Chapter XVIII: Aftermath & New Connections
A New Understanding
As the tension between mother and daughter hung in the air, Derek Dragonblade approached the group, his ancient authority bringing a different perspective to the confrontation.
"Raven Branwen," he said formally, "your daughters have successfully completed dragon awakenings that may be unprecedented in recorded history. Yang as a Fire Dragon Princess, and Ruby as a Storm Dragon Princess with Balrog bonding. They are now under the protection of the dragon families."
Raven straightened, recognizing the formal declaration for what it was. "And what does that mean for their futures?"
"It means," Koga said quietly, his arm still around Ruby's shoulders, "that they're not alone anymore. Ruby especially will need intensive training to master her Storm Dragon abilities safely."
"And Yang will need to learn proper fire control before she accidentally melts something important," Max added, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "But we'll be there for every step."
Yang looked at her mother with eyes that held centuries of dragon wisdom despite her youth. "I spent years wanting answers from you. Now I have powers I never imagined, a boyfriend who risked everything to save me, and friends who chose to stand with us despite the danger." She paused, her golden flames settling into a warm, controlled glow. "So here's your chance, Mom. Are you going to be part of our lives, or are you going to disappear through another portal?"
Raven was quiet for a long moment, studying her daughter's transformed appearance and the powerful allies who had chosen to stand with her. When she finally spoke, her voice carried a vulnerability that Yang had never heard before.
"I don't know how to be a mother to a dragon princess," she admitted.
Yang's expression softened slightly. "Then maybe you should start by just being a mother. The dragon princess part... we'll figure out together."
As the sun began to rise over Vale, painting the sky in shades of gold and crimson that matched Yang's dragon fire, the Rose sisters stood surrounded by their chosen family—dragon-blooded and human alike. Their awakening was complete, their city was safe, and for the first time in years, Yang was looking at her mother without anger in her newly draconic eyes.
The transformation was finished, but their real journey was just beginning.
Ruby's Realization - The Aftermath of Awakening
As the immediate crisis settled and the various teams began coordinating cleanup efforts, Ruby found herself standing slightly apart from the main group, her mind suddenly catching up to everything that had just occurred. The adrenaline of her transformation was fading, replaced by a crystal-clear memory of the moment when her Storm Dragon awakening had reached its critical point.
Koga kissed me, she realized, her silver eyes widening as the full impact of what had happened hit her. He actually kissed me to stabilize my transformation.
The memory came flooding back with startling clarity—the feel of his lips against hers, the way his Balrog essence had flowed through their connection to anchor her wild storm powers, the intimate spiritual bond that had formed between them in that desperate moment. Her newly awakened senses could still detect traces of his poison energy signature on her skin, a lingering reminder of how deeply their essences had merged.
A deep crimson blush spread across her cheeks, so intense that literal steam began rising from her head as her Storm Dragon physiology responded to her emotional state. Small sparks of electricity danced along her silver hair as her embarrassment triggered unconscious manifestations of her awakened abilities.
"Oh my god," she whispered to herself, one hand moving unconsciously to touch her lips. "That actually happened. That really happened."
It was only then that she became aware of the warm pressure around her fingers and looked down to discover that her hand was still intertwined with Koga's. His larger, calloused fingers were threaded through hers with a gentle but secure grip, as if he'd been unconsciously maintaining their physical connection even as they'd dealt with the aftermath of the crisis.
The sight of their linked hands sent another wave of heat through her system, causing more steam to rise from her increasingly flustered form. Her storm abilities responded to her emotional turbulence by creating tiny whirlwinds in the dust around her feet.
Koga's Awareness - The Need for Privacy
Koga had been watching Ruby's reaction from the corner of his eye while maintaining a conversation with Derek about post-awakening training protocols. His enhanced Balrog senses could detect every shift in her emotional state—the spike in her heart rate, the change in her scent that indicated embarrassment and confusion, and the way her newly awakened storm abilities were responding to her internal turmoil.
When he noticed the steam literally rising from her head, he had to fight back a smile. The sight of the newly awakened Storm Dragon Princess becoming so flustered over their stabilizing kiss was both endearing and concerning. Her powers were still too new, too unstable, for her to be experiencing such intense emotional responses without proper guidance.
She needs to process this, he realized, and she needs to do it without an audience.
The crimson-haired Balrog Lord turned to look directly at Ruby, his emerald green eyes meeting her silver ones with an intensity that made her breath catch. Even in the aftermath of crisis, even surrounded by dragon families and rescue teams, the connection between them was unmistakable.
He cleared his throat deliberately, the sound carrying just enough of his Balrog heritage to cut through the ambient conversations around them. When Ruby's attention focused entirely on him, he spoke quietly, his voice pitched for her enhanced hearing alone.
"Ruby," he said, his emerald eyes serious despite the gentle tone, "we need to talk. About what happened during your stabilization. About what it means." He paused, his thumb brushing across her knuckles where their hands remained linked. "Alone."
The Implications Settle In
Ruby's blush deepened even further at his words, if such a thing were possible. The steam rising from her head increased, and small crackling sounds indicated that her hair was literally generating static electricity from her emotional state.
"Oh," she managed, her voice smaller than usual. "Yeah. We... we probably do need to talk about that."
Around them, the various teams were beginning to disperse as the immediate crisis management wound down. Yang was deep in conversation with Max and Raven, working through seventeen years of family issues with her newly awakened dragon wisdom. The other dragon families were coordinating with Beacon's response teams to ensure the city's safety.
But for Ruby and Koga, the rest of the world felt distant and unimportant compared to the conversation they needed to have. The stabilizing kiss hadn't just saved Ruby's life—it had created a bond between them that was deeper and more complex than either of them had been prepared for.
"My quarters at Beacon are private," Koga suggested quietly, his Balrog heritage making him acutely aware of the spiritual and emotional processing Ruby would need to do. "We can discuss the implications of the bonding without interruption."
Ruby nodded, though her continued blushing suggested she was very much aware of what "discussing the implications" might involve. Her storm powers continued to respond to her emotional state, creating gentle breezes that carried the scent of rain and ozone.
"I..." she started, then stopped, looking down at their still-linked hands. "I don't really understand what happened to me. To us. The bonding, the awakening, the way I can still feel your essence..."
Koga's expression softened with understanding. "That's what we need to discuss. Dragon awakenings, especially ones as unprecedented as yours, create connections that most people never experience. You're feeling the resonance of our merged essences, and it's going to take time and guidance to understand what that means for both of us."
As if to prove his point, Ruby's newly awakened senses could detect the subtle changes in his Balrog energy signature—the way his poison abilities had been affected by their bonding, the protective harmonics that seemed to resonate specifically with her storm powers.
"Is it always this... intense?" she asked quietly, her silver eyes reflecting both curiosity and a hint of nervousness.
Koga's smile was gentle but held depths that spoke to his Balrog heritage. "Not always. But what happened between us..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Ruby, you didn't just awaken as a Storm Dragon Princess. You bonded with a Balrog Lord during the most vulnerable moment of your transformation. That creates connections that are both powerful and permanent."
The implications of his words sent another surge of heat through Ruby's system, causing her to unconsciously squeeze his hand tighter as she processed what he was telling her.
Their conversation would need privacy, understanding, and time—luxuries that the aftermath of crisis rarely provided, but necessities that their new bond demanded.
A Moment of Understanding
Yang was the first to notice her sister's obvious need for privacy, her newly awakened dragon senses picking up on Ruby's emotional distress and the way her storm powers were responding to her internal turmoil. She caught Max's eye and nodded toward where Ruby and Koga stood, still holding hands while Ruby continued to steam literally from embarrassment.
"Hey everyone," Yang called out, her voice carrying the new harmonics of her Fire Dragon heritage, "I think we should give these two some space to figure things out."
Max immediately understood, his own experience with post-awakening bonding making him acutely aware of what Ruby and Koga were likely experiencing. "Agreed. Awakening bonds require private processing."
Derek nodded approvingly, his ancient wisdom recognizing the delicate situation. "Teams, let's coordinate cleanup efforts from the eastern perimeter. Miss Rose and Lord Koga need time to discuss their bonding implications."
Even Raven, despite her complicated relationship with her daughters, could see that Ruby was overwhelmed by more than just her transformation. "Come on," she said to Yang, "your sister needs space, and we have seventeen years of catching up to do."
As the various groups began to disperse, giving Ruby and Koga the privacy they needed, Mist caught Cardin's hand and pulled him toward where the other dragon families were regrouping. "Trust me," she whispered to him, "what they need to discuss is deeply personal. Storm Dragon and Balrog Lord bondings are... intense."
Soon, Ruby and Koga found themselves standing alone among the settling debris, the sounds of cleanup and coordination fading into the background as they were finally granted the privacy their situation demanded.
The Weight of Confession
With the immediate pressure of their audience removed, Ruby felt her embarrassment intensify rather than diminish. Without the distraction of crisis management and family drama, she was left to confront not just what had happened during her awakening, but the feelings that had been building inside her for months.
"Koga," she began, then stopped, her silver eyes darting away from his face as another wave of steam rose from her increasingly flustered form. "I don't even know where to start."
"The beginning is usually good," Koga said gently, his emerald eyes warm with understanding. He guided her to a piece of debris that could serve as a makeshift seat, their hands still linked as he helped her settle beside him. "Ruby, what happened during your stabilization was necessary to save your life. But I can sense that there's more troubling you than just the awakening process."
Ruby's blush deepened, and small sparks of electricity began dancing along her silver hair as her emotions triggered her Storm Dragon abilities. The truth was that her embarrassment about the kiss was only the surface of what she was feeling. Beneath that lay a much deeper, more terrifying realization.
"It's not just about the stabilization," she admitted quietly, her free hand fidgeting with the hem of her combat skirt. "It's about... about everything I felt during it. Everything I'm still feeling."
She took a shaky breath, her storm powers creating gentle whirlwinds in the dust around their feet as her emotions built. "Koga, when you kissed me, when our essences merged, it didn't just stabilize my awakening. It brought everything I've been trying not to think about right to the surface."
The Truth Emerges
Koga waited patiently, his Balrog heritage allowing him to sense the emotional storm building within her even as his heart began to race with anticipation of what she might say.
"The truth is," Ruby continued, her voice growing stronger even as her blush intensified, "I've had feelings for you since my first day at Beacon. Since you stood up for me when I was feeling lost and overwhelmed." She finally met his eyes, her silver gaze showing depths of emotion that her transformation had amplified. "You made me feel like I belonged somewhere, like someone believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself."
Koga's breath caught in his throat, his emerald eyes widening with surprise and something that looked very much like hope.
"Every time you smiled at me, every time you helped me with training, every time you just... understood me when everyone else seemed confused by who I was," Ruby rushed on, the words tumbling out as if a dam had burst. "I kept telling myself it was just friendship, just gratitude, but that wasn't true. It was never just friendship."
She squeezed his hand tighter, using the physical connection to anchor herself as she made the admission that terrified and thrilled her in equal measure. "Koga, I've been completely, hopelessly crushing on you since day one. And when you saved me today, when you bonded with me to stabilize my awakening... it made me realize that what I feel for you is so much more than just a crush."
The steam rising from her head intensified, and lightning began to flicker gently around them both, but Ruby pressed on with desperate courage. "I love you, Koga. I'm in love with you, and I have been for months, and I know that's probably scary and complicated and—"
Koga's Response
"Ruby," Koga interrupted gently, his voice carrying harmonics of his Balrog heritage that seemed to calm her storm powers instantly. "Breathe."
She stopped her rambling confession, looking at him with wide silver eyes that reflected both hope and terror at what his response might be.
Koga's free hand came up to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear she hadn't realized had fallen. When he spoke, his voice was soft but filled with an intensity that matched her own.
"Do you know why I was so desperate to stabilize your awakening?" he asked, his emerald eyes holding hers with unwavering focus. "Do you know why the thought of losing you to an uncontrolled transformation terrified me more than facing an army of Grimm?"
Ruby shook her head, not trusting her voice.
"Because I love you too," Koga said simply, and the words hit Ruby like a lightning bolt. "I have loved you since the day you smiled at me after I helped you with weapon maintenance. Since the first time you laughed at one of my terrible jokes. Since you trusted me enough to let me help you train even though everyone else thought you were too young to be at Beacon."
Ruby's eyes widened impossibly further, and the lightning dancing around them began to take on beautiful, controlled patterns that reflected her joy rather than her anxiety.
"I love your determination, your kindness, the way you see the best in everyone around you," Koga continued, his thumb still gently stroking her cheek. "I love how you can go from adorable and innocent to absolutely devastating in combat in the space of a heartbeat. I love that you care so deeply about protecting others that you'd risk everything to do it."
The Moment of Truth
"You... you love me?" Ruby whispered, her voice barely audible over the gentle sound of wind and distant thunder that seemed to emanate from her very presence.
"I am completely, hopelessly, irrevocably in love with you, Ruby Rose," Koga confirmed, his Balrog heritage adding weight and certainty to every word. "And when I felt you slipping away during your awakening, when I realized I might lose you forever... there was no question about what I had to do. I would have given anything, risked anything, to keep you safe."
Ruby felt tears of joy beginning to fall, each one catching the light like tiny diamonds as her storm powers responded to her overwhelming happiness. "So when you kissed me..."
"It wasn't just to stabilize your transformation," Koga admitted, his own emotions making his poison energy swirl in gentle, harmless patterns around them both. "It was because I couldn't bear the thought of never having the chance to show you how I truly feel about you."
The confession hung in the air between them, charged with the electricity of Ruby's abilities and the heat of Koga's Balrog essence. Around them, their combined energies were creating a beautiful light show—storm lightning and Balrog fire dancing together in perfect harmony.
"So what happens now?" Ruby asked softly, her hand tightening on his as she leaned slightly closer to him.
Koga's smile was warm and full of promise as he leaned his forehead against hers, their essences continuing to resonate with each other in ways that felt both natural and extraordinary.
"Now," he said gently, "we figure out what it means to be bonded Storm Dragon Princess and Balrog Lord who happen to be completely in love with each other."
Ruby's answering smile was radiant, literally—her storm-light eyes glowing with joy as she finally, finally heard the words she'd been hoping for since her first day at Beacon Academy.
Yang and Max's Private Moment - Mountain Glenn Aftermath
A Dragon's Need for Solitude
While Ruby and Koga found their privacy among the settling debris, Yang discovered that her newly awakened dragon senses were making the crowded aftermath of crisis almost overwhelming. Every conversation, every heartbeat, every subtle shift in emotion from the assembled teams was hitting her enhanced hearing with crystal clarity.
"I need to get away from all the noise," she muttered, pressing her palms against her temples as another wave of sensory overload washed over her.
Max immediately understood, his own dragon heritage making him acutely aware of what Yang was experiencing. "Post-awakening sensory adjustment," he said quietly, moving closer to her. "Your enhanced senses need time to learn filtering. Come on."
Without waiting for agreement, he gently took her hand and guided her away from the main group, leading her toward a section of ruined wall that would provide both privacy and a windbreak. As they walked, Yang noticed that her flames automatically dimmed in response to his calming presence, her chaotic fire settling into controlled patterns that matched his steady white dragon fire.
"Better?" Max asked as they settled onto a piece of debris that could serve as a makeshift bench, positioned where they could see the others but were far enough away that conversation wouldn't carry.
Yang took a deep breath, her golden draconic eyes closing as she focused on filtering the overwhelming input from her enhanced senses. "Yeah, actually. Much better." She opened her eyes and looked at him with an expression that mixed gratitude with something deeper. "How did you know exactly what I needed?"
Max's smile was gentle but held depths that spoke to his dragon heritage. "Because I went through the same thing when I awakened. The sensory overload, the emotional amplification, the way everything feels too intense and immediate." He paused, his white scales shimmering along his arms as he accessed the memory. "My father had to teach me filtering techniques before I accidentally burned down half of our training facility."
The Weight of Transformation
Yang looked down at her hands, where delicate golden scales now formed beautiful patterns along her knuckles and fingers. The sight was still surreal, proof that her entire existence had fundamentally changed in the space of a few hours.
"Max," she said quietly, her voice carrying the new harmonics of her Fire Dragon heritage, "what happened back there, when you stabilized my awakening... I need to understand what that means. For us."
Max turned to face her fully, his white dragon fire flickering gently around them both in response to the seriousness of her tone. "What specifically do you want to know?"
Yang was quiet for a moment, organizing her thoughts as she processed the overwhelming events of the day. When she finally spoke, her words carried a vulnerability that her usual confident demeanor normally hid.
"Everyone keeps talking about bonds and connections and spiritual resonance," she began, her golden flames dancing nervously around her hands. "But what does that actually mean? When you kissed me to save me, when our essences merged..." She paused, a blush coloring her cheeks despite her dragon fire. "What did that do to us?"
Max's expression grew serious as he considered how to explain the complex metaphysics of dragon bonding in terms she could understand. "Yang, when a dragon Faunus stabilizes another's awakening through essence resonance—especially through intimate contact—it creates connections that go beyond normal relationship dynamics."
He held up his hand, allowing white dragon fire to dance along his fingers in controlled patterns. "I can feel your emotional state right now, even when you're trying to hide it. I can sense your fire signature from miles away. I know when you're in danger, when you're happy, when you're scared." His golden eyes met hers with complete honesty. "And that connection is permanent."
Yang stared at him, processing the implications of what he was telling her. "Permanent? As in... forever permanent?"
"Forever permanent," Max confirmed gently. "Dragon bonds don't fade or weaken over time. If anything, they become stronger as both partners learn to work with them."
The Confession Builds
Yang felt heat rising in her cheeks that had nothing to do with her dragon fire, and Max's enhanced senses immediately picked up on her emotional shift. The realization that he could literally sense her feelings was both thrilling and terrifying.
"So you can tell that I'm completely freaking out right now," she said, attempting humor to cover her nervousness.
"I can tell that you're processing some very intense emotions," Max replied diplomatically, though his slight smile suggested he could indeed sense her exact emotional state. "Yang, there's something else you need to know about what happened during your stabilization."
She looked at him expectantly, her golden flames flickering with nervous energy.
"The reason I was able to stabilize your awakening so effectively wasn't just because of my dragon heritage," Max continued, his own emotions beginning to intensify in ways she could now sense through their bond. "It was because of the feelings I already had for you. Dragon essence resonance only works when there's genuine emotional connection between the participants."
Yang's breath caught in her throat, her dragon fire flaring slightly as she processed what he was implying. "Max, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying," Max replied, his white dragon fire beginning to interweave with her golden flames in beautiful, spiraling patterns, "that I couldn't have saved you if I hadn't already been completely in love with you."
The Truth Unveiled
The words hung in the air between them, charged with dragon fire and the weight of months of unspoken feelings. Yang stared at him, her newly awakened senses painting a detailed picture of his emotional state—the nervousness, the hope, the absolute sincerity of his confession.
"You... you love me?" she whispered, her voice carrying harmonics that made the air itself seem to vibrate with possibility.
"I have been completely, desperately in love with you since our first dance," Max admitted, his usual composure cracking to reveal the depth of his feelings. "Since you smiled at me and made me forget that I was supposed to be this dignified Holy Dragon King heir. Since you challenged me to be better than my reputation, to be worthy of someone as amazing as you."
Yang felt tears beginning to form in her golden eyes, each one catching the light of their combined dragon fire. "Max..."
"I love your strength, your passion, the way you protect everyone you care about without hesitation," Max continued, his words flowing with the intensity of months of suppressed emotion. "I love how you can go from playful and teasing to absolutely fierce in defense of your friends. I love that you never let anyone make you feel small or insignificant, that you burn brighter than anyone I've ever met."
He reached out to cup her face, his thumb brushing away a tear that had escaped. "Yang, when I felt your awakening spiraling out of control, when I realized you might be consumed by your own transformation... there was no question about what I had to do. I would have given my life to save you."
Yang's Response
Yang leaned into his touch, her dragon fire responding to his proximity with gentle warmth rather than chaotic heat. The overwhelming sensory input from her awakening seemed to calm in his presence, as if his essence provided the anchor she needed to process her new abilities.
"Max," she said softly, her free hand coming up to cover his where it rested against her cheek. "Do you want to know a secret?"
He nodded, his golden eyes reflecting both hope and nervousness about what she might say.
"I've been crazy about you since the Beacon dance too," Yang admitted, her usual confidence returning now that the truth was finally emerging. "Since you asked me to dance and treated me like I was something precious instead of just another pretty face at a school function."
Max's dragon fire flared with surprise and joy, the white flames dancing in increasingly complex patterns around them both.
"Every time you helped me with training, every time you stood up for Ruby, every time you just... understood what I needed without me having to ask," Yang continued, her golden flames beginning to mirror his patterns in perfect synchronization. "I kept telling myself that someone like you—a Holy Dragon King heir—couldn't possibly be interested in someone like me."
"Someone like you?" Max interrupted, his voice filled with incredulous affection. "Yang, you're the most incredible person I've ever met. Your courage, your loyalty, your capacity for love and protection... you're everything I never dared hope I might find in a partner."
The Moment of Truth
Yang felt her heart racing as she processed not just his words, but the emotional resonance flowing through their new bond. Through their connection, she could sense the absolute truth of his feelings, the depth of love that had been hidden beneath his formal exterior.
"So when you kissed me during the stabilization..." she began, her voice trailing off as she remembered the intensity of that moment.
"It wasn't just to save your life," Max confirmed, his thumb still gently stroking her cheek. "It was because I couldn't bear the thought of never having the chance to tell you how I really feel about you. Yang, I have loved you for months, and when I felt you slipping away during your awakening... I realized I would rather die trying to save you than live knowing I never told you the truth."
The confession sent waves of heat through Yang's system that had nothing to do with her dragon fire and everything to do with the overwhelming joy building in her chest. Around them, their combined flames began creating beautiful, spiraling patterns that reflected the harmony of their emotions.
"I love you too," Yang whispered, her golden eyes glowing with dragon-light and absolute certainty. "I'm completely, hopelessly, irrevocably in love with you, Max Dragonblade."
Max's smile was radiant as he leaned his forehead against hers, their dragon essences continuing to resonate with each other in perfect harmony. "So what happens now?"
Yang's answering smile was fierce and full of promise, her dragon fire dancing with his in patterns that spoke of permanent bonds and eternal devotion. "Now we figure out what it means to be bonded Fire Dragons who happen to be completely crazy about each other."
As they sat together in their private moment, surrounded by the gentle interplay of white and golden dragon fire, both Yang and Max knew that their awakening had given them far more than enhanced abilities—it had given them the courage to finally claim the love they'd both been too afraid to pursue.
The dragon bond was permanent, but more importantly, so were the feelings that had made that bond possible in the first place.
Yang's Payback
As they prepared to rejoin the others, Yang suddenly stood up, her golden dragon fire flickering with mischievous intent. Max looked up at her questioningly, noting the shift in her emotional signature through their bond—determination mixed with something that felt distinctly like playful revenge.
"Yang?" he asked, rising to his feet as well. "What are you—"
Before he could finish his question, Yang stepped forward and grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him down to her level with surprising strength. Her golden eyes locked onto his with fierce intensity, dragon fire dancing in their depths.
"You know," she said, her voice carrying new harmonics that made the air shimmer with heat, "you've been taking a lot of liberties with my lips lately, Max Dragonblade."
Max's eyes widened as he realized what she was referring to. "Yang, the stabilization kiss was necessary to—"
"First on the balcony at the dance," Yang interrupted, her grip on his shirt tightening as she pulled him even closer, "when you completely caught me off guard and stole my first real kiss without any warning."
Max felt heat rising in his cheeks that had nothing to do with dragon fire. "That was... I was caught up in the moment..."
"And then again during my awakening," Yang continued, her golden flames beginning to spiral around them both in increasingly complex patterns. "Taking charge, making decisions about my lips without asking permission..."
"I was saving your life!" Max protested, though his voice carried less conviction as he began to sense where this conversation was heading through their bond.
Yang's smile turned predatory, her dragon heritage adding an edge of dangerous beauty to her expression. "Well, Max," she said, her voice dropping to a husky whisper that made his dragon fire respond involuntarily, "I think it's time for a little payback."
Before Max could respond, before he could process what she intended, Yang pulled him down and claimed his lips in a kiss that was nothing like the desperate, life-saving contact of her awakening. This kiss was deliberate, passionate, and filled with every emotion she'd been holding back since their first dance.
Max's white dragon fire exploded around them as Yang's kiss conveyed months of suppressed longing, weeks of stolen glances, and the overwhelming love that had been building in her heart since the moment he'd first swept her into his arms on Beacon's balcony. She kissed him with the fierce intensity of her dragon heritage, pouring every feeling she'd been too afraid to voice into the connection between them.
This wasn't a gentle, tentative exploration—this was Yang Xiao Long claiming what was hers with all the passion and fire that defined her very existence. Her newly awakened dragon instincts added layers of possessiveness and devotion to the kiss, marking him as permanently hers in ways that went beyond human understanding.
When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavily, their combined dragon fires creating a spectacular light show around their secluded spot. Max stared at her with wide golden eyes, his usually composed demeanor completely shattered by the intensity of her response.
"That," Yang said with deep satisfaction, her golden flames settling into smug, controlled patterns, "is payback for awakening my dragon blood and making me fall even more impossibly in love with you."
Max blinked, still processing the overwhelming sensation of having Yang take complete control of their interaction. "Yang, that was..."
"Amazing? Incredible? Long overdue?" Yang suggested with a grin that showed her dragon canines. "Because from where I'm standing, Holy Dragon King, you've had this coming since you decided to play with fire."
Max's expression shifted from shocked to absolutely smitten, his white dragon fire beginning to dance with her golden flames in patterns that spoke of complete surrender and adoration.
"Remind me," he said, his voice rough with emotion and dragon fire, "to awaken your dormant bloodlines more often if that's the kind of payback I can expect."
Yang laughed, the sound carrying harmonics that made the very air around them sing with joy. "Careful what you wish for, Max. Now that I'm a Fire Dragon Princess, I have all the time in the world to get even with you for every surprise kiss you've stolen."
As they finally prepared to return to their friends and family, both walking with the easy synchronization of perfectly bonded dragons, Max couldn't help but think that if this was Yang's idea of revenge, he was more than happy to spend the rest of his very long dragon lifespan finding out what other kinds of "payback" she might devise.
Ruby's Gratitude
As they sat together in their private sanctuary, surrounded by the gentle interplay of storm lightning and Balrog fire, Ruby felt a surge of emotion that went beyond just love—it was overwhelming gratitude for everything Koga had done for her, not just today, but every day since she'd arrived at Beacon.
"Koga," she said softly, her storm powers creating gentle breezes that carried the scent of rain and ozone, "I need to thank you. For everything. For believing in me when I didn't believe in myself, for helping me train, for being patient with me..." Her voice grew softer, more intimate. "For saving my life today."
Koga started to respond, his emerald eyes warm with affection. "Ruby, you don't need to thank me for—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Ruby surprised him by leaning forward and pressing her lips to his in a kiss that was entirely her choice, entirely her decision. Unlike the desperate, life-saving kiss during her awakening, this kiss was soft, grateful, and filled with all the love she'd finally found the courage to voice.
Koga's emerald eyes widened in surprise before fluttering closed, his Balrog essence responding to her Storm Dragon energy with gentle warmth rather than overwhelming fire. This kiss was different from their stabilization—it was Ruby taking control, Ruby choosing to express her feelings in the most direct way possible.
When they parted, Ruby's cheeks were flushed with happiness rather than embarrassment, her storm powers creating tiny sparkles of electricity that danced harmlessly around them both. Her silver eyes met his emerald ones with newfound confidence.
"Thank you," she whispered against his lips, "for being everything I never knew I needed."
Koga's smile was tender and full of wonder as he processed the gift she'd just given him—not just the kiss, but the confidence to claim what she wanted, the courage to express her feelings without fear.
"Ruby," he said softly, his free hand coming up to cup her cheek, "you never need to thank me for loving you. It's not something I do for reward—it's just who you are to me."
The Walk Back
As they prepared to rejoin the others, Ruby found that her fingers remained naturally interlocked with Koga's, their hands fitting together as if they'd been designed for each other. The sensation of their merged essences still hummed through their bond, a constant reminder of the connection they'd forged during her awakening.
"I still can't believe this is real," Ruby admitted as they began walking back toward the main group, her storm powers unconsciously creating a gentle breeze that kept the dust and debris from settling on them.
"Which part?" Koga asked, his Balrog heritage making him acutely aware of her continued emotional processing through their bond.
"All of it," Ruby replied, then paused to lean her head against his shoulder as they walked, finding comfort in his solid presence. "The dragon awakening, the powers, us..." She squeezed his hand gently. "Especially us."
Koga felt his heart swell with affection as Ruby's natural instinct to seek comfort from him manifested in such a simple, trusting gesture. Her head fit perfectly against his shoulder, and he could sense through their bond how much his presence helped ground her still-adjusting senses.
"It's real," he assured her, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her silver hair. "All of it. The awakening, the bond, the love—it's all real, and it's all permanent."
Ruby's contentment radiated through their connection as they made their way back to their friends and family, her storm powers creating gentle, beautiful patterns in the air around them. Despite everything that had changed, despite the overwhelming nature of her transformation, she felt completely at peace walking hand-in-hand with the person who had become her anchor, her partner, and her greatest love.
"Good," she said simply, her voice carrying the new harmonics of her Storm Dragon heritage along with absolute certainty. "Because I don't think I could handle losing this now that I finally have it."
As they approached the others, both Ruby and Koga radiated the calm satisfaction of two people who had finally found their place in the world—not just as awakened dragon and Balrog Lord, but as partners who had chosen each other completely and without reservation.
Vytal Festival Tournament - Expanded with Dragon Family Dynamics
The Morning Visit - Summer's Grave
Opens with a view of the golden sun in an orange sky over the tall grass and autumn trees. In front of Summer's Gravestone is a young girl with a cloak billowing petals in the breeze. Hands clasped and hood up, Ruby Rose stands over the white stone memorial—but she's not alone.
Standing respectfully a few feet behind her, Koga watches with patient emerald eyes as his bonded Storm Dragon Princess communes with her mother's memory. His Balrog heritage allows him to sense the complex emotions flowing through their connection—grief, love, determination, and underneath it all, the steady confidence that comes from knowing she's no longer facing the world alone.
Ruby: (lowering her hood, smiling sadly downward) Hey, mom. (looks down at the inscription: "Summer Rose – Thus Kindly I Scatter") Sorry I haven't come by in a while. Things have been... well, things have been pretty amazing actually. (her storm powers unconsciously create gentle breezes that carry rose petals around the gravestone) Oh, Dad's here, too! He's, uh, you know... Dad. (shrugs) He's still teaching at Signal. But he told me that he's going to be on some mission soon. I think he misses adventuring with you. (looks forlornly) I miss you too.
She pauses, her silver eyes flickering with storm-light as she gathers courage for what she wants to say next.
Ruby: (continuing with growing confidence) I haven't gotten kicked out of Beacon yet! So that's cool. I think being on a team with Yang helps. Keep her in line... That was a joke. She's actually a really great fighter! You can tell she's learned a lot from Dad! Oh, so are Weiss and Blake. Oh! They're my teammates! Together, we form Team RWBY! And yes, before you ask, that does cause a lot of confusion.
Her voice grows warmer as she speaks about her new reality.
Ruby: Anyways, I made a bunch of new friends, and then I met some... let's just say, amazing people. (she glances back at Koga with a soft smile before turning back to the stone) Mom, I met someone really special. His name is Koga, and he's... (small lightning sparks dance around her fingers as her emotions build) he's my bonded partner. We went through something called a dragon awakening together, and it turns out I'm not entirely human. I'm a Storm Dragon Princess, just like you were.
Koga steps forward slightly, his Balrog essence providing gentle support through their bond as Ruby works through the emotional complexity of explaining everything to her mother.
Ruby: (voice growing stronger) He saved my life, Mom. Not just from danger, but from losing myself during the awakening. And I... I love him. (turns to look at Koga directly) I love him so much it sometimes makes my storm powers go haywire.
Koga's smile is tender and proud as he moves to stand beside her, his hand finding hers naturally.
Ruby: (back to the gravestone) Oh! We've also stopped some bad guys, too! I guess it's like they say: "like mother, like daughter"! I still wonder why Ozpin let me into the school early. But uh, I guess he'll tell me one day. You know how he is. It's funny, the more I get to know him, the more he's starting to sound like Uncle Qrow.
A bark alerts her to the ever-adorable Zwei and the sight of her father, Taiyang Xiao Long, in the trees behind her—accompanied by Max and Yang, whose dragon fire is creating gentle golden patterns in the morning air.
Yang: (calling out with dragon-enhanced voice harmonics) Ruby! We don't want to be late for the tournament!
Ruby: (to the gravestone) Oh! Looks like Dad and Yang are back! And Max is with them—he's Yang's bonded partner. She awakened as a Fire Dragon Princess too. We're both part of the dragon families now, Mom. (squeezes Koga's hand) I gotta go! Dad's dropping us off at Beacon for the tournament match. Wish us luck! (She puts the hood back on and starts to walk away, but turns and delivers one final message to her mother:) It was good to talk. I think you would have really liked Koga. And I know you'd be proud of who Yang and I have become.
With that said, Ruby jogs back to her family—now expanded to include the dragon families who had claimed both Rose sisters as their own.
Pre-Tournament Preparations - Dragon Family Gathering
As the group makes their way toward the airship that will take them to the Vytal Festival, the dynamics between the dragon families and their human partners are evident in every interaction.
Max walks with his arm around Yang's waist, their dragon fires unconsciously synchronizing in gentle spirals around them both. Yang's golden flames dance with Max's white dragon fire in patterns that speak of permanent bonding and deep affection.
Yang: (leaning into Max's warmth) You know, a few months ago I never could have imagined explaining to Mom's grave that I'm now a Fire Dragon Princess bonded to a Holy Dragon King.
Max: (pressing a kiss to the top of her head) And now it's just part of who we are. How do you feel about competing in the tournament with your enhanced abilities?
Yang: (grinning with dragon-fire confidence) Like we're going to absolutely dominate.
Behind them, Ruby walks hand-in-hand with Koga, her storm powers creating gentle breezes that keep the morning chill from affecting the group. Small sparkles of electricity dance between their interlocked fingers.
Ruby: (looking up at Koga with silver storm-light eyes) Are you and the other dragon families going to be watching from the stands?
Koga: (his emerald eyes warm with affection) Wouldn't miss it. Hon'oh has already reserved an entire section for the dragon houses. We'll be cheering for both you and Yang.
Taiyang watches this new dynamic with a mixture of fatherly concern and growing acceptance. His daughters have changed—not just their abilities, but their confidence, their maturity, the way they carry themselves with the assurance of being deeply loved and supported.
Taiyang: (to Max and Koga) You know, when I agreed to let you court my daughters, I didn't expect it to involve them becoming mythical creatures.
Max: (respectfully) Sir, the dragon awakening just revealed what was already part of their heritage. We didn't change who they are—we helped them become who they were always meant to be.
Koga: (nodding in agreement) Ruby and Yang are still the same people you raised. They're just... more themselves now.
Amity Colosseum - The Dragon Family Section
A falling petal shifts the view of the camera away from the sky and over the grassy mountains, where a stadium of epic proportions is seen. Crowds are cheering in the stands, visitors from all over the world.
In a specially reserved section of the Colosseum, the dragon families have gathered in force. Derek and Katsura Dragonblade sit in positions of honor, their ancient authority evident even in casual conversation. Beside them, Reynar and Yin Lan Tokyoheim discuss the tactical implications of Ruby and Yang's enhanced abilities.
Mist Dragonblade sits with Cardin Winchester, their relationship having grown stronger since the Mountain Glenn crisis. Her crimson scales shimmer with excitement as she watches for her brother's bonded partner to appear on the field.
Mist: (to Cardin) You should see Yang fight with her dragon abilities fully integrated. She's become absolutely devastating.
Cardin: (his respect for the dragon families evident in his tone) I'm just glad we're on the same side now.
Hon'oh Glacius Tokyoheim has positioned herself between Sun Wukong and Neptune Vasilias, both of whom are still competing for her attention despite the dragon princess's cool demeanor.
Sun: (bouncing with enthusiasm) Hon'oh, you think Ruby's storm powers will give Team RWBY an advantage in the environmental rounds?
Hon'oh: (with ice-princess composure) Ruby's abilities are still developing. The real question is whether she and Yang can coordinate their dragon abilities without overwhelming their human teammates.
Neptune: (leaning closer to Hon'oh) Maybe after the tournament, you'd like to celebrate with dinner? Just the two of us?
Hon'oh's only response is a slight raising of one perfectly sculpted eyebrow, leaving Neptune's hopes frozen in uncertainty.
In another section of the dragon family area, a new dynamic is developing that has caught everyone's attention.
Yukikaze's Growing Interest
Yukikaze Ayakashi, the Thunder Dragon Empress, sits with her usual regal bearing, but her purple-scaled attention keeps drifting toward the competitor preparation areas. Her electric-blue eyes, crackling with barely contained lightning, are focused on one particular figure moving through the crowds below.
Mercury Black, preparing for his own tournament matches, seems completely unaware of the intense scrutiny from the dragon princess above. His casual confidence and athletic grace as he warms up with his teammates has captured Yukikaze's attention in ways that surprise even her.
Kazuma: (noticing his sister's distraction) Yukikaze, you've been staring at that Mercury fellow for the past ten minutes.
Yukikaze: (her purple scales shimmering with slight embarrassment) I'm observing potential tactical threats for the tournament.
Emeryll Valharen, sitting nearby with her divine training making her sensitive to emotional currents, glances between Yukikaze and Mercury with growing understanding.
Emeryll: (quietly, to avoid embarrassing the Thunder Dragon Empress) That's not tactical interest, Yukikaze. That's personal interest.
Yukikaze's lightning abilities respond to her emotional state by creating small electrical patterns in the air around her, earning amused looks from the other dragon family members.
Shoryu: (with brotherly teasing) Sister, your lightning signature is fluctuating every time that boy moves.
Yukikaze: (attempting royal dignity while electricity crackles around her) My abilities are perfectly controlled, thank you very much.
Below in the preparation areas, Mercury suddenly looks up toward the dragon family section, his silver eyes meeting Yukikaze's electric-blue gaze across the distance. For a moment, neither looks away, and Yukikaze's thunder powers create a soft rumbling sound that makes other dragons turn to look at her curiously.
Mercury: (to Emerald, still looking toward the stands) Who's the purple-haired girl with the lightning effects?
Emerald: (following his gaze and noting Yukikaze's obvious interest) That's Yukikaze Ayakashi. Thunder Dragon Empress. Why?
Mercury: (with his usual casual attitude) Just curious. She's been watching me warm up.
Emerald: (smirking) Mercury Black getting attention from dragon royalty? This should be interesting.
The Tournament Begins - Enhanced Dynamics
In the field of volcanic earth and icy glaciers below, Ruby fires and swings her Crescent Rose at an off-screen target, but now her movements are accompanied by controlled storm winds that enhance her speed and precision. Blake Belladonna exchanges blows with Reese Chloris, the blades of her Gambol Shroud colliding with the hoverboard of her opponent until she flips away, readies herself, and charges in again. Behind her, Weiss Schnee waves her Myrtenaster as the sound of her mystical power is heard, and finally Yang Xiao Long dodges the explosive force of Arslan Altan's fist before returning fire with her own Ember Celica—but now her flames burn with the distinctive white-gold intensity of dragon fire.
High above the action, two familiar teachers are sitting at a sportscaster's desk, with a microphone between them and the holographic image of the four kingdoms' symbols united as one.
Port: Hello! It seems that we have another astonishing bout ahead of us! Wouldn't you agree, Professor?
Oobleck: (annoyed) Doctor. (brightens up excitedly again) And yes Peter, I think it's safe to say this match may be the closest we've seen of the four-on-four round of the tournament! Particularly given the enhanced capabilities we're seeing from Team RWBY's Rose sisters!
Port: For those of you just now joining us, welcome to the Vytal Festival Tournament, broadcast live from the Amity Colosseum! (he waves his arm to gesture at the entire event from his place on the gigantic screen over the crowds) And yes, rumors of certain contestants displaying enhanced abilities beyond normal parameters are proving quite accurate!
The Colosseum is shown in its full glory, as shuttle craft transport people to and from the various floors while the entire structure hovers around the airspace of Beacon Academy. Explosions are seen throughout the battlefield, but now they're accompanied by controlled storm winds and dragon fire that create spectacular visual displays.
The Match - Dragon-Enhanced Combat
The battle progresses much as before, but with notable enhancements from Ruby and Yang's dragon abilities:
Ruby's movements are now accompanied by controlled storm winds that allow her to change direction mid-flight and create complex attack patterns that her opponents can't predict. Her rose petals leave trails of harmless lightning that add visual drama to her semblance.
Yang's dragon fire burns with temperatures that make the very air shimmer around her, and her enhanced strength from her Fire Dragon Princess heritage allows her to deliver devastating blows that send shockwaves through the arena.
In the dragon family section, the reactions are intense:
Max: (his white dragon fire flaring with pride) Look at Yang coordinate her dragon fire with her semblance. She's become incredible.
Koga: (storm energy crackling around him as he responds to Ruby through their bond) Ruby's learning to use her storm abilities tactically. She's not just faster—she's unpredictable.
Derek: (with ancient dragon pride) Both girls are integrating their awakened abilities beautifully. They fight like dragons who were born to their power.
Yukikaze's Distraction
As the match intensifies, Yukikaze finds herself increasingly distracted by Mercury's presence in the competitor viewing area. Her thunder abilities respond to her emotional state, creating subtle electrical patterns that other dragon family members begin to notice.
Mist: (whispering to Cardin) Is it just me, or has Yukikaze been acting strange since that Mercury guy showed up?
Cardin: (following her gaze) The silver-haired one? Yeah, she's been staring at him like he's the most interesting thing in the arena.
Meanwhile, Mercury has become aware of the attention and finds himself glancing up at the dragon family section more frequently than he should be during his own team's preparation time.
Cinder: (noticing Mercury's distraction) Something interesting up there, Mercury?
Mercury: (attempting casualness) Just checking out the competition's support network.
But his silver eyes keep drifting back to the purple-haired Thunder Dragon Empress whose lightning abilities seem to respond to his presence in ways that are becoming increasingly obvious to everyone watching.
Victory and Celebration
The match concludes with Team RWBY's victory, enhanced by the seamless integration of Ruby and Yang's dragon abilities with their team tactics.
Yang: (as the buzzer sounds and Ruby cheers "YAAAAAY!" in the background, her dragon fire creating celebratory spirals:) Yes! We actually did it!
In the dragon family section, the celebration is equally enthusiastic:
Max: (standing and cheering) That's my bonded Fire Dragon Princess!
Koga: (storm winds swirling around him with pride) Ruby was magnificent!
But all eyes eventually turn to Yukikaze, whose thunder abilities have created an impressive lightning display in response to her complex emotions about Mercury's presence.
Hon'oh: (with ice-princess amusement) Yukikaze, your electrical output has increased by approximately forty percent since that Mercury individual appeared.
Yukikaze: (her purple scales shimmering with embarrassment) I don't know what you're talking about.
Kazuma: (grinning at his sister) Sister, I think you have a crush.
The accusation sends such a surge through Yukikaze's thunder abilities that a small lightning bolt actually arcs between her fingers, causing several nearby dragons to duck and laugh.
Yukikaze: (standing abruptly, her royal dignity in tatters) I need some air.
As she strides away, her thunder powers crackling visibly around her, Mercury looks up from the competitor area just in time to see the impressive electrical display. His expression shows genuine interest for the first time since arriving at Beacon.
Mercury: (to himself, watching Yukikaze's retreat) Now that's interesting.
The stage is set not just for the continuing tournament, but for a complex romantic dynamic that will have far-reaching implications for both the Thunder Dragon Empress and the mysterious competitor who has captured her attention despite her royal reserve.
To be continued in Chapter 19: Vytal Tournament- Round One