Side Story
A Christmas Special Chapter
A lonely Christmas
A/N: This chapter despite being a side story is still canon and might be referred to in the future. Also the intended date for release was supposed to be before Christmas, but I had a sudden Writer's block and with the holidays approaching I just couldn't get started.
It has been years since the last time snow had hit Patch in Remnant. The last time was when Ruby was born, which was exactly 5 years ago now. Ruby has been dead for over two years now. And while Yang still hasn't been over it entirely. Her parents finally found the drive to continue on with their life after the first year. But Yang was wandering around on Patch, searching for Grimm to slay in an attempt to regain some normalcy in her life. Ever since her sister had died, Yang's way of fighting had changed. Especially after she discovered that not a Grimm but a human had killed her little sister. It made her realize that as a Hunter-to-be, her threats were not Grimm but humans. And it quite literally transformed her life. But to tell you the truth, Remnant wasn't the same after Ruby had perished. For example, her dad Taiyang Xiao Long had turned over a new leaf. His previous retired status was nowhere to be found as he was often found fighting Grimm and teaching bastards a lesson.
Her mother or well adoptive mother, Summer Rose, was a lot more reserved however. She not only lost her youngest daughter but she also almost lost Yang to her reckless venture to find her birth mother which nearly ended in tragedy. The good news was that she did managed to find her birth mother, Raven Branwen. However she instantly lost all respect when she even dared to basically shit talk her now dead younger sister. And when Raven found out that the girl had died by the hands of someone called Hazel and after Raven chose to shit talk about a dead child. Raven looked as if she was physically hit. Something nobody expected, especially Summer. Suggesting that Raven knew of nothing until just now. And when she knew, Raven looked around and revealed something. Something that she only revealed to Summer. Because Yang wasn't allowed to know yet, whatever it was. But it clearly looked like Summer was also physically struck by whatever she was told.
After that ordeal, Summer and Yang returned to Patch. While Yang was beginning to practice other combat styles other than her favorite hand-to-hand combat style. She glanced at the house, specifically at the living room which housed her dad, her mom and her uncle Qrow Branwen. Clearly Summer was explaining to the others about what Raven told her. And whatever it was, it was so powerful. That even Yang, which mind you is human and not a Grimm, could feel a wave of negative emotions coming from that living room. It was so powerful in fact that it attracted all Grimm living on Patch towards their home. But, their home housed some of the most powerful Hunters on Remnant, that also included Yang. And in this case, Yang decided to show off her ability of using other equipment against these Grimm in an attempt to blow off some steam as well.
It took less that ten minutes for Yang to kill all the Grimm that got attracted by the negativity. And by the time the group inside the living room noticed anything. All hostile entities were dead. Yang felt a lot better about herself in the process after she slayed untold amount of Grimm using combat methods that didn't include hand-to-hand combat, in her eyes, this was a massive show of prowess. And it certainly didn't go unnoticed. Qrow was highly impressed by Yang's capabilities, he even suggested in showing it off to Ozpin. The headmaster of Beacon and the current General of Vale. Yang felt a bit bashful but she shrugged Qrow's praise off. Saying that she still had a lot left to learn before she even dared to show it off to anyone other than her family. The humility that she showed impressed Summer however. Which would be a life changing action. You see, her mother offered to be her tutor. Her "Real" Mother in this case she referred to Summer in this case, offered a deal she couldn't refuse.
Her mother is a professional huntress and had about fifteen years of field experience. She had experienced horrors beyond the understanding of mankind and survived and thrive out of those encounters. She was called the Hero of Vale, Hero of Patch, Hero of Atlas, the list goes on and on. After a while she received a title with so much importance. It made her world famous. The title in question is but a simple one, Simple yet powerful. She was called "The Hero" or as the official title goes, "The Hero of Remnant". She had received that title after only five years of service to Remnant. And with it came not only many benefits but also a lot of requirements. That being said, she had been dormant for years until she suddenly took her adopted child, "Yang Xiao Long" as her student. A move that shifted the powers in the world. But also would put an immense pressure on Yang. But Yang was build to work against a lot of pain, so she handled it like a pro. That was atleast one year ago already.
Nowadays her days are filled with a training schedule that would kill most people. But when it suddenly began snowing this winter, everything changed in an instant. You see, while the snow would boost people's morale over in Patch, it also made all Grimm and other creatures ten times stronger than normal. Which is why she was wandering Patch. She was searching for monsters to weed out the extreme cases before someone would die to them. The only issue in Yang's eyes was that Ruby's gravestone on the edge of a grand ravine was on her route whenever she was patrolling Patch. The reason for this was actually quite simple, Ruby's gravestone was a gathering point for many flying type Grimm in the area. The grand ravine contained many nests belonging to the grimm. But that was not the only thing that was peculiar about that gravestone. Yang and her mom had noticed it. Whenever the gravestone was damaged due to stray rounds or the Grimm being literally slammed into it, the gravestone would magically repair and clean itself. Even Ozpin checked it out and could not give any explanation.
Regardless of all the oddities, Yang would regularly visit the gravestone even outside her patrol. But right now, she had no time to give the gravestone any attention. She was currently fighting a Grimm bird named: "Raven" this entity not only was absolutely massive, it was also extremely powerful under normal circumstances. However since it was snowing and there was a blood moon out right now, the monster was firstly empowered times ten and then times two. Making it twenty times more powerful than normal. To make matters even worse, it was also mutated. Since it appeared purple-ish in color. But despite all these set-backs, Yang has been trained against monsters that are far worse than some kind of overpowered and mutated bird. In fact there was barely any conflict. Yang used her already powerful and advanced hand-to-hand combat in combination with a katana type weapon to slice and dice, punch and kick the monster into mush. She then finished the bird off by slamming it so hard in the face, their head blew off. It then fell onto the gravestone and slid into the ravine once more and only then it began to evaporate. Yang then turns around to watch the gravestone repair itself back to normal and cleaned the blood from the bird off the stone.
This oddity always amazed Yang. But it saved her a lot of cleaning and repair costs, so in the end it balanced out. But just as Yang began to relax she heard an unfamiliar screech coming from the ravine that was situated right behind Ruby's grave. However the screech was loud enough that everyone in Patch heard the unfamiliar screech. When Yang looked down, she had to steady herself. It was a massive flying creature that appeared seemingly out of nowhere. But as it got closer, Yang began to recognize features and it certain looked very grim. This creature was something of a myth, a being so rare and powerful, people truly believed that it didn't exist. It was a Grimm dragon. The rarest kind of Grimm that isn't a titan type Grimm. And it flew upwards right behind Ruby's grave. But just as it began to approach, Ruby's gravestone began to glow a familiar silver glow. Yang not only saw it, she also felt it. The glow felt comforting and warm to her. But she also felt what it thought of the Grimm. It was icy and oppressing to the dragon in question. Something the dragon instantly felt. But before the dragon or Yang could do anything. The glow vanished while also freezing the left most wing from the dragon. Not even seconds later, Summer arrived to the scene to find a very confusing scene.
As she had made it in time she saw a confused looking Yang look at her younger daughter's gravestone. Just above it sat a dragon, but this dragon had his left most wing entirely frozen over. Causing it to collapse right behind the gravestone. It was screeching in immense amount of pain. Something that caused Yang to back off from the dragon. She then did a double take on the wing after which she began to smack it in the face and belly over and over again. Until it died before she could do anything about it. She then watched as Yang began to poke the gravestone in utmost confusion. Yang's eyes were wide with confusion but she could also see a flash of hope from her eyes. Something happened right before she entered the field. And not even any moments later, reinforcements arrived. It was Ozpin with a specialized anti-Grimm unit with him. He looked confused at me, then at Yang and only then did he spot the frozen Grimm wing from the dragon not vanishing and staying put.
"What happened?" Ozpin asked to none in particular.
"I just got here. I don't know." She replied.
"Summer what do you mean with "I just got here." ?" Ozpin looked confused at me.
"It was the gravestone." Yang spoke up. "When the dragon appeared behind it. It began to glow silver."
"What?" Ozpin and me replied at the same time.
"The glow waved over me. It was warm and comfortable. But I also felt what that glow did to the dragon. It was icy and oppressive. One moment his wing was fine, the next it was frozen. It happened faster than I could comprehend."
"The gravestone... glowed silver?" I asked once more.
"Yes mom. It glowed silver. It felt so familiar too. As if... Ruby..." Yang didn't dare to continue that statement. But that wasn't needed. It was all everyone there needed to know.
"So the gravestone is tied to Ruby... Huh." I stated lamely. I could barely respond on a mental level to what just happened. But regardless, my daughter was fine. That was all I needed to know. As the point of view shifted to Ozpin, his view was different but similar. He instantly ordered his men to investigate the frozen wing from the dragon. To investigate where it came from and how to prevent another one from coming to Patch. Meanwhile he crouched at Ruby's gravestone, he used his magic to scan the object. But instead of feeling nothing. He felt a pull. Suggesting that the gravestone indeed just now used Silver Warrior Magic.
"She is right." I stated. "I can feel silver warrior magic coming from the gravestone. It indeed responded to this great threat. But I am unsure why it didn't do that before. That wasn't the first dragon to have appeared here. And yet somehow it reacted now, and not last time."
"Perhaps..." Yang started, "It was a matter of circumstances. Ruby was born in the winter on a snowy day. Not to mention I wasn't here last time. Perhaps the combination of circumstances caused her magic to trigger. Somehow." Yang deduced.
"Well done. That is very likely the reason." I praised. "While you still tell me that you aren't ready. This continue to prove that you are definitely ready. Anyways those circumstances makes sense. Magic tends to react to similar circumstances. Weather, people, location. You name it, it is likely the reason. But..."
"But?" Summer asked me.
"This magic felt fresh. Suggesting that Ruby might still be alive... Somewhere. The magic pull leads into the void. Suggesting that she isn't anywhere on Remnant. But still alive atleast... Hopefully." I stated, while adding that last bit as an after thought.
"While I would love to keep up hope, Ozpin. I have chosen to move on. You know that." Summer replied with no remorse.
"Meanwhile I hope you are correct, sir." Yang replied. Showing no sign of giving up hope, despite the dark tunnel she might be in.
"I agree, Yang. I agree. Now then, my men are going to roam around this area searching for more hostiles. Yang please continue your patrol." I ordered. Ozpin's point view then ended as he turned around and left the scene. Summer merely nodded at Yang in agreement to what Ozpin told her. She glanced at Ruby's gravestone with a sad smile. She then too, turns around and walks back home. Yang took one more good look at Ruby's gravestone before continuing her partrol.
The rest of her patrol was nothing special. Or atleast nothing out of the ordinary. She meets a random hostile bandit camp, destroys said bandit camp. Finds some random Grimm here and there. Destroyed them too. She then begins the return route of her patrol. She walks past a mountain that housed some Grimm. She killed them on her way. Finds a random lost civilian and guides her back home. Until eventually she made her way back to the Patch capital, Signal Point. Signal Point was named after the purpose of the great war that raged for several thousand years. It was the final Signal Point before the appearance of the Great Titan Grimm. Thus the name Signal Point was also the name of the Capital. Signal Academy is also the major highlight of the capital. And just recently, the old Signal Point Radar Neder Positional Area Locator. Or SPRNPAL also know as Super Principal was reactivated in an attempt to hunt down Hazel. He has been fully hidden away from the world after he got the world's most largest bounty on his head ever. And was being hunted down with everything Beacon had to offer. Including the Super Principal as a major communications base.
Yang had been employed by Ozpin and his forces to patrol Patch. Especially after it began to snow. The reports of injuries and aggressive Grimm began to pour into the Super Principal. Resulting in an all hands on deck situation. Patch's search and rescue force has been working around the clock to find and rescue civilians that were caught by the crossfire of overpowered highly aggressive Grimm around Patch. As Ozpin was commanding his forces left, right and center. Yang entered the base.
"Yang. Report in please." He requested.
"Sir, yes sir. Bandits that where gathering as per usual. They are gone as per usual. Found some Grimm here and there. Nothing out of the ordinary. Found one lost civilian, they have been escorted back to Knife Point Village. The village appears to be doing fine. Their guards are having a rough time, more than usual of course. But that is not that unusual. No special reports from them. They had things handled. Besides that dragon, there was nothing else to report on. Despite the rare weather phenomenon and slightly stronger Grimm. Most people are able to handle themselves just fine. The initial fear and panic seems to have faded and all seems to be going back to normal operations." Yang reported.
"That was an excellent report, Miss Xiao Long. Understood. We will reevalute the situation and consider our next move accordingly." Ozpin replied pleased. "Your tutor is waiting for you at you place of residence. Before you go, please check the board. Your patrol route is being shifted around. We are getting more and more help thanks to your mother. You are dismissed."
"Thank you sir." Yang replied she then turned about-face. And left Ozpin to check out the patrol board. After some scanning she noticed that her next patrol was going to be a lot harder. She was to patrol and clear out all the Grimm both out of the ravine and inside the ravine itself. Everything that is right behind Ruby's gravestone. The starting point was at said gravestone and she would then enter the ravine after firstly patrolling the entire right side of the border after which she was to enter the ravine and exit the ravine right next to her house. Which was also the point she was to go to. In order to return back to the the Super Principal. The expected difficulty was maximum and the expected resistance from Grimm was going to be at the highest possible difficulty. However there is little to no chance of bandits and little to no chance of finding and lost civilians down there. Which was the good news. The bad news is that a lot of people had gone missing in that area and there were some old reports suggesting that some very... interesting Grimm appear to be living down there. That may have been bad news, but in Yang's eyes those Grimm were excellent training resources. So it didn't matter all too much. She just hoped she wouldn't find any dead bodies down there. Regardless she left the Super Principal and was about to head home only for her to run into her mother with Professor Goodwitch from Beacon to be right in front of her.
"Hey Mom!" Yang shouted. Catching the attention of both girls.
"There you are my little firework. I was hoping to see you a bit earlier." Summer said with a smile.
"Eh. I had to investigate my new patrol route. It contained some interesting information that required some time."
"Oh? How so?"
"I am supposed to patrol Shake Ravine. Right behind Ruby's gravestone. And as predicted, the difficulty on this bad boy is... well... extremely dangerous. But... it probably is a regular thursday evening for me." Yang explained.
"Ah. To prevent more... mythical Grimm from gathering. Huh?"
"Most likely. So, you two going to go shopping?"
"Yep. Need to help Glynda pick a dress for a date."
"Not a date." Glynda said with a glare.
"You are going to a restaurant with a man. What else am I supposed to call that?" Summer teased.
"Can you call a half robot a man." Glynda stated, clearly not intenting for it to be question. Of course Summer and now also Yang took it as one regardless.
"Yes." They both replied. Glynda sighed deeply.
"Not possible. Since he is my ex." She added as context.
"You say that but I have been watching you watch his butt." Summer said.
"Every girl does that."
"For four hours straight." Summer finished. Yang began to laugh out loud at that. Simply causing Glynda to blush and groan annoyed.
"Fine whatever. Will you help me get a dress or not?" Glynda said sharply.
Yang simply backed off, still smiling. She then waved at her mom as they walk off into a famous clothing maker in Signal Point. She then walked off herself. And as she was walking she passed a familiar toy store. In contained a small little doll that held no importance whatsoever to her atleast. But it was a dream to Ruby to own. So without warning she entered the store and bought that doll. She was going to put it on Ruby's gravestone. She didn't intend to buy it, but it kinda just happened. However she shrugged it off and continue to walk until she reached the motorcycle store. She already owned one. But it recently got a flat tyre and she had no reason to replace it. Instead she put it on her wish list from Santa. Even if she knew that he didn't exists. But it is nice to dream, so she did it anyways. However somehow, this year was going to be special. She just didn't know it yet.
As soon as Yang got home. She hide her wishlist way from anyone and made sure that nobody in the house could reach it. That way only Santa could reach it. If they exists that is. They don't. Everybody knew that. Whoever said that Santa Claus was the only magical force? However Christmas was still five days away. So after dinner and washing herself. She went to bed. Sleeping and dreaming about Ruby as per usual.
The following day was a normal day all things considered. It was still snowing outside and it was getting colder too. Yang actually had to dress up properly this time around to preserve her own heat. But nevertheless Summer and Yang practiced outside as per usual. After this she had lunch and needed to patrol the ravine. But firstly she had to go through the rough training itself. She basically had to do a one thousand of each standing still exercises, which was basically pull ups and similar exercises. But that was quite simple all things considered. What came next was significantly harder. She had to run several kilometers and dodge Summer's almost deadly baseball throws at her. At the beginning this was harder, say a year ago or so, but nowadays Yang had to keep herself from catching her throws and returning them. Which was hard since her instincts would try to constantly counter the attacks while she continued to run around in circles. Yang actually found this exercise a lot of fun. And while she was running and dodging. Her now highly advanced instincts had time to look around without a care in the world. For example, she could also see her dad decorating a christmas tree despite it not being in direct line of sight. It was such a awesome and powerful tool, those were her words not mine. Regardless the exercise ended without much issue. What came next was both the highlight of the exercise and also the most important part. Sparring. Sparring was both of their favorites.
But before either could begin the exercise an very familiar alarm blared from the Super Principal. "Warning, warning, warning! Super Grimm detected inside the ravine. It is heading towards Ruby's gravestone. All units please intercept this super Grimm before it can cause lasting damage!" The alarm blared and repeated itself several times.
Yang sighed annoyed. "Again? Yesterday was a dragon. I wonder what it will be today."
"Most likely another one. Dragons fly in packs after all." Summer replied.
Yang gave an even deeper sigh, "Okay. Time to crush them into mush. We can then spar as we should have." she simply stated causing Summer to nod in agreement.
They then run off towards Ruby's gravestone only to find Ozpin's forces already fighting a dragon or six. This meant that the super Grimm hadn't arrived yet. And that was omnious to say the least. Summer without hesitation jumped into the fray and sliced the heads off all the dragons. Killing six dragons in an instant. She then grabbed the forces and backed off from the edge of the ravine. And not a moment too soon. The super Grimm was a dragon as she had predicted. She just didn't expect this bad boy to be so massive. Not only was it like six times bigger. It was also twenty times more powerful due to a mutation and the snowfall. But then, Ruby's gravestone glowed silver again. As though it responded to Yang's presence and that of the dragon. The dragon flew over the gravestone and landed in front of it. It then roared as Yang began the assault on the dragon. The forces backed off and struck it with ice dust in an attempt to slow it down. Which obviously didn't work due to the already powerful blizzard that had formed around the dragon. Meanwhile Yang struck the dragon weak points with everything she got. Summer reloaded her weapon and did the same.
The fight continued until Summer got smashed into the tree behind her. Knocking her out cold. The Ozpin's forces were already knocked out cold and that left Yang to deal with it on her own. She was exhausted. They had been fighting for atleast thirty minutes. And Yang could feel that the dragon held back. Meaning it was too strong for them. As Yang got a fatal blow to her aura, it broke leaving her for dead. The dragon clearly wanted to kill her. Only for something mysterious to happen once again. The gravestone suddenly shone brightly and blinded the dragon causing it to back off. Yang looked on in confused and then surprise. A spectral ghost-like girl looking a lot like Ruby appeared above the gravestone, their eyes growing a powerful silver. Then a sword suddenly appeared in its hand. The dragon was about to finish the job of killing Yang only for it to suddenly freeze in place. Yang saw that the sword was gone and so was the girl. She then looked at the dragon only for her to see it roll his eyes into his head as sixteen white tinted slices appeared on the dragon's body. It got sliced into sixteen pieces in an instant. Faster than Yang or the dragon could respond to.
'Yang. Please become stronger. I have been able to help you through our sisterly bond. But that was the last time I could help you. Sorry. I will be back soon. I promise.' A voice inside of Yang's head said. Yang was even more shocked at that. She then saw the blizzard actively getting weaker in front of her. And to disappear right after. Ruby was causing the blizzard somehow. And with her gone, the blizzard disappeared with her. Causing the blizzard level snowfall in Patch to finally end but not the snowfall in general. With Blizzard level snowfall gone, the grimm snowfall mutation disappeared but ordinary snowfall continued on regardless. Unabate by the lack of snow source.
Yang stood frozen stiff for atleast ten seconds. Only for her to regain herself and rush over to grab everyone and move them over to Signal Point. Ozpin looked shocked at the state of everyone. Yang looked at Ozpin and smiled. It was a smile of hope. He could tell that atleast. Something had happened that much he could tell. But he could not tell what exactly. Whatever it was, it was extremely important to Yang, he could tell that much. As Yang finished carrying the group to the clinic, he saw his dad also enter the clinic. He wasn't injured but he looked distraught at the state of both Yang and Summer.
"What happened?" Taiyang asked. Ozpin nodded in the background with similar curiosity.
"The grimm was too strong for both of us. We luckily had a guardian angel but just barely in the nick of time." Yang said with a sad smile.
"Who?"
"I don't know. One moment the grave shone silver once more. The next the dragon had been slain."
"Don't say such bullshit." Taiyang said pissed.
"Welp. That is all I know. I do not know who this guardian angel was. But whoever they were. They sliced and diced the dragon to death. Sixteen clean cuts through the dragon. Killing it instantly." Yang shrugged.
Taiyang glared annoyed at Yang before he continued to hug Summer's hand. Meanwhile Yang stepped aside and headed towards Ozpin with an honest smile. Ozpin nodded as they walked out of the room and towards Ozpin's personal Communications chamber. A special room meant for the head of the Super Principal. He was not the head of it. But he kept current command of it. Which was enough for the real head to out himself. As Yang entered the room, she noticed it looked more like an office than a communications chamber. But that was not important right now. Yang watched Ozpin take a seat behind the desk. So she followed suit by sitting at the chair in front of the desk.
"Well then. Let me ask again. Please give me as much detail as possible." Ozpin requested.
"Okay. Once the alarm blared we went ahead to incept the Super Grimm. When we got there, your forces were already fighting a flock of dragons. Mom slayed those dragons with ease and helped the forces back off. Just in time for a super overpowered and mutated, super Grimm dragon to appear on the scene. Once again I could feel a wave of energy coming from the gravestone. But it didn't trigger quite yet. As the dragon landed in roared and I began the assault on the dragon. Mom was assisting using the gun part of her weapon and your forces attempted to slow it down. What nobody, including myself realized however, was that target of the dragon was not Signal Point. It was me. I was the target for some reason." Yang explained.
"That is a curious observation. Continue."
"So when it began to strike the weak points of the dragon. Interestingly enough. Nothing happened. The Grimm was simply too strong and I was too weak. As the blizzard intensified, Mom tried to block a fatal strike on me. She failed but took the hit herself. The strike broke her aura and the shockwave slammed her with an already broken aura into a tree, crushing the tree and knocking her out cold. Meanwhile the dragon was slightly distracted by your forces but quickly slammed them into rocks and trees. Causing them to meet Summer's state themselves. Finally it was between me and the dragon. The dragon bit me, breaking my aura and knocking me back a bit. And just as the dragon was about to finish me off. Above the gravestone a ghost child appeared, it summoned a sword. Then vanished alongside the sword. Then I looked at the dragon and their eyes had already rolled into the skull. As I saw sixteen straight through cuts appear on its body. Killing it instantly." Yang said as she continued her explanation.
"A ghost child..."
"It was Ruby without a doubt. Then before I had the chance to take the situation in. Through Telepathy, the child said "Yang become stronger. You are too weak. That was the last time I could help you. But our sisterly bond is too weak now. Sorry. I will come home soon. I promise.". And without a doubt. I am certain that was Ruby. It had to be." Yang's explanation ended with that. Ozpin's eyes were as wide as dinner plates. He then smiled and relaxed a bit.
"Well... I guess you were right after all. You are not ready to go to Beacon yet. But you will be, one day. I am going to scrap your patrol. Focus on recovery first. Then begin your training. But this time much, much harder. Understood?" Ozpin requested.
"Understood. I can't wait to see my little sister again. All grown up. And ready to take Remnant to the next level." Yang said with a broad smile.
"I agree. I will instead send your dad to go and teach those birds a lesson. Yang good luck. Dismissed." Ozpin stated also smiling.
"Wait! I had one more thing to say..." Yang said suddenly, her broad smile lowering a bit.
"Hm?"
"Christmas is right around the cornor. Mom wanted to invite you for a Christmas dinner. And personally I wanted to invite you to gift giving next to the Christmas tree." Yang explained, "Christmas dinner is on Christmas Eve, whereas the gift giving is on the first day of Christmas."
"Hm..." Ozpin said as he looked out the window while thinking about those two day. "Are you sure about this? I know your mother no longer... But I do know you are still somewhat blaming me. Despite my lack of involvement with the whole... Ruby goes missing part."
"It is true that I never stopped blaming you. But to tell you the truth, I never truly blamed you. I just needed someone to take the blame so I could move on. I am sorry." Yang honestly drooped ashamed.
Ozpin sighed, his smile reappeared on his face. This time it looked proud. Yang was never the girl to admit the truth or rather to admit about blame. She was too proud for it. That said, with the weight of Ruby being dead is now gone. Yang could finally spend some time on herself. Yang could finally move on knowing that her little sister will soon reappear when said little sister decides to come home. "Very well. I will join. Do I need to pull who I get as my secret Santa?"
"Well. Honestly speaking, after Ruby's 'Passing' mom and dad just gives each other gifts freely again. Myself included mind you. So I suggest to just pick a target to give a gift to. There are no rules." Yang explained. She then looks down as though she had one more thing to say. "Okay. I also am going to give Ruby's gravestone a gift too. It was a plush I clearly remembered Ruby wanting. Before she was forcibly removed out of out lives."
"That sounds nice. But now that we know she is still alive. I am sure her gravestone looks rather surreal to her." Ozpin said pleased. "Tell your mother that I will come to the dinner and the gift giving. I will have a present prepared for one lucky individual... Or maybe two."
"Okay. I need to get going then. Bye Ozpin. See you in two days!" Yang shouted as she ran off. And as she did Ozpin waved at her.
He then turned around with a hopeful smile. The fact that Ruby was now confirmed alive was not lost on him. But then his smile dropped once he sees Hazel's face on the dart board in his room. He walked into his room and threw a quick dart at his face. He then turned to his private desk that contained some papers on the likely whereabouts on his most wanted individual. But also some papers on the death of a certain scientist over in Atlas. On top of that he had some interesting papers on the school that seems to have been siding with his arch nemesis. It was a lot of enemies, but still not that much compared to his past. Hazel was still on the run. The school that was supposed to be influenced shrugged Ozpin off. And finally the scientist was deceased. Which surely put a wrench into her plans.
"Qrow."
"Yes Oz?"
"You overheard that conversation from earlier. Yes?"
"I did. Raven is here too. She seems equally shocked. But pleased all the more."
"Good. I am about to implement the ban of his school people here. But I doubt that is enough. I need someone to show him what it means to make me his enemy. I know he is a friend. But not the moment he chose her over me."
"What are you planning?" Raven injected herself into the conversation.
"Hm. You know everything. I know you do." Ozpin said ominously. "So I am going to simply break his kneecaps. I am going to publically denounce Haven Academy from being allowed to roam free around Vale. The council is already aware and prepared."
"I doubt cutting off their freedom is going to do anything." Raven commented.
"It will stop infiltrations from happening that is using the Haven Academy badge." Qrow plainly said.
Raven's eyes widen at Qrow's implications. "How much..."
"I am well aware that Leo is siding with the Witch." Ozpin commented. "It is only just recently that I switched attack methods. I needed some time to adjust. However now that I know Ruby might return. I will want them out of the picture. And I want it now."
Raven gulped at the implications of Ozpin's wording. "Why am I here?"
"Steal the relic and bury the relic somewhere else. Or just take it to Atlas for all I care. But do not let Leo have any means to be of use to the Witch." Ozpin commanded.
"And why would I do that?"
Ozpin then just opened a box and dropped all the paperwork in front of Raven. Raven took one glance only to freeze in place. Confused, Qrow also took a look and froze in place as well. Ozpin had made a promise well before Ruby was born. To allow the Branwen clan to reintegrate with society. And the paperwork in front of Raven was about exactly that. To be more precise, it talked about integration with the Capital of Signal. Signal Point. And it appear to have already been signed by all council members and Ozpin. And all that it lacked was Raven's signature. This was huge. So huge in fact that Raven stayed frozen for atleast five more minutes. And while she continued to stare at the paperwork, Qrow had some questions.
"When... did you start to work on this?"
"As soon as I arrived here. The unfinished paperwork was actually still laying on this exact desk when I arrived. So it certainly was a good reminder. Besides we do no longer need the Branwens to stay a clan. We have use for them elsewhere."
"Hm?"
Ozpin smiled and turned around. "Besides a holiday miracle that I remembered and had time for it luckily. I want Signal Point to be more important for the future. And with... Ruby... Maybe not dead. Having Signal Point as a great fortress would be extremely useful, if and when I fail again."
"You are aware about your issues?" Raven spoke up. Her eyes are still widen in shock, but thankfully she was back to being herself.
"You... know that I have lived... a very long time. You should know about the... many mistakes I have made. After being overtly trusted in my companions to keep my people safe. I think it is time for that task to be delegated to more willing people. That means you Raven. I want you to keep me in check. Can you do that?" Ozpin said looking out the window. Neither Qrow nor Raven missed the direction in which he looked when he said that. To be more precise, he looked to the north of Patch. That was the last known location of Ruby.
"You want me to keep searching for Ruby? Is that it?" Raven asked.
"No. She will come home when she needs to. I need a leader here in Signal Point, someone that knows me. And isn't willing to work with the Witch if it means to keep me from making a terrible mistake again."
"Could we perhaps do the thing Ruby wanted when she was only like two years old?" Qrow suddenly asked. Raven and Ozpin gave Qrow a confused look.
"What do you mean?"
"She was making something in her little treehouse to the northeast of here. I have no idea where she got that stuff from. But after I looked into it. It appears to be a near carbon copy of the communications array that Beacon has. The very same that maintains the internet at that. It is a little incomplete however." Qrow explained. "I once asked her what it was meant for. And all I got as a response was a serious look and she said in a baby-like voice, "Bagg up". Which can only mean. A back up of sorts. That way, if Beacon falls for whatever reason. Communications cannot be terminated."
"That is genius!" Raven shouted surprised. "How similar are they?"
"Only the exterior. Once I had obtained a laptop and plugged in the programming. I could not make heads or tails of it. I fear we might need a specialist for it. It definitely didn't look programmed by the original programmer."
"Hm. Raven do you have an IT Specialist?" Ozpin asked, "I can supply one if you need."
"I will be fine." Raven dismissed. "Thank you for the offer. But I have an IT Specialist."
"You do? Who?" Qrow asked.
"Well. I will simply ask Summer. She is very, very good with programming. Who do you think programmed her weapon? She did."
"That might just work then. I left the object in question over at their house. So if you want, I can come with you."
"Gladly brother. But first." Raven grabs a pen and looks hopeful at Ozpin. "If you don't mind?"
"Go ahead. And Raven... Welcome back!"
Raven signs the paperwork and smiles, "It is good to be back."
"Oh and Qrow. Don't forget the objective of stealing... You what." Ozpin said, causing Qrow to nod knowingly.
One after the other Christmas Miracles happened. The truth of the matter is, if Ruby didn't vanish like she did. A lot of lives could have been lost. However certain events are still guaranteed to occur. Like the fall of Beacon. That said, the future looks a lot brighter now. And who knows, maybe Ruby returns before the fall of Beacon. Regardless of the how and what. That was the last major Christmas Miracle. And as such time moved forward a bit faster all the way to Christmas Dinner. A day so special, it will change the future forever. It will never be the same. So let the small four day time skip take place right here and now.
Four days later and Christmas Eve was here. While the blizzard might be gone, the snowfall hasn't stopped. Allowing Yang and Qrow to have a snowball fight. Yang used that time to master the act of dodging and Qrow used that downtime to relax a bit. A lot of things are going to change and it will do so, very fast. Meanwhile Raven had obtained the object in question and was currently showing to Summer. But before they could take a closer look, the doorbell rang. And after Summer opened the door. She sees Ozpin and Glynda. She welcomes them both in. Before quickly running back to Raven.
"Oh wow. Ruby is a genius." Ozpin commented as he sees the object of great importance.
"Mhm. I wasn't even aware that this thing is actually a Core Module of Communications and Internet Providing Sources. Or a CMCIPS, or more well known as a ComCips. A very special device." Summer commented. She had a sad smile, sad yet proud.
"Now... Qrow said it contained alien programming. As in, alien to him. But maybe not alien to you." Ozpin added.
"Qrow definitely said it contained no programming that the original programmer was responsible for." Raven also added.
"Now that is interesting. Wait a second. Let me grab my laptop really fast." Summer said as she proceeded to use her semblence to grab her laptop. She then sat back down next to Raven and plugs the USB input slot to her laptop. Her laptop beeped a few times before shutting down.
"What happened?" Raven asked confused. Instead of an answer she saw Summer's smile growing wider.
"Its a firewall. It had been triggered. Qrow!" Summer shouted.
"Yes Summer?" Qrow asked after he came running for a moment.
"How did you enter the device last time?"
"I brute forced it by disconnecting the hard drive from the main structure. Why?"
"It explains why my laptop was forcibly shut down. It did not like that. Did you move it back?"
"I did."
"Okay. Thank you. You can go a play some more with Yang. That was all the information I needed." Summer said pleased. Qrow then walked back only to be successfully pelted with six snowballs at hyper speeds. Annoyed but smiling, he used his real strength to pelt some at Yang with little to no success. Yang was too darn fast. But that made Qrow only more competitive.
Meanwhile Summer simply restarted her pc. Only to receive a Kernal level error. Apparently in retaliation the device had deleted the OS of the laptop. Thinking that the laptop was the one that did that. It saw it as an attack, and attacked the pc by using a Zero-day. Then it proceeded to delete the pc faster than a human operator could prevent. This suprised Summer quite a bit.
"Shit."
"What?"
"My laptop got Zero-dayed and its OS has been deleted." Summer sighed saddened. "That is some impressive software. Luckily I have a few more laptops on hand. This time I am going to go full anti-hacker mode on that bitch."
"Uh..."
"It bricked my laptop." Summer said while she was retrieving like sixteen different laptops and turned them all on. And proceeded to use a piece of software that said 'Anti-Hacker' on the front. After that, she connected all the laptops together. And tried again by plugging the laptop into the device again. She watched as all sixteen laptop's anti-hacker systems turned on at the same time. They forcibly disabled the devices ability to attack them. Without much input. "There we go. I am in. The security system on this device is pretty nutty. Very impressive for a two year old."
"Uh..."
"Basically it could forcibly shut down any unknown programming in fear of it being hacked. Anything not written by the original author would get deleted without any human input. Which is incredible." Summer explained. As she looked through the device she saw a lot more security systems in place. But interestingly, they didn't turn on. As she looked as to why it didn't turn on. She noticed that one of the IPs of the laptops was recognized by the system causing the system to stop fighting. "Oh wow. IP detection hardware with build in disarming tools. That is incredibly advanced..." Summer said as she continued to babble about the security measures.
"Long story short?" Raven asked.
"The device is incredibly well protected. It has easily... like... one hundred minimum protection systems in place. Making it nearly invincible. And... wait a second... what is this?" Summer was about to explain the device's inner workings when something had caught her attention.
"What is it?"
"Hm...? A toggle?" Summer said, she then toggled the button. Only for the ground to shake right after. Something has changed.
"That came from Ruby's room!" Glynda mentioned as she was near that room. This caused everyone to come over and enter Ruby's room. And what they saw shocked them. Clearly Ruby had a friend. A secret one. How else could you explain the incredibly high tech looking basement staircase that appeared in the center of the room. But just as Yang stepped on the staircase an alarm began to ring. "INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT! ALERTING ALL STANDBY SECURITY OFFICERS TO YOUR LOCATION!" The sound boomed.
And only seconds later a group of armed individuals came running. Only to freeze up when they saw who the intruders are. "Chickpea." A women spoke up.
"Yes Agent Albert?" An automatic voice responded.
"False alarm. Ruby's family finally found out." Agent Albert replied.
"Understood. Disabling Security measures. Any sign of the boss?"
"Negative. Her vital signs says that she is alive. But when I look at the tracker, it is giving a faulty error."
"Understood. Security offline. You have permission to mingle. Tell them the truth, agent."
"Orders received. Agent Albert out."
"Madam. I think we need to explain the situation a bit. And believe me it is confusing." Agent Albert spoke up. "But for our sake and Ruby's. Please do not go down there."
"What is down there?" Yang asked calmly.
"Well... Command please explain in human terms please. I fear I do not know of a satisfying answer."
"Understood. Sister Yang. The facility you tried to enter is the underbelly of the Super Principal. Or rather what is left of it anyways. Three years back, Ruby accidentally stumbled across it. Realizing the potential it had, she smartly asked for help. She then proceeded to move it below your house in an attempt to keep it a secret. Sir Ozpin. We know of some of your secrets. This facility below the house is a vault so to speak. It houses an secondary system, a system that was initially called the Anti-Titan Warfare Device. Or AT-WD for short. However, when Ruby found it. It was still active, despite the fact that the war had been ended about fifty years ago. Ruby found signs of sabotage. Realizing that this system was powerful, she moved it. And instead of keeping as an AT-WD, she changed the designation to a Network Restablization Program for Communications without Towers. Or NRP-CT for short." The automated voice explained.
"What does it do in basic terms?" Summer asked.
"The system uses an old school system of metal framed towers all over Remnant. I am sure you have seen them. They hold no purpose right now. But they are all build all over the place with intentions. This vault will house the control system for the internet. Also know as an Internet Vault. As soon as it is turned on, the vault will fall down to the center of the planet through a massive elevator shaft. Then it will blow the entire elevator up. Preventing any form of access to the vault. And preventing anyone from shutting the network down for good. The object that you have hooked your laptop array onto is the primary Core unit. It is, mind you, only one out of a thousand of these things we have. Most of them are in working condition in the vault. It is this core that was sabotaged by someone under the codename: Witch." The automated voice responded in kind.
Yang didn't miss the flinch everyone showed. "When will the system turn on?"
"If and when the tower known as Beacon Tower, falls." The voice replied.
"How do you move the information from the vault to the towers without any direct connection?" Summer asked.
"That... has been [REDACTED] by the boss." The voice replied. "Only the boss will know."
"Who is that?" Qrow asked.
"Sir Black Bird. Initially the system belonged to codename: Wizard or Oz for short. But now, the system is owned by Ruby Rose. As long as her vital signs are active, it stays that way."
"Is that definitive proof that Ruby is in fact alive?" Yang asked hopeful. Ozpin also looked surpised and hopeful.
"She is alive. All fiftyfive units that are designated to keep an eye on Ruby Rose confirms this. However..."
"However?"
"They also confirm that she is not in Remnant. Our calculations suggests that her current position is about fiftyfive hundred million light years away from our current location." The voice replied.
"How far is a light year?" Yang asked.
"A light year under normal circumstances is literally 365 days that a year contains. But in this sentiment. It is based on the distance between Remnant and the sun. For a both ways trip. As such, we are talking about a significantly longer distance."
"Estimated distance and ETA?" Qrow asked.
"This is back and forth. 149 million Kilometers or 93 million Miles. Or roughly 36.6 years of travel. Length of time to reach the sun by rocket is... too big of a number. Civilization hasn't advanced passed the dust age yet. Chance of ever reaching Ruby Rose by traditional means is impossible. Minimum required Civilization age to reach Ruby Rose is the Space Colonization age and Hyper-Drive-System must be unlocked. If ideal conditions are met, estamated time for impossible goes to six years, minus HDS system. With HDS estimations goes down to only minutes and will be depended on speed of search radius." The voice explained.
"Without all that fancy talk. They means it is not possible to find her yet." Ozpin replied in turn.
"Correct."
"But she is most definitely alive." Yang said.
"Correct."
"Agent do you know how this might have happened?" Summer asked.
"Estimated cause is a magical mistake. A wrong warp perchance. Magic is capable of travel across dimensions. If it is indeed magic, expect her to return in about ten years from now. She will return on her own. Now, miss Yang. Please allow us to close the hatch. And collect the Core." The agent requested.
Summer toggled the switch. Closing the hatch. And unplugged the laptop before giving it back immediately. The agent gratefully accepted. "Miss, please don't worry too much. You are a warrior, her dad is a warrior, your family is a warrior. She is a warrior. She will be fine." The agent said as she attached the core to a drone causing it to fly away. "But in the meantime, take this. Ruby found it when she was busy with finding artifacts. It holds the rose symbol. But Ruby was unable to open it. Perhaps this is from your family." The agent gave Summer a very old and dusty scroll. It was very large and heavy. Summer gratefully took it.
The group of agents then left the area. Allowing the group to think for a bit. "See mom! Ruby is still alive!" Yang excitedly shouted.
"Indeed. I suppose I have been a bit too... scared to admit it. There has always been a spark of hope. But for now, lets just move on. As they said earlier. Ruby will return eventually. Now then... who wants my famous Chocolate Chip Cookie?" Summer said with a hopeful smile.
"Me!" The group said at the same time. Everybody then entered the house leaving the agents to watch everyone enter without a care in the world. The agents smiled, they had done their job. As they turned around they found themselves in front of Ruby's gravestone. They move the gravestone aside which revealed a hologram projector. The agents were the ones behind Ruby's sudden appearance at the gravestone. Alongside Agent Snowflake which was the mage behind the blizzard like actions. What nobody was aware of however. Neither the agents nor Ruby's family was that a real spirit had been watching all of this take place. Using some kind of special magic, Ruby had actually spiritualized to appear in Remnant. She was sleeping to make that happen. She smiled.
'Hm... So they actually made use of my pet project to turn it into a real back up plan. That is good.' Ruby thought. 'But to abuse my being that way... I am not impressed.'
Ruby floated around and passed through a wall into her home. She watched as everyone was sitting around the table. Eating a turkey among other things. Just like the cookies Ruby greatly missed. Regardless, she watched and waited for the group to disperse. She watched them pass the evening hugging each other and playing games. Sitting by the fireplace and singing Christmas Carols. It was amazing. Her new family in Fiore did the same. Only on a much larger scale and with more brawling and doing some arm wrestling with people around the guild. The guild certainly felt a lot more quiet now that the group has gone missing after the Agnologia incident. But Ruby was continuing to train and enjoy her stay in Fiore. Ruby shook her head. Enough about the present. She watched her family watch movies. And while that was happening, she got spotted by Zwei. Zwei was very happy to see her. But a bit confused as to why she was a spirit.
"Hey Zwei." She said as she petted him. "I am not really here right now. I... am using something to temporarily allow me to be here. I cannot go home yet. So keep them company for me, yeah?"
Zwei borked in understanding. He was basically staring at an empty space in everyone elses eyes. But nobody cared. Instead Zwei watched as Yang passed through Zwei to pet him. "What is it?" She asked.
Zwei stared at Ruby. Ruby shook her head and put her finger in front of her mouth. Zwei borked saddened. Before playing with a toy he had been given by Yang. "Hm. Weird. Hey mom!"
Ruby watched as both mothers turned to look at Yang. Both Summer and Raven turned to look at her. "What is it?" Summer asked.
Yang grumbled annoyed, whereas Ruby giggled at the encounter. "Zwei was looking in the air and bark for no reason again."
"Maybe he saw something?" Raven offered.
"Was it a spider again?" Summer added.
"No. But the moment I appeared in front of him. He gave a sad bark and went to go play with his new ball." Yang offered. "Isn't that odd?"
"That is odd." Raven replied confused.
"Maybe he saw something only animals can see?" Summer offered.
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Maybe a spirit?" Raven was the first one to say so.
"That is possible. You think a spirit has gone to visit us?" Summer asked Yang.
"Mhm. But who? Zwei looked very excited whoever it was." She replied.
'Wow she is vigilant. That is very impressive.' Ruby thought. While they figured that out, she turned her attention to the tree. It was surpisingly empty. 'No presents?' And right as she thought that, Ozpin walked in with a massive cart full of presents and begins to place them under the tree. Glynda also had some presents, but what she said next. Shocked Ruby.
"Why are we doing this again?" Glynda asked. "Didn't this tradition die with Ruby's supposed death?"
"It did. But I am keeping it alive. In honor of Ruby Rose never forgetting to give me a Christmas gift Despite only being one and two years of age at the time. It was amazing. Before Ruby's supposed death I was thinking of creating a gift giving policy in Beacon. People are to give atleast one gift to someone random in Beacon and it must be someone they don't know. You know. To encourage kindness and creating new friendships." Ozpin explained.
"So why did it not go through?" Glynda mindlessly asked as she placed a gift under the tree.
"You refused it. You gave it the denied stamp. So that is why it never went through." Ozpin said slightly annoyed.
Glynda froze up, "I did?" she asked both Ozpin and herself. "Which number did it have?"
"C96." Ozpin replied without missing a beat.
Glynda continued to freeze up as she searched an answer in her mind. "Wait! I remember. It contained no name so I had no idea who it was from. Then I proceeded to ask around what teachers though of it. And everyone said no. So... that is why it never became a thing." She explained. "Should I approve of it?"
"Give all the teachers some homework. I want a one hundred page essay on why this is a bad idea. You included Miss Goodwitch. If after all of that, they can convince me to say no as well. It will not go through. Otherwise I will automatically make it go through without nobodies care. Okay?" Ozpin grumbled.
"Very well. I will send everyone the email after Christmas."
"I want it on my desk before the end of the year. And I want it to be hand delivered to my office in the Super Prinicipal on Signal Point. Anyone that is too late has to make a one thousand page essay instead deliver that before the end of January." Ozpin warned.
Glynda's eyes widen and gulped at that. "I will send the email immediately." she said without missing a beat. She proceeds to run out of the house to quickly deliver the email to everyone.
After that interesting conversation, Ruby watched as Yang smiled at Ozpin and approved of his actions. Meanwhile Summer and Taiyang both looked unimpressed but said nothing of it. As everyone begins to slowly go to bed. With the exception of Glynda. She was fervourly busy on the laptop to quickly get the essay out of the way. Ruby smiled at that. With everyone on the second floor. Ruby used what little magic she knows of to teleport her present to everyone in the house. It was signed by Santa. And contained presents only she would know about. As she was about to leave she saw Zwei approach her.
"Merry Christmas and have a happy new year, Zwei." Ruby said as she hugged Zwei. "I will see you over ten years again. Goodbye."
Zwei wimpered and cried as he watched Ruby vanish before his eyes. He also noticed that Ruby took some cookies and milk with her. Though Ruby wasn't sure if she could eat them. She did it anyways. Ruby was now fully gone leaving a sad looking Zwei behind. He went to sit in his house that Ruby made for him years ago. And cried himself to sleep. It was not a good evening to be dog right now.
The following morning was a calm one. Yang obviously noticed a very unhappy looking dog looking at her and blocking her path to her backyard. Normally he does that to successfully gain some much needed attention. But right now, Zwei was shrugging off any pet attempt and instead chose to continue to the exit. When Yang tried to go around him, Zwei pounced into her side. And not without some force behind it. He was really unwilling to let her go outside.
"Mom. Can I go train please?" Yang asked Summer who entered the living room. She sees some blue marks on Yang's sides suggesting that she had been hit on her sides.
"Uh... Sure. Why? What seems to be the issue?" Summer looked on confused.
"Zwei is not letting me go outside. Whenever I try to go around him. He attacks my sides and pushes me back some significant force behind it." Yang said saddened.
"Zwei what do you want? Want a snack?" Summer asked in an attempt to defuse the situation. Zwei meanwhile just barks annoyed. He shakes his head and points with his paws at the Christmas tree filled with presents.
"I think he is blocking the path until people have unpacked any and all gifts under the Christmas tree." Summer deduced. Causing Yang to sigh.
"Alright. Should I go and wake everyone up?" Yang asked.
"There is no need for that." Raven said as she too enters the room. "Everyone is already awake." And just as she said that mere moments later, her dad, her uncle, Ozpin and Glynda enter the room one after the other.
"Alright. Let's open up some gifts. So Ozpin, how do you want to do this?" Yang asked.
"Lets go around in a circle. Each person grabs one gift and gives it to the owner. Said owner has to immediately open the gift up. Well after you read the tag of course." Ozpin requested.
"Alright. That seems good." Yang said pleasantly surprised.
"Say... Ozpin." Glynda started. "How many gifts did you buy?"
"Two for each Occupant. Why?" Ozpin replied.
"And I added one for each Occupant. Myself included. So that means the amount of gifts should be... Twentyfour... But I count... Thirtytwo." Glynda said.
"Uh... Who added that additional eight?" Ozpin asked as he look around.
"No us. We don't do this anymore remember..." Summer replied.
"We didn't either." Raven replied.
"No matter. Lets just begin. I want to go train. My muscles are itching." Yang said annoyed.
"Okay that is fair. Yang you start. Chose a present to give." Ozpin admitted.
Yang then chose a gift to Glynda from Ozpin. She gave it to Glynda, who promptly opened it. "Oooh. A new Scroll. Thank you, Ozpin." Glynda looked pleased.
Next up was Glynda. After that was Ozpin. And this cycle kept going and going. Zwei has also already opened atleast three gifts. When everyone has received their thrid set of gifts. It was time for the final set of eight. The unknown set of gifts. "Next up, Yang grab a present once more." Ozpin said once more.
"Okay." Yang stood up and grabbed a present and gave it to her dad. "Here dad." Yang said. Taiyang looked closely at the present. "From Santa?" he said confused. He then promptly opened the gift and saw it contained something a bit unusual. "Hm? What is this..." He said until he suddenly froze as he understood what this gift was supposed to be. It was a training dummy in the shape of a horse. For the small package it was surprising that the gift fitted in it at all. But that wasn't the most surprising part. He never openly admitted of wanting this. And yet here it is.
"What is it?" Yang asked confused.
"A training dummy in the shape of a horse." He replied without missing a beat. He was still looking at it stunned.
"Why do you need that?" Summer asked.
"To put a human Dummy on it. And to test combat on a horse." He replied again without missing a beat. "But how?! I never mentioned this to anyone?! How?!" he shouted confused.
"Well Santa works in mysterious ways." Yang replied smiling.
"Can someone else please give a gift. I... I need time to process this gift." Taiyang said, his voice failing him.
"Sure. I can do it again if you want." Yang said, she looks around and noticed everyone agreeing. She then chose a gift from Santa to Summer. Summer promptly opened it and it too froze her almost immediately.
"What is it?" Yang asked curious.
"A... Cookie pan." Summer replied after a few second. "But not just any cookie pan. But from my favorite brand that hasn't been operational in ten years. And it looks brand new too. This... is the best gift I have received all year!"
"How much does it cost to obtain it factory new?" Ozpin asked.
"Ten Million Lien." Summer replied. Causing everyone to balk at that. Not a single gift here would cost that much. It was crazy.
"Okay. Are you going..." "Let me chose a gift." Ozpin started only for Taiyang to intercept the question.
"Very well." Ozpin replied. He then watched Tai grab a present meant for Raven. And gave it to her.
"It once again says, From Santa to Raven." Raven said as she promptly opened the gift. It was a plushie of a Raven. It looked handmade. "Huh. A plushie. Not bad. And it looks handmade at that. I will put it in my collection. Now then, let me chose a gift." She said as she grabs a gift From Santa to Qrow. "Here is the gift."
"Thank you." He prompty opened it. And it was a weird brace. After some more fiddling, he realized what it was. It was a brace meant for a small bird if it were to break a wing. "Ah. Nice. Perfect. Thank you Santa." He then promtly grabbed a gift meant for Glynda and gave it to her.
She said nothing as she opened the gift and it contained a Etagere. Perfect to throw a High Tea party with. "Ooh. A cake stand. Perfect. I lost my last one due to an accident so this one will come in clutch." Glynda said pleased. She then grabs the next one and gives it to Ozpin.
Ozpin opens the gift and looks inside. It contained a fountain pen. But one with five different settings. A black and a color of each season. However it was kinda useless so he wasn't sure why he got one. Wait... the only person in this world that would know about this specific pen is Ruby. Did Ruby give gifts this Christmas? "Huh. Nice. I will take it." He said as she gives a gift to Zwei. And Zwei being dog promptly opened it without a care in the world and it contains a rubber dog bone. He grabs the bone and really chews on it and then sniffs it. It smells like Ruby. After he realized this, he began to Howl. Like a full blown wolf like howl. Surprising everyone in the house that had to endure the howl.
"Ouch." Yang said as he was being deafened by the howl. Zwei then shook his head and grabbed the final present to give to Yang. It was a very, very heavy present. He chose to just push it in the end.
"Is it heavy?" Taiyang asked. He then tries and fails to lift the present up. "Oof what the heck is in here?" Instead he helps Zwei to push the gift over to Yang.
Yang doesn't even bother trying to lift it. "Thank you Zwei." She then promptly opened the gift and what it contains stuns everyone in the room. It was a motorcycle body including the wheels. It also contains another gift card. She grabs the card and begins to read it out loud.
"'Dear Yang. Boy have you been good this year. Fighting hard for the people. And gaining capable allies. However I haven't forgotten that I was supposed to give you a gift one frightful evening. A gift and an apology. For breaking your favorite motorcycle. I hope you will forgive me. Once I return from whence I came from. All I can give you is a single gift. That will embody your journey and freedom. Don't feel to scared and let yourself get anchored down. So ride the wind into the sunset. From your greatest friend. Santa Claus. P.S. From Your Sister.'" She said out loud.
"What is that final bit? Morse?" Summer asked.
"Uh... It is a secret message. Once second..." Yang said. As she thought it out. Her eyes widen to dinner plates. "Ah. I will keep it a secret. I see. Thank you Santa." She said giving a sad smile.
"Good and one more thing to everyone here. I know it is only a few days. But Happy New Years too." Yang said.
A/n: Thank you for reading this book with me so far. I am truly enjoying. I will try to my best to write more chapters but I will do it on my own pace. There is no rush after all. I hope everyone had the chance to enjoy yourself a great 2024 Christmas and an awesome 2024 New Year. While my intentions are to write more, I cannot rush the mind. Or else I will just burn out. So thank you for reading so far. And see you in 2025!