In the circular clearing bathed in soft moonlight stood two figures. One was young, fueled by anger and love, driven by passion. The other, immeasurably old, her intentions clouded. As the breeze pushed waves across the deep grass, the pair stood silent, taking in the sight of the other.

The blue eyed woman clad in back with even blacker hair waited with crossed arms for Yang's response. From her professors' descriptions Yang knew who this woman was, she was the one who took her sister away from her. All that was happening, it was her.

Yang marched through the waist-high grass towards Carmilla, a singular thought burning in her mind, destroy.

An amused Carmilla smirked as the blonde approached her. She folded her arms and began to speak. "I know what you're trying to do kid. But it doesn't take a genius to get that your leader is planning on turning all three of her little gal pals into more vampires. So you'll forgive me for not wanting a population explosion going on, the last thing I need is a bunch of immature brats run..."

A wild bone crushing punch silenced Carmilla's spiel. Being caught off guard she was launched backwards into the grass. Yang continued her purposeful march towards the vampire as Carmilla regained her footing.

"Seriously, what is wrong with Beacon that all you guys do is attack people?" Carmilla yelled as she brushed herself off. She groaned at the sight of Yang's growing rage as the girl closed the distance once again. "Ya know what sweetie, I was just going to give you a little friendly advice about your little club leader or whatever it is you call her."

This plan of her's was growing out of control rapidly. Carmilla hoped that stopping this child would put things back on track. If only Glynda just did what she was supposed to do it would all be over by now, but alas, no. That huntress, the closest person Carmilla had to a friend, was as stubborn and pig headed as ever. Carmilla was almost sad she would have to kill another student because of it. Almost.

Yang threw another hit at Carmilla's face. This time, however; the woman in black was ready for her. Shifting to the side Carmilla grabbed Yang's arm and deflected the hit to open air. Using Yang's momentum against her Carmilla kicked her attacker's leg out from under her and proceeded to fling Yang onto her back.

Before Yang had a chance to leap to her feet, Carmilla was upon her. The vampire pushed her knee with full force into Yang's chest while she leaned forward and wrapped her fingers around the girl's neck.

A toothy grin grew across Carmilla's face as she tightened her grip on Yang's neck. She loved it when they struggled. A kill without a fight left her feeling empty inside, like the sweetest part of her meal was denied.

"Ya know child, its lucky I found you when I did. I'm running a little low and I was feeling a bit peckish."

The girl's struggles to speak despite her rapidly diminishing internal neck space caused a giggle of amusement from Carmilla. They always begged for their life when they had the chance. No matter how many times she did this her meals always pleaded to be spared. She found it adorable really, every one of them thought that if they could just ask nicely enough or put a big enough sob in front that she would have a change of heart and let them go. It never happened, but it was still funny to watch them try.

"What is it?" Carmilla mocked as she leaned closer to hear Yang's words. "Were you trying to say something dear?"

Yang defiantly looked Carmilla in the eyes and coughed out, "I've still got my guns!"

Carmilla's eyes grew wide with realization before simultaneous explosions blasted her chest. The force of the hits sent her flying off Yang before she came crashing back into the grass.

"Seriously what is wrong with you that you start taunting someone before even checking to see if that someone was still armed?" Yang mocked as she sauntered to the fallen vampire before smiling and letting off a volley of shots from her gauntlets.

Seeing the shots coming, Carmilla shifted into a black cloud allowing them to pass through her. She rematerialized adjacent to Yang and proceeded to lash out with her own attacks.

The pair clashed in a chaotic duel. Guns were fired, kicks flew, and the grass grew singed under the moonlit sky.

"There's no need to get so angry blondie." Carmilla said as she reformed several paces behind Yang. "Think about it, with two team members down you're in for a promotion. Hey, maybe you could even take the place of that child to be leader?"

Yang yelled in furious anger as she charged Carmilla, sending forth a flurry of shots from her gauntlets. "She's my sister you bitch!"

Carmilla allowed the shots to pass harmlessly through her as she watched Yang close the distance.

"She's my sister and you took her away from me!" Yang cried out.

Something about the raging blonde resonated with Carmilla. The passion, the anger, and something else. Something in that girl's actions reminded her of an emotion she had not felt in so long.

She was so distracted by her thoughts she did not have time to react to Yang's strike to the side of her face. From her new position lying upon the grass, Carmilla looked into the eyes of the blonde. She knew what that emotion was, it was love. A love for someone, a love so strong it drove this child into an impassioned rage.

"What's your deal anyway?" Yang yelled with anger as she slammed her boot upon Carmilla's chest. She held it there, pinning the vampire to the ground. "I thought you wanted people to turn into vampires, like you did to my sister! What, was the immortal club not large enough for you? Am I not good enough to be in your club? Or is this just how you get your kicks? You go around destroying wonderful people because its fun?"

Carmilla could only stare in stunned silence as Yang continued her tirade. She listened as the young girl unleashed her feelings in a torrent of anger.

"Maybe you think that making them a vampire is a good thing? Huh, like what you're doing to them is a gift? Just because you love being a vampire and running around hurting people doesn't mean that she would! You took her from me!"

"No!" Carmilla cried out as she launched herself upwards in a black cloud, throwing Yang back in the process.

She stood before the child, huffing as rage boiled inside her. This child knew nothing. She assumed so much and she had no business making these assumptions about her.

"You're wrong child!" Carmilla spat back. "This has nothing to do with you or your sister!" The emotions inside her, rising to the surface however, seemed to beg to differ.

'This girl and her little sister are just pawns in this. What happens to them doesn't matter… Right?

'But Little Rose, she's may be condemned to eternity just like I am. It wasn't meant to be like this.

'No, it doesn't matter. What fate has befallen that child can't be my concern. I need to focus on what I what. What I need.'

"Then what are you trying to do then!" Yang screamed. "What do you want? Why are you doing this? Do you just enjoy destroying people whose only dream was to help others. People who wanted nothing more than to make the world a better place! Is that what you want?"

"I want to die!" Carmilla blurt out.

She fell to her knees, head hanging low. The outburst came with a wave of relief. "I just want this to be over."

She looked up at Yang who remained standing there in shocked silence before her. Through the eerie calm that befell the forest Carmilla heard the pair of huntresses burst into the clearing. Little Rose's other teammate, and her. Glynda.

When Blake discovered her teammate's absence she collected her instructor and set out after Yang. That was when Goodwitch came upon Carmilla shouting back at the blonde.

Goodwitch heard her confession. Her little witch knew why she was here. Everything was out in the open.

Carmilla sunk lower in the grass. It was all over. She was done.

She turned her gaze towards Glynda, the one who truly understood her. "I just… I just wanted it to stop. Everything, all of this. I'm tired of people disappearing, time takes them away and I just stay the same. I'm tired being alone and having the only connection I can make is through killing. I'm tired of life not having any meaning. Its like I blink my eyes and years fly by.

"I want this to stop, but it can't. I've searched and I've searched but nothing can end this hell. But then I met you Glynda. You're beautiful and smart and with the resources of Beacon I thought that maybe you could find a way. I don't know why I couldn't just go to you. I guess I was afraid that there wouldn't be a way to end this. That you could fail."

Goodwitch approached silently, staring down at her. Kneeling down, she spoke as Carmilla averted her gaze, ashamed of herself. "Then why did you infect Ruby?" Goodwitch's voice was leveled and calm, hiding her own anger.

"I thought that maybe if you could watch the transformation process maybe you could understand it more. I figured that you would be so angry at another one of us on your campus you would use everything you had to find a way to kill it. It never even occurred to be that once you found her you would try to save her. I guess I've been so disconnected from people for so long that compassion wasn't something I could foresee."

A sudden hand lightly gripping her shoulder snapped Carmilla's attention back to Yang. The girl's demeanor had calmed as she sat on her knees and looked at her. "Please, if you really don't want your fate to befall anyone else, then help us. Help me save my teammate, the one taken by Ruby. There may still be time to save her. Tell me how to stop my sister."

Carmilla looked up into those lilac eyes, for the first time she could remember, someone was pleading with her, not for her own life, but the life of another.

"You can't. There's no way to stop her." She replied with sadness in her tone. "Like I said, there's no way to kill one of us."

"Let me worry about that. Just tell me how to get past her defences."

Carmilla let out a long sigh. There was no point in hiding anything now. None of it mattered anyway. She knew it did not make any difference what they knew.

After several moments of silence, Carmilla finally spoke. "Her semblances. They're the key."

"Yes I know her new semblances make her more powerful. Just tell me how to get past them." Yang replied.

"No child. What I'm trying to say is that her semblances, they're her weakness."

Yang leaned back from the woman, unsure of what to make of her statement. The cryptic responses this vampire was giving was trying Yang's patience.

Seeing the girl's confusion, Carmilla started again. "Aura is the source behind all semblances. It powers them, controls them. Without aura there are no semblances."

"I'm a huntress, I know this." Yang snapped.

Carmilla rolled her eyes and continued. "Most importantly, aura is the soul made solid. Aura is the soul flowing through and around us. When you activate your own aura child, that's your soul manifesting, bringing it's influence upon the world.

"Our kind, we lack a soul. We can't bring an aura of our own into the world. But all living things need an aura to live. That's why we feed. We take the aura from others to replace our own. Why do think I, or your sister for that matter, don't use weapons? Weapons are conduits for aura, for the soul. Using weapons like huntsmen would drain what little aura we have to quickly, and that's the key. When we run low on aura we must feed to replenish it. Normally that would not be an issue, but in combat that becomes more tricky.

"Her semblances require aura, some more than others. A prolonged fight, one that forces her to faze through attacks and transform her body, will drain her aura much faster. But be warned. As she becomes helpless, she will become more viscous, more animalistic.

"That's really all I can tell you. If I knew of any true weakness I would have used them on myself long ago."

Yang contemplated what she was told, allowing it all to sink in.

"Thank you." Those words made Yang sick to her stomach. As much as she hated this woman, she needed her help to save Weiss, and maybe somehow, Ruby.

Professor Goodwitch was not happy with Yang to say the least. Being awoken in the middle of the night to chase after the runaway student, who she was supposed to be protecting, was not how she wanted to spend her confinement.

After their encounter with Carmilla, Yang was treated to a long lecture from Goodwitch about once again putting the lives of those around her at risk. Goodwitch did not take kindly to students who refused to follow orders, or worse, disobey her orders.

After scolding miss Xiao Long, there was the matter of what to do with Carmilla. Of all the things Goodwitch thought she had to deal with, taking this vampire into custody was not on her list. With few other options she made the decision to bring Carmilla in for questioning. Custody did not appear to be the right term when applied to a being who can walk through walls. This course of action, unfortunately, entailed miss Belladonna and Xiao Long accompanying her back to Beacon. Not the lesson she wished to teach the rebellious young huntresses.

When the group arrived back at the academy Ozpin insisted that Carmilla be moved to his office. The professor believed there was no point in locking their guest away in an observation room. This woman would only remain in their care as long as she permitted it. As for security, Ozpin did not see the benefit in assigning a detail to the woman. If their experience with miss Rose was anything to go by, attempting to detain her with guards would only lead to senseless deaths.

After arriving back at Beacon, Yang and Blake were instructed to remain in the lobby outside Goodwitch and several other professors' offices. With their lives still at risk Goodwitch would not let them stay somewhere unsecure like their dorm, and with classes starting soon, allowing the pair to traverse the academy grounds would place the other children at risk.

Blake flipped through a magazine while analyzing her teammate. She knew how difficult this whole situation must be for Yang, her sister was now a soulless monster who has killed people and taken a teammate. Yet always being the strong one Yang refused to show it, or at least made a valiant effort at it. She sat curled up on a sofa opposite Blake, nose buried in her scroll, distracting herself from the world. Left to her own devices, Blake was sure that Yang's stress would kill the poor girl.

The couch creaked as Blake shifted her weight back into it's surface. It was days like this where the stress felt to her like a million bricks on her shoulders. At that moment however, she refused to let it show. She needed to be strong for Yang, a girl whose entire world was crashing down around her.

Sunlight soon began streaming into the large office, it's warm rays setting Yang's hair a glow. Blake continued to watch as Yang flipped through page after page on her scroll in a feverish pace. Yang's face scrunched up as she pulled the small device close to her face; recognition flashed across her face.

"Blake," Yang's taut tone cut through the silence. "You have to see this."

"What did you discover Glynda?" Ozpin's powerful tone echoed through Goodwitch's office as he entered the room. Due to his previous dealings the headmaster was the last one to arrive after Goodwitch somonce. Yang and Goodwitch stood opposite each other leaning over the professor's desk, looking over a map on it's surface. Ironwood and Oobleck halted their discussion the moment Ozpin entered, while Blake continued to stand silently against the back wall, observing the situation.

"Not me professor," replied Goodwitch, "It was miss Xiao Long." She said gesturing to Yang.

"Um… Right!" Yang grabbed Goodwitch's large scroll adjacent to her off the table and rushed over to Ozpin. "After we got back from kicking that vampire's ass I was waiting outside her office and I found this video online." She held the device up to Ozpin's face and tapped the screen, playing the video in question.

Ozpin's eyes narrowed upon seeing the title of the video, Ritch bitch has freakout in club. "Someone captured a video of Weiss last night," explained Yang, "the description says she was at a club in downtown Vale."

As the video played it appeared to Ozpin as if it was recorded on someone's scroll, it featured the heiress screaming at various club patrons while waving her arms around like a mad woman. "I understand what you are trying to do Yang, unfortunately this does not do us much good," said Ozpin. "In fact we were already well aware that the pair were at a club last night as we discovered their latest victim outside one." He hated crushing the girl's hope like that, but the police were already searching the area for clues and knowing where Ruby was did not help them in finding her current location.

"No," Yang cut in, "look again. Here I'll show you." She slid her fingers across the scroll's surface before pausing it. "Look," she said as she shoved the device back in his face. The image was a still of Weiss yelling at a someone just off screen, her hands thrown up in enfasis.

"I don't…" Ozpin started before Yang cut him off.

"In her hand, see it, look at what she's holding."

He leaned in closer. In Weiss's hand she held a single white card with a arborous logo.

"Its a hotel keycard," said Yang. "Weiss is sending us a message. She's telling us where they are."

"Sir we tracked that logo down to The Highgreen Regency," explained Goodwitch. "There is currently a room registered to a Schnee Dust company card. The check in lines up with when the pair went missing. With your permission sir I'd like to send a team in go apprehend them."

"What makes you think you can?" Ozpin questioned. "Ruby has already killed five people, what makes you think you can apprehend them?"

"Ah well," Oobleck energetically cut in. "The medical team, well we think we have something that could work. Now I would like to spend more time on this but as Goodwitch pointed out earlier we don't know how much longer the pair will stay where they are. Anyway the team has put together something I think you're really going to like. See its a chemical compound that bonds to the grimm cells delivering an amazingly powerful toxin. Its quite brilliant if I don't say so myself. Now, when injected it should attack and kill the cells with extreme prejudice leaving the host cells relatively intact." Sensing the concerned looks he was getting from the way he emphasised relatively Oobleck decided it was best to explain. "As long as we get miss Schnee prompt medical care she should be fine."

"What about my sister?" Silence fell upon the room at Yang's question. "You said that Weiss would be okay but what happens to Ruby? Tell me, what happens to my sister when she gets this toxin thing in her?"

"Well um…," Oobleck nervously started. "You see a living body is not like a grimm, it requires a soul to stay alive. Without one a body would just die. If we destroy those grimm cells that have invaded Ruby's body, well, her body will die too."

Yang angrily shook her head and stormed towards the back of the office, gripping the windowsill in both fists and staring out the window.

Goodwitch then spoke to Ozpin in a more subdued tone. "This is the best shot we are ever going to have. If we don't act now more people will die."

"Alright," Ozpin said with a nod. "Get what you need, you have one hour."

"We're coming too." stated Yang as she turned back to the group.

"Absolutely not," commanded Goodwitch.

"No she's right," interrupted Blake, "we have to go. Its very likely that Ruby is planing in infecting all the members of her team. Well, we're it. She's probably going to kill anyone you send after her. Yang and I have a chance, we can get close to them. We are the best chance you have at stopping them. You need us. We are going." The look in Blake's eyes were clear, she was not asking, she was telling.

Ozpin paused for a moment, studying the girls. "Suit up."

The Highgreen Regency, a spear of emerald slicing into the Vale sky, still visible from the parking structure turned into an impromptu command center. Yang and Blake stood amongst the various police officers and Beacon professors in the damp cavernous concrete building. The young pair leaned against the cold metal railing overlooking the passing cars below while the police and huntsmen studied maps unfurled on car hoods. A sense of haste filled the air as officers coordinated the quiet evacuation of the hotel. As the last pieces were put in place, Yang and Blake could only stand and wait, dark unsertency growing deep inside them.

"Do you think she's still in there?" Blake's question broke Yang from her thoughts. "There's no way
Ruby hasn't noticed this. Masters of subtlety these guys are."

Yang could not help but smirk at Blake's jab. "This much excitement, there's no way Ruby would miss this. She could never run away from a fight. Not that she loved the violence, no Ruby could never turn down fun. And this, well we've given her a stage and an audience. This is exactly the grand finale she's been hoping for."

"I hope you're right Yang, I really do."

"Girls," professor Goodwitch called, gesturing for the pair to approach her by the car.

As Blake and Yang neared her they were joined by a man wearing a white suit carrying a grey briefcase. He opened it to reveal a pair of large silver pen shaped devices.

"Yang and Blake," Goodwitch started, "I'd like you to meet Doctor Wu, he has been working with professor Oobleck on the infection."

The pair of girls nodded in acknowledgement as the doctor laid the open case on the car hood.

"Nice to meet you two," said Wu. "These are a pair of injectors with carefully measured doses for both miss Rose and miss Schnee." Wu pointed to each device as he said the girls' names. "Simply pull the back to extend the piston, this will arm the injector. Then press it firmly to the subject's chest, right over the heart, and push the top of the piston. That will activate the pneumatically system within the injector driving a hypodermic needle into the subject's heart releasing the toxin. It will be most effective if delivered to the heart so the toxin can be spread through the body as quickly as possible. Any questions?"

Yang shook her head as Blake scooped up the injectors."Directly to the heart, got it," said Blake.

"Well if that is all," started Goodwitch, "I would recommend you two make your move."

"Okay, let's do this." Said Yang in an unusually claim tone. "Just have your people wait to burst in."

"When will they know to enter?" Questioned Goodwitch.

"I assume it will be a 'you'll know it when you see it sorta deal,'" Yang retorted as she made for the exit.

Yang and Blake entered the hotel through a pair of revolving doors. Artificial lighting filled the towering atrium with a white hue. Just beyond the ornate entranceway flanked by the consegnare and the front desk, the room opened up into the grand atrium itself. In the center of the ground floor lie modest fountain, a single jet of clear water shooting skyward and crashing down into the star shaped pool beneath. Above hanging from a golden chain was a massive glowing orb covered in countless spires jutting out from it's surface. This gold chandelier hung beneath the highest level of the atrium and cast a modest glow from high above.

As the last of the stragalers filed past, Yang cast her gaze upward. Even from her place far below she could see a figure in red standing on the highest level, looking down at them. A simple nod was the only communication needed between the partners as they made their way towards the trio of glass elevators that climbed an outcropping to their right.

Yang adjusted the folded scythe across her back as she and Blake silently waited for the elevator. The scythe's size and weight was foreign to Yang and would only make fighting more difficult, but inside her, she knew it was something she needed to carry with her, if only as a reminder. With a simple chime the elevator doors slid open and the pair entered the glass enclosure.

"Give me Ruby's," Yang said, breaking the silence of the ride.

Blake knew immediately that Yang was referring to the injectors. "Yang no," Blake protested. She could not let her friend do that to herself. "Let me handle this Yang."

"It has to be me," Yang replied.

"Yang cut it with this 'she's my sister' crap! You don't have to be the one to do this."

"That's not it Blake. I have to do it because you can't." Yang let out a sigh. "I can't wake up each morning with you being the one who killed my sister. Don't do that to me, please."

Yang's eyes stared back into Blake's. The girl in yellow pleading with her.

"Okay," Blake relented as she handed over the injector.

"Thank you. You get Weiss and get her out of here. I'll handle Ruby."

With another chime the elevator doors slid open, it was time.

The mood was tense as Yang and Blake traversed the hallway, Ruby watching as they made their way around to face her. The pair came to a halt as they came around the corner. Ruby stood grinning at them while Weiss stood behind her. Fear filled Weiss's eyes as the pair approached.

"Hey guys!" Ruby chipperly greeted her approaching teammates.

Yang merely stared at Ruby stoically.

"Weiss, are you okay?" Asked Blake.

Weiss only managed to stutter out a few random vowels before Ruby cut her off.

"What about me? Aren't you happy to see me Yang, misses grumpy face over here."

"Don't," Said Yang with anger in her voice. "You're not Ruby, so just shut up."

Ruby gasped in mock shock. "I'm hurt Yang. But you're just saying that. Its me Ruby, your little sister. Ya know what, I just need to show you what this is really like. Its actually a lot of fun. This whole vampire thing is so cool," she continued in an excited tone. "You have to try it."

"Stop!" Yang commanded. "Weiss come here, we've got something to help you." Yang said switching into a soft comforting tone. "And you!" She directed anger back towards the creature in front of her. "My real sister would never have killed those people. You're not her. So we are ending this."

Somewhere in Ruby's head a switch was flipped. Her expression went from childlike innocence to unbridled hatred. "So this is how my sister really acts?" She said as she marched towards Yang. "As long as I'm under your shadow I'm just your loveable sister. But the moment I get real power and skill, well I guess you can't have that now can we? How 'bout I show you this real power!"

Before Yang could react Ruby fazed into a black cloud, passing Yang and materializing behind Blake. Ruby drew a single blade across the side of Blake's neck, a stream of crimson oozed from the wound. Blake spun around to strike her attacker, but Ruby faded away before the strike could connect. The black cloud floated back to where Ruby once stood before coalescing back into the red vampire.

Ruby let out a chuckle as Blake reached up to her wound, assuring herself that her aura already healed it. It was not the reaction from Ruby or even Yang for that matter that concerned her, it was Weiss. Gone was her timid nervous demeanor. Her body stood stiff, her eyes now red focused firmly on Blake. Glancing at her fingertips, Blake's horror was confirmed. Blood.

As small as the cut was, it still bled. That blood just drove the newly created vampire into pure animalistic hunger.

"Weiss," Blake said nervously, in the vain hope of calming the brewing storm before her.

Ruby sent her a toothy grin. "Go get her snowqueen." She said as she gave Weiss a shove towards Blake.

Blake leaped into the air allowing Weiss to crash through the shadow clone she left behind. Landing gracefully on the floor she gave a nod to Yang who then began her match towards Ruby. Blake turned around, drew her weapons, and readied herself for Weiss's attack.

Activating her gauntlets she stood face to face with the grinning girl who was once her sister, but was now only a soulless shell. Yang threw her arm out to strike the girl only for it to pass through the cloud form of the girl. The fight was on.

Punch after punch flew between the pair. Yang adapted her tactics quickly to Ruby's new abilities, managing to connect with several blows. Through the intense melee Ruby landed a few hits of her own. The two ducked and weaved around each other, a pair of fighters, skill and passion driving their violence.

As Weiss charged for a second attack, Blake lashed out with her swords, letting out an arc of energy. Weiss nimbly leaped over the attack, closing the distance and swinging at Blake.

Blake did her best to parry Weiss's blows as she tried to defend herself without harming her friend. She wanted to help Weiss, to bring her home. But in her frenzied state, Weiss was not letting that happen.

A simple lapse in judgment allowed Weiss to gain the upperhand. In a flash Weiss used her immense training to strike at Blake's hand and disarm her of her gun sword. The fencer twirled the stolen weapon around, taking her combat stance. Now she had an even fight.

Every time Yang went for a grab Ruby would pass through her fingers. When she was not matching Yang blow for blow she was a cloud of darkness. For many years the siblings would spar. Each knew the other's moves, but now Ruby had a few new tricks.

Spinning around to dodge a wild kick, Yang left herself open for Ruby to grab her from behind and throw her into the wall. With a bone rattling crash Yang flew through the wall into suite. Ruby was then on her. Fists swinging wildly as Yang rolled out of the way of her relentless attacker. Yang got on her back and let out a mighty kick with both feet landing square in Ruby's chest, launching her from the room.

Even in such a frenzied state Weiss still maintained her poise and precision. Each jab and swing was deliberate and planned. Every defence calculated. Blake called on all her combat experience to match her opponent. Blades smashed together at a lightning pace. Blake rolled under and leaped over incoming swings. Weiss spun and vaulted from glyphs.

After Weiss landed in front of her, Blake smashed her sword into Weiss's. The two held firm, blades locked, red eyes staring into yellow. The sharp of Blake's weapon pressed into the flat of Weiss's.

Blake saw her opening. In a flash grasped the handle of Weiss's weapon with one hand, twisting it, and pulling the trigger. The shots from the gun smashed into Weiss, knocking her back. A spin and a kick and Weiss crashed into the railing overlooking the atrium.

Ruby's powers were weakening fast. Gone was her constant phasing. Now she fought with direct purpose. After climbing out of the wreckage of the suite Yang returned to her assault. Explosions rocked the atrium as she let out with her gauntlets and Ruby violently did her best to end Yang's life.

Yang's explosive gauntlet collided with Ruby slamming her against the wall. In her daze Ruby spied something. Eyes wide she dodged Yang's follow up and bolted towards it.

Blake knelt down next to the groning Weiss as she came too. Beneath the blinking eyelids there was no longer red, but simple blue.

"Hey Weiss, are you back?" Blake asked softly.

Weiss rubbed her aching head and nodded. The bloodlust had passed. For the moment, Weiss was herself again. Blake sheathed her weapons and offered a hand to help her teammate up. Weiss waved her off, rising on her own to a shaking stance.

"You told me you had something that could help?" Weiss asked.

Blake nodded and retrieved the injector. Weiss swiftly snatched the device from Blake's palm and began inspecting it. She was thankful for her friend's persistence in delivering it to her and made a note to mention it at a later date, but at that moment she needed to focus on her own well being.

"Here you have to." Weiss swiftly cut off Blake's explanation.

"I can read the label." Weiss snarked.

Blake took a step back as Weiss leaned against the railing and readied the injector against her chest. She let out a long breath and closed her eyes as she placed her palm over the piston.

"No! Don't!" Came Ruby's cry. Weiss's eyes flew open in time to see the vampire desperately rushing towards her. Without hesitation Weiss slammed down on the piston driving the needle directly into her heart. The cure she so desperately needed flooded into her veins, hunting down and destroying the grimm infecting her.

Weiss's muscles started seizing as the toxin did it's work, leaving her defenceless. Ruby slipped past Blake, crashing into Weiss in her attempt to stop the cure. Right behind her, Yang grabbed Ruby before she could make another move.

In her rigid state Weiss toppled over the railing into the open air below. Blake's heart dropped fell helplessly into the void.

In a flash, Blake and Yang exchanged a look. One that told them exactly what needed to be done. Without a second thought Blake dove after Weiss. Yang pulled back on Ruby, slamming her into the ground.

Her head first plunge allowed Blake to catch the falling girl. With little time to spare Blake tossed out part of her weapon, imbedding it into the side of the atrium. The ribbon attached to it caused the pair to swing into one of the lower floors. Blake twisted her body to take the brunt of the impact, sparing Weiss.

Blake gently pushed Weiss off of her as the pain seeped in. Looking over she saw Weiss beginning to lift herself off the floor. Weiss was okay, and that was all that mattered.

Yang looked down to see Ruby's face, on consumed by terror. No matter what had done, or how many people she hurt, it was still her little sister looking back at her. The same little sister she would play with and read too.

Yang's hesitation gave Ruby the opportunity she needed. With a swift roll Ruby slipped away from Yang, leaping over the railing, slipping into a mist and landing on the golden chandelier.

Sticking her tongue out at Yang, Ruby stood atop the chandelier, hanging on the chain. Yang clenched her fists glared in return. Rushing forwards, Yang fired her gauntlets, launching her out into the atrium.

Yang flew out into the open air, grabbing onto one of the many spires spearing the chandelier. The force of her landing off center started the chandelier rotating, jostling Ruby's perch. Not letting the motion disturb her, Yang punched wildly with her free arm, sending exploding shots through the spires and into the ceiling above.

Shattered decorative ceiling tiles rained down around them as Ruby clenched onto the chain and kicked at the dangling Yang. Catching a boot to the face, Yang slipped backwards almost losing her grip. Retaliating, Yang reached out, grabbing offending boot. With a mighty tug she pulled Ruby free of the chandelier.

Ruby crashed into a railing several levels below. She flopped onto the landing and hastily limped towards the elevators. Yang climbed the remaining spires to the top of the chandelier, giving her the space she needed to launch herself onto one of the higher levels of the atrium. She then descended the outsides of the railings, reaching the floor where Ruby landed.

Racing towards the elevator Yang heard the familiar chime of the doors. Ruby had crossed into the elevator and was making her way down. With no time to lose Yang leaped over the railing, landing on top of the elevator.

Gripping the outside edge Yang swung down crashing through the glass into the descending elevator. Ruby and Yang clashed once again. In the fierce melee Ruby got ahold of Yang's neck, and began slamming it into the side wall. Dazed, Yang kicked off the wall, sending the pair tumbling out of the elevator.

Yang and Ruby smashed into the shallow fountain. Yang coming to rest on her back, making her keenly aware of the large metal object that was Ruby's scythe, strapped to her back. On shaking legs Ruby regained her footing. Yang lashed out with a swift punch to the face, dropping her back into the ankle-deep water.

This was her moment, it had to be. Yang saw Ruby was at her weakest, her most vulnerable. There in her moment to end it, Yang froze. It was her sister, the one she had to kill. That monster, that beast without a soul was her little sister.

The unfamiliar weight of Ruby's precious scythe hung on her back as a reminder. The tool for death was with her in that time of need.

The scythe, a conduit for aura.

Memories flooded back to her. Important clues which fates relied on.

'Weapons are conduits for aura, for the soul.'

'They're extensions of ourselves, they're part of us.'

'Our kind, we lack a soul.'

Too much hurt and too much death was brought about because of this. But no more. Yang knew what she had to try. It had to work, Yang refused to accept anything less.

Yang pulled the piston back on the injector just as Ruby regained her footing. Reaching out Yang grabbed Ruby by the shoulder and jammed the injector onto Ruby's chest, driving the needle into her heart.

Ruby stood with mouth agape, shock took her as realization hit her.

"I love you Ruby." Came Yang's teary response. "I love you so much."

Yang reached behind her back, retrieving the scythe, extending the spear like handle.

"I love you," she said before plunging spear into Ruby's abdomen.

Pouring all her remaining aura through the weapon and into Ruby, the pair collapsed to their knees. Yang silently begged for it to work, for there to be any piece, no matter how small, any bit of her sister left behind.

Ruby let out a piercing scream. A fire burned through her, tearing her apart from within.

Too much death. All of it, pain and death. But Yang refused to let it continue. It would end then and there. If there were any piece of Ruby left behind in her scythe, Yang was going to put it back where it belonged. It had to work, she had to save her sister. Yang would never let it be her hand that killed her.

With the last of her strength gone Yang slumped into the water. Cool water flowed around her. The scream ended, Ruby's body was collapsed next to her own.

As her vision faded, Yang felt slender fingers wrap around her own. The scythe, in that moment a tool of death, brought life.

The last rays of sunlight streamed through the Vale skyline. Carmilla sat in silence on the edge of Beacon's landing pad, legs dangling over the cliff. The rays of sun burned her skin, but she did not mind. Pain reminded her she was still alive.

The familiar clicking of heels alerted Carmilla to her visitor. Carmilla did not look up or acknowledge her, she knew who it was and what it was about.

Goodwitch came to a halt beside her. The professor's looming figure stared down at her in silent judgement.

"Come on Witch," said Carmilla tapping the area beside her, eyes never leaving the horizon. She was uncharacteristically distant and somber. "Take a seat."

Goodwitch contemplated declining the request. Eventually however, she came to the conclusion that acts of defiance would get her nowhere. Taking the seat, her eyes were glued to the killer beside her, a monster not hunting or feeding, just staring into the setting sun.

"You have it?" Carmilla already knew the answer to her own question. Why else would Goodwitch come to see her? It was time. Time to go.

"Yes," Goodwitch replied blankly. She reached into her jacket and retrieved a single sliver device, passing it on to Carmilla.

"Thank you Glynda." A genuine smile grew across Carmilla's lips. "I know how much you hate me. I guess the way you see things I deserve it. But I really enjoyed our time together." She let out a short laugh. "I know how much you want to do this yourself. But what can I say," Carmilla turned to smile at Goodwitch, "I could never turn down one last chance to screw with you."

Without a moment's hesitation Carmilla pressed the device to her chest and allowed the needle to plunge into her heart.

She laid back on the landing pad and smiled. Her skin cracked, black ghostly vapors rose from her body. Goodwitch watched as time finally caught up with the vampire, her form disintegrating like so many grimm before, leaving nothing behind but her clothes and dust.

Relief filled Goodwitch. A major part of her life was finally over. The ghost that had been haunting her for so many years was gone. She was free.

Her first feeling was the warm glow of the sun, beating down on her bed. Yang's eyes opened upon a simple hospital room with white walls and curtain around her bed. Her aching body fought her efforts to rise to her feet, but like so many opponents before, it's defeat was inevitable.

Just as she rose to her feet the curtain was thrust back to reveal a familiar girl wearing a black bow.

"Yang!" Blake cried out as she rushed in to support her friend. "You worried me so much! You've been asleep all day. How are you feeling?"

Yang pulled her into a weak hug, her body was still recovering. "I'm okay Blake. I'm okay."

The two separated and stared silently for a moment before Yang spoke. "What about Weiss? What happened to her?"

A thin smile grew across Blake's face. "She'll be okay. Weiss wasn't as banged up as you. She's in the next room. Doctor's thought it was best to keep her secured until they were sure the cure worked. Weiss is being Weiss, harassing the nurses and keeping them busy."

"That's great. Thank you for getting her out. What about Ruby?"

Blake's smile faded. "She'll…" Blake paused to find a better term. "She's…. alive," she said with sadness in her voice. "They're not letting me see her. Goodwitch and Ozpin have her under lock and key in one of the rooms down the hall."

A smile started to grow across Blake's face as she paused.

"We don't know how you did it but she's back. Ruby has her own soul again," genuine happiness filled her as she spoke. "I think it had something to do with Crescent Rose jammed in her when they found her. Whatever you did it was amazing."

Yang pulled Blake into a tight hung. Tears of joy streamed down her face. "Thank you."

"Look Yang, she woke up a little while ago. She may be back but, just go to her. I overheard Ozpin talking to the doctors, Ruby remembers it. She remembers all of it. Everything that creature did, the killings, all of it. Ruby retained those memories. She needs you."

"Okay," Yang said with renewed energy as she gave Blake one last squeeze. With a sense of purpose and and energy she had not felt in a long time Yang bounded towards the door. As she opened it she turned back towards Blake. "Are you coming?"

"Na. You have your moment, I'm gonna go keep Weiss from antagonizing the staff again."

Determining which room belonged to Ruby was an easy task for Yang. Two uniformed officers stood outside one particular door that also happened to have professor Ozpin nearby discussing matters with a hospital attending.

Upon reaching the room in question Yang was stopped by the officers, the pair was under the mistaken idea that she would let them stand between her and her sister. As she tried to brush past the pair, one of them placed his hand on her shoulder to stop her.

Yang's body tensed, readying itself for the fight to come. Luckily for the officers a clearing throat caught the trio's attention. Ozpin had broken off is discussion and thought it best to intervene.

"It's okay," He started. "She can go in, she's family."

Yang smiled and nodded to Ozpin, her way of thanking him. She reached out and grasped the metal door handle, entering the room.

There she was, her sister. Ruby was on a hospital bed, laying on her side, staring out a window. Ruby did not even acknowledge her visitor, she remained lost in thought. Yang did not know what to do or say. So much had happened and nothing ever prepared her for this.

She strode over to the bed, careful not to alarm her sister. Yang reached out to her sister ready to lay a comforting hand upon her. She stopped, her hand hovering within reach.

"Ruby," Yang spoke, barely louder than a whisper.

Ruby spun around in a flash, her eyes wide as she focused on Yang. The look was not joy or excitement at seeing her sister. What Yang saw in those eyes was fear, fear and shame.

"No, no, no," Ruby muttered repeatedly as she recoiled. Pulling herself back she locked her knees to her chest and cried. "Go away!" She yelled out between tears.

"Ruby," Yang spoke in a motherly tone as she pulled herself onto the bed. "It's okay Ruby. It wasn't your fault, none of it was."

Ruby tried unsuccessfully to shift further away from her oncoming sister. She did not want her sister there. Ruby had hurt so many people, her own friends, her own sister. Gut wrenching guilt twisted inside her and all she wanted to do was hide away from the world. She killed people, and there was no forgiveness for that.

"Ruby." Yang rested a hand under Ruby's chin. "Look at me. I love you. That was not you. It was that thing inside of you. I know it, Blake knows it, even Weiss knows it. Ruby, I know you would never hurt someone. I can not imagine what you are going through right now, whatever it is, I'm right here."

Yang reached her arms around her sobbing sister, gently pulling her into a tender hug. "I love you Ruby, and I will always be there for you." So Yang held her, letting her sister sob into her shoulder. For as long as Ruby needed it, Yang stayed there, holding her.

Eventually the tears ceased. Ruby's arms wrapped around Yang, returning the hug.

"What am I supposed to do?" Ruby's sorrowful tone punched Yang in the gut.

"I don't know Ruby. But whatever happens, we are here for you."

The sisters continued their embrace until the younger slipped off into a blissful sleep. Eventually she would return to the academy she loved and become the very hero she wished to be. She would fight in many more battles in the years to come. For that moment however, in that place, Ruby was at peace because for the first time in a long time, no nightmares troubled her. No monsters, no evil, would disturb her rest. Ruby was safe in her sister's arms.

Author's notes: Here it is guys. Sorry for the delay. Life happens. This was a fantastic ride putting this together for you guys and I hope you enjoyed it.

Take care and thank you for reading.