The massive doors of the Palace of Hearts creaked open with a groan that echoed through the eerily quiet courtyard. Ruby led the way, Crescent Rose resting heavily on her shoulder. Behind her, Weiss, Blake, and Yang followed, their steps deliberate, their expressions a mixture of exhaustion and triumph.
The once-oppressive gray skies above the palace had begun to clear, sunlight breaking through in golden streaks. The heavy air that had hung over the Palace of Hearts was gone, replaced by a strange, almost surreal stillness.
As Team RWBY stepped onto the marble steps outside the palace, the sound of distant cheering reached their ears. The courtyard beyond the gates was filled with Ever After denizens, their faces alight with hope and joy. The rebel army—a patchwork of creatures, from card soldiers who had defected to whimsical beings native to the realm—raised their weapons in salute.
"We did it," Ruby whispered, her voice barely audible over the growing noise. A smile broke through her tired expression, her silver eyes glinting in the sunlight. "We really did it."
Yang clapped a hand on Ruby's shoulder, grinning despite the bruise forming on her cheek. "Damn right we did," she said. "Though I'll be feeling that fight for weeks."
Blake chuckled softly, her cat ears twitching as she scanned the crowd. "They were waiting for this moment. For the Queen to fall."
Weiss's icy blue gaze softened as she took in the scene. "And now it's here. Let's not keep them waiting."
The four stepped down the stairs and through the gates, where the cheering crowd surged forward, stopping just short of overwhelming them. Creatures of all shapes and sizes clapped, shouted, and waved banners hastily painted with symbols of hope—sunrises, hearts restored to vibrant red, and even crude but endearing depictions of Team RWBY themselves.
At the forefront of the crowd, Cheshire bounded forward, their lithe feline form weaving through the throng with an almost musical grace. The ever-curious cat's golden eyes gleamed with pride and delight.
"Oh, what a splendid turn of events!" Cheshire purred, hopping onto a nearby barrel to address Team RWBY at eye level. "The tyrant toppled, her forces scattered, and all thanks to you, my radiant warriors! Truly, the Ever After owes you a debt beyond measure."
Ruby blushed, rubbing the back of her head. "It wasn't just us," she said. "We couldn't have done it without everyone's help."
Cheshire's tail flicked with amusement. "Modesty, thy name is Ruby Rose." They turned their gaze to the crowd. "But she speaks the truth, my friends! Raise your voices, for it is our collective will, our united strength, that has brought us this victory!"
The crowd erupted in another wave of cheers, their jubilation echoing through the courtyard. Neo stood near the front of the group, her expression unreadable as always, but her actions spoke volumes. She tipped her umbrella in a silent gesture of acknowledgment toward Team RWBY. A faint, almost wistful smile crossed her face before she turned back to watch the celebration.
Weiss approached Cheshire, her gaze sharp despite her exhaustion. "What's the state of the Queen's remaining forces?"
"Ah, the remnants of her army are scattering like leaves in the wind," Cheshire said with a satisfied flick of their ears. "Those still loyal to her fled the moment you struck her down. The rebel army is already securing the region. As for her knights…" Cheshire paused, their tone growing uncharacteristically solemn. "They've either surrendered or…well, let's just say they won't trouble us anymore."
Weiss nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Good. The less resistance, the better."
Yang stretched, wincing slightly as she rotated her injured shoulder. "So what now?" she asked. "Is it time for a big speech? Ruby's great at those."
Ruby's eyes widened, and she shook her head vehemently. "No way! I'll leave that to someone else."
Cheshire's grin widened. "Leave it to me, then. A bit of theatricality is my specialty, after all." They leapt gracefully onto a makeshift podium and began addressing the crowd, their voice carrying with ease. "Denizens of Ever After! Today marks a new chapter in our story, one of freedom and hope…"
"It's over," Ruby said softly. "The Queen's gone. We…we all made it through."
A heavy, ominous sound of footsteps reverberated through the air, silencing the cheers and chatter. All eyes turned toward the palace doors, which creaked open once more. From the shadows of the entryway, a figure emerged, dragging something behind him. It was Jaune—or the Knave of Hearts—his helmet firmly in place, his massive claymore resting on his back. In his hand, he clutched the lifeless body of the Queen of Hearts.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as he strode forward with unrelenting purpose, the body dragging unceremoniously along the ground, leaving a dark smear across the marble. He stopped at the edge of the steps and dropped the corpse at his feet with a sickening thud. The sunlight reflected off his Armor, but it did nothing to soften the chilling aura he exuded.
Neo froze, her grip tightening on her umbrella. Memories surged unbidden—times she had barely escaped with her life while being hunted by the Knave. The shadow of his sword descending, the icy precision in his strikes, and the relentless way he pursued her—all of it flooded back. Her lips tightened, and she took a step back, her body tense as though ready to bolt.
The denizens of Ever After stared in stunned silence for a moment before the realization set in. Fear and anger erupted like a storm.
"Murderer!" one voice screamed.
"Monster!" cried another.
"How dare you show your face here!" an elderly denizen spat, shaking a cane in his direction.
The crowd's cheers turned to curses, their adoration to fury. Some hurled stones, others insults, their anger palpable. Knave stood unmoving, his posture unyielding as the venomous words washed over him. His helmet's visor hid his expression, but his silence was deafening.
Ruby stepped forward, placing herself between the crowd and Jaune. "Stop!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. "He helped us. The Queen is gone because of him!"
"And how many lives did he destroy before that?" a voice countered.
Ruby faltered, her silver eyes darting toward Jaune. She saw the bloodstains on his Armor, the weight he carried in his every step. It was undeniable. But still…
"He's here now," she said firmly. "And he's not our enemy anymore."
The crowd hesitated, their anger simmering but not extinguished. Cheshire, perched on their barrel, tilted his head, their golden eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "The crowd needs time," they said softly to Ruby. "He has left scars on this land, and wounds take time to heal."
Ruby nodded, glancing back at Jaune. "Let's give them that time."
Jaune did not reply, instead of wordlessly moving forward having the crowd of Ever After denizens part Infront of him in obvious fear. He was alone versus a sea of beings yet it looked like nobody wanted to even take a breath in his presence.
Neo send Team Rwby an angry glare obviously unhappy about this.
"It's Jaune…"Ruby whispered to her shocking the other girl into…silence. "I am not lying"
After her words Neo went into existential crisis for being scared shitless by Jaune Arc.
"Well one could say that cat got her tongue?" Yang quipped erecting a collective round of groans from everyone, excluding Jaune as thankfully he was out of hearing range by now.
"Maybe let's follow him before something happens…"Weiss suggested looking at the disappearing back of Jaune. "Where is he going?"
"My best bet would be to the tree." Chesire suggested. " Queen of Hearts had a way to return to Remnant and he was one of few who knew it…so I advise you to follow him…and possibly make him leave this place for ever. You are all welcome to stay but this beast have to leave…or I cannot ensure his safety." Chesire hissed glaring at Jaune with his multi-coloured eyes.
Team RWBY exchanged hesitant glances before falling into step behind Jaune. The path to the Tree was winding and surreal, the vibrant flora of Ever After now muted by the lingering tension.
Ruby fell into step beside Neo, glancing at her warily. After a few moments of silence, she spoke, her voice low. "Neo, I know… I know you blame me for what happened to Roman."
Neo stiffened but didn't respond, her eyes fixed ahead. Ruby took a deep breath and continued.
"But I didn't kill him. He fell because of Cinder's betrayal. You know that now, don't you?" Ruby's voice softened. "She used both of us."
Neo's grip on her umbrella tightened. Memories of Roman surged to the forefront of her mind. His sly grin, his unwavering acceptance of her, and the way he treated her like an equal when the rest of the world dismissed her. Roman had been the first—and for a long time, the only—person to see her for who she truly was and embrace her without judgment. His death had left a void in her, one she had tried to fill with anger and revenge.
But Cinder… Neo's lips pressed into a thin line. The memories shifted to Cinder's cold betrayal, the smirk on her face as she left Neo to die in the place between worlds. The rage that had once been aimed solely at Ruby now felt misdirected. Ruby hadn't been the one to betray her trust. Ruby hadn't been the one to use her.
Neo slowed her pace, her thoughts churning. She glanced at Ruby, her expression unreadable but no longer hostile. Slowly, she gave a small nod, her body language stiff but less tense. Ruby noticed the change and offered a tentative smile.
"You fought alongside us against the Queen's forces. That means something. It doesn't erase the past, but… maybe it's a start?" Ruby said gently.
Neo didn't respond verbally—she never could—but her nod was more deliberate this time. The weight of her umbrella shifted as she relaxed her grip slightly, a small but significant gesture.
Meanwhile Weiss trailed slightly behind the group, her thoughts a tangled web of emotions. Her gaze lingered on Jaune's armored form ahead of them, the chilling precision of his movements a stark contrast to the boy she remembered.
She had worried about him during her time in Ever After. Every quiet moment, every second spent wandering this strange realm, Jaune had lingered at the edge of her mind. Was he alive? Was he safe? The fear of losing him had gnawed at her, sharper than she had cared to admit to the others.
Her feelings for Jaune had grown in Atlas, deepened through shared battles and stolen moments of camaraderie. She had seen his growth firsthand, the way he had risen to every challenge despite the odds. And now… now she looked at what he had become, and her heart ached with dread.
How much of the boy she had grown close to was left beneath that cold, unyielding armor? Weiss's lips pressed into a thin line as she watched him. His silence was heavy, his presence oppressive. Was this truly Jaune Arc, or was he just a shadow of the man he used to be? Was he more Jaune nor or Knave?
Her thoughts churned, a storm of uncertainty and fear. She couldn't shake the image of the lifeless body he had dragged out of the Palace of Hearts, the ease with which he had dropped it at their feet. It wasn't just the act itself, but the complete absence of hesitation or remorse. That wasn't the Jaune she knew.
Blake glanced at Weiss, her sharp eyes catching the turmoil in her expression. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.
Weiss blinked, startled out of her thoughts. She nodded quickly, her posture straightening. "I'm fine," she said, though her voice lacked conviction. "Just…thinking."
Blake gave her a knowing look but didn't press further. Weiss let out a quiet sigh, her gaze returning to Jaune. If there was anything left of the boy she had known, she would find it. She had to believe that much.
As they approached the Tree, the air grew heavier, the ancient structure towering before them. Its roots twisted like veins through the land, pulsing faintly with an otherworldly glow. Jaune stopped at its base, his helmeted head tilted as if in contemplation. Team RWBY and Neo stopped a few steps behind him, waiting for what would come next.
"To get back to Remnant, we need this," he said, reaching into a pouch at his side. He pulled out a golden key, its polished surface catching the light. Despite its unassuming appearance, there was something deeply unsettling about it. Queen of Hearts' blood still clung to its surface, stark against the gold.
Yang's eyes narrowed as she pointed at the object. "That…that's it? That little thing is what gets us home? How do we know it's real?"
Jaune's grip on the key tightened as he met her gaze, his voice unwavering. "I have no reason to lie to you," he replied.
The tension in the air thickened as his words hung there. Weiss's gaze flickered between Jaune and the key, her chest tightening. Blake remained silent, her tail twitching as her amber eyes studied Jaune's every move. Even Ruby's expression faltered, unsure whether to fully trust the man in front of them.
Neo's expression twisted into something unreadable, her fingers clutching her umbrella tightly. The tension wasn't lost on her, either. The memory of his relentless pursuit lingered, but the sight of the key—the bloodied evidence of his resolve—kept her rooted in place.
Jaune slid the key back into his pouch and turned away, his Armor gleaming dully as he began walking again. "The Tree awaits. If any of you doubt me, stay behind."
His words left no room for argument, and though every step forward carried unease, Team RWBY and Neo followed in silence, the weight of the journey pressing heavier with each passing moment.
......
The path to the Tree's heart was a winding labyrinth of twisting roots and glowing foliage, the air heavy with an ancient, otherworldly energy. Team RWBY, Neo, and Jaune walked in silence, the weight of their journey pressing down on each of them. The soft luminescence of the Tree's roots bathed their surroundings in hues of gold and green, an ethereal beauty that felt at odds with the tension gripping the group.
At last, they reached it—the Gate to Remnant.
Nestled within a massive hollow at the base of the Tree, the Gate stood as a shimmering archway of light. Its frame was crafted from intricate vines of silver and gold, woven together like a living tapestry. The portal itself pulsed softly, a swirling vortex of white and blue that seemed to ripple like water in the moonlight. Strange, incomprehensible runes floated across its surface, glowing faintly before fading into the currents of energy.
Weiss's breath hitched as she took in the sight. "It's beautiful," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the faint hum emanating from the Gate.
Ruby stepped closer, her silver eyes reflecting the light of the portal. "This is it," she said, her voice filled with both wonder and apprehension. "The way back home."
The Gate bore a striking resemblance to the portals they had used during the battle against Salem in Atlas. Its design was nearly identical, though this one felt more ancient, more deliberate, as if it had been here long before anyone had discovered its purpose.
Blake's ears twitched as she stepped beside Ruby, her amber eyes scanning the swirling energies of the portal. "It's the same as before," she said softly. "But why is it here? In Ever After?"
"Because the Tree is the heart of this world," Jaune said, his voice low and steady. He stood a few paces behind the group, his helmet still obscuring his eyes. "Every thread of Ever After's existence leads back to it. If there's a way to connect this realm to Remnant, it would be here."
Yang folded her arms, her gaze flicking between Jaune and the Gate. "And you're sure this will take us back? No tricks, no surprises?"
Jaune didn't immediately answer. Instead, he stepped forward, pulling the golden key from his pouch. The Queen's blood had dried into dark stains along its intricate grooves, a grim reminder of how it had been obtained.
"This key was the Queen's way of traveling between worlds," he said. "It's the only thing that can activate the Gate. If you don't believe me, you're free to stay here."
The tension between them was palpable, but no one spoke. Instead, they watched as Jaune approached the Gate, his movements precise and deliberate. He inserted the key into a small recess at the base of the frame, the metal fitting with a soft click.
The Gate responded immediately. The swirling energies intensified, the runes glowing brighter as the portal expanded slightly. The hum grew louder, a harmonious sound that resonated deep within their chests. The Tree's roots pulsed in rhythm with the Gate, the entire hollow alive with energy.
Ruby took a tentative step forward, her hands tightening around Crescent Rose. "It's working," she murmured. Her voice was filled with cautious hope, but her gaze lingered on Jaune's back, her thoughts unreadable.
Neo stood to the side, her expression inscrutable. She clutched her umbrella tightly, her eyes flicking between the Gate and Jaune. For once, she seemed unsure of her next move.
Blake placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder, drawing her attention. "This is it," she said gently. "We're going home."
Ruby nodded, her resolve hardening. The Gate shimmered brighter, the way back to Remnant beckoning them forward. But even as they stood on the threshold of their return, an unspoken question hung in the air:
What awaited them on the other side?