Weiss Schnee
Beacon Academy; Vale
January 29th

I can't believe this is happening. There's a nevermore circling the school, we've lost control over the broadcasts and… I don't even know what to do. Ruby disappeared, I have no idea what happened to Caitlin after she left and Beacon is at risk for falling. How in the hell did things get to be this way? Yang doesn't even know where Ruby is… and Penny… I don't understand. Part of me just wants to collapse, to leave and head back to safety in Atlas but without my sister… without the people I care about that's not going to happen.

"Blake, what are we going to do?" I ask my teammate in slight panic as I reach for Myrtenaster.

"We're going to the docks, and we're doing our job," She responds as she uses her scroll to call her weapon to her

I look at her one last time before nodding in agreement. If something seriously wrong was to happen to my sister I'd know, wouldn't I? I allow reason and my training to take over as we begin to run. I will defend Beacon, and I will defend Vale.

"Coco, are you out of your damn mind?" I scream at her as we run through Beacon's grounds to fight the Paladins. "I don't know if we can beat these -"

"Less talking, more fighting, Schnee," Coco says, suddenly stopping as we meet up with Velvet, Nora, Ren, and Neptune. I move to fight, but one of the Paladins knocks me back hard.

"Weiss!" I hear Neptune exclaim as he reaches out his hand while I get back up. Nora then runs in front of a Paladin to prevent it from hitting Ren and even though Coco and Neptune are firing at the Paladin it's unfazed by us.

Damn it.

"Well, I guess now's a better time than any," Coco says, her gaze shifting. "Velvet!"

"Really?" Velvet responds, her eyes wide in excitement upon hearing those words from Coco.

"Just make them count," Coco tells her and Velvet nods, walking right up to the Paladins.

"What are you doing?" I ask her, starting to feel angry. "She's going to get hurt!"

Coco gives me a smug little grin. "Just watch."

I'm actually surprised by what happens. Velvet's weapon, her camera, isn't just a camera. Now I understand why she always wants to take photos of new weapons - she can use them. She first uses a light copy of Crescent Rose and imitates the overhead-spin that Ruby is so fond of. Just seeing that move makes me wish Ruby was here right now. I'm even more surprised when she starts to use a light copy of Myrtenaster. I'm not sure how many different weapons she calls back in light copies, but I have to admit that I'm impressed. No wonder Coco wanted Velvet to wait to start using these - they're Velvet's secret weapon, or in this case weapons. It's going well until the Paladin sucker punches Velvet.

"Velvet!" Coco screams, running towards her girlfriend while everyone else stops.

I'm furious now, at the Paladins, at Torchwick, at what's happening here at Beacon, at my father, at everything. I run as fast as I can to fight the Paladin and, without even realizing it, I instinctively summon the arm and sword of the Arma Gigas that I was forced to fight before I was allowed to attend Beacon Academy rather than Atlas. I notice this in surprise, and just after I can see Velvet photographing it. I tear the Paladin apart and I collapse onto the ground, breathing heavily. I cannot believe that I did that. I'm getting off of the ground when I hear Sun's voice.

"You've got to be kidding me," He says as another Paladin turns the corner. We all stand ready to fight it back, but then it shuts down. I sigh in relief, collapsing again. I lean onto Myrtenaster to remain standing, and to be honest I can't even help it, I'm just so tired.

"Weiss!" Yang screams, running over to me. "You're okay! Have you heard from Ruby?"

I shake my head in response as my thoughts trail back to Ruby.

"What about Blake?" Yang asks, slightly panicked. Even though they've been subtle, I know that they're in a relationship - just like Ruby and I are.

"She went after an Alpha…" I tell her, pointing towards where Blake ran off to. "... And some members of the White Fang."

"You look for Ruby. I'll meet up with Blake," Yang tells me as she runs off to find Blake while I give her a thumbs up.

I've found Ruby - thank god - and I've also gotten her caught up on what's happened to me, Blake, and Yang. I still haven't heard back from Caitlin even though I've sent her six or so messages, trying to make sure that she's alright. I guess the best thing I can do now is hope. Ruby and I running towards Beacon, trying to find Jaune and Pyrrha. Assuming they're still alive, of course. I know Jaune is, he wants us to save Pyrrha from the woman that is at the top of Beacon Tower, but if what he said is true then chances of us making it to Pyrrha while she's still alive are slim. The grimm dragon flies back around Beacon Tower, screeching horribly while Ruby draws Crescent Rose.

"I have a plan," Ruby tells me, gripping Crescent Rose tighter as she gets ready to fight.

I draw Myrtenaster and turn to look at her. "You always do."

Together, we continue to fight off grimm but then Ruby looks at me as we approach Beacon Tower. "We've gotta hurry!"

I look around for a moment before I cast a series of glyphs onto the side of the tower. "You can do this," I tell her.

I watch as Ruby runs forward, using her semblance to propel her forward onto the first glyph. She continues to tear her way up the wall with her semblance maintaining her movements and my glyphs preventing her from falling off. And little did I know that that would be the last time I saw my girlfriend before months of separation that were to follow this night. I'm not sure just how long I'm standing here, but shortly after Ruby makes it to the top of Beacon Tower I get a call from Caitlin. I answer it as quickly as possible, relieved that she's still alive.

"Caitlin? Oh my god, are you alright?" I have a million questions for her right now, but at least she's alive.

"I'm fine," She says. "I'm in the city and I'm with my father. I've probably shattered my left arm -"

"What?" I scream in shock. "What do you mean you've probably shattered your left arm? What the hell happened to you?" I demand, terrified about what her response may be.

"When I left you and Ruby I was going back to my dorm to get something when I saw that Pyrrha and Penny were fighting," Caitlin slows down her voice just a little before continuing. "I freaked and changed my direction to the Atlesian ships. I got in and tried to shut down Penny remotely -"

"You knew that Penny was an android?" I can't even believe that, how - and why - would she know that?

"Yes, and then my scroll shut down just before the broadcast. Roman Torchwick and Neopolitan showed up shortly after the broadcast ended and Roman had Neopolitan try to kill me -"
"He tried to have her kill you?" I can hear my voice getting higher and shriller. "Are you serious?"

"Yes - we were about ten feet off of the ground in the city of Vale and Neopolitan pushed me out of the ship. I tried to catch myself, but I landed really hard on my left arm -"

"I'm in Beacon's main grounds. Meet me here as soon as you can," I tell her, wanting to make sure that she stays safe.

"Got it," She says, ending the call almost as soon as she finishes responding.