Beacon Academy

One Week Ago

Cinder: I may not be able to kill you physically...

Cinder stumbled to her feet and looked at Pyrrha.

Cinder: ...but I can hurt you another way.

A twisted smile formed on Cinder's face as fire emerged from her outstretched hands and formed into a malevolent ball.

Cinder reveled in the fear in Pyrrha's eyes, the primal terror of witnessing your death coming right before their eyes. But it was fleeting. 

The wounded Huntress closed her eyes for a brief moment before she glared at her killer.

Pyrrha: Do you believe in destiny?

What an interesting question to ask.

Cinder: Yes.

That question would be the last words Pyrrha ever spoke as Cinder sent the fireball in her hands forward. Sadistic satisfaction washed over Cinder as she watched her attack begin to move.

But it was short-lived.

The flame suddenly dissipated when a grey figure of light suddenly grabbed her arms. Cinder was shocked to say the least by the sudden appearance of the figure before her. 

But Cinder had no time to react before everything around her instantly changed. Before her very eyes, her surroundings vanished by pitch darkness. 

There was no sound, no light, no heat, no anything. For a brief moment, Cinder found herself floating in an endless expanse of absolute emptiness. 

A frigid cold that Cinder had never felt before washed through her body. 

By the time Cinder exhaled, her surroundings changed again and she found herself falling from the tower she was standing on a few moments ago. Strangely the vision on her left side remained darkened as she fell story after story.

Moments before she hit the ground a blast of color filled the night sky.

SMASH

Cinder found herself in total darkness. All she could see was pitch black darkness.

_____

???: (muffled) We have to look!

???: (muffled) We don't have time! Look at what's happening!

Cinder could hear voices. They were muffled, but she could hear them.

???: (muffled) Do you want to go back and tell her that we lost the 'Fall Maiden'?

???: (muffled) Grrr! Fine! We need to hurry! It's getting worse out here!

Cinder tried to move but found she was unable to. In fact she couldn't even feel her arms.

Cinder: ....aaauuugh....

She tried to speak but barely a whisper came out.

???: (muffled) How do you even know she's here!?

???: (muffled) This is where I saw her fall!

???: (muffled) Are you su-

Cinder felt the ground rumble around her.

???: (muffled) Shit! That was close! We need to get out of here!

???: (muffled) Not without her!

The voices were growing louder, but she still couldn't move.

The ground shook again, violently enough that some debris that was on top of Cinder came loose and fell off.

Mercury: We have to go!

Emerald: I told you we- wait there she is!

With the debris no longer blocking her view, Cinder was able to see who it was that was searching for her. 

Emerald quickly ran to Cinder's partially buried body.

Emerald: Cinder!

Cinder could feel the weight on her body steadily get lighter as Emerald desperately tried to dig out her leader.

Cinder: ...Em...ald....

Despite there being less weight on top of her, Cinder still could barely form sounds.

Emerald: Mercury! Get over here and help me!

Mercury: Fine!

Reluctantly, Mercury ran to his partner's side and began to help her dig Cinder. With his help, Emerald was able to clear the debris faster.

As Emerald and Mercury worked on freeing her, Cinder's gaze drifted toward the sky. The usual darkened night sky was replaced by a torrent of colors and shapes that seemed impossible.

Cinder: ...wha....sk....auuugh....

Emerald: We'll get you out of there, just a sec-

As she removed the last piece of rubble on top of Cinder, Emerald gasped in shock of what she saw.

Emerald: C-Cinder...

Mercury also hesitated for a moment at Cinder's condition, before a beam of energy crashed behind them.

BOOM

Mercury: Fuck! If we're doing this, we gotta go now!

The explosion followed by Mercury's shout was enough to break Emerald out of her shock.

Emerald: R-right.

Cinder's consciousness faded as the sky seemed to warp overhead.

_____

When Cinder regained her consciousness she found herself back in familiar territory. She could easily recognize the dark crimson colored sky of Salem's realm, though that was all she could gather from her haze.

Cinder: ....aaauuu... hhaaaa....

Again, Cinder could barely manage a whine but it was enough to get Emerald's attention.

Emerald's face came into view with a concerned look on her.

Emerald: C-Cinder!

It took much of Cinder's strength just to focus her eyesight on Emerald.

Emerald: Just stay calm, we're almost back in the castle.

Cinder: ...Sa....em....

Emerald's worry grew and she turned her attention to Mercury.

Emerald: We need to hurry!

Mercury: I know! Jeez, you're like a broken record...

Emerald: She could die!

Mercury: She's lucky just to be alive! Just look at her!

Emerald: S-shut up!

Cinder's vision began to blur as Emerald and Mercury began to fight with each other, and before long she fell back into the darkness of unconsciousness.

_____

When Cinder opened her eye again, she was greeted not by Emerald, but by someone far less comforting.

Her glowing red eyes pierced through Cinder's haze as she looked down upon her wounded 'Fall Maiden'.

Cinder: ...I-I...

Salem: Save your strength...

Cinder struggled to keep focus as she tried to see where she was. The dark architecture of Salem's castle was offset by a series of machines and tools that filled the room.

Watts: How is our 'patient'?

Cinder's attention was brought back forward when Watts stepped into view. The doctor nonchalantly bent down to get a closer look at the latest person to enter his operating room.

Watts grimaced when he saw Cinder react to his presence.

Watts: Hmph. So she yet lives.

Watts straightened himself out and turned away to retrieve something out of Cinder's view.

Watts: First Tyrian and now this... I swear, If Hazel returns missing a leg-

Salem: Watts.

Cinder couldn't see Watts, but she knew that he flinched when Salem called his name and glared at him.

Salem: She is our 'Fall Maiden', the key to our final victory.

Watts: I-I Err... Well, I didn't mean to-

Salem: You would do well to ensure she makes a full recovery. Do I make myself clear?

Salem barely glared at the former Atlesian scientist but it was enough to send chills down his spine.

Watts: Y-y-yes. Of course.

Salem: Good. Now, are they ready?

Watts took a deep breath to compose himself before he answered.

Watts: Yes, though not a perfect copy of the original, they are designed the same way.

Cinder: ...aahh....you....

Salem's expression softened when she turned her gaze back down toward Cinder.

Salem: Rest now...

As Salem put her hand on Cinder's shoulder, the latter's vision began to darken again.

Salem: ...your journey has only just begun, young Cinder...

As the world around her darkened, the last thing Cinder saw was Salem's glowing red eyes, seemingly piercing into her her very soul.

_____

_____

Patch

Present Day

Sunset

A ball of light appeared in the forest of Patch, before long the ball expanded and a moment later two people appeared in the center of the burned circle in the ground.

Ruby: Wow... so that's how travelling between dimensions works.

(Y/N): Yeah, we're lucky we didn't end up in the middle of a busy intersection... or a mountain... or hundreds of miles in the sky... or the D.M.V...

As Y/N (unfortunately) reminisced on past teleportation mishaps, Ruby took the time to check their surroundings.

Ruby: Wait, I recognize this place!

(Y/N): Oh thank god. I really don't feel like walking for an entire-

Ruby ran a few feet and pointed at something.

Ruby: My house is right here!

(Y/N): ...what really?

Y/N ran next to Ruby, and to his surprise Ruby's home was just a few yards away.

(Y/N): Wow... that's... actually really convenient.

Ruby: Yes! Home!

As Ruby ran off toward her home, Y/N began mumbling to himself.

(Y/N): Of course when she does it it works out for her... never works for me... but her...

Ruby quickly ran to the front of her childhood home followed by Y/N and knocked on the door.

Ruby: Wait! What should we tell them!?

(Y/N): The truth?

Ruby: Do you think my dad wouldn't believe that we travelled to another dimension?

(Y/N): I think it's a better story than telling your dad that you spent a week with a boy without supervision.

Ruby: Oh come on, my dad knows I'm not defenseless.

(Y/N): I'm more saying this to protect myself rather than you.

Ruby looked at Y/N in confusion.

Ruby: Why?

Before Y/N could answer, the door swung open to reveal Tai. His eyes widened for a brief second before he lunged at his daughter and hugged her with all his might.

Tai: Ruby!

Ruby: Dad!

Tai hugged Ruby for a second longer before pulling away.

Tai: Where have you been!?

Ruby: Uh...

Ruby's eyes drifted toward Y/N.

(Y/N): Don't look at me. Please don't involve me in this.

Tai's tender look turned dark as he glared at Y/N.

(Y/N): Ruby, I want you to know, if I die I'm haunting you.

Tai suddenly and quickly grabbed Y/N by the shoulders.

Tai: WHAT HAVING YOU DONE!?!?

(Y/N): My life is flashing before my eyes. Q_Q

Tai: WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN TAKING MY DAUGHTER!?!?

(Y/N): We went to another dimension!

Tai calmed down for a moment as he processed what Y/N said.

Tai: You took my daughter to another dimension?

(Y/N): Yes!

Tai: THAT BETTER NOT BE SLANG FOR SOMETHING ELSE!!!!

(Y/N): You know what, just kill me. I'm not winning this conversation...

Tai: SO YOU ADMIT IT!!

Ruby: Dad!

Ruby's voice was enough to pull her enraged father's attention away from Y/N and to her.

When she was sure that she had her father's attention, Ruby outstretched her hand and a moment later her scythe suddenly appeared in her hands.

Tai: W-wha? How did-

Not skipping a beat, Ruby tapped the pole of her scythe on the ground and the blade instantly caught aflame.

Tai: 0_o

Ruby: Dad, we went to another dimension. Literally.

Tai unceremoniously let Y/N go and fall to the floor.

(Y/N): Ow.

Ruby: So, can you calm down now?

Tai took a deep breath.

Tai: Do you have any idea how worried I've been?

Ruby: N-no...

(Y/N): Enough to threaten a young man's life?

Tai: Exactly. After what happened at Beacon...

Tai rubbed his face as he thought back to when he didn't know where she was.

Ruby: I'm sorry, dad.

Ruby quickly sheathed her scythe and ran to hug Tai.

Tai: I'm just... so happy to see you're safe.

Ruby: Thanks.

Tai: Let's go to your sister, she'll be happy to know you're safe.

Ruby suddenly let go of her father and looked up at him.

Ruby: How is she?! Is she okay!?

Tai: She's...

Tai hesitated for a moment before he answered.

Tai: ...I think seeing you will help.

Tai showed Ruby in before closing the door behind them.

...

Tai quickly reopened the door and looked down at Y/N who was still on the floor.

Tai: You can come in too.

(Y/N): Thank you.

Tai: Hands where I can see them though!

(Y/N): -_- Yes sir.

_____

The door to the room Yang was staying in creaked open to reveal a mostly dark bedroom, save for the small lamp that was next to the bed. Yang herself was looking out the window in silence.

Ruby peered into the room, unsure of how her sister fared after the events that happened after the Vytal Festival.

Ruby: Yang?

Yang turned her head toward the door and her eyes widened.

Yang: Ruby?

When her sister responded Ruby ran to her side and hugged her.

Ruby: Yang! Are you okay? What happened?

Yang: I-I'm okay, Ruby.

Ruby let go and smiled at her sister, though her eyes inevitably drifted toward Yang's missing arm.

Ruby: How are you doing?

Yang noticed what her sister was looking at and covered her bandaged arm with her free hand.

Yang: I-I could say the same to you! Where have you been all this time?

Ruby could tell by Yang's expression she wasn't doing well but knew better than to press that issue.

Ruby: You're not going to believe this!

Yang: Yeah? Try me.

Ruby: I went to another world!

Yang looked at her sister puzzled.

Yang: Another world?

Ruby: Yeah!

Ruby excitedly took a few steps back.

Ruby: Watch this!

Ruby once again outstretched her hand and her scythe appeared out of thin air.

Yang's eyes widened at her sister's new ability.

Yang: W-woah...

Ruby's grin widened.

Ruby: That's not all! Watch.

A moment later the blade of her scythe caught fire spontaneously.

Ruby smiled with pride at Yang's shocked expression.

Ruby: Pretty cool, right?

Yang: Uh, Ruby?

Ruby: Yeah?

Yang: You're catching the ceiling on fire.

Ruby: Huh?

Ruby looked up and to her horror the wooden ceiling started smouldering.

Ruby: AH!!

Ruby quickly sheathed her scythe and ran out of the room to return with a bucket of water and toss it at the burning wood.

Ruby: I really should have picked something else...

Yang: Something else?

Ruby: Yeah! I can change the element to my blade whenever I want!

Yang blinked.

Yang: That's... amazing.

Ruby: Yeah, it's really awesome!

Yang: Okay, I believe that you somehow managed to end up in another world, but how did you even get there? And how did you get back?

Ruby: Errr... It's a long story. We can talk about it over dinner!

Yang: Uh... okay.

Ruby: Oh, I mean, are you able to-

Yang: I can walk, Ruby!

Yang shouted at her sister which caught Ruby off guard.

Ruby: I-I didn't mean...

Yang realized what she said and took a deep breath.

Yang: I... sorry. Yeah, I'll head down for dinner.

Ruby was about to offer help but Yang climbed out of bed on her own and got to her feet. For a brief moment it appeared Yang would fall before she regained her balance.

Ruby: Do you need help?

Yang: I'm fine, Ruby.

Yang walked past her sister and reached for the door.

Yang: Let's g-

Sadly, Yang didn't grab anything as she tried to reach for the door with her missing hand, causing her to stumble slightly.

Yang bit her lip and gripped what remained of her right arm before opening the door with her free arm.

Yang: Come on.

Ruby silently followed after her sister, a worried expression on her face.

_____

Steadying herself with her left arm, Yang walked down the stairs with her sister in tow.

Yang: So, are you gonna tell me how you managed to go to another dimension and get back?

Ruby: Well...

Yang: 'Well' what?

As the two siblings walked into the dining room, Yang's question was answered.

(Y/N): Hello.

Yang froze as she stared at Y/N just casually helping set up the table for dinner.

Ruby awkwardly stood next to her sister.

Ruby: Uh... surprise?

Yang didn't move, she merely stared at Y/N, the shock obvious on her face.

(Y/N): Uh...

Y/N wasn't sure what to say as Yang remained still as she stared at the teen in her home.

(Y/N): ...are you-

Yang didn't give Y/N another second to speak before she turned and started walking back toward the stairs.

Ruby: Yang?

Yang: I'm not hungry anymore.

In her hurry, Yang nearly bumped into her father who was carrying the pot of noodles he'd made for dinner.

Tai: Woah! Where are you going young lady?

Yang took a step back as not to run into her father, but didn't respond to his question before resuming her march upstairs.

Tai: Where are you going? It's din-

Yang: I'm not hungry!

Yang angrily shouted at her father, not so much as glancing back at him as she returned to her room.

Tai turned his attention to Ruby and Y/N with a confused expression.

Tai: Did I say something?

Ruby shook her head, unsure herself.

Y/N sighed before taking the bowl he was about to put on the table to the side.

(Y/N): How about we set aside a dish for her?

Tai: Sure. Still set up another bowl though, we're expecting company.

Ruby: We are? Who?

Tai shrugged as he began pouring the broth into the bowls that were set up on the table.

Tai: The only other free-loader I'm willing to put up with...

(Y/N): ...who's the fir-

Y/N's question was cut short when the front door opened. Stepping through while sipping from his flask came Ruby's uncle.

Qrow: Well Tai, I've checked every possible lead and possibility I could find. Ruby seems to have disappear-

Qrow stopped mid-sentence when he saw Ruby casually staring at him from the dining room.

Qrow blinked.

Ruby: Hi Uncle Qrow!

Qrow slouched as he sighed.

Qrow: Of course...

Qrow looked at Tai.

Qrow: How long has she been here?

Tai: She got here maybe a few minutes ago.

Qrow turned his head as Y/N was also standing in the dining room.

Qrow: Of course...

The Huntsman sighed as he took a huge gulp from his flask.

Qrow: Do you two have any idea how many favours I called in looking for you?

Qrow wiped his mouth as he lazily glared at the former missing students.

Ruby: No?

(Y/N): Is it more than two?

Qrow groaned as he rubbed his face.

Qrow: I hate you two.

Ruby ran to hug her uncle.

Ruby: Glad to see you too!

Qrow sighed before patting her back.

Qrow: Glad to see you too, kiddo.

(Y/N): Can I get a hug?

Qrow glared at Y/N.

Qrow: No.

(Y/N): Q_Q okay...

After letting go, Ruby led her uncle to the table for dinner.

While sitting down, the veteran Huntsman noticed someone missing.

Qrow: Is Yang not joining us?

Tai: She said she wasn't hungry.

Qrow: Hmm...

Qrow glanced at Y/N before grabbing his pair of chopsticks.

Qrow: Well, her loss, this smells good.

After putting the large pot back in the kitchen, Tai joined the others at the table.

Tai: Let's dig in!

Ruby: Yay! I missed eating this!

(Y/N): I've never had this!

Tai smirked, proud of his own cooking.

Tai: Well, I don't mean to brag, but I'd say my cooking is unmatched!

In between slurping his food, Qrow glanced at Tai.

Qrow: You overcooked the noodles again...

Tai frowned.

Tai: Then why are you eating it?

Qrow: Cause I'm hungry.

Tai sighed before resuming eating.

After a short time, Qrow looked at Ruby and Y/N.

Qrow: So, are you two going to explain how you got here?

Ruby spoke in between eating her food.

Ruby: We went to another world.

Qrow stared at Ruby after she gave her answer.

Qrow: You... went to... another-

Ruby took her free hand and summoned her scythe from thin air, shocking the veteran Huntsman who'd thought he'd seen everything.

Qrow: Uh...

A moment later the blade of Ruby's scythe froze over instantaneously without the use of Dust, shocking Qrow further.

Ruby, on the other hand, continued casually eating her food.

Ruby: Yep.

Qrow: Oh.

As quickly as the scythe appeared, Ruby deftly sheathed her enchanted weapon and hooked it back on to her waist.

Still bewildered by what had just happened, Qrow turned his gaze to Y/N, who was still eating.

(Y/N): What?

Qrow: Right... so, either of you want to explain that thing over Beacon?

Ruby joined Y/N in his confused look at Qrow.

Ruby: What 'thing'?

Qrow looked at Tai who got up and walked toward the couch in front of the T.V. After grabbing the remote he turned it on and a news cast appeared on screen.

News Host: -Academy still remains off limits to all.

The screen changed to show a live feed of Beacon Academy. The hopeful view of Beacon Academy was warped as a strange anomalous light seemed to hover just over it.

Somehow, from the perspective of the camera, it seemed as though pieces of the academy's structure were missing though it did not result in the building's collapse.

Arcs of strange energy slammed into the ground, though some exploded in a mysterious burst of light, others seemed to warp the very area it struck. Some areas began to float mysteriously, others distorted into physically impossible shapes, and sometimes pieces flatly disappeared entirely.

News Host: Scientists are completely baffled by the strange phenomena that currently cover the former Huntsman academy.

The camera zoomed in to show a pack of Beowolves stalking toward the academy.

News Host: The only things that dare approach the area are the creatures of Grimm, though the reason for that is still under speculation.

As the Grimm approached an arc of energy slammed into them, those that weren't vaporized began to warp like the very landscape around it.

The Beowolf twitched before it physically began to change. Extra limbs, more eyes, an increase in size, the transformation appeared random. Though it was short lived as a moment later the creature seemed to disappear from sight.

News Host: Law enforcement have placed a no entry barrier around the affected area, prohibiting any and all from approaching the former academy for any reason.

Tai paused the screen on a wide shot of Beacon Academy. Tai, Qrow, and Ruby, in unison turned to Y/N who started at the screen with a hand to his chin.

(Y/N): Hmm... Looks like a lens flare.

Everyone blinked.

Qrow: ...What.

(Y/N): Swamp gas.

Tai: That... What?

Y/N narrowed his eyes as he appeared to seriously think about what he was seeing on screen.

(Y/N): A weather balloon.

Ruby: Y/N... I don't think-

(Y/N): A tear in the very fabric of reality causing distortion in the laws of time and space.

Everyone: 0_0 ....What!?

(Y/N): What?

Ruby: What you just said!!

(Y/N): Ah. The lens flare.

Tai: No! The other one!

(Y/N): Ooooh.... The weather balloon.

Qrow: Kid, really!?

Y/N put his hands on his hips in a huff.

(Y/N): Oh come one, it can't be swamp gas. Even I know that. Beacon wasn't built on a marsh... I don't think...

Qrow's eye twitched in suppressed rage.

(Y/N): Personally, I think it's a lens flare. Special effects get better every year.

Y/N innocently stared at the others in the room as they glared at him.

(Y/N): ...what?

Everyone: The 'tear in reality' one!

Y/N looked at them as if they said something crazy.

(Y/N): What, really? I kinda just came up with that one off the top of my head.

Qrow shot up from his seat, grabbed Y/N, and began shaking him as hard as he could.

Qrow: YES THAT ONE!!!!!

(Y/N): Aaaaaah!!!! Okaaaaaaaaaay!!! Stoooooooop!!! @_@

Satisfied with the answer he got Qrow released the rattled teen.

Qrow: Tell us how to fix it!

Regaining his composure, Y/N gave his answer.

(Y/N): I dunno...

Qrow: What do you mean, 'I dunno'!?

Qrow rose from his chair, ready to shake Y/N again.

(Y/N): I really don't know!

Qrow: Don't you travel between dimensions all the time!?

(Y/N): That doesn't mean I know how to fix something like that! I've only ever seen one other time!

Ruby: Well, how did you fix that one?

(Y/N): I didn't!

Qrow: So what, we just leave Beacon like that?

(Y/N): Well, it isn't expanding. That's good news, right?

Qrow sighed and slumped back in his chair.

Qrow: Great... Beacon looks like a kaleidoscope, and the only one who has even remote knowledge about it has no clue...

Qrow leaned back and sighed.

Qrow: This is the worst time for you to be missing, Oz...

(Y/N): Oz? You mean Professor Ozpin?

Ruby: Hey, yeah, where is Professor Ozpin?

Tai: No clue, he went missing when Beacon came under attack.

Ruby: What about Pyrrha?

Qrow and Tai looked at each other for a moment before answering.

Qrow: Same with her. She's missing.

Ruby gave Y/N a worried look.

(Y/N): Oh.... lovely...

The room grew quiet as the gravity of the situation finally started to settle in.

(Y/N): So, what happens now?

Qrow: I don't know. Oz is usually the one that comes up with the plan, not me.

Ruby: So we just, wait around?

Tai: No. Now you two need rest. I'm sure you're both tired from your little adventure in a world not of our own.

(Y/N): I'm okay with that.

Ruby: Err... sure.

Qrow: Alright.

Qrow looked at Y/N.

Qrow: Kid, you're sleeping on the floor.

(Y/N): Wait, why!? What happened to the spare room I had earlier?

Qrow: Yang's using it.

(Y/N): Oh. Wait, then where are you sleeping?

Qrow: The couch.

(Y/N): Hey, I'm a guest and I'm younger than you! Shouldn't you let me have the couch?

Qrow: One, I'm technically a guest too. Two, you're right, I am older than you. Which means I get seniority over you when it comes to who sleeps where.

(Y/N): That's not fair!

Qrow: I also already called dibs.

(Y/N): -_- so mean...

Realizing that dinner was over, Tai looked to the bowl that was set aside for Yang.

Tai: Hey Ruby.

Ruby: Yeah?

Tai: Do you mind taking a bowl of noodles up to Yang?

Ruby: No.

As Qrow handed blankets and a pillow to Y/N, Ruby filled the bowl up with the dinner her father made and walked up the stairs to her sister's room.

Before reaching for the door knob Ruby heard something coming from her sister's room. Leaning in to hear better, Ruby could hear her sister openly bawling.

For a moment Ruby hesitated, not sure on whether or not she should even knock, but remembered she wanted to give Yang something to eat. Taking a deep breath Ruby gently knocked on the door.

Ruby: Yang? Can I come in? I got food.

There was a moment of silence as Ruby waited for a response.

Yang: Y-yeah... come in.

Ruby pushed the door open to see her sister in her darkened room sitting in bed again. She didn't turn to face Ruby and instead elected to stare out the window out onto the moonlit forest outside.

Ruby: Um... where should I set this down?

Yang didn't turn to face her sister.

Yang: Just... put it on the nightstand, I'll get it.

Ruby: Okay...

Acknowledging her sister's wishes, Ruby set the bowl down on the nearby nightstand.

Yang: Thanks.

Ruby rubbed her arm for a moment, clearly concerned for her sister, but unsure on what to say.

Ruby: Yang, you can talk to me, we're sisters.

When Yang didn't respond Ruby turned and began to leave.

Yang: ...why is he even here?...

It was barely a whisper, but Ruby managed to hear her sister say something.

Ruby: What did you say?

Yang hesitated again before answering.

Yang: ...why is he even here?

Ruby: Why is who here?

Yang just barely glanced at her sister.

Yang: You know...

Ruby: Is that why you didn't eat with the rest of us?

Yang turned away, her silence was her answer.

Ruby: Yang, this isn't Y/N's fault, he cou-

Yang: HE LIED TO US!!

Yang turned and shouted at her sister, her eyes glowed red as her Semblance partially activated.

Ruby took a step back, startled by Yang's sudden outburst.

Ruby: Y-Yang he-

Yang: Why are you defending him!?

Her sister now facing her, Ruby could now see just how hard Yang had been crying previously. She could see the marks of dried tears beneath her sullen and reddened eyes.

Yang: He spent months with us, Ruby! Always pretending to be weak! Pretending to need our help!

Yang's breath grew increasingly haggard as tears began to form in her eyes, her emotions flaring like never before.

Yang: I bet h-he enjoyed it too!!

Yang's enraged expression belied the tears freely streaming down her face.

Yang: I bet he was laughing the whole time! Laughing at us!!!

Ruby: Y-Yang, you know him! He'd nev-

Yang: I don't know him!!! We don't know him!!!

Yang grit her teeth and forced herself to turn away from her terrified sister, her composure hanging by a thread. Through the blur of her vision, Yang glanced at the stub that used to be her right arm.

Yang: I bet he laughed at me behind my back the whole time...

The blonde closed her eyes tightly in a vain attempt to stop the tears flowing from them.

Ruby: Y-Yang, I-

Yang: Get out.

Ruby: W-wha-

Yang suddenly turned to face her sister, her hair glowed like fire.

Yang: GET OUT!!

Ruby stumbled back before quickly running into the hallway and slamming the door behind her.

It was barely a second before Ruby could hear her sister sob into her empty room, her composure finally broken.

Tears welled up in Ruby's eyes as she listened, unable to do anything, as her sister cried alone in her room.

The shouting had not gone unnoticed as Tai was already coming to his daughter's side in the hallway.

Ruby: D-dad?

Tai: Hey...

Tai knelt down next to his daughter and hugged her, causing her to bury her face into him and let her own tears flow.

Tai: It's okay... it's okay...

Tai rubbed Ruby's back as she cried into him.

Tai picked his daughter up and silently walked her to her room.

_____

_____

The Following Morning

Ruby awoke to find herself in her own room, the light of the morning sun shining through her window the only indication of what time it was.

Ruby rubbed her eyes and climbed out of bed. As she got to her feet, the young girl stared solemnly at the empty bed that used to be her sister's. Sighing to herself, Ruby cleaned herself up and put on a fresh set of clothes before walking down the hall toward the stairs.

Before making it to the stairs Ruby stopped in front of the closed door that led to where Yang was staying.

She raised her hand to knock, but decided against it at the last second before continuing on her way down the hall and to the stairs.

Still snoring on the couch, Qrow continued to sleep through the early morning, unaware that Ruby had already awoken.

Making her way into the kitchen, Ruby found it peculiar that her father wasn't already working on breakfast. Usually he'd already be cooking and he'd greet her, but today he was nowhere to be found.

Tai: You got everything?

The mystery of where her father had disappeared to was answered when she heard his voice outside. Opening the front door, Ruby found her father talking with Y/N who had a large bag on his back.

The two shared a look of surprise when they saw Ruby awake and on the porch looking at them.

Tai looked at Y/N and patted him on the shoulder.

Tai: You should tell her.

Y/N sighed and nodded before walking to the porch where Ruby stood while Tai headed toward his truck.

It didn't take long for Ruby to figure out what the bag on Y/N's bag had meant.

Ruby: You're leaving?

Y/N scratched the back of his head.

(Y/N): Yeah...

Ruby: You were going to leave without saying goodbye?

Y/N felt a pang of guilt as he looked into Ruby's saddened expression.

(Y/N): I talked with your dad, after last night, we both agreed that it wouldn't be a good idea for me to stay in the house.

Ruby: You heard?

(Y/N): Ruby, the whole house heard Yang's shouting, it's why your dad was already upstairs as you ran out of her room.

Ruby: Y/N, Yang isn't usually like that. She's just...

Ruby looked down at the ground, unsure of how to explain her sister's outburst.

(Y/N): I know she's not usually like that.

Ruby raised her gaze back to Y/N, slightly more hopeful.

Ruby: Then-!

Y/N raised his hand.

(Y/N): Ruby, you need to understand that Yang is going through a lot right now. Just one week ago she was on cloud nine. Her friends, family, and I bet even some admirers, watched with glee and excitement as she advanced through the Vytal Tournament and seemed very likely to win.

Y/N sighed.

(Y/N): That all changed in just one day. Just a single day.

Ruby grabbed her arm and looked down.

(Y/N): In one day she lost her reputation, her school, her teammates, and.... her arm.

Y/N stepped off the porch and glanced at the window that led to the room Yang was in.

(Y/N): I know better than most, all it takes is one day. All it ever takes is one bad day...

Ruby: But... that wasn't your fault.

Y/N returned his gaze to Ruby.

(Y/N): I think she knows it wasn't my fault, but seeing me reminds her of how she used to be. Which isn't what she needs right now. Right now she needs space and her family.

Ruby: O-oh...

Ruby looked back up to Y/N.

Ruby: What will you do now?

(Y/N): Well, seeing as how Beacon and Ozpin were my only leads back to my world, I guess I'll try starting a new life here.

Ruby: Go back to your world?

(Y/N): Yeah, you know, the world I'm from? You know I'm not from Remnant or the one we'd had just come from.

Ruby: Wait, if you wanted to go back to your own world, how come you didn't ask Merasmus to show you how?

(Y/N): ...

Ruby: ...

(Y/N): -_-

Ruby: ...you forgot, didn't y-

(Y/N): Bye Ruby.

As Y/N turned to leave, Ruby quickly dashed in front of him.

Ruby: So that's it? You're leaving?

Y/N put his hand on Ruby's shoulder.

(Y/N): Ruby...

Ruby: You're never coming back?

(Y/N): I'm just moving into town!

Ruby blinked.

Ruby: ...what?

(Y/N): I'm only going to be thirty minutes away. Your dad knows someone I can stay with.

Ruby: Oh.

(Y/N): Ruby, you and your family are among a small minority of people I actually know on Remnant. It's not like I'm just going to disappear on you one day.

Ruby: Err... Right...

Ruby felt a little awkward now.

To Ruby's relief, the moment ended when her father honked the horn of his truck.

(Y/N): Welp, that's my ride. See you later?

Ruby: Uh, yeah!

Ruby awkwardly waved Y/N goodbye as he got into Tai's truck and drove away.

_____

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Author: 

Hello! I hope everyone is having a pleasant week!

So I have a question, why does everyone hate Volume 4 so much?

I understand that it is the weakest volume of the series but I never really understood the outright hate it gets. 

Personally, I thought of the season as the reason why Ruby left her home and started her journey at all. I mean, there has to be a reason for her to leave, right? And there has to be a reason for the creators of the show to display the rest of Remnant, right?

Maybe I'm thinking too much into it. Needless to say, what are your thoughts on this. From one fan to another!