The quiet of early morning filled Ruby's room. She sat on her bed, lost in thought, her gaze focused on nothing in particular. The packed bag next to her lay ready for the road ahead, a sign of the journey they'd chosen despite all the uncertainty. Ruby reached out to touch it, fingers tracing the worn edges of the straps. She felt the weight of everything they'd been through—the clashes, the scars, and the questions still unanswered. They were leaving, but there was no telling where this road would take them.
She took a steadying breath, grabbed her bag, and rose to her feet. The house felt eerily quiet, as if it too was holding its breath for whatever came next. Making her way downstairs, she cast a lingering look at the family photos hanging on the walls, memories of laughter and simpler times.
At the window, Ruby saw her teammates waiting in the van outside. Yang was in the driver's seat, fiddling with the mirror; Blake was leafing through a travel brochure, and Weiss sat back with a map unfolded across her lap. Despite the morning chill, they seemed at ease, chatting idly as they waited for her.
Zwei trotted up to Ruby, nudging her leg with his nose. She knelt to scratch his head, feeling a pang of guilt. "You'll be okay, boy. Dad's back tomorrow, and he'll be here to take care of you." She filled his bowl with kibble, giving him a final pat before standing up. "Look after the place, alright?"
After double-checking the lights and ensuring all windows were securely locked, she reached for the front door, hesitating as the weight of the decision hit her all over again. It wasn't just another trip—they were making a choice to trust themselves, to walk away from everything Ozpin had offered and the safety he might have provided. They were going forward alone.
With a determined breath, she closed and locked the door behind her. Outside, she climbed into the van, her expression resolved as she nodded to Yang.
"Ready?" Yang asked, her eyes flicking to Ruby in the rearview mirror.
"Yeah." Ruby nodded, glancing at the patched-up window where Neo's attack had left its mark. That tape was a reminder, but also a sign of resilience—they'd move forward, damaged maybe, but intact.
Yang turned the key, and the van roared to life. The engine's hum filled the quiet as they began their drive to the ferry in Patch.
An hour later, at the docks, a cold breeze swept across the water. The ferry waited, bobbing gently, ready to take them toward whatever came next. Nearby, an airship stood anchored, its silhouette dark against the morning sky. Ozpin sat on a bench near the ferry, looking out over the water. Neo was beside him, her head lowered and her face obscured beneath a cloak and hood. She seemed smaller, somehow—withdrawn, as if weighed down by more than just her own resentment.
Ozpin turned to Neo, his voice barely above a whisper. "Do you remember what I told Miss Rose yesterday before they left?"
Neo didn't move, but after a moment, she nodded. Her gloved hands clenched in her lap.
"Those words weren't only meant for her, you know," Ozpin continued softly. "They were for you too. I understand you carry a great deal of anger… pain… perhaps even more than you realize. But if you ever hope to find peace…" His voice trailed off, the quiet weight of his words settling over her.
Neo's expression remained hidden, but her posture stiffened, her fingers twitching as if caught between anger and something else.
Before Ozpin could continue, he looked up and spotted the approaching van. He rose, gesturing for Neo to remain seated as he moved toward the vehicle, his usual calm demeanor holding a hint of anticipation.
Ruby stepped out first, meeting his gaze, and he inclined his head in greeting. "Thank you for coming," he said, his voice respectful. His gaze drifted to Yang, Blake, and Weiss as they joined Ruby, each of them holding different expressions: Yang was wary, Weiss cautious, and Blake unreadable.
"We've made our decision," Ruby said, her voice steady but laced with conviction.
Ozpin took a slow breath. "I see," he said, a faint shadow of disappointment passing over his face. "Though I had hoped you might reconsider, I respect your choice."
Ruby looked down for a moment, then back at Ozpin. "We're going to decline your offer, Professor. After… after everything, and with Neo's involvement, we just can't trust you. Not now."
Ozpin's face fell, though he nodded in understanding. "I regret that my decisions have led you to this point. But I understand." His eyes softened as he continued, "Nevertheless, my offer remains open. Should you change your minds, I am only a call away."
Ruby's gaze drifted past Ozpin to Neo, still seated by the docks. Neo's hooded figure was barely recognizable, a silent and ominous presence.
"Will Neo really stay in exile this time?" Ruby asked, her tone a mixture of skepticism and concern.
Ozpin turned to look at Neo, whose face was hidden by her hood. "Yes. I'll ensure she remains there, even if that means staying nearby myself." His tone held a note of finality. "I can't afford to let her escape again."
Ruby's eyes met his, searching for any sign of deception. She finally gave a short nod, accepting his promise. Ozpin extended a hand, and after a brief pause, Ruby reached out and took it. His handshake was warm but firm, a final connection before they parted ways.
"Good luck, Ruby," he said quietly, a hint of sadness lingering in his words.
"Good luck to you, too," she replied. With a final nod, she turned and walked back toward the van.
As Ozpin returned to Neo, he motioned for her to stand, and they walked together toward the airship, a silent farewell trailing in their wake. Team RWBY watched as the ship's engines whirred to life, lifting slowly into the sky before it drifted off toward the horizon.
A quiet settled over the team as they stood at the ferry's edge, looking out toward the water. Ruby turned to her teammates, an encouraging smile breaking the tension. "Road trip time?"
Weiss, Blake, and Yang exchanged glances, the stress and weight of the past days slowly fading. Yang raised her soda can in a mock toast, her eyes brightening. With a collective nod, they climbed back into the van, Yang steering it onto the ferry, ready for the next leg of their journey. They knew, deep down, that while they were moving forward, there was still a long road ahead. And yet, for the first time in what felt like forever, hope felt within reach.
Across the vastness of Remnant, the scene shifted to a quiet neighborhood in Argus. In a dimly lit room, Saphron sat alone at her kitchen table, a worn and slightly crumpled envelope held tightly in her hands. Her fingers trembled as she carefully opened it, pulling out a stack of photos.
Each image was a glimpse into a mystery she had never truly unraveled. But it was the last photo that caught her attention—the one she hadn't seen before, the one that brought a chill down her spine. It showed a figure in a dense crowd, barely noticeable save for his familiar, striking features. A scar ran along his cheek, and a hood concealed his face, but there was no mistaking him.
Her breath caught as she ran her thumb over his face, emotions swirling. "Jaune…" she whispered, barely able to comprehend the image before her. The memories, the ache of loss, and the questions she'd left unanswered came flooding back all at once, overwhelming her.
Tears began to well in her eyes as she clutched the photo close, her heart torn between the pain of old wounds and the hope that perhaps, somehow, he was alive, out there in the world.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice. "Mama?"
Saphron blinked, hastily brushing away her tears as Adrian's small voice filled the room. She looked up, forcing a smile as she tucked the photo back into the envelope, her heart aching but her gaze steady.
"Mama, are you okay?" Adrian asked, his innocent eyes studying her closely.
Saphron swallowed, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm okay, sweetie." She reached out to hug him, wrapping her arms around him as if to shield him from the weight of her discovery. "Just… remembering someone very special."
Adrian smiled, hugging her tightly before wriggling out of her grasp. "Let's go, Mama! Breakfast time!"
Saphron chuckled, following him as he bounded toward the kitchen, the photo safely tucked away, yet its memory lingering in her heart like a bittersweet melody.
Beside the envelope, the photograph of Jaune lay on the table, his face staring back in the quiet of the empty room. Scarred, hooded, and lost, yet unmistakably alive. The photo was a haunting reminder that somewhere out there, the roads of those who had once been lost might still cross with the ones they'd left behind.
The ferry's horn blared as Team RWBY's van rolled onto the deck, signaling the start of the next leg of their journey. As the sun rose over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the water, they each sat in quiet reflection, the weight of what they'd left behind mingling with the excitement of what lay ahead.
Blake gazed out at the waves, her hand absently brushing the pendant at her neck, a silent reminder of her journey and her people. Weiss sat with a journal open on her lap, sketching the outline of the mountains ahead, each stroke of her pen a way to ground herself, to focus on something tangible.
Yang leaned back, her eyes hidden behind sunglasses, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the steering wheel. The rhythm of the road called to her, each mile a new beat, each hour a new chance to redefine herself.
Ruby, watching them, felt a swell of pride in her chest. They'd faced so much, yet they were still here, together, stronger than they'd ever been. She glanced toward the horizon, a smile playing on her lips as the van sailed onward, into the sunrise and whatever lay beyond it.
Hey guys. Thanks for enjoying my story. This finale will be a season 1-type chapter. As I will be making a follow-up story. It will not be a separate story. I'll still publish the new chapters here. Season 2 coming soon.