Volume 4, Chapter 17:
Speeding through the forests with her semblance, Ruby Rose continues to run deep in the forest until the exhaustion starts to catch up to her which ultimately has her crashing onto a nearby tree. She gets up slowly, grunting in pain and gasping for air. From in her hood, Little came out a bit shaken but worried for their friend.
Little: Ruby? Ruby?
Ruby: Huh?
Little: What are you doing? Why did you shout at everyone like that?
Ruby: *looks around* Where...am I?
Little: It's okay! I can guide us back. You shouldn't run off though. You all need to stick together if you wanna go home.
Ruby: *sighs* Why are you still here?
Little: Uh...what? I promised.
Ruby: I promised to serve Atlas as a Huntress...That I'd keep people safe...That I'd be there for my friends...
Little: But, we can go back and-
Ruby: NO!
This startled Little as Ruby picked them up and place them on the ground before standing up and making her move once again in the deep forests.
Ruby: You don't know what I've done. What I couldn't do! I can't do this! I could never do this...If you stay with me, you're going to end up dead too...Just. Go. Home...
Little: But you're-
Ruby: I said GO!
Little yelped once again fear while Ruby could only carry an expression of distraught, anger, guilt, and fear. She ran deep in the forest before using her Semblance to disappear from sight while Little could only watch on with a heartbreak in their heart...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Ripped apart...
Fluids everywhere...
Slaughter...
The Doctor could only still watch in absolute shock at what was found at the old factory where the Cybermen signal was detected but it was instead a slaughterhouse with so many Cybermen and Cyber Grimm mauled and ripped apart...
It bothered him because he had no idea of what could be the cause of it and where it could be.
The Doctor: *thinks and looks over* What do you think?
The Rani: Grimm could not maul through these. Their claws and strength at maximum would leave a mark but not like this. This is something far worse and dangerous. Retract that statement, not something...someone.
The Doctor: The radio part is also an eerie connection to all of this.
The Rani: Yes, no rabid animal or alien would trap the mighty Cybermen, slaughter them, rip them apart while playing that eerie poetry.
The Doctor: You're suggesting that this was planned by someone very clever to...*realization* You don't think?...
The Rani: Well, who else would leave an eerie message written in Cyber fluids that's directed towards you?
The Doctor looks back at the recording and pauses at the moment he and the others looked up to see writing on the walls with the use of Cyber fluids as the words were written, "Our Game is Near Beginning, Doctor."
The Rani: These Cybermen weren't just ripped apart for predatory reasons. He came for Cybermen parts and no human has the knowledge or strength to pull something like that.
The Doctor: He's been quiet since the fall of Atlas and all this time he's been doing work beneath us...
The Rani: And if he is the one killing the Cybermen and taking away parts, he's trying to build something much more dangerous and horrifying.
The Doctor: He probably has already...and we just didn't see it...*looks at her* You know him much more than me. He believes I'm his Doctor like you believed at first; Has he ever created Cybermen?
The Rani: *scoffs* Watch out, young man. You are entering where the adults talk. *Drops the act* If there is one thing that I must admit about him, he's very clever. I may be an expert when it comes to weaponry, technology, experiments, science but him...he was an expert at everything just like the Doctor. One wanted to see the stars, the other wanted to burn them. He was a manipulative planner, that sick and twisted mind of his was both a gift and a curse.
The Doctor: I assume the curse is because of the drums?
The Rani: A for knowledge. But yes, imagine 24/7 with your mind being pounded by the beat of the drums, the heart of a time lord. The Master always tried to find ways to align himself with the enemies: Daleks, Cybermen, Autons, The Cheetah People. But for him to have interest in stealing Cybermen parts, that part is new.
The Doctor: Ashad should have known by now. Then again, he would think his army continues to be destroyed by the human race.
The Rani: You still believe the human race can actually beat them? At this point, it should be an oath that if you become the Doctor, you instantly believe in the human race.
The Doctor: I do and I always will. The human race can be such a strong species when they come together, when hope isn't lost, and when they are focused on wanting a future for them, their kids, their grandkids, for generations to come.
The Rani: *yawns* Same speech. Same motive. Two different Doctors. Oh my word, I'm really in a loop with the Doctor, no matter what universe I'm in.
The Doctor: *sighs then scoffs* You should have known it would go like this from the moment you opened yourself at a chance to change.
The Rani: And I can gladly take it back.
The Doctor: You see Rani, that's what I'm trying to teach you. You understand the universe, you see it and you grasp it, but you've never learned to live in it. That's what makes you different from Cinder Fall.
The Rani: Ugh! Don't bring up that fake.
The Doctor: Cinder never had a chance to change. She didn't know the universe like you did. She learned to live but she never saw the universe. You have and all you need to do is see more through your daily lives. After all,...this is your last chance as well...
The Rani: *looks at him then sighs* You know why I'm still taking this cupcake walk of your offer?
The Doctor: To see how it could fail? To wait for a moment to backstab me? To make a fool out of me?
The Rani: Because you admitted that your version of good isn't perfect. Matter of fact, you never mentioned it was perfect or it was a solid plan. You know very well your version of good has it flaws especially when there are only bad choices to choose. That is why I haven't walked away from this. The question now will be, what will happen when your friends find out about me?
The Doctor: I'll tell them truth. No secrets. No lies. Just the truth.
The Rani: And what is the truth?
The Doctor: I think you know it very well like I do.
The Rani only looked back at the young time lord in front of her. Reminded her so much of her Doctor but she hates to admit that she happened to like this Doctor more than hers. He was young, naive, clueless which could have been enough to fool him on doing her deeds but at the same time he was strong, sharp, intelligent, and smart. She had a feeling her Doctor would probably have not given her a second chance but for this Doctor...the fact that he offered it to her even after all that happened gave her butterflies in her stomach.
She exited the TARDIS as the Doctor disappeared a few seconds afterwards. She still wondered what he meant by what the was the truth he would tell the others.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Everything was still going smoothly and if there has been one thing Team RWBY and her other friends have taught her, always be prepared when things are going smooth. That was the case for Penny as she continues walking to unknown sections of the facility that she never knew about. She would have been a lost girl if it hadn't been for the covered-up patient that ended up revealing as Mercury Black.
Penny: You remember well where the ship could be. Does it...have to do when Doctor Simm bringing you here?
Mercury: *taps keyboard* Pain. Experiment. Torture.
Penny: I'm...really gutted and sorry to hear that...But...how did he even find you?
Mercury: *taps again* Blind. He didn't. We found him. A mistake we...I regret...
Penny: You said We at first
Mercury: Tyrian. Callows.
Penny looked back at him with a mix of confusion and fear remembering the figurine that resembled Tyrian a lot then finding out it was actually him. A lump in her throat grew just thinking about what could have happened.
Mercury: Elevator. Elevator.
Penny looked to where Mercury was pointing at exactly and to her surprise, there was an elevator right there. So many questions and concerns came to mind as she wondered how big this facility really was and why Doctor Simm never told her about it. She noticed it was still entirely functional and pressed the button as it opened.
Penny: Do you know which floor?
Mercury only nodded as the two walked in the elevator with the doors closing, heading to the floor with the hidden Atlas ship. At the same time they departed, a door from where they came from opened once again to reveal the two giant shadow figures looking around and slowly marching forward towards the elevator.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Yang: RUBY!
Jaune: RUBY! WHERE ARE YOU?
The search for Ruby was from the moment she ran away and there was a lot of heavy emotions behind everyone in finding her, especially Yang. They did not care how deep they were in the forests; they were doing everything to bring her back. From the skies above, Weiss landed back down to the others with a worrying expression as her wings disappeared.
Weiss: No sign of her. I flew as far as I could until the next section of the Ever After and nothing...
Yang: *sighs* DAMN IT! How can she just run off like that?!
Blake: She was clearly upset.
Yang: That wasn't upset! That was...UGH! She could've talked to us!
Weiss: Maybe she didn't feel like she could...Ruby has always been the one to get us through the hard times. We say things like "We believe in you", "We can count on you". I know we mean well, but...I've noticed her change throughout our journey here and every time I wanted to reach out to her, something goes off and I just couldn't reach to her...
Yang: It's not like we're asking her to be perfect.
Jacques: I hope none of you take this the wrong way...but she's certainly seems more younger than the four of you.
Blake: She...is...she's only 17...the youngest to attend Beacon and become a huntress...
Jacques: I feel sorry...for all of you...your world has been infested by darkness to the point that kids have to become warriors to fight and defend...I couldn't bare seeing my own children in battle...
Pyrrha: *thinks and looks at everyone* Maybe...that's why your friend...the Doctor. That's why he wants to stop all of this...because he wants No More...
Jaune: This...is all my fault...
Pyrrha: *looks at him* That's why he's doing all of this. He doesn't want to see more young people like all of you going through all of this!
Weiss: She's right...now I see...why the Herbalist told us the Doctor's fate...He doesn't even need to do any of this yet he is...
So much was on their minds, it was beyond what they could handle yet it feels like more thoughts pile up. Before anyone could move or say anything, a gust of wind breezes past them. They all look over and saw a dark section of the forest but it caught their attention.
Blake: What's over there?...
At that moment, a chilling noise was heard that echoed through the forest...a scream. But not just any ordinary scream...
Yang: Ruby...RUBY!
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Ruby continues walking through the forest as it begins to darken around her like it felt she's been waling for hours with no one in sight. All alone... All lost...
Until she saw glimmers of light not far from her which caught her attention picked up the pace to find out what it is. As she approached where the light was coming from, she was now in front of a colorful mansion. A mansion that looked like something of a theatrical play.
Ruby blinked and suddenly everything went pitch black for her until a spotlight shined above her and now, she was inside the mansion. Holding Crescent Rose in case of any surprises, she slowly walked around the mansion. There was no one in sight yet she felt she wasn't alone. Ruby continued to walk around until she spotted three different portraits hanging from a wall with one specific person in each of them...
Trivia Vanille or as everyone knows her by...Neopolitan...
The first portrait was of a young Neopolitan with her parents, the second being with Cinder Fall near Salem's throne, and the last one...a portrait of her dead parents on the ground with Neo standing above them and Roman Torchwick by her side...
Ruby: What is this?
Roman: Hello, Red!
Roman Torchwick was here!
Or so Ruby thought as she pulled out Crescent Rose as Roman came alive in the portrait, haunting Ruby as she remembers his final moments during the Fall of Beacon.
Roman: Been a while. How's the hero biz treatin' ya? I gotta say, you're not looking too good.
Ruby: H-How are you alive?! Where's Neo?
Roman: Yeesh, no manners. And after everyone came out to see you!
Roman raised his arms as the portraits disappeared and the lights shined bright across the room. Ruby had to get her view before looking over and her eyes widening in fear at the sight in front of her.
An entire table filled with the lives that are no more:
James Ironwood
Professor Ozpin
Professor Lionheart
Clover Ebi
Pyrrha Nikos, her Pyrrha from Remnant...
And Penny...her precious Penny...
Penny: *salutes* Salutations, Ruby!
Pyrrha: *waves* Hello again!
Ozpin: Miss Rose.
Ironwood: Why don't you take a seat?
Her heart was pounding, her lungs gasping for air, her eyes trying to hold the tears in. All the people that have died, few whose bloods are in her hands...
Ruby: How is she doing this? *Shakes my head* STOP IT! This isn't real!
Roman: Is it real? *Wacks her to the ground* You're the one following a talking cat around a fairy tale! *Jumps on the table* Then again, you are travelling with a man that defies reality. You should be used to it now.
Ruby: Stop...IT! *points Crescent Rose at Roman*
Roman: Y'know once Neo realized where she was, everything changed. Always loved the idea of a place to run away from it all. Do whatever you want. I offered that to her back on Remnant. But we all remember how that ended.
Ruby: Is that seriously what this is all about? You still blame me for what happened to Torchwick?! If you're looking for an apology, you've wasted your time!
Roman: Ooooooh Little Red, Little Red. They say everyone thinks they're the hero of their own story. But *stands up* I knew what I was. And deep down, I think you know you are too.
Roman spills out a teacup before pulling out a leaf. The leaf that belonged to the tree, similar to one used by the Herbalist as well which caught Ruby's attention.
Ruby: The leaves from the Tree?
Roman: Oh, you're familiar? How about a little reset?
Ruby: Is that what you want? Well, if you want me dead, then come get me!
Roman: *chuckles* You don't deserve to die, Red. You deserve to be broken down...Torn apart...wiped from existence.
Before Ruby could even sense it, she looked up to see Neo jumping over her and landing on the table followed by a surprise gunshot from Roman that strikes Ruby while everyone got up with red eyes and eerie smiles as they slowly left the table and began to approach Ruby while Neo and Roman watched on.
Roman: I'm gonna enjoy...
Everyone: Watching you break.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
After a few different floors, they made it to the fourth and final floor of this facility as the elevator doors opened with Penny and Mercury slowly walking out, being cautious of any surprises.
Penny: This is our last chance. We've come this far and everything has been smoothly for now.
As Penny stepped forward, she heard a horrifying noise of someone gasping for air as she looked back and noticed Mercury trying to rip open the bag that has covered his face.
Penny: S-Stop! You're gonna hurt yourself more! *Tries to grab his hands*
Mercury: *weakly and dry* I...am...already...dying...
Penny: Stop saying that! You are not going to die! We'll both escape, alert everyone, arrest Doctor Simm, and save the other patients!
Mercury: You...are...the only...one...
Penny: Only one what?
Mercury: That...isn't...converted...but...alive!
Despite his weak, dry, and gasping voice, Penny could understand perfectly and it pained her that it was going to come down to this. Mercury helped her see the truth and came all the way down to help her escape.
Penny: *tears fall* I'm...sorry...
Mercury: Don't...be...This...was my fate...from the start...I...chose this...I chose...to be...a bad guy...
Penny: We were all in battle that we didn't even think about helping you, questioning your choices, we could have prevented all of this!
Mercury: No...your...convincing...would have...not changed me...but I...can try...to do something right!...For the first...time...
Penny: *sniffs* Thank you...Mercury...I'll make sure to tell Emerald...that you saved me in your final act...
Mercury: She...deserves...better...and...I'm glad...Tell her...I said Don't...Cry for Me...
Penny: I will...I will.
The two continued to walk forward as they were close to finding the Atlas ship for Penny to escape. Unbeknownst to either of them, the elevator was moving...
And it was heading down there towards them once again...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Back at the tea party room, Ruby uses her Semblance to dodge the attacks from everyone while Neo and Roman watched on with joy. Pyrrha found an opening and launched her javelin right at Ruby, sending her crashing to the ground before getting confronted by both Pyrrha and Ironwood.
Ironwood: Who were you to think you knew what was best for Atlas?
Pyrrha: I was the best and brightest Beacon had to offer. But I traded my life so my friends could live!
Ruby tried to escape but was struck once again and crashes on the ground, bruised, beaten, broken, she didn't want to fight...she wanted to escape...but life was never fair to Ruby Rose...especially right now, seeing Penny right in front of her as the memories were flooding Ruby's mind.
Ruby: *sobs* Penny!...I-I'm...SOorry...
Penny: Just like you were too late to save me at the Vytal Festival...I died in Atlas too, didn't I? Can you imagine what that's like? To be completely and utterly failed... time and again...*kneels down to Ruby* by someone who meant the world to you...
Ruby: *sobs more and reaches for her* Penny...
Penny could only reach her hand out to Ruby while Ruby wanted to grab her hand but yet felt so far away...until Roman grabbed Ruby from behind and choke her while the young Huntress struggled to break free.
Roman: You ready for that drink yet?
Ruby found an opening and set herself free as she coughed and tried to breathe but get kneed to the face by Pyrrha, sending her across the room. Ruby was too shaken up, beyond focused, and just a body moving with her heart just shattered...
Pyrrha: How many more people are going to die because of YOU?!
Ruby: *gets up slowly* I...tried...to save everyone!
Only to be met with a gut-wrenching punch by Ironwood then slammed onto the wall as he tried to strangled her.
Ironwood: And yet with all your best intentions, Have you ever stopped to wonder if you'd done more harm than good?!
Ruby: It's...not...my FAULT!
Ironwood launches Ruby back to the floor and tried to use all her remaining strength to reach Crescent Rose, just to be attacked by Ozpin while everyone else was slowly approaching her.
Ozpin: How many more lives do you have to ruin before you realize you're not cut out to save anyone?!
Ruby: ENOUGH!
Ruby jumps over, grabs Crescent Rose, and finally strikes back. Except...she only hears gasps before she looked back, her red eyes widened once again as Crescent Rose didn't make impact with Ozpin...but with Oscar...
Oscar: *coughs out blood* Ruby...
Gone were those that were dead and instead was her own friends, her own sister, all standing there as Oscar collapsed onto the pool of blood while Ruby, shaken up in sheer horror, drops her weapon, and falls to her knees. The voices...climbing out and slowly dragging her to the darkness...
Roman: Do you really think you can stand to watch more of your friends fall?
Ruby: Please...stop...
Roman: Or are you ready to admit the truth? That the world would just be better off without you.
Was he right?
Was it perhaps time?
Why did she ever decide to become a huntress?
Her air was closing in as she struggled to breathe, her vision becoming blurry, her body becoming weak, her soul...slowly losing its light...
And all that was in front of her was the cup of tea with the leaf from the tree...
Ruby could only stare at the teacup with defeat yet the urge to take it and drink it while Neo watched on with a victorious smirk before hearing something behind her...
And a sudden blast sends her flying out of the mansion...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
It was dark and it was cold, it was long and it was risky, but alas, they unthinkable left Penny surprised at the sight of the Atlas ship right in front of them. The ship that was stolen by Mercury and Tyrian was now her ticket to escape this place and find help.
Penny: It really is here...
Mercury: Go...Now...Live...For Us...
Penny: *looks at him and hugs him* Thank you Mercury...and may the brothers forgive you and take you home.
Mercury: Goodbye...Penny...
Penny made her way to the Atlas ship and remembered the direct code given by Ironwood for all Atlas Soldiers, Ace-Ops, and her. She inserted the code as Access was granted and the door to the ship opens.
DING!...DONG!
Everything froze for Penny and Mercury...
For that wasn't the noise of the Atlas ship...
But for the elevator...
The doors opened as two tall figures marched their way out and started marching towards Penny. Mercury saw this and despite his fragile state and near death, he was not going down without fight.
Mercury: Goooooooo...
Penny: MERCURY! NO!
Mercury approached the two figures and used the medical monitor that all patients have to walk as a weapon. He was able to hold them down but not for long. Mercury looked back at Penny who wanted to go and help him but he only shook his head at her.
Mercury: GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
His voice echoed the room as Penny was left startled by this and tears falling from her eyes before jumping onto the ship. She made her way to the pilot center until-
Doctor Simm: BOO!
Penny screamed and tumbled back, rolling and crashing out of the ship, as the sharp pain returns to her chest, letting out a painful cry as Doctor Simm slowly made his way out of the ship.
Doctor Simm: My dear Penny...it didn't have to go this way. But you let yourself fall into HIS hands.
Penny could only look over and see the two tall figures stomping and beating the fragile Mercury Black as Doctor Simm slowly walks towards them.
Penny: Stop...*screams in pain* STOOOOP!
Doctor Simm: Pick him up. *Looks down at him* Oh Mercury...rebellious to the end, I see. You should have learned from what happened to Tyrian, to your surgery.
Mercury: You...won't...get...away...Arthur Watts...
Penny eyes widened in horror as if everything around her froze. Darkness surrounded her vision as the realization hit her hard...
There was no Doctor Simm...
For Doctor Simm was Arthur Watts this whole time...
She had been in his "care", she grew to trust him, to believe he was actually healing her but it was all a lie...
The charred doctor only looked at Mercury before a smirk appeared. Gone was the energetic doctor that was focused on helping his patients that Penny believed and now he was back to his true self.
Arthur Watts: And who's going to stop me? Certainly not you.
Penny: MERCURY!
Arthur Watts: Because you're already dead, Mercury.
In a blink of an eye, Mercury Black disappeared from plain sight, horrifying Penny as she was able to see that mere second that Mercury was there and disappeared...
As Mercury had now been shrunk to the same figurine size as Tyrian Callows and Arthur Watts picked it up like it was a lost item. He held the figurine high for Penny to see as her eyes watered in sadness and fear. She slowly tried to regain her strength and crawl onto the ship.
Arthur Watts: Grab her. It's time.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Ruby?...
She heard a voice calling to her...
Ruuuuby?...
It was getting clearer as she slowly opened her eyes, only to be met with the eyes of the Curious Cat.
Curious Cat: It's all right, Ruby. It's over now.
Ruby: I...I'm sorry...*covers my face and sobs* I don't want to be me anymore...
Curious Cat: It's okay, little Huntress...You did your best to the end. *Jumps onto Ruby's torso* I can be you instead...*chuckles* I have been trying to wear you down for so long!
Ruby's alert sense instantly activated as the realization hit her just as a heavy, sharp pain came on her chest as the Curious Cat was trying to phase their paws.
Ruby: What are you...doing?! *Screams more*
Curious Cat: My purpose. When a poor little heart is broken, I can fill it with mine...LIES! I'm afraid I haven't been entirely honest with you, Ruby.
Ruby: No!
Curious Cat: I'm not like the other Afterans here. I'm not even an Afteran, I'm cursed with curiosity. I was given this body BY THEM! But not a problem for me...I found myself a new body and I. WILL. RETURN.
Ruby felt herself slowly being erased as the Curious Cat continues its torturous experiment on her before the Cat senses someone and looks over to see Neopolitan out of nowhere and sends him flying.
And while Neo was focused with the Cat, Ruby tried to gasp for air but felt a tug in her hand as she looked over to see Little. They came back for her...They didn't give up on her and came...
Ruby: L-Little...
Little: Ruby! You have to get up. We have to go! We need-
STOMP!
Ruby's last breath of air left her body as Neopolitan stomped on Little, killing them with no remorse while she enjoyed seeing this version of Ruby near her end...
The teacup was now in front of Ruby...and the light in her eyes were gone...
Roman: Hmph. I think it's about time we all got what we deserve.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
She tried to crawl faster...
She was just reaching the ship...
But they got to her first...
Arthur Watts: Now, Now, my dear Penny. Your fate was sealed from the moment I found you. And I must admit, I did grow fond of you but my objectives are always first.
Penny: *struggles* WHY?! JUST END ME HERE!
Arthur Watts: It's for your own good. I am going to make you strong. Ready for the Genesis. I'm sorry about the deception. It's best to get people converted without them knowing why.
Penny: YOU ARE A MONSTER!
Arthur Watts: Why thank you! It's not the first time I've been called that. You know...I have also been keeping another secret from you. *smirks* Ruby Rose is alive. And she never came. For. You.
Penny's heart dropped to pieces by what Arthur Watts just told her. After all this time...After what she saw...After what she went through...Ruby...Her Ruby was alive...
And she never came...
Arthur Watts: Then again, I'd make sure no one would find us nor communicate with us. *Pokes her defibrillator* This unit of yours won't last forever, you know. You need the full upgrade. You would have actually died halfway to your trip to Vacuo actually if you escaped.
Penny: Y-You...knew this whole time...
Arthur Watts: Everything. And I enjoyed this nice little game of cat and mouse. But now, it's time that you sleep and we begin the next step.
Penny: You're going to turn me into one of these things. Aren't you?!
Arthur Watts: I'm rebuilding you to survive in a world not made for flesh. *Pulls out a head piece handle* This won't stop you feeling pain, but it will stop you caring about it. It fits over your head just perfectly.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Roman: Are you ready to admit the truth? That the world would just be better off without you?
There was nothing more in Ruby. Only darkness...
She reached for the teacup...
Just as everyone has arrived...but it was already too late...
For Ruby Rose had drank the teacup...
And all her friends and big sister could do...was watch...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Arthur Watts approached Penny with the headpiece as she struggled to break free but the two fall figures held her tight. That's when she looked up to see the two figures having the same headpiece and Penny knew...
She was next...
Penny: *tears fall* Ruby...Ruby!...RUBY!
And Penny Polendina faded into darkness...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
And Ruby Rose faded into the darkness...
The ground opened up and Ruby fell once again before a dim light shined and the ground was covered in vines.
No one could respond. No one could act. They could not even react. Yang had collapsed to the ground while Blake tried to hold her.
Her hand reaching out for her little sister and she was gone...
Weiss could only look down to the ground while Jaune held his eyes closed...the guilt rising over him...
And Neopolitan watched on from her seat
But she wasn't pleased nor celebrating...
Roman: *echoes in Neo's head* You've finally done it! Little Red's gone. With your Semblance stronger than ever now, we can take over this whole absurd place!
Neo shook her head in disagreement and now she didn't know what to do...
Killing Ruby was all she wanted yet...it feels like it wasn't at all...
Roman: Why not? Offing Little Red can't be all you wanted...Right?...
The place slowly began to crumble yet no one could react or move...
They witnessed their friend, best friend, partner, sister...a beacon of light...fall to the Darkness...
Ruby was gone...and they couldn't do anything to save her...
Curious Cat: NO, NO, NO, NO! I needed her!
Jaune, Pyrrha, and Jacques were the only one that could look back and saw the Cat running to the vine covered spot where Ruby fell and began to scratch it but there was no avail.
Curious Cat: *glares at Neo* You...
Jaune: *points my sword at them* Take us to her. NOW!
Curious Cat: *snarls then chuckles* You still don't get it, do you? It's not a place you go. It's a place you know. No matter...if I can't have a body with no purpose...*looks at Neo* Find another.
Glowing momentarily, The Cat releases a massive energy wave that sends everyone flying and crashing around the mansion. The Cat has had enough and grew larger by the second, their colors changing from the natural to black and white. It smirked with malicious intent and lunged towards Neo who was in a frozen state.
Roman: *echoes* NEO! GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!
Curious Cat: You've lost something most important, haven't you? And now you have nothing left. *chuckles* How delightful! An empty host, perfect for me to fill! A NEW BODY, AT LONG LAST!
Roman: NEO! NOOOOO!
Jaune: NO!
Pyrrha: JAUNE!
Neo could only stare in absolute fear as her vision was succumbing to the darkness as well while the Curious Cat forces her mouth to open wide and dives inside of her. The others could only watch in horror as Neo shook around like a seizure, her limbs twisting, snapping, repairing, as her natural eyes disappeared and the only time her voice would ever be heard...
Was the scream of her death...and everything fell to silence while the body of Neo stood there.
Curious Cat: A tragedy isn't it? *Stands up slowly* Such a waste to pity the human race. What good does it do when you happen to exist as an inferior being.
They looked up and gone was Neopolitan but instead a much horrific sight of the Cat's expression pasted onto Neo's face like a freak experiment. Blake still held Yang as she could not do anything at all while Weiss, Jaune, Pyrrha, and Jacques all pointed their weapons at the Curious Cat while they inspected the body.
Curious Cat: This body won't do. If I can be young and strong like both The Doctor and The Rani, then so can I!
Weiss: *eyes widened* What...did you just say...
Jaune: No...
Using Neo's semblance that would change her looks, The Curious used it and gone was Neopolitan completely as standing in front of them now was a young adult male, late 20s, early 30s, black combed back thinning hair. His outfit was all black with an asymmetrical frock coat with a large crimson lined collar on the left-hand side, an crimson red shirt, and black zip-up boots.
Others would wonder why The Curious Cat possessed Neo and changed its appearance to one of its own. But the realization was starting to come together for Jaune and Team WBY...
Curious Cat: Much better. Just my style. *Grunts and chuckles* I can still hear it. Even with a new body, I can still HEAR it...*chuckles more*
Jacques: HEAR WHAT?
DUN!DUN!DUN!DUN! DUN!DUN!DUN!DUN!
Curious Cat: The Drums...The Never-Ending Drums!
DUN!DUN!DUN!DUN! DUN!DUN!DUN!DUN!
Curious Cat: WOOOW! HA! They are much louder now...*laughs maniacally*
Weiss: *trembles in fear* I-It's you...
DUN!DUN!DUN!DUN! DUN!DUN!DUN!DUN!
Curious Cat: *looks at Weiss and smirks* Yes, my dear. It is. I was with you lot. To think I gave you the clearest giveaways and you simply ignored it. Humanity truly is inferior. Go on, my dear Weiss Schnee. Say it. Say...My...Name...OR...should I repeat to you.
The girls' minds came together and were now remembering all the clues and giveaways the Cat has said to them. It shook them even more that HE was with them all this time and they told him things that shouldn't be told.
/ / / / / / / / / /FLASHBACK / / / / / / / / / / /
Curious Cat: I am indeed a cat, most curious with a hint of madness.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Curious Cat: Ooh, those two Brothers! Talk about a god complex, am I right? Sounds just like Time Lords alright!
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Curious Cat: My dear cat friend, we are all masters at something like me.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Curious Cat: But it's not how it seems...well, I suppose it is...Time Lord Regeneration like you said...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Weiss: He's a Time Lord. A very insane and dangerous one as well.
Curious Cat: *chuckles* Well my dear...I've got some news for you lot.
/ / / / / / / / / /FLASHBACK ENDS / / / / / / / / / / /
DUN!DUN!DUN!DUN! DUN!DUN!DUN!DUN!
Curious Cat: Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am no Curious Cat. I am no Afteran like these pity fools in this world. I am much more...I...Am...The Master!...
Everyone felt their hearts drop and their bodies freeze. They couldn't even move to attack...for the one behind the mess in the Ever After and playing with the Doctor in Remnant...was here in front of them.
The Master: And with this new body, I will make my leave to Remnant! The Doctor and The Rani will be in for a surprise...AND REMNANT SHALL HAVE ITS RIGHTFUL LORD AND MASTER! Until we meet again...
The Master laughs while using a mix of Neo's semblance and his to fly out of the crumbling mansion and on its way to the Ever After Tree while the others could only watch in fear...
Weiss: W-What...What do we do?...