28

Chapter 28: Parallel

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Weiss sighed and closed her textbook, rubbing her tired eyes. That was enough studying for one night. Glancing over at Ruby's unoccupied bed, Weiss frowned. Her friend and team leader should have been back by now.

She briefly considered going to sleep herself but quickly dismissed the idea. Sleep didn't come easily to her alone.

Weiss tapped her pencil against her desk. Alone. How quickly her life had changed. Back in Atlas, she would've never thought anything of going to sleep alone. She treasured the time she spent away from her family. Away from the noise and the expectations. Sharing her room was something she only did with Winter, and only on rare occasions, and she certainly didn't share her bed once she was no longer a child. Yet now, there was a certain loneliness that coming to Beacon had exposed, something that Weiss had never noticed. A loneliness that was impossible to ignore.

And so, Weiss didn't want to sleep alone.

Making up her mind, Weiss grabbed her coat and exited the room, opting to see what her missing team leader was up to.

The cool night air brushed against Weiss' cheeks as she wandered across Haven Academy's moonlit campus. Her first instinct was to check the dining area, but it was deserted save for a few leftovers from dinner and lingering students. Next, she tried the training rooms, only to find them similarly empty. The workshops were her last stop, almost certain that's where she would find Ruby.

While walking, Weiss found herself reflecting on the progress she, Ruby, and Qrow had made in their mission to apprehend Lionheart. Communication with Ozpin was a risk, Ruby had told her, so that left the trio to largely investigate using their own discretion. Ozpin may have given them the objective, but how they went about it was completely up to them.

It wasn't an easy task, but Weiss admired Ruby's ability to adapt and lead them through this difficult time. Qrow had initially called the shots, but once he reported that Lionheart would be leaving soon to tour the other academies in Mistral, Ruby had stepped up, making the call that they weren't ready to carry out their plan yet.

"If we rush, we'll only be making the same mistakes," Ruby had said, her eyes filled with determination. Qrow had arched an eyebrow in response, but after a moment, he chuckled and deferred to her leadership.

Weiss was skeptical that she would've be able to handle the burdens of leadership quite as well as Ruby had. Her friend had become the type of leader that Weiss thought she would be able to be, before she learned of what it required, when she thought her last name was enough to allow her to qualify.

Yes, much better that Ruby became the team leader. With that thought, Weiss arrived at the workshops. She peered around a corner and spotted Ruby, completely absorbed in her work. The soft hum of machinery filled the space, accompanied by the occasional metallic clangs as Ruby manipulated her tools with practiced precision. She was engrossed in her task, an intricate new weapon taking shape beneath her skilled hands. A gift for Cinder – a new weapon.

Weiss had been… incredibly concerned, to say the least, when Ruby confessed to what she was spending her nights on, but Ruby had been insistent.

Cinder needed someone who trusted her, Ruby argued. On a more practical level, Weiss conceded that Cinder certainly needed something more to look forward to than sitting in prison all day, but arming her? Training with her?

Watching Ruby work only served as another reminder of the burdens Ruby had willingly taken upon herself. The end of the semester crept closer every day, and with it, the deadline for convincing Cinder to destroy the power of the Fall Maiden. Weiss couldn't help but wonder if Ruby was taking on too much this time.

"Ruby," Weiss called out gently, not wanting to startle her friend. Ruby looked up, surprise flickering across her face before she broke into a warm smile.

"Hey, Weiss!" She greeted, before relaxing into a smile. "You look tired. You should be in bed."

Weiss nodded in agreement, but her concern for Ruby outweighed her exhaustion. "I would sleep better if you were there too," she admitted.

A guilty expression crossed Ruby's face, and she set her tools down. "I didn't mean to keep you up," she said softly.

Weiss shook her head. "Why don't I keep you company until you're ready to call it for the night?"

Ruby's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "I'd like that."

So, Weiss took up her post, leaning against one of the complicated machines Ruby wasn't using, listening while Ruby explained the intricate details of the weapon she was creating for Cinder. Despite the terrible things Cinder had done in the future, Ruby still believed in the goodness within her, and Weiss admired her unwavering optimism. It was one of the many qualities that made Ruby an extraordinary leader.

As they enjoyed each other's company, Weiss started to do her best to pay attention to the intricacies of the blade Ruby was crafting. The complexity went far beyond just a simple blade, a testament to both Ruby's skill and her dedication. Weiss couldn't help but wonder why Ruby would go to such lengths for someone who had caused so much pain.

"Ruby," Weiss asked tentatively, "Why are you doing all this for Cinder? After everything she's done..."

"She deserves a second chance." Ruby replied without hesitation. "Because I believe she can change. There's good in her, even if it's buried deep. If I can show her that, and I know she'll make the right choice."

Weiss marveled at Ruby's unwavering belief in the goodness of others, even those who seemed beyond redemption. It was a quality she admired, and one that made her grateful to have Ruby as her team leader.

Weiss watched as Ruby meticulously assembled the weapon, her fingers deftly manipulating the complicated mechanisms. It was clear that Ruby had invested a significant amount of time and effort into this project, just like she had with her project to reform Cinder.

There were reasons that her teammates didn't help her. Yang and Weiss had never even really met Cinder, and certainly didn't know her like Ruby or Blake did. Or Jaune, for that matter, though he seemed absolutely terrified of her. It was understandable that he didn't help. Still, that left Ruby to pursue Cinder's redemption on her own.

"Ruby," Weiss began hesitantly, "how is everything coming along with Cinder? Are you making progress?"

Ruby looked up from her work, her silver eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "Hm? Oh, yeah! It's going great, actually! I've been talking to her a lot and I think I'm starting to get through to her. But..." Her smile faded slightly. "I feel bad that she has to be alone while we're here in Mistral."

Of course, that's what Ruby was concerned about. Weiss reached out, covering Ruby's hand with her own, causing Ruby to stop working on the weapon momentarily, confusion flickering across her face.

"No one would blame you if you decided that she wasn't worth saving." Weiss gently told her leader.

Ruby's confusion only deepened. "Everyone is worth saving."

It was an admirable position, but one Weiss couldn't agree with. She wasn't sure if Ruby had ever met her father, but if she had, her worldview might not have survived the encounter.

Weiss furrowed her brow. "Some people won't let you." Blake had told her that once. About someone she had wanted to save.

Ruby turned her hand over so she could squeeze Weiss'. "That doesn't mean I shouldn't try." Her expression softened. "I'm not doing this entirely for Cinder either. She tried to hurt my friends. She tried to kill you, Weiss, and she almost did. She killed many of my friends. Friends I never thought I would see again." Her grip tightened on Weiss' hand. "Friends I would've given anything just to say goodbye to."

The sadness and pain in Ruby's voice was evident, and Weiss thought she could see tears threatening to form in Ruby's eyes before she brought her emotions under control. Whatever had happened, Weiss hoped that she had been there for Ruby when she needed it most.

"Even after all that... you want to help her." Weiss shook her head in disbelief. She had a hard time believing Cinder was worthy of such compassion and she hadn't had to watch as she lost friends to the woman. Weiss might not be able to help, but she could at least encourage her team leader.

"Your ability to inspire others is admirable. Even after everything Cinder has done, you still believe in her. That takes incredible strength and compassion. It's one of the many things that makes you a great leader."

Ruby blinked twice in surprise before blushing, clearly caught off guard. "Thanks, Weiss. That means a lot coming from you."

Weiss hesitated for a moment, then wrapped her arms around Ruby and pulled her into a hug. It was a rare sign of affection from the heiress, but it felt right in that moment, and one she wanted to repeat more often. She held on for a few seconds before releasing her grip, giving Ruby a reassuring smile.

"Now, let's get you back to working on your gift," Weiss suggested. Ruby nodded with a small smile and resumed work on Cinder's weapon. Their conversation drifted from topic to topic as hours passed – from new strategies they could use in battle, to stories of their teammates, both old and new, to the unique weapons used by the other students at Haven Academy.

As the night dragged on, both girls grew increasingly tired. Weiss found herself nodding off, her head lolling forward before she snapped awake with a start. Alarmed, she glanced over at Ruby, who was struggling to keep her eyes open as she continued to tinker with the weapon.

"Ruby," Weiss said gently, nudging the girl, "I think it's time we call it a night."

"Already?" Ruby complained, rubbing her eyes. "But I'm so close to finishing this."

"And it will still be here tomorrow night. Look at yourself, Ruby," Weiss insisted. "You can barely keep your eyes open. You need some rest."

After a brief pause, Ruby sighed. "Alright," she agreed reluctantly. "You're right, let's go back to our dorm."

Weiss led Ruby by the end as they made their way back to the dorm.

As they walked through the quiet halls of Haven Academy, Weiss couldn't help but think about what the other half of their team might be doing during their time apart. Ruby must have had similar thoughts, her thumb rubbing over Weiss' hand, because she suddenly asked, "Do you think Blake and Yang's night was as fun as ours?"

Weiss smiled warmly at the thought that Ruby considered their late-night workshop session fun. "Honestly? I doubt it," she replied. "They either trained all night or Yang pestered Blake relentlessly while she tried to read."

Ruby giggled, her tired face brightening at Weiss's words. "Yeah, you're probably right."

---

In the early morning light, Emerald stumbled onto the Beacon campus. The soft glow of dawn cast long shadows across the grounds as she limped her way forward, her breathing labored and her movements pained. Her clothes were torn, and bruises covered her body, the remnants of her desperate flight through Vale.

She paid no heed to the few bleary-eyed students who glanced in her direction, their faces a mixture of curiosity and concern. With every ounce of focus she had left, Emerald fixed her gaze on a young boy with black hair and a girl with orange locks, dressed in a flowing dress. Recognition flickered behind her exhaustion, and she forced herself to keep moving towards them.

As Oscar and Penny walked leisurely through the courtyard, deep in conversation, they only noticed the staggering figure when she was just a few paces from them. Their eyes widened in surprise as they recognized Emerald, Oscar taking an involuntary step back.

"Emerald?" he said apprehensively, not expecting to ever see her again.

Through gritted teeth, Emerald smiled weakly. "Hey... guys. I need... to talk to... the headmaster," she managed to gasp before her legs buckled beneath her and she crumpled to the ground.

"Emerald!" Penny cried out, rushing to her side.

Oscar followed suit, kneeling down next to the fallen woman. Her face was pale, and her breathing was shallow. Concern etched itself onto his features as he looked from Emerald to Penny, unsure of what to do.

That was good, Emerald decided as her world faded to black. Recognition was good. Concern was good. They didn't hate her.

---

The clang of metal echoed through the training room as Jaune stood by, watching Nora struggle to lift a massive weight above her head. Her face flushed with determination, sweat beaded on her brow, and her arms trembled with the effort. Jaune clenched his fists at his sides, willing all his encouragement into her.

"Come on, Nora! You can do this!" he shouted, his voice filled with unwavering belief in her abilities.

Nora's eyes narrowed, her teeth gritted as she focused every ounce of her strength into lifting just that little bit higher. "One... more... inch..." she grunted, her breath ragged but controlled.

"Almost there!" Jaune cheered, stepping closer to offer any assistance if needed. He could see the strain in her muscles, the way her hands gripped the bar tightly, knuckles white from the exertion.

With one final push, Nora managed to lock the weights in place above her head, gasping for air as she counted aloud, "One... two... three!"

As soon as the word left her lips, she dropped the weights to the ground, the resulting crash reverberating throughout the room. A triumphant smile spread across her face as she leaped into the air, fists pumping in victory.

"YES! New personal best!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with glee, filled with boundless energy.

Jaune couldn't help but share in her excitement, his own smile reflecting hers. Activating his semblance, he reached out and amplified Nora's aura. They had been at it all night, in fact, Jaune was pretty sure he saw sunlight peeking in through the windows. Sure, it was far longer than Nora normally trained for, but she was so close to beating her record! It was the least Jaune could do to boost her after every attempt to keep her energy up.

Well, he would be dead tired in class today, but that was worth it, right?

"Thanks, Jaune," she panted, still catching her breath.

"Hey, that's what friends are for, right?" Jaune replied, his blue eyes shining with pride. "Besides, you're the one who lifted the weight. I just helped you get back on your feet."

Nora beamed at him, her gratitude evident in every feature. "I can't wait to tell Yang! She's gonna be so jealous."

The high of their hard-earned success was still coursing through them when the doors to the training room burst open, causing Jaune and Nora to jump in surprise. Professor Goodwitch stood in the doorway, her expression tight with urgency.

"Jaune, you're needed at Beacon Tower immediately," she announced crisply.

"Wh-what happened?" Jaune's brow furrowed with concern, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. Glynda didn't go and find students unless something was wrong.

"Emerald has shown up at Beacon," Glynda replied tersely. "I don't have all the details yet, but it appears as though she is in poor condition."

Understanding washed over Jaune, a cold dread settling in his chest as he recalled the future knowledge that haunted him. Without hesitation, he turned to Nora. "Contact the rest of our team and find Blake. She needs to get to Beacon Tower as soon as possible." Jaune spared a glance to Professor Goodwitch, who nodded in affirmation.

"On it!" Nora nodded, determination etched across her face as she dashed out of the room.

Glynda led Jaune towards Beacon Tower, the wind whipping against their faces as they raced through the campus. As they approached the tower, Jaune spotted Penny and Oscar waiting anxiously in the lobby, the worry evident on their faces. The sight sent a jolt of fear through him. It reminded him of the night they confronted Cinder.

Professor Goodwitch whisked him into the elevator, before it shot up to Ozpin's office.

In the dim light of the room, Jaune found Emerald slumped against a wall, her breaths shallow and labored. Ironwood stood nearby, consternation written all over his face, while Ozpin observed the scene with a more unreadable expression.

"Your semblance, Jaune." Ozpin instructed, his voice calm but firm. "If you wouldn't mind."

Jaune didn't hesitate, stepping forward and placing a hand on Emerald's shoulder. He activated his semblance, amplifying her aura, jumpstarting the healing process. As her aura began to mend her battered body, Jaune couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and apprehension at this sudden turn of events.

"What happened?" he asked quietly, his voice betraying his worry. The general had been searching for Emerald for months, only for her to show up of her own accord?

Emerald's eyes fluttered open, the dim light of Ozpin's office sending a wave of comfort through her. As she gained awareness, words tumbled from her mouth in an unintelligible jumble, her fear and desperation palpable.

"Hey, it's okay," Jaune said gently, his hand still resting on her shoulder as he continued to channel his semblance into her. "You're safe now. We're going to help you."

Emerald regarded him cautiously before her gaze flickered towards the others in the room, their intentions possibly less altruistic than Jaune's own.

Her breaths began to steady, and she nodded to Jaune gratefully as he cut off his semblance. Ozpin stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression giving away nothing.

"Let's start simple, Miss Sustrai," he instructed, his voice even and measured. "Why have you come to Beacon Academy?"

Emerald hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting between Jaune and Ozpin, before the weight of her situation seemed to settle on her shoulders. "I... I wasn't safe," she admitted, her voice quivering. "The White Fang was chasing me, and someone attacked me in downtown Vale."

Glynda, who had been standing off to the side with Ironwood, furrowed her brow as she put the pieces together. "So, you were the true target of the attack in downtown Vale," she mused aloud, then fixed her stern gaze upon Emerald. "But why would the White Fang be after you? You were working with them, and you were already being hunted by the authorities in Vale."

Emerald bit her lip, reluctance written plainly on her face. Glynda's expression hardened, and she pressed on. "Miss Sustrai, it is in your best interest to cooperate. As a wanted fugitive, you could face severe consequences if you do not."

"You will face more than severe consequences." Ironwood asserted, arms crossed. He opened his mouth to speak again before Glynda gave him a withering glare that shut him up.

Emerald looked at the general nervously, then back to Glynda. "I... I fled from the White Fang," she confessed.

She was clearly terrified and vulnerable. Jaune didn't doubt that. But what would have driven her to that? The first time around, Cinder and Torchwick had the White Fang wrapped around their fingers. But Cinder was imprisoned, and they hadn't heard from Torchwick since they captured Cinder, assuming he had taken his chance to flee once she was out of the picture.

Glynda frowned, processing Emerald's words. "I can understand why you would want to flee from the White Fang," she acknowledged, her tone softening slightly. "But I don't understand why they would go after you with such determination, risking so much bloodshed for one person."

Emerald hesitated, her eyes darting between the faces of the people in the room. It was Ironwood who interjected, his voice firm and authoritative. "They went after you because you know something, don't you?" He stepped closer, a glint of anger in his eyes. "Something about the campaign of terror the White Fang is about to embark on."

At this, Emerald merely nodded, the fear in her eyes growing more pronounced.

"Miss Sustrai, you will need to cooperate," Ozpin urged, his hands folded behind his back as he regarded her with an unreadable expression. "Tell us what you know."

It must not have been a difficult calculus for her to make, since she spoke almost immediately after swallowing hard. "This... this is just the start of the White Fang's terrorist activities," she said, her voice trembling. "They have other attacks planned, all across Vale."

"Where? When?" Ironwood demanded, leaning forward.

"Attacks on infrastructure," Emerald informed him, her eyes flicking nervously around the room. "Bridges, power plants... And the camps that the Atlesian troops have set up in Vale. I... there wasn't any wasn't any way not to overhear..."

As she spoke, Jaune saw Ironwood's jaw tense, and the general's fingers clench into fists. The others in the room shared uneasy glances, the weight of Emerald's words settling heavily upon them all.

"Miss Sustrai," Ozpin said, his voice low and commanding, "we will need you to tell us everything that you've heard. But first... tell me this: how soon is the next attack?"

"Not... not soon. Their plan was to use the success of their first attacks to recruit and rearm for their others."

Ironwood stepped forward. "Regardless, we'll need to-"

"Thank you, Miss Sustrai." Ozpin cut the general off. "Perhaps it would be best for you to rest before you relayed the details." His tone was as calm and measured as ever. "After all, your journey to Beacon has been rather perilous."

Jaune furrowed his brow, and he could see the look of disbelief that Ironwood gave Ozpin. Why was Ozpin delay hearing such crucial information? Did he want to protect Emerald from further distress? Or was there another reason?

"I... uh, yeah. That's... sure." Emerald seemed just as confused as Jaune felt, not the relief or resignation that Jaune had expected given her position.

"Wonderful." Ozpin said, not pausing a moment. "I'd much prefer you were rested before you met your new team."

Emerald tilted her head. "My new-?"

Her thought was interrupted by Jaune's scroll buzzing in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw Nora's face on the screen, her expression one of worry and urgency. Jaune hit a button so everyone could hear what she was about to say.

"Jaune!" she said breathlessly. "We can't find Blake anywhere, or Yang! Ren, Pyrrha, and I looked everywhere! But they're just gone!"

The air in the room seemed to thicken with tension, and Jaune felt a knot forming in his stomach. First Emerald appears, then Blake disappears? Something was definitely wrong.

Ozpin shared Jaune's assessment. "General," he said with urgency, "how quickly can you assemble a search team?"

---

Inside the dimly lit safehouse, Blake's heart pounded wildly in her chest as she stood frozen in place. Adam Taurus stood before her, his eyes boring into her with a cold fury that made it difficult for her to breathe. He reached out and roughly grabbed her arm, sending a jolt of pain through her entire body.

She couldn't move, wouldn't move. Her body not obeying her mind, her mind not able to overcome her frozen fear. He couldn't be here, shouldn't be here. Not now, not ever.

"Get away from her!" Yang's voice thundered from behind Blake. She tore her gaze away from Adam. Yang's eyes burned red, her hair bursting into all-consuming flames. The heat poured off her in waves, hitting Blake squarely in the face, illuminating the room with an eerie glow. She looked like an unstoppable force, one that would tear through anyone who dared threaten those she loved.

It filled Blake with dread.

She had been a target of Yang's fierce protectiveness before. The most horrible night of both of her existences. This wasn't Beacon, but it was. It was all too similar to when Blake had been forced to watch as Yang tumbled through the air, landing in a heap with her arm severed – a memory that haunted Blake's every waking moment for months afterwards.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl as panic surged through Blake's veins. Adam released her arm, his hands moving towards his weapon, while Yang readied herself to launch through the air to put herself between Adam and Blake. The White Fang members around them began to realize that something was amiss and scrambled for weapons, adding to the cacophony of chaos.

Blake's mind raced, trying to find a way to prevent history from repeating itself. As Yang prepared to spring at Adam, each moment felt like an eternity in Blake's heightened state of panic. She knew she had to act quickly, or risk losing everything she held dear.

Amid it all, time seemed to slow even further for Blake. Impossibly so. Her gaze drifted from the unfolding confrontation as a moth fluttered through the air, seemingly unaffected by the distortion of time. As it landed gracefully on a nearby wall, Blake's attention was drawn to its wings as it fluttered to a stop. The pattern on the wings looked like two giant eyes with pupils shaped like keyholes staring directly through her. A vague sense of familiarity washed over her, but she couldn't quite place where she had seen such a design before.

The thought just crossed her mind when she realized that time hadn't just slowed down. It had stopped. Blake looked around, noticing the frozen expressions and shouts around her. Only the moth moved freely.

As if sensing Blake's gaze upon it, the moth lifted off from the wall, its wings beating until they too were in slow motion, the eyes boring into her soul with every beat, as if it was trying to convey an important message. With each beat of the moth's wings, her vision began to blur, and she found herself more and more entranced.

The eyes did the impossible, blinking, once, twice, before Blake's sight cut out entirely, new images replacing her senses.

Caught off guard, Blake struggled to make sense of what she was seeing, the scenes flying by far too quickly.

With each rise and fall of the moth's wings, Blake was taken further away from the chaos surrounding her and drawn deeper into the scenes that unfolded before her eyes. With each rise and fall, her choice became clearer. With each rise and fall…

Rise and fall...

---

Rise.

My feet are still glued to the ground, as if my fears have manifested themselves into a wall that I'm not allowed to pass. My throat is choked as Yang propels herself into the air, a scream tearing from her throat as she hurtles towards Adam, her protective fury projecting out like a wave, propelling her ever forward.

I try to shout out to her, to warn her of the danger that she's throwing herself towards. But the scene plays out just as it did the first time, the future that I've been working so hard to try and prevent, to spare my teammates, the ones I love most, the pain of having to ever experience it like I did.

But it's for nothing, Yang charges at Adam with all her might. She soars through the air over my head, before Adam's sword flashes, effortlessly slicing her arm off with his blade, my warning dying in my throat as I watch Yang's arm separate. The impact sends Yang crashing to the ground, her eyes closing as she loses consciousness.

The helplessness that washes over me is overwhelming, as my knees buckle and I collapse to the ground, tears streaming down my cheeks as I shout, begging Yang not to do what she's already done.

Fall.

I spring into action just before Yang can strike at Adam. With a desperate burst of speed, I crash into Yang, grabbing hold of her and pulling her back from the brink of disaster.

We crash through the window behind Yang, my momentum carrying us both forward, glass shattering around us as we plummet onto the street below. I cry out as my aura brakes, a shard of glass shooting pain through me, pulsing waves emitting from my foot where a piece of glass has lodged itself.

Yang is up before I can stand. She pulls me up, shouting that we need to run.

Rise.

Blood seeps through the makeshift bandage I fashioned for Yang. I tear off another strip of my clothing, wrapping it around her limb, my hands shaking as tears fall freely from my eyes. I can't see what I'm doing, but I can't stop either. The metal bars of our cold, dark cell does little to muffle my sobs, or shelter me as my heart breaks with every painful whimper that escapes Yang's lips. My only solace is that Yang hasn't woken up yet.

Fall.

We race through the outer streets of Vale. Our lungs burn with exertion, the pain in my foot growing steadily worse, as it lances up my leg. The White Fang is hot on our heels, the sound of their motorcycles growing ever closer. Yang's fierce determination shines as she urges me on. When I stumble, she grabs my arm. When I can't keep going, she throws me over her back and keeps running.

Rise.

I hear the shouts before the gunfire starts. Yang still hasn't opened her eyes, but I can't bring myself to check her, yet I refuse to let go of her hand. I hear the frantic shouting and the pop, pop, pop of smaller explosions, my ears perking. My eyes go wide and I dive on top of Yang as the world goes white, heat searing my skin as debris rains down around us as the earsplitting explosion renders me momentarily deaf.

Fall.

Retribution is quick. Repressive. The attacks cease. I'm cautious turning every corner, even on campus. I don't know which Adam might be hiding behind, waiting for the moment when I'm alone and vulnerable.

Rise.

I watch through our dorm window, positive that the rest of my team isn't aware of my presence. Yang's back is to me as she stands by the window, Ruby and Weiss on either side, their arms wrapped around her in a protective embrace. Ruby says something, gingerly reaching out to Yang's-

A glimpse of her metal limb leaves me reeling, overcome by the sudden urge to vomit.

Fall.

The crowds grow after every protest, every reaction, each bigger than the last. They surge through city streets, fueled by fear.

Rise.

A bittersweet ache fills my chest as I watch Yang lift Weiss into the air, both of my teammates adorned in their graduation robes, their laughter rising above the joyous cheers of our classmates.

Ruby stands beside me, giving me a bittersweet smile and squeezing my hand gently. She doesn't say what I know we're both thinking. That we failed.

I meet her gaze and do my best to return the gesture, but it's halfhearted at best. I make the mistake of looking back to Yang just in time to see her and Weiss kiss in celebration, Yang's prosthetic arm glinting in the sunlight. My breath hitches in my throat, and I feel Ruby's grip tighten, trying to prevent from running again.

But I've bolted before she can stop me, tears welling up in my eyes.

Fall.

I curse myself as I run through campus, towards the heat of the inferno that is already starting to engulf Beacon tower. Today was supposed to be the day where we made everything right, where we got our own happy ending.

It wasn't supposed to be the day I saw Beacon in flames.

---

The rapid-fire flashes left Blake momentarily disoriented, her heart pounding like a drum inside her chest as her mind attempted to process the whirlwind of emotions she had just been forced through. She frantically searched for the enigmatic moth but found no trace of it, only the familiar sound of Yang's gauntlets clicking into place behind her. This time, it was the adrenaline that made time seem to slow down as Blake turned to see Yang, eyes blazing with fury, preparing to launch herself into the air towards Adam.

"Yang!" Blake screamed, desperation clawing at her throat. She didn't understand what she had seen, what it had meant, how it had happened, but she understood what she was seeing, Yang trying to protect her.

Blake activated her semblance, escaping Adam's reach, leaving a trail of shadows behind her as she sprinted towards Yang with every ounce of speed she possessed. She didn't dare stop or slow down as she got closer, crashing directly into Yang, their bodies colliding with a painful thud that knocked them both backwards.

The two smashed through the window behind Yang, glass breaking all around them, Adam shouting orders to catch them to the grunts around him. The two were weightless for a moment, falling towards the ground.

The ground reasserted itself quickly, the sound of shattered glass still ringing in Blake's ears as the cold pavement made contact with her body, her aura breaking as she hit the pavement, pain blooming in her foot as a shard of glass lodged itself.

She could hear the enraged shouting from the White Fang members above, and knew that they had to move quickly or get captured – or worse.

"Up!" Yang grunted, pulling Blake to her feet with a firm grip on her arm, her face a mask of determination. The pair took off running, their footsteps echoing through the empty streets. This part of Vale largely occupied by residents that knew better than to stick their noses in someone else's business, especially when the rumble of the White Fang's motorcycles began to chase after them.

Blake's mind raced just as fast as her legs, thoughts of her parallel visions and the potential outcome she had seen flitting through her head like moths around a flame. But now wasn't the time for doubt, she needed to focus on getting herself and Yang to safety.

As they sprinted, Blake stumbled over a loose cobblestone, crying out as her ankle twisted beneath her. Before she could hit the ground, Yang caught her by the waist, steadying her with a reassuring squeeze.

"Stay with me, Blake," Yang said, breathing heavily. "We can do this together."

Blake nodded, gratefully accepting Yang's support. Together, they continued their desperate sprint, the roar of the White Fang's vehicles growing louder with each passing second.

Blake's foot was getting worse, she was slowly Yang down. "I can't..." She breathed.

"Oh no you don't." Yang wiped a hand across her brow before grabbing Blake's arm and hauling her onto her back without breaking stride. "You're not giving up on me now, Belladonna. That big brain of yours still needs to figure out a way to get us out of here."

Blake held onto Yang for dear life, desperate for a place to hide. She spotted a narrow alleyway between two buildings up ahead. Instinctively, she pushed Yang into the tight space, Yang dropping Blake with a heavy pant. Blake dove on top of her as they landed hard against the damp brick wall and slid to the ground. Their bodies pressed together, Blake clutching at Yang, keeping her immobilized with a vice-like grip.

"Stay still, don't breathe," Blake murmured, her breath hot against Yang's ear. They held their breath collectively, their chests heaving from the exertion of their flight.

The sound of the White Fang's motorcycles revved menacingly, slowing down as they approached their hiding spot. Blake instinctively pressed her hand harder against Yang's mouth as she heard Adam's shouts, her body going stock still with fear.

The moments the White Fang spent looking around, trying to tell where she and Blake were, seemed to never end, though in reality it couldn't have been more than a minute. One of the lieutenants pointed out that every second wasted meant their targets were getting further and further away. With a growl, Adam sped off once again.

The last of the vehicles disappeared down the street, but Blake couldn't bring herself to release her grip on Yang immediately, hesitating as she felt Yang's concerned gaze on her. "Sorry," she whispered, loosening her hold just enough for Yang to breath more easily.

"Hey, it's okay. We made it out in once piece," Yang reassured her, placing a warm hand on Blake's back. A fleshy hand. Not one made of metal.

Blake squeezed Yang tighter, a well of emotions bubbling up that she had suppressed during their harrowing escape. Tears welled up in her eyes, and the more she tried to will herself to calm down, the worse it became. Overwhelmed, she buried her head into Yang's shoulder, unable to stop the tears from streaming down her face.

"Shh, it's okay, Blake." Yang murmured softly, gently rubbing her teammates back in a soothing motion, offering as much physical support as she could.

"Yang... I thought..." Blake choked on her words, trying to express the fear she had felt when she saw Adam once again. The fear that she had tried to prepare herself for ever since she was sent back to Beacon in the first place.

But that fear was nothing compared to fear that she was going to lose Yang again and there would be nothing she could do to stop it.

"Hey, we're okay. We're gonna be okay." Yang said, trying to ease Blake's distress. "We're gonna be alright."

Blake couldn't move, sobs wracking her body as Yang comforted her, her gentle presence grounding Blake. Adam would be searching for her now. He knew she was in Vale. It wouldn't take him long to find out she was at Beacon. He would come for her.

Blake pulled her face out of Yang's shoulder, her clothes stained with Blake's tears, and pushed herself up to look Yang in the eyes. Her expression was one of gentle reassurance mixed with concern. Blake blinked away another round of tears as Yang offered her outstretched arms.

"I'm never letting go." Blake whispered as she wrapped her arms around Yang's back.

Yang managed a weak laugh. "I'm okay with that."

"I'm serious, Yang." A fresh wave of tears overcame Blake.

"I know." Yang reassured her.

Blake wasn't letting Yang out of her sight. Not until Adam was dead.

Notes:

What do you think happened with Blake?

Did some experimenting this chapter, wanted parts to just be... different and memorable.

So, the story surpassed 30k hits! That's just like... insane, to me. Thank you all so much for reading.

Though, with that milestone, it's hard for me to tell if interest in the story is waxing or waning. I'm a pretty analytical person, so when I first started posting, I wanted to know statistics on how each chapter did, and found that hits is a pretty imperfect measure. On the one hand, hits per chapter has been increasing over time, but I don't know if that's people returning to read the next chapter, or people who have never looked at the story, reading the first two paragraphs and then closing the tab.

The only real way I know how to judge the interest in the latest chapter is the number of comments, since that's the only metric linked to a chapter. By that metric, only 1 out of the past 5 chapters has had an above average number of comments, which leads me to believe interest in waning. Kind of a sad thought, but as stories get longer, readers lose interest. Just a fact I guess. Considering the story isn't near it's conclusion yet, I hope there will still be people reading when I get there!