Patch

One Week Later

With the sun high in the sky and birds chirping in the sky, it was a perfect day to be outside on the island of Patch. If you ignore the occasional monster of pure death that walked the forests.

Moving through the forest was the familiar truck of Tai Xiao-Long. Its passengers were the aforementioned Tai and his daughter, Ruby.

Ruby: So, we're just running errands today?

Tai: Yep.

Ruby: Nothing else?

Tai: That is correct.

Ruby stared at her father, causing him to sweat a little.

Tai: How about we listen to some music?

Out of desperation, the blonde father hit play on the radio in the car.

Ruby: So-

Before Ruby could speak, Tai quickly turned up the volume of the radio.

Tai: Hahaha... Can't hear you sweetheart! The music is too loud!

Ruby frowned and tapped her dad on the shoulder.

Tai: What was- 0_o

When Tai turned his head, he immediately froze. Ruby's eyes were formed into perfect circles and she was looking up at her father with pleading, heartfelt eyes.

'The Puppy Eyes' routine.

Tai: R-ruby... I...

Ruby imitated a soft whine.

Tai: P-please.... Not... that...

Ruby's pitiable look seemed to intensify at Tai's question.

Tai: A-alright! I'll talk! Just... stop that.

A huge grin formed on Ruby's face at her victory while Tai sighed in defeat.

Ruby: So, is there a reason why you haven't mentioned Y/N?

Tai: Well...

_____

One Week Ago

As Tai drove the truck away from the house, Y/N waved goodbye to Ruby.

(Y/N): Yeah! Bye! I'll miss you!

After they were clear of the house, Y/N turned to Tai.

(Y/N): Okay, I'm gonna need a two week grace period.

Tai blinked in confusion.

Tai: A what?

(Y/N): I need a two week grace period.

Tai: Uh, okay, from what?

Y/N frowned at Tai.

(Y/N): Who do you think?

Tai: Okay... a bit rude, but okay. Why though?

(Y/N): Every time I go with Ruby, anywhere, bad things start happening.

Tai: Don't you think you're over exaggerating a little bit?

Y/N stared at Tai.

(Y/N): The last time I went with Ruby and her friends...

Y/N took a deep breath.

(Y/N): I was taken on an incredibly dangerous mission, both arrested and drugged by Atlas, kidnapped, eaten, mind-probed, dunked in an unhealthy lake, fought an angry marshmallow, exploded, kidnapped again, held for ransom, chased in the forest by a lunatic, suffered a mind bending seizure or something, get kidnapped a third time, watched a good person die in front of me, participated in the siege of Vale, got sent to another dimension, all of which culminated in a very mean dwarf insulting me!

Tai: ...oh.

_____

Present

Tai: He....

Tai started to sweat bullets as he tried to come up with an answer for his daughter.

Tai: ...needed....

Ruby: Needed?...

Ruby slightly tilted her head as she waited for her father's answer.

Tai: ...a...job! He needed a job!

Ruby: A job?

Tai: Yeah.... He needed time to find a job...

Ruby: Oh, I guess that makes sense...

Tai gave a sigh of relief when it appeared that Ruby was satisfied with the answer.

Ruby: Do you know where he works?

Tai: No.

Ruby: Well, I guess I can ask around.

Tai glanced at Ruby before focusing back on the road.

Tai: Ruby, why are you so curious about Y/N?

Ruby looked at her father dumbfounded.

Ruby: Why wouldn't I be?

Tai: You- wha- I- that-

Mentally, Tai was having a maternal meltdown as he began to process the implications of Ruby's question.

Seeing the metaphorical smoke rise out of her father's ears, Ruby put her hand on his arm.

Ruby: Dad, he's a superhero from another dimension. Why wouldn't I be curious?

Tai: Oh, right...

As Tai mentally calmed himself down, the two of them finally arrived in town. Finding a place to park, Tai handed Ruby a list of grocery items written on a piece of paper.

Tai: Y/N or not, we still need to get groceries.

Ruby sank in her seat slightly at the sight of chores.

Ruby: Okay...

With a list of his own, Tai stepped out of the truck with Ruby.

Tai: If we stick to it, we'll be done in an hour.

Tai handed his daughter a small amount of Lien.

Tai: That should be enough for everything.

Ruby: Can we look for Y/N after?

Tai: Eh. Sure, why not? I'm actually not sure where he ended up myself. 

Looking down at his own list, Tai sighed and started heading in his own direction.

Tai: It's always milk we run out of first...

After her father disappeared around a corner, Ruby looked down at her list.

Ruby: Okay, let's see. Cereal, peanut butter, fruit, eggs, tin foil, pickles, flour, and bread. That shouldn't take too long.

_____

Thirty Minutes Later

Ruby: Ughh...

Patch Citizen: Woah, watch it kid!

Ruby: S-sorry!

Her hands completely occupied by the bags of groceries she'd bought, Ruby barely managed to stumble through the front door of the local bakery.

Using what strength she had left, Ruby marched to the front register and dropped her bags on the floor. Careful as to not break any eggs.

Ruby: Phew!

Taking a moment to catch her breathe, Ruby tapped the bell on the counter. A few moments later, a young man with a robust mustache wearing a worn apron stepped out from the back.

Barnsby Macmillan IV: Hello! Young la-

Ruby's eyes widened.

Ruby: Y/N!!!!

Barnsby Mcmillan IV: ._.

The whole room fell silent as other customers all simultaneously turned their heads toward the young girl who just shouted.

Barnsby Mcmillan IV: Why yes! That is the name of this person here!

Y/N stepped to the side to reveal a wanted poster of himself.

Ruby: Uh....

Barnsby Mcmillan IV: This incredibly dangerous and nefarious individual!

Ruby: O-oh! Yeah! He-

Barnsby Mcmillan IV: This person right here! On this poster!

Y/N suddenly grabbed the wanted poster of himself and brought it right to Ruby's face.

Barnsby Mcmillan IV: That's wanted by Atlas!

Ruby: 0_0 Uh-

Barnsby Mcmillan IV: With a reward higher than the moon!

Ruby: I-

Barnsby Mcmillan IV: That literally everyone is looking for!

Ruby could just make out Y/N's bloodshot eyes as he stared into her eyes.

Barnsby Mcmillan IV: The person, every bounty hunter on Remnant will never stop looking for!

Ruby: I'm-

Barnsby Mcmillan IV: And is probably hiding his identity in order to avoid capture!!!!!!

Y/N's eye twitched as he stared into Ruby's.

Bakery Customer: Yeah, that seems like an apt description of that person on the poster.

Barnsby Mcmillan IV: Lovely!

Y/N instantly returned back behind the counter and posted the wanted poster back to where it was.

Barnsby Mcmillan IV: So, what can I do for you?

Ruby: Err... My dad reserved an order for the Xiao-Long Residence?

Barnsby: Oh yeah, I was up all night making that. Mr. Aziz really likes things to be fresh and on time...

As he reminisced over last night, Y/N stepped into the kitchen for a moment.

Barnsby: Asked me to deliver a pizza once...

Ruby didn't wait long before Y/N brought out an even larger bag than the bags she'd already been carrying causing her frown.

Y/N sighed as he realized that Ruby couldn't possibly carry the bag he'd brought out.

Barnsby: -_- I'll help you carry this.

Ruby: Thanks.

_____

With Ruby leading the way, the pair started walking toward the truck giving them a chance to talk candidly.

Ruby: So, you work at a bakery now? Kinda on the nose, don't you think?

(Y/N): Well, it is something I've always wanted to do.

Ruby: Is it everything you've always wanted?

(Y/N): Mundane, uneventful, and without bloodthirsty monsters? Yes!

Ruby giggled.

(Y/N): So, how has everything been back at home, Ruby?

Ruby's cheerful demeanor faded at the question.

Ruby: It's... okay. Everyone is still reeling from what happened at Beacon.

Y/N glanced over the horizon toward Vale, spotting the anomalous light looming over the city.

(Y/N): Well, it has only been a week...

Y/N turned his head back toward Ruby.

(Y/N): How's your sister been doing?

Ruby: Yang has been...

Ruby sighed.

Ruby: Yang doesn't really leave her room anymore...

(Y/N): She does leave to clean herself though, right?

Ruby chuckled at the attempted humor.

Ruby: Yes. She still leaves her room to clean herself.

(Y/N): And eat?

Ruby's smile returned as she rolled her eyes.

Ruby: Yes, she also comes out to eat.

(Y/N): See? There you go, things are already looking better.

Ruby: Yeah, I guess.

(Y/N): No one, and I mean no one, is too moody to clean and feed themselves.

Ruby: Well that's a relief, because if I didn't already know what Yang's Semblance was I'd believe it would be that smell she gets when she forgets deodorant.

(Y/N): Have you heard from anyone else?

Ruby: Not really. Weiss was taken back to Atlas when the remainder of Ironwood's army retreated.

(Y/N): Well, at least we know Weiss will be taken care of.

Ruby: You think so?

(Y/N): With how often she'd go on about how great her life in Atlas was? I bet she's having a great time seeing her parents again, who I bet love her a lot and don't ignore her in any way.

Ruby: ...That was, oddly specific.

(Y/N): Yeah, I know, that was strange...

Ruby: Well, as for Blake she just kinda disappeared.

(Y/N): Maybe she went home too?

Ruby: Maybe.

(Y/N): Well, seeing as how she always disappears, I'm going to assume she went home too! Probably catching up with some old friends and chatting peacefully before a warm fire.

Ruby stared at Y/N confused again.

Ruby: Okay, seriously, why are you being so specific?

Y/N's eyes widened, equally as confused.

(Y/N): 0_o I don't know.

Before long, the pair turned a corner and found Tai loading his own groceries into the truck.

As they drew closer, Tai noticed his daughter approaching.

Tai: Hey Ruby! Did you find every-

Tai froze when he saw Y/N walking alongside her.

Tai: O-oh hey.... Y/N...

Ruby: Dad! It's Barnsby!

Tai: Oh, right.

Tai awkwardly smiled as Ruby gingerly walked by him and began off loading her own groceries into the truck. When the older man turned his head he was met with Y/N frowning at him.

(Y/N): (whisper) Seriously!? It's barely even been a week!

Tai: (whisper) I'm sorry! What did you want me to do!? We need food to eat!

(Y/N): (whisper) You couldn't have come by yourself!?

Tai: (whisper) Really!? Did you really expect me to be able to keep Ruby in the house for a week!?

(Y/N): -_-

Ruby: Okay! Everything is loaded!

Before their conversation could continue, Ruby finished loading the truck and joined the two boys.

Ruby: Were you two talking about something?

(Y/N): -_- No...

Y/N casually put the bag he was carrying into the truck and dusted his hands off.

(Y/N): Welp, that's everything! You're all set!

Tai: Thanks.

Ruby: Thank you!

Hopping into the truck, Tai started the engine.

Before hopping in herself, Ruby turned to Y/N.

Ruby: Do you think we can hang out sometime? So that...

Ruby quickly thought about an excuse that didn't make her seem creepy.

Ruby: ...you can tell me more stories about worlds you've been to?

(Y/N): -_- Sure.

Ruby smiled before closing the door and waving goodbye to Y/N.

After the truck disappeared into the forest, Y/N sighed and began walking back to the bakery. However, before walking a few steps something on the wall caught his eye.

(Y/N): Hm? What's this?

Curious, Y/N took a closer look at the poster and read its contents. Before long he tore the poster from the wall and put it into his pocket.

(Y/N): This changes everything! I... I... I can't ignore this!!!!

The fire of motivation now lit aflame, Y/N ran back to the bakery.

_____

_____

Salem's Castle

Cinder: ....rrrrg.....

Despite having accomplished what some would call impossible, Cinder found the obstacle before her more difficult than any before it.

Cinder: ...aaaauuuuuughhhh....

The now scarred woman had killed many veteran Huntsmen, manipulated whole organizations to bend to her will, and even managed to defeat a full fledged 'Maiden' with nothing but her mind and indomitable will. But just moving a finger proved too much for her.

Sitting upright in bed in her own private room, Cinder grimaced as she tried to move her new limbs.

From the outside it appeared Cinder wore long black gloves that reached just past her bicep and hugged her skin. Her arms had an intricate pattern that continued from the tips of her fingers all the way to where her real skin started.

Cinder: Come on!

Concentrating harder than she'd ever before, Cinder focused on her right hand.

Cinder: Move!!

Her efforts culminated in her hand twitching pathetically.

Now out of breath, Cinder cursed herself for exhausting herself for such a meager result and fell back into her bed and closed her one remaining eye. Cinder sighed, she could feel her arms but actually moving them felt--for lack of a better term--alien.

Before long Cinder felt herself fall asleep and her body relax and for a moment she felt sleep take her. But it was short lived.

Not long after Cinder fell fully asleep she found herself in a familiar cold. Once again, she found herself floating in the endless in the oppressive emptiness she'd seen not too long ago.

As fast as she had fallen asleep, Cinder shot awake when her body felt too cold. Looking around her in a slight panic, the wounded woman checked her surroundings to make sure she wasn't in that abnormal world.

Breathing a small sigh of relief, Cinder relaxed again and layed back down, though she felt unnerved by the sudden experience. She didn't understand what she saw or why she saw it in the first part.

But what was the most strange about her dream was the fact that she was seeing that world through the eye that was gone.

Cinder did not get much time to think before the door to her room opened. Silently entering the room was the mistress of the castle itself, Salem.

The pallor woman stopped in the doorway, surprised that Cinder was strong enough to sit herself up.

Salem: I see you have regained some strength...

Cinder: ...aauugghhh....

When Cinder tried to respond only a barely audible groan left her mouth.

Salem: ...though more time seems to be needed.

Salem approached the side of Cinder's bed and gave her Fall Maiden a look over. Cinder herself couldn't read her mistress' expression both because Salem had strong control over her emotions but also because she didn't like looking her in the eye.

Salem: How do your arms feel?

Cinder opened her mouth again before closing it again and deciding to show Salem instead. Exerting great effort once again, Cinder barely managed to get her left hand to twitch before giving up.

Cinder expected Salem to be disappointed but on the contrary, she appeared pleased.

Salem: You are progressing well. Even Tyrian has yet to show signs of moving, and he arrived before you.

Though Cinder was curious about what happened to Tyrian, she was more interested in why Salem was interested in her arms.

Salem: For now you need to rest...

Satisfied by Cinder's progress, Salem turned away and began walking back toward the door. Before she left, she glanced back at the bed-ridden Cinder.

Salem: ...you will need it for what is to come.

Following that Salem disappeared behind the door and Cinder was alone again.

When she was sure she was alone Cinder silently glanced at her arms.

_____

_____

Patch

Evening

Having completed their shopping, Ruby and Tai started taking their bags of groceries into the house and sorting them. With the two of them working together the food was quickly stored away.

Shuffling through the final bag Ruby gasped.

Ruby: Oh my gosh!!!

Tai: What is it?

Ruby pulled out a small box and opened it. Neatly organized inside the box were six large cinnamon buns.

Ruby: It's Y/N's cinnamon buns!!!

Tai: Would you look at that.

Tai was happy to see his daughter smile again after the past week.

Tai: Are they any good?

Ruby: Oh my gosh dad they're the best!! The absolute best!!!

Ruby's eyes were basically sparkling as she stared at the boxed dessert.

Tai: Oh come on Ruby, are they any better than my-

Ruby: Yes. *munch* In every way. *nom*

Ruby was already devouring a roll by the time her father asked his question.

Curious himself, Tai grabbed a roll.

Tai: They can't be that good...

Tai took a curious bite and began to chew.

It was really good.

Really, really, really, really, really, really good.

Tai: Damnit... *munch*

Totally ignorant of her father's internal saddness, Ruby glanced at the extra rolls and an idea came to mind.

Grabbing an extra plate, Ruby took two cinnamon rolls and placed them all on the dish.

Tai: Where do you plan on taking those?

Ruby: Yang.

A wry smile appeared on Tai's face as Ruby brought the plate up the stairs toward the room Yang was staying in.

A feeling of trepidation came over Ruby as she entered the second floor hallway. That feeling was dashed when she heard the shower going in the bathroom down the hall.

Ruby gave a sigh of relief before quickly leaving the plate on the nightstand next to Yang's bed.

Despite how Yang shouted at her earlier, they were still sisters, and Ruby hoped to see her old sister again.

_____

Following her shower, Yang made her way back to her room. Before she touched the door handle she glanced down the hall and toward the lit stairs that led to the kitchen.

She could hear her father, sister, and uncle, talking amongst themselves. For a brief second she thought about heading down and joining them before deciding against it and heading into her room.

Upon entering the blonde found the plate that Ruby left for her.

Yang grimaced at the plate, recognizing Y/N's work, before heading straight to bed.

...

After barely ten minutes Yang rolled over on her bed and grabbed a cinnamon roll.

Yang: Stupid... *munch* ...delicious... *chew* ...cinnamon...

_____

_____

Koinu

Later That Night

Town Guard #1: Got any 2's?

Town Guard #2: *sigh* yes...

The first guard smiled and quickly took the card he was looking for.

Town Guard #2: Why do we have to play "Go Fish" all the time?

Town Guard #1: You're just upset I'm winning.

The second guard frowned.

Town Guard #2: Why can't we play a fun game? Like "Uno"?

Town Guard #1: Because someone lost a third of the deck.

The second guard sighed and looked at the cards in his hands.

Town Guard #2: It's been pretty quiet lately, huh?

Town Guard #1: Yeah, less Grimm too. I ain't complaining though...

Town Guard #2: It's... really quiet huh?

The second guard glanced around and into the darkened forest that surrounded the town. Something was... off.

It was truly silent. In fact the guard couldn't even hear the usual sound of crickets outside of the town.

Town Guard #1: Hey! You're just trying to change the subject now that I'm winning in "Go Fish"!

Town Guard #2: What!? No I'm not!

Town Guard #1: Then sit back down and play!

The eerie feeling passed and the two guards resumed their game together.

Outside of the range of light that came from the torches and lights that lit up the town and front gate something approached the town.

A large humanoid claw dug into the ground as the guards outside the front gate laughed together.

_____

_____

Author:

Hello! I hope everyone is having a great week!

Okay, I finally managed to figure out how to write this chapter. What was tripping me up so much was the time frame between Vol. 3 and Vol. 4. 

I wasn't entirely sure how and when certain events happened and it confused me more and more. Fortunately, I figured out how I'm going to do the next chapters! 

No promises on releases of chapters, things have gotten busier in my life again so be aware of that.

Gaze upon your face and weep!!! No just kidding :P 

This is the agreed upon look of our intrepid hero for the illustrated version of "From Another World"!! 

There's something to be said about watching people who genuinely enjoy my story enough to want to turn it into a comic. And that is: HOLY CRAP THIS IS AMAZING!!!