Well, my new job is starting later today. I'm guessing the early morning shifts will start later in the week or early next. I haven't decided whether to upload in the future on Monday nights, early Tuesday mornings, or Tuesdays after I get back from work. Heck, I might not decide until it's that time. I guess we'll all find out together.


Ruby sighed and brought a hand to her forehead. "I told you this would happen, Aaron. You can't eat that much popcorn and expect to not feel sick afterward."

Aaron groaned and tilted his head on the couch's armrest. "But I only ate half the bucket this time."

"I could take a bath in half that bucket." Ruby shook her head. "Cerise and I are flying out to meet Arya and Fírnen. We'll be back when we can." She leaned down and kissed Aaron on the forehead. "Feel better before then, okay?" Aaron just groaned and stuck a thumb up.

Ruby turned around and walked across the patio to where Cerise lay. Should we stop at a pharmacy on the way back for some Jums?

"Probably… didn't I pack some for this?" Ruby jumped up Cerise' side and searched around one of the saddlebags. Sure enough, she found a half-empty bottle of Jums. "Hey Aaron, catch." She threw the bottle toward her husband. Aaron stuck his right hand up and caught it. "You're welcome."

Cerise jumped out of the cliff yard and turned toward a park near Haven Academy. She turned her head back when they were about halfway there. What would he do without you?

"He wouldn't be able to tie his shoes, or he'd make the knots super complicated… but he's my rock." Ruby pat her dragon's neck. "What do you think the others will think of your announcement?"

Cerise hummed high and loud, her ears raising. The question is where will Weiss hang off me, my snout or my neck?

"Depends on what angle she's at. Whichever's closer."

There is that. Cerise faced forward again and tilted her head down. They're already here. She angled her body and her wings down, bringing the young pair into Ruby's line of sight. Unlike before her match, Arya stood in a relaxed posture with legs at shoulder width and shoulders down. There was more to her than she let on.

Cerise landed in the park and her Rider dismounted. Ruby walked around the front of her dragon to the apprentice. Instead of giving a polite bow, Arya took a few steps forward and extended her hand. "It is good to see you again, Masters."

Ruby took the outstretched hand and smiled. "It's good to see you too. You fought well today."

"Thank you, Master." Arya took her hand back. "May I ask why you wanted to see us?"

We heard from Fírnen, Cerise started, but we need to hear from you. Will you be one of the members on your team entering the doubles round?

Arya shook her head. "No. I have no desire to win the tournament. Others in my team do. I will leave them the opportunity."

Ruby nodded and exchanged a quick glance with Cerise. That was a point for her already. The head Rider faced the apprentice again. "Arya, I'm sure you have your own methods of evaluating yourself and your team, but I have my own. This is not for Beacon, nor is it for your time there. This is for your growth as a Rider. Cerise will be asking Fírnen questions at the same time, but we may switch at any time."

Arya nodded. "I understand."

As do I, Fírnen said.

"Arya, come with me." Ruby gestured to another part of the park where there weren't a lot of people. She drew her Scroll and navigated to the first of many recordings she got from the video booth. "First off, before the fight, you were acting like a soldier, like no one else was in the Colosseum." She showed that video to Arya. "Right after, you were celebrating with your team like anyone else would. Anyone else would think that's someone not wanting to get distracted during a fight. Something tells me there's something more behind it."

"You are right." Arya nodded. "Early on at Beacon, I developed a reputation of focusing on results first, everything else second. My team rose through the ranks that way. A few months ago, I changed my approach, and we got even better. However, my reputation stayed. I figured I could use that to my advantage in the tournament."

Ruby paused the video and lowered her Scroll. "Why did you change your approach?"

Arya hesitated. "May I ask how that is relevant to my growth as a Rider?"

"For many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that all elves and most humans look up to the Riders. If anything happens in Alagaësia, we'll likely be the ones leading response effort. The same thing could happen here."

Arya hesitated before nodding. "My original way of leading my team left little room for error, or anything other than training. It drained them, and they grew to dislike me and each other. Our team fell in the ranks. Something needed to change, but I didn't know what. I researched what you did with your team to see if I could take anything from that.

"I was not expecting what I found. You weren't strict, you didn't expect perfection. I also found part of a… Twinge Stream with you and Viki. I didn't see anything I did in any of that."

"I don't run a military or a police force," Ruby started. "I'm just in charge of a bunch of people that want to make the world a better place. It's the same now as it was back then."

Arya faced Ruby then forward again. "I grew up being taught that the Riders were the symbols of grace and nobility. Not… that."

"I'm sure most were. Others, well, apparently Brom shared a few personality traits with Yang before the Fall." Ruby paused. "Almost a century ago, the four Kingdoms fought a war over art, over personal expression. Thankfully the side for those things won. A certain level of formality is needed in my position, but around family and friends, I don't hold myself back. Ask Weiss about it, or really any soldier, and they'll tell you where they bond with their teammates."

"So how you acted on that clip…"

"That's me around my family and friends, and really, the more I can be like that the better. Around your team, I'd suggest being yourself. If you're in your room or in classes, don't try to be anything you're not. They'll trust you more, and they'll be able to guess what you're doing better. The same can be said for me, Cerise, Aaron, Nalia, and the rest of my command staff, that is if you're comfortable with it. None of us like acting formally around each other. I'm sure you've heard about what happens on the battlefield."

"I will try to remember that, Master."

Ruby nodded and raised her Scroll. She navigated to the next video in line. "At the beginning of the fight, your team separated. What was the planning behind that?" She continued to ask various questions about the fight, whether they were about Arya's part or not. It sounded like Arya had a pretty good strategy that was set in motion down to the kinds of arrow she fired. Being the Rider's resident weapons nut, Ruby suggested a magnetic sheath for Wyrdavinda that wrapped around the sword when not in use. That at least worked for other traditional weapon wielders.

"Last questions for you." Ruby opened the last video she got of the fight. "Directly after the fight, you went over to one of your fallen opponents and helped with a potential head injury. Most people would just leave him for the medics after the fight. What was behind that decision?"

"Like you said, he had a head injury. He was an opponent in a tournament fight, not an enemy. It was only right to help."

Ruby nodded. The follow-up would knock Arya through a loop. "Would you do the same for a fallen enemy?"

Arya blinked and her mouth dropped open. "I believe I heard you wrong."

"I don't think so. I just don't think you have an answer ready for what I asked, so I'll ask again. Would you do the same for a fallen enemy?"

The elf faced away. Ruby could see the gears turning in Arya's head. Arya took a long time to answer. It looked like she wanted to answer a few times but stopped herself before she could. After the fourth time or so, Arya locked eyes with Ruby. "It would depend on the crime and the injury. If they betrayed me, the Riders, or an ally, I would not. But a life-threatening injury for other less severe crimes, I would."

Ruby nodded. "Thank you for your time and attention, Arya. I believe Cerise has some questions for you too, and I have some for Fírnen." She turned around and walked toward where the dragons stood. Cerise walked from her position toward Arya. The pair stopped at the halfway point and touched each other's minds. Arya's ticking all the boxes. How about Fírnen?

He is doing well. Cerise mentally hummed but stayed silent on the outside. Everything he said is what we would expect from the position.

But what do they think of each other? Compare notes on the way back to the house?

Sounds like a plan. Cerise continued toward Arya and Ruby ran a hand across her dragon's scales as she walked toward Fírnen.

What do you have for me, Shadeslayer? Fírnen asked.

Some questions that are for you and only for you, Ruby thought to the dragon. Not even Arya may know what I ask you.

Fírnen's ears stood on end, then pressed flat against his head. Why are you asking me to keep things from my Rider?

If it makes you feel any better, I doubt she doesn't know the answers at some level. These are all about her and what you see in her that she may not see herself.

Fírnen's ears returned to their normal positions. Why wouldn't I tell Arya those things?

I don't care if you do, just don't tell her I asked.

This is a test, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

Fírnen looked to the side, then back at Ruby. I will not tell my Rider what you ask me.

Thank you. Ruby paused. What do you think of Arya's leadership capability?

Fírnen puffed his chest out. Arya is a great leader. As you could tell from the fight, her team is well coordinated, has multiple forms of non-verbal communication, and strategies to take down multiple opponents.

How is she with team input when creating these plans?

She has improved since she started at Beacon.

That's good to hear, but that's not what I asked.

Fírnen shifted on his feet. Arya knows that she needs to improve. She did not accept input from her team for her first month. She is trying, but she is fighting herself to do so.

Ruby nodded. It sounded like Arya started off a lot like Weiss. That was the biggest mark against her so far. But like Weiss, Arya could overcome it, and it sounded like she was working on doing just that. How well does she work with other teams?

She has tried to start multiple team training sessions, but only one first-year team has agreed to it, and only once. If I could guess, Arya is trying to be too formal when putting forth the proposal. No other first-year teams are like that.

I can understand that… Hypothetically, if more people were added to her team, how would she react?

Before, she would only see advantages in combat. Now, she would make sure they feel welcome on the team. She sees the importance of comradery in the team. Battle integration would be much slower than it would have been months ago.

I have two more questions. Do you think anything or anyone is holding her back from being even better?

Fírnen's ears pressed flat against his head. I should not be saying this, and Arya would never admit it, but I believe her mother is holding Arya back.

Ruby blinked. Queen Islanzadí? She's never given me that impression.

We have a… complicated relationship with her. The Queen is glad that I hatched, but not for Arya, especially when I did.

She's questioning who you hatched for? That didn't sound like any elf that Ruby knew of, especially not their Queen.

She has never questioned my choice, but that of my Rider. Fírnen let loose a light growl. I do not care that the situation wasn't 'proper.' I knew Arya was my Rider the second her hand touched my egg. If I didn't hatch for her when I did, I might never have gotten the chance. I have no regrets, neither does Arya. Her mother shouldn't either.

Arya also feels like she has to keep up certain expectations. That comes from being the daughter of the Queen. She is not rebellious, but she doesn't want to hide who she really is. Fírnen closed his lips and raised his ears. Thank you for telling her that she does not have to live up to those with her team, or around you.

If you ask me, if people aren't comfortable around each other, they don't work as well together. Ruby nodded. Well, you answered both my questions in there. Thank you for your time. I will let you get back to your Rider. Ruby backed away from the dragon.

Fírnen snorted and turned toward his Rider but stopped before taking any steps. He faced Ruby once more. Has Saphira told you her news?

I don't think so. What is it?

The dragon's pupils bulged for a second before returning to normal. I swore I'd leave that to her. Even if I didn't, it's not my place. He turned away again and walked toward his Rider. He stayed at a respectful distance while Cerise and Arya finished up. About a minute later, Cerise snorted and stepped back. Arya nodded at the dragon and walked to her dragon's side. The elf ran a hand under her dragon's snout before mounting him. Fírnen jumped out of the park and flew up the mountain toward Haven.

Ruby smiled at the pair as they disappeared behind a few buildings. They work well together.

That they do. Cerise walked to her Rider's side. Shall we go meet the others?

Yeah. Let's blow their minds. Ruby climbed up her dragon's side. Cerise jumped out of the park and flew toward the house the Riders rented for their stay. What does Arya think of Fírnen?

The world of course, but she doesn't know if he'll be the best leader.

He hasn't exactly had many opportunities, especially since he's here and all other dragons his age aren't anywhere near here. Maybe we could get him and Orchid together. It wouldn't be much, but it would be something. That or get him back to Alagaësia to work with the others… Well, we do need to train everyone in being apart from their partners.

Cerise snorted. We still need to do that.

Yeah. When we put the others through that, I'll send you with the dragons.

And I'll make sure the Eldunarí give you enough protection.

That month's not going to be fun.

No, it won't. Cerise paused. What did Fírnen think of Arya?

Pretty much the exact opposite. He adores Arya and thinks she's a great leader. If she has any problems, she'll fix them… or they'll come from her mother.

Cerise' ears stood up and she turned her head back a little. Really? I never would have called that.

Me neither. I hope it's just her overprotective mom, not anything more. Still, I'd say Arya is a definite candidate.

Cerise faced forward again. Fírnen, it's too soon to tell.

Agreed. Should we tell the others tonight?

We have a candidate, so yes.

It's going to shock a few people, but it's necessary. Cerise dipped her head. Looks like Weiss and Saphira are here. She angled down, revealing the blue dragon curled up in the yard of the house. Nalia lay on the other side, leaving just enough room for Cerise to land.

It's going to be a tight fit down there.

Don't worry. Nalia and I are used to it. If there's a problem, it will be from Saphira.

Got it. Play nice.

Cerise snorted. When don't I? She flared her wings and landed beside the curled-up dragon. She crouched and Ruby slid off. Make sure your husband hasn't made a mess, will you?

"Since you don't smell anything, I'm guessing that's a no." Ruby walked around her dragon's snout and toward the blue dragon. "Hey, Saphira. Comfortable?"

Saphira hummed, but it was much quieter than a dragon's hum normally was. She touched her mind to Ruby's and the Rider felt the dragon's happiness roll off her. I am, but not as much as the tiny one under my wing.

"Tiny one?" Ruby cocked her head, then it clicked. "Oh! That tiny one!" She covered her mouth with her hands. "Please tell me he isn't sleeping."

He isn't. Saphira laughed, sounding just as light and happy as her head.

"Good." Ruby sighed as she walked around Saphira. The wing wasn't closed like she thought from the air. It just provided a canopy for those underneath. Weiss and Blake sat on one of Saphira's paws and Saphira's head hung just beside her Rider's. A baby boy with a pair of lemur ears sticking out of his head lay in Weiss' lap. The CEO smiled down at the baby while stroking his furred ears.

Ruby contained her squeal but didn't stop her legs from bouncing. She walked toward her sisters, her eyes locked on baby Jamie the whole way. "Oh my gosh! He's so cute!"

Weiss and Blake looked up while Saphira kept her eyes glued on the baby. "He is, isn't he?" Blake asked.

"He gets that from his mother." Weiss elbowed her teammate without disturbing Jamie.

"There's that, but he definitely gets his strength from Sun."

"Oh really?" Ruby leaned over Jamie and smiled at him. The baby finally noticed her. Jamie smiled up at her and giggled. "Hi, Jamie." Ruby reached a finger forward and the baby latched on with all of his own. His grip was pretty strong for a baby. "Wow, you were right."

"You think I'd lie about my baby?" Blake smirked. "You're better than that."

"Not lie. Exaggerate, yes, but not lie." A thought came to Ruby's head, not all of it based on the cuteness factor. "Blake, can I get a video of all this?"

"Ruby, you don't need to ask about something like that."

"Yeah, I do." Ruby rubbed the back of her neck. "I've said publicly that dragons can rock babies to sleep, but most people have never seen that gentler side…"

Blake's face evened out. "You want to use my baby… for a PR campaign?"

"Well, when you put it like that…" Ruby slumped over and poked the tips of her index fingers together.

Blake stared at Ruby for a few more seconds before sighing. "Well, I suppose any video that we take would get out there eventually."

"You can change your mind anytime between now and when Coco uploads it." Ruby took out her Scroll and opened the camera app. She started recording and nodded at Saphira.

The blue dragon hummed and inched her head closer to Jamie. She sniffed and hummed even more. The baby giggled and reached up for Saphira's snout. The dragon lowered her snout to nuzzle Jamie's face. That drew out even more laughs. Ruby's former smile regrew on her face. This was so cute. Saphira pulled her head back. She hummed increasing in pitch while rotating her head until it was upside down. That drew the biggest laughs yet, including some from Weiss and Blake.

This should get people to trust dragons a little more… and since it's all happening on Weiss' lap, it'll be a few points for her too.

"Dinner is ready!" Viki called from inside the rental house.

Ruby ended the recording and put her Scroll away. "Let's go eat. Have either of you had Viki's beef stew?"

Both Weiss and Blake shook their heads. "I've been in Menagerie too much," Blake said.

"I'll probably like it more than most things I have it Atlas." Weiss handed Jamie back to his mother.

"C'mon." Ruby air batted a hand at her partner. "The few meals I've had at your place are great."

"My chefs try to stay professional at all times." Weiss stood up and straightened her dress. "That, and they haven't taken kindly to my new tastes."

"What? They don't like redneck cuisine?" Ruby smirked.

Weiss returned the gesture. "Not a bit."

"Am I missing a joke here?" Blake asked as she stood up cradling her baby.

"A bit, yeah." Ruby giggled and walked out of Saphira's wing tent and into the house. Yang, Sun and Aaron were finishing up setting the table. Aaron didn't look nearly as green as before. "Feeling better, honey?"

Aaron looked up. "A bit, yeah. Still not the best though."

"We all warned you." Ruby kissed Aaron on the cheek and sat at the table. The rest of team RWBAY sat around the table while Sun and Viki carried the stew pot and a basket of buns respectively. Blake also set Jamie in a high chair and had her own set of baby food in front of her.

"Dinner is served," Sun announced as he set the huge pot on the table. "If this tastes half as good as it smells, I'll be content with my life."

"Thank you." Viki slid on the bun basket. "I've been working on it all day."

"If Sun's good for anything," Blake started, "it's manual labor."

"Hey!" Sun used his tail to hit Blake in the back of the head. "I'm good for more than that."

"True." Blake shrugged. "The only thing I can fix is Gambol Shroud."

Weiss raised a hand. "Same here, sis."

The dinner talk went on with the same levity with only a little talk about the tournament. That part was headed up mostly by Ruby. The dragons even joined in on a few parts from the outside through the wide-open glass doorway. Everyone was in such a good mood. Ruby didn't like that she could very well destroy it.

After everything was cleaned up from dinner, the whole group gathered outside between the dragons. The discussion from dinner carried on outside, but Ruby could tell Weiss and Saphira were leading them places. Fírnen did say Saphira had something.

After a moment of silence, Weiss stood up from her dragon's paw. "We have an announcement to make, or rather, she does." She nodded at her dragon.

Saphira rose her head and her ears stuck up. Two days past, we discovered that I am carrying my first clutch.

Ruby's jaw dropped, then her lips curved upward. "Oh my gosh!" She jumped off her dragon's right paw and clapped. Everyone else gave Saphira their own congratulations. Nalia even draped a wing over the young dragon. Ruby wanted to launch herself at Saphira… but would that be alright? Just because Weiss was a hugger that didn't mean her dragon was.

Saphira looked straight at the excited Rider. Ruby, please, hug me before you explode. I don't want to clean you up.

"EEEE!" Ruby used her Semblance and launched herself at Saphira. She wrapped her arms around the dragon's neck. "I'm so happy for you! You'll be a great mother! Your hatchlings will be so cute and they'll grow up into beautiful and powerful dragons!"

Ruby… I need to breathe.

"Sorry." Ruby dropped to the ground and backed away. She rubbed her bionic arm. "I don't know my own strength when I'm excited."

A likely story. Saphira snorted smoke at Ruby. I thank you for your kind words.

All the others said congratulations in their own way while Ruby returned to her dragon's right paw. She wiped the soot off her face as she listened in on what everyone else was saying. When everyone was finished, Cerise sighed. Well, that ruined both of our announcements.

Yang scoffed on Cerise' other paw. "What, are you carrying too?"

Cerise blinked. Yes.

Yang's jaw dropped. "That was supposed to be a joke, but I'm happy it's not."

"Really?" Weiss jumped off her seat on Saphira's tail.

It sounds like we found out the day before Saphira did, Cerise hummed. Vert's ecstatic. This time we're thinking they'll all be wild dragons.

Weiss squealed and ran toward Cerise. She jumped and latched herself onto the dragon's face. Ruby only heard mumbles coming from her partner, but whatever the words were, they were for Cerise, not her.

Sun threw his hands up, then brought them back down. "Is it dragon mating season or something?"

Nalia cocked her head. It is, but I'm surprised we're all on the same cycle. I guess all the back and forth between here and Alagaësia leveled us out.

"You're feeling it too?" Blake asked.

All dragons do. It's just that all males alive are too young or consider me their mother. Nalia pulled her lips back for a second. Well, there are Shruikan and Glaedr…

"Okay!" Aaron stood up from one of his dragon's paws. "I did not need to know that!" Everyone not bonded to a dragon laughed while those who were blushed and faced the ground. They all knew what happened there.

After Cerise took in all of her own congratulations, Weiss faced Ruby. "You said you had two announcements, and judging by the other two, you're pregnant."

Ruby shook her head. "I wish." She paused. "I don't know if those two announcements ruined this one, or this one ruins the other two. I'm sure you all know that Cerise and I flew out to meet Arya and Fírnen earlier, but it wasn't a social visit. We were testing them, and it looks like we have a candidate for my eventual successor as leader of the Dragon Riders."

No one spoke, no one moved, Ruby wasn't sure if anyone breathed in the aftermath of her announcement. "Suc… successor?" Yang finally asked.

"Is this about what Oromis said?" Aaron asked.

"This started way before that." Ruby flicked her eyes to Viki who sat next to her brother. The former slave still didn't know about the Eldunarí, and as much as it killed Ruby, she didn't think Viki could keep them a secret. Viki would find out eventually about Arya, but it would be better if she heard now. Ruby focused on Aaron again. "This started in the Vault of Souls when I truly became the leader of the Riders. I don't know if you heard it, but I was told that I wouldn't even be considered for the position back before the Fall."

Who told you that? Nalia growled.

Ruby hesitated. "Vrael."

Viki looked between Ruby and Nalia. "Who's Vrael?"

"The leader of the Riders before Ruby," Aaron said. "I don't understand the magic behind it, but… I'll compare it to the dialogue in video games."

"Oh." Viki nodded.

Thanks, Aaron, Ruby thought to her second in command.

"Why?" Weiss asked. "You killed a Shade-"

-you brought down many of the Forsworn- Saphira continued.

"-you led a combined attack on Urû'baen-"

-you killed Galbatorix-

"-and you're helping rebuild the Riders now."

Why would they not want you in charge?

Ruby blinked and looked between Weiss and Saphira. "What just happened there?"

Both dragon and Rider blinked, then looked at each other. Weiss shrugged. "Something that's happened a few times while talking business… or how we feel about Whitley."

Don't change the subject, Saphira snorted.

Ruby sighed. "Yeah, I'm a war hero. But with all the bad that's happened in between the good, if I was a soldier in any Remmartian military, I'd be medically or honorably discharged, or both if that's possible. There's no way I'd stay active with my PTSD. I've made so many boneheaded decisions that would have the old Riders rolling over in their graves. Like how I wasted valuable Rider resources on finding out how to stop part of my head from making my and Aaron's relationship difficult," Aaron shifted on Nalia's leg, his face getting red, "or how I blew how many people could know some of our biggest secrets." Blake glanced at Sun, then back at Ruby with a knowing light in her eyes. "Qrow doesn't get along with her, but it would have been nice to get Winter on our side." Weiss perked up at that and gave Ruby a small smile.

"No offense, Weiss," Sun started, "but she's an Atlas Specialist. Can we really trust her?"

The headmasters of the Academies, including Ironwood, have a group to protect the Maidens, among other things, Cerise said. We agreed that they were capable of sharing our knowledge as well.

"Except Professor Plum." Ruby shook her head. "Maybe whoever his replacement is for next year, but not him. I don't even think Glynda or Ironwood have filled him in on what's going on beneath Haven."

"You're not going to fight this?" Blake asked.

"Right now, I have no intention to. Honestly, I miss the days when it was just team RWBAY and our dragons. It was just us, we watched each other's backs, there weren't many people on Remnant calling for our heads… I know the odds of getting the team back together for real are slim to none, but in the future, that might change. I am so much better at small group tactics rather than battle strategy."

"Ruby, just say the word and we'll back you up," Yang said.

They can't fight all of us, Halcyon growled from Yang's side.

"And cause another Rider Civil War? Not a chance." Ruby shook her head.

None of your loyalty is in question, Cerise said. We would all fight by each other's side, to the death if it came to that.

"Also, this may seem counterproductive, but… very few of you ever challenge me. I'd like to think that means I'm a good leader and my plans work, but what if I lead us off a cliff? It could be nice to get competing points of view." Ruby paused. "It comes down to competence… and politics. We all know how I feel about that."

Weiss sighed. "How long do you have?"

"As soon as Arya or whoever my successor is ready. But that's as it currently stands. Oromis may ask me to stay on longer, or there could be a conflict where a change in leadership isn't a good thing. No matter what the situation is, I expect all of you to give my successor the same respect you give me." There were nods all around, but everyone stayed silent. "Sorry guys. I've just been holding onto this for too long."

The house' doorbell sounded inside. Ruby popped her head up and faced the house. "I killed the mood, I'll see who it is." She stood off her dragon's paw and walked into the house. Ruby crossed the open first floor and opened the door. To her surprise, one of Arya's opponents from earlier stood on the other side. "Hi. You're Oscar Pine, right?"

"Yeah." Oscar rubbed the back of his neck. "It's… nice to finally meet you."

Ruby nodded, but something was off… like why would he come here in the first place? "That was a nice fight against Arya earlier. Not many people can fight an elf for that long."

"Thanks. I've…" Oscar narrowed his eyes and looked away from Ruby. "Shut up, I'm getting there."

Ruby quirked her face. "You feeling okay?"

"Yeah…" Oscar raised his head. "I'm supposed to tell you," the two locked eyes, "I'd like my cane back."

Ruby stiffened. That was the code phrase. She stretched her mind into Oscar's. Sure enough, there were two minds in there, two Auras, two souls. One she had known for years. She let her shoulders drop. "I don't have it. It's with Glynda back at Beacon." She searched outside with her mind for any prying eyes. "Come in. Everyone else is out back."

Oscar stepped inside the house. "Everyone else?"

"My command staff… minus Qrow and plus Viki." Ruby stepped in front of Oscar and looked him over. Judging by his overalls, some tan lines, and his weapon, he was a farmer. He had the build of one too. It was a wonder he was so fast. "You're the one Ozpin infected."

Oscar shifted on his feet. "Infected?"

"Surely he's told you about what he is?"

"He's… told me his situation and what you think of him. It sounds like there's a big difference."

"Of course, a parasite would make his presence sound less threatening." Oscar just stared at Ruby with an open mouth. "If and when you feel like a slave in your own body, you'll know what I mean."

"I… uh…"

Ruby sighed. "Sorry, Oscar. I'm not mad at you. You seem like a good guy. The thing in your head, not so much… But he knows the most about Salem on Remnant and he can't die until she's killed, so we need him. Come on Oscar. I need to introduce you to everyone." Oscar nodded, then Ruby turned around and led the way to the backyard.

Cerise glared through the open doors at Oscar as he approached, but to his credit, he didn't shrink from it. Ruby entered the circle created by the dragons. She and Oscar got a few weird looks. "Everyone, there's someone I'd like you to meet, or should I say reintroduce?"

Oscar stepped forward, his upper body slumped. "Hi, uh. My name is Oscar Pine. But you may know me as… Professor Ozpin?" He sounded unsure on that last part.

Everyone but Viki jumped to their feet. Saphira and Nalia raised their heads and ears. Nalia then pulled her ears back and peeled her lips apart. That explains Cerise the past minute.

"Ozpin?" Weiss asked. "How?"

"Long story short," Ruby started, "he's in a position similar to the Maidens, only worse."

"If I may," Oscar started, "I… er… he…" He sighed. "Just so you know, I'll still be here." He stiffened and his Aura flared. After that, he straightened and clasped his hands behind his back. "It is so good to see you all again." His voice was distorted, like there were two people talking at once. Ruby stretched her mind to Oscar. The boy's mind was no longer dominant.

Ruby scowled. "Ozpin, what the hell?"

Ozpin raised Oscar's hand toward Ruby. "Oscar has given me permission to do this." Ruby crossed her arms and looked away. She'd given her mom permission twice, but it was her or Galbatorix, and Yang needed to hear something from her. Neither was very long. With Ozpin… he still probably wasn't hostile, but he was taking control in a non-combat situation, and he'd take full control in the future.

"Ruby, did you really not tell the others about my existence?" Ozpin asked.

"Glynda asked us not to," Aaron said. "She said that only vital people needed know. For us, that was Ruby, Oromis, me, and our dragons. She listed us by name."

"Despite my protests that my whole command staff needed to know." Ruby returned her glare to Ozpin. "Glynda's been putting up with you for so long. I'm trusting she knows something I don't."

Ozpin nodded. "How much do they know about the rest?"

Ruby hesitated, then sighed and faced Viki. "Could you go wait inside? We're going to be talking business."

"O… of course." Viki stood up off Nalia's paw and walked toward the house. She looked over her shoulder at Oscar before she stepped inside and closed the doors.

"Well, Ozpin," Ruby faced the parasite in Oscar's body. "We all know about the relics and how the Maidens get to them, and now we all know you're a parasite. Am I missing anything?"

Oscar's hijacked shoulders slumped. "I am sorry you feel that way about me." He faced the others in the dragon circle. "I am sure the rest of you have your own opinions of my current situation."

"More like confusion at this point." Sun rubbed the back of his head. "How are you alive?"

"How do you have two Auras?" Weiss asked.

"I think I technically do too," Ruby said. "Just my mom's is very weak at this point."

"I assure you all," Ozpin continued, "I am the same man you knew during your time at Beacon." Ruby bit her lip to keep herself from a snide remark. "I still wholeheartedly support everything you Riders do, and I will do my best to help your standing at Haven. I can assure you, Professor Plum will not be Haven's headmaster for the next school year."

"Finally, some good news," Ruby muttered. "I don't suppose you have any plans for Salem?"

Ozpin faced Ruby. "As you can imagine, I have been out of touch for several months."

"The big things, Vacuo hasn't descended into Civil War, so the rogue tribes probably know we're onto them, or Raven dismantled them before she was killed. I didn't need to know for sure. Either way, I'm still expecting them to move when our backs are turned."

"The White Fang's pretty much gone too," Yang said. "We lost Raven, but we won." She dipped her head and didn't say any more.

"The biggest thing is we found out who killed Vernal," Blake said. "Ilia Amitola, one of my former friends from my White Fang days."

"If it wasn't confirmed before, it is now," Ruby started. "The White Fang is, or was, working with Salem. Ilia put on a glove that a beatle like Grimm popped out of and spat something at me. I'd have to guess that she was trying to suck my Maiden Magic out of me."

Ozpin stiffened. "She has resorted to that tactic again." He brought a hand to his chin. "I have only known Salem's minions to use the glove when they couldn't otherwise kill the current Maiden."

"So I should be expecting that again?"

"Possibly, but not for a while. Salem is not kind to those who fail her."

"Considering just about everyone my mom knew about has failed her recently, how long are we talking?"

"It could be months, it could be years until retaliation."

"Well, whichever it is, we'll be ready." Ruby narrowed her eyes. "Now bring Oscar back. We were trying to have a nice party."

Ozpin closed Oscar's eyes and their Aura flared again. Oscar sighed and opened his eyes. "Wow, uh…" he rubbed the back of his head and shrunk away from Ruby. "You're scary when you get mad."

Ruby sighed and allowed herself to relax. "I know, and I hate getting like that."

"You sure?" Yang asked with eyebrows raised. "You seemed pretty comfortable there."

"No one's used your True Name against you, Yang."

"But I was there when the Eldunarí messed with our heads."

Ruby winced. "Yeah…" She shook her head. "Is there any chance that we could go back to where we were beforehand?"

The others exchanged glances. I don't think so, Nalia said.

"Well then… I guess I'm going to bed. Oscar, you know the way out." Ruby turned around and walked into the house. She probably wouldn't get that much sleep that night, but oh well. She needed to try.

As she neared the staircase, Viki walked toward her from another part of the house. "Ruby? I've heard you mention it before, but I don't know who they are. Who are the Maidens?"

Ruby stiffened and sighed. That did just happen, didn't it? Well, at least with them, the only ones that knew what she was and could hurt her already knew. She couldn't tell Viki about the Eldunarí, but this she could... and she would be another option in case the worst happened. "Viki, do not tell what I'm about to tell you to anyone outside my team, CfVY, or JNPR."


Now the first 'half' of Reconstruction is over. There's going to be no break in uploads, but be ready for a major time skip, the biggest one so far. Honestly, its going to happen a lot in the future too.

Now, for last weeks episode... Qrow, I know Ozpin used pretty much everyone he'd ever known, but you just punched a 14 year old kid! Come on, old man! Not cool! Huh... I just realized between this and canon, everyone's opinions of Ozpin are switched. In canon, Ruby is the only one that doesn't outright hate Ozpin and in this Ruby is the only one that does. Not intentional at all.

PSA: If you haven't seen Wreck-it-Ralph 2, stick around until after the credits. It's worth the wait.