Hiya everyone! Wyn here with another exciting chapter of Reaper! I also have some announcements for you all, so let's get started with those first!
1: Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I find that I have no choice but to put the sequel to Wolf Queen on the back burner for now. I still have every intention of writing it, but I simply don't have a lot of time to dedicate to it at this time. Especially since I am once again participating in White Rose Week! Yay!
2: RWBYFall, my big crossover, is going on hiatus. After some discussions with my beta reader, we both agree that I jumped the gun on that one. Now, it will be remaining up, and after certain events in this story come to pass, I will be restarting it, so stay tuned!
3: Little Snowflake Loves the Rose is officially under rewrite, and will be re-entering my normal posting schedule within the next few weeks! I'm so excited!
4: I love you all! Thank you all so much for your amazing support, your kind words, and all of your kudos and comments! Now please, enjoy this new chapter and I will see you all next time with The Heiress, the Princess, and the Two Immortals!
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9:00 am. First Period.
"Good morning students." Katharina Brandstelle-Garibaldi declares as she enters her last Dust Studies class of the day. "As always, please pass your homework down to the center aisle to be collected." She states calmly as she comes to stand in the front of the class, her fire red cat ears flicking as her same colored tail waves gently behind her.
Weiss raises her hand, her wolf's ears standing straight up. "Professor, I have a question about the theory behind question three."
The Professor sighs as she looks at Weiss. "We will be discussing that in full shortly, future Mrs. Ruby Rose." She replies impishly, delighted at the blush she gets in return as well as the look of pride on Ruby's own features.
Blake raises her hand, her ears betraying her own irritation. "Excuse me Professor Brandstelle, according to page 76, it was my mother along with Adaliz Schnee who discovered several new uses for weaponized ice dust. However, the last time I checked, my mother doesn't know how to handle dust." She informs her calmly. "The writer and publisher shouldn't make claims that are untrue."
Kate looks at the panther faunus, not realizing that her entire team as well as several others are suddenly paying much closer attention. "Kali Natsume. Huntress ID KN-077-03. Mine is KB-077-04. Check the school's records if you wish, I have four years to teach all of you."
Blake makes a show of checking for the records on her scroll, while the rest of the class busies themselves with opening books, readying papers and vials of dust, while ignoring the two wolf faunus women who only have eyes for each other, their tails wagging gently. "Oh, well look at that. You're correct professor."
Katharina smiles as she looks at the panther faunus, her tail beginning to wave in her amusement. "Indeed so, Miss Belladonna. Kali was and is still one of my finest friends, and I wish she and Ghira would visit more often. And I am quite proud to be teaching her daughter alongside my niece and her mate." This has the effect of finally getting the rest of the class's attention.
"I just find it odd that my own mother never once said that she was ever a huntress." Blake replies firmly, her ears laying flat and her tail waving aggressively. "She never ever told me she even came here! All of this is nothing more than a lie! A blatant lie you're making up to fool us all into thinking you just so happen to know one of the leaders of the White Fang!"
The older woman takes a picture down from the wall near her desk with a sad smile and hands it to Blake. "Your mother and my husband were partners, just as I was partnered with Adaliz Schnee. And we were great friends with the members of team STRQ as well as so many others." She informs the angry faunus woman. "For four years, we used to tease your mother about Ghira, and we all came together to celebrate your birth in Mistral, as well as again when Weiss and Willow were born here in Vale during one of Ada's business trips." She pauses to wipe away a tear. "Not a day goes by that I don't miss my best friend, Blake. No, she is more than my friend, she is my sister in arms, and a wonderful person."
Blake sets the picture aside to look at the professor. "Then why did she lie to me? To Ilia? We both idolized her, we both considered her our hero. Why would she lie to us?"
"Because she focused all her efforts on the White Fang when she learned of Ada's death." Katharina states coldly, despite the rising heat wave coming from her. "Because she knew just as we did that Jacques had a hand in covering up her death, along with the deaths of so damned many others. But we lacked proof, and still do. Three of my closest, dearest friends died saving Atlas, and sooner or later I will make Jacques pay for what he did!" She hisses as the temperature rises along with her fury. "I will make him pay for what he did to my family! To my people! He will pay in blood!"
"Then tell me why she's hunting again?" Blake hisses, not backing down an inch. "Why is my mother here in Vale? Why are my parents fighting?! Why is my father actually consulting with your husband, instead of being his hated rival?!"
"Because she's here to kill Adam Taurus!" The older cat faunus hisses back, her own ears flat on her head as her tail bristles threateningly. "And I would help her if I could, but I have my own responsibilities to my students and my family!" She roars as her semblance flares along with her fury. "The only thing keeping me from joining the hunt is the fact that his life is no longer mine to take! It is only Ruby's, but I do not wish the hell of more blood staining her hands, so Kali hunts him for the both of us! To make him pay for his sins against you and Weiss both!"
Blake turns and looks at Ruby. "That's not good. If Mom is hunting Adam, she won't stop until she finds him."
The Reaper nods as she and Weiss stand, Yang standing with them. "Then we need to find her first, and convince her you're safe with us." She declares firmly as she looks at Weiss. "Agreed?"
"We need to move fast, then." The white wolf agrees as she looks at Jaune. "We would be best to handle this, Jaune. We may need to go into the Faunus district for clues and answers."
"We're only a scroll call away." He agrees with a nod of his head. "And we'll be ready."
"Yang, we need to find your ears." Ruby declares with a grin, getting a groan from the blonde.
"I hate those things. I tell you what, me and Miltia'll go ask around at Junior's. He always keeps his ear to the ground too." The Brawler replies.
"Wait guys, let's take this back to the dorm. We may need help from my cousins as well." Weiss declares as she smiles at her Aunt. "Thank you, Auntie Katie. You can count us absent for today, and more than likely tomorrow as well."
Blake nods. "Ma'am, I can't allow my mother to return to the darkness. Adam isn't worth her war fans being stained in blood again. I won't let her stain her soul again, not after all she's done to move away from her dark past."
Kate Brandstelle-Garibaldi blinks as she realizes that her niece's teammate just played her. And not to make a fool of her, but to go save Kali from returning to a life she willingly left behind to spare her own daughter from. "Go." She sighs as she calms down, her semblance extinguishing itself. "You may be the one person that can stop her, Blake. She isn't even listening to Ghira anymore."
Blake Belladonna nods as Weiss walks over and takes her arm. "We'll stop her, Mrs. Garibaldi. Before she does something she'll regret…"
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10:18 am Somewhere in Vale
"Pathetic." Kali declares as she looks at the massive bear faunus laying on the ground. "You're nothing but a disgrace, Edward."
Her current prey, Adam's top lieutenant, pants as he grips the handle of what is left of his weapon, a massive chainsaw. "You call me a disgrace?" He counters weakly between his panting. "You walked away. You and Lady Katharina both."
The older woman levels a glare at him, even as a blade emerges from one of the metal partitions of Jade Dreams, her green and black tinted warfan. "I chose to raise my child, to watch her, Ilia, and Diane grow up safe and loved, while Ada tried and failed to change the world." She reminds him coldly as the tip of the blade levels itself with his throat. "Once I'm done with Adam, it's Jacques's turn. He will suffer for the hell he inflicted on my goddaughters." She declares through gritted teeth, rage filling her eyes. "I will flay the skin from his bones, like he tried to do to Weiss and Willow."
The bear faunus man named Edward chuckles as he looks at her with one brown eye, that part of his mask shattered. "There." He declares weakly. "There's the Shadow Dancer. The woman I once respected and begged to take my daughter back to Menagerie with you and Lord Ghira." He snorts. "Yet Diane chose to follow your example instead of mine. She chose a Huntress's life alongside the Burning Queen's twin daughters instead of fighting for our people. Instead of seeking vengeance for her mother at my side." His eye closes as he takes a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "Kill me. I'll never tell you where Adam is."
"No." The older faunus declares as the blade snaps back. "Live with the fact that your own daughter chose to walk in the light instead of following you into hell, Edward Brunneis. My quarrel is with Adam, not his foolish brainwashed minions."
"I'm looking forward to watching him execute Weiss Schnee." He replies with a smirk. "Unlike him, I don't believe for a second they have suffered like we have. Unlike him, I will see her, her traitorous sisters, her weakling brother, and her bastard father die by my weapon, no matter the cost." His uncovered eye focuses on her own. "I will see your daughter executed for her betrayal."
Kali Belladonna's eyes turn hard as the blade snaps out once more. "Then you are a threat to my family, and must be dealt with accordingly." She declares coldly as her arm moves in one swift motion, a trail of blood rising up a nearby wall from the action. "Don't worry, Edward, your beloved leader will join you soon enough in the Ten Hells." She adds as she uses a length of cloth ripped from his tunic to wipe her blade clean before retracting it. Stepping away from the corpse after dropping the now bloody rag, she vanishes into the shadows once more, her mission continuing unhindered...
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2:15 pm. Blue Dorm, Team RWBY's dorm room
"Ok team, let's go over the plan one last time!" Ruby declares enthusiastically as she looks around at the gathered group.
"Miltia and I are heading to Junior's to ask a few questions." Yang declares as she stands next to the red themed woman, her arm over one pale shoulder.
"Hopefully without either of us causing more property damage." The woman adds.
"Ilia and I are going to go talk to a former White Fang spy we know about, and hope Mom hasn't gotten to him first." Blake declares next, Ilia nodding as she checks her own weapon. "With any luck, he can point us in the right direction."
"Don't get in over your heads." Ruby reminds her as she turns to look at Weiss, a silly grin on her face. "And we'll…"
"Be contacting someone within the SDC to get any information my Father's spies may have reported to him." Weiss finishes as she adjusts the collar of her white peacoat. "Winter will meet us there once she goes off duty for the evening, along with Willow and Neo. They too have something they wish to check on."
"Meanwhile, I'll be cleaning this pigsty you four call a dorm room." Leigh declares in disgust from her place by the door. "How can you lot live like this?!"
Yang and Ruby simply shrug as Blake looks embarrassed and Weiss sighs.
"You unfortunately get used to it." The heiress informs her, getting a nod of agreement from the panther.
"At least we got them to start putting their underwear and clothes in the hampers." Blake adds. "They just don't do laundry unless we have them at weapon point."
"Or Ruby has to risk running around naked." The white wolf adds with a grumble.
"Ok! Time to go team!" The Reaper declares as she starts pushing her mate in front of her with a blush. "We have a lot of ground to cover, and not a whole lot of time left!"
"Remember to meet back up at the SDC-V by nightfall!" Weiss calls over her shoulder. "Stop pushing me, Dolt!"
"What was that?!" Ruby replies before both girls scream as they accidentally fall down the stairs, of which they missed the first step down in the red wolf's haste.
Yang facepalms, Blake shakes her head in amusement, and Ilia simply rolls her eyes as they hear a "We're ok!" a moment later.
"How can she be such a good fighter, when she's so damned clumsy?!" The chameleon faunus asks demandingly as she and the others leave as well.
"We quit questioning it after she fell out of the shower for the eighth time." Yang chuckles as she shuts the door, leaving the maid alone in the dorm room.
Leigh smiles as she busies herself with cleaning. She remembers Weiss before she left the Manor for Beacon, and how much clumsier she was there. "At least there's no suits of armor to fall on her here…"
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6:09 pm Tukson's Books
"I'm disappointed in you, Tukson." Kali declares as she looks at her fellow panther faunus in amusement, her blue and white war fan, Azure Tides open and covering her mouth and most of her face. "I was expecting a pot of tea ready."
The man chuckles as he moves to the door and locks it, before flipping his sign to closed. "For my sister, I always keep tea at the ready."
Closing the fan, she smiles brightly as they hug tightly. "Goddesses, but I've missed you. I wish you would finally return to Menagerie."
"In due time, Kali." He replies as he releases her and sighs sadly. "You smell of blood and violence again, little sister."
"Edward Brunneis became a threat to your niece, big brother." She informs him quietly as they walk into the back of his shop, where his modest kitchen is located. "One that could not be ignored."
"I see." He murmurs as he fills a kettle with water before setting it to boil. "He was always too arrogant, too determined to see all of humanity pay for Lexi's death." He pauses to look at his younger sibling, who has settled down at his kotetsu. "As loathe as I am to admit it, you did the world a favor there."
"I only wish to keep my family safe, Tuk." She replies firmly. "When Adam Taurus is dead, and his skull left as a proper warning to any who wish harm on all of you, will I return home and my quiet life."
"Adam certainly has many people who wish him dead right now." He chuckles as the kettle whistles. "And only the Red Reaper has come the closest to accomplishing it."
"She's only fifteen, Tuk. She isn't old enough for a name such as that." Kali protests as he sits down, placing the kettle between them.
"Yet it is well earned, Kali. She was the finest fighter at Signal during her time there, and has felled any who threaten her." He pauses to look at his sister, who is pouring the water. "Kali, if the rumors are true and she has taken Weiss Schnee as her mate, that girl will never need a bodyguard. Even the Fang now fear her rage since the docks."
"Qrow and Summer would be proud of her. She is growing to become a fine woman of herself, and she will be a truly great huntress." The panther declares. "She will lead my daughter and goddaughters into the history books."
"Hopefully for a better reason than constant bloodshed and war." He points out to her before taking a drink of his tea. "Now, how can I help my favorite sister?"
"I'm your only sister." She reminds him. "Where is he?"
"He's gone to ground, where I cannot say." He admits to her. "But there is a meeting tomorrow night. A recruitment drive for new members to replenish the ranks after the Reaper's assault." He pauses to look his sister in the eyes. "And they are dishonoring Ada's memory by holding it at the old SDC hospital deeper into the district."
"Bastards!" She declares angrily as her tail bristles. "No one would be foolish enough, would they? Not after the incident at the docks!"
"Vale may be progressive, Kali. But, progress is still slow. Falco Winchester may be our greatest voice here since old Isaac Rose, but he does not have the support of the full council like Isaac once did, thanks to his own wife's constant efforts to undermine him." Tukson looks her in the eyes. "Much has changed here in Vale since Isaac, Elizabeth, and now Summer have died. Vale has lost her champions, and in that regard, Ruby is not ready."
Kali nods as she looks at her brother. "Then all the more reason to find Adam. To end him before he brings Vale low with his hate." She shakes her head. "A pity. He had so much potential."
"I trust you'll be staying the night?" Tukson asks as he stands and turns the lights off to the main shop before closing the door. "I can make a few calls, see if any of his remaining soldiers are willing to reveal the rock he himself hides under."
"Please do. And yes, I could do with a proper bath and a hot meal." She admits. "I forgot how much of a pain it is to be on the hunt."
Tukson Natsume chuckles as he sits back down. "Then it's a good thing I've had the guest room ready since I heard you were coming…" He informs her as they proceed to talk late into the night, catching up on each other's lives. Neither of them take note of the two pairs of eyes watching them through a window, or the way not a single word is missed by the cat faunus woman who has learned to read lips as a way to communicate with her once blind lover.
The Black Snow and the Silent Ballerina are patient. Sooner or later, one of them will reveal the information they need, and they will see Adam Taurus on his way to his long overdue meeting with the Goddess of Darkness…
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Interlude: Reclaiming her Birthright
Weiss is silent as the express elevator opens to reveal the darkened penthouse at the top of the SDC-V. She hasn't set foot in this place in almost a decade now, the top floor having been sealed since her mother's death by the former director of operations for Vale, who refused to allow Jacques access.
Access he gave her willingly, a look of pride in his features as he welcomed her back.
She can feel Ruby's reassuring presence next to her as she takes that first hesitant step, her memories coming to her gently as she looks at the place that for a short time, she and her siblings called home.
Tears begin to fall as she spots the pictures first. They line the walls carefully, lovingly, and with obvious pride. She feels Ruby pull her into her strong arms as she looks at them all. Pictures of the day of her birth, her Uncle Alex holding Willow with a wide smile on his face as her mother holds her, a proud smile of her own. She sees a picture of Winter holding Willow next, Sienna holding her and both of them with looks of delight on their features as Cinder looks over her sister's shoulder in wide eyed wonder.
There are no pictures of Jacques, as if even back then things were already doomed.
"Mom?" Ruby whispers, getting her attention. Looking over, she freezes at the sight of…
"Ruby… that's us…" The white wolf whispers as they stare at a picture of a nearly two year old Weiss staring at a newborn Ruby, the infant red wolf staring back at her. Ruby is being held by a smiling Summer, while Ada holds Weiss in her arms.
"Mom and Auntie Summer knew even back then there was something special between the two of you." Winter declares as she walks in quietly, her arms wrapping around both their shoulders. "Destiny chose well with you both."
"Win, I don't understand." Weiss admits quietly. "Does this have to do with Mom's biggest regret?"
"I don't know." The older woman admits as Ruby keeps staring at the picture. "Mom took many things to her grave, Weiss."
"I know." She murmurs as they keep looking at the many pictures, which now include Headmaster Ozpin, the Belladonnas, even a much younger General Ironwood, a beautiful grey haired, violet eyed arctic fox faunus beside him. "I wonder who this is?" She asks quietly, drawing her sister's attention.
"Her name was Commander Sarah Ironwood, and she was Jim's childhood sweetheart." A quiet voice replies. The three of them turn around and stare in surprise at David Ozpin, who is standing behind them. "Forgive me. When my scroll alerted me that the top floor had been accessed, I rushed over with Salem to see who would dare."
His wife nods as she appears from behind him, looking at all the various pictures. "I had forgotten about many of these." She admits quietly as she turns back to look at them. "Your mother preserved many wonderful memories for all of you here. She always intended to move the company here, but died before she could."
"Summer and Qrow were to return as well." Ozpin adds as he looks at a duplicate copy of the joint team picture that is hanging in their dorm room back at Beacon. "Summer was preparing to take over as leader of the Huntsmen's Guild here in Vale, and Qrow had accepted a position with Ada to work for the SDC as an in house Huntsmen."
"But then they died, along with Sarah and so many others." Salem informs them sadly. "James was devastated."
"She was important to him?" Winter asks quietly, getting a nod in reply from the Headmaster of Beacon.
"She was his wife, and his auramate." Ozpin informs them. "And there is a part of his soul that is broken. That will never heal, that will never know life again."
"How did they die?" Ruby asks as she looks at the older couple, who have returned to staring at the pictures.
"That is a story that will be told soon, Miss Rose." He replies calmly as he tears his tear filled gaze away from a picture of himself, Qrow, and Alex standing triumphantly over a defeated Rhinox. "By a man who has been forced to stay silent for too long."
"Please be patient, all of you." Salem adds as she wipes tears of her own away. "I wasted so many years, so many opportunities to become friends with two brilliant women. All over my own jealousy."
"Weiss, Ruby, Winter, your parents were among my closest of friends. I miss them terribly." David Ozpin looks at them with such sadness that Ruby walks over and hugs him tightly, the man returning it as his shoulders slump. "There isn't a day that goes by when I wish I could speak to them, ask them for their advice, or just to chat with them about their lives. They brought so many people together with their passion for life, and the lives they all touched are so much emptier for their absence."
"I miss Mama." Weiss admits quietly. "Willow and I worshiped her. We both wanted to be her. She was so elegant, so refined, so caring."
"I miss Grandma and Grandpa." Winter adds sadly as she takes a picture of Snowy and Garrett off the wall, the giant wolf faunus holding a laughing Winter and Sienna in his arms, while Snowy held Cinder in her own. No one could mistake the looks on their faces for anything other than pride. "Goddesses, but I wish you and Willow could have gotten to know them, Weiss. They would have killed him for his sins. For the evils that he committed while destroying our family name. Sienna is still pushing her husband to name their next child after her."
"We will change things, Win." Weiss declares as she waves a hand at the pictures. "Mama, she and Ruby's parents left behind a grand legacy. One Ruby and I have embraced willingly. And as the Goddesses Three as my witnesses, we will make things right."
"Wow, I was expecting this place to be packed full of art and shit." Yang declares as she and Miltia arrive next, Blake and Ilia stepping out with them.
"It's very homey." Ilia admits as she looks around. "Very comfortable."
Winter smiles as she shakes her head. "Mama didn't care for objects of art, or priceless artifacts." She informs them as she waves a hand to all the pictures. "These were her real treasures."
"Kept here safely by the former director of operations for the SDC-V." Ozpin adds as he and his wife make their way towards the elevators. "Enjoy the rest of your evening, Ladies. Oh!" He turns to look at Ruby. "If the Red Reaper of Vale were to go into the Faunus district tomorrow and ask to know where a White Fang meeting were to be taking place, I'm certain she would be told, while changing many minds as well."
Ruby looks thoughtful as she taps her chin with her finger. "I bet if I found that ass Automne, he would tell me."
Yang snickers. "Ran into Tara and Petunia at the club. They said to come back tomorrow, Junior was out." She adds, Miltia scowling darkly.
"Wait!" Winter holds up a hand. "How do you know Automne Ombre?"
Ozpin chuckles. "Team TAPE have made new names for themselves after being thrown out of Beacon, Miss Schnee. As horrid as they were as Huntsmen in training, they have found their true calling in being mercenaries alongside your cousin, Sienna."
Miltia nods as she looks at the eldest Schnee daughter. "Eve Howlette's the only one who doesn't do Merc work. She runs a clinic in the Faunus district, and Sienna's the only one with a Huntress license."
"And they are the only ones who stand in direct opposition to Cyrus Swiftshade." Salem shakes her head. "Unlike the Mercenary King, they do have a code of honor they follow."
Ruby grins at Weiss and Winter, her tail wagging. "We call him an ass because he is one, but nobody messes with the faunus district on his watch."
Yang nods, a grin on her own face. "I still remember when he beat the shit out of Cardin Winchester last year just for looking at Sienna the wrong way. It was epic!"
The two sisters look at each other and sigh. "That does sound like him." Weiss admits.
"Uncle Alex respects him." Winter adds quietly. "He can't stand him, but he does respect him."
"So… About whatever the SDC knows?" Ruby calls out, deftly changing the subject.
"Oh, yes!" The white wolf declares as she moves down the hall and into a room. "Oh good, Mama's personal computer is still here." She declares as she sits down before it, turning it on. She has to struggle to control a sob when she sees the picture of herself and her siblings set up as the screensaver, the four of them surrounded by all their various cousins as well as many of their friends, including Penny and Salome. To her relief, Winter reaches over and pushes the minimize button.
"We need to focus, Weiss. I'll go downstairs and ask about in security." Her sister informs her.
"Wait, what's this?" She asks as she spies a flashing icon on the screen.
"I don't know." The older white wolf admits quietly. She watches as Weiss pushes it, nothing happening for a moment.
But both their hearts stop for a moment when they see Adaliz Schnee's smiling face looking back at them.
"Hello little Snowy." The recording begins, the older woman's smile turning sad. "If you are watching this, then I have fallen in battle, and the terms and conditions of my will have been carried out. As you now know, the SDC-V and all of our Valian contracts are yours. I chose you to run Vale, because I know out of all your siblings, you will willingly join in the Valian Council's fight for our people. You will take up the banner my brother and I have carried for years now, and champion it with all the passion you have in your heart."
"Ada, what are you doing?" A woman asks as she appears on the screen. She has brilliant silver eyes, and a bright smile on her own face. One that fades into a frown as she sees the white haired wolf Faunus sitting before her personal computer. "Are you seriously bumming yourself out?! Oh come on!"
"Because this is serious, Summer!" The long fallen Schnee Matriarch replies firmly. "They need to know why I chose to break the company apart! They need to know I love them, and that I did not make the decision lightly to join you. This battle, this threat, this is bigger than you or I. It is bigger than this company, and I cannot in good conscience leave them alone in this world without them knowing what my hopes, my own dreams for them are."
"I know, Ada. Qrow and I left messages for Ruby, Robin, and Jay as well." The Master Huntress replies quietly as she sits next to the taller woman. "Raven and Tai are already preparing to go to Mistral to go get them."
"Sum, I am prepared to die." Adaliz declares sadly. "I am trapped in a loveless marriage, I run a company I never wanted, and I am genuinely worried for the future. Yet, I have accepted my fate as well. Weiss will make a fine Winter Maiden, Willow will become the greatest summoner my family has ever seen, Winter will guide them, and Whit will be a kind and gentle soul, and the anchor for their souls."
"Ada, do you really think Maria was right? That Weiss and Ruby are meant to be? They're so young still, and they will have the weight of the world on their shoulders."
"Sum, even I can hear their souls calling out for one another." The Schnee Matriarch smiles as she pulls her best friend into a side hug. "They too have a grand destiny before them, and if we survive this, we must do all we can to prepare them for their futures. Once before, the Rose Clan and the Noble House of Schnee came together, and we saved the world. It is time to do so again, alongside the Arcs and all the others who gather by our sides."
"I want the best for them, Ada." Summer whimpers as she leans her head against the taller woman's shoulder. "I want them to grow up happy, to become who and what they were meant to be."
"Sum, even I've heard the legends of the Red Reaper and his White Princess." Qrow reminds his wife as he appears behind the two women and lays his hands lovingly on his wife's shoulders. "And I grew up in a bandit clan in Mistral."
"Yeah. Two warriors who died to save the world." Alex rumbles as he appears next to his sister, smiling down at her fondly. "And considering what we're goin up against, I almost wish they were still alive. We could use all the help we can get."
Qrow nods. "Pete just got here with all the volunteers from Vale. Give em credit, he brought almost five thousand himself."
"That puts us at thirty thousand." Summer declares firmly. "What with the volunteers the Atreides, Athena Nikos, The Scarlatina Clan and the WuKongs brought with them from Mistral, Menagerie, and Vacuo, as well as all the troops Jimmy and Sarah could spare without leaving Atlas defenseless."
Adaliz nods as she looks at the screen once more. "Willow, live well. Find someone who loves you and never let them go. Work with your siblings to bring real equality to our people, and always remember that I love you." She smiles. "And Weiss, I know you're watching considering how nosey you are, I pray you and Ruby find all the happiness in the world. I pray all of you do, and know that you will all be in my thoughts and prayers." Placing her hands to her mouth, she blows a kiss towards the screen. "Goddesses, but I love you all so very much."
The screen goes dark, but no one notices. Weiss is sobbing in Ruby's arms, the woman herself with tears streaming down her face. Winter had long ago run off crying, a concerned Yang and Miltia following her.
And somewhere in Vale, near a certain bookstore, Willow is struggling to keep herself under control as well, despite the tears that won't stop falling in her own sorrow…