*(Y/N) POV*

The night was somewhat restless on my side. I couldn't catch any sleep. I'm perturbed about Ruby... she isn't herself. It doesn't help that the rest of her team thinks because she's a leader, she can bear anything... she can't. She's just a girl, younger than any of us. Penny... Atlas falling... it took it on her. It'll be a matter of time before she breaks down or snaps at them, with me preferring none of them. I love Ruby; I really do, but... I look down at my hands, and the bloodstains are still there. I will try to help her, but I can only do as much.

(Y/N): "I hope you've sweet dreams, Petals" I look at the girl beside me. "You're still my beacon of hope" I gently peck her cheek and get up. Sitting up on the chair and overlooking the 'sunrise'. I take out Mortem and look at it. "Put my fire down..." I look at my weapon, thinking about what Blacksmith told me. I stare until I hear a yawn. Looking back, I see Ruby is stirring awake "Morning, Petals. You slept well?" Ruby doesn't answer me; she just stares at Crescent Rose lying on a table beside me. I stand up and kneel next to her. "Ruby... are you okay? You don't look-" she cut me off.

Ruby: "(Y/N), I... I'm fine." I look at her with my brow raised.

(Y/N): "Oh really?" I sit beside her, grabbing her hand. "Ruby, if anything. You can always talk with me. About anything. I'm here for you just like you're here for me" I look at her, thinking about hugging her, but I just sigh. "I'm here if you want to spill your guts. Ruby, we have known each other for almost three years; I can see you're not alright."

Ruby: "It's... it's complicated..." She sighs and rolls around, facing her back to me. "You wouldn't understand" I roll my eyes and try to smile.

(Y/N): "Then make me-" A sudden rumbling and some noise cut me off. Jaune bolts from his bed like someone put a fire under it.

Jaune: "I'm late!" he frantically puts his armor on, waking the rest of us with all the clanking. "I'm late! I'm late! I'm late!" Jaune storms out of the building. I follow him, and soon the rest of our friends are out and awake. Jaune approaches Juniper.

Mako: "Jaune, what the hell! It's so early. What's going on?!" he rubs his eyes.

Jaune: "I overslept. I NEVER oversleep. Yesterday-argh, all the excitement must've made me really tired. Crap! Come on, just gotta fix it like you always do."

Yang: "Whoa, Jaune, what's going on?"

Jaune: "No time, I'm late. Any second now, there's going to be another," he stops as another explosion happens. We look to the source, spotting two houses on fire. "Damn it, right on time! Head to town; I'll meet you guys there!" he hops on Juniper and aces towards the city.

Little: "I'm never this upset when I oversleep,"

Ryze: "Right on time? What did he mean about that?"

(Y/N): "We will see when we get there," I draw Mortem out. "Let's go!" Using my Semblance to fire out, I hoover in front of them.

Blake: "Ruby, where's your scythe?" she notices Ruby is unarmed

Ruby: "Uh, sorry. Not fully awake yet!" she walks back home to retrieve Crescent Rose.

Weiss: "Hurry! People are counting on us!"

After Ruby gets her weapon, we rush to the town, finally getting a better look at it. It's all made of paper... Buildings, plants, and even animals

'Yeah... fire and paper don't work pair too well.'

I deactivate my fire and land

Sam: "Who the heck thinks making a town out of paper is a good idea?!"

???: "Hello" We turn around, spotting a walking starfish??? Made out of paper???

'Okay, it's Ever After; I assume it's normal.

Starfish: "Welcome to our village. We hope it is to your liking and that you enjoy your stay," It twirls around. "Would you be so kind to tell us what you are so that we may serve you?"

Ruby: "Serve us?!"

Weiss: "Uh, in case you didn't notice, your town is on fire!"

Starfish: "Oh, that is of no concern. We are quite safe, thanks to our hero."

Then, Jaune riding his jackalope, arrives on the scene. They jump over the burning house as our blonde friend throws a bucket of water on its roof, putting the fire down and landing in front of us. Jaune unmounts Juniper as we look at the paper creatures who cheer on him.

Paper creature: "Hooray, three cheers for our knight and his white rabbit!"

Jaune: "Stop, stop! Don't touch the water, or you'll dissolve!" he picks up one of the creatures before it can touch any water, placing it a safe distance a little further "Oh man, that was a close one. I'm sorry that happened. It's been ages since I missed the first fire."

(Y/N): "First fire? Jaune, how often does this happen?"

Jaune: "Oh, it's not that bad... just every day" He scraps his neck

CRMS: "EVERY DAY?!" My teammates and I shout.

Mako: "Man, what's up with them and fire?!" Jaune looks confused until he remembers.

Jaune: "Oh, uh, right, sorry. I guess I should introduce you. These are the Paper Pleasers," he gestures to the town's paper people. "They're probably the most polite, most hospitable Afterans you'll ever meet. Because, well, that's their purpose," He waves away one Paper Pleaser offering him some tea. "After Alyx poisoned me and left me for dead, Juniper found help. Brought me here, and the paper pleasers healed me. Got me going again. They work all day. They serve travelers but also the land itself. They beautify it and make it a good place for some peace. Sadly, they're... a bit clumsy," one green Pleaser gets caught in the wind, as Jaune catches it, "but it also makes them predictable" He gives it two pebbles. "I told you to hold this."

Green Pleaser: "Thank you, brave knight" It walks away

Jaune: "Hmm, classic Ren," he chuckles as we look at him, a little weirded out

Weiss: "You named them... after your teammates?"

Jaune: "No, no, I just... named them after everyone" Then, two Pleasers get to us. One is red, and the other is blue.

Blue Pleaser: "Hello. I am the one called (Y/N)."

Red Pleaser: "I am the one called Ruby."

'(Y/N)' and 'Ruby': "What are you?" I just look at Jaune. No emotion whatsoever, only one. Disapproval

(Y/N): "Jaune, this is messed up BEYOND everything I lived through, bro!"

Jaune: "Okay, the burning of the morning lantern has been dealt with. We should have just enough time to strategize before the calming pebble tower crumbles, crushing the koi pond dam and flooding the whole village. So, who wants a quick brunch?"

'Oh no, not after what I just witnessed... I know he missed us, but... this is some fucked up shit' I look around as everybody seems to share my point.

Little: "I could eat" well, except for Little

With that in mind, we walk back to Jaune's place. We take a seat around the table, with Jaune showing us his makeshift map of Ever After.

Jaune: "Ah, my life's work, so to speak. While waiting for you guys, Juniper and I systematically mapped out all the nearby acres. If you think you've seen some weird stuff around here, let me tell ya, you haven't even come close" Some Pleasers bring another tray of food as Little continues munching.

Blake: "What have you been searching for all this time, Jaune?" The blonde knight leans in.

Jaune: "Anything or anyone that might give us our ticket back home" I look over at the map

(Y/N): "I see you were busy, Jaune. So, what do we have?"

Jaune: "Well, uh, honestly, not much right now, but there's this one acre with a bunch of pyramids that seems like a really good place to check out."

Ryze: "So not so much? Any certain way we can get our one-way ticket back home?"

Jaune: "Guys, this IS the idea. I'm sorry I haven't been able to figure everything out, but...," he looks out the window to town, "I can't just leave all these people to die. But, between protecting the village, looking for you guys, and searching for a way out of here, we have a really tight schedule to keep. Or rather, you've got a really tight schedule to keep,"

Yang: "Hold on, say that again."

Jaune pulls off a long list of tasks.

Jaune: "This is a schedule of catastrophes that befall the village every single day. At least, that would've been the case if not for Juniper and me. With this, you guys can keep these events from happening, protecting the village while I go out and search for a way back home without anything stopping us. With Juniper's speed and my familiarity with this world, we'll find out a solution in no time," say, the least doesn't fill us with confidence.

'Well, another obstacle...' I sit down, sighing.

Jaune: "Guys, look, this is our way out. If there's one thing I've learned after all these years, it's that patience does pay off. It's how why we were able to get back together again. I know I can find us a way to get back home. Okay, I know, I know it!" he slams his fist onto the table, startling us. "This isn't crazy. I know I'm not crazy... You know what, I have an idea. We still have some time before the pebble tower falls. How about I saddle Juniper up and show you guys around the rest of town? There are some really clumsy papers out there. Wait until you guys meet Neptune" He leaves the room. Yang meanwhile reads the list.

Yang: "This isn't a plan. It feels more like a list of chores."

(Y/N): "Guys... try to understand Jaune. He's been alone, without us or anyone else. Who knows how long? And when he finally saw other people from Remnant, one tried to poison him, and the other died because of the first one. Not seeing normal people who aren't trying to kill you for so long. It can take a toll."

Blake: "Jaune needs us, and we need him. He just may not be... the most reliable right now" She holds Mako's arm. I meanwhile look at Ruby as her mood sorrows.

Weiss: "Okay, so who does that leave us with? We need someone to guide us out of here, or else we'll be killed by the tree, thrown back in time, eaten by Jabberwalkers, or worse."

Ruby: "Well, if that's what everyone's-" she is cut off by one of the Pleasers

Pleaser: "The tree does not kill," it's the same purple one, bringing even more snacks. "We have told our brave knight this many times, but our knight still insists that we should never ascend."

Sam: "Care to explain?"

Purple Pleaser: "I don't wish to say anything bad about our hero, but our purpose has been completed for quite some time now. Thanks to our efforts, the land is beautiful. Unfortunately, just like us, it is also fragile. We would like to make something that is both beautiful and resilient. Because of this, we are ready to return to the tree and be reborn with a new purpose. To become something new. But... our hero does not agree with our shared desire. In the past, we have tried to reach out to the tree whenever it came, but our hero forbade it. The wisest among us once said that we should break free from our physical forms and be carried back to the tree by the winds, but our hero is clever and brave. Always protecting us. You must understand that the tree does not kill. It rebuilds, remakes, and resurrects. We do not wish to displease our hero, and I hope I have not displeased all of you, but we all so desperately wish to return to the tree. To our home. So that we may be reborn and carry on with a new purpose. So that we continue our work and make it last."

Yang: "Home, huh?" Ruby looks away.

'Ruby...' I try reaching out for her, but my hand starts trembling. 'What the fuck is wrong with me?!'

Purple Pleaser: "Oh, do not worry. The wisest of our people are going to topple the pebble tower today. I am sure it will work this time."

Sam: "How are you so sure?"

Purple Pleaser: ""...No reason, really," it walks away.

Yang: "I know it seems a little weird, but I feel sorry for these guys."

Ryze: "Well, that's some news. We can be sure about one thing, Jaune is wrong about the tree. I don't think it means death. At least those little guys don't think so. Like (Y/N) said, this world has its own rules. Death simply... has no place here, for the most part. It's not death; it's rebirth."

Weiss: "Well, from one perspective, that may be the case, but then... What happened to Lewis? Jaune said-"

(Y/N): "He wasn't with them. None of us actually know what happens to Alyx and her brother. Yeah, she returned to Remnant; Lewis didn't, but what happened is a big mystery. Even Cat doesn't know what happened there. We won't get back home thinking about it or worrying about paper people who want to be reborn.

Yang: "You're right, (Y/N). So, how do we convince Jaune to let them go and move on?"

Weiss: "But how can we do that? You saw him. Jaune has clearly been through a lot and is... not all there" Ryze notices Jaune in a doorway.

Ryze: "Ice Queen, look behind you" We all look at Jaune as he glares at us

Jaune: "Is that what you think?" he walks outside, and we follow him

Yang: "What if the Cat was right? Maybe not right about everything else, but about the tree, at least?"

Jaune: "The tree is the last place you should be thinking about going! They're just doing what they were made to do. They don't care what happens to you at the tree, and that's why you shouldn't listen to them!"

Blake: "We're not listening to the Cat! We're listening to the Afterans!"

Mako: "They've made up their mind. Jaune, they know the tree is not dangerous. They want to ascend... and you should let them go."

Jaune: "You don't know what they want. They don't even know what they want. Look at them. You've seen them as they are. There's no way things can be that simple, that black and white. Afterans are all either too clever, too stupid, or too crazy to trust!" Paper Pleasers around him sulk at his words.

Weiss: "If that's how you feel about them, then why do you care so much about this village in the first place?"

Jaune: "Because I can ACTUALLY protect these people!"

Just then, Jaune's house explodes. From within the smoke, several Jabberwalkers appear, and the Afterans freak out and run for it.

Jaune: "Damn it, they found us already," he whistles for Juniper, which runs through the forest towards him. "I am not failing them," he jumps on top of jackalope's back and races towards Jabberwalkers.

Weiss: "If those Jabberwalkers get to the villagers, none of them will ascend" Ryze meanwhile gets his swords out

Ryze: "Then we just need to beat the crap out of them before that happens" Others race off to the battle... I look back and stop, seeing Ruby hesitating.

(Y/N): "Petals..." I look at her and smile. "Take your time. Until you're ready, you can count on me" I wink at her but receive no reaction whatsoever. I race toward others.

*3rd POV*

Yang and Ryze race forth, with the latter firing his rifle at one Jabberwalker while Yang slides under it, throwing a punch to the stomach and attempting a spinning kick. It goes to claw her eyes out, but Ryze activates his Semblance and pins it down with his wind, giving his partner a chance to pummel it and knock it to the ground. Ryze jumps over it and cuts it in half after transforming his weapon back to blades mode. Then, two more Jabberwalkers charge them, but they got caught in vines, one of them pierced by its thorns. They look to its source, spotting Sam, his eyes glowing green, as he retracts his vines while Weiss summons her Gigas Armas to battle the second. It swings its sword around, forcing the Jabberwalker back, and then swings it up into the air. (Y/N) jumps up, and twirls with his scythe, sending a fire wave at it, finally killing it. Another one comes at him, but he ducks under the claw. Using Mortem's shotgun mode, he shoots the Jabberwalker between the eyes as it disintegrates. Jaune goes up against another one, but as he swings his sword, it knocks it out of his hands. Luckily, Blake catches it while fighting another Jabberwalker.

Blake: "Jaune, catch!" she throws him his weapon back. A Jabberwalker swipes at her, but she dodges with her Semblance and gets behind it. Mako meanwhile uses his ability as metal spikes pierce the Jabberwalker's underside. Blake throws her chain-scythe, it wraps around one horn, and she pulls hard, bending its head back just in time for Jaune to come in and behead it with his sword. As all this chaos occurs, Ruby watches on, scared and frozen stiff. She can't stay still for long, though, as the Jabberwalker comes out and attacks her. Ruby screams while jumping back with her Semblance, but the Jabberwalker stalks closer to her.

Jabberwalker: "Thinking. Waiting. Watching. Drooling. Craving. Tasting" It gets closer, but all Ruby sees is an image of Cinder from back on Remnant. Ruby runs aside as the Jabberwalker attacks, but again, she can't attack when she sees a vision of Penny this time. "Wanting," it lunges at her and tackles her to the ground, now looking like Salem. "Hating. Yes. Ready. Starving. Taking," its mouth opens up as it goes to devour her.

(Y/N): "RUBY!" he flies by, delivering a flaming left hook to the creature, knocking it back. He catches its tail and spins it toward Ryze, who blasts it away using his wind. The rest regroup with them.

(Y/N): "Ruby, hey. Petals, are you okay?"

The group looks back as the Jabberwalker gets up, only for its body to twitch, bend, and shift until it changes into Neo and Tick. Neo smirks while pointing a finger gun at Ruby, while Tick shows her metal teeth to (Y/N) before they both shatter like glass and disappear.

*(Y/N) POV*

'Tick... she's... she's still alive... NO! I burned her body! This is just another illusion by Neo. No way she's alive. She. Is. Dead'.

Mako: "Was that... Tick?"

Sam: "There is no way! (Y/N) killed her! Guys, it's just another illusion of Neo. But... it's different..."

Yang: "Yeah, but how? This is not like what she can normally do. Her little tricks eat, grow, and are more physical. How has she gotten so powerful?"

(Y/N): "Something to do with this place made her Semblance evolve."

Jaune: "Well, she didn't do it by standing around" He picks up Crescent Rose. "I know you may not care about helping this village, but you could at least help your friends when they need yo-" he tries to hand Ruby her weapon back, but she just... back away in fright as Crescent Rose falls to the ground. I look at her; her hands are trembling.

(Y/N): "Ruby, please, I need you to listen to me. Breathe; I'm still here."

Then, we hear some noise. We look back at the village.

Paper Pleasers: "Push! Push!" We see the pebble tower fall and break the dam, allowing water to flood the town.

Jaune: "No, no, no, what time is it?! NO!" he freaks out and runs over. But it's too late, as the whole village is submerged by water, soaking its residents with it. "NOOOOO!" he falls to his knees.

Blake: "Jaune, I'm sorry,"

Jaune: "I couldn't save them. I was supposed to save them, and I... I failed. I failed them,"

Yang: "No, Jaune, they're not dead. They'll be resurrected. That's how it works here. They'll be back."

Weiss: "Yeah, it's what they wanted to do in the first place. Right, Ruby?" she turns to Ruby.

Ruby: "Why are you asking me?"

'EMERGENCY ALERT!!! (L/N), your Rose had enough!'

(Y/N): "Petals..."

Blake: "Ruby, we just-" Ruby cuts her off

Ruby: "Because I'm the leader. Because I'm just supposed to always have something to say... Because I don't," she glares at her team. "Why? Why do I have to be the leader anyway? Why must I always be the one to pick people up when they're down? What about me? No time, right? Gotta get home. Gotta help Jaune. Gotta find someone who isn't just going to screw everything up like always!" she stalks toward Weiss. "Gotta stay POSITIVE, right?! Smiles everywhere we go!" she turns towards Yang, Blake, Mako, and Ryze. The boys stand in front of the girls in a protective manner. "Maybe even get our romances sorted out? Good for you two, by the way, we're so HAPPY about you" She looks at Yang and Ryze. "Gotta keep going while holding hands even as everything else falls around us, right, sis?!"

Ryze: "Whoa, Ruby, chill out."

Ruby: "Oh, I'm sorry. Is this a bad time? Are we supposed to mourn Jaune's make-believe friends?!"

Jaune: "They're dead because of YOU! The Jabberwalkers came for YOU! Because Neo hates YOU!" he turns and starts walking towards Ruby. "Oh, and let's not forget how your plan failed, which led to us being stranded here!" I stand up and grab his shoulder.

(Y/N): "Oh, I am so sorry! Let's not forget who got all behind our glorious plan! Hmm, oh right. It was you!" I stab my finger into his chest. "You're as responsible about this plan going hay works as I or her. What? You wanted us to know everything? About Cinder's ambush?! About everything that went wrong since we got to Atlas?! Well, guess what?! I didn't! I didn't, and it cost me my home, my friends, and nearly everything I held, dear!"

Sam: "(Y/N)..." He tries to put a hand on my shoulder, but I slap it away.

(Y/N): "You three... are no better than I am. Why didn't you stop me when I lied to Ironwood? Why did you even listen to me?! I say fuck this bullshit. What? Because we choose the same stupid chess figure, we're meant to stick together? Because some old man said I'm a leader, does this mean you will follow my every word?! If I tell you to take a swan dive from Beacon's tower, would you do it without any hesitation?! WHY?!"

Ryze: "(L/N), calm down; you're having a breakdown..."

(Y/N): "Calm down? Says who? The fricking anger bomb. Give it a rest Matoi. We think that we know everything, that we're better than Ironwood... than Lionheart? We AREN'T" I look down and hold my head. "Look at all the mayhem we've caused! Beacon of Hope... good joke" I swing my hands down and get away. "If you want anything from me, I will be here" I want to walk away, but Jaune holds my shoulder.

Jaune: "You're not going anywhere! Do you want to know something?! You're an asshole! You were always back in Beacon, you were in Mistral, and you're one now! You... Neo hates you too. You and she are the reason they are de-" I cut him off with a punch to the face.

(Y/N): "Leave me out of your imaginary friends' case" Jaune gets up and calms down

Jaune: "I'm sorry, I... I know that I'm not okay, that I'm not right, but...," he turns to the rest. "How am I supposed to be? I've been alone... for years! And then, there... back on that bridge. I was the only one who could do it. I was the ONLY ONE!" tears fall from his eyes. "And now... I have to live with this... pain, this guilt for what I did for the rest of my life. In this world or back on Remnant,"

Ruby: "(Y/N)..." She turns to me.

(Y/N): "I tried to protect you with everything I could do..."

Ruby: "Yet... it wasn't enough" I look at her wide-eyed "Do I look like you tried?"

(Y/N): "Petals..."

Ruby: "Do you remember what you promised me when you proposed... that you would protect me. That you will always be with me" Her words hurt my heart. "That you will love me beyond everything. I..." she gets a small tear out of her eye, "I thought you would keep your promise" She glares at me sadly. "I thought... that we will finally start a family one day... But, you can't just keep your word, huh?" her words hurt me as I reel back.

(Y/N): "I tried..."

Ruby: "Yeah, you tried..." She tries to walk away, but I grab her hand.

(Y/N): "I know I failed you, Ruby. I will fail many times. But I will not stop. I know things are sometimes bad-" Ruby cuts me off.

Ruby: "Shut up" I look at her. "Not another word, (Y/N). Don't act like it doesn't bother you" She breaks away from my grip.

(Y/N): "Ruby..."

Ruby: "Don't do that..." She looks down, tears streaming from her eyes. "Just. Don't." she looks up at me, breaking my heart. Her silver eyes are dull, and her expression shows only sorrow and sadness. I try to reach her, but she grabs Crescent Rose and flies away with her Semblance.

(Y/N): "RUBY!!!" I try calling for her, but she's not coming back. I clench my fists. "Why didn't you see it?"

Ryze: "(L/N)?"

(Y/N): "Was I the only one who saw something was wrong with her?! I saw she was hurt. I tried to help her, but I failed again! And if I couldn't help her, it had to be you guys. Where I failed, you should succeed, but you never even saw that. I'm not good at helping people. The best I can do is to fight and murder! Yang, Blake, Weiss, you three are not me. You're better than me, yet when Ruby needed you the most, you weren't there for her," I sigh. "Sam, Ryze, Mako... I'm sorry about the snap... I just had enough" My team walks to me and smirks as Ryze and Sam punch my shoulder while Mako chops me in the head.

Ryze: "Hey, you've had enough. We get it, chief. But call me out like that one more time..." He shows me his fist. "Right, guys?" My team nods.

(Y/N): "Hopefully not so soon. Guys, stay with the rest. I'm going after Ruby," they nod.

Weiss: "Wait, (Y/N), we can help" I turn around to look at team WBY and Jaune

(Y/N): "Guys... but be careful about approaching her" They nod, and using my Semblance, I fly away in the same direction Ruby went

'If Neo finds her... oh GOD,' I concentrate, my fire changing its color to blue 'I will not make the same mistake again... even if the blood gets on her, I will hold her as close as I can.'

*3rd POV*

Ruby runs through the forest. She keeps going and going, as far away from her friends as she can, stopping under a tree after running out of breath. She sits down and hugs her legs, feeling sorry for herself.

Little: "Ruby? Ruby?" the mouse pops out of her hood, making Ruby slowly raise her head. "Are you okay? Why did you shout at the others like that? You should all stick together."

Ruby: "Where... am I?"

Little: "Don't worry. I will guide us back. But we really should head back to the others. You all need to stay together if you're going to make it back home" It didn't help Ruby's sorrowful mood.

Ruby: "Why are you still with me?"

Little: "Huh? Because I promised I'd help you."

Ruby: "I promised I'd help Atlas as a Huntress. That I'd fight for them and keep everyone safe. That I'd stop Salem and save the day. That I'd be there for my friends when they needed help. That... I'd be there for him."

Little: "Ruby, it's not too late. We can go back and-" Ruby cuts her off.

Ruby: "No!" she stands up, forcing Little off her knee. "You don't get it. You have no idea what I've done. What I've failed to do! I'm not a huntress!" Ruby slams her fist against the tree. "I could never be a huntress. If you stay with me, you'll only end up dead like many others. Please... go home," she begs. Little holds its tail.

Little: "But I-"

Ruby: "Just leave me alone!" she scares the rodent away but feels bad about it immediately

Little stops, only to watch Ruby walking away, scared for their friend.

Meanwhile, (Y/N) continues searching for Ruby.

(Y/N): "Ruby?! RUBY?!" he calls but gets no answer. "Come on, Petals. Where are you?" he tries again, with the same result "Fuck... I searched from above, but no sign of her, not a single rose petal. I need to keep going. She can't be alone, not in her current state. Not with Neo and possibly Tick being here" Then a blade tries slashing (Y/N) from a bush on his left. He jumps back and looks at his attacker.

???: "Finally got you, Grimm Reaper."

(Y/N): "You... it can't be you. I killed you!"

Tick: "Well, ah say ah look pretty alive right now" She smirks at (Y/N) with her metal teeth.

(Y/N): "I don't know how you survived or how did you get here, but I don't have time for you. Out of my way!"

Tick: "Oh, what's the hurry, (Y/N)? Won't two nemeses just have time to catch up? I wanted to show you something" She shows me a clock "Tick... tock... tick..." She activates her Semblance 'tock" Smirking, she rushes (Y/N), who quickly gets his scythe out and parries the slash.

(Y/N): "We're at this again. Can't you just get it through your thick skull? It was a matter between my grandma and your aunt! You don't need to do this too!"

Tick: "And I told you it's a family matter! Even after my 'death,'" she does an air quote.

(Y/N): "For fuck's sake... maybe Neo will understand it better. Cider was using you. You saw she betrayed Neo. She would betray you too."

Tick: "Poor little Neo. Cinder told us how you killed her partner. Tsk. Tsk. To be honest, we're not so much different; Grimm Reaper" Both Faunus and the Human clash their blades again, sparks coming on every contact.

(Y/N): "Ruby and I didn't kill Torchwick. He got eaten by a Nevermore!"

Tick: "Eaten, beheaded. Potato, tomato" (Y/N) Meanwhile ignites himself in an orange flame. "Good, bring your rage out."

(Y/N) swipes his scythe, sending a fire wave which Tick avoids by simply jumping. The two rush off again as momentum switches sides in seconds.

(Y/N): "I don't fucking care if you got resurrected by this place of all people! I will finish the job!"

Tick: "Then come at me with everything you got, Grimm Reaper" She smirks and readies to parry another strike

Meanwhile, back to Ruby,

Ruby walks through the forest, only for the darkness to consume the world around her until a spotlight shines down on her from nowhere. She walks through the woods, the spotlight following her move, until she comes across a large manor, lit up with lights all around. Heading inside, she finds the inside encased in shadows as well. At least until a light pops up on a portrait hanging on a wall. Walking up to the picture, she sees it shows a family with a man, a woman, and a little girl. Another portrait shows Neo's back as she walks toward Cinder Fall, standing beside a throne. The third portrait shows the legs of the man and woman from the first picture, with Neo and Roman Torchwick standing above them.

Ruby: "What... What is this?"

By surprise, Roman from the photo looks back at her

Roman: "Hello, Red," Ruby freaks out as she draws her scythe. "It's been a while, hasn't it? How's the hero business treating you? I gotta say, not looking too good. Oh, and where's Blue? Don't tell me you two lovebirds broke up."

Ruby: "Where's Neo?" Roman scoffs.

Roman: "Ugh, kids these days. No manners at all. And after everyone came out just to see you!"

The lights come on in the manor, and Ruby looks back. To her shock and horror, she sees James Ironwood, Professor Lionheart, Clover from the Ace Ops, Pyrrha Nikos, and Penny Polendina sitting at a table. All friends or friends who became enemies. And the one thing they all had in common: they're all dead. They all wave and give their greetings to her, but she doesn't feel happy to see them at all.

Penny: "Salutations, Ruby!"

Pyrrha: "Hello again."

Ozpin: "Ms. Rose"

Ironwood: "Why don't you take a seat?"

Ruby: "How is this... How is she doing this?" she mutters while everyone at the table laughs. "Stop this! This isn't real!"

Roman: "Isn't real, she says!" he pops right next to Ruby, startling her. "This from the girl following a talking, mystical cat in a fairytale story told to kids" He walks up to the table and jumps onto it while Ruby changes Crescent Rose to its gun mode. "The line between fantasy and reality sure has gotten blurry, hasn't it, little Red?" he twirls his cane around. "You know, once Neo figured out where she was, she started looking at things differently, always liking the idea of leaving the sad world known as reality and going somewhere else. Getting to do whatever you want," he gets to the head of the table and sits down, picking up a teacup. "I gave her that chance back on Remnant... But we know how that turned out" The others glare at Ruby.

Ruby: "Is that what this is all about? You still blame ME for what happened to Torchwick so long ago?!" Roman growls. "If you think I'm going to apologize for something that I didn't even do, then you can forget it!"

Meanwhile, Little comes in from a hole in the ceiling.

Roman: "They say that everyone tries to be the hero of their little stories. But I knew what I was. And it was no hero, just like your little boyfriend. He always seemed to know what he was, even if he's tried to be something he's not. More importantly, deep down, you know what you really are, too" He walks across the table, crushing a teacup while pulling one of the tree's leaves from behind.

Ruby: "The leaves of the tree?"

Roman: "Oh, so you know what this is. That makes things easier. How about starting over from scratch?"

Ruby: "Is that what you really want? If you want to kill me so badly, come get me yourself and stop hiding behind your stupid illusions," Roman only laughs.

Roman: "Hahaha, we don't want to kill you, Red. We want to BREAK you. Tear you down, piece by piece, until there's nothing left" He drops the leaf into the cup at his feet.

Ruby narrows her eyes until she hears some noise behind her and turns around, seeing Neo lunging at her with her umbrella. Ruby fires her weapon, but Neo blocks the bullets with her umbrella as she flips over Ruby, and then Roman fires his cane at her back. Ruby rolls across the floor before looking up to see Roman catch Neo as she poses, and the others clap.

Clones: "I'm going to enjoy watching you break" Neo just smiles

Back with (Y/N)

The two warriors continue their duel. (Y/N) runs around the field, avoiding crystals from Tick's gun. The crocodile Faunus then lunges at him with her blades, but (Y/N) deflects the strike and moves to his own. It connects but does no damage at all.

(Y/N): "What the... 60 seconds passed long ago..." Tick smirks.

Tick: "My limitation won't be a problem anymore. Neo isn't the only one who got her Semblance 'leveled up,'" (Y/N) growls as the two exchange strikes. "We're really not so different. You kill people, I kill people. You tried to help but only caused much more damage. How's your sister, by the way? Or your little flower?" (Y/N)'s anger rises by Faunus' taunts "What? Cat got your tongue?"

(Y/N): "Shut up..."

Tick: "Oh, don't be like that. We will have time for that on your deathbed" However, (Y/N) snaps.

(Y/N): "I said..." The air around him gets even hotter. It was almost like standing near the sun. "SHUT UP!!!" his whole silhouette gets surrounded in light blue flame. He wastes no time, rushing Tick.

With the others. The two teams search for the pair.

Weiss: "Ruby? Ruby! (Y/N)!" Yang stops and sighs.

Yang: "Damn it? Why did Ruby just run off like that?!

Blake: "It's obvious that she was upset about everything that's been going on."

Yang: "No, that wasn't upset. That was much worse. Ugh, why couldn't she have just said something?"

Weiss: "Maybe she felt like she couldn't. Ruby has always been the one to pick us up when things get tough. To light the way for us. And (Y/N), he has always been there to push us through everything, to keep us going. Even when we wanted to give up. We say things like 'We believe in you,' 'We can count on you.' I know we mean well, but..." others look in melancholy.

Yang: "It's not like we're asking them to be perfect."

Sam: "It doesn't matter" Everyone looks at him. "The truth is we've always looked to them for help, for answers, for hope. When we were down, they'd pick us back up. But... who picks them up when they're down? (Y/N) really wanted to help Ruby... but who will help him? He... he may act like he's alright, but he isn't..."

Ryze: "Believe us or not, he isn't himself anymore. After... what happened to Penny... and with all the troubles with Ruby... he just... lost his spark. I've never seen him like that before."

Weiss: "I did... when his father died..." Everyone looks at her. "The day when Uncle Albert died... it not only changed (Y/N)'s mom... it changed him too. Back then, he was always happy, always looking for a light in every situation. But then... he shut off... He wasn't leaving his mansion, and he was avoiding Winter and me... Everything changed on his tenth birthday, the last time I saw him in Atlas before going to Beacon. I guess Maria training him helped bring him back to a fraction of what he used to be.

Mako: "As you said, Yang, we don't need them to be perfect, but that doesn't mean they won't try to be. And it's our fault. It's our turn to pick them up this time. They need us. We better find them... better sooner than later." Then they hear shots going off in the distance.

Back with Ruby

In Neo's house, Ruby flies around as Neo's illusions fire their weapons at her.

Ironwood: "What makes you think you know what's best for Atlas?"

Pyrrha: "I was the best and brightest that Beacon had to offer" Ruby gets hit by one blast and latches onto a chandelier. "I sacrificed myself, so my friends could live," Pyrrha throws her spear, hitting the chain holding up the chandelier.

It falls, crashing down with Ruby on the floor, taking out the rest of her Aura. She goes for her weapon, only for Penny's blades to block her path, and she looks back at her.

Penny: "It was like the Vytal Festival all over again. I died again, for the last time. "She walks to Ruby. "Do you have any idea what that's like? To do nothing but fail over and over again. To everyone. Even the one you care most about. To be nothing but a failure?" Ruby cries. Suddenly, Roman wraps his cane around Ruby's neck.

Roman: "How about we settle this over some tea, hmm?"

Ruby pulls away and tries to go for her weapon, but Pyrrha gets in the way with her spear. She strikes Ruby in the face, followed by twirling her spear around into her stomach.

Pyrrha: "How many more must die for YOU?!" she kicks Ruby into the wall

Ruby: "I'm trying to save everyone!" she cries. Ironwood punches her in the stomach before slamming her against the wall.

Ironwood: "And yet, even with all your best intentions, things didn't get better. Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe you're making things worse, not better?" he throws Ruby to the ground.

Ruby: "It's not my fault!" she tries to reach for Crescent Rose, only for Ozpin to stay in her way.

Ozpin: "How many more! Have to die! Before you accept! That you can never save anyone!" he repeatedly hits Ruby with his cane. Ruby finally grabs her weapon and turns it into its scythe mode.

Ruby: "NO!" she swings her weapon around, only to freeze when it's not Ozpin behind her... but (Y/N). He looks at the wound on his chest and later at Ruby.

(Y/N): "...Petals" he falls down, dead. Ruby collapses onto the floor as those around her change into her teammates, (Y/N)'s teammates, and Qrow and Elly, all horrified by the scene.

Ruby: "Please... no more."

Roman: "Will you finally accept it now before more friends die because of you? The truth is that the world and everyone in it would just be better off... with you gone."Everyone looks sadly down on Ruby. Se cries and collapses onto the floor. Neo walks around Roman, placing the teacup in front of her.

Back with (Y/N)

Fire makes its way to the tops of the trees as (Y/N) continues to burn the brightest fire his Semblance has ever produced. He looks at his opponent.

(Y/N): "Now you've done it... Ignition, stage four..." He rushes Tick, leaving a track of light blue flames behind him. Crocodile Faunus tries to block the incoming attack but can only do so much against an angry Guardian. He grabs one of her blades in his hand and melts it like butter.

Tick: "What the heck?" she doesn't get an answer as (Y/N) uses his left hand, delivering a rocket-powered hook right into her face, breaking out some of her teeth. "Wait... my Semblance. You shouldn't be able to hit me for another five minutes!"

(Y/N): "Too bad..." He grabs the Faunus up by her shirt and hoists her up. She tries to slash him with her second blade, only for (Y/N) to send a stream of flames, melting it and burning her hand. "Why are you here?" Tick smirks.

Tick: "Don't you see, Grimm Reaper. My goal wasn't to fight you to death. It was to distract you."

(Y/N): "Distract me from what, exactly?"

Tick: "Let's say your little Rose is having the time of her life with Neo right now" (Y/N) widens his eyes. "You're too late; you won't save her this time. Hahaha!" (Y/N) has enough, the anger in him just explodes as his fire slowly gets around Tick "W-wait! Not again! Ahhh!" (Y/N) however calms down, as fire around him dies down.

(Y/N): "Those without mercy now beg for it..." He looks around, gets to one tree, and throws Tick into it, pushing the air from her lungs. "I won't kill you... but you're not coming back to Remnant..."

Tick: "What're you..." (Y/N) grabs some vines and sap from a nearby tree. He begins to tie the Faunus to the tree while putting the fluid in between.

(Y/N): "I got in contact with this sap when I got to Ever After. Sticky stuff, it hardens as cement. Say hello to your new world, Tick," he finishes it up, as Tick tries to bite herself out, but to no effort.

With Ruby

Neo smirks above Ruby, waiting for her to drink the tea. However, a blue energy blast sends Neo flying out of the house. Ruby slowly looks around to find the curious Cat before her.

Curious Cat: "It's alright, Ruby. It's over now."

Ruby: "I'm sorry. I'm just so tired. I don't want to be me anymore" She rolls onto her back and cries. Cat tries to console her and jumps on her chest.

Curious Cat: "It's going to be alright, Ruby. Huntress... I can be you instead. Man, I have been working hard on breaking you down forever" It stabs its claws into her chest, releasing light across Ruby's body.

Ruby: "AHH! What. Are. You. Doing?!" she asks in pain.

Curious Cat: "My purpose, of course. When someone's heart in The Ever After is broken, I give them a little bit of mine. The truth is I've been keeping a few secrets from you, Ruby. I'm different from the other Afterans here. I'm CURSED with curiosity. I need to know everything. But, more than anything, I need to know why my makers left me here," it hisses. "Only to go and make all of-Ow!" the Cat bolts up and looks back, seeing Little has bitten his tail.

Little: "You're not a friend! Friends don't-" The mouse gets knocked away by the Cat's tail, much to Ruby's dismay.

Then, Neo runs back into the manor, but the Cat blasts her away again, only to see her shatter like glass because of her Semblance. The Cat looks around, but the real Neo knocks him away from behind with her umbrella. As this happens, Little runs up and pulls on Ruby's hand.

Little: "Ruby, get up, please! We must go!" It cries... only to be stomped on by Neo. This... was the last petal of the Fire Rose...

Neo places the teacup back in front of Ruby. Roman pops up next to her.

Roman: "I think it's about time we all get what we deserve" The rest of Team RWBY, and CRMS show up. "Just admit it. The world would be a much better place... with you gone."

(Y/N) sees the house and rushes towards it. Inside, the others are frozen as Ruby takes the teacup and drinks it, much to their horror. (Y/N) runs inside through the hole in the wall... only to see Ruby nearly finishes the tea

(Y/N): "No... Ruby!" he reaches out to her, but a hole opens, swallows her up before he can even touch her, and then gets filled with vines. "...Ruby,"

Neo sits in a chair overlooking this, but rather than feel joy or happiness at getting her revenge. She only feels... empty. Devoid of any emotions. She had been so focused on her revenge that she never considered what would come next. And now... she has nothing. The house around them starts to break apart as her heart breaks too.

Roman: "You finally did it. You finally got your revenge on Little Red! Your Semblance has become so strong now, we could even take over this crazy world and do whatever we want" Neo shakes her head. "What? But why not? We can do whatever we want. I mean, getting payback on Ruby couldn't have been the only thing you wanted... right?" he asks, unsure, as Neo realizes that she has nothing left and becomes dead inside.

(Y/N) meanwhile tries to get the vines off, but they keep coming, preventing any progress. He then notices that the cup with magic tea still has some of it. He picks it up and looks at his friends.

(Y/N): "I'm going after her... I don't know what I'll become... and if I will remember all of you. So for now," He smirks. "Fuck you, Matoi."

Ryze: "Fuck you too, (L/N)" He smiles

(Y/N): "Good luck with Blake, Mako. Tell Alice I said goodbye."

Mako: "Wait..." (Y/N)'s teammates start to catch up on his plan

(Y/N): "Sam... you're the leader from now. See you guys... on the other side."

Sam: "Wait, (Y/N), don't!" but It was too late, as (Y/N) gulps the remains of the beverage. Soon, another hole appears beneath him, and he falls as vines block anyone's way to him.

Just then, the Cat gets back.

Curious Cat: "No, no, no! I needed her!" it tries to claw its way through the vines, too, to no avail.

They all see the house is coming apart. Cat looks behind at Neo and smirks. Meanwhile, Jaune and Team RMS take out their blades and address the feline.

Sam: "Take us to them. Take us to the tree right now!"

Curious Cat: "After all this time, you still don't understand. It's not a place you go. It's a place, you know. But, no matter. I believe I've found a much better solution to my current predicament" It eyes Neo, then blast everyone away into the wall, except for Jaune, who's saved by Juniper, and Ryze, who uses his Semblance to save himself from the wall. The Cat gets bigger, their colors turning white and black, and they pounce onto Neo. "You have lost something very important to you. And now, with it gone, you have nothing left to hold onto" Neo remains frozen, An empty host. Perfect for me to fill and become" It plunges itself into Neo through her mouth, taking her over.

Jaune: "NO!" he tries to stop the Cat, but it's too late as the feline takes control over Neo's body

NeoCat: "Ah, the Rusted Knight. You know, I've always hated that stupid little sob story of yours. So pathetic. You can't even accept your own futility" It stands, Cat's eyes replacing Neo's, his toothy grin on her face, shocking Jaune. They look at their new body. "This body will most certainly do" They float up, turning into a bunch of pink and purple particles, a mix of their powers and Neo's Semblance, before flying out of the house and heading towards the tree.

Team RMS, however, looks at the tree in the distance

Sam: "We're coming for you, chief... you can count on us this time."

Ryze: "I'll kick (L/N)'s ass... he first disses us only to die later" He smirks

A/N: Here you go, almost finished with Volume 9. This Volume was... Nice, kind of not needed, but nice. OST by Casey rocks, especially Red like Roses III or This Will be the Day II or Edge (I play it on a loop since the Finale :D). Anyway, as I said. Volume finish is scheduled for May 5th.

You will hate me for it.

To sum things up, everyone was shouting at everyone, (Y/N) left Tick there... but don't worry, she'll be back. Well... Ruby drank suicide tea... (Y/N) drank suicide tea... everybody drinks suicide tea! Well, as I said, there is one more chapter to go. Watch out for a surprise. Also, after this is done, and I finish the rework of Reapers, I will think about A Bird and a Cat as my 'Alternate Universe RWBY book.'

Feel free to vote and comment!

Punkie and Vera out and over!

RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth and was created by Monty Oum

OCs belong to me

(Y/N) belong to you (and to Ruby).