The Kybuck Clan Volume IV (RWBY X Star Wars)

Chapter Ten - Two Steps Forward, Two Steps Behind

Outside the Xiao Long-Rose Family Home in the middle of the day, Gungi and Byph along with Professor Huyang watched as Yang trained with Taiyang on hand to hand combat using Yang's new robotic arm. Yang proved quite efficient with it. After taking a punch that sent him sliding into the dirt, Taiyang chuckles.

Taiyang: Whoa, that thing packs a punch!

Yang: We've been at this for weeks. I get it, you wanna make sure I can still fight. I think I'm doing just fine.

Taiyang: You're close.

As Taiyang gets up, he assesses his daughter's progress. 

Yang: Oh, really?

Taiyang: You're still off balance.

Yang: What?! No I'm not!

Taiyang chuckles upon hearing this. Yang then looks upon her robotic arm with a smirk on her face. 

Yang: Honestly, I'm kind of surprised. I thought it would be just this huge weight, but it feels... natural. They did a great job with this thing.

Huyang: I've seen many prosthetic limbs in my time, but I must say that your new arm is a fascinating piece of technology!

As Huyang says this, Yang and Taiyang continue their sparring match. Watching Yang fight reminded Gungi and Byph of their fight with Yang during the Kybuck Clan's sparring match against Team RWBY back in Beacon. Surprisingly, Taiyang was able to best Yang. 

Taiyang: I wasn't talking about your actual balance. Although, that could use some work too.

Yang: Meaning?

Taiyang: I saw your tournament fights. During the Vytal Festival. 

Yang: Let me guess. I was sloppy?

Taiyang: No, no, you were predictable. And...stubborn. And...maybe a little boneheaded. Do you realize that you used your Semblance to win every fight after the qualifiers?

As Yang gets up, Gungi and Byph along with Professor Huyang approach them. 

Yang: So what? How is me using my Semblance any different than someone else using theirs?

Taiyang: Because not everyone else's is basically a temper tantrum. I'm serious! Once you take damage, you can dish it back twice as hard, but that doesn't make you invincible! It's great when you're in a bind, but what happens if you miss? What happens if they're stronger? What then? Now you're just weak and tired! You've always been one to burn brighter than everyone else, whether it was with your smile, or, well, I remember your first haircut.

As Yang gets annoyed, Gungi and Byph offer their opinions on this. 

Gungi: <Emotions can aid you greatly, but they can also hinder you if you allow them to.>

Byph: Gungi's right. I don't want to say it, but you tend to get a little...too angry. 

Yang expressed annoyance at Byph's comments, but she doesn't take offense to that. At that point, Huyang steps in.

Huyang: Many years ago, I taught a student much like you, Miss Xiao Long. Like you, he struggled with his emotions. He struggled to temper the frustrations he harbored over the things that offended the ideals that he held dear. He also struggled with feelings of doubt and uncertainty. Such things threatened to send him on a dark path.

Yang: So what did he do?

Huyang: He learned to channel his negative emotions into a positive force. In battle, he would draw on his emotions, but he would never give in to them. That is what you need, Miss Xiao Long. You need to find a way to channel and draw on your emotions while not giving in to them. 

Gungi and Byph knew exactly who Huyang was talking about. Huyang was using famed Jedi Master Mace Windu as someone Yang could aspire to. Mace Windu's mastery of Vaapad was something Yang could aspire to. 

Taiyang: Couldn't have said it any better myself. You gotta keep your emotions in check. Keep a level head, and think before you act. Your Semblance is a great fallback, but you can't let yourself rely on it. It won't always save you. Obviously. You definitely have your mom's stubbornness.

Yang: Oh, so now we can talk about her?

Taiyang: Well, as I have been informed, you're an adult now, remember?

Yang: Well, sorry I remind you of her.

Taiyang: Don't be. Raven was great in so many ways - her strength, her ambition, her dedication to whatever cause she thought was worth fighting for.

As Taiyang reflected on his ex wife, he turned to Yang with a smile on his face.

Taiyang: I'm proud of how much of her I see in you. But, I'm glad I don't see all of her in you.

Yang: Why?

Taiyang: Your mother was... a complicated woman. Like everybody, she had her faults, but those faults are what tore our team apart. And, it did a real number on our family. You both act like the easiest way to tackle an obstacle is through it. That strength is all that matters in a fight. But if you just take a second look, then maybe you see...there's a way around as well. Come on - one more before dinner.

With that, Yang and Taiyang continued their duel. Yang began to slowly utilize the lessons from both her father and Huyang. As they fought, Gungi and Byph spoke with Huyang.

Byph: Do you really think Yang is like Master Windu?

Huyang: She shares some similarities with Master Windu. Let us hope she can apply the same teachings as him. It would greatly benefit her. 

Gungi, Byph and Huyang watched as Yang won her match against her father. As father and daughter shared a laugh, the Jedi were proud to see Yang slowly making a recovery. But Yang still had a long way to go. However, the Jedi were more than ready to help her on that road.