This will be the day that we have waited for

Chapter 7

Blake had just received word from Ruby. All the pieces were finally in place. It was time. Time to bring everyone together. She calls for a meeting with everyone.

Ozpin: Yes, Blake? You have news for us?

Blake: The framework is complete. It is time to finish this, once and for all.

In Vacuo, Ruby had just spoken to Blake.

Ruby: Ok everyone, it's time. We need to get the relic and get back to Atlas immediately.

Nora: Let's go!

Ren: Does everyone remember their jobs?

Emerald: I know what I have to do. Turning to the Summer maiden, Paige? Are you ready?

Paige: I'm not quite sure. I hope I don't disappoint anyone.

Ruby: You will do fine. Remember, we are all here to protect you. We have a plan. If we stick to the plan, we will be on our way to Atlas in no time!

Paige: I hope so.

In Raven's room, Dr. Watson enters and finds Taiyang visiting with Raven. Raven is awake and finally out of the woods. Taiyang stands as the doctor enters the room.

Taiyang: I can leave you alone with your patient doctor. Raven, I'll be back later.

Raven: No, stay.

Doctor Watson: Oh, there's no need to leave on my account. I'll be brief. Raven, you have made a remarkable recovery. Now, I want you to take it easy but, normal activities as tolerated.

Taiyang: So, Doc, she's really good now?

Dr. Watson: Perfect. If you excuse me. I have other patients to tend to.

After the doctor leaves, Raven reaches out to Tai. He takes her hand and sits back down.

Raven: I told you there was no reason to leave.

Taiyang: Well maybe you are going to have a lot harder time getting rid of me now. He kisses her hand gently. As I understand it, you need to start resuming normal activities. Come with me.

Raven: Where are you taking me?

Tai: Just a short walk. He helps her up, carefully supporting her as she leans against him.

In Vacuo, Ruby and her team make their way to the vault. The first part is easy; all they have to do is blend into the crowd. As they approach the more secure areas, they are careful to avoid cameras and security guards. Emerald uses her semblance to get the team past the last checkpoint. Finally, in the underground tunnels, they reach the vault. Paige nervously approaches, the vault opens for her. She enters the vault alone to take possession of the relic.

Ruby calling to Paige: Paige? Have you got it? Ruby decides to follow Paige into the vault. She finds Paige holding the relic in an entranced state. Paige? Is everything ok?

Paige turns to Ruby: Are you sure...we should be doing this?

Ruby: Why? Are you having doubts? Did something happen?

Paige: I'm not sure....what I feel.

Ruby: I believe we are doing the right thing. Come on. We must hurry.

As they start to leave...they find they are no longer alone.

Glynda Goodwitch, Qrow, and Winter have made their way back to the Atlas vault. Given clearance by General Ironwood, they meet with no resistance at all. Retrieving the relic is a piece of cake for the experienced team. Leaving with it would prove to be much more difficult.

Jaune's team has the toughest challenge of all. They must get Raven to the vault and back to safety quickly. Although she is strong enough to make the trip, she isn't up to the challenge of a fight against any attackers that might stand in their way. Jaune and Yang make their way to the vault first, then Jaune messages Taiyang when the time is right. Raven uses her semblance to create a portal directly to the vault. Taiyang helps Raven through the portal but stays behind so that Raven can quickly return to him. Jaune and Yang are waiting to help Raven as soon as she arrives. She quickly gets the relic and creates a portal back to Taiyang. Raven and the relic are safely away but, Jaune and Yang are left to deal with a massive army of grimm as Raven slips away.

Oscar/Ozpin, Blake, Sun, Ilia, the entire bandit tribe, the army of faunus, and the Atlas military are all prepared to defend the relics. They are on high alert when each team simultaneously obtains their relic. The teams then must all meet at the designated location. Ozpin knows that he will be able to lure Salem to their meeting spot.

In Vacuo, Ruby and her team were surrounded by grimm. They all fought hard to kill them. Paige tried hard not to activate her maiden powers as they fought off all of the grimm. When they had killed them all, they quickly made their way to the airship waiting for them.

Ruby: Everyone hurry before the next wave hits us.

Emerald used her semblance to keep the team and the relic off the radar until they could escape.

Finally, abroad the airship, they wasted no time in taking off.

Nora: We did it! Now what?

Ruby: We go to the meeting place and wait for everyone to arrive.

Jaune and Yang fought hard to defeat the grimm but they were greatly outnumbered until they ran into some friends. Team CFVY joined them and soon all of the grimm had been defeated.

Yang hugs Coco and Velvet: I am so glad to see you! We are so lucky that you happened along.

Coco: Thanks but it wasn't luck; Ironwood told us to expect you and that you would need some help.

Jaune: Thank you General Ironwood and Thank you guys! We couldn't have done it without you. Hate to rush, but we have to go.

Velvet: We'll join you. Ironwood filled us in.

With that Jaune, Yang and team CFVY were on their way to meet the others.

Glynda, Qrow, and Winter were surrounded by seer grimm. Salem's voice continued to taunt them. Somehow, it didn't sound to any of them like Salem even believed her own threats. Could it be that even Salem knew that her reign would soon come to an end? Filled with hope, they quickly defeated the grimm and made their way to the location Ozpin had given them.

Salem wasn't feeling herself. Her strength had faded and she feared the next encounter with the ever growing army coming against her.

Hazel: I have news. You must see this. Hazel handed Salem a report on his scroll.

Watts: I wouldn't advice it just yet....

Salem: We must go! I have to! Do what you have to Watts, but get me there!

Watts: Exactly where is there?

Salem passes the scroll to Watts.

Watts: This...is very ill advised. It's impossible. I ...I wouldn't recommend it..... for at least...

Salem cutting him off: It must happen immediately. Hazel, you know what to do. Gather the troops. Watts, give me all you've got and make this happen. We will leave at once! Our best chance is to catch them, unexpectedly, before they all meet.

With all the relics in their possession, having people from all parts of Remnant united against Salem, THIS was finally the day they had all waited for. Today would decide the fate of not only Salem, and all of Remnant, but the fate of all mankind.

Ozpin/Oscar stood at the place where it all began. He looked up. Not one but all of his lives flashed before his eyes. His life with Salem and all of the mistakes he had made. His heart was heavy.

Qrow and Winter held each other tight as they prepared for what they hoped would be their last battle. Qrow gave Winter a long passionate kiss. As Winter turned and began to pack Ethan's things, Qrow was suddenly alarmed.

Qrow: Winter? What are you doing?

Winter: I'm not leaving him here. Where we go, he goes.

Qrow: You can't be serious? You can't take an infant to a battle. How do you expect to fight and keep him safe?

Winter: He is going to save us all. She said continuing to pack things for their trip.

Salem and her forces were ready as well. As they made their way to the location, she remembered her life so long ago. She thought of all that had happened to bring them to this point. Looking out the window of her airship, Salem saw the familiar site that brought back painful memories of her past. The same memories flashing through Ozpin's mind. The years of happiness, loneliness, love, hate, pain, joy, mistakes, deceit, betrayal, fighting and death all came down to this moment. The moment when she would face the love of her life face to face once again. This was her last chance to set things right, to win him over, or to find happiness with him. She could already picture his haunting gaze full of disappointment. It was a moment she longed for and dreaded. It was a moment that she could never have been prepared for in all the years that she had dreamed of it. In the pit of Salem's stomach, she knew it would be the stuff of her nightmares. Would she be forced to kill the only person she ever truly loved? Would she face an even greater judgment from the gods and remain separated from him forever? These past weeks had taught her so much. She had found a piece of humanity that still remained deep inside of her. Perhaps she had lost touch of it after casting herself into the pit of the god of darkness. Although she was still determined to win, losing the grimm part of herself made her feel less like a monster and more like the girl of her past.

Ozpin caught sight of Salem in the distance as she arrived. For a moment, his heart stopped. He felt no desire to go through with his plans. He longed to take her in his arms and whisk her away. He reminded himself of the reason they were there. He tried hard to compose himself.

Blake: Everyone is on their way, but they will never make it in time. What do you want us to do?

Ozpin: Just keep the relic safe until the others arrive. It doesn't matter who has them now, only that all four are here and undamaged.

Sun: I don't think that is going to be easy.....

They were surrounded by an army of grimm, and all of Salem's followers that outnumbered them at least three to one. The battle began!

As Jaune, Yang and team CFVY arrived at their destination, they saw that a huge battle had already begun. This was even bigger than their battle in Atlas. This was the biggest moment of their lives. Now, they were huntsman. The world was counting on them to save it.

Jaune looked at Yang as they prepared to join the battle. She gave him a wry smile. Jaune started to speak but stopped. There was nothing to say. With a weak smile and nod, they jumped from their airship and attacked.

Qrow, Winter and Goodwitch had finally arrived. Looking out the window as they prepared to land, Qrow was astonished.

Qrow: This is the place Oz chose?

Glynda Goodwitch: It has special meaning to them both.

Qrow: Yeah, I get that...

Winter: It's where they met, and where they fell in love.

Qrow: I was expecting a pick based on battle strategy.

Glynda: I know. That was his battle strategy. With that Glynda left the ship and joined the battle.

Qrow took a moment with Winter: Please stay here. I need to know that the two of you will be safe.

Winter: I will stay until I'm needed.

Qrow kisses Winter passionately. He holds her tight not wanting to let go. As he kisses her, he does so knowing that this could be the last time that he will ever see her. He tries to make her feel all the love that he has for her and for Ethan. As they part, he feels like his heart is breaking.

Qrow: I don't just love you Winter. You are my life. You saved me. Please, stay safe.

Winter feels the deep love that Qrow is expressing to her. She is afraid but, hopeful. She feels strongly that this is not the end for them.

Winter: I know. I love you too. Don't worry. I will be here when you get back.

Qrow smiles. He steps out swinging his scythe.

Qrow quickly kills his surrounding enemy and seeks out Ozpin. Transforming to bird form he flies to meet Ozpin on a hill beneath a tall tower. By the time that Qrow arrives, Salem has reached Ozpin.

Ozpin: It is over my dear. You need to accept your fate. It ends today, right here where it all first began.

Salem: You are the one who must accept his fate Ozpin. You were foolish to bring me here. I already have two of your relics. I will destroy them!

Ozpin: I'm sorry dear but, you are too late. They are all here. Soon, the brothers will return.

Salem: By the time they do, it will be too late for you; unless you are finally ready to join me. We could have everything. We could rule this world together.

Ozpin: That was never what I wanted. That wasn't what the girl I rescued from this tower wanted either. All she wanted was freedom. She only wanted a normal like full of love. When did she change? How did she turn into this?

Salem: When the gods took her love from her, that is when! What was I to do? It wasn't fair. I came to them begging and pleading for their help. They refused me my one simple request. They held all the power of life and death in their hands. They took what I loved the most from me.

Ozpin: You were supposed to accept it, live your life, and love again. Death is part of life. Life has its joys and its sorrows. If you had accepted it, we would have found each other again, in the afterlife.

Salem: I don't need you anymore. You never understood me.

Ozpin: And you never understood life.

Salem lets out a scream and attacks. Ozpin and Salem fight one on one. Salem's minions attack anyone who tries to interfere. Qrow is killing grimm trying his best to reach Ozpin. Jaune and Yang head towards them killing everything that gets in their way.

Ruby and her team have landed and are also engaged in the battle. All around them, as far as the eye can see, the army of remnant fights the army of Salem. Ruby nears the top of the hill trying desperately to reach Oscar. As she nears the top, Salem strikes Ozpin with a fatal blow, and Ozpin/Oscar falls to the ground.

Ruby rushes to Oscar's side. Oscar grasps her hand and holds tight. He can feel Ozpin's life draining from him. Oscar tries to speak but can't. As Ozpin dies, Oscar's body goes limp. Ruby cries aloud. Her feelings overpower her, and her silver-eye powers are unleashed. All of the grimm instantly turn to dust. Salem's forces are virtually gone. The remnant army easily defeats those that remain.

Salem dropped her weapon and falls to her knees.

When Winter saw what was happening, she left the safety of the airship and had just made her way to the top of the hill to join Qrow.

A largest crowd now stood around watching the events unfold. Ozpin was dead. His spirit appeared before them, and took on the appearance of Ozma. Ruby sobbed. She feared that Oscar was dead as well but, he squeezed her hand and his eyes opened slightly.

Ruby: Oscar?!

Yang goes to Ruby's side: What is it Ruby?

Ruby: He's alive, just bearly.

Jaune walks over and uses his semblance to increase Oscar's strength.

Salem sobs openly: I didn't want this. Ozma?!

Ozma speaks to Salem: Are you ready to give up? If you do, maybe the brothers will show you mercy and you can finally join me in the afterlife.

Salem: No....I can't. I can't go back. I will never be able to join you. The brothers will never release me....after everything I've done.

Winter: Yes, you can. The world is finally at peace. Winter brings Ethan over to Salem. We have HOPE now.

Salem touches Ethan and he grasps her finger.

Salem: Oh, I do feel it. She looks at Qrow and Winter. She looks over at Ruby and Oscar. She looks at Ozma.

Salem: Could you ever forgive me? Do you think anyone else ever could?

Ruby sighs: I know....I can.

The others join in: Yes, we can. If you stop this nonsense right now.

The two brothers have finally arrived.

Salem looks up at them: I know I was wrong. I could not bear my life without my love. I was drunk on power. I tried to become you. I wanted to control life and death. I will do as you say....do what you want to me.

The two brothers smiled.

Brother of Light: Ozma, you have finally completed your task.

Brother of Darkness: Salem, I release you from your curse.

Salem begins to age rapidly. She falls to the ground weak and dying. Ozma's spirit kneels by her side.

Ozma: My sweet, we can finally be together.

Salem and Ozma disappear.

Brother of Light: Mankind has waged many battles. They have not lived in peace.

Brother of Darkness: Mankind has learned their balance brother. They have learned that life is full of joys and sorrows. They have learned to work together to solve their issues. The same as you and I.

Brother of Light: I agree. We will leave mankind as they are. You must maintain the balance.

Brother of Darkness: If you do not, we shall return.

With that, the brothers left them. Remnant was free. It was up to Team RWBY and the others to keep it that way.

********The End*********

Dedication: I want to dedicate this story to someone special so....

In Loving Memory of Connor

for all of his friends and family that read this and the many lives he touched.