." The huntress-in-training stated. She knew more than most about that type of stuff. To want to be one's self.
I hold you through the toughest parts
When you feel likе it's the end
'Cause life is still worth living
Yeah, this life is still worth living
"True. Life is always worth living, and protecting." Glynda commented.
I can break you down and pick you up
And f*ck like we are friends
But don't be catchin' feelings
Don't be out here catchin' feelings 'cause
Glynda blushed at the language used, even though she did like the music.
I sacrificed (Sacrificed)
Your love for more of the night (Of the night)
I try to put up a fight (Up a fight)
Can't tie me down (Down, down, down)
I don't wanna sacrifice
For your love, I try
I don't wanna sacrifice
But I love my time
I don't wanna sacrifice
For your love (Oh), I try
I don't wanna sacrifice
But I love my time (My, ooh)
Oh, baby
I hope you know that I, I tried
Oh, baby (Baby)
I hope you know I love my time, oh
I don't wanna sacrifice
I don't wanna, I try (Hey)
I don't wanna sacrifice
But I love my time
My, ooh
My, ooh
The song ended.
"Pretty solid song." Roman complimented. "Junior should play songs like that in his club." Yang found herself agreeing.
The same voice of the host came up once again and began to speak before playing a new track. [5]
That was the track 'Sacrifice'. And now, 'A Tale By Quincy'!.
A new voice that was much older took over - with a somber tone playing in the background.
That's it
Looking back now, I didn't know what it was supposed to be
And it's like raising kids, man
If you weren't raised, you don't know how to raise, you know?
I just did the best that I could with them because
They know f*ckin' well I love them
But I didn't do the best I could
I didn't know what the f*ck I was doing
I didn't
Taiyang nodded silently. He knew more than most parents on this type of stuff, especially when Raven left her, and Summer disappeared. The Branwen didn't show, but they were uncomfortable, and Raven especially glanced towards her former husband.
I will never forget watching my mother get put in a straightjacket
And taken out of my home when I was only seven years old
She was diagnosed with Dementia praecox and put in a mental institution
Leaving my daddy alone with me and my little brother Lloyd
"That got dark quickly…" Nora stated.
"Man, growing up without a mother…I can't imagine," Jaune added on.
Most of the audience were the same. Almost none of them had grown up without a mother. That is, except for a few.
Ilia thought back to not just her mother, but to both of her parents, and how they died in the mine accident. Sadness washed over her.
I latеr had an evil stepmother who furthеr cemented the idea that I didn't need a mother
Growing up without one had long lasting influence I didn't fully understand until much later in life
It bled into my relationships with family and those I had become romantically involved with
Whenever I got too close to a woman, I would cut her off
Part of that was vindictive and partially based on fear
But it was also totally subconscious
Looking back is a bitch, isn't it?
The voice gave a small chuckle before the speech ended.
"Yeah, it's a shame." Ironwood stated. "Many people end up with issues like that, where traumatic events can shape their relationships."
The general was able to see this in many soldiers under his command. Of course, it wasn't simply related to women, but to civilians - and the inability for both soldiers and civilians to understand each other.
A new song began, and it had a city pop oriented sound. [6]
The last few months, I've been workin' on me, baby
There's so much trauma in my life
I've been so cold to the ones who loved me, baby
I look back now and I realize
"So this song immediately relates to the previous one. Nice moment of self-awareness." Blake commented.
"Yeah, if only more people were self-aware like that." Sun replied - pointedly looking at Adam.
Adam glared back.
And I remember when I held you
You begged me with your drowning eyes to stay
And I regret I didn't tell you
Now I can't keep you from loving him
You made up your mind
"Wow. That's rough, buddy." Nora stated. She looked at Ren. She bit her lip. She hoped a similar situation wouldn't happen with her. Losing him to another girl. She wanted to get the courage to tell him how she left, but it was so hard…
Say I love you, girl, but I'm out of time
Say I'm there for you, but I'm out of time
Say that I'll care for you, but I'm out of time
Said I'm too late to make you mine, out of time (Ah)
"Out of Time…" many of the audience were singing that phrase by the third time it was sung.
"I love that tone that your actor is using, Jaune!" Velvet said. "What type of tone is that?"
Neptune replied. "It's Falsetto!" It's a male singing voice that's unusually high!" [6]
"Oh. Cool!"
If he mess up just a little
Baby, you know my line
If you don't trust him a little
Then come right back, girl, come right back
Give me one chance, just a little
Baby, I'll treat you right
And I'll love you like I shoulda loved you all the time
Tai heard the lyrics and chuckled. Qrow looked at him, and knew what he was thinking.
"Thinking about the good old days?" The Q of Team STRQ asked.
"Yep. I was just thinking of how these types of songs would have you build up the courage to ask girls out. I'd encourage you, even though I know you'd fail." Tai replied, laughing at the end.
Qrow grumbled. "You were always that like - seeing me fail, and laughing for your own amusement."
Tai chuckled. "Yeah, those were the days…"
And I remember when I held you (Held you, baby)
You begged me with your drowning eyes to stay (Never again, baby)
And I regret I didn't tell you (Hey)
Now I can't keep you from loving him
You made up your mind (Uh)
Say I love you, girl, but I'm out of time
Say I'm there for you, but I'm out of time (No)
Say that I'll care for you, but I'm out of time (Hey)
Said I'm too late to make you mine, out of time (Ah)
Ooh, singin', out of time
Said I had you to myself, but I'm out of time
Say that I'll care for you, but I'm out of time
But I'm too late to make you mine, out of time (Uh)
Out of time
Out of time
The music faded, and the host returned.
Don't you dare touch that dial
Because like the song says, you are out of time
There's that guy again…Ozpin thought. Is the radio station some type of metaphor?
You're almost there, but don't panic
There's still more music to come
Before you're completely engulfed in the blissful embrace of that little light you see
In the distance
The light…does it mean the afterlife? Ozpin questioned himself.
Soon you'll be healed, forgiven, and refreshed
Free from all trauma, pain, guilt, and shame
You may even forget your own name
But before you dwell in that house forever
Yeah…this is seeming more and more like a metaphor for the afterlife. Ozpin concluded in his mind.
Here's thirty minutes of easy listening to some slow tracks
On 103.5 Dawn FM
Dawn FM (Radio)
The host faded out and a new song began.
I know that you're hiding something from me
That's been close to your heart
"Oooh. Even MORE relationship problems!" Yang joked in a sing-song voice.
And I felt it creepin' up every day
Baby, right from the start
I know that look you give when we're fighting (Fighting)
We're fighting (Fighting)
'Cause I used to be the one who was lying (Lying)
Oh, lying (Lying)
Many eyes widened. "Wow, that's a lot of honesty." Yang admitted.
Oh, is there someone else or not?
'Cause I wanna keep you close
I don't wanna lose my spot
'Cause I need to know
If you're hurting him, or you're hurting me
If I ain't with you, I don't wanna be
Is there someone else or not?
Ooh, or not?
"Situations like that suck…" Blake said.
"Have you been in one like that before?" Weiss asked.
"No, but to have someone be disloyal - it can be a terrible experience." She replied.
Adam wanted to retort, thinking it was about him, but he held his tongue. She had her opinion, and he had his.
I don't deservе someone loyal to me
Don't you think I see?
And I don't want to bе a prisoner to who I used to be
Pyrrha frowned at the lyrics. She didn't like hearing the supposed voice of her partner degrade himself like that.
I swear I changed my ways for the better, the better
'Cause I wanna be with you forever, forever
Mercury scoffed. "That's what they all say."
Oh, is there someone else or not?
'Cause I wanna keep you close I don't wanna lose my spot
'Cause I need to know If you're hurting him, or you're hurting me
If I ain't with you, I don't wanna be
Is there someone else or not?
Ooh, or not?
Unbeknownst to the audience, the song seamlessly transitioned to the next track.
I only met you in my dreams before
When I was young and alone in the world
You were there when I needed someone
To call my girl
And now you're my reality
And I wanna feel you close
But you're defeated, baby
Broken, hurtin', suffering' from a shattered soul
Oh woah, a shattered soul
Oh, oh-oh
"So somehow he sees himself in her. He thinks they're both broken." Ren noted.
"Maybe that's why they're together. They bonded together over their trauma." Nora said, uncharacteristically serious for once. She was building up her courage.
Let me be there
Let me be there for your heart
Let me be there
I can be there 'til you're whole
You weren't touched by a man in so long
'Cause the last time, it was way too strong
Nora began to approach Ren, and was starting to reach out to him.
Let me be there
Let me be there for your heart
Let me love you
Let me love you like you need
And I'll make it
Make it my responsibility
I'll be there every step of the way, uh
I'll get you back on your feet
Let me love you
Let me love you like you need
She reached out.
And you can kick me
Kick me to the curb
It's okay, baby
Nora got distracted by the words. So did many others.
"What?"
"Woah, that sounds kind of wrong…"
"How is that okay?"
By the time she refocused, Ren went away to somewhere else, and the courage drained from her.
I promise that I felt worse
Back then, I was starry eyed
And now I'm so cynical
Baby, break me
Kick me to the curb
Ozpin frowned. It always pained him to see people become cynical. To lose hope. Hearing a person, supposedly his student, sing about how physical pain is less worse than losing his optimism was disheartening. But not unexpected. He'd seen it all before.
Oh woah
Mm-mm
The song ended. And a new one began. The new track was a lot more upbeat.
Remember I was your hero, yeah
I'd wear your heart like a symbol
I couldn't save you from my darkest truth of all
I know
I'll always be less than zero
Oh, yeah
You tried your best with me, I know
I couldn't face you with my darkest truth of all
Oh
Team RWBY and JNPR began to frown.
"You don't think of yourself like that, right?" Ruby said to Jaune.
"No, of course not!" Jaune said. It was not convincing.
Ruby went up to him, and stared at him.
"You're going to be a great huntsman. Always remember that. We're going to be the best two teams in the world!"
He took the words in. Jaune closed his eyes and nodded, before opening them again. "I know, Ruby, I know." I hope…
'Cause I can't get it out of my head
No, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed
I try to hide it, but I know you know me
I try to fight it, but I'd rather be free
Oh
"Man, this song sounds way too happy to have lyrics this sad…" Sun stated.
Oh yeah
Can we meet in the middle?
Oh yeah
'Cause you were just like me before
Now you'd rather leavе me
Than to watch me die in your arms, oh
"Damn…some dark imagery there. Sheesh." Neptune remarked.
But I can't gеt it out of my head
No, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed
I try to hide it, but I know you know me
I try to fight it, but I'd rather be free
Oh woah, oh
The vocals became faded, with an audience singing it in the distance from the mic.
(I can't get it out of my head)
(No, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed)
(I try)
(I try)
The main singer returned.
I can't get it out of my head
No, I can't shake this feeling that crawls in my bed
I try to hide it, but I know you know me
I try to fight it, but I'd rather be free
Yeah
I'll always be less than zero
You tried your best with me, I know
"That was sad…" Ruby noted.
The music faded, and the host returned, for the last time - with a melancholic beat.
You're tuned to Dawn FM
The middle of nowhere on your dial
So sit back and unpack
You may be here a while
Now that all future plans have been postponed
And it's time to look back on the things you thought you owned
Do you remember them well?
Were you high or just stoned?
"Who is this talking about?" Weiss questioned.
"Maybe it's just people in general." Blake replied.
And how many grudges did you take to your grave?
Adam looked at Blake, and all of the faunus in the room.
When you weren't liked or followed, how did you behave?
Was it often a dissonant chord you were strumming?
Were you ever in tune with the song life was humming?
"I don't think there's been a better asked question." Qrow remarked. The huntsman wondered if he ever was in tune with himself. Probably not, since his curse has managed to screw up most of his life.
If pain's living on when your body's long gone
And your phantom regret hasn't let it go yet
You may not have died in the way that you must
All specters are haunted by their own lack of trust
"Wait a second, what? Death?" Ruby asked.
"You didn't know, Ms Rose? The radio host is a metaphor for purgatory." Ozpin clarified.
"Oh my gods. This makes so much more sense now." Yang stated.
When you're all out of time, there's nothing but space
No hunting, no gathering, no nations, no race
And Heaven is closer than those tears on your face
When the purple rain falls, we're all bathed in its grace
Heaven's for those who let go of regret
And you have to wait here when you're not all there yet
"That seems so bleak…" Pyrrha pointed out.
The beat became more hopeful at this point.
But you could be there by the end of this song
Where The Weeknd's so good and he plays all week long
Bang a gong, get it on
"I'd like to hear more of this music." Sun stated. Neptune and the rest of Team SSSN agreed.
And if your broken heart's heavy when you step on the scale
You'll be lighter than air when they pull back the veil
"I guess going through the veil, to the afterlife, can heal anything. It can get rid of all the weight and pressure surrounding life." Tai stated.
"Yeah, because you'd be dead. You can't be hurt if you're dead." Raven replied.
Consider the flowers, they don't try to look right
They just open their petals and turn to the light
"Profound. You just have to be yourself and be comfortable with who you are sometimes, students." Glynda stated. "Sometimes, that's all that is needed to get past the darkness.
Are you listening real close? Heaven's not that, it's this
It's the depth of this moment, we don't reach for bliss
God knows life is chaos, but He made one thing true
You gotta unwind your mind, train your soul to align
And dance 'till you find that divine boogaloo
"Even at this point, there's still hope." Ozpin stated, a smile adorning his face.
"Yep, you just gotta find your divine boogaloo." Qrow joked. "The radio host seems like he was born to say that." [8]
In other words
You gotta be Heaven to see Heaven
"Truer words have never been spoken." Ironwood said. Many in the audience agreed with him.
May peace be with you
The last tune ended.
Chrono could tell that many in the audience had liked the music, and had thoughts on it. "So? Did you guys like it?" He was curious, especially since they technically did not listen to any version of themselves at all.
"Yeah!"
"The songs were nice!"
"It was kind of sad though!"
"I mean, it did get more hopeful at the end though."
"True…"
Many of the students and hunters in training had voiced their opinions immediately.
A lot of the others kept their opinions to themselves, but some of the people on Ozpin's side and Salem's side had differing viewpoints on what the songs meant. Especially regarding the whole afterlife part.
While Qrow had cracked a joke at the end, his mind was actually considering the message at the end. Train my soul to align….Summer always told me about this law….maybe I could look at my semblance differently. See it less as a curse and more of a solution…[9]
Meanwhile, Mercury considered the message to be absurd. The entire concept of finding one's self just like that was stupid. The world wouldn't allow that. However, that tale earlier had really irked him for some reason. That doesn't apply to me. He had mommy issues. Female issues. I didn't.
Somehow, that didn't seem to make the assassin feel better.
Emerald looked at Mercury and rolled her eyes. So unaware…
Adam was considering his purpose. He wanted to make the world a better place for faunus. Or am I just lying to myself? For the first time in a while, he felt unsure of his mission. And it all took was for an entity like Chrono to intervene.
Am I just holding a grudge? No…the humans did this to me….Adam thought as took off his mask and put his hand over his scar. Remembering and feeling the rough flesh over his eye made him more resolute, if only for a bit.
Unbeknownst to the White Fang Leader, Winter Schnee saw his scar and her eyes widened.
So people were right…why am I so shocked? She asked herself.
However, before she could further contemplate this new bit of information, Chrono spoke up.
"Alright. Let's go back to the cinema. It's time for a new universe to be shown."
And that's it for this chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it. This might be the only chapter that I'll do which is related to music, since the release of Dawn FM was the only reason I went through with this concept. Sorry if the reactions seem a bit lackluster, this was written in only a few hours. I won't list down the next chapter I'll do since I'm not sure if I'll post in a week. This is just to give you guys the chapter I said I would do.
[1] - I was going to have one of them be the singer - but I thought it'd be weird to sell one of the characters (Jaune) as a real life singer. So I just had it that Chrono lied to them. This works in-universe since he just wants them to listen to an artist, but he had to stay within the rules that the subject is technically one of them.
[2] - After Hours was the original album I was going to have them listen to - after all, that was what was said at the very bottom of the last chapter. That changed of course.
[3] - I don't really like the standard album cover all that much. I much prefer the alternate ones - preferably the one with the skull. It's also that cover so they don't realize that it's not Jaune.
[4] - The album is 80s-oriented. And since our society tends to be nostalgic over that era, I wouldn't be surprised if Remnant has a similar thing.
[5] - I added this part to make it more cohesive.
[6] - Out of Time samples Tomoko Aran's Midnight Pretenders! Both songs are great, and I hope the song ends up making city pop (a Japanese genre) more popular. I don't know what they say, but it slaps.
[7] - It's true. The Weeknd is amazing at it IMO.
[8] - I'm surprised Jim Carrey (he's the host btw for people who haven't listened to the album) has never uttered the words 'divine boogaloo' beforehand.
[9] - The Law of Attraction, the belief that we attract whatever we desire or expect. Basically, positive or negative thoughts bring positive or negative experiences into a person's life. I could see Qrow's semblance working like that, especially after that one scene in the Volume 8 finale.
AND NOW TO ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS/SUGGESTIONS FROM REVIEWS:
lownick67: I wouldn't mind doing a Genshin Universe reaction, there's just a problem. I'm somewhat busy, which is why I've only been doing reactions for stuff I already know. The Xenoblade chapter was an exception since the person who PM'd me gave me a transcript. So I probably won't do this any time soon. Sorry.
netapel: Saint's Row…that's a game I haven't thought of for a while. Just thinking about it makes me so nostalgic. I might do a reaction for that, but it'll probably be SR2 since that's my favorite game in the series - and the one I remember the most. The prologue mission for SR3 is pretty good though, I'll admit.
MaMcMu: While as of right now, I'll be mostly having the cast react to other games/series/shows - your examples might work with another type of reaction that I might do later in this fic. The plan is to have them react to comedy skits (think of SNL) where they appear in. It'll be an in-universe fic justification to show fanfics, and maybe one of your suggestions! I'll do a chapter with this method soon to hopefully show everybody how it'd work.
See you guys next time!