Spring break baby! Winter Jam on Thursday. That's going to be a looong but awesome night! Also, Yay! New laptop that will hopefully last more than two years!

So, a while ago I said I started a Facebook page... but I haven't done anything with it since I created it... Partly becasue like no one joined, partly because I have no idea what to do with it. I'll try to change that this week.

Someone knocked on Yang's door. "It's open." She turned away from her computer. The door opened and Aaron stepped in. "Well, this is a surprise. I was expecting Viki."

"Yeah… she's here too." Aaron stepped fully into the room, with Viki right behind him.

Yang's heart sunk. This had to be about something that happened when Aaron was still in a coma. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No." Aaron shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck. "You were teaching Viki how to play video games while I was out?"

"The last couple days, yeah." Yang relaxed her shoulders. She liked where this was going. "I've only introduced her to Roller Coaster Mogul 2, but she's a natural… then again, she did have someone to tell her about all the stats and keyboard shortcuts."

"Is there any way we could play together?" Viki asked.

Yang smiled between the two of them. "Brother-sister bonding time, huh?" Viki and Aaron nodded. "Well, base game, no. But I have heard about something online." She faced her computer again. "The question is whether or not it's safe. And… ooh. You'd need to ask Ruby to use her computer. This isn't something you can split screen."

"Um, split screen?" Viki asked.

"Two or more players have different points of view on the same screen. It's not used so much anymore, and Ruby and I do not like it. We've had fun." Yang pulled up Tootle and entered her search. A few sites later, she nodded. "Looks like it's safe. I'll get it on this one, then ask Ruby if I can get it on hers." She clicked the download button, then stood up. "She, Coco, and Velvet are still downstairs, right?"

"Yeah. They're still talking." Aaron shook his head. "From the sound of it only Coco knows what's going on."

"That sounds about right." Yang sighed as she left her room. After what Ruby said on Mellen, they needed a PR person. Ruby didn't want to ask Weiss for much more, she'd already gave the Riders so much of her own Lien and SDC contacts, all while having to deal with things in her own company. She had her own problems to deal with. So instead of anyone Weiss could have sent, the leader of the Riders wanted to choose someone from the three close teams. Coco and Velvet were the number one and number two choices. Yang thought they were good options, well, as good as they could get on their budget.

Yang stood at the top of the stairs and looked down into the living room. Ruby, Coco, and Velvet stared at the projector, with Coco writing something on the notepad on her lap. The screen showed VNN with the headline 'Ruby Rose: Con or Courageous?' It looked like they were jumping on this bandwagon too, and it didn't look like Ruby was the biggest fan of it. She leaned forward and held her head in her hands. "Hey sis, you okay?" Yang called from the steps.

Ruby straightened and turned back to her sister. "I could be worse. People could not be saying that I should be upgraded to a Platinum Cross."

Yang gave her sister a smile. Maybe Ruby wasn't in such a bad place. "Good to hear. Anyway, Aaron and Viki were wondering if they could use your computer. They want to play a multiplayer game."

Ruby blinked. "Oh. Okay." She paused and a huge smile burst onto her face. "This could be great for both of them! They get to spend much needed time together, Viki gets to do more things herself, and I don't care what some people say, video games improve people's hand-eye coordination, which Aaron's lacking. So, yes. One of them can use mine."

Coco snorted and elbowed Velvet. "Told you." Velvet's ears drooped.

"Mind if I download something that makes Roller Coaster Mogul multiplayer?"

"The classic! Of course. That'll give us something to do on the weekends too."

"Got it. I'm sure they'll appreciate it too." Yang turned around and walked back to her room. She knew Ruby's password. She hadn't changed it in years… They all probably had to change all their passwords soon. No one wanted to be hacked. She pushed the door to her room open. "I'll get Ruby's computer set up." She looked at her own. It looked like the download had finished. "Aaron, you've been around us long enough to know how to run a program, right?"

"It think so." Aaron sat in Yang's chair. "If not, Nalia will tell me."

Yang sat down at Ruby's computer and went through the same steps on hers, only adding running the program itself. She pushed away from Ruby's desk and stood up facing Viki. "The chair is yours."

Viki sat down and stared at the projection. "This is… different."

"Need help?" Yang leaned over Viki's shoulder and pointed at one of the buttons onscreen. "My guess is it's that one to play together." She went back and forth several times between each computer until the game was set up, and then again to answer any questions either of them had. Viki's were mainly word related while Aaron's were… just about everything else. He wanted to learn, but he was out of his element big time. Yang didn't mind. It finally felt like she was doing something useful around the house.

Her Scroll rang in a pocket. Yang pulled it out and looked at the caller ID. She froze and her good mood evaporated. "I've… got to take this." She walked out of the room and answered the video call. Weiss appeared on screen, but not in the same place as the past two times, and none of the wires or patches. In fact, the logo for her company was on the wall behind her. What was this about? "Yeah, Weiss?"

"Hey, Yang," Weiss said. "I've got a few things. Is Ruby there?"

Yang blinked. She wasn't expecting that. "Yeah. Her Scroll off?"

Weiss shook her head. "I just wanted to make one call, and I really need to talk to you."

That was what Yang expected. "What you want to tell Ruby?"

"I'm going to be flying to Vale tomorrow. I got time at Signal next couple of weeks to bring Cerise' and Vert's eggs in front of the students."

"Really?" Ruby yelled from downstairs. She appeared in a flash of rose petals and snatched Yang's Scroll away. "Any idea on what time you'll be here? Are you staying with us or somewhere downtown? When will you need the eggs?"

"Breathe, Ruby," Weiss reminded. Ruby took a deep breath, then nodded at the Scroll. "I expect I'll arrive around noon tomorrow, I'll need to collect the eggs right away, and if it's okay, we would like to stay with family this next week."

"None of those are a problem! Blake's normal room is empty. We'll have it set up before you get here, unless you'd rather sleep with Saphira."

Weiss looked off screen. "I… don't know yet. I might not decide until I get there." She paused. "Ruby, now I really need to talk with Yang."

Ruby's excitement disappeared before Yang's eyes. "Of course. See you tomorrow, sis." Ruby handed the Scroll back to Yang.

"What did you need to tell me?" Yang asked when Ruby disappeared down the stairs.

"Yang," Weiss' voice was just above a whisper, "it's time."

"T… time?"

"Dr. Polendina just called me. He says all his equipment will be set up by tonight, and it will be good to go as soon as it's all plugged in."

Yang's heart pounded in her chest. "Does that mean…"

"It does. I have a ship waiting for you in Vale, and it will meet you at the docks on Patch. It's… actually one of mine, and the fastest model a civilian can buy. It should have you in Atlas before midnight."

"Really?" Yang wasn't sure if she was more excited or nervous.

"I wouldn't lie about this, Yang." She paused. "But you should know, he has told me of a few risks for this whole thing."

"How big? If it's Halcyon's life, it's a no go."

"That's the thing, he says even if this goes well, there's a chance Halcyon could be hurt in some way. This is the first time something like this has been done. He did something similar with Penny, but she was his actual, living daughter, not a dead Summon. Well, living in a sense that she was fading on life support after a car accident. Penny lost most of her memories in the transfer, and she still hasn't regained them. I don't think he can get any Grimm caught up in the transfer because they don't have Aura… but I do have that other dragon as a Summon. Some part of it could come along too despite all protections and preparations. In either case, we can't test this. Grimm have nothing to transfer, and getting that insane dragon back here is way too dangerous."

Weiss shifted in her seat. "Then of course, there's the risk to me. If something goes wrong, it could draw part of me out. That could either end up with Halcyon, or disappearing completely. In other words, if something goes wrong, this could kill me and Halcyon."

Yang fell back and leaned against the wall while never taking her eyes off her friend. "And how likely is this to work without anyone being hurt?"

"I asked Dr. Polendina the same thing a few days ago. He said the chances of success are ninety percent. We have a limited window to do this too. He has other projects to work on, and it could be another year before he can help us again."

Yang bit her lower lip. "Ruby once made me play ACOM. Ninety percent shots miss a lot."

"We know that here, too. When Saphira heard that, she essentially kidnapped me and brought me to a cave in the mountains north of here. It took me about half a day to convince her to take me back." Weiss winced and looked to the side. She stared off screen for a while, then looked back at her Scroll. "She's a little protective of her Little One."

"Weiss, are you sure you want to do this?"

"I am." Weiss nodded. "I'm just beginning to know what Saphira means to me. You and Halcyon had years. I'm not sure what I would do if I lost Saphira now, so I'm going to do whatever I can to give you your dragon back."

"Thanks, sis." Yang felt something run down her cheek even though she could see clearly.

"Anytime. See you later." Weiss ended the call.

Yang let her arms fall to her sides. It was finally time. Tonight, either Halcyon would get his artificial Eldunarí… or Yang would never see or feel her dragon again. She needed to get to Atlas.

Someone knocked against the wall. Yang looked toward the stairs. Ruby stood at the top of the stairs, her own eyes watery. "Have you been evesdropping?" Yang asked.

"Maybe a little." Ruby pulled some hair away from her head revealing her pointed ears. "These things aren't decoration. I'd be able to hear downstairs anyway." She walked forward and pulled Yang off the wall and into a hug. "Bring him home. I can't wait to see him again."

"Same here." Yang hugged her sister back. "I'm sure he's missed all of you too. He hasn't even met Viki."

"Then you'll have to introduce them." Ruby pulled back, but kept her eyes locked with Yang's. "Why are you still standing there? Cerise can't pick you up in here. Get outside." She gestured to the stairs.

Yang nodded, then ran past her sister and down the stairs. Dad would forgive her for running in the house. She burst out the front door and didn't stop until she jumped onto Cerise' back. The dragon took flight and angled toward the island's docks. A ship with what looked like ribbons hanging off the back fins rested near the water on the outside of the city. It kind of looked like Winter's ship, only with the fins and ribbons being ice blue. Cerise flew straight toward that, and didn't slow down until she landed near the ship.

The Rider dismounted and waited outside of the ship for the ramp to lower. They had to see Cerise fly in. Not even a baby would miss a rose red dragon flying toward them at full speed. There had to be something that the crew had to do so they wouldn't already have lowered the dang ramp!

Yang, Cerise said. Yang faced her sister's dragon, her whole body tense. Cerise lowered her head to eye level. Bring my brother home.

Yang relaxed her whole body. With all of the stuff she went through, she didn't even think about how anyone else was affected. "I'm sorry, Cerise." She walked back to the dragon and hugged her snout. She didn't know what else to say. Losing Halcyon was still the worst for her. She didn't know how to talk to anyone else about it.

Air hissed behind Yang. She released Cerise and faced the ship. The ramp had lowered halfway, and a single woman stood at the top. The Rider walked up the ramp as soon as it hit pavement. She looked at the bars on the woman's uniform as she was halfway up. It looked like the woman was the ship's captain. "I take it you're the one flying me to Atlas?"

"Of course, ma'am." The captain saluted Yang. "Miss Schnee has requested that I bring you to Atlas at best possible speed."

"Did she tell you why?"

The captain shook her head. "Rider business. That's all she said, and all I need to know."

"Got it." Yang looked around the one hall of the ship she could see. It was all very… white. "Is there a bedroom or something in here?"

"Of course. You are free to go anywhere on this ship, except the engine room and the crew lounge. I will show you to your quarters." She turned to the left, revealing a wolf's tail coming out of her pants. Something told Yang this ship didn't have a Faunus captain before Weiss took over.

The captain led the way down a couple halls, and stopped by a double wide one. "This room would be used by Miss Schnee were she onboard. For this trip, it is for your use. There are panels by the door and your bed that contain intercoms that connect directly to the bridge. Whatever you need, I will ensure you get."

"Thank you." Yang walked toward the door and it automatically opened.

"If I may," the captain started, and Yang turned to face her, "I know your sister gets most of the credit for what happened at Fort Castle, but I know your whole team was there and you all helped to the best of your ability. So for that, I thank you."

"Thanks… I take it you knew someone?"

"No. But one of my former coworker's husband was on the medical detail in Vale after Fort Castle." The captain shivered. "I don't know why I asked."

"Yeah… but I just dealt with the kids in the North Sanus Mountains. Ruby and Blake met with the kids in Fort Castle."

"I've seen the news the past three days. That doesn't change what I said."

Yang nodded as she felt the ground shift beneath her. She looked into the room and out the window. The city of Vale sank beneath the window and out of sight. They were on their way to Atlas. She faced the captain again. "If I can ask, how do you like working under Weiss?"

The captain smiled. "Considering I was the captain of a barge in the mines south of Armen, and I have been paid this last month to stay home with my family waiting for you, this is a major improvement. And… already in her first month, I can tell I'm going to like her more than her father."

"I think that's just about everyone on the planet. Thanks for taking me to Atlas. It means a lot."

"You are welcome, Miss Xiao Long. If you need anything, just call." The captain turned and walked back down the hall they came from.

Yang walked into her room for the flight and looked out the window. They'd already left Patch behind, and it was growing smaller surprisingly fast. Then again, Weiss said this was the fastest ship a person could buy. This thing could get her to Atlas before the sun went down… maybe. It was a big ocean. Either way, Nalia wouldn't be happy that there's another thing that's faster than her.

Yang sat on the king-sized bed and stared at the projector on the wall. Right now, it just showed the SDC snowflake. She probably had access to Scrollflix, Fulu, Twinge, pretty much any streaming service, but then again, CCT dead zones. Still, there were probably a lot of movies or other things downloaded. Weiss was rich. She could do that.

But Yang never reached for the remote control. She hugged her knees and rested her chin on them. She couldn't help but run what Weiss said over and over in her head. This was the day. She most likely would be holding Halcyon's artificial Eldunarí before she went to bed… and in all honesty, in bed as well. But there was a good chance that she could lose Halcyon, and Weiss too. Then Saphira would be alone as well.

Yang waited for Irolon to say something, anything, but he never did. Then Yang realized she didn't have his Eldunarí with her. He was in a bag at the foot of her bed. "Dang it." Yang buried her face in her knees. She was flying halfway across Remnant with no one she cared for nearby. No bubbly Ruby, no hyperactive Nora, heck, she'd take Ren. Even he talks more than the air.

With no motivation to do anything else, Yang switched between looking out the window and pacing around her room. If she was lucky, she saw another ship, whether in the air or on the water. They gave her something to think about. With nothing distracting her, her thoughts wandered to dark places. Today, she could lose her dragon and her adoptive sister. Saphira would be just as destroyed as Yang, and likely blame her for the loss of her Rider… Every time she thought like that, she shook her head and forced herself to think about literally anything else. It rarely worked.

As the sun kissed the ocean, land came into view, a good chunk of it covered in snow. Yang had only been to Atlas once, and she didn't see much of it, but the place was freezing in the middle of summer. Weiss wore her normal, non-insulating clothes, and she didn't so much as shiver when it was only thirty degrees outside. Atlesians were made of something else.

A red dot appeared on the projector. "Miss Xiao Long," the captain's voice came over the speakers in the room, "we are approaching the Schnee manor. Miss Saphira will be meeting you in the hangar."

"Thank you." Yang shook her head. That was the first time she heard someone refer to a dragon as 'Miss.' She left her room and walked back to the ramp. She leaned against the wall and looked out the window there. They flew past some low lying buildings and a wall with some pretty big guns, then nothing was beneath them. If Yang remembered right, this was the huge area of land separating Schnee manor from the rest of Atlas. Then the snow-covered land gave way to steel and concrete. The floor shook as the ship touched down.

Saphira walked into view outside the ship with a translation band on her head. She hummed as she faced Yang. Welcome to Atlas, she thought, not using the band.

How far away is this place? Yang asked.

A half hour. Weiss is already there being prepped. I will take you as soon as you are ready.

I'm ready as soon as the ramp lowers.

Saphira looked Yang up and down, well, as much as she could through the window. Weiss told me to tell you to put on a jacket if I can see your stomach, and I do.

Yang looked down at herself. "That's a simple fix." She pulled the bottom ends of her jacket together and zipped up. "Better? I've got wards against the cold and wind too."

Saphira snorted. I don't think that's what Weiss had in mind, but I'm satisfied.

Air hissed again, and the ramp beside Yang broke out of the wall. The cold air assaulted her immediately, but because of her wards, it wasn't that bad. She forced herself to wait until the ramp touched the ground before sprinting off. She jumped directly onto Saphira's saddle and strapped herself in. I'm ready.

Obviously. Saphira faced the hangar opening and walked toward it. She groaned as she stretched her wings. You are much heavier than Weiss. She jumped out of the hangar then turned north.

No surprise. Weiss is a twig. Yang leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Saphira's neck. You don't mind this, do you?

As long as you don't stop me from breathing, no. Saphira turned her head back. I believe Weiss told you this earlier, but I am not happy with this. I would very much prefer that the chances for success were better, or that there was no threat to my Rider, but I do not believe that will ever be the case. You have been separated from your dragon for far too long, and you deserve to get him back.

Trust me, I completely agree with you. I was thinking of that on the way over. Yang looked off to the side. I don't want to lose Halcyon or Weiss. If this goes wrong…

It will not. It can't. She peeled her lips back. If it does, I will hold Dr. Polendina accountable.

I might join you in that. Yang lifted her head and looked where they were flying. There was nothing but mountains for quite the distance. Then again, that was most of Solitas. Even the cities themselves weren't flat, but Mistral city and pretty much every dwarf city were even more of a pain to navigate because of the height differences.

At least the company here was much better, as in Yang actually had someone to talk to. She returned to her former position. So how do you like Atlas?

This land is too cold for my liking, but it is bearable. My real problem is that there is very little to hunt here. The bears and deer around Atlas are few and far in between. I have yet to find a place were the roam in herds. Nalia says it's dangerous to eat Grimm, and I do not want to test if she is right.

I take it Weiss won't let you go hungry?

Of course not. Saphira snorted. In fact, she has already ordered her chefs to make some pastries for me. She licked her lips. Who knew that something other than meat could taste so good?

Most people. Yang laughed once. You not like what the elves made you?

I did, but those pies were so small. Saphira hummed. These ones were the size of Weiss. They tasted great and were filling.

Now you're sounding like just about everyone else on the team.

Thank you from welcoming me in. Most of the rest of the flight was spent in silence, with Yang squeezing Saphira's neck harder as time drew on. The Rider didn't know if her adopted sister's dragon was as cuddly as Cerise, but there wasn't a better time to see. Saphira never said she had trouble breathing, so Yang never let go.

Eventually, Saphira dipped toward the ground. Yang, our destination is right in front of us.

Yang looked at the mountain before them. She didn't see anything that stood out. No structures, no windows, no concrete. Then a large chunk of the rock about halfway up the mountain split in a straight line. Behind it laid a concrete hangar that could have held Glaedr. This was a secret mountain base. Yang couldn't help but think that something like this should be in the Rider's future base east of Vale.

A lone figure with ginger hair stood near the center of the hangar. Saphira landed near her and crouched down. Yang dismounted the dragon and faced the welcoming party. "Hey, Penny. It's been a while."

Penny saluted. "Salutations, friend Yang. We have been expecting you. My father is ready to start this procedure. Please follow me." She turned around and walked toward an elevator at the rear of the hangar. It was only human sized.

Yang faced Saphira. "You're not coming with us, are you?"

No, but where you are going is not far enough beneath us where I will not be able to assist Weiss.

"Okay… hopefully I'll be in a much better mood when I get back in here." Yang turned back around and followed Penny. Neither of them said anything walking across the hangar. The elevator doors opened before either of them got there. Probably motion sensors or whatever. They stepped inside and Yang leaned against the back wall. She tapped the heel of her right foot several times as the door closed and the elevator fell.

"Do not worry, friend, Yang." Penny put a hand on Yang's shoulder. "My father has calculated that this procedure has ninety-point-zero-three-nine percent chance of success with no side effects."

"Yeah, but you're an android." Yang shook her head. "You know how often that extra ten percent actually happens. It's not ten percent of the time."

Penny hesitated. "Yang, this will work. My father believes he has perfected the process since he first captured my Aura, and he believes this process is not very different from the one that created me. Weiss will not be harmed, and you will be back with Halcyon before the day is done."

"I've heard the same thing so many times today. I'll believe it when it actually happens." The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Yang stepped out into a white lab with who knew what kind of equipment everywhere. A man with a white hair and a lab coat stood in front of a bank of computer screens. That had to be Dr. Polendina. Weiss stood not too far away with dozens of patches and wires coming off her head, arms and torso, barely allowing her to keep her modesty.

Weiss took her eyes off the screen and looked at the newcomers. She straightened her back. "Yang. You're earlier than I expected."

"I think your captain broke a few speed laws on the flight over." Yang hugged herself and bent her knees. She looked between the scientist and her teammate. "How soon can I see him?"

"We are just about set, Miss Xiao Long." Dr. Polendina took his eyes off his screens and faced Yang. "I assume that this doesn't need to be said, but please do not touch anything."

"Not a problem." Yang took a step back, even though she wasn't near any equipment at the time.

Penny walked past Yang and to Dr. Polendina. "What do you need me to do, father?"

"Make sure these readings stay stable, and draw power from the exterior shielding if necessary." Dr. Polendina faced his screens again. "Miss Xiao Long, we should have your dragon back in this frame of reality in the next ten minutes." Yang stared at the scientist, then shook her head. There was probably some technical stuff that would confuse even Ruby at work in here.

"Yang?" Weiss called. She walked as close as she could to her teammate as the wires would allow.

"Hey, Weiss." Yang moved in for a hug but Weiss waved her off.

"Dr. Polendia doesn't want any of these monitors moved." Weiss paused. "Yang, I'm sorry I couldn't give you any better warning last time. CCT wireless doesn't stretch this far north. I had to connect this to the landline the first time to call you.

"Halcyon wasn't too happy. He was mad at just about everyone in here for a second, then he was so worried about you. I've never seen a dragon pace before. Dr. Polendina wasn't too happy about that either. Halcyon didn't knock anything over, but he came close. Saphira helped calm him down a little, but he was so worried about how you were doing. I don't think he talked about anything else."

"Thanks." Yang hugged herself tighter. "I guess I'll find out soon."

"Miss Schnee?" Dr. Poledina called. "We are ready."

Weiss pointed to the one area in the lab not occupied by some sort of equipment. "I'll summon him over there. After this process starts, I don't know how long I'll be able to keep him here." She turned and walked toward a machine with a Weiss-sized opening.

"Wait." Yang reached an arm out, but stopped herself from grabbing Weiss' shoulder. Her teammate turned her head back. "Could you make him… more my size?" She rubbed her arms while still hugging herself.

Weiss stared at Yang for a second, then nodded. "Unless I'm told to make him full sized, I will." She faced the machine again and stepped inside. Dr. Polendina and Penny walked over and connected a few more wires and strapped the CEO in. A little later they stepped back and the scientist nodded at Weiss.

The glyph used to summon Halcyon appeared on the floor, though much smaller than before. He slowly rose from the glyph, until he was about the size of his Rider. Yang gasped as she felt her dragon enter her mind again… and for possibly the last time. "Ay, you."

Halcyon blinked and looked Yang up and down. Did you get bigger or did I get smaller?

"You're more my size. Easier for this." Yang hooked her arms beneath her dragon's shoulders and pulled him up into a hug. "It's been way too long since we could do this."

Halcyon hummed and wrapped his neck, wings, and front legs around his Rider. His head rested right by Yang's, their eyes inches from each other. I missed this. And I missed you. Equipment hummed to life behind the pair. How were you last time when Weiss summoned me?

"Not good. I didn't know when you'd leave. That was the worst. Ruby and… Viki were there. Irolon was too."

He has done wonders for you, but I am taking you back as soon as I can. Halcyon paused. I… I feel strange. Is this it?

"This is it." Yang squeezed Halcyon tighter. "Just don't let this be it for you."

I'm not sure I have a choice here. Halcyon pressed the side of his face into Yang's. This is… Yang… I'm scared.

That was something that Yang never expected to hear from her dragon, and it was probably something he didn't want going around. I am too. I'm right here, Halcyon. She closed her eyes and pressed it into Halcyon's.

That's not what I'm worried about. Yang, if this doesn't work, don't follow me. Don't ask Ruby to release you from your oath. Live. Live the life we wanted.

Yang opened her eyes. She nearly forgot about that whole thing, but it had to be fresh on Halcyon's mind... She could see her hands and arms through her dragon. They were running out of time. I will Halcyon. I will. No matter how hard it is, I will.

Thank you. Halcyon's translucent tongue shot out of his mouth and licked a tear off Yang's cheek. I love you, Yang.

I love you too, Halcyon. Yang maintained eye contact with her dragon until he faded out of existence. She clenched her eyes and waited for the pain. She waited for her dragon's mind be ripped out forever. It was only a matter of time. Would it hurt more than it did before? It had to. Halcyon wasn't completely gone before, but now… now… he was still there.

Yang? Halcyon's mental voice shook.

Yang snapped her eyes open and jerked her head toward where she felt her dragon. A gray hard drive looking thing rested on a podium with a black tube connected to the back of it. "Halcyon?" she forced out in a whisper.

I can't hear… I can't see… I can't move.

"Use me!" Yang pounced forward and grabbed the edges of the podium. "My eyes, my ears, whatever you need! Take it!" Halcyon dove into his Rider's mind. Yang threw her head back and closed her eyes. Her dragon hadn't been that deep in her head since before Urû'baen. It was like someone threw an ice-cold bucket of water on her, in the best way possible. Her mouth formed a smile without her command. She opened her eyes and looked down at the artificial Eldunarí. She felt her dragon using her eyes. It worked. It worked! Halcyon was back!

"Transfer successful and stable." Dr. Polendina walked over to the podium. "Miss Xiao Long, I need to disconnect the device."

"Just a second." Yang jumped on the scientist and hugged him tight. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Dr. Polendina patted Yang's back, but it didn't feel the most confident. "You are welcome. Now would you please get off me?"

"Of course." Yang dropped to the floor and took a few steps back. The sooner she could hold her dragon, the better.

Dr. Polendina put a hand on the black tube. He unscrewed something on the back. His hands brushed the artificial Eldunarí proper and he jumped back. Yang felt Halcyon wanting to jump too. "That was… unexpected."

"What's going on?" Yang looked from the scientist to the podium.

"I am not certain," Dr. Polendina rubbed the back of his head, "but I believe I might have just seen into Halcyon's mind."

I can confirm that, Halcyon said. That was… different.

"Really?" Yang held herself back from bouncing on her feet. Dr. Polendina resumed working on the artificial Eldunarí, this time with a handkerchief serving as a barrier. He pulled the black pipe off the back and stepped away. Yang jumped forward and picked Halcyon off the podium. It wasn't as jarring as touching an actual Eldunarí, but she felt even more of her dragon. She held Halcyon's entire soul in her hands. From the feel of it, neither one of them had a problem with that.

A hand fell on her right shoulder. "So… it… worked?" Weiss asked.

Yang spun around to face her teammate. Weiss panted like an overheated dog and sweat enough to fill a swimming pool, but her emotions screamed that she was concerned. "It worked." Yang brought Weiss into as tight of a hug as she dared. She pulled back just enough to kiss Weiss on the cheek, then rested her head on her teammate's shoulder. "Thank you so much, Weiss. Today, you win the best little sister award."

Weiss finally returned the hug, but it was more like she rested her hands on Yang's back. "Don't… let… Ruby… know… you… said… that."

"You know her. She'll agree." Yang pulled back but kept her hands on Weiss' shoulders. "Weiss, I don't know what I can get or give you that you can't get otherwise, but if there is, name it. I don't care what it is or how expensive. No questions asked."

"There's a… few things." Weiss returned Yang's smile as best as she cold. "A… friendly… face until… tomorrow?"

Yang laughed. "I think I can do that."

Weiss dipped her head. "Energy… tired… Saphira… too far…" Before she even stopped speaking, Yang poured as much energy as she dared into her teammate. In the end, her knees felt weak, but Weiss stopped panting. "Thanks. That's not as good as Aura would be… can we even do that?"

"If we can, we haven't figured out how to." Yang drew her arms back to herself and cradled Halcyon like a baby. "But I guess if anyone's going to figure that out, it's going to be us."

It could take a while, Halcyon agreed, but it could be useful in so many situations.

"Miss Xiao Long?" Dr. Polendina called. Yang faced the scientist. "I will need to see you and… Halcyon back here in thirty days for any Aura leakage."

"What?" Yang hugged Halcyon tight.

Dr. Polendina held up a hand. "There are no signs of it right now, and the odds are in your favor. It would be more like a checkup for people."

"Oh." Yang relaxed her arms. "I guess that's okay… How could I ever repay you?"

The scientist waved an arm in front of him. "For one of Penny's friends, nothing. Also, it's the least I can do after my former apprentice tried to kill Weiss and Aaron."

Yang stiffened. "Wait, what?"

"The man who tried to assassinate your teammates, Arthur Watts, was my apprentice for a time. I cast him out when he helped Merlot in his Grimm control research. I believe he had a hand in Mountain Glen's destruction, and I know he was behind the hacking software that controlled the androids during the Battle of Beacon. He was a brilliant man, but his head and heart were in the wrong place. I wonder who he's working for…" Dr. Polendina shook his head. "I'm rambling. Take care, you two. Penny and I have work to do."

Penny waved at Yang and Weiss. "Goodbye, friends! I hope to work with you again sometime soon." She turned back to her father and they both returned to the screens.

Yang and Weiss turned around and walked back to the elevator. The former looked at the device that held her dragon. "At least we have a name for someone we're going after."

There is that. But... Can we not talk about work for a while? Halcyon mentally hummed, and it felt like he tried to make is physical too. I would like to spend some actual time with my family, and catch up on everything that I've missed.

"I'm sure that can be arranged." Yang faced Weiss. "What do you say, Ice Princess?"

"I think I'd like that." Weiss nodded. "When we get in range, I'll call Klein so he can whip something up for us."

"He's the one who helped us break you out a few years ago, right?"

"Yes. I am so glad father never found out."

"Ya know, Weiss," Yang hooked an arm around her teammate's shoulders, "you're my sister now. You've got a real dad on Patch over that whack-job."

Weiss blinked. "Is that okay?"

"I've heard Blake call him dad a few times, and she's not in a bad place with her real parents."

What about me? Halcyon asked. I never knew my father. Can I call him that too? He sounded joking over sad.

"He wouldn't mind, I'm sure."

Weiss laughed a little, then faced he artificial Eldunarí. "It's good to have you back, Halcyon." She brushed the surface of the metal and jerked her hand back. "I wasn't expecting that."

"Just like a real one." Yang brought Halcyon up to her face and pressed him against her cheek. It was the best hug she could give him, and it made the transfer from his mind to hers that much quicker. "We are not leaving each other's side for a long time.

Awww, Halcyon whined. But I wanted to go pet giant spiders...

Yang drew the artificial Eldunarí away from her face. "Okay, maybe not."

I'm just teasing you. Halcyon hummed. I've got a lot to catch up on. Brace yourself.

The moment a lot of you have been waiting for, especially any Yang and Halcyon fans in here.