Volume 4, Chapter 4:
Yang: A fairytale you say? *shrugs* Not the most surprising.
Ruby: I knew this place is weird, but a fairy tale? I mean that's impossible.
Yang: Ruby, we've seen and done things that are beyond the impossible. So are we gonna just stand around thinking about this in silence? Or?...
Blake: We should move on. After all, you two seem to be missing...a few things hehe. Ruby's missing Crescent Rose and somehow you lost your arm.
Yang: YeP! Taken by a talking raccoon riding on a purple wagon filled with trash.
Blake tried to hold her laughter in which embarrassed Yang and looked away in annoyance. Ruby thought about all of this and tried to connect the dots as these details were starting to sound very familiar.
Ruby: As crazy as it sounds, something about this is familiar.
Blake: *eyes widened* The Girl Who Fell Through the World. I...I think we're in the Ever After!
Yang: That makes the theory of a pocket dimension more believable now. What we thought was make-believe worlds that we read as kids...turns out to be real after all.
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.
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...
Blake: *looks at the tree* The tree...
Yang: We have many options from here. Get to that tree, find Alyx, or my preferred idea, looking for my arm and Ruby's Crescent Rose.
Little: I'll bet the Jinxy Peddler has it. That's the only talking raccoon I know.
Blake: Looks like you got your wish Yang. Do you know where he might be?
Little: Of course! I'll lead the way right to-
And once again, Little falls asleep on the journey to the smile and chuckles of the three girls as they continue their way through the forest and towards the town where the Jinxy Peddler might be.
Blake: So, the town is just ahead. 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.
Yang: Well, yeah. But she was kind of a mean person, right? She lied and cheated her way through most of the book.
Blake: She was just trying to survive. The morals of those old stories are so simplistic. Either way, we need to tread lightly.
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.
Blake: *giggles* If Weiss was here, she would be throwing a fit.
Yang: It really doesn't feel complete without her huh?
Blake: It's always been Team RWBY together with the addition of the Doctor in recent things. You said that the Ever After could be a pocket dimension which could mean that time is going fast and slow at the same time.
Yang: Yeah...I'm having that worry too that what if for us it's slow but time has already passed by months or even years in Remnant.
Blake: Guess we'll have to find out the long way around. How did they manage to steal your arm anyway?
Yang: *sighs* 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.
Blake: Pfffffff *laughs and slides to her* So would you say they caught you unarmed? *Nudges her* How...disarming.
Blake and Yang shoved each other playfully, sharing a good laugh together as Blake went on to brush her fingers on Yang's hand right before Yang could return it by a mere inch. Ruby watched on with so many thoughts in her mind, not so good ones as well, but seeing her sister and Blake getting much together and opening themselves more just brought more memories of Penny. She only hoped that Penny was still out there and doing her best to help the others.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Penny on the other hand, watched the night sky rise again after a long day of rest and recovering. She continued to inspect the defibrillator that was keeping her alive until she heard some talking coming from Doctor Simm's room. The mysterious doctor had been keeping her safe and helping her recover while attending the rest of the patients as well. They looked creepy but it did break her heart to know what caused them to look like this.
She approached Doctor Simm's office and took a peek from the window to see him working at a table with different radios and antennas around. Penny knew he was trying to reach out for help but with communications down, there was no luck. But Doctor Simm never believed in giving up. She decided to knock on his door which caught his attention.
Doctor Simm: Ah, Miss Polendina! Come in! No need to knock either, you could just enter.
Penny: T-Thank you, Doctor...have you had any luck?
Doctor Simm: I'm afraid not, my dear. Even with all of the antennas I have displayed to hopefully boost the signal. But I will not quit. They say to never quit because eventually, you get there. How are you feeling, dear?
Penny: Slowly better by the day. Still...not used to this thing on my chest.
Doctor Simm: *sighs* I know it can be bothersome and a pain, but removing it or even damaging it could be very fatal for you. It was very hard work to perform the lifesaving operation on you, losing the defibrillator will kill you in seconds. Not trying to scare you, just trying to help.
Penny: And I appreciate it, really. How are the other patients?
Doctor Simm: Pain. The medications are...running out...I do not know where else to find them or what else to give them...
Penny felt the pain in Doctor Simm's raspy voice. She would take peek in the rooms where the patients would rest and their state were very critical. She noticed a bit of his skin showing from the glove and noticed his skin was very burnt.
Penny: D-Doctor Simm?
Doctor Simm: Yes, my dear.
Penny: You...you never told me what happened to you? I noticed your hand and-
Doctor Simm: Ah...Ahem, you weren't supposed to see that, my apologies.
Penny: N-No! I just...wanted to know if you were okay and if you have taken anything for yourself as well.
Doctor Simm only remained silent as Penny began to take her words back and did not mean to hurt his feelings. She was about to apologize until he slowly removed the hood from his coat. She gasped at the already painful sight despite him still keeping his mask on
Penny: *trembles* Oh...my...
Doctor Simm's state was just fatal as her and the patients for his entire head was completely charred. She felt like crying and throwing up at the same time. He then removed the glove to display his charred hand as well.
Doctor Simm: Like I said before, my dear; A doctor never leaves his patients behind, even when he goes through a fatal incident as well. I suffered third-degree burn on the night of the election. The night that began the fall of the kingdom and you were framed for it. When the Grimm attacked the city, I tried to bring people inside the hospital for safety but one of those...upgraded Grimm entered the hospital and caused havoc. Lives...were taken...and I knew I needed to act sooner before losing more lives. I risked myself by luring the creature outside of the hospital and approached a store that had helium tank. The Grimm came in touch with it, causing a massive explosion that killed it...and left me burnt completely...I truly believed I died...
Penny: *eyes widened* How did you even-
Doctor Simm: I ask myself that very same question. I guess you can call it fate. When I woke up, I was wrapped in bandages and in very much pain.
Penny: Your heart and spirit are filled with determination and care. These people matter to you so much. That's the fire to keep you alive.
Doctor Simm: *nods* Thank you, my dear, That truly means a lot especially from the protector of Atlas.
Penny: *looks down* I'm not a protector. I failed to save this kingdom...and my friends...*tears up*
Doctor Simm: It was not your fault. This was the General's doing, he betrayed us! He left us to die! You and your friends were doing everything to save us. We are in your debt, Miss Polendina.
More tears fell from Penny as she silently sobbed. It was still too much for her and now that she was human, the pain was unbearable. She relaxed herself before looking at Doctor Simm with a determined look.
Penny: Let me help you with retrieving more medications for the patients!
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Back in the Ever After, Team RBY walked past a bridge and notice the town ahead which meant they made it to where the Jinxy Peddler might be.
Blake: Just...act like you belong everybody.
Little: I've always wanted to be long, but I'm still just small.
Yang: *chuckles* They've got puns. Love it! *gasps* There it is!
The girls looked ahead to see a crowd of people in front of a stage with a banner on top that says "JINXY". Blake looked over and noticed a group of toy soldiers, to her concern. The crowd erupted as purple smoke surrounded the stage and out came that stealing raccoon known as Jinxy Peddler. Yang laid eyes on him and collided her fist together, wanting to smash the runt.
Yang: So what's the strategy? Just start roughin' him up or what?
Blake: In the book, Alyx had to barter with Jinxy for her dagger.
Yang: Yeeeaah, I think I'd rather hit him.
Jinxy: Welcome, one and all!
Blake: He...is a lot older than I remember from the book...
Jinxy: I am Jinxy, and these...are the finest treasures of the acre!
Jinxy displays three different items on stage to which it caught everyone's attention including Team RBY. A yellow scepter, a pink rabbit statue, and a green marionette doll which caught Ruby's eyes.
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.
Little: Okay...so, which one is Yang's arm?
Blake: What does your heart tell you? That's how Alyx knew.
Yang: I mean...that scepter looks-Wait! *Pulls out my Sonic Sunglasses and scans them* AH HA! I found it!
Ruby: There's...something about that one. *Points to the doll*
Yang: Maybe if I could scan it, it would- *eyes widened* What?...
Ruby: What is it?
Jinxy: First item! The diamond-studded rabbit! You! *Points to a townsperson*
Yang: 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.
Yang: What did Jinxy want from Alyx?
Blake: Her saddest memory... and her happiest.
Jinxy: Sold! For...a hug.
The raccoon and the volunteered person share a hug to which leads to it having the rabbit. Up next was Yang's arm disguised as a scepter and she was confident she's got this.
Yang: Maybe this won't be so bad after all.
Jinxy: Second item! A golden scepter! You!
Yang and Toy Soldier: ME! What?
Jinxy: The bidding starts at-
Yang: No! I was the first one to-
Jinxy: ...knowing...what it is to feel loved.
Yang fell silent and had no words she could come up with at the very moment. She's loved by her sister, their father, their uncle, her friends, but it wasn't the strongest that she needs and she could only think back to Summer Rose and Raven. One who died for her and the other left her...
Jinxy: SOLD!
Yang was brought back to reality and noticed the scepter being handed to the Toy Soldiers who were also signing a form for Jinxy.
Toy Soldier 01: Knowing what it's like to feel loved! By royal decree.
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.
Jinxy: Last item! The jade marionette!
Yang: We tried it your way, Blake. *Huffs and marches forward*
Blake: Yang-
Jinxy: You!
Blake and Yang turned back to where Jinxy was pointing towards and noticed Ruby with her hand raised up and stepped forward while continuing to look at the doll and feeling its familiar presence.
Yang: Ruby, what are you doing?
Jinxy: Bidding starts at...*pulls out an empty jar* Enough hope to fill this jar!
And suddenly that confidence in Ruby died immediately as she stood there silent and slowly dropping her hand. Unbeknownst to anyone, Little made her way to the stage and spotted the doll as she tried to pull it away.
Jinxy: Hm...You don't have enough, do ya? *Turns around* You! Why you little...! Leave that alone! You can't touch it until the deal is done!
Jinxy lunges towards Little as she moves out of the way and causes him to crash on the glass jar containing the doll. Things began to feel off as the doll disappeared in a puff of smoke and Ruby's eyes widened to see a familiar green sword. One that belong to Penny...
The other items began to appear in its true state as the rabbit ended up being a large cheese sprout with a mouse eating it. The scepter in the soldier's hand revealed to be Yang's prosthetic arm, causing him to scream and sends the arm flying.
Yang: I'm going for it! *Runs off*
Townsperson: It's a fake!
The crowd began to boo and shout at Jinxy for the scam while Yang went on to recover her arm back and having to deal with a few soldiers. Ruby approached the stage and gently grabbed Penny's sword. But there was one thing that trembled her heart, that left her in a bigger mess, a devastating mess...there was dried blood on some parts of the sword as Ruby held it close and sobbed at the thought of Penny.
Yang made a run for it with her arm in the air while Blake tried to get Ruby back into sense and make a run for it as well.
Yang: I got it!
Blake: Ruby, come on!
Ruby grabbed Little and made a run for it back to the forest with Blake and Yang. Tears were still falling from Ruby's eyes as the horrific thought came to her mind that something went wrong besides them falling...that maybe...
Penny was dead...but she wasn't...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Doctor Simm: No! Not gonna let you do that!
Penny: B-But... Doctor Simm!
Doctor Simm: My dear, you are in a very critical state and I cannot let you be in any more risk! We do not know what else could be in the fallen kingdom besides the flood. Grimm, Radioactive leaking, Cybermen!
Penny: I can find safe routes and if there is any radioactive energy around there, I'll prepare myself here with some gas masks and radioactive protective suit! These are your patients and you said it yourself, a doctor must never leave their patients!
Doctor Simm: Penny...I was barely able to save you from death...if something were to happen to you, I cannot save you this time! I will find another way to retrieve the medications for my patients until we finally get help.
Penny: But-
Doctor Simm: That is an order, Miss Polendina. End of the discussion.
Penny wanted to argue back but gave up with a defeated sigh. She looked out the window as snow began to slowly fall around the area. Doctor Simm made his leave from his office to check on the other patients as Penny waited to be sure he was gone before getting up and looking at the medications these patients receive. She was already planning on an idea to get to the city to find any remaining medications. She just needed to figure out a plan to sneak out of there...
It was now bedtime for all the patients as Doctor Simm made the final locks to the rooms before entering his office and closing the door for the night. Once the lock was heard from his office, Penny got up carefully and began her plan in motion. She brought out a pin and jammed through the door locks until she heard a familiar click which meant the door was now good to open.
Penny: Here goes nothing.
Penny quietly opens the door to her room and looked both ways to make sure she was all alone. The coast was clear and she quietly headed out of her room while closing the door carefully. She stopped for a moment as the light in Doctor Simm's office was still on for a few more seconds then turned off for the night. She then approached a closet room and opened it to find a pair of boots, warm leggings, and a large jacket but it would be enough to keep her warm. She also grabbed a gas mask and a radioactive detector.
Now that Penny was ready, she approached the front door of the base and took a deep breath for the risky mission she's about to put herself in but remembered that this was to still save the patients and keep them going. She slowly opened the door and was welcomed by a very cold breeze as Penny made her way out fast and closed the door. She finally made it outside and felt the freezing air of the blizzard.
Penny: So this is how it feels like. *Reaches my hand out* Wow...*looks down* I bet you would be really happy for me Ruby...
Wiping a small tear from her eye, Penny adjusts herself before looking at the fallen kingdom of Atlas which looked to be about 40 minutes away in walking. She wasn't a robot nor the Winter Maiden anymore so flying was immediately crossed off the suggestions. She took another deep breath and began her long journey to Atlas where she hoped to find enough medications and other resources to help the patients.
Unbeknownst to Penny however, a camera was live and detected her making her leave from the base. A figure watched in the darkness as Penny continued her way and the dark figure immediately got up as well and leaving the room.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Back in the Ever After, deep into the red forest, Team RBY stopped running for a moment to catch some air after the chaos that occurred at the town with the Jinxy Peddler and Toy Soldiers.
Yang: *pants* Those people...take auctions...very seriously. *Waves my prosthetic arm* High Five?
Blake: *grunts in frustration* We're doing the same thing Alyx did! We're ruining everything!
Yang: That's your biggest concern right now? *Reattaches my arm*
Blake: I've read so many stories. I never thought...I'd be the moral of one.
Yang sighed before looking over to her little sister and noticing the trembling state she's in. She approaches her and notices the blood stains on Penny's sword which worried Yang even more about what's on Ruby's mind.
Yang: Ruby?...
Ruby: I couldn't explain why, but I...I felt like she was here when I saw that doll...*sobs more* And now...
Dark clouds emerged at the red forest as it began to rain but none of that matters as both Blake and Yang tried to comfort Ruby and all hope that it wasn't the case where Penny died...
Yang: M-Maybe...it's not Penny...You said you heard Cinder screaming so maybe-
Blake: We can't lose focus. We have to stay positive and keep going. I'm sure that's what Penny would want for you to do right now.
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 or get to that tree without going on a loop.
Toy Soldier 02: This way! Somebody's sad!
Toy Soldier 01: I'd be sad too...if I ruined the royal birthday!
The voices of those toy soldiers emerged from the forest which irritated Yang as she wanted to punch the ever after out of them. The clouds began to disappear and the bright sky was emerging once again.
Yang: These guys again...
Ruby: Blake?...What did Alyx do next?
Blake: She...went to the Crimson Castle...and beat the Red King at his own game.
Toy Soldier 01: Hands up! You treasonous birthday ruiners!
Yang: *smirks* Okay! *Loads up my weapon*
Ruby: *stands up and approaches them* We want to go to the birthday party!
Toy Soldier 01: Well, too bad, because we're going to- Oh, yes...Ahem, that's where we're taking you! As prisoners! For stealing royal property!
Yang: That "royal property" was nothing more than my arm being disguised as a scepter and you wanna know how I found out? *Puts on my Sonic Sunglasses* With these babies right here, I can see everything you guys could never do! More advanced technology than you guys will ever manage.
That smirk and gloat from Yang came at a heavy cost as one of the toy soldiers snatched the Sonic Sunglasses from her and observed it before breaking it into two pieces, shattering Yang to pieces as well.
Yang: *gasps* DUDE! WHAT THE HELL! I'M GONNA RIP YOU-
Ruby: YANG, STOP! *Breathes and displays Penny's sword* What if I offered you something better? The weapon of a powerful warrior...
Toy Soldiers: Oooh!
Toy Soldier 01: Go on...
Ruby: 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. Take us to the royal birthday, and allow us to present this most precious gift.
The Toy Soldiers were in tears while Blake and Yang looked at Ruby with concerned. Whether Penny was still out there or dead, she was the only thing on Ruby's mind and the only motivation to keep her going to find the exit from the Ever After.
Toy Soldier 01: *sniffs* Yes...by royal decree! Come on, men! You heard her! We got a birthday to celebrate!
The Toy Soldiers immediately got up with their horse sticks and move forward with Team RBY behind them.
Yang: Those bastards are gonna pay for breaking my Sonic Sunglasses!
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. And STOP pretending we know what we're doing...
The attitude change in Ruby's voice brought more concern to Blake and Yang as they watched Ruby follow the toy soldiers before they started following as well. Darker and more complications await the girls and they were not going to expect it...especially for young Ruby Rose...
Near the ocean of the Ever After, at that exact spot where Ruby first woke up, it was all peaceful and quiet until electricity started to appear around there. The electricity grew and a strong wind began to blow as a white orb appears from out of nowhere. That white orb grew bigger and became a white portal. A portal to the Ever After...
And someone may have just happened to cross through and enter the Ever After...
