Ron’s Journey Through Remnant

As Sun, Adrian, and Blake fled from Roman Torchwick, weaving through the narrow streets with Roman in hot pursuit, they realized they were heading toward a nearby highway. The chase was intense, with Roman's attacks barely missing them as they maneuvered through the city. However, just as they were about to be cornered, Gaster, Yang, and Neptune appeared, having anticipated their route. With a roar, Yang revved her motorcycle, quickly closing the gap between them and Roman. Gaster, perched on his own sleek motorcycle, analyzed the situation, while Neptune, riding behind Yang, readied his weapon for the impending battle.

Gaster, with a swift hand movement, summoned his Bone Helpers, who emerged from the shadows to form a protective barrier, deflecting the incoming shots. Yang, never one to back down from a fight, accelerated, her hair flaring up in bright gold as she aimed straight for Roman. The collision was inevitable, but Roman swerved at the last moment, sending his vehicle skidding into the path of Neptune's electricity-charged trident.

Just when it seemed the tide was turning, The mechanical beast roared to life, its arms swinging with destructive force. Sun and Neptune attempted to flank the Paladin, but with a powerful strike, the mech sent them flying off the side of the bridge. They tumbled through the air, barely managing to catch onto the edge before plummeting into the chasm below.

As the battle raged on, a sudden, chilling wind swept through the battlefield. Out of the shadows, Weiss appeared, her presence both unexpected and timely. With a determined expression, she brandished Myrtenaster, her weapon glimmering with Ice Dust. With a swift motion, she struck the ground, sending a wave of ice across the surface of the bridge. The Paladin, caught off guard, slipped on the icy surface, its massive frame crashing to the ground.

The Paladin, now teetering on the edge of the bridge, lost its balance and plummeted to the ground below. As it crashed to the earth, the dust and debris settled to reveal Ruby, standing ready with Crescent Rose in hand, having anticipated the Paladin's fall. She dashed forward, using the momentum to deliver a powerful strike to the mech's core, destabilizing it further.

Just as the team was closing in on Roman, ready to capture him and finally put an end to his plans, a slow, mocking clap echoed through the air, halting everyone in their tracks. The sound sent a chill down their spines, and they quickly turned to face its source. Emerging from the shadows, a man clad in a dark robe stepped forward, his face obscured by a featureless mask. The air around him seemed to grow heavier, as if his very presence commanded an ominous power.

Gaster, sensing the danger, didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, he summoned his Bone Helpers, who materialized around him in defensive stances, their skeletal forms ready for battle. His hands began to glow with a dark energy as he called forth his blasters, the massive skeletal cannons hovering ominously above him, their glowing eyes locked onto the masked figure. His flying hands floated near him, twitching with anticipation, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

Adrian, standing beside Gaster, drew his sword in a fluid motion, the blade gleaming in the dim light. His normally confident demeanor was replaced by a tense expression, his eyes narrowing as he studied the newcomer. He could sense something was off, something that set this figure apart from the other foes they had faced. This wasn't just another henchman; this man exuded a cold, calculated menace that made both Adrian and Gaster feel a rare sense of unease.

The masked man continued his slow, deliberate clapping, each clap reverberating ominously through the battlefield, adding to the tension that had settled in the air. The sound seemed to grow louder, more sinister, as if it carried with it an echo of something far darker. Finally, the man stopped, letting the silence linger before he spoke, his voice dripping with a chilling calm.

[???]: Death is a blessing, and life is a lesson.

His words were spoken like a poem, each line carrying an eerie weight. The man's head tilted slightly, his hidden gaze falling on Gaster and Adrian.

[???]: I am Red, the shadow in the light, the end of your plight. Gaster, the scientist lost in time, and Adrian, the slave to his own mind.

His voice slithered through the air, the taunting tone unmistakable.

[Red]: Every time... you believe you've outsmarted the darkness. But every time... you find yourselves outmatched. And every time... you fall further into despair. Let me show you true despair.

As Red raised his hands, the air around him grew cold, almost suffocating. From the deep shadows of the alleyways, figures began to emerge, their forms twisted and unnatural. These were no ordinary people—each one looked as though they had been dragged from the grave. Their skin was pale and bloodied, their eyes vacant and hollow. The way they moved, with jerky, unnatural motions, made it clear they were not alive.

Ruby and Team RWBY, who had joined the scene moments earlier, recoiled in horror. The sight of the lifeless, bloodied figures unnerved them, the sheer wrongness of the situation evident in their wide eyes and tense stances. Even Yang, known for her bravery, hesitated, her fists clenched tightly as she stared at the approaching horde.

Gaster's normally stoic expression shifted into one of grim realization. His eyes narrowed, and he spoke in a low, urgent tone.

The word hung heavy in the air, and the reality of their situation began to sink in. The undead thralls moved closer, their lifeless eyes fixated on the living. Gaster's Bone Helpers shifted around him, readying themselves for the inevitable clash, while Adrian's grip on his sword tightened, his mind racing to formulate a plan.

Red chuckled softly, the sound devoid of any warmth. He took a step forward, his presence radiating malice as the undead closed in around him.

[Red]: You see, life is a fleeting dream, a candle flickering in the wind. But death... death is eternal, a cold embrace that never falters. And now, you will understand...

With a swift motion, Red pointed toward the heroes, and the undead lunged forward, driven by some unseen force. The battlefield erupted into chaos as Gaster, Adrian, and Team RWBY were forced to defend themselves against the oncoming horde. Gaster's blasters fired beams of energy, cutting through the undead, while Adrian's sword flashed in the dim light, slicing through the decayed bodies with deadly precision.

The undead were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless. For every one that the team cut down, another two seemed to take its place. The sheer overwhelming force of the undead pressed in on them from all sides, forcing the team to retreat step by step. Gaster's eyes darted toward Roman and Red, who seemed to be watching the chaos unfold with a twisted satisfaction.

Suddenly, the roar of engines filled the air as a Bullhead descended from the sky, its spotlight cutting through the darkness. A girl with pink and brown hair leaned out from the side, a sly grin on her face as she reached out and grabbed Roman and Red, pulling them into the aircraft.

[Roman]: Ladies, Ice Queen, Green cat, Edge Lord...

Roman's voice dripped with smugness as the Bullhead began to ascend. Weiss, hearing the nickname, couldn't help but retort.

[Weiss]: Hey?

But before anyone could react further, Gaster and Adrian, seething with frustration, shouted in unison.

[Gaster/Adrian]: ##### YOU!

Their combined voices echoed through the night, but the Bullhead was already lifting off, the wind from its rotors whipping around them. As it flew away, the undead surrounding them began to disappear, their bodies disintegrating into shadows and dust, leaving behind an eerie silence.

Weiss, trying to find some humor in the situation, brushed herself off and glanced at the others.

Weiss: Well, I guess she really made our plans... fall apart.

She attempted a confident smirk, but her words hung in the air awkwardly. The team turned to look at her, their expressions ranging from exhausted to unamused.

[Yang]: No. Just no.

Gaster, still simmering with anger and frustration, reached into his pocket and, without a word, tossed a fistful of salt at Weiss. The white grains scattered in the air before hitting her, adding insult to injury.

Weiss: Wha-? But you do it!

Her voice rose in indignation as she wiped the salt from her clothes, glaring at Gaster and then at Yang, who simply shook her head.

[Yang]: There's a time and a place for jokes, Weiss.

Weiss crossed her arms, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger, as she grumbled under her breath. The rest of the team tried to catch their breath, the adrenaline of the battle slowly fading. The night air was thick with the tension of the fight that had just ended, but also with the unresolved threat of Red and Roman's escape.

[Ruby]: Hey... Where are Sun and Neptune?

Gaster, still on edge, responded with a hint of dry humor.

[Gaster]: Probably in a noodle stall. Now let's head back to the Academy before Ozpin decides to expel us.

With that, Team RWBY, Gaster, and Adrian began their trek back to Beacon. The walk was quiet, each member lost in their thoughts, still processing the events of the night.

Upon arriving at Beacon, Gaster and Adrian parted ways with Team RWBY and made their way to their dorm room. As they opened the door, they were greeted by the warm, savory aroma of cheese fondue. Ron and Maple were sitting comfortably, enjoying a late-night snack, seemingly unfazed by the chaos that had unfolded outside.

Gaster and Adrian exchanged tired smiles as they grabbed cups of coffee and joined their teammates. But as they sat down, Gaster's gaze kept drifting to Ron, his mind racing with questions. The meal continued in relative silence, though the atmosphere was peaceful, a stark contrast to the battle they had just left behind.

Once the fondue was finished and Maple had retired for the night, Gaster stood up, his expression serious. He motioned for Ron to follow him into the hallway. The two stepped out of the room, and the door closed behind them, leaving them in the dimly lit corridor.

Gaster turned to Ron, his eyes sharp and focused.

[Gaster]: Ron, explain.

Ron, a little taken aback by Gaster's tone, tried to deflect with his usual nonchalance.

[Ron]: Well, you see, me and Maple were hungry, and when you—

But Gaster cut him off, his voice firm and insistent.

[Gaster]: Not that. Tell me why there was someone in the city with a soul like yours and who looked like you. He even had the same skills you have.

Ron's expression shifted, and his usual casual demeanor vanished. His voice dropped in temperature, becoming almost icy.

[Ron]: I don't know... what do you want?

Suddenly, Ron's hair and eyes turned stark white, a dramatic transformation that left Gaster momentarily taken aback.

[White]: You can call me White. I'm one of Ron's ten colors and his manager of memories. The one you met before me was Red—the one who manages Ron's battle simulator and holds his hate.

Gaster's initial shock quickly faded as he gathered his thoughts, his curiosity piqued by this unexpected revelation.

[Gaster]: Who are you, and who are these colors?

White smiled, his demeanor calm yet authoritative.

[White]: As I said, I'm one of Ron's ten colors, specifically the manager of his memories. The others include Gray, who manages emotions and assists me; Green, Blue, and Yellow, who handle genes and body modification; Red and Purple, who oversees battle data and the simulator, and holds Ron's list of hate.

White's voice grew more intense, almost venomous.

[White]: Then there's Aquila and Orange, who work with everyone when needed. Lastly, we have Black, who must remain asleep—if Black ever wakes, everything and everyone will die.

Gaster processed this information, his mind racing as he considered the implications of what White had just revealed. It was clear that Ron was far more complex than he had initially realized, and this revelation opened up a new realm of questions that needed answering.

[Gaster]: Why do you exist? And were you the one who blocked Ron's memory of this world?

White nodded, his expression serious.

[White]: Yes, it was me. As for why we exist—Ron's brain created us. At first, there were hundreds of us, but then Black... fixed that by killing most of us, leaving only the ten you know.

Gaster's eyes narrowed slightly, his concern deepening as he asked the next question.

[Gaster]: Do you plan to harm Ron?

White's demeanor shifted instantly, his gaze turning icy as he glared at Gaster.

[White]: Say that again, and you're dead. {His voice was laced with a cold fury}. We all love Ron and want the best for him. We will never let anything hurt him. Especially Black—she will kill anyone who even slightly harms Ron.

The hallway felt even colder as White's words hung in the air, the tension between him and Gaster palpable. Gaster knew he had to tread carefully. While White's protectiveness over Ron was reassuring in one sense, the mention of Black and her lethal tendencies was deeply unsettling.

Gaster took a slow breath, choosing his next words with care.

[Gaster]: I understand your loyalty to Ron, and I don't doubt your intentions. But the existence of Black... it's concerning. What exactly would trigger her awakening?

White's glare softened slightly, though his expression remained stern.

[White]: Black awakens when Ron is pushed to the absolute limit—physically, mentally, or emotionally. She's a last resort, a safeguard. If she ever comes out, it means there's no other option left, and the consequences... White's voice trailed off, the implications clear.

Gaster felt a chill run down his spine. The idea of something so destructive being a part of Ron, something that could annihilate everything around him, was terrifying.

[Gaster]: And there's no way to prevent her awakening? No way to control it?

White shook his head.

[White]: No. Once she's awake, there's no controlling her. That's why we do everything we can to keep her asleep. It's up to us—up to me, Red, Gray, and the others—to protect Ron from reaching that point.

Gaster nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation.

[Gaster]: I see. Then I'll do what I can to help you keep her asleep. Ron's safety is my priority too.

White seemed to relax a bit at Gaster's words, the tension easing slightly.

[White]: Good. As long as we're on the same page, there won't be any problems.

The two stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling between them. Gaster now had a better understanding of Ron's inner workings, but it also left him with more questions. Who, or what, exactly was Black? And how could they ensure she never woke up?

[Gaster]: Thank you for explaining this, White. I'll keep this between us for now.

White nodded in agreement, the tension finally dissipating.

[White]: That's for the best. Ron doesn't need to know about this conversation, and it's better if Maple and the others don't either. We'll handle things on our end, and you do the same on yours.

With that, White's eyes and hair slowly returned to their normal color, and Ron was back to his usual self, looking slightly disoriented but unaware of the exchange that had just taken place.

[Ron]: Huh? What were we talking about?

Gaster gave him a small smile, masking his lingering concerns.

[Gaster]: Nothing important. Just a little catch-up.

Ron shrugged, accepting the explanation without question.

[Ron]: Well, if you say so. Let's get some rest. It's been a long day.

As they headed back to the dorm, Gaster couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something far more complicated. But for now, he knew he had to focus on protecting Ron and ensuring that Black remained asleep—no matter what it took.

[Chapter end]