I'm sure a lot of people have figured out where this is going. This is the end of Those You Leave Behind, but not the end of the story. The last section in particular is a big hint on where I'm going to take this.

Convergence will arrive some time in July. If you haven't read Emergence and Aliens Among Us, I highly recommend you read it.

Epilogue: Loose Ends

Like anything to do with the Atlesian royal family, the summer home managed to be both opulent and utilitarian. The clashing, expensive-but-boring aesthetic grated on Qrow Branwen's sensibilities, but it was far from the worst thing he had to deal with in this job.

Nor was the woman before him, who despite being only a few years older than him and far less imposing, was among the most powerful in the world. She was dressed in a tight grey-blue jacket and deep blue trousers, decorated with various braids and medals. Not a military uniform, but similar to one. A pocket watch made of Dust-infused silver, impressed with the Atlesian royal crest, rolled around in her hand. "What do you think, Qrow?"

"Well, on first inspection, it would appear to be a major setback," Qrow answered, watching the beginning of a frown form on the woman's face. "On the other hand, the ones who would interfere are either gone or believe we are gone."

She nodded. "It was a calculated risk. I would have preferred that we keep the facility a little while longer, but this will have to do. In any case, we have sufficient quantities of Spectral Dust, and we still have the Vale site. Definitely worth the cost, wouldn't you say?"

"Given context, yes," the huntsman replied stiffly.

The woman shifted in her chair. In a rare moment of compassion, her voice softened. "I'm sorry about your nieces, Qrow. If it's any consolation, I do regret employing that sociopath. But what's done is done. We knew that some would have to be sacrificed when we began and we agreed to accept it, no matter who it was."

His reply was neutral. "I understand."

She nodded. "Good."

"When do we go ahead?"

"We'll delay by a few months to get all the pieces in the right places, and then..." The Queen snapped her fingers. "For the future, Qrow."

The huntsman bowed politely. "For the future, your highness."

"Come in, Winter."

The girl did as she was bidden, striding with false confidence toward the imposing wooden desk on the opposite side of the opulent office. "You wished to see me, father?"

"Yes," the Schnee patriarch responded in a similarly controlled voice. "I am aware of your actions, and I took no action to stop them. Please offer me your speculation as to why."

"It was your intent to evaluate my actions from the very beginning," the girl answered after a moment of careful consideration. "The negative consequences of my actions were minimal or would have occurred regardless. However, my suitability as the future leader of the Schnee Dust Company was unknown. Therefore, you deemed it more important to observe than to interfere."

"That is correct." He nodded once, almost imperceptibly. "With the loss of Weiss, you are now next in line to lead this company. You have been prepared for that role, more than you know, but your ability in practice was largely unknown."

"How was my performance, sir?"

"You have learned how to take action," he replied slowly. "But you must learn when to take action."

She didn't allow the disappointment to show. "I understand."

"Soon, you will have the weight of the company on your shoulders. Learn from your mistakes when you can still afford to make them."

"You were wrong, Ozpin," the man said from the doorway, unwilling to enter but unable to stay silent.

There was a long silence, with the Headmaster staring away into the window, unmoving. Finally, he replied quietly, "Was I, James?"

"Your inaction cost the lives of your students," the general replied resignedly as he stepped into the dimly lit office. "Again. You were the one who told me that was the ultimate failing of a headmaster."

"The cost of a victory, if a small one." He let out a rare sigh. "Some sacrifices must be made. You were the one who told me that."

"Ozpin... what if you're wrong? What if you're wrong about everything?" Ironwood postulated carefully. "What if what you're trying to stop- we're trying to stop- isn't a bad thing? Have you considered that?"

"I have." He paused, closing his eyes. "That, perhaps, is what I am afraid of more than anything else."

"I never thought you'd admit fear."

"I never thought times would be this trying." Another pause. "I know what they are trying. Why they are trying again. Finding the sanctuary we have always dreamed of. But we know nothing of what is on the other side, if there is something on the other side. All we have is legends and speculation."

"Legends which may or may not be true," Ironwood admitted. "Ozpin, I know war is coming. I just hope I don't screw it up."

"Fight the war you must," the headmaster said quietly. "As I will. For better or for worse."

The boy slowly returned to consciousness as the sun began to rise over the horizon, its rays shining directly into his closed eyes. In his half-asleep fugue, he turned away from the light, delaying but not stopping the inevitable. At some point, his mind recalled what had happen earlier and jolted him awake.

He took in the situation. His team was right beside him, unconscious but beginning to stir. They were situated at the bottom of a set of low, wide stone steps. A light stone building with columns on its face was behind them. Stretching out ahead of them was a long pool, lined with trees on either side. In the distance, a large obelisk extended up toward the sky. The place was nearly deserted, but they could hear the unmistakable sounds of a city around them.

The sight was completely unfamiliar to Jaune Arc. "Where are we?"