After dealing with Jacques, everyone was now gathered in Amity Colosseum. They all stood in the zone where the battles used to be fought. Team RWBY, JNPR and RK stood in a line formation as Ironwood addressed them. Qrow stood off to the side while Winter and Penny stood beside Ironwood. They were gathered for something that Ironwood had yet to discuss but it was apparently important.
"It goes without saying that this arena holds a significance." Ironwood begins. "To all of us. It's only fitting that we should be able to reconvene here. Now, when the world needs to be brought together more than ever. The road your traveled from our first meeting hasn't been easy."
Penny bounces up and down, but Winter stops her. Ironwood paces back and forth in front of the three teams.
"You've fought for your school and your friends at Beacon." Ironwood said. "You fought for the world and the innocent at Haven Academy and beyond. You've faced down terrors people can't even fathom. That's not the behavior of students. It's the behavior of Huntsmen and Huntresses."
Ironwood then looked at Penny and nods at her. Penny then walked over to the teams with a tablet and as she passed each person she tapped a button. Ren's scroll vibrates and he pulled it out. Everyone else pulled out there's when Penny pressed a button as she passed them.
"Wait, what is this?" Ren asked as he noticed his student license changed to a Huntsmen license.
Everyone else's did as well.
"You are being granted your Huntsmen licenses. Today." Winter said.
"I know this is coming a little ahead of schedule." Ironwood said. "But brothers know you deserve it. I only regret I couldn't do something a little more.... ceremonious for the occasion."
Finally, Penny reached Ryder and Kairos and tapped a button on her tablet. Ryder and Kairos grab their scrolls and see they now have Huntsmen licenses. After all this time, all these days, all these months. Ryder is finally a Huntsmen. The journey was long and hard, but it seems like it was worth it.
"We are honored, General Ironwood." Ruby said. "But you really don't have to...."
"Please. With the Threat of Salem still out there and tensions rising in our kingdom. I certainly could use more trustworthy fighters by my side." Ironwood explained. "I should be so lucky to have all of you."
Everyone was quiet and it made Ironwood look at them.
"it's okay. It's a big moment." Ironwood said. "And what better way than to celebrate it here. When this tower is ready, and communications are back up and running. We'll tell the world about Salem and face down whatever comes at us after that. Together."
Then an awkward bit of silence follows as Ironwood almost fumbles the exit to the speech.
"that's... just about all the pomp I have in me." Ironwood admits. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to running this operation. Um, well then. Enjoy the cake."
With that Ironwood and Winter take their leave, but Penny had one last comment.
"Your speech outros are improving, sir!" Penny said enthusiastically.
Once they were gone, the group takes everything in.
"After everything we've been through." Yang said, looking at her scroll. "I forgot this is what i wanted in the first place."
"When Beacon fell, I didn't even think this would be possible." Blake admits.
"It almost feels trivial now." Weiss adds.
"Geez, guys." Qrow said with a humored tone as he walked over. "Lighten up a little. Enjoy yourselves for a change. You've earned it."
"Finally!" Nora exclaimed. "Someone said it. Let's kill some cake huh?"
Nora then got a challenging instinct.
"Because I could eat two slices before Ren even eats one!" Nora claims. "Who says I can't? Who says it huh!?"
"Nora." Ren said sounding tired. "no one is arguing with you about this."
Everyone then gets ready to have cake, but while Penny cut the cake with her swords for everyone. Ryder sat in the area where spectators used to sit for the Vytal Festival. He sat alone as he was in thought. After everything that happened, all the pain, all the challenges. It seems like things are looking up for once. All he needs to do is find the last Dragon Ball and then they can wish away Salem's immortality. Making them one step closer to ending this hidden War. He's excited. He then remembers he previous wish. To become a Hero. Maybe this way he'll actually become a Hero. Maybe he already has.
"How come you're not with everyone else?" Weiss asked.
Ryder snapped out of his thoughts and saw his girlfriend sitting down beside him.
"I just wanted to space to think." Ryder answered.
"Are you okay?" Weiss asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Ryder said in an assuring tone. "It's just so much has happened, and it feels like our adventure is getting closer to its end."
"Well, when it does end... what will you do?" Weiss asked.
"Don't know." Ryder answered honestly. "I guess spend my time with you."
Weiss smiles hearing this before she gives Ryder a kiss showing her affection.