Rage & Hope: A RWBY Story

Chapter One Hundred Twenty Six - Of Solitude & Self

As Aya, Saint Walker and Team RWBY battled against the Furious Cat, Ruby's wooden form begins to crack. Finally, the wooden form of Ruby breaks, causing a powerful bright light explosion. Everyone shields their eyes as the silhouette of Ruby is visible.

Weiss: Ruby! Tali!

Yang: You're....You're you!

Blake: How?

Jaune: She knew what she needed to be all along.

As Jaune said this, Lewis's Blue Lantern Ring began to glow and levitate out of Saint Walker's pocket. The Curious Cat smiles at this. 

Curious Cat: Finally! The Ring is mine!

As the Ring seems to fly towards the Curious Cat, the Curious Cat jumps to claim the Ring, but it flies past them. The Ring then flies towards Razer's wooden form.

Blue Lantern Ring: Razer of Volkerg. You have the ability to instill great hope. 

Razer's wooden form then begins to break apart as the Ring flew into Razer's finger. 

Blue Lantern Ring: All will be well. Welcome to the Blue Lantern Corps. 

Suddenly, Razer's wooden form shatters and causes a powerful explosion of blue light. Soon enough, Razer emerges from the light, a Blue Lantern. 

Aya: R...Razer.....

Razer: All will be well, my friends. 

Curious Cat: How PURRFECT!!!

The Cat starts to pounce towards Tali and Ruby. Ruby deflects the Cat's claw attack with Crescent Rose. Ruby swings her scythe with a flurry of attacks at the Cat, now comfortable with fighting like how she used to before. The Cat tries to grab Crescent Rose and punch Ruby, but she uses her Semblance to dodge and then fire at the Cat with Crescent Rose's sniper form. The Cat is knocked back and angrily glares as Aya, Saint Walker and Team RWBY surrounds them. The Cat unleashes their energy beam attack again, Ruby dodges while Blake slashes and dodges the Cat followed up with a Semblance-enhanced Yang punching it back. Weiss then traps the Cat's feet in ice as she launches a Nevermore summon, which the Cat dissolves with another energy beam. Ruby attacks from behind as the Cat leaps into the air. The Cat attempts one final attack and lunges at Razer. 

Curious Cat: Thief! You dirty thief! The Ring is mine!

Razer: The Ring was never yours!  In fearful day, in raging night, with strong hearts full, our souls ignites. When all seems lost in the War of Light, look to the stars......FOR HOPE BURNS BRIGHT!

Razer then unleashes a beam of Blue energy on the Curious Cat. The Curious Cat screams as they are engulfed in the blue light, knocking them to the ground. As the smoke clears, they have been reverted back to their normal form. The group stands triumphantly over them.

Curious Cat: You're broken! You break everything you touch! I call Humans...weak! Confused! Incomplete!

Razer: No. We are not. 

Yang: She's never been any of those things.

Blake: That's why we follow her.

Ruby: We're going to Remnant, and you're staying here.

Most of the group walk past the Cat. The Cat angrily hisses and attempts to attack, but Razer grips the Curious Cat with his Ring. 

Curious Cat: Come to...stick the knife in some more?! Why?! The Ring was mine! Mine!

Razer: The Ring of a Blue Lantern seeks those who not only have hope, but inspire it. You are not worthy. And now you will reap what you have sown. 

Razer then lets the Curious Cat go as a group of Jabberwalkers began to surround the Cat. The Cat becomes terrified as they attempt to appease Razer. 

Curious Cat: N....no! Please! I...I beg of you! Not like this... No! No, no! NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

The group watches the Jabberwalkers mauling the Curious Cat, horrified, before turning to see Neo. Neo becomes exhausted and collapses from using her Semblance. The group runs towards Jaune, who slowly begins to stand up. Ruby stops and gives a quick look at Neo before joining her friends. They all embrace Ruby and Ruby embraces them back with a relieved look. Neo, after regaining her posture, looks on with Hush in her hands. Meanwhile, the rest of the group discuss what to do with Neo.

Jaune: What about her?

As Jaune asked that, Razer approached the Red Lantern Neo. His presence depowered Neo's Red Lantern Ring. After a moment of silence, Razer spoke. 

Razer: Your path has led you to this moment, Neopolitan. You have allowed your rage to control your path. But now you have the chance to alter your course. The choice is yours. 

There is a moment of silence as Neopolitan looks down on her Red Lantern Ring. Neo takes a deep breath as she takes off her Red Lantern Ring and throws it over the edge. Neo points Hush at the group, and gives a bow, tipping her hat off. She places her hat back on her head, jumps off and opens Hush. The group watch Neo floating down.

Ruby: She'll find herself, one way or another.

Neo closes her eyes as she floats down deeper with the tree branches encasing her. They look up to see the wooden statue form of Neo is erected on the tree branch with multi-colored leaves resembling Hush. Ruby soon looks down in sadness.

Yang: Ruby? What's wrong?

Ruby: When I was in the Tree, I never saw Little. I wish I could say "thank you".

Blake: Do you guys think...we might have....made things even worse in the Ever After? Just like Alyx did?

Ruby: I'm....not sure. I'd like to think we did at least a little good. Right?

???: Wait!

Everyone turns to see a humanoid child-like mouse wearing an orange cape with a hood and a leaf-shaped pattern running towards them. They pant after they stop running.

Ruby: Little!

Mouse Afteran: Do I know you?

Ruby stops her happy hopping in realization.

Ruby: Oh! Uh, I don't believe we've met yet. Please, what are you?

Mouse Afteran: I'm....Well, you know I haven't thought about it yet. You look like you have wits about you. What do you think I am?

Ruby: Well, uh...To me, you seem like a friend.

Blake: A guide.

Weiss: A protector.

Yang: A...dorable.

Weiss giggles. 

Razer: An ally. 

Ruby: Do any of those sound close?

Somewhat: Hmmm. Somewhat. Yeah. Somewhat. I'm not any one thing, I'm somewhat of a lot of things!

Ruby: It is a true pleasure to meet you, Somewhat.

Somewhat: It will be my honor to serve you.

Ruby: You've already done more for us than you know.

Somewhat: You do feel...familiar. Like a happy dream I can't remember.

Ruby tears up.

Ruby: I'm so glad we got to meet you. I'm sure you'll help lots of people. But now we have to say goodbye.

Razer: No matter what happens, remember. All will be well. 

Jaune: Hey, Somewhat.

Somewhat gasps and quickly approaches Jaune and Juniper.

Somewhat: I am at your service!

Jaune: Will you look after Juniper? She means the world to me.

Jaune nuzzles his face into Juniper's. Somewhat looks on and holds their hand to their chest in conviction.

Somewhat: I will never leave her side.

Jaune smiles hearing this. Juniper lowers her head to allow Somewhat to hop onto her back. Somewhat salutes Jaune and they and Juniper march off in the opposite direction. The group begins to head towards the door, with Jaune taking one last look at Juniper as she heads off with Somewhat, wiping tears from his eyes. The group take a deep breath as they walk through the door, ready to at last return home.