The Hero of the Story...

-A Few Days Earlier-

Weiss had been spending the entire day with her elder sister Winter, as she had spent it mostly talking to her and catching up on a few things. Though Weiss had finally admitted to Winter that she was still having trouble with her summoning, despite the fact that her family's been able to perform it for as long as anyone could remember. Weiss was now trying to practice the summoning as her sister stood behind her, as she had been watching closely.

"Excellent form!" Winter praised, "Now think of your fallen foes! The ones that force you to push yourself past who you are, and become who you are now! Think of them, and watch as they come to your side!"

Weiss kept on focusing and concentrating but she let out a groan of annoyance when she couldn't get it right. She stomped on the floor and the circle disappeared, "I can't!"

She felt Winter hit her in the back of her head.

"Stop doubting yourself!" Winter said.

"But I'm trying!" Weiss replied.

"If this is what you call TRYING, than you have no hope in winning the tournament, let alone succeeding as a Huntress." Winter said, "Why don't you go back home? I'm sure father will give you a nice job… As a receptionist!"

Weiss couldn't help but feel angered by this, "I don't need his charity."

"But you do need his money, don't you?" Winter asked as she leaned forward.

Weiss seemed to be surprised at that, "How did you know about that!?"

"Lucky guess." She replied, "I may have been in a similar situation when I joined the military. So pray tell… What did you do this time?"

"Well…" Weiss started to say, "... That's just it… I'm not really sure. I went to pay for lunch the other day, but my card didn't work. It just said declined."

"Oh how embarrassing…" She said sarcastically.

"I know!" Weiss said.

Winter only gave Weiss a look as she shook her head. "Well it was." She said, "Why would he cut me off like that?!"

"Perhaps so that you would stop avoiding him and just call home."

Weiss couldn't help but feel ticked off at the thought of her father; She turned away from her sister as she activated her semblance again, creating another summoning circle. "Emotions can grant you strength." Winter said as she put her hand on her shoulder, "But as they can grant us power, you must never let them overpower you."

Weiss let out a sigh as the circle vanished, "What do you suggest I do than?"

Winter soon replied, "The way I see it, you have two choices right in front of you. You can either call father, beg him to give you his money back, and explain to him once again why you want to study Beacon over Atlas. Or… You could explore Remnant. Discover more about the world and honestly… More about yourself."

Weiss looked to her feet and thought about her sister's words. She thought about her two choices. She had to admit, it was a tough call, but she had a pretty good idea of what she wanted to do. Winter soon noticed the time on her silver watch, "Well…" She said, "... It's time for me to go."

Winter soon gave her a hug before Weiss hugged her back.

"It was really good seeing you Winter." She said with a smile.

Winter smiled back, "Until next time little sister."

Thus they both walked their separate ways.

Though what they failed to notice was that a small sword had laid on the floor from where Weiss created her glyph. In mere seconds, the sword vanished without a trace.

***

-Present; Atlas Ship, Blue Two-

Ruby ran across the deck of the ship trying to find a way inside with her Crescent Rose in hand. She figured that if she couldn't find a way in, the worst case scenario she would have to make a way. Though before she could think of making an entrance herself, she heard a loud piercing roar, echoing through the horizon. She turned to the source and her eyes widened in shock by what it had been.

A Wyvern flew just overhead as it dripped more of the strange black substance that had as it flew around the area; Following behind it, had been a horde of Griffons and Nevermores alike. Though as the Wyvern flew towards the ship, Ruby saw something very odd. In the middle of it's head, there looked to be like that of a person stuck to it; but it wasn't just any person, it had been that of a child.

The child possessed familiar magenta hair, as there looked to be an insignia of a red eye in the middle of her forehead instead of the butterfly. Just from the hair, Ruby knew who it had been.

"Destiny…?"

As the Wyvern flew from the ship, Ruby found herself just in the middle of the horde, seemingly snapping out of her shock to where the child had been. One of the Griffon's in the horde flew downward, attempting to attack her from above; though Ruby had been quick to move.

It let out a roar before it charged.

With her Crescent Rose in hand, Ruby sliced the Griffon in two, after letting out a war cry. Thankfully she had been able to take it out.

SNAP!

Ruby flinched slightly at the sound of a camera; she turned behind her and saw a familiar girl with pink and brown hair; her outfit changing to that of her usual in an instant. Neo smiled as she gave her a wink.

Inside the ship, Roman saw his scroll give a ping. He looked and saw he had gotten a message from Neo.

"Guess who?" Is what it had read.

When he pulled up the picture, he saw it had been the last face he thought he would never have to see again.

Roman let out in an annoyed groan, "Oh, you CANNOT be serious!"

He removed his scroll from the port the ship's computer provided, before taking his weapon and proceeding outside.

***

-Cafeteria Building-

Blake couldn't help but back up from where she stood, after seeing Adam just standing there, looking at her.

"Running away again?" Adam asked her, causing her to flinch, "Is that what you've become my love? A coward?"

"Why!?" Blake soon exclaimed, "Why are you doing all of this!?"

"You and I were going to change the world, remember?!" Adam told her, "We were destined to light the fires of revolution!"

Adam soon placed his foot on top of a student, wearing a uniform from Atlas, as he had his blade in hand. "Consider THIS, the spark."

Just when he was about to thrust his blade, he had been pushed back suddenly. Blake had been in front of him, as her blade had been drawn; her sword clashed with his.

"I'm NOT running!" Blake said with a sneer.

"You WILL be." Adam told her.

He soon kicked Blake back, causing her to hit the ground hard. A Grimm charged at her, though before it could attack, Adam took it out in one shot.

"But not before you've suffered for your betrayal… My love."

***

-Courtyard-

The group of students defending Beacon were getting quickly overrun by the Grimm, Atlesian Knights, and the Paladins. Despite their numbers they were getting pushed back with every attack they threw. "WEISS!" Neptune exclaimed as he saw Weiss fly backwards after a Paladin hit her. Yatsuhashi and Coco had gotten punched away by the Paladin as well, as they both skidded across the floor.

Ren had been catching his breath after defeating a group of Grimm; he didn't realize that a Paladin had been coming up behind him.

"LOOK OUT!" Nora shouted, before she shoved him out of the way. She ended up taking the hit instead as she hit the ground hard.

"Nora! No!" Ren yelled.

Just as he was about to run to her, he was hit away by the Paladin as well. It soon turned to Coco, who had recovered from the attack as she, Velvet and Neptune attacked with all that they had.

"Uh--This is bad!" Neptune said, "At this rate, we're gonna get killed!"

"Well…" Coco said, "... I guess now is as good a time as any!" She turned to the rabbit Fanus, "Velvet!"

Velvet seemed to have brightened, "Really?" She asked.

"Just make them count." Coco said with a smile.

Velvet nodded her head before she stepped forward to the Paladin as she had been preparing herself.

"What are you doing!?" Weiss yelled to Coco as she stood, "She's going to get hurt!"

"Just watch." Coco told Weiss as she smiled.

Velvet held out her hand and all of a sudden a blue light had appeared from where her camera had been. The blue light formed and it was in the form of Ruby's Crescent Rose.

The Paladin went to attack Velvet, though she jumped in the air. Mimicking Ruby's movements, she attacked the Paladin as it took heavy damage. Once she landed on her feet, the Crescent Rose had disappeared, and it soon formed Weiss's weapon, the Myrtenaster.

With the Myrtenaster in hand, the Paladin went to hit her above, though had been pushed back by an unknown force. She flipped back and charged at the Paladin with the Myrtenaster in hand, and attacked creating gashes along the robot. The Myrtenaster soon disappeared as it soon took the form of Yang's weapon, which had been better known as the Ember Celica.

She threw several punches, as it started to fire rounds at the Paladin, creating several dents and burns. It tried to attack though Velvet stuck low to the ground as it soon took the form of Blake's weapon which had been the Gambol Shroud.

She unsheathed her blade and latched onto the Paladin. As the ribbon came undone, she circled around it, wrapping the ribbon around its legs; it fell over on its side. Another Paladin went to attack from behind though with one swift it sliced it's arm in two.

She threw the blade in the Paladin's face before she fired using Coco's weapon that had been materialized in her hands, finishing it off.

Another came to attack her on the side, though Coco's weapon soon disappeared from her hands, and it took the form of Sun's weapons, known as Ryui Bang and Jingu Bang. She jumped and attacked the Paladin, using the weapons before she ran along its arm, before jumping high into the air; the weapon soon shifted into Nora's Magnhild as she attacked from above. She stood on top of the wreckage as Penny's bag appeared on her back.

A total of five swords soon emerged.

Velvet jumped off, and with the movements of her hands she sliced the legs and arms of the paladin she had been on top of. The swords started to circle around and put her hands together as a gigantic laser ultimately destroying the robot from Atlas.

The Paladin that Velvet had tied up earlier had managed to get up on its feet when the ribbon had disappeared. It charged at Velvet hitting across the face; Velvet had cried out in agony as she flew across the floor, as her Aura had shattered.

"VELVET!" Coco had cried out.

She soon turned her sights on the Paladin as it had stepped towards her teammate; the other students like that of Neptune, Reese and Nadir began to attack as well, in an attempt to get its attention, although it didn't prove to be successful.

Finally Weiss had gotten fed up.

She used her glyphs to help her sprint towards Velvet as the Paladin went to attack. It was only then she saw a circle appear behind. Though Weiss had been surprised to see it had been the summoning circle as she looked to be in slight awe by it.

She managed to reach Velvet in time, as she stopped right in front of her. She shut her eyes as the Paladin went to punch her; though she was surprised when she heard a clang sound. When she opened her eyes she saw the arm of a Knight wielding a sword in front of her as it had blocked the Paladin's attack.

The arm pushed the Paladin's arm, forcing it to hit the ground, and with the swift movement of it's blade, it sliced the Paladin in two.

Weiss looked and was still shocked to see that she actually performed a summoning. Well, okay it wasn't a whole body, but it was still something. She had soon been startled by a sudden flash, courtesy of Velvet as she had gotten her camera out.

The entire group had almost stumbled when the entire ground shook again. They turned and saw another Paladin in the distance.

"YOU HAVE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!" They heard Sun yell.

***

Ruby ultimately ended up fighting Neo.

She tried to talk to her, to tell her about Destiny and Cristal though she wouldn't have any part of it. Ruby kept attacking Neo head on though she evaded her attacks with ease.

Though Neo had finally gained some distance, though shattered as Roman fired a shot. She had been caught by surprise as she nearly fell off the ship; She quickly used her Crescent Rose as it had dug into the ground, ultimately stopping her in her tracks which she sighed with relief at.

"Little Red, little Red…" Roman said as he stepped towards her, "You're just determined to be the hero of Vale aren't you?"

"What are you doing!?" She said, "Without these ships the Grimm will destroy everything!"

"That's the plan!" Roman said as he prepared to shoot her.

She quickly pushed his gun out of the way, causing him to stumble. Ruby got up just as Neo kicked her right in the face, which had caused her to spin. She nearly fell off the ship again though had managed to regain her footing again.

"Please! You have to stop this!" Ruby soon begged, "You won't gain anything from this!"

"That's where your wrong Red!" Roman told her, "It's not what I have to gain! It's what I CAN'T afford to lose!"

"Listen to me!" She told him, "Think about what you're doing! Destiny! Cristal! They don't want this! You have to stop listening to Cinder!"

Roman soon gave a glare, "Don't talk about them like you know them!"

"Cristal is fighting for her life right now!" Ruby soon added, "And Destiny is danger! I saw her pass by just now! You have to believe me!"

"Stop telling me lies and just let me kill you already!" He soon shouted, before pulling the trigger on his Melodic Cudgel. Using her semblance, Ruby dodged the shot before Neo charged at her again; she threw another kick though Ruby had been able to block her this time. Though this only gave Neo an opening as she hooked her weapon before moving under the girl, causing her to flip.

Neo kicked her in the back as she flew towards Roman with a scream.

Roman tapped his cane on the floor, just as he pulled the trigger, causing the cane to hit her in the stomach; with a spin, he fired another round over his shoulder causing her to fly, as she went over the edge. At the last second she grabbed a hold of her Crescent Rose and found herself hanging over the horde of Grimm. She held on for dear life as she had been struggling to do so.

"Destiny and Cristal--They're the only things I have left in this big screwed up world!" Roman soon said, "Cinder threatened to take that all away from me! I had a chance to get them back! I had a chance to bring them back home! But that all went down the drain the moment I found you in that Dust shop!"

Neo soon approached Ruby as she dragged the blade with her; she soon held the blade towards her, as the tip nearly touched the bridge of her nose.

"And like it or not, she's going to change this world!" He told her, "You can't stop her, and I can't stop her even if I wanted to! This is my last chance getting back the only two people that matter to me! So either you can get out of my way, or you can go and--!"

"Sorry about this!" Ruby said, cutting him off.

Just as this was said, she pulled herself up and pressed the button on Neo's umbrella, causing it to spring open. Neo gasped before she found herself flying off of the ship and into the horde of Grimm.

"NEO!" Roman yelled.

Ruby had been quick to pull herself up, before she used her semblance to charge at Roman; with a grunt he had been tackled onto the ground, knocking off his hat in the process.

"Just--Listen to me--" Ruby said before she pinned him after getting his weapon away from him, "--FOR TWO SECONDS!!" Roman froze at Ruby's tone of voice and soon noticed the look she had been giving.

She didn't even give him a chance to talk as she soon said, "I'm NOT lying to you! Cinder is the one that's been lying! She has been this whole time! Destiny and Cristal, she wasn't going to let them go! My friends and I talked to them! We know why you kept them hidden up until this point, and we're doing what we can to help them like what you've done!!"

Ruby could see the look in his eye, as he didn't seem to buy into her story as he started to struggle, "Give me one good reason why I should believe what your saying!"

Ruby quickly reached into her skirt pocket before she held out the pictures to him; he ceased his movements as he just looked at shots. It had been the pictures of his daughters; the last one being of his wife in her teen years. He had been hypnotized by the photos as he sat up.

"Where…" He said reaching for photos, "... Where did you get these…?"

"Destiny gave them to me." Ruby replied as she let him take the photos, "She told me all sorts of things about you. Cristal too. They told us, how much you love them, and how much they love you."

"But I--" He stammered as he looked at the photos, "--I don't understand… How is this even possible?"

"My team--My friends and I found them." Ruby started to explain, "We've been taking care of them, and kept them safe like you did. It was shocking when they told us you were there father. But… After they told us all those things about you… I saw that they had a great parent. In all honesty… If the same thing happened to me or Yang… Dad would've done what you were doing."

Ruby soon got off of Roman as she soon held her hand out to him, "Destiny is in trouble now, but I can't save her alone. Help me save everyone. Help me save her. Help me fight like Cristal is. Not just for their sake… But for Trinity too."

Roman looked to the photographs, or more specifically the photo of his wife, as he couldn't help but reminisce.

***

-Three Years Earlier-

Roman had gotten home late after another job. As he stepped into the small apartment he held his hand over his arm that had been bleeding; courtesy of his recent job. He bit his bottom lip as he let out a groan, though he had thanked the stars that he had only gotten graze.

That didn't stop it from hurting.

He placed the Melodic Cudgel on the counter before he went towards his room. Though as he approached the door he stopped when he saw a young twelve year old girl dash out of the room. He recognized the girl to be that of his eldest daughter--His little gem, Cristal.

She jumped at the sight of him when she turned to head to the kitchen.

"Oh! Dad!" She exclaimed as she waved awkwardly, "Hi! You're back already!?"

"What are you doing up this late?" He asked her, as he quickly put his arm behind his back, "And why were you in my room?"

"I uh--!" Cristal started to stammer, "--Destiny and I were playing hide and seek and we--"

It hadn't been long before he heard a little shriek coming from the room. At this Roman had acted, and opened the door before Cristal could protest. There he saw his youngest daughter, a girl at the age of nine hanging off the book shelf over what appeared to be broken glass.

"Destiny!?" He exclaimed.

The little one turned over to him as she struggled to hang on, "Da--Daddy?!" She stammered, "I didn't realize you were home!"

Before Roman could ask, Destiny's tiny hands slipped as she let out a scream. At this, Roman had quickly acted as he slid on the floor, not caring about the broken shards. He had been quick to catch her, though he let out another groan, as he had used his wounded arm.

His children took notice of this, as they saw the blood.

"You're arm…!" Cristal exclaimed. She had been about to run over though Roman motioned her not to.

Destiny moved from his wound, "Are you okay?"

Roman sighed as he moved off the shards, setting her on the bed; Cristal followed behind as she climbed up onto the bed to be with her little sister. "I'll be alright Princess." Roman reassured the nine year old, "It's just a scratch."

"That--Doesn't look like a scratch though…" Cristal pointed out, as her voice had been filled with worry.

Roman ignored this before he asked, "What are you two doing up this late? I thought you would be fast asleep by now."

Cristal was about to say something though Destiny beat her to it, "It's my fault daddy. I had a nightmare, and we were trying to find a good picture book. Cristal was just trying to help me get to it."

"Is that true?" Roman asked as he looked over to her sister.

Cristal nodded, "I thought it would help her sleep. I was going to the kitchen to find a step ladder before you showed up."

"We didn't mean to break anything, honest." Destiny soon added, "Please don't be mad at us."

Roman couldn't help but laugh to himself softly as he saw the look on their faces. They're just like their mother, is the thought that came to him. He gave the two of them a pat on the head, "I can never be mad at you." He reassured them, "Tell you what… When I'm finished cleaning I'll read you a story from the picture book, how does that sound?"

"Re--Really?" Destiny said.

"You're really not mad?" Cristal asked, surprised.

Roman shook his head at this, "I'm just glad that you're both not hurt. Now why don't you tuck your sister to bed while I clean up?"

Cristal looked skeptical though she gave a nod, "Okay."

She helped Destiny up off the bed as they both proceeded towards the hall. The two girls soon watched as Roman started to pick up the shards with the help of a broom and dustpan that he had in his room; every now and than they would see him flinch whenever he had been forced to move it. It hadn't been long before Destiny tugged on her sister's shirt; she started to whisper in her ear after she leaned over.

"Good idea!" Cristal whispered as she gave a thumbs up.

The two of them soon went to the bathroom, but not before Destiny noticed a picture on the ground; on the back it had read, "The Best Day". She looked at the photo with curious eyes, as she saw who had been in the frame; Though Cristal soon called out to her as she seemed to lose somewhat of her interest as she went over to the bathroom.

In mere moments, Roman tossed the shards in a waist bin nearby before he went to get the book at the top shelf that Destiny had her sights on. As he removed it from where it had been, another book seemed to have slipped out which took him back a bit. What had fallen to the floor had been an old worn out album that was labeled "Treasures".

His eyes softened as he sat on the floor, picking up the album, before opening it. He couldn't help but let out a nostalgic sigh at the sight of the pictures. Most of them had been of himself, Trinity, and Neo back when they were teenagers. Some had been silly, while others had been just plain silly. He laughed to himself whenever he remembered the day the moment had been captured.

Though he soon stopped at a certain page; it had been photos of their wedding.

He had on a fancy black suit with his signature bowler hat and feather, and Neo wore a suit herself, almost copying his style; the only difference being her suit had been brown and pink like her hair that had been tied back. Upon her head she had a headband with a beautiful white rose to go with it. Trinity had worn a beautiful white dress that had been up to her knees with a set of high heels that had a set of jewels at the tip of the shoes. Her hair had been tied back into a bun and she had purple lipstick on her lips; she held a bouquet of primroses, her favorite flower. Around her waist she had an asymmetrical skirt that had been in the color of light blue as it covered the back of her legs, but had shown just enough of her dress skirt.

He still had been surprised that she had made the dress herself; it blew his mind everytime he found himself looking back at the day of their wedding.

Than again, he always did like how she dressed classy.

He soon turned the page, and it had revealed another set of photographs; this time being of her with a little toddler. The baby in the photo had the color of orange hair like he did, but part of her bangs had transitioned to the color of magenta; her eyes had been that of lavender as she looked to the camera like a curious dog.

He remembered the first time Trinity told him she had been pregnant with their baby girl. He couldn't be happier; not only did he have the hand of the woman he loved, but now he had the chance to be what he didn't have, a loving father.

He thought for sure that Cristal would take more after their mother however; though she had her clumsiness and insecurities he had been surprised that she had his personality and even his traits; Especially when it came to style.

He soon turned to the page when Destiny had been born, and his heart just soared at how she looked as a baby. Despite her being born with just one eye, he and Trinity still love her as if she had been born perfect. Cristal had been in almost every one of the photos with Destiny, as she had liked her even back than.

She always made sure she was never alone which was sweet.

Those had been the best days of his life; the best ending to a fairytale.

Though, even days like these can come to an end.

Cristal no longer bared the appearance of either him or his wife, since the day he lost the love of his life, and Destiny had an eye that wasn't even human. Now two of his children had to spend it in hiding in the hopes the one responsible won't find them.

He couldn't go to anyone for help, with the exception of Neo; his friends, his family were all gone. It had been just him, his daughters and his childhood friend and partner in crime.

He was soon bought out of his thought when he felt a wet cloth press against his arm, that somewhat stung to the touch. He saw it had been Destiny.

"What are you doing?" He asked her.

"I wanted to clean up the wound." Destiny had replied, "It's gonna get messy if it stays that way."

Cristal soon came in with a pale of water, setting it next to Destiny, "It'll stain your favorite jacket if it stays like that."

Roman looked at them surprised before he gave a smile, "Thank you."

Thus Destiny started to clean up with blood, while Cristal helped her to wash off the blood that had stained it. Though it hadn't been long before he noticed a photo sticking out of Destiny's PJ pocket.

"Sweetheart…" He soon said, "... Where did you get that photo?"

At first, Destiny didn't know what he had been referring to until the thought came back to her; She placed the wet cloth aside before she removed it from the pocket. "I found it in the hallway." She replied, "I think it slipped out of your pocket."

Cristal soon looked over her shoulder, "I don't remember seeing that one before…"

Roman took the photo and gazed at it; he let out a nostalgic sigh at the sight of it.

"Do you…" He soon started to say, "... Know this is?"

The girls shook their heads in reply.

"This was your mother, when she was younger." He soon answered.

"Really?!" Destiny said with disbelief as her expression brightened, "That's mommy?!"

"No way!" Cristal said as her eyes sparkled, "She looks so different!"

"Well people don't always look the same." Roman said, "I took this photo during the Vytal Festival in Mistral. She didn't like how it came out at first, but you know what I said to her?"

"What? What?" Destiny asked as she practically bounced.

"Come on dad, tell us!" Cristal said.

Roman soon told them, "... I told her, 'I think it catches your beauty that shines more than any other girl I've laid my eyes on. And you my queen, are the fairest of them all.'"

Destiny couldn't help but be in awe as did Cristal at the thought of it. "So cute!" They both said at the same time. Roman chuckled at their expression, but soon did something that neither of them didn't suspect. He gently pushed the photograph back into Destiny's hands as she lost her smile.

"Here Princess." He said, "I want you to have this."

At this Destiny shook her head, "Daddy I can't! It's your photo!"

"Please, I insist." Roman said, "I feel awful that you don't have a way to remember what she looked like. Besides… Your mother would want you to have this too."

Destiny looked unsure as she looked at the photo in her hands; She soon felt a pat on her shoulder, courtesy of Cristal, "You should keep it, so you have a way to remember mom. Stories can only do so much, you know?"

"Is it… Really okay?" Destiny soon asked her father.

"Of course." He replied, "Just promise you'll take care of it, like I would."

Destiny couldn't help but hug the photo, as she sniffled a little, "I… I promise daddy."

"That's my good girl." He said, before giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Cristal soon gave a slight pout as she couldn't help but feel a little jealous at the affection. Roman let out a chuckle, "Don't worry little Gem. I didn't forget about you." He gave her a kiss on the forehead, and Cristal couldn't help but turn red and smile. He soon took them by surprise as he had lifted them up off the ground with ease, while picking up the book.

"Now then…" He said, "... Let's get the two of you to bed."

***

-Present-

Roman had been bought out of his own trance when he felt a hand over his. He looked and saw silver eyes looking at him; Ruby never left. He thought about what she had told him, as he couldn't process it. He did have his suspicion about Cinder, from the very beginning in fact. He had a feeling she was lying to him about certain things; why she needed the Dust and what her true goal had been.

Even so he had hoped… She had been telling the truth about letting his daughters go.

"Roman…?" Ruby soon asked, "... Are you okay…?"

At first, Roman had stayed silent as he looked at the pictures again; after a brief moment he stuffed them in his pocket before he stood.

"My daughters…" He soon said, as he looked to Ruby, "... Can you take me to them?"

Ruby's expression brightened as she soon stood, "That might be a little tricky to be honest. But I know Cristal is with Weiss and Blake! Destiny on the other hand she's in trouble."

"Trouble?" Roman said, "What do you mean tro--LOOK OUT!"

Roman shoved Ruby out of the way, just as a large Griffon landed on the ship. As Roman went to retrieve his weapon, the Griffon attacked with its tail; He had been able to block but just barely as he felt a sharp pain in his arm. He let out a cry as he landed on his side.

"ROMAN!" Ruby exclaimed.

The Griffon let out a roar as the force pushed Ruby back. She ran towards it just as it charged; when it went to attack, she jumped overhead, kicking it in the back hard causing it to fall within the ship setting it on fire. The minute Ruby landed on the ground she ran towards Roman as she saw him hold his arm.

"Are you okay!?" She asked him.

"I'm fine!" He told her after he took a sharp inhale, "Where did that Griffon go?"

They soon felt the whole ship shake as explosions came from the inside. They soon felt the ship descend towards the ground and it had started to tip.

"Run?" Ruby suggested.

"Yup, definitely run!" Roman replied as he got up from the floor.

They both ran towards the edge of the ship just as it started to turn to avoid falling off. "WHAT'S YOUR PLAN OF ESCAPE THAN RED!?" He shouted as more of the explosions came.

"I GOT ONE!" Ruby yelled back as she took hold of her Crescent Rose, "GRAB MY SHOULDER!"

She soon jumped off the ship, with Roman following behind her; he took her shoulder just as she had told him. She than activated her semblance as they both flew out of the horde, nearly hitting the Griffon; Ruby soon turned over her Crescent Rose before pulling the trigger, over and over again causing them to hoover.

Eventually they made it to the rooftop of a building nearby as they both had toppled over. After they recovered they saw the Atlas ship catch fire as it descended further.

"Well…" Roman said as he sat up, "... That's one way to stop a program…"

He let out a cry of agony when he felt the stabbing pain in his arm. Ruby quickly went over to him at this; She helped me to remove the scarf from his neck so as to use it as a makeshift cast.

"I don't normally say this but…" Roman started to say as she finished tying it, "... Thank you."

"Hey, it's not a problem!" Ruby told him, "I'm just sorry that you have a broken arm now."

"I'll manage just fine." Roman said, "But… I wasn't talking about my arm, Red."

Ruby looked at him surprised before she gave him a smile; it hadn't been long before she stood, picking her weapon off the ground, "Let's go find my team."

Roman stood as well while picking up his cane, "Lead the way." He told her.

Thus they proceeded off of the rooftop, using the door that had been provided just as the ship crashed into Vale in the distance.

***

The whole crowd of students had been put into shock when all around, the Paladin's that had once surrounded them had completely shut down. The lights went out as they had slumped over suddenly as some of them even fell over face first onto the floor.

"Welp…" Sun said, while catching his breath, "... That went better than I expected."

"WEISS!"

Most of the students had been drawn to a familiar voice. They turned and saw it had been Yang, with Zwei following close behind her; She approached Weiss as she had been using her sword to keep her up.

"You're okay!" She said relieved, "Have you heard anything from Ruby and Destiny? And where's Cristal?"

"Ruby went to get Roman…" Weiss explained, "... I saw Cristal go with Jaune and Pyrrha… And Destiny went to Mountain Glenn… I haven't seen her come back yet."

Yang looked around and saw that a certain Fanus had been missing, "What about Blake? Where is she?"

"She went after an Alpha…" Weiss replied, pointing in the direction Blake had taken, "... And some members of the White Fang."

Yang looked in the direction where Blake had gone, "You look for Ruby and Destiny." Yang told her, "I'll go find Blake."

Yang ran in the direction where Blake had gone while Weiss gave her a thumbs up, having been unable to say anything more.

***

Ozpin, Jaune, Pyrrha and Cristal ran out of the elevator as soon as the doors opened. As Jaune and Cristal followed behind them, they couldn't help but take a look around, as they were unfamiliar with the area.

"What…" Jaune said, "... What is this place?"

"It's… A type of vault." Pyrrha replied hesitantly.

"Hold on!" Cristal said, "You mean, you've actually been here!? When!?"

Pyrrha gave no reply as she stayed silent, keeping her eyes forward. "I don't get it…" Jaune said, "... What would this school… Have to hide…?"

They had soon gotten to the end of the hall; Cristal's eyes widened when her eyes saw a familiar face. "...Amber…?" She said as she was just in pure shock, as she saw the mark on her face, "...What… What happened to her…?"

"Wait…" Jaune said, "That's Amber?" He soon looked to Pyrrha, "What's going on here?"

"Jaune, Cristal…" Pyrrha said, "I--"

"Pyrrha!" Ozpin said, cutting her off, "We need to hurry!"

Pyrrha exchanged a glance over to Ozpin than to two of her friends; She soon nodded to the headmaster as she went over to the capsule that had been provided. "Mister Arc, Cristal, if you would like to help, than the two of you can stand guard!"

Jaune nodded and armed himself, Cristal on the other hand looked at Ozpin as she had a skeptical look on her face as she looked over to Amber. She had so many questions in her head as to why Amber had been there or what had been going on. She didn't even know what she should think; though as she looked at Ozpin again she noticed the look in his eyes.

Finally she shook the thought from her head as she soon stood by Jaune's side.

"What do we do now?" Pyrrha asked.

"We… Do nothing." Ozpin replied, as he had been typing on the computer that had been provided, "... You Miss Nikos, have a choice to make."

Pyrrha looked over to the capsule as it had opened. She had a thought in her head as she looked over Cristal and Jaune.

She removed the flower from her head as she looked at it; the red eye still glowed faintly. Ozpin took notice of the flower in her hands as his eyes widened slightly. Though he made sure Pyrrha didn't see his reaction.

She let out a sigh as she held the flower close to her.

"I'm sorry…" She thought to herself.

She stepped inside the capsule still holding the flower in her hand; the lid closed shut as it began to power up. The flower in her hand started to glow red a bit more violently.

***

When she opened her eyes she found herself back in the land of red again. The capsule opened up as she stepped out into the mist once more. The mist had cleared up a path, and ahead she saw a familiar figure. The Child looked to be laying by a pool of black substance as it had looked to be resting.

Pyrrha approached the Child of Grimm, as it had opened its eyes.

"So… You've come back." The Child of Grimm said, as it stood. It soon noticed the look on her face as it had tilted its head.

"You look troubled…" It said, "... Whatever is the matter?"

"The tragedy that you talked about before…" Pyrrha started to say, "... It started when I--Took Penny's life… Didn't it?"

The Child of Grimm stayed silent at this, before it gave its response, "It is as I've said… The knowledge of when the tragedy will happen or what it will be, is beyond me…" It soon looked over to the horizon, "... However there is no denying about what had happened to that girl… There was a wave of sadness among the people of this place, and those outside of it. I feel the anguish as do the other Grimm I imagine. Why do you ask this of me?"

Pyrrha's body started to shake, "Everything is falling apart… Beacon… Vale. And the person responsible for all of this-- There's no telling what she's going to do now! I don't know if we can do this alone."

The Child of Grimm seemed to have understood what Pyrrha had been saying; though to be more precise, it seemed to know what she was going to ask.

"You wish… For me to help you?" The Child of Grimm concluded.

Pyrrha didn't give a direct answer, as she had responded, "... If I give you some of my Aura… You'll be able to make a body right?"

The Child of Grimm nodded, "I cannot make any guarantees, but as long as I remain bound to you, I will be able to take a form of my own."

"Than… If I give you my Aura…" She started to say, "... Will you help us? If I give it to you, than will you help us fight?"

The Child of Grimm's gaze had softened; Pyrrha took notice of this as her eyes softened too. "I kept this from you for a reason…" The Child of Grimm told her, "... But you should know this…" It looked her in the eyes, as Pyrrha seemed to notice that the Child of Grimm's body shook, "... When I take form… This conversation… And the one before… Will be gone…"

Pyrrha's eyes widened in shock from this, as she realized the creature of Grimm before her, was holding back tears.

"I will not remember you… I will not remember this…" The Child of Grimm told her, "... Possibly I will forget about my kind… The only thing I shall remember… Is the name you will give me, when I form the bond. That is the price we must pay, in order for us to take form."

Pyrrha stayed silent at this as she had another thought race to her head. The Child of Grimm flinched when she felt her hand on its paw. "Than… I'll help you remember." She said, "I'll tell you what you have told me… When all is set and done here."

The Child of Grimm looked to her shocked, but soon let out a chuckle, "You really are a strange human." It said, "Than again… I don't think I've ever minded strange…"

Pyrrha laughed to herself a little, "That's good to hear."

"Than… I will ask you once more…" The Child of Grimm said, "... Will you lend me your Aura Pyrrha Nikos…?"

Pyrrha's expression changed as she nodded her head, "Yes."

The ground around them started to shake, as Pyrrha noticed its mask began to glow a red glow just like that of the flower.

"Repeat the words I say…" The Child of Grimm said. Using it's claw it made a small cut around her wrist as if it had been that of a bracelet.

"...Ash to ash… Dust to dust…" The Child of Grimm began to chant.

"... Ash to ash…" Pyrrha repeated, "... Dust to dust…"

"I tie now… That of string, to the soul until I spring…"

"I tie now, that of string… To the soul until I spring…"

The Child of Grimm leaned it's head so that it had been touching Pyrrha's forehead. The Child of Grimm's body began to change; though Pyrrha couldn't tell of that it's appearance as it had been shrouded with the shadow that she had casted. It covered the Child of Grimm as if it had been like that of a blanket.

She could almost swear that its voice began to change, as it sounded to be more human than it did a beast.

"... Should I break when I wake…"

"... Should I break when I wake…"

"... Than I shall pray…"

"Than I shall pray…"

"... The Gods will take..."

Pyrrha looked to the Child of Grimm as it now looked to be the same height as her; it had looked to be virtually the same only two things. Only that this person had hair as long as hers if she had undid her ponytail. And she appeared to see small horns on the side of the person's head, that had been different than that of the beast before. They appeared to be smaller, and looked as though they looked like they could belong to that of a ram as it had been in the process of growing in.

"Pyrrha…" The Child of Grimm said as it now had a voice of a girl, though it still echoed, "... Give me a name…"

Pyrrha shut her eyes once more, as she felt herself returning to reality, though not before she had given her what she had requested.

"Your name… Shall be Elise.

-Cafeteria Building-

Blake flew back in the wall, landing on her side after recieving an attack from Adam. She tried her best to recover as Adam approached her.

"This could've been OUR day!" Adam told her, "Can't you see that!?"

"I never wanted this!" Blake told him, as she armed her gun, "I wanted equality! I wanted peace!"

She got on her knees as she fired at him; while blocking the bullets his blade and hair lit up with red. "WHAT YOU WANT IS IMPOSSIBLE!" He shouted before he slapped her across the face. She struggled to get up as Adam towered over her.

"But I understand." He said, "Because all I want… Is you Blake."

Blake went to attack, though Adam kicked her weapon away, causing her to fall back. He soon kneeled down, "And as I set out upon this world and deliver the justice mankind so greatly deserves… I will make it my mission to destroy everything you love…"

"BLAKE!"

The two of them had been startled by a voice; they looked in the direction from where it came from as they saw it had been Yang, taking out some of the members of the White Fang.

"BLAKE! WHERE ARE YOU!?" She yelled.

Blake's eyes widened in horror as she had come to a horrifying realization. "Starting with her." Adam said.

"You ca--AH!"

Before Blake could finish her sentence, Adam thrusted his blade into her side causing her to cry out in agony, getting Yang's attention. He removed the blade from her as she clutched her side.

"Get away from her!" She shouted at Adam.

Blake reached out to Yang, as her body shook a little.

"No…" Blake pleaded with agony, "... Please…"

Yang's hair lit up like fire as her eyes turned red, "NNNNOOOOOWWWWW!!"

She rocketed towards Adam with her weapons, and that's when Adam attacked. With one swing the world seemed to have slowed down; Yang's arm had split in two, the other half had disintegrated completely. She fell on her side passing out, as the beaded bracelet that Destiny gave her fell just next to her.

Adam walked towards her, as to finish her off; though despite her pain, Blake ran to her partner's side. Adam stopped in his tracks when he saw Blake give him a glare.

"... Why must you hurt me Blake…?"

Adam swung his sword and Blake's head came clean off; or at least that's what he thought as her body had disappeared completely.

He turned and saw Blake running with Yang in her arms, and holding what looked to be a bracelet in her hand. Adam clicked his tongue as he started to make his way out of the grounds, taking out a couple of Grimm on the way.

***

Ozpin had been ready to transfer Amber's aura over to Pyrrha, just as she opened her eyes. Pyrrha looked down at her wrist as she removed her glove; taking note that there had been a faint scar around where the Child of Grimm had cut it. The flower that had been in her hands, glowed faintly in her hands, as there had been marks similar to that of a vein on the petals.

"...No turning back now…"

"Miss Nikos!" She soon heard Ozpin say, "Are you ready?"

Pyrrha looked over to Ozpin as she nodded, putting her glove back on.

"I…" He said, "... I need to hear you say it."

"... Yes." Pyrrha said.

"Thank you." He said.

Thus with a press of a button the device started to activate. The wires lit up with orange and flowed into Pyrrha's capsule.

She held the flower close as she let out a scream, feeling the energy flow into her suddenly. Jaune and Cristal had been drawn to her screams.

"PYRRHA!" Jaune yelled as he ran over to the capsule Pyrrha had been in.

"Wha--What's happening?!" Cristal yelled to Ozpin, "What's going on!? Why is she screaming!?"

Ozpin stayed silent as he looked at the machine despite Cristal had started to tug on his shirt. "Answer me, damn it!"

"I… I'm sorry…" She heard him say.

"Sorry?" Cristal said, "Sorry about wha--"

CRACK!

The three of them were taken back when they saw an arrow go straight through the glass, piercing Amber's heart just as she had awoken. The three of them turned to where the arrow had been fired as they saw it had been revealed to be Cinder as she had a smile on her face.

"Hello there... Little Gem…" Cinder said to Cristal with a smile.

At this, Cristal glared at her as she recognized her voice as her eye color switched back to red, "You…"

The green flames soon got out and the orange energy that flowed back into Amber as her body had gone limp; Pyrrha struggled to get free as she banged on the glass. The energy left Amber suddenly as it broke the capsule, causing Jaune, Cristal and Ozpin to jump. The energy flew into Cinder, causing her to drop her bow and arrow as it had been suddenly.

After a few moments, Cinder's eyes lit up with fire as she floated up into the air with her newfound power. Jaune went to charge at her just as the energy began to flow.

"STAY BACK!" Ozpin yelled as if it had only been in vain.

Cinder attacked Jaune with what looked to be a fire blast as he flew back, dropping his sword and shield out of his hands.

"JAUNE!" Pyrrha exclaimed as she banged on the glass.

"You…" Cristal said with a sneer, her red eye glowed; a red eye insignia appeared in the middle of her forehead, "... I'LL KILL YOU!!" Cristal charged at Cinder with her fist glowing a purple light.

Though Cinder only laughed as she had been able to block her attack before sending her flying with the fire she produced from her hand. She cried out in agony as she flew, though Ozpin had been quick to catch her before she hit the wall behind her.

"CRISTAL!" Pyrrha yelled, as she finally activated her semblance. She used it to break out of the capsule, sending the door flying in Cinder's direction; Cinder only sent the door flying in another direction.

Pyrrha placed the flower back in her hair before she grabbed her sword and shield.

"No!" Ozpin said to her as he stopped her from charging, after he helped Cristal to stand, "Take Jaune and Cristal and get out of here! Get her somewhere safe! Find Glynda, Qrow and Ironwood and bring them here! The tower cannot fall!"

"But--I can help!" Pyrrha said.

"... You'll only get in the way." Ozpin told her.

Pyrrha had been hesitant, though after she looked over to Jaune and Cristal she gave a nod. She soon went to take Cristal's arm, before she helped Jaune off the floor as she helped them to get outside.

"No, you don't!" Cinder said.

Cinder went to create ice as it went into the direction of Cristal as she ran, though before the ice could reach her, Ozpin quickly acted. He tossed his cane as if it had been that of a spear; breaking it in between.

Cinder gritted her teeth at this as she looked over to Ozpin; he soon went to retrieve his cane as they both circled.

"This whole time…" Cinder said, "Those two were here… She was here, beneath our very feet. She was right about you… Such arrogance."

Thus both her and Ozpin engaged in a fight.