Wow. I have absolutely no words for all the support you guys have shown for this story. I hadn't posted the story anywhere and I woke up the next morning looking at this: bit (period) ly (dash) 1QnydQQ (Fixed the link, it's a bit ly linking to an imgur picture)

I wish I could find the words to say how humbled I feel. This has been one of the best things I have ever woken up to. I'm glad so many of you are interested in the story.

I know I have a lot of improvement and growth to make as a writer. I am not scared for this but want to embrace it. Maybe when I am reaching later chapters I will look at the older chapters and retouch them as my writing (hopefully) improves. But for now, I give you the second chapter to Weapons Pointed at the Enemy!

Stepping onto the airship, Ruby turned to glance at the hangar again. She contemplated running. Why, she didn't know for sure. Was it fear?

But why fear? Dad and Yang are still family, Vale is safe again. Nothing about that has changed in those years. Even though Yang never wrote back. The thought stung but Ruby's train of thought was quickly stopped by a gloved but firm hand on her shoulder. Jaune.

"You okay there, Ruby?" he said. His eyes were still dark, obviously still dealing some of the same troubles she had.

"I could ask you the same, and the answer would be the same, Jaune."

Ruby said, continuing her stare towards the hangar.

"Don't." Jaune quickly said, realizing the reason why she was still looking out towards the hangar. "You said it yourself. We need to face the past."

"I know. I just.." she started, turning to Jaune. "I'm terrified. I've become what I've always wanted but.. I can't help but feel-"

"That you've abandoned those who were important to you? Yeah." Jaune finished for her and shot her a comforting smile, getting a small frown of guilt from Ruby in return. "I know what you mean. But that won't stop our duties as Hunter and Huntress, Ruby. If there is something serious in Vale, we'll need to be there to help.".

Ruby took a deep breath and nodded at Jaune. "You're right." she said, turning to the main area of the Atlesian transport ship. "We should probably find a place to rest. It's still a long way to Vale."


"Stupid piece of s-!"

A metal prosthetic shattered into pieces at the force of the throw and left an impressive mark on the concrete wall. Fuming with rage, Yang closed her eyes in an attempt to calm herself down again. After a short moment and patient breaths, she started gathering it's pieces. All the prosthetics never worked for her. Clunky, slow, defective, Valian, Atlesian. All the same to her.

Throwing the pieces in a bin on the academy's grounds, Yang let out a heavy sigh. The autumn sun was slowly setting over Signal Academy and all the students had luckily left before seeing her outburst of rage.

"Let's hope the next one will be better, Yang." Tai said, attempting to soothe his daughter. It startled Yang and she tried to avoid his gaze. "Yeah. Whatever." she spat back at her father, before storming off ahead of him back on the road towards Patch. About five years after Ruby left, Yang had gotten a job at Signal replacing Qrow. Ironically, they chose the woman with only one arm to be a combat instructor. However after a brief period of time Yang was able to fill the role well. It still didn't mean she necessarily liked being one-armed. None of the prosthetics she had used throughout the years were able to sufficiently survive continued use, leaving her feeling like she would be useless were another attack on Vale happen. A living reminder that her rage got the better of her.

After getting the key from her bag, she opened the door to the house. When Ruby left, it felt empty. As did Yang. Everything she loved she had pushed away, all because of her stupid pride. Angrily she slammed the door close after entering, placing her bag in a corner and throwing the key onto the dinner table.

I don't need them. They've all left me. Blake left me when I needed her most, when I had literally given my arm to save her. Weiss was a daddy's girl after all. Stupid ice princess. And Ruby.. After I protected you for so long, you left me too. Mom..

All at once the resentment towards those she once loved flooded back, the frustration boiling up again. They left her, it wasn't her pride that caused her to feel like this. The flames licked the furniture in the house as her temper flared. Closing her eyes again and breathing in deep, she managed to suppress her semblance. Hearing another key enter the door, she quickly made her way to her room, opting to avoid her father rather than be confronted by him. Yang did not want to deal with her father right now.

Quickly she made her way to her room. The instant she entered, she made her way over to her desk, gripping the wood of it tightly with her one hand. As Yang was trying to calm herself down, to suppress the memories, the golden glint of Ember Celica caught her eye. She took the weapon and let her fingers trace the grooves and damages on it. When she had lost her arm, she never wielded Ember Celica again. It's other twin lost, Yang vowed she would never use it again. It was a painful reminder to the fact that she failed not only herself, but her friends as well. Sighing heavily, she put it away again and opened the drawer of her desk. All at once, all the letters poured out of it, releasing the heavy rose scent. With a heavy sigh and a frustrated grunt, Yang started to clean them up. Guess it's just not my day.


A stray beam of light stirred Ruby as it hit her eyes. A murmur left her lips as she turned around, pulling in the blanket to try and get more comfortable. After several turns and tosses she decided to get up, not able to return to sleep. Taking her scroll from the small table she read the time. 6:30. I guess I should check if Jaune's up. Ruby thought, standing up from the bed. After a brief shower, she put on her specialist outfit. After she had joined Atlas, they had asked her to dress like all of them had. Ruby had refused, much to Ironwood's chagrin. However, over time, he had accepted it. Jaune had tried to wear the Atlesian clothes, but switched back to his more comfortable attire after a while. However it didn't mean Ruby hadn't changed her attire at all.

Ruby switched to an open-shoulder top, still the iconic black she always wore. However with sleeves which were a deep red, connected by silver pattern in the form of a cross to the top itself. A longer, neat skirt with a cut in the middle had replaced the 'Combat skirt' she used to wear, red as her sleeves with a silver trim. A smaller black waistline skirt was placed on top of it. The waistline skirt was fitted with her emblem, pockets and a special rack for ammo or other utilities she could need on a mission. The whole ensemble was finished by a black corset with red threads, black leggings and black gloves with silver lining. All of her armor was reinforced with lightweight material by Atlas. However, she still wore her cloak like usual. It was a reminder to her past, but one she remembered fondly instead of painfully.

Hooking Crescent Rose to her back and applying just a little makeup, she stepped out of her cabin. Looking on her scroll, Ruby was surprised to find that they were about an hour away from Vale. For a minute it caused a spark of panic in her. It'll be fine. Stop worrying. You've killed well over ten thousand Grimm by now. This is marginally easier. Just stop acting like you're that little girl again. You're a grown wom- no. 'Warrior'.

After settling her panic she walked to the door next to her and knocked on the door. Ruby could hear the sound of a chair sliding along the floor before the door was opened. Jaune's eyes were bloodshot and there were heavy bags under them. "Oh. Hey." he said, trying to flash her a little smile but failing to do so.

"Jaune.. Are you okay?" Ruby asked, looking worried at him. Jaune opened the door,fully armored and clothed. Ruby found the room in an absolute disarray. The bedsheets were lying on the floor and Jaune's luggage was flung open, clothes scattered everywhere. In the middle of his luggage stood a golden box lined on the inside with a deep earthen brown. Ruby's eyes scanned the room before her eyes rested on the object on the desk. Pyrrha's circlet.

"Wait.. is that?" Ruby started, closing the door behind them. Jaune just nodded at her before sitting on the bed. "I kept it. I don't even really know why.".

Ruby slowly made her way to the desk, picking up the circlet and examining it. It was as flawless as when Pyrrha wore it. "Why did you bring it along?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle. She knew this was probably hard on Jaune. In their years of being friends (or even partners, if Ruby was to call it something) they had shared a lot, but always refrained from the absolute deepest pain. They understood that both of them had it locked away for a reason. Unfortunately, this trip brought up the pain again.

"Because she deserves to be remembered in a way that can only happen at Beacon. As a normal girl who had hopes and dreams, who wanted nothing more than be normal, but ended up dying a symbol anyway. She never wanted that. It's the reason she liked me, she said. At the dance, all those years ago. That I was the only one who immediately treated her like a person, instead of a goddess. I just wish I had known just how much she meant to me before.. she, you know, died." Jaune spoke. The sincerity in his voice touched Ruby. She had seen Pyrrha die with her own eyes, Cinder's magic turning Pyrrha to dust after the arrow pierced her heart, leaving only the circlet.

Gently, Ruby sat down next to him, the circlet still in her hands. It was hauntingly beautiful in its current state, a beautiful reminder to a great friend. "I just wish I could see her one last time, you know. I won't ever blame her for what she did. But I still need to tell her what she meant to me. What she continues to." Jaune continued, his eyes filling with tears.

Ruby shifted her gaze to him, then back to the circlet. A crazy - no, insane - idea popped into her head as she stood up. Jaune looked at her with confusion before she put on the circlet. She took Jaune's hands and pulled him to stand. Jaune's gaze was locked onto the circlet on her head. "Then say it. Just how much she meant and means to you, to me. I'm sure Pyrrha has never left you Jaune. She will hear it." Ruby spoke, choking up a little as she looked at her hurting friend. She tugged at his hands, pulling him slightly down to rest their foreheads together. Jaune instinctively put his arms around her and Ruby wrapped her arms around him, embracing him tightly in order to soothe him.

As soon as Jaune started speaking, his tears started flowing freely. "Pyrrha.. I can't thank you enough for always having believed in me. Supported me in every decision, helped me with every problem. You helped me train to become what I always aspired to be, and continue to inspire me to strive for greatness!"

Ruby's own tears started flowing as Jaune let go of all the pain in his heart. She closed her eyes, silently sobbing in his arms.

"I owe everything I am to you Pyrrha. And I will make sure I will do everything I can to make sure I will protect the world! It's my destiny to see the world at peace and I am glad it was you that was beside me when I made my first steps towards it. I love you Pyrrha. I always will." Jaune said, holding tighter onto Ruby. "I miss you."

The both of them stood there for a moment to let their hearts settle as their tears fell. They held onto each other before a beep on each of their scrolls alerted them that they were about fifteen minutes away from Vale.

Slowly, the both of them let go of each other, keeping their gazes at each other. Ruby took off the circlet with great care, holding it in her hands again. Jaune put his hands on hers and flashed her a heartwarming smile. "Thanks Ruby. I .. I didn't know I needed that.".

Ruby wiped away the ruined makeup and smiled back at him. "That's what friends are for Jaune. Rely on me the way I rely on you.".

Jaune nodded and let go of her hands. With a nervous chuckle he spoke again, "I guess I'll have to clean up this mess."

Ruby giggled at him, her eyes still wet with tears. "Well.. I guess I'd better leave you to it. I'll help with the first item." she said, turning towards the golden box and put the circlet in it before closing the lid of the box.

Jaune started gathering the scattered clothes as Ruby walked towards the door. "See you in ten minutes?" she asked, making Jaune look up at her. "Yeah. I'll see you soon." he said, flashing her a small smile. Ruby left and quickly gathered her luggage, a suitcase with clothes and a duffle bag with ammo and components for Crescent Rose. She made her way to the main deck, waiting on Jaune. Looking out of the window, she could see the city of Vale had changed dramatically. Most of the buildings were still the same, but looking down in the streets it seemed like there were a lot more hunters and huntresses. Not to mention more outposts and shelters. Ruby quickly turned her gaze towards Beacon, knowing that Qrow had taken over from Ozpin. The Dragon was still visible, yet frozen white in time. Her uncle had said Ruby was the one that had caused it with her silver eyes.

Glad that they've contained the problem. I wonder how he's doing. And if he's still a massive alcoholic.

Jaune strolled up to her with his bag slung over his shoulder and tapped Ruby on the shoulder, causing her to look at him. The heavy bags under his eyes seemed to have reduced, but still clearly showed his lack of sleep.

".. Did you even sleep last night?" Ruby asked, tilting her head and raising an eyebrow at him. When he shook his head 'No', she just sighed a little before flashing him a smile. "Well. Guess investigation will have to wait a day, until you've slept."

Jaune nodded, looking out of the window with her. Silently they both took in what they saw and pieced it together with their memories of the city. "Strange to be back." Jaune said.

"Yeah. It sure is. But I am no longer scared. I couldn't be scared of home." Ruby said as the airship came to a halt on the airpad.