Author's Note:
Rejoice ! another chapter has been finished
As always PMs are open and etc and hopefully next chapter is to your enjoyment as we all write this story
With our version of Volume 9
Next chapter It would be 1000% and Ruby vs Neo
Till next chapter, Apzeta and Bishop
[ Ever After – Deep in the Forest ]
A flicker of movement passed through the dense, crimson foliage ahead. The air was thick with tension, the Ever After's eerie silence only amplifying the moment.
Akira's eyes gleamed as he glanced at Peridot, who had already shifted into a battle-ready stance, her erratic smirk widening.
Akira: "Peridot."
Peridot, practically vibrating with anticipation, turned toward him.
Akira: "Go for a walk."
Peridot's smirk twisted into something wild and gleeful.
Peridot: "Hehe~! Roger that, Boss!"
Without hesitation, she shot forward, her movements unnaturally fluid—almost like a glitch in reality.
The leaves barely rustled as she moved at high speed, her sights locked onto the heat signature ahead—Neopolitan.
Sougo watched her go, raising an eyebrow.
Sougo: "You really let her loose like that?"
Akira: "She'll have her fun. Besides, it keeps things interesting."
Sougo sighed, shaking his head, but before he could respond, the space around them shimmered unnaturally.
A wave of multicolored light cascaded before them, bending and twisting reality itself—the Aurora Curtain.
Akira and Sougo didn't flinch as two figures stepped through the prismatic gateway.
The first was a man with a magenta coat, a camera slung around his neck, exuding an air of absolute nonchalance.
The second, dressed in blue, smirking as he twirled a card between his fingers.
Tsukasa Kadoya.
Daiki Kaito.
Tsukasa casually stuffed his hands into his pockets, his gaze locked onto Akira with that ever-present look of mild amusement.
Tsukasa: "Looks like you're still causing problems, huh?"
Akira met his gaze evenly.
Akira: "Takes one to know one."
Kaito chuckled, stepping forward.
Kaito: "We had an interesting conversation with your Fan club."
Akira tilted his head slightly.
Akira: "Jaune, Yang, Weiss, and Blake, I assume?"
Kaito: "Bingo."
Tsukasa crossed his arms.
Tsukasa: "Let's just say they're not too happy with you. Then again, when are they ever?"
Kaito, his smirk widening, continued.
Kaito: "Red walked out on them."
Akira's expression didn't shift, but Sougo noticed the slight narrowing of his eyes.
Akira: "...Ruby left them."
Kaito: "After a very heated argument."
Tsukasa studied Akira's face, waiting for a reaction.
But Akira merely exhaled, unimpressed.
Akira: "The Ark and I predicted that outcome already."
Tsukasa raised an eyebrow.
Tsukasa: "Of course you did."
Kaito: "So, what's next? More chaos?"
Akira's gaze sharpened.
Akira: "That depends. Can you bring in my allies?"
Tsukasa smirked.
Tsukasa: "You're lucky I'm in a good mood."
With a snap of his fingers, the Aurora Curtain widened once more.
From the shifting light, three figures stepped forward.
The first was a woman with striking red eyes and a presence that oozed confidence.
Her black leather jacket contrasted with the dark purple fabric of her dress, her black shorts barely visible underneath.
Her red-highlighted hair swayed as she took a step forward, looking directly at Akira.
Amethyst.
Amethyst: "Hah. You're still breathing."
Her voice was teasing, but there was a hint of relief beneath it.
The next figure to step through was a tall, lean Faunus with sharp reddish-brown eyes.
His gray hair was slightly disheveled, his lion-like tail flicking lazily behind him.
He adjusted the black coat over his red dress shirt, his demeanor oozing aggression.
Onyx.
Onyx: "This place is weird. But at least it's not a desert."
The last to emerge was a towering figure, his two black horns slanting back with a cybernetic implants.
His pinstriped suit gave him a sharp, composed look, but the faint smirk on his lips showed his usual smugness.
Adam.
Adam: "Vacuo was… underwhelming."
Amethyst chuckled.
Amethyst: "What, did you expect an empire? It's a desert."
Adam: "I expected a challenge."
Akira, watching them all, exhaled slightly.
Akira: "Took you long enough."
Amethyst smirked, stepping closer.
Amethyst: "Oh, don't be like that. We did something fun while you were gone."
She lifted a black briefcase and tossed it toward Akira, who caught it effortlessly.
Akira glanced down at the logo on the case.
Gold letters intertwined with circuitry-like designs.
Amethyst: "Remember how we… 'acquired' the SDC stocks?"
Akira's eyes flicked up.
Akira: "Yes."
Amethyst: "Well, I went ahead and made it official."
She grinned.
Amethyst: "Introducing 'ZAIA Enterprise.' and it's CEO: Kuruzu Akira"
Sougo raised an eyebrow.
Sougo: "ZAIA? That sounds familiar."
Akira's fingers tightened slightly around the briefcase.
Akira: "And this?"
Amethyst tapped the case with a teasing glint in her eyes.
Amethyst: "Our first Creation."
She leaned in slightly.
Amethyst: "Project 'Thouser.'"
The forest was silent.
Akira slowly exhaled.
Akira: "...Interesting."
Tsukasa smirked.
Tsukasa: "Well, this just got a lot more fun."
[ Small Time Skip: Ever After – More Deeper in the Forest ]
Akira silently studied the black briefcase in his hands.
The golden lettering of "ZAIA Enterprise" reflected faintly against the Ever After's eerie ambient light.
His crimson eyes flicked up to meet Amethyst's, who was smirking, pleased with her own handiwork.
Akira: "ZAIA ... a fitting name."
Amethyst: "I thought so. After all, we did seize control of the Schnee Dust Company's assets. Figured we might as well make something new out of it."
Onyx scoffed, arms crossed.
Onyx: "Less talking. Open it already."
Akira clicked open the latches, lifting the case's lid. Inside, a sleek, white belt sat nestled in black padding—its core golden with twin slots, one for a Progrisekey, the other for a Zetsumerisekey. The Thousandriver.
His fingers traced over the device. There was an elegance to it, a refinement compared to his current belt.
The Ark-Driver had been raw, built purely for destruction, an extension of malice itself.
But this… this was something different.
Akira: "The Thousandriver…"
He lifted it from the case, inspecting the details. The fusion mechanism, the irradiation molding beams—it was a weapon of calculated precision.
Unlike the Ark-Driver, this wasn't just about overwhelming power. It was about control.
Amethyst watched him closely, noting his interest.
Amethyst: "It's a refined system. A fusion of power."
Akira nodded, then slipped the Thousandriver into the inside pocket of his coat, securing it.
His focus then shifted to the two Progrisekeys still in the case.
The first had a golden exterior, its engraving depicting a Caucasus beetle, its name marked as "Amazing Caucasus." The moment he picked it up, it activated.
Amazing Caucasus Progrisekey: [ Breakhorn ! ]
The key automatically flipped open, revealing its Rider Model. The golden glow from its core flickered with power.
The second was darker, more ominous—black and golf with the image of a Arsinoitherium inscribed upon it.
Unlike the Caucasus key, this one could not be opened manually.
Akira: "Awaking Arsino Zetsumerisekey."
Akira held them both for a moment before shutting the case and passing it back to Amethyst.
Akira: "Hold onto this. I have no use for anything else in there."
Amethyst took the case but watched him curiously.
Amethyst: "And what about the relics?"
Without a word, Akira unhooked the chains that bound the Relic of Knowledge and Relic of Creation to him.
He held them out to Amethyst, who blinked in surprise.
Amethyst: "You're just handing them over?"
Akira: "The Lamp… I don't know how to use it. You figure it out."
She took them slowly, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
Amethyst: I could give it a try maybe theres something to trigger it.
Amethyst shot him a smirk before turning her attention to the Lamp of Knowledge, weighing it in her hands.
Akira turned away, his gaze shifting to Adam and Onyx.
Akira: "Are you both ready?"
Adam tilted his head slightly, red cybernetic eye gleaming.
Adam: "For?"
Akira: "Combat."
Adam's smirk widened.
Adam: "Always."
Onyx rolled his shoulders, his lion-like tail flicking behind him.
Onyx: "Who's the target?"
Akira's eyes narrowed slightly.
Akira: "A mute with illusion."
There was a brief silence before Adam let out a short laugh.
Adam: "Neopolitan? Hah. What, worried she'll stab you in the back?"
Akira: "She's an illusionist. A manipulator. If we underestimate her, she'll waste our time."
Onyx: "And?"
Akira: "We corner her, weaken her, after that we move to find Team RWBYJ."
At that, Sougo—who had been listening silently—finally spoke up.
Sougo: "And after that?"
Akira's expression didn't shift.
Akira: "We destroy the Ever After."
A stillness settled over the group. Even Tsukasa—who had remained detached throughout—seemed to raise an eyebrow at the statement.
Sougo: "So that's your plan ?"
Akira: "Yes. And after that, we return to Remnant."
There was something cold, absolute, about the way he said it.
Akira: "If we can beat Salem, we beat her. If we can't—"
His crimson eyes gleamed.
Akira: "—we burn Remnant to the ground and reset everything."
For a moment, the only sound was the distant rustling of Ever After's unnatural trees.
Then—
Tsukasa laughed.
Tsukasa: "Hah. You really are something else, Kuruzu Akira."
His tone was amused, but there was an edge of intrigue in his voice.
Kaito smirked, flipping one of his cards between his fingers.
Kaito: "I like it. No hesitation."
Sougo, however, furrowed his brows.
Sougo: "You're talking about destroying an entire world—no, two. Just like that?"
Akira turned toward him.
Akira: "You've reset time before, haven't you?"
Sougo stiffened slightly.
Akira: "So tell me, Sougo. Would you rather try to fix a broken world?"
His voice was low, sharp, unwavering.
Akira: "Or build a new one from the ashes?"
Sougo clenched his fists but didn't respond immediately.
Sougo: Fair enough just remember I will delete everyone's memories ok
Tsukasa smirked.
Tsukasa: "Heh. Now this is getting interesting."
Amethyst, still holding the relics, chuckled.
Amethyst: "So, we hunt the mute first?"
Akira nodded.
Akira: "Yes. Let's begin."
And with that, the hunt for Neopolitan had begun.
[ Meanwhile with Peridot and Neopolitan ]
[ Neo's perspective ]
Inside a dimly lit area, deep within the Ever After, Neopolitan found herself trapped, her multicolored eyes narrowing as she examined her surroundings.
The space was confined, the air thick with the faint hum of mechanical energy.
Across from her, standing with a cocky grin, was Peridot.
Peridot tilted her head, her green irises resembling camera shutters as she mockingly clapped her hands.
Peridot: "Aww, what's wrong, mute girl? No snarky comeback? No cheeky illusions? Oh, right—because you can't talk! Haha!"
Neo remained silent, her expression unreadable, but the tight clench of her fists betrayed her annoyance.
With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a set of clones, each wielding a parasol, their presence distorting like a mirage.
Beside them, several Jabberwalkers slithered forward, their glowing maws opening with an eerie hiss.
Peridot smirked, pulling out a strange, battered-looking transformation device—the Forceriser.
With a practiced motion, she attached it to her waist, the worn technology sparking slightly as it locked into place.
Forceriser: [ Forceriser! ]
Neo's gaze sharpened. She had seen it before, and she knew Peridot wasn't holding back.
The air around the android crackled with static as she retrieved a crimson Dodo Zetsumerisekey from her jacket and pressed the activation button.
Dodo Zetsumerisekey: [ Dodo! ]
Peridot gave Neo a devilish grin before slamming the Progrisekey into the Forceriser's slot.
With the Forceriser making its standby sound.
Peridot: "Let's see if you can keep up, ya glitchy ice cream cone."
She yanked down the Force Executor, forcing the transformation.
Forceriser: [ Forcerise! ]
Red lightning erupted around her, striking her body as black and crimson armor rapidly materialized.
The skeletal structure of the suit formed first, followed by the segmented plating that bolted onto her frame.
Red electricity surged through her Restraint Cables, locking the armor into place as her visor ignited in a bright, menacing orange glow.
Forceriser: [ Breakdown! ]
Peridot now stood fully transformed into the same armor Akira had once used against her
The avian-inspired armor pulsing with barely contained energy.
She reached to her back, drawing both Buaruku Sabers—twin blades that shimmered with crimson light.
She twirled them effortlessly before pointing one at Neo.
Peridot: "Alright, cupcake—square up!"
Neo smirked, vanishing in a blur as her clones rushed forward, their blades aiming for Peridot's joints.
The Jabberwalkers lunged, their monstrous claws reaching out to tear her apart.
Peridot laughed.
Peridot: "Cute trick. Try harder!"
With a single stomp, she unleashed a Discharge Feather—red lightning bursting from her armor, frying several clones instantly.
She parried an incoming blade with her left saber, then twisted her body, slashing through another clone before planting a powerful kick into a Jabberwalker, sending it flying into a nearby wall.
The impact caused the ground to crack, sending debris flying.
Neo used the chaos to reappear above Peridot, twirling her umbrella before attempting a downward strike.
Peridot's Dodo Beak sensor detected the attack instantly.
Without looking, she raised her right hand, catching Neo's weapon mid-swing with her hand.
Electricity surged through her palm, sending a violent shockwave up Neo's arm.
Neo gritted her teeth, phasing away before the full surge could hit, but Peridot was already in motion.
She twisted her sabers, slashing in rapid succession, forcing Neo onto the defensive.
Their weapons clashed in a flurry of sparks, each blow striking harder and faster.
Suddenly, Neo backflipped, summoning an illusion—dozens of copies of herself and the Jabberwalkers swarmed forward.
Peridot's Dodo Signal flickered. Her visor locked onto the real Neo within the mirage.
She grinned.
Peridot: "Nice try, dummy."
Peridot pushes in and out the Force Executor closing and reopening the Zetsumerisekey
Channeling energy into her sabers, she crossed them over her chest.
Forceriser: [ Zetsumetsu Dystopia! ]
She unleashed two massive red energy slashes, cutting through the illusions like paper.
The attack struck Neo mid-air, sending her crashing into the ground with a loud THUD!.
Peridot strode forward, rolling her shoulders.
Peridot: "Oof, that looked painful. Need a break? No? Good."
Neo struggled to her feet, glaring daggers at her opponent.
Her eyes flashed with fury as she summoned an even larger swarm of clones, each one armed with jagged daggers.
Peridot tilted her head.
Peridot: "Ohhh, round two? Heh, I like you."
She spun her blades, sparks crackling at their edges.
Peridot: "Let's dance, ice cream girl."
And with that, the battle raged on.
[ Elsewhere: Ruby ]
The night air was still, save for the hurried thump-thump-thump of Ruby's boots pounding against the damp earth.
She ran blindly through the darkened Origami Acre, her breath ragged, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Branches clawed at her cape as she pushed forward, her grip tightening around the battered Forceriser at her hip.
It felt wrong but correct in her hands—alien, yet familiar.
Something about it called to her, whispering through the hum of her own thoughts.
After what felt like forever, her legs finally gave out, forcing her to stumble against the trunk of a gnarled tree.
She collapsed to the ground, knees drawn to her chest, arms wrapped around them. The weight in her heart was suffocating.
Everything—everything—was falling apart.
Her friends didn't understand. They never did. They couldn't.
They talked about hope. About fighting for a better future. But what had that hope cost? Penny was gone.
The world was still burning. And she—Ruby Rose, the supposed leader, the supposed hero—was drowning in her own with no one to help her.
She stared down at the Forceriser, her fingers ghosting over its rough, industrial surface.
This was Akira's. He had used it to bring chaos.
And yet… he had survived.
He had thrived.
Something twisted in Ruby's chest.
A new emotion.
Something she never thought she'd feel.
A sick, dark comfort.
Her thumb hovered over the activation switch. Her breathing slowed. A single thought echoed in her mind.
Ruby: Why?
Why did he seem so certain? Why did his path make more sense than ours?
Her hands trembled. The device pulsed in her grip.
???: Do it.
The thought wasn't hers. It came from somewhere else.
???: You've already lost everything. What do you have left to prove?
Ruby clenched her teeth.
Ruby: No.
She shouldn't. She couldn't.
But then again… who was stopping her?
Her friends?
No.
They had already turned their backs on her.
She attached the Forceriser to herself.
Forceriser: [ Forceriser. ]
Sparks of crimson electricity licked at her fingers, crawling up her arms like burning veins.
The pain hit instantly.
Ruby gasped, her body arching as the surge of energy ripped through her muscles.
Every fiber of her being screamed in protest, but the longer she held on, the more… bearable it became.
The agony dulled, replaced by a slow, creeping numbness.
Her mind…
Her thoughts…
Something was changing.
Her vision blurred with a sea of red.
And then—
???: "Welcome back."
The voice slithered into her consciousness like oil, thick and suffocating.
Ruby's breath hitched. She knew that voice. She had heard it before.
The Ark.
The binary interface burned itself into her vision—an endless flood of red digits against a black void. It was as if she had been pulled into another plane entirely, separate from the Ever After, separate from reality itself.
The Ark's presence loomed over her, its words a cold caress against her mind.
Ark: "You resist. But why?"
Ruby's throat was dry. She forced herself to speak.
Ruby: "…I… I'm not like him."
A low chuckle rumbled through the abyss.
Ark: "Ah. You still cling to that delusion."
The numbers warped and twisted. Images flashed through Ruby's mind—memories she had tried so desperately to bury.
Weiss, turning her back.
Blake and Yang, whispering behind her.
Jaune, his gaze filled with disappointment.
Penny, her body crumbling to dust.
Everything. Everyone. Leaving her.
Her fingers curled into the dirt.
The Ark's voice softened, coaxing, laced with something almost gentle.
Ark: "You don't need them."
Ruby's breath came in short, shallow bursts.
Ark: "They never truly believed in you. They doubted you, abandoned you."
The words cut deep.
Too deep.
Ruby: "…Stop."
Ark: "Why? Because it hurts?"
The images shifted.
Akira, standing alone against the world fighting for everything for his existence but most importantly.
Surviving.
Ark: "You understand now, don't you?"
Ruby swallowed hard. The red haze pulsed around her.
Ruby: "…He wasn't wrong."
The realization fell from her lips before she could stop it.
Something inside her cracked.
The Ark's presence curled around her, satisfied.
Ark: "Good. Now… let me show you what you could become."
The interface glowed brighter. Malice swelled inside her chest, drowning out every lingering doubt.
And for the first time…
Ruby let it.
With Ruby seeing then hearing one more thing
???: Ark-Rose