Chapter 1

A/N: The premise of the story is that Yang and Blake were an item and much closer before the Fall of Beacon. Due to circumstances, she decides to go find Blake, forcing Taiyang to go hunt out Ruby. Also, what could it look like if the group don't actually lie to Ironwood.

Phantom Pain

Fire engulfs the school and screams fill the air. I'm stuck in place paralyzed with fear and confusion. I look down at my hands and stretch my fingers, surprised to see all ten. I hear footsteps and raise my eyes to see him, Adam Taurus. Terror. I can feel my heart pounding, trying to escape my chest. I can't breathe. I can't move. Each step he takes closer heightens my panic. I've gotta do something, I have to fight. Ember Cecilia is on my hands. I fire several shots from my guantlets. I have to stop him. But the bullets just pass through his form, ineffective. Suddenly he's in my face. He smirks.

I jerk awake with a scream. I'm covered in a cold sweat, my stomach hurts. I blindly reach for the trash can at my bedside. I feel the bile rising in my throat and vomit into the bin. The terror is still there. I can still hear the sound of the blade as it cut through the air... through my arm. I vomit again, the acid bile burning my throat.

I'm shaking, I'm scared. It keeps playing through my head. I hear the scream and turn. I see Blake on the ground, a blade in her abdomen. Adam stands over her and pulls his blade from the wound. Rage is all I feel, I scream. I've got to save her and then... pain.

Suddenly, I'm back in my bed. The light is on and Dad is here. He's talking.

"Yang, its okay. Everything is alright. I'm right here. You're safe."

I lean into him, sobbing uncontrollably. He moves the trash can and wraps me into a tight hug. I can't stop thinking about it. Thinking about that horrible day, the worst day of my life. Pyrrha is dead. Penny is dead. Ozpin is gone. Beacon is gone. Ruby left to search for answers and a path forward. Weiss was taken by her father to Atlas. Blake ran away... She left me.

"I know Little Dragon..." Dad says quietly.

I realize the thoughts had become words spoken between sobs. I feel so helpless, angry, desperate... defeated. Everything that's gone wrong and the worst of it all is Blake. She left me... abandoned me... everything we'd gone through and she just left. I just cry harder. Dad stays with me for what feels like hours.

Eventually I cry myself out of tears. I'm just exhausted.

"Dad... I miss everyone..."

"I know Yang... I wish I could make it all better. You're going to be alright, though. You're my little Dragon." Dad eases out of the embrace. "I'll be right back."

Dad returns with an offering of a warm rag, and a cup of water. I take the rag and wipe my face down. I take the cup and sip at the cool water. It's soothing on my sore throat. I feel lethargic and weak.

"Thanks Dad. I'm sorry I cried all over you. I think I'm doing well enough to get some more sleep." I give him a halfhearted smile. He eyes me closely for a second and then nods. With a reassuring smile and a goodnight, he turns off the light and leaves the room. After the door clicks shut behind him, I set the freshly emptied cup on my nightstand. I lay down and draw my covers tight around my shivering form. I close my eyes and slowly drift off into sleep.

"It's like a big slumber party!" I cheer flopping down next to Ruby.

She continues scribbling on her paper. "I don't think Dad would approve of all the boys, though."

"It isn't the boys he should be worried about," I purr out glancing around the room. I spot Vomit Boy and he spots me. He winks and flexes. Ew. I look back at Ruby. "Whatcha got there?"

"A letter back to the gang at Signal. I promised to tell them all about Beacon and how things are going."

Easy prey. "Awe, that's so cuuuuuttteee." A pillow slams into my face.

"Shut up!" Mission status: Succesful. "I didn't get to take my friends with me to school. It's weird not knowing anybody here."

"What about Jaune? He's..." Hopeless. "Nice! There you go. Plus one friend, that's a hundred percent increase!"

Ruby flops onto her back after tucking the letter away. "I'm pretty sure Weiss counts as a 'negative friend'. Back to zero."

"There's no such thing as negative friends, Rubes. You just made one friend and one enemy!" Another pillow to the face, point taken. "Look, it's only been one day. Trust me, you've got friends all around you. You just haven't met them yet."

A short burst of flame near the wall catches my attention. I glance over. Yellow eyes, black hair, and bookish, I must be dreaming.

"That girl..." Ruby mutters.

I spot her eyes flick towards us for the briefest of seconds. I thought the timing on that candle light was weird. "You know her?"

"Not really. She saw what happened this morning, but left before I could say anything."

Another glance towards us. Alright, I see you.

"Welp," I stand up and grab Ruby's arm. "Now's your chance."

"Hey, wait! What are you doing?" I drag her up and towards the cute mystery girl.

"Hello!" I sing out, waving towards the girl. She lowers her book eyeing us with mild interest. I let Ruby out of my grasp. "I believe you two may know each other?"

The girl looks at Ruby, "Aren't you that girl that exploded?"

"Uhh, yeah! My name's Ruby." She holds out her hand, the girl looks back down at her book, instead. Ooh playing hard to get. "But, you can just call me crater- actually, you can just call me Ruby." Smooth sis.

A moments pause as she continues reading. "Okay." The girl barely contains her laughter.

"What are you doing!" I whisper at Ruby. Don't blow this for us.

"I don't know, help me!" Ruby whispers back.

"So... what's your name?" I ask with a cheery voice.

She huffs and looks up at me. "Blake."

"Well, Blake, I'm Yang! Ruby's older sister. I like your bow!"

"Thanks," Her voice is a hiss of annoyance.

I lean down and she continues ignoring me."It's almost as pretty as your eyes." The cheery voice is gone. A light blush hits her cheeks. Ball's in your court.

"Oh uh... Thanks..." She meets my gaze, the pink darkening. Ruby laughs uncomfortably.

"It's a nice night, don't you think?" I wonder with a tilt of my head.

"Yes. It's lovely. Almost as lovely as this book..." I lean back up. "That I will continue to read..." I hold her gaze steadily. "as soon as you leave."

Fair enough. "Alrighty. Come on Rubes."

"What's it about?" Ruby asks.

"Huh?" Blake looks at Ruby with surprise.

"Your book. Does it have a name?"

"Well... I-It's about a man with two souls, each fighting for control over his body."

"I love books. Yang used to read to me every night before bed. Stories of heroes and monsters... They're one of the reasons I want to be a Huntress!"

Blake laughs lightly as she speaks, "Why is that? Hoping you'll live happily ever after?"

"Well, I'm hoping we all will. As a girl, I wanted to be just like those heroes in the books... Someone who fought for what was right, and protected people who couldn't protect themselves!"

"That's... very ambitious for a child." Her smile fades and a distant look takes over her eyes. "Unfortunately, the real world isn't the same as a fairy tale."

"Well, that's why we're here. To make it better."

I pick Ruby up in a hug, "Oh I am so proud of my baby sister!" Seriously sis, best wingman, ever.

She struggles in my grip. "Grr. Cut it out!" She manages to escape and attack me. I fight back, but she catches my leg. I flail my arms struggling to keep my balance.

Laughter fills Blake's voice. "Well, Ruby, Yang... It's been a pleasure to-"

"What in the world is going on over here!?" The Schnee girl has stalked up to us. "Don't you realize some of us are trying to sleep."

"Oh, not you again!" Weiss and I both blurt out. Seriously, what's her problem anyway? A little explosion never hurt anyone.

"Shh! She's right people are trying to sleep." Ruby says with a calming hand.

Weiss continues on griping with Ruby. I glance over and Blake is preparing to blow out her candle. She meets my eyes. I offer a small smile and wave. She blows out the candle, enveloping us in darkness.

I come awake reluctantly. The morning sunlight shines through my open window adding an extra blanket of warmth. My stomach is sore and empty. I need to eat, but the idea of getting out of bed isn't enticing. I lift my scroll from the nightstand and check the time. It's eleven and still no global signal. The CCT tower must still be down. I let out a heavy sigh, what a drag.

I spend the next thirty minutes finding the drive to go shower and start the day. With a great effort, I finally drag myself out of the bed. I spot a note on my dresser. Seems that Dad went out to run some errands and left me breakfast downstairs. I decide that I need to clean myself up first, after last night I am feeling gross.

I head to the bathroom to shower, and catch sight of my reflection. I look like a disaster. My eyes are dark and my hair a disaster. More importantly... I see the stump of my arm, the implant, the bandages. It's so strange still. I could swear that I can still feel it, my arm. I feel my fingers flex when I try, yet there's nothing. Just pain in a limb that isn't there. I barely resist the urge to slam my fist into the glass.

After a long, hot shower, I get dressed and find my way downstairs. I look into the kitchen. A breakfast plate is sitting on the counter. I stare at it and try to find the will to eat. After a few minutes of this, I decide to just plop down on the couch instead. I lean back and stare up at the ceiling. It's a struggle to avoid dark thoughts.

Looking over at the end table to my right, I spot a pile of books. Blake... I turn away and grab the television remote to my left. Turning on the TV shows a report on the reclamation effort of Beacon. Its bleak at best and the video shows an exhausted Ms. Goodwitch. I change the channel, finding a report on the status of the CCT tower. It's still under repair like I thought. I flick to the next channel.

"Multiple rumors continue to circulate as to who was behind the attacks at the Vital Festival Tournament," I feel the blood in my veins turn to ice as the reporter speaks, "While no one knows for sure, officials confirmed the high ranking White Fang member, Adam Taurus, was present for the attack. Any and all attempts to bring him into custody have been met with brutal force-"

I shut off the monitor and fight down the rising fear. With a few short breaths I manage to keep my cool and relax a bit. Suddenly the front door clicks open.

"I'm home!" Dad shouts walking in as the door creaks open. I lean backwards catching sight of an impressive amount of boxes and shopping bags in his arms. He's got a big grin on his face.

"Hey Dad."

"Guess what came in today."

"What?"

"I can't wait for you to try this."

He empties his baggage onto the kitchen table and brings a long white box over. He sets it carefully on the coffee table in front of me. I eye it for a second.

"It's... for me?"

"For you and you only."

I lean forward and lift open the box. I'm stunned by the contents. It's an expensive looking prosthetic.

"Brand new state of the art Atlas tech." Dad explains, "You know, I thought I was gonna have to pull on some strings, call in a few favors. But you earned this one all on your own."

"Huh?" I look at Dad, the confusion in my voice mirroring my feelings.

"Before I could even talk to him, General Ironwood already had one of his top scientists working on this... for you! He wanted me to tell you that you fought admirably. You should be proud of yourself."

I lean back into the couch. Proud of myself huh? I fought alright. I fought and I failed. My lost arm was my only reward.

"Well," Dad starts, "are you gonna try it on?"

I don't think I can do this. I need to lie down. "I uh... I don't feel too great right now... Maybe later?"

Dad scratches the back of his neck and lets out a sigh. The worry and disappointment, plainly written on his face.

"Well... alright." The resignation in his voice stings.

I stand up and start making my way upstairs. I can feel his eyes on me. Guilt starts to worm its way into my chest. I pause midway up the stairs.

"Thanks Dad."

I walk to my bedroom and close the door behind me. I sit on the edge of my bed. I reach up with my left hand and touch the metal implant the Atlas doctors left me with. I can still feel the heat of the flames and hear Blake scream. I remember seeing her during the extract. She wouldn't look at me... couldn't look at me. I failed her... I failed everyone. I remember watching her run, watching her leave. She abandoned me, and I failed her.

After a couple of hours lying in bed, I decide to go do something for once, practice at chores. I get up and head downstairs. Dad isn't anywhere to be seen, so I assume he's in his room or outside. I spot the box with the arm on the coffee table where I left it. Uncomfortable, I step outside for the first time in days. I look around, taking in the sight of the spring leaves and sounds of the birds. It's peaceful, calming even. I'm finding it easier to not think too much out here.

I try to sweep up the porch. It's a real struggle with one hand. Eventually I find myself content with a decent job and wipe the sweat from my brow. This isn't so bad. Who needs two arms anyway? I find myself chuckling at the dark joke. It feels pretty good to be doing something. I decide to go and check the mail. Dad likely forgot, he always does. I stride down the front lawn path and open up the mailbox. I find a small stack of mail, and stuff it under my right arm stub. I walk back towards the house while digging through the stack. Nothing important it seems.

I head back inside and toss the letters on the counter. A small lunch is on the counter. My stomach rumbles at the sight. Yeah okay, I can eat now.

I scarf down the food. It's refreshing. I decide to clean up the dishes myself. I manage to get them all clean and rinsed. I set the dishes out to dry and grab a cup for a drink. Suddenly there's a sharp pain in my missing arm, its like hundreds of needles just attacked the missing limb. The glass slips from my hands and shatters.

I feel the sword cut through my arm, I see his mask.

I'm back in my kitchen, leaned against the counter. My heart is pounding, terror fills my chest. I can see the shattered glass on the floor. I take a moment to breathe and calm down. Terror gives way to anger and frustration. I slam my fist on the counter. As I stare at the glass, anger gives way to apathy. I don't feel so energetic anymore. I find the strength to sweep up the mess and head upstairs to my bed. I am so done with today.