"There we were, at the Mistrali castle door – the Usurper's army was no match for the combined offensive of all three kingdoms."

A pair of brown and green eyes sat in silence, completely absorbed in the story; bedtime was usually a tiring affair because it was so hard to completely calm the two young children. What usually worked was the promise of a bedtime story.

Told by their father Bolin Hori.

Mei Hori, despite her constant proclamations of how she's an adult now (she was 16 now for Oum's sake, so she could date who ever she wanted without having her big brother breathing down her neck) sat next to Bolin – she would never out grow these stories. Her eyes looked over her brother, dressed in a short sleeve tunic and loose breeches; various scars decorated his arms that served as enough evidence for the stories he told.

"The Mistrali Commander –"

"Councilman Pyrrha Nikos!" The 7-year old, Sunny Hori, shouted it out as her green eyes were brimming with excitement and her long black hair swaying along with her thrilled motions.

"She was the Commander then, those Mistrali soldiers and people who were still loyal to the slain King Lionheart fell under her banner when we marched on the Kingdom. It was a sight to see – the Commander had no formal army when we first landed, but by the time we broke through the city walls she had legions of men and women fall in rank under her." Bolin's voice was steady; his eldest daughter proved to be extremely intelligent since she often retained these fine details. "Commander Nikos spearheaded the charge, backing her up was the Shield of Vale himself, Jaune Arc."

Mei nodded her head, she smiled to herself when she saw how captivated the two children were in the story.

"The man who never leaves a comrade behind!" Sunny enjoyed the tales of the Valesian Commander that emphasized the compassion he held for his troops and allies.

"What about the fighting? You fought all the bad guys, right father?" The younger of the two children looked up, he had brown eyes like his father, but the green hair was definitely a trademark of his mother, Reese Chloris.

Bolin chuckled, "There was a lot of it – I was there on the front line fighting enemies left and right. The slaves that we rescued fell into our ranks and helped us fight back against their cruel masters." A slight distant look could be seen on Bolin's face, but only Mei caught a hint of that, "We broke through the doors and stormed the halls, a man tried to flank me while I was trying to save another from an enemy's blade." He pointed to a long jagged scar on his arm, "That's where I got this one from."

Nadir Hori went wide eye and reached his hand out to touch it, "Cool…" He was mesmerized that his own father was so strong, the marred skin felt like a precious gem to the young boy. He wanted his own marks of glory to carry around and be looked upon with such awe just like his father.

"The fighting was long and hard, before anyone knew it – night had fallen, but the battle still continued. The men were tired, but we still persevered. At the helm of the final push to storm the throne room were myself and Captain Ruby Rose."

"Ruby – the Reaper!" Sunny jumped up on the bed, excitedly trying to take up a fighting pose. Bolin spared no stories about his time in the Arena.

Of course, the old Gladiator spared the more… mature details.

Young Nadir's face lit up at the mention of Ruby's namesake, the boy had a question – but the anticipation to hear the end of his father's story made him wait.

"What's wrong Nadir?" Bolin didn't miss the curious look on his son's face.

"It's just, you always tell stories about you and Ruby in the Arena, but what about our namesakes?" Nadir asked the innocent question.

Sunny nodded her head, "Yeah! You only ever tell us that they were famous Gladiators and your best friends!" Her hair shook like a lion's mane while her body jumped up and down on the bedding, "Even my friend's parents recognize mine and Nadir's names! They always say that it's a sign we will be strong one day!"

Nadir ran a hand through his hair in an attempt to push up the green bangs that had fallen into his eyes, "Yeah, some times the adults will call me 'Little Wilding'." There was a slightly annoyed look.

Bolin rubbed his chin, a slight smile on his face, "Is that right, Little Wilding?"

"Just like that!" Nadir cried out.

Mei giggled at the exchange, "Perhaps that can be a story for another night, like tomorrow?" She looked to her brother, "You don't have to go back to the castle for a while, right?"

"Yeah, I have the next week off since we managed to get through the pertinent things." He rubbed the bridge of his nose; he didn't realize how busy or stressful his new position could get.

"Will it be about Sun? The Monkey King?!" Sunny asked with such glee.

Nadir pouted, his sister usually got her way. Bolin didn't miss it.

"It'll be about both Sun and Nadir – a rather famous match that the two fought together in." Bolin let out.

A rather large yawn was let out from his youngest child. Nadir rubbed his eyes sleepily.

"Looks like it's time for bed then." Bolin moved to pick up his son to tuck him in.

"But father!" Sunny exclaimed, "You didn't finish the story."

"Yeah." Another yawn from his son, "I want to hear the end, what happened in the throne room?" Nadir moved away from his father's prying hands.

An exasperated sigh, "Alright, but Nadir has to be tucked in. Sunny, stop jumping up and down on the bedding."

His eldest daughter nodded in affirmation.

"As soon as we broke down the doors, the grey haired Fall champion that went by the name of Mercury immediately met us…"

Bolin's voice echoed out in the Villa's hallways.

Soon a soft snoring could be heard coming from Nadir's room and a smiling Bolin would come walking out with a sleeping Sunny cradled in his arms.

"What?" Bolin looked down at the perplexed look on his sister's face while the two gently padded into his daughter's room.

"It's just, this is still surreal to me from time to time." Mei stood and watched her brother tuck in her niece.

"Surreal?" Bolin planted a soft kiss on his daughter's forehead, "Night, Sunny."

"Good night, father." The young girl responded.

The two left the room, taking their time walking down the hall. The Hori Villa was decorated in warm greens and cool red tones; it reminded Mei of her family's short years in Vale.

The Hori family moved back to Mistral after all was said and done.

"I think I know what you mean by surreal, a lot has happened." Bolin smiled, he unexpectedly felt a kiss being planted on his cheek.

"Thank you, Bo. For everything." Mei smiled gently at her brother.

Bolin wrapped his arms around his sister, "I would do anything for my family, you know that."

"I know, mother knows it too." Mei smiled in the embrace, "So… are you going to finish telling that story? I mean the whole story… I know that House Fall – Mercury especially – was a rather… personal matter for you." His teenage sister had learned more about Bolin's time as a slave just that year.

The elder brother smiled knowingly at his sister, "Let me kiss Reese good night, we can talk some more in the foyer down stairs." '

"I'll put some tea on." Mei smiled and turned heel to the down stairs area.

Bolin entered his main bedchamber to his wife already lying down in the soft sheets.

"You're a busy man this evening." Reese teased as she yawned softly.

"Doesn't help that I've been away for the past few days at the Castle." Bolin smiled sheepishly.

"That's what happens when you get elected to be the Councilman of the People." She pushed herself up to plant a kiss on her husband's nose, "What story was it tonight?"

"Didn't get to finish because the two firecrackers fell asleep," A slight frown, "I was telling them about us taking the Castle."

"Sunny is going to be begging you to finish that tomorrow." Reese laughed lightly.

Bolin chuckled, "Mei wants to hear the rest of it."

"Are you going to tell her the whole story?" Reese knew that Bolin left out a lot details whenever he told his stories – Oum, when Mei was finally old enough to understand the world better she started to ask Bolin those questions about the finer details he left out when she was younger.

"Yeah, I think I will." Bolin thought back to that battle.

"You okay?" Reese recognized that look on her husband's face, a gentle hand reached out to caress his cheek.

"Just thinking, I promise I'm fine." Bolin managed a smile, "I'm going to go tell Mei the rest of this story."

"You do that, I'll be here." Reese smiled. A soft kiss was exchanged and Bolin went down stairs to talk to his precious younger sister.

To finish the tale of what the historians of Remnant called the War of Liberation.

How he and Ruby had slain the entirety of House Fall – what they started within the walls of Torchwick Villa was finally put to rest in the halls of the Mistrali Castle.

With that, a new era of peace rang over the entirety of Remnant.

Long red hair blew gently in the Mistrali evening wind, by her side was a retired Valesian Commander.

And on his hand gleamed a gold wedding band.

"How's it been at the castle?" Jaune asked his wife.

"Busy, despite all that we try to push for, there's still an issue with discrimination against Faunus and even former slaves." Pyrrha rubbed her temples, "We've been discussing the best ways to try and stomp it out. King Oobleck had some great suggestions, but Bolin pointed out that they were all for naught if no one upheld them – he suggested some stringent consequences… and then Velvet, of all people, complained that they were too harsh to implement on those who are responsible for the discrimination." She smiled.

The Councilman of the King held a great deal of respect for everyone on the Council.

Bolin Hori, old Gladiator turned Councilman of the People.

Velvet Scarlatina, former business partner to Weiss Schnee and the deceased Coco Adel, proved to be no pushover. She knew her way around complex algorithms and even scientific theories, after the war the Faunus threw herself into these studies and eventually being elected as the representative for the Councilman of Scholars.

King Bartholomew Oobleck was pleased with his Council as well, a fine balance of perspectives and ideas to help run the Kingdom.

"Sounds like you could use tomorrow as a day off." Jaune placed a tender kiss on her exposed shoulder.

"How have you been?" Pyrrha placed her arms around the famed Shield of Vale.

"I've been good, we've got a new batch of recruits coming through the City Guard and I've been personally over seeing their training this time around." Jaune Arc left Vale to follow Pyrrha to her home, together with everyone he helped in the efforts to re-build the Kingdom as a major powerhouse and center of the Remnant trade.

It's been difficult, but extremely rewarding to see the city get back on it's feet.

"I'm sure those recruits were in awe to see Commander Jaune Arc himself." Pyrrha smiled at the thought, "How many asked for a spar?"

Jaune smirked, "All of them."

"Who did you fight?" It was customary to allow the new recruits to try their (practice) blade at the more seasoned members of the City Guard.

"All of them."

"Someone's been having fun, explains some of the bruises." Pyrrha touched the greenish bruise, Jaune winced slightly.

"Had to show them what us Valesians are made of." He joked.

"You're made of the best that Remnant has to offer."

"I could say the same about you."

A messenger trotted along the dirt path towards the Forever Fall forest, not too many citizens lived this far from the epicenter of town because of how far of a walk it would be to get to the markets.

Although a good handful did enjoy living out here.

Up ahead in the distance, he spotted one of the destinations he had to deliver some mail to. The messenger knew the place well because letters and other parcels were often delivered to these parts, in fact, he was the dedicated messenger to these parts because he knew the area like the back of his hand now. The other messengers at the post office often had trouble trying to navigate and differentiate the homes in the area.

"Ren!" The young messenger called.

"Oscar! How's it going?" Ren walked up to the young boy, he was tending to the vegetable garden he had growing out front.

"Just another day, you guys have a few letters." Oscar got off his mare; he reached into the pack that was strapped onto his saddle.

"Bolin and Pyrrha?" He asked while the boy had pulled out a few lett

"The Shield of Vale too." Oscar hummed happily.

Ren looked the letters over, "We'll have to write back to them soon, it's been so long since we've seen them."

"Can't believe you guys are personal friends with them, I even hear stories about the Shield of Vale of the Champion of Mistral from random strangers." Oscar mused.

"We're all just people at the end of the day." Ren smiled at the young boy, "How's everything else going? Yang mentioned that you were talking about becoming a Huntsman."

Oscar was a bit shocked, "She told you?"

"Was it supposed to be a secret?" Ren cocked his head.

"N-No… I just haven't told my parents yet." The young messenger looked off to the side, "Plus my sword play isn't that great."

"We all weren't master swordsman in the beginning, just takes some practice." Ren rubbed his chin, "I could give you some lessons, if you'd like. I'm sure Yang wouldn't mind either."

Oscar beamed, "D-Do you think I could wield something like Yang's great sword?" The slab of metal was legendary.

Ren chuckled, "Maybe one day, just need to do a lot of training."

"Alright, tell Nora I said hey, I gotta finish up these deliveries and head back to the post office." Oscar mounted his mare.

"I will, she's in town with Blake and Weiss right now, so you might see her when you head back. She's probably hanging out around the Valesian Vault." Ren referred to the bank that Weiss managed in town, the former Schnee merchant wasted no time finding her niche in the Kingdom.

After the War of Liberation, Ren and Nora decided to leave the Army. With some help from their friends, they rebuilt the cottage to have a solid roof and an updated structure. In place of the old cottage now stood a solid two-story farmhouse and they adored their new home.

Nora picked up a job helping out at the orphanages while Ren took up work with the local butcher, something everyone enjoyed since he made it a thing to make his signature roast every week.

It was a peaceful life.

Down the road, Yang Xiao Long sat out in front of a farmhouse that looked similar to Ren and Nora's – albeit this one a bit more bigger because it had to accommodate more people. The Huntress hummed a song as she leaned back against the great tree in front, enjoying the warm weather and drinking the lemonade that Blake had made earlier that morning. She was unwinding after taking a Hunt in a nearby village. It was an easy mission, clean up a herd of Creep – it only took a week to finish and she was able to come back home quickly.

The days had gone by where she would take long and daunting Hunts to take out the bigger Grimm, where she would blow in to random towns to stay a few nights and then leave on a whim. Qrow had even taken up a permanent residence in Vale – he took up a job at a blacksmith of all places while he wasn't out on a hunt.

But Yang figured it wasn't that surprising, since he made that crazy war scythe of his himself.

"Yang!" Oscar Pine called out from his mare, "Why'd you tell everyone that I wanna be a Huntsman?" The young messenger complained.

"I didn't realize it was a secret." The Huntress stood up from where she lay, "I only just told my friends over dinner, I didn't mean any harm by it."

"I know you don't…" Oscar sighed, "I just haven't exactly told my parents that, they're kind of just expecting me to work the post office job."

"It's safe and it keeps you close to home, can you blame them?" Yang pointed out, "I take it that you just dropped off mail at Ren and Nora's?"

Oscar nodded, "Yeah, I've got mail for you guys too." He got off his mare and began fishing around, a rather large stack of letters was produced from his pack, "You guys sure are popular."

"We've just got a lot of chatty friends." Yang took note of the stack, at the very top was a letter from three rag tag former gladiators. Neptune, Sage, and Scarlet had taken up the mantle of Hunters after the war. It looked like the three had finally made their way down to Menagerie for a big hunt.

"Oh yeah!" Oscar snapped his fingers, "Ren said that he would teach me swordplay… and maybe you would too."

"Oh?" Yang cocked an eyebrow, "You wanna learn how to wield a great sword, kid?"

Oscar pointed the tips of his fingers together, suddenly shy, "Maybe…"

Yang grinned, "When I'm not on Hunts I help train the City Guard." She crossed her arms, "You busy tomorrow morning? I'll be down there if you want to come by."

"I would love that!" Oscar answered excitedly, "I'll leave you to it then, Yang. I gotta finish these deliveries."

"I'll see you then!" Yang called out.

She headed inside her home to put the letters down on the table in the living room. The upstairs was where all the bedrooms were located and the dining area was big enough to sit at least a dozen people, something that was needed since they often had dinner with everyone.

Yang glanced up at the mantle of the fireplace – on display was the all to familiar chest piece that belonged to her younger sister. The wolf head hadn't seen a lick of combat since the war ended.

She smiled sadly at the memory. For a moment she looked up and simply stared at the chest piece while she went over her memories of the war. Yang understood now why Qrow never wanted to fight in another one ever again.

"Ruby…" Yang murmured with her arms crossed.

Weiss finished up the last of the paperwork, Nora and Blake were waiting for her outside so that the three could walk back home together.

"I'm leaving now, Klein. I'll see you tomorrow." She waved to the man.

"I'll see you in the morning then, Weiss." The former manservant waved her off, he would take care of closing the Valesian Vault, which was the name of the Kingdom's bank. Klein Sieben had settled in very nicely into the serene lifestyle that Vale held.

"Hey Klein!" Nora called from the entrance of the bank, the docile man waved to her and then went about his business – there were a few customers hoping to conduct some transactions before the day ended.

"Were you waiting long?" Weiss asked her friends as she came out the door.

Blake shook her head, "Not really, I actually got out a little late from the book store, got a new shipment of books pretty late in the day and Tukson wanted to stock it before tomorrow."

"I hung out at the book store for a bit, Ren's started gardening more and I figured I'd pick up a book for him." Nora held up the gardening book, "Pretty busy today?"

Weiss shrugged, "Just like any other day, I just wanted to start closing out some of the book keeping for the day so that Klein isn't here too late."

"Hard to believe that he's married to Mrs. Peach – errr, Mrs. Sieben now." Nora corrected herself.

"I didn't realize that she's been a widow for so long until Klein finally mentioned that he was courting her of all things." Weiss was slightly exasperated.

"Yeah, everyone's just used to calling her Mrs. Peach, so I can see how that's misleading." Nora said while the group walked the familiar route towards home.

Blake smiled, "I'm just glad Klein found someone and settled down in the area."

"And now he's married of all things." Weiss giggled, she remembered that spring wedding a year ago, "I will say that I've never seen him look more ecstatic in his life."

"I've always been curious, has Klein married before?" Blake pondered, the man rarely talked about his younger years.

Weiss looked on ahead, "Yeah, but it ultimately ended in a divorce. Ever since then he had taken up serving the Schnee family for so long."

"I'm glad it worked out in the end for him." Nora hummed merrily.

"Hey Nora!" Oscar came trotting down the road, "Weiss, Blake, how's your days going?" He slowed for a moment.

"We're doing alright, you dropped off some mail today?" Weiss answered the young messenger.

"Yup, Ren and Yang were home so I dropped it off to them." He looked up ahead at the road, "I'll see you guys around, I gotta finish up."

"Will do, see you around!" Nora waved him off, "He wants to be a Huntsman." She beamed proudly.

"I'm sure Yang filled his head with plenty of stories, Oum knows she loves recounting her regaling travels and Hunts to anyone who listens." Weiss rolled her eyes, "Especially when you get her drunk."

"You're pretty bold when you drink too, Weiss." Blake poked fun at the woman.

"Sh-shush." Weiss usually took care to not drink too much, but the few moments that she didn't she would make an absolute fool of herself – her friends wouldn't let her live it down for while either.

"I like drunk Weiss, drunk Weiss is a blast!" Nora proclaimed.

"Of course you do…" The banker grumbled. "I'm just glad that Octavia has a remedy for hangovers," The woman took her medical knowledge and expertise and found a job with the medical center in town. Octavia's extensive practice made her become the Kingdom's favorite medic to seek out whenever anyone suffered a severe laceration or broken bone.

Nora's home came up first, and she bid the group farewell, Weiss and Blake waved her off and the two continued down the path, they were only a couple more minutes down the road.

"Happy that Yang's home?" Weiss looked to her friend, the Huntress came back the day before after her Hunt.

Blake nodded, "Yeah, despite how she may stretch the details of her old hunts, it still worries me whenever she'll take one up."

"Yang did say that she's only taking up local hunts now and only if they've been sitting on the board for so long." Weiss recalled, "She may as well just get a solid job with the City Guard, they love it whenever she comes around to help with training or even just keeping the peace."

"She's been thinking about it." Blake smiled to herself, "It would definitely give me some peace of mind, now I know what it was like when we all up and left for the war."

A grim smile, "Yeah…"

Blake frowned, "I didn't mean to bring up something nerve-wracking."

"No, it's quite alright." Weiss looked down the road at their home, "But it was stressful, not knowing at the time whether or not everyone would come home."

"Yeah… coming home..." Amber eyes caught sight of those familiar blonde locks that waved to them from the front yard.

Weiss smiled at the sight, she truly loved this home and thought it to be the most beautiful place to ever live in. The wooden farmhouse that she helped to build (albeit, with heavy guidance and instruction) looked breath taking against the trees of the Forever Fall forest. The small garden in front framed their wooden home nicely and the wooden bench made for a perfect place to read when it wasn't too hot out.

The backyard was equally beautiful, they even built a wooden table for the occasion of having their meals outdoors instead of inside.

And today looked like it would be a perfect time to eat outside.

Yang had already gotten dinner started, chicken potpie was what Weiss smelled through out their home as she soon as she walked in. She was grateful the brute knew her way around sword and spatula.

"We got mail? We ran into Oscar on the way in." They were setting out the potpies on the table outside, Blake grabbed the pitcher of lemonade and cups for everyone.

Yang nodded, "Yeah, the guys sent us a letter from Menagerie. Pyrrha wrote all of us a letter, and Winter sent one in as well." She listed off, "And Bo sent something too."

Weiss nodded her head, "Winter might be coming into town again, she's usually pretty good about sending letters before sailing in."

"Oh joy, Ice Queen times two." Yang joked, Blake punched her lightly in the arm.

"You like it when Winter comes over." Blake rolled her eyes, "Because Penny isn't too far behind."

"She makes for a great drinking buddy." Yang had an air of mischief about her.

"You almost burned down the old cottage you brute!" Weiss accused.

"But we put it out!" Yang retaliated.

"Alright, settle down before the food gets cold." Blake chastised, she already began taking bites out of her food.

Now that everyone was home, they could finally start eating dinner.

Right as Yang started to take a bite out of her food, she heard the door swing open from the front. The Huntress flashed her eyes to Blake and Weiss, she grabbed the knife from the table and walked into the home, cautious to not make any noise in order to avoid alarming whoever it was that was in their home.

She treaded lightly, creeping around a corner to get a view of the living room and front entrance – who ever had the balls to try and trespass their home would pay dearly.

"Yang, it's just me."

Yang let out a sigh, "I didn't realize."

A light chuckle, "I am a few days early." The trespasser was dressed in the City Guard uniform, dark trousers, dark green tunic and a leather vest with the Valesian emblem emblazed on the back – she still wore the dark green cloak that signified her time as scout.

Weiss Rose shot past Yang and into the arms of her loving wife.

Ruby Rose had come early from her trip to Patch.

"I missed you." Weiss whispered into Ruby's shoulder, she wasn't ready to let go just yet.

"I missed you too." Ruby wrapped both of her arms around her loving wife. She was gone for three weeks helping to stand up a new contingent of City Guards on Patch. The small town had grown a lot since the end of the war and this new era of peace. The money the Kingdom would spend on wars was being focused now on the city and citizens.

But idle hands make for the devil's work, it was an inherent problem through out any kingdom – ranging from petty crimes to violent murders, the City Guard was in charge of keeping the peace.

Something Ruby liked doing and upholding.

Weiss finally let go, Yang patted the banker on the back before giving her little sister a giant bear hug. Blake joined in too after she heard the commotion going on inside.

"Welcome home, Ruby." Blake smiled at the woman.

"Thanks, Blake." Ruby rubbed the Faunus back before taking a step away from the huddle.

"Anything interesting happen?" Ruby smelled the potpie wafting through the air and immediately her stomach growled.

"We were just about to dig in, thankfully I made some extra potpie." Yang began to fix a plate to take to the table outside. "Go ahead and make yourself comfy, I'll bring your food out."

"Thanks, sis." Ruby smiled at her older sister, she reached for the clasp to take her cloak off and then for her sword belt.

Weiss sat on Ruby's right side so that she could hold her hand while the two ate, there was definitely some nice advantages to Ruby being left-handed. "You have some mail for you, I left it on the desk in the study downstairs."

"Anything from Bo?" Ruby asked, her mouth salivating as she watched Yang bring her plate out, Blake already offered her a cup of lemonade.

"He sent a letter today, the ones in your study are from Pyrrha and Jaune." Weiss exclaimed, the gold band on her left hand gleamed in the sunlight while she held her wife's hand.

"Got it." Ruby took a sip of her lemonade, "I mentioned it in passing before I left to Yang, but Bo mentioned something about him taking a trip out here for a bit."

"On Sun's anniversary?" Yang was referring to the day Sun had passed, Bo, Octavia, and all the guys were really good about coming out here on this day every year. Even Jaune and Pyrrha came out once.

The day was anything but morbid, if anything it was a celebration because everyone would meet up in Vale and then sail out to Patch together for a few days. They would eat good food and drink good wine and ale while telling stories of what's been going on in their lives since they all saw each other. And then they would all head out on their own time to pay respects.

Usually Ruby and Bolin would start it off by heading up to Sun's grave together first.

The day was coming up in a couple weeks. That's probably why the guys sent a letter too.

"Yeah, I already requested it off." Ruby nodded, "You guys don't mind if Bo is here with his family?"

"Well, we did build this place big enough to host people." Blake joked, "Of course we don't mind, it's been forever since we've seen him. I know he's been busy with his new position as Councilman."

Ruby nodded, "A lot of hard work, but he likes it a lot. The city has come together nicely too, apparently the rebuilding effort has made a lot of progress."

Weiss nodded, she's heard stories about how much the city was ravaged.

Especially the story about the Great Stone Coliseum catching fire and being partially destroyed from all the fighting, no one knew for sure if it was the fault of the Usurper's army, the former slaves, or the coalition of forces that had come to retake the Kingdom – there were so many conflicting stories.

"I was actually thinking about visiting Mistral once Bo leaves here."

Yang dropped her spoon, she looked up at her sister, "Really?"

Ruby nodded, "Yeah, Bo says they built a memorial near the old Arena and carved the names of everyone who died in the war…" She wanted to see it.

"Well, if you go, then I'm going too." Yang resumed eating, "It's been a minute and I'm interested in seeing what the port looks like now."

"Bo says it looks a lot different from what we remember of it." Ruby mentioned.

"I wouldn't mind take a little trip outside the kingdom." Blake let out casually, she flicked her amber eyes up to the banker, "What do you think Weiss?"

She had been a little quiet since Ruby mentioned the possibility of going Mistral.

Weiss took a deep breath, "I think I'll go too… I'm interested in what the Villa – or at least what's happened to the Villa."

"I'm sure Bo wouldn't mind having us over, he lives in a pretty big place of his own now." Ruby reassured Weiss by giving her hand a slight squeeze, "We can take our time."

"Yeah." Weiss smiled back at her loving wife, "That would be nice."

Ruby took a look around, the spring sun wasn't going to set for a few more hours which made dinners outside that much more pleasant. She watched Yang plant a soft kiss on Blake's cheek and the Faunus beamed lovingly back at her. The sunflowers they had growing in back came up to the bottom of Ruby's chin.

The City Guard Captain took a deep breathe of the spring air, she could smell the daisies, the lavenders, the tulips, and the sap that wafted from the trees of the Forever Fall forest. They would tap a few trees for the delicious sap that they would smatter on to pancakes, usually it would accompanied by fresh butter that Klein and Mrs. Sieben would churn.

Weiss silently observed the woman next to her, she bore a small grin on her face when she watched Ruby open her eyes.

Those beautiful silver eyes that shined so vibrantly.

Ruby looked down at her wife and caught her staring, Weiss giggled once she saw Ruby shoot a playful glare at her, she leaned up to the Captain and pressed her lips against those delectable ones. The two smiled into the kiss before pulling away, Ruby gazing ever so tenderly at her wife and the surrounding area.

The grass wasn't sand.

The forest wasn't an arena.

The crowd wasn't cheering her name in a frenzy.

The Valesian breeze that blew around her.

The flowers that decorated the ground beneath her.

Eyes glowed like steel in a fiery forge.

Yang – her sister once lost and now found.

Blake – a life long friend.

Weiss – her whole word.

The weary Gladiator smiled – Oum had given her the judgment of life.

So live on, Ruby.

A/N

And they lived happily ever after.

With this, Gladiator is officially done.

I absolutely can not say it enough, but thank you to everyone who has stuck with me on this journey and a huge thank you to everyone who have left me with so many words of advice. I really do take into account everything you guys send me and try to apply the best I can to my future work, because at the end of the day I want to be a better story teller for all those who want to read these adventures that I'll dream up in my day-to-day life.

This has been an incredible journey and by far a crowning personal achievement for me. Once again, a most heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported me so far - I truly could not have done this without every single one of you.

So what's next?

I'm going to finish up Our Playlist (an angsty Bumblebee short... I know, lots of angst coming from my corner of FF ^-^;) I'm experimenting with some writing styles in that one and it's serving as a stepping point to help cage myself from the White Rose perspective to the Bumblebee one. After Our Playlist is done I'll move on to my next big project - Public Enemies (I've decided to stick with the trope of using movies as titles for my big projects) a mob style Bumblebee fic that will take place in Vacuo. Outline is still in the works, but expect to see this story get published some time at the beginning of summer. More than likely, I'll do what I did in my last short story and drop a teaser in the last chapter of Our Playlist (mostly because I haven't started writing it just yet).

I hope you enjoyed this little adventure I've written here.

I'll see you when I see you, until then, take care and keep on reading (or even writing) stories you love.

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." -Maya Angelou

Cheers to all of you,

DevilRed