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Sentences in italics are internal conversations in Cinder and Pyrrha's head.

Ironwood was paranoid. But at least he wasn't paranoid enough to think that he was infallible. He at least had the sanity to step down when presented with the plan. The problem with this was that in return he made himself an 'advisor' which really meant he was still the one in power. I don't think he realized that yet. Regardless, as exuberant as ever Penny gave us the full tour of Atlas academy… And introduced us to the Ace Ops who I now realize were not a boy band and in fact not all boys... I can't tell which aren't. Either way we got a good night's rest before it is quickly followed with waking at the crack of dawn to get the plan in motion.

The plan had still remained the same. We're going to launch Amity arena into space with a CCT tower duct taped to the top. I would say Nora was the one that came up with this plan if I didn't know she only got here a day ago.

"I would still say that. This is a terrible plan."

"Hush. It's all we've got right now." Not a good first impression from either of us… I disliked it because it seemed like this was the only plan. No backups… Sort of like it's all or nothing. Those schemes always end well. But still at least he was courteous enough to offer us new gear for this… plan.

"Oh sweet a new jacket!" Jaune was ecstatic as he checked his new gear, I was glad. He looked cold in that thin undershirt... But his pleasure was just barely able to make give us a good chuckle. Oh well… Time to change!

"Into what? They didn't exactly give us new clothes." I remained silent. Cinder was not a fan as she was trying to invade my thoughts. I knew what was coming but she didn't, I liked how this felt to have something up on her.

"Miss... Fall?"

"Just Pyrrha is fine." I replied without even thinking. I turned to find Mr. Polendina there with a rather large box, "Oh hello there… Doctor?"

"Oh no dear. I never finished my last term- too busy building the future of Atlas. I came by to help you with this." He motioned to a fairly large case.

"What is that?"

"A less painful arm."

"Thank you, Mr. Polendina. Though I hardly think you had to waste your time doing this yourself." There was a slight grimace in his eye as he looked me over.

"Oh. It's no waste my dear. Besides this is one of the most advanced prosthetics I've ever made. It will be quite the handful to install, literally in this case." When he opened the case, I couldn't help but smile. There sat a beautifully stunning arm, Yang's may have been more modular but this one was definitely meant to stay where it was as it lacked those magnetic ball joints. The forearm's armor was shaped like my former gauntlet while the hand was odd as it looked like it had bronze plates on each knuckle. Yet the under layer of armor at the base was the same color as my old glove. Still my favorite part was the connector… it was shaped like my armband, styled like the waves.

"You have got to be kidding me." I'm going to ignore her until this is over.

"Now the connector isn't exactly easy to install. Some may consider it invasive..."

"Oh… alright then. Where do we start?" I knew immediately this was going to hurt just but I knew we could take it with already having lost a life and an arm. He motioned me over to the bench, I sat down and rolled up my sleeve.

"I would like to remind you. The last time I trusted a doctor that wasn't really a doctor I ended up in immense pain." What's the worst that could happen? He pricks me and pinches a nerve. After removing the arm from its case, he tested the connector. A drill popped out of before making the most bone chilling noise… "I love being proven right immediately."

"I thought it was just a clamp put around the arm." Nora commented as she watched with bated breath. I felt her hesitation as Mr. Polendina had none as his chair walked him over with the drill. I tried to stop it.

"And you're sure there is no other way?"

"Well, I would have to take this back and refit it… which would take more of my time." I already felt bad about making him do this so I couldn't send him back, "You also said you'd prefer it to be sturdy over modular. And not to boast but Ironwood has yet to complain about his version of this arm."

"Then… I guess we proceed." I didn't know what to say as his chair walked its way over to the bench where he began fitting the arm on my stump. Just don't look at it. JUST DON'T LOOK. JUST DON'T-

"What was that about this being less painful?"

"Do you think this is on straight?" Mr. Polendina asked as if it was nothing. I turned to look.

"NO DON'T!"

"Oh, uh. I believe- AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" He didn't wait for me to finish as he activated the drill. It tore through my skin like paper making its way to the bone. The drilling was followed up by the gentle crushing sensation of having a giant tearing my bones out. Then it was quickly and immediately replaced when worms began tunneling through the remnants of flesh searching for something… It felt like an eternity.

"I HATE YOU! WHY'D YOU DO THIS TO US?!"

"HOW IS THE TENTACLE BETTER?!" After eternity ended and the pain subsided I felt nothing… well aside from the dull ache of having my limb torn to shreds. No, I still couldn't feel the arm. Was this all for nothing? Was this what it felt like to be Cinder? Getting so close to have it slapped out of reach.

"Good, the first step is complete now to install the interface." Mr. Polendina produced a small chip from a side compartment of the case. I say chip but it looked more like a spike, and the hammer he grabbed shortly after was even less reassuring.

"W-where does that go?"

"In the nerve. Now sit still, my hands aren't as steady as they once were." He raised the spike to my shoulder… This didn't look good. Then he passed it and got near my neck, then my head, right before circling around to the right side of my temple.

"WAIT, WHAT NERVE!"

*THUNK*

"PYRRHA! PYRRHA!"

"Wha- WAIT DON'T I NEed to…" Everyone was surrounding me as I came to. Jaune was trying to heal me and Ren looked concerned trying to shake me awake and Nora was currently choking as I held her throat with my new arm, "Nora!"

"Present!" She choked out as I released her.

"Sorry I didn't-"

"That's quite normal. I did just tap into your primary motor cortex. Frankly, you did a lot better than Ironwood did. He killed my assistant at the time… Poor, poor Penelope. Anyway, you should be all ready to go." That explains a lot about him… both of them. Wait Penelope? Was she who he based Penny off of? Come to think of it no matter how you look at it either side of me is responsible for the death of his daughter... Does he resent us? Questions for later. And yet-

"Hey Invincible Girl try not to kill pinky she's my favorite of your band of suicidal fools."

"That dashes some of my hope… Wait! You like Nora?"

"Yes. She is the only one that doesn't want a piece of me."

"I mean… I guess not."

"I mean you already gave a piece of me away to Jaune. I assume Ruby's next." AH. I'm not going to… but she doesn't need to know that. And with that Mr. Polendina departed as his work was done and he far too busy to explain anything else. That just left team JNPR back together...

"You good?" Jaune ever faithful and reliable.

"I think so…" I flexed my new fingers as I tested them, "It will take some getting used to. But I'm just glad it's not a tentacle…"

"Shadow hand is not a tentacle! It's a malevolent evil that floats around in my body!"

"That's haunting." I rolled the sleeve back down covering the new arm… I would need to remove this sleeve now that I have two arms once again. It was far too baggy for the hoodie or flowy as it looked like something you'd find on a ball gown. Cinder certainly did have a style…

"Good, that thing was weird. I thought it was going to attack me." Nora commented from a prone gasping state on the floor. I offered her the new hand she was initially hesitant but accepted it anyway. Pulling her up was easy… it was just as strong as mine used to be. But as everyone began swapping out their clothes, I was just sitting there waiting… I didn't really know what to do as I waited. I began playing with the arm trying to magnetize it before pulling Akouo 2 to it. Then Jaune came over with my sash, he offered it to me but I made no move to take it.

"I held onto this for you…"

"No you didn't. You kept it in memory of me," I put my hands on his, closing his around the sash, "and for that I'd like you to keep it."

"Are you sure? I mean it's-"

"I already took your hoodie- it's only fair you get to keep something of mine." He let a subtle grin form as I chuckled.

"Hard to argue that…" He had grown since Beacon and not just in the strength category. He was a better man. With our hands still together I pulled him in once again. This time I thought it felt less powerful, just simpler. Like this was what was going to happen from now on…

"I told you." Nora tried to whisper but for her that was still pretty loud. The kiss ended but our foreheads were still together.

"How was he supposed to know?" That explains why he never figured it out at Beacon, "Was he supposed to think that every politeness was flirting? He thought they were friends."

"Yes, because we need to spend every waking moment together while passing signs that I'm into you!" Nora was losing her subtlety and patience with Ren at this point.

"She didn't really pass many signs though."

"No seriously she just confessed to him! How has he not noticed yet?!" I leaned into Jaune's ear.

"He's noticed, he's just in denial right?" Jaune stared at the two of them and nodded. I liked it when we talked like this but as he nodded a single hair dripped into his eyes.

"Uh, this is getting out of hand." His hair was longer than at Beacon, he probably hadn't gotten it cut since they left…

"Say the word and I will give him a sensual haircut."

"Dare I ask? What's a sensual haircut?"

"Not much, just a lot of soaps and face masks. Salem isn't too fond of getting her haircut so when she makes me do it, we have to go all out. Though he may end up with her hair in the end…"

"I don't know. It kind of suits you…" I ran my flesh hand through his hair, "Tall, blond and scraggly." Jaune blushed.

"Maybe, but it's getting in the way at this point. I think it's time for a change."

"Uhh," I didn't want him to change it… There had to be something I could say. Maybe commanding him to not cut it- where did that come from?

"Me. I can solve this if you allow me." I don't know she's been trustworthy for the last few days… she wouldn't ruin that now…

"Alright. Just don't-"

"Sit." And she's already commanding him. I didn't like where this was going. Jaune was hesitant but he still followed her order. She walked over to the medical kit in the corner of the locker room and removed a pair of scissors. I thought I said I didn't want her to cut it. She looked in a mirror for a second catching Jaune in the reflection. Her thoughts were abuzz with possibilities none of which where coherent to me. Then she raised the new hand to our face to inspect it for herself, a few clicks of the fingers before she brought them to the new bronze plate on her temple. Similar to Ironwood but instead of a simple plate it was a round disk with my symbol etched into it. She toyed with it for a second before she focused on the mirror.

"Cinder what are you-"

*SHCLIP*

She cut the stray strand of her hair that was styled over her missing eye. She took it in the new hand and setting down the scissors she began to twist it. A little heat and suddenly her hair was a finely wrapped string. She didn't pause marching back over to Jaune and began pulling him to the nearest tub of a sink. I hoped there was some method to this madness. When she arrived she sat him down with his back to the sink, "Ren. May I borrow your… hair… products?"

"Uh… sure." He muttered with wary eyes as he wasn't sure what she was planning but he came with several bottles of conditioner and shampoos… one was pancake scented… he carried Nora's with him. She wasn't going to remember. Cinder selected from them and began the sink. She took great care in making sure it was warm.

"Look, I'm fine with just a little trim-"

"Well that's too bad!" She dunked his hair in the water with as much force as she could muster without aura… or magic. She dumped far more than the needed amount of soaps and conditioner on his head, before she began scrubbing him like he was an animal. Just a fervent hasty brushing that looked like a form of torture but the way she was scrubbing it felt like she was willing his hair to grow more. But when she was done she pulled Jaune's head up to reveal his hair looked ever so slightly longer as if she was pulling it up at the root. More likely that she was untangling the mop of hair on his head. Then she held his head in her regular hand, "And now we wait."

"Wah-" Jaune didn't get to finish as he instinctively launched up from having his head scorched. Cinder the ever impatient had taken to drying his hair; by hand. It may not hurt him but it is more startling than anything.

"Cinder!"

"Now we comb it." She pulled a glass comb out of thin air as Jaune looked even more suspicious of her than before. He didn't know what was coming and neither did I. I just hope she didn't hurt him.

"Look- I just need a trim. I don't need whatever you're planning. I assume it has something to do with planting something in my head," Good he was skeptical of her sudden kindness. But she just shrugged it off when she used the metal arm to pull him back into the seat. This time she was actually delicate as she made sure his hair wasn't a tangled mess like before. The right side still had the distinct wave but now it was pulled off to the side. His hair may have been unruly, but it was also long enough to pull a significant chunk back where she tied it off... with her strand of hair.

"And... you... look... just like Mercury when I did this for him… I guess I am only good at doing the spider up-do."

"Didn't Mercury use enough hair gel to poison himself?" Jaune confirmed what I was thinking.

"...Yes. But in my defense, he wouldn't stop squirming. So I just took to shaving him after that. He stopped leting me do his hair after that though." Wait was she actually trying to help? Was this her honest attempt at solving the long hair problem? Tying it back to keep it out of his eyes while leaving him with the same long scraggly look he had before. It suited him but in a cowboy sort of way, like I expected him to wear a massive hat along with it.

"That brings a question to mind," Oh no, "You're a knight. Why don't you wear a helmet?"

"Because it would obscure my vision… Grimm could sneak up on me..." Jaune fiddled with his hair trying to get it right. But I could feel the suspicion in her.

"You'd get used to the blind spots. What's the real reason?"

"Cinder stop." She refused as she began peering into his soul. I could feel the glare tearing it's way through Jaune's exterior. He wanted to stay strong and keep this to himself… yet he faltered.

"I... left it on the airship to Beacon and it never turned up in the lost and found…" I-I-I didn't know that… Cinder's chest suddenly became tight as our jaw suddenly locked up. I need to take back over before she-

"Tha-that is nothing to be asham- I can't. HAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!" Jaune shrunk down as she laughed. I could feel it though laugh wasn't one of thinking he was incompetent it was a friend laugh at another… She thought of him as a friend.

"I would like to point out I was very nice about the whole helmet thing." I was ignoring her again as we had lined up in the manta. The briefing was long and arduous as Ironwood explained what basically amounted to go here and kill Grimm. There was plenty more to do at this point. Like clearing the dust mine for the launch site or actually building the new CCT tower. I hoped they didn't expect us to do that… sure some of us would be great heavy lifters but I'm not exactly the best around machinery. Or hard drives.

"JNPR are you ready?" My mind snapped back to reality when Shoe-less and Bald head shouted as they opened the doors. Everyone was immediately blinded by the Solitas snow… well I wasn't. Cinder was lucky like that having sunglasses ready. But we were high enough that when everyone's eyes adjusted they were able to answer with only a little doubt.

"Yeah. I think." Jaune had needed my help the first day, but now… I don't think so. He just needs a little reassurance. I put a hand on his shoulder as he looked down, when he turned back to me he gave a little grin and nodded, "I'm more worried we'll be blinded from the snow."

"You get used to it!" Bare-foot shouted as he jumped. Bald head shrugged as he followed the other. Team JNPR however waited for our leader's approval, he looked between us when he declared.

"Just like at Beacon!" Before jumping… Nora and Ren were quick to follow him out. I stood there for a second as I processed. WAIT JUST LIKE BEACON?!

"What's the issue? Let me guess he's going to go splat. Heh, if it was that easy to get rid of him I doubt he would not have made it this far." Cinder mocked him. But I could feel something in her thoughts, "Well. Go after him. He is about to die."

"Yeah! I'll just fly after him!" I jumped hoping to stop another argument with myself but as I exited the ship I just floated there…

"We're a maiden. That comes with flight!"

"I don't know how this works!"

"Just focus on propelling yourself and that's it."

"I don't need to propel myself, I need to turn it off!" I could feel her roll an imaginary eye as we began to fall. Great now I need to catch- is he using Corcea Mors as a parachute? I just panicked over nothing… did I really have no faith in him?

"Is it unfaithful to think because he needed help the first time that he needs it again? OR is it the fact that you helped him the first time mixing with my raging paranoia?"

"Oh gods. Tell me we're not gonna keep that!"

"I cannot." I wanted to argue but that was nonsense. I needed to focus on the impending ground… Or I could just fly away…

…

Concentrate. I just need to slow my descent. Then stop it completely. A little floating- "Just think about flying and you will."

"Oh is that all! There's no blood sacrifice or some convoluted-"

"And we're not falling." I looked down as I realized it. Was it really this easy? There had to be some trick- like it wasn't and she was just toying with me to confuse me. I needed to figure- "No, it really is this easy. Most maidens can do this without any training."

"I refuse to believe you."

"There you go being paranoid again."

"ARE YOU TRYING TO GASLIGHT ME!?"

"There you go making up fake words again. Don't be ridiculous-"

"Stop. I honestly can't tell if you're being serious."

"Neither can I…"

"Should we stop?"

"Probably… but hey I have an idea."

"I don't like the sound of-"

"We should fly away!"

"And I thought you would suggest killing them." Gently floating down with the wind was unexpected- not altogether bad but just slightly unexpected. Now I needed to control the descent and direct myself... It can't be that easy right? I leaned forward as I descended preparing to catch myself if I fell. But the gentle floating down to the cave entrance was far from the worst thing I had ever done. It was pleasant only to be ruined when I reached the ground.

"Took your time didn't you!" Shoe-less was mildly angry at my slow descent. Cinder was however determined to spit in his face as she took over.

"What's the phrase? You wouldn't rush the fire for fear of getting burned. But you my dear are clearly a candle," That wasn't inherently an insult but it didn't make much sense- "Better burnt out."

"Why you-"

"Elm! Focus." Balding was quick to stop Shoe-less-

"His name is Elm! Ha!"

"Darn it!" Balding dragged Elm away as I remained in the back with the rest of team JNPR.

"I didn't know you could fly." Jaune said as he lead us in.

"Uh... Cinder just taught me how..."

"That's so cool! Can you fly us to the moon?!" Nora ever the optimist.

"I don't think we can make it that far..." I chuckled as Nora frowned. But as we entered the ice cave I couldn't help but feel nostalgic for our old adventures. Those felt like years ago, and for them it was but for me... less than a few days. That didn't matter now. I was here and would be apart of them from this point on. I just hoped that it didn't involve dying again.

"If I have my way. It won't- I mean for me. Your survival is up in the air."

"Charming." I just wasn't alone now. The ice tunnel seemed to go on forever as we made our way through. Nora seemed a little distracted though preferring to focus on Ren. I shoot my head with a grin as I placed my hand on her shoulder. She turned back and I gave her the nod. She didn't need my permission but it always felt better to know someone was rooting for you. She nodded back as she turned back to him.

"I like what you did with your outfit." Okay. Not the worst. She may need to be more specific-

"We should focus on the mission."

...

"There is no way he doesn't realize right? Aside from that being one of the worst flirtations I've ever heard- it was definitely flirting," Cinder was right. I honestly didn't know if he knew at this point. Jaune had to know she was, I mean I've said similar things to him and we're dating now. He could convince Ren-

"I like what you did with your outfit too!"

...

Nora pouted as she lowered her shoulders. I just gave Jaune the side eye as I half gaped my mouth at his density... How had I fallen for him? He didn't have a romantic bone in his body. We continued on in spite of our the male members of our team being oblivious. Well I got mine so it shouldn't take that long for her to get hers.

"We've come into contact with the target! Currently facing Centinel resistance!" As that blared over the comms it propelled us to move faster.

"Eyes up kids!" Elm shouted as we came to a slope.

"I'm not a kid! I'm 23!" That was good to know... I was 6 years older than when I died.

He darted down with baldy quickly in tow. We were never ones to be shown up as we slid down it as well. Perfect time to use Akouo tossing it to the ground to use as a sled. That may not have been the wisest decision as the Ace ops stopped halfway down, but as I slid under the arms of Baldy I readied Milo in rifle mode ready to take pot shots at any Grimm in the way. Jaune sped passed me as several Grimm popped out of the ground... I had seen this type in Ports class but for the life of me I couldn't remember anything about them.

"Centinels, they're basically angry bitey worms." It was nice knowing everything about Grimm now... or well it was a perk of being part one... Either way Jaune planted his sword to slow his descent before using his shield's new ability to repel the Grimm at the bottom. While they were staggered Ren shot two ropes into one of them pulling him to the Grimm they were planted in. He would need help. I took aim at the Centinel on the opposite side of Ren as Nora was nearly at his back.

*BANG*

*BANG*

It wasn't enough to kill the Centinel but it was enough to stagger it back as I reached the end of the slope and stabbed the beast. Milo in spear form went right through before bisecting the creature entirely. And with Nora crushing the last one all the Grimm were dead.

"Quite a headfirst approach..." Baldy commented as he made it to the ground. I felt Cinder digging around in my memories and as she finished looking she took over the voice again.

"Actually the headfirst approach is using Nora as a battering ram. This was more a preemptive team assault." Cinder was not entirely wrong... that was Valkos our team attack.

"That is a dumb name."

"Well all the other names are Arkos and Greek Lotus. We didn't really have a lot to work with for me."

"What the heck is a Greek?"

"I don't know. It's something to do with the origin of Argus... Nora is the one that came up with it." I could feel Cinder wanting to judge but that was delayed when the leader of the boy band called out over comms.

"THIS IS ALPHA WE'VE ENGAGED THE TARGET!" Great. Now we gotta deal with a Geist. I looked between us as we picked up pace running through the mine. I didn't have a good feeling about this. Until the leader replied, "We lost it. Target last seen heading east."

"How can we go east in a cave?! We can either go straight or-" We came to a 4 way intersection leading in the cardinal directions.

"It's this way!" I took the lead... I always knew which way was north... thanks polarity. But when we entered the central chamber of the mine I was astounded. I knew they were big but this was one of those places that seemed impossible. Dust lining the walls with mine tracks strewn all over the place forming a web of metal. Is this what Weiss's nightmares look like?

"I could set this entire mine off with a thought."

"Then stop thinking."

"Shouldn't the Geist be here?" Nora pointed out something I should have been thinking about. I took a look around the chamber and found nothing. That couldn't be good. We needed to track it-

"Up." My eye shot up as I made eye contact with the Grimm.

"Found it."

"Where!" Elm shouted as he didn't look up. This was going to be awkward. But the Geist decided now was the proper time to attack as it jumped down from the roof. I was about to charge in when the Ace ops took the lead. Baldy grabbed one of it's legs.

"Elm!" Elm charged out and took that leg head on. She may need help, I can do that.

"Wait," Jaune grabbed my real hand as he held me back, "We should act as support and only help when they need it."

"Why? We can easily beat this thing!" I protested, it wouldn't be that difficult to kill. We were capable and strong. I'm pretty sure they've even helped kill one before. So why was he stopping us?

"You're basically a walking detonator at this point! If anything goes wrong you could set off all the dust."

"Ah, that's not-"

"And that thing is made out of dust. We need to be more delicate." Ren added his two cents. But this was nowhere near something that should stop us. I could take that thing alone if they were against helping! I was about to tear my hand out of Jaune's when Nora commented.

"I don't think they are gonna need our help." When I focused back on the giant the fisherman swung his rod around the Geist's mask and pulled it out. She may have been right. They scrambled to catch all the shards of dust that fell along with the giant. It was impressive... not the catching the dust, no the fact they were able to kill the thing without blowing it up... That was where we were lacking.

As we cleared out of the mine I couldn't help but think it was a terrible shanty town... Adam was right these mines really are slave compounds. Weiss must feel really bad about how her family treated their workers. Doesn't matter to me. I just need to make sure I'm strong enough to protect everyone. That's all that matters... I shook my head as I ratcheted my left shoulder... It was still sore from the new arm.

"Sore?" Yang was the one to console me we were in a similar boat after all... How did she lose hers anyway?

"Yeah."

"You get used to the added weight." She smiled as she said that... I don't think she realized why I'm sore.

"The weights fine. I just think it was excessive to drill into my arm so they could clamp around the bone." That got her as she recoiled.

"They did what!?" Yang was a little shocked. I was going to keep going but I was interrupted before I could.

"You guys are so cool!" And Ruby snapped me out of my head as she and Jaune fangirling over the Ace ops.

"It's like you knew exactly what to do without even discussing tactics first." Jaune definitely wished he could read minds, "That's the kind of teamwork I want! How do you do it?"

"We just act. All the members of the Ace ops were selected to perfectly compliment each others strengths and weaknesses." Fisherman answered. But as the wolf boy interjected and prattled on I lost interest.

"It just seemed that way because they're lucky. Granted they have some skill but they aren't exactly the exceptional warriors they pretend to be." Whoever said that was right... I said that. Oh no. The short-boy-without-pants-on was the first to react to that one.

"Oh really! Because all of us get to come back from the dead! Face it-you couldn't cut it the first time!" He came marching over and began poking me in the chest, "OR are you the BITCH that's trying to destroy the world? Doesn't matter either way- when you fuck up I'm taking that power!" Everyone stood there in a stunned silence as his intentions became clear. There was little debate as no one knew what to say. I didn't either. But not for the reason he hoped.

"Good question," I moved my hand to my chin which was just above his forehead, "But sadly I am not sure who you're talking to. But I hardly feel it matters... After all-Men can't be maidens." His eyes narrowed as his face turned from shock to a deeper anger in seconds.

"I AM A WOMAN!"

"Really? But you look just like a little boy." He was about to attack me when Jaune cut in. Both physically and mentally standing between us.

"Cinder stop provoking people!" There was one way to phrase this. I don't understand. I wasn't trying to provoke them just simply stating facts. But still I had to explain that or the fact that I wasn't sure who I was...

"Not Cinder-" They all looked confused, "Also not Pyrrha." Then the silence was thick. Anyone could cut it with a knife or a word.

"Then who are you?" Ruby came up trying to mediate.

"Not sure. Oh well. We can figure that out later-"

"No." Ruby stood there as firm as ever placing a hand on my real arm. We had a short staring contest but it ended when the light in her eyes seemed to grow causing me to flinch.

"Uh-I'm fine. I- don't need your help." I looked away as I scanned my eye across the crowd. The Ace ops were arming themselves as they planned on attacking while the others just looked concerned... It hurt that I caused this. I just need to explain... somewhere safe... with friends... not total strangers that I keep pissing off.

"Can I get the team leaders over here!" Ironwood called out from across the field as he arrived. Still running the show even though he's only an advisor now. Great. Jaune and Ruby looked at me as they were about to shuck off their duty.

"Go. I'll be fine. Nothing a little Nora positivity won't fix." I pushed them away as I retreated to the smaller girl. I just shafted her with the responsibility of dealing with the mildly unhinged me... Why won't I separate? But as I found my way to her she didn't try to talk to me she just took me into a hug... and lifted me off the ground. Is this the end?

"Promise you won't leave without saying goodbye this time." Nora... I never said goodbye the first time... I'm not her at the moment but I still need to do something to reassure her. So with a roll of my eye I answered her.

"I won't. Now put me down."

"No! You said Nora Positivity will fix this. So I won't stop till it does!" Then she began shaking me side to side... I should have said sex with Jaune! The short Ace ops member still had hi-her eyes on me. I should flip her off... no I've provoked her enough. I need to make amends. OR avoid her for the rest of time... Decisions. Decisions. But as I began lifting Nora off the ground trying to fly out of her grasp Jaune returned.

"Ironwood wants to see us in Amity... He wasn't too specific. How are you doing?"

"I'm being shaken like a can while the short one is trying to bore through my skull with her eyes." While Short may have been walking away her gaze remained on me. But I could hardly care. At least I didn't have to walk as she carried me into the airship... Luckily Jaune was smart enough to get everyone on the same ship... Which meant Team JNPR and RWBY were about to prod my mind.

"What's happening?" Yang was the first to ask. I was reluctant to answer, I mean I still don't know how she lost her arm. I could at least get that info before she digs into my skull... then trust would begin to break down...

"I'm merged right now," There it was, all of it. Every detail I had in my possession, I had merged.

"What do you mean merge? I thought Ozpin said that would take a while." Blake was skeptical. It's almost like she had information that the rest of us didn't.

"Well instead of two people occupying my head. There's just one. I have both their thoughts! Anything else that needs to be explained about me!" That may have been a little much.

"Oh... but you seem more like Cinder than Pyrrha. Does this mean this is who you will be from now on?" Weiss commented.

"MAybe! I don't exactly know how this works! I would rather force Pyrrha to deal with your incessant prattle than deal with it myself! But here I am!" Why was I even bothering? I could incinerate them. I could do a million things! Why was talking to them the one I was doing?

"But... you are still our friend right?" Nora... sweet sweet Nora. I wanted to tell her that I was but the pit in my gut shouted that we were two steps from murder. I just looked away and remained silent as the ship arrived at Amity. I couldn't meet any of their eyes. It felt like I was going to burst with anger and hate. Even though I wasn't looking I could feel their gazes. All the way tracking me and following me to the stage. I wasn't what they were hoping for and I didn't know how to lie to them to make myself seem like I was. Just standing there on stage we lined up as I was certain this was some pointless ceremony, headmasters always love those. Ironwood was giving a speech as Qrow was clearly out of his element as a headmaster.

"-the next generation of huntsman and huntresses." Who? What does that even mean? Wait am I- streamers interrupted me as

"Huh after everything we've been through... I thought this would feel important." Jaune was looking at his scroll... It had a huntsman license right there. Wait was that what this ceremony was? I dug my scroll out as I checked. There sat a license... Pyrrha Nikos Huntress.

"This isn't me. I didn't earn this..." What would Rhodes think? I had finally become a huntress... sort of. But it wasn't my name on the badge and it wasn't for me even if it had my picture. I hadn't earned this.

"This may not have been worth dying over... A single small piece of paper." Wait I wasn't speaking. That was Pyrrha!

"Pyrrha!"

"I know... we were bonded for a while..."

"Yeah... I'm not exactly certain if I liked it."

"...Yeah... but at least we're a huntress now..."

"I guess... I wanted this once upon a time. But now- I-"

"Just feel like I didn't earn this." I- I may have something in common with her at least.

"Uh, Cinrrha? We're having cake... Wait that didn't work out so well last ti-" Ruby tried to escape after she asked that.

"What did you just call me?" There was a tension in her mind that made me feel empty. Was Pyrrha offended or was she just angry that she said that? Does she get angry? Wait! Do I care if she ends Ruby? Maybe for once my feelings are leaking over to her. That would show them! But they'd be mad if she did that to them...

"Uh Cinrrha. It's a combination of both your names so I kind of thought-"

"Absolutely not. I'm sorry but I refuse. You can call me either names but not some hodgepodge in the middle." That was awfully strong willed of her... almost like me.

"Uh... Cinder-"

"I'm Pyrrha at the moment." Ruby was shocked a little bit as Pyrrha was so curt. But she shrugged it off when she realized what Pyrrha said.

"Wait really!? I thought you were gone for good." Her eyes lit up not with light but hope. They only did this when she was talking to Pyrrha and not me.

"Uh, not yet... I think we have some time left. I hope." I hope so to. But at the same time I still have a mission and if I fail I don't think either of us will last that long. I need to get the maiden power and relics... Right?

Please Like, Comment, and Subscribe. Or you know don't, you have free will and I don't control you so whatever.

So I went on Vacation for the weekend and it bit into writing this... My bad. But it's only a little late... not really I schedule it so I release a chapter a week. By my book I am still on schedule.

Either way. I may have another story that came out of nowhere and may start next week... I need to focus.