Author notes: I forgot to post this chapter yesterday because I was having a Hunger Games marathon so I guess that means two chapters for today? I'll do my best to stay on top of this I swear. Back to Blake again after this and hopefully bitch Raven. She's way too nice here, I don't like it. Anyhow as per usual likes and comments are much appreciated and yeah I guess, enjoy?
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing, all creditability and ownership of the following scenarios and characters goes to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum.
For the first time, Yang sat in complete silence and listened. Her mother was still sitting in front of her with a gloomy expression on her face as she began. "For now Yang, I need you to open up your mind. You may not believe what I'm about to tell you at first, but please trust me when I say that it's all true... There is more to this world than meets the eye." Yang gulped as she felt her stomach twist in knots as her instincts starting screaming at her to run. Maybe she wasn't ready for this…
"I can't explain everything right now, not only because it's a lot to take in but also because we don't have a lot of time. I'll just tell you what you need to know about yourself for the moment... Is that okay?" Yang nodded her head but said nothing. She was scared. The knowledge and secret's her mother held frightened her, and she was terrified of the truth. Tears began building in her eyes as she tried mentally preparing herself for the moment she had been waiting for her entire life.
"When Qrow and I joined Beacon we were assigned with Summer Rose and Tai to form team STRQ. After four years within that damned team I became an arrogant and naïve fool; I believed in the good of others and fell in love. However, it was when I was pregnant with you that I realised the cowardice in your father's heart and that I had a higher purpose in this world. You see Yang, despite the odds, my brother and I, like your Schnee teammate and her sister, share a hereditary semblance. Unlike the basic traits of most, our ability allows us to, under the circumstances, physically transform into creatures of the sky like our namesake… That was how I came to know a person who opened my eyes, she showed me how I could make a difference to the whole of Remnant. She took me in and I became her apprentice, she gave me powers unlike anything I'd ever imagined…but it came with a price…"
Upon hearing her mother trail off, Yang looked up at Raven and noticed how her scarlet eyes were glistening with tears. "I didn't know that price would be you Yang, I swear. If I would have known, I would have stayed for you." Raven slouched her shoulders before continuing. "There would be times when Tai left home for hours, during that time I would come here and train with my mentor. I was reckless and trained with dark magic while I was pregnant with you. At the time I didn't realise that it would affect you, but it has."
For the first time since Raven began, Yang spoke up. "What does that have to do with a Phoenix?"
Raven glanced back up at her daughter as she reached towards Yang's hand and held it in her own. "I didn't realise it at the time but your father has a genetic kindred towards animals as well as I and Qrow, although his does not manifest in his semblance."
Yang sat there confused, she knew both her and her father's names meant something about dragons but she didn't think that it was literal. Raven, noting Yang's confusion tried simplifying it as much as she could. "Your father is a sun dragon Yang, and well, I'm a lot of things… but what matters here, is my ability to transform into a Raven alongside the fact that I meddled with dark magic while carrying you..."
Yang sat there dumbfounded for a minute before she managed to put two and two together… "Y-You mean that I…" "Yes Yang, You have the power of a Phoenix."
"None of this makes any sense…" Yang murmured a few eerily quiet minutes later as doubt and shock swirled in her system. Raven tightened her hold on Yang, trying to ground her before the information over-loaded her system.
"I know Yang, I know this is difficult but you need to see that you have so much to offer this world…" Yang cut her off, angrily yelling at her mother.
"What do you mean? I- I can't offer anyone anything, I can't even do anything anymore! I'm useless!"
Raven stopped her before her pessimism threatened to side track them both. "No, you're not. You just haven't unlocked your full potential yet! Look, Yang. The whole reason I brought you here was because you had given up on yourself. I know this because in one way or another I've been looking out for you ever since I left and I know what you've been through. I know that you've fallen so far that the only way you can go now is up and I'm here to help you get there if you want that." Raven lifted her right hand to Yang's cheek to wipe away a stray tear that had appeared as she tried her best to convince the blonde.
"I can offer you a chance to become strong, independent and unstoppable. What you felt earlier was just a brief taste of what I can give you. You would never have to see anyone leave you ever again, I promise."
"What exactly did I feel earlier?" Yang questioned.
"That was you beginning to transform. You're emotional instability acted as a catalyst of sorts… but it wasn't enough. I thought that it would work, I thought you could change, but I see now that trying to complete the process while you are in this condition is futile."
Yang's hair began glowing at her agitation before she responded. "What do I have to do to be ready?"
"You need to have the rest of your powers unlocked by the same magic which gave them to you in the first place."
"Are you saying that I have to dwell within dark magic to unlock the rest of my semblance…?" Yang growled with annoyance. She did not trust dark magic.
"It's not just about your semblance Yang, this gift which I am offering you will give you so much more than that. But yes, dark magic is required." Yang stood from where she had been slumped against the rock and turned away from her mother, inwardly debating about what to do. You know there's a reason that kind of sorcery is forbidden. It's not worth it. It could ruin you... But it could make me so much more than...this… I could be a huntress again, I could help Ruby take out Cinder, and I could be with Blake. "How would it work…?"
"Is that a yes?" Raven smirked triumphantly.
Yang looked down at her left hand and then the stump where the right one used to be before answering with determination…. "Yes, I'm ready."
Raven got up then and opened another blood-red portal. "Unfortunately, there is nothing that you or I can do physically as the process is much bigger than the both of us." "Then what are we supposed to do? How am I supposed to get these powers" Yang growled before walking over to her mother and once again, taking her hand as they stood side-by-side before the portal. "In order to receive this gift, we need to go to the one who gave me my powers. My mentor. The Queen of this Realm… Salem."