My memory's been a little foggy, recently. I know there was a lot of commotion when we got back to Vale...i remember some reporters, police, and...guh, it's all blurry. I know now, i'm in a hospital...been here for a few days. The treatment for the poison was pretty easy...just make sure I eat well. Apparently it allows the poison to pass through my system without harm...and I wouldn't exactly say without harm, either, from my own experience...let's just say...my stomach isn't often feeling too good and I visit a certain room quite a bit. Although, that was more at the start of everything. Now, i'm much better...as for the others...i know quite quickly Yang was taken away in an ambulance immediately. I was too. I don't know where Blake went at first...but as for Weiss; her father almost immediately snatched her up and took her away. I haven't heard from her since. I've seen my father and my uncle a few times, too...they were really proud of me for bringing Yang home. A few days after arriving at the hospital...Blake came by to see me. She told me she was actually talking to the higher authorities about everything that's happened...she also let me know that Team JNPR is now aware of the situation, as well...it's nice to know we have their support. As for today...I lie half-asleep on my hospital bed in my room...there's flower vases, balloons, and all kinds of get-well-cards everywhere in my room. I sit up, propping my back against my bed, and look around groggily at all of the colorful décor. Despite how dark of a time I'm in...seeing all of it makes me smile. I hear a few footsteps, which stop at my open hospital room's door. Then, it's followed by a familiar voice, that sighs at first in contentment.

"Well, guess Blake was right when she said you don't need any more cards."

I turn to the doorway, and to my shock, Weiss stands there. "Weiss!" I say, delighted by her presence. She walks in, with a white purse over her right shoulder. I sit up excitedly, smiling at her...because that's all I can really do with her, at least. She stops at my bedside, then tilts her head with a bit of a grin, as she raises her eyebrow. I can infer what she's implying with that motion. I outstretch my arms and we both hug each other for a moment...and to get a hug like this from Weiss is a rare thing. "Glad to see you're still fine." Weiss says. "I was worried sick."

"Well...you know me. Stubborn as heck."

"Of course. Especially against something like this." she lets go of me and reaches into her purse. "Now, I don't care what Blake said, I still got you one...but I also got you these."

She pulls out another card, but on top of that, there's a bag of chocolates. I smile and take her gift. "Thanks." I tell her. "So...what happened to you." Weiss huffs, sitting on my bedside. "Well...as you'd expect, my father snatched me up the second we got back. Despite news reports and everything else calling me a hero...my father was furious i'd do something so 'vile' or 'improper', etc... and all that... then he really cut me off. From his money, from you guys... from everything. He locked me up in my room and refused any contact I could have with just about everybody. I was furious...and then, lo and behold, I got help from my sister."

"Your sister?"

"Yes, my big sister, Winter. She's in the military, and...well, she sees eye-to-eye with me much easier than my father does. She brought me out and helped me get out from under my father. When my father tried to stop her, Winter told him I was a crucial witness and liason to this case about Yang, which was of national importance... 'for classified reasons of the safety of the kingdoms', as she put it, I could not be allowed to be locked up tight by my parents, which hindered me in this investigation."

"Heh, dang...your sister sounds smart."

"She is...she's really nice too. This purse here was something I wanted for a while, and it turns out Winter had gotten it for me because of what i'd done, finding Yang and supporting you the way I have... I almost couldn't accept it."

"Almost?"

"She...guilted me into it, seriously." Weiss states. "Anyway...enough about me. How've you been?"

"Fine, now." I state, smiling. "I overcame that poison, apparently. Dad and my uncle have been around a lot... Team JNPR came by either as individuals or all together a few times too...Blake's been a constant and welcome sight, too. After fighting through the fatigue...the grogginess...the nausea...I'm...happy to be feeling ok. But, to be honest...I worry about Yang. I haven't seen her in a while..."

"She's been having a few tests done on her to see if C-section is a plausibility...and sure enough, it seems like it."

"That's...wonderful!" I say, overjoyed, but tired. "So...it will work?"

"In all theory. Let's keep our hopes up."

"Mm-hm. It's just... I also... miss her."

"I'm not surprised. So you...haven't seen her?"

"No, just been told she's ok."

"That...is strange, but makes sense."

"Why?...How's that?"

"Because she's in the room right down the hall." Weiss says, pointing out the door. That immediately wakes me. "Wait...she...she is?!" I say, springing onto my knees in my bed. Weiss nods "She's...been very authorized-only visitation so far...but it's ok now for you to visit her."

"C...can I? Please?"

Weiss sighs. "Since I know you're gonna tear down the hallway at any moment, I'm gonna let you know once you blitz out the door you need to head left. Then first left, second right, fifth left, she's the fourth door on your left."

I spring onto my feet, but before I run, I turn to her and hug her again "Thanks, Weiss." I tell her, before bolting down the hallways. Weiss gives a relieved sigh and gets up, following after me. I'm flying by everything on my mad dash to Yang. I've remembered everything Weiss told me the split second she said it. First left, second right, fifth left, fourth door on left-

I stop at the open doorway, catching myself on the sides of the doorframe. Sure enough, Yang lays in her own hospital bed. She's got a VERY tired look on her face, as she looks to her left, at Blake, who sits in chair nearby. The two had been apparently talking. I take a brief look around the room...strangely enough, Yang has no get well cards...no balloons...no anything. It's...sort of saddening. Yang then notices me. She slowly lifts her head with a groan, and smiles. "Ughh...Hey, sis." She says in a very tired voice. It sounds as if she's been drugged on something. I smile, slowly walking up to her, then bending down to loosely hug her. "Hey, Yang..." I say, on the verge of tears. I must hug her for a solid twenty or so seconds, holding back tears, and hugging her silently. By now Weiss is in the room as well, having caught up with me. I finally let go of her slowly. "What's up with you?" I ask "Do they have you on something?"

"All kinds of crap..." she says, putting her left hand on her forehead a minute, then holding up her right arm, which has an IV in it. "This crap is...dude...like...don't do drugs."

we all chuckle at that, and I turn to Yang. "So...uh...why are you all drugged up?"

"heh..." she says, shifting her body a bit. "They're...actually prepping me for surgery."

"Oh...that's today?" I ask. Yang nods "Mm-hm...and...they said you can be nearby...just not present for the actual...i mean, do YOU want to see me get cut open?"

"No..." I shudder with a squeak, thinking about it. "but...at least...this will be one step closer to being overcome, right?"

"Yeah...it will."

I look at Yang's swollen stomach, which by now has taken my full attention. "Heh...to be honest, I guess it's better now than late, or...something."

"Heh...doc said granted how fast Celeste is growing...i'm actually overdue...thank god."

"Overdue?" I ask.

"Past her due date." Blake replies. "In all truth...Yang should have given birth sooner or later."

"Well...maybe you're holding on, sis." I say. "Maybe...you want to actually...ya know...try and beat Ramone at this. Well...not try to beat...you know you for sure won't let him win, so maybe your body...is just trying to help with that?"

"Heh...took what I've been feeling straight out of my mouth." Yang said, sighing.

About then, Weiss and Blake walk out of the room to give Yang and I some time alone. I pause a moment, then slowly climb onto Yang's bed, and lay my head on her stomach.

"R...Ruby what are you doing?" She asks me.

"I...I don't know." I said, with a strange bit of fascination. "b...but she's...still my niece, right?"

Yang sighs, a strange smile on her face. "Yeah...she is. She's still my daughter, still your niece...and I still love her. I...desperately want to keep her, strangely enough..."

"I want you to keep her as well...she's the light in all this darkness, isn't she?"

"Mm-hm..." Yang would seem to have tears in the corner of her eyes. "My...poor baby girl...my...poor me."

"Hey, don't worry! I'll be here with you every step of the way! You'll be the best mom ever! I know so! You're my big sister, after all!"

Yang gave an uneasy laugh. "Ha ha...thank you."

I'd pause a moment, then look up at Yang.

"...Yang?"

"Yeah?"

"I...really hate to say this...but..." I could find myself barely able to speak. "I'm...sorry, but...can we...consider something?"

"...what?"

"Well...Yang...you always told me to be prepared, right?"

Yang's face changed. "...yeah...what about it?"

"I think...if the...procedure doesn't work-"

"It WILL work!"

"...well...Yang, please...If...the procedure doesn't work...can I ask you to do something?"

She'd give another nervous sigh. "I...don't know what I could do, but...sure."

"If you can't hold celeste in forever, or the procedure doesn't work...please, stay strong for me and..." I'd sniff, tears rushing to my face, but I held them back. "Please...have Celeste naturally...even if it means you'll die."

Yang's face...was completely terrified. "R...R-Ruby I-"

"I know...i just got you back...but still. I want you so much, I-I-I really do, but..." I couldn't hold it in any longer. "We can't let Ramone win! We'll be the best aunties ever and raise Celeste by ourselves! Everybody will pitch in! We'll all raise Celeste and protect her together! All for you! I...I really don't want to loose you, Yang, but...If...Worst...comes to...worse..."

Yang's head was visibly shaking. Slowly, she looked off to the left, resting her head on her pillow, towards the outside door. After a couple seconds of Yang staring blankly into oblivion, I leaned up, and spoke with concern in my voice.

"Y...Yang?"

She was completely silent.

"Yang?"

"NURSE!" Yang hollered loudly. "NURSE!"

I'm startled by Yang's sudden vocal calling Weiss quickly opens the door with Blake near her, but then a woman storms in. "What?! What's the-"

"Let the...doc and people know i'm ready!" Yang stammers. I immediately jump onto my feet "Wait, Yang?! What are you-"

"Nurse get her out of here! Please! I don't want her here!"

I completely freeze upon hearing Yang say those words. It's as if my entire world slows, and I can't hear anything but those repeating words. I stand there dazed a moment, and I can hear the nurse frantically trying to say something, most likely something about me getting out of the room otherwise she'll call security. Then suddenly I hear Weiss and Blake. Weiss grabs me by my shoulder and starts leading me out of the room, but I can barely walk all of a sudden, let alone stand. Weiss begins to support me down the hallway as Blake follows us, and I can hear them saying something...but then, my legs suddenly give out and I fall forwards, Blake and Weiss catching me before I hit the floor...and as they bring me up, I go limp again, and I slowly slip into unconsciousness...

All I remember next is waking up in my room again. Weiss and Blake are sitting in chairs on either side of me, as I slowly awake. They're relieved

"What was that all about?.." Weiss asked. "You two were so fine then suddenly...what happened?"

"...I...I asked Yang to die..."

They're taken back. "Wait...what?" Weiss responds

"I...I asked Yang to have Celeste normally...because even...though I just got her back...we'd be here to raise Celeste and protect her from Ramone. I asked Yang...if the surgery didn't work, to...die...basically..."

I sigh, tears slowly building up in my eyes again, as I look off. Blake sighs, and stands. "Well...Ruby, you're not the same person I once knew, so..."

I'm shocked. "How could you say that?!" Weiss demands, standing. Blake gives a nervous laugh, looking up to the ceiling for a moment, eyes closed, then opens her eyes and looks back down to me.

"No, I mean...You are, but...Ruby...i knew you loved Yang so much, and I knew if something happened to her you'd give your all to get her back, but...I never expected anything like what you've become. Your persistence, your...your fervor, and...it's inspiring...but what I didn't expect...was you growing up so quickly to...look beyond your sister, if you know what I mean, and...ask Yang to sacrifice herself."

"...I see now...and Blake has a point." Weiss replies. "I mean...Ruby, you're...very...much, a different person, but...at the same time, I'm not that surprised. It's you, and I never fully understood you – no offense – but...Ruby, asking somebody to sacrifice themselves is something you really shouldn't do. Especially when you basically just got reunited."

"I...I won't let Ramone win." I say, sitting up. "Ramone...he gave me and Yang so much pain...and he dares...even if Yang ends up...I will make sure Ramone burns in hell for what he's done!" I say, clenching my fists and getting furious. Weiss immediately puts her hand on my right arm. "Hey, easy. We'll help you make him get his due. Just...relax."

"...Yang said she didn't want me." I say after a moment, slumping back down. "She...she didn't want me."

"Ruby, you terrified her with what you said." Blake replies. "She...see it from her angle. She just got reunited with you, she's so hopeful for the operation to get back to a normal life...and there you go basically telling her 'it's ok if you die'. That must have hurt and terrified her, so...that's why she called for the operation."

"I...I still love her though." I said. "I'll always love her."

"We know...we know." Weiss says, she turns, then heads over to some sort of case, and opens it. "Hey...we got ya something."

I turn my head towards the case, and Weiss opens it, pulling out my red hood. Immediately I give a softer smile as she carries it over. "Miss this?" she asks warmly. I carefully take it in my arms. "Uh-huh...thanks."

"The whole uniform's in there." Weiss replies. "The doctor gave you a clean bill of health. You're fine now...and we're ready to help you get back in business."

"Thanks." I say. Then, Weiss turns, and she rummages through the case again...and then I understand what she means. Pulling it out and showing only a glimpse of it, I see Crescent Rose in it's sheathed form.

"W-wha?!" I stammer "How'd you get a weapon into-"

"Shhh!" Weiss says with a smile, her right index finger in front of her face. "Call it my gut intuition, but I think we need to be ready at a moment's notice. You're game for that, right?"

Slowly, I smirk, and sit up. I look at my cape. "...yeah, I definitely am."

I've been nervously waiting for a while now. I'm just outside of the operating ward, sitting on a bench with nervous anticipation, as well as guilt. Crescent Rose hidden under my cape behind me, I silently drum my finger against my cheeks, with my head held down. I still haven't forgotten those words that rang through my head...but...I just hope Yang can soon understand what I meant...I'm too deep in thought to think straight...Am...I really the same person? Have I basically gone mad because of this whole incident with Ramone?...

A sudden scream suddenly brings me to my senses, followed by several more, all coming from the Operating Ward. I spring to my feet, and immediately, I unsheathe Crescent Rose and storm through the doors without a second thought. I tear by fleeing doctors as I hear the alarm triggered. For some odd reason, I feel like this has something to do with Yang. I don't know exactly where she is, but I feel as if something leads me to her...I keep running...I find an operating room, door flung wide open...that feels as if...I charge into the room, Crescent Rose in it's rifle form, and I see one figure standing. Immediately I hold up my weapon...the figure looms over an unconscious Yang, who lies on the operating table, immune and unaware to what's going on...this figure...it's familiar in shape...but colored in black and white...but the hair's the same color. I freeze...and the figure turns, seeing me...instead of being met with a face, I see the mask-like structure of a Grimm...but those aren't eye-holes...they're actual eyes. But what startles me the most...it looks exactly like Pyrrha, if she were a Grimm. It has it's own version of her armor, and her weapons. It stares directly at me, and smirks.

"Ruby Rose." It speaks, in an altered voice similar to Pyrrha's. "She who's being such a close thorn in my master's side...and she who's murdered many, and who will murder so many more."

M...me?! A murderer?! I'm frozen stiff.

"You've never stopped fighting, have you? You're so full of hope, always ready to save people and live a proper life of a huntress...a fairy tail, correct? This is no fairy tail, Ruby. This is the truth: your worst nightmare." It steps forwards "How does it feel to know you've killed so many? That you'll kill so many more?..."

"I...I haven't killed anybody!" I say, holding Crescent Rose up, and pointed dead at her. "You...stay right there!"

"And I'm supposed to listen to the latest reincarnation of the girl who let me down? The girl who let us all down?... Ruby Rose, who killed me?"

I take a step back. "I...don't know-"

It laughs malevolently. "Yes you do. I'm Pyrrha Nikos, remember?...how Cinder killed me at the top of Beacon Tower?"

I take another step back. Cinder? Killing Pyrrha? For what reason?! And...strangely enough, reincarnation of?...and...why...does it all sound so familiar?! The Grimm grins. "Eighty-six times you've played this broken record role, Ruby. Every time, people die because of you. People like me. Now...here's what's going to happen."

She takes her spear in it's rifle form, then one-handedly points it directly at Yang. "Killing Yang now will count as birthing the monster. Cradylik, Destroyer of Worlds. Oh so stereotypical is the name...oh so unique the monstrosity within. You're going to back up, and let me out. It's quite simple, Red. Now, who pulls the trigger first?...and what's to say your shot will even effect me? Or if I could still pull the trigger?..."

I'm terrified and angry right now. I slowly, hesitantly, start taking steps back. The Grimm walks out of the operating room slowly, with her front towards me, as she walks backwards down the hall a few feet. She snickers. "Ruby...Weiss brought you that weapon for a reason, didn't she?"

"..."

"To protect yourself, or Yang, right?"

"..."

"I suggest you start using it."

Just then she starts pulling the trigger on her rifle. I quickly turn Crescent Rose into it's full form and start spinning to deflect the shots, before I launch towards her in a rage-induced scream. She leaps back and continues to take shots at me while dodging. Swinging a weapon as big as Crescent Rose in such a hallway is proving to be clunky. The hallway's barely big enough for me to swing it around as she quickly starts striking with her weapon in spear form. I swing at her, but she turns into a black fog that my scythe just phases straight through, and embeds itself in the nearby wall. It's stuck tight. Just as I realize this I take a shield-bash to my gut, which knocks me backwards onto the ground. She's suddenly on top of me, pinning me down with her shield. I see the tip of her spear in my face, and she traces a line from the top of my forehead down, between my eyes, to the tip of my nose. She's grinning evily.

"Hope...it's such a lesser-powered emotion compared to Wrath, and Vengeance...killing you this time is going to make me feel like i'm actually doing my job as a huntress...protecting my world by killing you. You, and your friends...Weiss...Blake...and Yang...all of you are of such extreme guilt. Your sentence is capital punishment...for now...and eternity in pain."

she suddenly changes her weapon into rifle mode, pointed directly between my eyes.

"Sorry, Ruby...I once had a great respect for you. But now, knowing who you truly are?..."

It grins.

"Go fuck yourself, fraud."

There's a sound of a gunshot that echos down the hallway.

And the Grimm flies off me, flipping on the ground with the impact, and standing on it's feet, but holding it's shoulder. I look back the way I came and saw Blake standing with Weiss. Blake's shot has ripped right through the Grimm's shoulder. Before the Grimm can truly react or say anything, Blake's second shot is spot-on, hitting the Grimm right between the eyes, ripping through her mask. The Grimm falls backwards...but catches itself using it's right arm...I can see the hole in it's head healing as it turns and breaks into a run, before turning into that intangible fog again, and phasing through a wall. Blake charges forwards a bit, gun pointed down the hallway, as Weiss begins to help me up.

"Ruby, are you ok?!"

"...Yeah...she didn't hurt me." I say, slowly standing. "That...thing...didn't hurt me."

"...whatever it was, it's gone now." Blake says, returning her weapon to standard form and sheathing it. "Although...was I the only one who noticed-"

"It looked like Pyrrha." I said. "It looked exactly like Pyrrha. It sounded like her too. Fought like her...but so much more evil."

Weiss helps me to my feet slowly. "Is...is Yang ok?"

"F-from what I could see." I say. I tear Crescent Rose from the wall, sheath it, then limp with Blake and Weiss to the doorway of carnage...and Yang lying there spotless in the middle, still unconscious.

"...Yang..." I say. "What've we gotten into?..."