Ending 1: Folded


The beast's rancid breath invaded Hope's nostril as it slowly wrapped it's serpentine tongue around his neck. He choked for a short moment before the Jabberwock threw its head up, sending Hope into the air. His body went limp until a sudden scream entered his ears. Not the scream of a beast, but of a friend.

"ANOOOOOON!"

His time slowed for a moment, long enough to see his friends, to see Team RWBY as they ran towards him.

The last time he will see them, and theirs.

Hope fell into the beast's mouth as it clamped down its maw on him, crushing his entire body in a spectacular spray of blood.

Team RWBY stopped in their track, their eyes wide with shock. The beast opened its mouth, letting them see the crushed, masticated remains of their friend before rapidly and messily chewing, turning Hope into a meat paste before swallowing.

Ruby fell to her knees, her worst fear realized, as her eyes began to water.

"No...no...no..." she repeated.

Her eyes began to glow a fierce silver as the rest of her team stood there, still in shock at Hope's gruesome passing. With tears in their eyes, they watched as the Jaberwock recoiled at the sight of that most feared light. The light began expanding, enveloping the surroundings in a silvery coat. The tears in Ruby's eyes wouldn't stop, the proverbial dam cracking under the weight of her misery until...

The dam broke.

"ANOOOOOOOOON!" she screamed in anguish.

The Silver-Eyed Warrior unleashed a deluge of light, drowning Beacon's courtyard in white, silver light.


Flashes of consciousness sometimes animated Ruby in her uneasy slumber. She didn't know what happened, but what she did know was that the darkness she was floating in was really uncomfortable. She heard static coming from the side, which one it was she couldn't tell, she was so disoriented. She heard a voice she hadn't heard since the semester break.

"Argh..." she heard the familiar voice complain impotently. "Damned radio doesn't even work."

"Heh, told you it was busted." Another familiar voice added.

"Yeah, yeah... I'll get it fixed."

She felt something brush her hair out of her face. She wanted to wake up but her entire body refused to move. Her consciousness began to fade as she heard one last thing before the inky blackness took her.

"Ruby always liked Sum's old radio... Can't take that away from her. Or you, for that matter."

A light hit Ruby's eyes unpleasantly, the sun filtering through he window blinds. The Red Reaper groaned as she rubbed her eyes. She let out a sigh before sitting up, still rubbing her tired eyes. The sigh stirred awake the tall blond man snoring in the chair next to her. Taiyang Xiao-Long jumped off the bed and to his knees as he held Summer's child in a tight, fatherly hug.

"Ruby!" he exclaimed gently. "You're awake!"

Ruby dragged her hands off her face with another miserable sigh.

"Dad..."

She looked around, recognizing her childhood home's guest room. As she did, she realized that she was connected to a medical stand, a clear bag full of liquid hanging from a blunt hook. She tried to get up but a sickening sense of vertigo sent her right back into the bed. She groaned in discomfort, her stomach churning.

"Ugh... What happened?" She asked.

"Qrow found you unconscious in Beacon's courtyard," Tai explained. "Actually, your entire team was unconscious the way he explained it. Took a lot out of him to get all four of you out of there."

"And the rest of Beacon?" She asked. "And Vale?"

"Vale's in shambles but they manage." Her old man explained. "Forty percent of the city, Beacon included, was lost to the Grimms. But Ironwood and volunteers from all over the world are leading the reclamation effort. Vale's folks are really motivated to take back their homes too. A lot of the abled-bodied people have been training rigorously to become a bang-up militia."

Tai rubbed his nose pridefully.

"Not to toot my own horn, but old man Tai's been busy teaching a lot of people how to be butt-whooping warriors."

Ruby hummed in response, her mind elsewhere. A sudden thought jolted her mind with worry as she remembered the other three girls she had been with. Ruby's eyes widened as she shot up. A bad idea, as the vertigo nearly made her vomit. She swallowed the bile rising in her throat with a disgusted yuck.

"M-my team! Where are they?! Are they alright?!"

Tai smiled softly.

"Easy, lil' gem. They're fine."

Ruby let out another sigh, thought this one was full of gladness.

"Thank god... Where... Where are they?"

"I don't know about your partner but Blake and Yang are downstairs. They've been..." He hesitated. "They've been in pretty bad shape ever since..."

Ruby blinked before laying back down on the bed quietly. She turned away from him to hide her tears.

"I don't blame them..."

An awkward silence hovered around the room until Ruby broke the silence with one, venomous question.

"Is that damned thing dead?"

Tai scratched his head.

"The Jabberwock?" He inquired. "Erm... I mean, you did a real number on that thing but..."

Ruby turned back to face her dad, confused.

"What do you mean?"

"It's kind of... Frozen?"

"Frozen?" She repeated incredulously.

"Yeah, it's like its flesh turned into some kind of silvery substance that's as hard as diamonds. At least, that's what I got from Qrow's explanation. It can't move but, apparently, it's still alive."

Ruby shot back up again, waving her hands around in pure confusion.

"Wha?! How?!" Ruby exclaimed. "I mean, What?! What happened?! How did I do that?! I-I blacked out after-"

Tai held her down in her bed gently, shushing her.

"It's ok, calm down. No need to rush."

Tai scratched his head again, this time with deep discomfort painting his expression. He looked over his shoulder at the bedroom's door, knowing full well that a certain old crow was standing behind it.

"You have... Your mother's eyes." He said. "Magic light show included."

Ruby blinked incredulously.

"What?! What does that mean?!"

"It's kind of complicated."

The door creaked open, a slight kick opening it properly. In the door frame stood Uncle Qrow, a warm, steaming mug in each hand.

"Want me to explain it?" He asked hoarsely, devoid of his usual drunken drawl.

Tai winced, recognizing the thin, alcohol-free patience in his tone.

"Long day?"

"You already know, dragon."

Qrow offered one of the mugs to his sister's ex-husband.

"Need it? Cause I'll drink it otherwise."

"You can have it, I just had a nap."

Qrow shrugged, bringing the cup to his lips.

"Suit yourself."

Qrow took a swig, the sweetened, creamy coffee disgusting him but he wasn't about to waste it. He was about to whine but simply wasn't in the mood. Tai gave Ruby one last hug.

"Gotta go, Ruby. If you need anything..."

"Yeah, I know." She said, unenthused.

Tai let go of the girl he raised before passing Qrow with a pat on his tired shoulder. For a brief moment, the two men locked eyes, and a wordless message unknown to Ruby was passed. Qrow sat down on the warm bench that once supported the patriarch of the Rose/Xiao-Long residence, setting down the other cup he held on the nightstand. With a look, Ruby recognized the sweet aroma of her uncle's homemade hot chocolate. Ruby took it and drank a timid sip before setting it back down on the nightstand.

"How are you feeling?" Qrow asked gently.

Ruby paused.

"I feel like crap." She admitted. "I'm lightheaded... My heart hurts... Everything feels sluggish..."

"Makes sense," Qrow said like her revelation was trivial. "Summer always ended up like that when she did what you did."

"What did I do?"

"What do you remember?"

Ruby looked at her hands and closed her eyes. For a brief moment, she was back at Beacon. She had just drenched the courtyard in silver and the monster that stood before her was nothing more than a fancy lawn ornament.

"I... My eyes... They... They started glowing and- and"

"They covering everything in silver light." he finished.

Ruby looked up to her uncle, demoralized.

"What's going on?" she asked, desperate for answers.

Qrow chugged the content of his cup before setting it on the floor, readjusting his seat with a grunt.

"Just like Summer used to be, you are what's called a Silver-Eyed Warrior."

Ruby blinked.

"Isn't that an old fairy tale?"

Qrow nodded.

"Yeah, a really old one. Except it has quite a few morsels of truth to it."

Qrow pointed out of the window, as if Vale was even remotely in view.

"What happened back at Beacon was your powers manifesting."

"But... But why?!" She demanded to know. "How did that happen?! Why has no one told me?!"

Qrow let out a deep, mournful sigh.

"Summer wanted to tell you everything once you came of age... but..."

Ruby looked down, the mention of her deceased mother bringing her already dire mood even lower.

"As for the how, I honestly can't tell you. Summer never really had the gift that Tai had at teaching. She couldn't really explain it to an adult, let alone a kid. She just kinda... did stuff like you did."

Qrow took his mostly empty cup, swilling the remnants of his beverage around the cup.

"It's sad to say, but I got nothing else on Silver Eyes. Summer was special like that, and so are you. And not in the 'daddy and mommy's special little darling' kind of way, either. More in the 'great warriors from ancient legends' kind of way."

Qrow took out his scroll, flicking his finger across the screen multiple times. Ruby's scroll vibrated multiple times on the nightstand shortly after.

"I checked a few old tomes and storybooks for what I could find on Silver-Eyed Warriors," Qrow explained. "Hope you'll find the answers you're looking for in them."

Qrow gave Ruby a supportive pat on the head.

"Get some rest. you look like you need it."

Ruby hummed quietly as Qrow's hand left her head. Her uncle left his seat with an old man's grunt before walking towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Ruby asked.

"Oz is gone, so I have to pick up the pieces that fell out of his hands," Qrow explained. "I also have to follow on the tracks left behind by those responsible for this mess."

He groaned.

"Worst of all, it looks like that specific track leads to Haven... I really have my work cut out for me."

He waved at her as he traversed the door frame.

"I'll catch you later, pipsqueak. Take care."

Ruby waved back half-heartedly as her uncle closed the door behind him. Her hand dropped into her lap as she looked down. Her eyes drifted around the otherwise empty room. Her stomach churned. Her heart hurt. Her head felt light and woozy...

"I really should rest."

She laid back down on the bed, resting on her side, and looked out of the window on the other side of the room. Her eyes closed and fell asleep, dreaming of the first friend she had made in Vale and Beacon.

Of the man she could never see ever again.

Tears fell from her slumbering eyes.

"Anon..." she sobbed softly.


"Sorry, Yang."

The little sun dragon shook her head at her feline partner with a deep sigh.

"Don't apologize, Blake," Yang reassured. "I get that you have your own things you need to take care of."

Despite her friend's understanding, Blake couldn't help but feel guilty about leaving her team. They even let her stay at their beautiful home and gave her delicious food for days. Of course she would want to repay them but sadly, she had other plans in urgent need of dealing with.

"I really wish I could bring you all with me but..."

Yang held a hand up.

"Blake, It's fine," she emphasized. "Besides, you're going back to Menagerie and, no offence, but you won't see me go to that place unless they let me keep my gauntlets and don't mind me going on a punching spree against every White Fang I see."

Blake snorted contemptuously.

"I don't blame you."

Blake readjusted her backpack and walked towards the door. She looked back to her friend and partner, who had gotten up to hug her. Blake hugged the taller girl back.

"Stay safe..." Yang pleaded.

Blake nodded in the crook of Yang's neck.

"It won't be me that needs to be told that." She spat venomously.

Yang pulled back with a tearful scowl.

"Make them pay. Make them pay for what they did to Vale and Beacon."

Her lips trembled.

"Make them pay for what they did to Anon."

Blake gripped Yang's shoulder with a determined, furious frown.

"I swear it."

Her scowl left her face as she saw Yang's father descend the stairs, the old man smiling at her.

"Leaving so soon?" He queried. "You can stay as long as you need, you know?"

She bowed respectfully to the master of the house.

"I truly appreciate all you've done for me, mister Taiyang. But I have my own family to reunite with..." She paused. "and more than a few old 'friends' I need to meet again."

Tai nodded, understanding.

"Hey, I get it." He offered her a hand. "Please, do come back again, Blake."

Blake smiled and shook the older man's hand.

"Thank you again, for everything."

"Our home will always welcome you with open arms."

Blake nodded to both Xiao-Long before departing from the home that graciously took her in. As soon as she closed the door behind her, she couldn't help but feel her heart lurch. She walked away with tears in her eyes, already aware of how lonely the journey will be. The only comfort she had left was the knowledge that she was going back home. Back to Kuo Kuana. Where her family, and the White Fang, stayed.

But then, she doubts she'll be at peace until those who took away the man she fell in love with are brought to justice.

Blake wiped away her tears with a shake of her head. No, she mustn't think about him. If she does, she'll just break down. She has to return home, she has to be strong.

Only once this is done, once she brings Sienna to justice, and Adam back to the light that Hope shined on him, will she let herself mourn.


Yang watched as the door closed and another heavy sigh left her lung. She dropped into a chair, rubbing her eyes tiredly. Her father sat down next to her, a hand holding hers.

"God fucking damn it..." Yang huffed.

"It's ok, Yang. It's all over."

She shook her head.

"I doubt it." She looked at the ceiling emptily. "Anon knew that this would happen... And he knew it would be just the beginning."

Tai hummed sadly.

"I wouldn't know, I sadly never got the chance to meet him."

Yang had a sad snort.

"You would've hated him. He smoked, he swore like a sailor," A sniffle interrupted her. "H-he gambled and... And he... He spoiled Ruby rotten."

Yang began seizing with hiccuping sobs.

"You- You would've... really hated him..."

Taiyang held his daughter in his arms as her sob devolved into full-blown weeping. Before, she could look strong with her friends by her side. But now that they were alone, the facade broke. She wasn't the strong older sister of team RWBY anymore.

All that was left was the girl who lost her best friend.


Weiss glared at the window to the side of her, the beautiful rolling scenery doing little to alleviate her dour mood. Anon was gone. He was gone and she was away from the only friends she had in the world.

All because of her damned father.

She wasn't even given the time to grieve his loss with her team and friends, Her father had her loaded onto a private bullhead and flown right back home. She let out a tired grunt as she adjusted her seat. She had not slept a wink for the three days she's been travelling and it was showing. Her haggard appearance was not helped by the nightmares that plagued her slumber. It was all she could think about and it was driving her mad. her scroll rang for the first time since they had left Vale's air space. She looked at the caller and to her limited glee, it was her sister. She pressed the call option and looked at her sister's warm smile.

"Weiss!"

Weiss strained out a smile.

"Hey, Winter." she rasped hoarsely.

Winter frowned at the state her sister was in.

"You look awful," she stated. "What happened?"

Weiss's morose expression drowned her previous smile.

"Anon... He's dead."

Winter blanked for a good few seconds before her expression matched her sister's.

"Oh... I'm so sorry."

Weiss hung her head.

"So am I..."

Nothing else was said afterward, the silence remaining for a good five minutes.

"You look like you haven't slept," Winter noted, breaking the silence.

"I've been flying for three days and I've slept for maybe an hour total."

"Nightmares?"

Weiss nodded.

"Dreams too. I..." her lower lip quivered. "I see him every time I fall asleep."

Winter winced at the sight of her dear little sister tearing up. Weiss let out an aggravated sigh.

"I'm so tired..." She looked at her sister through her scroll. "Could you... Could you stay with me until I fall asleep?"

Winter nodded quietly. The snow princess laid the scroll next to her head as she laid down on the folded-down seat. The younger sister closed her eyes, her supreme exhaustion taking her into the land of dreams almost immediately. Winter frowned sadly at the state of her sister.

"Snowflake..." the older sister mumbled.

Winter began humming an old song, one that she hadn't sung to her little sister since they were children. Weiss's miserable expression lightened as the soothing sound of her sister's song brought her turbulent sleep a modicum of respite.

On the fourth day of travel, Weiss had finally managed to fall asleep.


Elsewhere, in a plane adjacent to Remnant, sat Hope. Before him was a crystal-clear lake that allowed him to witness his friend's reaction to his passing. Once the image of a sleeping Weiss dissipated, Hope was left with his own mangled reflection. He sat back on the sandy shore of the lake with a complex look on his face. A lone tree stood in the distance, its red leaves specked with golden apples. A red, clawed hand picked one of the apples from the tree, tearing it from the branch bruskly. The hand brought the apple to a pair of black, sensual lips framing horrifically sharp teeth. The being's face twisted in interest as the apple's crisp flesh almost melted into tenderly flavoured juice in her mouth.

"Huh." She verbally shrugged. "Guess not even gods can fuck up apples."

Her voice was a complete paradox, as smooth as velvet but with a natural tone closer to a belt sander. Hope knew all too well who she was, so he didn't bother turning back to face her. The being's needle-like heeled boots thumped from the soft ground into the sand, her tail swinging behind her in between her blackened wings. She sat down next to Hope, still munching on the apple.

"Gotta say, Esau, you almost shocked me there."

Hope blinked, almost not recognizing his real name. He chuckled as his head swivelled to face the apple eater in question. Clad in brutal leathers with a warden's cap crowing her already horn-bedecked head, the black-haired woman sitting beside him was the image of Gehenna made manifest, of torment and suffering, of punishment and pain.

She was the most beautiful, and terrible, woman Esau Hope had ever met.

"You? Shocked? Since when is the Devil of Demise supposed to be shocked by anything?"

Samael, the Warden of Gehenna, growled out a chuckle.

"You're telling me? You're the crazy fuck who's lost an arm and didn't immediately go into shock."

"I think I did, it's just that it lasted like a second."

"Point still made."

Hope looked back at the lake, watching listlessly as Yang brought her still-ailing sister dinner. Hope let a sad sigh leave his mouth.

"Can I really not stay?"

Samael flicked his ear with an annoyed groan.

"Oh, please!" She complained. "Don't get sappy with me!"

He called Hope rubbed his stinging ear with an annoyed grunt. Samael frowned sadly at his listless expression.

"You made a promise. You tried your best," she said. "And then you fucked it up and died."

Hope nodded, the sad reality all too apparent.

"I know," he admitted. "Just wished I could have gone through with my promise."

"You did what you could. But it's time you move on."

Hope looked back to his companion, who stood up and offered him her hand. He lifted his hand hesitantly before taking it, Samael doing her best not to scratch him with her razor-sharp talons.

"Guess my time's up too."

"Aye."

Samael helped Hope up to his feet. A fissure in reality appeared behind the Devil of Demise, a gateway back into Hope's home reality. Hope looked through the Rift, where a realm of absolute torment and torture awaited.

"Not backing down from your promise?" She questioned.

Hope shook his head.

"I always said that I deserved your punishment after I killed Gwen and Mom."

Her nose scrunched in disapproval, hating his answer.

"God, you're still on to that shit?" She mumbled. "How many times have we told you that it wasn't your fault?"

Hope sighed.

"I already made my covenant with you. Even if I regretted it, I can't go back."

She crossed her arms, almost hesitant to ask the obvious.

"And... If you could?"

Hope shrugged with a half-smile.

"I always keep my promises..."

He looked back at the lake one last time, where Yang and Ruby hugged as the latter cried into her dinner.

"But... I guess I couldn't, in the end."

Hope waved at the lake with a miserable expression.

"Keep heart, guys." he wished. "Don't lose hope. Your world needs you... I... I'll miss you. All of you."

With that last farewell, the pair left this space in between towards Gehenna, the Dread Realm of Punishment. Hope was no more in Remnant...

Now nothing more than a pleasant memory with a sad finale.


Darkness fell on Beacon that day as Fate cast its cruel hand down... He saved many, yet he could not save himself. His efforts, however, have not been in vain. His endeavours have paved to way to a brighter future for those he touched. All that is left for them to do, is to walk the path he laid...

BEACON DAYS - COMPLETED!

ENDING 1 Achieved, conditions met:

Apocrypha: Iron Wrought Promise - UNCOMPLETED

Apocrypha: Dark Dogs Days - UNCOMPLETED

END RANK: Dull Bronze

TIMELINE TITLE: Hope Lost

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