Chapter 3

Ignite

3 months after the Fall of Beacon

My arms are up in a defensive stance, ready for the incoming blows. I knock away two quick hits and kick out in retaliation. He ducks it and strikes at me as my foot hits the ground. I manage to block the forceful blow, but slide back a few feet. There's a moments pause as we each reassess the battle. I can still taste the coppery blood from an earlier blow. He kicks out at my calves. I jump over it, and drive my foot towards his chest. He catches the kick on his forearms and I land some distance away.

There's another pause. Sweat drips from my brow onto my cheek. Dad jumps back into action, spinning through the air and bring his right leg in for a kick I barely catch his foot between my forearms and throw him back. As he somersaults through the air, I'm already charging in for a wild right handed haymaker. He tries to block but the swing connects with his upper left arm. He's launched back a few feet from the blow. It was a good connection. The round goes to me.

"Whoo... That thing packs a punch!" Dad exclaims, placing a hand over his now sore shoulder.

"We've been at this for weeks. I get it, you wanna make sure I can still fight." I slam my fists together, adding a smug grin for good measure, "I think I'm doing just fine."

"You're close," Dad says, casually strolling around behind me. I watch him walk and place a hand on my hip.

"Oh really?"

"You're still off balance."

"What?! No I'm not!"

Dad chuckles strolling away.

"Honestly, I'm kind of surprised." I lift up my new arm, eyeing it with a relatively newfound respect. "I thought it would just be this huge weight, but... it feels... natural. They did a great job with this thing."

The moment I finish the last word, the sound of running steps registers. Suddenly a fist is passing so close I swear I can feel the arm hair on my nose. I dodge backwards and take the hit of his incoming elbow on my palm. I retaliate with an elbow strike of my own. Dad blocks it with his gauntlet and I go for a few speedy kicks. He blocks them like a champ. I switch from foot to fist and swing quickly. He catches my arm and holds me in a lock.

"I wasn't talking about your actual balance," Suddenly I feel my right foot pulled out from under me and I fall backwards onto the ground. I lay still, trying to recover from the surprise attack.

"Although, That could use some work too."

I just let out a heavy sigh, "Meaning?"

"I saw your tournament fights. During the Vytal festival."

"Let me guess. I was sloppy." I fire in a mock voice.

There's a slight chuckle, "No, no, you were predictable. And... stubborn and.. maybe a little boneheaded."

Alright then. I sit up and look towards Dad. He's got a towel and is wiping up his sweat.

"Do you realize that you used your Semblance to win in every fight after the qualifiers?"

I spin away from him, looking out into the forest, "So what? How is me using my Semblance any different than someone else using theirs?"

"Because not everyone elses is basically a temper tantrum."

I'm not dignifying that with a response.

"I'm serious! Once you take damage, you can dish it back twice as hard, but that doesn't make you invincible! It's great if your in a bind, but what happens if you miss? What happens if they're stronger? What then? Now you're just weak and tired."

I can't help but think back to that night. It's exactly what happened. I saw Blake... and I just lost it. I activated Burn and just charged in. That's why I lost my arm. That's what happens when they're stronger.

"You've always been one to burn brighter than everyone else, whether it was with your smile or... well, I remember your first hair cut," I sense his movement and shove away his arm. No one touches my hair. I can hear his steps as he stands and wanders the training field.

"But you gotta keep your emotions in check. Keep a level head, and think before you act. Your Semblance is a great fallback, but you can't let yourself rely on it. It won't always save you. Obviously."

Dad isn't stupid. He knows just as well as I do, better even.

"You definitely have you mom's stubbornness."

"Oh, so now we can talk about her?"

"Well, as I have been informed, you're an adult now, remember?"

"Well, sorry I remind you of her."

"Don't be."

Dad is standing next to a large tree. His back is facing me. I can't see his face. I can't read his emotions.

"Raven was great in so many ways- her strength, her ambition, her dedication to whatever cause she thought worth fighting for. I'm proud of how much I see of her in you... but, I'm glad I don't see all of her in you."

"Why?"

"Your mother was... a complicated woman. Like everybody, she had her faults, but those faults are what tore our team apart. And, it did a real number on our family. You both act like the easiest way to tackle an obstacle is through it. That strength is all that matters in a fight. But, if you just take a second look, then maybe you see," He steps around Zwei, our little dog. "There's a way around as well."

Think through it huh? Take some time to find another way, a better way? Using my head during a fight like that...

"C'mon," Dad offers me a hand, "One more before dinner."

I take it and climb to my feet. We both take battle stances and start circling, watching and waiting for an opening. Alright lets try this... Dad and I both get really into fights. He taught me and we've been practicing for weeks now. I know how he works. If I can get him to go on the offensive first, maybe I can lead him into a mistake.

I watch his movements carefully. Impatience takes over and Dad rushes at me. If I take to many blows, I'm gonna be done for. I'm tired and sore. I gotta avoid getting hit. He goes for a heavy right swing. I take the hit on my prosthetic. I knock away his arm as he swigs again, I barely duck under his high kick. He jumps up and spins into a heavy kick. I cartwheel behind him. He hits the ground and quickly spins to face me. He's a little off balance when he closes the distance with a quick swing. I let him connect another blow to my right arm. He goes for another high kick. I duck under and dodge behind him creating distance. He spins around again and we both rush in to for a right elbow to the face. Both of us catch the others elbow leaving us locked in a stalemate.

"Heh. See? Alright!" I feel my lips turn up in a smile as he talks, "Now you're using your head instead of your-"

He cuts off with a yelp as the I pull his foot out from under him sending him tumbling backwards. Before he hits the ground, I reach out and catch his hand. He looks at me with a proud smile. I smile back. I really needed this. I pull him back to his feet. There's a moment of quiet while we look at each other. The peace is quickly interrupted by my growling stomach however.

"I think I'm ready to eat. I'm going to shower while you get everything together Dad."

"Alright, don't take too long though. I would like some hot water for my own shower."

"I'll think about it."

I finish the story of how my mom left me, and the journey I went on as a girl. The journey that both Ruby and I almost died on. Only saved by our uncle Qrow.

"My stubbornness should've gotten us killed that night." I clench my fists.

"Yang... I'm sorry that happened to you, and I understand what you're trying to tell me, but this is different. I'm not a child, and this isn't just a search for answers! I can't just-"

"I told you: I'm not telling you to stop! I haven't!" I shout, but lower my voice as I continue. "To this day, i still want to know what happened to my mother and why she left me, but i will never let that search control me. We're going to find the answers we're looking for, Blake. But if we destroy ourselves in the process, what good are we?

"You don't understand! I'm the only one who can do this!" Blake shouts at my back. I can feel the anger rising. Why won't she just listen. The chalk in my hand snaps.

"No, you don't understand!" I spin to face her, I can feel the power of my Semblance coursing in my aura. "If Roman Torchwick walked through that door, what would you do?!"

Blake doesn't back down. She gets in my face. I can see the dark bags under her golden eyes so clearly.

"I'd fight him!"

I push her into the table we're standing in front of. It takes minimal effort to send her stumbling backwards. She can barely stand.

"You'd lose!"

Blake straightens back up and tries to push me back. Her arm almost misses my shoulder, and I barely feel the pressure of her palm.

"I can stop him!"

She's desperate and frustrated, it's written on her face. I have to stop her

"You cant even stop ME!" I push her back into the table. She falls into it. I wait for her reaction.

Blake stands back up like she's ready to try for another swing. I can see in her face that she understands though. I can see the defeat in her eyes. I cover the distance between us, feeling my anger and semblance subside.

Reaching out I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. I can feel her go stiff.

My words come out in a whisper, "I'm not asking you to stop Blake. Just please... get some rest. Not just for you, but..." For me. "For the people you care about."

She pulls back to look in my eyes. I meet her gaze with a small smile. A light blush spreads across her face. My stomach does a somersault, as I realize how close we are. I can feel a warm blush creeping up the back of my neck. I know I need to leave, but all I want to do is be closer.

"Yang..." Her soft voice melts me inside. I become aware of a soft, warm hand on my cheek. The heat climbs from my neck into my face. Her eyes drift from my lips to my eyes.

I summon my strength and pull away from my partner. "Sorry, heh, didn't realize I was so close." I think it's time to make my expeditious retreat. I head for the classroom door, but I can feel her eyes on the back of my head. Halfway up the stairs lined with the classes desks I pause.

I look over my shoulder, meeting her wide eyed gaze with the most level face I can manage. "But uh... if you feel like coming out tomorrow. I'll..." I hesitate, my heart is pounding, "save you a dance."

I'm slow to wake up. For the first time in months, I don't want to. The memories of better days are like a port in a storm. When I'm awake, the loneliness and fear threaten to overrun me.

Blake... I miss you so much, I really need you right now.

With some effort, I sit up, using the wall behind me as support. My body is still a little sore from all the training I've been doing with Dad. I check the time on my scroll. It's half past eleven, but the house is silent. Dad must be out.

It takes some time to summon up the strength to get out of bed. I head to the bathroom to get ready for the day, but my reflection catches my eye. I pause and lean on the sink.

My eyes don't have dark circles any more. The gaunt edge that had started to take over my face is gone. My hair isn't as dull as it had been for the past few months. My muscle are more defined than they have been. I look like I'm actually living. The thought puts a small smile on my face. Its the sight of that smile, that hits me the hardest though.

Happiness has been hard to come by recently. It's just been one misery after another, day after day... after day. I've felt stuck... waiting for... something to change. Avoiding life and hoping that it'll all fix itself. Yet... I haven't been stuck.

My hand tightens into a fist. I've been fighting. I've been struggling against a darkness that is trying to take over my life. Everything I had was torn from me in a single night. Ruby left. Weiss was taken. Blake... ran away. Pyrrha and Penny are dead. I lost my arm. The weight of all of this... it's like being crushed by the dark depths of the ocean.

Yet, I have fought it, and I'm still fighting it. At first... it was a battle to get out of bed. Then it became a fight to take care of my body again. After that, it was a fight to accept that the rest of my life will be spent missing an arm. Now... I've fought to find strength to keep fighting. There are people out there who need me. People who are counting on me. I have to fight for them too.

When Blake found something she felt worth fighting for... She never stopped. She would face the problem with everything she had. Sure, she didn't always know when it was time to breathe. She would run herself into the ground.

Ruby always had a reason too. She was always driven to help others, no matter what. Her safety was always secondary to saving someone else. My little sis would do anything if she felt it was right.

Weiss struggled to prove herself, always trying to be better. She worked constantly and tirelessly to become better, smarter, stronger, more capable. She would neglect herself so much else for that goal, to be more than everyone expected of her.

I have to be there for them. I can see the familiar flame of determination in my eyes and I can feel it in my blood. It's time for me to go out and do my job.