AN: So I know it's been a million years, but I haven't given up on this story. I've been thinking and planning on how to make it better and with all the information we have gotten in Volume 5 I'd say I needed to change more than a few things. So I made this remake. Any and all feedback is always appreciated and I'm sorry for my long absence.

So keep in mind these first two chapters are the SAME for this story as they were in the old one. They still fit so I saw no reason to change them.

Chapter 1: Alone for the Final Battle

Pyrrha and Jaune had just made their way outside the CCT. Moments earlier Ozpin had vanished in his battle against Cinder, who now had full control over the fall maiden's powers.

The entire city was under siege by a strange mixture of Grimm, White Fang soldiers, and now hacked Atlesian robotic knights.

The young huntsmen of Beacon Academy along with teams from the schools who was participating in the Vytal Festival Tournament were doing all they could to defend the city along with the school. The brave Atlesian soldiers were doing their best to rally and support the Huntsmen after the confusion of their machines turning against them, but it was safe to say the battle wasn't going their way.

Something had to be done otherwise the CCT would fall. If that happened communication among the four kingdoms would come to a crawl. Getting a signal would be impossible for long range devices.

But what could they do? Jaune had a plan. A foolish one, but it was all he could think of. Someone had to face Cinder.

Jaune closed his eyes. He could hear the sounds of distant gunfire in the background as he turned to his partner.

"Pyrrha you need to go on ahead."

She looked at him as if he was crazy. She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it. It was as if he had stolen the words out of her mouth.

She opened it again, this time with conviction.

"Jaune what are you thinking? You need to get out of here along with the others."

Jaune shook his head. "You're the one that needs to go Pyrrha, everyone else needs you, but I might be able to at least slow that witch down."

His combat locker had arrived a few feet away. He knew that was his only chance to get her to safety, whether she liked it or not.

"Jaune are you crazy!? She will kill you! I can't believe you're even thinking this."

No, it was the only logical solution for him. At least that's what he told himself. For him it was his chance to do some good. To be useful.

Pyrrha was a champion. One of the strongest fighters here. A true huntress in the making. Vale needed her more than ever to retake the city and save the school.

He on the other hand was a fake. Someone who lied and cheated his way into Beacon. Someone who disgraced the honor of his family's legacy. He was no hero, but now was his time to act like one even if it was going to cost him his life.

He walked up to her and before she could say another word, he gave her a passionate kiss. He wasn't a complete fool. He had figured out her feelings for him and now was going to use them to his advantage.

He wanted to return those feelings, but part of him just didn't feel right about it. Pyrrha deserved so much better than him and he wasn't the type of person to commit to relationship if he didn't fully love the person and it made what he was doing now that much worse.

'I am such scum'

Pyrrha was stunned but eagerly started to kiss him back before he pulled away.

"Jaune? What are yo-"

She didn't get to finish as Jaune had used this time to push her into his locker and quickly closed it shut.

"Jaune! What are you doing? Let me out!"

He started to type the lunch code into his locker.

"I am sorry Pyrrha but this is for the best."

She started to plead to him. Hoping he would see reason.

"Please Jaune don't do this!"

He looked back up to her. No doubt this was the last time he would see her beautiful eyes.

"Vale needs you Pyrrha. The world needs someone of your skill so please help the other get out of her safely."

Pyrrha made one last attempt to stop him.

"Jaune what about your family!? Your sisters?"

Jaune almost didn't have the heart to hit the enter button on the locker but he knew he had too. He was sorry he couldn't return her feelings.

"Good bye Pyrrha."

Before she could protest further, he hit the button and she was launched into another part of the city. He knew she would be okay.

Now it was time to be a hero and see if destiny really did exist.

Pyrrha had just broken out of the locker after it landed in a fit of fury. It wasn't hard for her to break out of it and she should have done that before Jaune had launched her, but she was just so taken back by that kiss and that he was going to face Cinder alone. It would be a decision she knew she would regret for the rest of her life.

She pulled out her scroll and dialed the number of the person she knew could possibly stop Jaune. With her speed, perhaps she could catch up to him before it was too late.

Ruby and Weiss had just managed to fend off a pack of Grimm when Ruby's scroll vibrated in her pocket.

Her eyes widened in surprise, it was Pyrrha. Pyrrha had never once called or even texted her before, so for her to be calling now something must have happened.

Weiss had approached her after finishing off a Beowolf.

"Who is it?"

Ruby turned to her. "It's Pyrrha."

She quickly accepted the call and answered it.

"Hello?"

Ruby could hear Pyrrha talking franticly on the other side.

"Jaune did what!? Don't worry me and Weiss will go get him. We are not far from the tower."

Ruby ended the call and turned to Weiss who seemed to be curious at what was going on.

"We have to go find Jaune. He is going to go fight the person responsible for this all by himself."

Weiss actually seemed worried about him. Perhaps she wasn't as cold hearted as previously thought.

"That dolt! We better go save him before he does something stupid and gets himself hurt."

Ruby and Weiss quickly made haste to find their blonde knight.

Jaune had finally got one of the piece of shit elevators inside the tower to work even if just barley. The elevator slowly made its way up the tower where at the top Jaune knew his doom was probably going to be waiting for him.

He felt bad for what he did to Pyrrha but he took comfort in knowing she would be safe. It was better him than her anyway. She was such a kind-hearted girl and was as smart as she was strong. How she could stand being partners with him was beyond him, but he was grateful for all her help in the past.

His mind drifted towards Ruby. He knew he would miss her the most. She was the first friend he made at Beacon and he knew he was going to miss all the time they had spent together. He was really going to miss that cute smile of hers.

He knew his death was going to hurt them and the rest of their friends. Hell, even Blake, whom he had never really talked too might shed a tear, but to him this all felt kind of right.

After all the rest of his team along with team RWBY belonged here. They were going to be incredible huntsmen someday. He on the other hand was a weak reject, but at least he could still do some good. Even if the chances were slim, if he could take out Cinder for all the deaths and misery she was causing then maybe he could finally be a hero. If not, then he could die like one.

The elevator had finally reached the top and the doors slid open.

Cinder sat atop of the huge tower. Her eyes seemed to glow like a flame as fire manifested itself in her palm as she stared at the huge dragon like Grimm before her.

Victory just felt so sweet. After months of planning and hard work it had all come together. This was only the beginning and soon every kingdom will fall one way or another. Once that happens a glorious new beginning will take place.

To her irritation, she heard the elevator doors click open behind her.

'Who could it be?'

Cinder turned around to see someone rather unexpected emerge from the elevator.

'The weak knight?'

A smirk appeared on her face. She supposed this victory allowed her to have a little fun. She wondered how long he would last?

"Welcome. How nice of someone to join me. It was getting kind of lonely up here with just my pet keeping me company."

The large beast let out a large screech and with the flap of its wings began to fly up into the night once more.

Jaune walked out of the elevator and could feel his whole body start to shake, but he did his best to control it.

The witch was already addressing him and he could feel the power the radiated from her from here. He was at least six feet away from what he figured.

He saw her eyes looking down upon him. She was mocking him. He was but an insect to her.

He noticed the large dragon like Grimm take off from the side of the building and fly off somewhere.

This whole situation was the very definition of insane but he couldn't turn back now.

"I apologize for interrupting your bonding time with that monster. Should I come back another time?" He supposed if he was going to die he might as well die a wise ass instead of a coward.

He was surprised that she answered back in such a calm and smooth voice. The fire in her palm still present and her eyes continued to glow.

"No apology needed. I always prefer the company of handsome man such as yourself compared to a Grimm, even if they are useful for destroying kingdoms."

So, she was flirting with him now? Normally he would have been head over heels with such gorgeous girl flirting with him. He would be blushing silly, but not this time. In fact, after everything that had happened, it kind of pissed him off.

Jaune unsheathed his sword. The time for small talk was over even if he was afraid on the inside.

"So, we're going to fight? How disappointing." Cinder said in a slightly disappointed tone.

Jaune turned to face her once more and looked her straight in the eyes.

"Sorry, but we both know how this is going to end." Jaune ran forward with his sword and shield ready.

"Yes, with your death." Cinder finished. The flame in her hand started to grow until she launched her fire at him.

Jaune's shield held steady, but the temperature of the fire was quickly heating up his shield. The shield was starting to burn his arm and he knew he had to discard it before it caused serious damage.

He threw it down with a small yelp as the heat seared his skin. Thankfully, his aura had absorbed most of the damage. Even with his large amount of aura he knew he wasn't going to last long.

Ducking out of the way of her steady stream of fire, he made a desperate lunge with his sword.

The witch had easily dodged his attack. He knew she was barely trying and was toying with him like a cat cornering a mouse.

The building around them had started to shake. To Jaune's horror the dragon had returned with a vengeance. The beast had torn down the top part of the tower along with most of the walls around them. He and his opponent were now exposed to the outside elements. He was flung to the ground from the epic force and he tried to recover.

His opponent on the other hand had no such difficulties and was wielding a bow and arrow instead of her fire.

He felt a burning sensation in his left leg as his opponent let the first arrow fly.

"Damn it."

He cursed as he tried to get and was able to only to stumble a few feet later. As he hit the ground again, he knew it was over. There was no way he could beat her. How foolish he was to think he of all people could make a difference.

He heard footsteps walking towards him and he braced himself for the finishing blow. He looked up at the witch one last time. He would die with his head held high at least.

To his surprise the witch placed a soft hand on his cheek.

"Despite how poorly you fought, you still fought bravely and for that you have my respect. Take heart in knowing I will use my new powers to do incredible things."

Jaune couldn't tell if she was really pitying him or mocking him and he wouldn't even bother to ask what those "incredible" things would be. From what was happening in Vale he already knew what she meant. She was going to destroy everything.

The witches hand left his cheek and went back to her bow.

"Farewell. May your soul find peace on the other side."

Jaune thought he picked up what looked like a hint of sadness in her eyes. This confused him slightly, but he didn't have time to think it over.

In a flash, he felt it. A burning arrow struck his heart. This was the end of him. He would never be able to apologize fully to his team for leaving them like this. He knew he would never see any of his friends again.

He felt the burning sensation in his chest continue to grow and his mind flashed back to his friends one last time.

Ruby. The girl he called his first friend at school, he never really belonged to. The girl who was nice and even worried about him when he got hurt. The girl who made him remember he was supposed to be a leader for his team back when Cardin was picking on him. A girl who, despite all odds never stopped believing in him.

Pyrrha. His partner who went out of her way to train him. To help him improve and kept his secret. She like Ruby never gave up on him and now he had forsaken her trust for his own foolish venture. She would always hold a special place in his heart.

Ren and Nora. He wanted to learn so much more about them since he knew so little of their past. They were great teammates and could always be counted on. The duo were almost exact opposites in personality but they were the best of friends.

Weiss. The girl he always wanted to call his snow angel. He had always known that despite her cold attitude she was a girl who just wanted friends on the inside. It was one of the reason's he had tried so hard with her. She was lonely on the inside just like he was. He was glad at least she found happiness. Even if it was with Neptune and not him.

Blake. The mysterious quiet girl on team RWBY. He had never really talked to her, but he had noticed she became a lot more outgoing over the year. He figured Ruby and Yang just had that effect on people. He was glad she had found good friends to help her open up. Funny how she was like Weiss in that regard.

Yang. He still felt bad for vomiting on her shoes that first day. Despite all that and often being the butt of her jokes he still considered her a friend. She always meant well anyway and was great lightening the mood when things got bad. He supposed he was going to even miss her stupid puns.

Jaune now only saw black and then nothing. His body evaporated into orange embers and then faded away.

The man known as Jaune Arc was no more.

Ruby had made it to the top of the tower just in time.

Just in time to see the boy she called her best friend die. To see him fade away into nothing.

She had failed. Jaune was dead. First Penny and now she had lost Jaune.

Why did all this have to happen? She had such huge plans for the Vytal Festival. She and her team were going to win the tournament. They were going to have fun with their friends as they finished up their first year at Beacon.

They were going to become real huntsmen along with team JNPR. They would help others in need and make the world a safer place for everyone.

She even planned on telling Jaune how she felt. As far as she could tell Jaune had stopped asking Weiss out and moved on. She had hoped this was going to be her chance.

Now everything had been ruined. The lives of her friends taken, including the man she had feelings for.

Something inside of her snapped.

Something unlike anything she had ever felt before. It was pure malice and rage. She could feel it like a separate entity asking her permission to take over for a while.

'Let me in. I will make that witch suffer for what she did. For what she did to Penny. To Jaune.'

That's all Ruby needed to hear. She gladly let in whatever power was seeking control and a large flash of light was all she saw. A loud scream came from her lips.

Cinder felt powerless. The dragon had been turned to stone and her body was now failing her. She was experiencing the after effect of taking the Fall maidens powers and now it was her turn to feel what that blonde knight felt.

Cinder recognized the red hooded girl as the same girl from the dust robbery with Roman a few months ago.

That girl was now so different. She floated above the ground by a few feet. A large stream of white light emanated from her eyes. Her scythe had increased in size and the color changed to a shining white.

That girl was now some sort of monster. A demon or perhaps the angel of death would be more fitting?

Either way this strange girl was now on her and she could do nothing with her body frozen.

Cinder cried out in pain as the girls scythe dug into her skin. The reaper's hand slowly crossed her face and onto her eye.

Cinder had never felt terror like this and with the powers of the Fall maiden she never expected too. Now her world was being turned upside down.

She let out another loud shriek as she felt little girl death slowly take out her left eye. Blood sprayed everywhere and dripped across her face. It was something truly horrendous and her face was now deeply scared by her left eye.

The reapers strange laugh filled her ears.

It made her angry. After all this work, she had finally won and now so soon she was going to die. Her vision faded to black as the world around her disappeared. It was the end of everything.

Qrow had finally found Ruby on top the large tower. The girl looked a mess and she was cradling a white and gold shield.

He turned to see the body of another girl laying a few feet away. Blood was pooling out of her and to his horror an eye ball was laying a few inches away. It looked like it had been ripped out.

The stench was horrible and almost made him vomit.

'Dear God! What the hell happened up here?'

Qrow ran up to his niece and picked her up in his arms. Qrow recognized the shield as one of Ruby's classmates. It seemed he was a friend of Ruby's but Qrow had never bothered to learn his name.

'Poor bastard is probably dead somewhere if his shield is just laying up here.'

It made him sad to see such young kids have to fight and die like this. He wasn't even going to bother with the body of the other girl. He recognized her as one of Salem's pawns who had taken the Fall maidens powers.

As far as Qrow was concerned that bitch deserved her fate for all that had happened that night. He also felt a lot of guilt for not recognizing her sooner and thus allowed all of this to happen in the first place.

Right now, however he had to focus on getting his niece to safety along with the others. He took the shield and figured out how to sheath it. Putting it in his pocket to give back to Ruby later on he started to carry her back to the established safe zone.

"It's okay kiddo I got you."

He said in a soft reassuring voice. They had all been through a lot that night and it was time he got her and Yang back home.

AN: Thank you for reading and feel free to leave any criticism you might have. It helps me get better at writing.