I do not own RWBY, which is the property of Viz Media, or Destiny 2, which is owned by Bungie. All characters, locations, and lore from these franchises belong to their respective creators. This fanfiction is purely for entertainment purposes and not for profit.

Chapter 17: Echoes of the Past

The Hangar's upper catwalks creaked softly under Adam's boots as he found a secluded spot above the Future War Cult's headquarters. The package sat before him, simple and unassuming, but its presence weighed heavy. Adam stared at it, his thoughts swirling. Whatever lay inside wasn't just a collection of items—it was Ruby's final message to him. A message he wasn't sure he deserved, but one he couldn't ignore.

He exhaled slowly and opened the lid.

Inside was a folded piece of parchment, resting delicately on top. The edges were slightly frayed, and the handwriting on the surface was unmistakably Ruby's—sharp yet warm, each letter imbued with purpose. He unfolded it carefully, his hands steady despite the storm raging inside him.

"Adam," the letter began, "if you're reading this, then I'm not here to tell you myself. I wish I could be. I wanted you to know that I still believe in you, even when you don't believe in yourself. I've seen who you can be—the fire in you that could light the way, not just burn everything down."

He paused, the words stirring something deep in his chest. Her voice echoed in his mind, each line filled with quiet conviction.

"I've spent years searching for answers, chasing a lead that might explain what happened to Oscar and Jaune. I couldn't finish the journey myself, but I've left you the map. The place it marks isn't safe, but you've faced worse. If you want to find me, start there."

"And Adam… if you find them, tell them I never stopped looking."

"Take care of yourself. And if anyone needs you—don't forget—you were always better at protecting others than you wanted to admit."

Her signature was a small sketch of a rose, delicate and perfect in its simplicity.

Adam folded the letter with care, his jaw tightening as he set it aside. Beneath it was a small shard of metal, wrapped in soft cloth. He unwrapped it slowly, revealing a fragment of Ruby's first weapon—the scythe she had crafted when she was newly Risen. Its edges were worn smooth, but it still held an undeniable strength.

Attached to the shard was a short note, scrawled in Ruby's unmistakable hand:

"This was my beginning. It wasn't much, but it was mine. It reminded me that even small things can have purpose. Maybe it'll remind you, too."

Adam turned the shard over in his hand, the weight of it grounding him. It wasn't just a piece of metal—it was Ruby's resolve, her determination, and a part of the foundation she had built herself upon.

At the bottom of the package lay a folded map. The parchment was creased and smudged, annotated with Ruby's sharp handwriting. Coordinates were scrawled across the top, their meaning dawning on him immediately.

"Saturn," Adam murmured, narrowing his eyes as he traced the lines. The map pointed to Titan, Saturn's largest moon—a place of mystery and isolation. It had been abandoned during the Collapse, its methane seas and towering ruins now a graveyard for the ambitions of the Golden Age.

Ruby's notes marked several locations, her annotations a mix of observation and urgency. Words like "Residual Light," "Abandoned Vanguard Operations," and "The Deep Resonance" stood out. At the center of the map, she had written: "Where echoes linger. I couldn't go further, but you can."

Adam exhaled sharply. Titan was more than just a desolate moon—it was a remnant of humanity's brightest and darkest moments. Its winds carried whispers of the past, and its ruins held secrets that could reshape the present. If Ruby believed answers lay there, then it was worth the risk.

He folded the map carefully and stood, the shard of Ruby's weapon slipping into his belt as he tucked the map into his pack. The weight of the package's contents pressed on him, but it didn't feel crushing—it felt steadying, a call to action.

"I'll find them," Adam said quietly, his voice firm. "And I'll find you."

Weiss, Blake, and Yang found Penny in one of the Tower's newly rebuilt courtyards. Construction crews were still at work nearby, the sound of repairs a constant reminder of recent devastation. Scaffolding clung to damaged buildings, and despite the restoration efforts, scorch marks and impact craters still marred many surfaces.

"Penny," Weiss called out, her new Warlock robes flowing as she approached. "What happened here? The City... it looks like it survived a war."

Penny's usually bright expression sobered. "It did. The Red War. It's been about a year now, but the scars are still fresh."

Yang gestured at a partially collapsed building. "Red War?"

"The Cabal Red Legion," Penny explained, her voice carrying unusual weight. "They attacked the City, captured the Traveler in a cage. They..." she paused, her hands clenching slightly. "They found a way to cut us off from the Light."

Blake's eyes widened. "That's possible?"

"We didn't think so, until it happened." Penny moved to the railing, looking out over the City. "One moment we were Guardians, immortal defenders of humanity. The next, we were just... people. Vulnerable. Mortal."

"But you survived," Weiss observed, stepping beside her.

"We did," Penny nodded, then smiled proudly. "Actually, you should know – it was Pyrrha who helped turn the tide. She was the first to regain a portion of the Traveler's power. She found a shard of the Traveler in the EDZ, reconnected with the Light. That connection showed us it was possible to fight back, to reclaim what we'd lost."

Yang leaned forward. "Pyrrha did that?"

"She led the counter-offensive," Penny continued. "Helped retake the City. Many called her the Hero of the Red War, though she never liked the title. She just did what needed to be done."

"That sounds like Pyrrha," Weiss said softly, a mix of pride and nostalgia in her voice.

"But you survived," Blake observed, stepping beside her.

Penny nodded. "We fought back. Found a way to reconnect with the Light. The City fell, but we retook it. Many Guardians... many friends didn't make it. But we rebuilt. We're still rebuilding."

Yang joined them at the railing. "And now? What should we be doing? Where do new Guardians like us fit in?"

"The Vanguard always needs help patrolling the system," Penny replied, her tone brightening slightly. "Earth's European Dead Zone still has Red Legion holdouts. The Fallen are active on several planets. There's plenty of work for Guardians willing to help."

"We should start with something manageable," Blake suggested. "Get used to working as a team with our new abilities."

Weiss nodded. "Agreed. Penny, what would you recommend for newly risen Guardians?"

"Well..." Penny's smile returned, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "There's a place called the Cosmodrome. It's where many Guardians, including myself, first woke up. The Fallen there are numerous but not too dangerous. It's perfect for training and getting comfortable with your Light."

"The Cosmodrome it is, then," Yang grinned, punching her armored fists together. "When do we start?"

"Tomorrow," Penny said firmly. "For now, you should rest. Process everything you've learned. Being a Guardian isn't just about fighting – it's about understanding who you are and what you're fighting for."

Blake glanced at the ongoing repairs. "And remembering what happens if we fail."

"We won't fail," Weiss stated, her voice carrying quiet conviction. "Not again. Not together."

The four of them stood in silence for a moment, watching the sun set behind the Traveler. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, they had found their purpose. They were Guardians of the Last City, and they would honor that responsibility.

Even if they had to learn how all over again.