Author's Note: Starting at the beginning of January, I will be starting a [Patronage thing FFnet will not let me name]. My family has been going through some financial difficulties, and it's getting harder and harder to justify the time I spend writing to them. If you'd like more information, I'll be making a post on my Twitter in the near future. Basically, the main story being written by RealTerminal and I will still be posted here, but one week behind the [Patronage sitel. In addition, we will be doing a series of [Patronage site] exclusive stories, that may or may not eventually find there way here. In the coming weeks, I'll be posting preview chapters of those exclusives, so you can decide if you're interested enough.

Author's Note 2, Electric Boogaloo: RealTerminal, CKSalamander and I came up with some joke credits to mark the end of the season. I hope you'll stick around and look through them, I thought they were funny. And who knows, Nick Fury might show up after or something.

Author's Note 3, sads: Since Tumblr decided to commit suicide today, you can find me on Twitter, with the predictable username. You'll find [Patronage] info there in the near future.

Chapter 41

Ruby could not help but feel a little jealous of Yang. She got along with Coco so well. They were peas in a pod already, leaving herself and Velvet in the dust. Well, almost. Yang and Coco may have been more vocal, but Ruby and Velvet were distracted by the designs Coco had brought. On arrival, she had handed Ruby a small sketchpad full of drawings of legs, Ruby's future legs to be exact...and her rear, which was shown off very notably in a majority of the designs. Hot pants were popular, for the emphasis was clearly on showing off her prosthetics. Coco was obviously enjoying her new challenge.

"Stockings wouldn't play nice with the joints." Coco tapped the sketched knees on the pad. "But patterned shells can basically fulfill the same function. Hydro-dripping is something I've played with in the past. It'll be fun to have a legit excuse for once."

"Have you been staring at my butt?" Ruby held up another page, the focus of which was squarely on her rear, in delicate lacy lingerie no less.

"Who hasn't?" Coco smirked.

Ruby looked to Velvet, who shrugged. "I'm not blind, I just don't brag about it."

Velvet turned to Yang in turn, who snickered. "The Rubooty has been entrancing men and women alike since she was fourteen."

"Damn, she's had it that long?" Coco balked.

"And she used to wear gym shorts all the time!" Yang added.

"Because they were comfy!" Ruby defended.

"Don't deny it, you loved flaunting dat' butt." Yang teased, raising her arms to stretch.

"You can't talk, you're still wearing those curtain shirts." Ruby poked Yang in the breast, causing her to flinch, grinning smugly.

"Don't worry Ruby, hotpants are a specialty of mine." Coco encouraged. "We'll get that booty back out there, with some sexy kicks to boot!"

"I really liked the ones you got me, but they'll probably throw off my balance as they are." Ruby mourned.

"That's where the modular nature comes in handy." Coco leaned back in her chair. "We can make feet that look like your boots, and shin shells that match!"

"Preserving flexibility and weight…" Ruby realized, a growing grin on her face. "Oh my Gods, I can't wait!" She cheered, hugging the sketch pad to her chest and vibrating in place. "I wish I'd heal faster."

"Wish all you like, at this point the medical division prays daily for their dust to work faster." A strong voice came from the doorway. The group turned to behold Weiss Schnee, leaning casually against the entrance, a wrapped gift in hand.

"Hey Weiss!" Ruby chirped. "Have you seen Coco's designs?" She held up the pad.

Weiss shook her head, moving to approach. "Even I rarely get to see her designs, and I bankroll them now." She smirked at the designer.

Coco nudged her glasses downward, regarding Weiss with narrow eyes. "Because I've been there, done that sister. Ruby is my newest muse."

"I'm sitting right here." Velvet complained.

Coco's gaze turned lidded. "Oh Honeybun, a muse is a passing fancy. You are my divine inspiration." She crooned, leaning in to plant a kiss on her lover's cheek. Velvet scoffed, though pink tinted her features.

"I've never been a muse before...but I did do a nude painting session once." Ruby recalled.

"Oh yeah, I remember that." Yang spoke up. "It was when you gave up shavin-"

"Arghshutup!" Ruby flailed, grabbing one of her pillows to shove into her sister's face. "Hey Weiss, how's it going?"

"I'm going as well as I can Ruby, thank you." Weiss replied. "I was wondering if we might speak alone for a while."

"Sure, Yang's outstaying her welcome anyway." Ruby let the pillow fall, revealing the blonde's smug face.

"Oh, you're sayin' that now, but next time you need to reach something up high we all know who you'll come crawling to." Yang smirked.

"Actually, she'll be wheeling herself around, which is one of the topics I'd like to discuss, in private." Weiss noted.

"C'mon Yang, if you're gonna' work here you'll need a tour." Coco offered, standing. "Ruby can spill all your embarrassing secrets to your future boss."

"Pfft, hey I'm an open book." Yang shrugged off as she stood, circling the bed after Coco and Velvet.

"Seeya' Red." Coco waved.

"Bye Ruby." Velvet bid farewell.

"Bye guys!" Ruby cheered. "Thanks for coming!"

"You want me to bring anything back Rubes?" Yang offered.

"Some gummy bears?" Ruby suggested.

"Sugar free, coming right up." Yang chuckled as she left.

"Noooooooo…" Ruby whined. "I don't know why those are even legal."

"Some people have respect for portion size Ruby." Weiss laughed, taking a seat beside the bed.

"Well some people just want something tasty that doesn't bite them in the bum...but hey, how's everyone doing?" Ruby inquired. "I'm starting to go stir crazy, cooped up in here. I can't check on everyone!"

"Jaune is on leave for the time being, with Nora taking care of him." Weiss began. "Pyrrha has been preparing for your division's upcoming project, and Ren is…" Weiss chuckled. "Playing with his chemistry set, as he puts it."

"And your mom?" Ruby pressed.

Weiss smile grew strained. "Stressed, but otherwise happy."

"Awesome!" Ruby cheered.

"If some sort of large gift arrives, please be assured it's perfectly safe, if expensive." Weiss warned.

"Oh...kay?" Ruby tilted her head.

"Mother thanks you for saving my life, unintentional though it may have been." Weiss raised a finger as Ruby made to reply. "We are grateful nonetheless...and I have gifts of my own to offer." She handed over the small parcel.

"Weiss…" Ruby sighed, a tired smile tugging at her lips as her fingers found the seams in the paper.

"They aren't really gifts Ruby, you're entitled to them." Weiss waved away. "But it was nice to wrap something. I only get to do so a few times a year."

"Thanks Weiss." Ruby bid, pulling a familiar box from within. It was a new scroll. "Hey...this is a different model."

"It's from an early batch, our new line is set to unveil at this year's keynote." Weiss explained. "The specifications are subject to change but overall...I knew you'd appreciate the novelty."

"Cool...ooh, it's red too." Ruby noticed.

"Now, about your transport." Weiss started.

"You're not giving me a car are you?" Ruby asked.

"Ruby, I can very easily grant you a company car." Weiss offered. "It would make getting to work far more convenient."

"I uh...I don't know if I'd be good at driving in Atlas." Ruby hesitated. "Especially not during work traffic. There's nothing like it in Patch, and I never really drove anyway."

"Understandable, though the offer still stands." Weiss allowed. "But what I want to discuss is moving around the facility and home during your recovery."

"You mean like a wheelchair?" Ruby asked.

"We have motorized chairs, they're very nice." Weiss informed. "I've tested them quite extensively."

Ruby snickered. "Did you and Pyrrha race them?"

"Of course not." Weiss scoffed. "We merely tested their battery life and day to day handling."

"You totally raced them." Ruby teased.

Weiss chuckled. "You should be clear to leave the room at will. Your sister looks capable of assisting you."

"I'm probably still heavier than I used to be." Ruby laughed. "But uh...couldn't I have a manual wheelchair?"

"I...suppose...why?" Weiss asked, perplexed.

"I wanna' start building muscle again." Ruby lifted one thin arm to flex. "I'm gonna' have nothing to do for a while, so if I can start some exercise early, I'll be healthier for when my actual therapy starts."

"Oh, well then we can do that." Weiss agreed. "Though I don't think you're supposed to put too much strain on yourself while recovering."

"I'll be fine Weiss." Ruby soothed. "It's only my legs that got hurt. My arms are just weak and noodly from years of pushing pencils."

"Still, I'd like a second opinion from Oobleck before we go setting you loose like that...and should you be cleared, the facility gym will be at your disposal." Weiss noted. "Your therapy will be held there too."

"Great!" Ruby exclaimed.

"How are you feeling by the way?" Weiss asked. "Any pains? Discomfort?"

"I'm okay Weiss, just a little bored." Ruby replied. "What about you?"

"I'm as fine as can be Ruby." Weiss answered.

"You sure?" Ruby pressed. "You don't have to downplay it if you're not Weiss. You're not just my boss, we're friends, you can talk to me."

"It's nothing I can't cope with." Weiss waved away, not that it would discourage Ruby. "It's my job to handle it Ruby."

"Still, I know this is all hard on you." Ruby insisted. "I know it's harder than you want it to look, and you wanna' look strong for us, but...if you wanna' talk, like really talk about it, I'm not going anywhere...y'know…'cuz I ain't got legs yet."

Weiss could not help but laugh at the absurdity. Here she was, talking to a victim of the Fang, laughing over the consequences, being asked how she felt, if she was okay. It hurt, in a way, that Ruby seemingly cared more for her than her own trauma. She barely even knew Weiss. She deserved better.

"I'm scared Ruby, and shaken." Weiss admitted. "First Winter, and now you. I fear for what the Fang will plan next...because I don't know if I can keep you safe."

"I'm scared too Weiss, though I try not to really think too hard about it." Ruby sighed. "I'm scared it might all come back at once, and I won't be able to handle it, but I know that you guys will help me if it does. And we're all here for you...and that goes for if the Fang comes again."

"I don't want to drag you into this Ruby." Weiss frowned. "This is too much to expect anyone to handle."

"It doesn't matter what we want Weiss." Ruby shrugged. "It happened, I got caught up in it, and it sucks, but we've gotta' accept it. I'm gonna' be more careful from now on, just like you, and Blake and Yang. I don't want you to think of me as just someone to protect. When I get better, when I'm on my feet, I'm gonna' stand by your side through it all."

"Ruby…" Weiss sighed. "You can still stay out of this. You're not a true target. The Fang doesn't know of you. I've kept your name out of the media, so you still retain anonymity. You have a chance I never did."

"And I appreciate that Weiss, but I'm not going to hide from this." Ruby persisted.

"Ruby…" Weiss' lips pressed into a tight smile. "You can still walk away...I mean…"

Ruby chuckled, shaking her head. "I know Weiss, but I won't." She reached over, taking Weiss' hand into her own. "You're stuck with me now. I know, it's awful."

Weiss could not help but laugh alongside her friend, despite the gravity of the statement. Ruby could leave, she should leave, she should go back to Patch and find a safer, cosier job at a cybernetics clinic. Weiss would happily facilitate her, she would build the damn clinic herself if it kept Ruby safe. But of course that was not going to happen. It was not that simple. Nothing was ever that simple. She could throw money at simple until it went away. Here in Atlas, it usually just made things more complex. At least Ruby seemed happy. She could at least appreciate that.

"I'm sure I'll adjust...but for the time being, you have another visitor." Slipping a hand into her pocket, Weiss withdrew a circular device, around the size of a hockey puck. The center contained a concave lens of sorts. The casing's edge featured several buttons and data ports. Turning Ruby's hand over, she placed the object into her palm.

"Is this like a flying thingy?" Ruby speculated.

"I'm sorry to disappoint, but we're all out of flying thingies." Weiss smirked, clicking a switch on the device. "Perhaps Penny can help make up for that loss."

The surface of the device lit up, the lens glowing a pale blue. Suddenly a wispy cylinder flickered into existence, before transforming into a orb, and finally the SDC snowflake, which spun twice, the device emanating a three note chime. Ruby gasped, her jaw dropping. "A holomitter!" She whispered, only to squeak in surprise when the snowflake vanished, a new form taking its place, small, chibi and beaming up at her.

"Ruby!" Penny's miniature form cheered. "It's so great to see you again!"

"AwmygodsPennyyou'resocoolandcuteaaah!" Came Ruby's jumbled excitement. She held the device upward to look Penny in her holographic eyes. "You're beautiful!"

"Why thank you Ruby!" Penny smiled. "And thank you too Ms. Schnee, for allowing us this opportunity."

Weiss bowed her head with a smile and stood. "It was no trouble Penny. I'll allow you some privacy now."

"Aw, you don't have to go." Ruby whined.

"Technically I don't have to do anything, but then everything would fall apart and I'd get the blame." Weiss smiled sweetly. "My life is wonderful."

"I shall shoulder the blame by your side Ms. Schnee!" Penny declared.

"Yeah!" Ruby joined in.

"I'm sure you will try, but for the time being I will continue to hold it off." Weiss chuckled. "Have fun you two."

"Bye Weiss, thanks again!" Ruby called after her.

"Goodbye Ms. Schnee!" Penny added.

As Weiss left, Ruby turned back to ogle Penny and the emitter she stood upon. "Oh my gods, this is awesome. Is this a prototype or something?"

"The SDC Handheld Holoprojector, otherwise known as the Schneemitter, is slated for reveal in the August keynote, with a December release date targeted." Penny confirmed. "It will be the first handheld holoprojector released to the public market. I requested Ms. Schnee provide you an early unit, to facilitate better communication."

"Aw...did you miss me?" Ruby teased playfully.

Penny giggled into her hand, though her smile seemed dimmer than before. "I did Ruby, very much so. My existence is...dull. My capabilities are rarely tested, my efficiency rarely appreciated. The company takes me for granted. Even Ciel, the woman guarding my mainframe considers me little more than a glorified server rack." Penny huffed. "But you are different Ruby. You appreciate me, you call me friend, you ask what I do when no one else cares. You give my existence...you…" Penny's hologram flickered red as her face screwed up in thought. "The possibility of no longer having your friendship was traumatizing Ruby. I am so very relieved you are well."

Ruby sat the projector on her lap to wipe at her eyes. With a sniff, she smiled back at Penny. "I missed you too Penny. I'll always appreciate you. You make my days brighter, with your cuteness and smile." She poked at Penny's holographic belly playfully. The AI giggled, squirming in place, though they could make no actual contact. "You are a wonderful person Penny. I love having you as a friend."

Penny beamed for a moment longer, before fading, her posture slumping. "I tried to find who did this Ruby, but the trail went cold…" The holo flickered once more. "I'm sorry I could not do more."

"It's okay Penny, I know you tried your best." Ruby soothed. "It's not your fault."

"I...I can be with you whenever you want me now." Penny offered. "I can be by your side from the moment you awake until the second you fall asleep!" She held her hand across her holographic heart, a look of cute determination on her face. "I will be the truest friend I can possibly be!"

"I never doubted you for a second Penny." Ruby chuckled, picking the projector up again. "Gods this is so cool, my best friend, in the palm of my hand."

Penny gasped, hands jumping to her cheeks. "I am your best friend?! I have never been a best friend before!"

"Well now you are." Ruby grinned. "How do you feel?"

"I feel…" Penny paused for a moment, looking at her hands in a daze, before the familiar beaming grin reappeared on her face. "I feel happy Ruby."

"Good." Ruby smiled. "I do too."

Sunrise - Season 1

Written and Directed by jws381 and RealTerminal

Producer - jws381

Director of Cinematography - RealTerminal

Lead Editor - CKSalamander

Medical Advisor - Renajay

Sounds design by SDC Recording Group

Cast:

Ruby Rose - Ruby Rose

Weiss Schnee - Jeremy Dooley

Blake Morelle - Blake Belladonna

Sun Wukong - Jackie Chan

Pyrrha Nikos - Kassandra the Eaglebearer

Lie Ren - Yu Narukami

Velvet Scarlatina - Jessica Rabbit

Coco Adel - Ashly Burch

Jaune Arc - Tom Hanks

Nora Valkyrie - Genderbent Chris Hemsworth

Vulpe - Michelle Rodriguez

Penny - WALL-E

Neon Katt - Nyan Cat

Glynda Goodwitch - Cate Blanchett

Yang Xiao-Long - Kate Upton

Summer Rose - Mother Teresa

Taiyang Xiao-Long - William Shatner

Willow Schnee - Betty White

Octavia Ember - Erza Scarlet

Whitley Schnee - Douchebag McFuckface

Cinder Fall - Harvey Dent

Mercury Black - Fuckface O'Douchebag

James Ironwood - Sergeant Wide Shoulders

Corporal Franklin - Dan Godwin

Sergeant Leonard - Michael Burns

Private First Class DuFresne - Matt Hullum

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And Winter Schnee - Lori Alan

"This place fucking sucks." Corporal Franklin complained. He tilted his head to the side to allow the air from the overhead air conditioning vent to flow into his collar. "It's barely sunup and it's already hot as balls. I'd rather be on the front lines."

"I don't think you'd enjoy that.." Sergeant Leonard shrugged. He scanned the computer screens displaying security camera footage from all around the Atlesian Consulate in Sanctum. Security was serious business, it being the closest Atlesian government outpost to the warzone in Mistral. "I'll take being sweaty to being shot at. Besides, it's a fucking desert there anyway."

"Yeah, but it's a dry heat." Franklin countered. "This hellhole is just so...sticky."

"Eh, I'll give ya' that." Leonard allowed. He flipped the screen to another set of cameras and scanned them as well. "No A/C at the front though. Definitely no cushy office chairs."

Franklin looked around the security office. It was rather nice, and the chairs were comfy. "Ya' got a point. I mean, I'll forget all about that when I'm back out patrolling the perimeter and swimming in ball soup, but you do have a point. Maybe if I-"

"Can it." Leonard waved his arm to shush the corporal as he leaned in closer to the screens. With a few clicks he had one of the views enlarged, the camera centered on a blank white van stopped near the perimeter wall. He reached for his radio as the back doors opened and something was pushed out into the street. Before the sergeant could make a call the van was speeding away.

"Oh fuck!" Franklin exclaimed. He grabbed his gear from the office floor and rushed for the door as his superior radioed in.

"Looks like a body." Private First Class DuFresne slowly approached, rifle at the ready. Another soldier was close behind, scanning the area. The snipers on the consulate roof had them covered. Other soldiers had already blocked off the street, creating a secure perimeter. None of that would matter if the body was booby trapped and blew them to hell. Still, Atlesian Military policy required all bodies to be checked immediately.

The policy was part humanitarian concern, part political necessity. Wounded soldiers and civilians needed immediate care to keep them alive, and waiting for a bomb squad would waste valuable time. Leaving soldiers to die was bad for morale, and leaving civilians would cause a public relations nightmare. Many already portrayed the Atlesians as the bad guys, and they were not about to offer such an easy excuse to oppose them.

That did not matter to the soldiers on the ground. Too many had lost lives or limbs to explosives hidden in corpses. It was a favorite tactic of the Fang. They knew the rules the Atlesians played by, and used them to maximum advantage. But that was in the warzone, not in a peaceful city far away. Sure, the White Fang had launched some minor attacks in Sanctum, but never something as heinous as booby trapping a body. Still, there was a first time for everything.

DuFresne inched closer to the body, scanning it and the ground nearby for any sign of an explosive device. He saw none, but that did not lessen his concern. As a combat medic, he had treated many victims of such attacks, and knew how devastating they could be. "Nude female...pale skin...pink - no white - hair…" He described the scene as he got closer. "Incised wounds...all over her...lots of blood." He reached her side and crouched down. Then something entirely unexpected happened. "She's moving! She's alive!" He reached out and grabbed the woman's shoulder, turning her over. Yes, she was definitely breathing, and there was no sign of a trap. "Get a medical team down here!"