Chapter 1

Pyrrha was ready. It had taken her years - six long, painful, difficult years. Being a witch was not easy, and being a good one was even harder. She had been just fourteen years old when she made her decision. She sought out the local witch, Glynda the Good, and asked to be her apprentice. Pyrrha had some latent magical talents and a strong sense of morality, so Glynda was happy to instruct her. She proved to be a prodigy, far exceeding Glynda's expectations. In time - a much shorter time that was typical - Pyrrha would be a Master Witch herself, assuming the responsibility that came with the title.

In much of the world, witches were equal parts loved and feared. Their spells could heal the sick, protect the people from the monsters that were a constant threat, improve crop yields, and even increase fertility. Yet their powers could also be fearsome. As easily as they could create, they could destroy, if they so chose. Most commoners were happy to call upon the local witch when the need arose, but once that need was gone commoners generally preferred that the witch depart, returning to her secluded home. Being a witch was often a thankless task, a lifetime of giving and giving, only to be shunned.

Every village had its local witch. Survival demanded it. Only a Master Witch could protect a village from the roaming monsters and other threats that sought to snuff out humanity. Though long-lived, witches were not immortal. So each was expected to train an apprentice, preferably more than one, to ensure the community's continued survival. Glynda had not been the Master Witch of Patch for long, and Pyrrha was her first student. Pyrrha seemed committed to helping the people of Patch, and combined with her magical acumen, this made her the perfect candidate. But there was more motivating Pyrrha than altruism or a sense of duty.

Pyrrha had become a witch for a very specific reason. Witches had one power that no others possessed - the power to raise the dead. Only the strongest witches were capable of doing so, and even then few used the power. It violated the laws of nature, and such a violation was bound to come with dire consequences. Only in desperate times would a witch even consider taking the risk. Pyrrha was desperate. She had been when she asked Glynda to teach her in the first place. Pyrrha had been close to many deaths - death was a fact of life in small villages like Patch - and most she could accept, but there was one she could not, one death for which she felt responsible.

And so Pyrrha prepared the ritual. Years of study and training had all led to this. Glynda was away and would be in no position to stop her. She would resurrect the poor soul, and accept whatever punishment the gods saw fit. The items had been gathered, some magical charms, personal possessions of the deceased, blessed candles and incense. The potion was prepared, to be poured on the departed's personal effects at the height of the ritual.

Pyrrha began reading from the spellbook, a forbidden tome even Glynda did not dare study. She held the bottle containing the potion over the sword that represented her lost friend. Pyrrha hesitated. If she proceeded any farther, there would be no turning back. But there was never any serious doubt in her mind. She refocused on the ritual, filling her mind with memories of the departed, and poured the potion onto the blade. The sword began to glow, sparks leaping from its surface as the liquid ran across it. She spoke the final incantation.

Bang! Whoosh!

A blinding light and a cloud of smoke obscured Pyrrha's view and suddenly a wave of pressure blasted her back. She fell, slamming back into a cabinet behind her, landing seated on the floor in a daze. That had been unexpected. Smoke filled the room and Pyrrha coughed. Forcing herself to her feet, she pushed through the thick haze, closing on the figure that had appeared before the sword. A red glow surrounded the figure, making it just barely visible. It had worked? She was about to call his name, but something was not right. The smoke cleared further and Pyrrha found herself standing over someone entirely different from who she was expecting.

Pyrrha stared in shock at the short, nude girl that was curled up on the floor before her. After remaining motionless for a moment, the girl stirred, looking up at Pyrrha with shining silver eyes. Their eyes met and time seemed to stand still. "You're not…" Pyrrha started.

"Aaaahhhh!" The girl screamed.

"Gaaahhhh!" Pyrrha screamed back.

"Wah...who are you?!" The girl demanded.

"I-I'm P-Pyrrha." Pyrrha stammered, still in shock. "Wh-who are you?"

"I'm...I'm...I have no idea." The girl replied.

"Uh...I must have messed up that spell." Pyrrha surmised. "I should send you back to wherever…"

"No, no, wait." The girl protested. "I...where am I? This place feels so...different. I...it's…"

"This village is Patch." Pyrrha explained. "You're in my attic." She paused. "Where are you from?"

"I don't know where I'm from." The girl admitted. "I just remember that it's a lot different."

"That's...strange." Pyrrha observed. "Do you know your name?"

"Uh...nope." The girl answered.

"Do you remember anything?" Pyrrha pressed.

"I remember having a mom...a mom who loves me very much...but that's it." The girl replied.

"Who is your mother?" Pyrrha asked. The girl just shrugged. "I...I...I should send you back. But I can't do that unless I know where you came from."

"I don't want to go back." The girl declared.

"Really?" Pyrrha gasped. She had summoned all manner of beings during her training. They took different forms, acted in unique ways, but were all linked by a single desire. They all wanted to return to the realm from whence they had come. That this girl...if she was really just a girl...would want to stay marked her as something very different. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I like this place." The girl confirmed. "It's warm, really warm."

"So you're from somewhere cold…" Pyrrha thought aloud.

"No, not really." The girl shook her head. "It's hard to explain. This place just feels so...warm. Can I stay here?"

"Uh…maybe...uh..." Pyrrha stalled. She had a choice to make. She could cram the girl back into whatever dimension she had come from - if she could even figure out what that was - and hide what she had done, or she could let the girl stay and face the music. Glynda was not going to be happy. When Pyrrha had brought up the idea of raising the dead, Glynda had warned her against it in no uncertain terms. But the girl wanted to stay. "If you're going to stay...you'll need a name."

"But I don't remember my name." The girl repeated.

"Well...let's see…" Pyrrha looked at the girl, trying to come up with a name. "You glowed red when you first appeared, kind of like a...how about Ruby?"

"Ruby?" The girl asked.

"Yes, Ruby." Pyrrha nodded.

"I like it." The girl cheered.

"Okay...Ruby...let's get you some clothes." Pyrrha suggested.

"Clothes, why?" Ruby asked.

"Ruby, people wear...oh boy, I'm going to have to explain a lot, aren't I?" Pyrrha sighed. Ruby stared at her blankly. "It's going to be a long night…"

Glynda had been more busy than usual in recent weeks. One of the villagers was old and facing frequent bouts of illness. Medicine was good and all, but the villager wanted the added support of Glynda's magic. He was willing to pay, but Glynda did not do it for the money. More and more she would venture into the village, attend to the man, and return home. It was always at night. Despite all she did for the village, the inhabitants were still a bit uneasy around her, and at night she would not disturb so many of them. The man and his family were always happy to see her though, and that made it all worthwhile.

Glynda returned home tired. The sort of magic the man needed was difficult, and the late hour only added to her exhaustion. Some may have assumed witches were nocturnal, the way many magical beasts were, but that was not the case. Witches were just people who could wield magic. They dealt with the same sort of internal clock as everyone else, and when it was dark out, her body told her she should sleep. She hung her distinctive hat on a rack just inside the door and hung her coat on a hook on the wall. Pyrrha would generally be there to greet her, offering a warm smile and a hot cup of tea, but she did not appear.

Glynda guessed Pyrrha was probably asleep. It was rather late, and the training regimen Glynda was putting Pyrrha through was quite demanding. Glynda headed into the kitchen to make her own tea. As she lit the stove beneath her pot she heard a commotion upstairs. Maybe Pyrrha was not asleep after all. "Pyrrha?" Glynda called.

"Coming!" Pyrrha yelled back. The sound of rapid footfalls accompanied Pyrrha's rush down the stairs. She slid to a stop in the doorway. "Welcome home Glynda. Sorry I didn't have your tea ready. I'm dealing with...a...uh…"

"Is this your mom?" Ruby asked, walking up behind Pyrrha.

"Oh, I didn't know we had a guest." Glynda smiled. She looked over the girl, noting her comically oversized attire. "Is she wearing your clothes?"

"Yes." Pyrrha confirmed. "She didn't have any when she arrived so…"

"Oh, is she a beggar?" Glynda asked. "Please, sit down, I'll make you some food…"

"Not exactly." Pyrrha shook her head. "You see...the thing is...I'm not exactly sure what she is." Pyrrha admitted. Glynda raised a curious eyebrow. "I was performing a ritual, and...well...it didn't go as expected. She appeared and...she doesn't want to leave."

Glynda looked at the girl. "Do you have a name?" She asked.

"Ruby." She replied. "Pyrrha gave it to me."

"Did she…do you have a name of your own?" Glynda asked.

"Nope, just Ruby." She answered. "What's your name?"

"My name is Glynda." She replied. "I'm Pyrrha's mentor and Master Witch of Patch."

"A witch...you're a witch too Pyrrha?" Ruby asked. Pyrrha nodded. "My mom doesn't like witches very much."

"Who is your mother?" Glynda asked.

"I don't know." Ruby replied. "I just remember she loves me, and she doesn't like witches."

"That doesn't really narrow it down." Glynda groaned. "Lots of people don't like witches."

"Glynda, I don't think she's...I don't think she's human." Pyrrha declared. "She's unaware of even the basics of our world. She didn't know people wear clothes, or that you have to eat and drink to stay alive."

"So what is she?" Glynda asked.

"Yeah, what am I?" Ruby added.

"I...I don't know." Pyrrha answered. "I've never encountered a summon like her."

"Hmm…Pyrrha, what sort of ritual were you performing?" Glynda pressed.

"I...um...the thing is...I'm sorry..." Pyrrha struggled.

"Oh Pyrrha…" Glynda sighed.

"I know, and I'm sorry, I truly am." Pyrrha pleaded. She bowed her head. "I just...I had to. I'll do whatever I need to in order to make up for this. I accept whatever punishment you decide to impose."

"We'll deal with that another time." Glynda declared. "Right now we need to figure out what to do about...Ruby."

"I'd like to stay, if you don't mind." Ruby requested. "I like this place. It's so warm...and being here...it just makes me happy."

"You don't mind living with witches?" Glynda asked. "Even though your mother doesn't like us?"

"You seem alright to me." Ruby shrugged.

"Won't your mother be worried about you?" Glynda inquired.

"I...I don't think so." Ruby answered. "For some reason...for some reason I think she wants me to be here."

Glynda thought for a moment, Ruby looking at her expectantly. Pyrrha remained silent, her gaze cast down at the floor. "Well, if you're going to stay you'll need clothes that actually fit." Glynda finally noted.

"You mean I can stay?!" Ruby gasped. "Awesome!"

"Pyrrha, take Ruby to Weiss' tomorrow." Glynda ordered. "Perhaps she has some clothes that will fit our guest. If not you can go into town and buy her some."

"Yes Ruby, people have to sleep." Pyrrha confirmed. "Every night, for a few hours."

"Sounds boring." Ruby noted.

"It really is." Pyrrha chuckled. She led Ruby into the kitchen. "Now, what do you want for breakfast?"

"Breakfast?" Ruby asked.

"Food, eat, morning." Pyrrha reduced it to the simplest terms possible.

"Do people have to eat too?" Ruby asked.

"Yes." Pyrrha nodded. "I'll just make you some toast."

"If you put food in you...what happens to it?" Ruby asked. "Do you just keep getting bigger?"

"If you eat enough." Pyrrha laughed. "But not really, that's why you go to the bathroom. After your body extracts the nutrients from the food, it...you…"

"Good morning Pyrrha, Ruby." Glynda entered the room. "Pyrrha, you look perplexed."

"I was just trying to explain going to the bathroom." Pyrrha sighed. "It's hard to find the words."

"Why don't you just show me?" Ruby asked.

"Gah, no!" Pyrrha gasped. "I mean...that wouldn't be...proper."

"I'm sure we can figure all this out in time." Glynda encouraged. "Perhaps I can dig up some old children's books to help explain the basics of being human."

"That sounds much better than the alternative." Pyrrha nodded.

"So, you're going to visit Weiss, correct?" Glynda asked.

"Yes, right after breakfast." Pyrrha confirmed.

"Good, and please ask about Blake when you get there." Glynda requested. "She didn't come home last night."

"I will, anything else?" Pyrrha asked.

"If you have to purchase clothes, or feel compelled to reimburse Weiss, you will do so with your money." Glynda commanded. "Ruby is your responsibility. Caring for her will serve as absolution."

"No other punishments?" Pyrrha gasped. "But I…"

"Would you like more?" Glynda laughed. "I can add more chores if you like."

"No, it's alright, I was just expecting something more…" Pyrrha started.

"Trust me, caring for Ruby should be more than enough." Glynda cut her off. "Someone so naive of our world is going to need a lot of guidance."

The toast popped from the toaster. Pyrrha picked up a slice and handed it to Ruby. "Uh...what do I do with this?" Ruby asked.

"Oh for the love of…" Pyrrha grumbled.

Glynda smirked. "Told you."

Pyrrha knocked twice on the heavy metal door. After a few seconds it opened to reveal a thin white-haired girl about as tall as Ruby. "Hello Weiss." Pyrrha smiled.

"Pyrrha, what brings you here?" Weiss asked.

"Ruby does." Pyrrha replied. She gestured to the girl who looked ridiculous in Pyrrha's oversized clothes. "There was a little hiccup with a ritual I was performing...and now I have a new friend."

"Is she a succubus or something?" Weiss asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, no." Pyrrha gasped. "She's a...she's...we actually have no idea what she is. She was not the intended result of the ritual, but she says she likes being here, so she's sticking around."

"Strange, summons usually hate being summoned." Weiss observed.

"Yes, it is odd." Pyrrha nodded. "Anyway, she needs clothes, and I was hoping you had something that might fit her."

"Hmm...I have some blouses that don't quite fit me." Weiss thought aloud. "Come on in, I'll get them out."

"Thank you." Pyrrha smiled. She followed Weiss into the small house. Ruby marveled at the magical objects and bits of technology that cluttered the room.

"Ooh, what's that?" Ruby asked in awe, pointing at a pulsating, glowing orb suspended in the center of the room.

"Ah, that's a power crystal." Weiss replied. She walked into a side room to search through her clothes. "I'm trying to use it to power my tech. When I swiped it I forgot to take batteries, and I was hoping to modify that crystal to power them instead. Unfortunately, its output is unstable. One moment it's not producing enough power to protect me from a pebble thrown by a child, the next it's pumping out enough to fry the shield generator. I'm trying to figure out how to smooth away the fluctuations."

"Have you asked Glynda?" Pyrrha asked. "Oh, speaking of which, is Blake here? She didn't come home last night and Glynda is worried."

"Yeah, she's here." Weiss confirmed. "She filled up on cat food and was too lazy to head home after."

"Blake!" Pyrrha called. "Time to go home!"

With an annoyed meow, a black cat with glowing golden eyes emerged from another side room. Upon spotting Ruby it froze in place, examining her. "Aw, so cute!" Ruby cheered. She rushed over and petted the cat as it purred. "Her coat is so pretty and dark…"

"It is made of darkness." Pyrrha chuckled. "Blake, meet Ruby, Ruby, meet Blake, Glynda's familiar. Alright Blake, head home. Glynda misses you." The cat meowed and walked away from Ruby, brushing past Pyrrha's legs as it headed out the still open front door. "Well, you know what a cat is."

"I guess so." Ruby shrugged.

"Do you know what a familiar is?" Pyrrha asked.

"Yes." Ruby nodded. "It's sort of like a permanent summon...a bit like me I guess."

"Except you're not bound to me." Pyrrha corrected.

"To be fair, Blake's not bound to Glynda, not anymore." Weiss declared from the other room. "Pyrrha, would you come help me carry this stuff?"

"Sure." Pyrrha replied. She hurried into the side room.

Left alone, Ruby examined her surroundings. She tried to tear her eyes away from the glowing crystal - there was so much other cool stuff - but she was mesmerized. She approached the luminous ball, reaching out toward it. "Ruby don't!" Weiss exclaimed, dropping the clothes in her hands and rushing forward.

Ruby touched the crystal, breaking the levitation field that surrounded. It fell, slamming into the hardwood floor and shattering in a burst of light and flame. When the light faded and the smoke dissipated, there was a small burned-out crater in the floor and only tiny shards of the crystal remained. "Oops." Ruby laughed uneasily. "My bad."

"Damnit!" Weiss shouted. "Do you have any idea how expensive that was?!"

"I'm really sorry." Ruby apologized.

"Weiss, she doesn't know better." Pyrrha declared. "I'll...I'll pay for the damage, and a replacement."

"I don't want your money, I can afford it." Weiss hissed through gritted teeth. "Just...try on the clothes while I clean this up. And don't touch anything."