Yang's breath hitched as she gasped for air, her eyes snapping open. Darkness surrounded her, save for the dim glow of flickering torches lining a cold, damp stone corridor ahead. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she struggled to move, only to feel resistance—her left arm was shackled above her head, the metal chain digging into her wrist. Panic surged through her as she turned to look at her right side.

Her robotic arm was gone.

Her breath came in short, frantic bursts as she tugged against the chain, her shoulder aching with each desperate pull. The air was thick, suffocating, filled with the scent of damp stone and something metallic—blood.

Then, from the shadows, four figures emerged. Dark Seekers, clad in their ominous armor, their glowing red eyes watching her with silent menace. Yang clenched her jaw and resumed struggling, her muscles straining.

A dull thud echoed through the chamber.

Something heavy had landed on the ground not far from her. Yang's struggling ceased, her lilac eyes darting toward the source of the sound. The Dark Seekers lowered their heads in reverence as footsteps echoed toward her.

A figure walked forward, stepping out of the shadows.

Yang's blood ran cold.

Ruby.

But this wasn't her Ruby.

Her younger sister's iconic red hood and cape were tattered and torn, barely holding together as they draped over her frame. Her clothes were shredded in places, exposing patches of pale, almost sickly white skin. But the most horrifying part—Ruby's once brilliant silver eyes were gone, replaced with dark, menacing red. Veins, blackened with corruption, pulsed faintly across her face and down her arms.

She looked like Salem.

"You should have never come back, big sister." Ruby's voice was devoid of warmth, dripping with venom. "That was a huge mistake on your part."

Yang's breath hitched. Her struggles renewed, pulling at the chain with all her might, but it was no use. The metal bit into her wrist, refusing to budge.

Ruby stepped closer, stopping just a foot away.

Yang had never seen her sister like this—cold, emotionless, utterly consumed by something dark. But the moment Ruby reached into Yang's jacket and pulled something free, a new kind of fear took hold.

A torn piece of cloth, frayed at the edges.

Weiss' family emblem.

Ruby turned it over in her fingers, her dark gaze locked onto the Schnee crest, her expression unreadable. Then, without a word, she handed it to one of the Dark Seekers, her fingers trembling ever so slightly before she clenched her fist. When she looked back at Yang, her face twisted with rage.

"She meant the world to me," Ruby said, her voice sharp like a blade. "And you took her away."

Yang's breath caught in her throat.

Ruby reached behind her back, and from her belt, she unsheathed a weapon—sleek, silver, and devastatingly familiar.

Myrtenaster.

Weiss' rapier.

Half of the blade was missing, jagged and broken, but what remained was still razor-sharp. The sight of it made Yang's stomach drop.

"Ruby…" Yang's voice cracked, but her sister didn't react.

Ruby lifted the broken rapier and pressed the tip against Yang's chest—right where her heart was.

For a moment, time stood still.

Ruby's crimson eyes bore into Yang's, void of remorse, void of hesitation.

Yang finally understood.

Her sister had made her decision.

"Ruby, please…"

The blade plunged forward.

A sharp, searing pain erupted in Yang's chest. Her scream ripped through the chamber as Myrtenaster drove deep, the cold steel sinking past flesh and bone.

TEAM RWBY'S ROOM

Yang woke with a sharp gasp, her body jerking upright. Her breath came in ragged, uneven bursts as she clutched her chest, her heart hammering against her ribs. Sweat dampened her forehead, her hands trembling as she realized where she was.

The familiar surroundings of Team RWBY's room came into focus—the neatly arranged beds, the dim glow of the bedside lamp, the comforting scent of home. But it did little to calm her racing heart. She was still reeling, the echoes of that nightmare gripping her mind like a vice.

Then—

A hand touched her shoulder.

Yang reacted on pure instinct.

Her robotic arm whirred as her hidden blade shot out in an instant, the sharp edge inches from striking.

Blake leaped back, her eyes wide in shock.

Realizing what she had almost done, Yang's breath hitched. She immediately retracted the blade, shoving her arm behind her back as if to erase what had just happened. Her hands found her head, fingers gripping her golden hair tightly, her entire body shaking.

"Oh, Gods..." Yang's voice cracked. "Oh, Gods, I almost— I almost—" She couldn't even finish the sentence. A shuddering breath left her lips as she buried her face in her hands, her shoulders trembling.

Blake didn't hesitate.

She moved toward Yang, gently pulling her hands away from her face. Blake's amber eyes softened as she took in the expression before her—raw fear, guilt, and something deeper. Tears had already begun trailing down Yang's cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Blake." Yang's voice was barely above a whisper. "I'm so sorry."

Blake didn't say anything. Instead, she pulled Yang into her arms, holding her close. Yang's head rested against her shoulder, and for a moment, she simply let herself break, quiet sobs muffled against Blake's jacket.

"It's okay, Yang," Blake murmured, running a comforting hand down Yang's back. "It's okay."

Yang shook her head. "No, it's not."

Blake pulled back slightly, concern etching across her face. "What do you mean?"

Yang sniffed and wiped at her tears hastily, as if ashamed of them. Then, with trembling fingers, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small bottle of pills, holding it up between them.

Blake's eyes widened. "Yang... No." She took a step back, her voice barely containing the alarm creeping into it. "Please don't tell me you—"

"They're not mine." Yang interrupted, her grip tightening around the bottle. "I haven't been taking these, Blake." She hesitated, looking away. "Ruby has."

Blake's breath caught. "What?"

Yang nodded grimly, her fingers fidgeting with the bottle cap as if contemplating whether to open it.

"I need to tell you something." Yang swallowed hard, finally meeting Blake's gaze. "Something only Ruby and I know. And I need you to promise me—you won't tell her that you know."

Blake studied her carefully, feeling the weight behind her words. "Yang... what's going on?"

PENNY'S ROOM

Ruby stirred awake, her eyes fluttering open as the soft morning light filtered through the window. She stretched slightly, only to realize she couldn't move her arms. Blinking in confusion, she glanced down and smiled. Weiss had wrapped herself around her sometime during the night, holding onto her like a lifeline.

Ruby exhaled softly, warmth filling her chest at the sight of Weiss sleeping so peacefully. But then—

A sudden meow broke the silence.

Ruby's brow furrowed as she turned her head, following the sound. She saw Penny standing by a bookshelf, pointing sternly at a small, orange-furred cat perched smugly on top.

Sparks, Ruby thought, recognizing the playful look in the feline's golden eyes.

Penny, looking utterly determined, pointed at the floor.

"Sparks. Down."

The cat flicked its tail lazily, making no move to obey.

Penny's expression remained serious as she tried again. "Sparks. Down."

No reaction.

Sighing, Penny stepped closer and carefully lifted the cat off the shelf. Lowering herself, she pointed to the ground once more.

"Sparks. Down. This is down. Down is good." She then lifted the cat up again, pointing toward the top of the bookshelf. "This is up, Sparks. Up. Up is not good."

Ruby, now amused, carefully unwrapped Weiss' arms from around her, taking care not to wake her up. Once she was free, she padded over to Penny, watching the ongoing struggle.

Penny turned, finally noticing Ruby.

"Good morning, Ruby. I take it you've slept well?"

Ruby yawned and nodded. "Yeah, I did. Been a while since I actually had a good night's sleep."

Penny tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean?"

Ruby hesitated. "I'll tell you later," she said, not wanting to bring up her recurring nightmares. Instead, she looked at the cat. "So… you have a cat?"

Penny brightened. "Oh, yes! Father suggested that in order to help me be more human, I should bond with an animal companion. I found this little guy in Atlas, scavenging scraps in an alleyway, and decided to take him in. He now lives here in the Citadel with me. His name is Sparks!"

"Sparks?" Ruby asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why that name?"

Penny gently turned Sparks, revealing a small, lightning-shaped scar on his side.

"Ah," Ruby said, nodding. "Like a lightning bolt. Sparks. That actually fits."

Penny nodded. "Yes, but unfortunately, my success in training him has been… mixed. He responds to certain commands, such as 'come here,' 'go to bed,' and 'hide.' However, as you just witnessed, my efforts to teach him 'jump down' have been… unsuccessful."

Ruby chuckled. "Don't worry, Penny. Cats are stubborn. He'll listen eventually."

Penny smiled warmly. "Thank you, Ruby. Your optimism is always refreshing."

Ruby grinned. "Well, you know me." Then she glanced at Weiss, still comfortably sleeping. "Speaking of optimism, I should probably wake up our resident ice queen if we wanna get to the Mess Hall before all the good food is gone."

Penny nodded. "A wise decision."

Ruby leaned down, gently shaking Weiss by the shoulder. Weiss stirred, murmuring softly. A small smirk formed on Ruby's lips as she leaned in and gave Weiss a light kiss on the nose.

Weiss' eyes fluttered open, a sleepy smile spreading across her face.

"Morning, Snow Angel," Ruby said softly.

Weiss sighed contentedly, her arms instinctively reaching for Ruby again. "Mmm… five more minutes."

Ruby giggled. "Nope! Time to get up, princess. Breakfast awaits!"

Weiss yawned as she slowly blinked awake, stretching slightly before nestling closer to Ruby. Her arms instinctively wrapped around Ruby's waist, pulling her back into a loose embrace.

"Mmmm… Can't we stay in bed a little longer?" she mumbled sleepily, resting her forehead against Ruby's back.

Ruby chuckled, shaking her head as she reached for her cloak. "I'd love to, Weiss, really. But remember where we are?"

Weiss opened one eye and lazily scanned the room—only to be met with Penny's bright green eyes and an ever-present cheerful expression. She groaned dramatically, tightening her hold on Ruby for a moment before pouting.

"Oh. Right."

Just then, another sound caught her attention. Weiss turned her head and was met with an unfamiliar feline gaze—golden eyes staring back at her from atop Penny's bookshelf. A small, orange-furred cat, its tail flicking playfully, observed her with casual disinterest.

Weiss sighed. "Oh, great. Another cat. As if Snowball wasn't enough."

Penny perked up. "Snowball? Who is Snowball?"

Ruby smirked, tilting her head back against Weiss' shoulder. "That would be Weiss' precious cat. He's staying with her dad in Atlas."

"Don't talk about Snowball," Weiss groaned, covering her face with her hand. "He's the worst. An absolute menace."

Ruby laughed. "I think you just don't like that he doesn't worship you."

Weiss huffed. "I don't need worship. I just need a pet that doesn't attack me every time I try to feed it." She glanced at the orange cat still watching her. "I bet your cat is better behaved than Snowball."

As if on cue, Sparks let out a small, almost smug meow.

Penny beamed and turned to him. "Ah! Perfect timing, as usual, Sparks. Are you hungry?"

Sparks meowed again, this time more insistently.

Penny nodded. "Understood. I shall prepare your meal at once." She gracefully walked to the corner of the room where a small dish was waiting.

Weiss sat up properly, rubbing her temple. "Wait a minute… when did she get a cat?"

AN HOUR LATER – MESS HALL

The mess hall was bustling with activity, filled with soldiers, Huntsmen, and specialists all gathered to eat and chat about the day's upcoming tasks. The air carried a mixture of different scents—freshly baked bread, sizzling meat, and the occasional artificial meal substitute that some of the Citadel staff had to endure.

Carrying their trays, Ruby and Weiss navigated through the crowded room, scanning for an open table.

"We should probably wake up earlier next time," Weiss muttered, eyeing the lack of available seating. "That way, we can actually find a decent spot before the entire hall fills up."

Ruby chuckled. "Yeah, probably a good—"

Her words cut off abruptly as her silver eyes landed on two familiar figures standing across from them—Yang and Blake.

For a brief moment, Ruby stood still, her expression shifting from neutral to rigid. Her grip on the tray tightened, and her shoulders squared as she locked eyes with her sister. Yang, standing there with Blake at her side, looked hesitant—almost like she was debating whether to say something.

But before she could even try, Ruby turned away, her red cloak swishing as she walked in the opposite direction without a single word.

Weiss, caught in the middle, hesitated. She glanced at Yang, whose expression darkened with guilt, before sighing and following Ruby.

Yang exhaled, lowering her head. "Guess that answers that."

Blake placed a reassuring hand on her arm. "Give her time, Yang. It's only been a day."

"I know," Yang mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck. "But… let's not forget what happened last time Ruby shut herself off. After Qrow's—"

Blake gently squeezed Yang's arm, stopping her mid-sentence. "This isn't like before. She's angry, not grieving. She'll come around."

Yang let out a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah… I hope you're right."

After weaving through the crowded mess hall, Ruby and Weiss finally found an empty table just as a group of soldiers finished their meals and stood up to leave.

Ruby sighed in relief, placing her tray down. "Finally."

Weiss set her own tray beside Ruby's and smoothed out her skirt before sitting down. "At least we managed to find a seat before resorting to eating in a hallway."

Ruby was about to respond when she noticed a familiar group wandering through the mess hall, trays in hand, scanning for a table.

Jaune, Ren, Nora, and Neo looked around, clearly struggling to find an open spot. Seeing them, Ruby let out a sharp whistle.

Jaune turned at the sound, spotting Ruby waving them over. He nudged Ren and nodded toward the table.

"Hey, guys." Jaune greeted as they reached the table. "Mind if we join you?"

"Go ahead." Ruby answered with a small smile.

Team JNNR quickly took their seats, setting down their trays. The group settled in, diving into their meals, but Jaune soon noticed Ruby's attention drifting elsewhere. Her silver eyes were locked onto something—or rather, someone.

Following her gaze, Jaune turned his head slightly and saw Yang sitting a few tables away. She wasn't looking back, seemingly focused on her own food, but the intensity of Ruby's stare was impossible to miss.

"Ruby?" Jaune asked cautiously. "Why are you looking at Yang like that?"

At first, Ruby didn't answer. Instead, she slowly rolled up her sleeve, revealing the bandages wrapped around her injured arm.

Jaune's eyes widened slightly, as did the rest of Team JNNR's.

"From yesterday's mission." Ruby explained, her voice even but laced with frustration. "Yang is the reason I got this."

Jaune looked at her with concern. "Wait… did she—?"

"No." Ruby quickly cut him off. "She didn't do this herself. But she's the reason it happened. She let her emotions get in the way, and because of that, I got hurt. And now, I can't even use Crescent Rose."

Jaune, Ren, and Neo exchanged glances. Nora, who had been halfway through chewing a pancake, frowned. "Ruby, that sucks, but… you'll heal. It's just for a little while, right?"

Ruby let out a slow breath. "You don't understand." She turned to Weiss. "I've trained my whole life to fight with Crescent Rose. I've never used any other weapon before. Without it, I feel… useless."

Weiss gently set her fork down and leaned in slightly. "But you're not useless, Ruby. You know how to fight in other ways. You have your speed, your skills. You even have your powers."

Ruby tensed at the mention of her abilities, her fingers curling slightly.

Weiss noticed immediately. "Is something wrong?"

Ruby stayed silent, gripping the edge of her sleeve. Instead of answering, she simply pulled up her hood and resumed eating, as if shutting down the conversation entirely.

Weiss sighed softly, realizing she wasn't going to get an answer right now. She glanced up, scanning the room, only to find Yang sitting across the hall—watching Ruby with a deep, guilty look in her eyes.

COMMAND CENTER

Ironwood stood before a large digital map of Remnant, his sharp blue eyes scanning the numerous red dots blinking across the screen. His brows furrowed as he noted something unusual.

"This is odd…" he muttered to himself.

From across the room, Qrow and Raven entered, both catching the tone in Ironwood's voice.

"What's odd?" Qrow asked, taking a swig from his flask as he approached.

Ironwood turned toward them, arms crossed. "There have been no reports of attacks anywhere today. Not a single village, settlement, or trade route has been hit. It's as if the enemy forces have just… stopped."

Qrow raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's weird. You think maybe they all decided to take a vacation?"

"Or," Raven interjected, stepping forward, her arms folded, "it could mean they're preparing for something big. Something that requires all of their forces."

Qrow's casual smirk faded at the thought. "Like an attack on a major city?"

Ironwood exhaled through his nose, turning back to the screen. "That's one possibility. But without any direct intel, we're left speculating."

He pressed a few buttons, zooming in on Vale.

"However, there is some good news."

The map highlighted several areas marked in yellow.

"Based on our ongoing intelligence efforts and recent sightings during previous attacks, we believe the Spring Maiden may currently be residing somewhere in Vale."

Qrow rubbed the back of his head. "Vale's a big place, James. Even if she's there, we're talking about a needle in a haystack."

Ironwood nodded. "That's why we're still working on pinpointing a more exact location. With no new attacks occurring today, our ability to track her movements just got significantly harder."

Raven narrowed her eyes at the map. "If the attacks really have stopped for a reason, then it's possible she's their next target. Or worse, they already found her."

Qrow frowned. "That's not a comforting thought."

Ironwood turned away from the screen, his expression unreadable. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Qrow, I need you to be honest with me."

Qrow tilted his head. "That's never a good way to start a conversation, but alright. Lay it on me."

Ironwood clasped his hands behind his back. "Do you truly believe Weiss Schnee is ready for this kind of news?"

Qrow exhaled, stepping closer to the General. "Honestly? I'm not sure." He ran a hand through his hair. "To Weiss, she's been gone for years. If we drop this on her now, it's gonna hit her like a freight train. But here's the thing, James…"

He looked Ironwood dead in the eyes.

"She deserves to know. Sooner rather than later. Because if the Maiden shows up and Weiss finds out we've been sitting on this information the whole time?" He shook his head. "That's a betrayal you don't come back from. Trust me."

Ironwood sighed heavily, rubbing his temples before nodding. "Alright. As soon as we have a confirmed location, we'll call Miss Schnee in and tell her the truth."

Qrow simply nodded, while Raven remained silent, her arms still crossed as she studied the map with a calculating look.

TEAM RWBY'S ROOM

Blake lay alone on her bed, immersed in the pages of her book, enjoying the rare moment of quiet. However, the moment was short-lived when a knock echoed through the room.

"Blake?" Ruby's voice came from the other side. "Is it just you in there?"

Blake set her book down and stood, stretching slightly before answering.

"Yes, Ruby. Come in."

The door opened, and Ruby stepped inside, her expression neutral but her movements a little tense.

"Sorry to bother you while you're reading, Blake." Ruby said, her voice slightly softer than usual. "I just forgot a couple of things. Mind if I grab them?"

"Of course." Blake gestured for her to go ahead.

Ruby walked over to her bed and crouched down, reaching underneath. She pulled out two items: a medallion—the one Winter had given her two years ago—and a small stuffed Grimm plush, worn but well cared for.

Blake's ears twitched slightly. "You actually brought that here?" she asked, tilting her head.

Ruby gave a small smile, squeezing the plush lightly. "Of course. It helps me sleep sometimes."

Blake frowned. "Why is that?"

Ruby hesitated. Her fingers curled around the stuffed Grimm a little tighter, but instead of answering, she turned toward the door, her posture stiff.

Blake sighed. "Ruby."

Ruby stopped but didn't turn around.

"I'm fine, Blake. I really am."

Blake studied her carefully before reaching under her own pillow. She pulled out a small, familiar-looking bottle and held it up for Ruby to see.

Ruby's eyes widened in shock, immediately recognizing it.

Blake tossed the bottle, and Ruby instinctively dropped her things to catch it. She stared at it, gripping it tightly, before looking up at Blake, her silver eyes flashing with anger.

"Yang told you." Ruby said, her voice quiet but filled with bitterness. "Didn't she?"

Blake nodded, not backing down. "She did."

Ruby's hands clenched around the bottle, her breathing becoming uneven. A tear slipped down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away, her expression hardening.

"She promised she wouldn't tell anyone." Ruby's voice shook slightly. "I trusted her."

Blake stepped forward. "Ruby, please. You have to understand. Yang is hurting, too."

But Ruby wasn't listening. Her grip on the bottle was so tight her knuckles turned white, her whole body trembling with barely restrained emotion. She looked up at Blake, eyes filled with betrayal.

"Where is she?" Ruby asked, her tone quiet but dangerous.

COURTYARD

Yang's fists slammed into the punching bag, each hit growing more forceful than the last. She could feel the anger bubbling inside her, her body running on pure frustration. Her breathing grew heavier, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. With one final, explosive punch, the bag snapped from its chain, launching into the air before crashing onto the ground nearly twenty feet away.

Panting, Yang tried to steady herself, her glowing hair dimming as her lilac eyes returned.

"Great." She muttered, rubbing her knuckles as she walked toward her towel.

Her Scroll buzzed. Yang picked it up and read the message from Blake.

"She knows you told me."

Yang's eyes widened. "Oh, shit."

Before she could react, the doors to the courtyard burst open with a thunderous slam.

Yang turned, already knowing who it was.

Ruby.

Her younger sister stormed toward her, Crescent Rose unfolded and ready, her silver eyes burning with unfiltered rage.

Yang barely had time to grab Ember Celica and brace herself before Ruby was right in front of her.

"Ruby, just let me explain—"

"Explain WHAT?!" Ruby's voice cracked with fury. "WHY DID YOU TELL BLAKE?!"

"I had to, Ruby!" Yang tried, her voice rising.

"YOU SWORE TO ME!" Ruby screamed. "YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN'T SAY A WORD! I TRUSTED YOU, YANG! AND YOU BROKE THAT TRUST!"

Ruby lunged, swinging Crescent Rose in a wide arc. Yang barely dodged, leaning back just in time to avoid the razor-sharp edge. She didn't retaliate, only blocking with Ember Celica as Ruby continued her assault, forcing her to backpedal.

Ruby swung again—this time, Yang miscalculated. Crescent Rose crashed against her gauntlets, the sheer force knocking Yang off her feet. She hit the ground with a grunt, barely able to roll away before the scythe embedded itself into the dirt where her head had been.

Before Yang could react, Ruby was on her, grabbing the front of her shirt and yanking her up.

"HOW CAN I TRUST YOU NOW, YANG?!" Ruby's voice was raw, her silver eyes burning into Yang's.

Yang didn't fight back, didn't try to push her off. Instead, she closed her eyes and exhaled.

"You can't."

Ruby's breath hitched.

"Exactly." Her voice was cold, cutting deeper than any blade ever could.

Yang opened her eyes, seeing nothing but contempt in Ruby's gaze.

"You're reckless, arrogant, and pathetic." Ruby spat.

Yang flinched.

"Yesterday proved that you can't be trusted to follow orders. You endangered everyone's lives when you went after Torchwick. You let your anger take over, and now look what happened."

Ruby leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper, but sharper than steel.

"You should've stayed home, Yang. We don't need people like you. We need soldiers. Not reckless delinquents."

Yang's body tensed. Something inside her snapped.

With a growl, Yang shoved Ruby off, sending her stumbling backward.

"You wanna talk about reckless?!" Yang's voice rose with anger. "Why don't you use your powers, huh?! Or maybe you WON'T! Just like during the mission! A very cowardly move, if you ask me!"

Ruby's expression twisted into pure fury. With a snarl, she charged.

Yang braced herself, but Ruby tackled her with full force, sending them both crashing into a wooden table, which shattered beneath their weight.

They hit the ground hard, but Ruby wasted no time. She straddled Yang and threw the first punch. Then another. And another.

Yang felt the familiar sting of her sister's fists connecting with her face, but she barely registered the pain.

Then, Yang caught Ruby's wrist.

She twisted, rolling them over, reversing their positions. Now it was Yang's turn.

Her eyes blazed red, her hair flaring as she started throwing punches of her own. Each strike fueled by years of frustration, guilt, and anger.

Both sisters lost themselves in the fight, blinded by their rage. Neither willing to back down. Neither willing to yield.

DARK PALACE

Emerald knelt before Envy, her gaze low in deference. The throne room was silent, save for the quiet hum of torches lining the walls.

"And you understand what must be done, Emerald?" Envy's voice echoed, smooth but commanding.

Emerald hesitated only for a moment before nodding. "I do, Mistress. I will go now."

"Good." Envy leaned back in her throne, watching as Emerald rose and exited the chamber.

From the shadows, Cinder stepped forward, her amber eyes locked onto Envy. "I do not doubt this plan will succeed, Mistress," she said smoothly. "But why send Emerald to initiate it? Why not Torchwick?"

Envy's expression darkened. "Torchwick failed to protect the files on the Spring Maiden. His incompetence cost us valuable information." She drummed her fingers against the armrest. "He will not be joining us when the time comes."

Cinder tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as she observed Envy carefully.

"Are you alright, Mistress?"

Envy's gaze snapped to her, the slits of green in her red eyes flashing with something unreadable. "I am. Why do you ask?"

"Your eyes, Mistress." Cinder's voice was cool, yet inquisitive. "They look... different."

For the briefest second, Envy faltered, looking away. "It's nothing." She stood abruptly, her cape shifting behind her. "Get Blaze and his men ready. I suspect Emerald will put our plan into motion soon."

Without another word, Envy strode from the throne room, leaving Cinder alone.

A smirk crept onto Cinder's lips as she turned toward the grand mirror against the far wall. She approached it slowly, her heels clicking against the polished stone floor. Standing before the towering glass, she tilted her head and placed her fingertips against its cold surface.

Her reflection stared back at her, unwavering. But she knew what lurked beneath.

"I was surprised when Salem chose to keep you alive, Pyrrha Nikos," Cinder mused, her voice barely above a whisper. "And even more surprised when Envy took your body for herself. I always thought you had become some kind of revenant. But no..."

Cinder's smile widened, her breath fogging slightly against the mirror.

"You've been alive this whole time."

Her hand pressed more firmly against the glass, her eyes gleaming with malice.

"I'm going to enjoy tearing Envy apart when the time comes. And after I do, I will destroy your body." She let out a quiet chuckle. "That way, your spirit will always remain in this mirror... helpless."

Cinder turned, her long coat billowing as she strode away from the mirror, her smirk lingering.

From the other side, Pyrrha's hands trembled against the cold glass, her breathing shallow.

"I have to get out of here," she whispered to herself, eyes darting to the growing crack in the mirror.

Her fingers curled into fists.

"I will get out of here."

PENNY'S ROOM

Weiss leaned against the wall, arms crossed as she watched Penny continue training Sparks.

"Sparks," Penny called gently. "Come."

The small cat stretched before padding over to her obediently. Penny lifted him into her arms and stroked his head. "Good, Sparks."

Weiss huffed, raising an eyebrow. "So far, he seems a lot nicer than my cat."

Penny beamed. "Thank you, Weiss. I do my best to raise him well." She sat on her bed, cradling Sparks in her lap and continuing to pet him.

The door creaked open without warning. Weiss and Penny turned their heads as Ruby stepped inside, her hood pulled up, carrying her medallion and stuffed Grimm toy. She moved with heavy, deliberate steps, not even bothering to close the door behind her. Without a word, she walked straight to her bed, set her things down, and sat with her back to them, staring at the floor.

Penny and Weiss exchanged a concerned glance.

"Ruby?" Weiss called softly.

No response.

Weiss hesitated, then slowly stood and walked toward her. As she crouched in front of Ruby, she gasped, her eyes widening in horror.

Ruby's face was bruised and cut, with fresh scrapes along her cheekbone and a deep, purple swelling near her eye.

"Ruby," Weiss whispered, shock lacing her voice. "What happened to you?"

Ruby finally looked at her, but as soon as she opened her mouth, a choked sob escaped instead. Tears spilled down her battered cheeks, and Weiss immediately wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Ruby clung to her, her body trembling as she wept into Weiss' shoulder.

Weiss glanced at Penny, who was staring in silent concern, her fingers gently gripping Sparks.

"I can't stay here anymore, Weiss." Ruby's voice was muffled against Weiss' shoulder.

Weiss pulled back slightly, just enough to look Ruby in the eye.

"What do you mean, Ruby?" she asked gently.

Ruby sniffled, struggling to get the words out.

"I... I..." She clenched her jaw, her breath shaky. "I wanna go home, Weiss. I can't stay here anymore."

Weiss' brows furrowed. "What? Why? Ruby, why do you want to leave?"

Ruby's breath hitched. "Because... I'm scared, Weiss."

Weiss stilled.

"Scared of what?" she asked hesitantly.

Ruby's hands clenched into fists on her lap, her nails digging into her palms.

"I'm scared of Yang."

The words were barely above a whisper, but they hit Weiss like a gunshot.

Her blood ran cold as realization dawned. She looked at Ruby's bruised knuckles, the fresh red stain seeping through the bandages on her injured arm.

Yang had done this.

Weiss swallowed, struggling to keep her voice steady. "Ruby... did Yang—?"

Ruby didn't let her finish. "I can't trust her anymore," she said shakily. "I don't feel safe around her, Weiss. I don't want to be here with her around."

Weiss felt her own anger rising, but she pushed it down. Right now, Ruby needed her.

She took Ruby's hands, feeling how tense and exhausted they were.

"Come on," Weiss said, helping her to her feet. "Let's go see the doctor."

Ruby didn't argue. She simply nodded, her red hood falling slightly over her face as she let Weiss guide her toward the door.

As the two girls exited, Weiss shot a final glance at Penny, whose worried green eyes followed them out.

The door clicked shut, leaving Penny sitting in silence. Sparks meowed quietly in her lap.

Penny gently ran her fingers along his fur, her expression somber.

"I don't know, Sparks," she murmured. "I think Ruby is hurting... both inside and out."

TEAM RWBY'S ROOM

Yang sat slumped in a chair by the desk, her face a mess of cuts and bruises. She stared at the floor, arms resting on her knees, her entire body radiating exhaustion and guilt.

The bathroom door creaked open. Blake stepped out, drying her hands, only to stop in her tracks when she saw Yang's condition.

"Yang?" Blake's voice was filled with concern.

Yang barely turned her head. "Hey, Blake. Thanks for the warning." Her voice was hoarse, drained.

Blake hesitated. "Did... did Ruby find you?"

Yang let out a humorless chuckle. "Yep. She sure did."

"And... how did it go?"

Yang finally turned to look at her, revealing the full extent of the damage. The bruises on her cheek and jaw had already begun to darken, her lip was split, and there was a gash above her eyebrow.

"What do you think?" Yang asked flatly.

Blake inhaled sharply, eyes widening. She quickly stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on Yang's shoulder. Yang glanced at it for a moment before letting out a shaky breath, resting her own hand on top of Blake's.

"I... I'd like some time alone, Blake."

Blake hesitated but eventually nodded. "Okay. I'll give you space."

She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the top of Yang's head before turning toward the door. With one last glance at Yang's slumped figure, she quietly stepped out, leaving her alone.

The room fell into silence.

Yang pushed herself to her feet and dragged herself over to her bed. Sitting on the edge, she grabbed her pillow and buried her face into it.

And then she screamed.

The muffled outburst lasted a few moments before she tossed the pillow aside and leaned forward, her elbows on her knees, her hands tangled in her golden hair.

Her breathing was ragged. Her entire body trembled.

She looked down at her left hand. Her knuckles were swollen, purple, and sore from repeated impacts.

Then she looked at her right.

Her metal arm.

The dull, crimson stains of dried blood clung to the metal like a sick reminder of what she had done.

Ruby's blood.

Her vision blurred as tears welled up in her eyes.

What did... what did I do?

Her breathing hitched, her body shaking harder. Then, finally, she broke.

Sobs wracked her body as she covered her face with both hands, shoulders trembling with every cry.

Yang Xiao Long—the strongest, toughest person she knew—sat alone in her room, drowning in regret and grief.

MED BAY

Ruby sat still as Dr. Marshall carefully wrapped fresh bandages around her restitched wound. The sterile scent of the medical ward filled the air, but Ruby barely noticed. Her gaze remained fixed on the floor, her expression unreadable.

Dr. Marshall, finishing the last wrap, sighed as she fastened the bandage in place.

"I have to say, Miss Rose, I'm very disappointed. It's only been one day, and you've already reopened your wound."

Ruby barely nodded. "I know."

The doctor crossed her arms. "Does this have anything to do with the fight I heard about earlier?"

Another nod.

Dr. Marshall sighed again, her voice softer now. "Well, since you aggravated the injury, I'm putting you on strict orders—no using any weapons for the next few days."

Ruby flinched slightly at that. It was already hard enough not being able to use Crescent Rose, and now she was completely barred from any weapon at all. But she simply muttered, "Okay. I won't use any weapons."

Dr. Marshall observed her carefully, noting the way Ruby refused to meet her eyes. She glanced over at Weiss, who was sitting nearby, arms crossed with a concerned look on her face.

"Miss Schnee," the doctor addressed her, "I suggest you keep an eye on her. Just in case."

Weiss gave a firm nod. "Don't worry, doctor. I'll make sure of it."

Satisfied, Dr. Marshall gathered her tools and exited the room, leaving Ruby and Weiss alone in silence.

Weiss watched Ruby, who still hadn't lifted her gaze from the floor.

"Are you sure you really want to leave the Citadel?" Weiss finally asked.

Ruby hesitated before answering. "I do, Weiss. I need to stay away from Yang for a while. And that means leaving here."

"Is that what you really want?" Weiss asked gently. "Or is it because you're afraid of her?"

Ruby swallowed hard before finally answering, "…Both."

Weiss clenched her jaw. Her gaze flickered over the bruises and stitches on Ruby's face, her heart aching at the sight.

"I still can't believe she did this," Weiss muttered, her voice laced with anger. "And to you. Her own sister."

Ruby gave a dry chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "What she did was a year's worth of anger vented out in one fight. Even with my Aura, she managed to break through it."

Weiss frowned. "I don't understand, though. You're a Maiden, Ruby—well, two Maidens in one body. Your Aura should be three times stronger than Yang's. How could she break through all of that?"

Ruby shrugged slightly. "I think, at a certain level, her Semblance puts her on equal footing with me. Remember when I told you that she was capable of producing an arm made out of her own Aura?"

Weiss nodded.

"I have a feeling she can do much more than that," Ruby admitted. "I don't know for sure, but it's just a theory."

Weiss exhaled and stood up. "Well, regardless, you're not staying here. Come on."

She helped Ruby up carefully, watching as Ruby instinctively clutched her side, wincing. The bruises beneath her uniform were probably just as bad as the ones on her face.

"How soon do you want to leave?" Weiss asked.

Ruby considered it for a moment before answering, "Tomorrow, maybe? The sooner, the better."

Weiss nodded. "Okay. Then I'm going with you."

Ruby looked at her, eyes widening slightly. "Weiss, you don't have to leave with me. You could stay here and help—"

Weiss silenced her by leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to her cheek, then resting her forehead against Ruby's.

"Wherever you go, I go with you."

Ruby closed her eyes and took a shaky breath, feeling a warmth of comfort she hadn't felt in a long time. After a moment, she nodded.

"Okay." She opened her eyes. "Let's go talk to Ironwood."

BAR

Qrow sat hunched over the bar, staring into his half-empty shot glass before knocking it back in one gulp. He exhaled sharply, the burn of the liquor numbing his thoughts, at least for a little while. He belched and motioned to the bartender for another round.

As the bartender refilled his glass, Qrow noticed someone taking the stool beside him.

"Whiskey," Yang said, her voice flat. "Make it strong."

The bartender nodded, poured a generous amount into a glass, and slid it toward her.

Qrow raised an eyebrow. "Never pegged you as a drinker."

Yang picked up the glass and turned it in her hand, staring at the amber liquid.

"Only when I'm depressed, Qrow. I'm not like you."

She took a big gulp, downing half the glass in one go before setting it back down with a small clink.

That's when Qrow noticed the bruises. Deep, dark marks covered the side of her face—fresh wounds that hadn't even begun to fade yet.

"Got in a fight?" Qrow asked casually, though there was an undertone of concern in his voice.

Yang didn't answer right away. Instead, her fists clenched, knuckles turning white.

Qrow sighed. "Well, I hope the other guy got it worse—"

"It was Ruby, Qrow."

Qrow, mid-drink, nearly choked on his liquor. He coughed, wiping his mouth as he turned to face Yang fully.

"What did you just say?"

Yang stared at him, her expression unreadable. "You heard me." Then, without hesitation, she finished off the rest of her whiskey.

Qrow blinked, letting the words settle in his mind before he sighed and rubbed his face. "Dammit, kid. What the hell happened?"

Yang exhaled slowly, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again. "I messed up, Qrow. I messed up so bad. And now, I don't think Ruby's ever going to trust me again."

Qrow watched her carefully. "Why's that?"

Yang turned her head to face him fully, her lilac eyes heavy with guilt.

"Ruby was holding onto a secret. She made me promise not to tell anyone, Qrow. She said it was something only the two of us should ever know. But..." Yang looked down at her empty glass. "I broke that trust. I told someone."

Qrow frowned. "Shit."

"She was furious. Started yelling at me, saying I was reckless, arrogant, pathetic. That I was a liability, not a soldier." Yang clenched her jaw, gripping the glass so tight it nearly cracked. "I got angry. I snapped. Called her a coward."

Qrow winced. "And that's when the punches started, huh?"

Yang nodded. "She came at me first, but I didn't hold back either. We beat the hell out of each other, Qrow." Her voice shook slightly. "And I—I hurt her."

Qrow pinched the bridge of his nose. He was no stranger to sibling fights—he and Raven had their fair share of them—but this? This was different.

Yang looked at him again, eyes pleading. "How the hell do I fix this, Qrow?"

Qrow let out a long sigh before answering. "You don't, kid. Not right away, at least. You need to give her time."

Yang exhaled sharply, running a hand through her messy blonde hair. "Yeah... I figured."

Qrow motioned to the bartender again. "Two more. She's gonna need another."

The bartender poured two fresh drinks, sliding one to Yang. She picked it up, hesitated for a second, then downed half of it.

Qrow clinked his glass against hers before drinking his own.

"Welcome to the Branwen way of dealing with problems," he muttered.

Yang chuckled dryly. "Yeah, well, it sucks."

Qrow sighed. "That it does, kid. That it does."

Qrow sighed after taking another shot, rubbing his temple as he tried to make sense of everything. "Why did you call her a coward?"

Yang scoffed, bitterness lacing her voice. "Because she is, Qrow." She clenched her jaw. "Ever since Patch, not once has she used her powers. Not even during the mission yesterday. It's like she's afraid to."

Qrow exhaled through his nose, then grabbed the fresh shot the bartender set in front of him, downing it in one go. He rolled the glass between his fingers before glancing at Yang.

"And let me guess—you want me to talk to her."

Yang nodded. "No. She doesn't want to be near me at all after our fight. She's probably already thinking about leaving the Citadel. And I think Weiss will be going with her."

Qrow ran a hand down his face. "Well, then let's prevent them from leaving. Convince them to stay."

Yang let out a humorless chuckle and shook her head. "We are not doing anything, Qrow. If Ruby wants to leave, she can leave. She's not a prisoner here. She can go anytime she wants."

Qrow stared at her, disbelief flashing across his face. "I can't believe the words coming out of your mouth, Yang."

Yang motioned to the bartender for another whiskey, ignoring him.

Qrow leaned forward. "She's your sister, dammit."

"Half-sister," Yang corrected automatically, her voice cold.

Qrow narrowed his eyes. "So what? She's still blood, Yang. And it's your job to be her big sister. And you're just letting her go?"

Yang slammed her glass down on the bar, making some of the whiskey spill over the edges. "It doesn't matter!" she snapped before lowering her head, her voice quieting. "I'm dead to her."

She took another drink, staring at the bar as if it held all the answers she needed.

Qrow muttered a curse under his breath and took another swig of his drink. "Dammit."

COMMAND CENTER

Ironwood folded his hands together on the table, staring at Ruby and Weiss as if hoping they'd change their minds. "And you're absolutely sure you want to do this, Miss Rose?"

Ruby nodded firmly. "I am, General. I may not be present here at the Citadel, but if you ever need my help, I'll be there. You have my word."

Ironwood exhaled through his nose, his expression unreadable. He then turned to Weiss. "And you're leaving with her as well?"

Weiss stood straight, her tone unwavering. "I am, General."

Ironwood sighed, rubbing his chin as he considered his next words. "I won't lie, Miss Rose. This is disappointing. You are one of the most powerful assets we have in this war, and losing you weakens us."

Ruby clenched her fists but didn't back down. "I understand, sir."

"Then stay," Ironwood said, leaning forward. "Think about this carefully. You don't have to leave. You are safest here. Your team is here. We can find a way to work through whatever happened with Yang."

Ruby swallowed, her gaze dropping slightly before she took a deep breath and looked at Ironwood with steely determination. "I appreciate that, General. I really do. But I can't stay."

"Why not?" Ironwood pressed. "If you're worried about Yang, there are ways to—"

"It's not just about Yang," Ruby interrupted. "It's... everything. I need time away. Time to think, time to clear my head. If I stay here, I won't be able to do that."

Ironwood studied her for a long moment before sighing deeply. "Very well." He reached for his Scroll. "I'll have a ship prepared to take you both to Vale first thing tomorrow. While I don't agree with this decision, I respect it."

Ruby nodded. "Thank you, General. We'll be ready."

As Ruby and Weiss turned to leave, Ironwood rubbed his temples, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Raven, who had been standing near the back of the room, walked up beside him, arms crossed. "Well. Shit."

Ironwood let out a frustrated sigh. "Shit indeed, Raven."

ENTRANCE

Two soldiers stood guard at the entrance of the Citadel, rifles in hand, scanning the surroundings out of routine rather than urgency.

"Hey, man. What's the Wi-Fi password?" one soldier asked, shifting his stance.

"It's 'C1tadel!' but you replace the 'I' with a '1' and add an exclamation mark at the end," the other replied.

Before their conversation could continue, a rustling sound came from the nearby bushes. Both soldiers immediately tensed, raising their weapons toward the source of the noise.

"Grimm?" the first soldier muttered.

"I don't think so." The second soldier narrowed his eyes.

The rustling stopped, replaced by the sound of light but deliberate footsteps. The soldiers stepped forward cautiously, fingers tightening on their triggers.

Then—THUD.

A sharp impact echoed through the air, followed by the sound of a body hitting the ground. The soldiers whipped around, weapons ready, only to find Blake Belladonna standing over a figure sprawled on the ground.

"You guys need to pay attention in the future," Blake said, her voice calm but firm.

The two soldiers exchanged glances, then lowered their weapons slightly.

"Sorry, ma'am," one of them said. "We didn't even see her."

Blake glanced down at the person on the ground, her expression unreadable. "I guess I can understand why."

Reaching down, she grabbed the intruder by the collar and forced them to their feet. As the figure stood, the dim lighting of the entrance revealed her face. She smirked slightly as she raised her hands in surrender.

"Okay, okay. You got me," Emerald Sustrai said smoothly.

One of the soldiers immediately pulled out a pair of handcuffs and stepped forward. Blake watched closely as he secured them around Emerald's wrists.

Emerald was still smirking.

Blake narrowed her eyes.

"What are you planning, Emerald?" she thought, gripping Gambol Shroud tightly.