In Beacon, after the incident where Yang broke the leg of Mercury unprovoked, General Ironwood was speaking with Yang in her dorm with the rest of Team RWBY being there for her support.

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: *stands up* Yeah!

Yang holds her head in her hands as the General sighs. He knows what he saw but he doesn't believe that she would just attack someone out of the blue like that. But what choice does he have?

Ironwood: You all seem like good students. And the staff here at Beacon are fully aware that you would not lash out the way you did. Under normal circumstances. The sad truth is: Whether it was an accident or an assault, it doesn't matter. Everyone saw you attack an innocent student. They've already drawn their own conclusions. And it's my job to inform you that....you've been disqualified.

A horrified look grew upon Yangs face. She was being punished for a crime she knew she would never commit. But no one who was there would believe her. Not everyone.

Ironwood walks out of the room leaving the girls alone to talk.

Yang: You guys believe me, right?

Ruby: Duh!!

Weiss: You're hot-headed, but not ruthless.

Blake: ........

Yang: Blake?

Blake says nothing and breaks eye contact with Yang and Weiss and Ruby were very surprised at Blake's silence to say the least.

Blake: I want to believe you..

Weiss: What's THAT supposed to mean?!

Tears well up in Yangs eyes that her own friend and teammate doesn't believe that she wouldn't attack Mercury unprovoked.

Yang: Blake..?

Weiss: How could you say something like that?! Yang would NEVER lie to us!

Blake:*sigh* I had someone very dear to me change. It..wasn't in an instant. It was gradual. The little choices that began to pile up. He told me not to worry. At first, they were accidents. Then it was "self defense". Before long, I began to think that he was right. This is all just...very familiar. But you're not him. And you've never done anything like this before. So, I want to trust you. I WILL trust you. But first, I need you to look me in the eyes and tell me that HE attacked YOU. I need you to promise me that you regret doing what you did.

Yang sniffles and wipes the tears from her eyes and looming Blake in hers before telling her the truth about what happened.

Yang: I saw him attack me. So I attacked back.

Blake closed her eyes shut and a smile grew across her face and she looked at Yang, reassured about her teammates feelings.

Blake: Okay. Thank you.

Yang: I think I'm gonna rest up.

Knock Knock Knock!

The girls all turn their heads to the door and wait a few seconds before Ruby speaks up.

Ruby: Uh, who is it?

Dante: It's us, Red. You better open up before Dom busts down the door. He looked pissed!

Ruby dashes over to the door and opens it for their friends in Team ODDS. Dante was about to speak but Dominic pushed him out of the way immediately after he opens his mouth.

Dominic: Where's Yang?!

Her teammates hear the urgency in Dominic's voice and Blake and Weiss smile at Yang who hides her face from them as they get up and walk towards the door where they let Dominic through and watch him go over towards Yang and get down to her level with a look of concern on his face.

Dominic: Are you okay?

Yang:*smiles and nods* Much better now that you're here.

Dante: Uh...we're here too?

Sapphire:*hits him* Don't ruin their moment!

Weiss: We'll just give you two some space.

Obito: Don't do anything Dante would do!

Dante: Hey!

Both teams leave the room and close the door shut, leaving Yang and Dominic alone together in her dorm.

Weiss:*sigh* This is a mess.

Dante: Yeah...

Jaune: She..doing okay?

Jaune and the rest of Team JNPR wait for a response while they were in their dorm.

Blake: Good. Better now that Dominic is in there with her.

Sapphire: She'll be fine.

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.

Dante: Now that you mention it,

Ruby: What is it, Dante?

Dante: I want you three to interview the team that went up against Emerald and Mercury's team. Something doesn't add up about those four.

Jaune: Will do.

Weiss: What about you?

Sapphire: Dante and I will do some "detective work". And Pyrrha,

Pyrrha:*turns* Yes?

Sapphire: Win one for Beacon. It's what Yang would have wanted.

Pyrrha: I'll...do my best~*smile*

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

Blake: I..think I had more than enough fighting for one year.

Weiss: Ditto.

Obito: Same here. I need a break.

Weiss: Coffee?

Obito/Blake: Tea.

With the three tea lovers leaving, Dante and Sapphire soon leave to start there investigation which leaves Ruby by herself. She blows a soft raspberry before waving to her friends and leaves.

Jaune shuts the door to his teams dorm and Nora gets into Pyrrha's face with her usual boisterous attitude.

Nora: You heard the lady! No more moping about!!

Nora then quickly changed into workout clothes and began doing super fast jumping jacks and sit-ups while trying to motivate Pyrrha.

Nora: We've gotta get your butt in shape for the biiiig fight! It could be today! It could be tomorrow! IT COULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT FIGHT OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE!!!!

Nora deadlifts a thousand pound weight above her head but it proves too much for her and she falls to the ground.

Pyrrha: Uhhh..

Ren: She's right.

Pyrrha turns and sees that Ren had put on a pink apron with the words "Please Do Nothing To The Cook" written in dark purple letters.

Ren: You can't let your concern over Yang hold you back. You need to focus. You and Dominic will be defending the honor of Beacon Academy. And only one of you will come out victorious.

Pyrrha: Of course. I—

Ren sticks a glass of green juice in her face that smells like a fresh cut lawn but looks like algae from a pool scrapped off and put into a glass of water.

Ren: This blend of herbs and vegetables is filled with the vital nutrients that your body's well being.

Pyrrha: O-oh! That's...

Ren: Please, there's no need to thank me.

Nora: "Thank" you? Ugh! That looks like slime from a lakebed!

Ren: Algae contains numerous spectacular properties. See for yourself.

Ren let's Nora take a sip of the supposed super drink but it only succeeded in making her sick and green in the face with the added benefit of making her vomit into a trash can. Although the mood was somber, her teammates goofy nature does put a smile on Pyrrha's face.

Nora: What is wrong with you?! Blech!

Ren: Me? You're the one who wasted perfectly good juice.

Nora: We're supposed to help Pyrrha, not POISON her!

Ren: There was absolutely NOTHING wrong with that.

Nora: If it looks the same coming up as it does going down, then there's something wrong!

Jaune decides to jump in and separate the two before a possible fight could happen.

Jaune: Hey, how about we all get some fresh air?

Jaune gives Pyrrha a reassuring smile before they all leave and head outside to relax after the recent events where inside of her dorm, Yang watches them walk along the stone path outside of Beacon. She looks sadly at how happy Team JNPR was but that mood quickly changed once Dominic placed a hand on hers and she turns around to give him a soft smile which he returned.

Yang: I'm really glad you're here with me, Dom.

Yang says softly before leaning her head on his shoulder.

Dominic: Always,

He responds before wrapping his arm around her. She feels safe in his arms. Like nothing could harm her if he was cradling her in his arms.

Yang: I never thought I could feel so safe with someone.

Dominic: I'm glad that I can be that person.

Yang: We've been through so much together. After everything, I still feel like no one believes my words but you.

Dominic: I'm probably the only person who truly believes your words outside of Ruby and your family.

Yang gives him a grateful smile before snuggling closer to him. They stay like that for a while, enjoying each others close presence to each other.

Dominic: Yang, I feel like now I can finally tell you how I feel.

Yang looks up at him, her heart racing at a thousand beats a minute.

Dominic: I...*takes a breath* Ever since coming here, I've changed from who I once was. I kept to myself, I only spoke when spoken to, and I didn't try to make friends.

Yang: You were a real "Blake", huh?

The two shared a small laugh together. Dominic places a hand on her cheek and brushed aside her blonde locks to which she leans into his hand.

Dominic: But you've all helped me become who I was always meant to be. You didn't see me as a monster after Temen Ni Gru. You and Ruby saw right through me. None of you held me in contempt nor did you treat Dante and I differently for being sons of a demon. Coming here is probably the second best thing that has happened in my life.

Yang: What was the first?

Dominic: Meeting you. The last time I saw you, you were a little girl. You were searching for answers. You were young, scared. But now after seeing you again, I see that you've grown into a fine woman.

Yang's heart was beating so hard that she could feel it in her throat. She looked deeply into his eyes and saw nothing but honesty in them. He smiles at her. A genuine smile that showed the softest side of him that he never dared show anyone until now.

Dominic: Yang, I know how you feel about me. I wanted to tell you that I have felt the same way for so very long. I was too scared to tell you this because I didn't want to end up losing you like how I lost my mother and Summer. I don't want to lose any of you.

Yang's breath caught in her throat at Dominic's words. She looked into his eyes for any signs of doubt or insecurity, but all she found was love and affection. In her heart, she knew that she had to tell him how she felt the same way.

Yang: Dom, I'm...I'm so glad.

Dominic: I'm done letting my fears of loss control me anymore. No more being scared. I regret a lot of things, but I'm not gonna regret telling you how I feel.

Yang: You don't have to be afraid of losing me. I'm not going anywhere.

With that, she begins to lean in towards Dominic while he does the same.

???: Ahem..

The sudden sound of a voice causes them to immediately break away from each other and look to where it was coming from and they both see Qrow leaning against the dresser behind them with his arms crossed.

Qrow: Hey, Firecracker. Uh...looks like you and the kid are having some fun here.

Yang:*blushing* Qrow!! Ugh! How..how long have you been there?!

Qrow: Long enough. Heh~ So....why'd you do it?

Yang: I-

Dominic: She didn't! And you know it!

Qrow: All I know is that she attacked a helpless kid. So either she's lying, or she's crazy.

Dominic immediately got up and into Qrow's face with an angry look on his.

Dominic: She..isn't...lying..!

Qrow: Crazy. Alright.

Yang: Dom.

Dominic scoffs and steps away from Qrow and sits on the bed across from Yang with his arms crossed.

Yang:*sigh* Who knows? Maybe I am.

Qrow: And here I thought your boyfriend here was the emo one.

Dominic: Keep your comments to yourself, Qrow. Before your silver tongue is removed.

Yang: Dominic!

Yangs eyes had turned red and were looking right at Dominic who took in a deep breath to calm himself down. After doing so, he nods and decides to keep quiet.

Yang:*sigh* I saw my mom.

Qrow stops pacing back and forth and looks back at Yang.

Yang: I-I was in a lot of trouble. Took a pretty hard hit. Sapphire was out too. But when I came to, the person attacking me was gone. And I thought I saw...her. Her sword. Like the one in you and dads old picture.

Qrow: Pft! You're not crazy, Yang. That was your mom alright. Let me guess, she didn't say a word, did she?

Yang: How did you know that?

Qrow: I don't see my sister very often. But she does try to keep in touch. Whenever it suits her.

Yang: Wait. You mean you..talk to her? That was real?!

Qrow: Yeah. She found me. Had a tip from my most recent assignment. And wanted me to give you a message.

Yang: Why didn't you tell me sooner?!

Qrow walks up to the window and looks outside at the horizon.

Qrow: I was tying to wait for the right time. And this sure ain't it. But I guess you deserve to know.

He turns around to look at Yang.

Qrow: She wanted me to tell you that she saved you once. But you shouldn't expect that kindness again. Ravens got a way of looking at the world that I don't particularly agree with. And she's dangerous. But you're a tough egg, kiddo. You shouldn't let this tournament thing get you down. You had a slip up. Sometimes bad things just happen. I say, it's time you move on.

Yang: Move on to what?

Qrow: Well...Raven let some info slip before she took off. If you ever want to track her down, I might be able to help.

Dominic: This sounds like a conversation that should be between you two. I'll see myself out.

Dominic gets up and walks over towards the door, reaching out for the doorknob.

Qrow: Wait.

Dominic:*stops* Yes?

Qrow: You like my niece, right?

Dominic looks over towards Yang who blushes and looks away.

Dominic: Yes, I do. As much as I do my own mother. God rest her soul.

Qrow: You'd do anything to keep her safe?

Dominic: I let you all down with leaving Summer behind. Not again. I'm done running away. I've made a lot of promises in the past, but I intend to keep this one. I'll keep your nieces safe from harm. You have my word. Now may I leave?

Yang: Wait-!

Yang goes up to Dominic and she looks at him with a smile before grabbing him by the coat and pulling him into a kiss.

Dominic: Mmmph!

She then takes his ascot and pulls it off his neck and looks at him with a smirk.

Dominic:*blushing* Wh-Why did you-?

Yang: So I know you'll come back~

Dominic: I...I...

Qrow: Heh, what's wrong? Never been kissed before?

Dominic: N..Y...I...

Dominic quickly leaves the room and leans up against the wall with his face blushing bright red after Yang kissing him so suddenly.

Dominic: Wow~ What a woman...

His hand goes over to his lips, lightly touching them and remembering the feeling of Yang's lips touching his and a smile forms on his face. After all the pain and sorrow he's been through, after years of fighting, he's finally at peace.

Outside, Pyrrha sits against a wall as a singular leaf falls down from a tree and lands right next to her foot. A horrified look was on her face as the memory of the Amber the Fall Maiden inside of that tube underneath the academy with all those scars on her body which matched the veins on the leaf.

Jaune: Hey!

Jaune's voice break Pyrrha out of her trance and she looks up at him where he has a cotton candy ball in his hand.

Jaune: It's no green goop but..I think it still might do some good.

Pyrrh: Oh..thanks Jaune..

She takes the cotton candy ball from him and looks at it but her mood doesn't change and Jaune notices this. He turns over to Ren and Nora who were about to walk around the corner, but Nora sees Jaune and understands what he wants them to do and takes Ren by the arm and lets Jaune have a moment alone with Pyrrha. Jaune then sits down beside Pyrrha and starts to have a heart-to-heart with her.

Jaune: You were the first person to ever believe in me. You know that? Even when I told my parents I was going to Beacon, they told me "not to worry" if I ever had to move back home. How depressing is that?

Pyrrha: I-I'm sure..they didn't mean-*gasp*!

Pyrrha drops the cotton candy once she notices that Jaune had his hand on top of hers.

Jaune: I guess...I'm trying to say that....You've always been there for me. Even when I didn't deserve it. And..I can tell there's something on your mind, so...I don't know. How can I help?

Pyrrha's heart flutters at Jaune's kindness and she leans over and rests her head on his shoulder.

Pyrrha: You're already doing it~

The two enjoy the silence of Beacon together and it seems like Pyrrha was feeling much better until the feeling of uneasiness returns.

Pyrrha: Jaune.

Jaune: Huh?

Pyrrha: I don't know what to do...

Jaune: W-What do you mean?

Pyrrha: Do you believe in destiny?

Jaune: Um..I-I don't know? I guess that depends on how you view it.

Pyrrha: When I think of destiny, I don't think of a predetermined plan you can't escape. But rather, some sort of final goal. Something you work towards your entire life.

Jaune: Okay. Uh..Yeah! I can see that. Sure.

Pyrrha: Well, what would you do if something came along that you..never expected? Something that had the potential to stand between you and your destiny?

Jaune: Like..what?

Pyrrha: Or-! What if you could suddenly fulfill your destiny in an instant, but at the cost of who you were?!

Jaune: Pyrrha, you're not making any sense.

Jaune goes to put a hand on Pyrrha, but she gets up and moves away from him, hugging herself as she becomes more and more hysterical.

Pyrrha: None of it makes sense! This isn't how things were supposed to happen!

Jaune:*stands* I-I'm sorry! Please, I-I'm just trying to understand what's wrong.

Pyrrha: ........I've always felt that I was destined to become a Huntress. To protect the world....*sigh* And it's become increasingly clear to me that my feelings were right. But, I don't know if I can do it.

Jaune: Of course you can! The Pyrrha Nikos I know would never back down from a challenge. And if you really believe it's your destiny to save the world, you can't let anything stand in your way.

Pyrrha gasps and covers her mouth as she begins to cry which confused Jaune greatly.

Jaune: Pyrrha?

Jaune: Stop..

Jaune: Did I say something wrong?

Pyrrha: STOP!!

Pyrrha pushes her hand out, and Jaune was flung into the wall behind him by her using her semblance. Once she realizes what she's done, she gasps in shock and lets him go which causes him to fall to the ground.

Pyrrha: Jaune!

Jaune:*grunts and picks himself up*

Pyrrha:*sobbing* I...I'm so sorry!

The distraught girl turns around and runs away, ignoring Jaune calling her name. He was left there wondering one thing about her.

Jaune: What did I say....?

On the outskirts of Beacon, Ruby gets in line for one of the airships that's going to the colosseum when she hears the sound of a camera clicking and she spots Velvet taking photos of Sun passing by her. She then walks up behind her, curious as to why she's taking so many pictures.

Velvet:*turns* Ruby, hi!

Ruby: Hi Velvet~! What are you up to?

Velvet: Oh, you know, just working on my photography. Do you wanna see?

Velvet shows Ruby the picture that she took of Sun's weapon which confuses her but she doesn't want to be mean about her weird choice of photograph.

Ruby: That's...better!

Velvet: I'm...sorry to hear about your sister. Is she doing okay?

Ruby: Yeah, she's fine. Dom's with her, so she's probably feeling waaay better now!

Velvet: It's awful what people are saying about her. Yang's such a nice person.

Ruby: Heh, well I'm glad someone thinks so.

Velvet: People don't know what it's like on the battlefield. Even experienced fighters can get scared and start seeing things. If it can happen to Coco, it can happen to anyone.

Ruby: Coco?

Velvet: Yeah! She thought she saw Yatsu with her in the forest during the fight with Emerald and Mercury. But he never even made it out of the geyser fields. Stress induced hallucinations, apparently.

Ruby:*puzzled* Yeah...

Click!

Ruby turns around, startled by the camera flash of Velvet's camera.

Velvet: Oh-! Sorry~!

(Fucking rude, dude)

The crowd in the coliseum was cheering on for the next one on one match of the tournament as Ruby made her way to her seat. She looks through the crowd and spots Emerald sitting down. Ruby was confused since she thought Emerald had left back to Haven with Mercury and her team. What was going on?

Ruby: Emerald's....here?

Ruby was confused and got up from her seat to find out what the heck was going on here. She rushes out of sight and find the maintenance hallway entrance and walks through it.

Dr. Oobleck: Alright! Now time to begin the randomization process for our next fight!

Ruby walks a few steps before she was stopped in her tracks by the sudden appearance of Mercury who was up and walking as if his leg wasn't broken.

Ruby: Mercury?

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

Ruby: What are you doing...?

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

Upon hearing the names being called for the match, Mercury looks at Ruby with a cocky smirk. Once the gears finish turning in her head, Ruby looks at Mercury with a scared expression on her face.

Ruby: No...

Mercury: Ooh~ Polarity versus Metal. Ssss! That could be bad.

Ruby looks back behind her and towards Mercury who gets in a fighting position as the crowd cheers on Pyrrha and Penny. If only they knew what was about to happen...

To be continued in...

The Fall of Beacon

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