THE AVENGERS 4 TRAILER IS OUT! ALL ABOARD THE HYPE TRAIN!

Eh-hem. Anyway, on a more serious note, I'd like to readdress something that has come up in a few reviews and PMs. My view of fantiction is to prepare myself for writing original works in the future. What I put here is all practice and it also shows how much I've improved over the years (geeze, it's been years since I've started this). That being said, I still don't catch everything. Oftentimes, I don't know something is a problem until someone says something. I read all reviews across all my stories and all PMs for anything that might help. I do know that the pacing has been crap lately, and I'm doing my best to fix that. Rest assured, stuff will happen soon (laughs evilly).


Ruby opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. Less than two seconds later, Cerise' head was over her own. Good morning, Gem. Cerise hummed and nuzzled her Rider's face with her snout.

"Morning, Cerise." Ruby let her dragon do what she wanted, but it confused the Rider. Cerise didn't typically do that anymore, not that Ruby minded one bit that it was back. "Someone slept on the right side of the bed."

Cerise pulled her head back and snorted. I always do, well, depending on what direction you're looking.

"True." Ruby yawned and stretched above her head. While she did that, Cerise pulled her head to the side of the bed, grabbed the blankets and comforters in her lips, and pulled them off her Rider. Ruby kept her arms behind her head as she stared at her dragon. That was definitely new. "Uh, Cerise?"

Yes, Gem? Cerise opened her lips and the bedding fell onto the bed itself.

"You feeling alright?"

I am, thank you for asking. And you?

Ruby blinked. "I'm fine?" She made a quick once-over of herself with eyes and mind. There was something on her stomach that she couldn't see. She brushed the area, but it didn't budge. She groaned and leaned her head further back into her pillow. Whatever it was, it didn't feel hostile. It was kind of just… there. She'd ask Aaron when he got home later that day. Cerise' ears drooped for a second, then stood back up. "I'm fine."

I'm glad to hear that. Cerise pulled her head away from her Rider.

Ruby sat up and kicked her legs over the side of the bed. "I'm gonna shower." She grabbed a fresh set of knock around clothes from her dresser and walked toward the master bathroom. A half hour later, she walked out feeling refreshed. She faced her dragon and almost fell flat on her face. Cerise stood over a freshly made bed and was fluffing one of Ruby's pillows between two of her toes. Considering they were the only two in the building for at least another hour, Cerise had to be the one who made the bed. "Uhh, what?"

Cerise faced her Rider and backed away from the bed. Did I do it right?

Ruby walked up to the bed with her mouth hanging open. "Well, yeah, but…" She looked up at her dragon. "Am I forgetting an anniversary?"

Not that I know of.

"Then what's going on?"

Cerise looked away and her ears drooped. We've both wondered why it takes a tragedy for us to get so close. She faced Ruby again. I'm trying to fix that.

Ruby sighed and stepped toward her dresser while running a hand across Cerise' cheek. "I love your idea Cerise, but today of all days?" She picked her wedding ring up off her dresser and fit it over her ring finger. Her hair instantly dried and straightened from the top of her head down past her shoulders. She faced her dragon again. "But with what's going on tonight… Next weekend when we don't have anything going on, I'd definitely be up for it. Now, I'm just not in the mood for that."

Cerise whimpered and lowered her head to her Rider's level. But I am. She stretched her mind into Ruby's.

The Rider sighed and slouched as every one of Cerise' loving, joyful, and grateful emotional waves poured off her. All of it was directed toward Ruby. "Oh…" Ruby didn't tell her lips to curve up, they did it out of reflex. "Okay. You've convinced me. But if anything weird happens tonight, I'm blaming you."

As long as I get you until we go to Alagaësia, fine with me. Cerise hummed and moved her snout closer to her Rider. Ruby grabbed on and stood on the tips of her toes to touch her nose met her dragon's. Cerise turned her head so that one of her eyes met both of Ruby's. She was so big now that was all they could manage.

Ruby tilted her chin forward and kissed Cerise between the nostrils. She fell back on her feet. "Just a cuddle day unless something happens?"

That works for me. Cerise tipped her head forward and pressed it into her Rider. Ruby took the hint and hugged her dragon's face with arms and legs. Cerise lifted her Rider up and walked toward the Hall. I take it you're hungry?

"Breakfast is nice. Sorry I can't whip up something for you."

Don't worry. I ate yesterday. I should apologize for the same thing.

Ruby rolled her eyes and rubbed her face against Cerise'. "You're fine. You already made my bed, which I'm surprised you could do that. I'm not as bad in the kitchen as I used to be."

Cerise snorted. You can only make things right out of the box.

"He, he. Not a lie." Ruby stayed on her dragon's snout until she was dropped off right outside the kitchen. She started making herself an omelet with all the fixings. Word had gotten out that the two leaders of the Riders still ate meat. Quite a few elves didn't like that. They never said it to Ruby or Aaron, but the Riders got a few glares thrown their way, that is until the Riders or the dragons noticed them.

As soon as her overstuffed breakfast was done, Ruby rejoined Cerise and they walked together to the sitting area. The Rider turned on the massive projector and brought up Scrollflix. The two proceeded to partake in one of their favorite pastimes, watching old movies about dragons and laughing at everything they got wrong. When Ruby finished with her omelet, she leaned against her dragon's head with her right arm draped over Cerise' neck. The Rider traced the outlines of her dragon's scales and even scratched behind Cerise' ears. At one point, Cerise offered to return the favor. Not for lack of trying, it didn't work. Her toes were too big and her claws would rip Ruby's clothes to shreds.

About halfway through the second movie, the house' intercom buzzed. Ruby groaned. There' went cuddle time with Cerise. She paused the movie, walked out of the scaled cave Cerise made, and hit the right button on one of the end tables. "What's the situation, Yaela?" She released the button.

"There's an armed bank robber trying to escape police by car," Yaela said. "Vale dispatch has asked us to capture him."

Ruby sighed, then held down the button. "Got it. We'll be out in a few-"

I'll take it myself, Yaela, Cerise interrupted as she jumped to her feet. Ruby would need a few minutes we might not have. She turned around and ran toward the main exit.

Ruby dropped her jaw. "Cerise!" Her dragon sealed her mind and didn't stop. Cerise jumped out of the house as soon as the door opened wide enough. Ruby threw her hands up. "Unbelievable! What is with her today?"

"Ruby? Is everything okay?"

The Rider held the button again. "With me, yeah. Cerise, I don't know what's gotten into her."

"Well, she isn't even ten years old."

"Sometimes she acts her age. Thanks, Yaela. Keep me updated." Ruby walked away from the intercom and crossed her arms. Something was up with Cerise. She went through periods of cuddliness and protectiveness, mainly while she was carrying eggs, but never to this extreme. Was she carrying her third clutch? She and Vert had flown off together recently, but even they weren't that lucky. They were lucky to have two at their age.

She sighed and started walking toward her room. "What now?" Ruby bit her lower lip. "What now?" That question had come up a lot lately for a lot of different things. The one that came up most often wasn't for 'now,' but for what to do when they beat Salem. What then? That wasn't a question Ruby could answer herself. She needed approval.

Ruby changed into one of her combat outfits, this one resembling what she wore all the time during her first year at Beacon with the exception of her living rose emblem keeping her silk hood in place along with the two cross pins. It was more fitting for her future audience. She walked toward a seldom-used corner of the room and held her Scroll up to the wall.

The mechanism clicked and part of the wall slid inward then two the side, revealing a winding staircase. Ruby entered the secret passageway and started walking down. It was no Vault of Souls staircase, so unfortunately none of the dragons could go all the way to the bottom. Until a new Vault was dug on New Vroengard, this would have to do.

On the bright side, it allowed for a few more security measures. Ruby came to the end of the staircase and stood in a room with only a table of wristbands and a door. She grabbed the band with the magical marker and slid it over her left wrist. The Rider walked to the door and it opened automatically.

The room on the other side was made completely from white tile, auto-turrets, AK-250s, and a couple Paladins. All guns trained on Ruby with dozens of red dots lighting up her body. All bots shouted things like 'stand down or you will be fired upon,' but Ruby just walked through like she didn't have an army about to shoot her. Once she reached the halfway tile, she stopped and took off the wristband. Ruby threw the band to the back right corner of the room, where it fell into a chute to be taken back to the table in the other room to be resorted. She walked across the rest of the room with the guns still pointed at her. As soon as she passed the dotted yellow line, all defenses faced the entryway again.

Ruby continued down another spiral staircase to a room that was filled with gold, silver, gemstones, artwork, and countless other expensive items. This vault could make some of Weiss' look like a piggy bank. All the gifts the Riders got from Alagaësia finally had a purpose, distraction. The Rider walked past all of it to the far wall where a tapestry of the main 'road' in Ellesméra hung. She placed her left hand on the wall right beside the tapestry. The spells in a diamond in the rock analyzed her hand and the rest of Ruby to determine if she was a Rider. The wall behind the tapestry swung outward revealing the third and final staircase.

The Rider walked down that and through a slew of other spells that made sure she wasn't hostile. Of course, she could put wards around herself to make all of this unnecessary, but she put these measures in for a reason. She wasn't above her own rules.

Ruby entered the final chamber and looked around. A hundred Eldunarí sat on their own padded pedestals with their names on plaques underneath them. Cuaroc sat in a throne opposite the staircase and under Umaroth. Since coming to Remnant, Ruby had upgraded the guardian's armor and weaponry. In addition to his sword, he now had a heavy machinegun since the light variety was too small for him. Even then, he could hold his firearm like Aaron holds his V4 in submachinegun form.

"Masters," Ruby started, "I've come to ask about our future." Geez, this is like the complete opposite of a few minutes ago.

Speak your mind, Shadeslayer, Umaroth said.

"We know what we're doing in Alagaësia. When we earn people's trust again, we're going to return to being the keepers of the peace everywhere and defend the land from all threats. There, we can do that because we're the only ones with the capability. Here, every Kingdom has their own militaries and police forces that can do that job. Everyone has Huntsmen and Huntresses too, and there are a lot more of them than there are of us."

That may be, but we have strengths and skills that they cannot hope to match.

Ruby shook her head. "You're thinking in terms of Alagaësia. The only real advantage we have over anybody is magic. Even with her Aura unlocked, Arya isn't that much more skilled than her peers at Beacon. There are things that we can't affect with magic as well. There isn't much stopping Atlas from sending a fully automated fleet to attack New Vroengard. The Alagaësian Grimm are becoming more common across Remnant. We can't affect them at all. We might as well be normal Huntsmen against them."

Are you saying that we are weak? Umaroth didn't sound accusatory, rather he was leading Ruby somewhere. The Rider had gotten used to that.

"Not at all. We're the strongest Huntsman organization on Remnant. Everyone knows us and we have the respect of at least one council member in all kingdoms and quite a few military commanders too. But that's a double-edged sword. There have been councils in all Kingdoms that have tried to dismantle Huntsmen organizations that have gotten too strong before. Some have succeeded. Quite a few people are wary of us because we have the best air superiority fighter in the world with the Wyvern. Halcyon's may be the only one now, but we all know other Eldunarí want their chance in their own fighter. If we build more, the Kingdoms may have every right to be worried."

Umaroth mentally hummed. You never asked your question.

"Right now we have our short-term goal: kill Salem. What do we do after that? What do we want the Riders to become?" Ruby stood in silence as she waited for a response. None was forthcoming. She could only watch as the colors shifted in many of the Eldunarí around the room. From her experience, the Eldunarí were coming up with their own solutions and they would put them forward when they were ready.

Ruby, Umaroth began again, there are those among us who do not believe that you should be among these discussions.

Ruby's eyes twitched. "I am still the leader of the Dragon Riders, and I will be until you all clear Arya or someone else to take my place. Until that happens, I have as much of a say in our future as any of you, even more because I am the one who speaks for all of you."

It felt like Umaroth mentally nodded with that. As you should be. He paused. We would like to propose a solution. Not all land can be protected by a Kingdom's military at all times. We could assist primarily in those areas while we leave the major cities to the Kingdoms.

Ruby shook her head. "If you're proposing what I think you are, the councils could very well see that as a land grab. If it's less, that's basic Huntsman Organization territory." She paused. "With how Remnant is run, I don't think we'll be able to operate in the same way we did before."

Then what do you propose?

Ruby bit her lip. "I don't like this, and I doubt any of you will either. If we want to keep doing what we're doing well into the future, we may have to sacrifice some of our independence and loan some of our Riders to the Kingdoms' military and police forces." The Rider felt the tension fill the air. If the dragons still had bodies, she knew she'd be of the receiving end of dozens of glares and growls.

We are not subject to other's supervision, Umaroth growled. We never have been, and we never will be.

"With all due respect, that didn't work out too well the last time." Ruby fought off the mental lance from Umaroth and likely several others and stood her ground. If they actually tried to hurt her, there wouldn't be much she could do to stop it. "You asked what I propose, and you're hearing it. Let me finish before you cast judgment."

The light mental attack stopped but Umaroth's growl didn't. Speak.

"I'm not saying our Riders would be completely under the control of the Kingdoms. There is precedent on Remnant and in Alagaësia. Before Vacuo fully committed to Vale in the Great War, they sent a few divisions to help push back Mistral. Then Mantle attacked Vacuo city and they were brought into the war on Vale's side. Those divisions were still under orders from Vacuo and they only worked with the Valans, not for them. In my readings on the dwarf clan wars, some clans preferred to do the same thing, as fully committing to a war would lead to their defeat and collapse.

"We could do something similar. Sure, our Riders would be in the command structure, but they would still report to us. We could work anywhere, hospitals, KBI Hostage Rescue, EMS, Violet and Orchid are still interested in becoming detectives. We're strong against Grimm, so we could be working with Huntsmen or military in securing the Kingdoms' borders. That kind of cooperation would mean that we're working within the law and we'd get all the protections that soldiers, police, medics, and all the rest have. Is it ideal? No. But it will go a long way in making sure the Kingdoms don't decide to invade New Vroengard."

Umoroth's growl finally ended. We will consider your request, Shadeslayer.

"That is all I ask." Ruby turned around and left the Vault. She had a feeling she was no longer wanted there. Considering Umaroth didn't call out to stop her, she was right. Ruby walked up through the stairs, treasure room, and guard room without stopping. Anyone leaving the Vault was safe. If they made it that far in the first place, they were allowed in. No need to overprotect that.

About halfway back to the surface, Ruby felt her dragon's mind searching for her. The Rider kept her dragon out, returning the favor from earlier. At first, Cerise tried to break in but relented. Ruby climbed up the last of the stairs and the master bedroom appeared in front of her. Cerise lay on Nalia's pad with her head facing the secret passageway.

Ruby let her defenses fall and Cerise dove in immediately. Gem, why did you block me? She used her same loving tone from before, not angry at all.

The Rider couldn't return the favor. "Why did you block me?" Ruby walked out of the passageway and the door closed behind her, leaving no indication that it was there in the first place. "Why did you run off? Cerise, we were having a great time together. We would have been so in sync out there and we could have gone right back to it when we were done."

Cerise drooped her ears. I didn't want you getting hurt.

Ruby dropped her jaw and continued to stare at her dragon, too shocked to shake her head. "Okay, what's up? First you're in full on cuddle mode, next you run off on a cakewalk mission by yourself to keep me safe? What's going on? Can you smell really early cancer or something in me?"

Cerise sighed. I'm sorry, Gem. I did not want to hurt you. I just wanted you to find out on your own.

"Find out what?"

The dragon hummed and raised her ears again. Remember what you felt on your stomach this morning?

Ruby groaned. "I almost forgot it, thank you very much."

You are very welcome for the reminder, Gem. You will not want to forget. Cerise lowered her snout and inched it forward. That was never on you. She touched her snout to Ruby's stomach. It's in you.

"In me?" Ruby stepped back and held and faced her stomach. Something was in her? That was… wait. If it was a problem, Cerise would have said right away. She would not be so cuddly or loving if something was trying to eat her alive. From the emotions she put out…

Ruby's breath caught in her throat. She inched her head up to look Cerise in one of her eyes. "You mean?" the Rider whispered.

Cerise hummed high and loud while nuzzling Ruby's belly. Congratulations, Gem.

Ruby returned her eyes to her stomach. She stretched her mind down into her body. There was indeed a growing life force inside her. Not a tapeworm, not a tick, a human.

"Ohmygosh… Ohmygosh…" Ruby's knees grew weak. She locked eyes with her dragon again. Cerise eyes shone like when she found out she was carrying the first time. "Where are my pregnancy tests?"


"The last known nests are here, here, and here." Aaron pointed to three spots on the map in front of him and the Huntsman team replacing him. "Every other one is more than a day away. You should have plenty of warning before any sizable Grimm attack should come your way."

Arslan, the leader of the replacement team, nodded. "I take it these are the new kind?"

"If they weren't, they'd already be gone."

"I guess we have our targets." Arslan took her eyes off the map and faced Aaron. "You sure didn't leave a lot of work for us."

"Escort duty's a little different where I'm from. We take out the threats before they have a chance to do damage.

"A few years ago, that wouldn't have been possible." Arslan crossed her arms. "And now the world's longest highway is being built."

"I try." Aaron looked at his Scroll and the time on it. "I've got to get going. Don't want to upset the missus." He picked his Scroll off the table and backed away.

"You get to that. We'll keep the workmen safe." The rest of Arslan's team grouped up around the table.

Aaron left the trailer and looked over the current construction site. After all his time on Remnant and on the site, he still didn't know what most of the equipment did or even what it was called. All he knew was that the crew was able to pave a mile a day and build the protective walls at the same pace. The engineers had a way to keep the road safe from Grimm, but it all went over Aaron's head when explained.

He turned away and walked toward where his dragon lay. "Ready to go, Nalia?"

I was ready the day we got here, Nalia grumbled. I don't know how you humans can take the smell of all this

"I'm not." Aaron shook his head. "Ellesméra is going to smell so good tonight."

That it is. Nalia leaned her back toward her Rider. Climb on and let's get going.

"As you wish." Aaron jumped up and pulled himself up to the saddle. Nalia rolled back and the force swung her Rider into the saddle. Aaron checked the CCT signal on his Scroll, then called his wife. He got four and a half rings before she answered. "Hey, Ru. We're on our way back."

"Good." Ruby sniffed. "Get here as fast as you can."

Aaron stiffened. "What's going on?"

"Just get here!" The line clicked on Ruby's end.

Aaron took his Scroll away from his ear, then locked eyes with his dragon. Nalia's visible pupil filled her whole eye. "Nalia?"

Ocean. Hang on. Nalia jumped away from the construction site and flew north as fast as she could. Aaron barely managed to hold onto his Scroll. Nalia dove for the beach as soon as it came into sight. When she landed, Aaron began chanting in the Ancient Language as fast as he could. The water just barely shifted color and Nalia jumped in. They went through the same process at lake Isenstar.

Nalia dove for the main landing pad and landed hard. Aaron jumped off and slid under the still opening dragon door. He sprang to his feet and stretched his mind out to find his wife. Ruby was with Cerise in the master. Both of them blocked their minds so well Aaron couldn't even read their emotions. He ran for the room and slammed into the door, somehow not breaking it.

Ruby sat on Aaron's side of the bed, her feet hanging off the side. Her husband could hear her crying clear across the room. Cerise lay on her pad, her head and neck laying on the bed with her jaw on her Rider's lap. The dragon raised her head, hummed… happily, then rested her head back on Ruby's lap. Ruby's and Cerise' states didn't mix. What was going on?

Aaron jogged to the bed, never taking his eyes off his wife. The floor shook beneath him and the dragon door to the bedroom started to open. Nalia was inside. Aaron rounded the bed and kneeled in front of his wife. He reached a hand out and squeezed one of Ruby's knees. "Ruby, what's wrong?" The floor shook again as Nalia entered the bedroom and stood above the bed.

Ruby took her hands off her face. Her eyes were red and puffy. Salt lines stained her cheeks. But her smile… Aaron had never seen that pure joy from his wife, only from Nalia when she saw Fírnen's egg in the throne room. "Nothing. Nothing is wrong at all."

"You sounded so urgent. What's going on?"

"This." Ruby pointed at her stomach. "Use your mind."

Aaron stared at Ruby's belly, his concern disappearing. Now everything mixed. He did as his wife said and stretched his mind out. There was a little life growing inside Ruby. Aaron looked up and locked eyes with Ruby. "You're pregnant?"

Ruby let out a big breath that came out as a laugh. "Yes." She nodded like a bobblehead and grabbed something from her right. She brought it in front of Aaron and showed him a positive pregnancy test. "Yes. I am."

Aaron let his own excitement take over him. He stood up and brought Ruby into a tight hug. They locked lips and held each other close. Nalia let loose a soft roar and lowered her head to Ruby's side not occupied by Cerise. The married couple stayed like that for quite some time with the dragons occasionally nuzzling the two Riders.

After a while, the couple separated their lips but pressed their foreheads together. "We did it," Aaron whispered.

Ruby giggled. "Yes, we did. Our last ditch effort worked. Now we don't have to participate tonight."

"That is such a good thing." Aaron laughed a little himself. "I'm going to be a father." Part of his excitement fell away when he realized something.

"And I'm going to be a mother." Ruby didn't sound like she noticed her husband's change. Aaron stepped out of Ruby's arms and turned around. He ran his hands through his hair. "Aaron? Are you alright?"

"I don't know." Aaron turned around and faced Ruby. "I'm ecstatic that we're having a baby. I've been hoping for this since our wedding day. But… I've read all sorts of parenting guides since then. In quite a few of them, they say that parents raise their kids like they were raised themselves. I was raised by a master thief. I wouldn't-"

Ruby stood up from the bed and kissed Aaron on the cheek. "You wouldn't raise him or her to be a criminal. You won't hurt our baby like that thief hurt you. The fact that you're worried about this is proof you aren't a bad person."

Aaron dipped his head. "What about that one time I almost hit you?"

His wife turned his head back up. Ruby had her poker face on. Her eyes bored into Aaron's. "If you're that worried, swear it like you did back then. Swear that you'll never hurt any of our babies. Swear it, and we can forget this ever happened."

Aaron never moved his eyes. "I will never hurt any children, whether they are ours or someone else'."

Ruby relaxed and her smile of pure joy returned. "That wasn't so hard, was it?" She pulled Aaron into another hug. "You're going to be a great dad."

"And you're going to be a super mom."

"Hmmm, nope. Supermom is my mom. She can keep that. I'll take something else."

"If you insist."

Cerise hummed and raised her head. Nalia, what's better than super?

Nalia cocked her head and raised it to Cerise' level. Mega?

Megamom. I like it.

Alliteration. It works well.

The married couple separated and faced their dragons. "Is this going to be a thing with you two now?"

Nalia and Cerise exchanged a glance. Did it ever stop? Nalia asked.

You two are having a hatchling of your own, Cerise hummed. We might act much the same as you two did when you found out I was carrying.

Ruby sighed. "I suppose that's only fair." She smiled at Aaron. "So, are we still going to the Invocation?" Cerise stiffened.

"As long as we're helping, not participating." Aaron nodded at Cerise. "You might want to ask your dragon if its okay"

I don't have a problem with it. Cerise shifted on her feet. But… how are we going to get there? Maybe you should take a Bullhead. They're smoother than either of us. Safer for you in your state.

Ruby giggled and reached a hand up to her dragon's jaw. "Don't worry too much. If I'm not worried about my baby, you shouldn't be either."

Cerise growled. I will not let any harm to come to your hatchling.

"Thank you, but there's no need to be overprotective. Leave that to me." Ruby pulled Cerise' snout down and rubbed her head against her dragon.

Fine. But if your hatchling is scared of anything, I will do everything I can to eliminate it.

"I think that's all of us, Cerise," Aaron said.

Nalia shoulder bumped the other dragon. Do you miss your own hatchlings?

Cerise turned her head away from Nalia. Maybe… It's been too long since I've been to New Vroengard to see them.

"Maybe we can stop there before coming back here." Ruby walked around her bed to the side of her dragon. She climbed up Cerise' side and settled in the saddle. "Besides, I can't bear to be off your back for nine months."

Cerise hummed. That would be terrible.

Aaron nodded as he climbed Nalia's side. "Good thing you can wait a few months for that."


As the sun started to rise over Du Weldenvarden, the last notes of the Dagshelgr Invocation faded away. Ruby sighed and leaned onto Aaron. She'd gone through the whole thing without stopping. She didn't even know what words she said a minute ago. It all just rolled off her tongue. But the effects of the Invocation could still be heard. All sorts of animals called out for each other, the house around her felt more alive than usual. The forest felt like it just woke up from a long sleep. The head of the Riders felt exactly the opposite way. "Ready for bed, Aaron?"

Her husband yawned and covered his mouth with a hand. "Yeah. That took a lot out of me." Aaron and Ruby walked away from the opening in their bedroom and walked around where Cerise lay to the bed. They opened their own bags, changed into their pajamas, and crawled into bed next to each other. Cerise lay her massive head over them as well. She hummed and closed her eyes.

"Goodnight, Aaron." Ruby snuggled in close to her husband and rested her head on his left shoulder.

Aaron brought his wife in closer with that arm. "But it's morning."

Ruby elbowed Aaron. "You know what I mean." She closed her eyes and she dove into the deepest part of her mind. She ended up standing in the clearing on Patch. "Mom, you'll never guess-"

"EEEEEEE!" Her mom ran out of the trees and grabbed her in a huge hug. Summer lifted Ruby off the ground and spun her in a circle. "I'msohappyforyouGem! Iknewitwouldhappeneventually! Ifyouneedanyparentingtipsjustletmeknow! I'dbehappytohelp!"

Ruby finally returned her mom's hug. "Thanks, mom. Just stick around long enough for that to happen."

"Of course!" Summer set her daughter down and locked eyes with Ruby. Even in Ruby's head, the former Winter Maiden had aged. Parts of her black and red hair was turning gray. More lines had appeared on her face and arms. But at her core, Summer was still the same energetic woman as before. "I want to see my grandchild before I kick the bucket for real."

"I'm happy I could help with that." Ruby paused. "You're acting awfully cheerful. It's like you're the one who's pregnant."

Summer held up a finger. "When I found out Raven was pregnant, I was hungover worse than Qrow ever was." She stuck another finger up. "When I found out I was pregnant, I felt soooo guilty and I thought Raven would chew me out. Now that I'm clear of mind and conscience, I want to celebrate this thing right." She giggled, then put her hands on her hips. "Now where's Aaron? He's just as responsible for this as you."

Ruby stiffened. "Are you sure? After-"

"Don't say it!" Summer closed her eyes and covered her ears. "I've tried to block all that out. If he doesn't make it weird, I won't."

Ruby nodded. "I'll tell him that." She tilted her head back and stretched her mind out until she felt Aaron, Cerise, and Nalia. Aaron, mom wants to talk to you.

Aaron's surprise radiated off him. Really? After everythi-

If you don't make it weird, she won't.

How does this involve me? Nalia asked.

You've been in this relationship from the beginning, Ruby chirped. I think it's about time you've met my mom.

You'll like her, Cerise said. She's like an older Ruby.

If you say so, Nalia said. What do I do?

Let me guide you, Ruby said. Don't worry about a thing. She started pulling Nalia and Aaron into her head while Cerise already knew the way. Soon after, the dragons appeared in the sky with Aaron on Nalia's back. Cerise dove for the ground while Nalia took a while to look around before following.

Cerise touched down quickly followed by Nalia. Both of them were only the size of elephants. The older dragon looked directly at Ruby. This space should not be possible.

"Eh." Ruby shrugged. "You know me. The impossible becomes possible around me."

"She has a point, Nalia." Aaron pat his dragon's neck as he dismounted. "You should know this by now." His feet touched the ground, but not for long.

Summer teleported over and lifted Aaron off the ground in another spinning hug. "CongratulationsAaron! You'llbeagreatdad! Ifyoueverwantdadjokesfeelfreetoask! Yourbabyisgoingtobesostrongandcute!" She set Aaron down and stuck a finger at his nose. "Don't you worry about being a bad dad. With one exception, you have been a great husband for my little girl. You'll be just as great for your child." Summer gestured at Cerise. "If I'm wrong, you know what will happen."

Aaron nodded. "I would expect nothing less."

"Right answer." Summer turned to face Nalia. "So, you're the fourth wheel in this relationship."

I am. Nalia hummed and lowered her head to Summer's level. It is an honor to finally meet the mother of-

Summer stuck out her right arm and poked Nalia's nose. "Boop." Ruby sucked in air and curled her lips back, holding in a laugh. She looked at Cerise out of the corner of her eye. Her dragon was in much the same position.

Nalia drew her head back and cocked it. What did you just do?

"I booped you on the snoot." Summer shrugged. "Simple as that."

You… what my what?

Ruby's laugh exploded out of her. Cerise joined her Rider in laughing at Nalia. "Oh my gosh! How don't you know that?" Ruby asked.

Have you ever interacted with any kids ever? Cerise laughed

Nalia growled at the other pair. What is so funny?

"I don't know either," Aaron said.

Summer joined in Ruby's and Cerise' laughter. "How are you married to my daughter and you don't know that?"

"I don't know!" Ruby yelled in between laughs. "I guess I still have to teach him a lot."

Summer sighed as she stopped laughing. "Well, come on all of you. I've got something prepared at the house."

"Got it, mom." Ruby walked to Aaron's side and hooked her right arm through his left. "When we get back to Remnant, I need to introduce you to the wonderful world of memes."


How the heck is Summer the first one to boop a dragon on the snoot? I am ashamed that it took me this long to make it happen.

As for last week's episode... Ruby continues to prove she's best girl. HOLY CRAP! SILVER EYES! NEED MORE INFO! Also, glad RT finally showed the downside of Qrow's alcoholism and its not just a joke anymore.

And it's that time of year again. Sorry, Velvet. We're going to turn the bunnies into roadkill!

If you don't need a personal sob story, stop reading now.

I've just... not been in a good place the past few weeks. Really, writing this, my original work at the end of NaNoWriMo, a little bit of XCOM, and Bison football have. That may sound like quite a bit, but really, it's not. Hearing from people every week here helps more than you could know.