Well, heat knocked out the power yesterday, severe thunderstorm rolled through my area last night and scared the living crap out of me... I'd say I want a dragon nearby, but their wings vs the wind and hail we had... nope. I don't want them to be hurt for me.

Ruby looked over her shoulder as she walked down the now familiar dark alley. No one on the sidewalk looked her way. Good. She didn't need anyone blowing her secret. The presents' recipients would undoubtedly search this place out and blow the secret sky high.

The alley opened into a wider area and the old repair facility loomed in front of Ruby. She walked up to the ID scanner and held her Scroll up to it. The door buzzed and Ruby pushed it open. The frame of Project Wyvern was really coming together. Most of it was welded or bolted into place and just missing its paint. The guts were another matter. There was barely anything inside the custom molded metal. No one wanted to use the same systems as a Bullhead, for multiple reasons. It wouldn't work for a fixed-wing craft, especially one like this.

"Rhunön, I'm back." Ruby walked around the shell of Wyvern and stopped. Yaela stood next to Rhunön. If that wasn't odd enough on its own, Yaela wore jeans and an orange Vale Krakens T-shirt. It looked like she had taken pretty well to Remnant. Both elves turned around and faced the Rider. "Oh. This is a surprise."

"My apologies, Shadeslayer," Rhunön started, "but we have to admit that we weren't making progress with the wiring and programming. I called in Yaela to help with this."

Yaela grabbed her right arm with her left. "Now that I see this, I don't know what help I can be. I've only just started with programming."

Ruby had to agree with Yaela. She had more experience than the elf just from working on her bionics over the years. "What have you been working on?" the Rider asked.

"I've actually just finished one. The driver for Lord Däthedr allowed me to work on one of his vehicles. I've seen a lot of articles on the CCT about self-driving cars, and I decided to try it out myself."

That… was unexpected. "Like an RC toy car, or a full-sized, carry people kind of car?

"Full-sized. It looked like so many people were trying to make them work, but few were successful."

Ruby blinked, not believing what she was hearing. "And… did it work?"

"Well, it hasn't crashed yet."

"With or without one of those radar things on top?" Ruby hooked a hand at a ninety-degree angle and made a circular motion with her index finger.

"No, just using cameras onboard, ones that were already there and new ones I installed, and a CCT connection. Why all these questions?"

Ruby looked past Yaela to the other elf. Rhunön shrugged. "I would not have asked her here if I did not believe she could help."

"Got it." Ruby refocused on Yaela. "You must have the memory of a dragon and think as quick as a computer. It's taken some of the largest companies on Remnant years to get this far with those spinny radar things, the SDC included. If what you just said is true, you made yourself equal to them in a few months."

Yaela blinked. "Oh. Well, that was not my intention. I was just testing myself."

"I'd say you're doing pretty good." Ruby took out her Scroll and searched for the address for the garage/hangar rented for the Riders' Bullhead. "Our Bullhead is here." She showed the address to Yaela. "I'll put you into the system from here. If you want, if it doesn't interfere with your observations, and if you can keep a secret, you're on the project."

"Thank you, Ruby." Yaela smiled then returned to the computer on the workbench behind her. "I will finish what I'm doing here, then I believe I will go there."

Ruby nodded, then walked to where she kept project Drake. On the way, she thought about how useful a computer programmer could be for the Riders on Remnant. Yaela could make a self-driving car, she had to do wonders with other stuff, right? Ruby shook her head. The Riders weren't just made up of dragons and Riders anymore. She wondered what Umaroth thought about that. She hadn't spoken to him for a while. Hopefully he wouldn't mind, and at the same time, hopefully not many more non-Riders would be affiliated. That caused a whole lot of problems and paperwork… She still hadn't filled out what she needed for the new Riders in Alagaësia. That needed to change sooner rather than later.

Her Scroll rang just before she entered her other workshop. Ruby checked the caller ID and blinked. Aqua Calrow? Was Violet calling from home? The Rider answered the call and brought her Scroll to her ear. "Rider Ruby Rose. How can I help you?"

"I am sorry to bother you, Ruby," Aqua started, "but I'm worried about Violet."

Ruby turned away from the entrance to her separate workshop. "What's going on?"

"I might be overthinking this, but Violet always calls at seven o'clock at night, give or take fifteen minutes. Now it's almost eight and she's not answering her Scroll. I called Signal and the woman I talked to said she attended all her classes."

Cerise, Ruby called, did Aaron or Nalia have anything planned for those two?

Not that I know of. Cerise paused. I just asked Nalia. She said that nothing was planned.

"I know I'm probably being overprotective," Aqua continued, "but after what happened all those years ago… I can't help but worry."

"I don't blame you. Those kinds of thoughts still haunt me." Ruby faced north and stretched her mind out as far is it would go in that direction. She should be able to search the whole island of Patch from where she stood, but the north shore would be fuzzy. After a few seconds, she found what she thought was Orchid's poorly shielded mind, but no Violet. Orchid was mad, unreasonably so, but right underneath was a mountain of concern and love. Violet had to be alive. There was no way Orchid could be so calm if not. "I think I have an idea of where she could be, Mrs. Calrow. I'll see if I can find out what's going on."

"Thank you, Ruby. If this turns out to be she lost her Scroll, I'm sorry I've bothered you."

"It's no bother. I'll let you know when I find out anything." Ruby ended the call and walked to the main exit to the hangar. She turned her head to where the two elves worked. "I've got to head out. There's a problem on Patch." Both elves nodded at her, without saying a word.

Ruby left the hangar and looked straight up. Cerise, I'm coming to meet you. "Adur." Her feet left the ground as she shot upward. When she cleared the hangar, Cerise was only a hundred feet away. She slowed and Ruby cut the energy to the spell keeping her airborne. The Rider landed on her dragon's saddle and leaned forward. You felt where Orchid was, right?

I did. Cerise half growled. Orchid is troubled. I don't know what caused it.

You were attached to my side for quite a bit when you were her age. Any guesses?

A general one. Something happened to Violet and Orchid is trying to protect her.

That covers so much area I think I have to agree. City gave way to water as Cerise flew. Ruby kept her mind in the general direction that she felt Orchid, without disturbing the dragon. But even when Cerise flew over Patch, Violet still wasn't there. It wasn't until they were within a mile of Orchid that Violet's mind reached Ruby's. Violet's mind was also shielded, but even worse than Orchid's. She was sad and scared, but not in such a way that there were Grimm nearby.

Cerise flew around the small mountain at the center of Patch. A purple light shone from a cave halfway up. Orchid poked her head fully out of the cave but kept silent. Cerise curved toward the young dragon and dove for a relatively smooth spot of the mountain. She touched down and Ruby slid off her dragon's back. They walked side by side to the cave Orchid stood in.

The purple dragon didn't move from her spot, but she moved in it. Her tail twitched all over the place, her wings flailed, her legs stomped the ground, and her neck flexed and relaxed repeatedly. Only when Ruby got within a dozen feet did Orchid move from her spot. I am glad you two are here. Orchid nuzzled her snout against Ruby's head, then Cerise' shoulder. My flower is wilting, and I don't know how to help. She started to turn back to the cave.

"We need to talk with you first," Ruby said, not moving an inch.

Orchid faced the Rider, her pupils a bit thinner than they were seconds ago and her back teeth barred. Can this wait? Violet has needed help for hours. There was venom in her mental voice, a first for the normally sweet and cuddly dragon.

Then she can wait a little longer, Cerise said. This concerns her.

Orchid's lips met and her pupils dilated to normal size. Are you sure it can't wait until after you speak with her?

"I'm sure." Ruby nodded. "After we're done talking with her, you are going to need to apologize to her."

Apologize? Orchids eyes grew to their largest. Her wings and ears drooped, and the rest of her body stilled. What did I do? I didn't want to hurt my flower. I just want to keep her safe, happy, and loved.

"That isn't the problem." Ruby reached out a hand and brushed Orchid's cheek scales. "What you did to show it is."

I understand the need to take your Rider out of danger, Cerise started, but you need to be careful where you take her.

"Patch isn't clear of Grimm. There have been multiple attempts to clear the island over the years, including some by us. The Grimm are gone for a few days, but they keep coming back. We don't know how or why. Our best guess is that there are spawning pools beneath the island somewhere."

The area around Signal and the city are generally clear because of the police and Huntsman presence. The north coast is only lightly patrolled around the ring highway. This is closer to there than the regular patrols.

"The Grimm here aren't strong, most don't even have their bone plates. But there's a lot of them, and can swarm if not dealt with quickly."

Both you and Violet are inexperienced. You may have put her in more danger coming here.

Orchid yelped and jumped back. She lowered her head to the ground. I didn't mean to do that. I love my Flower. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her.

"Twin Falls is safer, and patrolled by Huntsmen. You won't have to worry about Grimm there."

But Grimm aren't the only problem here, Cerise continued. Violet's mother has been trying to contact her for a while. With what they both went through years ago, her mother is worried sick.

"You're well within CCT range, but all this rock is disrupting the signal. You've cut Violet off from the others that love her."

Orchid's legs gave out and her wings spread out on the ground. She whimpered, coming as close to sobbing as a dragon could get. I didn't mean to. I wanted to protect her from those people.

Ruby stiffened. Those people? That could very well render everything she just said irrelevant. "What people?"

A group of humans from Signal. Orchid peeled her lips and her pupils narrowed to slits. Those boys made my Flower cry. They said things that I will not repeat. I needed to get Violet away from them as fast as possible. Her pupils dilated to normal size and she closed her lips. I guess I put her in more danger.

Ruby forced herself to relax. Racist bullies were actually a step up from the alternative. "You didn't know." She approached the young dragon and scratched behind Orchid's ears. "Of all the problems to have, caring about your Rider too much is far from the worst. Violet's lucky to have you. I know you won't do this again."

Orchid pulled her head back and flicked her tongue across Ruby's cheek. She nuzzled the Rider's head again with a quiet hum. She turned to Cerise and offered the same to the older dragon.

"Well, let's go…." Ruby stopped as she stared at the two dragons. Judging by their changing expressions, they were having a conversation just between the two of them. At one point, Cerise peeled her lips back and narrowed her eyes, with a soft growl coming from her throat. She nodded at the younger dragon. Orchid narrowed her eyes, but the way her lips parted didn't have the same effect as Cerise. Her growl wasn't as intimidating as Cerise' either. The red dragon's face leveled out and she snorted. She raised her snout at the cave. Orchid turned around and pounced inside.

Ruby stared at her dragon. "What was that?"

She needs to be able to protect Violet, Cerise said. The first thing to do is intimidate those threatening her. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm going to need to teach a dragon how to be intimidating.

"They're going to be counselors?" Ruby walked into the mouth of the cave.

At least Orchid will be. It's too soon to tell for Violet. Cerise settled down outside the cave as it was too small for her to follow.

"I've got to agree there." Ruby faced into the cave. As she walked deeper, the night vision in her bionic eye kicked on. "Naina." A red light appeared over her head as she kept walking.

After about a minute in the cave, Ruby found the young pair. Violet sat on the ground, with her head and ears drooped and salt stains on her cheeks. Orchid curled her neck around her Rider with her head in Violet's lap, one of her paws holding Violet close to her chest.

"Hey there, little yote." Ruby sat down in front of the young Rider.

Violet lifted her head. Her eyes were red, and not because of the magical light. "I'm sorry Ruby," she choked out. "I know you want me to be strong, to face these things, but I… I…"

Ruby put a hand on Violet's knee. "I know. Orchid told me a little about what happened."

Violet sniffed and ran a hand over her eyes. "Why are people so mean? They called me names. One of them pulled my ear. One of them asked when my heat cycle was so he could… do things to me." She covered her red furred ear with the same arm and hand as before. "I'm not an animal."

Orchid hummed and lifted her head to kiss her Rider's cheek. She then raised her head further and pushed Violet's hand off her ear. The dragon then licked her Rider's red ear, like a mother dog grooming her puppies, only this was more purposeful.

"People are jerks." Ruby nodded. "They will find anything different, whether physical, mental, or ideological and use it as a justification for hate. People that look different are the easiest for them to prey on. If I could get rid of that, I would. But unfortunately, its… I can't even say human nature. I've seen it in all races. Humans, Faunus, elves, dwarves, dragons, they're all capable of it. But we can be better than that. We don't meet hate with more hate. That won't solve anything. I think you're way ahead of me on that.

"I've had my fair share of bullies over the years. Patch East Elementary, Patch Middle, Signal, Beacon, even now. That's with me looking fully human." Ruby tucked her hair behind her pointed ears. "This isn't helping anything. To quite a few people, I'm not human anymore. I think you know what that opens me up to.

"Violet, you're a good person. Kind, gentle, wanting to do whatever you can to help people. In that, we're the same. Don't let others define who you are. If you do that, they win. You have something that they don't." Ruby poked Violet's chest. "A kind and loving heart." Orchid hummed her agreement and kissed her Rider's chin.

"What am I supposed to do if they hurt me?" Violet asked.

"Defend yourself." Ruby let her smile fall away. "If they hurt you, you have every right to defend yourself. As a Rider, it's your job to help others in the same situation. But defense only. The only time to go on the offensive is against the Grimm, and even then quite a few people would see that as defense. And if for whatever reason you can't defend yourself, you've got your biggest fan to protect you wrapped around you right now." Orchid hummed and tightened her grip on her Rider.

"You're a Dragon Rider, Violet. You've got all the others to help back you up. If for whatever reason you don't feel like you can talk with me about something, you've got so many others who are willing to listen… including your mom."

Violet blinked. "Mom?"

"She's worried about you. She actually called me. You didn't call her at your normal time, and you weren't answering your Scroll."

Violet nodded. "Can you fly us home."

"Of course." Ruby stood up and offered a hand to her student. "We'll fly with you all the way home." Violet took the hand and Ruby helped her up. Orchid's head stayed by her Rider's side.

"Thank you." Violet stepped forward and hugged Ruby. She sniffed a few times, but otherwise stayed silent."

Ruby returned the hug. "Anytime, little yote." She scratched behind Violet's red ear. "And by the way, if any other person your age goes after you for being a Faunus, you have my permission to kick their butts in whatever way the situation demands. If it's verbal, prove you're the better person. If it's physical, surprise them. You've got all the Riders backing you up."

Orchid took her head away from her Rider and wrapped her neck around both Riders in such a way that it allowed her to lick the head Rider's face. Thank you, Ruby. My Flower is feeling so much better now.

Glad I could help. Ruby rubbed the side of Orchid's neck. Now shall we get your Rider home?

Yes, please. Orchid freed both Riders but kept her head on Violet's shoulder.

Ruby led the way out of the cave, halting the energy to her red light when natural light poured into the cave. Cerise stood up outside and stuck her head into the cave a little. She hummed as the others approached. She didn't say anything to Ruby, but then again, it probably wasn't needed.

"Let's get going, Cerise." Ruby brushed her dragon's head as she left the cave. Cerise pulled her head out but nuzzled Violet as she passed. Ruby climbed her dragon's back and settled in. She looked over to Violet and Orchid, who were also on top of each other. "How's your saddle holding up?"

"It's still intact." Violet wiggled around in her saddle. "It might need a little repair soon."

"If you need help just ask." Ruby pat her dragon's neck. "Whenever you're ready, Cerise."

Her dragon snorted. Try to keep up, Orchid. I'm going to test your speed here. Cerise faced east and jumped off the mountain. Orchid followed, but much slower. As the two dragons flew over the island then the strait, the purple dragon fell farther and farther behind, but it was at a constant rate. It looked like that had leveled out since last time Ruby joined Cerise for a speed test.

A few minutes later, Cerise stopped in the air. Below them and a couple blocks east lay Violet's home. Orchid caught up and looked at the house. She looked back at her Rider, then dove for the ground. She landed in the backyard, and a lone figure stepped out of the building. Violet dismounted her dragon, and her mother was right there to wrap her in a hug. The older woman looked up, then back at her daughter. The two walked into the house, leaving Orchid outside. The dragon stuck her head and neck inside, but the rest of her stayed in the backyard.

Cerise turned her head to her Rider. Back to the hangar?

No. Home is good.

Got it. Cerise turned around and flew back toward Patch. Ruby, maybe you should practice what you preach. Her tone wasn't accusatory in the slightest.

I know. Ruby looked off her dragon's side. I hope I can get to her before it becomes permanent.

I will help you get rid of that, you know.

It's what's driven me since we found Violet in that trunk. What would getting rid of that do for me?

It would take you one step closer toward being who you want to be… and that would likely change your True Name too. That would be even less noticeable than what you're trying now.

Ruby blinked. If I'm trying anything, right now, it's trying to be a better believer.

Cerise snorted. It's an option. She faced ahead again and stayed silent for the rest of the trip. But she was right. Getting rid of that would change Ruby's True Name. But… Ruby didn't want to get rid of it. It drove her to do just about everything since she first started fighting the Nevermores. She hated them as much as she was afraid of them. If she gave it up now, what would that make of her? Would she like who she became? She shook her head as her house appeared through the trees. Ruby didn't hate philosophy, but it wasn't her favorite topic.

As Cerise glided in for a landing, Ruby couldn't help but stare at Nalia. The green dragon paced around the backyard, with her hatchling sitting off to the side watching. It took a lot to get Nalia stressed out. What was going on?

Cerise landed to the side of the house and Ruby dismounted. Nalia walked around the house and her eyes fixed on Ruby. You need to get inside, now.

"Nalia, what's going on?" Ruby asked.

This isn't about a mission, this is about you. Go! Nalia pushed Ruby with her snout toward the front of the house.

Ruby stared at Nalia, then turned around. If this was a set up to a surprise party, it wasn't exactly funny if Nalia got that into it. She pushed open the front door to the house and stood in the doorway. Her dad, Yang, Aaron, and Viki all stood in a circle just outside the kitchen. "Guys, what's going on?"

Everyone turned to look at her. "Something bad for various reasons." Yang reached into a pocket and pulled out a flash drive. "I got this from Pyrrha today, who got it from Ozpin, who got it from Ironwood."

"What?" Ruby scrunched her eyes and stepped into the house. "Nalia said this is about me. How can something from Ironwood be about me?"

Her dad shook his head. "Apparently it's camera footage from the Nevermore base in the North Sanus Mountains."

Ruby let her mouth drop. Her legs grew weak and her arms hung at her side. Cerise flooded her mind into her Riders'. No one needed to say the exact location. Only one could get them this wound up. "Wh… why?" Ruby stammered. "It… it's been years. Why now and not back then?"

"Like Weiss said, the SDC and the Atlas military were hacked yesterday." Aaron shook his head. "We don't know who did it or how much they got, but this was definitely one thing."

"Pyrrha said this is only a fraction of what they got." Yang wiggled the flash drive. "She was told that this has everything from a few minutes before you were brought into the room to a few seconds after we brought you out. She also said that what the hackers got was unedited."

"So?" Ruby hugged herself and bent her weak knees. "More proof for Atlas to keep those monsters behind bars."

You once asked me if it was possible to use magic without speaking in the Ancient Language, Nalia started. We now know that event to be your Maiden abilities.

Ruby looked down at herself. "I use them all the time now. Why can't I pass that off as magic like anything else?"

Aaron grimaced. "Apparently Ozpin has seen it. He thinks that the way it was done leaves no doubt it's Maiden magic, not Alagaësian magic."

"Why do we have this in the first place? It's not like they'll show what happened there on the news. Not without blurring everything out." Ruby fought to keep her body from shaking.

"Because it's your call to make." Her dad crossed his arms. "And… well, you've always said you don't know what you did to help all those kids."

"Ruby," Yang's voice was barely above a whisper. "you don't have to watch what's on here, but some of us do, if only to tell you what's so special about what you did with mom's help."

Ruby stared straight at the ground and she could no longer hold back her shivers. She had the answer to what she'd been wondering for so long right in front of her, but she'd have to watch the worst hours of her life, most of which she was sure it would be better to not know.

Gem, Cerise hummed. I will use their eyes and tell you all you need to know.

Thanks, Cerise, but…

No! No buts! I will not have you go down that path again! Cerise tone alone showed how much she didn't want her Rider to watch the tape.

I have to. It's my life. If I need to know what happened to me firsthand.

It's already not firsthand! It's a recording! Gem, please don't!

Ruby slowly raised her head and locked eyes with Viki. The girl's lips trembled and her eyes watered. She lived through that hell her whole life, and likely not drugged through most of it. She could remember everything that happened to her. It wasn't fair that Ruby had a five-hour gap right over her time in the same situation. "When can we start it?"

Aaron's and Yang's jaws drop and they exchanged a look before looking back at Ruby. "You sure?" Yang asked.

"Yes… No. I just… I need to see what happened with my own eyes."

Cerise whimpered in her Rider's head. Gem… I am not happy with this, but I will keep you from going back down that hole. I don't care what I have to do. If I have to, I'll make them stop it.

Please do. Ruby walked to the couch and was about to sit in the center when she saw Zwei sitting on another cushion with his ears drooped. "Come here, Zwei." Ruby picked her dog up and held him close as she sat down. Yang plugged the flash drive into the projector and sat on Ruby's left side. Aaron took the right side. Both laid a hand on one of Ruby's legs. Her dad stood behind the couch and put a hand on her left shoulder. Viki sat in front of Ruby and leaned against the Rider's left leg.

Ruby felt something coming up from inside her, then she felt a kiss on her forehead even though no one stood in that area. I'm here too, Gem, her mom said. I see what you do. If you want to talk about anything, I'm more than willing tonight.

Thanks, mom.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Ruby?" Yang asked with the remote in her free hand.

"Start it." Ruby hugged Zwei tighter. Her dog whimpered and licked Ruby's chin before settling his own chin on the Rider's free shoulder.

The projector flashed to life and showed the room Ruby was held in. Ruby took a deep breath through the nose and tensed every muscle. She hoped she never saw the place again. There, she was tortured. There, she was held prisoner with a dozen Faunus. But she wasn't even there. It was just all the kids, one of them crying. Others looked like they were asleep.

A few minutes later, two sets of footsteps came through the speakers. Two men entered the room, dragging Past Ruby between them. In the present, Ruby whimpered as she watched herself be chained to the wall. Four friendly hands gripped various parts of her and Zwei licked her cheek.

On the projector, one of the men pointed at Ruby then made an obscene gesture with both hands. "Bastards," Yang growled, squeezing Ruby's leg even more. The other man shook his head and pulled the other one off camera.

A little later, the Ruby in chains stirred. It took a while, but she tugged on her chains. Her head darted around the room and didn't settle on one place until another man walked into the room. Ruby didn't remember much about her time imprisoned, but she could never forget the face or voice of Granite O'Donnell. Her heart beat faster, and she tightened her grip on Zwei. Her dog whimpered, then jumped out of her arms and settled on her lap. "Sorry, Zwei…"

Ruby listened to the monster talk down to her in the past. She didn't remember exactly what he said, but some words like "sold" stuck out. Then he mentioned scaling and skinning Cerise. Past Ruby widened her eyes then narrowed them. Her eyes glowed and snow and wind burst to life in the room…

Ruby dropped her jaw. "Did anyone else see that?

"I saw something in there," Aaron said.

"Going back." Yang rewound the tape to just before Ruby used her Maiden magic, then slowed it down to frame by frame speed. The snow appeared again and formed into the shape of a person. At first, Ruby thought it was her, then a sword formed in the figure's hands.

"Summer," Taiyang breathed.

"Mom…" Ruby's eyes stayed fixed to the screen. The snow figure of her mom raised her sword and slammed it into the monster's gut. O'Donnell flew out of frame, and all snow disappeared. "She did say she helped me do that.'

"If this somehow gets into the public's hands," Aaron started, "we have to figure out how to explain this."

"I'm open to ideas." O'Donnell walked back into frame and Ruby sunk into the couch. She knew what was coming next, and considering how drugged she was back then, that was saying something. She brought her arms up and hooked them around Yang's and Aaron's necks. She pulled them closer as O'Donnell drew his sword. Yang took the hint right away and leaned her head against her sister's. Aaron leaned his head soon after.

The tape showed the monster cutting Past Ruby's arm open and Ruby flinched. Why did I just watch that… Her dad swore under his breath and gripped her shoulder harder. When O'Donnell said… that line, Taiyang didn't hold back the mother variety of the f-bomb.

Then the 'doctor and his assistant' walked in. The 'doctor' set his toolkit down and pulled out the staple gun. As soon as the 'assistant' punched Past Ruby, Ruby clenched her eyes. She couldn't watch this part. But that did nothing to cover her ears. She heard the gun shoot and her screams afterward. A new pressure appeared on her legs. It felt like Viki was hugging them.

Ruby waited until the voices stopped to open her eyes. She had to blink the water out of her eyes. Past Ruby had a new streak of red in her hair coming from the third ear. She convulsed in the chains. There was no rhyme nor reason to her movements. Then she looked straight up, tears mixing with the red. There was only one thing she could have been doing; praying to whoever was listening. She dipped her head, then looked to left before letting her head droop with gravity. It looked like she passed out.

"I think that's when I felt you, Yang." Ruby sniffed and kept her eyes on the projector.

"Maybe." Yang wrapped an arm around Ruby's back. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, sis."

Aaron copied Yang. "I'm sorry, Ruby. I should have been there. I could have taken out that Bullhead with magic and stayed with you."

Ruby did her best to shake her head while sandwiched between two others. "Then you would have been in there with me."

A few minutes later, Past Ruby stirred. She looked around once more at all the Faunus. This is where the gap in Ruby's memory became complete. She didn't remember anything between then and when O'Donnell came back. She didn't think they did anything to her between both times. She looked at the wound on her arm. It looked like she had enough Aura to stop wounds from bleeding, but that was about it.

Past Ruby looked at the chains around her wrists. She yanked at them, this time with concentration and purpose. Next to her, Claret screamed into her gag and shook her head. But Past Ruby kept trying to break herself free. Then she screamed and her back arched. Ruby jumped as she heard the faint crackle of electricity. She was glad she didn't remember that, but then again, it happened during her rescue as well.

After a few seconds, Past Ruby settled down. She sat still for a few minutes and started pulling again, ending with the same result. She tried a third time, only the electrocution lasted many times longer. When she settled down, Ruby thought she saw steam rising off her past self. She shook her head. This couldn't be what endeared those kids to her.

Then one of the Faunus started crying. It sounded like Hazel. Past Ruby looked to the lion Faunus girl. She yelled or hummed into the gag. Ruby didn't know what she tried to accomplish. Hazel didn't quiet down. Past Ruby then leaned against the back wall and closed her eyes. Then she started humming.

Ruby blinked and stared at herself. It sounded like Unending Grace. Past Ruby kept at it for a while. Hazel stopped crying and looked toward Past Ruby. Slowly but surely, all eyes turned in her direction. As soon as the last set was on her, she was electrocuted again, but this time she didn't scream.

When that session was over, Past Ruby looked up, and directly at the camera. She took a deep breath and screamed into her gag. No words were needed. She'd only stay quiet once dead… Ruby blinked. Is this it?

When Past Ruby stopped screaming she sagged in her chains. All eyes in the room were still aimed at her. She raised her head and leaned back against the wall. She started humming again, another old hymn. This time, most other kids in the room joined. Shortly after that, Past Ruby was shocked again. The room silenced, without even a scream. Then she started humming again from where she left off. Everyone joined in again.

Ruby sniffed and she felt tears running down her cheeks. A small smile forced its way onto her face. This was it. She was the hope where there was none before. She could tell just from how jerky her head movements were and her facial expressions that she was still terrified, but she was helping all those kids. A tissue pressed against her face. She jumped and turned her head as much as she could toward her boyfriend. Aaron shrugged. "Well, you can't get these from where you are."

"Thank you." Ruby's smile widened and she faced the projector again. Past her continued what she was doing for a while with no more shocks. The songs shifted from basic hymns to a few more popular things as time went on. She made a point to make eye contact with everyone in there, or as best as she could anyway with how drugged she was.

Then after about an hour, Hazel screamed. It looked like she was being electrocuted now. Past Ruby screamed and tugged at her chains. A single rose petal fell from behind her. Hazel stopped screaming and slumped against the wall, but Past Ruby still tried to free herself and screamed into her gag. After a while, Hazel started crying. Past Ruby did the same and dipped her head. Nothing else came from her throat.

But the humming still came back. Past Ruby looked to her right. Claret started up again. Ruby's lower lips trembled. She needed to talk with Claret about all this. Did she get any of the credit with the other Faunus?

Then all noise from the projector stopped. Past Ruby's eyes widened, then narrowed. There were more tears, but what sounded like a growl came from her throat. Granite O'Donnell walked back into frame. He said that Claret had been sold. Past Ruby started screaming again and pulled and jerked to her right, pulling on her chains. Her eyes glowed again and the same wind and snow blew to life in the room.

This time Ruby played it back on her bionic eye. It was her mom again, but she swung her weapon at the monster's neck. The man flew out of frame. He showed back up much faster than last time, drew his sword, and carved a new scar on Past Ruby's arm.

"One. Two. Three…" Yang counted. Ruby looked at her sister through the corner of her eye. What was she doing? When she hit fifteen, Past Yang burst onto the screen and punched the monster into the wall. She picked him up off the floor and threw him out of frame before following. "Fifteen seconds too late." Yang took her head off her sister's.

"You still came, Yang." Ruby pulled her sister back.

"I was right down the hall when that happened." Yang wiped an arm under her eyes.

"I don't blame you, Yang. Not now, and not then." On the projector, everyone in chains was being electrocuted. A little after that, they all sagged, and Past Yang ran up to Past Ruby. "I do remember this a little. You standing there is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I stand by that today."

"If this were literally anything else, I'd tease you so much about that."

"I know. Someday I might welcome it." Ruby didn't say anything the rest of the tape. She just watched Aaron and Yang take care of her and all the other Faunus. She already knew Weiss and Blake were elsewhere in the base doing their own things. Past Aaron, of course, was just treating her like a teammate. But Past Yang was in full big sister mode, talking to Past Ruby, petting her hair, hugging her, and the occasional kiss on the forehead. It was more of the same after the Atlas soldiers arrived. After a while, everyone in the room left, with Past Ruby in Past Yang's arms. The projector shut off soon after.

Ruby sniffed. "I have the best team ever." She kissed both Aaron and Yang on the cheek before pulling them closer.

Both of them turned and brought her into a hug, making a Ruby sandwich. "Anything for my baby sister," Yang said.

"I was just doing my job there." Aaron shrugged while still in the hug. "You'd do the same for me."

The hand on Ruby's shoulder that she nearly forgot about disappeared. "Your team did better than I would have," her dad said. "There would be nothing left of that place."

"I can't blame you." Ruby dipped her head. "I'm glad Atlas blew that place up when they were done with it."

Viki sniffed and gripped Ruby's legs tighter. The Rider looked down at her former charge. Viki's eyes were red and leaked everywhere. "You do know what I've been through."

"Kind of… If you want to join in…" Ruby didn't think she needed to finish.

Viki let go of Ruby's legs, stood up and joined the group hug, forcing Zwei out of the way. Ruby leaned her head forward and touched her forehead to Viki's.

Gem? Are you okay? Cerise asked.

No… I saw it all again. But… I now know what I'm made of.

Finally, some closure on that. And I hope I didn't mess up that bit with Violet... I'm about as white as you can get without being albino. I might be missing something here.