The End
Lisa: "It's been a few weeks since the fiasco on the statue of the first king, and Scarlet Spider's cultists continue to contend that the vile vigilante is a hero. But if she were a hero, she'd unmask herself and tell us who she really is. Because only a coward conceals her identity. Only a coward hides her true intentions. Rest assured, ladies and gentlemen, that this reporter will uncover those intentions. Come hell or high water." It is now close to Christmas time as I walk along the snowy streets of Vale, practicing my introduction lines for how I'm going to reestablish everything with my friends.
Ruby: "Hi. My name is Ruby Rose. You don't know me, but I... My name is Ruby Rose and you don't know me, but..." Obviously, I'm not doing so good at it. But the I eventually reach the front door of Velvet's cafe. "Okay..." When I walk in, I find her attending to a customer before she looks my way and she waves... only to find she's not waving at me. She's waving at Oscar who just came in behind and heads for a seat further in. Velvet then comes over to me at the register.
Velvet: "Can I help you?"
Ruby: "Um, hi. My name is Ruby Rose. And I..." But then a sudden realization hits me, and make brash last minute decision. "Would like a hot chocolate. Please." To which she looks at me a little awkwardly.
Velvet: "O...kay, no problem, Ruby Rose." She then grabs some donuts from the rack and bags them up before heading over to Oscar. "Donuts for my fellow Hunter."
Oscar: "Wow... Wait, what?"
Velvet: "Beacon Academy, the Hunters... It's their mascot."
Oscar: "Oh, right. Yeah, I should probably know that. Look at you with the school spirit."
Velvet: "Tell anybody and I will deny it." I was enamored by how peaceful their lives are right now that I didn't even realize she had finished making my hot chocolate for me until she called to me. "Ruby Rose?" Twice. "Ruby Rose?" Then I finally focus up again. "You're cocoa." And she hands me the cup.
Ruby: "Right! Sorry... So... Are you excited for Beacon?" She looks at me a little confused until she realizes.
Velvet: "Oh, you heard what... Uh... Yeah, I am, actually. Which is a little weird if I'm being honest, because I don't usually get excited about things. I kind of just expect disappointment-"
Ruby: "Because then you can never really be disappointed... Right?"
Velvet: "Um... Yeah... It's just... I don't know, it just feels a little different this time."
Ruby: "I'm sure." That's when I finally hand over the payment for the drink. When she puts it in the register, I finally notice the bandage on her head. "Are you okay?" She immediately understood what I meant.
Velvet: "Doesn't really hurt anymore..." She finishes cashing in the money in the register after an awkward silence. "Was there anything else?" I have force myself into a smile as I put away the paper with my pre-written explanation in my pocket.
Ruby: "No..." As much as it may hurt me on the inside... I have to face facts and let them go for their sakes. "Thank you." Once I grab my drink and head out the door, I head for the cemetery and visit Yang's grave, stating 'When you help someone, you help everyone', where I place a yellow rose. After a minute of standing there, Klein comes up the same grave and we stand in silence for a second before he breaks the ice.
Klein: "How did you know her?" Considering what Ozpin said, I can't go saying she was my sister anymore, no matter how much it hurts.
Ruby: "Through Scarlet Spider. You?"
Klein: "Also through her... I lost a good friend a while back. And then my wife a few months ago. It all felt like this... It hurts because they're gone, and then it hurts all over again because you remember what they stood for, and you wonder... Is all of that gone too?" When I remember what Yang used to do and then remember her saying on the tombstone, I think of how to encourage him here.
Ruby: "No, it's not gone. All of those people that she help? They'll keep it going."
Klein: "You really think so?"
Ruby: "Positive... Take care of yourself, okay?"
Klein: "Of course... Pleased to meet you." Afterwards, I head to my new apartment building in Patch, and I get a quick word from my new landlord as I open the door.
Landlord: "Rent is due at the end of the month. Don't be late." He leaves afterwards, and I walk in with box of whatever stuff I could scavenge from the condo. I turn on the light and take in the barren space. My new home. A fresh start. I open a box containing a GED test study manual, set out my personal effects... including the LEGO Emperor Palpatine figurine from the Death Star set Oscar and I built and rebuilt many times together. Later on, I look out the window. Snow falling on Vale. I turn to my mask on the bed, grab it... and follow a Vale police precinct app on my phone.
Officer 1: "4-3 Edward, do you need EMS assist?"
Officer 2: "Uh, negative, Central. We’re gonna need a car tow." Then... I don my new suit and jump out the window into the city streets, and continue on to soar and swing over the city rooftops. After everything was said and done, I decided to make a new suit of my own will. No Schnee tech, no outside factors. Just my own work. Including a new look to my logo, no longer Schnee inspired. And my new legacy, as well as those of every Ruby Rose in the entire multiverse, as the Scarlet Spider... continues to live on.