Chapter 1: Reuniting
As RWBYJ arrived in Vacuo through Raven's teleportation, they were met with a surprising sight: numerous airships from other kingdoms, including surviving Atlas airships. Ruby's eyes widened with joy and disbelief. "What? How?" she exclaimed.
Qrow, standing nearby, smiled and said, "You sent a message, and the world answered."
Nora, Ren, Oscar, and Emerald approached Qrow with curiosity. As they inquired further, they were stunned—pleasantly so—by what they discovered. They finally saw their long-lost friends: Team RWBY and Jaune.
Ruby, beaming with happiness, greeted everyone with a heartfelt, "Hey, everyone!"
Oscar struggled to comprehend the events and how they had survived. Before he could delve too deep, Nora interjected, "Who cares about that now?"
Tearful reunions followed, with hugs and joyous exclamations. Their loved ones were elated to see them return but also puzzled by their sudden disappearance and absence for ten months.
The rest of Team RWBY and Jaune gathered with Nora, Ren, Oscar, Emerald, and Qrow to explain what had happened to them.
Ruby started first, her voice steady but soft. "Remember the story of the girl who fell through the world?"
Jaune, his voice reluctant, added, "We went to a world similar to the one in the book. And I was the rusted knight."
Nora giggled a bit but quickly realized Jaune was serious. "Oh, you're serious?"
Jaune nodded. "Yes."
Jaune's lips quivered as he felt his throat tighten, as if his soul threatened to crush it if he dared bleed his heart out about his misery of that time. Instinctively, he turned his gaze to his friends in Team RWBY, usually a constant source of inspiration and support for him, but as he locked his eyes on Ruby, the leader who always pushed him forward, his heart sank. In the corner of her mouth, he could see a quiver. He knew… he knew she was struggling to hold it in too.
Her pain pushed him then, the knot was still there, but he was determined to speak so as not to burden her with the duty. Not again… never again, he thought, as her limp, scarred body of that night played through his mind for a moment.
"I lost myself to my drive to make amends," Jaune finally said.
Nora's eyes widened as she realized what he meant, having heard from Winter what happened to Penny. "Amends for…?" she asked softly.
Jaune nodded as Team RWBY averted their gazes solemnly, knowing what he was thinking.
"Yeah, I wanted to be a hero who helped others rather than destroy them. I ran myself ragged, becoming rusty and withered, until Team RWBY saved me from myself."
The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, the silence between them filled with shared sorrow and understanding.
The rest of Team RWBY took turns sharing their experiences in the other world, describing the strange yet familiar land, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they learned.
Weiss said, "I couldn't even believe my eyes when I saw it. But it is real, and it did exist, even when it sounds so far-fetched and ridiculous. I mean, we saw the Red Prince, who shrunk us down to make a chess match play out, and even the curious Cat, who we fought and defeated. We even went through a door from a tree."
"We met new friends like a mouse named Little and faced old enemies," Ruby added.
Blake chimed in, "It was surreal, like living in a fairy tale, but with real dangers and consequences."
Yang nodded in agreement. "We had to rely on each other more than ever. It tested us in ways we never imagined." She looked at Blake, deciding it was time to tell the truth. "It also revealed how we feel about each other." She looked at Blake, who nodded.
"That's true," Blake said, looking back at Yang with a soft smile. "We love each other."
Oscar, intrigued, asked, "What was the world like? How did you manage?"
Ruby replied, "It was a place of both wonder and peril. But we found strength in each other and in the hope that we could make it back to you all."
Emerald, her expression thoughtful, said, "It sounds like it changed you."
Yang smiled softly. "It did. We came back stronger, more united, and with a deeper understanding of what it means to fight for what we believe in."
Qrow, with a mixture of pride and relief, added, "And now that you're back, we can face whatever comes next together."
Ruby looked at Qrow, her voice tinged with concern. "What happened to Vale while we were gone?"
Qrow sighed, a heavy burden evident in his eyes. "I'm afraid it fell. Everyone evacuated from the kingdom, the city... everything. It's a ghost town now, populated by Grimm. Peter Port and Bartholomew Oobleck told us what happened. Glynda Goodwitch left to find help elsewhere."
Team RWBY was saddened by the news, though it wasn't entirely a surprise. The Kingdom of Vale had already been overrun by Grimm, and after the fall of Atlas, it was only a matter of time before Vale met the same fate.
Qrow looked at Ruby with a hint of regret. "I'm sorry you have to hear this."
Ruby nodded, her expression somber but accepting. "I know... but at least the people are safe."
Weiss, standing beside her, added, "We both lost our homes, but after Salem is gone, we can rebuild."
Qrow managed a small smile at their resilience. "Well, like the kid said, don't give up on hope. Luckily, there are places that are still safe and don't have a lot of Grimm activity."
Jaune, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up, his voice filled with urgency. "What about my sister? Is she okay?"
Qrow reassured him, "Argus is safe, but they have to make do with what's left of Atlas equipment. They're even repairing or making new Atlas airships and weapons like mechs to bolster their forces."
Jaune let out a sigh of relief, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than what he had feared.
Qrow looked around at the group. "Any more questions?"
Using her Maiden power, Winter flew down from Amity Colosseum, which now served as the command center for what was left of Atlas's and the other Kingdoms air fleet. She had been called down by Qrow, who said someone wanted to meet her. When she found out who it was, she was shocked. It was Weiss. She was back and alive.
"Weiss!" Winter exclaimed loudly.
Weiss, overjoyed to see her sister alive and strong, rushed to hug her. Winter felt awkward and slowly reciprocated, averting her gaze shamefully.
Weiss asked meekly, "Winter, are you okay?" She had seen this reaction in Ruby once and knew something was troubling her sister.
Now that she got a closer look, Weiss noticed Winter seemed ragged and exhausted. Her body was riddled with cuts and bruises. It was clear she had been pushing herself, but for what reason?
Winter gave an awkward excuse and said, "I, uh… need to go on patrol." She activated her Maiden powers and flew off in a hurry.
Weiss was taken aback by her departure and her tone. Winter had always been stiff and calm; she had never heard her stutter.
Winter had been fighting relentlessly as an outlet for her frustrations and her guilt for losing Weiss that night.
Determined to get to the bottom of it, Weiss confronted Winter at the academy. She even used her glyphs to hold her when she tried to leave again, leading to a little tussle in which they expressed their frustrations.
"Why do you think it was your fault I was weak and fell?!" Weiss demanded.
"Because I was never there for you! Not even when we were kids!" Winter shouted back.
The conflict ended tearfully with a hug.
Winter, her voice breaking, confessed, "I felt guilty losing you, but I felt worse because I realized to lose something, you have to care and love it in the first place—something I felt I failed at with you, Weiss."
Weiss assured her, "I always admired your pride and strength. I loved you deeply for it, even despite the awkwardness. I viewed you as a source of inspiration and could never have hated you."
"I lost someone I loved once to those kinds of feelings," Weiss continued, thinking of Ruby. "That guilt is a poison you don't have to have, Winter."
"But it's my—" Winter began.
"There's no need to feel sorry," Weiss interrupted. "I never blamed you for losing. We all go through it at some point. It's time for you to forgive yourself. It's not your fault what happened. We have to move on."
Winter's resolve began to crack, and she clung to Weiss, finally allowing herself to feel the weight of her emotions. They stood there, holding each other, finding solace in their shared pain and love.
As word spread of Team RWBY and Jaune's return, the news sent shockwaves through Vacuo, but in the best way possible. It reignited hope in the hearts of the people, who had been clinging to the belief that all was not lost. Videos and TV broadcasts confirmed that the heroes, including the girl who had sent the fateful message, were back and alive, giving everyone a renewed sense of determination and unity.
After recounting their adventure in the Ever After, Ruby stepped out onto the balcony. She gazed at the airships from other kingdoms filling the sky, a sign that her message to Remnant had not only warned people about Salem's existence but had also united them against the Army of the Grimm. However, despite this monumental achievement, she wasn't smiling.
Qrow, who had followed her out, noticed her troubled expression. He had expected her to be elated, considering the significant impact her message had made. Instead, she seemed distant and pensive, leaving him unsure why she felt this way.
"When we first arrived," Ruby said softly, breaking the silence, "I was so happy to see that my message had gotten through. It felt like a victory, knowing that people were finally aware of Salem and were coming together to fight. But now... I don't know, Qrow. I thought seeing everyone united would make me feel better, but it hasn't. Maybe it's because, even with all these allies, I still feel the weight of everything that's happened. The losses, the close calls, the moments of doubt... they haven't just disappeared."
"Uncle Qrow, I need to tell you something," Ruby said hesitantly.
"It's okay," Qrow reassured her gently. "That's why I'm here—to help. You can tell me what's really on your mind.
"Ruby approached Qrow with a mixture of apprehension and vulnerability. It was a conversation she had been avoiding, but the weight of her struggles had become too heavy to bear alone. As she looked into his eyes, she took a deep breath and began to speak.
"Hey, I need to tell you something," she started, her voice trembling slightly. "During those ten months we were away... things weren't easy for me. There were moments when I... I felt like I couldn't keep going."
Qrow winced as he heard her anguished whisper, having rarely felt such dread from her. He wanted to hug her, to stop her pain right here and now, but he knew she needed to bleed her heart out. He just wished he didn't have to hear what came next.
"The journey to protect Remnant has taken an enormous toll on me emotionally. Neo… she found me alone after I yelled at my team for taking me for granted, for not understanding my pain. She made me feel even worse. Her semblance, she used it to torture me with clones that looked like everyone I lost. Ozpin, Pyrrha… P-Penny…" Ruby stuttered, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Kid, I—" Qrow whispered in shock, but Ruby cut him off tearfully.
"She could talk with them, they sounded just like them! They blamed me for the deaths! Said I was a failure, and I… I just lost it! I believed every word they said! That the world was better off without me!"
Ruby huffed as she caught her breath, arching herself as she felt her chest burn.
"Just then, the cat saved me from her… only to dig its claws into my chest. I felt so violated, so weak. A friend betrayed me and then—"
Ruby choked, feeling the urge to vomit, her throat and stomach on fire.
Qrow knelt down, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Ruby. You don't have to keep going," he urged her softly, but she shook her head.
"That's just it, I didn't want to keep going, not when she killed my friend right in front of me… Little died saving me. I gave up, Uncle. I... I almost... I almost killed myself," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. The words hung heavily in the air, the weight of her revelation sinking in. "Not in the way you might think—I drank the tea, believing that it would 'fix' me and make me a better person. Luckily, I wasn't dead yet. A strange figure called the Blacksmith helped me understand things I didn't know. The Blacksmith guided me to accept myself as enough, and over time, I began to do so."
"But that's not all," Ruby continued. "I heard some words from my mom. Her voice said, 'I love you just the way you are.' Those words sparked something in me, and I soon realized it was hope. I now understand that I don't need to be a perfect Huntress. I just need to be myself."
Qrow looked at her with a mix of concern and understanding. "You've been through a lot, kid. It's okay to feel overwhelmed. Just because we're united now doesn't mean the pain and struggles vanish overnight. I'm sorry for how much responsibility was pushed onto your shoulders. I could have helped. I should have been there when you really needed it. I lost a friend too, and I have to accept the reality of it, but I try to remember him and keep his memory alive. I thought I'd never see you and Yang again, but I'm glad you're back. I'm going to spend more time with you both because I want to make these moments last longer. You think you've caused more harm than good, but you've done a lot of good. Your message has done better than you realize. You saved a lot of people in Atlas and Mantle and brought them to Vacuo. You saved people from the Leviathan Grimm. You might not win every battle, but you can still learn from your mistakes and improve."
"Uncle Qrow, I saw Mom," Ruby said softly. "She was with Raven on an unknown mission to fight Salem, but she failed. I thought it was a betrayal, but now I know she was just trying to protect us. She wasn't perfect, but she loved me and Yang."
Qrow listened intently, then nodded. "That's very interesting. We need to talk to Raven about that. Ruby, I know there will be people who let you down sometimes, but you have to get over it. If Summer were here, she would be very proud of you and glad of the person you've become. Summer wasn't perfect, but she did her job and tried to make the world better, not for herself, but for you and Yang. She was a skilled Huntress and a great friend, but she was also a bit of a brat sometimes and naive. At first, she thought she wouldn't be good enough to be a Huntress, but over time she became a great Huntress and a great mom to you and Yang.
"Summer had ideals in the goodness of people, and she strongly believed we could help each other and that we are stronger when we work together. She believed we could overcome challenges and differences. Helping people and giving them a chance to change and do better isn't just a good idea; it's your responsibility to protect people, no matter who they are. You don't have to be perfect. You may not get everything right. You don't have to be somebody else or be less. Great things are going to happen in your life, Ruby, and with that, you can become a great Huntress."
Ruby smiled, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "Thank you, Uncle Qrow."
They both looked at the horizon and smiled as the airships filled the sky around the kingdom, a symbol of hope and unity.
In a camp near Vacuo, a hooded figure relayed information to a shadowy figure about their ongoing efforts to identify any weak points in Vacuo's defenses and uncover information about the Winter Maiden's location.
"Do we have any news about the Winter and Summer Maidens?" asked the shadowy figure.
"Well, you might know who the Spring Maiden is?" the hooded figure suggested.
"Yes, Raven. I remember. I'd love to settle the score for her embarrassing me at Haven." The shadowy figure revealed a glimpse of anger at the mention of the name, then took a sip of her drink.
The hooded figure resumed his report, "There were four girls and a boy I spotted in Vacuo."
At this, the figure in the shadows stiffened, her grip tightening on her drink. "What did they look like?" she demanded.
"Well, one had white hair, another sported a robotic arm. Another had cat ears. The boy had blonde hair and was clad in armor, and the girl in a red cape... I believe she had silver eyes."
On hearing this, the person in the shadows swiftly moved, a grimy hand shooting out to seize the hooded figure by the neck.
"I-I'm sorry, Miss Cinder!" the figure choked out, revealing the identity of the shadowy figure. She was back, and not as dead as many had assumed.
Cinder Fall's eyes blazed with fury as she tightened her grip. "Ruby Rose and her friends," she hissed. "They're still alive."
The hooded figure struggled to breathe, fear evident in his eyes. "Y-yes, Miss Cinder. They're in Vacuo. They've been trying to rally support and strengthen their defenses."
Cinder released her grip, causing the figure to collapse to the ground, gasping for air. She turned away, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge and the next steps in her plan.
"Keep an eye on them," she ordered coldly. "I want to know their every move. And find out where the Winter Maiden is. We can't let them get any stronger."
The hooded figure nodded vigorously, still trying to catch his breath. "Yes, Miss Cinder. I'll keep you informed."
As the figure scurried away, Cinder gazed into the distance, her mind already plotting her next move. The game was far from over, and she was determined to emerge victorious, no matter the cost.
The sun set on another day, promising new challenges for tomorrow, but hope now shone through the darkness of the Grimm. In a distant throne room, Salem received the news of Team RWBY's return. Her focus was particularly on Ruby. She had believed humanity would become more divided and tear itself apart. Instead, she discovered that Ruby's message had galvanized the rest of the world into one single alliance against her.
Over time, Ruby had become more than just a Huntress; she had become a symbol of hope, a greater threat to Salem's plans than she had ever realized.
Salem sent a message to her followers: "She's more than a normal Huntress; she is a symbol of hope for them. You can kill her, but it won't destroy her or what she stands for. She has helped galvanize the rest of the world against me and my forces. But she's not invincible. We can break her and her message of unity. When we get the two relics, everything we have worked for will pay off."
Salem's eyes gleamed with a dark determination as she contemplated her next move. The return of Team RWBY had indeed united humanity against her, but she was resolute in her belief that she could still prevail. Breaking Ruby and her symbol of hope would be a significant step towards achieving her ultimate goal.