The landscape of Solitas stretched endlessly before them, a vast expanse of snow and ice, broken only by jagged mountain peaks and the occasional frozen river. With Atlas floating in the sky like a lighthouse. The wind howled across the tundra, carrying with it a chill that cut through even the thickest of clothing.

Jaune walked silently beside Ruby, his heavy boots crunching through the frost-covered ground. The snow was thick, slowing their steps, but neither of them faltered.

Ruby, however, had no problem filling the silence.

"—and then, I swear, Weiss just looked at me like I'd committed some heinous crime, all because I dropped a stack of paperwork on her desk instead of 'neatly organizing it into categorized files.' I mean, come on, Jaune. I'm a Huntress, not her secretary!"

Jaune exhaled softly, half-listening as Ruby continued her rambling tirade about bureaucratic nonsense.

She had always been talkative, even back when they were younger. Back before everything changed.

Jaune frowned slightly, his breath coming out in a misty cloud.

Had he… missed out?

The thought settled uncomfortably in his mind, but only for a moment.

He had no regrets about the path he had taken, he believed in the Blacksmith's mission, in the role he had played. He had faith that what he did was right.

And yet…

The world had moved on without him.

Ren and Nora were married with six kids.

Blake and Yang had settled in Patch.

Weiss and Pyrrha were… well, Weiss and Pyrrha.

Even Ruby had changed. Grown.

And then there was him.

Jaune Arc, the Rusted Knight, who is a citizen of the Everafter.

Would he trade his choices? No.

Would he have done things differently? Maybe.

He had faith in the Blacksmith, but he also knew that Autumn had pulled a cruel trick on his friends. Maybe there had been a better way to handle it.

But… what's done was done.

Jaune sighed, running a hand through his black hair.

"Hey!"

A hand waved frantically in front of his face, jolting him from his thoughts.

Jaune blinked.

Ruby was pouting at him, her silver eyes narrowing.

"You're doing that brooding thing again, aren't you?"

Jaune tilted his head slightly, feigning innocence. "What brooding thing?"

Ruby huffed, crossing her arms. "You totally weren't listening to me."

Jaune scratched his cheek, offering a sheepish grin. "Okay, maybe I got a little lost in thought."

Ruby groaned, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. 'Deep, mysterious thoughts of a wandering knight.' Got it. But maybe you wanna pay attention because—"

She gestured ahead, and Jaune followed her gaze.

A small settlement sat nestled between the snowy hills, faint lights glowing warmly from within wooden homes.

"We're already in Essen, dummy." Ruby smirked.

Jaune blinked. He hadn't even noticed how far they'd walked.

"Huh." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess I was more lost in thought than I thought."

Ruby patted his shoulder, grinning. "Yeah, yeah. That's why you've got me. To keep you grounded."

Jaune chuckled, shaking his head as they made their way toward the village.

Even after everything, some things never changed.

And maybe… that wasn't such a bad thing.

The village of Essen was small but sturdy, built to withstand the merciless cold of Solitas. Wooden homes lined the narrow streets, their roofs heavy with snow, chimneys puffing warm smoke into the gray sky. Lanterns flickered along the pathways, casting a soft glow against the frost-covered ground.

Jaune and Ruby stepped into the heart of the village, their boots crunching against the hardened snow. The air carried the scent of roasting meat, fresh bread, and spiced cider, a welcome change from the frigid winds they had endured on their journey.

Ruby rubbed her hands together, exhaling as she scanned the area.

"Alright, first things first, food. I don't care what it is, as long as it's hot."

Jaune smirked. "After all that walking, I'm not gonna argue. Was it okay to leave your Hoverbike?"

"It's fine! Penny will take care of it"

They followed the scent to a modest tavern, its sign swinging slightly in the wind. Inside, the warmth was immediate, the heat from the fireplace and cooking stoves filling the space. The place was lively but not rowdy, with a mix of huntsmen, traders, and villagers sharing food and conversation.

Jaune led Ruby to an empty table near the fireplace, and as soon as they sat down, she slumped back, groaning dramatically.

"Ughhh, I can feel my fingers again. This is amazing."

Jaune chuckled as he shrugged off his cloak, revealing his simple black tunic beneath his traveling coat. Despite the disguise, he could feel some of the villagers glancing his way, their eyes lingering on his wolf Faunus ears and the sword at his waist.

A server approached, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes.

"Evening, travelers. Welcome to Essen! What can I get for you?"

Ruby perked up immediately. "Whatever's hot and filling. And cider. Lots of cider. If that's possible!"

Jaune smirked. "Same for me."

The woman chuckled. "You got it."

As she left, Ruby leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.

"So." Her silver eyes locked onto Jaune's. "What exactly is this tree supposed to do?"

Jaune's expression didn't change, but Ruby caught the faint shift in his posture, the slight way he tensed, as if preparing to deflect the question.

"My lips are sealed."

Ruby groaned, throwing her head back. "Come on, Jaune. You can't just go around planting mysterious world-changing trees and expect me not to ask questions!"

Jaune smiled lightly, shaking his head. "It's… not something I can explain. Not yet."

Ruby pouted, clearly unsatisfied, but she didn't push further.

Instead, she crossed her arms, studying him.

"You know, that is very annoying."

Jaune tilted his head. "Comes with the job."

"Yeah, well, I hate it."

Jaune chuckled, shaking his head.

Before Ruby could complain more, the server returned with their food—thick stew, fresh bread, and steaming cups of cider.

The two of them dug in immediately, the warmth of the meal seeping into their bones.

The next day.

The morning air was crisp and biting, the sky a pale shade of blue-gray as Jaune and Ruby made their way east of Essen. The snowfall from the night before had left a thick, powdery blanket over the landscape, crunching beneath their boots as they walked.

Ruby stretched her arms, letting out a satisfied yawn.

"You know, I was expecting to wake up sore after all that walking, but I actually feel pretty great."

Jaune chuckled. "I'd say it's the cider, but knowing you, it's probably just your unnatural Huntress energy."

Ruby grinned, her silver eyes gleaming. "Damn right."

Jaune shook his head, pulling his cloak tighter around himself. The wind had picked up, howling softly across the tundra, but the journey ahead was clear.

After about an hour of walking, they reached a clearing at the edge of a frozen lake, surrounded by tall, jagged cliffs that shielded the area from the worst of the wind.

It was quiet here, undisturbed, peaceful.

Jaune stopped, surveying the area before nodding to himself.

"This is the spot."

Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Really? I mean, it's nice and all, but what exactly makes this the right place?"

Jaune knelt down, removing his gloves as he ran his fingers through the frost-covered earth.

"It's protected, for one. The cliffs will keep the worst of the storms away. There's a water source nearby, and if the tree grows right, its roots will be able to reach it."

Ruby hummed, crossing her arms as she watched him work.

"So, you're like a tree expert now?"

Jaune smirked. "Let's just say I've had time to learn while I was in the Everafter."

He reached into his traveling satchel, carefully pulling out a small, round seed no bigger than a coin. It glowed faintly, pulsating with a soft, golden-green light.

Ruby's eyes widened.

"Okay, that's definitely not a normal seed."

Jaune chuckled. "No, it's not."

Jaune drew a circle in the snow, clearing away the frost and ice until dark, rich soil was visible beneath.

He took a deep breath, cupping the seed in his hands.

"Alright, here we go."

He pressed the seed into the earth, gently covering it with soil, before placing his palms flat against the ground.

A soft golden light spread from his fingertips, seeping into the soil like veins of pure energy. The ground hummed, and Ruby could feel a shift in the air, like something awakening beneath them.

The earth trembled, ever so slightly.

Then, the first sprout broke through the soil.

It was small at first, a tiny sapling with delicate, glowing leaves, but within seconds, it began to grow.

The trunk thickened, twisting upward as branches unfurled, stretching toward the sky like arms yearning for sunlight. Leaves of every color imaginable bloomed, reds, golds, silvers, deep blues, each one shimmering as though made of stardust.

Ruby watched in awe as the tree continued to grow, its roots spreading beneath the frozen earth, breaking through the frost as they anchored deep into the land.

The trunk expanded, its bark smooth yet ancient-looking, etched with glowing symbols that pulsed faintly, as if alive.

By the time the tree had finished growing, it towered over them, its canopy stretching wide, casting a beautiful prismatic light over the snow-covered ground.

Ruby exhaled, taking a step back.

"Wow."

Jaune stood slowly, brushing the dirt from his gloves. He gazed up at the tree, his expression calm, satisfied.

"Yeah."

Ruby turned to him. "Alright, you gotta tell me, what exactly is this tree supposed to do?"

Jaune smiled, but once again, shook his head.

"You'll find out when the time is right."

Ruby groaned, throwing her arms up.

"Ugh, you're impossible!"

Jaune chuckled, placing a hand against the tree's bark, feeling the steady pulse of life within it.

"Let's go," Jaune said.

The massive tree towered behind them, its leaves shimmering in the cold Solitas air. Even from a distance, the glow it emitted was unmistakable, casting faint, dancing lights across the snowy tundra.

Ruby and Jaune moved swiftly, their footprints quickly erased by the wind as they left the clearing.

"You do realize," Ruby muttered as they ducked behind a boulder, "that a giant glowing tree appearing in Atlas is probably going to raise some questions, right?"

Jaune sighed, keeping low as he peeked over the edge of the rock. A trio of drones hovered nearby, their bright blue scanning lights sweeping the terrain.

"Yeah, I figured."

"So what's the plan, 'oh wise Rusted Knight'?" Ruby teased, pressing against the rock beside him.

Jaune scanned the area, watching as the drones shifted their attention toward the tree, capturing footage of the anomaly before drifting back toward the city of Atlas in alarming speed.

"We avoid those, find transport, and get out of here before we get swarmed."

Ruby hummed, tapping her chin. "You know, I could just—"

"No speed semblances," Jaune cut in before she could finish. "We don't need a red blur leading them right to us."

Ruby huffed, rolling her eyes. "You're no fun."

Jaune ignored her and gestured toward a slow-moving cargo truck making its way down a snow-covered road leading toward Mantle.

"There. That's our ride."

They waited for the right moment, then sprinted toward the truck, keeping low and moving swiftly through the snowdrifts.

With a well-timed leap, Ruby vaulted onto the back first, grabbing the edge and hauling herself up with ease. She extended a hand down to Jaune, who grabbed hold and pulled himself up just as the truck rumbled over a bump in the road.

They settled down among the crates and supply boxes, making themselves as comfortable as possible.

"Well, that was easy," Ruby smirked, leaning back against a crate.

Jaune exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, well, let's not jinx it."

Ruby grinned, but her expression shifted into something curious.

"Alright, spill."

Jaune raised an eyebrow. "Spill what?"

"What's next?" Ruby asked, tilting her head. "You're not just gonna plant fancy trees all over the place, are you? What's your next step?"

Jaune sighed, resting his forearms on his knees.

"You already know. But, yes, I need to find Merlot and get to the Land of Darkness."

Ruby blinked, throwing her head back. "Jaune, do you even know how to get there? Were you planning to just… swim?"

Jaune chuckled. "I was thinking of borrowing an airship."

"Borrowing? Or stealing?" Ruby repeated, staring at him. "That's a crime, Jaune."

Jaune shrugged. "Or… we could ask Weiss nicely."

Ruby snorted. "Oh, yeah, because I'm sure the richest woman in Remnant, who you tricked into your dead, is just gonna let you walk in and take one of her airships and be fine with it.."

"Well, I might be able to persuade her?."

Ruby burst out laughing. "Oh yeah? You think you can charm your way past Weiss Schnee? After all these years?"

Jaune gave her a look. "I'd like to think my odds aren't that bad… it can't be that… right?"

"Oh, they're bad, buddy. I wasn't kidding about they might just put you in the basement, you know?" Ruby grinned. "But you know what? I'd pay good money to see you try."

The truck rumbled forward, the road leading toward Mantle growing busier as they approached the city limits.

Jaune glanced at Ruby, noting the way her expression had shifted, the teasing glint in her eyes dimmed, replaced by something more serious.

"Look, Jaune…" she started, folding her arms. "I need to make something clear."

Jaune frowned slightly, waiting.

"Whatever happens between you, Weiss, and the others… that's on you." Ruby's voice was firm, her silver eyes sharp. "I'm not getting involved."

Jaune inhaled slowly, then nodded.

"I get it."

"No, you don't." Ruby's gaze hardened. "I'm still pissed about what you and Autumn pulled. I get why you did it, but that doesn't mean I'm okay with it."

Jaune looked down, guilt flickering in his chest.

"You don't have to be," he admitted.

Ruby sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I just… I'm here because I found you first. And maybe, just maybe, I wanted to make sure you weren't being a total dumbass."

Jaune smirked faintly. "How's that working out for you?"

Ruby narrowed her eyes. "Jury's still out. But yeah, I think you're a bit of a dummy, Jaune."

Jaune chuckled, but his expression softened.

"Thanks, Ruby."

Ruby huffed, leaning back against a crate. "Yeah, yeah. Just remember—you're on your own if you really think it's a good to ask Weiss for a free ride. If she kills you, that's not my problem."

Jaune mock gasped, pressing a hand to his chest. "Betrayal."

Ruby smirked. "Suck it up, Knight Boy."

The truck rumbled to a stop, and through the gaps in the crates, they could see the snow-covered streets of Mantle stretching out before them.

Mantle was as cold as ever, the streets dusted with fresh snow, and the air thick with the scent of burning coal and metal from the countless factories. People bustled about, bundled in heavy coats and scarves, going about their daily lives under the ever-watchful eye of Atlesian drones hovering in the sky. The heating of the city was active, but the cold still seeps in.

Jaune pulled his hood lower, keeping his head down as he followed Ruby through the crowded streets.

"Alright, so what's the plan?" Jaune asked, keeping his voice low.

"First, we lay low. Then, we—"

Before Ruby could finish, a blur of green and white barreled toward them at alarming speed.

"FRIEND RUBY!"

A human missile crashed into Ruby, knocking her off her feet and sending her skidding across the snowy street. The impact made a loud thud, and for a moment, all Jaune could see was a tangle of red and green limbs.

Jaune took a step back, blinking in mild shock.

Lying on top of Ruby, beaming brightly, was none other than Penny Polendina.

Penny wore an olive-green dress, accented with black and gold details, and an off-white blouse underneath. Her jet-powered metal legs gleamed under the faint glow of streetlights, and her floating swords rested neatly in the silver backpack on her back.

Her emerald eyes shone with pure joy.

"I have located you!" Penny declared triumphantly.

Ruby groaned, her breath forced from her lungs.

"Penny… we really… need to discuss… the tackle and the bear hugs…"

Jaune winced sympathetically, watching as Ruby weakly patted Penny's shoulder, struggling to breathe under her grip.

Penny immediately released her, hopping to her feet with unnatural grace before offering a hand to help Ruby up.

"Apologies, Friend Ruby! But I am simply overflowing with joy at this encounter!"

Ruby took Penny's hand, still rubbing her ribs.

"Overflowing… yeah, I can tell…"

Then, Penny turned toward Jaune.

Her cheerful expression faltered slightly, her eyes scanning him with inhuman precision. The green glow in her pupils flickered, her processors running some sort of internal check.

Jaune tensed as Penny's smile faded completely.

"Friend Ruby…" Penny said slowly. "I was unaware that Friend Jaune was alive. This is… quite a revelation."

Jaune opened his mouth, trying to form an excuse, but before he could speak—

A familiar chime echoed in both their ears.

A sent-link notification.

Ruby froze, her face going completely stiff.

Jaune's eye twitched.

"What was that?" he asked, already dreading the answer.

Penny smiled brightly, clasping her hands together.

"Oh my! It seems I have forgotten to mute it, pardon me, friends. Hmm? I have just sent this wonderful news to the group chat!"

Jaune's stomach dropped.

Ruby slowly turned her head toward Penny, her smile twitching awkwardly.

"Penny…" Ruby said carefully. "Which group chat?"

"The primary one, of course!" Penny announced cheerfully. "I felt it was imperative to share the joy of Friend Jaune's survival with our dear friends!"

Ruby's awkward smile widened.

"Ooooh boy…"

Jaune rubbed his face, exhaling sharply.

"Oops," Ruby muttered.

Penny simply beamed, completely unaware of the storm she had just unleashed.