No Safe Haven.

The sounds of thunder and gunfire are heard through the empty, degraded town of Kuroyuri. A billowing cloud of dust and pieces of wood rise in the distance around the top of a tree. Lucina Jaune, Ruby, Ren and Nora all fall back by the dead cherry tree. Qrow is still unconscious and propped against it.

The Nuckelavee walks towards them, twitching its various body parts. It sends out a shockwave roar that causes all five teenagers to flinch. The Grimm looks at the teenagers and turns its head to look at Qrow and begins running toward him. Jaune sheaths his sword and makes a run for Qrow. The Nuckelavee lashes out with one of its arms, able to extend it at a far reach. Jaune avoids it and gets Qrow upright, but the Nuckelavee is heading right for them.

Ren uses his Semblance to hide Jaune and Qrow from the Grimm, which stops short and looks about in confusion. Jaune stands still, staring at the Grimm "Just get him to safety!".

Jaune walks away with Qrow while the battle resumes. He sets Qrow down behind a building and narrows his eyes at the wounded man before turning to leave. Qrow grabs him by the hand, but falls unconscious before he can say anything. Jaune gives Qrow another look before rejoining the fight.

The Grimm is using its arms to grab hold of each of Jaune's teammates, but is continually distracted by the fire of the next one "Guys, keep moving, go in a circle!".

The team follows this plan. Easily distracted, the Nuckelavee lets go of Ren when Nora fires at him. The team follows Jaune's advice and they circle their enemy, those with firepower firing and Jaune coming in to slash at the foreleg with his sword. The Nuckelavee uses its hind hooves to kick Jaune back, where he lands near Ruby. Lucina slashed at it's front legs, causing it more pain and frustration as it tries to stomp on her, but she jumps back.

Ruby gets distracted when Jaune sheaths his sword after landing a strike "What are you doing?".

She smiles when she realizes that Jaune is using his upgraded Crocea Mors to land strikes on the beast, causing it to scream in pain and anger. The horse portion of the beast roars while the torso uprights and its head cocks to look at Jaune a bit stunned. If extends both its arms and swings them round, creating a rotary attack that knocks aside Jaune, Ren, Nora, Lucina and Ruby in that order. When it pulls back its arms, the torso curls in on itself and the spines on its back extend several inches further out. The Nuckelavee roars into the sky, causing Lucina, Jaune and Ruby to cover their ears.

Ren runs up the cherry tree and fires from one of the heavier branches. He is immediately pushed against a building wall by one of the creature's hands. Lucina ran in, hoping to free him by cutting of the Nckelavee's arm, but before she could, the grimm noticed her and smacked her away with it's free arm. Lucina cursed under her breath, this grimm was almost as tough as the Great Beast.

"Ruby!" Nora called out.

Ruby nods, and she uses Crescent Rose to launch Nora in between Ren and the Nuckelavee's would-be fatal strike with its other hand. Magnhild is pinned to the building above Ren, with Nora dangling from it.

Ren looks up at Nora who pulls her skirt to hide herself "Stop looking!".

Ren quickly covers his eyes "Ah-ugh".

Nora grins to herself, clearly enjoying her partner's embarrassment.

The creature twitches and jerks, flinging Nora about by Magnhild until she crashes into the ground, the impact enough to reduce her Aura. Ren slashes the blades of StormFlower at the wrist of the hand holding him to the wall. He follows by sinking them into the Grimm flesh and firing repeatedly at the arm. Jaune comes up from behind the creature and slashes at its hindleg again. It roars, but does not release Ren. Ren digs in with his blade again and uses the leverage to shove the hand off of him.

He lands on his back but quickly bounces onto his feet and runs in slashing at the arms. It knocks him back, but Ren does not relent, running in yet again. He repeatedly goes after the creature, exhibiting reckless behavior, his eyes wild.

"Ren! Knock it off!" Jaune shouts.

"What is he doing?! Direct attacks isn't going to work on this thing!" Lucina said.

The Nuckelavee grabs Ren, slaps him on the ground, causing him to lose his grip on StormFlower, and flings him to land next to Nora. Ren's Aura also depletes, and he collapses next to her. Nora pushes herself up, and after a moment so does Ren. His intent is entirely on the creature but Nora tackles him before he can do more and drags him under the nearby building. Probably a good call, as he was being far to reckless.

Jaune uses Crocea Mors to block the Nuckelavee's front hooves from its forward gallop toward Ren and Nora. It pushes him down and follows with extending its arm out behind him to Ruby, attempting to snatch her. She evades by jumping onto a roof and firing at it, and has to jump out of the way again as it makes a second attempt to snatch her. It roars from a strike to it's back leg from Lucina, who avoids it's attempt to kick her away.

Lucina stands ready "Ok you freak. Come get me!".

The Nuckelavee sends one of it's hands towards her. However, Lucina stood ready before thrusting her sword forward, stabbing right through the grimm's hand, causing it to roar and pull it's hand back. Lucina rushed towards it before it can recover. He leaps up, slashing the horse in the face, on her way up, successfully destroying one of it's eyes. She lands in front of the humanoid body, if she could kill that part, maybe it would be enough to stop it. But just as she was about to kill it, the Nuckelavee let's out a very loud roar directly in to her face, causing Lucina to flinch. This distraction was enough to allow the Nuckelavee to snare it's arms around her, punning her arms and preventing her from using her blade.

The sinister grimm opened it's large mouth and bit down on Lucina's head, causing her to scream in pain as it felt like her head was being crushed byt the grimm's jaws.

"NO!" Ruby shouts as she fires on the Nuckelavee, which barely notices.

However, several shots from Nora successfully distracted the grimm, and a cut from Jaune's upgraded weapon was enough to force it to release Lucina, allowing Ren to catch and get her to the others.

"Are you ok?" Ruby asked in concern.

"Just... need a moment" Lucina said, holding her aching head.

"We need a plan. We can beat it together" Ren declared.

"Ren. Jaune and I can take care of its arms" Ruby said.

"I can take care of it's legs" Lucina said

"I'll take care of the horse itself" Nora said.

"And I'll take care of the rest" Ren finished.

Nora heads to a rooftop. Ruby uses herself as a target until she manages to pin an arm to the ground with the tip of Crescent Rose. Ren's knife is flung and embeds itself into the body of the Grimm. Jaune is positioned to be the next target as Ren uses Jaune's shield to pin down the other arm. Jaune strikes his sword through the Nuckelavee's arm into the ground. Lucina uses her semblance to power up her sword before dashing in and slashes all of it's legs, causing it to fall on the ground.

"Nora!" Ren called out.

Nora freefalls from the roof to land a killing blow to the head of the horse. Ren retrieves his knife and walks before the trapped Grimm. He stands before it and its humanoid head looks back at him. It roars into Ren's face, but the roar is too weak and does not even cause Ren to flinch.

'For my mother' He said in his head and cuts off the Grimm's left arm, causing it to roar in pain 'For my father' He cuts off the Grimm's right arm, causing it further pain 'For all those that you've slain' He strikes a gash into the flailing torso. Ren closes his eyes before finally speaking "For myself".

He opens his eyes and swings with the knife, beheading the grimm. It dies in a pillar of black smoke. Ren drops the knife and breathes out a sigh of relief only to be tackled by a giggling, triumphant Nora. He hugs her back and gives a single laugh. Lucina smiled, it was clear the two had finally gained some much needed closure.

Ruby runs into the alley where Qrow was left during the fight. She breathes a sigh of relief that he is still alive "It's quiet. Good job, kiddo".

"Guys! I think I hear something!" Jaune called out.

In the courtyard two wood and metal airships are coming in to land; Nora points in Qrow's direction. A man in a brown flight suit with an air tank on his back carries Qrow on a green stretcher with Ruby walking alongside them, her hand on Qrow's shoulder. The two rescue ships take off, everyone on board.

"How did you find us out here?" Jaune asked.

"We were on patrol and saw the smoke. Nobody's been out here for years, thought something might be wrong" The Pilot answered.

Ruby crouched by Qrow and holding his hand "What if we don't make it in time?".

"Ruby" Jaune spoke.

She looks up and sees the flourishing city before them.

"What do you know? Flying really is much faster than walking" Lucina said

Ruby smiled widely "We made it, Uncle Qrow".

Nora and Ren sit on the edge of the open rescue airship, their legs dangling. Nora is looking out at the city, feeling happy. Ren is watching her, begins smiling and puts his hand on hers. She gives a slight start but turns her hand over to hold his. She looks at him and gives him a smile, and he smiles back.

Nora scoots closer and rests her head on his shoulder.

The airships fly in to the city.


Ruby walks into a double bed accommodation. It has barren furnishings: two beds, a large desk and a nightstand. Qrow sleeps under the blankets of one of the beds. Ruby sets the collapsed Crescent Rose on the empty bed and walks over to Qrow, putting her hand on his head.

She walks over and sits at the desk, picking up the pen and writing on the notepad: Hey sis, I hope my letters have been reaching you and Dad. Hand-written stuff's never been super reliable, but I guess it's all we've got these days. Anyway, in case you haven't been getting them, I want to say I'm sorry for leaving the way I did. I know you told me it was a reckless idea, and after everything I've been through, I can definitely say you were right. It's been hard, on all of us, and I'm not just talking about the monsters we fought out here.


An Atlesian pilot counts Lien "Okay, you two can hide out back in the cargo hold. I'll take you as far as I can, but if we get caught, you're on your own. Understand?".

Weiss and Bernadetta nods affirmatively and begins walking forward.

Every step we made took us further and further from the things we knew. And every morning we woke up wondering, if just over the next hill would be something good or something terrible.


Blake is in Ghira's office. She places a small chest on the desk and opens it. Inside are various objects, including a flag with the new White Fang emblem, a spiral notebook and a book.

It's scary not knowing what's going to happen next. And the things we do know now—just how bad it can get—it almost makes it all worse.


Yang and Severa is on the same ship Blake, Lyre and Sun took to Menagerie. Yang is looking at a ticket and a photograph of Team STRQ, while Severa's single eye was closed with Bumblebee nearby.

You told me once that bad things just happen. You were angry when you said it, and I didn't want to listen.


Tai stares at a framed photo of Team STRQ.

But you were right, bad things do happen, all the time, every day. Which is why I'm out here, to do whatever I can, wherever I can, and hopefully do some good.

Zwei barks at Tai, and he smiles, looking across the room at a framed photo of Team RWBY. On the photo, "New Friends!" is written with a heart shape drawn near the writing. There was a knock before Cordelia walked in, a sad smile on her face, showing she too wasn't happy about her daughter leaving on a dangerous journey. Zwei barks as he runs up to her, making her smile and pet him.

We've all lost something, and I've seen what loss can do to people.


Jaune is in his room with a frustrated look on his face as he stares at Crocea Mors propped up against the wall.

But if we gave up every time we lost, then we'd never be able to move forward.

Nora and Ren open the door. Jaune smiles as Ren sets his father's dagger next to Crocea Mors. Nora sits beside Jaune and leans on him, while Ren sits on the bed behind them and rests his hand on Nora's shoulder.

We'd never have a chance to see what beautiful things the future might have waiting for us. We'd never have the strength to change; whether it's ourselves, or the world around us.


Weiss and Bernadetta are sitting next to each other in the airship's cargo hold. Weiss gazes out into the sunset and smiles as the airship flies over the Atlesian mountains. Bernadetta had fallen asleep, and was leaning on Weiss' shoulder, making her smile as she gently brushed Brenadetta's hair with her fingers.


In Menagerie, Blake puts down the current White Fang flag and picks up the old white and blue flag. She lowers it and smiles at Sun and Lyre, Sun is sitting in a chair with his arms behind his head in a relaxed position, while Lyre was standing up, lokking ready for anything.

And we'd never be there for other people who might one day be lost without us. This is what we were training for, Yang, to become Huntresses, to be the ones to stand up and do something about all the bad in the world.


The Captain and his First Mate smile and wave goodbye as Yang and Severa drives their bikes away from the port, headed toward Mistral.

Because there are plenty of people out there who are still lost and even more who will try to gain everything they can from their sorrow.


Ilia and Lethe lands on a rooftop in Menagerie in the night, as Corsac and Fennec wait for them. Both gets on one knee and lowers their head after they turn to face them.

Believe me when I say, I know it can feel impossible, like every single day is a struggle against some unstoppable monster we can never hope to beat.


In the Land of Darkness, Cinder Fall snaps her fingers, having defeated at least the two Beowolves disintegrating on the ground in her continued training. Mercury is leaning on the wall with his arms crossed. Emerald puts two fingers on her head, concentrating as she generates a hallucination of Ruby begging for mercy. Cinder focuses a large stream of fire on the hallucination from her right hand, glaring at it with her eye glowing. Nearby, Salem is watching, looking pleased.

However, once Salem left to check on something else. Cinder gave Emerald a look. Emerald looked really uncomfortable, but not wanting to anger Cinder, she created an illusion of Lucina in skimpy slave clothes. Cinder smiled at the sight. Soon enough she will have the two things she desire most. Revenge on Ruby, and to finally claim Lucina as her own... After all, she knows Lucina belongs to her.


'But we have to try, if not for us, then for the people we've already—' Ruby stops and crosses out the last few words as she alters her statement 'Then for the people we haven't lost yet' As Ruby finishes writin two tears fall on the page 'I miss you so much. I miss Weiss and Blake too. But I think you'd all be proud to know that I made it to Mistral. All of us did, and we even ran into Uncle Qrow along the way. He's going to take us to see Professor Lionheart, the Headmaster of Haven Academy. And he told us some things that you're gonna wanna hear, things I can't trust will make it to you in this letter. But maybe, if you join us, he could tell you himself. With Beacon gone they'll need Dad at Signal more than ever, and I know you need to focus on yourself before I can expect you to come out with me. But it sure would be great to get Team RWBY back together again'.

Qrow pushes himself over with one arm and grunts while propping up his head with the other hand. Ruby stops writing to check on him "Hey, aren't I normally the one saving you?".

Ruby wipes tears from her right eye and smiles down at Qrow. The narration of Ruby's letter resumes as the corner where Qrow's Weapon and Ozpin's Cane are resting is shown.


Yang and Severa are riding down a path on Bumblebee, before coming to a stop at a crossroads and looking at a sign post. The signpost points right for Mistral and left for Kuroyuri, and the sign for Kuroyuri has "BANDITS" spray painted across it in big, red letters.

"You are in so much trouble when I find you" Yang said.

Severa smiled "Well we better hurry. She and I have some catching up to do".

Until next time, your loving sister, Ruby Rose.

Yang smiles as she and Severa continues to ride.

Oh! Uh, PS. I'll be sure to give you the address of where we're staying in Mistral! I'd love to hear back from you and Dad, and I can't wait to fill you in on whatever's going to happen next! Now that we've made it across Anima I really think things are gonna start going our way.


Lucina was sitting outside, watching the city. She was thinking about a few things before she heard foot steps. She turned her head and saw Ruby approaching her.

"How is your uncle?" Lucina asked.

"Resting. But he will be fine" Ruby said.

Lucina nods "That's a relief... But we did it. We made it to Mistral".

"We did... For a moment I was worried that we wouldn't make it here... We faced a lot of dangers along the way" Ruby said.

"We did. But we had each other's backs and protected each other. Heck, you even tried to protect me in the shower" Lucina said, causing Ruby to blush as she remembered how she ran in on Lucina while she showered because she believed she was in danger.

"I said sorry! I thought you were being attacked!" Ruby said loudly.

Lucina laughed out loud, holding her sides in painful laughter, causing Ruby to glare at her, not appreciating being laughed at. Lucina laughed for several more seconds before she finally began catching her breath while wiping some tears from her eyes.

"Wow... You have no idea how badly I needed to laugh. You sure are something special Ruby" Lucina said.

Ruby blushed again "Thanks... so are you".

"Ruby... There is something I've wanted to tell you for a while now" Lucina said.

Ruby looks at her "What?".

Lucina blushed a little "I wanted to wait for a better time, but given all the near death experiences we've had... This is as good a time as any... Ever since we met, I've always felt something different about you... Ah dang it! This was way less awkward in my head!".

Ruby blinked in confusion "Huh?".

"I mean, you are special to me! Like a super great friend! No that's not it! I mean I like killing for you! NO! I don't like killing! I mean I like killing monsters with you! Gah, that's not what I mean! Wait let me start over!" Lucina keeps stumbling over her words until she stops when she hears Ruby laughing "Why are you laughing!?".

"That... Must've been the worst confession I have ever heard!" Ruby said between laughs.

Lucina covered her now red face with her hand "Damn it! You already have a lover back home don't you? I knew confessing to you would be risky but I had to try... Let's just forget this ever-".

She was interrupted when Ruby removed her hand from her face "No... I believe I want to remember this... for as long as I can".

"Ruby..." Lucina whispers.

The two looked each other in the eyes before both leaned in and kissed each other on the lips. Ruby wrapped her arms around Lucina's neck, as Lucina wrapped her arms around Ruby's back. Both held each other close as their kiss was one of pure love... Whatever happens next, nothing can ruin this moment... Nothing.


On a small table lies a tea set, with gray colored teapots and cups decorated with green accents. Watts is sitting at the table together with someone and He picks up a tea cup and puts his feet up on the table.

"Why thank you, Professor. Salem always did say you were..." He pauses to take a sip "Quite hospitable".

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There, Volume 4 is over and the final paring of the Team has finally arrived.

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Tell me what you think.