Disclaimer: I do not own Mushoku Tensei nor RWBY. Obviously.
Small Warning: It's a bit angsty in this chapter. I promise it will only be this part though.
"You have a choice. Choose for yourself who could leave your burdens behind. Or choose one who would be enough to bear them."
How did it get to this?
Ruby used to be a girl full of wonder. Dreaming to be just like her mother–a slayer of giant monsters, baker of cookies, and a hero.
A hero.
What a grand delusion. Almost to the point where she could laugh at herself for having such a thought. Naturally, she still aspired to be a hero, but Ruby had no right to refer to herself as such in light of what had happened in Atlas.
There may have been thousands of innocent deaths. Given that Ambrosia's portals were situated near Remnant's most hazardous continent, the number is most likely still growing. In sharp contrast to Atlas, the residents of Vacuo were forced to flee their homes and seek safety there. Of course Cinder and Salem were probably wreaking havoc to who knows where.
Disaster after disaster. All with the helping hand of Ruby Rose.
She should have listened to her uncle, Ironwood, the AceOps, and everyone else simply more capable and experienced than she ever was. To turn against them is exactly what Salem would have desired. Ruby's naive optimism clouded her judgement. She lied to them in the belief that she knew better than anyone else, just like Ozpin had done to them.
For what purpose? A half-baked plan to "unite" Remnant in opposition to Salem? For that matter, the majority of people were unaware of her identity. She concluded that the idea that a young girl like her would pay attention to Ruby rather than the General of Atlas was completely stupid! In the first place, Ironwood intended to reveal Salem's existence and her capabilities. She took it and made it less impactful. She simply had to act like a "hero" in the hopes that the other members of Remnant would take her message seriously.
Who would have believed a seventeen-year-old girl?
Arriving in the Ever After has been quite the ordeal. That darn Curious Cat. Ruby should've seen it coming from a mile away and her gullibility once again got the best of her. Manipulated to doing his deeds and almost letting her body be taken over. A horrifying outcome.
If that didn't make matters worse, Neo also arrived in the Ever After. This whole time she somehow made the Jabberwockeez do her bidding at locating her and killing her. Her semblance evolved to a level where it made Emerald's semblance look like a joke. It didn't matter to Ruby anyway, her will to fight had left a while ago.
With that, she didn't expect Jaune to be in this place too. Being surprised to hear that he had also arrived and survived the entire situation. What it must have been like to wait decades for her and her team to arrive was beyond her comprehension. The consequences of loneliness were evidenced by her friend. He was a victim of Ruby's plan and most definitely didn't deserve that fate.
Her last conversation with Jaune ended badly. Ruby couldn't help but agree with the Rusted Knight's statement. She was always the focus! They got here because of her choices. Even if the majority of Atlesian people were safe, it didn't make her feel any better. Her poor decision-making demonstrated her selfishness.
She ended things terribly with her team as well, her friends, her sister. Ruby was honestly happy that she and Blake got together after who knows how long they were sending signals to each other. She just got caught up in the moment and all that pent up frustrations just exploded at everyone present there. They didn't deserve her lashings and they followed her. Such loyal teammates only to be given insults.
After everything they went through together, she pushed them all away.
Penny… Becoming an actual human only to sacrifice herself for the greater good tore Ruby's heart. She deserved a much longer life and happier one too. Ruby could've shown her how her homemade cookies tasted like. Watching her reactions of what it felt like to experience the weather changes. Losing her once was more than enough, losing her twice tore her heart.
Little. Her mouse friend. The last person who truly believed in her to the very end. They were honestly the most innocent person she has talked to, despite them being unreliable for directions for the most part. Little still believed in Ruby, almost like when she looked up to her mother.
Ironic how the last person who believed in her ended up losing their life.
She hated Remnant. The world was unfair and the situation between Ozpin and Salem was an unwinnable situation. No matter what, innocents would get caught up in between them.
Not wanting to care anymore, she drank the tea. Which led the young huntress to this decision.
"I… want to be someone who can have a fresh start. I want to redeem myself j-just..." Ruby stammered out.
The Blacksmith gave her a questioning look. "What do you mean?"
Taking a deep breath, she answered. "I don't know what to do anymore. I've caused more than enough damage to Remnant as is. Finding out that my mom had lied to me made me believe that everything I looked up to is also a lie, even though I wanted to be a hero like her. I made choices that resulted in the deaths of people. I fooled myself into believing that what I was doing was right, but in reality, it was just me being self-centered and acting out a role that I believed I could fulfill."
"Remnant would be better off without me."
Ruby was shocked to hear herself say this. It was true, but despite her best efforts, she was unable to improve the situation and instead made it worse. It sounded like she wanted to give up, she did.
The Blacksmith frowned slightly, almost to the look of pity. "You have gone through a greater ordeal than most people have experienced at such an age. What you're requesting though is beyond this place however."
Ruby stayed silent.
"You're expressing that you don't want to resume your duties as a different person or as yourself. Such a task is beyond the capabilities of The Ever After. After entering The Tree, beings have the option of returning to the world or waiting for the decision to be made regarding those who have already passed away. Unless…" The Blacksmith paused, she gave a look that was very new to her. Almost looked like someone surprised her for who knows how long she lived for.
The Blacksmith continued. "There might be a way, but you might come to regret it."
Ruby's head perked up. At this point, she'll take whatever it was.
"A moment." The Blacksmith conjured up her anvil and forge once again. Turning around, she slammed her hammer down with great vigor. Ruby watched curiously while wiping away her dry tears. For a few moments of the loud sound of metal striking metal repeatedly. The Blacksmith dropped the hot object into her slack tub, a sizzling sound emanating in the black void. The Blacksmith's tall and profound figure obscured the object she was making.
Turning around finally, the object she held in her hands was a perfect circle. What stood out the most of this object is the pure light it emitted. Not as bright as the sun, but glowing pure white. It was about as small as a dinner plate.
Being slightly awed by what the Blacksmith had made, she quickly shook her head to snap out of her stupor and focused her attention. "W-What's that?"
"A gateway. It is not from this world, and the route it takes does not lead to the Ever After, Remnant, or this universe as you humans like to refer to it. A doorway to a world that is totally distinct from this one." The Blacksmith finished.
Ruby's eyes widened at what the Blacksmith just said. A world completely different from Remnant itself. She had read up a bit on the possibility of finding other planets with intelligent life on it. No one on Remnant had the capability of achieving space flight though, so in turn funding for astrologists was quickly cut. To this extent though, she could hardly believe a portal to a different world, no universe being made in a mere matter of minutes was baffling.
To be honest, she should've expected this. Especially after the ordeal with the relics, Ever After, and magic gods.
Not saying a word, the Blacksmith took a step back for a moment. She threw the pure white object like a frisbee. It didn't go far though as it stopped momentarily in mid flight before it repositioned itself vertically and grew exponentially in size. It stopped as soon as it became wide enough for a person to fit through, more specifically it catered to Ruby's height. The pure white glow of the portal was still ever present, in fact it got a bit brighter.
Didn't the Blacksmith say she didn't have the power to do something like this?
"Didn't you say the Tree wasn't capable of this? Did you even try this before?" Ruby didn't want to be rude, but she couldn't help being curious and slightly nervous. She was still talking to a god after all.
"Well, young one, you're correct. The Tree isn't capable of this at all, but what it is capable of is being able to send others to where they're needed the most. Instead, I made the portal where you want to be the most. One's desire is just the thing that can overcome the limitation of The Tree."
That… didn't really make sense to her.
"You should know a few things however." The Blacksmith's face morphed into a serious expression. Ruby's blood turned ice cold. Although she just met the Blacksmith moments ago, she knew this expression was rare for her. Usually, her demeanor was mother-like. It became the complete opposite now.
"Your desire is the only reason this gateway is open. This means that the gate will permanently close after you pass through it. Not a single being can reopen it nor enter the world you travelled to. The Brother Gods, myself, not even The Tree can access the world you traversed to."
A one way ticket for her and her alone. Ruby couldn't help but be surprised there are some things that even gods can't accomplish.
"That's not all." The Blacksmith continued, "Once you pass through, your physical self will change. The location to which you will be transported and your new form in this new world are unknown to me. As much as I'd like to inform you on your new body and new world, it's out of my jurisdiction given it is only within your reach."
Now that was genuinely surprising. Absolutely no knowledge whatsoever on this new world she was about to start in? Kind of terrifying, but somehow… a little bit exciting?
The Blacksmith walked closer to Ruby, mechanical as her appearance. She tensed up at her approaching figure. The Blacksmith stopped with only a miniscule distance away from the huntress.
"I shall ask this one final time. Are you certain you want this?"
She wanted to restart, a new life where she could have a chance to redeem and help those in need. Remnant didn't want her anyway, she just could've caused more harm than good.
Despite wiping away her tears, Ruby's grief persists. What a messed up thing to say. What would Yang, her friends, and her father think? She didn't want to think about every possible way they might react. She made the choice, even though it was undoubtedly ugly. All she could hope for would be a fresh start.
Did she really want this? She was going to leave Yang, her uncle, her father, and her friends behind. She developed relationships with people only to have them deserted. They most likely believed Ruby was dead. She was most likely mentally as well as physically. Almost the same state. She could certainly patch things up with Blake, Weiss, Jaune, and Yang. But then, there was still no way out of the Ever After. They might as well all be dead because they might be stuck there for the rest of their lives.
She felt bad of course, but she just about had it. Breaking away from this world is what she wanted. One way or another, her skepticism on continuing on was on its last legs.
Terrible beliefs altogether, but being hesitant at a choice like this wasn't gonna get her anywhere.
It was her choice after all.
Wiping whatever tears she had on her face, she straightened up. Her resolve was clear on her face.
"Yes."
The Blacksmith's look softened. Now returning to that mother-like expression on her face, her mouth curving up slightly. She placed her mechanical hand on her shoulder.
"Very well, young one. I wish you nothing but the best in your new life."
She snatched the Blacksmith into a tight embrace very quickly. Being only half her height made it a little awkward.
The goddess was slightly taken aback by this action. Only returning the hug as well. Despite her mechanical appearance, the hug was very warm and gentle.
After a moment, they separated. "Now go, young Ruby. The portal will close soon, as soon as you step through it will close immediately." The Blacksmith said as she gave her motherly smile.
Ruby gave her a teary smile. She turned around slowly walking to the portal.
With one last deep breath, she steeled herself and stepped through it.
Darkness engulfed her being.
The portal closed as soon as she entered. The Blacksmith wondered where the little Rose ended up…
Zenith Greyrat was hoping it would be a quiet night. Thunder roared across the sky and village, accenting it was the downpour of a heavy summer rain.
It had only been a little more than two years since she had her first child Rudeus. Being a mother was quite the fulfilling job! Changing him into clothes, giving him baths, feeding him, the whole extra incantation!
However, Rudy was a unique boy. He cried very infrequently when being a baby. She remembered him crying only on the day of his birth. Being extremely quiet as well; most babies, according to Lillia, made jumbled noises when they were awake. The atmosphere around her child was mostly quiet, as if he was thinking.
Rudy tended to be quite vigorous when it came to breastfeeding though. He stopped acting that way after a while.
Her son began to walk at a younger age than usual. Recently, he began carrying that encyclopedia book, he didn't even know how to read yet. It seemed to Zenith that Rudy simply enjoyed looking at the photos. He was growing so quickly!
Rudy rarely went outside. A boy his age should be out playing and making friends instead of being cooped up in the house. It concerned Zenith for a bit, yes he was still too young to venture out in the small town but Buena village was relatively safe. There were of course a couple of monsters out and about, but that's only if someone happened to venture far away to the edge of the forest.
He just recently learned how to walk though. Plenty of time for him to get adjusted and socialize with the other village kids. It wasn't fair to him to have expectations on him already. Rudy is still a kid, he should do what he wants.
She understood what it's like to be harassed by relatives. Zenith would never hold Rudy to the same standards that they held her to.
Zenith was currently occupied with cleaning up after tonight's dinner. Meanwhile their family maid Lillia was finishing up cleaning the dishes. Dinner was exceptionally scrumptious tonight, it was roasted chicken with seasoned potatoes. For dessert, powdered biscuits.
Her husband Paul had to leave quickly after dinner. Something about returning Laws his weapon. Honestly that man… He should've at least brought his raincoat with him. Especially with this heavy rainfall. She'd definitely give him hell if he caught a cold!
Little Rudy as usual was looking in his book on the side. After cleaning up, Zenith figured to put him to bed soon.
The house was still being battered by thunderous rain. There were hardly any clouds in the area in the morning, and the torrential storm came on suddenly. Thankfully, their house was built more than well enough to withstand nature. Zenith still wasn't a fan of the audible thunder though.
The front door suddenly slammed open. The blaring sound of rain and thunder coming in full force interrupting the house's peaceful ambience.
Zenith snapped her head to the door. Lillia quickly stopped attending the dishes and rushed over to near the entrance. Meanwhile Rudy almost dropped his book, his eyes widening slightly.
It was her husband at the entrance. He was soaked from nearly head to toe from the rain. His hair completely dampened to the point where it was flat. She really should've told him to wear a damn rain coat!
Before she could berate him, Paul suddenly rushed towards her. Leaving the recently opened house entrance exposed.
It took her a minute to realize the expression on her husband's face. Concern written all over his eyes, mouth curled downwards into a frown.
She hadn't seen such an expression on him in a long time.
What caught her attention the most was the object he was carrying in both his arms.
It was wrapped up in a jacket of some kind. It took her a moment to process what was underneath but–.
A child.
"P-Paul, what's going–," Before she could question him, Paul quickly interrupted her.
"Zenith! Cast a healing spell immediately! I could barely hear her breathing, she could die at any second!"
She snapped out of her dazed reverie and turned her attention to the current circumstance. "Place her on the dining table. Shut the door and light the fire, Lillia." The redhead maid gave her a silent nod, her stoic face ever-present. She hurriedly shut the door and began gathering the fireplace's supplies.
Zenith turned to face her son, who was wearing a worried but slightly intrigued expression. "Please get as many clean towels as you can, my little Rudy." With a soft smile, she told him while kneeling.
"Y-Yes!" Rudy replied back while scurrying to grab the towels.
When Zenith turned around, her spouse had already set the child down on the table. He awkwardly put the decorations away, but it made no difference at this point. The child was wrapped in a cloth, which she did not take the time to unwrap.
A young girl. She might be a few months younger than Rudy, but she couldn't be older. Her wolf-specific beastfolk ears were what made her stand out alongside her damp but fluffy tail. The girl's hair was a distinctive shade of pure black with red highlights at the ends. It dropped to roughly shoulder length. Her attire was a little strange. She paired a white skirt with a short-sleeved blouse in pure black. She wore black boots with red accents on the laces and outsole, and black stockings underneath.
To top it all off, she had a big red hood with a cape attached to it.
Wounds and damage from venturing into labyrinths were nothing new to Zenith. When she was an adventurer, she had witnessed some of the worst. Fortunately, because the group she was with was so knowledgeable and experienced at the time, they did not suffer horrific outcomes from battle. Nevertheless, she had witnessed a few adventurers who tragically lost limbs or even their lives.
This girl made death look like a mercy.
Cuts were strewn all over her skin, almost as if she went through a storm made of blades. Lacerations were ever so present on her face, luckily none of them seemed to be deep enough to go past her eyelids. The young beastkin's breathing was haggard and disordered. Luckily, the girl didn't have to endure this agony because she passed out, but it didn't make things any better.
Rattling away her look of horror for a moment for this poor girl, she immediately started the incantation. The same words she used when Rudy fell down when he was a baby.
"Let this divine power be as satisfying nourishment, giving one who has lost their strength to rise again–Healing!"
Light shone from her hand, and it healed up some of the wounds.
Immediately, Zenith was once again shocked. Usually a healing spell of this caliber would dissipate all the wounds one had at once. For some reason, she wasn't completely healed! No matter, she'd try again and again.
Lillia quickly and not too prematurely lit the fireplace as she returned back with some medical supplies. Rudy also received towels, but they were piled high, making it challenging for him to walk. Even though he gathered the towels rather quickly, Zenith was grateful. Paul looked at his wife and the girl, he looked slightly relieved but still shaken up by this surprise guest at their home.
And so Rudeus, Lillia, and Paul saw Zenith performing a healing spell on the young girl. After all, she was the only healer in the village, but she was exceptionally talented at it.
The girl's wounds were all healed in a matter of seconds. Zenith had not felt this worn out since her adventuring days, and her face was dripping in sweat.
Lillia pulled out a chair for Zenith as soon as she nearly collapsed from exhaustion. She wiped her brow with her hands. Lillia quickly began using the towels Rudy brought and dried off the wolf beastkin.
After gathering herself for a moment, she tiredly turned to her husband. "Paul. Where did you find this girl? And explain to me how exactly this happened to her?"
Paul straightened up as he turned to Zenith, "Well, after I returned Laws' weapon, I was hurrying back here because of the sudden thunderstorm and all. Suddenly, a big bright light appeared!" Paul exclaimed with the gesture of his hands. Zenith paid attention attentively. Lillia may not have shown it due to her being occupied taking care of the young girl, but she was listening in as well. Rudy was still present watching the adults from the sidelines.
"At first, I thought lightning struck down next to me." Paul continued, "but I didn't hear anything from the strike."
Paul's face morphed into grimace, his brow wrinkling and his lips curved downwards to a frown. "I saw a white portal."
Zenith scowled. For good reason, teleportation magic was strictly forbidden. It was too dangerous. The majority of teleportation devices were destroyed following the Human-Demon War centuries ago. Most of them have vanished, though some still lurk in secret temples and other remote locations. The Teleportation Labyrinth, one of the world's most perilous labyrinths, was the only location with an absurd number of teleportation devices. Most fatal deaths are caused by teleportation alone.
To find a small little girl to come out of a portal was beyond them. Except for Rudeus who just looked simply perplexed.
Was she a poor child who had been conducted in an experiment? Zenith clenched her first in anger at the thought, but it could explain some things. Her injuries, the abrupt portal appearance, her somewhat odd clothes. Regardless, whether or not it could have a reason, putting a child through such a state angered her at her core.
Zenith looked on with concern as Paul began again. "I immediately readied my sword, but shortly after the appearance of the portal I saw the girl walking out of it. The portal closed fast when she went through, she immediately fell down to the ground afterwards. After seeing her wounds I rushed back here."
As Paul finished his recollection of the story, Zenith pondered. So many unanswered questions and not enough information to go by. Why was the girl teleported here of all places? Buena village wasn't exactly a place of importance. Sure, there were a large amount of crops being accumulated here, it was a good resting point for travelers before taking off into the city, but it still wasn't enough of a reason. If anything it'd make much more sense for her to be somewhere in the City of Roa.
It must've been by chance that she was teleported here.
Zenith was by no means a magic expert to a high degree, but she knew magic experts and the off hand of what some mages said. Teleportation magic took an obscene amount of mana to perform. Back when it was still permitted, most teleportation occurred on a convoluted system of magic circles and required possibly the most knowledgeable mages. Those mages weren't around anymore, due to the forbidden practice of such magic centuries ago. Majority of buildings which housed teleportation circles were destroyed as well.
The more she thought about it, the more questions were asked.
Lillia spoke up. Cutting Zenith off from her thoughts momentarily, "Lord Paul and Lady Zenith. I have finished drying off the girl. I suggest we place her down close by the fire before she catches a cold." The maid said with her face stoic as ever, but there was a slight concern in her voice.
"Very well. We can ask her what happened to her once she wakes up." Zenith suggested.
Lillia nodded as she carried the girl that was currently wrapped up in towels. The maid stopped for a moment then turned to look at Zenith and Paul.
"Lillia. Go ahead and place her in the guest room. After sustaining those injuries she'll need as much rest as possible." Zenith requested.
Lillia nodded and promptly left for a brief moment to place the mysterious girl in the guest room. The maid returned shortly after to reorganize and clean the living room arrangements.
Zenith sighed in relief for not only for the girl's wellbeing but for an end for what a busy night this has been.
She looked at her son, he almost succeeded in suppressing a yawn.
"Thank you for doing such a good job on getting those towels! I'm proud of you. Anyway, off to bed with you. It is way past your bedtime." Zenith eagerly kissed her son's forehead causing him to blush a little.
"Okay. Goodnight mother, father, and Miss Lillia." Rudeus nodded tiredly while rubbing his eye, he still had his oversized book in his arms. Groggily, he went to his room.
"Well, this was quite a night. I suggest we all head to bed. If she wakes up in the morning, I'll be the one to be there if she does." Zenith suggested.
Paul sighed in relief. Meanwhile Lillia bowed before heading off into her quarters, although Zenith could tell even her hardworking maid was tired after the ordeal as well.
They definitely needed to rest for what's to come.
A/N: Thank you for reading!
Well, here's a Mushoku Tensei and RWBY crossover! I'm somewhat surprised how little crossover fics MT has. In my opinion after reading the light novel, it has pretty good worldbuilding and magic system.
For now, this fic won't contain spoilers for the light novels. It'll most likely be awhile before, but I'll be sure to add a warning once the story gets to that point.
Apologies for the slight angst in this chapter. Considering the events of Volume 9, I feel like Ruby would feel somewhat that way. Especially knowing what drinking the tea would do to someone. The start was definitely the hardest part to write, I apologize once again if it seemed OOC for Ruby.
I have lots of plans for this fic. I decided to make Ruby a wolf beastkin too to shake things up a bit!
Originally this chapter was getting quite long, but the next chapter should be out pretty soon.
Please feel free to review and critique this fic. I'll always take it in stride to further improve my writing.
This fic is also uploaded to AO3.
Please take care and stay safe!