A/N: Pyrrha is shown a secret underneath Beacon Academy. Meanwhile, You were started to get suspicious about Emerald .......and the rest of her team.

You were walking through the Colosseum and heading to the arena. However, along the way, you ran into Coco and her team.

Coco: Hey.

(Y/N): Ah, hello again, Coco.

Coco: Heading off to your next match?

(Y/N): Yep. Though I'm sorry that you and Yatsuhashi didn't make it to the next round.

Coco: Eh, it's fine. But those two were a lot tougher than I thought.

(Y/N): Indeed. It's still odd through.

Coco: What do you mean?

(Y/N): I mean that I think they might of used certain abilities or something to help them win.

Velvet: What, are you saying that they cheated or something?

(Y/N): I'm not saying that. It's just that that Emerald girl wasn't where she actually was through out the fight.

Coco: You mean like she was an Illusion?

(Y/N): I mean, it's possible. But, I just can't fully wrap my finger around it.

Coco soon sighed.

Coco: Well, whatever it is, I hope you find it out.

(Y/N): Yeah. As do I.

Coco: Wish you luck on your fight.

(Y/N): Thanks.

Coco: No problem.

You and Coco, as well as her team, walked separate directions, them to the seats while you headed of to the ring.

Port: up next is (Y/N), representing Beacon Academy.

(Y/N)'s mind: You know, I haven't actually taken the time to notice that I'm not getting boo'd at or given certain looks from some people this time around. Maybe some people were finally able to lighten up to me being here.  

You got on the ring and awaited for your opponent to step in. It didn't take long before you saw two of your opponents enter the stage. One was a somewhat bulky looking Faunus with a slightly tall horn on his forehead and a much smaller horn behind that one. The other seemed to be another reptilian, however, he looked a lot more armored plated and green-skinned. 

(Y/N)'s mind: Okay, I judging from their appearances, I'm dealing with a thick-skinned Rhino Faunus and an armored-Crocodile Faunus. I can already tell that this match will take a lot longer than the last one.

Port: 3 ......2 .......1 .......begin.

(Meanwhile).

Pyrrha was standing in Ozpin's office on the opposite side of his desk.

Ozpin: Well, it comes as no surprise that they've chosen you to move on to the final round of the tournament. Your performance was exemplary.

Pyrrha: Thank you, Professor Ozpin, but I would have never made it this far without my teammates.

Qrow: Personally, I think it's the other way around.

Pyrrha: I'm sorry, but I don't believe we've been introduced.

Qrow: Name's Qrow.

Ozpin: Qrow is a trusted colleague of mine.

Pyrrha: Professor, if you don't mind me asking, why have you called me here?

Ozpin: Please, take a seat.

When Pyrrha sat down, Ozpin put his fingers up to his lips while leaning back casually.

Ozpin: What is your favorite fairy tale?

Pyrrha: I'm ...sorry?

She asked in confusion.

Ozpin: Fairy tales, stories from your childhood. Surely you must remember some of them.

Pyrrha: Well, there's The Tale of The Two Brothers, The Shallow Sea, The Girl in the Tower...

Ozpin: What about The Story of the Seasons?

Pyrrha: Well, of course! A callous old man, who refuses to leave his home, is visited by four traveling sisters. The first understands his reclusive nature and urges him to use his time in solitude to reflect and meditate. The second brings him fruits and flowers, tending to his crops and revitalizing his garden. The third warms the man's heart, convincing him to step outside and embrace the world around him. And the fourth and final sister begs him to look at all that he has, and be thankful. In return for their kindness, the man grants the maidens incredible powers, so that they may continue to help others all over the world. They graciously accept, and promise to share their gifts with the people of Remnant 'til the end of days. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall; the Four Maidens. My mother loves that story.

Ozpin: Would you believe me if I told you that one's been around since I was a boy?

She laughed.

Pyrrha: You're not that old, Professor.

The headmaster turned from playful to deadly serious in a millisecond.

Ozpin: Well, would you believe me if I told you it was true?

Pyrrha was silent for a moment or two before she let out an uneasy chuckle.

Pyrrha: I beg your pardon?

Ozpin: What if I told you that there were four maidens existing in this world, that could wield such tremendous power, without Dust?

Pyrrha: You mean ...like a Semblance?

Ozpin: Like magic.

She looked down.

Pyrrha: I...

Qrow: Yeah. First time hearing this, it's pretty crazy.

Pyrrha turned her gaze from Qrow back to Ozpin again, amazed.

Pyrrha: You're serious?

Ozpin: Do I look like I'm joking?

Pyrrha: ...No. Why ...Why are you telling me this?

Ozpin glanced over to Qrow, who nodded his approval, before looking back to Pyrrha.

Ozpin: We are telling you this, Pyrrha Nikos, because we believe you are next in line to receive the Fall Maiden's powers.

Pyrrha: "We"?

At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and she saw Glynda and General Ironwood step out.

Ironwood: Sorry we're late.

Pyrrha: Wait, what is this? Who are you?

Glynda: You know who we are. We're still the same teachers and Headmasters you met when you arrived at Beacon.

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

Ironwood: We are the protectors of the world.

Ozpin: And we need your help.

Pyrrha was shocked into silence as everyone in the room looked to her.

(TimeSkip).

Pyrrha looked nervous, in the elevator with the group of "protectors". She looked at Ozpin and Glynda as if seeing them for the first time while a steady beeping signals each floor passed.

Pyrrha: Where are we going?

Ozpin: The vault. Under the school.

The elevator continued downward through the vertical tunnel of dark green lights until it opened it's doors and their passengers step out, with Pyrrha being the last to leave as she absorbed the sight of the large, sparsely-lit hallway she was now being lead through. Glynda waited up for her behind the others.

Goodwitch: I'm sure you must have questions.

Pyrrha: Maybe one, or two...

They continued on as she asked them.

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

Glynda: 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.

Glynda: Qrow.

Qrow: Hey, don't get mad 'cause I'm right.

Glynda turned her attention back to Pyrrha and started to explain it all carefully.

Glynda: At first, the only thing that was certain was that the powers were specifically passed on to young women. But as time went on, it was discovered that the selection process was much more ...intimate.

Pyrrha: ...Intimate?

Glynda: As we understand it now, when a Maiden dies, the one who is in her final thoughts is the first candidate to inherit her power.

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 long before the peace we've been enjoying for so long goes out the window.

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

Ironwood: Not a war between nations.

Qrow: We can fill you 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.

Pyrrha: B ....But .......what about (Y/N)?

There was silence before Ozpin sighed.

Ozpin: As strong as he is, in his current state, we fear that not even (Y/N) is strong enough to take on the bigger threat ahead on his own.

Pyrrha: What?!

A humming of electricity was heard as the group came to their destination at the end of the hallway: A large machine with lit screens hooked up to two rectangular pods, one of which was upright to show through the glass window a young girl dressed in minimal clothing with a burn scar over her left eye and across her face.

Pyrrha: Is that...

Palin sighed before replying.

Ozpin: The current Fall Maiden, Amber.

Pyrrha: 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 sighed as he closed his eyes.

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

Qrow: Look who's been listening!

He then whispered to Ozpin.

Qrow: 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. And to make matters worse, no one's seen the power split like this before. For all we know, it will seek out it's other half.

Pyrrha: ......Her assailant.

Ozpin: And that would not bode well for any of us.

Pyrrha lowered her head in thought, then suddenly came forward and placed a hand on the glass of Amber's pod. Pyrrha suddenly sounded more angry when she turned to the adults.

Pyrrha: 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?

Glynda: From what we understand, it used to be common knowledge.

Pyrrha: Excuse me?

Qrow: How do you think legends and fairy tales get started? Even the craziest ones come from somewhere.

Glynda: 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: And as you can imagine, the ones that succeeded weren't exactly the ones you'd want to have unimaginable power.

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

Glynda: 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 at our Kingdom's walls. Which is why we would like to...

Pyrrha: I'll do it. If you believe that this will help humanity ......then I will become your Fall Maiden.

She said as she looked at their wary faces.

Pyrrha: That's what you wanted, isn't it?

Ozpin: 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. Or in your case ...

Pyrrha: That's...

Ironwood: Classified.

Pyrrha:...Wrong!

Glynda: The feeling is mutual.

She said as she glaring over at Ironwood before looking back to Pyrrha.

Glynda: 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?

Ozpin: 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.

Pyrrha didn't respond and instead placed her hand on the glass separating the maiden from her potential replacement, seeing her scared expression reflected on the scarred face of the dying girl, before turning away from this expected destiny as Ozpin gave one final warning.

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

(Meanwhile).

Your match with both the Rhino and Crocodile Faunus was a long and challenging one considering you were having to deal with their tough and armored skin. But you won none the less. After you exited the ring and the next two combatants entered, Cinder just smirked as she sat in one of the Amity Colosseum's seats along with the rest of the cheering crowd, their screams being drowned out by the announcements.

Port: Now, on to the next match, ladies and gentlemen!

In the center of the battlefield's stage, Yang smirked confidently as she was ready to fight.

Port: 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 any good hunt, there will be zero time to prepare!

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

The energetic doctor pointed out to the screens above the stadium as the roulette started spinning, this time for competitors instead of biomes. The "random selection" was watched by the owner of the Crow Bar, a group of Human and Faunus kids, the visitors and workers at the Cross Continental Transmit System, before it gets back from the worldwide audience glimpses to reveal the first showdown.

Port: Yang Xiao Long and Mercury Black!

Ruby: Break a leg, sis!

As Cinder got up and started to leave the stands, she noticed you walking to the seats.

Cinder: Ah, (Y/N). I just wanted to tell you congratulations on your win in the that round.

(Y/N): Uh ....yeah. Well, I wish your teammate the best of luck.

Cinder: Indeed, I wish the same for yours.

She started to walk off before saying one more thing, but in what sounded like she said it in an almost intimidating, if not sinister tone.

Cinder: She's going to need it.

(Y/N): Hm?

(Y/N)'s mind: What did she mean by that?

You said as you were wondering what she meant until Ruby called you.

Ruby: (Y/N), hurry up! It's almost starting.

(Y/N): Oh ...coming.

You walked over and sat next to Ruby.

Port: Would all other combatants please leave the stage!

The rest of the lineup does so, and Yang starts walking up to Mercury in the middle as the floor around them opens once more, with a ring of spotlights rising up to automatically fix their lights on the remaining two.

Yang: You better not go easy on me.

Mercury: You wish.

Both brawlers faced the crowds one last time, then slowly started advancing on each other, arms raised defensively until their hands could almost touch, as the final countdown commences.

Port: Three! Two! One! Begin!

Immediately, Yang threw a punch, and Mercury spon his foot to meet it, creating a shockwave between the weapons that launched him back. He closed the distance quickly and aimed at her feet with his boot, but she leapt over it and fired off a shot of her Ember Celica that he rotated to avoid. They fight fist-to-fist for a moment, Yang getting in a fiery blast on her opponent at the cost of him also landing a blow on her. She fell back on her feet when Mercury shot himself into the air to get farther away from her, looked up and smiling. Yang didn't relent for a second, launching shot after shot only for Mercury to dodge each of them, sliding around the stage on clouds of air until he attempted to come down on her with his leg. She blocked and pushed away the attack, but he got under her shotgun burst and managed to land a kick on her, though she still landed in a crouch, now grimacing. She launched forward with a double blast and continued landing blow after blazing blow on him, right up to when he roundhouse kicked her in the back and attempted to hit her with his heel. She got out just in time and punched he ground trying to get him, but he leapt out and twirled to get a hit on her. One of his kicks seemed to pass over her, but then he brought it down hard enough to shatter the steel underneath, which Yang narrowly rolled backward to avoid. They exchanged kicks after the attack until Mercury hit her backwards, and he rushed forward only to receive a fist to his chin, then his torso, knocking him on his stomach. He got up right as Yang started raining down fire again, causing him to somersault back until one explosion caused him to get knocked off of the stage. He saved himself by firing his boots downward and flying back in front of his enemy, unleashing a series of kicks that she deflected with her arms. She ducked under one attack only to receive another as Mercury jumped into the air to knock her back, and he followed it up with a shot from his boots. Yang avoided it effortlessly, not noticing it still hanging around behind her. Switching tactics, Mercury started shooting his foot out in every direction, each kick into the air accompanied by a silvery blast that were barely even aimed at Yang. She dodged each one coming her way and got in close through the circling barrage of shots, fighting with their fists again until Mercury kicked her into the air and knocked her right back to the ground, followed by the dozens of swirling shots that now converge right on to Yang. When the blasts stopped coming down on his opponent, Mercury got up from his crouch and grinned to himself, dusting off his outfit and seeming as happy as can be until the smoke from behind him erupted into flames. His momentary shock turned into another smile as he turned around to see the red-eyed Yang slam her knuckles together and come at him. Screaming, she landed a punch that sends him back, and she rushed up avoiding each kick and even taking one with no effect to pound at him with an unrelenting bombardment of left-right blows. He had enough time to let out a pained groan before she hit him in the stomach, his Aura sparkling up to try and defend him from the last hit to the face by the upset blonde. He landed on his back as the buzzer sounded over the roars of the audience. Yang lowered her fists and closed her eyes and sighed in relief.

Port: What a way to kick off the finals!

Oobleck: Yang Xiao Long wins!

Ruby: Yeah! You did it, sis!

Blake: Way to go, Yang!

Yang wiped her brow with an arm as she addressed the hunched-over Mercury.

Yang: Better luck next time.

She started walking to the exit, getting pretty far away before Mercury seemed to get up outside her peripheral vision.

Mercury: There's not going to be a next time, Blondie!

(Y/N): YANG, WATCH OUT!

Yang turned around just in time to see Mercury leapt forward with a kick to his unsuspecting victim. Yang scowled as she just managed to both bring her gauntlet down on and shoot his leg before he hit her. The second she did so, there is a sound of something breaking. The audience gasped in shock, and Mercury reeled back from the pain.

Oobleck: My word!

Port: Cut the cameras!

(Y/N): What the hell?!

(Meanwhile)

The sounds from the Colosseum was heard all the way to Mount Glenn, where two Goliaths near a ruined hamburger joint and a pack of Beowolves up in the construction beams of an unfinished building all look toward the Colosseum floating near Beacon. Back at said Colosseum, Mercury was grasping at his "injured" body part while rocking back and forth.

Mercury: My leg, MY LEG!

Yang: That's what you get, you little ....Huh?

She stopped just as she noticed the Atlesian Knight-200 droids and two Soldiers circling the Huntress and raising their guns to her.

Soldier: Yang Xiao Long, stand down!

Yang: What!? Why!?

Emerald rushed over to her teammate.

Emerald: Mercury!

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

Yang received a disgusted scowl from Emerald, only now looking up at the screens above her to see the footage of what just transpired: Yang circling the crouched-down Mercury until the footage cut to him just standing there and her suddenly shooting him in the leg. The sound of something breaking rings out, and Mercury screamed and falls over in pain. You saw the footage too.

(Y/N): I don't understand, why would......?

You soon came to realize something.

(Y/N)'s mind: My god ...... an illusion. Yang must have saw another damn illusion and thought Mercury was attacking her.

You slammed your fast on a rail.

(Y/N): DAMN IT!

It took a moment of staring at the images until Yang finally understood what she did, and her gaze turned up to the wide-eyed, terrified faces of Blake, Weiss, and Ruby. She looked around at the guns aimed at her and the people cursing her name, still not knowing what just happened or what will come next.

A/N: And this is where all of the trouble begins.