So, I'm pretty darn sick while doing the final edits, so we'll just get right into this. If this isn't as pollished as some of the other chapters, that would be why.

Ruby took out her Scroll and hit the button to open the hangar doors. The roof of the building split apart and Cerise hovered above it before landing beside Wyvern, which was under a tarp. The Rider dismounted and grabbed the wrapped-up package from Cerise' saddle. She walked around Wyvern to where she saw Rhunön working while Cerise landed.

The elf looked up from her current work and faced Ruby. "I wasn't expecting you today. I heard that you had other plans."

"I do, but one of those things requires your approval." Ruby set the package beside the armor plate Rhunön was working on. "This is the first one I've made from scratch. I thought about using Remnant tech to forge it, but it didn't feel right."

Rhunön stared at the package. "Who is this for?"

"Arya. Out of all the new Riders, she is the furthest along by far. She's earned this."

The elf unwrapped the cloth, revealing a green sword in a matching colored sheath. The sheath itself matched the color of Fírnen's wing membrane and the emerald in the pommel matched his eye color. Rhunön drew the blade and held it straight up. The point carried the green of Fírnen's chest while the base took the near white of his feet. "Not the color pattern I would have chosen," Rhunön said.

"I can't take everything I make from you." Ruby crossed her arms. "I'm surprised you commented on the color first. I thought you liked function over form more than pretty much anyone.

"Take it as a compliment, Shadeslayer." Rhunön ran a palm over the blade. "I see no flaws on the surface. A nice length for a hand-and-a-half sword. Double bladed, which most elves prefer. There are fewer imperfections in this metal than in most of my early work. The edges are sharp, but not overly so." The elf nodded. "This will make a fine blade for a Rider." She slid the sword back into the sheath.

Ruby hoped her smile wasn't too eager. "Thank you. It means a lot." She rolled the weapon back up in the blanket and looked at the armor piece Rhunön was currently working on. Various lines weaved in and out all circling the logo of the Riders. "Nalia's shoulder armor?"

"Indeed." Rhunön returned her gaze to her work. "This and the headpiece are the only things remaining. Both will be finished in time for the ceremony."

This time, Ruby didn't hold back her smile. In less than seventy-two hours, she and Aaron would be married and off to Mistral for their honeymoon. "Thank you again for this."

"Think nothing of it. Dragons need armor, especially against the things they will be fighting here. If I can help protect them, I will do so." In Ruby's experience, that was as close to 'you're welcome' as Rhunön got.

Ruby looked around the room and her good mood faded. "Is Yaela here? There's something I need to talk to her about."

"She is working on the simulator." Rhunön gestured to another room. "But that is all I know about what she's doing."

"Thank you." Ruby left Rhunön's workbench and hooked Arya's sword back onto Cerise' saddle. She walked to the simulator room and poked her head inside. Yaela sat outside a black rectangular box with a large Scroll in her hands. "Yaela, do you have a moment?"

Yaela looked up from her Scroll. "Of course." She set the Scroll down as Ruby closed the door behind her. "What do you need?"

Ruby sighed and leaned against the wall. She also cast a few silencing spells. The odds were nobody thought to listen in on this place, but she had to be certain. "A few days ago, something terrible happened. I'm sure you've heard that Cerise and I were at a Vale research facility last week."

"Yes. Is this about what caused Cerise to attack the building?"

"Yeah." Ruby crossed her arms. "We were there testing something that would allow Vale and the other Kingdoms to detain Riders that commit crimes." She shivered. "I don't know how they did it, the science all goes over my head, but they managed not only to suppress my magic… but they temporarily cut me off from Cerise."

Yaela's arms hung slack and her jaw dropped. "What?"

"Our connection was back as soon as the collar was destroyed, but my right arm is the only reason I got that thing off." Ruby flexed her bionic arm. "I don't think people without these things could get out if they tried."

Yaela clenched her fists. "What are we going to do about it?"

This is the part Ruby was waiting for. Hopefully Yaela would catch on. "I've done what I could. I told them that if it's ever used on another dragon or Rider there would be hell to pay. You…" Ruby shook her head. "I can't ask you to hack into Vale and track the file."

The elf stiffened. "I beg your pardon?"

"Hacking into Kingdom facilities is highly illegal. Depending on which arm or building, the jail time can be pretty substantial. Not to mention the public blowback from any and all media outlets when it gets tracked to us. So no. I can't ask you to do that."

Yaela stared at Ruby with an open mouth, then she straightened up and nodded. "Of course not. That would be wrong."

"If I did ask or order you or anyone else to do that," Ruby slumped, "I'd have to deny everything. I can't have the Riders take a fall for this. I'd hate to do that to a friend, but I would in order to protect the Riders."

Yaela hesitated only for a second. "Then it is a good thing you do not have to worry about that."

That got a smile out of Ruby. "If anyone asks, we just talked about your work on that." She nodded at the simulator. "Speaking of which, how is your progress?"

"The programming on both this and Wyvern should be done in less than a week. Then we should be able to move onto testing."

Ruby stopped herself from bouncing on her feet. She was almost done with building and programming Drake. Another month on, including honeymoon time, and that would be done too… then she remembered what was at the end of the next month. If everything got together on time, the timing couldn't be better. "Good to know. Thanks, Yaela."

The Rider turned around and left the simulator room. Ruby walked across the hangar and mounted her dragon. She opened the hangar doors again and Cerise jumped out. The Rider leaned forward in the saddle and hung her head. It's official. The Riders are now doing black ops.

We didn't have a choice, Cerise growled. They brought it on themselves.

I hate secrets, and this is one that I can't let other people in on. It wouldn't be any better if Raven could do it. Ruby shook her head. I know it's necessary, but I don't have to like it.

Cerise snorted. You're starting to think like the Leader of the Riders should.

I should hope so. I've been at it for just over a year.

Something tells me that Umaroth would say differently.

Ruby shook her head. Can we change topic? I don't want to be thinking all doom and gloom days before my wedding.

How about how much Yang is going to fall on her face during her speech?

She'll do fine. She's got us backing her up and Halcyon in her head. You've heard it. It's beautiful. The question is whether or not she can act like Halcyon is actually gone.

There is that. She hasn't acted that way in public for a long time. It'll be interesting to see her play wounded.

If she does it right, she should audition for a movie.

Well, I've gotten a few calls and emails from movie directors. I could direct them to her. Ruby looked past her dragon's head at the building that stood in the Dragonhouse' place. Halcyon Hall was bigger than the dining hall, which at Beacon, was saying something. What looked like the first floor stood at least three normal stories tall, with two normal floors above that. I bet Halcyon's happy that one of the biggest buildings on campus is named after him.

It'll go to his head. Cerise snorted. Let's get down there. She circled the building a few times before straightening out and landing beside it. Ruby dismounted and walked toward the front of the building. A decent crowd had gathered out front, and she picked out cameras from VNN and Vox news. That could make Yang a little nervous.

Ruby approached the front door of the new building, walking right by the few security people. She pushed both sets of glass doors open and found her sister staring at something on the wall. "Whatcha looking at, sis?"

Yang smiled at her sister, then back at the wall. "You know the short history of whoever the building is named after is hung somewhere in every building? That's this."

"The one you submitted a while ago?"

"The same one." Yang wiped an arm under her eyes. "This is one thing I couldn't just laugh at."

Ruby put a hand on her sister's shoulder. Giving the cameras out there a show?

Yes and no. I just wish Halcyon was here to see this.

If I was, Halcyon started, this wouldn't be happening. The honor probably would have gone to Professor Peach.

True. Ruby looked at the black and gold plaque on the wall.

It read 'Halcyon 'Aeiou' Brightscales 2188-2193. Halcyon Brightscales hatched in the Dragonhouse, the predecessor to this building, during the second semester of the 2188 school year to Rider Yang Xiao Long. He was the second dragon to hatch on Remnant, following his sister Cerise Longtail. He had his first major engagement with the Grimm only weeks later during the Breach, and weeks later he protected Beacon Academy during the Battle of Beacon. While he was young even by dragon standards, he fought admirably and killed countless Grimm in both engagements. Over the next four and a half years, he fought with the other members and dragons of Team RWBAY in dozens of combat missions across all Kingdoms. He was killed in combat in 2193 in the Alagaësian city of Urû'baen, now Ilirea. He is remembered by his friends and family as a jokester, a warrior, and a fierce ally. He would never let a friend fight a battle alone, no matter the cost or subject.'

"Sounds as right as the day you first wrote it, sis." Ruby smiled at her sister.

"Yeah." Yang dipped her head. "I just wish I didn't get the opportunity."

Ruby's shoulders slumped. Either Yang suddenly got great at acting, or she was being serious. Ruby rested a hand on her sister's nearest arm. Yang, he's on your belt.

Yeah. But he should be standing here, not hanging there. Yang shook her head. It's not the same. He says it doesn't bother him, but I can tell.

Yang, it really doesn't. Halcyon hummed. I'm here, that's enough.

Ruby looked at the box on Yang's hip. She knew what her sister meant. You both know I'd help if I could, right?

We know, Yang and Halcyon said at the same time. You'd build a time machine if you could. Yang ruffled Ruby's hair.

"Miss Xiao Long, Miss Rose," Ozpin's voice came from behind Ruby, "the ceremony is about to begin."

Yang looked past Ruby as the younger sister stiffened. "Thanks, Oz. We'll be out soon." Yang looked down at Ruby. "Well, that's our cue… Ruby, you okay?"

"Yeah," Ruby spat out as she backed away, purposefully not looking at Ozpin. "I'm fine. Perfectly fine."

Yang cocked her head. "What is it with you and Ozpin lately?"

"That obvious there's something going on?" Ruby sighed. "Not here. Not now. Maybe later today."

"If it's personal," Yang held her hands up, "I don't want to know."

"Okay then, you won't." Ruby turned around and walked for the doors. "It's not pretty." She pulled both sets of doors open, then found her name on a chair at the end of the front row. Yang's name was on the chair next to her, and surprisingly Oromis on the far side of Yang. Then again, it made sense that he would be at the dedication to a building named after a fallen dragon. As Ruby thought about that, Glaedr landed nearby, and most network cameras faced him.

Ruby took her seat and Yang followed suit soon after. There was a call to be seated, and everyone in attendance moved to their chairs. Oromis nodded at Ruby and Yang as he passed. A few minutes later, Ozpin took the stage and brought the assembly to order. Ruby tuned out most of what he said, except for the parts where he spoke about how Beacon would be accommodating dragons in the future… she wasn't sure how to feel about the dragon-sized toilets that everyone else seemed to get a kick out of. All dragons were fine taking care of their business in the forest.

Then he called Yang up to the podium. Ruby pat her sister's back as Yang stood. The elder sister walked up to the podium and began her short speech. She delivered it just as she practiced it at the house. But her face really carried her emotions, and it was one-hundred-percent real. She put so much into every word of it. Her eyes sparkled with all the love she had for Halcyon, and from the water that she refused to let go, except for one drop while she was wrapping up. As she stepped back from the podium, the crowd burst into applause, and Yang got about half of a standing ovation. Ruby met her sister halfway back to her seat in a small hug.

When the crowd calmed down again, Ozpin once again stood behind the podium. He said a few closing remarks, then stepped back. The crowd clapped again, and Ruby couldn't help but think except for listening to Yang, there were about ten other things that could have been worth her time.

"What's up next for you?" Yang asked Ruby. "Arya's entry exam?"

Ruby's daily schedule appeared in her right eye. "Yeah. In less than a half hour. I think you'd be welcome in there if you're interested."

"Can't." Yang shook her head. "Viki wants to get you and Aaron a wedding gift, and I promised to take her around the island, or the mainland."

"You still don't have your pilot's license."

"Two weeks and I will. You still need to get behind the wheel for a few more hours before you can even think about taking your driving test."

"Yeah, yeah." Ruby stood up and faced her sister. "Just don't spoil what Viki gets us."

"My lips are sealed." Yang pulled a zipper over her lips.

Ruby nodded, then looked at Oromis. "The proving ground on the other side of campus. I believe Arya and Fírnen should already be over there."

Oromis nodded and stood up. "Glaedr and I escorted them to the building. They indeed are there."

"It looks like you're still one step ahead of me. Follow me. I know the best way across campus." Ruby turned around and started walking toward the test site, with Oromis following right behind her. Cerise walked around the side of the building and joined the two Riders.

Glaedr jumped away, and Ruby heard concrete cracking. She faced the source and craned her neck. It looked like the spot where Glaedr formerly stood had crumpled. Ruby bit her lip. That was the first example she could think of where a dragon's weight or takeoff caused damage to anything that Remmartians built. As dragons grew, that could be even more of a problem.

"Ruby," Oromis started, "I am afraid I must ask something of you."

"It's no problem." Ruby faced her old master. "What do you need?"

"Glaedr has taken note of how many people have… I believe you call them bionic limbs."

"Oh." Ruby slumped her shoulders. "May I assume that he would like one?"

"That is correct, though he is too proud to ask you for it himself."

Ruby sighed. "I've looked into something like that while working on another of my projects. Right now, the technology isn't there. The materials aren't there. People eventually stop growing. I was almost a foot shorter when I first got my bionics. My other models were much smaller, but the ones I use now should last years. Dragons never stop growing. Without getting too technical, the ring that connects the new limb to the body can't expand without breaking. With how strong it would need to be to carry a dragon's weight, it could cause further damage to the existing limb as it grows. Also, I'm not a doctor. I can't perform surgeries like that. Even if I could, I was told when I had to get new connections that there would be permanent nerve damage if I went through many more, as in it would be useless to have bionics in the first place." Ruby shook her head. "I wish I could, I really do, but it's just not possible right now. I would gladly build new legs whenever they were needed, but with all the complications, I won't put anyone at that kind of risk."

Oromis nodded. "Glaedr will be disappointed, but he will see the logic."

"As long as he doesn't get depressed." The 'Gym' came into view from the other side of the armory. Fírnen laid outside with his head facing the building. "Here we are. May I assume that Arya is inside getting a few more minutes of training in?"

"That would be her style." Oromis nodded.

Ruby looked over her shoulder at her dragon. "Cerise?" Cerise sped up to walk by her Rider's side. Ruby grabbed the bundle hooked to the saddle and held it in her right hand. "Don't know if she'll use this right now, but she's earned it." Oromis raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

The Riders entered the building. Ruby led the way to the training course deep inside. A few halls later, they entered the observation area just outside the course. Arya was performing Rimgar, and it looked like she was almost done with the third level. Ruby and Oromis stood at the edge of the room as they waited for the young Rider to finish.

A few minutes later, Arya stood up straight and took a deep breath. She turned around and faced the other Riders. "Masters." Arya bowed at the two of them.

"Today is the day, Arya." Ruby approached the young elf. "You passed the written test in the top one percent, but this is another story. Are you sure you are ready for this?"

Arya shifted on her feet. "I am certain I can top whatever challenge this is, but I am unnerved that no one has told me what to expect."

Ruby nodded. "I admit that rule is more geared to those who have active Aura. I am not certain how possible it is to complete the agility course for those without it. Still, an elf's natural speed and strength are greater than any human or Faunus. I do not believe you will struggle too much."

"Thank you, Master Ruby." Arya gave Ruby another bow, then looked at the package in Ruby's hand. "If I may ask, what is that?"

Ruby smiled and moved the package so she held it in both hands. "Should you choose to accept it, this is yours." She reached into the blanket and gripped the sword's sheath. She pulled the weapon and sheath out and the blanket fell to the floor. The head Rider held the new sword across her palms. "You have shown extreme aptitude in your training. Over the past week, I have seen you wield your blade with skill that rivals longtime Huntsmen. Take this sword and advance to the next step."

Arya stared at the sword with her lips parted. She took the sheath in her own palms. The elf gripped the sheath in her left hand and used her right to draw the sword. She looked up and down the blade, her eyes scanning every inch. "It's an impeccable blade, Master."

"All it needs is a name. I can inscribe it on the scabbard, and the weapon itself if you so wish.

Arya turned the blade over in her hands. She stepped back, turned away, and gave the weapon an experimental slash. The elf nodded and faced Ruby again. "I thank you for this weapon." Arya raised the blade in front of herself. "And this sword, I will call Fatetwist."

Ruby nodded. A good name… but from everything she heard and read, elves, or rather Alagaësians in general, didn't name their weapons something just to sound cool. Wyrdavinda… what did Arya go through or think like before to make that relevant? "A fine name for a blade. I will take care of the inscription when we are done here." Ruby paused. "You do not need to take Fatetwist into the training course. If you are more comfortable using the blade that you have been training with, by all means, use that."

"That will not be necessary." Arya gave her new sword a few more practice swings. "This feels right."

Ruby suppressed a squeal of happiness. That was the first time she forged a weapon for someone without having a model or existing weapon to go off. The way Arya said that meant that the sword was… about as close to perfect as possible. "I'm glad to hear it." Ruby looked at a clock on the wall. "It's almost time for your try out. I believe we are just waiting for Glynda."

A few minutes later, Glynda walked in while working on a large Scroll. She looked up from her work and focused on the young elf. "Arya, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Professor Glynda Goodwitch, Deputy Headmistress of Beacon Academy." She stuck a hand out toward the elf.

If Arya was irked by not being greeted the elves traditional way, she didn't show it. Instead, she took the hand and shook it. "We are well met, Professor. I am honored to have the chance to attend this Academy."

Glynda glanced at Ruby, then retracted her hand. She hit a few things on her Scroll. "I see no reason to delay this. Please step through the doors on the right side of the glass. I will be providing you instructions as you go along. If you have a ranged weapon, I suggest you take that as well." Arya nodded and walked to a bow and lull quiver laying against the wall. She picked both up and approached the proving ground. The doors opened before her and she stepped inside.

"Ruby," Glynda faced said Rider, "I hope you didn't tell her to say that."

"I didn't." Ruby shook her head. "That was all Arya."

"Beacon Academy's only reputation in Alagaësia comes from the tales that the Riders and those that accompanied them have told us," Oromis said. "None of us have any reason to doubt their claims."

"Understandable." Glynda hit a few more things on her Scroll and faced the glass. "If you two are here to observe, now would be the time."

Both Riders approached the glass. The room on the other side was about a quarter of the size of a football field and appeared to be just white walls, floor, and ceiling. Arya stood a few feet away from the door and stared at those on the other side of the glass. "May I assume she will face other students or instructors?" Oromis asked.

"One instructor, at the end." Glynda hit a few more things on her Scroll, then held one button down. "Arya, stay where you are. The room will adjust." When she finished, some parts of the floor raised, others dipped and filled with water. The raised sections formed a blocky mountain in the corner farthest from Arya. Several blue holograms of Beowolves appeared throughout, some of them near the top of the 'mountain' moved.

Oromis raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. This land continues to surprise me."

Do any elves but Yaela react to anything? "You should see Amity Colosseum. The things that go on underneath the arena floor are incredible."

"Your goal is to reach the top of the mountain," Glynda told Arya. "Kill any Grimm in your path by any means necessary. You may begin."

Arya slung her bow over her back and ran forward, Wyrdavinda trailing behind her. She jumped toward one of the holographs and cut its head off. The hologram didn't have time to disappear before Arya jumped onto the next one in line. She made it to the base of the 'mountain' and jumped up to grab the twenty-foot-high ledge, a jump that most first years could get from a running start. A Beowolf met her up there, but the Rider kicked the hologram's stomach, knocking it off the cliff. The move set her off balance. That was the problem with using holograms, no resistance.

Two more ledges later, Arya reached the summit. Ruby crossed her arms. Arya moved fast, but maybe too fast. She wasn't watching her back at all. "Glynda? Can we have something come up behind her in the next run?"

"I saw the same thing." Glynda held a button down on her Scroll. "Arya, the chamber is going to rearrange. Please stay where you are." The mountain holding Arya up descended into the floor. Elsewhere in the chamber, the terrain flattened out, then parts rose to create a small village. More holograms appeared, this time with a few Creeps and an Alpha in the mix. "Clear the area of Grimm."

Arya ran into the village and set her sights on the Alpha. Considering the Grimm was moving, it had to have an active rudimentary AI. This wouldn't be one that Arya could just kill with a twist of her wrist. The elf slashed at the Grimm's right arm, but the hologram evaded. It swiped at Arya, but the elf blocked the strike. She rotated her blade and cut the offending arm right off.

Through all this, she didn't notice the Creep come up behind her. It jumped on her back, phased right through her and turned red. A buzzer sounded in the chamber. Arya stabbed at the Grimm, but nothing happened. All other Grimm disappeared and the house blocks descended into the floor. Arya looked up at the observation room and held her arms out to her side.

"You failed that round, Arya. Onto the next one." Glynda hit a few more buttons on her Scroll and the room morphed again.

Ruby faced Oromis. "She doesn't watch her back as much as she should. You've seen her train more than I have these past few months. What's she thinking?"

"Arya is not used to fighting more than one opponent." Oromis crossed his arms. "Eliminating the largest threat is a good tactic, but she focuses too much on that. Even though she has come out on top in most of her sparring matches, there have been some where she was almost overwhelmed by multiple opponents. I am surprised she did not eliminate that creature though."

"Creeps are called Creeps for a reason." Ruby faced the proving chamber again. "They can be quiet when they really want to be." The proving chamber had arranged itself into a shallow valley. More Grimm appeared on both sides. "Glynda, how many more agility and situation awareness tests are there?"

"This is the last one. I am hoping to see Arya's archery skills here." Glynda held down the same button as before. "Arya, kill all Grimm in this canyon."

Like before, Arya sprinted out to take down the Grimm on her side. She cut off legs two, the head off three, and impaled many more. After all holograms on her side were defeated, she sheathed her sword and drew her bow. She knocked an arrow and loosed it on one of the Grimm on the other side. The arrow flew true and flew through the head of one of the Beowolves. As Arya drew another arrow, she looked around herself. It looked like she learned from the last run. She began to nock, aim, and loose arrows in quick succession at the Grimm across the canyon. All arrows flew through a hologram's head, and they disappeared soon after.

When all creatures had disappeared, Arya lowered her bow, and the floor of the canyon rose back to its original level. "Now for your final test," Glynda announced.

A door opened on the wall opposite the observation room. Another familiar face stepped out. "Pyrrha's her opponent?" Ruby asked. "Arya's not supposed to win this, is she?"

"She is not. This is merely a test of her skills. Pyrrha has already approved of several students from outside the Kingdoms."

Ruby nodded. "How do you think I would have done if I had to prove myself like this?"

Glynda glanced at Ruby, then faced Arya again. "I have no doubt that you would have passed, but we have these procedures for a reason."

"I had to ask." Ruby shrugged.

Oromis raised an eyebrow. "You did not go through these trials?"

"Nope. It was a little late for that my first year, and, uh." Ruby created a gentle, cold breeze and kept her eyes from growing. "Ozpin needed me at fighting strength, not that he'll ever admit that reason." Ruby paused. "Glynda, how'd Blake do? I don't think I ever asked her."

Glynda paused. "Miss Belladonna scored the highest among students who were tested in this way your first year. Her only visible weakness was her strength."

"I can see that." Ruby looked back down at the training room. It looked like Arya was blocking Miló's blade. She handed the weapon back to its proper owner and went through the same process with her own weapon. Pyrrha backed away and watched the elf. She also had a few more bands of metal on her arms and legs at various points. With her Semblance, that couldn't be a coincidence.

About a minute later, Arya stood straight and nodded at Pyrrha. Both warriors dropped into fighting positions. They started circling each other, neither fighter moving toward the other. Then Arya charged Pyrrha and swung at her right arm. Pyrrha whipped her left arm over and caught the strike on Akoúo̱. That was fast, even for her. Ruby smirked. 'bout time she took my advice.

Pyrrha pushed Arya away and kept Miló at the ready. Arya twirled around and swung her sword at Pyrrha's midsection. The Huntress jumped and backflipped out of the way. She landed and told Arya something but whatever it was didn't transfer to the observation room. The elf nodded, then charged Pyrrha again. This time, their blades met. Despite the fact that Arya was using both arms and Pyrrha just her right, their strength was evenly matched. The Huntress thrust her shield forward and hit Arya in the stomach. The elf stumbled back, and Pyrrha told the elf something else before making her first charge of the fight.

The instructor's strikes were quick and strong. Arya was forced backward for the first several before standing firm under the onslaught. Still, while Pyrrha was on the offensive, Arya couldn't get an attack in of her own. Then Pyrrha looked like she lost her balance, but Ruby saw that trick while she trained with Jaune years ago. Arya used the small gap to go on the offensive, just like Pyrrha wanted. The elf even managed to knock Akoúo̱ out of Pyrrha's hand. Considering the Huntress didn't immediately call the shield back, that was intentional too.

The two warriors traded blows like that for several minutes, neither gaining any ground. As time went on, Ruby felt her smile unintentionally grow. Pyrrha was holding herself back, but even so, she and Arya were putting on a show. It wasn't quite as graceful as when two elves sparred, but both combatants moved with each other. On the surface, they were evenly matched. Arya was a great one-on-one fighter. But at the same time, she was thinking with only her sword. That wouldn't work on Remnant.

As if Pyrrha read Ruby's mind, she lashed a leg out and kicked Arya in the stomach. The elf flew across the training room and crashed into a wall. Ruby winced. That might have been a little too hard for someone without Aura, even if that someone was an elf. Arya dropped to the floor, her sword rolling out of her hand. Pyrrha retrieved her shield then walked to her fallen opponent's side.

Ruby nodded as Pyrrha helped Arya up. "It's my first time seeing one of these, but I think she passed."

Glynda nodded. "Indeed, she did."

"That was an excellent display of swordsmanship from both parties," Oromis said. "Both should be proud of what they accomplished.

"I've noticed a few similarities between how Arya fights and how Aaron fought when he first arrived here." Glynda hit a few things on her Scroll." The single opponent focus and relative immobility is a major drawback, but not impossible to work around."

"Then there's us adding magic onto that." Ruby crossed her arms and smiled. "Looks like Arya's going to be our first elf Huntress." Another thought crossed Ruby's mind, but she cast it out. It was way too early to tell that. "I guess we should get working on bringing out her best."

Salem lowered the Scroll and faced the resident mechanist. "Are you sure that this device works?"

"I am." Watts nodded. "I believe the attached video will clear your worries."

Salem returned her attention to the Scroll and opened the video. She watched with a growing smirk as Ruby Rose tossed the collar away, then eviscerated it with bullets and fire. The poor Rider then threatened the scientists that developed the collar. If the collar didn't do as it intended, it certainly scared Ruby. That was an advantage that couldn't be passed up. "Can you recreate this device?"

"Of course." Watts nodded. "There is the possibility that I can add something else onto it that will make the Winter Maiden freeze. I will just need a raid on an SDC convoy to gather the supplies necessary… and a King Taijitu to milk"

"You will have it. If this works, Doctor, you will be handsomely rewarded."

"I thank you, ma'am." Watts bowed to the Shade. "Now if you'll excuse me, I would like to start with the construction of the device with the supplies I have."

"You may go." Salem waved the back of her hand at Watts. She watched as the doctor left the room, then stretched her mind out to the only Faunus in her castle. Ilia, how is your progress?

I've figured out how to thaw the elf, ma'am, Ilia said. I was on my way to the throne room to inform you in person.

Salem raised an eyebrow. I will meet you in Pruma's chamber. She pulled out of her minion's head and stood up to leave her throne room. It had been a long time since she had two breakthroughs in her favor in the same day. With one of the Forsworn on her side, the Riders would have to change their tactics considerably. If not, she could make Pruma do what Thuviel did on Vroengard, preferably in Vale.

A few minutes later, Salem reached the chamber where Pruma's cryopod was kept. The pod was cracked open with the elf exposed to the world. Ilia stood on the other side of the pod. She snapped to attention when the Shade entered the room. "I am ready to revive Pruma," Ilia announced.

"Proceed." Salem nodded.

Ilia faced Pruma and held her hands out. Her eyes and hands glowed red, and the elf did so as well. Through the extra color, Salem saw Pruma's face blush to an elf's normal complexion. The elf's body sagged to lay flat in the pod and her hair fell away from her face. Her head fell to the side and she groaned.

The Spring Maiden lowered her hands and the extra color faded. Ilia panted but stayed upright. "It's done."

Pruma's head straightened and she opened her eyes. She blinked a few times and looked around her pod. "Strange." She sat up and rubbed the back of her head. Her shoulders slumped and her lower lip stuck out. "My dragon is dead." The Forsworn looked around the room with her head sticking when she faced Ilia. "I don't suppose you have seen the corpse of a cyan dragon, have you? We promised each other that whoever lived the longest could eat the other."

Ilia's eyes bulged from her head and she took a few steps back. "Excuse me?"

"I am afraid the corpse is not here," Salem swore. Pruma faced the new voice. "You are no longer in Alagaësia. You are on a planet called Remnant, with no physical way back to Dras-Leona. Even if you were in Alagaësia, your dragon has been dead nearly a year. If the meat still exists, it would be rotten beyond being edible."

Pruma's head dipped. "I've always wondered what dragon tasted like." The elf raised her head again and looked Salem up and down. "You are a Shade."

"I am, and I am called Salem. Perhaps you have heard of me?"

"The strongest Shade of all time." Pruma stood from her pod. "What the King would have given to meet you."

"Your King is dead. Your compatriots are dead. Your dragon is dead. I can offer you revenge on those who killed them."

Pruma perked up like a child hearing the words 'ice cream.' "Revenge? It has been too long since I have seized any revenge."

"I want the Riders that killed your King dead. They stand in my way of conquering this world. To do so, I will need your assistance in a few special matters."

"I can do that." Pruma smirked. "The fact they don't want to kill me gives me an advantage over them."

Salem raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"It is." Pruma stepped out of her pod and toward Salem. "When I die, I take half the worker population of Dras-Leona with me. They will refuse to take my life."

"Oh." Salem raised her head. This would change her plans. They could move at any time, but it would be smarter to wait for Watts' collar. "You have just become an invaluable asset to me. If you do exactly as I tell you, you will prosper here."

"Thank you… my Queen." Pruma bowed and held her arms out to her side. "I will help you kill the Riders."

"Your allegiance is appreciated." Salem took her eyes off Pruma and faced Ilia. The poor Faunus looked terribly confused. "You have done well, Ilia. I will notify you when you are needed next." Salem turned around and left the room with her new servant by her side. "Pruma, I believe I have heard that you partake in human flesh?"

"I do." Pruma nodded. "It is almost as good as elf."

"I can make sure you are properly fed. My Grimm will have a feast for you nearly every day."

"Grimm?" Pruma cocked her head.

"I believe Silia called them her pets."

"Ooh." Pruma gained a spring in her step. "Thank you, my Queen. If I may, I prefer them alive."

"That can be arranged." Salem faced forward again. "I have also procured several swords after the fall of Vroengard that you and your compatriots missed. If you would like one of them, you are free to take it."

"Thank you, my queen. I will be sure to put it to good use. It's fun to watch my food squirm as they die." It appeared Pruma was more insane than Tyrian. But that was of no consequence. She could follow orders and she pledged herself to the Shade in a way no other had for centuries. Having an insane Rider on her side was better than none.

Just to date this, I finished the first draft of this chapter right before seeing Infinity War for the first time. It still hurts!