FERRY
Ruby stood at the railing of the ferry, the cool ocean breeze tugging at her cloak and tousling her hair. Her silver eyes were fixed on the hazy silhouette of Vale in the distance, the city she had once called home. As the ferry drew closer, she could make out the skeletons of ruined buildings, jagged and hollow against the skyline. Some were being torn down, their remnants littering the ground like forgotten memories, while others stood half-rebuilt, surrounded by towering cranes and scaffolding.
Her grip tightened on the railing. The sight brought an ache to her chest, a mix of sorrow and guilt she thought she had learned to live with.
Her vision blurred as a memory forced its way to the surface.
The city had been burning. Fires raged uncontrollably, black smoke choking the air. Buildings crumbled under the weight of destruction, their remains scattered across the streets like jagged tombstones. She remembered standing on a hill overlooking the devastation, her knees buckling as the full extent of the destruction came into focus.
The people of Vale had fought valiantly, but the Grimm were endless. She could still hear the echoes of their guttural roars, feel the ground trembling beneath their massive forms. It was too much. Her scythe slipped from her hands, clattering against the rocky ground.
Ruby had dropped to her knees, unable to move, unable to think. Tears blurred her vision as she stared at the ruins of a city that once held so much life. She didn't know how long she stayed there, paralyzed by the overwhelming sense of failure. Her team had eventually found her, their voices breaking through the fog in her mind.
"Ruby," Yang had said, her tone firm but kind as she knelt beside her. "This isn't over. You can still help. We can still help."
Blake had offered a hand, her voice steady and grounding. "We need you, Ruby. We'll figure this out together."
Weiss, though shaken, had remained calm. "Hope isn't lost yet. You're stronger than this."
Their words had reached her, their presence anchoring her to reality. Slowly, Ruby had taken Blake's hand and stood, Crescent Rose heavy in her grip.
The memory faded, and Ruby blinked, her surroundings coming back into focus. The city was closer now, its dock bustling with people and cargo. Her fingers unclenched from the railing, and she let out a slow breath, steadying herself.
Turning away, Ruby walked toward the van parked on the ferry deck. The familiar hum of voices greeted her as she approached, and she smiled faintly at the sight of her team.
Yang was sitting in the driver's seat, leaning over the center console to talk to Weiss, who was perched on one of the back seats. A worn map and a scribbled notebook lay between them as they debated their plans.
"Alright," Yang said, tapping the map with her finger. "Here's what I'm thinking: we stay in Vale for the day, check out a few neighborhoods, and see if there are any decent places to live. Then we hit the road tomorrow."
Weiss crossed her arms, her pristine appearance unshaken despite the rough state of the van. "While I don't completely disagree, I think it would be more productive to make a few stops first. There's no reason to stay in Vale if we're not sure where we're going next."
Ruby's eyes drifted to Blake, who was sitting in the far back corner, engrossed in a book. One of her cat ears twitched slightly, drawing Ruby's attention to the gold earring that adorned it. Her gaze moved to the other ear—its tip was missing, a sharp reminder of the battles they had endured. Ruby felt a pang of sadness but quickly pushed it down.
"Blake," Yang called back, "what do you think?"
Blake raised her hand without looking up from her book. "I think staying in Vale for the day is a good idea. We don't need to rush."
Weiss sighed, clearly feeling outnumbered. "Fine," she said with an exaggerated air of reluctance. "But if we're staying in Vale, our first stop is my favorite bakery. It's still standing, and I've been waiting for five years to go back."
Ruby chuckled as she climbed into the van, closing the door behind her. "Of course. Can't start an adventure without pastries."
Yang grinned, starting up the engine as the ferry horn blared in the background. "Alright, team RWBY, first stop: Weiss's bakery."
BAKERY
The bakery was nestled on a quiet street in Vale, its bright awning and colorful window display standing out against the grayer backdrop of half-rebuilt buildings. A tantalizing smell of fresh bread and pastries wafted through the air, making Ruby's stomach growl.
The line, however, was daunting—stretching all the way outside the door and down the sidewalk. Team RWBY stood in it patiently, though Weiss was anything but still.
Yang leaned on the railing beside her sister, watching as Weiss shifted from foot to foot, bouncing slightly on her tiptoes. "Wow," Yang said, a teasing lilt in her voice. "I never thought I'd live to see the day Weiss Schnee gets this excited about something."
Weiss shot her a sharp look, though her cheeks flushed faintly. "This isn't just something, Yang. This bakery has the best pastries in all of Remnant. The best!" She gestured toward the entrance with dramatic flair. "Not even the bakeries in Atlas or Mantle could compare."
Yang raised an eyebrow. "Really? Better than the fancy, high-end bakeries back home?"
Weiss huffed, crossing her arms. "Absolutely. Those bakeries were... competent, but they lacked the passion you can taste in every bite here. Trust me, it's worth the wait."
Ruby, who had been gazing longingly at the display window from afar, turned to join the conversation. "I've always wanted to try their limited-time quad-chocolate double-layer chocolate cake," she said, her voice tinged with excitement. "I heard it's new and super popular." She sighed wistfully. "I just hope I can at least get a slice before it's gone."
Blake, standing at the back of the group with her hands in her jacket pockets, chimed in, "I'm getting the fish-shaped cupcakes."
Ruby blinked, tilting her head. "Fish-shaped cupcakes?" She smirked. "Is that because they're made of fish?"
Blake's ear twitched slightly as she replied, deadpan, "Yep."
Ruby's eyes went wide. "Wait… seriously?"
Yang burst out laughing, wrapping an arm around Blake's shoulders. "Relax, Rubes. She's joking."
Blake, her calm demeanor cracking slightly, blushed under Yang's touch and smiled faintly. Ruby relaxed, shaking her head at herself, but her gaze lingered on Yang and Blake for a moment.
A small, warm smile spread across her face. Yang and Blake had been through so much over the past five years—loss, grief, and the slow, painful process of healing. It had taken them a long time to admit their feelings for each other, but when they finally did, it was like something clicked into place. Seeing them happy now, comfortable in their relationship, filled Ruby with a quiet sense of hope.
The line moved forward suddenly, and Weiss, who had been keeping a hawk's eye on the queue, snapped into action. She turned and pushed all three of them forward, her tone sharp and determined. "Let's go! We're not leaving a single space in this line for cutters!"
Yang chuckled, allowing herself to be shoved forward. "Alright, alright! Geez, Weiss, I didn't know pastries could turn you into a drill sergeant."
"Pastries of this quality are worth defending," Weiss replied with a dignified air.
Ruby giggled, stepping in line next to Weiss. "Don't worry, Weiss. We'll make sure no one steals your spot. And who knows? Maybe I'll get that cake slice after all."
Weiss nodded, resolute. "You will. And I'll make sure of it."
The smell of pastries grew stronger as the line crept closer to the entrance. Ruby's heart fluttered with anticipation—not just for the food, but for the first normal moment in what felt like years. It was a small slice of peace amid everything they'd been through.
Minutes later, Team RWBY sat comfortably in the van, each of them enjoying their freshly purchased desserts. The faint aroma of chocolate, fruit fillings, and pastries lingered in the air, filling the cramped space with an almost heavenly scent.
Ruby sat in the passenger seat, a wide smile on her face as she savored her long-anticipated quad-chocolate double-layer chocolate cake. She took a slow, deliberate bite, letting the rich flavors melt on her tongue. "Mmm," she hummed contentedly. "This is even better than I imagined. Totally worth the wait."
Yang, sitting behind the wheel with her legs stretched out, raised an eyebrow at the pile of boxes stacked neatly beside Weiss in the back seat. "Weiss, I've gotta ask… why did you buy that much? There's enough here to feed a whole Huntsman team for a week!"
Weiss, delicately cutting into a slice of fruit tart, looked up with an air of sophistication. "Because," she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "I want to savor the flavors. Each pastry here is a masterpiece, and rushing through them would be a disservice to their quality."
Yang gave her a look, half-amused and half-weirded out. "You make it sound like you're talking about fine art or something." She shook her head, chuckling. "Alright, you do you, Weiss, but I think I'm going to eat mine outside. This is starting to get a little too fancy for me."
Ruby giggled at their banter, licking a smudge of chocolate frosting off her fork. "Come on, Yang, don't act like you're above enjoying a good pastry. Besides, Weiss isn't wrong—this cake is a masterpiece."
In the back seat, Blake held one of the fish-shaped cupcakes in her hand, staring at it intently. Her golden eyes were narrowed in concentration, her posture tense, as though she were about to pounce.
Weiss glanced over, her gaze sharpening. "Blake, what are you doing?"
Blake didn't look up, her voice low and serious. "I'm preparing."
"For what?" Weiss asked, exasperated. "It's a cupcake. You're a grown adult. Stop playing with your food."
Without breaking her stare, Blake muttered under her breath, "Never."
Yang burst out laughing, leaning back in her seat as she watched Blake slowly peel back the cupcake wrapper with precision. "You're ridiculous, Blake," she said, her tone filled with affection.
Ruby smiled, watching her team. Moments like this—lighthearted, silly, and free of worry—were what she had missed most. As she took another bite of her cake, the sweetness of the chocolate reminded her of something she hadn't felt in a long time: contentment. For the first time in years, she felt like they were on the right path.
Outside the van, the streets of Vale were bustling with activity as people walked past, carrying bags and chatting. The city was still scarred, but there was life here, a resilience that filled the air with hope. Ruby leaned back in her seat, letting herself enjoy the moment, surrounded by her team and the laughter they shared.
PARK
The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the park, which had recently reopened after years of reconstruction. The air was filled with the sound of children laughing, birds chirping, and the occasional bark from a dog in the distance. Team RWBY sat around a picnic table near the center of the park, a large map of Remnant spread out between them.
Yang leaned back in her seat, one arm draped over the backrest, her other hand casually pointing at the map. "Alright," she said, her tone light but purposeful. "We've got two options for tomorrow. We can spend the next two days on the road, but the big question is: where do we go? Mistral or Vacuo?"
Weiss straightened up, brushing a stray hair from her face as she examined the map. "Mistral makes the most sense," she said decisively. "The Kingdom is hosting a celebration in a few days to honor the end of the war. Plus, Ren and Nora will be there. It might be nice to visit them."
Blake, seated next to Weiss, rested her chin on her hand as she considered. "I was leaning toward Vacuo," she admitted, her golden eyes thoughtful. "But… you're right. Seeing Ren and Nora again would be good." She traced a finger along the map, stopping at Mistral's capital. "And the celebration might be worth attending."
Ruby, who had been idly twirling her fork from earlier, perked up at the mention of the festival. "A celebration?" she asked, her silver eyes lighting up. "That sounds awesome! I'm in. We haven't been to Mistral in ages, and it'll be great to see Ren and Nora again."
Yang nodded, smirking. "Alright, looks like it's settled. Mistral it is."
As the group continued to discuss their plans, Yang reached down and grabbed a can of soda from seemingly nowhere. She popped the tab and chugged the fizzy drink with gusto, the sound of carbonation filling the brief pause in their conversation.
Ruby blinked, staring at her sister in confusion. "Wait… where did you even get that?"
Weiss raised an eyebrow, looking equally perplexed. "I don't recall you having a soda when we arrived."
Blake glanced at Yang's hands, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Yeah. Where did that come from?"
Yang grinned mischievously, holding the now-empty can aloft. Without a word, she set it down between her legs, where the edge of her jacket obscured a small pouch on her belt.
Ruby, Weiss, and Blake all stared at her in unison.
"Oh," they said collectively, realization dawning.
Yang shrugged, leaning back with a smug expression. "Gotta keep you all on your toes."
Ruby rolled her eyes, a laugh escaping her lips. "You're impossible, Yang."
Blake shook her head, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Only you, Yang."
Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose but didn't bother to comment, instead returning her attention to the map. "Let's just focus on planning the trip, shall we?"
Yang chuckled, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Back to business."
As they continued to talk, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the park. Ruby glanced around, taking in the lively atmosphere of the park and the warmth of her team's camaraderie. For the first time in a long while, everything felt... peaceful.
MOTEL ROOM
The motel room door creaked open as Weiss led the team inside. The interior was a pleasant surprise, a mix of modern elegance and cozy charm. Soft lighting illuminated polished wooden furniture, pristine linens, and tasteful decor that gave the room a warmth none of them had expected.
"Wow," Yang said, looking around as she set her bag down near the door. "This is fancy. Way fancier than I thought we'd get at a last-minute motel."
Weiss, standing proudly with her hands on her hips, smirked. "Of course it's fancy. It's the last decent room available in Vale, and I had to negotiate my way into getting it. Do you have any idea how competitive it is right now? Half of my wallet is lighter because of this place."
Blake, sitting on the edge of one of the beds, crossed her legs and tilted her head. "If we're already burning through money, maybe it's time we consider finding jobs while we're on the road. Something to keep our funds afloat."
Ruby flopped onto the other bed, her cloak fanning out around her as she looked at the ceiling. "Blake's right. Just because we're on a road trip doesn't mean we've got unlimited money. We'll need to pick up some work along the way."
Yang plopped into a nearby chair, leaning back and resting her boots on the edge of the coffee table. "I wish there were more Huntsman jobs out there. Back in the day, Grimm kept us busy. But now? They're gone. Thanks to us."
Ruby sat up slightly, resting her elbows on her knees. "Yeah… it's weird to think about. Ever since Salem died, the Grimm just… vanished with her. Most of the Grimm-related jobs were either canceled or don't even exist anymore."
Weiss nodded as she organized a few things on the dresser. "It's been a massive shift for the economy. Huntsmen and Huntresses who relied on Grimm contracts have had to find new ways to make a living."
"There are still some jobs, though," Ruby said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Escorting travelers, hunting down bandits… stuff like that. Actually," she added, brightening, "I do know of one job we could take. It's on the way to Mistral, if you all are interested."
Blake looked up, curious. "What kind of job?"
"Guarding a mine," Ruby replied. "It's simple. Good pay for a day's work, and from what I've heard, there's barely any looters or bandits that bother the place. It's pretty low-risk."
Yang grinned. "Sounds like a good deal to me. I'm in." She stood up and stretched, her hands reaching toward the ceiling. "But before we dive into job talk, I'm calling dibs on the shower."
Before anyone could respond, Yang grabbed a towel and disappeared into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
Blake smiled faintly, leaning back on the bed and folding her arms. "I'm in too. A little work on the way to Mistral doesn't sound so bad."
A moment later, the bathroom door opened, and Yang leaned out, motioning with her finger for Blake to join her. Her grin was unmistakably playful.
Blake's smile widened as she stood and took Yang's outstretched hand. Without a word, she followed Yang inside, the door clicking shut behind them.
Ruby's eyes went wide, and she sat up straight, pulling her headphones out of her bag with lightning speed. "Nope. Nope. Nope. Not hearing this," she muttered to herself, cranking the volume on her music and slapping the headphones over her ears.
Weiss, watching the scene with a calm but knowing expression, walked over to her bed and gracefully sat down. She adjusted the pillows behind her and picked up her scroll. "Smart choice," she remarked dryly as she glanced at Ruby, who was now lying flat on her bed, staring resolutely at the ceiling while loud music blared from her headphones.
Ruby nodded fervently, determined to block out everything else. "So smart."
NIGHT
The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning and the occasional creak of the building settling. Ruby lay on her bed, her Scroll held above her as she scrolled through old pictures. The soft glow of the screen illuminated her face, reflecting the small, tired smile she wore.
Nearby, Blake and Yang were curled up together on the other bed, Blake's arms wrapped protectively around Yang as they slept. Yang's hair spilled across the pillow like golden threads, and Blake's ears twitched slightly as she dreamed. Ruby's smile softened as she glanced at them, a warm feeling blooming in her chest at the sight of her teammates so at peace.
She turned back to her Scroll, continuing to swipe through the photos. Memories of better days flashed by: team celebrations, silly poses, moments of joy captured forever. But then her finger froze mid-swipe.
The picture on her screen showed her standing beside Jaune Arc, her hand playfully gripping his arm as she leaned up to kiss his cheek. His face was flushed, but his grin was wide, his blue eyes sparkling with happiness. Ruby stared at the image, her smile fading.
She lowered the Scroll slightly, her hands trembling as she brought it closer. Her chest tightened, and a soft whimper escaped her lips. Setting the Scroll down on the bed, she sat up, resting her elbows on her knees as a single tear slid down her cheek.
Ruby wiped it away quickly, but the memory of Jaune's last moments played vividly in her mind. They had become a couple a few months after arriving in Vacuo from the Ever After. It had been a fragile but beautiful time, filled with hope and tentative steps toward happiness. But the war had stolen that from her.
She clenched her fists, trying to hold back the rising tide of emotion. Five years had passed since the war ended, but the pain of losing him still felt fresh.
Reaching for her headphones, Ruby slipped them on and quickly played some music. The sound enveloped her, a familiar escape from the weight in her heart. But instead of soothing her, the melody only seemed to amplify her grief. Tears fell freely now, her shoulders shaking as she quietly cried.
She lay back on her bed, turning her head to press her face into the pillow. Her sobs were muffled, but the tears wouldn't stop. The memory of Jaune—his laugh, his smile, his kindness—filled her mind, and the emptiness of his absence grew sharper.
From across the room, Weiss watched from her own bed. She had woken moments earlier and had been silently observing Ruby, her icy blue eyes filled with concern. She lowered her head, her heart aching at the sight of her friend's pain.
Weiss slipped out of bed quietly, her movements graceful and deliberate. She crossed the room and gave Ruby a gentle nudge on the shoulder.
Ruby flinched slightly, turning her head to see Weiss standing there. For a moment, they simply looked at each other.
Weiss sat down on the edge of Ruby's bed, her posture as poised as ever, but her expression soft. Without saying a word, she reached out and placed a comforting hand on Ruby's arm.
Ruby's tears slowed, though they didn't stop. She sniffled, her breaths still uneven, but the warmth of Weiss's presence steadied her slightly. Weiss didn't speak; she didn't need to. Her presence alone was enough to remind Ruby that she wasn't alone.
After a long silence, Ruby's tears finally ceased, though her eyes remained damp. Weiss stayed by her side, offering silent support.
This road trip would be long. There would be laughter and hope, but also moments like this—moments where the past felt unbearable. Yet as Weiss sat with Ruby, quietly reminding her that she didn't have to carry this weight alone, one thing became clear: they were in this together. Healing would take time. And this was just the beginning.
