Chương 49: The Perils of Paper Houses
Paper Acre...
Nighttime in the Paper Acre. A small origami bird is seen landing in the windowsill of Jaune's home. A tall torch in the background can be seen lighting the lantern that serves as the 'sun'. Light begins to illuminate the sky and turns it to day. Team RWBY and I are all sleeping on mats in the living room, while Jaune is asleep in his own bed. Ruby's eyes are open as she stares at the chest with Crescent Rose in it. Suddenly, a crash is heard, and Jaune bolts awake.
"I'm late!" Jaune said, while Team RWBY and I woke up hearing the commotion. "I'm late! I'm late!"
Jaune hops over Team RWBY and I as he bursts out the door.
"Late over what?" I asked, looking over at Jaune.
Team RWBY and I get up and follow him out.
"For what I usually do." Jaune said, worried.
"What was that?!" Weiss exclaimed, looking over to see the town below is on fire.
"I overslept... I never oversleep! Yesterday, ugh! All the excitement! Keep your head together, you can fix it! You always fix it!" Jaune said, petting Juniper.
Jaune mounts Juniper and prepares to ride off.
"Jaune!" Blake said, angrily..
"I can't wait! I'm late! Any second there's gonna be another..." Jaune said, while another loud explosion happened nearby. "Damn it, right on time!" He looks at Team RWBY and I. "Get to town, I'll meet you there!"
Juniper proceeds to gallop with Jaune riding.
"I'm never this upset when I oversleep..." Little said, rubbing their eyes.
"Uh, what did he mean 'right on time'?" Yang asked.
"I'm sure we'll find out when we get down there." Blake said, looking at Ruby. "Ruby, where's your weapon?"
"Yeah. Where's Crescent Rose? You normally have it on you." I said, looking at Ruby's back.
"Oh! Sorry, still waking up." Ruby said, sadly.
"Hurry! People are counting on us!" Weiss said, worried.
Ruby runs back into the house and grabs Crescent Rose out of the chest.
Town...
Team RWBY and I arrive in the town, taking in the sights.
"Whoa..." Blake said, in awe.
"Who makes a town out of paper?!" Yang exclaimed.
"Origami is fun and therapeutic." I said, smiling. "A town made out of paper is appealing. Despite its delicacy."
"Yeah." Weiss said, looking at me. "Of course you would like it."
"Hello." The Blue Paper Pleaser said, as Team RWBY and I turned around, startled. "Welcome to our village. We hope that it pleases you. Would you be so kind as to tell us what you are so that we may serve you?"
"Serve us?!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Your town is on fire!" Weiss said, looking at the fire destroying Paper Acre.
"You're made out of paper! You are all going to burn!" I said, crossing my arms.
"Oh... no. We are quite safe! We have our hero!" The Blue Paper Pleaser said, happily.
Juniper is seen leaping over one of the emblazoned houses, Jaune is seen dumping a bucket of water over it, putting out the flames. Jaune lands by Team RWBY and I, the Paper Pleasers cheer.
"Hooray! Three cheers for the Rusted Knight and his white rabbit!" The Blue Paper Pleaser said, excitedly.
"Stop! Stop, there's water everywhere, you'll dissolve!" Jaune said, worried.
"Hello, water. How may I serve you?" The Yellow Paper Pleaser asked.
Jaune picks up the yellow Paper Pleaser, "Stop that... Ugh, I can't believe that almost happened. It's been ages since I missed the first fire."
"Do fires happen... often?" Ruby asked.
"Oh, everyday." Jaune said.
"Everyday?" I asked. "How can you handle it?"
"I'm able to stop them." Jaune said, while Team RWBY and I stiffened in shock.
"What?!" Yang exclaimed.
"Oh, uh right, I guess, uh... introductions. These... are the Paper Pleasers. They're probably the most polite, most hospitable Afterans around. Because... that's their purpose." Jaune said.
A purple Paper Pleaser has a tray of drinks and offers Jaune one, but he declines with a hand motion.
"When Alyx left me to die, Juniper found help, brought me to the Paper Pleasers, who got me back on my feet." Jaune said, letting out a sigh. "They work all day, not just serving travelers, but serving the land they live on too. They beautify it, make it a place of peace. Unfortunately, they're... a bit clumsy, but that also makes them predictable." He catches a Paper Pleaser being carried away by the wind. "I told you to hold these."
Jaune gives the Paper Pleaser rocks.
"Thank you, brave knight!" The Green and Pink Paper Pleaser said, running off.
"Classic Ren." Jaune said, chuckling.
"You named them... after your teammates?" Weiss asked.
"No, I named them after everybody."
A red Paper Pleaser approaches them, "Hello! I am the one called Ruby. What are you?"
"One named after Ren. One named after Ruby. How much did you name after your family and friends?" I asked, looking at Jaune.
Team RWBY and I look on horrified.
"I had a lot of time on my hands." Jaune said, frowning.
"Hate that!" Yang said, annoyed. "That question I mean. 'What are you?' It is so annoying."
"Okay, the disastrous lighting of the morning lantern is dealt with." Jaune said, mounting Juniper. "That gives us just enough time to strategize before the calming pebble tower crumbles, crushing the koi pond dam, and flooding the entire village! So I'm thinking... quick brunch?"
Team RWBY and I look at Jaune with weird looks.
"I could eat!" Little said, smiling.
Jaune lays out a map of the Ever After he made, all the acres are in hexagonal shapes, with the tree at the center. Some acres are labeled with words that Team RWBY has already explored, like 'HUNTER MICE', 'CRIMSON CASTLE', and 'GARDEN', with some that have not been explored like 'BLOB', 'STINKY CHEESE', 'GREEN CHAPEL', 'SWAN LAKE', and 'VOLCANO'. One acre has a drawing of the Jabberwalker's head on it.
"My life's work." Jaune said, letting out a sigh.
"Can I take a photo of the map?" I asked, taking out my iPhone 12 Mini and opening the camera app. "Mostly as a reference."
"Feel free." Jaune said, with Team RWBY and I looking over the map Jaune has made as I take a photo of said map. "Over the years, Juniper and I have been systematically exploring as many of the nearby acres as possible. If you think you've seen it all here, let me tell you... you haven't."
A purple Paper Pleaser sets down a plate full of quiches. Little proceeds to grab one and eats away.
"What exactly have you been looking for?" Blake asked.
"Anyone or anything that might be able to take us back home." Jaune said.
"Okay... and, what have you found?" Weiss asked.
"Uh, so far? I mean, not much, but I got a really, really good feeling about this one acre we saw with a bunch of pyramids."
"Sorry, um... I'm just... trying to make sure I follow. Do you have any leads... at all? Any other plans?" Yang asked, raising her hand.
"This... is the plan. Look, I- I'm sorry I didn't solve all our problems by myself, but... I- I can't just run off and let them die! But, between protecting the village, searching for you guys, searching for an exit... we've got a really tight schedule to keep. Or rather, you've got a tight schedule to keep." Jaune said, looking at Team RWBY and I.
"I beg your pardon?" Weiss asked.
"A schedule? Ugh. You know how much I hate deadlines." I said, when Jaune pulls out a piece of paper.
"This is the schedule of catastrophes that befall the village everyday." Jaune said, unfolding the paper to reveal more pieces of paper taped together. "Or, at least they would if it wasn't for me and Jun."
Jaune's list says thus:
-Disastrous lighting of the Morning Lantern (the first fire)!!!
-Save PP from the residual water from stopping the first fire
-BRUNCH!
-Patrol the town - check-in on individual PP
-Stop the Pebble Tower from toppling!!
-Secure the dam
-Save Ren from falling into the Koi Pond
-Watch out for Tearable Two's!!! ☆ ☆
-Keep away from shredder!
-If any traveling salesman/traders come through, check for hazardous goods
-If you wouldn't give it to a baby, don't give it to the PP's!
-Help w/ daily construction/beautifying projects (so PP don't get injured)
-LUNCH!
-No more fried foods (too much grease)!
-Tea shop fiasco
-Stop the second fire
-Save PP from the residual water from the second fire
-Check-in at sandpaper knife-shop
-Help rake the sand (*you'd be surprised how dangerous a rake can be!)
-Keep Oscar away from anything that can be used as a kite string
-STOP THE GOOSE
-Repair scarecrows in rice fields
-If late, fight off giant crows/ make new scarecrows (Ruby will help!)
-Stop carts from crashing > East Marketplace
-Stop the coffee maker at the café before it explodes
-Call paper indoors before Daily Wind Surge
-Stop Nora from climbing the Pebble Tower during the storm < (trust me, this one ends poorly ☹ )
-Take the scissors from Neptune
-Stop the "Bandits"
-Stop the third, and final (hopefully?) fire
-Help Pyrrha w/ her HW
-Stop The Un-Foldening (*you'll know it when you see it)
-Take away the makeshift lighting rods during the storm
-Get Paper Pleasers to bed
-Final Rounds
-Find a way home...
"With this, you guys can save the day no problem, which means I can go out to keep searching without any interruptions. With Juniper's speed and my familiarity with this place, we'll find our solution in no time." Jaune said, as Team RWBY and I look at his list with bewilderment, sitting back down trying to process it all. "Guys..." He stammers "...this is it! If there's one thing I've learned after all these years, it's that patience. Pays. Off. It's why we're finally back together! I know I can find us a way out, okay? I-I know it..." Jaune then raises his voice. "I know it!"
"And I thought I was dedicated to one thing." I said, while Jaune slams his fist on the corner of the map. "This is beyond what dedication was for me."
"I agree." Weiss said. "You were proud and showed your love and passion for one thing. But never to the point of this amount of obsession."
Team RWBY, Little, and I look at Jaune concerned, the mouse gulping down their recent bite of the quiche.
"This isn't crazy... I'm not crazy..." Jaune said, softly before clearing his throat. "This... isn't crazy, it's easy! You know, we still got time before the Pebble Tower falls." He stands up. "How 'bout I, uh... saddle up Juniper and show you around myself." The Rusted Knight then starts to walk away. "Point out some of the clumsier Papers!" He chuckles. "Just wait till you guys meet Neptune!"
"A Paper Pleaser named after Neptune." I said, as Jaune walked away with Yang grabbing his list. "Weiss, you were into Neptune at some point."
"Don't want to talk about it." Weiss said, crossing her arms.
"Damn it, Jaune. This isn't a plan, it's a to-do list." Yang said, reading Jaune's 'plan'.
"He's obviously been through a lot..." Blake said, placing her hand on Yang's prosthetic hand.
"Yeah..."
"We can be frustrated later. Right now, Jaune needs us. And we still need him. We just... can't count on him."
"Ruby?" I asked, as Little nibbles their quiche and looks at Ruby, who's feeling sullen. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Ruby said, sadly.
"Then who does that leave us with? It's obvious we need someone to guide us or we could end up thrown back in time, or killed by the tree, or worse..." Weiss said.
"Well, if that's how everybody..."
"The Great Tree does not kill. That is what we keep trying to tell him. But our hero still insists that we never ascend..." The Purple Paper Pleaser said, placing another plate down on our table.
Weiss, Blake, Yang, and I look to the Paper Pleaser, while Ruby looks down, still looking sullen.
"What?" Weiss asked.
"When you say ascension, you mean resurrection and reincarnation, right?" I asked, looking at the Purple Paper Pleaser.
"Yes." The Purple Paper Pleaser said. "I do not wish to be rude, but our work has been completed for quite some time. Because of us, the land is beautiful, but we have realized that like ourselves, it is also very delicate. We would like to make something that is pleasing, but also resilient. Because of this, we are ready to leave ourselves and merge with the Tree, so that it might return us as something new. But... our hero is displeased by this course of action."
(Third Person POV)
A flashback is shown, some multicolored leaves of the tree are seen falling. The Paper Pleasers try to catch them, but Jaune grabs them, making a waving motion with his finger.
"We tried reaching out to the Tree, but our hero forbade it." The Purple Paper Pleaser said.
Another Paper Pleaser is shown trying to hold scissors, but Jaune picks them up.
"Then, the wisest of our village suggested breaking from our physical forms, so that the winds may carry us back to the Tree." The Purple Paper Pleaser said.
On a dark, stormy night, a pair of Paper Pleasers are seen trying to leave the village, but Jaune is shown taking their walking stick.
"But our hero is clever and brave, always keeping us from harm." The Purple Paper Pleaser said.
(Jared's POV)
The flashback ends.
"You must understand, the Tree does not kill, it resurrects and rebuilds. We do not wish to displease our hero, and I hope I have not displeased you, but... we so desperately wish to return to the Tree, to return home, so that we may carry on with our work." The Purple Paper Pleaser said.
"Return home, huh?" Yang asked.
"Oh, do not be sad! The wisest are going to topple the Pebble Tower today! I am sure it will work this time."
"What makes you so sure?" Weiss asked.
"Nothing!" The Purple Paper Pleaser said, happily.
"Reincarnation." I said, while the Purple Paper Pleaser then walks away. "I can't believe how bad things have gotten for them."
"Same. They shouldn't go through this. That's so sad. Weird, but sad." Yang said.
"But it also means Jaune might not be totally right about the Tree. It's not Death, it's... Rebirth." Blake said.
"From a certain perspective, maybe. But... What happened to Lewis then? Jaune said..." Weiss said.
"Jaune wasn't there. The Cat wasn't even there! None of us know the full story and we'll never learn anything, babysitting these villagers! We have to convince Jaune to let them go." Yang said.
"But how? He's clearly not... all there." Weiss said.
"Weiss..." I said, when Weiss gasps, Blake turns around to see what she was gasping at. "No insulation or soundproofing."
"Oh."
Jaune is standing with a hurt look on his face, "Is that what you think?"
Jaune then walks away, exiting the building. Team RWBY and I followed him outside.
"But what if the Cat was telling the truth? Maybe not about everything, but about the Tree!" Yang said.
"The Tree is the last thing you should listen to them about. Th-They're just doing what they're designed to do. They don't care what happens when you get there!" Jaune said.
"We're not listening to them! We're listening to the Afterans. And they're telling us the Tree is nothing to be afraid of, that they want to go!" Blake said.
"They don't know what they want. You've seen the way they act, nothing here is that straightforward, okay? Afterans are all either too clever, too stupid, or too crazy to trust!" Jaune said, while Paper Pleasers watching the scene unfold all groan sorrowfully.
"Then why do you care so much about this village?!"
"Because I can actually PROTECT these people!" Jaune said, almost tearfully.
"Jaune..." I said, while Jaune's home in the distance collapses. "I know how you feel, I do."
Jabberwalker doppelgangers can be seen over the ruins.
"Scouring... Searching... Stalking..." The Jabberwalkers said, roaring, and the Paper Pleasers screamed and ran away in fear.
"They found us..." Jaune said, sighing.
"Should I look after Ruby?" I asked, while Jaune put his fingers in his mouth and whistled. "She hasn't been herself."
"You should." Jaune said, as Juniper is seen galloping out of the forest to the village. "I am not letting them down!"
Jaune reaches his hand out and grabs onto Juniper, still galloping. Jaune mounts them and rides towards the Jabberwalkers.
"If those Walkers make it down here, those Afterans will never ascend!" Weiss said.
"Then we won't run this time." Blake said.
Yang nods, agreeing with Blake. Weiss, Blake and Yang run towards the Jabberwalkers.
"Ruby, what do you want to do?" I asked, and Ruby just stood there, with a concerned look on her face. "Want to help them."
"I guess." Ruby said, while she hesitates but quickly runs after her teammates with me by her side. "Let's go."
One of the Jabberwalker clones roars, and the others charge forward. Jaune rides in on Juniper, slashing his sword at one, before blocking another with his shield. The clone is then dispelled by Weiss' Arma Gigas summon.
"Thank you." Jaune said.
"Stay focused!" Yang said.
Yang and Blake charge forward into battle. The two work together to take down one clone, and then Yang activates her Semblance as two more come charging towards them. They easily dispatch them. Jaune and Weiss take on more clones, with one being thrown into the river nearby by the Arma Gigas. Suddenly, it gets dispelled by another clone, and Weiss is flung into the air by its tail, landing on a black Glyph in the air. Jaune tries to slash at it with his sword, but it flings it out of the way. Weiss manages to catch it.
"Jaune!" Weiss said, throwing the Crocea Mors sword.
The sword spins in midair before Jaune uses the gravity Dust in his shield to fling it at the Jabberwalker clone, dispelling it into pink petals.
As they all continue to battle, Ruby and I simply watches it all happen from the edge of the bridge into town.
"Ruby, it's okay." I said, noticing Ruby panting heavily, watching the battle and then down to her folded weapon. "I'm here. I promise."
"I know." Ruby said, sadly.
Suddenly, the Jabberwalker clone that fell into the river pops out and tries to swipe at Ruby, but she uses her Semblance to dodge out of the way. The Jabberwalker clone menacingly approaches her.
"Missed... Hating... Thinking... Waiting... Wanting... Drooling..." The Jabberwalker said, and Ruby cocks her sniper rifle. "Craving... Tasting..."
"Ruby?" I asked, walking over to Ruby. "Ruby?"
From Ruby's perspective, the Jabberwalker suddenly turns into Cinder Fall, flames falling around her in the Evacuation Central Location.
"Ruby!" Little said, it's voice is a little muted.
Suddenly, Ruby snaps out of it as the Jabberwalker lunges toward her. She then hallucinates again, seeing the Jabberwalker's head transform into Penny Polendina when she was hacked, green Maiden flames trailing from her red eyes.
"Wanting..." The Jabberwalker said.
Penny lunges toward Ruby, and she is disarmed and pinned to the ground by the Jabberwalker.
"Hating..." The Jabberwalker said.
Ruby now sees Salem's head, her red eyes then turn an irisless black.
"Ruby?" I asked, when Ruby looks back at the Jabberwalker utterly terrified. "Snap out of it!"
"YES! READY! STARVING! TAKING!" The Jabberwalker said, opening its mouth, revealing its black maw as drool drips from its top teeth.
The Jabberwalker's jaw is dangerously close to Ruby.
"Ruby!" I said, worried.
"Ruby!" Yang said, her voice nearby.
Weiss, skating on the Glyphs, slashes the Jabberwalker with Myrtenaster. Blake double-kicks it away from Ruby. Yang jumps past Blake, who uses her Semblance to create her clone and gives Yang some boost. Yang delivers a blow on the Jabberwalker. Yang, Weiss and Blake come towards Ruby. Ruby sits up and they watch the Jabberwalker begin to spasm and vanish in bright, pink light, revealing Neopolitan in their place. Neo smirks and makes a gun hand gesture at Ruby before she disappears into broken pieces.
"The Walkers from the Market..." Blake said.
"But that's... Those were more than just her usual tricks. They eat, and grow, and... How had she gotten so powerful?" Yang asked.
"I don't know." I said, as Jaune gets off from Juniper and lands on the ground. "Maybe she trained by being here. Her Semblance could have evolved like ours."
"Maybe. Well, she didn't do it by standing around." Jaune said, picking up Crescent Rose. "I know you may not care about protecting this village, but you could at least help your friends when they're in dang..."
"Jaune! Ruby's suffering from PTSD!" I said, while Ruby yelps and quickly steps away from Crescent Rose as Jaune suddenly drops her weapon. "Don't do that!"
"She's what?" Weiss asked, as Ruby stares down at her hands. "How did you notice?"
"Because I went through this before. She's depressed, okay?" I asked, while Jaune, Weiss, Blake, Yang, and I look at Ruby.
"Ruby? Are you o--?" Yang asked.
"Push! Push!" The Paper Pleasers said, nearby.
Team RWBY, Jaune, and I hear something coming from the village and turn to see the Pebble Tower, beginning to tumble. Giant pebbles fall and destroy the dam.
"Oh no, no, no! What time is it?! No!" Jaune said, shocked.
Jaune quickly runs towards the village but it is already too late as the dam is destroyed and the village, along with the Paper Pleasers, is engulfed by the waters.
"NOOOOOOO!" Jaune said, horrified.
Jaune falls to his knees, devastated as the village is flooded.
Blake kneels down next to Jaune and gently grabs his shoulders, "Oh Jaune..."
"I couldn't save them..." Jaune said, slamming his hands to the ground. "I was supposed to save them and... and they're dead..."
Juniper walks to Jaune's side and comforts him.
"No, Jaune. They're gone, but they're not dead. They'll be back." Yang said.
"Yeah, it's what they wanted." Weiss said, looking at Ruby. "Right, Ruby?"
Ruby has a scowling expression on her face.
"Why are you asking me?" Ruby asked, venomous.
Weiss, Yang, Blake, and I look at her in shock.
"Um, we just..." Blake said, sadly.
"Because I'm the leader?" Ruby asked, clenching her fist. "Because I'm just supposed to have something to say?" She looks up angrily. "Cuz I don't... I mean, why do I have to be the leader anyway? Why do I have to always be the one to pick people up? What about me? 'No time', right?" Ruby walks to Weiss, who reels back. "'Gotta get home!' 'Gotta help Jaune!' Gotta find someone who isn't just going to screw everything up!" She turns to Blake and Yang. "'Gotta stay positive!' Right?!"
"Ruby, I know you're going through a lot. And this is exactly what I went through..." I said, walking towards Ruby.
"Trenzalore? Huh! You were positive with Clara Oswald from what you told me! You and Clara Oswald, just like Blake and Yang!" Ruby said, while Blake is hiding behind Yang, who instinctively protects her as Ruby approaches them. "Smiles all around! Maybe even finally get our feelings sorted out! Good for you, by the way. We're all so happy for you!"
"Hey..." Yang said, angered.
"I'm sorry, is this a bad time? Are we supposed to be mourning Jaune's make-believe friends?!" Ruby exclaimed.
"They're gone..." Jaune said, seething. "...because of you!" He stands up. "The Walkers came for you, because Neo. Hates. YOU!" The Rusted Knight walks over to Ruby. "Oh, and let's not forget the reason we're in the Ever After in the first place is because of your plan that didn't work! What about you?! It's ALL about you!"
Ruby looks up at Jaune angrily, gritting her teeth and on the verge of tears.
"Jaune..." Weiss said.
"Jaune..." I said, when Jaune snapped out of his rage. "Ruby's crying. She's extremely upset and depressed. You shouldn't upset her. Apologize to her, please. That's all she needs from you right now."
"Ruby, I'm sorry, I... I know I'm not okay. I- I'm not right, but... How am I supposed to be...? I've been alone... for SO... LONG! Here... On that bridge... I was the only one that could do it! I was the ONLY ONE!" Jaune said, angrily.
Weiss, Blake, Yang, and I look at Jaune in pity.
"And I..." Jaune said, with tears streaming down his face. "And now I have to live with that forever... In here or back home..."
"Guys, I know things are bad, but..." Blake said.
"Shut... Up..." Ruby said, grimacing.
Weiss, Blake, Yang, Jaune, and I look at Ruby wide-eyed.
"Don't... do that..." Ruby said, as tears begin to stream down her face. "Just don't..."
Little lowers their head in pity in Ruby's hood. Ruby then turns around and picks up Crescent Rose, using her Semblance to fly away from her friends into the forest. Weiss, Blake and Yang helplessly watch their leader as I helplessly watch my best friend go, while Jaune and Juniper overlook the now submerged village of the Paper Pleasers.
"Oh Ruby. Why did things have to turn out this way?" I asked, still fixated on Ruby using her Semblance.
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