Epilogue: Redemption

The Wraith growled angrily, its body moving as though it were made of liquid shadow. Coiling like a snake, it leapt at Penny with the intent to kill. Raising a magical barrier, she halted the Wraith's movement before bringing her blades down upon it. A gargling death rattle escaped its misshapen, shadowy lips as it passed from the world of the living.

A chuckle escaped from her partner's lips. "Well, I can see you haven't become rusty."

Penny rolled her eyes at his silly humor. She turned to face her accomplice; the Shifter by the name of Fortis. From the world of Cael, he was the leader of a guild of wizards called the De Magia Ut. When she had first met him, his hair and eyes were both a deep brown color, but prolonged usage and exposure of magic had long since dyed his hair silver, with his eyes glowing a faint purple. "That was in bad taste," she said, reprimanding him for his joke.

"Well, I tried," he admitted. "That should be the last Wraith...for now."

Penny nodded. "With this, the War of Shadows comes to a close." She gave Fortis a coy smile. "You realize that you're the reason this war was started, right?"

"Hey," he said in defense. "It's not my fault! It was a fair fight!" During the return of the Devastation sixteen years before Penny's awakening, a Shadowcrafter named Ignis attacked the Shifted Council, working for the man who created the Devastation. Ignis and Fortis fought one on one, Shadowcrafting against Pyromancy. In the end, Fortis overpowered the Shadowcrafter and burnt him alive. Now, many years later, Ignis's sister, Flamma, returned using her brother's magic as the instrument of her revenge.

Thus, the War of Shadows began.

That was ten years ago. She had been patiently building her forces, using Wraiths, Demons, twisted wizards, and even Creatures of Grimm to do her bidding.

But now it was over, and Penny felt satisfied with her work.

"Hey," Fortis said, bringing Penny from her thoughts. "It's...uh, well, if I'm not mistaken, it's almost that time of year again, isn't it? Are you going to pay a visit?"

Penny nodded. "Soon enough, I'll go. But first, I have other business to attend to." She turned to face Fortis with a smile. "Do tell Karra hello, for me."

Fortis chuckled. "I'm sure it'd warm her old soul to see you sometime soon. Why don't you visit my world again?"

"Perhaps. I'll see you around, Fortis." With those parting words, Penny Shifted away from the world of Anima, and "flew" billions of light years to the world of Desnova; the home of the Thoughtspire.

And, in turn, her home as well. Not a permanent residence, of course. Remnant would always be her home. But of late, she found herself staying within the Thoughtspire. The Council had left her extremely busy, and so she rarely visited home. But she would be back soon enough.

Penny strolled casually through the structure, greeting every Shifter she encountered with polite familiarity. "Good morning, Cicada. How are you today, Anteo? Wonderful to see you again, Calm. Haven't seen you here lately, Rune. Hello, Lucia. You look nice today, Gwyn." Just as Nik had told her, it had taken her a long time. But, in the end, she knew almost everyone in the Shifted Council.

She had even become intimately familiar with the structure of the Thoughtspire. Its sheer size made it intimidating to anyone who laid eyes upon it, and its mysterious construction made for oddities that even the oldest of Shifters didn't always know about. Penny was proud that she had the most extensive map of the entire structure, digitally drawn in her own memory by sensors built into her body. Only one other person in the entire council had more knowledge on the structure; Eudelas Nacht, the founder and builder himself.

It was partially because of that fact, as well as her strikingly efficient track record for her missions, that a separate section of the Shifted Council was designed; the Agents of Nacht. Penny, Fortis, Nik, Rune, and Anteo were the only members of this sect, but they acted out the most difficult of missions. Their encounter with the Wraiths had been a mission of theirs to tie up the loose ends of the War of Shadows.

Finally, Penny found the door that she had been searching for. She knocked politely to gain the attention of whoever may be inside. "Come in," replied a female voice. Penny opened the door and stepped inside. Two women were seated at a stone table. The room was sparsely decorated with bookshelves and various pieces of artwork, all of which were painted by its inhabitant. The two women greeted Penny with smiles. The first, Lia, stood and gave Penny a brief hug. "Welcome back," she said. "I suspect everything went okay."

Penny nodded, turning towards the other woman to speak with her directly. "All Wraith targets have been eliminated from the world of Anima."

The woman breathed a sigh of relief. She was barely shorter than Lia, making her almost the same height as Penny. Her green tunic and breeches were a mossy color, her hair was sandy brown, and her eyes were a brilliant green. Most notably, however, she had one feature that stuck out amongst all others; her pointed ears that framed and enhanced her beauty. "Thank you," Arletha Aksi said with a smile. "That's one less nightmare my world has to worry about.

Penny giggled. "As long as Fortuitus's werewolves and his vampire friends fight it out, I don't think Anima will ever be free of nightmares."

Arletha nodded. "It's true. I wish those two would grow up. They've been like this for over ten thousand years."

Penny tilted her head curiously. "I am interested to know why the Agents were dispatched to take care of the Wraiths? Don't you have operatives under your control there?"

The elf laughed, sounding very similar to a goddess. Penny wondered if all Shifted women were more beautiful because of their power and immortality. Questions for later, she reminded herself. "Solstice, that poor half breed. Don't ever tell him I called him that, by the way. He'd be furious. No, he never knew about the Wraiths. I never told him, and we never let the Wraiths terrorize the populace, so no rumors have reached his ear."

"Why didn't you tell him? I thought Solstice was your right hand? He serves you without question."

"This is true...but, you must remember, Penny; I knew his mother and father. I watched him grow into a man. I watched him choose the life of the elves and forsake his mortal, human half. He's been my loyal servant for nearly two hundred years. I believe, just this once, he's earned a rest."

Lia giggled. "I know you, Arletha. It won't be just this once. If you're not careful, you'll have him spoiled. He's a hundred years too old to be treated like a child." Lia sighed. "He'd make a great Shifter someday."

"Perhaps," Arletha said. "Maybe one day, when I decide to retire, we'll ascend him to take my place."

Penny shook her head. "Nope."

Lia and Arletha looked at the mechanical girl curiously. "Nope? That's it...just, nope?" Lia asked.

"You won't retire," she continued. "You enjoy helping people too much. What would you do if you left the Council? You'd just help people on your own time instead of with us. It's your nature."

"Still...that's a pretty blunt way to disagree," Arletha pointed out.

Penny giggled. "A friend of mine from Remnant would do the same. I guess she rubbed off on me."

Lia paused, the look of realization on her face. "It's almost time, isn't it?" Penny nodded with a smile. "Would you like me to accompany you?"

"No," Penny said. "I have someone waiting for me there now. I just wanted to stop by and report the mission's completion."

Lia nodded. "Well, thank you for your hard work, Penny. Now, go. I know how excited you are to be going home."

With a salute, Penny shifted away from the Thoughtspire. The pop of space being torn asunder, and the accompanying rainbow flames came and went, leaving the two senior members of the council sitting in silence.

Arletha sighed, breaking the silence. "How long as it been since she awakened?"

Lia shook her head. "Too long."

Neo had arrived not too long ago. Though she a machine, she still felt the bite of the cold. Around her neck was a familiar orange scarf, given to her by Yang many years ago. It brought a smile to her face every time she wore it, and today was no different.

But today was that time of year again. She stood on the plateau, waiting patiently for the one she served. She had become Penny's liaison to Remnant in the days following the red head's awakening. And unlike many other worlds, Remnant had been made aware of their place in the universe. Penny was their representative, after all; she felt it was only right that she make an official statement to the world. And in her absence, Neo took care of all terrestrial business. After all, it was the least the girl could do for Penny.

Waiting patiently, she was happy to hear the tell tale sound of her superior arriving to the planet; the space tearing pop, and the immediate explosion of rainbow flames. The colors died away, and before her stood Penny. Penny glanced around her to take in her surroundings, making sure that she had "landed" where she wanted to be, until she noticed Neo. "Oh, good morning, Neo," she said with a smile.

Neo returned the smile. "It's after noon, Penny," she corrected. She had never spoken until her father died, but ever since then she'd practiced and learned how to speak fluently. After all, she was Penny's liaison; she had many duties to attend to, and needed the communication skills.

Penny hung her head in shame. "So, I'm late? Jumping from planet to planet messes with one's sense of time."

Neo shook her head. "You're not terribly late. I was held up in Atlas last night, so I only flew into Vale this morning."

"Oh?" Penny chimed curiously. "What's happening in Atlas?"

"The World Congress convened to discuss foreign policy for alien tourists. Apparently, they think that through you we can turn Remnant into some sort of galactic tourist spot." Neo sighed and shook her head. "I don't think we'll be getting many Shifters here."

Penny giggled. "I don't expect many of them wouldn't be welcome. I'd never allow Fortuitus to tread upon my world." Penny approached the smaller android and gave her a tight embrace, which Neo readily returned. "It's good to see you, old friend."

Neo took in the scent of her friend, happy to be reunited. "We're old souls," she said. "Far, far too old."

The girls parted and Penny laughed. "Not too old just yet," she said. "As long as there's life in these limbs, I won't be too old to work."

Neo rolled her eyes. "You're immortality is more perfect than mine," she reminded. "I have to replace parts every so often. You don't. You're soul is what's immortal, and in turn your body doesn't age at all."

"Speaking of which," Penny added. "How is your body?"

"I had to replace my left arm just two weeks ago. The motor in my elbow shorted out and the charge damaged my shoulder." She sighed. "And I think my right foot's been acting up. I may need to replace it soon." She met Penny's eyes and her expression grew somber. "Are you ready to go? They're waiting."

Penny nodded. Turning around, she led the way with Neo in tow. They entered a heavily wooded area, their feet crunching through the snow as they went. Penny could feel the gaze of a nearby pack of Beowolves. She increased the presence of her Aura, amplifying it with Shifter magic; she was pleased to feel that they retreated, wanting nothing to do with her intimidating presence. After twenty minutes, they came to a clearing that ended with a sheer drop; the edge of the plateau.

The clearing was covered in the white snow, and it was pristine as though this land had never once been touched by man or faunus. Yet there was evidence of tampering present; the five monuments that rested peacefully. They were lined up in a row, with the oldest on the far left, and the four newer ones on the right of it. Approaching it, Penny used a magic spell that her evlish Shifter friend, Arletha, had taught her to summon five roses; two red, one white, one black, and one yellow.

First, per a promise she made ages ago, she placed the first red rose on the first monument; it read Summer Rose. Penny nodded and gave the grave a polite bow. Then she placed a rose on each of the other four monuments.

Ruby Rose

October 31, 4322-August 7, 4422

Weiss Schnee

April 26, 4320-June 1, 4398

Blake Beladonna

July 7, 4320-January 12, 4400

Yang Xiao Long

February 14, 4320-May 5, 4415

Penny smiled at each of the graves, giving them all the same polite bow. "Hello, girls," she said. "I always told you that I would set aside one day out of the year to visit. Well, it's January 1st. Happy New Year! What's changed since the last time I came to visit?" she asked herself idly.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "We officially ended the War of Shadows! Remember when I told you when it started? It's been going on for ten years. About three years ago the war came to Remnant. Ruby, your great granddaughter, Garnet, helped us out when Flamma started using Creatures of Grimm in the battles. I had to tell her all kinds of stories about you, though. That woman...she's in her thirties, and she still acts like a child. She's definitely from your family."

"I'm still keeping my promise, by the way. Remember, when you started to get too old to leave your house, you asked me to bring a flower every year to your mother's grave. I had to change when I do it, but I never stopped. She gets a fresh rose every year, same as you." Penny got lost in thought for a moment. "It was a little late, but I finally met the man who cursed you. I wanted to hurt him for you, but when I saw him I just...I felt so sad. When they broke your curse, they stripped of his magic. His eternal youth is gone. He lives forever, but now he's...he's like a shell of what he once was. He just...just sits in his cell all day. He never eats. He never sleeps. He just stares at the floor. I couldn't do it, Ruby. I'm sure you wouldn't have either. He's been punished enough." She thought once again. "Oh, you should see the places I've been too. I saw a castle in the sky this year. A castle in the sky! Just like the old fairy tales! Can you imagine it, Ruby? It was so beautiful!"

Penny paused. "Weiss, you're company still exists. Neo told me that there was a bit of an economic crisis in the middle of the year that nearly made them bankrupt, but they managed to sort it out. I think they'll be alright. Neo's making sure that your wishes for the company are still carried out. It's kind of hard to say no to the only living person on Remnant that actually knew you. I mean, I knew you too, but I'm hardly home. It's sad, but I'm so terribly busy with my duties across the cosmos that I just can't find the time. You know how that is. You ran the Schnee Dust Company up until your son, Poseidon, took over after you got sick. I'm sorry we couldn't cure you, but you said that you had no regrets in life, so I suppose it worked out. I think you're grandson, Stein, is in charge now."

With a smile, Penny turned to the black rose on Blake's grave. "Blake...I hope I made you happy. It took a while, but I managed to create a Remnant free of discrimination. You're descendants don't ever have to be afraid to go to school, or be seen in public for who they are. Faunus now make the same wages as humans, have the same opportunities as humans, and interracial marriage is now legal in every kingdom. By that same token, same sex marriage was legalized too, but that was more Neo's doing than my own. It turned out to be a great idea, too."

Neo giggled and chimed in, "Well, my aid wanted to marry his boyfriend, and I really wanted to go to that wedding, so I may or may not have slipped it into the legislation."

"Yang, your bar is still open, also!" Penny stated happily. "It's run by your great grandson, Yin. I was so happy for you when you found something to do with your life after the Battle for Beacon. Though, I was surprised that Junior even gave you the bar to begin with...well, I guess you did work for him for a few years before then, so it turned out alright." Penny stopped to think of anything else to say, when she suddenly heard footsteps crunching in the snow.

She and Neo turned to see a woman who was the spitting image of Blake approach with a little boy with white hair in tow. Her head, however, didn't have cat ears. Instead, she had a black monkey tail that she kept wrapped around her waist for warmth. "I didn't expect to see you two today. I figured you'd have already come and gone," she said.

"Kuroi?" Penny asked curiously. "Kuroi, is that you?"

The woman, who looked every bit like Blake, smiled with a light laugh. "It's good to see you, Penny. It's been far too long."

"Wow!" Penny said as she approached the woman with wonder in her eyes. "The last time I saw you, you barely came up to my waist! You've grown up!"

"More than that," Kuroi said. "I've had a son." She turned to the little boy who held her hand. "Say hello, Blake."

The little boy stared in wonder at Penny, and bashfully blurted, "H-hello."

"Blake?" Penny asked, looking at the boy. "You named him after your great grandmother?"

Kuroi nodded. "The name was unisex, and I had heard that my great grandmother was beautiful. When he was born, I thought to myself, 'this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen'. So I named him after her. He's five years old, and I thought that now would be a good time to show him where his name came from. He's loved hearing about all the stories of team RWBY from the story of Cinder's War."

"Cinder's War?" Penny asked.

Neo laughed. "It's become a fairy tale. It's about four girls who fight against a terrible witch. The story ends with you, Penny, stopping the maddening battle, and ascending to the heavens to become the spirit of protection. It really is quite something."

Penny arched an eyebrow. "I don't remember it like that, but I suppose it's not entirely inaccurate."

The boy stared at the mechanical Shifter in wonder. "Are you really the spirit of protection?"

She met his gaze, caught off guard by the question, until she knelt down beside him with a smile on her lips. "That's right, Blake. I watch over everyone on Remnant."

"And other worlds?"

"That's right," she said. "And other worlds." She stood and looked the boy up and down, noticing the lack of certain traits. "What's his faunus trait?" Penny asked. "I don't see ears or a tail. Or anything for that matter."

Kuroi smiled proudly. "Thanks to you, faunus have been very blessed to lead normal lives. From day to day equality," she paused raising her left finger to reveal her wedding ring. "To being allowed to marry the ones we love."

Penny's eyes went wide. "Your husband is human?"

"That's right!" Kuroi was beaming with pride. "Would you believe it; his name is Weiss. Weiss Schnee."

"Weiss's great grandson is your husband?" Penny whistled. "If only Weiss and Blake could see it. Er, the old Weiss and Blake."

"I'd imagine they'd be very proud," Neo chimed.

"Say, Penny," Kuroi started. "Would you...would you like to come to our house this evening? I know Blake would love it, and Weiss hasn't seen you since he was a boy. It would mean a lot to us. Plus...we kind of want to hear about our great grandparents. Not from history books, and not from stories passed down by the family. But from someone who knew them and loved them."

Penny looked to Neo for advice. Neo shrugged. "I don't need you in my office for anything just yet. This is your day off, Penny. You should enjoy it."

Penny smiled and turned to Kuroi. I'll be there.

"Thank you," the faunus girl said happily. She and her son quickly paid their respects and gave Penny their address before leaving.

Penny turned to face the graves of her old friends, and finally allowed herself to cry; she'd been holding it in during her exchange with Kuroi. "Did you see that, girls? The last one hundred and fifteen years haven't been passing idly. Change is ever present on Remnant. And your descendents are here every step of the way."

A gust of wind picked up and tore the roses apart, petals floating aimlessly. Another gust caused all four of team RWBY's petals to swirl together in a vortex. Penny wasn't for sure, but she was certain that her friends were telling her something. Live as if you were to die tomorrow, feel as if you were to be reborn now, and breathe as if you were to live forever.

Because the petals in the wind looked just like the rainbow flames that burned within her very soul.

She was eternal. And so too were the spirits of team RWBY.

Song: Redemption - Gackt

Author's Note

I'm done! Oh sweet lord I'm done! And this is my favorite ending I've written in quite a while. And I have very few things to say about it.

All I can say is that I love each and every one of you for taking the time to read my work. It means more to me than you will ever know. Whether you love it, hate it, or just think I need to keep practicing, I don't care; the fact that you read this means that I caught your attention somewhere and I managed to keep it long enough for you to finish this odd shamble of a story.

And this is where the straightforward timeline of the Shifting Remnant AU ends. No more stories to continue from here, but there are other stories I want to tell. I have a bunch of What If ideas for the failed timelines in The Longest Night, as well as a prequel that tells the story of Ozpin's life. But, I am most excited about the "filler" between the previous chapter of Eternity Rising and this epilogue; what exactly did the girls do in the years following the Battle for Beacon? Well, I could just simply say; or I could give you an After Story. I think I'll do that.

But, that's for later. For now, Eternity Rising has come to a close. Like its predecessor, this story has been a fever for me from start to finish. I couldn't get it out of my head. I initially didn't want to do it, for fear of tempting fate and breaking it, but the more I wrote, the more I fell in love with it. That's what writing should be; love for what you do.

And I certainly loved this with all my heart.

Please, leave a review and let me know what you think. It's been 9 months in the making; a long road, to say the least. It would mean the world to me to know your thoughts. PM me as well if you so choose.

To those linked from the /r/RWBY subreddit; thank you so much for welcoming me into the foray of insanity that is our subreddit. You welcomed me with open arms, and you've given me an eternal hug that I fear breaches the border of "normal" and "uncomfortable", but I am 100% okay with it.

I shall come again with more stories. I have some unfinished work to complete eventually.

Till next time. :D