Here we go

Cover Art: Terakali

Chapter 36

Adam hadn't woken up.

Tsune had warned them it might take time, but it always felt like Adam was the kind of person to ignore the rules on personal injury. He was too stubborn to acknowledge them most of the time, and too obstinate to lay down and rest when he needed to. He was perfect for Yang in that regard, though at least Yang could be forced into rest most of the time.

This time, she hadn't needed it. Yang's injuries, while debilitating, weren't life threatening. She wouldn't be fighting at her best anytime soon but walking around and attending the festival weren't beyond her. Not physically, anyway. Her sister had decided she wouldn't be attending the finals at all, wanting to keep an eye on Adam.

Ruby couldn't blame her. "I want to stay as well," she whined.

"You don't." Yang said, ruffling her hair. "You know how much you love seeing cool fights and weapons. You'll regret not going to the finals. Me? I've never cared for all that."

While that was true, it felt wrong to admit it, like she was saying watching a stupid fight was more important to her than her partner's health. It wasn't. Adam was the coolest partner ever and nothing would change that.

"It's fine, Ruby." Yang said. "Adam is alive and not likely to get any worse than he is. It's not like you're abandoning him or anything." Quietly, she growled, "And Atlas won't be on his ass if he's here, either."

Atlas. Ruby bristled as much as Yang and Weiss did, and that was all kinds of ironic since Weiss was from Atlas. The Kingdom was all the news reports could talk about lately, and a picture of Adam on his knees, gripping his collar as lightning coursed through his system was on every news station and every newspaper. One question was on everyone's lips – why? Why had Atlas intervened in a fair and exciting match to punish someone who, to everyone's eyes, had done no wrong.

It hadn't been Atlas obviously. Headmaster Ozpin and Uncle Qrow had told them that, and it wasn't hard to believe them seeing as how Yang got attacked by some unknown person to push Adam into competing in the semi-finals against Pyrrha. Obviously, someone had set it all up, and they knew Atlas was being framed in some capacity. Knew, but didn't care. Ironwood still put the collar on Adam. If their security was so bad someone could take control of it then wasn't that their fault as well?

Ruby personally felt they deserved the pressure.

"I would stay as well if I could," Weiss said. "Sadly, Winter is demanding my presence and I can't afford to say no. Something about showing solidarity."

"With what?" Yang asked.

"One another apparently." Weiss rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaning on the doorframe to the infirmary. "A sign of cooperation between Atlas and the team including Adam."

"Do they think that'll magically make everything better?"

"No. I expect the numerous offers of hi-tech medical facilities on board Ironwood's flagship and having Adam heal there were supposed to do that."

As if they'd let Adam be alone like that. He wouldn't feel safe trapped on Ironwood's ship, and they weren't about to go behind his back like that. Besides, he liked Miss Tsune. Or put up with her. It was hard to tell which, but there was no way they were letting anything related to Atlas get close to him right now. They'd already sent General Ironwood packing when he came to try and `explain the situation` to them.

The situation was simple. Atlas messed up. He could argue it was a third party all he liked, but if that excuse was acceptable for the most powerful kingdom on Remnant then they were all in a lot of trouble.

"I bet he'd be happy to know Atlas is in such trouble." Weiss said. "If nothing else, that would get a laugh out of him."

"Maybe Ironwood will be fired once this is all over," Yang replied. "He'd deserve it."

"A firing is unlikely. A demotion? Possibly. It depends."

Yang glowered back. "On what? He hurt a student."

"Atlas is proud of its independence and takes every chance it can get to flaunt it. They may well protect General Ironwood on principle alone, as if to remind the world that Atlas does not give in to outside pressure."

"That's dumb." Yang spat. "Every Kingdom is independent!"

"Yes, but Atlas believes their independence somehow more independent than anyone else," Weiss said. "Don't ask me why. It's something to do with the colour revolution. The fact Atlas had to fight for independence means it's somehow worth more than everyone else's."

"To hell with Atlas! Screw that place!"

"They're not all that bad. A lot of us are normal people."

"You? Normal?"

Weiss ignored the loud scoff. "It's just that certain institutions attract certain kinds of people. The army is where a lot of the more nationalist of citizens end up, and they're quite proud of the fact. Serving is a chance to defend their freedom against the lesser freedom of everyone else."

Ruby couldn't help but note the scorn. "I take it you don't agree."

"I used to." Weiss said with a little shrug. "I admired Winter and automatically respected anything she wanted to be or join. It was on an open evening to Atlas Academy that my mind changed."

"You went there?"

"Of course. Didn't you visit any of the other academies or consider them?"

It was Ruby's turn to shrug. Mom and dad had gone to Beacon, and she and Yang had grown up on stories of it, so there hadn't really been any doubt in their minds which academy they'd be going to. That it was closest to Patch only helped. That Weiss would pick and choose did make sense though, especially since she'd obviously chosen to avoid Atlas.

"What turned you off?" Yang asked.

"It was too… similar to home." Weiss' lips puckered and she looked away. "White uniforms, white walls, near-military discipline and order. They have an assembly every morning where they chant the anthem. They stand at attention for teachers. The students there were competent, I admit, but they acted more like soldiers, like drones. I wanted to escape an overly controlling family, not exchange one for another."

"Yikes." Yang winced sympathetically. "Kinda weird, isn't it? You'd think a kingdom that went through a revolution to overthrow a monotonous and controlling Government wouldn't install another one of the same. And I mean, they literally called it the colour revolution. Why then go back to wearing all white and grey? I know those are colours, but they're not exactly expressive. No offence."

"None taken. And I agree. When I came to visit Beacon, it was just… more colourful. Equally as good a reputation, if not better, actual grass and nature instead of sterilised walls and rooms. I wouldn't say I fell in love instantly, but the choice was simple."

It sounded like it. Ruby never put much thought into politics or other kingdoms. Weapons were cool, fighting was cool, becoming a huntress was cool. That was all that mattered. It was all that had mattered too, before the Vytal Festival came around and all the other Kingdoms started mingling. She hadn't made any friends among them, but she always struggled with that, so she didn't see it as a problem.

Now that I think about it though, a lot of the teams stick to their own schools. This whole thing feels a lot less like international cooperation and more like showing off. Each school is trying to prove its better than the other, and each kingdom is acting like it's proof they're the best.

Ruby wasn't normally one for such cynical thoughts, but they fit.

"The finals will be on in a couple of hours." Yang said. "You two should head off."

They should. Ruby hesitated. "Will you be okay? What if that girl comes back?"

Yang scowled. "Ozpin is staying in Beacon today and Tsune is around. Besides, I'm on guard this time. She caught me coming out the changing room when I wasn't ready." Yang cocked her fist back, Ember Celica transforming over her knuckles. "This time, I'll kick her ass."

/-/

Yang would admit to being a little relieved when Ruby and Weiss finally left. She let the bravado fall, Ember Celica turning back into bracelets as she slumped over Adam's bed and took in a deep breath. She was personally more relieved for Ozpin's promise to stay close than she liked to admit, and more afraid of that girl than anyone knew.

That fight hadn't been close. Not even nearly. The funky-haired bitch hadn't taken so much as a single hit, flipping and twisting out the way like Qrow when he wanted to pop a hole in a student's ego. It had felt like a professional versus an amateur. It hadn't been close.

"Guess we both got messed up, huh?" she asked Adam. His face was uncovered, his scars visible and bold against his skin. They were grisly and ugly, but she'd kind of gotten used to them. Though she didn't like to admit it, she'd have probably been disgusted if she'd seen them straight away and before being attracted to Adam as a person. That felt so wrong, like she was the shallowest person alive. It was normal, though. People judged on looks. There was no avoiding that.

There were fresh scars now. Burn marks across his neck in the shape of a ring, a collar. Tsune was hopeful they would heal most of the way, but she'd warned them there might always be a discolouration there. Just another burn scar that would remind Adam he'd been born into captivity.

Fucking Atlas, she swore, this time more aimed toward the SDC than Ironwood. Or maybe it was all Atlas' fault. After all, they were the ones who did nothing when there were so many rumours of faunus abuse.

"And why does this feel like it's my fault?" she asked him. "It's not, okay? I didn't mean to get you in that fight. I was outclassed." Yang bit the inside of her cheek. Adam wouldn't blame her and she knew she shouldn't blame herself either. Knowing and feeling were two different things. "If I'd been stronger… if I'd been better…"

Then what? Whoever did this would have sent more people to take care of her and force Adam to fight. Or they might have activated his collar in the stands instead of the ring. It'd be less exposure, but people would still have noticed. It wasn't her fault, and that annoyed her because it meant there was nothing she could have done better to protect him.

It meant she was useless.

"Damn it!" Yang swore, raising a fist but thinking twice about slamming it down on Adam's bed. She brought it down and touched his arm. "Why does everything have to be so shitty for you? Growing up, the racism, the White Fang and now this? Can't you catch a break?"

"He seeks it out…"

Yang turned back. The door was open and the person inside it…

"No." Yang snapped. "No way. You can fuck right off. Out!" she stabbed a hand toward the intruder. "Out right now or I swear I will bend you over backwards and shove your head up your own ass."

Blake Belladonna, Adam's ex, frowned. "Can't I check up on him?"

Hell no! Yang knew she wasn't the best person in the world, nor the best girlfriend. Adam was her first proper boyfriend, so what did anyone expect? Even so, she couldn't quite stamp down on the possessive anger bubbling under the surface. There were a lot of reasons to dislike Blake, a lot of good reasons, which was why it annoyed her so much that instead of getting angry for any of those many reasons, she was instead possessively jealous.

Not that she'd admit it.

"I think you've done enough, bitch. Adam is fine."

"He doesn't look fine."

"Of course he doesn't!" Yang snapped. "Atlas channelled lightning dust into his fucking throat! It's a miracle he isn't breathing through a tube!"

Blake winced. "I'm not here to start a fight. Adam and I…"

"There is no Adam and you." Yang said quickly.

"Adam and I were friends before," Blake continued, holding her hands up and palms out when Yang growled. "Before we were anything more than friends. I didn't like seeing him in pain any more than you did. I was… worried. Is it so hard to believe I'd want to make sure he is okay?"

"After how much you tried warning me off him and sticking your nose in my business? Yes."

"I did that with the best of intentions…"

"The road to hell is paved with those!" Yang spat.

"I know. Believe me, after joining the White Fang and doing what we did in pursuit of it, I know more than most just where those lead." Blake looked away, clutching her own elbow with her other hand. "I'm not perfect," she admitted. "I've made mistakes."

"No shit!"

"-and I realise I've been harsh on Adam."

"NO SHIT!" Yang said, louder.

"I won't expect you to understand. You haven't seen Adam like I did. Maybe what he is now, if he truly is better, is because my leaving taught him to be-" Blake cut off as Yang shot to her feet, eyes burning red. "D-Did I say something wrong?"

Damn straight she did.

"Are you really trying to take the credit for Adam being a better person now?" Yang hissed. "Let me get this straight. You called him abusive before, a monster, but now that he's a good person you're going to say it was you leaving him that helped make him that way. Well, aren't we all fortunate to have someone as great as Blake Belladonna in our lives? Praise be!"

The girl in question winced. "That's not what I meant to say."

"It's what you said."

"I only meant that it may have opened his eyes. When I left, Adam must have looked at what the White Fang did and considered my words, then he left as well. At least I assume-"

"Don't assume shit about him. We've both seen how bad that's gone for you." Intellectually, Yang knew Blake hadn't come to say such things, but she'd be damned if she was feeling charitable right now. "Enough bullshit. Tell me why you're here and I'll consider not lamping you."

Blake held her hands up again in surrender. "I really did want to check up on him."

"Then you've done that. Get lost."

"Please…" Blake's voice wavered. It was so pitiful that Yang's anger did the same. "Please," she said again, "You have good reason to hate me, but I just want to see that he's alright. Can't you give me a chance?"

Like you gave Adam a chance? Yang wanted to say. She didn't though, because that would make her no better than Blake. Hands clenching and unclenching, Yang forced herself to take a big step to the left. Not enough to leave Adam unprotected, but enough to let Blake take her spot. I'm watching you. One wrong move and I'll kick your ass.

Blake smiled weakly and approached the bed. There was no malice in her movement, and she placed her hands gently on the metal railings on the edge of the gurney, gripping them tight and looking down at her once partner. Once boyfriend. Once lover.

Yang forced the insecurity down.

"Another burn," Blake whispered quietly. Her hand came up, reaching for his neck. She hesitated and looked to Yang for permission. Yang shrugged and Blake reached a finger out to gently trace the bubbled flesh around Adam's neck.

Tears formed in the girl's yellow eyes. It made Yang even more uncomfortable than she already was.

"People used to ask us why we could never take Atlas at their word. They used to say that we wanted to fight, that we refused to accept the compromises Atlas promised. This is why!" she said harshly. "Because even when they don't mean to, even when they think they are trying, they go and do something like this in the name of security. Of safety." Her fingertip trailed over Adam's throat. "It's a collar. They've burned a collar into his skin."

Yang shifted uncomfortably. "Didn't you say it was his own fault?"

Blake's head snapped around. "What? I never!"

"When you came in. You said this happens because he looks for it."

"I didn't mean like that." Blake sighed and looked back down at him. "I meant that Adam can't leave things alone. He always has to act. It was what drew me to him at first." A nostalgic smile. "He's a man of action. Not always the best actions, I know that now, but action all the same. Where other people will see something bad happen and shake their heads, he'd always throw himself in to stop it. Often, he'd get hurt as a result. Just like this."

That sounded about right. Adam couldn't handle seeing people being racist in Beacon either. Yang couldn't either, but her first instincts were to challenge the people and try to get them to shut up. Adam's was to force them into a fight, expose them and humiliate them in front of the entire student body, then almost get them expelled.

"I think that's what led him down a darker path," Blake whispered. It was Yang's turn to be confused. "Adam always acted, always tried to stop things he saw as wrong, but when talking things out didn't work, he tried a new approach. When that didn't work, he tried something else." Blake sighed. "He couldn't leave it alone. He couldn't accept that there were things he couldn't fix. He had to change the world. He was going to, to protect all faunus and people who couldn't protect themselves."

It was admirable, beautiful, and yet…

"But the world didn't want to change." Blake continued. "It didn't want to be changed, so Adam started to realise he would have to force change upon them. That he knew best and he knew how things should be, that no one else was right."

Yang grimaced. Adam wasn't wrong to want to help people – he was like her sister in that, just more burned out. Cynical. Ruby still believed she could change the world for the better. That was naïve, everyone knew that. Ruby would either come to understand that and temper her expectations to helping those she could help, or… she would end up like Adam. She would rail against the cruel world and try to force her ideals on it.

It was unlikely that would ever happen. Ruby wasn't obsessive enough to go that far and would never be able to harden her heart to do things that might have to be done to reach that goal. Adam on the other hand quite clearly was. Or had been.

"It's like a totalitarian regime…" Yang said.

"Yes." Blake smiled sadly. "I don't think he ever realised it. He certainly didn't mean it that way. But if you want to force the world to change then you're taking people's free will away from them. It's cruel, Atlas can be cruel, but they're still a democracy. They vote people in, which means that whether we like it or not they've tacitly supported the way faunus are treated. What's the solution to that? Kill everyone who voted? Kill everyone in Atlas? There were some in the White Fang who were starting to think that way."

"Adam?" Yang asked, dreading the answer.

"I don't know. It never quite got that far but… it felt like it could have. At the end, when I left, he dismissed the lives of people on a train we were hijacking. I just… couldn't. Not anymore. I…" Her eyes closed. "I think I was more afraid of Adam becoming like them then I was of Adam himself."

It was a worrying thought. Worrying, concerning, but that was all. It only went to show how little Blake trusted him, how little she'd been willing to have faith in the man she claimed to have loved. Maybe that wasn't entirely her fault, Yang couldn't claim to know all their history, but she wasn't going to let it taint her relationship.

Whatever Adam had been didn't matter. It was what he was now that did, and right now he was a friend, a teammate and a role model to her little sister. Right now, he was hers, and she wasn't going to let his ex sink her claws back in.

"You've seen he's okay." Yang said. "Is that enough? Can you go now?"

Blake looked back and even smiled, much to Yang's annoyance. "You're that possessive? I've no interest in getting back with him, you know. Even if I accept he has changed for the better, what Adam and I had is long gone. The spark isn't there anymore."

Yeah, well, Yang wasn't willing to test that hypothesis.

"Alright. Alright." Blake stepped back, laughing under her breath. "I only wanted to make sure he was okay. I'm kind of relieved he has someone like you actually. Maybe if I hadn't been so passive with him, he wouldn't have slipped. You're much more likely to keep him on the straight and narrow."

"Are you done?"

"Yes. I'm done. Thank you for letting me in. You don't have to tell Adam I came by."

Wasn't planning on. Not one bit. This might have been Blake's way of apologising, but Yang didn't think it necessary or a good idea. Adam had moved on. It was better for everyone if they both didn't open up that old can of worms. Yang watched the other girl leave and close the door behind her, then slumped down onto the chair with a loud sigh.

It was broken by a sudden gasp. Not from her, not from Adam, but from the room adjacent, where the doctor, Tsune, was stationed. Yang looked over but didn't move. Not until she heard a chair scrape back and fall to the ground, followed quickly by a mug shattering.

"Doc?" Yang called. "Is everything okay?"

She got no answer. Worried, Yang leapt up from her seat and raced over to the other room. It wasn't far and the door wasn't locked. Pushing in, Yang saw the woman stood before a television set, her hand over her mouth. On it was what everyone in all the Kingdoms was watching, the Vytal Festival. Or more specifically, Pyrrha Nikos staring at her opponent with wide green eyes. An opponent who lay on the floor in numerous pieces.

Ripped apart.

Beacon's alarm systems began to blare mere seconds later. Not the fire alarm, but one that Yang had only ever heard of in drills. The school was under attack.

A tad shorter than usual but this is the best place to end this chapter since the next will be action. I could have tacked on another 1,000 words or so easily, but it would read strange being the intro to the battle of Beacon and then cutting off suddenly.

Next Chapter: 3rd August

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