Yang stood in a dark void, no matter where he looked he couldn’t see anything. “Hello? Is anyone there?”

Suddenly a voice echoed out the darkness “Yang! Where are you?”

“Ruby?! Ruby don’t worry I’m coming!” Yang yelled before he began to run.

“Yang help!” a different voice this time but still one he recognized.

“Weiss! Where are you?!” Yang yelled as he pushed himself to run faster.

“Yang, Ruby, Weiss SOMEONE HELP!”

“BLAKE! DON’T WORRY I’LL FIND YOU! I’LL FIND ALL OF YOU!” Yang kept running and as he did the darkness began to fade away revealing he was running through the ruins of Beacon. Yang slowed to a stop, panting he looked around. “I’m at Beacon? No! This… this can’t be happening!” Yang said before something roared above him. Looking up he saw the Dragon Grimm hovering and staring at him before it began to circle him and set everything on fire. Yang took an involuntary step back. “No… Not you!”

“Hello Blondie. Do you like what we’ve done with the place?” When Yang looked, he saw Roman Torchwick, casually walking towards him. Roman was wearing his normal white suite and black hat over his orange hair and twirling his cane as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

“You? How! Ruby said you were eaten by a Grimm!” Yang exclaimed.

“What can I say Blondie? It’s not easy keeping me down. Too bad I can’t say the same about your team.” Roman said with a smirk.

“YOU BASTERD!” Yang roared as he charged only to get knocked back by a woman in a white jacket with pink cuffs, under the jacket is a brown corset. The woman also wore black pants and white boots that almost went up to her knees. The woman’s hair is half black, and half pink with a white streak and one eye is a bright green while the other was a dark purple in her left hand is an umbrella that looked like it was made from pink lace.

“You see Blondie? This is how a teammate should be. I can always trust that Neo has my back just like I have hers. It’s too bad you can’t say the same.” Roman said as he stood next to Neo.

“You take that back! I’ll always be there to help my team!” Yang said as he got up. Yang quickly looked around and saw that the Dragon had disappeared but the fire had not and now it felt like there were eyes watching them from within the flames.

“Really? Then tell me where they are. I’m all ears.” Roman said leaning on his cane. “OH WAIT! Apart from your dead sister you don’t know! So how can you help them if you don’t know where they are? Perhaps we can ask Cinder.”

“Oh, stop teasing the weakling Roman. We all know where they are.” Yang quickly turned to looked behind him and saw Cinder sitting on a chair. She had on her red dress with yellow designs down the arms and her long black hair covering her right eye. Next to her were her two underlings Emerald and Mercury, both had large and evil looking smirks as they look at Yang. “They’re dead, so why don’t you join them? Think about it you can see your team and family again.” As Cinder said this Yang felt cold metal on his throat and something on the back of his head, but before anything could happen someone yelled.

“THIS HAS GONE ON LONG ENOUGH! YANG SNAP OUT OF IT! YOUR DREAMING!” After Yang heard this everything disappeared only to be replaced by a large two story log cabin surrounded by trees and green grass.

“I’m dreaming? That's right, that’s the same nightmare I’ve had every day since Ruby died.” Yang said as he sat down. “Thanks for snapping me out of it.”

“You’re welcome Yang. I would have come sooner but you had some barriers around your mind that were difficult to get through.” Luna said as she landed next to Yang. “Any ideas where they came from or where we are?”

“Maybe the barriers were there because everyone who wants to be a Huntsmen is taught ways to help control their emotions so they’re harder to beat in battle. I always had a harder time doing keeping them up because I can get angry and frustrated quickly if a fight doesn’t go my way. As for where we are this is where Ruby and I grew up.” Yang said before he laid back and stared at the blue sky. “I’ve always been one to punch first think later, one reason Cinder had one of her cronies manipulate me by making an illusion of her underling Mercury attacking me after our match in the Vytal Tournament. I reacted by blasting his leg but since I was the only one who saw that everyone thought I attacked him for no reason after I won.”

“I was honestly considering quitting and leaving Beacon afterword’s.” As Yang spoke the area changed, to what Luna assumed was team RWBY’s dorm room. “Only my friends believed me when I told them that Mercury attacked first and I only reacted, but Blake…” Luna watched as the scene began to play.

Yang and Ruby were sitting on one bed and on the across from it were the two people Twilight had described, his team mates Weiss and Blake. As Luna took in the scene she couldn’t help but think that the way the makeshift bunk beds looked incredibly dangerous. Weiss said she believed Yang but Blake was silent before saying. “I want to believe you.” Luna was shocked and looked at the Yang in the memory who had tears in his eyes. “I had someone very dear to me change. It wasn’t in an instant, it was gradual – little choices that began to pile up. he told me not to worry. At first they were accidents, then it was self-defense. Before long, even I began to think he was right. This is all just… very familiar. But you’re not him. and you’ve never done anything like this before. So… I want to trust you. I will trust you. But first, I need you to look me in the eyes and tell me that he attacked you. I need to you promise me that you regret having to do what you did.”

The Yang in the memory wiped the tears from his eyes and look at Blake before saying. “I promise.”

When Luna looked back at the real Yang he said, “Those words tore at my heart, I would do ANYTHING to keep my friends and family safe. I thought I had proven that when I learned she was once part of the White Fang and still promised to stick by her and that what I thought about her hadn’t changed. It was only a few hours later when something happened which caused our friend Pyrrha to kill Ruby’s friend Penny, but one thing that shocked me was learning that Penny was a robot with soul. Right after it happened Cinder took control of the broadcast and said stuff that spread confusion and fear which brought an army of Grimm to Beacon.”

“Cinder was the woman in the red dress correct?” Luna asked and Yang nodded in acknowledgment. “Who were the other’s I saw?”

“The man was Roman Torchwick, and the woman next to him was his associate Neo. The young man next to Cinder is Mercury the others Emerald. ” Yang replied as he stared at the ceiling.

“Did they cast that illusion?” Luna asked.

“I’m pretty sure it was Emerald who did, because Coco saw an illusion of her teammate Yatsuhashi when they fought in the tournament.” Yang replied as the image of a dark-skinned woman with mint-green hair, red eyes, a white top with an olive-green undershirt. Purple bands around her left arm, fingerless gloves the same color as her undershirt. White shorts, brown chaps and high heeled shoes reappeared, this time Luna noticed two jungle-green handles poking out of brown casings on attached to back of the belt. Next to Emerald was the image of a man a little taller than Yang appeared. He has grey hair, a slate grey jacket with black highlights, he’s also wearing metallic upper and lower arm-guards. Long black pants and black boots with metal protecting his lower legs.

“So, then part of the reason Beacon fell…” Luna began before stopping mid-sentence and looking at Yang who had tears flowing freely from his eyes.

“Is because I was tricked, making it partly my fault!” Yang said before turning to the side and curling up in to a ball. “If only I had thought a little before attacking Mercury! Then maybe...”

“Yang from everything you’ve told me Cinder had been planning her attack for a very long time. She even went undercover in Beacon to make one hundred present sure her plan would succeed. She knew exactly what to do, to spread fear and panic.” Luna said as she sat next to Yang and covered him with one of her wings. “You are not to blame for what happened at Beacon in any sense of the word. If they didn’t manipulate you, it would have been someone else.”

“But...” Yang started

“No ‘buts’ Yang. While this may be a bit cruel, it needs to be said, there was nothing you could have done which would have changed the outcome, and you’ve been doing everything you can to find your friends. Now ask yourself this, when you find them do you want to do it with all this unnecessary guilt and a false smile? Or with a grin and joy that could rival Pinkie Pie?” Luna asked.

Yang didn’t save a word but he did begin to uncurl himself slowly. Eventually he said, “You’re… you’re really good at this.”

“Thank you. It’s always nice to get complements when one does a job they enjoy. I’ll see you later Yang, you’re not the only one having trouble with nightmares or their inner demons tonight.” Luna said before taking to the sky’s and the enticement changed back to the two-storied house.

*At breakfast.*

Yang walked in and sat down next to Twilight. “Morning everyone!”

“You seem to be in a good mood today. What brought this on?” Twilight asked.

“Princess Luna helped me with a nightmare I’ve had ever since Sis died, and helped me get my head on straight. I was holding on to a LOT of unnecessary guilt about what happened at Beacon. It was like she knew exactly what to say to get rid of most of it.” Yang explained before digging into the pancakes Spike had placed in front of him.

“I’m not surprised, she’s been helping ponies with nightmares for years, but why didn’t you say anything about the nightmares?” Twilight asked.

“I didn’t want to bother you with something I didn’t think was a big deal.” Yang said. Twilight could only shake her head and sigh before she two began to eat breakfast.

“Is there anything planed today or do I need to go find something to do?” Yang asked.

“You’re going to find to find something to do because for us It’s re-shelving day!” Twilight said excitedly causing Spike to groan.

“Well that’s the sign for me to leave. See the two of you later. Come on Zwei!” Yang said and made his way to the door with Zwei walking besides him before he stopped and asked. “Hey Twilight where’s my guitar? I haven’t seen it in the last four days.”

“Look in your right pocket.” Twilight replied, when Yang did he found a small wooden guitar that looked exactly like his. “I cast a few spells on it so you can carry it around easier, now it will shrink to that size or grow to its normal size just by concentrating on it.”

“Thanks Twilight.” Yang said before putting the guitar back in his pocket and left. As Yang walked around town with a large smile on his everyone he past shot a quick glance at him wondering what had changed but immediately pushed those thoughts to the side and greeted him. Yang waved back and made his way to a small lake that’s about a mile outside of town. Once there he brought out his guitar as Zwei ran to play in the water, and once he was sure it was tuned correctly he began to sing.

As Yang finished he didn't notice that Rainbow, Applejack and Pinkie were standing behind him listing to his song. A few seconds after Yang finished Rainbow spoke causing Yang to jerk in surprise, “That was the most awesome song I think I’ve ever heard! Where did you learn that?!”

Yang turned to look at his friends a huge smile on his face as he said. “That’s twice now you’ve snuck up on me! I must be losing my touch if you can do that twice. As for the song I have no idea, the words just came to me, just like the last time I sang.”

“NOW THAT’S JOY FILLED SMILE! Every time you smiled before there was always something missing from it!” Pinkie said a grin even bigger than Yang’s appearing on her face.

“Mind telling us what changed?” Applejack asked.

“Princess Luna help me out in my dreams last night.” Yang said with a small shrug.

“That makes sense. She’s not only in charge of the night sky but also helping people from within their dreams.” Applejack said.

“So, what are you going to do now?” Rainbow asked.

“I was thinking about figuring out a small schedule for which exercises I do each day, I’ve gone a few weeks without doing any so I need to make up for lost time. Other than that, I’m not sure.” Yang said as he returned his guitar to his pocket. “Maybe wander around the Everfree to see if I can find any Dust. I doubt I’ll find any but you never know.”

“Can’t making the schedule wait? I mean it’s only 8:00.” Rainbow said. “It’s too early to be worrying about small stuff like that.”

“Perhaps, but that brings up the question of what the three of you are doing here. Shouldn’t you be working on the weather Rainbow and Applejack on her farm? And how the heck did you know something as missing from my smiles Pinkie?” Yang asked.

“I’ve always been good at knowing when someone’s smile was fake.” Pinkie said with a shrug. “It’s just one of the many reasons I’m good at making the right party for the right person.”

“Pinkie are you sure you don’t have a Semblance? At times your faster than Ruby, you can get a party set up in less than fifteen minutes and now this?” Yang asked as Zwei walked up and shook the water off him an onto everyone else.

“Zwei!” Yang said trying to stifle a laugh. “This is the only set of cloths I have.”

“How have you been keeping them clean then?” Applejack asked after shooting a slightly annoyed look at Zwei.

“I think Pinkie has something to do with it because every time I got shower they’re always clean and neatly folded when I leave, which is one more reason I think Pinkie has a Semblance.” Yang said before looking at Pinkie who was doing the ‘I’m innocent and have no idea what you’re talking about’ whistle.

Yang, Rainbow, and Applejack just shook their heads before Applejack said. “Well if it’s clothes you need I’m sure Rarity would be delighted to help.”

“I was thinking that same thing AJ. I’ll figure out my training regimen while she’s make me some new cloths.” Yang said.

“You are dead set on making that, aren’t you?” Rainbow asked as she raised an eye brow.

“Yup,” Yang said with a small smirk, “When we find Weiss and Blake I want to be at my best. Can’t let them know I’ve been slaking, Weiss won’t stop pestering me and Blake would never let me forget. I’m going to head to Rarity’s see the three of you later.” Yang said as he and Zwei jogged back to town. When Yang reached the Carousel Boutique Yang knocked on the door.

“Just a minute!” Rarity called, after a few moments Rarity opened the door. “Yang it’s good to see you. What can I do for you today?”

“I was at the lake earlier and Zwei got me, Rainbow, AJ, and Pinkie wet and this is the only outfit I got. So, AJ suggested I come to you for help on getting more. Think you’re up for a challenge?” Yang asked. Rarity looked at Zwei who let out a couple happy barks and waged his tail.

“This does sound like a challenge, and as long as he doesn’t chase my cat Opal or make a mess, Zwei can come inside. Otherwise he’ll have to wait out here.” Rarity said as she led Yang and Zwei to her work area. “Now what kinds of clothes are you looking for?”

“Well, first I need some sleep ware, nothing to complicated just an orange tank-top with my emblem on it and black shorts. Other than that, I’d like an orange scarf, yellow shirt that has my emblem right over my heart, and brown coat that shows my midriff, black shorts and, knee high brown boots. If you can’t make the boots can you point me in the direction of one who can?”

“That sounds simple enough, and I’m afraid I don’t know anyone who make the kind of boots your talking about so I’ll see what I can do before asking some of my friends in the fashion business if they know someone who can help, but I have two questions, what’s your emblem and why do you want your midriff exposed?” Rarity asked.

“I can show you what my emblem looks like and as for the midriff thing, it’s just personnel preference for this outfit. In fact, it’s the same one I wore at Beacon. I should have a picture if you need to see what it looks like” Yang said before Rarity passed him a pencil and sheet of paper. Yang quickly drew what looked like a heart made of flames.

“That will help immensely and does anyone else have an emblem?” Rarity asked.

“Almost every Huntsmen does, Ruby’s is a rose just like the one our mom used.” Yang said pointing at the metal Rose that’s clipped to the cape. “Weiss’s is based on her Glyphs and Blake’s… you know I never asked what it really is but I think it’s supposed to be a flower made of shadows.” Yang said as he drew what they looked like.

“First I need to get some measurements but I don’t think it’ll take that long on making the outfits. What color do you want your emblem to be on the outfits?” Rarity said as she used her magic to grab a measuring tape.

“Red on the pajamas and black on the shirt, and do you need me to do anything for the measurements?” Yang said.

“Please strip to any undergarments you have and stretch your arms to the side, and I think the colors you chose will work perfectly. You can hang your clothes on that bar. I hope you don’t mind if I make a few new designs along with your order. Sometimes when I work on a new project I get a little carried away.” Rarity said pointing to a bar next to a changing room stall in the corner of the room.

Yang nodded and walked into the stall before he said. “I don’t mind, in fact I’m slightly curious what kind of designs you’re going to make, but considering I don’t have any money from this world is there anything can do to help around the place from time to time when I’m not training, fighting Grimm, or doing something else?”

“You don’t have to but since you offered I’m sure I can find ways you can help. In fact, something came up a few days ago so the girls and I need to go to Canterlot for a few days, but Sweetie Bell and her friends have a sleep over planned this weekend and have been look forward to it for a few weeks, do you think you can watch over them?” Rarity asked.

“No problem. Sweetie's the white unicorn filly I met at the party Pinkie threw for me, right?” Yang asked as he walked out of the stall in his boxers and hung the rest of his clothes on the bar.

“Correct, her friends are Applejack’s sister Apple Bloom and the young pegasus Scootaloo who were with her. Small warning though the three of them can get a little… rambunctious.” Rarity said as she began to get the measurements.

“How bad are we talking about here? Three kids on a sugar high bad or Nora/Pinkie on caffeine bad?” Yang asked shuddering at the memory. “Because I’ve seen Nora have coffee once and I never want to see THAT amount of energy again.”

“It’s more like they keep trying different things to get their Cutie Marks and often come home covered in dirt or with minor scrapes. The three of them started a club together some time ago, called the Cutie Mark Crusaders or CMC.” Rarity explained.

Author's Note

Once i'm taking this from my own experience with depression where someone said just the right thing to help me quickly recover, but that doesn't mean I was free from all the negative thoughts. They were still there, but they didn't hold nearly as much power as before.