Special thanks to RealTerminal for the constant prodding and occasional help. Thanks to jo3mm for the cover art, it was well worth the price of commission. And thank you to everyone who reads and comments.

Chapter 1

Ruby waited in front of the hotel. Jaune was late, as usual. He and Ruby were childhood best friends. They would probably have been a couple if Ruby had any interest in men. She considered giving up and going back inside, but then a bulky sedan pulled up. The window rolled down to reveal Jaune behind the wheel. "Sorry I'm late." Jaune apologized. "My flight was delayed."

"You could have called me." Ruby said. She opened the front passenger's door and slipped inside.

"Are Yang and Pyrrha coming or are we meeting them somewhere?" Jaune asked.

"Oh, you didn't hear?" Ruby said. "They're not going to make it." Originally the whole group was going to go out to lunch and maybe take in some of Atlas' famous landmarks. They were in Atlas to watch their friend Blake fight. She had been a professional MMA fighter for years, but tonight was her first match on the main card of a Vytal Fighting Championship event. Blake trained at the same gym as Yang, Ruby's half-sister. Pyrrha, Ruby's girlfriend, trained there too.

"Why not?" Jaune asked.

"A few days ago one of the fighters in the main event got hurt and had to withdraw." Ruby explained. "Yang was picked to replace her."

"Isn't it tough to take a fight on such short notice?" Jaune asked. Ruby nodded in confirmation. "So why do it?"

"If Yang wins she'll get a shot at the title." Ruby replied. "If she loses, no one's going to blame her. Anyway, Pyrrha's at the arena with Yang to help her prepare."

"So if she wins she'll fight Pyrrha?" Jaune asked.

"No, Pyrrha's the champion, but in another weight class." Ruby said.

"It's a shame they couldn't come." Jaune sighed. "I was looking forward to seeing Yang's new tattoos. You won't stop telling me about them."

"Well, I think they're some of my best work." Ruby said. "We'll all get to hang out after the fight. You'll get to see them then."

"Cool." Jaune said.

"So when are you getting a tattoo?" Ruby asked.

"I think I'll pass." Jaune answered. "Your stuff is great and all...I just don't...it's not for me."

"You're worried about the pain." Ruby laughed.

"I don't see you covered in tattoos!" Jaune protested.

"It's hard to tattoo myself." Ruby said. She rolled up her sleeve, revealing an elaborate rose on her shoulder. "Do you have any idea how tricky it was to do this."

"Good point." Jaune said. "You are the artist. So, where are we going?"

"I don't know." Ruby replied. "I'm kind of hungry. Want to get lunch?"

"Any idea where?" Jaune asked.

"Nope." Ruby said. "Wherever you want."

"I've heard good things about this one burger place." Jaune shrugged.

"I could go for a burger." Ruby agreed. "Let's give it a shot."

It was a short drive to the restaurant, but once there it became a battle to find any parking. After driving around for some time the pair settled on an underground parking garage. The rates were astronomical, but it was the only place available. A few levels underground, Jaune found a spot. It was a bit of a tight squeeze but he and Ruby slipped out of the rental car and headed for the stairwell. Their footsteps echoed through the concrete structure and the door to the stairwell slammed behind them with a thunderous crash. Ruby jogged up a flight of stairs, Jaune struggling to match her pace. Then another, laughing as Jaune fell further behind. For a personal trainer he was not in the best of shape.

Ruby suddenly stopped. Jaune almost ran into her, slipping off-balance to her side and bracing himself against the wall. "Ruby what's…" He started. He didn't need to finish.

A man wearing an overcoat and a cap with the brim pulled down over his face had a gun pointed at Ruby's chest. "Hand over your purse." He ordered. He turned the gun to Jaune. "Your wallet too. Now!"

"Alright, take it easy." Ruby said. "Here." She held her purse out and the man took it.

As the mugger slipped the purse strap over his arm the gun briefly dipped. Jaune saw his opportunity and lunged for the weapon. Jaune and the mugger struggled for the weapon. Ruby was pushed back and knocked off her feet as the two men battled. BANG! There was a muffled gunshot and everything stopped. For a few seconds Jaune and the mugger remained locked together, then Jaune slumped to the floor, a growing bloodstain on his shirt. Ruby's scream echoed through the stairwell. Jaune lay on the floor, clutching at the wound and groaning.

"In for a penny, in for a pound." The mugger sighed. He stood over Jaune, took aim, and shot him again.

Ruby pushed herself away, sliding across the floor on her backside. "Oh God!" She cried. "You killed him!"

The mugger stomped over to her, standing over her. He looked at his gun before leveling it at Ruby's face. "No witnesses." He hissed.

"Please, don't!" Ruby yelled, lifting up her arms and pulling away.

BANG!

Yang was just going through final preparations for her fight. The undercard was already well underway. Yang was getting some last minute instructions from her coaches while Pyrrha waited beside the door. Yang was as ready as she was going to be. Pyrrha was pretty sure Yang was going to win. Yang had suffered some embarrassing losses early in her career, caught in submission holds as a result of over-aggression, but she had gotten over her youthful recklessness and was now a top-tier fighter. She had won her last three fights by knockout, all against top 10 contenders. Yang was a rising star in her weight class and Pyrrha knew she had the skills to make it to the top.

There was a knock at the door. Pyrrha opened it. A man in a suit was standing there. "Can I help you?" Pyrrha asked.

"I need to speak with Ms. Xiao-Long." The man said.

"I'm sorry, but she's very busy." Pyrrha said. "Can I take a message?"

"It's a personal matter." The man said. He flashed a badge, Atlas Police.

"Is she in trouble?" Pyrrha asked.

"No, it's a family matter." The officer replied.

Pyrrha had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. "Is it about Ruby?" She asked. The officer nodded. "I'm Ruby's girlfriend, you can tell me. I'll let Yang know after the fight." Pyrrha stepped out into the hallway and closed the door behind her. She did not want Yang to hear. This sort of distraction was the last thing she needed before a fight.

"Ms. Rose has been taken to the hospital." The officer explained. "She's suffered severe head injuries and is in critical condition."

"What happened?" Pyrrha asked.

"She was shot in the head." The officer replied. "The bullet didn't penetrate her skull but it did cause serious damage."

"My God…" Pyrrha gasped. Despite her best efforts tears were starting to well in her eyes. "Wait. Her friend Jaune was supposed to be with her. Is he okay?"

"I'm afraid Mr. Arc was also shot." The officer said. "His injuries are considered life-threatening. So, are you going to inform Ms. Xiao-Long?"

"Is there anything we can do at this point?" Pyrrha asked.

"Not really." The officer replied. "Last I heard Ms. Rose was unconscious and heading into surgery. Whether the surgery is successful or not, I wouldn't expect her to be conscious for quite some time."

"I'll tell Yang after the fight." Pyrrha said. She wiped away her tears and composed herself. "If there's nothing we can do, there's no reason to worry her now."

Yang's opponent lay flat on her back, muscles stiff and in spasm. Yang did not even need to wait for the referee to step in to stop the fight before knowing she had won. Another first round knockout. Next stop, a title shot. She ran around the cage, her hands held high as the crowd cheered. After doing a lap she leapt up onto the edge of the cage, stood atop it, balanced for a moment, then did a backflip into the ring. She checked on her opponent who was just now regaining consciousness, before heading to the middle of the ring for the official decision.

"The referee has called a stop to this contest at 1 minute and 43 seconds in the very first round." The announcer boomed. "Declaring your winner, by a knockout, Yang 'Dragon' Xiao-Long!" The referee raised Yang's arm and the crowd cheered again.

Pyrrha pushed her way through the crowd and whispered something in Yang's ear. The smile on Yang's face disappeared, replaced by a look of horror. Yang raced out of the ring without a word. One of the commentators, in the ring to interview the winner, stopped Pyrrha to ask what was going on. Pyrrha told him before racing out after Yang.

Yang hated hospitals. She always had. And yet her family was spending more and more time in one. Summer was sick. Mommy was sick. At eight years old, Yang did not have much of a handle on the situation. She knew Summer had something called "cancer" but what that meant exactly was beyond her. It must have been even harder for Ruby, only six, to understand. There were a few things they understood. For months Summer had been in and out of the hospital, getting sicker all the time. She was more and more tired and her skin was pale. It was increasingly rare for her to even get out of bed.

Now Summer had been in the hospital for over a week. Yang knew it was bad. She knew it was probably the end. She could tell by the way her father always cried. Summer put on a brave face for the kids but it was easy to see just how unwell she was. Yang had some concept of death. That was why she cried too. Summer may not have been her biological mother, but she was the only mother Yang had ever known. She had been an ideal mother, treating Yang as her own. Now all she could do was give a little smile or whisper a few words to give her daughters comfort as her end neared.

Taiyang took Yang and Ruby to visit Summer every day. They all wanted to stay around the clock, but Summer insisted that they needed to get their rest, and that the best place to do that was at home. It was late. They said their farewells and headed for the door. "Yang...hold on." Summer called after her. Summer's voice was weak but insistent. Taiyang paused at the door as well, but Summer waved him away. He took Ruby and waited outside.

"What is it mom?" Yang asked, getting close so Summer would not have to exert herself to speak.

"I don't have long." Summer said. "You're smart, I'm sure you know that."

"Don't say that." Yang said. Already tears were streaming down her face.

"There's no point in pretending." Summer said. "I knew I wouldn't always be there for you and Ruby, but I never thought you'd have to go without me so soon."

"Mom, please." Yang cried.

"Don't cry." Summer said. With great effort she reached out and wiped Yang's cheek. "I'll always be there in your hearts."

"Mom…" Yang sobbed.

"Please, protect Ruby." Summer implored. "Keep her safe. If you have nothing else, you'll have each other. Promise me."

"I don't know…" Yang struggled.

"Please, promise me." Summer insisted.

"I...I promise." Yang said.

"Thank you." Summer said with a gentle smile. "Now go on, get some sleep."

"Okay." Yang said. "See you later. I love you."

"I love you too." Summer said. "Always."

Yang went home with Ruby and their father. All night she thought about what Summer had said. How could she protect Ruby? And from what? She would have to ask Summer in the morning. But when the morning came Summer was gone and Yang was left without answers. She was afraid to ask anyone, least of all her distraught father. At least she knew why Summer had asked her and not him. Taiyang could barely go on. He did not eat for days after Summer's passing, and then only just enough to keep himself alive. He became emotionally distant. He could barely take care of himself, let alone two young girls. He would eventually die when Yang was 18. He had lost the will to live when Summer passed and it had been a miracle that he made it so long.

Yang had pondered her commitment to Summer for some time. When she was eleven she decided that if she was going to properly protect Ruby, she would need to learn to fight. She took up boxing, Taekwondo, judo, anything she could find a class in. Eventually she would realize Summer had wanted her to protect Ruby in a less physical way - the world could be a cruel place, doubly so for children in their position, and Summer had intended for Yang to protect Ruby from that darkness - but even so she kept training. It was only natural that Yang became a professional fighter. She was an MMA pro in the Vytal Fighting Championship by age 19. After a few years with mixed results she started training at a new gym - Vale Top Team - and started winning more consistently.

Meanwhile Ruby had been an art student. She got into tattoos. When Yang hit it big she leant her sister some money to start her own business, and Ruby quit school to be an artist full time. She sketched and painted, but Ruby made her money and her name from tattoos. Yang was covered in them. She had decided to be her sister's canvas. Her right arm was wrapped in vines and thorns interspersed with roses, Ruby's own signature rose design adorning her shoulder. The vines climbed all the way to her neck where they met the design from her left arm, a golden dragon engulfed in flames. It's tail curled up to her neck, mingling with the vines, while its snarling, fire-spitting mouth was on her forearm. Her back was covered with a huge raven, originally intended to be rather simple. Yang had never met her birth mother but her uncle had been an important part of her and Ruby's life after Summer's death. Once Ruby got started she could not stop. Yang ended up with an ornate and intimidating raven that covered almost the whole of her back. She did not mind. If Ruby was happy, Yang was happy.

Yang's tattoos got noticed at Vale Top Team. Many of the other fighters had their own tattoos and they wanted to know where Yang had gotten hers. A few got tattoos from Ruby and suddenly she was the gym's unofficial artist. She spent almost as much time there, effectively making house calls for the fighters, as she did in her own studio. There Ruby met Pyrrha. Pyrrha was about as old as Yang but a much more accomplished fighter. She had not suffered from the same rookie difficulties Yang had, posting an undefeated record. Soon after Yang started training with Vale Top Team, Pyrrha became champion in her weight class. Soon after that she was #1 in the pound-for-pound rankings. More important to Ruby - and Yang for that matter - was that Ruby started dating Pyrrha. Pyrrha was not huge on tattoos, and only got a few from Ruby after they started going out, but her personality seemed to mesh perfectly with Ruby's. About a year into their relationship, they started living together.

Then came that fateful trip to Atlas.

Ruby could hear voices, though it sounded like she had her head underwater. She wanted to open her eyes but her eyelids were heavy. She tried to move but could not. She felt like she was floating. Though they were muffled she recognized one of the voices. She tried to call out but could not make a sound. Ruby began to panic. She just wanted to flail about, she wanted to move anything. She wanted to scream. She could hear beeping and the voices grew louder and more chaotic.

Finally Ruby was able to force her eyes open. Bright white light washed out her vision. As soon as she had opened them, she closed her eyes again. She opened them again, more slowly this time. Her eyes were able to adjust and soon she was staring at a white ceiling. The sounds and voices around her had calmed. She tried to move her head but it was impossible. Once again she tried to speak. "Yang…" She managed in a nearly inaudible whisper.

"Ruby?!" Came the reply. The voices were clear now. So was Ruby's vision. Unfortunately she could only stare at the ceiling.

"Yang…" Ruby whispered again.

"She's awake!" Yang shouted. "Get a doctor! She's awake!"

A few seconds later a doctor arrived and started shining a flashlight in Ruby's eyes. She tried to move away from the painful beam and managed to turn her head a bit. "Stop…" She managed. The doctor said something Ruby could not make out.

"Ruby, can you hear me?" Yang asked.

"Yes…" Ruby struggled. "Can't...move."

"The drugs are still wearing off." The doctor said. Well, Ruby presumed it was the doctor, she did not recognize the voice. "Please remain calm."

"Ruby, I'm so glad you're awake!" Yang exclaimed. "I was afraid you'd never wake up."

"What...happened?" Ruby asked.

"We'll talk about that later." Yang dodged the question. "Just take it easy. I need to call Pyrrha. She's been really worried too."

"Did...did you win?" Ruby asked.

"Yeah." Yang replied. "Blake won too. But that's not important. What's important is that you're awake."

"I feel tired." Ruby said.

"Alright, get some sleep then." Yang suggested. "Maybe when you wake up again you'll be able to move. I'll get you up when Pyrrha gets here."

"Ruby…" Came a whispered voice, cutting through Ruby's slumber.

Ruby felt a slight tap on the arm. It was immediately overwhelmed by a splitting headache. She groaned and forced her eyes open, now easily turning her head to face whoever was bothering her. Still in a haze between sleep and waking, she looked. "Mom?!" Ruby gasped.

"No...it's…" 'Summer' said.

"Ruby, are you alright?" Yang asked. Ruby turned to her other side to see Yang who was visibly worried.

Ruby turned back to 'Summer' but she was gone, replaced by Pyrrha. "Oh, Pyrrha." Ruby sighed. "Sorry, I must not have been fully awake."

"It's fine." Pyrrha said with a gentle smile. "You've been through a lot. How are you feeling?"

"My head really hurts." Ruby replied. "And my body feels really heavy."

"The doctor mentioned stuff like that." Yang said. "It's normal...considering."

"What happened anyway?" Ruby asked. "I just remember being in the car with Jaune...then nothing."

"You were shot, in the head." Pyrrha said. "Luckily the bullet only glanced off your skull instead of penetrating. Your skull was fractured though, and you've been in an induced coma for over a week."

"I was...shot?" Ruby asked. She reached up, touching the most painful part of her head, the left side behind her temple. She found a long scar and a spot where her hair had been shaved away. "Why? By who?"

"The police don't know." Yang answered. "They said they think it was random. Your purse was gone so it was probably a robbery."

"Oh…" Ruby sighed. She did not really know how to follow that up.

"I'm so sorry." Yang said, starting to cry. "If it wasn't for my stupid fight I could have been there to protect you."

"You probably would have been shot too." Ruby said. "Some things you just can't control."

"The voice of reason is the one with the massive head trauma." Pyrrha said. "We can't blame ourselves for this." In truth she blamed herself just as much as Yang did. She was supposed to be there too. She could have done something.

"What's up with Jaune?" Ruby asked.

"I don't know how to tell you this…" Pyrrha started.

"He was shot too." Yang took over for her. "He didn't make it."

"Good joke." Ruby laughed. "If he's dead how could he be standing there." Ruby pointed and the other two looked. "He's been there the whole time. I just want to know why he hasn't said anything."

"Ruby...there's no one there." Pyrrha said. "Jaune died. I went to his funeral. I gave his eulogy. I'm sorry. I know it must be a shock but…"

"But he's right there!" Ruby cut her off.

Yang walked over into the space where Ruby was pointing. "There's no one here." Yang said. "See."

Ruby's vision blurred. She blinked her eyes repeatedly and when she was able to refocus Jaune was gone. "But I swear he was…" She trailed off. "How can that…"

"Maybe I should get a doctor." Pyrrha suggested.

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea." Yang agreed.

"I saw him." Ruby said. "I know I did. He was standing there the whole time we were talking. I swear I'm not making this up."