70 years later.
Shadow sat on his throne, his eyes once ablaze with life, had died down. Now dull, and lifeless.
Shadow was now contemplating immortality, and the side affects of it.
One of them being everyone you care about die around you.
Penny had became his Queen after many years together. The two sharing many happy moments together.
Sienna had privately conversed with Shadow, stating that she had grown feelings towards the Grimm, but was happy that he chose what he wanted.
The first to go was Ozpin. The old man had taken Shadow's offer and this was his last life. He hoped that Ozpin was happy with Salem now... or what was left of her.
Then his more older friends were the next to go, team STRQ. Shadow went to each of their funerals, his red cape being the only color.
Then, it was only a matter of time.
Ren and Nora loved happy lives, and had five children, even naming one Jack. He was made their uncle and godfather.
They fought alongside their children in battle, even during one of their last missions.
They never had the chance to retire.
A deathstalker... a similar one to the one they fought at initiation, had been their end. Their corpses holding each other hands.
Shadow helped carry Ren's casket. And gave his full condolences to their family, paying for the funeral, and making statues in their honor.
Still stricken with the grief of loosing their friends, the remaining team JNPR had retired. And loved their lives out as teachers, Jaune and Pyrrha having their own children, and Jaune passing down Corcea mors.
Jaune had grown to be one of the strongest men Shadow had ever known, and was glad to have called him a friend.
But even with all his strength, Jaune's end was against a final battle. One with cancer.
Shadow had helped carry Jaune's casket. His eyes loosing part of his color.
Pyrrha... had unfortunately nat faired well after loosing Jaune. He tried being there whenever he could, but she died of a broken heart six months later.
Shadow carried Pyrrha's casket down the aisle.
Then Shadow knew it was only a matter of time.
Team RWBY lived to their elder years, living out long happy lives. Being surrounded by those who they cared about the most.
Blake died first, old age having caught up to her. She had married Yang, and the two had adopted a daughter, who grew up to be a wonderful huntress.
Yang and Violet passed away at a relatively similar time. Yang had suffered from dementia, and only remembered who Shadow was on her death bed.
Shadow as stayed by Violets side on her death bed, she was glad that she got to live her second life out fully.
That was the second time Shadow had cried.
Weiss got to see her fathers company turn into something wonderful and non-discriminatory. Atlas having used the Atlesian knights to mine dust. A much better choice in Shadow's opinion.
Ruby had passed on fairly recently.
Shadow had carried her casket down the aisle.
Penny had then shut down, permanently. Making Shadow promise to destroy her core so she could move on in peace.
Now... Shadow was alone.
Alone.
.
.
.
He stood up, having made his decision.
...
Shadow slowly walked out onto the balcony, observing the early dawn.
The Twilight kingdom had prospered well, the students having merged with other school. Now it wasn't uncommon to see all three races of Remnant interacting peacefully with each other.
Many councils had come and gone, Sienna was able to move on in peace, glad that equality had been achieved.
The next generation of students after team RWBY had been impressive.
Emerald and Mercury had married after two years of being together, their first child, having graduated the same year as Team RWBY's children had.
Neo had also found someone she cared about, and finally had a mild growth spirt, so she wasn't constantly mistaken as a child.
The sun began to rise, and Shadow smiled, tears forming at his eyes.
His eye flames ignited, an orange glow began seeping up his legs.
They had found the summer maiden, Shadow helping the search effort and put them into a special training class... led by him.
When Raven passed, her granddaughter had received the Spring maiden powers. Yang having already been too old to receive them.
Shadow thought he did a excellent job, the maidens now being used for good. And when history repeated itself and someone tried to take all the maiden powers, Shadow killed them.
The next generation had to deal with that, and when she had gotten hold of the fall maiden powers. She had a intense battle with the next Summer and Spring maiden.
Until Shadow showed up.
The conflict had ended swiftly.
The glow had passed his waist, and began moving up his arms.
After many attempts, Shadow was able to make two children. One of metal, and one of Grimm.
He had taken Salem's library, and after much experimentation, was able to make another humanoid Grimm.
He grew to be a kind person, following his fathers legacy.
His other son was a Android, being made from a combination of Shadow's and Penny's aura.
Now he had heirs, and he hoped that they would lead the Twilight kingdom to greatness.
The sun began rising, casting a orange glow over the land.
The orange glow reached Shadow's head, and his body flashed orange.
He watched the sunrise.
He was the good beast, the purple veil, the warrior of darkness.
The Black king...
He was...
The Grimm with a Soul.
His ashes flew away in the wind.
.
.
.
Shadow slowly stirred, and opened his eyes.
He saw he was on a beach, on some sort of tropical island.
Sitting up, he looked down to see his first form, before he copied any of the maiden powers.
He stood, letting his feet feel the warm sand.
A voice called out to him, and he turned.
He looked with surprise, as his friends were waiting.
Jack draped a arm over his shoulder and led him forward. Penny quickly running up and hugging him.
He saw Ren cooking on a grill, Nora hugging him contently.
Jaune and Pyrrha were opening the cooler, before taking seats next to each other.
Yang and Blake were engaged in a very intense game of volleyball.
And Violet walked up to them with a smile on her face, and a beach ball in her arms.
Shadow looked at his friends and smiled.
.
.
.
Remember. There is still one chapter after this.