Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ruby and Penny were playing a game in Team RWBY’s dorm room that required answering questions about the other person, Ruby drew a card, prompting Penny to answer the question about her “If they were a scented candle, what would they smell like?” Penny looked up to Ruby, Knowing Penny’s high opinion of her, Ruby prepared her, “Aw shucks” response, then Penny spoke,

Penny: Meat!

Ruby: W-What!? I don’t smell like MEAT! Do I…?

Ruby looked down around at herself looking for what might cause such a smell, did she have Zwei’s dog food on her and forget about it?

Penny: But Friend Ruby, You are made of Meat!

Penny looked at Ruby concerned, worried she had saddened her friend. Ruby returned her focus to Penny then started snickering. Penny was now confused, but also relieved that Ruby wasn’t offended.

Ruby: Penny, that’s not– the question didn’t mean–um…

Penny cutely, quizzically and mechanically tilted her head paying attention to Ruby struggling to explain this to her.

Penny: I did it again, Did I not?

Blake: Take the question literally? Yeah, you did.

Blake responded, not looking away from her book. Blake had been reading her book on the top bunk, mostly being her introverted self, but happened to eavesdrop on the last minute or so of her teammate’s antics, there was also a small smile hidden by her book.

Penny: Oh. Let me attempt to answer correctly this time.

Ruby: No, keep it. It’s not what I expected, but it’s very…you.

Penny waited a moment, then smiled.

Penny: Aww, Ruby! You are just like you too!

Ruby: Ahaha! Thanks, Penny.

-
It was Ruby’s second semester at Beacon Academy, despite her initial reluctance to meet new people, Yang pushing Ruby out of her comfort zone ended up being a good thing after all, she had all sorts of new friends now, not just her team, but she would regularly associate with Team JNPR and even CFVY from time to time, Ruby definitely didn’t think THAT would happen, and Penny, despite only knowing each other for less than a month, it almost feels like she’s part of her family in some way.

Currently Ruby was asleep, dreaming of strawberries and cookies…she might’ve forgotten to eat dinner before going to sleep, as much as she loved being a huntress (in training) the learning curve was steep, Ruby and her team had been running all over the place on training and grimm clearing assignments, Grimm attacks seemed to becoming more and more frequent…if only there was some way to stop the grimm from reproducing…

Suddenly, an alarm snapped Ruby awake and it wasn’t the one she set for herself, There was yet ANOTHER grimm attack taking place and it was still dark out, the rest of her team groggily awoke, sighing and complaining, despite generally being a morning Person, even Ruby was feeling a little exhausted, this is what she signed up for though, she and her team had volunteered for extra curricular assignments.

Regardless, Ruby hopped out of bed and grabbed her weapon, the rest of her team begrudgingly followed suit and they headed to the area being attacked, specified on their scrolls.

-
When they arrived several people were already dead, there were mutilated corpses in the street, mothers attempting to evacuate their children and several uniformed guards who were, frankly, trying their best. Penny was also there, doing her best to keep people from dying but Grimm were all over the place and the whole scene was absolute chaos. It saddened Ruby a bit seeing people die, but she was also used to it, grimm were part of life, all she could do was save who she could.

Without hesitation, team RWBY charged into battle, slicing and blowing holes in the grimm, these grimm were fairly young and stupid, there was just a lot of them, it was fairly standard huntsmen work.

-
Everything was going smoothly, when suddenly a new challenger appears, a deformed humanoid grimm smashed into the streets No one had ever seen a grimm like it before, not only was this a completely new type of grimm but it immediately seemed far more methodical than a beast of instinct.

Weiss: What the f–!

Before Weiss could finish her sentence, the Grimm charged forward at a ludicrous speed, hitting Weiss in the air several paces backwards. Weiss landed on the pavement, her aura taking the brunt of the damage and quickly got to her feet as her companions slashed and shot at the grimm.

This creature was NOT like the grimm they had just been facing, it used actual fighting tactics and strategy, it waited, countered, blocked and dodged instead of mindlessly charging forward like every other grimm.

The grimm also possessed seemingly magical abilities, it could summon claws and other weapons from the ground or the palm of it’s hand. The team of huntresses took several hits collectively, unprepared for such an opponent.

Yang: What IS this thing!?

Weiss: Don't look at me, grimm shouldn't be this intelligent!

Blake: It's like the Cherry Borris of Grimm!

Ruby recalled the character Cherry Borris from a childhood book she had read, later turned into a successful action movie franchise.

Ruby: Nice reference Blake!

Blake and Ruby smile at each other

Weiss: CAN WE FOCUS PLEASE!?

Penny: My scanners indicate no anomalies, I do not know what is going on!

In spite of this the huntress team was still holding their own with the grimm, that’s when the Grimm roared and several other grimm burst from the ground, through the buildings and from the sky.

Yang: Did it just call for BACKUP!?

The grimm spoke,

The Homunculus: Formation A.

The huntresses are speechless, the grimm not only spoke but was actually using team formations. The grimm surrounding The Homunculus obeyed the command, and formed a tactical position leaving Team RWBYP almost nowhere to even move, the forces of grimm quickly overwhelming them.

Penny was smashed through a building, her aura depleted, Blake was struggling against the foot of a Goliath pressing down on her, Weiss screamed as her leg was ripped clean off and Yang was impaled by an Ursa claw through her chest!

Ruby watched in horror, if she didn’t do something in the next instant her friends would all be dead!

Ruby: No…NOOO!!!

Ruby’s eyes began to fill with tears, her mind could only focus on one thing, saving her friends, a protective instinct began stirring within her heart, her eyes began to glow.

Ruby used her silver eyes. Every grimm in the area disintegrated…is what Ruby thought…

The Homunculus emerged behind a piece of rubble it had taken cover from, Ruby had no idea how she did that, but it wasn’t enough! Now she had a massive headache and was still injured from the fight. The Homunculus zoomed towards her, Ruby raised her scythe but The Homunculus deflected it, knocking it out of her hands, grabbing her around the throat and smashing her into a wall.

The grimm looked at her for a second and tilted it’s head.

The Homunculus: You have Silver eyes.

Ruby couldn’t puzzle out this things existence, much less what it could want with her eyes, but it didn’t matter now…

The rest of team RWBY and Penny were incapacitated, unable to do anything other than watch as The Homunculus finished the job.

Yang: R-Ruby….

Ruby felt a hand wrap around her and squeeze, crushing her bones and organs as her vision fades…

-Load State 1

Ruby: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!

Ruby bolted upright in her bed, with more than a fright.

Weiss: WHAT THE FRACKELTY FRICK!?

Ruby had apparently woken up all the nearby dorms with her scream. Team JNPR and CFVY were in the doorway, armed with their weapons and pajamas.

Weiss: What in the world are you yelling about at this ungodly hour!?

Ruby: Weiss!! E-Everyone, You’re alive!!

Fox: What really? I hadn’t noticed!

Yang: That must have been one hell of a nightmare, you’re safe now, alright, sis?

Yang wraps her sister into a comforting hug.

Ruby: Yeah…Nightmare…

Ruby hugs Yang back.

Blake: What was the nightmare about?

Weiss: Whatever it was it can wait until morning, we ALL need our rest for tomorrow!

Various murmurs and a few grumblings are heard as everyone returns to bed after the false alarm.

-
Ruby: …It was horrible! All of you were dying, and then I got this headache and…I-I could FEEL my bones breaking, it was REALLY painful, y’know!

Ruby and her friends were having breakfast before class. Ruby hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that what she had experienced the night before was more than a bad dream, but she was able to talk about it at least.

Weiss: That sounds traumatizing!

Penny gasps.

Penny: That’s TERRIBLE!

Yang: No wonder you woke up so scared, are you feeling sick or something? almost sounds like a fever dream.

Ruby: N-No, I don’t feel sick, just a little shaken is all.

Blake: I wonder what it means.

Ruby and her friends finished their breakfast and headed to class

Ruby: So, Blake, do you like Cherry Borris…?

Blake: I…loved it as a kid. I think some of the newer movies are a bit mediocre. Why?

Ruby: Something that came up in my dream, weird.

Blake: Yeah, oddly specific.

Yang: Who DOESN’T love Cherry Borris though?

-
Dr. Oobleck began teaching the class in his usual hyper active, caffeine induced tone, well, the Doctor SAYS it’s caffeine, but pretty much everyone suspects it’s laced with something stronger. Regardless, Ruby was off put, not by the disturbing history of Faunus discrimination, but by the word choice of her teacher, she recalled living a day start to finish before having “Died” and woken up in bed, everything from the words themselves, to the subtle mannerisms and gestures to the inflection of his voice was IDENTICAL to the day she just lived through, she started muttering what she remembered came next, even the students who raised their hand were all the same, at the exact same time, exact same question, eventually, the Doctor took notice.

Dr. Oobleck: Excuse me, Miss Rose, do you wish to teach the lesson?

Something’s not right.

Ruby: I…I have to go!

Ruby activated her Petal Burst semblance becoming a formless blur and she sped through the students into the hallway.

Yang: Wh-Ruby…!

Yang gave chase after her sister. Blake and Weiss gave mutual concerned looks.

Once Ruby reached the hallway she resumed her normal form and began sprinting…somewhere, Ruby didn’t actually know where she was going, she just wanted to get away or somehow change what was going to happen…

-Load State 1

Ruby bolted up in her bed, confused.

Ruby: W-WHAT!? I’M…back in back in bed again.

Weiss: No kidding!? Did you just realize that or something, we’re trying to sleep here!
Yang moaned and rubbed her eyes.

Yang: Ugh, Ruby, What are you doing up??

Ruby sat there, completely unsure of how to answer the question at this point.

Ruby: …uuuuuh

Chapter Text

Blake: are you…Okay?

Ruby: I’m…Not sure…

Yang: What’s going on, you can tell us.

“I’d be happy to” Ruby thought, IF she even understood herself. Her team’s expectant faces weren’t helping her think of an answer. Ruby wracked her brain, the thing she desired most right now was just to know what the HECK was happening…

As Ruby was staring at nothing, lost in her thoughts she suddenly snapped back to reality to realize…

Ruby: WHAT!? WHERE AM I!?!?

Ruby had been transported to some sort of void or liminal space? Ruby looked around, every direction was filled with jumbled patterns and foreign shapes. Her entire body had disappeared, yet she was still there, her mind was the only thing that existed right now. If Ruby was confused before, this out of body experience left her nothing short of completely befuddled.

As Ruby adjusted to this strange place she noticed there was some sort of Interface, it read “Save/Load State”

Saving and loading is something Ruby was very familiar with due to growing up playing all sorts of games, she still loved video games but had less time to think about them after becoming a huntress, but this didn’t make any sense, why was this here? What is going on?

Ruby then noticed that some of the saves were already full, she saw in save slot 1 was her sleeping in bed, somehow, she could feel exactly which night that was and what happened before. Save slot 0 was of her and Penny playing that card game a few days ago, she remembered how fun that was and her cute little funny interaction with Penny, a small intimate moment.

Suddenly Ruby was back in her bedroom, it was day time she was sitting cross legged on the floor

Penny: Friend Ruby, are you confused?

Ruby: Wh– Penny?!

Ruby looked around, sure enough, her cards were in front of her, Blake was in the top bunk reading her book and of course Penny was right in front of her.

Penny tilted her head to the side, concerned.

Penny: Is something the matter?

Ruby put her finger to her chin.

Ruby: Actually, I think things are starting to come together…

Ruby thought about it, trying to call the Interface into existence again, and sure enough, everything faded away and the save slots were in front of her again. She selected the other save slot this time and sure enough she was back in her bed, she sat up and looked around, sure enough her team was asleep.

Ruby: Cool…!

was this a second semblance? Was it connected to what she did with her eyes somehow? Actually, it doesn’t matter, Ruby thought, it would seem she could time travel, she could save those civilians, she could find out what that grimm was, she could even— Wait.

Ruby opened the interface again and attempted to load one of the blank slots. “State does not exist”.

Ruby: B-But…

Ruby tried again, and then a third time “State does not exist”.

Defeated, Ruby loaded and back she went to bed, then she started to tear up a bit. She had gotten her hopes up, that if she could load back before her mother died, she could save her, every bad thing that ever happened, she could stop it, but she couldn’t go back, it wasn’t fair!

Yang’s head perked up, sensing something was wrong. She blinked herself awake, then saw Ruby with tears streaming down her face. Her eyes shot open completely as she dragged herself out of bed, still half asleep and tiptoed to Ruby.

Yang: What’s going on sis? Are you hurt?

Yang Put a comforting hand on Ruby’s shoulder.

Ruby: I…I…

This was still really difficult to explain, and now probably wasn’t the time to try so Ruby decided to tell a half truth instead…

Ruby: I…was dreaming about Mom…

Yang: Mom…?

Ruby: I miss her everyday, and for a second I thought she was here, but…she wasn’t, it’s okay, it’s dumb.

Yang: It’s not dumb to miss someone close to you, she was…my hero…we all miss her, Ruby.

Yang hugs Ruby and leans her head on her shoulder, Ruby returns the hug, they stay like that for a few moments.

Yang: You think you can get back to sleep now?

Ruby: Yeah, thanks, sis.

Yang climbed down off the bunk bed and returned to her own, patting Ruby on the head on her way back.

Ruby laid back down and thought to herself. Summer might be gone, but she had to keep moving forward, for herself and for the family she still had.

-
It was breakfast once again, well, it’s breakfast for the first time as far as the timeline is concerned, Ruby’s head was still spinning trying to comprehend this, but if she could use this power for good, she had to try.

Ruby: So, Guys…this might sound strange but…this isn’t the first time We’ve had breakfast like this.

Weiss: We know…? We’ve been a team for half the semester.

Ruby: No, I mean, like, this isn’t the first time we’ve had this EXACT breakfast.

Weiss: What are you talking about?

Ruby: I’ve lived today more than once!

Weiss: What!?

Ruby: I…I don’t know how to explain it.

Penny: It is okay, Ruby. Take all the time you need.

Ruby took a moment to gather her thoughts.

Ruby: So you know how in video games you can load a save and go back to a previous point? I recently discovered I can…do that, but, in real life.

Everyone is staring at Ruby, making her feel really self concious, but she felt this was important to get this out in the open.

Penny: I believe I may be confused.

Ruby: Yang, I lied to you last night. I wasn’t crying because I dreamt about mom, I was crying because I tried to load a save before mom died and couldn’t.

Yang: Wait, wait, wait, hold on, you’re saying you can go back in time?

Ruby: Essentially…Yeah.

Blake: What?

Basically no one knew how to address what Ruby was saying, Yang was looking extremely concerned while Weiss was considering what might happen if her team leader was declared mentally compromised.

Ruby: I know this sounds crazy, believe me, I do, but I really think I can use this power for good, you trust me right?

Everyone exchanges glances. Penny is the first to speak.

Penny: Affirmative!

Penny does a confident salute to Ruby. Ruby smiles at Penny being her typical self…The silence of everyone else however makes Ruby feel like an idiot.

Yang: So, Okay, You can save and load like a video game…in real life…

Blake: That’s a hell of a thing to drop on us first thing in the morning, but, we DO trust you.

Yang: Yeah…

Weiss: This is absurd, are you SURE there’s no other explanation for what you experienced?

Ruby: Well, I could…still be dreaming I guess? I would ask if you want to slap me, but I don’t that’d do anything considering, I had my bones crushed by a grimm at one point.

WBYP: WHAT!?

Ruby: This is why I wanted to tell you about this, there’s gonna be a grimm attack soon and alot of people died, if we can get there though, we can stop it before it happens! But there was this human looking super grimm that showed up, it could summon other grimm and it fought using actual combat tactics and it…I watched it kill ALL of you! The only reason we aren’t all dead right now is because I was able to reload before any of that happened, and, and….and….

…

Weiss lets out an exasperated sigh.

Weiss: When does the grimm attack happen?

Ruby: We got the alert for it at around…4 AM but by time we got there, several people were already dead, so We need to get there before then.

Blake puts her cheek into her hand.

Blake: I hope you’re right about this. If we stay up until 4 and nothing happens I don’t even know what I’m going to say to you.

Yang: Yeah, but I believe in my little sister, I mean, this is a bit weirder than normal, but she always pulls through.

Penny: I believe in Ruby Too!

Ruby: Thanks, you guys…

-
Other than the usual routine involving attending classes and sparring RWBY was able to convince Ozpin and his affiliates to send a larger team of huntsmen to the site after finding reports of citizens seeing a new type of humanoid grimm in the shadows. JNPR and CFVY were now set to join RWBY on the mission.

Currently, all three teams are on their way to the site of the grimm attack.

Coco: So tell me again how you knew about this grimm attack before it happened.

Weiss put a palm to her face

Weiss: Don’t ask.

Ruby: *Sigh* I lived a day where we were called in to a grimm clearing mission and all died, then I reverted time to before that happened.

Ruby’s embarrassment had transformed into mild irritation as people continued to pester and interrogate her.

Coco: …Cool…

Fox: I don’t even have a sarcastic quip for that.

Velvet: Don’t you have a sarcastic quip for everything?

Fox: usually, this is a first for me.

Ruby started pouting. Yatsuhashi took notice.

Yatsuhashi: Hey, we wouldn’t be here if we thought you were crazy. I think whatever weird intuition you have is going to pay off for everyone.

Ruby: Thanks, Yatsu.

-
Nora: Alright, We’re here! Let’s break legs and kick some grimm butt!

Coco and Yang, Simultaneously: YEAH!

Ren: I’m pretty sure the grimm aren’t supposed to arrive for another half hour.

Nora: Well, that’s lame!

Ruby: A-Anyone wanna play some cards or something while we wait?

Jaune: I just wanna take a nap…!

Yang: I think we all do, Vomit boy.

Jaune: Oh come on!

Penny: Do not fret, Friends! I will be sure to make your wait as pleasant as possible!

Blake: You can always count on Penny for a positive spin.

Ruby: I know, She sees the beauty in even the boring stuff, it’s really inspiring!

-
The grimm are here! The first to come charging through the street is a Boarbatusk which Ruby quickly slices open.

Yang: Now we’re talkin’!

Penny: I’m combat ready!

Nora: Let me at ‘em!!

Coco: Let’s have some fun.

The higher number of people combined with Ruby’s foresight made this almost a cake walk. Ruby was actually starting to enjoy the battle, she was never in it for the thrill, she was always about making the world a better place, but without the threat of death, she was free to fool around and play recklessly.

Ruby blew a raspberry at a nearby Ursa…and was promptly smashed into the ground.

Yang: Ruby!

Ruby: I’m okay!

okay, so she still had to pay attention to what she was doing, but if things ever got too bad, she could load a save.

Weiss was fighting a pair of king Taijitu, She decapitated one, carved into it’s face then went inside the neck hole.

Ruby: Hey Weiss!

Weiss: What?!

Ruby pushed open the snakes head revealing herself. Ruby did her best to deepen her voice.

Ruby: I am your father!

Weiss probably would’ve actually laughed at that if she wasn’t in the middle of an adrenaline rush.

Weiss: What the hell are you doing!? Stop fooling around and fight!

Ruby: Got it fool around and fight!

Blake: I’ve never seen Ruby like THIS before?

Yang: What do you mean? She’s always been a lovable dork!

Ruby: I prefer the term “Cool…ally challenged”!

Coco: I never took you for the type to have fun with your opponents, That’s a fun surprise.

Ruby: Well, you can afford to be a little cocky when you can come back to life…

Fox: Aaaand you had to make it weird.

-
Ruby during her antics was suddenly enclosed in teeth.

-Load Save 4

Suddenly, a jaw unhinged over top of Ruby, but she stuck Crescent Rose between the Grimm’s mouth, preventing it from snapping shut. She then slid from out under it.

Ruby: You’ll pay for that!

Ruby swung at the grimm, mimicking an anime she watched, her fists were a blur as she landed consecutive punches on the grimm one after the other.

Ruby: Failure!Failure!Failure!Failure!Failure!Failure!Failure!Failure!Failure!Failure!Failure!

Yang turned to Blake

Yang: Okay, I see what you mean now, she’s not usually THAT big a risk taker…can she actually…?

Yang trusted her sister but it was beginning to click to all of them that Ruby had something else going on. She acted like she already knew what was going to happen before it did.

Ruby: Marco! Polo! Marco! Polo! Marco! Polo! Marco! Polo! Marco! Polo!

Ruby was using her semblance to whoosh behind the grimm every time it turned to face her.

What is that dolt doing? Weiss thought. It was HER idea to come here yet she’s not taking the fight seriously at all! But even though her reckless shenanigans should’ve gotten her killed by now, she’s basically not taken a single hit.

Ruby picked her nose and wiped it on a grimm’s face, before plowing the bottom of her scyth through its head.

Aaaand, that’s just gross, Weiss thought.

Ruby mounted another grimm and put her legs around it’s head.

Ruby: Hey! Nora! Whose…Got…nnng…Thunder thighs….ugh…!

Ruby struggles to crush the Grimm’s head between her legs. The grimm flings Ruby off of itself.

Nora: I appreciate the attempt, girl!

-
They were having little trouble dealing with the grimm, then the Homunculus showed up once again…for the first time.

Ruby: Alright. Time to get serious.

the Homunculus smashed into the streets like before.

Ruby: Hey stinky!

the Homunculus lunged at Ruby immediately.

Ruby dodged to the side before it even began to attack. She hooked her scythe around the Homunculus but it summoned several grimm hands out from the floor immobilizing her weapon.

Weiss: What the frackelty frick is that!?

Fox: That’s…NOT a normal grimm!

Velvet: What do you mean?

Fox: When I see grimm, I see an ABSENCE of life, a void, But this one seems to have…trace amounts of aura…?

Coco: What!? A Grimm with an aura?!

Fox: This day just keeps getting stranger.

the Homunculus wasn’t any less easy, though it started summoning grimm from the beginning this time, since they were putting up more of a fight. Ruby was also quipping a lot less, needing her focus, there were several resets involving either Ruby or one of her companions getting severely injured, there was one point where the Grimm took Pyrrha hostage but with a few reloads of either missing or shooting Pyrrha instead, Ruby was able to shoot PAST Pyrrha’s head into the Grimm’s eye.

Pyrrha: I’m sorry!

The grimm also spoke like before, Late into the battle, it actually showed frustration, yelling at Ruby, it shouldn’t be possible for a Grimm to emote at all.

the Homunculus: What the FUCK are you!?!?

Ruby: I’m just a girl who wants to make the world a better place, and that starts by hauling your sorry butt in!

The battle dragged on for quite some time, with lots of save scumming, they could only chip away at the Homunculus seeing as it had several other grimm in the immediate area to hide behind, eventually, however, it would run out of grimm to throw at them and with Ruby being able to read the attacks perfectly and having to reload only 30-ish times, give or take, they’ve reached that point. Ruby wasn’t even all that frustrated with how much she died, she was actually beginning to really enjoy the process, scraping for any and all advantages, strategizing, trying again and doing better, it’s like the world had become a giant video game AND she got to save everyone without a single casualty, Ruby thought to herself she’d truly been blessed with this new ability.

With no Grimm to throw around, Ruby’s leadership and everyone put together, the Homunculus went down.

Ruby: YEAAAAAH!! WE DID IT!! Finally! We showed you, stinky loser grimm!

the Homunculus: RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARG!!!!

the Homunculus screams in rage, defeated!

Fox: Now I’m blind AND deaf!

the Homunculus: You…You…! I hate you…!

Ruby: Isn’t that sort of your whole deal? Hating everything that lives? Creatures of the dark brother…?

the Homunculus: …

Ruby: You asked me what I am, but what are YOU? Are you even a grimm? You can talk and you apparently have emotions beyond killing and you almost look…human?

the Homunculus: You don’t understand anything. None of you children have ANY idea what you’re dealing with, what I’M dealing with…

Blake: Should we…arrest it…him? Her?

Fox: Guys, The aura is gone.

Suddenly, the Homunculus collapses and turns into a black mist all on it’s own.

Yang: Well…THAT was something.

Jaune: I’m exhausted.

Nora: I’m hungry. Anyone for pizza?

Chapter Text

Ruby and her friends had just now gotten to bed after reloading numerous times to save a bunch of civilians from a new vastly intelligent grimm type dubbed a “Homunculus”. That night Ruby had a very strange dream and, yes it WAS a dream this time, not a scrapped bit of the timeline. It almost felt as if a bunch of repressed memories were trying to break through into her consciousness. She saw events that never happened vaguely recalling concepts but couldn’t quite grasp them. There were multiple Mentions of the name “Salem”. The strangest part however, was a hazy recollection of a website “RoosterTeeth” or…something like that. The Website featured Various Web Shows; Red Vs Blue, Camp Camp and…RWBY?

-
The Next Morning;

Weiss: Of COURSE! EXACTLY what I was expecting in a team leader! Cause WHY NOT!? SCREW all the logic in the world! Let’s reload time and break at least four laws of physics! We’re probably also in a canon diverging fanfiction written by BLAKE! Here we GO then! I’m ready for my next day!

Yang: It’s…Kinda old news. Isn’t it a bit late to be freaking out over this?

Blake: And why am I writing the fanfiction?

Weiss: I was just so tired, It didn’t register until now. Oh, and Blake, We’ve all seen you read your “Romance” novels. Maybe I’m wrong, but you just strike me as the type.

Blake said nothing, looked away and blushed.

Yang: Hey, C’mon! You should be proud of your work! Why don’t you show me some, sometime?

Yang’s Comment made Blake blush even harder.

Blake: I…really don’t want this to become my reputation…

Yang: Hey, It’s just us, I won’t tell anyone. Besides, Ruby wrote a few things when she was younger, Right, Rubes?

It was only then the three girls noticed their leader was still asleep.

Yang: Ruby?

Weiss: Odd. Usually she’s the one waking us up.

Blake: Especially recently.

Yang climbed up the bed and gave Ruby’s shoulder a little shake. Ruby’s eyes slowly blinked open as she mumbled something inaudible.

Yang: Hey, it’s time to get up. We need to get to class soon.

Ruby sat up.

Ruby: Huh? Did I really sleep through my alarm?

Yang: Yeah. It’s not like you to be the last one up. You have a bad sleep?

Ruby: No, I just had a…really weird dream…Do you have any idea what “RoosterTeeth” means?

Blake: I’m pretty sure Roosters don’t have Teeth.

Weiss: The last thing I need is more cryptic nonsense to decode this early in the morning, are we getting breakfast or not?

Blake: I’m actually quite anxious to get going too. I heard they have fish tacos on sundays…!

Blake drools a little bit thinking about it.

Ruby gets out of bed and makes her way to the bathroom for her morning ablutions.

Yang: Hey Ruby, do you think I can show Blake some of your old fanfictions later?

Ruby: Huh?!

-
Having finished breakfast Everyone involved with the homunculus was called for a debriefing with Ozpin and his affiliates.

Ozpin: I'd like to start off by saying you have all done extraordinary in your assessments, going above and beyond what you are merely required to do, volunteering for extra assignments and saving lives however you can.

The teams exchange smiles or other approving faces, they had saved many lives today.

After a brief debriefing on the mission and rather high praise from the headmaster, Ozpin requested Ruby to stay for a private talk.

Ruby: So, uh…what’d you want to talk with me about…?

Ozpin: in light of your tremendous victory there are a couple…anomalies. The least of which there being precisely zero casualties, surely you are aware that’s essentially unheard of for a grimm attack. Furthermore, there’s your rather peculiar claim, you say you are capable of…how did you put it? “Saving and Loading”. It sounds strange, but I’ve learnt that nothing is impossible, So I had Dr. Pietro Polendina look into it and it turns out there’s several massive anomalies in the timeline, but I won’t bore you with the details because apparently you already know what’s happening. I want to be clear about this. The power you wield is unprecedented, it is not a toy, for better or worse, YOU are the future of all humanity, if you so choose, you can bring this world to its knees, but I’m glad to see you’ve been using your newfound powers for good, perhaps…you are the one that will unite humanity.

Ruby: All of humanity, huh? …No pressure…heh heh…

Ozpin: You may go now.

Ruby, feeling really weird about this, got up and headed out of the room.

…

Ozpin: I couldn’t stop you if I tried…

-
Penny: SAL-U-TATIONS!

Ruby: Penny–! Oof!

Penny charges towards Ruby, it hasn’t even been a day since they last saw each other, but she acts just as excited every time. Between Penny and Yang, Ruby has gotten used to being crushed as a form of affection.

Ruby: uuu…Hi Penny…

Penny held on to Ruby for a moment longer.

Penny: …Your hair smells really pretty.

Ruby: W-What?

Penny: Oh, I have had more free time than normal, so I decided I would ask my father to upgrade some things for me, I now have the capacity for smell! It is…almost overwhelming, I never knew how much I was not experiencing.

Ruby: Yeah, I guess we meat people kinda take those things for granted…You know Penny, I’ve always liked that about you.

Penny: But I could not smell until today.

Ruby: No, not that, I mean, like…Penny, you’re kind of the person I’ve always wanted to be, You’re an all loving protector, like the heroes in the books, the heroes I wanted to become, even when I feel like there’s nothing positive to take from a situation, you somehow manage to make it an adventure, You bring happiness wherever you go.

Penny: Aww…Ruby…

Penny’s eyes start sparking.

Ruby: OH MY GOD, PENNY WHAT’S WRONG!?

Ruby grabs Penny by the shoulders.

Penny: N-Nothing, friend Ruby, I just…I do this thing when I get really emotional, I have seen people cry, but I do not have a functioning tear duct.

Ruby: That’s…you’re crying?

Penny: Yes, essentially. Do not worry, Ruby, I…just what you said is really meaningful to me.

Ruby smiles at Penny in relief.

Penny: Ruby, I view you in a similar way, as well. I feel like you are more amazing than you think you are.

Ruby blushes, looks away, then back at Penny.

Ruby: Thanks Penny…

-
Yang and Coco were playing a video game. Ruby was hanging out on the couch.

Coco: Damn it! Why is THAT outfit the one with better stats? It does NOT go with anything else I have!

Yang: I dunno, I didn’t make the game. If you didn’t go for style over substance you would’ve won.

Coco: What cruel game is this where one has to choose between badassary and fashion?

Ruby: This game has a huge modding community. Maybe you could make a mod so the outfits look more bad…butt.

Yang: Ruby, you can swear around me, I won’t tell dad.

Yang gives Ruby a playful wink.

Ruby: It’s not that. Swearing just isn’t my thing, I don’t know why it just feels weird.

Coco: You’re adorable, kid.

Ruby: I’m two years younger than you.

Coco: And?

Ruby: If you’re an adult, that means I’M an adult!

Coco: There’s more to being an adult than just age.

Ruby: Well…You’re…Yang help me out here!

Yang chuckles instead, Then adopts a babying voice.

Yang: My wittle shister is SOO kyoot! Mwah mwah mwah!

Yang grabs Ruby’s cheeks and stretches them. Squoosh.

Ruby: Yang, cut it out!

Ruby Grabs her sister’s arms and pries them away from her face, Yang continues to make absurd baby noises, taunting Ruby. In the chaos of their play, Ruby and Yang knock over Blake’s book shelf, sending the books tumbling.

Coco: Hahahaha! Your girlfriend isn’t gonna like that!

Yang: What Girlfriend?

Coco: The cat Faunus.

Yang: H-Huh?

Ruby snickered to herself, she was no longer the target.

Coco: Oh, come on, the whole school knows what you two are doing, you aren’t as subtle as you think.

Ruby mimics the kissing noises Yang made moments before.

Yang: Screw you!

Coco: Hey, I’m just teasing you two, it means I like you.

Coco turns to Ruby

Coco:I’ve seen you fight, kid, you’re gonna do great.

Ruby: Thanks Coco– hey!

Coco rustles Ruby’s hair.

Ruby: Great, now I have TWO big sisters to worry about.

Yang: Well, aren't you lucky then?

Ruby rolls her eyes.

Ruby: Yeah…

Coco then turns to Yang

Coco: And hey, if you’re stuck with how to make the first move, I can give you some tips~!

Coco Lowers her sunglasses and gives a similar playful wink.

Yang: Ugh!

Yang crosses her arms, blushing.

A few moments later.

Blake: Who messed up my books!?!?

Yang: Aw, hell…!

Ruby: Uh oh…!

-
Ruby holds her scroll up to Yang, who is currently playing a game on hers.

Ruby: Hey sis!

Ruby’s voice squeaks with excitement

Yang raises an eyebrow and smirks after pausing her game.

Yang: What are you doing?

Ruby: I’m making a movie!

Nora: Oooh! Can I be in the movie too!

Team JNPR happened to walk by the dorm room

Ruby: Sure!

Weiss: What is this now?

Yang: Oh, Ruby’s been obsessed with this comic about a movie studio or something, She downloaded this movie maker app on her scroll, she’s still trying to make her “Magnum opus”.

Nora: Oh you HAVE to show us those movies you made! We could have organize a movie night showing them all off and invite the ENTIRE school!!

A faint smile appears on Ren’s face at Nora’s antics

Ruby: Uh…ahahaha…I don’t think they’re that good, I mostly just make them for fun.

Yang: I dunno, sis, I’d like to show off my acting skillz!

Pyraah: That sounds lovely.

Jaune: It could be fun.

Nora leaps into the air.

Nora: ALRIGHT! WE’RE DOING THIS THANG!

Ruby: Wh– I didn’t, I, um…

Ruby had never shown her little movies to anyone but her sister or dad, but unless Nora was ACTUALLY planning on getting the whole school in on it, it’d mainly just be her friends and she knew her sister wouldn’t let up about it so…

Ruby: Alright, but just you guys, not the whole school…

Nora: Did I say that? I wasn’t really paying attention to be honest…

Ren facepalms in the corner with a smile on his face.

-

Ruby spots Velvet in the courtyard

Ruby: Hi Velvet!

Velvet: Hi Ruby, how are you going?

Ruby: Oh, um…It’s been eventful. I’ve been having REALLY strange dreams, er, maybe visions? Does “RoosterTeeth” mean anything to you?

Velvet: That sounds almost like a Vacuan dish Fox would like…but I don’t think it’s a real thing.

Ruby: Weird…anyway, moving on from the weird universe bending stuff, I did get into a new comic series, Studio Haruka, it actually inspired me to try making movies on my scroll, they aren’t very good though.

Velvet: Oh really? You’ll have to show me sometime, I’d like to see what you came up with.

Ruby: Really? You too? Maybe Nora WILL get the whole school in on it…oh! thank you though, I didn’t think you’d be interested in my little hobby projects, Hey maybe we could be camera buddies!

Velvet: Ahaha! I like it! I don’t think the whole school is gonna show up though, but if anyone could make it happen, it’d be Nora…seriously she’s scary!

Nora: Are you talking about me??

Startled, Velvet Snaps around and Ruby jumps

Velvet: O-OH! Nothing bad, honest!

Nora: It’s okay, it’s only natural that these thunder thighs would scare your pants off!

…

Velvet snaps a picture of Nora with a flash

Nora: Oh? Want to mark the occasion? I don’t blame you.

-
Yang was sharing her adventures with her team, mentioning how she stormed a nightclub, beat up a bunch of thugs and grabbed their leader, literally, by the balls, to her surprise, instead of their normal reaction to Yang being Yang, they stared at her concerned.

Ruby: You did what!?

Yang: Storm the night club? I thought you already knew about this?

Ruby: No not that, the other thing, where you…uh…

Blake: Yang, that’s sexual harassment.

Yang: Wait, THAT’S what this is about? The guy’s a thug!

Weiss: True, but he’s also technically a civilian, that’d hardly look good on your record.

Blake: Besides, if someone grabbed you or Ruby like that, how would you react?

Yang opened her mouth to speak, paused and then thought for a second.

Yang averted her gaze.

Yang: Alright, I see your point. I’ll apologize if I see him again, I guess.

-
Yang: So, the Beacon Dance is tomorrow, who ya taking sis?

Ruby: Um, I wasn’t gonna bring anyone, Yang.

Yang: Oh, come on! No one? Out of the whole school, there’s not a SINGLE person you like?

Ruby: Well, I like my team mates, even Weiss seems to be warming up to me…

Weiss, in the background: Excuse me?

Ruby: Team JNPR and CFVY seem really nice, and me and Penny have been getting along really well, but…

Yang leans in, eager for a response…

Ruby: I don’t think I feel THAT way about…anyone.

Yang: It doesn’t have to be a DATE, you could just take a friend, that’s what me and Blakey are doing!

Nora appears out of seemingly nowhere to chime in.

Nora: Yeah, you and “Blakey” are TOTALLY a completely platonic thing!

Yang: Where did you–!? What are you implying!?

Blake: So you don’t think I’m attractive?

Yang snaps around at Blake unsure of what to say.

Yang: No! I just meant, you know, we’re not TOGETHER together, as Nora put it.

Nora: Yet!

Yang turns back around to Nora, while Blake laughs and Weiss rolls her eyes

Yang: You wanna get punched?!

Nora: BRING IT ON GOLDILOCKS!

Jaune: Hey! Guys, maybe save that fighting energy for the tournament?

Ren: I’m sure your opponents will appreciate you being at full aura for the fight.

Nora:...Yeah, you’re right, I want the entire school to see our epic battle!

Blake: And I was just teasing you, Yang, Sun is coming to, and I’m not dating him either.

Nora: I don’t see why you couldn’t form a threesome.

Ren: Nora.

Nora: What!? Polyamory is a thing people!

Ruby thinks to herself; A friend, huh?

-
It’s time for the tournament, the randomization process has started, today’s combatants of RWBY vs JNPR are…Yang Vs Nora

Ren: Well, what do you know?

Yang: Looks like it was Destiny, huh Pyraah?

Pyraah: That’s…not how that works, but yes it is quite serendipitous

Nora: Syrup what?

Weiss: NO, serendipitous! It means–

Nora: I know what it means, Ice queen! It means I get to kick some butt!

Yang: Isn’t that my line?

Nora: it was, then I peed on it, that means it’s mine now!

Yang: …What?

Nora: I dunno, it’s what came to my mind, so then I said it. I’m surprised you haven’t realized yet but most of what I say is whatever pops into my head first, so it’s mainly just nonsense, much like the nonsense YOU are for thinking you're gonna win! Are we even still trash talking? I feel like we’re sorta past that at this point. oh and don’t worry I didn’t actually pee on anything, that’s as gross as Ren’s veggie drink, but I WILL resort to what I have to in order to win! …what were we talking about again? I’ve been told I do that alot.

Blake: At least she’s self aware.

Ren nods along with Blake’s comment.

The doors open and the two combatants walk onto the arena while it randomizes it’s terrain into thirds…fire, ice and rock…with thunder clouds at its peak…

Yang: God damn it.

Nora: Hahaha! another fine example of syrup-dipinty!

Weiss, from far away: Are you sure you know what that means?

Yang: Ugh, lucky draw, whatever, I’ll beat you with or without your semblance!

FIGHT!

Yang immediately launches forward propelled by her gauntlets as Nora swings her hammer under her, sending Yang directly upwards into the sky, then Nora zoomed over and began making her way up the rocky mountain, to end the fight quickly with her semblance.

While still airborne Yang fired off several rounds at Nora, which she dodged through, but the explosive shots instead hit the mountain, causing Nora to be pelted with small boulders, chipping away at her aura, though she deflected some of it with her hammer.

Yang managed to steer herself onto a sloped Ice ramp, transferring her momentum sliding horizontally towards Nora, she zoomed towards Nora within a split second and punched, which Nora deflected with her hammer, cracking the ice and rock beneath them, Yang kept punching and Nora kept deflecting, an uppercut was blocked by a hammer swinging downward, another punch via her twirling the hammer around herself, every impact was a mini explosion as Yang fired from her gauntlets, finally Yang roared and smashed the ground with her fists sending a shockwave that sent Nora off balance.

As Nora was trying to steady herself Yang punched her in the gut using the energy gained from Nora’s successful opening attack as well as the energy of her various blocks to send her partway into the mountain sending bits of rock every direction.

Nora lets out a war cry as she sends several missiles Yang’s direction, Yang moves all sorts of directions to dodge six missiles but is clobbered by the last one sending her flying backwards. Yang skids backwards in a crouched position realizing Nora is one jump away from reaching the storm cloud, Yang clenches her fists, propels herself towards the base of the mountain with a Nora shaped hole in it and proceeds to smash the base of the mountain to bits with her semblance fully activated and hair ablaze Yang's explosive punches managed to take out a good chunk of the Base Nora reaches for the lightning absorbing some of it but not much, and is now falling face first into a collapsing rock pile, as Yang zooms out of the way, taking no damage, as Nora stands up from the rock pile, her expression stern, Yang fires an explosive round,

Nora gets a devilish smirk across her face and uses what she absorbed to launch herself at Yang, completely ignoring the round that explodes behind her, screaming the entire way, Yang attempts to throw a punch to block Nora's hammer unable to move away in time but Nora just brute forces through her parry and knocking Yang face first into the rocky ground. Unfortunately that was about all the juice Nora had, but when Yang got up punching the ground Nora instead jumped over the shock wave doing a flip over Yang's head smashing the back of her skull mid air then immediately following up with a missile once her feet touch the ground, hitting Yang in the back and sending her into the firery lava place.

Nora: That all you've got?

Yang growled under her breath.

Nora fires several missiles Yang's direction Yang fires back their projectiles exploding in the air. Yang zoomed out of the resulting smoke, taking more swings at Nora, who ducked under Yang, grabbed her arm and swung her over head into the ground then followed up with another overhead swing of her hammer with her other arm before Yang could get up. Yang's aura is low one more had hit and she's lost, however if she can get one solid hit on Nora she could potentially win since she'd throw all that energy back at once. Yang swept Nora's legs with her fist and as Nora spun in the air Yang sprung up into an uppercut aiming for Nora's rib cage, but instead hitting metal as Nora swung at Yang interrupting her attack and firing a missile sending Yang into the ground again and herself into the sky, the buzzer went off as Yang's aura dipped just below the threshold.

Yang: DAMN IT!

Yang punched the ground, doubling the size of the crater she's in. While Nora shifted in the air and channeled all her remaining aura into her thunder thighs, landing on her feet and striking a pose for the crowd in an attempt to look cool.

Nora: now THAT was an AWESOME fight! You really made me work for it, Yang! I didn't expect you to punch down the mountain like that, I really had to improvise! But thunder thighs wins the day even without the thunder!

Yang stood up and averted her gaze

Yang: yeah...good fight…

Nora: aww, don't be like that, this was just a friendly competition, for fun! We're all learning to become better fighters every day, that's why we're here at Beacon!

Yang looks over in Nora's direction, then smiles.

Yang: You sound a bit like Ruby all of a sudden.

Nora: Hey, she must be doing something right, she's both the leader AND two years ahead of us.

Yang: Yeah, that's my sister, the overachiever...Good fight Nora.

Yang reaches out as if to shake Nora's hand. Nora looks at Yang's hand for a second

Nora: Now is that anyway to address a friend?

Nora leaps at Yang and hugs her, Yang is surprised but hugs Nora back.

Chapter Text

It was that time of day again, it’s time for sparring with Glynda Goodwitch. Typically, Ruby was just happy to be here, but she figured she’d volunteer, she wasn’t as much a thrill seeker as her sister but she enjoyed a good scrap.

Glynda: I see, who wants to be Ruby’s opponent?

Ruby: I wanna fight Pyrrha!

Pyrrha: Huh?

Glynda: Frankly, there’s quite the gap between your grades and miss invincible, Are you certain?

Ruby pouts at that comment

Ruby: Hmph. Yeah, I’m sure. The best way to improve is to challenge yourself right?

Ruby turns to Pyrrha with a warm smile.

Ruby: And I can’t think of a more skillful opponent than the invincible girl!

Pyrrha: Really, it’s nothing…

As Pyrrha dismisses the compliment, she gets up and makes her way to the arena

Glynda: …Ready…

…

Glynda: Beg–

-

Suddenly, Ruby’s vision went blank. Then she saw a young girl with Bat ears. For some reason, even though Ruby had never met this person, they felt strangely familiar…It would seem Ruby was having another vision. Could it at least pick a more mundane time to happen?

The girl was playing with other Faunus children, playing tag, suddenly she tripped over a rock while running away from another child, she was able to steady herself but in being slowed she was caught.

Faunus child: I got you! Now you’re it! Hahaha!

Cinder was…Wait- Cinder? “How Did I know their name?” Ruby thought, although Ruby herself wasn’t actually present, she was just watching, like on a dust monitor.
Anyway, Cinder was frustrated, if not for that stupid rock, she’d have easily outrun that kid, without thinking Cinder picked up the rock and threw it at the other kid, hitting him in the head. The kid yelled in pain and fell to the ground, he started bawling. Cinder felt…bad. She didn’t actually want to hurt him, she was just angry.

Cinder: I’m Sorry! I’m Sorry! I…

Cinder, unsure of what to do, ran inside for adult help, where she found one of her fathers, Rhodes, who immediately noticed Cinder’s distressed face

Rhodes: What did you do, Cinder?

Cinder nervously fidgets with her bat ears.

Cinder: I got angry again, and I hurt my friend by accident…!

Rhodes sighed and started towards the door.

Rhodes: We REALLY need to work on this anger problem of yours…

Cinder watched from afar as her father talked to the parents of the boy she hurt to smooth things over.

Ruby was wondering why she was being shown this. It seemed completely random, but she thought about it a little harder and came up with the image of a woman surrounded by flames using glass to fight…Cinder…that must be who this woman is, Ruby had no clue how she knew that, but she just had this overwhelming feeling that this woman and the young girl she just saw were one in the same, the only discrepancy is the Bat ears, if Cinder was a Faunus, where did her second set of ears go…?

-
Ruby witnessed another memory, Cinder was a little bit older this time, maybe 8 or 9. Cinder was in her kitchen, spraying ketchup all over herself, then she squirted some on the floor and layed in it…what?

A few minutes later Rhodes and his husband Gunther walked in and immediately freaked out,

Rhodes: CINDER!! WHAT HAPPENED!?!?

Rhodes ran over and picked up Cinder, looking for the source of the “Blood”

Cinder remained limp and spoke weakly…

Cinder: Dads…I love both of you…
Tears formed in Rhodes’ eyes while Gunther hardened with determination.

Gunther: Don’t talk like that. I refuse to let you die today!

Gunther took out his scroll and began dialing–

Cinder: WAIT STOP!!

Cinder shot upright, completely breaking character.

Cinder: Don’t call the police! It was a joke! This is ketchup!

Rhodes paused for a moment and dipped his hand in the red liquid and put it to his tongue.

…

Rhodes: Are you fucking kidding me…?

Cinder: Did I get you? Ahahahaha!

Rhodes: CINDER, THAT’S NOT FUNNY!

Gunther: …It was clever…

Rhodes: Gunther don’t encourage her!!

Cinder is still laughing, when Rhodes snaps around at her.

Rhodes: Get your ass upstairs, now! We need to clean this off!

Cinder obeyed her father, still giggling. Rhodes pinched the bridge of his nose.

Gunther: Well, you wasted a good cry.

Rhodes: Shut up!

What a Gremlin, Ruby thought. She was quickly becoming endeared to the Young Cinder, she supposed she didn’t mind the universe showing this to her, though she still couldn’t figure out exactly why.

-
Then, Ruby was shown a most unpleasant image…

The small village that Cinder and many Faunus lived in was attacked by a sub-group of the Schnee Dust Company looking to add to their collection and profit. They invaded their houses, smashing through the doors, immobilizing families with restraints and killing anyone who’s struggling became inconvenient. There were explosions, flying limbs and panic.

Ruby was forced to watch in horror, she instinctively tried to reach for her weapon, but it wasn’t there, SHE wasn’t there, these events had already happened. Ruby had heard about and empathized with the struggle of the Faunus in history class and such, but to see it so up close and viscerally made Ruby despair at the thought. Ruby was powerless to stop it, and she knew what was next…

Cinder was being carried in Rhodes’ arms as both her fathers fled the horrific scene, but were soon face to face with an army of SDC soldiers, Rhodes’ tossed Cinder into his husband’s arms and pulled out his swords, Cinder watched as Rhodes’ fought against impossible odds and was torn to pieces with overwhelming force, then Cinder began sobbing loudly.

A Speeding vehicle full of other captured Faunus rammed into Gunther, rupturing his organs as Cinder went flying and landed on the ground, breaking a rib and spraining her wrist. Cinder was now in both emotional and physical distress and was easy to rope and cage after that…

Cinder wasn’t the only one crying, if Ruby had a physical body right now, her clothes would be stained with tears…

-
Then, Ruby saw the young Cinder scrubbing the floor, there was a collar of some sort that Cinder wasn’t wearing in the village.

Suddenly, two twins wandered in, mud covering their feet, they intentionally smeared it across the floor, creating more work for Cinder

Twin 1: You MISSED a spot!

The other twin then pressed a button on some sort of remote, Which caused Cinder to be shocked by a collar around her neck, she screamed in agony as she collapsed to the ground, it felt like her nervous system was being put into a wood chipper. The twin simply held the button as Cinder continued to squirm.

Twin 2: Filthy beast-mate! Always remember, this is all your kind is good for, serving and entertaining the human master race.

Cinder’s skin began sizzling a little bit.

Twin 1: You should stop now, mommy would be angry if you broke her favorite toy.

Twin 2: Just a little longer, she looks funny flopping around like that hahaha!

Twin 1: Okay, but it’ll be your fault if we have to buy a new one heeheehee!

About 30 seconds of listening to her flesh fry and thrashing around uncontrollably, the twin finally let go of the button, tears covered Cinder’s face as she simply sobbed on the ground in a fetal position.

Suddenly a foot collided with her tummy, someone kicked her, Cinder looked up to see her owner.

Owner: Get back to work if you don’t want another round of processing!

Cinder scrambled to pick up her scrubber and continued sobbing while she made the same repetitive motions with it.

This was now Cinder’s daily reality. She was tasked with basically all the work, and would often fall asleep on the job due to exhaustion, which lead to more shocks as well as the extra punishment she took simply because the twins got a kick out of torturing her.

-
One night, she went to the kitchen and took out a knife…she stared at the blade for a moment, mustering up her courage. Maybe if she could just be someone, ANYTHING else, she could live a normal life. She began to carve into the flesh of her ears, wincing in pain as she began to bleed, it was still preferable to the shocks she would receive everyday, since the device was designed to be as painful as possible…

Ruby, despite not having a corporeal form at the moment, felt like being sick, this level of senseless cruelty, it made her…mad! And she soon would learn she’s not the only one who felt that.

The next day, the Twins noticed their faunus friend missing their ears, Cinder gave them a weak smile and hoped with all her heart they maybe could see her for who she was, the smile quickly faded as the twins pushed the button.

Twin 1: You really think you can be something else? It doesn’t matter if you trim the extra, you’ll ALWAYS be a disgusting Beast-Mate, no more valuable than the grimm we humans slaughter by the thousands every day.

Twin 2: We want you to think about how expendable you are before you do something stupid.

-
This unbearable life would continue day after day. Cinder wanted to escape, but where would she go? She would be lynched if people found out she was a Faunus, she was in the most racist kingdom in remnant, Mistral. More than her desire to escape, she felt something else awaken in her, as she grew older, every time she received punishment, she began to think that maybe SHE wasn’t the problem, maybe it’s everyone else, her sadness became anger and anger became hatred, she wanted to make her oppressors feel how she felt, that was enough motivation to keep going, to remain clinging to this mortal coil, to see the day where others would fear HER.

On Cinder’s 12th birthday, this would become reality. She decided it’d be a risk worth taking, she may have nowhere to go, but right now, she didn’t care, she just wanted to watch the mansion burn and so she did; She used her semblance to set fire to the wood and made sure it spread before smashing the window with a chair and leaving through it. She also ensured that all possible exits wouldn’t work. She put heavy objects in front of the doors and the windows that her owner and the twins were sleeping in were so high up they would die from the fall, or even better, break their legs and die slowly instead.

Cinder chuckled to herself as she left the building to start a new life for herself, whatever that looked like.

-
WHAM!

Ruby: GAH!

Ruby suddenly snapped back to reality and was immediately punched in the face by Pyrrha, tears began to stream down Ruby’s face.

Pyrrha: …I’m sorry!

Ruby: No, Pyrrha, it-it wasn’t you I just…

Ruby was now suddenly aware that she was in front of hundreds of students and had suddenly burst into tears for seemingly no reason. She was simply saddened by what she saw in her vision and had no idea what it meant…everything about that was horrible…!

Glynda: Miss Rose, are you SURE you’re fit for combat at the moment?

Ruby wiped her eyes.

Ruby: I’ll explain later…um…maybe on second thought I’ll sit this one out…

Glynda cocked her head slightly, confused but also a little concerned though her expression was as stoic as ever.

Glynda: In that case, Pyrrha Nikos is the victor by default…Ruby, maybe you should get some rest, you’ve been pushing yourself a lot; extreme exhaustion can result in emotional instability, return to your seat.

Blake: What do you think happened there?

Weiss: Probably something ELSE to make our lives just THAT much more interesting!

-
Ruby had grimly explained the vision she had to her friends, who were almost as horrified as her, Weiss was particularly quiet this time, as opposed to her confident and slightly bossy usual self, looking down at her lap, ashamed. Blake let out a heavy sigh. Penny’s eyes began sparking again, hearing such a depressing story.

Ruby: Does…anyone know what it means?

Blake: Are we sure it means anything? To me it just sounds like the recounting of a tragedy, bad things happen every day, there’s…no reason for it.

Yang: Well…this was uplifting! Like you said, it already happened, there’s nothing we can do right now, Just forget about it.

…

Weiss sat there in silence, recalling an unpleasant memory;

-
Weiss was 10 and her sister, Winter, was 15 and had been training to be in the Military since she was 13. They grew up in Mistral, in a ginormous mansion.

Winter had become aware of her father’s inexcusable actions, unfortunately, where they lived, there were no laws against slavery or any rights for the Faunus, as such, Winter had to take matters into her own hands…Winter took her blade and made her way into Jacques’ office.

Jacques: This better be important, Winter.

Jacques spoke before looking up to see Winter with her weapon.

Jacques: …Just what do you think you’re doin–

Winter lunged the blade forward, less than an inch from her Father’s throat. Winter’s face emanated fury, her eyes Narrow with rage.

Winter: What you’ve done is unforgivable. Now I come offering mercy.
Jacques: …M-Mercy…?

Winter: I’m in charge of the Schnee dust company now, and my first act as such is to free all captive Faunus you have wrongfully enslaved.

Jacques: W-What!? That would–

Winter places her blade even closer, drawing the tiniest amount of blood from her father’s chin.

Winter: Any and all attempts to interfere, and you will stop breathing.

Winter lowered her blade and turned around, then saw a young Weiss standing in the doorway, too young to really understand what was happening. Winter’s face softened for a moment.

Winter: …You weren’t supposed to see that…hurry back to bed.

After Winter left, Jacques called up the authorities, convinced they’d take his side. Their duty said that they were to arrest Winter, since, technically, she assaulted her own father unprovoked, however, General James Ironwood agreed to look the other way.

This was one of the many things Weiss admired about her sister, she was the first one to stand up to their monster of a father and do something to reverse their bloodstained legacy. even though she was confused and scared at the time, she eventually realized what she witnessed was an act of heroism.

-

Penny: Friend Weiss, You are acting outside of your usual behavior patterns is something the matter?

Weiss: I…I just wish I could take back everything my lineage has done to the Faunus…

Blake: Hey, I don’t blame you, you aren’t the SDC, you aren’t your dad, you’re just Weiss and everything you’ve done has shown us how kind you really are.

Ruby: Yeah!

Group hug!

Chapter Text

Ruby was scrolling through her scroll on the couch, next to Penny, showing her a funny meme regarding Studio Haruka, Pyrrha just happened to walk by as Ruby’s thumb slipped, dropping her scroll on her face.

Ruby: Ug–!

Penny giggles.

Pyrrha: I’m sorry.

Ruby: You…didn’t do anything, Pyrrha…

Yang: Why do you do that?

Pyrrha: Do what?

Yang: Apologize even if it’s not your fault, it’s like, I could punch you in the face and You’d apologize to me.

Penny: I too find that confusing, apology is only required if you do something wrong.

Pyrrha: I…suppose you could think of it as a bad habit, I’m sorry, I-I mean…!

Ruby chuckles

Ruby: I think it’s cute! It just means you’re really considerate of other people.

Pyrrha: You think so…? Maybe it’s not such a bad quality after all, then.

Jaune: Hello? Ruby? Is something wrong?

Ruby: oops. Heh heh, I think I nose-dialed you by accident.

Jaune: Ah, yeah, happens to me all the time.

Penny: We were just talking about how cute Pyrrha is!

Pyrrha: AUh!

Jaune: Yeah, I imagine most guys would agree with that, and apparently a few girls, amirite?

Yang: I don’t think that’s what she meant, lady killer, Penny thinks everyone is cute.

Penny: Affirmative!

-
Ruby: Time for our EPIC REMATCH!

Weiss: I think bursting into tears at the start and forfeiting hardly counts as “Match”.

Ruby: I was crying because of the bat faunus and you KNOW that!!

Blake: We believe you, but we didn’t exactly see that part.

Pyrrha: I don’t mean to be rude, but are you sure you’re up for it this time, Ruby?

Ruby: Honestly, no, but lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice, right?

Ruby and Pyrrha make their way to the arena and take battle stances…

Glynda: …Ready…

…

Glynda: Begin!

Ruby does well all things considered, She managed to counter Pyrrha’s opening attack and dodge a few others, but she was still up against “Invincible girl”, Ruby fell victim to a leg sweep and while airborne was struck with several blows from Pyrrha’s weapon, combining Gunshots and melee force to quickly drain Ruby’s aura with no chance to counter, Ruby was sent flying into a wall around two thirds of her Aura had been drained in the first few moments of the match.

Ruby: W-Wow…!

Ruby shakily spoke, still dazed.

Pyrrha hesitated for a second, Not because she was scared, but because this was almost too easy, she was having less trouble than the match against the entirety of team CRDL a few weeks ago and that match lasted less than a minute.

Pyrrha: It’s okay, Ruby, take a moment to regain your focus.

Glynda looked quizzically at Pyrrha

Glynda: Miss Nikos, You realize you’re not supposed to help your opponent, right?
Ruby just felt embarrassed now, She knew Pyrrha was leagues ahead of her in combat ability. But Was she really taking PITY on her?

Ruby: You don’t need to baby me, Pyrrha! I wanted to fight you because you’re a skilled opponent, not because I want to show off.

Pyrrha: Sorry…

Ruby: It’s okay…

Ruby shot at Pyrrha and she dodged around the bullet, Ruby used her semblance to zoom around Pyrrha’s counter attack and attempted to shoot her in the back of the head, but Pyrrha snapped around and deflected the shot. Then slashed at Ruby with her weapon in Sword mode, Ruby had basically no time to recover before Pyrrha unleashed another combo and her aura plummeted, she also noticed Pyrrha stopped attacking before the buzzer even went off, as she knew precisely the amount of damage Ruby would need to take before her aura was below the bar.

Ruby: uuu…

Glynda: and with that Pyrrha Nikos is the vict–

-Load State 9

Glynda: Begin!

And so began a LONG fight and arduous process of save scumming. Ruby, admittedly, felt a little bad for essentially cheating, but she justified to herself, thinking that if she was chosen by whatever weird force in the universe to wield this power, she had to get stronger, for everyone’s sake.

Ruby would continuously lose to Pyrrha over and over again, her aura would drain. The tiniest mistake would result in reloading. However, Ruby would be lying if she said she wasn’t enjoying this, scraping for advantages wherever she could find them, trying her hardest to pull off insane maneuvers and SCREAMING in victory when she managed to gain the tiniest amount of progress, Ruby saved a new state every possible opportunity, making back ups of save states incase she locked herself into a mistake, all 10 save slots were taken up by different points of her fight with Pyrrha.

From everyone else’s perspective, Ruby must’ve seemed completely insane, since they couldn’t see all the failures Ruby would seemingly burst into maniacal laughter, celebrating at random points in the fight.

The fight itself tore the whole arena apart, both combatants causing collateral damage with every swing until the fight itself was taking place on rubble suspended in the air rather than on the ground. Over half the students in the audience took out their scrolls to record this epic battle, as such, the audience had a hard time following the fight, as they themselves would become involved in it as a by-product of the room crumbling.

Glynda in particular watched on with stunned silence and a priceless facial expression, especially considering how stoic and unimpressed she usually looks. She genuinely cannot comprehend what she’s seeing.

-
Eventually, after what must’ve been over 500 reloads, the buzzer went off. Elation, endorphins, adrenaline hitting Ruby all at once, making her feel dizzy from the victory, laughing maniacally and screaming with joy as Pyrrha falls over in front of her.

Suddenly, Ruby noticed the kneeling Pyrrha was also covering her ears.

Ruby: Oh gosh! I didn’t mean to yell so loud. I’m just so excited! I can’t believe it! I just beat THE invincible girl ahaha! …You’re not hurt are you?

Pyrrha: No no, I’m alright.

Ruby helps pull Pyrrha up to her feet.

Pyrrha: And you should be proud of yourself~, not just for winning against me, but for having such a drive to improve, It reminds me alot of…someone else. I’m proud of you, Ruby.

Ruby: U-Uh…Thanks!

Ruby blushed a little at that last remark.

Suddenly, the two combatants hear rapid applauding. To everyone’s surprise, it’s coming from Glynda, still with a shocked expression, it’s rare to see here display such enthusiastic approval. Then Glynda shook her head, as if coming back to normality, resuming her usual demeanor, she looks at Ruby as she Ctrl Z’s the damage done to the room.

Glynda: When Ozpin told me you would be moved ahead two years at Beacon, I was skeptical, but you’ve so thoroughly outdone yourself and gone above and beyond at every point, it’s clear that he made the right choice.

Glynda is now putting the last chunk of debris back into the building.

Glynda: Needless to say you will be getting a more than satisfactory grade for today.

-
Ruby and her friends are in their living room.

Yang: I’m SO proud of my baby sister!

Penny: I too am proud of Ruby!

Penny and Yang crush Ruby between their arms at the same time

Ruby: …Can’t breathe…

Blake: Well, whether you like it or not, you’re the bee’s knees now!

Ruby: I…really shouldn’t be, I…kind of cheated…

Yang: What?

Penny: I believe Ruby is referring to her ability to save and load.

Yang: Well, I think you should still be proud, you looked cool as hell if nothing else.

Blake: Also, our enemies won’t play fair either, I don’t see why we shouldn’t be using every advantage we have.

Ruby: Thanks, but…

Yang: But what?

Ruby: I dunno, having all this attention on me is gonna take some getting used to…Am I gonna have to sign breasts?

Weiss briefly looked up from her studying desk upon hearing that.

Weiss: What?

Ruby: apparently Pyrrha did that once, she was just…too nice to say “No” I guess.

Weiss: …People become savage around celebrities, Don’t they?

-
This’ll be the day we’ve waited for…THE BEACON DANCE! In under 12 hours, after regular schooling has finished, students and staff will have the opportunity to participate. As such, visitors are being allowed into the school, as well as doubling as a meeting for Ozpin and his affiliates.

Weiss: WINTER~!

Weiss rushes over to meet her eldest sibling.

Winter: A pleasure to see you, dear sister.

Ruby: UNCLE QROOOOW~!

Ruby dashes forward and glomps her Uncle in a hug

Qrow: Heya, Kiddo.

Tai: What? The cool uncle gets a hug before your old man?

Ruby: You know that’s not it! You get a hug too~!

Ruby wraps her arms around her father just as tightly.

Seeing Ruby show such open affection to her family, Weiss awkwardly wraps her arms around Winter as well.

Winter: What do you think you’re doing…?

Weiss: It’s a form of affection, Winter.

Winter: I…

Winter reluctantly and awkwardly wraps one arm around Weiss in return, remaining overly formal.

Winter: You know I don’t do well with these…gestures…

Ruby: Eeee! That’s so cute!

Winter snaps her attention to Ruby, annoyed.

Winter: Child! Do not call me that again!

Qrow: Would you rather she called you repulsive? Learn to take a compliment, Ice Queen.

Tai: Oh boy, here we go again…

Winter: “Cute” Is NOT a compliment! It is demeaning and juvenile.

Qrow: Wow. You must lead a pretty bleak existence, and that’s coming from me. Just because Daddy didn’t give you any hug–

Ruby: U-Uncle Qrow…!

Qrow: Yeah, kid? I’m kind of in the middle of something here.

Ruby: I…I don’t think you should be pulling at the “Family issues” thread.

Qrow: …Interesting. Ya know something I don’t?

Ruby recalls Weiss’s flashback of what Winter did to her father. For some reason, She could see it too, almost like watching a cutscene.

Ruby: Just trust me, okay?

Qrow: Alright.

Qrow turns back to Winter.

Qrow: Uh…Sorry Ice Queen, that may have been a bridge too far.

Winter’s fury was suddenly replaced by confusion, raising an eyebrow.

Winter: Even YOU are being nice to me…Am I to believe I have contracted a terminal condition?

Qrow: Let’s just say, I can relate to having “Family Drama”...You’ve still got a stick up your ass though.

Winter rolls her eyes and scoffs.

…

Tai: So, How’s school life treating you, Ruby?

Ruby: …It’s been eventful…

-
Regular schooling has ended for the day, students are lining up and signing themselves into the ballroom. Currently, Ruby, her family and her friends were just outside the entrance to the dance floor.

Tai: So, I heard you’ve snagged yourself a lovely date, who's the lucky guy?

Ruby: I already told you, it’s not a DATE, We’re just going as friends…and she’s a girl.

Tai: Alright, Alright. You still didn’t tell me who it is.

Ruby: She should’ve been here by now, she’s not normally late–

Suddenly, Penny smashes her legs into the floor, a few feet behind Ruby and co.

Penny: SAL-U-FUCKING-TATIONS, BITCHES~!

Winter immediately and instinctively facepalms upon witnessing Penny’s “Opening”. Meanwhile Qrow attempts to hide the smirk on his face.

Ruby blankly stares at Penny, unsure of how to respond.

Blake and Yang both start laughing.

Weiss: Wow, you chose quite the day to expand your vocabulary.

Tai: Qrow, what did you do?

Qrow: Why are you looking at me?

Tai: It has you written all over it…and you have that look on your face.

Qrow: I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.

Penny: Do you not remember Qrow? You taught me how to use sentence enhancers earlier today!

Qrow: Ugh, Way to play along, Robo-kid.

Penny: My fucking name is PENNY.

More laughter is heard as more people gather to see the comotion.

Ruby finally had to laugh too, now that she knew why Penny was acting the way she was.

Penny: What the fuck is so funny Friend Ruby?

Everyone began laughing harder, even Weiss was stifling laughter at this point, the absurd contrast in Penny’s innocent speaking mannerisms and what she was actually saying finally got to her.

Ruby tried to stop laughing long enough to try to explain it to Penny.

Ruby: Penny, Penny, Penny, You-do you really not know what those words mean?

Penny: “Fuck” Means to have reproductive intercourse does it not?

Ruby: Oh my god…!

Some prodding later, Penny explained that Qrow taught her that “Sentence enhancers” make your words more meaningful, and he wasn’t wrong, but they talked Penny down with the notion that overuse delutes the meaning, defeating the point.

Yang nudges Ruby’s shoulder.

Yang: Gee, you really know how to pick ‘em, huh, sis?

Ruby: YANG!

Penny: Shall we fuck– I mean, shall we go, Ruby?

Ruby: Uh…What were you gonna say there?

Penny: Huh? “Shall we fucking go?”? I thought—

Ruby: N-Never mind! I dunno what I thought, Yes let’s go Penny!

Ruby hurriedly grabs a confused Penny’s hand and drags her into the ballroom.

-
As Penny observes the decorations and atmosphere her eyes sparkle with childlike wonder.

Penny: Wow…! This is truly sensational!

Ruby: Yeah, it’s pretty great…I’m not normally a social butterfly y’know, I know I asked you here, but I really don’t know what I’m doing.

Penny: That is okay, Ruby. I do not know what I am doing either. But I do not feel like I have to, because you will like me anyway.

Ruby: Aww~!

-
Ruby scoops herself some punch from the punchbowl and slurps from her cup.

Ruby: Do you want some Penny?

Penny: I do not think that is a good idea. I have no way to digest it.

Ruby: Oh, right…

Penny: Can you just hold it up to my nose?

Ruby: Uh, alright…

Ruby awkwardly holds her cup of punch to Penny’s face as she takes a sniff.

Coco: Good job takin’ down the invincible girl, kiddo!

Suddenly, Ruby jerks her arm and body upwards in surprise causing her to splash the punch directly in Penny’s face as Ruby feels something smack her butt.

Ruby: GAH!

…

Ruby: Oh Penny! I’m so sorry!

Penny: It is okay, Ruby, I am water-proof! It smells wonderful by the way!

Ruby sighs, then turns around.

Ruby: What the heck, Coco!?

Coco: Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you, I just wanted to congratulate the legend in person.

Ruby: Legend…?

Coco: Yeah! You’re a legend! News spreads quickly around here, thousands of videos with millions of Views of you killing it in the match against Pyrrha Nikos, I even saw some people dressing up like you, you’re a fashion trend too!

Ruby: Okay, I appreciate it Coco, but you should really ask before touching someone like that.

Coco: Huh? It’s a form of affection, I do it to my team all the time!

Ruby: I’m sorry it…makes me uncomfortable, can’t we just settle for a high five or something?

Coco: Fine, it won’t happen again, But still, good job, from one legend to another!

Ruby: Thanks.

Ruby turns back to Penny.

Ruby: So…uh…You wanna dance?

Penny: I would love to!

-
While everyone is dancing and mingling something is going on at the back of the room;

Cardin whispered

Cardin: Well, did you bring the goods?

Dove: Yup! I’ve got the Black Cosj you asked for right here!

Cardin raised a fist and decked Dove in the head.

Cardin: Ya damn retard! Ms. Saggy tits is gonna hear ya!

Dove: Oww…!

Russel: Heh. Saggy Tits.

Sky: I’d still hit it, she got real MILF energy.

Cardin: Alright, places everyone, we’re gonna make this a REAL party!

Team CRDL manage to spike the punch bowl with a mysterious drug without anyone noticing. Weiss comes over shortly after to pour herself a glass…

Chapter Text

-some time later…

Penny and Ruby are currently doing an improvised dance routine with each other, suddenly Ruby attempts to pick Penny up, predictably Ruby doesn’t get Penny’s metal body more than an inch off the ground before collapsing on top of her.

Penny: Are you Okay, Ruby?

Ruby slurs her words.

Ruby: I’m SEN-SATIONAL! I’m always happy when I get to be around your warm squishy body!

Ruby nuzzles against Penny’s body for a moment. Penny puts her hand on Ruby’s head.

Penny: Friend Ruby, You are so sweet~! I do not have a heart, but if I did it would figuratively melt with you around!

Ruby: But you DO have a heart, PenPen! Maybe not literally, but you do, I said so when we first met!

Penny: And I said to you that day, You are the best friend anyone could have!

Ruby: Did I ever tell you how squishy you are~?

Penny: You have said that twice now, I do not think I’m squishy, no more than you at least.

Ruby: But you are!

Ruby grabs a hold of Penny’s cheeks and stretches them in all sorts of directions playfully.

Penny: RubeRube? What are you, ow! Doing?

Ruby: I’m squishing your squooshy cheeks!

Penny grabs Ruby’s arms and holds them still.

Penny: Can you please stop, that is not comfortable!

Ruby lets go of Penny’s cheeks and suddenly bursts into tears. Penny panics a little bit, thinking she was maybe too harsh in her tone.

Ruby: I’m so sorry Penny! I didn’t mean to hurt my best friend! Please forgive me!!

Penny: It is okay, Ruby! I am not mad! Please stop crying!

As Ruby continues to overreact, Weiss walks by and hugs Ruby, while also crying.

Weiss: Don’t cry, Ruby! If you cry then I’ll cry!

Penny wants to point out they are both already crying, but doesn’t and remains generally uncertain of what to do.

Weiss: Ruby! You’re my bestest friend and I command you to stop crying!

Ruby tries her best to stifle her sobs while Penny looks frantically for help, but on closer inspection, it would seem it’s not just Ruby or Weiss acting this way.

General Ironwood and Glynda Goodwitch were standing on a table singing a duet.

A topless Yang with no bra was picking a fight with the lamp. (The lamp won.)

Nora was pouring syrup they had gathered from the forever fall forest onto a topless Lie Ren while Jaune and Pyrrha were making out on the Balcony.

Sun was swinging by his tail on the chandelier while Neptune cooed for him like he was calling a cat.

Velvet was screaming at Cardin.

Velvet: YOU’RE A FUCKING CUNT MATE!

Cardin: What’d you say about me, Beastmate?!

Velvet: I SAID YOU’RE MUM’S A WHORE!!

Velvet and Cardin then “Fought” each other, which looked more like flailing their limbs around uselessly and falling over a lot. It’s like they completely forgot how to fight, or how to act like humans for that matter!

Coco was attempting to eat her Bureau.

Yatsuhashi was sharing an elaborate scheme to eliminate Racism as Fox intently listened.

Winter was crying over Qrow repeatedly calling her “Hoobly”

On top of that Ozpin was just gone.

Penny thought she might’ve entered the dimension of chaos, what the hell was happening!?

Then Penny noticed Blake by the punchbowl right below the chandelier Sun was–

Penny: BLAKE! LOOK OUT!!

Like a Ninja Blake used her semblance to dodge away from the falling chandelier that promptly smashed the table and punch bowl only to immediately duck under a lamp that was flung her way (Guess Yang finally won)

Penny gently laid down the Ruby and Weiss still in her arms and rushed towards Blake, who's apparently the only one with Brain Cells left besides herself.

Penny: Blake! I am scared! What is happening!? Why is everyone acting so erratically!?

Blake: Some idiot decided it was a good idea to spike the punch bowl with Black Cosj!

Penny: Black Cosj?

Blake: It’s an illegal drug that causes people to behave like…this. Emotional outbursts, loss of inhibitions and sometimes even downright delirium.

Penny: How do we fix this!?

Blake: The drug is already in their system, we just have to wait it out and in the meantime, make sure they don’t get themselves hurt…

Penny’s face hardened with determination.

Penny: Affirmative!

…

Penny: So, how did you know that? And why are we the only ones unaffected?

Blake: Well, I’d imagine you being a machine wouldn’t be able to get high…as for me, I smelt the drug in the punch before I drank it, Faunus in addition to Night Vision have an exceptional sense of smell.

Penny: Oh. Then what about Sun or Velvet?

Blake: They probably didn’t know what it was. Black Cosj has a distinct scent but it’s also subtle, if you don’t know what you’re looking for it can be easy to miss.

Penny: Why would anyone want to get “High”?

Blake: Well…a lot of reasons, some do it to escape reality, some get some sort of thrill from it. You could probably find out more if you looked it up on the internet.

Yang stumbled over to Blake and Penny and stood next to Blake, still with her breasts hanging out. Blake, understandably started blushing seeing that.

Yang: Heeeeey! Blakey poo~!

Blake: H-Hi, Yang.

Yang: You wanna see my tits?

Blake: I think EVERYONE can see them perfectly fine.

Yang looked down at herself as if she completely forgot that she was half naked.

Yang: Oh. Right…Wanna feel ‘em?

Blake: Uh…

That’s actually pretty tempting, Blake thought, but…

Blake: Yang, you’re uh, a little too inebriated right now…maybe check back when you’re…sober.

Yang: Aww…Okay, well we can just cuddle instead~!

Blake: Well that…would be okay I guess.

Penny: Can I cuddle too?

Blake had almost forgotten Penny was even there, but looking at her puppy eyes, she couldn’t say no…

Blake: Yeah, alright…

Soon, the three of them were sat by the broken chandelier in a comfy position. Then Yang spoke.

Yang: I love you Blake…

Blake: …You…Do…?

Yang: Yeah…You’re so smart, so pretty, so kind…and your cat ears are so cute!

Penny: That is true!

Yang: I want everyday to be just like this…

Of course, Blake hoped that she could have this conversation sober but…

Blake: Me too, Yang…

Penny: Maybe drugs are not so bad after all!

Blake: That’s not the moral I would take away from this.

Weiss and Ruby happily skipped over to the cuddle zone, arms around each other.

Weiss: Yang, I wish I had boobs as big as yours, they’re so beautiful!

Yang: Thanks Weiss! But yours are beautiful too! You should be proud of what the brothers gave you!

Ruby: Yeah! Hence forth, Weiss will be the head honcho of the itty bitty titty committee!

Weiss, Ruby, Yang and Penny all speak at the same time;

RWYP: YEAH!!

Blake laughs

Blake: Penny, you’re not even high!

Penny: That does not mean I cannot support my friends!

-

Yatsuhashi: Thou may noweth Fist-bump-e Thy Homieth

Sun: You don’t have to speak all Shakespearean, dude, you sound like a dork.

Blake: Says the guy getting a “Bro Wedding”

Penny laughs

Penny: My best friends are dorks and I love them for it!

Sun puts his fist out, Neptune looks at it for a bit, then leaps onto Sun, hugging him, Sun hugs him back immediately.

-
Neptune: Hey, Snow Angel~ You got a fine ass~

Both Blake and Sun facepalm.

Penny: Is this how one “Flirts”?

Weiss turns around to face Neptune

Weiss: So do you. Why don’t you back it up and I’ll take you someplace nice~

Neptune: U-Uh…

Weiss: Come on, you wrote the check, now CASH IT!

Weiss reaches around grabbing Neptune’s ass.

Neptune: I’m sorry, thanks, Maybe later bye!

And with that, Neptune zooms off.

Weiss: Oh come on!

Weiss pouts and crosses her arms.

Sun: I told you, don’t make promises you can’t keep bro!

Neptune: I don’t know what I’m doing…

Blake: Now might be a good time to mention Black Cosj is also an aphrodisiac…

-
Ren: Nora, do you think there’s a reason for any of this?

Nora: Well, Yeah obviously the point of the Beacon dance is to dance your butts off and maybe do something special with someone special~

Ren: I don’t mean the dance, I mean…existence. There’s so much pain, violence, death and torture, I sometimes wonder what kind of cruel, uncaring Gods would allow for such suffering.

Nora: Wow, You’re so existential, and so caring of everyone out there, Like when you saved me in that village, comforted me even though the grimm were hunting both of us…I don’t know if there’s a reason for it, but I’m glad you’re here with me…

Ren: And I you. You add so much excitement to my life with your boundless enthusiasm. I love you, Nora.

Nora: I love you too, Ren~! Keep talking sweet to me and you just might like what happens next~

Nora puts a hand over Ren’s crotch.

Ren: Sure, I’m already half naked anyway.

Nora: LET’S FUUUCK!!

Blake: Uh HEY! Hate to interrupt but—

Nora: You better have a good reason for keeping that dick from my mouth, ya damn bimbo!

Blake: I thought this might happen, at least take one of these.

Blake tosses a wrapped condom Nora’s direction.

Blake: I had Penny buy some since none of you intoxicated morons can’t seem to keep it in their pants, We don’t need an unwanted pregnancy because someone decided it was a good idea to put illegal drugs in the punch bowl.

Nora: Intoxicated?

Blake: I suppose you’re all too high to realize that you’re high.

Ruby: WHAT!?!?

Apparently Ruby just now realized she’s on drugs.

Ruby: We gotta get out of here! Move and change our names!

Blake: Ruby I don’t think you have to–

Before Blake can finish her sarcastic remark Ruby runs face first into a wall.

Blake: Don’t you have a semblance for that?

Yang: Wait, You’re saying someone DRUGGED me AND MY BABY SISTER!!??

Yang’s eyes turn red and her hair is lit ablaze by her semblance…however briefly.

Yang: HOLY SHIT MY HAIR’S ON FIRE!!!

The flames dissipate as Yang Grabs her hair and nuzzles it to her face, whispering to it soothingly.

Yang: Sshh, It’s okay, everything’s okay.

-
A set of arms suddenly wrap themselves around Weiss’s head. Then she hears a voice…It’s Winter!

Winter: Oooh, My dear baby sister! I hope you know I’m only so hard on you because I love you, so, so much!

Weiss: Winter…!

Weiss begins to cry again.

-
Blake and Penny as the responsible adults had to leave the cuddle zone a few times to keep the others out of trouble but it got easier as the intoxicated’s energy dwindled, another effect of Black Cosj is sleepiness.

After the initial, weirdly sexual chaos had subsided a little the, the rest of the evening dissolved into everyone constantly gushing about each other and telling them how much everyone means to everyone…in there own way of course…

Blake, being sober, found it almost nauseatingly sweet, seriously, it was actually comical, but it seemed all that was required to turn everyone into sentimental mush was just some lost inhibitions via illegal drugs, those feelings have always been there, Blake almost wished she had drank that punch now because everyone looked so happy just to be in each other's presence eventually falling asleep in a giant dog pile.

Meanwhile, Penny just observed, eyes sparkling as she witnessed the magic of friendship and how much all these people meant to her and everyone else.

Penny: It’s beautiful, isn’t it friend Blake.

Penny spoke as she gently stroked Ruby’s hair.

Blake: Odd word for this…interesting night…but I can’t say you’re wrong.

Blake chuckled to herself, in the past few hours Blake had witnessed an absolute clusterfuck. And as she was laying there, she began to feel sleepy too, after all, anyone would be exhausted after spending the night with these drug fuel gremlins.

Penny on the other hand didn’t require sleep, being a robot and all, but she remained comfy there, just watching.

-
Ruby groggily awoke, head swimming, she felt a hand on her head, and realized the ground wasn’t what was beneath her as a familiar voice spoke to her.

Penny: Oh! You are awake! How do you feel?

Ruby: I feel dizzy…What happened? Did I…?

Blake: You were drugged.

Ruby bolted up hearing that.

Ruby: WHAT!?!? AUG–!

The exsertion caused Ruby to feel a sudden sharp pain as she clutched her forehead.

Blake: Don’t stand up so fast!

Penny: It is okay, Ruby. Blake and I were here to keep the whole ball room safe!

Ruby: The whole Ball room?

Blake: Someone spiked the punch with Black Cosj, me and Penny were the only sober people left.

Ruby: Oh God, it’s coming back to me…!

Blake: Oh Good. Then I won’t have to show you the video.

Ruby: YOU RECORDED US!?

Blake: Not exactly, I had Penny download her visual data of the night to my scroll, only as a momento, though.

Ruby: UUuuuugh…!

As Ruby continued to recall events from the night, other people started rising from the pile of bodies.

Yang: Oh crap…!

Yang covered up her breasts with her arms, then smirked a little to herself.

Yang: Must’ve been one of THOSE nights, huh.

Ruby: I DIDN’T NEED TO SEE THAT! I DIDN’T NEED TO SEE THAT!

Yang winced in embarrassment, realizing her baby sister was at this party too. It wasn’t the first time they walked in on eachother, they had lived together their whole lives after all, but it was still a really weird feeling.

Yang Hurriedly wrapped one of the table cloths around herself.

Velvet pried herself up, then realized she had awoken on top of Cardin’s chest.

Cardin: Hey, babe.

Velvet: OH! Oh God…!

Velvet immediately and swiftly darts backwards away from Cardin.

Cardin: Huh. No wonder you never put up a fight, you Beast-mates know you’re supposed to submit to the master human dick!

Ruby overheard Cardin’s blatantly racist and incredibly rape-y rambling and thought it to be a LITTLE too similar to Ruby’s visions about Cinder, which made Ruby shudder a bit. Ruby got up and started towards Cardin to defend her bunny friend, it looks like the rest of Team CFVY had the same idea, as Coco readied her purse/Machine gun hybrid.

Coco: One more word about my friend and I’ll splatter your body against the wall.

Yatsuhashi also stepped in front of Velvet attempting to look intimidating.

Velvet: Guys, please stop…

Ah, yeah right. Coco remembered that Velvet has a pacifism schtick, She’s expressed before that she doesn’t like to retaliate because violence breeds more violence and she’d rather prove them wrong, Coco really didn’t agree with that, as far as she was concerned ‘Talk shit, get hit’ was far more elegant, especially when the target was her family.

Coco: Are you serious? This guy is ASKING for it!

Velvet: Yeah, but…I’ve told you before, we don’t win with violence…

Coco: …You’re sure…?

Velvet: It’s what I want, I promise.

Coco let out a long sigh and instead settled for just a vaguely threatening “I’m watching you” Gesture.

Cardin: Yeah, that’s right, Walk away, Everyone is gonna know you’re a beastmate slut when it comes down to it!

Fox: You’re lucky Velvet’s so nice. You’re a walking caricature.

As Team CFVY walked away Velvet turned to Yatsuhashi with a question.

Velvet: We didn’t actually…Right?

Yatsuhashi: No. You didn’t.

Coco: You DID fight each other though…kind of…

Velvet: Ugh…That’s embarrassing…

Coco: Hey, Everyone knows you can kick ass if you need to.

Yatsuhashi: Yeah, you don’t have to prove anything, especially to him.

Fox: You’re part of an oppressed group, no one blames you for losing your cool, especially under a drug that promotes emotional instability.

Coco: Even sober we wouldn’t blame you.

Ruby: It’s actually kind of inspiring, you refuse to hurt anyone, even when they strike first.

Velvet smiles meaningfully at everyone.

Velvet: Thanks guys…

-
Yang and Nora, suddenly recall how that acted with their crushes while high, Nora looks to Ren, Blake looks to Yang.
Nora: So…We gonna talk about that?

Blake: I think we all have a lot to chew on, huh Yangy Wangy?

As All four of them turned red, a camera like Grimm watched from afar. The Seer observed Ruby specifically, identifying her as the biggest threat, an ancient witch watched through the Grimm like crystal ball, thinking to herself, if this cheerful girl were to fully join Ozma’s group of rebels, that could spell disaster for her plan…She needed to strike first.

Salem: Cinder. Are you ready?

Cinder: Of course, my liege.

Chapter Text

Big Shocker! Roofying an entire school with illegal drugs isn’t a good idea. Since the Dance Glynda made a more than stern announcement that whoever drugged the punchbowl, should they be found, would not only be expelled, but charged with criminal offenses, effective, immediately. Fortunately for team CRDL, no one had any evidence that it was them and Ruby hadn’t recalled seeing them in a cutscene…yet. Now that everyone had been sober for a few hours, long enough to recall the full details of what happened, all collectively cringing at how they acted under the effects of the highly erratic drugs.

Ruby and co. went about their school day as normally as was possible, meanwhile, the romantic tension of things said and done was still in the air. Apparently this wasn’t unique to Ruby’s circle, given that many relationships were kickstarted for all sorts of students as a result of lowered inhibitions, though many also swore it to be the drugs talking. Either way, the select couple of couples among JNPR and RWBY wouldn’t have time to talk through their feelings just yet.

Ruby’s mind had been racing all day, kicked into 5th gear, only partially from freshly coming off a drug trip. Ruby had this niggling feeling in her gut since her first encounter with the Homunculus that was now an overwhelming feeling that she was at the center of something massive, almost cosmic in scale, since learning she could save and load, she had the feeling that she had been chosen somehow, yet couldn’t fathom for what, or if this bizarre turn in her life was even planned at all and she couldn’t just shrug it off anymore. But as Ruby’s mind melted into slag there was a spark and then Ruby’s vision once again went blank. She was having another vision, but this one was different, rather than a linear series of events or a game looking interface, Ruby saw a kaleidoscope of information that inexplicably made sense, like logic you can only follow while dreaming…or on drugs.

-
Ruby saw a world far removed from her own, not just another planet but an entirely separate reality that was connected to hers, in this reality there was Earth, a place similar to Remnant but with many unique differences, there were no Grimm, there were no Faunus, Devices similar to Scrolls were called Phones but they didn’t use Dust, as that didn’t exist either. The most important thing in this reality for Ruby’s purposes is a company called RoosterTeeth, who made many series of webshows, things that Ruby could vaguely recall from one of her obscure visions: Red Vs Blue, Camp Camp and most importantly, RWBY. RWBY saw herself and all her friends being modeled and animated in a 3D software by the people at RoosterTeeth. She knew they were humans, but they didn’t look like her, or anyone else she met, Their features were more subtle with smaller eyes, that didn’t sparkle as much and bigger noses, they also seemed to be more detailed, somehow, almost like someone went completely overboard with detail.

Ruby saw the map of Remnant smeared on a napkin with Ketchup and then drawn in more detail on a computer…yet it wasn’t the Remnant she recognized, this was different, Then Ruby saw more of these strange people watching the show named after her team on the RoosterTeeth website, becoming inspired, attached to her and her friends adventures and becoming inspired to create things about this show, either out of love or simply because they believe they can do better.
Then Ruby saw a spiraling multiverse of her and her friends contorted in every way possible. Sometimes, these fans would create their own vessels to interact with Remnant, a version of Remnant where everyone worshiped their vessel, other times they wouldn’t be on Remnant and perhaps interact with beings from other shows and sometimes it would be something Ruby would’ve rather not seen, like her sister having sex with a skeleton who had a glowing blue eye…uugh…!

The Fandom; Fanfiction, digital drawings, shipping, crossovers. Ruby saw it all.

Most importantly, in the infinite chaos, Ruby finally saw HER universe and had now realized that several of these people had been watching her and everyone she knew, The dance with Penny, the fight with Pyrrha, the Vision of Cinder, they saw everything, like watching words scrolling on a screen. Apparently, Ruby WAS chosen, she’s the protagonist, that has to be the explanation for all this!

-
Penny walks into Ruby’s dorm and sees something is off about her friend. She approached Ruby and saw her eyes glazed over, staring at nothing.

Penny: Friend Ruby, Are you Okay?

…

Ruby: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA–

-
Somewhere in Darkland, Salem’s base

Mercury: So, What? We’re hunting down the girl that beat Invincible girl by Reloading time? What the Hell do you expect us to do against that?

Cinder: Have faith, young Mercury. After all, even the brightest lights can be extinguished.

Emerald: So, What’s the plan, then?

Cinder: I’ll let you in on a little secret; That girl’s power is nothing new, I had it first! When I gathered all the Maiden’s powers, I gained total control over destiny, but somehow, even without any of that power, her wishes for this world overwrite MINE! …But I didn’t lose everything, I can tell when the timeline has been altered and I can tell she’s not unbeatable.

Cinder looks down at her Grimm arm Salem had constructed for her, capable of stealing divine powers.

Cinder: I just need ONE clean shot and her power is mine!
Cinder clenched her Grimm hand into a fist as she spoke.

Cinder: All you need concern yourself with is allowing me to get it…

Emerald: Yes Ma’am!

Mercury: Whatever you say.

Flames appear under Cinder’s hands as she levitates into the air.

Cinder: All who oppose me will burn…!

-
Weiss: So, Ruby’s broken. Now what?

The group just managed to somewhat calm down a Hysterical Ruby with a few layers of blankets and a glass of milk.

Ruby: I’m not broken…I just…I don’t know how to describe what I saw…

Blake Mock gasped.

Blake: …She speaks!

Yang: Blake!

Blake: Sorry…

Yang: It’s alright Ruby, We’ll be here when you figure it out.

…

Ruby: Would you believe me if I told you our world is a fanfiction?

Blake: A What?

Weiss: I’m not even surprised at this point.

Before Ruby could explain what she meant, she felt a sudden stabbing pain in her chest, she looked down and saw the outstretched claw of a grimm stabbing into her.

Yang: RUBY!!

Ruby looked up and saw a woman with eyes that matched the flames coming from them…those Amber eyes…this was Cinder! She was significantly older, probably in her late 20s but Ruby knew that this was the same Faunus girl she witnessed taken from her home and enslaved, the only thing Ruby couldn’t account for was the grimm arm currently lodged in her chest, well, that and how she waltzed her way into her team’s dorm room without them or security noticing.

Yang, Blake and Weiss all pulled out their weapons, Blake thought to try and cut the extended grimm arm, Yang immediately lunged for Cinder’s throat and Weiss tried to summon a gravity glyph to pull Cinder into the wall.

None of them, however, were able to finish any of these actions as Cinder simply motioned her other non-grimmified away from Ruby, launching all her teammates through the wall and out of the building.

Cinder: AHAHAHAHA!! THE POWER, IT’S MINE!!

Ruby tried to load a save file…she saw the universe pulsate around her before being met with a message “Unable to load state” what Cinder said next made her panic.

Cinder: Save your strength, little red, this power was never yours to begin with, be grateful you had it for as long as you did. It’s time to rest.

As Cinder spoke, Ruby saw energy of some sort pulsate inside of the grimm arm and make it’s way down, being absorbed into Cinder. Was…Was she STEALING her ability to save?! Ruby had felt so blessed to have such power to make the world better, but if this power fell into the wrong hands…that thought horrified Ruby, she couldn’t let that happen! Ruby grabbed the wrist of the grimm arm with both hands, trying desperately to tug it off of her, even if she wound up dead, it was better than letting Cinder get the power, as Ruby struggled, Cinder spoke again.

Cinder: You’re wasting your effort, just give up the power, it doesn’t belong to you, it’s an easier way out than whatever you think you’re doing.

It almost seemed like that was some sick sense of Mercy, Cinder’s tone was that of a mother calming down a frightened child…Maybe the hate hasn’t turned her completely?

Cinder’s expression shifted and her head tilted quizzically. Ruby reached into her heart with a desire to protect and with that the flow of the energy reversed traveling back to Ruby.

Cinder: What…!?

An equally confused Ruby was again transported out of the story, taking the form of pure consciousness. She saw another game looking interface, but this was different than the Save Slots she was able to access, Ruby instead saw a flow chart of some kind, one blue and red as well as two colored bars that seemed to correspond with each, labeled “Virtue Energy” and “Sin Energy” The blue, Virtue Energy bar was around half full and at “Level 5” Ruby looked at what the flowchart had to offer, much like the video games that were apparently more real than Ruby ever imagined, the levels she hadn’t reached yet had a big lock slapped on them, preventing Ruby from knowing what she had to look forward to, but she could see what she HAD unlocked,

Level 1: Save and Load

Level 2: Cutscenes

Level 3: 4th Wall Awareness

Level 4: Fast Travel

Level 5: God from the Machine (A sudden or abrupt solution to an otherwise unsolvable problem)

Ruby was getting somewhat used to this weird existential stuff, after her last upgrade, a flowchart didn’t really phase her. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a little…weird about the universe apparently revolving around HER…

The Red chart also intrigued Ruby, Her Sin meter was just a small sliver and she apparently “Level 0”

Ruby: Huh, Guess I’m more Bluby than Ruby…heh.

Ruby had the thought that her sister would be proud of her for that one.

Needless to say, all the abilities on that chart were locked away, Ruby found herself morbidly fascinated with the concept of the Sin meter…What would happen if she…

Ruby shook her head imagining it, repulsed by the thought.

Ruby exited the Meter Menu and returned to the story, her chest still impaled.

Ruby yanked the grimm claw out of her chest, her body healing itself far faster than Aura typically can, Ruby saw the wound close up in her flesh. Suddenly, the room explodes into flames, Launching Ruby out of the hole her friends’ bodies made. Ruby used Crescent Rose to slow her descent using the recoil of the gun.

When Ruby landed, She looked up to see Cinder’s face, eyes narrow in rage and pupils narrow and shaken, the reflecting fire symbolizing her festering hatred.

Cinder: I’LL TEAR YOU APART!!!

Ruby then noticed two people younger than Cinder, more around Yang’s age, next to her who hadn’t been there before, A girl with dark skin, red eyes and Green hair, for some reason, Ruby thought she saw her from a book or something, then there was the boy with silver hair, lighter skin and…Silver…? No, black eyes, Ruby was always told her Silver eyes made her special somehow, yet they looked very similar to Black eyes which were very common, seemed kinda arbitrary, actually. Ruby had a feeling Cinder’s weirdly successful stealth had something to do with them, they must be new because Ruby didn’t see either of these two in the vision Ruby had.

Penny: Ruby! Are you Okay!?

Penny flew in at mach speed, apparently she got the memo.

Ruby: Yes, I’m fine!

Ruby pointed to her chest, her clothes still torn and scar tissue visible where the wound was a few seconds ago.

Weiss: How did you…?!

Ruby smirked.

Ruby: I drink milk!

Ruby’s joke seemed to go over a befuddled Weiss’s head. There was no time to explain however, Cinder’s little outburst had alerted the entire school of huntsmen.

-
Cinder ignored the barrage of bullets, sending them back to their origin with a thought, and darted directly for Ruby, she couldn’t care less about the other students right now, she was just laser focused on the girl who stole the power that always belonged to her!

The only projectile she couldn’t rebound was Penny’s Laser Cannon which blasted her out the other side of the school

Emerald: CINDER!!

Oh, her Name’s Emerald. It would seem Ruby’s newfound eye for the 4th wall let her observe the dialogue.

Emerald screamed in desperation, unable to help, as Mercury shook his head sadly.

Mercury: She’ll be fine! We need to go, Em! The plan failed!

Emerald: But Cinder…How is she gonna win against someone who can…

Mercury: What? Little Red? She’s the wide eyed idealistic idiot type, even IF she wins, she’s not gonna kill Cinder, if she means that much to you, come back and break her out of her cell afterwards.

Emerald Considered Mercury’s words, then nodded her head. With both of them fleeing the scene.

-
The massive “Fuck you” laser would at least half most people’s aura, but for Cinder it merely chipped at it a bit, pissing her off more than anything.

Cinder snapped her fingers, teleporting behind Penny, before she could land an attack though, Ruby flew in, attempting to deflect the blow, but ended up taking the hit instead, the explosion sending her flying, creating a massive crater on impact, Ruby recalled Jaune giving her the nickname “Crater Face” in retaliation for “Vomit Boy” awhile back, it seemed to fit now, Regardless, Ruby screwed up right at the beginning of the fight, so she decided to load a state.

-Load State 7

Ruby was back in the school, before being blown out through the wall, she had just pulled the grimm arm out of her chest and healed. This time, Ruby leapt out the hole in the wall all by herself, a full second before Cinder exploded, landing more gracefully too.

Cinder screamed at her like last time, but what she said was different.

Cinder: YOU THINK THAT LOADING YOUR STOLEN SAVE FILE WILL HELP YOU!?!?

Ruby’s expression shifted at those words.

Cinder: Don’t look so shocked. Did you think you were the only one who knows what it’s like to play God!? It was ALWAYS supposed to be me! I’M GOING TO MAKE YOUR DEATHS AS AGONIZING AS POSSIBLE!!!

What the Heck!? Was Cinder a Save Scummer too!?

-
OH BROTHERS! Did this take a long time; Ruby died exactly 658 times to Cinder even WITH the Help of the entire school, well, there were also several reloads that involved someone else dying. Even Ozpin pitched in, and he easily did the best against the Maiden, but was still entirely outclassed. Team work really helped Ruby do this, There was even a point where Ruby just chilled in the Menus as a blob of Consciousness for awhile in order to take a break. Ruby was also Glad she was able to train with Pyrrha when she did, it probably saved her a few hundred deaths.
-
As Cinder and Ruby traded blows, they spoke to each other.

Cinder: If you had just obeyed, I would've at least done the courtesy of letting your worthless friends live, they would've made wonderful servants I'm sure. However, after your foolish attempt to oppose me, I've decided against being so nice. Everyone you ever loved is going to pay the price for your arrogance!

Ruby: does that include you…?

Cinder: What?

Ruby: Those heroes in the books, they had many traits that made them awesome; Determination, fighting skills, general bad-buttery, but the trait I’ve always strived for the most is unconditional love for all humanity, I love you just like I love my friends and everyone else, even if they don’t think you deserve it!

Cinder: If you’re trying to butter me up, you’re wasting your time.

Ruby: I’m not! Even people like you deserve happiness, and I think you’re only doing this because of a lack of it! I've been blessed with the power to change fate, and I’m going to save you! I’m going to guide you off this dark path you’re on!

Cinder: Well you're just a fucking weirdo then! I don't need your worthless pity! I don't care how much you "love" me and all the rest of these worthless creatures! "Friendship" is just slavery with extra steps!

Ruby's heart broke a little hearing that last sentence, the thought of being so broken that you can't comprehend basic compassion, made her feel so bad for the Faunus girl…

Ruby: I'm...so sorry you actually think that…

-
There were several holes blown into the school and the courtyard was basically craters within craters at this point.

Ruby: Hey Jaune, I’m looking pretty good now, huh?

Jaune: W-What?!

-
Finally! Ruby struck Cinder, her Aura dissipated, her Maiden powers fading with it, as she fell to her knees. Cinder was now just a mortal.

Cinder: You…You…!

Cinder attempted to get up but was clobbered by military dust infused Bolas before she could get to her feet.

Cinder: I’LL KILL EVERYONE YOU LOVE!!!

Ruby: …you said that already.

Cinder: Fuck you!

Emerald: CINDER!!

Apparently, Emerald decided it was a good idea to stay after all.

Emerald is able to evade for a few seconds, but predictably, she’s dogpiled by basically everybody and is immobilized along side Cinder.

Yang: You’re joking right? We just took down a force of nature grimm-human hybrid, what makes you think you stand ANY chance against all of us!?

Blake: To be fair, Ruby did most of the work.

Ruby: Hey don’t say that, you helped me die less.

Weiss: Wait! How many times did you…!?

Emerald: I HAD to come back! I owe Cinder everything…and, I thought she was going to die!

Ruby: Why would you think that? We’re huntresses, not assassins!

Emerald: …

-
Cinder was taken to a maximum security prison and Emerald was hauled away separately. Penny was required to accompany Cinder tried to escape.

Penny: I am sorry…

Cinder: Save your breath, scrap heap!

Ruby used her Fast Travel to essentially teleport to the prison Cinder was being held.

-
Random Guard: It appears you have a visitor, Ms. Fall.

Ruby waves in a friendly manor, as if this woman wasn’t at her throat about an hour ago.

Ruby: Hi~!

Cinder: …Are you here to gloat…?

Ruby: Nope!

Cinder: …

Ruby: …So…you wanna be friends…?

Cinder: …HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! You really came ALL this way just to ask that!?

Ruby: Actually, I fast traveled.

Cinder:...?

Ruby: N-Nevermind.

Cinder: Go away.

Ruby: Cinder, I just want to help you, you’re hurt, I can see that, but you don’t have to face your problems alone.

Cinder: You don’t understand anything about me.

Ruby: I understand that you’re a faunus.

Cinder: …!

Cinder’s eyes lit up with flames.

Cinder: How did you…?

Ruby: I had a vision, don’t ask how, but I saw everything that happened to you and…

Ruby started tearing up, recalling the cutscene

Ruby: It broke my heart…No one should have to go through what you did, I’m sorry…

Cinder said nothing, but her hands began to tremble…
Ruby: You’re not a bad person, Cinder, You’re just lashing out because you’re hurt. I only fought you to protect everyone, and I can see, there’s still a glimmer in you of someone who knows what they’re doing is wrong, I know you’re capable of love because I saw you, you loved your parents, you loved Rhodes and Gunther but it’s not too late to–

Cinder: SHUT. UP.

Ruby winced, but kept going.

Ruby: …You’re only doing this because you’re scared…

Cinder: I fear nothing!

Ruby: Scared of being powerless, you think that maybe if you hoard all the power to yourself, if you become Godlike, You’ll never have to feel that way again!

Suddenly flames engulfed the Cell, when the flash of light dissipated Ruby was somehow INSIDE the Cell, behind Cinder who snapped around to face her, confused and enraged…

Cinder: I’M GONNA BURN THE FLESH OFF YOUR BONES!!!

Tears welled up in Cinder’s eyes. Ruby went up to Cinder and hugged her, she could feel her shaky breaths…

Ruby: Be honest with me, Cinder, be honest with yourself…

Cinder: ………..

Ruby smiled gently at Cinder…

…

Cinder: Die.

Ruby was forced to dodge the grimm hand and a wall of fire, then quickly fast travel out of the cell.

Ruby: I can’t fix you…

Then, Ruby was Gone.

Cinder: COWARD!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

Ruby felt like a failure. Despite her best efforts, despite the power she had, she couldn’t save Cinder. Cinder was going to die alone in that cell, unable to let go and filled only with hatred, never to be at peace…Ruby felt her heart breaking, even if everyone else only knew Cinder as the cruel unflinching sadist, Ruby couldn’t unsee the Faunus girl who just wanted to be loved…

-
Yang: THERE YOU ARE! Where the Hell did you go!?

Weiss: You missed the debriefing with Professor Ozpin, we had to show up without you!

Blake: He seemed so proud too, where were you?

Before she could answer the question, Ruby burst into tears…seems she was doing that alot lately…

Weiss: H-Hey, don’t cry! It’s not THAT big of a deal…!

Yang: What’s wrong, Sis…?

Ruby: I couldn’t save her…

Blake: Who?

Ruby: Remember the Faunus girl I had that vision about when I first tried to spar with Pyrrha…? Her name was Cinder, the same Cinder I saw tortured and molded into a hateful, murderous shell of a person…I…I thought that maybe if I could just show her kindness or do what she needed from me, that I could “Fix” her somehow, or fix what went wrong in her life…but I couldn’t…it’s not fair, she’s been through so much and now she doesn’t even get a happy ending…!

Yang: Ruby…

Yang embraced Ruby in a comforting hug. Weiss and Blake followed shortly after.

Weiss: The fact that you even tried says alot about you.

Yang: You’ve always shown kindness even to people that don’t deserve it…it’s…it’s something I wish I could do myself…

Blake: I remember when we first met, You said that even if life isn’t like a fiarytale, we’re here to make it better. Do you still believe that? You did everything you could and she didn’t listen, you can’t make the choice for her…

Ruby: I know…thanks guys, I just…I just feel so bad for her…But you’re right, I can’t let this weigh me down, We saved a lot of people today, and we should be proud.