Shattered Destiny (epilogue)

After so many weeks, this story is finally at its end. So much has happened, so thank you for keeping up!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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												Epilogue. After The Battle

The light streaming into the room was soft and gentle, two things Yang was thankful for feeling upon first waking up.

She knew right away that she was in the infirmary – the feeling of a soft bed and the scent of flowers spoke volumes even long before she opened her eyes to the white walls and ceiling.

She couldn't move at first, and as the memories came flooding back, she remembered why.

Blake, Weiss, Ruby, Pyrrha, her mother...

She had so many questions, and she was eager to start asking even before she knew whether or not she was alone in the room, and before she could even catch her breath. How many days had passed? Was the attack over? Was the school safe? Where were her teammates and friends? Where was her sister-

"Yang!"

At least that answered one question right off the bat.

Yang strained to turn her head from where it lay on the pillow. Her heart flooded with relief and soared with joy at the sight of her baby sister, sitting there beside her. Ruby's eyes were wide and full of tears, which started dripping down her cheeks right away. She lifted her hands to her mouth and whimpered.

"Y-Yang..."

As the big sister, the last thing she wanted to do was worry her. Yang battled past the soreness and at least managed a smile.

"Hey, Ruby..."

Ruby stood from her chair right away and crawled onto the edge of the bed instead. She was already sobbing even before she wrapped her arms around Yang's shoulders and gently collapsed on top of her.

"Yang... Y-Yaaanng-!"

"Hey... it's all right... C'mere, you."

Yang shifted beneath the blankets and brought up her arms-

/Oh. Right.../

That memory hurt most of all. With all she'd saved and salvaged, there was one thing that would never come back.

All she could do was drape her left arm across Ruby's back.

Even just that much hurt.

She wanted to do more. She wanted to hug her. Fully. With both arms.

And she couldn't.

She kept lifting her right arm – or what was left of it – and tried to put it around her little sister's shuddering back. Some part of her believed that if she kept trying, she'd eventually feel it again, that maybe if she tried just one more time, it would come back.

But it... never did...

She cried.

She cried for a long time, and Ruby cried with her.

Of course, they were both thankful that the other was all right.

But some things would never be the same anymore.

Yang didn't know how she'd ever get used to... this.

Being unable to hug her little sister or her friends like she'd always used to.

Being unable to pick her up and feel with both hands.

Being unable to defend herself as well as she'd used to.

Being unable to fight as well as she'd used to.

Being unable to pull the covers up comfortably at night, or turn on a faucet, or put toothpaste onto a brush, or open a door, or type a message on her scroll, or hold anything for anyone.

There was just... so much she couldn't do now.

Despite the immense victory, Yang could only feel defeated.

Scared. Helpless...

What if, for the rest of her life now, she was just relying on other people? Being a burden to them? She didn't want that...

And no matter what she did or when or why she did it, there would always be a constant reminder of how incomplete she was.

She cried long and hard into Ruby's shoulder, her hand clutching tightly, almost angrily into her little sister's cloak.

Why? Why did it have to happen this way? Hadn't she done enough? Hadn't she saved everyone? Why did she have to lose such a major part of herself? Why had she been made to pay that price?

She was angry, distraught, in denial.

But as time passed by in that hospital room, filled with the sounds of hers and Ruby's sobbing, Yang realized something.

Would she have rather seen Ruby lose her arm? Or Weiss? Or Blake? Or Pyrrha? Or any other of her friends? She'd never wish such misery on them, and she knew they'd never wish it on her, either.

What had happened to her wasn't anyone's fault. No one deserved that, not even her.

But somehow, she'd just have to find a way to cope and keep living. She had to.

Because there were people counting on her, people she was counting on, and people she wanted to keep tackling all of life's adventures with.

She stopped crying before Ruby did.

Yang started stroking through her sister's hair and patting her back for her. When she could, she started to murmur soothing words to her.

"It's all right, Ruby... It's all right..."

Ruby sniffled and blubbered into her chest, shaking her head.

"B-But- Yang-"

"I know," she hushed her. "I know... But... But this is how it's... gonna be now. And we'll... we'll figure it out... won't we?"

Ruby pushed herself up so she could look into her big sister's eyes. She wiped her sleeve over her face and nodded.

"Yeah... w-we will. I p-promise, Yang... I-I'm just... I'm so sorry-"

"Don't be." Yang pulled her back down and kissed her cheek. "You have no reason to be sorry, Ruby. It's nobody's fault."

Her little sister just broke down all over again. Yang held her as best she could, and let a few more tears of her own slip down her cheeks.

It was going to take time.

But if it was a time when all of her friends would be alive and at her side to help her through it, Yang would make it through. She knew she would.

Eventually, Ruby couldn't cry anymore. Yang cradled her head against her chest for a while and just held her, letting Ruby get used to the partial embrace. Yang heaved a long sigh and let a few more tears out.

"So... tell me what's going on. How's the school? Are Weiss and Blake okay?"

Ruby pushed herself up a little bit and shifted her position, tucking herself into Yang's side rather than resting on top of her. Yang lifted her arm and Ruby nestled beneath it.

"The school is... well, kinda messy. But the professors and everyone are helping out with repairs and stuff... When I woke up, I was in here, too. And... And-"

She got choked up for a second, and Yang rubbed her back.

"Shh, it's okay, Ruby."

Her sister nodded.

"Y-Yeah..." When she lifted her head a little and wiped her eyes again, Yang noticed she was smiling now. Ruby looked up at her with watery silver eyes. "Yang, you didn't find out before, but... but Penny is alive!"

Yang's eyes went wide with shock and delight.

"She... She is...?"

Ruby nodded happily.

"Yeah! A-After everything started, Sun and Velvet and everyone else and I were fighting the Grimm, and I... Penny woke up! She took an air ship to safety and she's with General Ironwood now!"

Yang's heart lifted, and for the first time since waking, she truly felt overjoyed.

"Ruby, that's wonderful!" She squeezed her little sister tighter to her side. Ruby giggled and wrapped her arms around Yang as best she could.

"Yeah! I was... I was so scared that she'd... But she's all right now. She's gonna be okay."

"That great, Ruby. I'm so glad..."

A moment of silence passed, and they relished the good feelings. But soon, Yang needed to know about a few other people.

"How about Blake and Weiss? Have you seen them?"

Ruby swallowed, and her smile faded. She buried her face into the blankets over Yang's side and spoke much more softly now.

"After I woke up and the nurses let me out of bed, they told me where your rooms were. Blake and Weiss were in the same room, so I went to see them first..."

Yang steeled herself for whatever news she might hear about her teammates. Ruby was clearly upset as she went on.

"Blake was being treated for a big, awful wound in her stomach. She was awake when I went in, and she was so glad to see me. But she didn't know about you, yet. She was really, really worried, and she probably still is."

Ruby sniffled again, swallowed, and went on.

"A-And Weiss was... she had all these wires and things attached to her. She couldn't breathe on her own and there was this tube thingy on her mouth..." She stopped again as the tears started up. "She was... hurt really bad... all over. And she didn't wake up... b-but the nurses said she will eventually. They just don't know when..."

Yang flinched as the memories of what had happened to the others came back to her.

With Ruby, it had been hit or miss in protecting her. All it would've taken was one arrow. It would have been quick and almost immediate.

But Yang had prevented that just as quickly.

However, for Blake and Weiss, things had been much more drawn-out.

Blake had bled from that wound for a long time. Even when they'd thought it had closed up, it kept reopening to ensure her suffering.

And Weiss' torture had been terribly, terribly prolonged.

So of course, those two were going to need a lot of time to recover.

Ruby was crying again, and so Yang drew her closer.

"I'm sorry for making you think about it again, Ruby. I know it's hard... It's just that... I was with them during the attack, so I know how badly they got hurt, and I just needed to know..."

"Yeah..." Ruby whimpered. "I understand. You must've been really worried about them."

"I was," she sighed. "And I was worried about you, too."

"Yeah... I've been so worried, Yang... I'm just... I'm so glad you're finally awake... And it's all over..."

"I know," she whispered back. "Me, too..."

Yang closed her eyes and let out another long breath, keeping Ruby close to her side. When she was able to turn her face and strain a little, she managed to kiss her sister atop the head and ruffle her hair lightly.

Ruby stayed close to her for a while longer, hugging her around the stomach and telling her news about Beacon and what was happening now in the rest of the world.

The rest of Remnant was doing its best to send support to Vale to help them rebuild and recover. There was an increase in security and medical personnel. All in all, people were pulling together, and that made Yang tear up all over again.

A soft knock at the door surprised both herself and Ruby. Her little sister squeezed Yang one last time before promptly sitting up and settling for just holding tightly to Yang's hand instead. She glanced at Yang who nodded.

"Come in," Ruby called out.

Yang turned to look towards the door. She was more than a little surprised to see Pyrrha standing there.

The last Yang had seen her, she'd been covered in dirt and blood, even despite her impressive victory.

But now, she'd shed her dented armor for clean casual clothes, her hair was beautifully brushed and neat, and there wasn't a speck of dirt on her person. Her eyes and smile brightened instantly when she spotted the sisters and realized Yang was awake. She closed the door and hurried in with an air of excitement and relief about her.

"Oh, Yang! You're awake, too! Thank goodness!" She paused on the other side of Yang's bed and lifted her hands to her mouth, overcome with emotion. Yang offered a smile back to her.

"Pyrrha... It's so good to see you."

"You took the words right out of my mouth," she chuckled, already fighting back more tears. Pyrrha made her way around to Ruby's side of the bed and wrapped her arms around the younger girl. "Hello, Ruby. How are you doing?"

Ruby gave Yang's hand one last squeeze before letting go, and retuning Pyrrha's embrace tightly.

"I'm okay!"

"I'm so glad," Pyrrha sighed. "I've been staying with Blake and Weiss all this time, so I'd come to fetch you as soon as I could." She pulled away smiling as tears dripped down her face. "Weiss has just woken up. Blake's with her, but she's been asking for you and Yang as well. You should go see her when you can."

Ruby gasped softly as Pyrrha pulled away from her. Yang was flooded with relief to hear the news about Weiss, and she couldn't blame Ruby at all for sending her a desperate look.

"Yang..."

She was torn. She clearly wanted to stay here with her older sister, but she wanted to see her partner as well. Yang reached out to pat her head.

"Go see Weiss and Blake," she said. "Tell them I say hi and that I'll come visit them as soon as I can."

"Right," Pyrrha agreed. "And I'll stay with Yang. So don't worry."

Ruby sniffled and nodded, then threw her arms around her sister in one more hug.

"Okay... I love you, Yang."

Yang took in a long breath as she hugged her back, praying that one arm could suffice to provide as much fervor as she intended to give.

"I love you too, Ruby."

She kissed her sister's forehead one more time before letting her go. Ruby dipped her head to Pyrrha, then darted out the door.

The two older girls watched her go for a moment. Then, Pyrrha moved up to take Ruby's previous spot at Yang's bedside. As soon as they made eye contact, Pyrrha's smile wobbled a little.

"May I?"

Yang nodded right away, and Pyrrha took a seat on the edge of the bed. Timidly, she reached for Yang's hand and covered it with her own.

Yang watched as Pyrrha's eyes found sudden interest in the floor. She didn't look up again as she began to speak.

"Yang... I'm not even sure where to begin other than I am so... so sorry-"

"Pyrrha-"

"Because everything you did... everything you lost... was because of me... wasn't it?"

"Pyrrha."

Yang turned over her hand and threaded her fingers through hers, giving a squeeze. The action gained Pyrrha's attention, and she slowly lifted her face once more. Yang met her watery emerald eyes with unwavering lavender, and spoke with conviction.

"Pyrrha, nothing was ever your fault. Don't apologize. You defeated that dragon. You saved Beacon."

"Only because you saved me!" The tears began to drip down onto the bedsheets. "You saved me, Yang... and at what cost?"

"Cost...?" Yang repeated. "Pyrrha... I'm still alive. We all are. I'm sure Ruby's told you about Penny, right?"

She didn't miss Pyrrha's guilty flinch at the mention of the girl, but ultimately she nodded.

"Yes... she's alive, isn't she?"

"That's right. And so is your team, and so are you. And so is my team, and so am I. And so many other people. If all I had to pay for this was an arm, then I'd gladly do it again, Pyrrha."

She could feel the tears slipping down her own cheeks now just as clearly as she could see Pyrrha's. But Yang didn't stop until she was finished.

"We... We changed destiny, Pyrrha. That's... not really an easy thing to do. But I'd say... if, in the end, everyone gets to live happily and healthily, then any other sacrifice is worth it. Wouldn't you?"

Pyrrha dipped her head, and in the process lifted Yang's hand up to her chest, holding it tightly. She cried softly, her ponytail slipping out over her shoulder as the warm tears fell onto Yang's forearm. When she spoke, her voice was small, but certain.

"You're... You're right... I just... I wish it could've been me-"

"And if it had been, then I'd be wishing the same thing," Yang assured her. "No matter who it was, everyone else would be wishing it were them instead. But this-" She lifted what was left of her bandaged right arm. "This is what it is now. And personally... if I've got all of you here to help me through it, then I know I'll be okay somehow. I know it."

Pyrrha bit her lip, but nodded.

"Yang... Because of you... I've changed my destiny. So now I... I want to help you change yours."

She shifted closer, wiping her eyes so they could shine clearly. Yang nodded a little, silently consenting to her proximity.

Slowly, Pyrrha reached out and wrapped both arms around her back.

Again, Yang struggled to hold her in return, knowing she should be able to feel something on her right side, but couldn't. She could still remember what a full embrace felt like, what it was like to have something there...

So the absence of that something only made her all the more desperate to get closer, so she could feel as much of that warmth as she could. She could feel Pyrrha's heart beating softly against her chest, a surefire sign that all of this was real and not just another dream.

Yang just prayed the nightmares were over now, in every sense.

That caused her mind to wander briefly, back to thoughts of her mother, of where she'd gone and whether or not Yang would ever see her again.

But she'd have plenty of time to ponder those thoughts later.

Right now, someone else deserved her full attention.

Pyrrha's embrace was strong, and yet there was a vulnerability to it. She wasn't invincible, even with her new powers, and she knew that.

But Yang liked to believe that she could help make Pyrrha stronger than she'd ever be without her.

In a sense, Pyrrha had already changed Yang's destiny. Because if Pyrrha had died that day, Yang's fate would already be so drastically different.

But since she was alive now, Pyrrha had changed many people's destinies by simply being around to be a part of them now.

Gently, Pyrrha pulled away from the embrace, only to sit quietly next to Yang, letting the blonde lean against her shoulder. She kept one arm around her back, and the other hand held onto Yang's, fingers still entwined. Pyrrha let out a sigh and rested her head against Yang's shoulder.

"I know I've said it before..." she murmured. "But I want to say it again. Thank you for... for everything, Yang. Not just for saving my life, but for saving so many others as well. Thank you for... for going through so much. None of us would be here now without you."

And Yang knew for a fact that was the truth.

If she'd failed – if she'd failed and even one of her friends had died, none of the survivors would ever have been the same again. And if Yang had failed entirely, and she'd lost everyone, then she knew she wouldn't have stayed alive for very long afterward anyway.

So she savored every feeling she was experiencing now, and even the ones she wasn't. She tried consciously getting used to the lack of sensation on her right side, so that it would eventually become an unconscious acceptance. And she relished every other feeling she could still feel.

And when she compared the two, there were a lot more things she could still feel than ones she couldn't.

Maybe it was only half of what she'd once known it to be, but she could still feel the warmth of someone's embrace. She could still feel fabrics and objects, and other people's fingers through hers. Other than that, nothing else had really changed. She could still feel with every fiber of her being, things like relief, excitement, joy...

And there was one more emotion she didn't want to leave out.

With a small nudge, she coaxed Pyrrha back just a little, so she may look into her eyes.

In wake of all else that had happened, Yang hadn't had the time to remember that kiss back on the rooftop. But now she was reliving it, and wondering what it had meant.

She saw the realization in Pyrrha's eyes, and her expression became instantly more serious, focused, determined.

But Yang only smiled as she leaned in, until she could feel Pyrrha's breath on her lips.

And there was a little sigh of the utmost relief, and a whimper of sheer elation.

Pyrrha bumped her lips softly against hers at first, just to make sure this was what Yang truly wanted. But it was made clear by the tight grips they had on each other's hands and the warmth in their hearts that it was what they both wanted.

She they didn't hold back any longer.

They kissed much more fully now, wordlessly exchanging the most obvious description of their feelings.

They didn't need to say it.

For two young fighters who were so vibrant, warm, and full of energy, their kisses matched them perfectly.

And from each one, they drew a little more courage, a little more strength.

And they'd continue to do so, because now they'd have each other for a long time to come.

Because they had done the impossible.

Because they had turned fate on its head.

Because, in shattering a cold, cruel destiny, they'd created their own.

One that was so much warmer, so much stronger, and full of love.

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A/N: I got some reviews wistfully hoping for Yang/Pyrrha romance so I'm hoping you were pleasantly surprised! Also, unlike in the canon, when Ruby says "I love you" to Yang, I had Yang say it back.

I know a lot of people didn't like this story (too bad, so sad), but I really appreciate all of you who stuck with it until the end! I worked hard on it, and it's really such a neat idea from BT, who is such a loyal supporter. I'm so thankful to everyone who has read this story!