I wanted this last chapter, yes LAST chapter, to be released today because now it's been exactly a year since Stranded has published!

Once again, WE LOVE YOU MONTY!

Enjoy the finale!

"Hurry, or you'll be late for your first day of school!"

Weiss rushed down the marble stairs and caught her backpack that was thrown in midair. "I think you're more excited than I am, dad."

Mr. Schnee laughed. "It's my daughter's first day of real school! Can you blame me?"

She playfully rolled her eyes. "You need to relax."

Her father sighed and unzipped one of the pockets of her backpack. A piece of paper was casually slipped inside the holder, and then he closed it.

Weiss tried to jerk away. "What'd you put in there?"

"My number," he informed. "In case you forget it," he looked down at the floor sheepishly.

"You worry far too much," she sighed and pulled him in for a hug. "I'll be fine. I already have friends there, remember?"

Mr. Schnee returned the embrace and smiled. "You're right…" he reluctantly admitted.

"Of course I am," Weiss knowingly replied. "Do you remember the plan after school?"

A tinge of sadness sparked in his eyes and leaked in his voice. "How could I forget?"

A little after Weiss and Mr. Schnee bought a new mansion, she told him about Blake. She knew the faunus needed some form of closure about her parents. Weiss had taken the liberty of texting the faunus, telling her it was a smart idea for them to talk about the situation. Blake was hesitant at first, but she knew it needed to be done.

His daughter nodded. "Okay. I'll bring her over afterwards then. Only you know what to say in times like this."

Mr. Schnee had a long time to think about the situation while his daughter recovered. He had an idea on what he'd say to the faunus, but ultimately knew what he needed to do to try to make things right.

"I'll see you soon," he said more confidently.

Weiss smirked when she realized he finally calmed down a bit. "I'll be back," and walked over to open the door.

"Have fun," he grinned.

She looked back at him to send him a reassuring smile. Once the outside was in view, she walked out and shut the door. Now outside, it wasn't hard to hear one of her friends bolting across the driveway.

"WEISSSSSSSS!" A red blob sprinted down her field of vision.

Weiss' thoughts were cut off. That can only be-

Before she could say a word, she was tackled to the ground. "Get off me you dolt!"

"Ah, Weiss!" Ruby exclaimed. "Aren't you excited for school?!"

Weiss forcefully shoved the brunette to the side. "Very," she said blandly.

Ruby hastily stood up and reached her hand down to help her friend up. "Oops! Sorry, I completely forgot about your arm since it's not wrapped or anything! Is it okay? Did I injure you more-"

"Ruby," Weiss interjected. "It's fully healed. Don't worry."

The brunette let out a sigh of relief. "Whew. I don't know what I'd do if I re-injured it!"

Weiss playfully rolled her eyes as the two joined Yang and Blake, who were waiting at the end of the driveway.

The blonde laughed at the scene. "Is everyone excited for you?"

"It sure seems like it," Weiss replied as the four headed to school. "I have to admit, these uniforms aren't that bad. It's weird to see you guys in normal clothing."

Blake chuckled faintly. "Anything is better than those ripped up dresses."

Ruby giggled as she grasped the faunus' hand. "They are ruined to the point of no return."

The leaves were starting to fall off the trees. A gentle breeze whipped their cheeks as they enjoyed the scenery. Ruby, Blake and Yang had been going to school for a few weeks by this point. Now that Weiss' injuries were fully healed, her father allowed her to attend Beacon.

Yang grabbed Weiss around the waist when she noticed her girlfriend seemed anxious. "Don't worry about a thing. You'll get along with everyone."

"And if you don't," Ruby chirped. "We'll just beat up anyone who doesn't!"

Blake pecked Ruby on the cheek in silent agreement.

Weiss gently leaned against Yang's shoulder. "Yes, that's the answer to all problems. Beating people up."

Yang beamed a smile and pulled her closer. "It always works."

The group had come a long way since they had first shipwrecked. It wasn't easy for Weiss to make friends, but being with them felt natural, especially with Yang's warmth that kept her company.

A broad grin formed on Weiss' face as she murmured. "Thank you…"

Yang tilted her head. "Huh?"

Weiss looked down at the sidewalk with a blush. "Nothing."

Yang loosened her grip, not sure what her girlfriend had said. She interpreted the mumble was a weak protest against the close contact.

The blonde released the hold she had on Weiss' arm. "You sure you're fully healed?"

Weiss sighed and internally sulked from the broken contact. "Yes, Yang. Otherwise my dad wouldn't have let me go today," she linked her arm with hers once more. "There's just two little lines that are scars… and of course the one right here," she pointed to her left eye.

"Either way," Yang started. "You are beautiful as always."

Ruby nuzzled against Blake's neck. "You guys are too much."

Yang pouted. "So are you!"

Blake playfully smacked Yang on the head. "Get over it."

"I-I'm just glad we're finally together together," Ruby admitted as she gazed at the faunus timidly. "After all this time…"

Blake teasingly bumped hips against her girlfriend. "It's about time you grew some balls."

Yang and Weiss bursted into laughter from the comment while Ruby pouted.

"Hey!" the brunette whined. "It didn't have to be me!"

The faunus linked arms with her girlfriend. "Still, I'm glad it was. I'm not as brave as you."

Once the group rounded a corner, Weiss' jaw dropped at the sight before her. From the looks of it, it was Beacon. The building looked like a castle and stood on a mound.

The white-haired girl was in awe. "I-is that it?"

"It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" Yang asked, keeping her close.

"Yes," Weiss admitted. "But I'll get used to it."

Ruby ran out in front of the three, happily bolting towards the school. "We're here!"

"So you're the one that got caught up in their idiotic plan?" A girl with sunglasses leaned down to ask the new student.

Weiss sighed. She had been asked that question at least fifty times today already.

Weiss didn't know what to think of the girl interrogating her. She was wearing sunglasses inside the building! There were lots of different kinds of people she had yet to meet, she just hoped they wouldn't all try to interrogate her.

Before she could reply, her girlfriend cut her off.

"Coco," Yang called. "Ease up a bit. People have been asking her questions all day."

The fashionista leaned back, tilting her sunglasses down with a smirk. "Alright, but expect to see me later, Weiss."

"Okay," she meekly replied.

Yang put a hand on the back of her chair. "How ya holdin' up?"

"Every. Single. Question."

"Huh?" Yang was confused.

"Every single question people ask me pertains to you three!" Weiss fumed, irritably standing up. "How popular is the news?!"

The blonde visibly relaxed. "Oh, that's it?"

Weiss gave her a glare.

Yang nervously rubbed the back of her head. "I don't think anyone is left out. Even the teachers know. Hell," she picked up a newspaper on her desk. "It was in the newspaper!"

She pointed to an image of Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang posing for a picture just outside the hospital that was taken shortly after being discharged. The four went in for a hasty group hug before going to their homes.

In the image, Yang had placed a peace sign over her sister's head that acted as ears. Blake was smirking while Ruby's arm was wrapped around her waist. Weiss was clearly attempting to jerk away from the blonde's crushing hug, a playful glower present.

"Hey!" Weiss yelped. "Ruby said she wouldn't share that with anyone!"

Yang set the paper down. "You can't trust Rubes with a camera."

Weiss laughed. "The news will die down one day."

"Yep!" the blonde beamed. "For now, enjoy your stardom!"

Azure orbs met lilac. "Of course you'd like the attention."

"You know me so well. Come on," Yang grabbed her hand. "Let's get lunch."

Knowing it was her girlfriend's very first day at school, Yang never left her side for a second. During lunch, she helped her grab her meal and showed her where their usual table was located.

Weiss was surprised to see so many people sitting at the long table. She recognized Ruby, and Blake, but not the blond boy, the red-head, or the seemingly mute boy, who the familiar girl, Nora, kept clinging to.

The freezerburn pair joined their friends and started to eat their meals.

"Hello," the redhead held out her hand to Weiss. "I'm Pyrrha and this is Jaune," she tilted her head at the boy sitting next to her.

Weiss returned the gesture. "I'm Weiss."

Jaune put his fork down. "Hello there, snow angel."

Yang slung her arm around her girlfriend's shoulder. "Sorry, vomit boy. She's taken. By me."

Weiss silently thanked her girlfriend for the save.

Didn't they mention that they were hoping for Jaune and Pyrrha to be a couple? Weiss thought to herself. He's so dense.

"Oh, sorry about that," Jaune sheepishly replied and went back to eating. "Do you like Beacon so far?"

"It's a good school," Weiss acknowledged. "Although I think it'd be better if you two became a couple."

Pyrrha spit out her water and pounded her chest from the words. "H-huh?!"

Blake, Ruby, and Yang giggled in their seats, surprised she boldly said that.

"Ren!" Nora called. "Weiss ships it too!"

Ren nodded. "Who doesn't?"

"W-what're you guys talking about?" Jaune asked, a faint blush forming on his cheeks. "W-we aren't a couple."

Weiss rolled her eyes. "And you're dense."

"Shot down!" Ruby exclaimed. "Oh this is good."

Pyrrha gratefully glanced at Weiss and mouthed the words. "Thank you."

After everyone laughed, Weiss had a feeling creep up on her. It wasn't exactly a foreign feeling, but it didn't make her uncomfortable.

It was familiar.

Like when she first befriended the three idiots who wrecked her ship.

That's when she knew she'd fit in perfectly here.

This… Weiss gazed at her friends, and the ones she had yet to form great friendships with. This is home.

They went back to eating their food, with Jaune taking the hint and talking with Pyrrha. Nora decided to tell Ren about her dream last night and the ladybug pair were in their own world.

"Admit it."

Weiss looked up from her food and saw her girlfriend with an ear-to-ear grin. "Admit what?"

"You like it here~"

"What's there not to like?" Weiss asked. "After everyone is finished interrogating me I'm sure I'll like Beacon even more."

The blonde giggled a bit. "Glad to hear it!"

Weiss continued to eat her salad, but when Yang got a mischievous smirk on her face as she lowered the fork.

"Don't say it," Weiss warned in an almost pleading tone.

"I see this upsets you," Yang egged her on with a wiggle of a brow. "Lettuce discuss this further."

Weiss groaned and looked at the ceiling, cursing herself for putting up with her girlfriend's crap.

Apparently, Nora heard the lame pun and shouted. "Booooo!"

Before Yang could react, a pie was thrown in her face. After hastily wiping it off with a glower, she saw Nora pointing accusingly at Ren.

The blonde knew it wasn't Ren and picked up her plate to throw it at the real culprit. Before she could do so, Weiss grabbed her arm.

"Oh no, there's not going to be another food fight!"

"Aww…" Nora mumbled and looked down at the table in disappointment.

Yang allowed her to lower her arm slowly, setting the plate back on the table.

"You're not you when you're hungry," Weiss sighed.

"Here!" Ruby chirped and pulled out a snickers bar. "I gotcha covered, sis!"

"Thanks, Rubes," Yang took the candy bar and nibbled on the treat.

Weiss rolled her eyes. "Of course you'd have that in your pocket."

"It comes in handy!" Ruby replied. "Maybe you should start doing the same thing. You should learn more about your girlfriend."

"So you're telling me that I should start carrying around snickers bars?" Weiss asked in exasperation.

Ruby held her chin in thought. "Yep!"

Yang laughed. "Just like how Blake is in charge of Ruby's cookies."

To prove her point, the faunus slipped a cookie out of her pocket and dangled it teasingly in front of the brunette.

Ruby snapped her teeth at it, and Blake kept pulling it back, making Ruby miss the treat.

Blake giggled at Ruby's pouting reaction and finally handed her the cookie.

"Better?" the faunus asked.

After munching a few times, Ruby gave her thumbs-up with her mouth still full. "Bwetter!"

Weiss couldn't help but giggle at the sight. "Unbelievable…"

The rest of the school day went by smoothly. Weiss and Blake told the sisters about the plan, so they and headed to Weiss' house.

They rushed inside the mansion, eager to get out of the chilly breeze. The white-haired girl gingerly shut the door, maybe even more anxious than her friend.

The faunus walked in the white modern-style living room, her ears flicking at the noise of the door closing.

She swallowed. "Where is he?"

Weiss walked over to her friend and pat her back. "I'm not su-"

"Hi," a man's voice greeted. "How was your first day of school, Weiss?"

"It was better than I thought it'd be," his daughter admitted. "You have nothing to worry about. Blake and them were a huge help."

They both knew it was just small talk, waiting to get down to the real issue.

Mr. Schnee nodded. "Good to hear. Now, Ms. Belladonna…"

Blake realized that he was being formal with her. Back in the hospital, he seemed like a laid-back person, and even used her first name. Her ears were high in the air, completely alert for what he had to say.

To her surprise, the man kneeled on the cold white marble floor. Not knowing what to say, she stood there, taking in the sight.

He bowed his head. "I'm so sorry for what I did."

Blake's jaw dropped. A man of supreme power was kneeling before her in apology. In the hospital, she didn't even lower her head for him. Now here he was, shamelessly doing this without thought.

"D-did what?" she needed to hear it for herself.

"No matter how you look at it," Mr. Schnee's voice cracked. "I killed your parents. And I can never take back what I did."

Blake's eyes started to water, with Weiss' arm gingerly rubbing her back for comfort.

"I can't imagine the pain I put you through," he continued. "All the pain I caused… I can never take it back."

Blake bit her lip to stop them from trembling.

"After the raid… I had some time to think when Weiss and I were far away from harm and aboard Never More…"

The faunus stared at Weiss' father's bowed head.

"When I came to realize that I killed two people, I never forgave myself," he continued. "There hasn't been a day go by I don't think about it. But to find out it was the parents of one of Weiss' friends…"

Blake took a deep breath.

"I am deeply sorry," Mr Schnee stated genuinely, seemingly in tears himself.

"Please," Blake almost begged. "Stand up."

He did as he was told, slowly gaining his footing and finally meeting her gaze.

"I understand if you hate me," Mr. Schnee stated. "But please, don't have a grudge against my daughter because of my foolish actions."

"You're right. It will be difficult to forgive you, but I could never be mad at Weiss," Blake informed. "Now please, tell me something."

"Anything."

"At the time, did you think my parents were trying to kidnap her?" Blake asked, fighting back tears.

Weiss bit her lip and lowered her head.

"Yes," he replied. "After the mob killed my wife, I had no doubt that they would kill my daughter, too."

"You were trying to protect her," Blake said. "I-I can't fault you for that. Parents can go to surprising lengths to save their children."

All Mr. Schnee could do was nod.

"I don't forgive you... yet. It will take time, but it's not impossible," Blake inquired. "Although… I'm glad Weiss survived the ordeal."

"I understand," he replied. "I'm deeply sorry, Ms. Belladonna."

It would take time, but the faunus knew in her heart that one day…

Even though he was the man that killed her parents, she understood that everyone makes mistakes. Mr. Schnee was hellbent on saving his daughter at all costs, and she figured that she'd be heartless if she held that against him.

The ex-captain treated his daughter like a queen with unconditional love. It was no use holding a grudge because of a father's bond with his child.

… she could forgive him.

"Blake," Weiss chimed. "Yang invited me over just now," she pointed to her phone. "Want to head over?"

"Sure," the faunus was eager to leave the house.

The two had finally talked about what needed to be said, so Weiss was quick to move things along, not wanting her friend to be uncomfortable.

"Okay," Weiss replied. "I'll be back, dad."

Mr. Schnee sniffled a bit. "Be safe."

The white-haired girl couldn't just leave him standing there, so she walked over to give him a hug. "We will. I have your number, remember?"

Her father lightly chuckled. "That's right."

"I'm proud of you," Weiss whispered.

Mr. Schnee pulled her closer. "That's my line," he held out a fist.

Weiss fist bumped him. "I'll see you soon."

She then walked over to Blake, who was waiting by the door. "Ready to go?"

"Yes."

"Alright," Weiss opened the door and glimpsed at her father. "I'll text you!"

When the door shut, he sighed and mumbled. "I'm so proud of you…"

"Jeez!" Yang exclaimed. "What took ya so long?"

The sisters were sitting on the couch with a big T.V. screen blaring in the background. Ruby quickly paused the game, and the two set the controllers on the table in front of them to give their attention to the arrivals.

Weiss and Blake scurried inside the house, glad to get away from the cold.

A pleasant scent wafted in their noses to greet them, but they didn't have time to think about that since the two sisters are a handful.

While Blake shut the door, Weiss replied. "Sorry it took longer than expected."

Ruby shot off the couch. "How'd it go?"

The brunette knew it was a sensitive subject for her girlfriend and was undoubtedly willing to provide the emotional support she needed.

"Better than I thought it would," the faunus answered, walking over to peck her girlfriend. "I see you've been playing video games while we were gone?"

"Yeah!" Yang chirped. "No matter how hard she tries, Rubes just can't beat me!"

A man walked in the room with an apron tied around his waist and a spatula in hand. "Or me."

Nora the sloth was wrapped around his neck, nuzzling against it. "Brrah!"

"Ugh!" Ruby whined. "Shut up..."

"Who wants pancakes?" Taiyang asked the four. "Nora already had some."

"Brrah!" the sloth squealed, contentedly nibbling on a piece of the food.

"Before that," Yang chimed as she slung her arm around Weiss. "I need to tell ya something!"

Taiyang's eyebrow perked. "Which would be?"

"She," the blonde gestured to Weiss. "Is my girlfriend," she said in a bragging tone.

"Ah, I see," Taiyang said. "The girl's party you crashed."

"Literally," Weiss crossed her arms. "You ruffians wrecked my ship and got us stranded on a deserted island."

"In case you didn't know," Blake chimed, a sly smirk present. "We're sorry."

Weiss playfully rolled her eyes and lightly huffed, looking away from the three.

Yang sighed, lovingly giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "You'll never let that go, will you?"

Weiss glanced at her friends. It was a well-known fact that they were stupid enough to crash Never More during a storm.

But if that didn't happen, she wouldn't be on land right now.

With the best friends she's ever had.

With her girlfriend...

… or the sloth.

She put on her best genuine smile that practically twinkled.

"Nope."

Aaaaand Stranded is FINISHED.

I kind of based some of this fic off the song I mentioned at the end of the first chapter. It's called Never More by Sapphire.

www,youtube,com/watch?v=HFTB0H6DnBg

Replace the commas with periods and there ya go! I recommend giving it a listen. The song kinda makes sense in relation to the story. In case you haven't noticed, a lot of my stories are inspired by songs and whatnot.

Another thing this story was inspired by was Amtrack's fic called Sailing AU. Amtrack is aware of this and even follows this story! From Amtrack's story, I knew I wanted a yacht, so Never More was born. If you haven't read his fic, check it out! It's a really good read.

It was also inspired by my trip to Costa Rica. Hence the random animals, the climate, and all that jazz.

*Fun fact* I outlined this story on a 1.5 hr plane ride!

That was one hell of a ride! Thanks so much for all your support, I had a blast writing this for you. Seriously though, thank you. I never thought this story would get this much praise. It means so much to me! Hope to seeya in my other stories!

Check out Let Me Hear and keep your eyes peeled for my newest fic still in progress: Time To Make History.

Remember to stay dandy,

~Toto