Hello everyone! How are you doing? I hope you are all fine!
Ch. 67 is up. As I said before, it's going to be the first out of a three-part epilogue for the Gloomharrow Arc.
As always, I hope you enjoy it. If you find the extended epilogue was a little too much, please let me know.
Thanks once more for following/favoring/reading the story! You are amazing, everyone! I will see you all next week!
March 6th, 86
The sounds of kitchenware being set and plates being carried around accompanied the delicious aroma of stew that filled Mathew Moose's cabin, currently occupied by more people he ever thought it would.
"The water is boiling; time to add flavor. Could you chop the garlic and onion for me, Albus?" the tall faunus asked the young boy. "Sure" he replied, but was suddenly cut off by the sound of a plate breaking.
"Alex! I told you to be more careful!" Yang's voice came out from the living room, followed by a set of apologies. "Just let her be, Yang; there are many plates here that were simply standing around seeing no use."
Yang, setting up the table with the bat-girl's help, sent the albino a fake harsh glare before turning towards the other part of the room, where Ilia and Blake were seated, sipping some tea while watching the news.
"Moving on to more important news" the Atlesian reporter's flat and professional voice filled the room, as Blake slightly raised the volume.
"A few hours ago, Mr. Jacques Schnee, CEO of Schnee Dust Company, formally announced the annexation of Carmel Communications." "Say what!?" Yang turned around and moved towards the two girls.
"As you remember, the last owner of the company's major stock and daughter of its founder, Ms. Sophia Carmel, passed away three weeks ago along with 26 more staff members, due to a horrible accident that befell her during a routine facility inspection in Aegis forest."
"That sly hyena!" Blake hissed "Sophia's death is still fresh yet he ran to feast on her company's corpse." Ilia moved slightly, her wounds still annoying her, to allow the others listen.
"We shall now hear what the executioners of Ms. Carmel's will, Mr. Peros Bishop and Mr. Wenge Knight had to say on the unexpected matter."
"Good Lord" everyone's face dropped as they saw the two men step up on the podium. They were finely dressed in suits and well-shaved, but the sadness and tiredness etched on their faces was clear as day.
"First, I would like to start by thanking every staff member of Carmel Communications for their help and support. My deepest condolences and unwavering respect are for the families of those who followed Ms. Carmel to the afterlife, bravely supporting her to the very end."
Alex clicked her tongue "I know it's sad, but what Peros is saying... it feels like they are messing around with us. It's their fault and Carmel's those people died to begin with!" she stared at the other three girls.
"I for one" Blake replied, turning her attention away from the screen, "believe their circumstances were a little unique. I mean, it is obvious they did it for her sake, not expecting to gain anything for them."
"One should always be careful and mindful where they pledge their loyalty to" the albino countered. "I am not so sure about that" Yang interjected, making a pale eyebrow raise in question.
"What do you mean?" Ilia asked her, despite having already figured out most of what the tall woman wanted to say.
"I mean, if at some point any of you guys turned murderous, I am not sure I could bring myself to stop caring for you" warm eyes finished, making the three faunus look away in embarrassment.
"Carmel might have been a bitch and a dangerous manipulator" Blake picked up for her partner "but those two clearly cared for her; I can't imagine a more terrible punishment for them than losing her, Alex."
"As for the next day" Wenge was now on the podium, his voice was heavy despite the overflowing sadness, immediately grabbing their full attention.
"We personally guarantee, both in our honor and in the good name of this company that Carmel family tried so hard to preserve, that we will devote all we have towards helping our former employees to find new work places" he gulped. "Like Ms. Carmel would have wanted."
"At least they seem to be trying their best" Yang rubbed the back of her hair, turning to the others. They were all staring around, visibly sad due to the news.
"Come on, let's change topic and cheer up!" she decided to play the big sister card once more. "We are supposed to prepare a party for Weiss' recovery, not a memorial service! Get up and start helping!"
All three of them nodded, feeling slightly embarrassed after realizing the men had already started cooking. "Speaking of the party; wasn't Ms. Hill supposed to come too?" Ilia asked, while setting up plates.
"I talked to her earlier; she said Ruby is picking her up after she gets Weiss, Dr. Polendina and Penny" Blake replied. Yang's eyes narrowed and she sent a gaze towards the black-haired beauty.
"Now that you mentioned it, isn't it way too suspicious that Ruby, who usually lazes until ten, ran off to get Weiss on her own and only left us a note to prepare the party?" she wondered.
"On its own I would say no, it isn't" the reply came. "But if you add the mysterious all-nighters she pulls in the couch…" "And the texts she gets from her fun club…" Alex added. "And her jumpiness…" Ilia picked up.
Yang put a glass on the table. "Team White Rose is plotting something, or my hair is purple" she narrowed her eyes in a hilarious attempt to sound ominous.
-o—
"Hmmm~ hmm~ hmm~ hmmm" Ruby's merry humming filled Weiss' ears as the younger girl kept braiding her partner's hair. "You are quite good at this; is Yang teaching you?" the alabaster girl asked.
"Jaune, actually" she replied. "He loves playing with my hair" she added while a pink tinge formed in her cheeks. "And I thought since we went to all that trouble, we may as well do something different to yours."
Ruby took out a ribbon "besides, we want you to look even more gorgeous when Dr. Polendina removes the bandages- and for what comes after that" she giggled, making Weiss mimic her face color.
"Oh I agree so much!" a cheerful and bright voice filled the room as a familiar orange-haired girl slammed open the door "it is going to be fantastic dear friend Weiss!"
Weiss' uncovered eye glared at Ruby "I have the suspicion that I asked 'not to tell anyone' didn't I?" Ruby raised her eyes in defense "I only told her we are having a recovery party! Nothing about the-MMFF!"
"Yes, yes, thank you very much Ruby. Now please shut your mouth!" she hastily covered her partner's eye under the robotic girl's confused stare.
"I am glad to see you are not very nervous, Weiss" Dr. Polendina came in, slowly walking on his robotic chair. "Are you ready to see the results of the surgery?"
"Yes" she firmly replied. "I am a little anxious, but I can't shake that thought out of my mind; that everything is going to be absolutely fine."
"That's the spirit" Pietro walked closer, Ruby and Penny moving aside to let him do his work. The brunette felt her scroll vibe again and sent it a quick glance. It was Yang, asking her if everything was all right- again.
"I sincerely hope everything is ready and accounted for, Ruby" the pale girl asked as the doctor removed the bandages. "YuP" Ruby replied and checked her pockets while staring at Weiss. "Everything is fine- or not?"
-o—
"They are late" Yang said for the umpteenth time, staring at the snow-covered plains out of the window. "Why are they late?" she turned at her friends, all seated around the living room.
"You seriously have to-" Albus started, but was cut off when the blonde sent him a fiery gaze. "And why isn't Ruby replying? I thought the new communication system Hill established in the place works perfectly!"
Matthew groaned, albeit in a good-natured manner. "The system my new Boss has installed works just fine, young lady. I was talking to the huntresses' HQ half an hour ago, trust me."
"Besides, Ruby sent you that everything was fine, didn't she?" Blake said, trying to get over her anxiety. "She said everything was kind of fine, Blakey! What am I supposed to understand from this?"
"Well… maybe Ms. Hill stood them up?" Ilia tried to ease the woman. "I hope this is- THEY ARE HERE!" she jumped up, ran towards the door in order to get out of the house with speed enough to rival her sister's.
She didn't manage to- as soon as she opened the wooden door Ruby, wearing her best smile, appeared in front of her.
"RUBY ROSE!" Yang roared. "I HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY GOOD-" "She forgot a favor I asked of her, so take it out on me if you will" a familiar tone lacing Weiss' words cut Yang off as the pale girl stepped in after her partner.
And that was not the only thing that made Yang stop talking, of course. The tall woman's lilac eyes opened wide as they were reflected in a pair of blue ones, melting all her doubts and fears.
Weiss' left eye prosthetic was perfect. It seemed exactly like a normal one, save for the fact the alabaster girl had chosen a blue color just one hue darker than her normal cyan; noticeable only to the trained eye.
A large scar now ran down the entire left part down to her cheek, but only served as a reminder of what the woman in front of her was like; Yang's mind found it incredibly hot.
Her hair was let down, a pair of braids supported by navy blue ribbons running down her shoulders. She wore a long matching skirt and jacket, with magenta blouse and low-heeled shoes.
And that was not even the more surprising part; in her jacket's chest, a huntress' emblem was deftly sewn. Only it wasn't her original Schnee family snowflake, but another one.
It was diagonally cut in half, the upper and left part being formed by a series of cold crystals while the right and bottom was made of roaring fire.
Weiss let her left hand play with her hair, blushing in embarrassment. "So, what do you think? Do the new eye and emblem look good on me?"
Yang coughed in her metal arm "I am trying to convince myself to not hijack the car and run away with you. You look even hotter than usual and that is no easy feat!"
Weiss smiled at her, annihilating Yang's heart even more. "I have you to match- I must be at the top of my game." Yang felt her face heat up and decided to turn around and stare at everyone else.
Everyone else stood, smiling, staring at the couple. Even Robyn Hill, Mr. Polendina and Penny had walked in, looking at them. "Ahem… I see… we… prepared a party for-"
The blonde turned around to show her girlfriend to a chair, when a sudden tug in her arm made her stop. "Weiss?" she turned and asked, her confused gaze matching everyone else's- except for Ruby's.
"Yang" Weiss' face took a serious expression. "I want you to know that I wanted this to happen under better circumstances; if possible with all our friends around and in a place that I had specially prepared for us."
Lilac orbs- and most of the other's to be honest- opened wide as Weiss fiddled with her pockets. "I also had prepared a seven-page speech. That dolt of a sister you have laughed her ass out when she heard it."
"Weiss-baby you don't-" "I wanted to tell you all sorts of things- where did I put it- about how much you mean to me and how loved and safe and blessed you make me feel."
"She isn't-" Ilia asked. "Oh, I think she is" Blake replied, smiling widely as Weiss finally picked a small jewel box out of her pockets.
"But I forgot every single thing I wanted to tell, as soon as I saw you smiling at me with those beautiful eyes. So, forgive me but I will do it now before I die of embarrassment" she said, her face red as Yang's.
Weiss opened the pocket and knelt, revealing a small golden ring, made to resemble her emblem, using white gems as the cold part and red as the blazing one. A series of impressed gasps filled the cabin.
"I ask of you; not as Weiss Schnee, heiress of the SDC, but as just Weiss, huntress of the SHU, successor of Nicholas Schnee's will and member of RWBY" she stood up, eyes trembling.
"Will you be my fiancée and let me carry the Schnee-Xiao Long crest with me forever? I will-MMMFFFF!" her speech was cut off, as Yang grabbed and kissed her, ignoring Blake, Alex and Ilia's happy cries.
-o—
March 7th, 86
The snow was once more gently falling over the city of Atlas, giving the proud and tall cypress trees a thick and fluffy white coating.
The same cold, puffy layers covered the marble graves and well-paved roads of Atlas' cemetery, as team RWBY solemnly stood in front of an austere, new tombstone.
Kendrick Fern
Born on a Monday.
Beloved friend and comrade.
There was no picture, pompous farewell lines or great carvings on it. Only one bouquet of flowers adorned the glistering snow covered marble in front of which all four girls stood still, similar bouquets in their hands.
After a few minutes, they one by one moved next to the grave. Each one wanted to pay their own respects to the man who had given his life shielding Weiss with his own body from Sophia Carmel's bullet.
"Thanks for saving my partner" Ruby whispered. "You were a great guy. People like you are what makes all our fights and struggles worth it."
"You were everything a faunus should strive to be, Kendrick. I will do my best to uphold what you and Carlo lived for" Blake said. "Ilia is sorry for not coming- she will visit you as soon as her wounds are healed."
"Hey" Yang awkwardly waved towards the marble stone. "We never met, you and I. But I hope you can hear me. Cause I wanted to thank you- thank you so much for protecting the woman I love."
She rubbed her watering eyes with her right hand, her ring visible on her finger. "I hope you are having fun with your buddy up there; he was an ok guy too, from what I heard."
Weiss knelt in front of the grave. She had put a lot of effort to convince the cemetery caretakers allow a non-name faunus be buried here, but this was one time she was happy with the power her name had.
"You helped me in my time of need, despite me being a Schnee" she gulped. "You reminded me who I am and helped me stand up and reclaim my lost determination."
Weiss blinked a few times, trying her best to smother the tears coming down her face. "And, on top of that, you saved my life. You gave me a chance to see the ones I love again" she whimpered.
"You are my hero, Kendrick. Just as Winter was. I don't care if no one else ever hears of this; for me- for us- you will always be the brave hero who saved my life."
She stood up with Yang's help and one after the other team RWBY let five bouquets next to the one Albus and Alex had placed earlier today.
"Farewell Kendrick" Weiss took out one small glass box. Inside it, was a small piece of pale blue fabric; her former eye patch. "We will never for any reason forget you."
Their next stop after that was a considerably larger grave. It was tall and made of high-quality marble, flowers and wreaths having piled up all over the place, half-covered by snow. Two angel statues guarded it.
Carmel Family Grave
Sophia Carmel 57-86
Isabella Honey 38-76
Henry Carmel 32-76
The girls held a minute's silence in front of the family grave, before Weiss moved and let a single bouquet on top of the pile.
"To be honest, I am not sure I am doing the right thing" she begun. "You hurt so many people I love and killed my friend; I know I won't be able to forgive the things you did for the sake of your ambition."
The other three girls didn't comment; they just stood still, showing as much restraint as possible for the woman whose deeds brought them face to face with the monstrous entity that nearly took their lives.
"Yet I can't help but wonder; how much of these was truly your fault?" the ex-heiress crossed her arms in deep thought. "How much was the world's fault; slowly and steadily turning you into this and-"
She paused for a moment, licking her lips "would I have ended the same way if not for my friends? Was our only difference- the only thing that kept me from becoming a cold, manipulating businesswoman- luck after all?"
Weiss closed her eyes "I truly think you were a brilliant woman and I am honestly sorry life treated you this way. I truly wish I could be your friend, Sophia. Farewell; I hope you find peace."
She moved towards her friends and they slowly walked towards the last place they intended to visit, deep inside the cemetery Military Area.
As they moved closer to Winter's grave, pretty easy to spot due to her towering statue, they all noticed a well-dressed figure standing in front of the marble stone.
"Whitley?" the alabaster huntress narrowed her eyes in confusion. "Now that is weird. How often does he come here?" Blake asked. "Well I have no intention of waiting for him; let's ask him to-"
"Yang wait please" Weiss stopped her. "Let me talk to him first, will you?" she asked her teammates. "Are you sure?" Ruby replied. "I have to ask him something and this time is as good as ever" she explained.
All of them nodded and Weiss proudly yet softly walked towards her sister's grave, the last bouquet of flowers in her hand. As soon as he heard her, Whitley turned around and faced her.
"Nice eye, sister. Almost as nice as your new emblem" he added. "And congratulations on your… marriage? Engagement?" he pointed at her right hand where her own engagement ring was.
Weiss stared at her brother and the fresh, beautiful array of hyacinths in front of Winter's statue. It was weird. Usually talking to that brother of hers infuriated her to no end, but now that she thought about it…
"You are a liar Whitley" she firmly told him. "What is that supposed to mean?" he asked, visibly perplexed. "You told me that you didn't like Winter but" she pointed at the flowers "you were lying, weren't you?"
The boy nodded and assumed a firmer, less playful stance. "Did you know sister" she blinked in anticipation for what he was going to tell her "that despite father's prohibition Winter still kept coming by?"
"Yes" she replied. "Once a week, to arrange some paperwork- oh my" realization hit her and she looked at her brother in shock. "She was stopping by to check up and have a talk with me" he confirmed it.
"Whitley…" "Don't misunderstand" he firmly stated. "It's not that I like you less because you didn't do that. It is as simple as I told you before; I admire her determination and feel like I should properly convey it."
They stood for a while, staring at each other, before Weiss exhaled and stretched her hand out to him- much to everyone's great confusion.
"There is so much bad blood between us that I don't even want to think about it" she said "and I never expect us to act friendly and all. But you know…"
The former heiress gave a small smile "I think I would like to be able to talk to you about my life should we come across each other at some point; what do you think Whitley?"
Whitley stared at his sister slightly heterochromatic eyes and then at her outstretched arm. He chuckled and then shook it with his own "I think I would like that… Weiss."
Once more I want to express my special gratitude to my friend and beta reader FenMa who helps me design all of RWBY's outfits (or, more accurately, designs them on her own). She is the best; really!