So... some pretty bad things happened here in the past week. It could eventually affect my uploads but I don't think it will do anything short term. Just a lot of stress here...

"Yang, be honest with me." Aaron leaned against the kitchen wall and crossed his arms. "How badly did I mess up?"

Yang looked at Aaron out of the corner of her eye as she washed her breakfast dishes. "Considering she got off the floor last night and latched herself around your neck for two hours, I'd say you're forgiven."

"Maybe." Aaron shook his head. "I've caused her a lot of unnecessary stress. Is there anything that I can do to make it up to her?"

"Really?" Yang smirked at Aaron. "You're marrying her in nine days, and you don't know any way to make things up to her?" She laughed and returned her attention to her dishes. "You know what guys say, happy wife, happy life… Or you might not know that."

He wouldn't know, Halcyon said. He took how long to realize Ruby liked him too? It's going to take him just as long to realize how to make her happy while she's down.

"You got a point there." Yang pat the gold box on her belt. "The sad part is he's bonded to a female. I don't know how he functions."

Aaron grimaced. "You I can hear you both, right?"

"We know," Yang and Halcyon said at the same time. "In nine days, you'll officially be my little brother," Yang continued. "I'm just giving you a little sneak peek of what that entails." She paused. "I'll give you a hint. If you want to help with Ruby's stress, take some of the workload yourself. She's gotten better at asking for help."

Cookies and strawberries always work with her too, Halcyon added. I believe the two of you just being close helps her out if last night was any indication.

"There is that." Aaron paused. "Now that I'm thinking about it, the elves have taken to calling you Yang Goldmane."

"Really?" Yang grabbed some of her hair and brought it in front of her face. "I guess it makes sense, besides the silver streak anyway. I like it."

It fits you, Firecracker, Halcyon said.

Aaron heard a door open and close upstairs. "I guess that's my cue."

Yang gave Aaron a two-finger salute. "Later, bro."

Aaron nodded at Yang and left the kitchen. His fiancé walked down the stairs with her Scroll in hand. "Ready to go?"

"There's been a change of plans." Ruby shook her head and put her Scroll away. "I just got a call from the Vale council. They say they're ready to test something that should inhibit magic. They need a test subject, and that's going to be me."

"You? Why not someone else?"

"Because we don't know any side effects. I'd rather them be on someone who is experienced with magic and can recover. You already lost your magic once. I can bounce back. No one else in Vale can."

Aaron pushed open the front door. "What about Yang or Velvet?"

"Velvet's defending the workmen at our house in the mountains. Yang... Officially, Halcyon is dead. She can't be the test subject." Ruby's voice had an edge to it.

Aaron gave a sideways nod. "Fair points. Anything in particular you want me to tell Arya and Avrart?" The two Riders approached their dragons.

"I trust you." Ruby shook her head. "This is going to push my other plans back."

"If you need help with anything, just ask." Aaron climbed Nalia's side.

"Coco's putting together a list. She'll email me later." Ruby mounted Cerise and faced Aaron. "You probably shouldn't talk to her for a few days. It sounds like she wants to rip your head off."

Nalia snorted as she raised her wings. Like I would let that happen. She plunged her wings down and jumped into the air. She angled toward the mountain where all other Alagaësian Riders and dragons were in Vale.

Aaron pat Nalia's neck. When we get close, can you circle around the house? I'd like to see the progress.

Of course. Nalia nodded. I'm interested too. She diverted her course a touch and sped over the strait, then the city. When they passed Beacon, the new building appeared from behind the mountain. The siding was painted to match the forest below and around the building. If people didn't know where to look for it, it would be nearly invisible from afar, from the city side anyway.

A few minutes later, Nalia swung around the mountain. The new house-headquarters combo was bigger than Beacon's cafeteria, and only because they wanted interior space for multiple dragons. Most of the glass wasn't installed yet, leaving the inside open to the world. Vert stood on the far side of the house and roared a polite greeting. Nalia returned the favor.

Aaron picked out Glaedr on a nearby mountain and directed Nalia toward him. His dragon turned in that direction and roared another greeting. Glaedr looked their way, then back at the forest below him. All other dragons and Riders rose from the trees. The dragons touched down by Glaedr and their Riders dismounted.

Nalia landed on the mountain shortly after that. Aaron dismounted and faced the trainees in front of him. "Before we get started on our normal routine today, I need to speak with two pairs. Arya and Fírnen, you two are up first." Aaron walked into a nearby cave that was just too small for Nalia to fit inside. It looked like Oromis or Glaedr picked this place for a reason.

Aaron turned around and faced Arya and Fírnen. Nalia blocked the entrance to the cave with her body, yet gave enough of a gap for natural light to shine in. The elf gave a polite bow. "What would you ask of us, Master Aaron?"

"First off, I would like to say that you and Fírnen have surpassed all of our expectations. Both of you have progressed further than many of the Old Order, and are on pace with Ruby and Velvet when it comes to magic. Your skill with a sword is far advanced for one your age. We believe you are ready to take the next step."

Arya stood a little taller as Aaron continued. Fírnen also raised his wings and puffed his chest out. "Thank you, Master. What is this next step?"

"To attend one of the four Huntsmen Academies on Remnant." Arya straightened even more and Fírnen raised his ears. "You still have much to learn about combat. All instructors may be human or Faunus, but many of them are as skilled as Blödhgarm and the other in his guard, if not more. They can teach you much more than combat as well. I believe I have told you about Aura?"

Fírnen nodded. It is the manifestation of the soul. Those from Remnant have more than those from Alagaësia.

"Precisely. It can protect you against limited damage in a way similar to wards, with a few added benefits." Aaron paused. "Ruby discovered yesterday that Orchid has a Semblance. It's possible that Fírnen may have one as well, but no other dragons have shown that they have one themselves. We don't know if it's possible for elves to have Semblances either."

Aaron shook his head. "I'm getting distracted. Arya, this is not something to be taken lightly. The training is dangerous. It's not unheard of for someone to be killed in training. Injuries can be just as severe. You do not need to answer right now. Take some time to think. But the semester starts for all combat schools in eleven days. You will need to let me or Ruby know before then."

Arya turned to Fírnen. The dragon and Rider looked into each other's eyes for quite some time, with the Rider idly rubbing her dragon's jaw. After a few minutes, Arya faced Aaron again. "Master Aaron, I would be honored to attend Beacon Academy as the first elf."

Aaron stood still for a moment, then nodded. There was no going back now. "I will inform Headmaster Ozpin of your decision. As I understand it, there is a written entry test as well as a physical one. I will get you the relevant study materials by tomorrow. Now, would you please send Avrart and Nenva in?" Nalia backed away from the mouth of the cave.

"Of course." Arya bowed once more and turned to leave the cave, with Fírnen right beside her.

That went as well as expected, Aaron told Nalia.

Indeed it did. Nalia stuck her head in front of the cave and faced her Rider. Arya gets the advanced training she deserves, and I get to spend more time with my Hatchling.

I thought mother dragons kicked their young out when they reach a certain age.

We do, but that doesn't mean we stop caring for our young. Amor and Fírnen are going to grow up to be such wonderful dragons. I am so proud of them both.

Aaron smirked. Looks like there are more motherly dragons here than I thought.

Nalia snorted. You didn't get that with my time with Amor? She looked away. The others are here. I don't think this one will go as smoothly.

I have a feeling you're right. Aaron stared at the entry to the cave. Avrart and Nenva stepped inside, and Nalia once again blocked the entrance. "I'm surprised you two came right away."

Avrart put on that arrogant smirk that had shown up way too often. "Judging by the looks on Arya's and Fírnen's faces, you rewarded them in some way. I am here to receive the same."

Aaron did his best to ignore Avrart's tone. "In a way, you are correct. You and Nenva are receiving a special assignment, but not the same one. I know you have been taught about the ways of the Old Order and life on Vroengard. We will be trying to recreate that environment here."

Avrart shifted on his feet. "I do not understand."

"The Riders used to be completely self-sufficient, something I'm sure as one who's been brought up under a businessman can understand. For us, that means we grow all our own food, clean our own water, build our own buildings, and so on. I know you have taken advantage of the elves' generosity in your time in Ellesméra. That ends now. This means no handouts from the people of Vale. To add to that, you have no Lien, and you will receive no Lien from me or Ruby Shadeslayer. If you ever get any, you will earn it from taking and completing missions. But that will only come around if and when Ruby or I decide you are mission capable."

Nenva raised her ears and Avrart scowled. "I'm sorry, but I would like to decline your offer."

Aaron shook his head. "That decision is not up to you. What is your decision is whether you stay in Vale or I ship you off to New Vroengard on Menagerie."

"What do you want me to do?" Avrart held his arms away from his body. "Build a house for myself in the mountain? Humans can't survive in the wilderness for long periods of time."

"Then how am I alive?" Aaron looked around the cave. "You don't need to build a house. A cave like this one could house you and Nenva for a few years."

"Says the one who is building a castle less than a league away." Avrart scowled. "How can you hold me to this when you have servants doing your work for you?"

"That line of thinking is exactly the point." Aaron walked toward Avrart until he stood only a foot away from the troublesome Rider. He stood a head taller than the younger man. Avrart took a tiny step back but kept glaring at Aaron. "In Surda, you're the son of a successful brewer. In Ellesméra, you're one of the first of a new line of Dragon Riders. On Remnant, you're just a Huntsman in training that happens to be bonded to a dragon. Translation, you're not some hot shot that gets whatever he wants and can get away with anything he wants. I've only seen you pay respect to two people, and they had considerable power over you. Now, you have no power, no influence. If anything is going to teach you respect, it's this."

"How do you plan on keeping us here?" Avrart's voice wasn't as confident as before.

"Because we can and will cast a spell confining you to the Emerald Forest if needed, or send you off to New Vroengard, where there's nowhere to go." Aaron shifted his gaze to Nenva. The white dragon's blue eyes shone like her white scales. Her ears stood on end and her wings raised. "I don't think Nenva will take you away anyway."

Avrart shifted his glare to his dragon, then back at Aaron. "My father will hear about this."

"What can he do? He's in Alagaësia. His money can't do anything either. Weiss could buy him out ten times over, and then some. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the city, you'll see her name just about everywhere."

Avrart scowled then stormed toward the cave exit. Nalia stepped back and allowed the young Rider to leave. Nenva hummed at Aaron and Nalia. Thank you for doing this. I apologize for my Rider's previous actions. I believe I may finally be able to break him in.

Aaron nodded. "Glad we could help." Nenva turned around and followed her Rider out of the cave. Aaron shook his head. "She's kind-hearted, he's stone-hearted. I don't see why she chose him."

She sees something we don't, Nalia said. That's what matters.

"I'll have to take your word for it." Aaron sighed. "Well, we should probably join the others. The rookies aren't going to train themselves."

"No! You're joking!" Ruby yelled into her Scroll. If the technician working on the other side of the room cared, he didn't mention it.

"I'm serious," Weiss said. "Saphira is holding Winter in the manor. She won't let Winter out until the next time she's called for a mission."

"You know she's going to try to escape, right?"

"Oh, we know. Saphira's looking forward to it. It makes up for me not getting most riddles."

"I guess Saphira wants the two of you to spend time together."

"That, and she's a little protective of Winter after what happened to her. She is my sister, after all."

"Miss Rose," the technician started, "my initial scans are complete."

Ruby nodded at the man. "Got to go, Weiss. Gotta test this new suppression collar. Call me later if you need anything." She tugged at the metal ring around her neck.

"Got it, sis. Talk to you then." The line clicked on Weiss' side.

Ruby put her Scroll back in a pocket and tried to adjust the collar around her neck. "I know that this wasn't designed with comfort in mind, but this thing is going to chafe really quick. If people are going to wear this for long periods of time, something's going to need to change."

The head engineer stepped away from his terminal. "Of course, but right now, this device relies on physical contact. Once we know this works as intended, future models will have a more wearable design." He walked over to Ruby and started removing the cables from the collar.

"As long as there're plans in the future." The technician removed the cables but the collar was as uncomfortable as ever. Ruby stood up from the bench. "Now where's this testing area?"

"Please follow me." The engineer stood up and walked out of the lab. Ruby did as told and followed him out of the room.

I don't like the look, Cerise said. You've got enough metal on you already.

That's why you don't like the look? Ruby smirked at where she felt her dragon. I'm not calling you for bail if I'm ever arrested.

I would be worried if you did. I don't have access to any Lien. That's all you. I'd suggest going to Weiss.

That would be the smart idea. Ruby laughed to herself then focused on the hall ahead of her. She followed the engineer down two more halls until they reached what looked like an observation room. A row of computer terminals and monitors lay below a wall of windows. On the other side of that lay a white paneled room. A bunch of scientists filled the room, about half at a computer, the others at a conference table with coffee. Ruby crossed her arms. "I'm not actually under arrest, am I?"

The head engineer chuckled. "No. We like seeing our experiments with our own eyes, not just cameras. There's no danger to anyone present."

"I'll take your word for it." Ruby pointed at the one place in the glass wall that stretched from floor to ceiling. "I take it that's the door?" The head engineer nodded and Ruby walked for the door. She pulled it open and stepped inside the test room.

As soon as the door closed behind her, she felt… weird. Ruby lifted her hands and saw her Aura flare red before disappearing. She looked at the other side of the room and tried to use her Semblance, but she didn't move an inch. "Testing to see if this thing works in an Aura canceling field?" She faced the glass wall.

"We are, indeed," the lead engineer's voice came over the speakers in the room. "Odds are any Riders that are arrested will have an active Aura. We need to make sure neither cancels out the effect of the other.

"Okay then." Ruby tugged at the collar once more. "Shall we get this test started?"

"We shall. Activating Suppression collar in three, two, one." Something in the collar clicked.

Ruby's eyes bulged and her breath caught in her throat. She turned around and fell to her knees. She grabbed both sides of her head. Cerise? No answer. She couldn't feel her dragon at all. There was a huge hole where her dragon should have been. Cerise was gone. Her other half was gone. That empty feeling hurt worse than anything the Nevermores did to her. That shouldn't have been possible… unless…

A roar filtered through the thick walls of the building, one that could only belong to Cerise. The room shook. Ruby clenched her eyes and shook her head. Cerise was alive. It was the damn collar! It had to be. "Jeirda." Nothing broke. She didn't have access to magic at all. If Cerise was kicked out of her head, there was no way she could do anything else.

Ruby wrapped her right hand around the collar and clamped her fingers down. The metal crumpled and circuitry sparked, cutting and shocking her. She didn't care. She peeled the metal off her neck and threw it to the wall.

Cerise mind and her rage hit Ruby like a tsunami. -kill you bastards! You killed my… Gem? Some of Cerise' rage disappeared, but not all of it.

I'm here, Cerise. I'm here. Ruby faced the destroyed collar, but it wasn't as destroyed as Ruby wanted it to be. She stuck her right arm at it and shifted it to gun form. She fired her gun arm once, twice, thrice, and kept firing until the internal magazine was empty. "Brisingr." All remaining pieces of the collar set on fire and filled the air with the stench of burning silicon. I'm coming out to you… but not before giving these people a piece of my mind. Cerise latched onto her Rider's mind in a loving death grip.

Ruby straightened up and tried to clear her face of all emotion. She didn't need a video escaping of her losing her cool and threatening people's lives. She turned back toward the observation room and walked the distance. She pushed open the door and faced the scientists. All of them stared at her, some with open mouths, some shaking.

All except the head engineer anyway. He scowled and approached Ruby. "What the hell was that? You just destroyed a few hundred thousand Lien worth of investment."

"I was unaware that Vale allowed torture."

"We don't. That's not-"

"Then I have the legal right to arrest all of you right now and effectively shut this place down." Ruby gently gestured at the still burning wreck of the collar. "That was an instrument of torture. You never fully cut off a Rider from their dragon or vice versa. If it came down to having one of those on for ten months or going back in the care of the Nevermores for ten years, I'd take my chances with the Nevermores."

"What do you expect us to do now?" the engineer growled. "You destroyed our only prototype."

"I'm sure your readings are more than sufficient to start over. And you will start over. As long as the plans for that exist, Vale will not have any say in what we do with Riders that go rogue in your territory." Ruby looked around the room and had her bionic eye record the names and faces of all scientists and engineers in the room. "If that torture device ever shows up anywhere, I know where to start looking for the leak."

"Are you threatening us?"

"Are you defending torturing me?" Ruby shook her head. "We're done here. Call me again when you gain some morals." She turned around and retraced her earlier steps toward the front door. Cerise, we're going to Patch and not stopping for anything.

Fine! Just get out here! Cerise' rage had cooled somewhat, but her concern and worry had only grown.

Ruby left the lab and was immediately covered by a shadow. She looked up. Cerise stood on the roof of the building with her claws digging into the wall just below it. She jumped off and into the parking lot beside the building. Ruby approached her dragon, not looking at anything else. Cerise bared all her teeth and growled at something behind her Rider. Her claws cracked up the asphalt beneath her.

The Rider mounted her dragon but didn't have time to secure her legs before Cerise took off. Ruby leaned forward in the saddle but refrained from hugging her dragon. They were too close to the skyscrapers downtown. She did tighten her legs around her soulmate though. Both latched onto the other's mind as hard as they could.

Any place in particular, Gem? Cerise asked. Home? The cliffs?

The mountain. No one's around.

Agreed. Cerise snorted and flew even faster. I am not letting you leave me for the rest of the day.

Just the day? I'd say a year. Ruby looked around at the city. They'd passed most of the skyscrapers and they were a few hundred feet above the tallest. She finally wrapped her arms around her dragon's neck as hard as she could. I love you, Cerise. I never want to feel that again.

Neither do I. Cerise hummed but kept her head forward. Oceans of love passed in both directions.

Ruby's eyes leaked and she felt her throat and nose constrict. That… that was horrible.

I wouldn't use that word. Cerise peeled her lips back again but closed them soon after. I don't think the word exists on how I feel. It hurt so much.

I know. I'm sorry I volunteered for that. I should have had them go through more testing. I shouldn't have allowed them to make something like that in the first place. I'm sorry I put you through all that.

It's not your fault. Blame those monsters that call themselves scientists. It was a sound choice given the information we had… But I guess we'll have to be more careful on who we trust in the future.

Agreed. We can't take that chance in the future. If they can do it once, they can do it again. Ruby shook her head. But we can worry about that later. It's just you…

… and you. Cerise finished. She turned her head back a little, her visible eye wide. She faced forward once more and put on another burst of speed.

Neither of them spoke for the rest of the flight. They just sent each other their emotions. Ruby also rubbed her dragon's neck, well, as best as she could with her arms wrapped all the way around. A few minutes later, Cerise flew around the mountain on Patch and landed outside a different cave from a few months before.

Ruby stayed on her dragon's back as Cerise entered the cave. The dragon settled down and the Rider finally slid off. Cerise rolled onto her side and curled her neck around. Ruby laid in the curl and settled down so her head rested by one of Cerise' eyes. She wrapped her arms behind her soulmate's head. Cerise brought one of her paws up and wrapped her toes around her Rider. She also covered Ruby in one of her wings.

"Why does it always take something terrible happening for us to get this close?" Ruby rubbed her face against her dragon's scales, not caring that she felt the edges cutting her cheeks.

I don't know. Cerise stuck her tongue out of the side of her mouth and licked the new injury on her Rider's face. We really shouldn't wait that long.

Ruby forced a smile. "I'd hope not. We'd never be this close again."

That got a quiet chuckle out of Cerise and she snuggled closer to her Rider and held her closer. Of course. Nothing bad ever again. I won't allow it.

"Thank you." Ruby turned her head and kissed the scales right by her dragon's eye. "You're the best, Cerise. I don't want either of us to feel that again."

If either of us does, Cerise growled, I will rip all of those scientists in half.

Part of Ruby's head wanted to admonish her dragon, but she actually thought and said, "Please do." She pulled herself closer to her dragon's head. "Do the same if they hurt any other dragons or Riders this way."

I will. Cerise slowly blinked. They will meet my claws.

"You are the strong one." Ruby closed her eyes and let herself drift off. Cerise was always so comfortable when the Rider was tired… or under extreme stress, as she was at that moment.

Ruby wasn't sure how long they were there, or if she completely fell asleep, but she was sure that Cerise moved first. We are no longer alone, she growled.

"Grimm?" Ruby tried to move but she was still held in place.

No. Two of ours. Cerise pulled her wing and paw back. Ruby sat up and her muscles protested. Violet and Orchid stood at the mouth of the cave. The Rider shifted on her feet and twiddled her thumbs. Her head dipped and she wouldn't meet Ruby's eyes. Orchid stood still looking between the other bonded pair.

"Violet, Orchid," Ruby pushed herself up against Cerise' chest, "what are you two doing here?"

"It was her idea!" Violet pointed a finger at Orchid. "It's all she's talked about for a few hours."

Orchid shook her head like a dog and took two steps forward. I apologize for intruding. I understand this is a… sensitive time for you. I don't know what you two have gone through, but I doubt it's good. With what I discovered yesterday, I believe I can help. You two have done so much to help my Flower, it's only right that I return the favor. Her lower jaw dropped and her purple glowing tongue lolled out. I know it's unorthodox, but this is what I know works.

Ruby and Cerise stared at the young dragon for a while, then Cerise snorted. I am your mother. It's not too strange.

I wouldn't do anything without your permission. Orchid walked forward until she stood right in front of her mother. Cerise raised her head off the ground to the other dragon's level. Her daughter nuzzled Cerise' snout, then licked the side of her mother's face.

Ruby felt an immediate change in her dragon. Her rage, fear, and concern dropped off. Cerise raised her ears and surprise radiated off her. Orchid licked her again and the same thing happened. One more kiss and those three disappeared entirely. Orchid kept going, and the surprise was slowly replaced with happiness and contentment.

Orchid, Cerise hummed, thank you, my daughter. She nuzzled Orchid herself and kissed her daughter once. Cerise returned her gaze to her Rider. Her eyes showed none of the pain from before. Ruby, I highly recommend this.

Ruby flicked her eyes to Orchid, then back to Cerise. But… I felt all that. She changed the way you thought.

It's not like that. Cerise lowered her head and rested it in her Rider's lap. I would not recommend it if it was harmful.

O…kay. Ruby looked up and nodded at Orchid.

Let me do the work. Orchid leaned her head forward and nuzzled Ruby's face. She then licked the Rider's face…

Ruby felt her negative emotions fall away. Her eyes widened and she stared at Orchid. The dragon kissed her again and the same thing happened, but she noticed how it was done. Her fear wasn't just disappearing. It felt like it was being healed away. She got the same feeling from the times she's had magical healing done on herself. One kiss later confirmed it. Orchid wasn't changing the way Ruby's head worked, she was healing all the bad out of it.

Even after all the bad stuff melted away, Orchid kept up her treatment. With that same healing feeling, more pleasant emotions came up. She suddenly felt like she'd been cuddling with hatchling Cerise for several hours. Things only got more pleasant as the dragon continued the treatment.

A few kisses later, Orchid pulled her head back and looked Ruby in the eyes. Better?

"Much," Ruby sighed and smiled, all her tension having already melted away. She rubbed underneath the healer's chin. "Thank you." Orchid hummed and exposed more of her chin to the Rider. "You're going to help a lot of people, Orchid Healtongue. Just keep being you."

Thank you, Ruby. Orchid took her head off the scratching hand and looked between Ruby and Cerise. Though I believe I should say that this isn't a safe place to hide like this. There are Grimm in the area. It's not safe for people to be alone out here. It took Cerise nearly an hour to notice me. What could a Beowolf have done to you two?

"Point taken." Ruby stood up and rested her hand on Cerise snout. "Orchid, you're not taking what we feel onto you, are you?"

Orchid cocked her head. No. Why?

"Just that the few other Semblances that deal with emotions have that side effect." Ruby shook her head. "Again, thank you."

Anytime. Orchid hummed once more. I love to help. She turned around and walked back to her Rider. Violet's face was now completely red and her lips smooshed together. She climbed onto her dragon's back and the two walked out of the cave, then flew off the cliff.

Of course, Orchid's semblance would involve giving kisses. Cerise raised her head to just beside her Rider's. It fits her so well.

"Another point in the 'Semblances are tied to personality' column." Ruby scratched behind Cerise' closest ear. "Let's get back home. The others should know about what happened…" Most of Ruby's good mood vanished. "We were separated for less than a minute. Yang didn't have Halcyon for months."

Cerise raised her ears and stared out of the cave. Get on. We need to go. Ruby did as told and Cerise bounded out of the cave. The dragon curved toward the house and flew toward it, though slower than their flight from the city. The sun now hung just above the trees. A minute later she touched down in the yard by Nalia. If she was there, so was Aaron. He needed to know this too.

Ruby dismounted her dragon, ignoring the confused warbles from Nalia. She pushed the front door open and kicked her shoes off. Yang, Aaron, and Viki sat on the couch watching a Darvel movie, and it sounded like her dad was in the kitchen. Aaron looked over his shoulder at his fiancé. "Hey, Ru. Where you been? You've been gone for… hours." He looked Ruby up and down. "You feeling okay? You don't look so good." That made Yang and Viki face Ruby as well.

"Not really." Ruby approached the couch on her sister's side. "Meeting Vale's techs didn't go so well."

"Didn't you leave for that at like nine this morning?" Yang asked. "What could keep you away for so long?"

Ruby locked eyes with her sister. "I know how you felt." Yang looked to the side, then back at Ruby with her eyebrows raised in confusion. "The thing they had to test on me completely cut me off from Cerise, and I mean completely. Cerise felt the same thing."

Yang's jaw dropped and Aaron stiffened on the other side of the couch. "Like… one of you was…" Yang didn't finish her whispered question.

One moment Ruby was there, Cerise started, the next, there was a huge hole in my head where she should be. I thought they killed her.

Yang jerked her head toward the window, then back to Ruby. She pounced over the arm of the couch and latched onto her sister. She didn't say anything, she just held Ruby close. Ruby rested her arms on her sister's back. "But we're okay now. We've had a long time. And… we think we found out how Orchid's Semblance works."

"But they can separate us from our dragons?" Aaron asked, his voice gravelly. "That is not okay." Nalia growled outside to accent her Rider's statement.

"I know." Ruby nodded over Yang's shoulder. "We made sure they knew what we thought about it."

Are they all still alive? Nalia hissed.

Ruby looked at Aaron and Nalia on the other side of the window. She wasn't sure she liked either of their tones. "All of them."

Aaron stood up and walked toward the door. "I'll be back."

"Wait, Aaron!" Ruby freed herself from Yang's arms. "Where are you going?"

"To knock some heads together." Aaron pulled open the front door and marched toward Nalia. Ruby followed him outside. "They can't be allowed to do things like that. Something like this is exactly why I didn't want anyone else holding us." His head dipped. "The fact that they did it to my future wife and her dragon make it even worse."

"Aaron, you just can't go and beat them up for this."

"I can and I will." Aaron clenched his fists.

Ruby stopped. "Aaron! Stand down!"

Aaron stopped and turned around. "I'm trying to defend your honor. Do people not do that on Remnant?"

"They do," Ruby raised a placating hand, "but the way I think you want to do it is only okay in Vacuo."

"Then what do you want me to do?" Aaron threw his arms up. "I can't let them get away with it. None of that is okay."

"I completely agree with you, but we can't go around hurting and killing everyone we don't like."

"You can't defend yourselves here? Why are we even here then?"

"It's one thing if we do that while something is going on, but hours after it happened? That's premeditated assault… or first-degree murder."

Aaron growled and ran his hands through his hair. "We've fought how many people who've hurt us? That was our entire campaign against Galbatorix."

"That's Alagaësia. Not here." Ruby shook her head. "We can't go against the government. That was a Kingdom of Vale facility. If we do anything there, we'll have the entire Kingdom coming after us, maybe the other three too."

"So we're just going to sit around and do nothing?"

Ruby looked down and to the side. "No. But we're going to do something I never wanted us to get involved with. We need to do it, and if people find out about it, we still won't be as bad off."

Aaron stared at Ruby, then shrugged. "As long as we're doing something."

Trust me, Aaron, Cerise growled, though not in the furious way from earlier, I would have burnt the building down if that would change what they did.

"Let's just forget about this for the day." Ruby walked forward and grabbed one of Aaron's hands. "It's been way too long since we've spent time together."

Aaron sighed and locked eyes with Ruby. "How are you so calm about this? You and Cerise were torn apart."

"Orchid has an amazing Semblance that fits her perfectly. I'll tell you about it inside."

For those of you who may be thinking this, no, I do not like torturing my characters. I do love seeing them come back.