RAWR, everybody! Ready for more character development and angst? Of course, you are! That's why you're still here.

Also, it has been brought to my attention that I have yet to recommend the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik. That was a gross oversight on my part, as this book series is freaking amazing. Basically, it's a fantasy/alternate historical story taking place during the Napoleonic Wars, where there's a division of the military consisting of aviators who ride talking, sentient dragons. The different dragon breeds are well thought out, and the series brings up several questions concerning the power imbalance between humans and dragons in a dragon/rider relationship, especially in a human-dominated society. You'll probably notice several themes from Temeraire showing up in this fic.

Enjoy!

"No, Ruby," Weiss said flatly as Team RWBY made its way to the cafeteria for breakfast.

"But why?" Ruby whined. "It's the first day of the second semester. We should make it memorable."

"Starting a food fight is not the way to make something memorable," Weiss huffed.

"I dunno," Yang piped up. "I'd definitely remember it!"

"Ugh… Blake, please back me up."

Blake had a book in her hands and was paying half of her attention to it, half to where she was putting her feet. "I am an innocent bystander in all of this. No one can blame me for anything."

"Well, you're no help," Weiss muttered.

"Just wait," Ruby insisted. "The guys will love this!"

When they got to the cafeteria, however, thoughts of a food fight were immediately forgotten. Team JNPR was sitting at their usual table, muttering quietly to each other, looking incredibly worried and subdued. They looked up as Team RWBY approached, their eyes troubled.

"What's wrong?" Ruby asked as she sat down next to Jaune.

"Tornado's been muzzled," Jaune explained. "Ren ran into Sky yesterday and found out. I guess the Council will be here either today or tomorrow."

"Muzzled!" Ruby gasped. "Oh no… Do you think they'll still be in class today?"

"It's doubtful," Weiss speculated. "If they think he's dangerous enough to muzzle, they won't want him mingling with other dragons, at least not until there's a verdict on his behavior."

Ruby stared at the table, suddenly not hungry at all. "Think there's anything we can do?"

"I don't think so," Pyrrha admitted reluctantly. "We cannot force the Council to decide one way or another. And…after what happened with Jenny, they have every right to be concerned."

"He apologized for it," Jaune muttered. "Sky wanted me to know he didn't tell Tornado to do that."

"Of course, he didn't," Nora snorted, rolling her eyes. "I mean, Team CRDL may be bullies, but they aren't, you know, evil."

"Honestly, it feels like Cardin is the only bully left," Blake remarked, peering over her book. "Dove has been somewhat pleasant since the dragon switch, and when was the last time Sky or Russel specifically targeted any of us?"

"I spoke with Velvet recently," Weiss said, suddenly remembering. "She told me that Team CRDL has been mostly leaving her alone. The most she gets now are shouted insults, always from Cardin."

"Looks like they're finally realizing how stupid they've been," Jaune said. "Or, they're just getting bored."

"Or they realized no one likes them because of how jerky they are," Nora added.

"Or that," Jaune allowed. "Hey, maybe Cardin got nicer over the break!"

There was a sudden, familiar shout from the entry to the cafeteria. "Outta my way, monkey boy!"

"Or, he could still be a bigoted idiot," Yang growled, standing up and turning toward the wide entryway, where Teams CRDL and SSSN were facing each other. Cardin was bristling, holding up a threatening fist. Sun was giving him a bored glare, his tail swishing back and forth.

As Yang got closer, followed by Blake and Pyrrha, she saw Neptune taking a step toward Cardin.

"Hey! Don't talk to him like that!" Neptune growled, his eyes flashing.

Cardin smirked. "Got a problem, fag?"

Neptune's face flushed a deep red, and his fists clenched.

Sun's tail stopped swishing and his gray eyes turned stormy with rage. "What did you just call him?!"

Dove winced, taking a step back. "Cardin," he muttered in a strained voice. "That's enough."

"Don't tell me vacation made you soft," Cardin snorted. "Come on, let's remind these Faunus-lovers who's in charge here. Whaddaya say?"

Yang felt her rage simmering as she looked at Russel and Dove, who both looked more unsure than she'd ever seen them. Then, for the first time, she realized that Sky wasn't with them. Russel met her gaze, and balked even further.

"Aw, fuck this," he muttered, turning abruptly and walking toward the breakfast line.

"Russel! Get back here!" Cardin snapped. "Wuss." He looked at Dove. "Are you gonna wimp out too?"

Dove looked at Cardin, then at Team SSSN and the girls. He took a step back, shaking his head. "Give it a rest," he muttered.

Cardin's eyes narrowed. "I really am running a team of losers," he snapped, shoving Dove against the doorframe as he stomped away.

The tension eased once Cardin was gone, though Neptune was still red-faced, and Sun looked like he was contemplating following the bully and pummeling him to the ground. Yang glanced at Blake and Pyrrha, who both looked relieved that a fight hadn't broken out after all.

"You guys okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," Sun said, glancing at Neptune. "Thanks, man."

Neptune smiled shakily. "No problem." He looked at the girls. "Cardin bumped into Sun. I think he was looking for a fight."

"He was," Dove affirmed. "I'm sorry about that."

"It's cool, dude," Sun said, regaining his easy grin almost immediately. He inclined his head toward their table, inviting Dove to join them. "It wasn't your fault. Do I detect some independence coming from you and Russel?"

"Kinda." Dove glanced to the side, his expression troubled as they approached the table. "Cardin got back last night. He didn't ask how Mudslide was doing, or even thank us for looking after her. And…" He glanced around. "You guys know Tornado's being checked by the Council, right?"

"We know," Ren affirmed, scooting his chair over to make more room.

"Well, Cardin said that it'll be a good thing when Tornado's culled," Dove muttered. "He said Tornado's a liability, and that he's looking forward to having a 'non-retarded' wind dragon on the team."

Everyone gasped.

"That's- He's-" Ruby clenched her fists. "I hate him so much!"

"How did no one break his nose?" Yang asked, dumbstruck. "Especially Sky."

"Russel almost hit him," Dove admitted. "Sky wasn't there. I'm pretty sure he spent the night in Tornado's stall."

"We should check on them before class," Ruby said, to which the others nodded in agreement.

Dove stared at all of them. "Why do you care so much? We've been terrible to you guys, and Tornado probably caused more injuries to you and your dragons than even Mudslide."

"We have compassion for other people and dragons," Ren said, a hint of scolding in his voice. "Tornado is unstable and angry, but we don't want him to die."

"And no one should go through the pain of losing their dragon," Weiss insisted.

Dove stared at his lunch, thinking back to all the previous fights Team CRDL had had with their fellow students, deeply ashamed. "Thanks," he muttered.

Pyrrha noticed someone standing behind her, and turned to see Russel hovering nearby, clearly listening to their conversation. When he saw her looking, he quickly walked away, setting his tray down at an empty table in the corner.

…

Ruby was gloomy and deep in thought that night as she took Storm from her stall. She had gotten an email from Ozpin saying that they were going to resume their lessons with Penny. It was hard to concentrate on anything, however. All she could think about was poor Tornado.

She had seen Sky only briefly after breakfast, when she and the others went to get their dragons. The wind Rider had been battered and bruised, as if his dragon had beaten him during the night, and didn't even seem to notice the others when they asked if he was okay. In the end, Dove had led his friend to the dorm rooms, asking Yang, Sun, and Pyrrha to tell Port that he'd be a little late to class.

Storm, sensing her partner's disquiet, nudged Ruby's arm gently. Guang told me something's wrong with Tornado. Is that why Ruby's sad? She perked up when she realized where they were going. We're seeing Penny! I can just ask Ruby myself!

Ozpin and Ragnar both looked incredibly tired, but both managed a cheerful greeting as their students approached.

"Ragnar!" Storm bounded over. "What's wrong with Tornado?"

Ragnar let out a sad rumble. "He is in danger. Because he attacked that child, the Council will have to determine whether he's allowed to live or not."

Storm balked, her fins drooping. "He…He might die?" She thought of all the conversations she'd overheard, of that word that seemed to make the Riders so anxious. "Culled." Was that what it meant?

Ragnar nodded, hating that he couldn't say something comforting, but knowing that an attempt at comfort would be little more than a lie. "That's the way things are."

Storm whined, shaking her head. "He's a bully, but I don't want him to die!"

"Neither do I, Storm. Neither do I. I'd save him myself if I could. If the Council decides to kill him, I'll need to be restrained with all the others."

"Restrained?"

Ragnar nodded. "In the rational state I usually am in, I know there is nothing that can be done, nothing that wouldn't make things worse overall for everyone here. However, we dragons lose all reason in the face of an immediate threat to us or a loved one. I will fight to the death for all of my students. It's Ozpin's job to keep me alive if a culling is ordered. If I'm loose, I will kill the humans with the guns, regardless of consequence, which will lead to my own death and Ozpin's arrest."

Storm trembled. "Will I be restrained too?"

"Every dragon here will be," Ragnar affirmed, bowing his head. "It is…for the best."

Ozpin approached Ruby, a gentle, understanding look in his eyes. "You're worried."

"Of course, I am!" Ruby said. "Do you think the Council will let him live?"

"It's hard to be sure," Ozpin sighed. "I have some brooderies in mind. It's doubtful that the Council will deem Tornado safe, but I can try to get them to let him retire peacefully."

At least he wouldn't die… "What about Sky? You know, he and the others haven't been bullying anyone lately. It's only been Cardin."

"I know, Miss Rose. If Tornado is culled or sent away, I'll allow Sky to remain here," Ozpin said. "I'll offer him the chance to work as a stable hand on the property for the rest of the semester, and summer if he chooses. His tuition will be refunded, and he'll be allowed to enroll at the start of the next year and bond to another dragon. If he doesn't enroll, I'll offer to let him keep working and living here."

"That's good," Ruby muttered. It was a relief that Ozpin still planned to take care of his students, even if they stopped being his students, though a disturbing thought occurred to her: How many of the stable hands are people who lost their dragons?

"Now, then," Ozpin continued. "Let us see how Penny adjusts to Storm's growth over the holidays. We'll need to start practicing some maneuvers, too. The Festival will be here before we know it."

The Dragon Festival was always at the beginning of March, after the snows of winter were good and melted. Ruby had honestly almost forgotten about it in the face of Yule, Qrow's injury, and Tornado's impending Council inspection.

Storm turned to Ozpin, saw the familiar metal plate, and nudged the human's arm eagerly.

Ozpin chuckled. "Okay, Storm. Let's get started." He placed the plate on the dragon's brow.

The yellow light came on, blinking rapidly. "Detecting significant maturation in assigned dragon. Adjusting settings." A few more blinks, then the plate spread out to cover Storm's brow, then spread down her back and legs like armor. Storm's head turned toward Ruby. "Rider recognized. Salutations, Ruby Rose."

"Hi, Penny! How are you?" Ruby asked.

"I am well, though I detect a significant amount of time between this interaction and the previous one."

"That's because of Yule. We were on a holiday," Ruby explained.

"Holiday. Definition: a day of festivity or recreation where no work is done." The light, which was green now, blinked once. "I was not aware I was on a holiday."

"That's probably because you were turned off," Ruby pointed out.

"Yes. Yes, of course." The light glowed steadily. "What do you wish to do today, Ruby? Before you answer, Storm wants me to tell you that she would like to speak with you."

"Let us focus on practicing the exercises that will be required for the unveiling," Ozpin said before Ruby could answer. "You may speak at the end."

"Awaiting Rider command," Penny said.

"We'll do as Ozpin says," Ruby ordered. "Thanks, Penny."

"You are welcome."

For the next hour, Storm and Penny did a series of maneuvers, including the strongest wind gust yet. Storm was told to surrender control to Penny, who was able to move her body and react to attacks from Ragnar easily. For the final test, Penny helped Storm fly.

With the machine's energy pulsing through her, Storm bounded through the grass, her claws throwing snow into the air. Her large wings extended flawlessly, and she leaped into the air. She felt the cold breath of winter under the membranes and bones, pushing her higher and higher. Her jaws parted, and she let out a roar of joy. Everything was perfect. This was what she was meant to do! How had she gone so long without flying?

She did one lap before Penny gently urged her to land, reminding her not to overexert herself. Right. Thanks, Penny.

You are welcome, the kind voice replied. This is enjoyable. Will you fly with me again next time?

Of course, I will. Storm looked for a spot to land. Penny, what do you do when you're not on my head?

There was a pause, and a feeling like an electric tremor went through Storm's brain. I…do not…know…

For a moment, Storm couldn't feel Penny's presence, and faltered a little in the air. This caused her to stumble as she landed, scuffing her front paws on the ground. She yelped, falling forward.

"Storm!" Ruby rushed over, kneeling at her dragon's side. She saw Penny's light blinking yellow and green alternatively. "Are you okay?"

Storm sat up with a groan and nuzzled Ruby comfortingly. She felt a tingle in her skull as Penny returned.

"My apologies," the unit said. "There was an unidentified error, and I went temporarily offline."

Ozpin was frowning. "Perhaps, that's enough for today."

Storm let out a frantic bark, shaking her head.

"Storm still wishes to speak with you, Ruby," Penny explained. "Requesting permission to be Storm's voice."

Ruby glanced at Ozpin, who reluctantly nodded. "Go ahead."

The light turned green and Penny's voice became more expressive. "Ruby! Did you see me fly?"

"I saw," Ruby said, her heart warming as she scratched under her dragon's chin. "I'm so proud of you! You could've beaten Nimbus!"

"Yeah, but he's still the best. He does his stuff without Penny, and with his bad eyes." Storm hesitated. "Can you protect Tornado?"

Ruby's throat closed up, and she shook her head. "No, Storm," she choked out. "Whatever happens, we can't do anything. Ozpin will do all he can."

Ozpin shifted, exchanging a quick glance with Ragnar. "I'll do what I can, but I can make no promises."

Storm's fins drooped. "I thought humans are supposed to be our friends. Why would these Council humans kill a dragon?"

"It's because he attacked Jenny," Ruby explained. "And they might decide he's too dangerous."

"Cardin hurts Mudslide," Storm pointed out. "Will the Council decide he's too dangerous and kill him?"

Ruby's brows furrowed, her stomach churning as she forced out an answer. "No, Storm. Humans…Humans don't get culled like that. Or Faunus."

"But dragons do?" Storm shook her head. "I don't…understand."

"I hate it too, Storm," Ruby assured her. "And so does Ozpin. The problem is that there are people more powerful than us, and they make the decisions."

"People, but not dragons," Storm guessed, letting out a sigh. "I'm done talking now." The light turned yellow, then green again.

"Awaiting your command."

"Detach," Ruby said, her voice hollow. "Thanks, Penny."

"You're welcome. Executing." The light went off as the armor retreated until there was just a metal plate, which fell into Ozpin's outstretched hand.

Ozpin gave the plate a long look. "It looks like the device starts to malfunction when asked to do too many tasks," he muttered. "It's good that we know this ahead of time." He looked at Ruby, managing a smile. "Thank you, Miss Rose. Storm. You may go. Try not to worry about Tornado. I promise to do all I can." Judging by the slumped shoulders and dejected pace of the girl and dragon, he knew that his words held no comfort.

Ragnar rumbled softly. "Ssscared."

"So am I, my friend." Ozpin put the device back into its box. "So am I."

Storm and Ruby were quiet as they walked back to the stall. Outside the door, however, Ruby turned and hugged her dragon.

"I'm sorry, Storm," she said, tears in her voice. "I'm sorry the world isn't fair. I'm sorry I can't change it right now." She sniffed. "But that's why we're becoming Riders. When we're strong, people will listen to us, and we can change things and make them better. We just need to keep fighting."

Storm wrapped her wings around Ruby. Ruby's crying! She whimpered at the sound. I don't blame you, Ruby! It's not your fault! Don't cry! She held her Rider until the tears stopped, then licked her face for good measure.

Once she was settled in her stall, Storm curled up on her bed. Ruby's words had comforted her a little. It made sense that they'd be able to do more once they were older and stronger.

But people like Ozpin, Ragnar, Qrow, Salty, Taiyang, Quake, and Tempest are already grown-up and strong, she thought. So, shouldn't things already be better? She looked at her shuttered window, in the direction of Tornado's stall. And Tornado's in danger now. Us growing up later won't do any good for him.

She rolled onto her side, trying to sleep, wishing she could go back to a few months ago, when she and the others still lived near their Riders' beds, when all she had to worry about was listening to Gust during lessons, and avoiding Team CRDL the rest of the time.

Our little dragonets are growing up and learning the unfair ways of the world. It had to happen sooner or later.

If you like what you see and want to join an awesome fan community while earning sweet rewards, my P/atreon is Solora Goldsun.

Peace out!