Side Trip Vacation

Weiss woke after hearing that her flight reached Atlas, and she took a moment to take in the view of Atlas floating above Mantle. She never grew tired of it, and now it felt like she was coming home instead of just the place she came from. The Snow Princess would have never had this feeling years back when her Father, Jacques, was still part of her life.

As her airship landed, she got up and stretched before getting ready to leave. While Silva did offer her a quick trip home, she refused out of a sense of pride, as she did not need his help. Weiss entered the airport and quickly saw Klein, her Mother, Winter, and even Whitely were there to pick her up.

" Welcome back, Weiss."

Willow was the first to greet her, followed by Klein.

" It is good to see you, Young Miss."

" How have you been, Weiss?"

Winter asked, and Whitely simply nodded at her in acknowledgment. Weiss smiled as she felt warm in her heart and said.

" I'm home."

***

Blake and Ilia gaped at the changes Kuo Kuana had gone through. It looked less like an overcrowded village and more like a growing town. They heard about it, but seeing it firsthand was another matter entirely. The Ninja Catgirl took in the sights as she said.

" Waterways, sky lanes, asphalt roads, concrete streets, tall buildings... Kuo Kuana is unrecognizable from before."

" Yeah, this is just... Wow."

The Chameleon Girl agreed and had a bitter realization.

" And it's all because of him."

Ilia now saw how much of an uphill battle she had against earning Blake's affection from Silva, as this just solidified that he was a good person who wanted to and could help the Faunus. Kuo Kuana was looking less like a reservation and more like a proper nation. The Chameleon Girl refused to give up so easily and decided to take advantage of the alone time she would undoubtedly have with the Ninja Catgirl away from her love rival.

***

Pyrrha used her key to unlock the door to her home in Argus and called out as she entered.

" I'm home!"

Not hearing a reply, the Polite Spartan called out to her mother.

" Mom?"

Pyrrha frowned as she knew her Mom should be home by now and looked around her house. She saw a note on the kitchen table, and it said.

" Pyrrha dear,

If you are reading this, then I must still be out. Don't worry; it's just business as usual at the office. Oh, if you're reading this, too, Silva, don't worry. I won't be back until much later, so have fun, you two, and remember to use protection!

Love,

Scarlet, your future mother-in-law."

The Polite Spartan blushed as she groaned and crumbled up the paper.

" Mom!"

While Pyrrha was glad to be home, she still felt embarrassed that her mother was so... Open in her approval of Silva. She had a feeling this was going to be a long two weeks.

***

Ren and Nora were both in their team room at Beacon, alone and a bit nervous. The Thunderous Girl was fidgeting as this was the first time the two of them were alone after getting drunk that one night. While they slept together naked, nothing actually happened. The Quiet Guy was trying his best to stay calm, but even his Semblance could not stop his thoughts from going into the gutter.

The two inseparable long-time friends were at a crossroads now. Keep being just friends, or become something more. Nora was the first to speak.

" So... Ren, how about some pancakes?"

" Stupid, stupid, stupid, get it together, Nora!"

The Thunderous Girl cursed herself in her mind as that was not what she wanted to say, and Ren wryly smiled as he got up and thought as some tension left him.

" Typical Nora."

The following two weeks devolved into an awkward romance comedy that was basically, will they or won't they?

***

" Everyone packed and ready?"

I asked Neopolitan and Cirilla. The Tri-colored Girl nodded, and the Witcheress answered.

" I'm ready."

I then turned to the group, bidding me goodbye as I was heading off. Melanie and Miltia gave me a quick peck on each cheek. Emerald hugged me tightly and said.

" Be safe."

I smiled as I assured her.

" I always try to be, Em, don't worry, I'll be fine."

Luna and Argint bowed, and Aila just casually waved, as I already knew she would be glued to the TV while I was gone, and I opened a portal to my first stop. I then informed Cirilla.

" We need to make a quick side trip first, Cirilla, to a dimension that is connected to this world."

" Okay then, but why?"

" It's a personal matter."

I glanced at Neopolitan as I had this stop in particular planned for a long time. I then gestured to my travel companions.

" Ladies first."

The Tri-colored Girl and Witcheress went through the portal first. I then gave my one more goodbye.

" I will be back in a little over a week, so don't burn down the manor when I'm gone, K?"

I went through the portal to see the massive tree reaching for the sky with its odd multicolored leaves. Cirilla was the first to ask.

"Where are we?"

" An odd place that is known as the Ever After."

Neopolitan's eyes widened as she knew the story associated with this place, and I told her.

" Yes, Neo, that, Ever After."

The Tri-Colored Girl looked ready to explore the place, but I stopped her.

" Neo, no, Trivia. I brought you here for a specific reason."

Neopolitan looked confused at me, calling her original name out, and I explained.

" The Ever After is unique in several aspects, but what I find most interesting is the concept of Ascension, where rather than dying, the residents of this world undergo rebirth to become someone or something different that they desire to be. Here, you have the opportunity to truly lay Trivia to rest and purely become Neopolitan if you want to. Whatever your choice, I fully support you."

The Tri-Colored Girl took a few moments to process what I said and then tackled me with a hug. As she squeezed my sides tightly, I stroked her hair. Witcheress then asked me.

" So wait, if I say wanted to become a true Witcher here, the mutations and everything I could in this world?"

" That is one possibility, but I don't know how the Mother Tree is going to react to your Elder Blood, so do so at your own risk, Cirilla."

Cirilla then looked lost in thought as she processed what this world could do for her, and I looked down at Neopolitan to tell her.

" Trivia, Neo, if you want to Ascend, all you have to do is want it and take one of the Mother Tree's leaves, but if you are happy the way you are and just want to fool around in this crazy world, go for it. I have your back, no matter what."

The Tri-Colored Girl looked at me with a sultry expression and wrapped one of her legs around my own. I smiled as I wondered what her choice would ultimately be. Whatever her choice, I love the present and will undoubtedly love the future version of her.