(A/N) So, I'm sure you all know about the... dumpster fire that was trying to read the finale when it was originally posted. Its fixed now (not that I could do anything about it; this was all on FFN), but if you ever have problems reading a chapter of mine again, I crosspost to Spacebattles as well and I'm heavily considering adding AO3 to that list too.
Either way, here's the Volume 2 epilogue. The volume timeline will be after the review responses. Enjoy!
Volume Two Epilogue
Victory Everlasting
/-\ James Cutter /-\
I sat down at my desk with a sigh. Frowning, I reached into one of the drawers and retrieved a booklet of paper… and my pen. "Serina."
Her hologram winked into existence at the edge of my desk. "Yes, Captain?"
"How many of the Spirit's crew… didn't make it through that fight?"
"Sixty-seven, sir."
I frowned, turning on the monitor off to the side. "…I want their names sent to my private terminal, along with any next-of-kin or spouses they had."
She nodded. "Aye sir." She hesitated. "…Is there… anything else I can do for you?"
I shook my head. "That will be all, Serina."
"Yes sir. Just… call if you need anything."
"Will do." I said, her hologram vanishing a moment later.
With a sigh, I glanced over to the first name and started writing…
/-\ Professor Ozpin /-\
I stared out of my office window with a frown.
The fires in the city were mostly under control now, but isolated packs of Jackals still roamed the rooftops and sewers. I sipped at my hot chocolate, realizing just how right Miss Rose was when she briefed me on their race. I chuckled. 'They truly are the scum of the galaxy…'
My scroll pinged, notifying me of another huntsman team's successful sally into one of the few Covenant-held strongholds in the city. I hummed, turning my attention back to the window. In the distance, the VADF Emerald limped back to its berth in the industrial district.
The ship listed heavily, a huge hole in its bow where a turret used to be. I frowned, remembering that it was the only Valerian ship to survive the Battle Over Glass, as reporters were already calling it.
I took another sip of my drink and, with a sigh, typed out a message to Glynda. I never liked press conferences, but after something like this… I knew I'd need to say something…
/-\ Oscar Pine /-\
I stared at the… thing in front of me.
Suddenly, a black tentacle shot from the darkness and ripped the rifle out of Mahogany's hands.
"Now now…" The… plant thing said. "There is no need for violence."
A deep chuckle boomed from the darkness. "What use is a sword against rock?"
My eyes darted between the darkness and the leafy silver-eyed plant thing. "W- what… are you?"
"We?" The darkness asked.
"We…" The plant continued. "…are but puppets."
"Forced to fight from birth."
"And to command other puppets."
"All for the glory of our Lords."
"We hunted and killed and maimed for no other purpose." The plant said. "You may refer to me as… The Legionnaire."
"And I, the Ravager."
The cave shook violently, throwing us to the ground. I quickly scurried back to my feet, finding the… Legionnaire's silver eyes staring at me, unblinking. "Wh- what do you want with us?"
The Legionnaire offered an inhuman smile. "We do not want anything with you…"
"…But fate does."
I blinked. "…Fate?"
It nodded. "You are next in line for the Usurper's power, young one."
"And therefore, you cannot be allowed to perish here."
I slowly took a step backwa-
I found myself locked in place.
I gasped, eyes darting to my leg… and the wooden bark slowly crawling up it. I pounded away at the bark, but nothing seemed to even dent it, let alone slow it down. I looked to the others for help, but any words died on my lips as I saw they were already completely encased in bark.
My head whipped back around to the two creatures. "What's happening to me?!"
"It is best you sleep, young one."
The Legionnaire nodded. "We shall wake you when you are needed."
I screamed.
/-\ Classified /-\
I slammed my gauntleted fist down on the table. "We should've intervened!"
The other person in the room glanced back at me, expression concealed behind his faceplate. "We have a single homeworld-age frigate. What would you have us do?"
"The Invaders' ships are slow; painfully slow. We could've-"
"Enough!" He interrupted. "We lost far too many of our own when we tried to attack them outright. The Outsiders drove them back on their own… that should be blessing enough."
"But if we reinforced their fleet-"
"They have superdreadnoughts capable of in-atmo flight, Heetor. They would crush our ship like a bug and there is nothing we can do to change that." An orange glow enveloped his wrist as he tapped away at it. "If you want to get yourself killed so badly, perhaps a stint in the Raider Corps will do you some good."
My eyes widened. "But Father, you know I'm in the Na-"
"And you started in the Marines." He interrupted. "You can handle three months in the Raiders, Lieutenant Malas." I gave no response. "Do I make myself clear?"
I frowned. "Yes sir, Admiral Malas."
"Good. Dismissed."
With a half-hearted salute, I walked out of his office.
/-\ Yang Xiao Long /-\
Weiss glared at the clock once more. "I swear we'll be late because of those two…"
I shrugged. "Want me to check on 'em?" I asked.
"Well… they are yourparents…" Blake said from her position on the couch, crutches leaning against her leg as she stared at her scroll.
Weiss frowned. "And I suppose we haven't heard anything from their room yet…" She rolled her eyes. "Fine."
"Alright, I'll uhh… uhh, be right back." I said, marching up the stairs and down the hallway to my parents' bedroom. Gods… parents' bedroom; I was still getting used to the fact that mom was here… even if it'd been a few days since the battle.
I strode up to the door, raising a fist and pounding on it. "You guys uhh… almost ready in there? The Pelican's gonna be here in ten minutes!" I only received faint mumbling as a response. "What?!" I shouted, earning no response this time. I sighed, opening the door. "Guys, they're gonna wake Ruby up toda-"
My voice caught in my throat when my mom sat up in her bed. Her eyes were bleary and unfocused, her hair was disheveled, and her chest was bare. I stood there for a moment before yelping and darting back out of the room, slamming the door behind me.
I shuddered, going back downstairs. 'Godsdamnit I wish brainbleach was a thing…'
/-\ Entity Unknown /-\
I stared into the floor, the tiles changing as I commanded them to replay the events of the last few days.
I hummed, relaxing into my throne. "Now what have we got here?" I muttered. After reviewing the footage, I decided my daughter had things well in hand.
My intervention would only make things worse… as it did so many years ago.
(A/N) Some clues as to what's going on in the greater world that we haven't seen much of. Not all that much else. So! I guess that means its time for the review responses!
20-retnuHujiaK said - "when volume 3?"
Planning to release V3C1 somewhere around Christmastime/New Year's.
Guest001 said - "Why did you post SIX CHAPTERS at the same time!? How could that Covenant Spartan Equivalent be a PROPHET!? I could understand it being an Elite, but a PROPHET!? The physically weak, Literary Incompetents who read the symbol for "Reclaimer" UPSIDE DOWN FOR OVER A THOUSAND YEARS!?
Professor Peach, NOOOO!
Is there a Gravemind on Remnant!?"
I posted 6 at the same time because the V2 finale was too big to post as one humongous chapter; at least, imo it was. As for the Prophet, that's because what I call a "Persian" in my story, is actually a "Prelate" in lore. Halopedia has an entry on them; it's very interesting. Also, judging the San'Shyuum by the physique of the Hierarchs is like judging Humanity by the physique of the fatasses who need mobility scooters to get around.
Guest002 said - "You skipped over the arrival of the Spirit of Fire in orbit!? Also, after Neo left Roman in the UNSC's care, you show her with an AWAKE Summer BEFORE she joins the mission in the Battlecruiser!"
Honestly, a ship just entering orbit isn't as much of a spectacle as most sci-fi makes it out to be. It took me about a minute to figure out what you meant by that second statement, but no, that's actually Weiss. She incorporated the white cloak she got in Menagerie into her usual outfit.
Guest003 said - "How was Cutter injured!?"
Rapid acceleration tends to break the Human body. In this case, Cutter wasn't braced correctly when the Spirit activated its emergency thrusters, thus, he hurt himself.
Aaaand that's all the responses, so now it's time for the timeline!
YEAR 1582
March 12 (Sa) - Team RWWBY lands in the Menagerie desert
March 13 (Su) - Jaune asks Ozpin about the fate of Team RWBY. Ironwood gives an overview of the sitation to Oz. Meanwhile, RWWBY reaches Kuo Kuana and is given shelter by the Belladonna family.
March 14 (M) - Weiss kills her first person.
March 15 (Tu) - JNPR meets Penny, who promptly runs away after a broadcast informs them of Weiss's death. Commander Witherson introduces himself to Professor Ozpin. Penny comes out of the woodwork and confronts Witherson about passage to Atlas.
March 17 (Th) - Sienna holds a meeting of her immediate subordinates in the White Fang; sends Valkea to Beacon.
March 19 (Sa) - Roman and Neo successfully hijack the pirate ship Sovereign.
March 20 (Su) - JNPPR heads to Atlas, recovers Mister Polendina and his hard drive. Battle of Lán Guānkou; Raven is wounded and Yang is """Killed""". Ozpin talks to Ironwood about accelerating their plans for a new Fall Maiden. RWWB finds out about the Maidens and Ozpin uses Creation to restore Winter's arm. Ruby is promoted to Lieutenant Commander. Weiss buys a new combat outfit. Valkea joins Team RWBY, now renamed Team RWVB (Groovy).
March 21 (M) - Ruby and Pyrrha are informed of the Maiden situation. Witherson and Ironwood meet with the Valerian council.
March 22 (Tu) - Ruby's scheduled RWVB training op turns into straight-up kidnapping Valkea. Ilia and Yuma infiltrate Mantle.
March 23 (W) - Ruby informs WWB and Ozpin of Valkea's possible true allegiances; suspicions confirmed by Ozpin. Roman and Neo are relieved of command on the pirate ship they hijacked; arrive in Vale later that evening. Pyrrha asks out Jaune.
March 24 (Th) - Ruby and Qrow order a scythe. Witherson visits Prismarine. Ruby speaks to Chrysanthemum about anti-Maiden training and fixing her helmet.
March 25 (F) - Weiss challenges Valkea to a spar as part of the team's attempt to sway her to their side. Pyrrha and Jaune's date. Blake confronts Valkea.
March 28 (M) - Pyrrha turns into Embra. RWB discovers Ozpin's curse.
March 29 (Tu) - Embra tells JNPR what happened to her; figures out her name.
March 30 (W) - Valkea accidentally leads Ruby and Blake to a WF hideout, the two get back without being detected. Ruby finds a crashed Mistralian third-rate, declares "Goodwitch can into space", gets her cloak, and picks up her new Scythe, Noble Rose.
April 1 (F) - Ozpin announces the Trial By Fire.
April 6 (W) - Sienna Khan visits Vale in the early morning. Operation: Trial By Fire.
April 8 (F) - Salvage operation aboard the UNSC Devil's Hand; single survivor recovered after nearly a month of being stranded.
April 9 (Sa) - UNSC PR rally; Remnant's first tank makes its debut.
April 10 (Su) - Valkea talks to Weiss; Adam kills Marrow.
April 12 (Tu) - RWVB go dress shopping; meet Oscar.
April 15 (F) - Ruby vs Embra.
April 16 (Sa) - UNSC and the White Fang sign a Non-aggression pact; UNSC discovers Penny's true nature.
April 20 (W) - Winter helps Weiss with summoning.
May 2 (M) - Ruby inspects the Valerian AFV-MK1.
May 8 (Su) - Dance Dance Infiltration.
May 9 (M) - UNSC Spirit of Fire arrives in the RWBYverse; Beacon first-years go on their 'first' mission.
May 13 (F) - Battle of the Thundering Forest; Battle of Vale; Battle Over Glass.
(A/N) Aaaaand that's all I have for you today!
...unless you'd like to see some RWBY x XCOM action, that is. I just posted a new story by the name of "BRWL: Ally Unknown" to FFN, SB, and AO3 as well! So if you wanna see something a little different than this, go check that out!
