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
Bishop's Question for you to the reader to determine the future of the story:
1. Shall we let Neo join Akira's faction or Ruby
2. Curious Cat vs Everyone
3. Your Idea
Till next chapter, Apzeta and Bishop
The Jabberwalkers hiss and prowl through the ruins of Jaune's home, their eerie, distorted voices echoing through the village.
The Paper Pleasers scatter, their tiny legs struggling to carry them fast enough.
Juniper charges ahead, carrying Jaune as he unsheathes his sword.
Yang, Weiss, and Blake are right behind him, weapons drawn.
Jaune: (gritted teeth) They just don't stop coming...!
Yang: Then we'll make 'em stop!
Yang cocks Ember Celica and fires explosive rounds at one of the doppelganger Jabberwalkers.
The creature snarls as the rounds impact its thick hide, but it keeps moving, undeterred.
Blake: (eyes narrowing) They're not as strong as the real thing, but they're fast.
Blake throws Gambol Shroud's blade forward, wrapping it around a Walker's leg before pulling it down.
Weiss follows up with a burst of ice from Myrtenaster, freezing its limbs in place.
The Walker screeches, thrashing violently.
Weiss: That should hold it—
Before she can finish, another Jabberwalker slashes through the frozen one, shattering its icy bonds and freeing its doppelganger.
Weiss: (eyes widening) Oh, come on!
Jaune swings his sword in a wide arc, cutting deep into the nearest Walker's side.
He pulls the blade back, gritting his teeth as he urges Juniper forward to shield the village.
Meanwhile, Ruby watches from a distance, gripping the Forceriser clipped to her belt. Her fingers tremble over the device.
Ruby ( Thoughts ): They don't want me to use it… but… I have to help them. It's the only thing I have…
Her thumb press the Rise Starter of the Fighting Jackal Progrisekey.
Fighting Jackal Progrisekey: [ Hunt! ]
She slams the Progrisekey into the Forceriser and thrusts her arm forward as she pulls the Force Executor
Ruby ( Running ): Henshin!
Forceriser: [ Forcerise ! ]
A painful jolt surges through her body as the transformation overtakes her. The violet Jackal armor materializes around her, mechanical plates clicking into place.
Forceriser: [ Breakdown ! ]
Her breath catches, her muscles tensing as the Forceriser forces synchronization between her and the suit.
She grits her teeth, pushing through the pain.
Yang, who had just sent another Walker flying with a fiery punch, turns at the sound of the transformation. Her face immediately darkens.
Yang: (furious) Ruby, what the hell are you doing?!
Ruby doesn't answer. She dashes forward, the Territory Scythe forming in her hands.
Blake barely dodges a Jabberwalker's claw before her ears twitch at the mechanical sound.
She whips around, seeing Ruby clad in the Jackal armor.
Blake: (shocked) Ruby…
Weiss, engaged in a sword clash with one of the Walkers, glances over and scowls.
Weiss: (exasperated) Ugh, not again!
Jaune, mid-swing, hears the Forceriser activation. His face twists with anger and desperation.
Jaune: (yelling) Damn it, Ruby, take that thing off!
Ruby doesn't hesitate. She leaps into the fray, the Territory Scythe spinning in her hands.
She slashes through one of the Jabberwalker doppelgangers in a single stroke, its body disintegrating into pink glass.
Her movements are fast, precise—but erratic. Every dodge and counter seems just a little too forced, her balance a little too shaky.
The Jackal armor is enhancing her, but it's also draining her.
Jaune urges Juniper forward, his expression frantic.
Jaune: (desperate) You don't understand what that thing is doing to you!
Ruby lunges at another Walker, impaling it straight through the head.
She breathes heavily, the Forceriser pulsing painfully against her arm.
Ruby: (panting) It doesn't matter… I can fight…
Yang watches with clenched fists. She wants to rush in and tear that device off Ruby's waist, but she knows doing so mid-battle could put Ruby in danger.
Instead, she turns and unleashes a devastating punch into the nearest Walker's gut, sending it flying into a tree.
Yang: (furious) Fine, you wanna do this now? Then at least don't get yourself killed !
Blake rushes in beside Ruby, cutting down another Walker.
As she lands next to her, she places a firm hand on Ruby's shoulder.
Blake: (soft but urgent) Ruby… Please…
Ruby exhales sharply. She doesn't answer, instead yanking her shoulder away and pressing forward.
Jaune grits his teeth, frustration boiling over.
Jaune: (growling) That armor belongs to that Monster ! It's not meant for you !
Ruby flinches at that but doesn't stop.
Another Jabberwalker lunges at her. She dodges, but stumbles.
For a split second, her movements falter.
Jaune: (panicked) Ruby!
The Jabberwalker's claws slash across her chest. Sparks fly as the Jackal armor absorbs most of the impact, but the force sends Ruby skidding backward.
She gasps, clutching her side.
Yang sees this and snaps.
Yang: (yelling) That's it!
She dashes forward, grabbing Ruby by the arm and ripping the Forceriser off her wrist.
Ruby lets out a strangled cry as the armor abruptly dissipates, sending a shockwave of pain through her body. She collapses onto her knees, panting.
Yang tosses the Forceriser away with a furious glare.
Yang: (angry but shaking) No more, Ruby. No more.
Ruby stares at the ground, silent.
Jaune exhales in relief before charging back into battle. Weiss and Blake rush in to cover him, keeping the remaining Walkers at bay.
Ruby, still kneeling, grips her trembling hands. Her breathing is uneven, her heart pounding.
She wanted to help.
But why does it feel like she just lost?
The battle rages on as Yang, Blake, Jaune, and Weiss continue to fight against the Jabberwalker clones.
The air is filled with the sounds of weapons clashing, Semblances activating, and the eerie, fragmented voices of the Jabberwalkers.
Yang: ("Damn it!") "We don't have time for this! Just keep pushing forward!"
Jaune: (blocking an incoming Jabberwalker with his shield) "Easier said than done!"
Weiss: (gritting her teeth as she maneuvers with Arma Gigas) "We need to get rid of them quickly before more appear!"
Blake: (dodging a swipe and countering with Gambol Shroud's ribbon) "And before Ruby does something reckless—"
Yang takes out one Jabberwalker, spinning Ember Celica's barrels before noticing Ruby reaching for Akira's gear again.
Yang: "No, not again! Ruby, don't!"
But Ruby activates her Semblance, swiftly phasing through Yang before she can react, grabbing the Forceriser and Fighting Jackal Progrisekey once more.
Yang: (spinning around in shock and frustration) "DAMN IT, RUBY!"
Ruby, now more accustomed to the red electricity coursing through her body, grips the Force Executor tightly as she pulls it
Forceriser: [ Forcerice ! ]
The Forceriser's mechanical hum resonates through the air as she swiftly transforms, intercepting a Jabberwalker that was rushing toward Weiss.
Weiss: (panting, barely reacting in time) "Ruby—?!"
Ruby lands in front of Weiss, slashing through the Jabberwalker with a single, fluid motion. It lets out a shriek before dissipating into pink petals.
Blake: (eyes widening) "She's really using it..."
Yang: (clenching her fists, stepping forward aggressively) "Ruby! Stop using Akira's damn gear!"
Jaune: (gripping his sword, but unable to engage as another Jabberwalker lunges at him) "We'll deal with it later—FOCUS!"
(The battle resumes, and despite their frustration with Ruby, the others have no choice but to keep fighting.)
More Jabberwalkers charge forward.
(Jaune rides in on Juniper, slashing through one before blocking another with his shield.)
Jaune: (grunting as he holds back the creature's force) "Could use some help here!"
(Weiss skates on ice Glyphs, summoning Arma Gigas to cleave another Jabberwalker in half.)
Weiss: (throwing Jaune's sword back to him) "Jaune!"
Jaune catches it mid-spin, activating the Gravity Dust in his shield to launch himself forward. He slashes through another Jabberwalker, dispelling it into petals.
Yang: (rushing in beside Blake, slamming Ember Celica into a Jabberwalker's head and sending it flying back) "We need to finish this—NOW!"
Blake nods, using her clones to give Yang a boost, allowing her to deliver a final explosive punch that shatters another Jabberwalker.
Ruby, standing at the edge of the bridge, watches the battle unfold while breathing heavily. She tightens her grip on the scythe
Ruby: (muttering to herself) "I can do this... I just need to push further..."
Her vision blurs for a moment, and suddenly—her surroundings shift.
The battlefield melts away, replaced by a burning cityscape.
A lone figure stands before her, surrounded by flames—Cinder Fall, smirking maliciously.
Cinder: (tilting her head) "Missed me?"
Ruby flinches, gripping her weapon, but before she can react—Cinder lunges. Ruby is forced to dodge, only for the illusion to shift once more.
Now, she sees Penny. The same, cold, lifeless gaze from when she was hacked. Green flames trail from her eyes as she approaches.
Penny: (in a distorted, pained voice) "Wanting…"
Ruby's breath hitches, and suddenly—the Jabberwalker pounces, pinning her to the ground.
As she struggles, the Jabberwalker's head morphs again—this time into Salem's, with hollow black eyes staring deep into her soul.
The creature's gaping maw drips with saliva as it nears Ruby's Helmet
Ruby grits her teeth, forcing her mind to refocus.
With a shaky hand, she presses back against the Force Executor, attempting to activate a Finisher—just like Akira had done before.
The Forceriser emits a rhythmic mechanical drumbeat as red energy surges around her.
But before the attack can activate—
Blake: (grabbing Ruby by the arm and yanking her back) "STOP!"
Ruby stumbles backward as the Forceriser forcibly deactivates, the energy dispersing violently and sending her to her knees.
The Jabberwalker lets out a distorted screech before suddenly… spasming.
Its entire form trembles before breaking apart in a bright, pink light.
As the glow fades, standing where the Jabberwalker had been—Neopolitan smirks at them.
Neo: (raising a brow, then forming her hand into a gun gesture at Ruby, 'firing' with a smirk.)
Before anyone can react, Neo's body shatters into floating, broken pieces—disappearing entirely.
Yang storms up to Ruby, eyes burning red with anger.
Yang: (furious) "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!"
Blake: (gripping Ruby's shoulder, concern in her eyes) "You almost lost yourself back there!"
Weiss: (crossing her arms, still catching her breath) "You can't just mimic Akira's methods and expect it to go well!"
(Ruby, still on her knees, pants heavily—her hands trembling. She doesn't look at them.)
Ruby: (quietly) "...I had to do something."
Yang: (growling, turning away in frustration) "Unbelievable."
Jaune places a hand on his hip, looking at the spot where Neo had vanished.
Jaune: (serious) "Forget about that for now… Neo's back. And I don't think she's here just to mess with us."
Everyone goes quiet, exchanging tense glances. The weight of the battle and Ruby's reckless actions still linger in the air, but one thing is certain—this fight isn't over yet.
[ Small Time Skip ]
Jaune, Weiss, Blake, and Yang turn their gazes to Ruby.
Yang: (furious) "What were you thinking?!"
Paper Pleasers: (off-screen) "Push! Push!"
Before anyone can respond, the sound of shifting rubble and rushing water fills the air.
The team turns towards the village—only to see the massive Pebble Tower beginning to collapse.
The makeshift dam gives way under the weight, sending a torrential flood cascading through the village below.
Jaune's eyes widen in horror.
Jaune: (panicked) "Oh no, no, no! What time is it?! No!"
Without hesitation, he dashes forward, but it's already too late.
The Paper Pleasers—the very people he dedicated himself to protecting—are swept away in the deluge, their fragile village torn apart.
Jaune falls to his knees, his breath hitching as his hands shake. His entire world crumbles before him.
Jaune: (devastated) "NOOOOOOO!!!!"
The water settles, leaving nothing but the ruins of what once stood.
Blake kneels beside Jaune, her expression soft with sorrow. She reaches out, resting her hands on his shoulders.
Blake: (gentle) "Oh, Jaune..."
Jaune clenches his fists, his body trembling.
Jaune: (slamming his hands into the ground) "I couldn't save them… I was supposed to save them and… and they're dead…"
Juniper steps forward, nuzzling against Jaune's side, offering silent comfort.
Yang: (firm) "No, Jaune. They're gone… but they're not dead. They'll be back."
Weiss: (crossing her arms, solemn) "Yeah, it's what they wanted." (turns to Ruby) "Right, Ruby?"
Silence.
Ruby's scowl deepens.
Ruby: (venomous) "Why are you asking me?"
The question is laced with resentment, startling Weiss, Yang, and Blake.
Blake: (hesitant) "Um, we just—"
Ruby: (clenching her fists) "Because I'm the leader? Because I'm just supposed to have something to say?" (voice rising)
"Because I don't. I mean, why do I have to be the leader anyway? Why do I have to always be the one to pick people up? What about me? 'No time,' right?"
She whirls toward Weiss, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Ruby: (mocking) " 'Gotta get home!' 'Gotta help Jaune!' 'Gotta find someone who isn't just going to screw everything up!'"
Weiss instinctively takes a step back, shocked at the venom in Ruby's words.
Ruby then spins on Blake and Yang, her red eyes sharp and accusing.
Ruby: " 'Gotta stay positive!' Right ? ! "
Blake shrinks behind Yang, who instinctively steps in front of her, protective.
Ruby: (bitterly) "Smiles all around! Maybe even finally get our feelings sorted out! Good for you, by the way. We're all so happy for you!" An Guess Your Acting more like Raven.
Yang: (glaring) "Hey—"
Ruby: (mocking, voice cracking) "Oh, I'm sorry! Is this a bad time? Are we supposed to be mourning Jaune's make-believe friends?!"
Jaune stiffens. His sorrow turns into raw, unfiltered rage.
Jaune: (low, seething) "They're gone… because of you."
Ruby flinches. Jaune stands up, his eyes burning with anger and grief.
Jaune: (shouting) "The Walkers came for you! Because Neo. Hates. YOU!"
Jaune marches toward Ruby, each step heavy with resentment.
Jaune: (voice breaking) "And let's not forget why we're in the Ever After in the first place—YOUR PLAN! YOUR PLAN THAT DIDN'T WORK!"
Ruby's hands curl into trembling fists, her teeth gritted.
Jaune: "IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU!"
Jaune then spits out words he never thought he'd say.
Jaune: (dark) "YOU'RE JUST AS BAD AS AKIRA, WHO ACTUALLY HAD A PLAN THAT ACTUALLY WORKED!"
The moment the name leaves his lips, the air grows still.
Ruby's breath catches. A wave of disbelief and fury surges through her as she glares up at Jaune, her body shaking.
Weiss: (urgent) "Jaune—"
Jaune falters, realization dawning upon him. His face softens, guilt creeping in.
Jaune: (weakly) "I'm sorry, I… I know I'm not okay. I- I'm not right, but…" (voice shaking) "How am I supposed to be…? I've been alone… for SO… LONG."
His shoulders slump. His anger crumbles into despair.
Jaune: "Here… On that bridge… I was the only one that could do it. I was the ONLY ONE."
His voice cracks. His hands tighten into fists.
Jaune: (whispering) "And now I have to live with that forever… in here or back home…"
Blake looks at Jaune with pity, while Yang clenches her fists, clearly struggling with the tension.
Blake: (softly) "Guys, I know things are bad, but—"
Ruby's voice slices through the air.
Ruby: (low, trembling) "Shut. Up."
Everyone freezes.
Ruby lifts her head, her once silver eyes now clouded with anger and tears becoming Full of Malice exactly like Akira
Ruby: (voice breaking) "Don't… do that… Just don't."
A shaky breath escapes her lips. She looks at all of them—her team, her family, her friends.
And for the first time… she feels completely alone.
Ruby: (whispering) "I quit."
The words send a shockwave through them. Weiss, Blake, Yang, and Jaune all look at her in disbelief.
Ruby: (grimacing) "I'm going to find Akira."
Silence. Nothing but the sound of the wind rustling through the ruined village.
Yang steps forward, eyes wide.
Yang: (shaken) "Ruby wait please."
But Ruby doesn't respond. Instead, she reaches for the Forceriser clipped to her belt.
She stares at it for a long moment—then, without another word, she activates her Semblance.
A burst of rose petals swirls around her as she vanishes, leaving only a fleeting glimpse of red streaking toward the distant forest.
Yang takes a step forward—but stops, fists clenched, shaking.
Blake covers her mouth, tears threatening to fall.
Weiss, speechless, can only stare at where Ruby had been.
Jaune stands frozen. His gaze shifts between the submerged village… and the empty space Ruby left behind.
Juniper nuzzles against him again, but this time… he doesn't react.
The leader of Team RWBY was gone. And for the first time, no one knew if she was coming back.
Footsteps.
Weiss, Blake, Jaune, and Yang snap their heads toward the sound. From the tree line, two figures step forward.
The first is a man they recognize—Tsukasa Kadoya, dressed in his usual black jacket, Magenta camera hanging from his neck.
He holds up a freshly taken photo, inspecting it before tucking it away.
The second man is unfamiliar to them, an easy smirk playing on his lips, his posture relaxed but confident. Daiki Kaito.
Tsukasa glances at where was Ruby, then at his photo, before sighing.
Tsukasa: "Looks like the kid finally saw it."
Weiss and Blake immediately push forward, desperation in their eyes.
Weiss: "Where's Akira?"
Blake: "Where did he go?!"
Tsukasa casually takes a step back, lifting his hands in mock surrender.
Tsukasa: "Relax. He's busy looking for the umbrella girl. He's not alone—he's got two others with him."
Jaune narrows his eyes. Two others?
Jaune: "Who? Is set the damm cat ? "
Tsukasa: "Relax tin man his with a a little AI menace and a time traveler who happens to be a Demon King."
Weiss: "...What?"
Tsukasa ignores the question and claps his hands together, drawing their attention back to him.
Tsukasa: "Now, before you all start panicking, let's review. Back in your world, I gave you a warning."
Yang crosses her arms, scowling.
Yang: "Yeah? And?"
Tsukasa tilts his head, as if waiting for them to catch up.
Tsukasa: "And you ignored it."
Blake furrows her brows, frustration bubbling.
Blake: "What are you talking about?"
Tsukasa sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
Tsukasa: "Fuck it we skipping this part, I'll spell it out. Once we find that last person, we're done here.
We're leaving. Because I'm destroying this world."
The air turns ice-cold.
Jaune: "You're—what?!"
Yang: "You can't just—!"
But before anyone can truly react, the second man—Kaito—steps forward, adjusting his scarf with a casual air.
His piercing eyes scan over them, filled with something sharp and unreadable.
Then, he laughs. A quiet chuckle at first, then something fuller, edged with amusement.
Kaito: "Wow. I've seen a lot of things in my travels, but this? This is something special."
Weiss stiffens.
Weiss: "And who exactly are you?"
Kaito: (grinning) "Oh, just a passing-through treasure hunter. Remember that."
Jaune grits his teeth.
Jaune: "Treasure hunter?"
Kaito's expression darkens slightly, his amusement giving way to something sharper.
Kaito: "Yeah. And you all? You're just a bunch of hypocritical idiots who don't know a good treasure when it's right in front of you."
Silence.
Yang steps forward, fists clenched.
Yang: (snarling) "You wanna run that by me again?"
Kaito shrugs, his smirk unwavering already drawing his NeoDiendriver
Kaito: "Sure. You lot are walking around acting like you're the righteous ones, like you've got everything figured out.
But all I see? Are a bunch of fools who toss aside what actually matters. You take things for granted until they're gone."
Weiss scowls, folding her arms.
Weiss: "And what exactly do you think we took for granted ?"
Kaito tilts his head, looking at each of them like he's evaluating a set of stolen goods.
Kaito: "Your leader."
Blake tenses.
Blake: "...Ruby?"
Kaito's smirk fades into something more serious.
Kaito: "She's drowning. And instead of pulling her out, you're pushing her down."
That makes Yang falter, her lips parting slightly.
Kaito: (mockingly) " 'What were you thinking, Ruby?' 'Why are you asking me, Ruby?' 'Why don't you have the answers, Ruby?' "
His smirk returns, but it's colder now.
Kaito: "Wow. What great friends you all are."
Jaune's fists tremble, but not with anger this time. There's doubt creeping in now.
Kaito watches them, his eyes sharp and knowing.
Kaito: "I've been a thief my whole life. You know what that means? I know the worth of something before I lose it."
He turns his back to them, his blue scarf catching the wind.
Kaito: "You lot?" (glancing back) "You're about to learn that lesson the hard way."
A heavy silence follows his words, the weight of them settling deep.
Tsukasa, watching the entire exchange, shakes his head before turning on his heel.
Tsukasa: "Well, that was fun. Now, let's get moving."
He walks off without waiting for them to respond, disappearing into the forest.
Kaito lingers for just a second longer, eyes still on them.
Then, with a final smirk, he follows.
Leaving Jaune, Weiss, Blake, and Yang standing in the ruins of the village—lost, shaken, and, for the first time in a long while, they truly questioning themselves and actions.
[ Meanwhile with Akira Peridot and Sougo ]
[ Ever After – Deep in the Forest ]
The dim glow of the Ever After's strange flora cast an eerie hue over the terrain.
The atmosphere buzzed with an unnatural stillness as three figures moved silently through the foliage.
Akira walked slightly ahead, his black coat barely rustling as he kept his gaze forward.
Peridot, bouncing along beside him with her usual erratic energy, occasionally kicked at the ground or twirled in place.
Sougo Tokiwa, the supposed Demon King of Time, trailed behind, hands in his jacket pockets, his eyes scanning the area for their quarry—Neopolitan.
It had been an hour since they started their hunt.
Akira finally broke the silence.
Akira: "Sougo."
Sougo looked up at him, eyebrow raised.
Sougo: "Hm?"
Akira: "You ever talk to the original Zero-One?"
Sougo blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question.
Sougo: "oh you mean Aruto Hiden?"
Akira nodded.
Sougo hummed in thought before rubbing his chin.
Sougo: "Yeah, actually. It was quite the mess. Some Time Jacker grabbed both the first Rider—Kamen Rider Ichigo—and his power. Screwed up our timelines pretty badly. Everything almost collapsed."
Akira's eyes narrowed slightly, intrigued.
Akira: "So what happened?"
Sougo smiled nostalgically.
Sougo: "We fixed it, obviously. But it wasn't easy. Seeing the past and the future being warped like that… it really makes you think about how much a Rider's legacy matters."
Peridot giggled.
Peridot: "Wow, sounds fun! I wanna fight a time traveler and break history!"
Sougo chuckled, shaking his head.
Sougo: "Trust me, it wasn't fun when you're the one responsible for setting it all right."
Akira exhaled sharply.
Akira: "Hmph. So that's the kind of adventures you've had ?"
Sougo smirked.
Sougo: "Oh, that's just one of them. The first time I met Tsukasa, he stole my dinner."
Akira blinked.
Akira: "...What?"
Peridot threw her head back, laughing.
Peridot: "PFFT—Wait, wait, wait! You mean the camera guy? He just took your food?"
Sougo sighed, shaking his head with a tired smile.
Sougo: "Yep. Just walked up, looked at it, said practically said, 'This belongs to me now,' and ate it right in front of me."
Akira was silent for a moment.
Then, he sighed.
Akira: "I swear, I have no idea if I'm going to get dragged into something like that."
Peridot grinned.
Peridot: "Hey, if you do, I wanna be there to see it!"
Sougo patted Akira on the shoulder.
Sougo: "Welcome to the world of Riders. Expect the unexpected."
Akira merely exhaled, shaking his head.
Then, from the darkness ahead, a flicker of movement caught his eye.
All three of them immediately halted.
Their quarry had been found.
Neopolitan was close.