The loop was over.
The war was over.
For the first time in countless lifetimes, Ozpin was no longer a prisoner of fate.
And yet—
That left him with one terrifying problem.
Step Four Hundred and Fifty-Seven: Now What?
---
Step Four Hundred and Fifty-Eight: The Aftermath of Insanity
Beacon Academy had never been busier.
Teams RWBY and JNPR were officially labeled "war heroes."
Jaune Arc's "Mop-Knight" legend had reached national fame.
The phrase "Don't Mess With Ozpin" became a meme on the ValeNet forums.
And somehow—
Beacon was stronger than ever.
Step Four Hundred and Fifty-Nine: The School Survived.
---
Step Four Hundred and Sixty: A Quiet Conversation
Ozpin sat in his office.
For once—
There was no battle plan on his desk.
No ancient secret weighing on his shoulders.
No impending war pressing against his mind.
Only a cup of coffee.
And across from him—
Ruby Rose.
Step Four Hundred and Sixty-One: The First Talk That Matters.
---
Step Four Hundred and Sixty-Two: Ruby Knows Something's Different
Ruby fidgeted.
"So…" she began. "You're different."
Ozpin raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"
Ruby nodded. "You used to act like you had all the answers. Now it's like… you're actually figuring things out for the first time."
Pause.
Ozpin chuckled. "That would be because I am."
Step Four Hundred and Sixty-Three: She's Not Wrong.
---
Step Four Hundred and Sixty-Four: The Next Generation
"So what happens now?" Ruby asked.
Ozpin looked down at his coffee.
For so long, the answer had been obvious.
The cycle would repeat.
Beacon would fall.
He would die.
But now?
For the first time—
He didn't know.
Step Four Hundred and Sixty-Five: The Future Is Unwritten.
He looked at Ruby.
At the young girl who had already defied the odds.
At the next generation.
"Whatever happens next," he said, "it's yours to decide."
Step Four Hundred and Sixty-Six: Pass It On.
---
Step Four Hundred and Sixty-Seven: A Peaceful Ending
For once, Ozpin didn't need to scheme.
Didn't need to predict.
Didn't need to prepare for an inevitable tragedy.
Because this time—
There was no script.
Just life.
Just time moving forward.
Step Four Hundred and Sixty-Eight: No More Loops. No More Steps. Just Living.
The End.