Volume 4, Chapter 9:
Weiss: It's so beautiful...but why is it blocked with temporal distortion?
Deep in the forests of the Ever After, just like Team RBY walked through, Weiss looked around and was in awe of how majestic and beautiful the Ever After looked so far. Hadn't it been for the Doctor, travelling across all of time and space with the TARDIS, seeing all sorts of creatures, she would have been going mad at all of this. But this is now her new normal life; Her focus is now to bring her friends back home then the realization dawned on her that they're going to want to know.
It's been a few weeks, months for her, since the fall of Atlas, Remnant is coming together now to face Salem, Ashad, the Grimm, and the Cybermen, Cinder is dead only to be resurrected as The Rani, Nora now being the Fall Maiden, Raven being there, Sora Azure who is the Summer Maiden but isn't who she says she is.
Weiss: Ugh...this is already hurting my head.
But one last thing came to mind and it was the one that stung her the most, Penny. She couldn't bear the pain of telling them what happened especially Ruby. All of that hard work and risks to get where they wanted with Penny and Atlas, just for it to fall apart in the end.
Weiss: *sighs* Ruby...I'm truly sorry...
She heard noises nearby with small chattering with put Weiss on high alert and activating her Sonic Myrtenaster. She stood there and waited for what was approaching her until her face dropped in utter confusion when a pair of toy soldiers appeared with horse sticks and one of them with a trumpet.
Toy Soldier: HALT! IN THE NAME OF THE ROYAL DECREE! YOU STAND IN THE MAJESTY'S PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Weiss: *deadpans* Great...*thinks and puts my weapon away* Okay, if I'm in private property, wouldn't that make me a criminal?
Toy Soldier: In the name of royal- Uh...does she?
Toy Soldier #2: *shrugs* I don't know. She's just standing there.
Weiss: You've got to be kidding me...*grunts and cuts down a tree* Whoops.
Toy Soldier: *gasps* SHE BROKE ONE OF HIS MAJESTY'S TREES! ARREST HER!
Weiss: Woooow, you guys are so late on everything.
This was perhaps the worst confrontation and arrest she's ever been through but at last, Weiss hoped that with this, she'll be taken to the Red King and hopefully she'll get some idea of where her friends might just be.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Inside the Red Castle, the girls were now surrounded by guards with the Red Prince in command inside of what appeared to be a game like room with the floor looking like chess board. Team RBY looked around with a bit of concern and confusion but Ruby stayed to the plan.
Red Prince: So, what exactly do you desire from me in exchange for playing my game? There's always a catch. *smirks*
Ruby: Your Majesty, you are as wise as you are...uh...small *smiles but cringes*
Red Prince: *gasps and giggles* Thank you! *bows*
Ruby: If we win, our only request is that you help us get to...the tree.
Red Prince: The tree? It's so...far away.
Ruby: That's uh...why we're asking.
Red Prince: Hmm...*thinks* If you win, I will help you with what you ask.
Ruby: *sighs in relief* Great! So, uh...how do we play?
Red Prince: Before I give you the rules, this game is unevenly matched. You need one more player to play. BRING HER IN!
Team RBY had some toy soldiers marching in and hupping with someone in the center but they still couldn't get a good look at them. As the toy soldiers stopped marching, they all moved aside and the girls gasped, eyes widened at who was the Red Prince's prisoner. Stepping out in front was none other than Weiss Schnee as she looked over and gasped with emotions at finally seeing her friends, her Beacon family.
Team RBY: WEISS!
Weiss: GIRLS!
Weiss ran at full speed towards them as the four girls share an emotional hug, finally being reunited at last. Weiss emotionally relieved to see her girls alive and here. It has been months for her since she last saw them and in the most gut-wrenching sight but now, that was gone. Team RWBY was finally back together.
Weiss: I knew it! I did! I knew you three were alive! We didn't lose hope one bit!
Ruby: Weiss...you-
Yang: Look so different...and in a good way!
Blake: It really suits you!
Weiss: Oh, this is nothing *chuckles* I'm just happy you three are okay!
Red Prince: AHEM! Rule one! Each player may move every pawn one space each turn.
In front of the girls and in between them and the Red Prince was a chessboard with chess pieces that come to life and are armed with swords and shields. Team RWBY with white chess pieces and the Red Prince with red chess pieces.
Red Prince: Rule Two! Whoever gets the most pawns to the other side of the board wins. Rule three! To take over a space, you must dispose of whoever occupies it.
Ruby: Dispose of? *Looks at the chess board* Ooooh boy...
Weiss: Ours look very worn out...just great.
Ruby: Okay...um...I think I'm missing some pawns...
Red Prince: Hmm...*smirks* How perfect that you brought along friends to play then...
The Red Prince snapped his fingers as a ray of dust speeds through and surrounds around Weiss before disappearing from sight, Blake was next as she was nowhere to be seen, and lastly, Yang disappearing which scared Ruby until the red dusts speeds by the chess board, dropping Weiss, Blake, and Yang there as they were now small just like the chess pieces.
Ruby: Weiss?! Yang?! Blake?!
Little: Now we're all Littles!
Yang: We're okay!...I think.
Blake: Ruby! The most important thing is winning this game!
White Pawn 01: What's wrong with them?
White Pawn 02: I dunno, they look stupid.
Weiss: *sighs* I guess these are our teammates. *Activates my Myrtenaster*
Ruby: No one's going to get hurt...right?
Red Prince: *smug* As I am a gracious ruler, the white team may go first. Begin!
The lights around the room go dark except for the single spotlight that shines on the game table. The game has begun and Ruby tries to think of her first move. The white chess pieces groan which annoyed the other girls. They also noticed the chess pieces of the Red Prince slightly bigger than theirs.
Ruby: Uh...*thinks and looks over* Can you advance one space forward please?
The white chess piece groaned as it only stepped forward and gave no effort as it got struck by the red chess piece. A stretcher appears next to the fallen white chess piece as it rolls overs and relaxes like paradise. Weiss facepalmed in annoyance, now wanting a turn at this and show them real skills.
Red Prince: *laughs* Victory for me!
Ruby: *sighs* Okay...How about you three? *Watches and winces in defeat* Okayyyyy then...*looks over at Weiss* Weiss, do you think you can take that space?
Weiss: *smirks* Say no more.
Weiss stepped forward and her eyes glowed yellow as everything around her slowed down and froze as she casually walked over to the red piece and gave a simple but crucial strike before walking back to her spot. In the eyes of everyone else, they didn't even see her move but only saw the red chess piece fall and be taken out. Weiss looks at the Red Prince and mockingly bows to him.
Little: WHOA! Go Weiss!
Red Prince: *scoffs* Beginner's luck. Doesn't bother me! So… tell me, why do you want to go to the tree?
Ruby: We want to go home, and we believe the tree can get us there. Yang, you're up!
Yang: All over it!
Yang gears up Ember Celica and lunges forward, kicking another red chess piece to the ground, and blasting it with multiple rounds. Yang gets back up and takes in the glory with the white chess pieces celebrating, Blake clapping then blowing a kiss to Yang, and pissing off the Red Prince which Yang stared at him and gave him a dirty smirk.
Red Prince: And how do you know this?
Ruby: Well, it...worked for someone we know. Uh...Blake, your turn!
Weiss: It's not as easy as it sounds.
Ruby: What do you mean?
Blake lunges forward with Gambol Shroud, wrapping itself around a red chess piece then bringing it towards her and firing her shot. More celebration came as Yang shouted in excitement for Blake which she turned around to hide her blush.
Weiss: Ruby, I didn't get here by falling. I got here by a portal, by luck to be more specific.
Ruby: A portal?
White Pawn 03: Hey, hey! What about us? What do you want us to do?
Ruby pointed forward as the remaining white chess pieces marched forward and took down a few of the red chess pieces which frustrated the Red Prince even more.
Red Prince: ENOUGH! It's my turn! ATTACK! Full speed ahead!
All the red team charges forward and clashed with the white team, leading to an all-out battle. Weiss grunted in frustration as she couldn't finish her explanation, so she levitated to the air in her Time Angel form and wiped out all of the red team with a single blast wave.
Red Prince: NO! This is not how it's supposed to go! This isn't right! This isn't fair! *Throws a tantrum*
Ruby: Weiss! What are you trying to say?
Weiss: I got here by a portal that was created by the Rani! The Doctor and I alongside Khan and the Summer Maiden tried to stop it but it got out of control and I jumped in because I felt your auras.
Ruby: *gasps* Doctor! Khan!
Yang: The Rani who now?
Blake: The Summer Maiden?
Weiss: *groans* The Rani is the Time Lord that is Cinder Fall!
Red Prince: Time Lord? *Panics and cries* TIME LORD! TIME LORD!
The Red Prince, the Toy Soldiers, and the chess pieces began to panic and scream in absolute fear of hearing that name. Team RWBY looked around in concern wondering how they know about what a Time Lord is and why they're having a terrible breakdown.
Yang: This is not normal...
Ruby: How do they even know what a Time Lord is?
Red Prince: TIME LORD! THE DRUMS! THE ENDLESS DRUMS WILL MARCH! HE'S COMING! *cries* I DON'T WANT HIM TO COME!
Team RWBY: WHO?
Red Prince: *looks up with a crack on my face* The Master...Our Lord and Master will be summoned...
Their eyes widened in horror at the horrifying revelation as to why they are reacting like this when they heard Time Lord. And now the girls wished they could take it back...
The Master was here in the Ever After...
Red Prince: *pants* You're...YOU! Wait...what type of creatures did you say you are again...?
Ruby: Well, uh...Blake is a Faunus, Little's a mouse, at least I think...
Little: Sure!
Ruby: And the rest of us are human?
Red Prince: Human...? HUMAN?! I KNEW IT! You must've cheated! *Launches the table*
Ruby: NO! *Speeds over and catches Weiss, Blake, and Yang* You guys okay?
Red Prince: ALL OF YOU! GET THEM! GET THEEEEEM! OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!
Turquoise Eyes: Your Majesty!
The Prince froze and turned around to be met with turquoise eyes before it truly revealed itself being a cat. It was no ordinary cat by its looks of distorted shapes with the colors of cyan blue and purple. A Curious cat you might say.
Curious Cat: Oh, you must be so distraught. *Licks my paw* Not able to do the one thing you were put on this acre to do. I understand. Surely you don't want to behead them, they are but fragile things without a head. If you get angry and break them, they might not ever come back...
Red Prince: Bu- bu- bu- but- it's my birthday! And they wouldn't let me-
Curious Cat: I know, Your Majesty, it truly isn't fair. You must play your game and win at any cost. It must hurt your heart. Let me help.
The mysterious cat places his paw on the chest of the Red Prince, giving him a bit of itself to the heart as the Red Prince sniffed and calmed himself but crossed his arms.
Red Prince: *sniffs* Fine! I won't behead them...BUT I NEVER WANT TO SEE THEM AGAIN!
Ruby: What about my friends? They're still tiny! And he promised he would-
Curious Cat: Promises are like birds, they taste great, but always escape. *Whispers to Ruby's ear* You should go, before he changes his mind...
As the toy soldiers tried to comfort the Red Prince, Ruby makes her way out, following the Curious Cat through this confusing maze-like hallway. She continues to run as she heard the guards chasing her until a small door appeared on the wall where the Curious Cat was and in she went as well just in the nick of time.
Ruby: *pants* I don't know how that went so wrong, but thank you for saving us.
Curious Cat: Good thing I dropped by the Prince's party when I did. I usually hate parties. How did you end up in his game anyway?
Blake: We wanted to speak to the Red King, but he wasn't there. And, now we're back to where we started.
Curious Cat: The King?! How did you know him? Well, time's changed, you know. And so do we when it's our time to change. Don't you?
Before Ruby could ask, a white flash appeared and covered the entire room until they were now back in the forest and with no sign of the Curious Cat.
Weiss: Looks like we made it back to the forest. What a relief.
Yang: Did you hear that? There was a Red King.
Blake: Right. But something's changed since then...
Weiss: It's like the book itself is changing or *thinks* The book was already a fixed point in the past and Alyx landed here before.
Yang: At this point, anything shouldn't be surprising to us. *Looks at Weiss* But, I think it's time we catch up.
Ruby: *puts Weiss, Blake, and Yang on a large plant then sits down* Weiss...how long...has it been...
Weiss: *sighs* Not much. It's only been a few weeks since the fall of Atlas but it's been months for me and the Doctor since we've been nonstop searching for you guys and Jaune. We didn't stop and get going further and further to every planet in the universe.
Blake: Wait, Jaune's here too?!
Weiss: There's a lot that needs to be talked through. Even though it's only been a few weeks, so much has already happened.
Ruby: Okay. We'll listen first, then we'll talk...
Weiss: Guess I'll start with what I mentioned in the red castle, The Rani. After you guys fell, we were able to hold Cinder down and defeat her. She was then in between a shootout between Dalek Khan and Ashad where she met her final fate...or so we thought. When Cinder died, the fob watch was opened and the Rani made her return...
Blake: So, Cinder is dead but the Rani is back...
Weiss: And she's not like Cinder at all. She may be less sadistic than Cinder but she's much smarter and clever. People were worried about the Doctor now that he had The Master and The Rani to face against.
Ruby: Yet, The Master is here in the Ever After...
Blake: The Red Prince and the Toy Soldiers reactions were enough for us...
Weiss: It would explain a lot because once Atlas fell, The Master went quiet.
Ruby: *sighs* What else has happened?
Weiss: This was more of recent news but Vale has been brought down completely. That's where Salem is, looking for the Relic of Choice which is a crown. The entire kingdom is supposedly infested with Grimm. Fortunately for us, The Doctor has the Relic of Choice inside the TARDIS.
Yang: Let's Go Doc! He's got Salem looking for a Where's Waldo situation.
Blake: What about the other Relics?
Weiss suddenly went quiet and didn't look at the girls which got them worried. Tears were slowly falling from her eyes which grew their worries even more.
Ruby: Weiss...
Weiss: I...The Relics were taken by Ashad...Everything happened so fast after you fell! No one couldn't come back from Vacuo to help...And Penny...She- She was wounded by Cinder. Jaune and I tried to help, but...she...she sacrificed herself...
Penny...
Her Penny...
Her friend. Her best friend. Her first love. Gone...
A cloud of heartbreak, guilt, pain, and darkness filled Ruby's mind until she felt light and collapsed to the ground completely...
Yang: RUBY?!
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Penny was not dead.
Penny was somehow alive.
It's been 2 weeks since she since woke up in this base with the heavy defibrillator on her chest that's been monitoring and helping her heart. She's remained not far from what was once the kingdom of Atlas, being taken care of by a severely wounded but strong doctor who's been treating his wounded patients. Penny was given access to help out Doctor Simm with patients and not just be in her room all day.
They had enough source for food, water, and medication for the time being until Doctor Simm would be able to get communication. She didn't lose hope but the pain of losing Ruby and her friends was the only hole in her heart that would never be fixed.
Doctor Simm: Miss Polendina?
Penny: Huh? What? Oh, sorry. I was in a train of thoughts.
For right now however, Penny just finished having dinner with Doctor Simm and had a concerning question in mind for him.
Doctor Simm: No problem, was it you wanted to talk about?
Penny: Oh! Right, your patients. I notice all your patients except me have those bags covering their entire heads. When do those bag things come off?
Doctor Simm: They don't.
Penny: They don't? Why?
Doctor Simm: I be very careful with these questions, my dear. Curiosity kills the Cat.
Penny: Again, sorry...
Doctor Simm: These patients aren't like you, my dear. Where it's your heart that was critically wounded. These patients...it was more than just their hearts.
Penny: Their bodies...
Doctor Simm: Just like me. That is why the medications were needed; It reduces the pain and any risks in their systems.
Penny: Is there anything else that can be done? Living like that...just doesn't feel like living at all.
Doctor Simm: With limited sources at the moment, not to mention operation like that would need to be advanced, it's very difficult.
Penny: It's...like the Cybermen but with emotions.
Doctor Simm: Ah, yes. Those Cybermen. Truly left a severe damage to the city, few of my coworkers went missing.
Penny: Have you had any luck with communications?
Doctor Simm: Still working on it. I have hope, even when it seems like it'll never happen, I'm not losing hope.
Penny: Don't. Keep going. I'll be here to help as well.
A small alarm rings through the office as Doctor Simm checks on the computer to see one of the patients in need of a refill in their water packet.
Doctor Simm: Looks like someone is still very thirsty.
Penny: I'll go work on it.
Penny leaves Doctor Simm's office while he goes back to work. She walks down to one of the patients rooms to see all the patients out cold except for the one who's tapping his keyboard for water.
Penny: Don't worry, I'll gladly fill up your water packet.
The figure stopped pressing its keyboard and looked up at Penny as she refilled the water packet and she connected it once again to the patient.
Penny: There we go! Allll better now!
The patient only stared at Penny which kinda made her feel a bit uncomfortable until the patient slowly moved its hand from the keyboard to the tab on top of the water packet, looking like it wanted to speak. Penny looked around, feeling a bit uncertain and thought of calling over Doctor Simm but her instincts thought what if it was very urgent for the patient and there wasn't going to be enough time.
Penny: Okay, hang on. *Slowly raises the volume* Is that what you wanted? Is there something else you would like? Do you need medication from Doctor Simm?
Suddenly, the name of Doctor Simm caused a bit of trigger as the patient began to aggressively tap on its keyboard. Three different words came out of it, disturbing Penny.
Patient: Liar. Liar. Liar. Liar.
Penny: *jumps back startled* W-What?!...
Patient: Don't. Trust. Don't. Trust. Don't. Trust. Killer. Killer. Killer.
This startled and bothered Penny even more as she quickly turned down the volume and made her leave while the patient watched her leave and tapped on its keyboard again, wanting for her to come back. It was trying to tell something. Something dark and eerie hiding in this base.
Back in her room, Penny took deep breaths and drank her medication to relax herself from that unsettling confrontation with that patient. After a few minutes of calming herself down, Penny looked outside the window as the night sky rose again. She watched the stars in amazement and remembered her father talking to her about the stars.
Her father...
Penny: *sniffs and wipes tears* Dad...
She hoped that he was okay and still out there. She couldn't imagine the reaction on his face when they reunite and he finds out she's now a real girl without tearing up. The excitement and emotional joy he would have, the heartwarming hug.
Penny: I miss you dad...I hope I can see you again very soon...I have hope. You're gonna be very happy to see the new and improved Penny Polendina.
As Penny continues to watch the stars, she imagined herself flying across the beautiful and mysterious colorful sky. Getting to feel that air, seeing all the stars and planets in the universe...
Penny: *sighs* I really missed on an opportunity to fly on the TARDIS. *Looks back at my door and thinks* Liar? Don't Trust? Killer? What were they trying to say?
Penny could only think and theorize what that patient was trying to say. Part of her believed that maybe it didn't trust her because of what happened in Mantle, the night of the Election and afterwards. Part of her believed it was something else. She'll think about it, whether to investigate or just leave it like that.
It was indeed a warning, not about her...a warning for her...
Back in the patients' room, the patient silently stood there, no longer reacting nor tapping its keyboard as footsteps approached it and stood there in front. Doctor Simm was the one standing in front of the patient and waited for a reaction but got nothing before flicking its head in mockery.
Doctor Simm: *scoffs* Another off-setting reaction before returning to vegetative state. *Looks at the others* The conversion will soon happen. The Exodus is nearby. Remnant will be taken by surprise. Soon. Very soon. *chuckles*
Doctor Simm looked back at the patient that confronted Penny, waiting one more time for a reaction but nothing came out of it, easing his concern that Penny would find out. He made his leave as the patient slowly lifted its head and looked over at Doctor Simm making his leave and closing the door for the night. It tapped on the keyboard once again and while its volume was muted, it continued to type. For when that time comes that Penny confronts the patient again, they'll be ready to give her the message.
Liar.
Don't. Trust.
Killer.
Danger.
Conversion.
Escape.
Run.
Save. Yourself.