Yang Xiao Long/History

## Volume 4

### Recovering on Patch

In the months after the fall of Vale, Yang continues recovering at home, though she is no longer confined to her bed. At a scheduled checkup, Yang goes through a series of tests, and is diagnosed with major depressive disorder, which explains her general lethargy and sudden mood swings. After the doctor's visit, Yang continues idling at home, performing chores and watching television mindlessly.

Yang has constant nightmares of failing to protect her friends and family, witnessing their horrific deaths up close with no means to intervene.

When Port and Oobleck visit her father, they try to strike a conversation with Yang, though she tries brushing them off. Her annoyance growing, she snaps, ranting at them about her depression diagnosis, her self-perceived helplessness, and even about her thoughts of suicide. Noting the seriousness of the situation, Taiyang tries to communicate with Yang, giving an honest effort to understand and support her. After a heartfelt talk, Yang feels drained, but is a little happier getting all of her grievances off of her chest.

The next morning, Yang asks her father to spar with her, as she was getting tired of doing nothing with her life. Though reluctant due to her missing arm, Yang's father eventually agrees. During the match, Yang attempts to work around her disadvantage, even catching her father off-guard a couple of times. Ultimately, however, Yang loses handily. Feeling much better with herself, Yang decides to continue the sessions with her father.

The two spend weeks training together, growing closer as family members. Taiyang opens up about his relationship with Yang's mother, Raven, whom Yang only knows as well as a stranger. Taiyang shared stories about Raven, talking about her good qualities, as well as her bad qualities. When questioned why she left them, Taiyang decides not to answer. Knowing about Yang's desire to find her mother again, he tells her that he should ask her that question herself.

One night, Yang suffers from a bout of insomnia, tossing and turning in her bed. Deciding to get up to go get a glass of water, she overhears her father speaking on the phone with someone. Eavesdropping on the conversation, Yang is surprised to learn that the person on the other end was General Ironwood. She is further shocked when Taiyang refers to a prosthetic arm. Deciding she had heard enough, Yang gives up on her glass of water and rushes back to bed.

Yang decides not to tell her father about what she heard that night, and more weeks pass uneventfully. One day, Taiyang finally decides to tell Yang about what he spoke about that night. Yang chooses to tell the truth, revealing that she had already known. However, she was conflicted with the idea of regaining use of her arm.

A few days later, an Atlesian doctor shows up at the Xiao Long residence. They speak about Yang's prosthetic arm. Yang is still reluctant in accepting the proposal, and even contemplates turning down the new arm. However, with a bit of convincing from her father, Yang decides to agree to the terms, though she stressed that she wouldn't be using the arm for anything other than fighting.