After being reactivated by Penny, X-49 left her enclave and began his search for Team RWBY. As he navigated through the forest of the Ever After, X-49 was taken aback by the sights he was seeing. Never in his life had he ever seen such a fantastical place. Suddenly, roaring was heard in the distance. Lulu barked.
X-49: Don't worry, girl. I got you.
As X-49 pulled out his twin pistols, he could hear the sound of fighting. Without hesitation, the Combat Droid charges to where the roaring was heard. To his shock and relief, he sees Ruby, Weiss and Blake battling against a strange, purple, masked creature twitching.
???: BITE! RIP! TEAR!
The creature swipes its claw at Blake, but she blocks it with Gambol Shroud. Weiss runs forward to assist, but stops suddenly.
???: I said I wasn't done with you yet!
A large rock is thrown at the creature, who jumps away from Blake after the rock hits them. X-49 seizes the opportunity to fire on the creature. X-49 then jumps on the creature and fires several shots into the beast's head. At the same time, Yang joins the others in surrounding the creature.
???: Recede... Retreat... Wait... Return.
The creature makes their retreat as it jumps high to the next cliff and disappears into the forest. Weiss and Blake attempt to chase after it, X-49 stops them.
X-49: Hold it. That....that thing might be trying to lure us into a trap. That's the last thing we need right now.
Yang pants heavily and ends up kneeling, exhausted. Ruby runs towards Yang.
Ruby: Yang! I–
Yang: Dammit! You weren't supposed to be here...
Ruby kneels down next to Yang.
Ruby: If you thought we wouldn't come for you, then you must've forgotten who raised me.
Yang sighs.
Ruby: What happened to your arm?
Yang: I don't think you'd believe me if I told you....
X-49: You'd be surprised.
X-49 then walks towards Ruby and Yang. If he could cry, he'd be crying tears of joy at the sight of seeing his adopted sisters alive and well. He simply settled by hugging his two sisters tightly. After this heartwarming reunion, Ruby and Yang along with the rest of Team RWBY looked at Echo. It was clear that his appearance had changed. The first thing they noticed was the rust on X-49's chassis.
Weiss: But how did you end up here?
X-49: During the fight, I attacked Cinder. But she got the drop on me and jabbed something into me. Shocked me pretty good. I tried to make it over to the exit, but....you know.
Upon hearing this, Team RWBY was shocked.
Yang: Damn.....
Blake: How did you....
X-49: Then I woke up in this place, but I took some pretty bad damage and I shut down. From what I've been told, I've been shut down for 50 years.
Ruby: Just....just like the Tin Man....
Yang: Damn it...damn it!
Weiss: I sort of thought you'd be a little happier to see us.
Yang: I am... It's just... It must have gone pretty bad, huh?
Ruby and Blake look at Yang. Blake looks back at Ruby before they turn to see Weiss beginning to break down in tears.
Ruby: Weiss...
Weiss: I... Everything happened so fast. No one came back from Vacuo to help... And Penny! She-- Jaune tried to help, but... she sacrificed herself!
Ruby wide-eyed, listens to Weiss of what happened, her words slowly being muted out as she continues speaking, but suddenly ends up passing out until she hits the ground before X-49 could reveal what really happened to Penny. Later, the group began discussing their current situation. It's raining again.
Yang: So, we have no idea what happened to the Relic? Or what happened to everyone in Vacuo? Or where Neo is?
Blake: Maybe everyone else made it?
Weiss: I don't know, but I have a bad feeling.
Little is fanning Ruby with a small piece of grass as Ruby regains her consciousness.
Ruby: Neo's here too.
Yang: Hey, are you alright?
Ruby doesn't immediately answer.
Ruby: She attacked me when we were falling.
X-49: Before I fell, a good chunk of people made it. And from what Penny told me, she didn't encounter anyone else since she's arrived.
Ruby: You mean....she's alive?
X-49: Yeah. I was just about to say that when you passed out. She was the one who reactivated me. But she's...different.
Blake: Okay. Ruby's weapon is still missing. Yang's arm was stolen. I think we focus on getting everything back, then we can figure out exactly how to get out of here.... Wherever here is....
Suddenly, the rain stops and rays shine on Blake. She walks towards the source of light.
Weiss: But, what if we can't leave? Or, what if--
Yang: What if we're dead? Until you all found me, I thought for sure I was.
X-49: My rust says otherwise. And Penny.....
Blake: No, I don't think we're dead.
X-49: I think the first thing we need to do is to establish where we are. Clearly this isn't Remnant or at least Remnant as we know it. Penny seemed to have some sort of idea as to where we were. As soon as we find Yang's arm, maybe Penny can help us.
Blake: I know how it sounds, but....
As Blake pushes away the vines a little, she looks to the giant tree in the center of the land.
Blake: I think we're in a fairy tale.
Peeking over the hill, the giant tree is surrounded by many other unusual environments: a red forest with a red castle, an area of creamy dessert and sweets, a forest with giant colorful mushrooms, among other things.
YOU ARE READING
The Tale Of X-49: A RWBY Story
ActionWhen a mysterious robot is discovered, Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long take him in as both a brother and protector. In the years that followed, the robot known as X-49 would forge a powerful bond with them that will give the robot a purpose beyond his...
