Back to the Beginning

Ryder, Yang, Qrow, Ruby and Summer decided to return to Patch after being away for so long. Weiss decided to join them. They wanted to inform Tai that Summer's alive and that Salem and the War against her is finally over. Blake, Kairos and Team JNPR decided to return to Vale to help Glynda with reclaiming Beacon Academy from the Grimm. Ironwood, Winter, Penny, Robyn and the Ace Ops have a Kingdom to rebuild and repair following the Final Battle with Salem. They also have Amity Tower to finish. Atlas Airships are transporting Teams RWBY, JNPR and RK back to Vale. Atlas hailed them all as Heroes, mostly Ryder, for defeating Salem and Ironwood planned to spread the word to the rest of the world once communications were back up and running. Now Summer still looked like a Grimm which Ryder planned to fix with the Dragon Balls once they recharged. 

When they arrived at Patch, the group steps off the airship and begin walking down the path towards the Rose-Xiao Long household. The Airship takes off and begins its journey back to Atlas. Ryder lets nostalgia flow through his mind as he remembers the first time he arrived on Remnant and met Ruby, Yang and Tai for the first time. That was a long time ago now and it's hard to imagine how long it's been. They eventually reach the house and Summer is nervous, so she stops. The group notices so they stop and turn to Summer. 

"Mom?" Ruby asked. 

"I.... what if he doesn't...." Summer said, nervously. 

"It'll be fine." Qrow said. "Tai won't turn away from you based on your appearance." 

Summer hesitated but had to muster up the courage and keep going. She took air in before exhaling and moving forward. The group began moving once again. Once they reach the front door, Ryder knocks on it. Nothing happens for a moment before the door opens and reveals Tai behind it. His eyes widened seeing Ryder, Ruby and Yang standing in front of him. 

"We're back." Ryder said with a smile. 

Still in shock, Tai chuckles lightly. 

"Yeah, you are." Tai said. 

The three then step aside to reveal Summer behind them, Weiss even moved. Tai's eyes widened once more in disbelief. Despite the Grimm appearance, he knew who this was. He couldn't even speak the right words or form a coherent word from his mouth as he stepped forward and slowly approached Summer. 

"H-How are you...." Tai whispered as he reached forward. 

He gently touched Summer's cheek, and the feeling sent it for him. This was Summer, right in front of him. Someone he thought was dead. Tears formed in his eyes before he tightly embraced Summer. Slightly caught off guard, Summer returns the embrace, just happy that he didn't react negatively. Ryder, Ruby, Yang and Weiss just smile seeing this long-awaited reunion. Qrow even smiled. Afterwards, the group found themselves inside the house and they broke down everything to Tai. To say he was surprised is an understatement. 

"So... everything is finally over?" Tai asked. "Salem, the Maidens. Everything?" 

"Well Salem is, the Maidens and the Relics still need protecting. But other than that, the War is over." Qrow said. 

Tai let that sink in. 

"For decades, I always wondered when it would end." Tai said, still stunned. "To think You would be the one to end it all." 

He said that while looking at Ryder who stood beside Qrow. 

"Guess I made the right call in taking you in." Tai said with a smile. 

Ryder smiles at that. 

"So, what happens now?" Yang asked. 

"We rebuild; we heal wounds and fix the bridges that were burned." Ryder said. "Remnant is due an Era of Peace." 

"There's still Grimm to take care of which means Huntsmen and Huntresses are still needed." Qrow continued. "But there's a lot to do in the wake of Salem's defeat." 

"I'd say." Tai said. "Rebuilding Beacon is one of them." 

He then sighed before looking at Summer. 

"I still can't believe that Salem kept you all these years." Tai said. 

Summer looked towards the ground, still effected by what Salem did to her. 

"Once the Dragon Balls recharge in a year, I can use them again and fix what damage Salem caused." Ryder said. 

"Still had to believe Salem is actually dead." Tai said. 

"I know the feeling, Tai." Qrow said. "We've been against her for so long. It was surreal to think that we'd defeat her back then. Then Ryder came and did what we couldn't." 

Everyone then looked at Ryder who seemed nervous given all the attention he's been receiving. But he deserves it. He defeated Cinder Fall at Haven and then defeated Salem in Atlas. He started out as an average guy from Earth and transformed into a World Saving Hero with insane powers. Talk about Zero to Hero.