RWBY||Defender of Remnant

Chapter 71: Aftermath

"It is fueled within each of us, no matter who we are," Ironwood went on, gazing out over the survivors. "Human, Faunus... White Fang, Atlesian, or Huntsmen... it is fueled by the memories and the love of those we've lost."

Sincline nodded, his gaze softening as Ruby leaned against his side, her body warm against his. Smiling, Sincline turned his gaze to where the sun was slowly rising above the top of Beacon, casting upon the airships that hovered in the sky. It seemed like all of Remnant was gathered there today, as the message was broadcast all over the world to any survivors.

"And now, we must move forward," Ironwood continued. "In their names, in their memories, and shine that light on a new path for future generations." He raised a hand and gestured to a screen above, showing an image of airships slowly lowering new materials on what used to be Vale.

"Today, is a solemn day," Ironwood restated. "But it is also a day of hope. With the defeat of Salem, the Grimm have grown weaker. Even though they are still many and dangerous, we are stronger still." He nodded toward Sincline. "We were not without heroes.

"Sincline, though he was not from our world, united our races and led our forces to the Land of Darkness, took our fight to Salem, and battled her alone to win our freedom—"

Sincline smiled sheepishly as the people around him applauded, and Ruby pecked him on the cheek happily.

"—Ruby Rose, who was captured by Salem, fought her control, and nearly sacrificed her freedom for us—"

Ruby hid herself in her cape as the surrounding Huntsmen and Huntresses patted her on the back, and Sincline squeezed her hand, earning a nod of approval from Qrow and a smile from Summer.

"—Yang Xiao Long, who, despite our misplaced accusations, fought Salem herself to prevent our inevitable destruction—"

Yang grinned, and Mercury elbowed her playfully, earning himself a punch in return. Raven merely inclined her head toward her daughter, a rare smile on her lips.

"—Weiss Schnee, Heiress of the Schnee Dust Company, who risked her life in the catacombs of Evernight Castle to hold off a Webmother and let her allies continue—"

Weiss straightened and stood tall as Winter nodded in approval, flashing her a rare smile of praise.

"—Blake Belladonna, former member of the White Fang, who went against everything she knew, everything she believed in, to become a Huntress. Together, she stood with Weiss Schnee and later went on to battle the enemy—"

Sun nudged Blake, and she rolled her eyes, smiling slightly as Kali and Ghira looked at their daughter proudly.

"—Mercury Black, a conscripted assassin of Salem, who led us to the Land of Darkness to win our freedom at risk of his own—"

Several Huntsmen and White Fang gave Mercury approving nods, and Yang took his hand in hers, squeezing it gently. The grey-haired assassin blinked, surprised... then hesitantly returned the gesture.

"—Jaune Arc, despite his... questionable transcripts, proving himself on the battlefield and leading White Fang and Huntsmen alike in the face of seemingly unstoppable oppression—"

Jaune blushed as a round of applause echoed over the field. This only worsened when Pyrrha pecked him on the cheek.

"—Pyrrha Nikos, Champion of Mistral, who risked her very soul for the greater good and has now taken up the burden of the Fall Maiden—"

Pyrrha smiled sheepishly and waved as the crowd gave her an approving cheer and Jaune squeezed her shoulder.

"—Lie Ren, who demonstrated his courage in shielding many soldiers from the Grimm with astounding feats of his semblance—"