RWBY reacts to the MCU

Moving on from the Past

Everyone had actually decided that, rather than jump right into the next movie, they all needed some time to process what they had learned about the recent events of their world and the fall of Atlas and Mantle. Several groups broke away from the main group.

Jaune stayed at the lobby and sat on a couch, holding his head in his hands, weeping about what he had done while his friends try to comfort him.

Pyrrha: Jaune, you did what you had to do.

Ren: She's right. Without you, Cinder would've gotten the Winter Maiden power on top of the Fall Maiden power. Then she would've been truly unstoppable.

Jaune: *rubs tears off eyes* There had to have been another way... I should've done more...

Penny: *arrives with Weiss* You did what I asked.

Nora: Penny...

Jaune: *stands up* Penny, I'm so sorry... *approaches her* You died because of me... *tears fall down* It was all my fault.

Weiss: Jaune, you did everything you could. You fought beside Penny and I, you protected us when we needed it and even held back Cinder for a small time.

Penny: Exactly. You have nothing to blame yourself for. Absolutely nothing. You killed me because it was MY last wish to you. The decision was mine and I made it. You were the instrument to do so. It was my last choice and you honored it. Like a true friend. You have nothing to blame yourself for. No one else does, so you have no right to blame yourself for it.

Jaune then gave Penny a tight hug, with the latter hugging back while Weiss placed her hand on Jaune's shoulder.

Cinder: *arrives* If anyone is to blame, it's me.

The others look at the doorway, revealing Cinder, who looked ashamed.

Cinder: *guilty* Even before all of that, I'm the reason everything went South in Atlas. Just when it seemed like you all had one, I practically drove Ironwood insane by leaving that glass chess piece there. I had Neo steal the lantern that could have given you a valuable idea to save the kingdom and caused Team RWBY and you to fall and I killed Penny, right when you finally were getting to enjoy being real. I even betrayed Neo and Watts. Sure, Watts is a jerk, but he hardly deserves to burn to death and Neo was an incredible ally, who I'd only been abusing. *tears began to form* One thing Watts did get right is that I'm only... a migraine.

Pyrrha: *puts her hand on Cinder's shoulder* But the fact that you recognize that what you did was horrible is good. You haven't done these things yet, Cinder. And now, even I don't believe you will.

Weiss: Exactly. No matter what your counterpart does now, it's not you. You can't be held responsible for her actions.

Ren: And besides, we've seen how Salem could torture your future self with that Grimm arm. There's no way you could deny or disobey her without serious consequences. You're just as trapped by her as the rest of us.

Jaune: He's right. Salem is the reason you became like this in the first place. Well, her and your stepmother, but the point is, they tried to make you a certain way, but you're finding your own way now. That's what's important.

Penny then walked up and placed a hand on Cinder's shoulder.

Penny: You've already become more powerful than your other self could hope to be, Cinder. Because you've gained two things she'll never have: insight and wisdom.

Cinder sniffled a bit, before hugging Penny.

Cinder: Thank you, Penny. Even as an android, you're more human than I'll ever be.