Regaining consciousness was a difficult feat.

Despite that, one-by-one, the team and guardians woke up to a dimly lit sky and calm snow.

The dragon's corpse had vanished completely. The temple was no longer burning and emitting smoke. It was a pile of debris on the frosty grass. Nothing but ashes and eerie grayness. This told them that it'd been at least several hours since they all blacked out.

It took a little time, but somehow, the team and guardians gathered in a circle. Every person was on their knees because they were either too exhausted to stand, or they had injuries that were difficult to bear.

For Ruby, it was hard to breathe as she clutched her side. Her ribs needed treatment. Weiss had a hard time keeping her eyes open from exerting so much energy. The burn and gashes over Blake's skin throbbed in agony. Not to mention, Yang's head was pounding relentlessly.

The guardians received dozens of minor injuries. What put them down for the count was an extremely hard hit and exhaustion. Ozpin and Goodwitch had never been this drained and battered their entire lives. That said something, especially in Ozpin's case of living for thousands of years.

The only reason why no one fell on their side was because they had the support of their friends in the small circle. Each person had an arm wrapped around their backs to hold them up. For emotional support as well.

In victory, Yang grasped the final piece of the relic. She got the honor to hold it first since she was the first one who volunteered to help Ozpin with his quest. Besides Goodwitch, who'd been with him since day one.

"Here," Yang whispered, handing it to the headmaster. "I believe this is yours."

"Thank you, Yang," Ozpin said solemnly.

Slowly, the headmaster grabbed the small piece and held up the bigger shard in his grasp. The bigger shard had four of the original relic pieces fused together. It was finally time for the fifth and final shard to complete the relic and restore the original.

It felt so surreal to hold the last piece. For a moment, Ozpin inspected it.

Blake's cat ear flicked. "All this time and you're hesitating?"

"No," Ozpin replied. "I was making sure this isn't a replica. It's the original."

The faunus breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good."

"We did it…" Ruby breathed.

Carefully, Ozpin pressed the smaller shard against the larger shard. This caused a green flash. When the light disappeared, the smaller piece vanished.

"It's fused," Ozpin announced like their job was officially done.

The entire year had been a challenge. Finding each relic pieces had been difficult to say the least. But the experience was something the group wouldn't trade for the world.

For everyone to see, Ozpin held it out. The team leaned in to stare. The whole relic was about the size of Ozpin's palm. Now, it would be too big to fit inside the priestess' locket.

In awe, Goodwitch gazed at it. "It's finally complete…"

It felt like it'd been forever to get here and now. From the sight, a massive weight was lifted off their shoulders. It was like they could finally breathe again. It felt so liberating just to see the outcome of their hard work.

Since Glynda was fascinated, Ozpin handed the relic to her. Cautiously, she held it and made sure the team could see it. The dull, white relic was almost shimmering. Perhaps it might under the moonlight. It felt like smooth glass in her hands.

When she was done, she gave it to Yang.

"All our hard work for this?" Yang said like she wasn't impressed. That earned a few chuckles. "Worth it."

There were no ragged edges. The relic was almost in an oval shape. It felt so comforting that Yang almost forgot about her raging migraine.

When she was satisfied, she handed it to Ruby. Ruby just rubbed her hand over the smooth surface with a pained smile. Her side hurt a lot, and she thought about everything her and her team had been through the last year for this shard.

"You were hard to get, you know that?"

It was like she'd been waiting to say those words all along. Of course, the relic didn't reply like a baby who couldn't speak. It was surrounded by the utmost care and love as multiple pairs of eyes landed on it.

Blake nodded in agreement. "It really was."

When Ruby was done examining it, she handed it to Weiss. The priestess meticulously inspected it, finding it intriguing that her mother risked her life for this relic. There was an immediate connection. She felt her mother swimming inside and smiled from her angelic touch.

The snow continued to drizzle and blended with her pale skin and the relic.

Blake was next to hold it and paused for a moment as she rubbed a thumb over the smooth surface. Her cat ears flicked as she was absorbed in thought. She recalled why her friend, Yang, helped Ozpin in the first place. The main reason Yang volunteered to help Ozpin was the possibility of Blake being able to become human.

The relic, at full capacity, could turn faunus to humans. Humans to faunus. Half demons to full demons. Full demons to humans and everything in between.

The faunus stared at the relic for a moment. Unintentionally, a smile graced her lips.

She was content.

Her friends and guardians leaned in with anticipation.

The gazes around her told her that there was nothing to fear. That being a faunus was okay. She'd known that from the beginning. Which is why she wasn't tempted to change into a human in the slightest.

When Blake passed the relic to Ozpin, her friends were immensely proud. Her chance was gone. And she couldn't be happier.

"I'm perfect the way I am," Blake said confidently, fighting the strain of pain lacing her voice. Her injuries were gradually becoming harder to bear.

Weiss must've noticed this because she tightened the grip around her waist.

From Blake's statement, Yang grinned widely. "Yeah, you are!"

"Never change," Weiss smiled.

Ruby offered her a genuine smile. One that wasn't hiding agony. "Love you."

From the display of encouragement, Ozpin smiled as he clutched the relic like his life depended on it. Which it did.

A few moments of silence passed.

This was it.

Ozpin took a deep breath for his goodbyes.

"It was a pleasure knowing you all," Ozpin said in the same stern voice. "It was an honor to be your headmaster."

Weiss gave him a heartfelt smile as the snow fell on her white hair. "Thank you for helping me learn about my past and my mother. I can't thank you enough."

"I only did what was right," Ozpin replied. "I'm glad you found the answers you were looking for."

The priestess only nodded and sadly gazed at him, knowing he didn't have much time left.

"In case you didn't know…" Ruby said cheerfully. "You kinda sorta changed our lives forever. In a good way!" she quickly added.

"You did the same for me, Ruby. I wouldn't have been able to break my curse without team RWBY."

The team broke out into smiles.

Blake chimed in after she thought about what she should say in a time like this. "We learned so much about the New World thanks to you. We learned a lot of things about each other because of this experience. We grew closer because of that, so thank you. From the bottom of my heart."

Tears were now freely flowing down everyone's cheeks except Ozpin's.

"Naturally, Blake," Ozpin nodded and looked to Yang, who wiped away a few tears.

Yang tried out her signature grin, fighting the waver in her voice. "We'll catch you on the other side eventually."

"Let's hope that's not anytime soon, Yang."

With that, Ozpin gazed at the professor kneeling next to him. "It was an honor to know you, Glyn. Thank you for jumping to my side when I first fought Cinder."

That was something team RWBY didn't know about. No wonder why Glynda had always known about the New World.

"We didn't win the battle," Glynda said. "But we won the war."

"That's right," Ozpin said with a cheerful smile.

"It was an honor to be by your side, Oz," Goodwitch said sincerely. "I don't know how we'll manage without you."

"You'll find a way. You always do."

Fondly, the professors tightly hugged. Ozpin felt tiny hiccups from the woman. It was obvious that Glynda was trying so hard to keep it together and didn't make a sound. He stayed strong for her, not wanting their last moments together to be of him crying. Instead, he wanted their image of him to be the same old headmaster they've always known.

When the partners pulled apart, brown orbs met sad green.

"I entrust my academy to you."

After Ozpin said that, he gave her a firm pat on the shoulder. Glynda was too shocked by the news and just sat there.

"Wait, what?" Goodwitch asked like she wasn't hearing correctly.

"Watch over them," Ozpin smiled and glanced over to his students.

"You as well," Glynda replied.

With that, Ozpin placed a green time dial over the relic. As the group watched, the relic shattered as it flickered neon green for a second. Before the pieces could reach the frosty grass, they vanished in thin air.

Directly after, Ozpin looked up to the sky. It was so peaceful. Snowflakes sprinkled serenely onto his face as he calmly inhaled. He closed his eyes to savor the warmth trickling through him. He had nothing to fear. This was a calm feeling.

Green encompassed his veins before the color emanated his form. When it covered his entire body, everything was still for a moment. Like he was a statue frozen in time.

From the unique sight, a few gasps rang out. The team and professor were too afraid to touch him. Like he might break any moment. Before anyone could say anything, Ozpin joined the breeze. His ashes swirled with the wind and calmly floated away.

He was free.

Tears streaked down their faces. Their beloved headmaster got his wish. Finally, he was at peace.

Despite the overwhelming sadness, the sun was shining.

Together, the students and professor held each other in solemn silence. The occasional whimper lingered.

The snow didn't stop drizzling.


"Mmhmmmmm, mmmhmm~"

While Taiyang cooked chicken parmesan, he hummed a chipper tune.

Steam rose from the pan as the delectable chicken popped from the heat. A delicious aroma filled the house and wafted in his nostrils.

Casually, Taiyang tossed a piece of chicken on the wooden floor. In an instant, Zwei devoured it like a vacuum. After, he plopped by his master's feet, patiently waiting for the next piece. His tongue lolled to the side as he kept his beady gray eyes fixed on his hand.

Taiyang's eyes never left the food as he spoke. "Where'd they go? I haven't seen them since last night."

A calm yip.

From the bark, Taiyang leaned down to pet Zwei between those broad ears.

"They're so troublesome."

As if Zwei agreed, he barked again.

"Let's hope they get back soon," Taiyang said with a smile. "We don't want the chicken to go to waste."

Multiple pants from the corgi ensued.

Taiyang bent back up with a light sigh. "Alright, alright. I'll give you one more."

Instantly, Zwei hopped up and leaned on his master's leg. His panting increased tenfold in excitement when he used that tone of voice.

"Just one," Taiyang clarified.

On command, Zwei opened his snout while grinning. His canines were in full view as another mouthwatering piece of chicken landed in his mouth. The corgi chewed greedily and plopped on the floor with an overly happy face.

"I put salt on that one," Taiyang mentioned. "Did you like that more than the rest?"

A loud woof.

"I'll take that as a yes and keep it in mind, my dear taste-tester!"

It didn't take long for the food to finish cooking. When the chicken was done, Taiyang placed the pieces on a paper towel to wait for it to cool down.

Blankly, Taiyang stared down at his dog. He hoped his daughters would be home soon. The fact that they didn't come back last night was worrying. What was even more worrying was that none of them were replying to his texts. The read receipts didn't even register.

He recalled what Ruby had said before they left last night.

Don't wait up.

That definitely meant that they'd be gone for a while, so he tried not to worry too much. He trusted that his daughters would come back. From whatever they had to handle.

Before Taiyang could sprinkle salt on the chicken, there was a knock on the door.

"Alright! They're back!"

Eagerly, Zwei zipped to the front door with his tail wagging. He barked incessantly and didn't let up. At least until Taiyang opened the door to reveal several people.

"Woah!" Taiyang exclaimed as he stared at them in shock. "What the hell?!"

Goodwitch was holding up Yang, who was dangling over her back. On her right, Emerald was unconscious with blood all over. The professor adorned a grimace as one of her arms was wrapped around Emerald's waist. Yang's head was dangling down, setting off alarm bells in Taiyang's mind.

To the right, Blake was holding up Ruby, who adorned a grimace like she was going to break. On the other side of Blake, Weiss used the faunus as support and leaned on her side, barely able to stand. The faunus also looked like she was on the verge of collapse. Her skin was covered in cuts and bruises, and more worrying, smears of blood. Briefly, Taiyang wondered how she was holding up two people in her condition.

In short, it looked like they'd taken a tour of Hell.

Ruby smiled to try to calm her father down. "Hi, dad. We're in a little situation... eheh…"

After, Ruby whimpered from the throbs in her side. Blake could only try to keep her upright.

"What's going on?" Taiyang asked, concern shot through his being. "Why's Glynda here, too? Who's that?" he asked, referring to Emerald.

"Please…" Glynda could barely keep her eyes open. "Help them…"

Unable to hold up Yang and Emerald any longer, Goodwitch tipped forward as her eyes fluttered shut. Swiftly, Taiyang darted forward and caught them.

"Woah- hey!"

"I'm sorry…"

Not soon after, Blake sagged to the porch and brought Ruby and Weiss down with her. Since Taiyang's hands were full, he couldn't catch them. A few whimpers from Zwei lingered as he tried to lick them awake.

"Oh no-" Taiyang gasped. "Guys?! Guys?!"

When no one responded, he bit his lip as he tried to calm himself.

"Don't worry," Taiyang whispered down at Glynda. "I got them."

For now, any questions could wait.

He had to help.


The chapter title is from Cross the Line: "The night's approaching. Ravenous and cunning, but 'there is a droplet of hope still shining.' This is everything to me. The only thing I need."

The droplet of hope is the snow!

Stay dandy,

~Toto