Ruby can be heard running and panting as she runs through the forest area of the Origami Acre. She then stops by a tree to catch her breath. She sits down at the base of the trunk with her head to her knees and her arms folded. Little pops out from her hood. They run out onto her arm.

Little: Ruby? Ruby?

Ruby finally raises her head.

Little: (hopping onto Ruby's knee) What are you doing? Why did you shout at everyone like that?

Ruby doesn't say anything, simply sighing. She looks at her surroundings.

Ruby: Where... am I?

Little: It's okay! I can guide us back. You shouldn't run off though. You all need to stick together if you wanna go home.

Ruby: (sighs) Why are you still here?

Ruby folds her arms again, and her face has a scowling expression. Little grows concerned.

Little: Uh... what? I promised.

Ruby: I promised to serve Atlas as a Huntress... That I'd keep people safe... That I'd be there for my friends...

Little: But, we can go back and--

Ruby: No!

Ruby stands up and Little hops off her knee to the ground.

Ruby: You don't know what I've done. What I couldn't do! I can't do this! (punches the tree trunk) I could never do this... If you stay with me, you're going to end up dead too...

Ruby: Just. Go. Home...

Little: But you're--

Ruby: I said GO!

Little yelps and quickly crawls away from Ruby. Little watches Ruby marches away, their ears flop down in sadness. Ruby looks at her ring Rex gave her on their first date.

Ruby: (takes the ring off her finger) It's over, Rex... We're done...

Meanwhile, Rex continues searching for Ruby.

Rex: (running) Ruby?! Ruby?! (stops running) Come on, Rosebud. Where are you?

Glimmer: She's gotta be around her somewhere.

Rex: I hope she's not far, Glimmer. (Looks shock) Glimmer?! What the hell are you doing here?!

Glimmer: Before you ran, I grabbed your hoodie.

Rex: I thought I told you not to follow me!

Glimmer: I can't let you search through this alone!

Rex: But I didn't ask you to come with me!

Glimmer: Shh! Listen...

Rex: What?

Glimmer: We're being watched. I can feel it.

Some tension was feeling off. Then Rex heard a blade try slashing him from a bush on his left.

Glimmer: Rex!

Rex took Excalibur out and deflected the attack.

Ben: With one eye, you sure have some skill.

Rex: I don't know what you want, but you made a big mistake attacking me.

Ben: I believe you're in no condition to fight me.

Rex: What the fuck are you talking about?

Ben: Seeing that your fiance broke up with you, it seems you're holding back your anger. Meaning, I've got the advantage.

Rex: If you're going to kill me, kill me now.

Ben: I didn't come here to kill you. (Draws out Logos) Just to put you to the test.

Rex: Glimmer, get outta here.

Glimmer: But Rex-

Rex: Just go! Find Ruby!

Glimmer didn't answer back to him, but she ran through the forest to search for Ruby.

Ben: Sending her to the forest alone was a wise choice. If she refused, I'd have killed her in an instant.

Rex: Don't care what you're after, you're going down! Immortal or not.

Ruby walks through the forest. It begins to darken around her as she continues to walk. A glowing blue butterfly flutters past Ruby. As Ruby continues walking, a spotlight appears above her. Each spotlight shows Ruby walking slowly and much slower than the first two. She crosses the bridge between the Origami Acre and the Abandoned Acre.

She arrives at a pink-colored extravagant manor. Everything goes dark.

Another spotlight appears above Ruby again, but this time, Ruby is inside a room standing in front of a portrait of a family of three. The other portraits appear in few spotlights.

The first two portraits depict Trivia Vanille, both as a child and adolescent, with her parents Jimmy and Carmel Vanille. The other portrait depicts Neo with Cinder standing besides Salem's throne. Ruby slowly walked towards the largest portrait, depicting Roman Torchwick and Neo with her parents lying on the ground, apparently dead.

Ruby: What is this?

As Ruby stares at the portrait, Roman's left eye moves to gaze at her direction.

Neo-Roman: Hello, Red!

Ruby gasps and brandishes Crescent Rose's scythe form, backing away from the portrait. Neo-Roman stands up from his seat.

Neo-Roman: Been a while. (jumps off from the trunk and casually walks) How's the hero biz treatin' ya? I gotta say, you're not looking too good. Oh, and where's Blue? Don't tell me you two lovebirds broke up.

Neo-Roman gives a kick at Jimmy's corpse.

Ruby: Where's Neo?

Neo-Roman: Yeesh, no manners. And after everyone came out to see you! (echoes)

The lights begin to turn on in the room Ruby was in. Ruby turns around and becomes astonished to see certain people at the table: Penny, Pyrrha, Lionheart, Clover, Ozpin and General Ironwood. Each of them has a cup of tea in front of them.

Neo-Penny: (saluting) Salutations, Ruby!

Neo-Pyrrha: (waving) Hello again!

Neo-Lionheart is seen fiddling with his lion tail before he looks at Ruby and sits up straight. Neo-Clover adjusts his clover badge.

Neo-Ozpin: (adjusting his glasses) Miss Rose.

Neo-Ironwood: (smiling and gesturing) Why don't you take a seat?

Ruby looks on at the sight of the people she knew with horror.

Ruby: How is she doing this?

Everyone at the table laugh at Ruby's bewilderment.

Ruby: Stop it! This isn't real!

Neo-Roman: Is it real?

Ruby becomes startled by Neo-Roman's presence beside her and falls to the floor.

Neo-Roman: You're the one following a talking cat around a fairy tale.

Neo-Roman walks away from Ruby, twirling Melodic Cudgel. He jumps onto the table. Everyone stops laughing and stares at Ruby.

Neo-Roman: Reality's gettin' fuzzier by the minute, kid.

Ruby twirls Crescent Rose scythe and changes to sniper gun at Roman and the others.

Neo-Roman: Y'know once Neo realized where she was, everything changed. Always loved the idea of a place to run away from it all. Do whatever you want. (sits down cross-legged on the table between Lionheart and Clover) I offered that to her back on Remnant. (gives a frown) But we all remember how that ended.

Ruby: Is that seriously what this is all about? You still blame me for what happened to Torchwick?!

Neo-Roman growls.

Ruby: If you're looking for an apology, you've wasted your time!

On atop of the tea party room, Little arrives and watches.

Neo-Roman: They say everyone thinks they're the hero of their own story.

Everyone at the table gives a wry grin; their eyes change to Neo's eye colors.

Neo-Roman: But... (stands up) I knew what I was. And deep down, I think you know you are too.

Neo-Roman steps onto the teacup containing multi-colored liquid, breaking it with his shoe, as he walks towards Ruby. He takes out a multi-colored leaf in his hand.

Ruby: The leaves from the Tree?

Neo-Roman: Oh, you're familiar? How about a little reset?

Ruby: Is that what you want? Well, if you want me dead, then come get me!

Neo-Roman: (chuckles) You don't deserve to die, Red. You deserve to be broken down... (casually releases the leaf) ... Torn apart... wiped from existence.

The multi-colored leaf falls into the teacup. Ruby hears the sound behind her and turns around, aiming Crescent Rose at Neo. Neo jumps over Ruby as she blocks the potshots with Hush.

As Neo flies over Ruby, Neo-Roman shoots at Ruby with Melodic Cudgel. Ruby is sent backwards away from the table. Neo-Roman catches Neo with a chuckle as everyone at the table applauds. Neo smiles at Neo-Roman before they both look down on Ruby. Neo-Roman places Neo to the ground.

Neo-Roman: I'm gonna enjoy...

Everyone: (stands up from their seats) ...Watching you break.

Everyone has their eyes closed with eerie smiles. Neo-Roman kneels behind Neo, who gives a closed-eye smile.

Elsewhere in the forest area of Origami Acre...

Rex and Ben are still facing off each other at a lightspeed battle.

Hey! (3x)

Come on!

Let's go!

Ben lunges at Rex with his blade, but Rex deflects the strike and moves to his own.

Rex:
I'm running through the
fire, the city of flames
Just like the fire in my
heart burning strong each day
So you'll never see me
giving up no matter the pain
And even if the obstacles are
there I'll break 'em away

I know the Eggman's coming and
he's planning every second
To knock me off my path because
I know he wants me finished
I see it in his eyes,
he's planning my demise
But even if he tries I will
never let him end my life

Ben: We're really not so different, boy. You kill people, I kill people. I'm sure you understand!

Never let him end my life,
never let him break me down
Even when the fire burns,
never let him take this town
Ready for whatever comes,
never scared, never run
Yeah at times it may be fun
but this time I am gunnin' so

Rex tries to run out of Ben's range.

Rex:
I'm running through the
fire, the city of flames
Just like the fire in my
heart burning strong each day
So you'll never see me
giving up no matter the pain
And even if the obstacles are
there I'll break 'em away
In this city full of crisis
to color up the whiteness
Never thought I'd like this
but you know I might just
take my chance to win this
game, cuz I gotta save the day
No more play no more games

gotta overcome these flames

Ben: Running is inevitable, kid! I thought you were stronger than this!

Rex: Shut up!

Rex tried to keep running as he looked back and didn't see Ben, but he looked above.

Ben: Darkness Meteor!

Ben summoned a dark cloud forming big purple rocks, sending them down on top of Rex as he tries to get away.

Rex:
The clock is tickin'
and time is moving fast
So everyday it's feeling like
I'm running through my past
I know it's up to me,
to rescue all my friends
I know I will succeed
with my supersonic speed
But the fire in my eyes,
it makes it really clear
That the Eggman wants me to disappear

Rex peels out dodging them left and right, back and forth.

But I will never fear
never fail never fall
Even if the stakes are high
and I gotta risk it all so
I'm running through the
fire, the city of flames
Just like the fire in my
heart burning strong each day
So you'll never see me
giving up no matter the pain
And even if the obstacles are
there I'll break 'em away
In this city full of crisis
to color up the whiteness
Never thought I'd like this
but you know I might just
take my chance to win this
game, cuz I gotta save the day
No more play no more games

gotta overcome these flames

He sees an opportunity of his chance to attack Ben. He jumps on the meteors one by one. Rex jumped one more time and strike Ben.

Rex: Sword Dive!

He did a front flip and dives straight down to Ben by full force, slamming him down to the ground.

Meanwhile with the others, they search for the pair.

Jaune: (off-screen) Ruby!

Rin: Rex!

Jaune, Juniper, Weiss, Blake, Yang, Team REBL and CRMS are searching for Ruby and Rex.

Weiss: Ruby. Ruby...?

Yang stops walking.

Yang: (sighs) Damn it! How can she just run off like that?!

Blake: She was clearly upset.

Luke: Upset doesn't even begin to cover it.

Yang: That wasn't upset! That was... Ugh! She could've talked to us!

Weiss: Maybe she didn't feel like she could...

Weiss: Ruby has always been the one to get us through the hard times. We say things like "We believe in you", "We can count on you". I know we mean well, but...

Rin: She's not the only one who's been through a lot. Rex has always been there to us through everything, to keep us going. Rex really wanted to help Ruby... but who will help him? He may act like he's alright, but he isn't...

Jaune feels guilty over what he said to Ruby back then. Juniper becomes sad and Jaune comforts them with a pat.

Shane: Believe it 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 in that state before.

Crim: Neither have I.

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

Mason: Probably that's what they thought we expected from them.

They heard someone panting. Turns out, it was Glimmer.

Elena: Glimmer?!

Crim: Hey, what happened?

Glimmer: It's... (pants) It's Rex...

Briana: Did you see him?! Where is he?!

Glimmer: Just let me catch my breath... (sighs) Damn. Okay, quick version, Rex is fighting Ben, and he told me to run and find Ruby!

Rin: If he's fighting Ben, that's bad!

Luke: Hey, I think I found something! (picks something up)

Yang: Babe, what is it?

Luke: It's... Ruby's ring?

Briana: That's the ring that Rex gave her.

Crim: If that's Ruby's ring, then that means...

They hear something and look at to a certain direction.

Glimmer: What was that?

Mason: I think we found her...

Back at the tea party room, Ruby uses her Semblance to dodge the attacks from Neo-Penny, Neo-Pyrrha, Neo-Lionheart and Neo-Ironwood with their weapons while Roman, Neo, Neo-Ozpin and Neo-Clover are watching.

Neo-Ironwood: Who were you and Rex to think you knew what was best for Atlas?

Neo-Pyrrha: I was the best and brightest Beacon had to offer.

Ruby gets shot down and clings onto the chandelier.

Neo-Pyrrha: But I traded my life so my friends could live!

Neo-Pyrrha throws Miló javelin at the chain of the chandelier. Ruby falls to the floor, the impact breaking her Aura. She gets up to try and reach for Crescent Rose, but is stopped by Neo-Penny's Maiden powered Floating Array. Ruby looks back at her.

Neo-Penny: Just like you were too late to save me at the Vytal Festival... I died in Atlas too, didn't I? (walks towards Ruby) Can you imagine what that's like? To be completely and utterly failed... time and again... (kneels down to Ruby) by someone who meant the world to you...

Ruby reaches her hand towards Neo-Penny with her eyes on the verge of tears, but Neo-Roman uses the curved end of Melodic Cudgel to choke her from behind.

Neo-Roman: You ready for that drink yet?

Ruby manages to break free from Neo-Roman's choking grip and runs but gets attacked by Neo-Pyrrha.

Neo-Pyrrha: How many more people are going to die because of you?!

Neo-Pyrrha swings her body around Miló javelin and delivers a kick at Ruby, sending her to the wall. She struggles to walk along it.

Ruby: I'm trying to save everyone!

Ruby gets punched in the gut by Neo-Ironwood, who then pins her to the wall.

Neo-Ironwood: And yet with all your best intentions...

Little gasps in shock, watching Ruby getting overwhelmed.

Neo-Ironwood: Have you ever stopped to wonder if you'd done more harm than good?!

Neo-Ironwood throws Ruby to the floor.

Ruby: It's not my fault...!

Ruby attempts to reach Crescent Rose, only to get beaten up by Neo-Ozpin with The Long Memory.

Neo-Ozpin: How many more lives do you have to ruin before you realize you're not cut out to save anyone?!

Ruby: (grabs Crescent Rose and slashes at Neo-Ozpin) NO!!!

The Long Memory falls to the floor. Ruby becomes horrified to see that she slashes Neo-Rex in Neo-Ozpin's place.

Neo-Rex: (stares at his hand tainted with his own blood) Rosebud...

Neo-Rex falls backwards and dies. Ruby drops Crescent Rose and collapses on her knees. Neo-Penny and Neo-Clover approach Neo-Rex's corpse. Neo-Penny, covering her mouth in shock, then changes to Neo-Yang. Neo-Clover changes to Neo-Qrow, and then Neo-Mia now horrified over Neo-Rex's "death". Neo-Lionheart changes to Neo-Blake looking at Ruby in disbelief. Neo-Ironwood changes to Neo-Weiss looking down at Ruby.

Neo-Roman: Do you really think you can stand to watch more of your friends fall?

Ruby: Please... stop...

Neo-Roman: Or are you ready to admit the truth? That the world would just be better off without you?

Neo-Jaune appears in Neo-Pyrrha's place with Neo-Nora and Neo-Ren, mourning over Neo-Rex. Ruby begins to hyperventilate in fear and panic as Team Neo-CRMS, Neo-REBL, Neo-Shulk, Neo-Kyla, Neo-Jaune, Neo-Flora, Neo-Ren, Neo-Oscar, Neo-Nora, and Neo-Yugo join the others. Ruby breaks down in broken sobs, placing her head and hands to the floor. Neo carries the teacup and approaches Ruby. She places down the teacup and moves it with her boot towards Ruby. Ruby lifts her head slowly, staring at the teacup filled with a multi-colored liquid.

Back with Rex, he was looking dead tired.

Rex: Had enough yet...?

Ben: Don't you see, boy. I told you, I wasn't going to kill you. (smiles) It was to distract you.

Rex: Distract me from what?

Ben: Let's say your love one is having her time of her life with Neo right now. (Rex's widen his eyes) You're too late; you won't save her this time. Hahahaha!!

As Ben kept laughing, he was unaware that Rex kicked him square in the face, sending him to a tree.

Rex: Tell me. Where. Is. Neo?

Ben: I already told you-

He gets cut off by Rex's mega powerful punch, sending Ben flying through tree to tree.

Rex ran super fast as he could to find Ruby.

Back at the mansion, Neo kneels down before Ruby. Ruby stares at the teacup before she looks at Neo, who stands up and looks down on her with a smirk. Neo turns and gets attacked by a beam. She is sent flying backwards to outside of the manor. Her Semblance suddenly dispels over the manor.

Ruby, in her perspective of view, slowly opens her eyes. A hole of the manor is shown with the Great Tree in the background. She then blinks and opens to multi-colored leaf brewing in the teacup. She later blinks to see the Cat.

Curious Cat: It's all right, Ruby. It's over now.

Ruby: What? I'm sorry... (moves her body over) I don't want to be me anymore...

Ruby softly sobs, the Cat rubs their paw on her shoulder.

Curious Cat: It's okay, little Huntress... (jumps onto Ruby's torso.) I can be you instead...

Ruby opens her eyes in realization.

Curious Cat: (chuckles) I have been trying to wear you down for so long!

Curious Cat phases their paws through Ruby's chest, causing her to scream in pain and agony.

Ruby: What are you... doing?! (gasps)

Curious Cat: My purpose. When a poor little heart is broken, I can fill it with mine. I'm afraid I haven't been entirely honest with you, Ruby. (bares their fangs)

Ruby: No!

Curious Cat: I'm not like the other Afterans here, I'm cursed with curiosity. I need to know everything! (their eyes turn black) But more than anything, I need to know why my makers left me here... (hisses) Only to leave and make all of-- OW!!

The Cat turns around to find Little biting their tail.

Little: You're not a friend! Friends don't--

The Cat swats Little away from their tail, sending the mouse to the floor. Little slowly recovers. Neo runs inside the manor. The Cat hisses at Neo. They try to fire another beam, but Neo turns out to be another glass copy. The real Neo is behind them and she swats away the Cat with Hush.

Little: Ruby! (pulls Ruby by her finger) You have to get up. We have to go!

As Little tries to drag Ruby, Neo stomps on Little with her boot, apparently killing them ruthlessly. Neo sneers down on Ruby with Roman standing behind her.

Ruby becomes utterly horrified after Little was killed in front of her, the light in her eyes is gone. The teacup is slided to Ruby.

Neo-Roman: Hmph. I think it's about time we all got what we deserve.

Ruby slowly moves her body. Team CRMS, REBL, Weiss, Blake, Yang, Jaune, Glimmer and Juniper finally arrive only to see Neo looking down on the wounded Ruby.

Rex sees the house and rushes towards it.

Neo-Roman: Are you ready to admit the truth? That the world would just be better off without you?

Ruby stares at her teammates, CRMS, REBL, Glimmer, Jaune, Juniper, and Rex. She then slowly picks up the teacup in her hands. She gives them one last look. Yang watches in shock as Ruby drinks the entire tea. Ruby drops the teacup and lies there.

Yang: (muted) Ruby?

A hole appears below Ruby and she falls into it along with Little and Crescent Rose, engulfed in a bright light. Neo becomes astonished yet feeling empty after she witnesses Ruby fall.

Neo-Roman: (voice in Neo's head) You've finally done it!

Neo sits on her chair, seemingly giving a frown as the manor begins to slowly crumble.

Neo-Roman: (voice in Neo's head) Little Red's gone. With your Semblance stronger than ever now, we can take over this whole absurd place!

Neo shuts her eyes and shakes her head, distraught.

Neo-Roman: (voice in Neo's head) Why not? Offing Little Red can't be all you wanted... Right?

Neo opens her eyes before she is filled with mixed emotions of confusion and realization.

Rex walked slowly and went down on his knees...

Rin, Weiss, Elena, Briana, and Glimmer become shocked over Ruby's fall. Blake and Yang hold Luke and Shane over their shoulders, the latter seemingly catatonic. Crim slams his fist to the ground. Jaune and Mason close their eyes in silence.

Glimmer: Guys! Stay back! Don't come any closer!

Elena: What's wrong?

Glimmer: Something's off with Rex... I'm sensing a negative aura around him.

Rin: You don't mean...

Glimmer: Yes...

Rex's hair became dark and so did his skin and his pupil was gone. He walks really slowly to Neo, who is petrified.

Rex:
The secret side of me
I never let you see
I keep it caged, but I can't control it
So stay away from me
The beast is ugly
I feel the rage, and I just can't hold it
It's scratching on the walls
In the closet, in the halls
It comes awake, and I can't control it
Hiding under the bed
In my body, in my head
Why won't somebody come and save me from this?
Make it end

Neo tries to draw her weapon, but Rex quickly swatted away from her. He grabbed her neck and slammed her down, breaking the chair.

I feel it deep within
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I hate what I've become
The nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster (2x)

Weiss: Rex, you have to stop this!

Rin: It's no use, Weiss! He can't hear you!

Mason: Then what the fuck is wrong with him!?

Crim: Yeah, why's he so dark?!

Neo tries to get up and crawls away from him, but Rex grabbed her leg and tossed her up and punched her in the stomach, as her Aura depleted and blood coming out of her mouth.

Rex:
My secret side I keep
Hid under lock and key
I keep it caged, but I can't control it
'Cause if I let him out
He'll tear me up, break me down
Why won't somebody come and save me from this?
Make it end

Ben: It's his rage... He has unleashed his rage.

Shane: His rage? That's why he's outta control!?

Ben: Truth is, I lied to Neo about our plan.

Jaune: You mean you set her up?!

Ben: This is what she deserves. I'm going to enjoy watching her suffer.

Briana: You sadistic fuck! Rex's gonna kill her and you're okay with that?!

Crim: Are you cracked?!

Ben: Not my fault, Neo got rid of that girl.

Rex:
I feel it deep within
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I hate what I've become
The nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I feel it deep within
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster (2x)

Rex grabs Neo's bloody face, looking super pissed at her.

It's hiding in the dark
It's teeth are razor sharp
There's no escape for me, it wants my soul, it wants my heart
No one can hear me scream
Maybe it's just a dream
Maybe it's inside of me
Stop this monster

He stared at her deadly in the face.

I feel it deep within
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster

Rex punched her super hard, all of Neo's blood came out of her face. He send her down the hallway. Neo got smashed out of the house.

Rex:
I hate what I've become
The nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I feel it deep within
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I'm gonna lose control
It's something radical
I must confess that I feel like a monster

Rex ran out of the house, grabbed Neo by the hair. Neo was instantly crying, showing Rex her merciful face, she doesn't want no more pain.

I, I feel like a monster (4x)

As Rex finished singing, he pulled Neo closer and whispered in her ear.

Rex: You should've died along with Torchwick...

He throws Neo back to the house. Weiss, Blake, Yang, Jaune, Team CRMS, REBL, and Glimmer looks back and sees a furious Rex.

Rin: That's enough, Rex!

Blake: Rex, you've done enough! Listen to us!

Shane: Dude, she didn't actually kill Ruby!

Rex: I know she didn't, but this is what she deserves. She pay the price.

Mason: Listen to yourself, man! Neo doesn't deserve to die! Sure she did bad things from the past.

Briana: She may be a bitch, but she didn't know Ruby didn't kill Torchwick!

Yang: You're not the only one who is having a bad day! Don't forget your promise to Ruby! This isn't what she promised!

Rex: (points at Neo) Well, I'm ending this bitch for good. Because she's not the kind of loose end she leaves untied...

Crim: Come on, dude! This isn't you! You don't do this!

Shane: She's already beaten, man!

Jaune: Rex, look, I'm sorry for what I said back there! None of this is our fault!

Elena: He's right, you're better than this! Remember the day when we first met? You never saw me as a freak! You said it yourself! You like every Faunus!

Briana: It was more than a relief that you can imagine, Rex! I thought you were some ordinary Huntsman! But I was wrong!

Jaune: Oh, yeah! Remember when you stood up to Cardin at Beacon? Your words helped me and showed me courage! I'll never forget what you did on my account! I want to return the favor!

Weiss: Do you remember what you said to me while we were still at Beacon. Your words made snap out of my cold persona. I was acting childish back then and you were right when you said I was jealous of not being a team leader.

Blake: Remember what you said back at Menagerie? The relationship between human and Faunus have grown better. Your words. You said to Ilia about that Adam only cares for himself! You were the perfect example of our kind!

Luke: We wouldn't even be here, man. You were our inspiration. You've always been my best friend. I've gotten way stronger because of you, dude.

Crim: Rex, you made every right call ever since we've all met.

Mason: Ever since your death, I believed in you. You were my idol. Ever since the Vytal Festival, I spent all my time training to be like you.

Shane: You always have a choice, man. There's one thing I learned something from my old man is that when you really screw something up, you can't fix it on your own.

Rin: When I heard about your death, it broke my heart into a million pieces. I've gotten stronger for your sake. I don't want to lose another one of my family to suffer more. So stop trying to think you can win this all by yourself. We can protect Remnant together.

Rex took some time to realize everything he's done with his friends. He looked at the cup Ruby drank and picked it up.

Rin: Wait, what are you doing?

Rex: I love you, sis...

Rin: REX, NOOOOO!!!!

He gulped down the remains of the beverage. Soon, another hole appears beneath him, and he falls as vines block anyone's way to him.

Curious Cat: No, no, no, no!

Jaune looks to find the Cat running towards the vine-covered hole.

Curious Cat: I needed her!

The Cat attempts to scratch the vines that cover the entire hole pointlessly. They growl in anger. They hear the loud sound and look up to the Tree. The Cat looks away before slowly turning around, giving a sharp sneer. Neo, still beaten on the floor, has a still dazed look on her face.

Jaune: (points Crocea Mors sword at the Cat) Take us to them.

Rin: (points Laevatein at the Cat) Right fucking now.

Curious Cat: You still don't get it, do you? It's not a place you go. It's a place you know.

Weiss, Blake, Yang, Team CRMS, REBL, and Glimmer watch the manor continuing to crumble with large cracks on the walls.

Curious Cat: But no matter... I actually found a much better solution to my problem.

After looking over to a catatonic Neo, The Cat gives a powerful roaring beam at Team CRMS, REBL, Jaune, Glimmer, Weiss, Blake and Yang. The group are sent flying backwards, crashing against the walls. Jaune lands onto Juniper, who catches him in time. The Cat's form begins to grow bigger with their colors changing to white with clear black square patterns. The Cat flies towards Neo with a vicious hiss.

Curious Cat: You've lost something most important, haven't you?

Curious Cat: And now you have nothing left. (chuckles) How delightful! An empty host, perfect for me to fill!

Neo slowly widens her eyes in utter shock before the Cat forces her mouth open and starts to dive inside of her. Jaune regains his posture before turns around to see the Cat attempting to take over Neo's body, to his shock.

Jaune: (runs to stop the Cat) No!

While the Cat continues to take over her body, Neo's eyes become wall-eyed in pain as they begin to turn into the Cat's checkered-pattern design. Jaune runs as fast as he can, jumps and tries to grab the Cat's tail but fails as the Cat is already completely inside Neo's body. Jaune glares as Neo goes unconscious temporarily after the Cat takes over her. Crim helps Weiss slowly get up after they recover. Shane helps Blake and Luke helps Yang up slowly before they look on.

Briana: (Gets up) What the fuck?

Elena: Neo...

NeoCat: (sighs) The Rusted Knight. Goodness, am I tired of your little sob story. (slowly stands up from their seat) You can't even accept your own futility.

Neo, now possessed by the Cat, reveals her face with a monstrous smile. The sclera of her eyes turn light blue with cat-like pupils. Her teeth are now sharp feline-like. Jaune is taken aback over NeoCat's visage. NeoCat looks at themself.

NeoCat: This body will do.

Combined with the Cat's powers and Neo's Semblance, NeoCat turns themself into something similar to Ruby's Semblance and flies out of the manor, heading towards the Great Tree.

END OF PART 113

In Loving Memory of Billy Kametz

March 22, 1987 - June 9, 2022