(3rd Person POV)

It was time for the Vytal Festival Tournament Finals. The final contestants, which included Pyrrha, Cassie, Sun, Yang and Mercury stood in the center of the arena as the crowd went wild. Cassandra, who was in the crowd, noticed her sister, Pyrrha's expression being nerve-racking, most likely from her still thinking about the Fall Maiden.

Port: Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for, the one on one finals! Barty, why don't you explain the rules?

Oobleck: Ah, it's quite simple Peter! Instead of a bracket system, each round of the finals will be randomly determined immediately before the match takes place!

Port: Much like a good hunt, there will be zero time to prepare!

Oobleck: Ah, yes, yes! Now, let's see who our first match will be!

The randomizer begun as everyone stared at it eagerly. Eventually, it landed on Mercury, then Yang.

Port: Yang Xiao Long and Mercury Black!

Ruby: Break a leg sis!

Port: Would all other combatants please leave the stage!

Everyone besides Yang and Mercury left as the dead center of the arena began to rise up and spotlights come down.

Yang: You better not go easy on me.

Mercury: Hmph, you wish.

Port: 3... 2... 1... FIGHT!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

(Watch the fight above. I too lazy to write it out, UU RR.)

Port: What a way to kick off the finals!

Oobleck: Yang Xiao Long wins!

Ruby: YEAH! YOU DID IT SIS!

Blake: Way a go Yang!

Olympia: WHOOO!!! YAY YANG!!!

Cassie: Good job, Goldie!

Cassandra looked at her and smiled.

Cassandra's thoughts: Good job.

Yang took a glance at the downed Mercury.

Yang: Better luck next time.

She walked past him towards the exit as the platform lowered itself but she stopped, upon hearing Mercury's voice.

Mercury: There won't be a next time, Blondie!

Yang turned around to see Mercury lung a kick at her. Reacting to this, Yang punched his leg, creating a sickening crunch and an uproar from the crowd.

Port: My word!

Oobleck: Cut the cameras!

Mercury began to hold his leg in pain as Yang looked at him angry.

Mercury: My leg! MY LEG!

Yang: That's what you get you little- Huh?

Yang noticed that she was surrounded by two atlesian knights and two guards.

Guard: Yang Xiao Long, stand down!

Yang: What!? Why!?

Emerald: Mercury!

Mercury: Why'd she do that!? WHY'D SHE ATTACK ME!?

Emerald scowled at Yang to her confusion. She then looked up to the screen, only to see her punch a downed Mercury in his leg without warning. Yang took on an expression of shock, disbelief and regret. Then she turned to her teammates, only to see them just as horrified as she is. But what she saw, was Cassandra being held back by Cassie and Blake.

Cassandra:*aggressive growls*

Cassie: No Cassandra! You can't do anything rash!

Blake: Please! If you do anything, then you risk-

Cassandra cut her off with an angered yell as Iris roared and she transformed into her Hybrid form, knocking back both Blake and Cassie before rushing towards Yang.

Olympia: Cassandra!

As she neared them, she fired off her >Sonic Scalpel< at full power, which destroyed the two Atlesian Knights instantly and injured the two soldiers, putting holes through their shoulders, causing them to fall over in pain.

Yang looked to see Cassandra flying towards her, holding her hand out but just as she was about to make contact...

Cassandra: *gasps* AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

She screamed in pain as a collar with lightning dust embedded in it shot itself towards her and clipped around her neck, forcing her out of her Hybrid form and sending her plummeting into the ground, unconscious.

Pyrrha: KALIYAH!!!

Pyrrha cried out for her sister as General Ironwood, along with four of his soldiers entered the arena.

Ironwood: Apprehend both Xiao Long and Ryuseicho.

Soldiers: Yes sir!

Two of the soldiers quickly went over to Yang and forced her into restraints as two others, approached the unconscious Cassandra was about to tie her up, but a streak of Golden lightning bolts and golden beams of energy interrupted them and knocked them back. Ironwood gritted his teeth and got ready with his revolver as Cassie and Olympia stood in between him and Cassandra, both in their Hybrid forms.

Cassie: You're not taking EITHER of them into a cell!

Ironwood: Cassie, Olympia. Move out of the way, or I'll arrest you both too.

Olympia: Please! Don't do this!

Ironwood: I will say it one last time. Move. Out. Of. The. Way.

Cassie: Hmph. Make us!

Ironwood narrowed his eyes before he and his soldiers pointed their weapons at the two Hybrids, who got into battle stances with their specific Guardian Beasts roaring in the background. But before anything could happen, a hand rested on Ironwood's shoulder, causing him to turn around, only to be slightly surprised at who it was; a young man.

???: That's enough James.

Ironwood: You-

???: Just stop. Their doing what they think is right, and that is defending their friends, their family. So instead of forcing them in a cell, get them back to their dorms. Besides, Oz and Glynda would be very pissed off with you if you hurt any of our friends here.

Ironwood glared at him before sighing.

Ironwood: Bring them to their respective dorm rooms.

Following their new orders, she soldiers and Knights took Yang, Cassandra, Cassie and Olympia to their dorm rooms, but before she left the stadium, Cassie turned to the young man.

Cassie: Why...?

???: You girls are friends of little Roselyn so you're automatically friends of mine.

Cassie: Roselyn...... *looks at him* Who are you?

The young man smirked.

???: Just a little ol' Phoenix.

And with that, she sprouted what looked like Phoenix wings on his back before taking off, leaving a confused Cassie.

"THE DEMON BEAST OF DESTRUCTION"
CHAPTER 6: THE BEGINNING OF THE END

(3rd Person POV)

Cassandra groaned as her eyes fluttered open, revealing her to be in her dorm room.

Olympia: Ah! You're awake, thank goodness!

She looked to her right, to see Olympia standing next to her with a beyond relieved expression, and with her holding the lightning dust collar from earlier. Cassie was seen behind her, with her fists clenched.

Cassandra: *grunts painfully*

Cassie: That bastard...

Both Olympia and Cassandra looked at Cassie, whose fists began to shake...

Cassie: Trying to arrest Yang... Threatening to arrest us... I can get past those... But he... he... he hurt you... He tazed you in front of thousands of people... in front of ME...

Olympia: Cassie...

Cassandra looked down, knowing that what she caused, hurt the entire team in many ways, even getting Cassie disqualified from the finals. Cassie began taking deep breaths as since she was her team's second-in-command, she had to keep cool. She sighed.

Cassie: Let's go see how Yang's doing, huh?

She suggested as she began to open the door.

Olympia: B-But, the General has his robots guarding our door so we can't leave!

Cassie: *scoffs* Oh yeah, I forgot. Let me take care of that real quick.

Just as Olympia said, Cassie was immediately met by two Atlesian Knights pointing their guns at her but all Cassie did was snap her fingers, causing both Knights to explode in a surge of electricity.

Cassie: There. Problem solved. Come on.

As Cassie left the room, Olympia and Cassandra shared a glance before following suit. As they approached Team RWBY, the Atlesian Knights that were standing outside the door, immediately noticed the three and aimed their guns at them, but they were immediately disabled by Cassandra's tentacle blades. As they stood in front of the door, they could hear the argument inside the door. Cassie crossed her arms.

Ironwood: I'm sorry but you've left us with no choice.

Yang: But he attacked me!

Ironwood: Video footage and millions of viewers say otherwise.

Weiss: But Yang would never do that!

Ruby: Yeah!

Ironwood: You all seem like good students and the staff here at Beacon are fully aware that you would never lash out the way you did... under normal circumstances. What I believe and hope this to be is nothing more than the result of stress and adrenaline. When you're out on the battlefield, your judgment can become clouded in an instant. Something you see things that simply aren't there. Even after the fight is past...

Yang: But I wasn't-

Ironwood: THAT'S ENOUGH!

There was a brief silence as Cassandra began to quietly growl.

Ironwood: I'm sorry but the sad truth is, whether it was an accident or a set up, it doesn't matter. The world saw Ms. Xiao Long attack an innocent student. They've already drawn their own conclusions and it's my job to inform her that... she is disqualified.

Cassie whispered to her teammates.

Cassie: Get ready. If he tries anything, put him down like the sad dog he is immediately.

Olympia and Cassandra complied, the former raising her wings ready to use her >Sparkling Payload< and the latter, charging her >Sonic Scalpel<. Just then, the door opened, revealing Ironwood, who immediately looked annoyed upon seeing the three Hybrid girls.

Ironwood: You...

Cassie: Save your breath. We're not here for you, we're here for our friend. So step aside before we get some payback right here and now.

Ironwood narrowed his eyes at them before grunting and pushing his way past them, only to groan in annoyance upon seeing his destroyed Knights. As he stomped away, Ruby, Weiss and Blake exited their doom just as Team JNPR's door opened and they poked their heads out.

Olympia: Um... How's Yang?

Jaune: She doing okay?

Blake: She's doing the best she can.

Ruby: I heard Mercury and his team rushed back to Haven to be with his family. So, until they land, no one can really question him about what happened.

Ren: If there's anything we can do, please don't hesitate to ask.

Ruby: Alright then, if that's the case... Pyrrha?

Pyrrha, who was sitting on her bed, looked out of the door at the red hooded Huntress-in-training.

Pyrrha: Hmm?

Ruby: Be sure to win one for Beacon, okay?

Weiss: It's what Yang would want.

Cassie: Way to put more pressure on her, girls...

Ruby and Weiss giggled nervously, while sharing glances as Cassie shook her head with a sigh. Cassandra looked at them before lookin at Pyrrha, seeing her saddened expression. She sighed before approached her sister. As Pyrrha looked up to see Cassandra approaching, her eyes went wide immediately as her younger sister brought her into an embrace, shocking everyone.

Pyrrha: K-Kaliyah!??

Everyone: Kaliyah???

Cassandra telepathically: Just do your best, sis. And please try not to think about the Maiden... For me?

Pyrrha's eyes burned as tears threatened to show but she kept herself together and smiled before returning the embrace.

Pyrrha: Of course. Anything for you, little sister.

Everyone: LITTLE SISTER!?

The two broke the hug and looked at their friends, only to see them staring at them in absolute shock and disbelief.

Cassie: Mind telling us about... you know.

Pyrrha: *giggles nervously* Ah... Yes. Well, the truth is... Cassandra and I are actually sisters.

Jaune: Wait, what?

Ruby: REALLY!?

Pyrrha: Yeah. We found out earlier from my... uh, OUR mother. Cassandra went missing at 8 and no matter how our parents tried to find her, they couldn't. Her real name is actually, Kaliyah Nikos.

Cassandra nodded in agreement.

Blake: Wait, if you two are related by blood, then that means...

Pyrrha: Apparently, I'm like Kaliyah and...

Cassie: You're a Hybrid too... What the hell. First Laz, now you... What's next, the fifth Guardian Beast showing up out of nowhere???

Nora: Argh! What is going on!?

Olympia giggled as Ren sighed and facepalmed.

Ruby: Well, I'll be sure to watch tonight in case you're picked Pyrrha!

Olympia: Ooh! Me too! I'll be cheering you on!

Blake: Sorry but, I think I've had enough fighting for one year.

Cassie: And considering Irondick decided be all butt-hurt and disqualify me from the finals, I don't feel like watching another fight. So, Tea Date, Kitty?

Blake: *smiles* Tea Date.

Blake and Cassie walked off, hand in hand. Team JNPR went back into their dorm, leaving Ruby, Olympia, Cassandra and Weiss.

Ruby: What about you two?

Weiss: I'm going to go visit him.

Ruby: Oh... Tell him hi for me and Yang.

Weiss: *smiles* Will do.

Weiss left the three alone as Olympia turned to her teammate.

Olympia: What about you, Cassandra? Or... Kaliyah...?

Cassandra looked down, before looking at the door to Team RWBY's dorm.

Ruby: She said that she wanted to be alone for a while...

Cassandra downcasts...

Ruby: But...

She looked back at the girl in the red hood.

Ruby: I don't think she'll mind if you go be with her. Just take care of her for me, okay?

Cassandra raised an eyebrow at her before her eyes widened and her face was overtaken by a furious wave of blush, causing both Ruby and Olympia to begin giggling.

Ruby: My theory was right! But in all seriousness, just be there for her please.

Olympia: Good luck, Cassandra~!

Ruby and Olympia skipped off leaving a flustered Cassandra standing by her lonesome. She looked down, before a picture of Yang's grin flashed through her mind. She looked at the door to Team RWBY's dorm before taking a deep breath and turning the knob, revealing Yang to be sitting on Weiss' bed, her head hung low.

Yang: *sigh* I thought I said I wanted to be alone...

The answer Yang received were footsteps entering the room and the door closing. She huffed with slight irritation.

Yang: I said I want to be alone-

She cut herself off upon seeing Cassandra, standing in front of her. Yang's eyes widened as one of her closest friends who she witnessed getting tazed in front of her, was completely fine.

Yang: Cassandra! Y-You're okay!

Yang got up excited, ready to tackle the Hybrid into a hug but quickly stopped herself and downcasts.

Yang: I-I'm sorry... You only got tazed just because you were trying to protect me...

Cassandra telepathically: Don't be sorry. It was my own fault for rushing in without thinking... But I don't regret it.

Yang suddenly snapped her head towards Cassandra, her eyes turning a dangerous red.

Yang: Why!? You saw what I did! I attacked him in front of thousands of people! And you got hurt because of me. I'm just a monster...-

*SLAP*

Yang's eyes shot wide open as a bright red mark took over her right cheek and her Aura Shimmered slightly; Cassandra had slapped her... and thanks to her enhanced capabilities from her blood, Cassandra's slap was strong enough to cause damage to Yang's Aura. Yang looked at Cassandra shocked, as she held her cheek.

Cassandra telepathically: You... are a fucking idiot. You know that? But hey, you're Lazarus' sister so I'm not surprised...

Yang stared at her in disbelief as Cassandra sighed, and sat next to the blonde bruiser before looking at her dead in the eyes, her orange ones into her now saddened iliac ones.

Cassandra telepathically: But hey, that's why I like you so much.

Yang's face took on a whole other level of shock as a furious blush flushed across her face.

Yang: C-Cassandra??

Cassandra too began to blush but tried to hide it.

Cassandra telepathically: A-Anyways... What I'm trying to say is... It doesn't matter if the entire world saw it and believe it... I will only believe what you saw... And you said he attacked you first, so I'll believe that over anything else. Not only because you're my friend... But... Because I... I...

Cassandra began to struggle at what she was saying and Yang continued to look at her, before she quickly caught on and blushed madly.

Yang: Cassandra... You mean you...

Cassandra sighed and fully faced the blonde.

Cassandra telepathically: Yeah... I like you Yang, a lot... But it doesn't matter. You wouldn't like someone like me – who can't speak and is a freak-

Immediately cutting her off, was Yang who smash her lips against hers, causing her eyes to widen from shock. Cassandra attempted to pull away but Yang wasn't having any of it and wrapped her arms around Cassandra, forcing her to remain where she was. Cassandra just gave up and finally kissed back, closing her eyes in the process. Yang was being quite forceful and rough, most likely using this kiss to release all of her built up frustration and stress, to the point she managed to force her tongue into Cassandra's mouth, who began to fight back. After a few minutes of none stop saliva exchanging, the two finally separated with heavy pants from the lack of oxygen.

Yang: Don't say that... I don't care if you can't speak normally. I love you no matter what, Cassandra.

Cassandra's eyes burned as tears fell from them and onto the sheets below her. She couldn't believe it... Yang Xiao Long, someone who she's admired ever since she began to trust others and had feeling for, felt the same about her...

Cassandra telepathically: I... I love you too, Yang.

*********************************

Within his soul, Lazarus sat on the snowy ground as his mother worked her magic. The sky, which was originally filled with massive cracks, was more cleared up now, showing off thinner cracks. Azealia sighed.

Azealia: Okay. You're soul's about 80% complete, which means you should start to wake up soon.

Lazarus: That's good to hear... Thanks mom... for everything.

Azealia: *downcasts* I wouldn't thank me... I left you all alone for the majority of your life and because of that, you were scarred...

Lazarus: You're wrong...

Azealia looked back at her son, only to see him walking up to her.

Lazarus: You chose to put your life on the line, just to make sure I could make it out alive, just like what any other mother would do. And you didn't leave me alone. I found people who cared about me... Another set I could safely call...Family... Ruby... Yang... my little sisters... Summer and Taiyang, my adoptive parents... Qrow my uncle... And all of my friends at Beacon... Heck, I fell in love with someone from the same family I hate... A Schnee...And you've been with me, every step of the way. Right in here. *points to his heart and smiles* I couldn't be more grateful for all you've done for me, mom.

Azealia looked at him shocked but not for the reason he thoughts...

Azealia: Lazarus...

Lazarus: Yes, mom?

Azealia: What was the name of your uncle...?

Lazarus seemed confused but complied anyways.

Lazarus: Qrow...? Why? Do you know him or something?

Azealia was obviously being very hesitant but took a deep breath before looking up at her son, with a rare sight of serious eyes.

Azealia: Yes... I know him very well.

Lazarus, still oblivious, began to ask his mother questions.

Lazarus: Oh, did you two go to the same Huntsman Academy or something? Or were you two partners?

Azealia: Lazarus, my son.

Her serious tone caught him off guard as he gave her his full attention...

Azealia: Remember when I told you that your father went missing four years after you were born?

Lazarus: Uh... Yes... But why are you...

It seems like he finally understood as his eyes widened from disbelief.

Lazarus: Wait... Y-You don't mean...

Azealia: Yes... Qrow is your real father.

. . .

Lazarus: W-What...? B-But then... He...

Lazarus was obviously having a very hard time processing the situation. You could practically see the gears turning in his head as he tried to make sense, failing to every time. But the more he thought about it, the more it kind of made sense... He was told his father was a Human and a Huntsman, which were both what Qrow was... After a brief moment of uncomfortable silence, he finally spoke.

Lazarus: Why... Why did he leave...?

Azealia: Don't judge him, Lazarus... I know from any normal person's perspective, it was child abandonment... But, the reality isn't so simple...

Lazarus: Then tell me. Tell me the reason.

His voice was getting desperate now...

Azealia: I... I guess I'll start with this one first... Lazarus Branwen... You are... a triplet.

No amount of words could explain the amount of shock Lazarus was experiencing...

Lazarus: What...?

Azealia: Yes... You had a brother and sister... When you all were born, Qrow was more than happy... He always had a grim look on his face, but that was one of the rare moments I've ever seen him beam up like the way he did; the first time was when we confessed our love to each other. But something happened... you brother's heart suddenly stopped shortly after birth... The doctors did their best to restart it, but couldn't... and well, he died...

Lazarus' long white hair, fell in front of his eyes, shadowing them...

Lazarus: ...What happened... to my sister...?

Azealia: When you were both 4, she went missing... We had tucked you and her into bed together but like an hour or two after, we heard the sound of glass shattering and you crying... But when we got up there, you were in your bed crying and the window to your room was open...... and your sister... was gone... Not a single trace of her left behind... You're sister, Seraphim Branwen went missing on that night...

Lazarus: ...... Was she a Vampire-Godzilla-Hybrid too...? Like me?

Azealia: That's... where things gets complicated... Believe it or not, but I was born from two different Hybrid parents.

Lazarus: What...?

Azealia: Yeah... So, technically I'm a Hybrid-Hybrid... Which sounds stupid.

Lazarus: What were the Guardian Beasts in question...?

Azealia: Godzilla... and... The Demon God of Death: Battra.

Lazarus's eyes widened...

Lazarus: The Fifth Guardian Beast...?

Azealia: Yes. My mother, was a Vampire-Battra-Hybrid while my father, was a Godzilla-Hybrid. When they had me, I ended up primarily taking the blood of Godzilla from my father, but I gained the Vampire genes from my mother. However, hiding somewhere in my bloodstream, was the blood of Battra. When I had you and your sister, you took my Godzilla and Vampire blood, making you a Vampire-Godzilla-Hybrid, while your sister, took my Battra blood, making her...

Lazarus: A Vampire-Battra-Hybrid...

Azealia: That's right... I don't know where she is... I can't sense her at all... But I know she's alive... I can feel it...

Lazarus: If that's the case... Then what excuses Qrow for leaving?

Azealia: I'll ask you this, son... "Did you know Crows are a sign of Bad Luck?".

Lazarus: What...?

Azealia: That's what he asked me, the first time we met. Qrow's Semblance... I bet he never told you about it, or his nieces... But, it brings Misfortune on those around him and he has no control over it. It's useful when he's in a battle... but when around friends... and family, it becomes a burden, more often hurting others...

Lazarus: So... The reason he left was...

Azealia: Yes... He believed his Semblance was the cause of your brother's death... and of Seraphim's disappearance... No matter how much I tried to talk him out of it, he wouldn't stop berating himself... His drinking problem became much, much worse... And, he eventually left, hoping that without him around, we've be able to live a better life... I couldn't stop him from leaving... But I promise you, that he wanted nothing more than to stay by your side, and watch you grow into a powerful Huntsman.

All of this news was just... very overwhelming for Lazarus... He was a triplet... His brother died... His sister, who was a Vampire-Battra-Hybrid was kidnapped... Qrow... was his father...?

*********************************

After Olympia had flown herself and Ruby up to the Amity Colosseum in hope of catching the next singles match, they sat down in their seats, only to spot a certain mess of emerald hair...

Ruby: Emerald's... here...?

Olympia's eyes widen from shock before suddenly she gritted her teeth...

Olympia: Something's not right... Maina, Miana!

Suddenly from her shoulders, the twin priestesses in their miniature forms, appeared.

Maina and Miana: Yes princess?

Olympia: Find a way to stop the match immediately

Maina and Miana: Understood!

Immediately, still in their miniature form, the two hopped off of their Princess' shoulders before returning to their normal sizes and quickly shuffling their way through it.

Ruby: Olympia?

For the first time that anyone has seen, Ruby saw Olympia's facial expression, which turned from her normally bubbly and innocent one... to a grim and dead serious one.

Olympia: Ruby. Follow me.

Ruby: R-Right.

As they made their way towards a yellow maintenance door and enter it, Port and Oobleck began to speak.

Oobleck: Alright, it's now time to begin the randomization process for our next fight!

They continued to speed-walk through the maintenance hall, before running into a familiar smug face... Mercury... And he was standing up, perfectly fine.

Ruby: Mercury?

He just turned to face the two girls, before smirking.

Port: It looks like our first contender is... Penny Polendina from Atlas...

Olympia: What are you doing here??? How are you standing up??

Port: And her opponent will be... Pyrrha Nikos from Beacon!

Ruby's eyes widen at the mention of Pyrrha's name.

Ruby: No...

Olympia: Ruby, what is it???

Mercury: Ooh, Polarity versus Metal. That could be bad.

To be Continued...

—————————————————
And the Fall Of Beacon Begins...