It's a Brotherful Life! A Max & Ruby Christmas Special

Act II

Ruby ran into her room and slammed her door.

"Hmph!" she let out as she leaned against her door, crossing her arms in anger. Not knowing what to do, she stomped over to her bed. Sitting on the side, she sat on something bulky and uncomfortable. She reached down into her back pocket and grabbed a little box. It was Valerie's gift to her. Ruby did not open the present, but just stared at it for a moment.

"At least I got something out of this night," said Ruby with a down look on her face. She let out a sigh. "Why can't I just be an only child?"

"What would be so great about that?" said a voice coming from thin air within Ruby's room.

"Who said that?!" Ruby said as she jumped up in surprise, looking all around her room for the source of the voice. Suddenly, a rabbit appeared in her princess mirror in the corner. The bunny was wearing a dark green shirt with a white dress adorned with red and green flowers. She had grey fur and twinkling blue eyes but still bore a strong facial resemblance to Ruby.

"That was me," she said in a light, cheery tone, beaming a smile on her face. Her appearance in the mirror astonished Ruby.

"Wha, what are you doing in my mirror? Who are you?" Ruby asked nervously. As she crept towards the mirror to get a better look at her, the rabbit all of a sudden disappeared from the mirror as fast as she appeared, leaving Ruby perplexed to see just her reflection. She rubbed her eyes to check if it was a dream. When she opened her eyes again, her room was as quiet as it was when she entered. Feeling the need for bedrest, she turned to her closet to put on her pajamas. She stood on her tiptoes to reach for her nightdress hanging in the closet.

"The name's Emerald," the gray bunny said, appearing right behind Ruby. Ruby turned around and shrieked, falling back into her closet. "Sheesh, somebunny's a little jumpy!"

"H-how did you get into my room?! Where did you come from?!" Ruby demanded, struggling to get her clothes off her head.

"I can tell you what I've come for, Ruby," said Emerald, standing still and watching Ruby struggle.

"Take whatever you want!" shouted Ruby. "Just don't hurt me...wait, h-how do you know my name? Who are you?" Ruby asked anxiously as she shook a sock off her hand. As soon as she freed herself from her clothes, she looked directly at this stranger standing in front of her in her room. The first thing she noticed about Emerald was that she was the exact same height as her, and she could look directly forward into her eyes. Ruby continued to examine her with suspicion. "Something about you looks familiar," said Ruby. "Wait, you were the bunny that I saw at the store earlier tonight! Well, if you're here to offer me any last minute Christmas deals, I'll take whatever new blouse you have."

"I don't work at the store, Ruby," said Emerald. "I was only there to remind you that I am watching. Just take a good long look, Ruby. You like what I'm wearing? It's my Christmas outfit. I picked it out for this special night."

"It-it looks exactly like the dress I used to wear a couple years ago, only... different colors." Emerald let out a child-like giggle. "How old are you anyway?" asked Ruby.

"As old as you will always be, Ruby," Emerald replied with another giggle.

"So you are my age, which means you were born around the same time as me," asked Ruby.

"No, that's not exactly how angel age works." Ruby's eyes widened when she said this. "That's right, Ruby. I'm your guardian angel. I've been watching over you your whole life. Ever since you were a little baby, I have been watching you grow and grow and grow."

"Watching me?" Ruby said, starting to feel creeped out. "But... if you have been watching over me, then... why are you just showing yourself to me now? What do you want?"