I was in the coliseum watching the match between Mercury and Emerald versus Coco and Yatsuhashi, with Ruby to my left. The fight was already nearing its end. Yatsu was steam blasted in the face while Coco has to deal with Emerald's mind fuckery in the forest and soon enough she was also taken out.

Velvet: Coco?

Soon, we got up. I knew the outcome but still watched just like Cinder did. Even if you know how a story ends, it is still fun to watch.

Timeskip brought to you by a small compilation of chibi fights

We were once again in the dorm. Ruby and Yang wanted to spend time with their Uncle Qrow. Currently Ruby was up against Qrow on a mortal kombat type game. He was pretty much beating her with ease.

Ruby: You'll never beat me, old man!

Qrow: You're nothing but talk, kid.

Yang: You can do it, Ruby.

Y/n: Go Rubes!

Game: Soaring ninja wins total annihilation.

Yang: (Whispering) Ouch.

Qrow: By the way, never call me old.

Yang pushes Ruby out of the way and towards me, practically in my lap.

Yang: My turn.

Game: New challenger approaches

Qrow: Now, where was I?

Ruby leaned back into my chest as she spoke up. My tail finally started to actually move from my emotions after the years of suppression to wag said tail.

Ruby: You were telling us about your last mission.

Qrow: Right, right. I'd come across a small village in the swamps west of Mistral. Right off the bat, I knew something wasn't right.

Ruby: What were you doing there?

Qrow: I needed information. Tired from battling Grimm along the way, I decided to start my search at the town's inn. The place was crawling with lowlifes and thugs, even a few Huntsmen that I could only assume had been hired by less-than reputable people for less-than respectable jobs. And that's when it happened.

Yang: What happened?

Qrow: I was defeated... by the mere sight... of the innkeeper's skirt length!

Yang threw a dog pillow at Qrow's face as he dealt the finishing blow to Yang's character in-game.

Yang: You are the worst!

We all laughed at Yang's misfortune. I got Ruby out of my lap, much to her disappointment, and got the controller from Yang.

Y/n: Ready for a true gamer?

I select my character frozen ninja.

Game: New challenger approaches.

Qrow: Bring it on.

Ruby: Uncle Qrow, did you get in trouble with Ozpin?

Qrow: (waving the question off) Nah, me and Oz go way back. We're cool.

Yang: (scoffing) Cool for an old guy.

Qrow: (looking mad now) Not funny.

Ruby: So, what are you doing here anyway? I thought Dad said that you would be on a mission, for like... ever.

Game: Game start.

Qrow: Well, a professional Huntsman like myself is expected to get results as soon as possible.

Y/n: There's that, but some professionals need to take some time off, too.

Ruby: Yeeeeaaaah, I get that. (laughs) We're pretty much pros, too.

Qrow: Oh, really?

Yang: Psch, yeah! Read the news sometime. We totally saved Vale while you were gone.

Qrow: Funny, because I heard Vale suffered a Grimm attack after you almost managed to stop a train.

Game: Frozen ninja wins. Perfect annihilation.

Qrow: Lucky.

Y/n: Nope skills.

Qrow: Well, they don't give medals out for almost.

I get up and sit next to Ruby on Weiss's bed.

Ruby: (resolutely) They do, and it's called silver!

Yang: Well, we helped take down Roman Torchwick! He's locked up in Ironwood's ship, and crime's been down ever since! That's basically a bounty mission!

Qrow: Sure, you may be acting like Huntresses and Huntsman, but you're not thinking like one. Do you really think four girls, a guy, and their friends could end all crime in a kingdom?

Y/n: I never did. Even the superhero shows I watched as a kid couldn't stop all crime.

Ruby: (tapping her fingers together in embarrassment) I mean, I did until you said that...

Qrow: (sounding more serious now) Violence hasn't dropped since Roman got nabbed; it's stopped completely. No White Fang activity anywhere around the city. You cut off the head of the King Taijitu, but now the second head's calling the shots. That's what Ironwood can't get through that thick metal head of his.

Yang: (exchanging a look with Ruby and me) You... know the General?

Qrow: (back to his usual joking demeanor) Hey, I know everybody to some extent. Remember, you're talking to a member of the coolest team that graduated from Beacon!

He reaches behind him into one of his pockets and pulls out a photo lined with stains and age of four figures - himself, Raven Branwen, Taiyang Xiao Long, and Summer Rose. It looks

Qrow: Hah, Team STRQ... That's where I met your parents. We were pretty well known back in the day.

Ruby: Well known for crummy fashion sense!

Qrow: Hey, we looked good! And I have a number of inappropriate stories to back that up! (wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, but notices Yang continuing to stare at the picture and puts it away) But, I'll save those for when you're older.

Ruby: (recoils in disgust) Oh, gross!

Qrow: (getting up and walking out) Anyways, I'm too old to be hanging out with a bunch of kids. You're gonna cramp my style. Look, just remember that you've still got a long way to go...

He turns around and holds a finger up to express his seriousness.

Qrow: And don't think for a second that graduating means you're done. Every day out there is worth a week in this place. You two, you're gonna go far. But only if you keep learning; if you never stop moving forward.

We all ponder his words of wisdom as I get up and start heading to the one place the whole of team Rwby won't be able to find me at least yet to continue to think on alternative plans to the fall of Beacon. I reached my destination soon after the music room. I pull out a pen and paper. (a cookie to the people who get the reference) I get to work to try and come up with a plan.

Timeskip

Y/n: Aghhh there's too many fucking unknown variables.

I burn the paper in my hand to ash as I get up and punch the wall with my mechanical hand.

Y/n: I don't know the extent of the virus. Ironwood ignored my warning about how his machines could be hacked, saying (Ironwood voice) they have been thorough in the firewalls of all of Atlesian knights 200 they are impossible to hack. (Normal voice) I'm nowhere near the combat effectiveness as Pyrrha, so I can do Jack crap in that department against Cinder. Umbra is the biggest unknown him, and his semblance is a pain, too. Nothing I think of to at least hinder their plan either back fires or there's not enough info. I should probably head back Yang and Weiss have their match tomorrow.

I proceed to get out of the music room and go back to the dorm.

Timeskip past the match. If the match video isn't added, feel free to yell at me.

Y/n: Well, I guess Flynt really got you fired up.

Yang: Could use a little work.

I got a message from Ozpin on my scroll again. I'll go later for now. I'm gonna make sure my teammate is alright.

Y/n: Hey Yang, be careful with your first one on one.

Yang: Got it.

We start bringing Weiss to the nurse for a quick check-up after the fight. Turns out her aura took the brunt of it. After a bit, I left and went to Ozpin's office via portal. Upon entering, I saw Pyrrha sitting across from Ozpin and Qrow in the corner. Before I could speak, the elevator door opened, revealing Ironwood and Goodwitch.

Ironwood: Sorry we're late.

Y/n: No, I'm not doing this.

Pyrrha: What is this? Y/n, how did you? (Turns back to Ozpin) Who are you?

The three of them come a little closer towards Ozpin and Pyrrha.

Goodwitch: (trying to sound reassuring) You know who we are. We're still the same teachers and Headmasters you met when you arrived at Beacon.

Qrow: 'Cept we've got a little part-time job.

Ironwood: We are the protectors of this world.

Ozpin: And we need your help.

Pyrrha: Y/n you know about this, too?

Y/n: To much. I am not going to be forcing or trying to help her think a decision over.

Ozpin: That's not why I called you. I would think she would need a friendly face during this... exchange.

Y/n: More like info dump but fine.

We all pile into the elevator afterward and was brought down to the vault.

Pyrrha: (so what relaxed) Where are we going?

Ozpin: The vault under the school.

The elevator soon stops and opens to the barely lit hall. Everyone walked out with Pyrrha coming out behind me.

Goodwitch: I'm sure you must have questions.

Pyrrha: Maybe one or two. I still don't understand. You said I was next in line to receive the Maiden's power. What do you mean by that?

Goodwitch: The Maidens have existed for thousands of years. But much like in nature, the seasons change. No two summers are alike. When a Maiden dies, her power leaves her body and seeks out a new host, ensuring that the seasons are never lost and that no individual can hold on to that power forever.

Pyrrha: So, how does the power choose?

Qrow: Through a series of stupid and convoluted rules.

Goodwitch: Qrow.

Qrow: Don't get mad cause I'm right.

Y/n: It's chosen by the last person in their thoughts it has to be a young woman, tho.

Qrow: Unless it's a dude or some old hag. Then the power goes to someone random, and our job gets a lot harder.

Pyrrha: Why tell me all of this now? Why not wait until I've graduated?

Qrow: Honestly, we've run out of time. I don't know if you've noticed, but things are getting a lot scarier out in the world. Tensions are high. Grimm are growing stronger, more prevalent. And it's not going to be much longer before the peace we've been enjoying so much goes out the window.

Pyrrha: You're not... talking about a war?

Ironwood: Not a war between nations.

Qrow: We can fill you in on the details once we know that you're with us. For now, all you need to know is that one of the Maidens has been attacked. And for the first time in history, part of her power was stolen.

We soon came up to the end of the current hall, which has an electric hum in the air as everyone can finally see the medical pod holding the current fall Maiden. She was worse for wear since this was my first time seeing her in the flesh and not through a screen. It, in all honesty, looked worse than the show could show.

Pyrrha: Is that...

Ozpin: (sighs heavily) The current Fall Maiden, Amber.

Pyrrha: (holding herself) She's... still alive.

Ironwood: For now. We're using state of the art Atlas technology to keep her stable. But there is a lot about this situation, that is... unprecedented.

Pyrrha: What do you mean?

Ironwood: (sighs, eyes closed) Well, we don’t know what will happen if... when she passes.

Pyrrha: Won't... her power... just transfer to the next host?

Qrow: Look who's been listening! (whispering to Ozpin) She is smart.

Ironwood: Under normal circumstances, yes. But this is a delicate situation. It's not uncommon for the last thoughts of the slain to be of their attacker. (glances at Amber) And to make matters worse, no one's ever seen the power split like this before. For all we know, it will seek out its other half.

Pyrrha: ... Her assailant.

Y/n: Which is a most certain possibility.

Ozpin: (turning to Pyrrha) And that would not bode well for any of us.

Pyrrha: (suddenly sounding angry, turning to the teachers and gesturing wildly) If all of this is true, why keep it secret!? If this girl is so important... if we're truly on the brink of war, why not tell everyone?

Y/n: What good would that do, Pyrrha?

Goodwitch: (coming forward to explain) From what we understand, it used to be common knowledge.

Pyrrha: (not expecting that answer) Excuse me?

Qrow: (Now his turn to elaborate as he pulls out the familiar flask) How do you think legends and fairy tales get started? Even the craziest ones come from somewhere. (he gets the lid off and takes a swig)

Goodwitch: Our group was founded in order to protect both mankind and the Maidens. Those hungry for power hunted them with the hope of inheriting their strength.

Qrow: (finishing his drink) And as you can imagine, the ones that succeeded weren't exactly the kind of people you'd want to have unimaginable power.

Ironwood: And so this brotherhood chose to remove the Maidens from the public eye, allowing their existence to fade away into legend.

Goodwitch: The things we're telling you go against hundreds of years of human history and religion.

Ironwood: No one would want to believe us. It would cause an uproar.

Ozpin: It would cause panic. And we all know what that would bring to clawing to our Kingdom's walls. (turns his gaze away from the others) Which is why we would like to...

Pyrrha: I'll do it. (Ozpin looks up, surprised, as she stares at the ground, continuing) If you believe that this will help humanity... then I will become your Fall Maiden. That's what you wanted, isn't it?

Ozpin: (stepping towards her) It is, but I'm afraid it's not that simple. Given Amber's condition, you won't be able to inherit her power naturally. However, General Ironwood believes he has a solution.

Ironwood: For the past few years, Atlas has been studying Aura from a more scientific standpoint; how it works, what's it made of, how it can be used. We've made... significant strides. And we believe we've found a way to capture it.

Qrow: Capture it and cram it into something else. (gestures to Pyrrha as she takes a second to realize what that means) Or in your case ...

Pyrrha: (to Ironwood) That's...

Ironwood: Classified.

Pyrrha: ... wrong!

Goodwitch: (glaring at Ironwood) The feeling is mutual. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

Ironwood: And these are indeed desperate times. We can't transfer Amber's power to you, but we can give you what those powers are bound to.

Pyrrha: ... Her Aura.

Ozpin: Her life... would become intertwined with yours. The question is...

Qrow: What's that going to do to you?

Y/n: I don't even know myself.

Ozpin: (as Pyrrha fully understands the dangers she might face) You have an important decision before you, Miss Nikos. There's no guarantee this transfer will work. And there's no telling if you will be the same person if it does. I advise you to take time on this matter. But understand that before the Vytal Festival is over, we will need your answer.

She places her hand on the glass of the pod as I try to somewhat comfort her.

Ozpin: The assailant that attacked the Fall Maiden has made their first move. And there's no telling when their next move will be.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Bacca: Alright, now we start the final.

Ruby: He really did try and think of things that could go different, but nothing.

Bacca: Yeah, I could technically have him try and fight Cinder and somehow miraculously wins, but not doing that it would be too outlandish. The only possible hit he could ever do at this point in time is snipe her from a long distance. I can do that easily. I've shot a 22 rifle 200 yards and hit a clay pigeon on the ground with the scope set for 100 yards. So yeah, the only possible thing is a single shot middle mass on Cinder, but even that would be hard since there is no other building high enough. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed it and I will see you next time.