RW3Y: All Fairy Tails End



Prologue: All Things Change



“Yang! Have you seen the shifting spanner anywhere?” Ruby called. While the robotic prosthesis where an impressive marvel of engineering, she had to admit it was still a little difficult to accept them as her new legs. And the regular maintenance was another thing she’d have to get used to.



“Umm…” Yang started as she entered the doorway to the room her younger sister was in, but paused slightly at the sight. She never once imagined her sister would be working on something like that, but it was something she herself was already used to doing. “I think I left it in the shed. Want me to get it?”



“Please.” The younger’s response came with that ever cheerful smile, though Yang noticed that this time it was a little forced. But Yang chose to accept the smile at face value. She knew from experience how hard it must be for her to accept this change, and diving into the mechanics of it was a decent distraction.



Leaving the doorway to fetch the spanner, Yang noticed Weiss sitting on the couch with her head down. Not knowing what to say to her long time friend and team mate, she rested her left hand on Weiss’s shoulder. “How you holding up?” she quietly asked, already knowing the answer.



Weiss wiped away the tears she only now realised she was shedding and looked up at the yellow haired beauty. “I’ll be fine.” She replied. She knew it was a lie, and she knew Yang could hear the it in her voice, but it was a lie she wanted to believe in. A lie she needed to believe in. Yang, with a sorrowful smile, removed her hand from Weiss’s shoulder and left to get the tool her sister requested.



Shortly after Yang left through the front door, Weiss’s scroll began to ring. Seeing the picture of the only friend not present on the caller ID, clearing her throat, she hesitatingly answered the call. “Blake. It’s good that you called. How are you?” Even though Blake couldn’t see it, Weiss wore a mask of false happiness.



“There’s no need to act tough Weiss. I can only imagine what you’re going through, but you don’t need to put on airs for us. You know we are all there for the two of you.”



“Wh... What are you talking about? I’m fine.” Weiss’s mask began to falter.



“Stop it Weiss. We’ve known each other for far too long for that act to work.”



“………” The happy mask Weiss had donned faded.



While she didn’t say anything, Blake could imagine the sorrowful look on her friend’s face. “Weiss?”



“*sniff* Sorry Blake. I shouldn’t have done that. I guess you’re calling to check up on Ruby?”



“Not just her. All three of you. How’s everyone holding up?”



Taking a deep breath, Weiss began “Ruby’s putting on a display of her usual happiness, but I can see the sadness and worry in her eyes. Yang’s trying to act tough for all of us, but I suspect she’s nearing her breaking point. And I’m… I’m an emotional wreck. I’ve been forced to take extended leave. I can’t even bury myself in my work. What am I to do Blake? I wish you were here.”



Blake could hear her fighting back tears. “I wish I could be there too, but there’s just too much work to be done here. Reforming the remains of the White Fang. Officially taking over as Chief of Menagerie… No, those are all just excuses.”



“…”



“…”



Both girls sat in their respective seats, not knowing what to say next. Both had so much to say, but were unable to say anything. Eventually, after about a minute of silence, Ilya knocked on the door to the Chief’s study, then let herself in. “Blake…” she started to address Blake like a friend, but then corrected herself, “Chief. We have to get ready for the meeting with the High Council.”



“Right.” Blake replied, then returned to her scroll. “I have to go Weiss. Give the others my love.” And without waiting for a reply, she ended the call. After wiping away a tear, she turned around to face her Advisor. “Let’s get going then.”