"Pyrrha! Wait!" Jaune's outstretched arm landed back at his left side. Directly on the sticky half eaten cotton candy she dropped when she had run.

Little bits of rubble rained down bouncing off his spaulders. He gazed up at the spider web cracks in the masonry above him.

"Something's wrong." He whispered to himself. Pyrrha was definitely acting out of character. She was almost desperately clingy all day, only to violently push him away just now.

"What did I say?" He wracked his brain trying to remember. She had said something about someone offering to give her some kind of power. A power to defend everyone. But one that could change her somehow. Something about having to give up who she is.

That was unlike her as well. Pyrrha always said that power needed to be earned. That nobody could just give you strength or power, only opportunities. And what was all that talk about destiny?

Wait, hadn't Pyrrha gone to see Professor Ozpin last night? Who else could grant someone mysterious powers? And she had started acting odd this morning like she was trying to make a big decision, but was afraid of what would happen either way. Like she was trying to decide which choice was the lesser of two evils.

Jaune got to his feet with purpose. Two things were abundantly clear. Pyrrha was definitely not in a mental state to fight tonight. And he needed to have a chat with Professor Ozpin.

Pulling out his scroll he quickly dialed.

"Coco, quick question. Can you change who is fighting in the finals at any point or is it already too late? ….Un-Huh? As long as she hasn't fought in the single's rounds yet? Okay, thanks."

A few quick taps on his scroll later. "Nora suit up, you're fighting instead of Pyrrha tonight…. Yeah, I'm worried about her too. You get to the coliseum. Have Ren find her and break the news to her. I got to go meet with the Headmaster."

A few text messages later, and a few emails to Professors Goodwitch and Port, and the forms were all submitted. Nora was the official representation for team JNPR.

A few short minutes later Jaune was nervously riding the elevator to the top of Beacon Tower.

The door opened with a chime, revealing Ozpin just shutting down his desktop display and tenting his fingers.

"Mr. Arc, while my door is always open, I must say, this is rather unexpected. I thought you would be preparing to cheer on Miss Nikos, should she be selected to fight tonight." Ozpin gestured for Jaune to take a seat in one of the two chairs opposite his desk.

"Well, Sir, that is kind of why I came here tonight. I pulled Pyrrha from the competition. Nora will be fighting instead." Jaune sat and fidgeted with his hands, trying not to look as nervous as he felt.

"That is something few would have anticipated. You will have likely ruined the evenings of many fans and gamblers. I don't suppose you will reconsider? I highly doubt the people of Mistral will be pleased with this turn of events." Ozpin put down his coffee mug and lowered his glasses to look over at the young man before him.

"With all due respect sir, I couldn't care less about Mistral. I care about Pyrrha. And right now, she is too frazzled to compete safely." Jaune's hands had ceased their nervous movements and now gripped the arms of the chair as his resolve steeled.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Ozpin pause to sip from his cup.

"I bet you are." Jaune ground his teeth together. Beginning to take offense at Ozpin's cavalier attitude.

"Pardon?" Ozpin raised an eyebrow, as his cup lowered slowly. His voice taking an edge of warning.

"I don't know what you said to her exactly. But I'm not so stupid that I wouldn't realize you were responsible for the way she is acting." Jaune was headless of Ozpins warning, and was growing more suspicious and angrier by the minute.

"Mr. Arc, I can assure you that there is nothing untoward happening here. I merely offered her a position as a teaching assistant here…" Ozpin waved a hand dismissively.

"Don't lie to me!" Jaune had leapt from his chair and slammed both hands onto the desk. He was leaning forward towering over the seated headmaster. Using all his six plus foot frame to show his anger. "Pardon me sir, but Pyrrha was talking about some kind of power. One she and she alone was chosen to wield."

"You are more astute than I was led to believe Mr. Arc. Very well I suppose you would have learned the truth sooner or later. And I apologize for attempting to mislead you, it was for your own good." Ozpin looked up at the unusually angry teen. Never losing his composure, he met his scorching gaze with his own trademark calm stare.

"In my experience when someone says they are doing something for 'your own good' it is usually to advance their own interests not necessarily yours. Sir." Jaune backed down and retook his seat. But body posture alone could tell anyone watching that he was far from appeased.

"Again, very astute Mr. Arc. Now, if I may, this question may seem off topic but I can assure you it very much is not." Ozpin paused dramatically taking a sip from his ever-present cup of cocoa, or coffee, Jaune wasn't sure and currently didn't care.

"What is your favorite fairy tale." Ozpin's glasses glinted in the light hiding the mischievous sparkle in his eyes. His mug doing the same for the barest hint of a smirk that quirked his lips.

"Definitely the 'Girl in the Tower'." All traces of amusement left Ozpins face.

"Not my personal favorite, but I should have expected as much. With your goals of being the noble warrior knight." Ozpin frowned into his mug.

"But the regular version. Not the one where the knight dies and the girl defies the gods and goes all evil." Jaune rattled off this aside rather nonchalantly, unaware of his effect on a certain ancient wizard.

It was only centuries of self-control that kept him from spitting hot beverage across the table. As it was, he did inhale some and began coughing and hitting his chest. He gestured Jaune to go on as he pulled out a napkin.

"My sister has a theory that it's the same girl in the 'Witch and the Wizard' but I always hated that story. Their kids dying was so tragic. She also thinks the wizard and witch are immortal and that the wizard is the same one who gave the Maidens their powers. I like that story too. It ends on a happy note, at least the first one does."

"Ahh. Yes, the Maidens." Ozpin finally having his lungs back in working order grasped onto that sentence in an attempt to steer the conversation back on track.

"What would you think if I told you that one is real? Or at least partially based on fact?" Ozpin tried to bring back his mischievous side, but this young man kept ruining his fun. He did not want to be caught by surprise a third time.

"Like there are four super powerful women out there who can control the elements? Okay. I'll buy that." Jaune shrugged and leaned back in his chair. Finally seeming to relax a bit.

"I must say Mr. Arc you took that rather, in stride, as they say." The mug stopped halfway and lowered back down. It turns out Jaune was full of surprises.

"I'm surrounded by incredibly strong women some of whom CAN harness the elements." It was Jaune's turn to gesture dismissively.

"Ahh. Yes, well we are not talking about dust or a semblance. We are talking about… magic." Ozpin paused for effect.

"Okay." Jaune shrugged. Ozpin just blinked at him in mild confusion. Suddenly Jaune's face lit up with realization. Ozpin smirked; such a simple soul. It was like watching a cartoon character have a grand revelation, complete with the lightbulb going on, you could literally see reality hitting him.

"You were going to make Pyrrha a maiden?" The light in his eyes turned dark and stormy in a flash.

Once again, Ozpin was barely able to hide his surprise. That was not the logical leap he had assumed Jaune made. He nodded just the same. Perhaps his hope for the boy was not misplaced.

"But that's not how it works." Jaune's expression was at war swirling with confusion and righteous anger.

"Excuse me?" Ozpins own reality took a heavy hit. This time he was unable to prevent his shock from showing through. Not that the boy seemed to notice.

"The Maiden's Powers transfer upon the Maiden's death. They go to the last person they thought of, unless its someone who can't carry them, then I think it's random or something." Jaune explained as if surprised Ozpin didn't already know.

Ozpin was, for the first time in a long while, speechless.

"Wait. Why would you give them to Pyrrha anyway? She is the last person you should give them to!" Jaune finally settled on anger. He didn't need to know why or how, he just knew that they were hurting Pyrrha. If there was one thing sure to bring out a righteous fury in an Arc it was messing with their friends or family.

"How so Mr. Arc?" Ozpin was desperately curious to know how Jaune was so well informed on things he shouldn't be. However, a potential issue with the primary candidate for the Fall Maiden was of pressing concern.

"First of all, she is famous. People will kill, have killed, for this power. Pyrrha is too obvious a choice. But more importantly it will destroy her!" Jaune leapt from his chair.

Ozpin calmly sipped his mug as he waited for Jaune to collect his thoughts.

"All her life she has been isolated by her power. Put on a pedestal and worshiped for things she never really wanted in the first place. She may be the invincible girl to the world, but to me she is Pyrrha. The incredibly kind, but vulnerable and emotionally frail girl, who happens to also be a total badass. Not to mention an amazing partner. She finally has found some level of normalcy here and you are going to give her more power and force her to go into hiding? You are going to make her even more isolated and alone! Or is it even worse, is she to be bait?" Jaune ceased pacing and glared at Ozpin.

The Headmaster in turn frowned. He really hadn't considered if she was emotionally strong enough, only that she was physically strong enough to protect the power. She seemed so sure of herself and composed during the interview. Had he missed something.

"Sir, something is going on here. Torchwick, the White Fang, the attack on the CCT? Even the thing with Yang. It's all too much to be a coincidence. I feel like you are putting Pyrrha in the middle of it with a target painted on her back." Jaune's eyes narrowed as he leveled his accusation.

"Kid's not wrong Oz." Qrow appeared behind him next to the open window as Jaune whirled around.

Ozpin face palmed as Jaune reached for his sword only to realize it was still in his locker.

"Who are you?" Jaune settled for an angry glare he hoped looked threatening. Qrow responded by holding up a finger as he drank from his flask.

"This is Qrow Branwen. A trusted associate, though you may know him better as Ruby and Yang's uncle." Ozpin waved tiredly in Qrow's direction.

"Okay. Whatever. I am not going to let you put Pyrrha in this situation." Jaune whirled back around to resume his stare down of the headmaster.

"Whoa, kid, calm down. What do we have a controlling boyfriend here or something? Who made you the boss of her?" Qrow slouched over to take up a position at Ozpins side.

"He did. When he made me team leader." Jaune stabbed a finger toward Ozpin.

"Okay. Fair point. Well you got me there." Qrow shrugged and peered into his flask.

"Look Mr. Ar… Jaune, I absolutely do not wish any harm to befall Miss Nikos. I take the safety of my students very seriously." Ozpin lowered his glasses and tried to look both contrite and sincere.

"Hard to believe when you throw a guy with no Aura off a cliff." Jaune muttered.

Qrow rose an eyebrow at Ozpin, who coughed and had the decency to look like he was actually embarrassed. "Be that as it may. I would like to discuss this more, however; time is not our ally in this. A new Fall Maiden must be chosen, and chosen soon. The situation is unique and must be handled delicately. Pease for starters let us go on a little sightseeing tour while we get on the same page. If you could please follow me, and tell me how you know of the method by which the Maiden's power transfers."

Qrow, stepped into the elevator with Ozpin and Jaune. Jaune couldn't see what happened but Professor Ozpin fiddled with some controls and the elevator began to descend.

"Now then, how is it you know so much about the Maiden's power." With both men staring at him intently the elevator was seeming quite claustrophobic.

"It's common knowledge. Isn't it?" Jaune looked back and forth between the two men.

"Not anymore kid." Qrow shrugged but kept Jaune locked in a wary gaze.

"There is a fairy tale and everything about it. 'The Maidens Tale' about the sixth summer Maiden. No?" Jaune looked around Ozpin was as usual unreadable with a neutral expression. Qrow looked confused, or thirsty, it was hard to tell.

"That particular tale isn't all that common anymore. Please, share it with us." Ozpin exuded calm and patience once more.

"Really? It's in my sister's favorite story book. 'Of Brothers and Grimm'. She likes them because they are darker and according to her more realistic. She used to read it to me all the time, she said she found it in our library."

"Ahhh, yes. The Arc family library. Probably one of only six places on Remnant that book might be found. Please tell us what you remember of the story." Ozpin gestured to continue.

"Well it's about the sixth Summer Maiden. She is the last remaining of her friends with Winter having died last year of old age. But Spring and Fall had been hunted down and killed by a malevolent evil that was trying to gain control of the Maidens."

Ozpin frowned. Yet another reminder of one of his many mistakes.

"She goes into hiding. Runs away from her family and secures herself away in a remote cabin in the woods. She is determined not to let the curse affect any of her daughters or grandchildren. She intends to clear her mind of any thoughts except those of her dear departed husband. Then she is going to take a poison that will make her sleep and never wake again. It was always a little unclear if that meant she would be literally asleep but alive or she would die. My sisters and I argued a lot about that." Jaune paused to regain his train of thought.

"Let us assume that within the context of the story she intends to kill herself. Please continue, we still have some time before the elevator reaches the bottom."

"Oh… it seems to be going down rather slow. We should have reached the lobby by now. Anyway, so, she takes the poison, lies down in bed, and starts thinking about her husband. Suddenly there is a knock on the door. A voice calls out 'Grandma are you there? Please we need to go! Beowolves are surrounding the house!' Then with her last breath she whispers 'Rosa? No!'" Jaune finished dramatically wheezing out the last words for effect. And reaching one arm out to really sell the scene.

"Then what?" Qrow asked transfixed by the tale.

Jaune looked at Qrow sideways. "That's it. The story ends. Presumably Rosa gets the powers and is either killed by Beowolves or spends the rest of her days cursed to run from those who would use the power for evil. Like I said these stories tend to be a little darker that today's versions."

"Yes, quite. But there is unfortunately probably more truth in the older tales." Ozpin frowned at his reflection in the polished metal doors.

The elevator doors opened and They stepped out. The two men strode off down the massive torch lit hall, but Jaune was frozen looking around in awe.

"Shake a leg kid. We don't have all day." Chastised, Jaune raced to catch up to Qrow and Ozpin who had paused some ways away.

"Everything you have stated has been correct Jaune. However, as I said this situation is unique. For the first time ever, someone has attempted to steal the Maiden's powers. Amber, the current fall Maiden was attacked. And somehow her powers were drained." Ozpin gripped his cane tightly as they walked.

"I got there in time to stop it. But they still got away with half her power and left her like this." Qrow seethed as he gestured to the mechanical pod.

Jaune gasped as he took in the girl trapped within the machine. Her face was horribly scarred. Her lips drawn together in a grimace, as if, despite the coma, she was still in considerable pain. He reached out his hand to the glass. Unnoticed by all, a small wisp of Aura trailed from his fingers causing the machine to beep a warning as Ambers vitals began to fluctuate.

"So, your plan was what? Revive her long enough to see Pyrrha, then murder her?" Jaune whirled on the two men. Once again outraged by the schemes embroiling his partner.

"No. As I've said things are delicate. There is no guarantee such a scenario would even work. This is an unprecedented situation. We think that should Amber die, the powers will likely seek out their other half." Ozpin carefully tiptoeing the line about murdering amber.

"That would be bad." Jaune deadpanned.

"Yeah kid. That is the very definition of bad." Qrow, unimpressed with Jaune's deadpan, thus delivered one far better.

"So, what's your plan then?" Jaune looked back to Ozpin, turning his back on a smirking Qrow.

"Well we do not know the means used to steal her powers, even if we did, I would forbid it's use. So, we cannot transfer her power, but we can transfer what her powers are bound to. Her Aura." Ozpin lowered his voice a bit giving the word Aura a more reverent tone.

"So, you plan to use this machine to rip out Amber's soul and cram it into Pyrrha? That's sick! You, you… monsters! Do you even know what that would do to her?" Jaune continued to be unimpressed with Ozpin's and Qrow's lackadaisical attitude involving using his partner to experiment on.

"We are assuming that there would be an adjustment period before the souls merge and the dominant soul takes control." Ozpin tried to exude a calming Aura.

"Thanks. I read 'The Man With Two Souls'. Blake loaned it to me. But you don't know if at the end of that Pyrrha will still be Pyrrha." Jaune threw his arms up in exasperation. And began pacing in front of the machine.

"We presume that in Amber's weakened state Pyrrha's soul will dominate and the effect will be minimal." Ozpin decided that the truth and straight forward facts were the only way to win Jaune over at this point. The boy may not be able to stop them, but his cooperation would certainly smooth things along.

"I'm hearing a lot of 'presumably' and 'we assume'. You don't actually know do you." Jaune continued to remain on high alert, anger and suspicion being clearly his dominant emotions.

"Look kid what part of unique situation do you not get? It's not like we had a chance to try this out." Qrow waved a hand at the machine and Amber, and took another pull from his flask.

"What part of me not wanting you messing around with my partners soul, do you not get? It's her immortal soul! You don't just fiddle around with it without knowing what you are doing! She could get barred from the afterlife or something! You guys sound like you are meddling around, poking things with a sharp stick and hoping for the best. And who cares what happens to Pyrrha, so long as your precious power stays safe. Well, I care gosh darn it!" Jaune was instantly in Qrow's face. Despite the clear skill disparity, it was the grizzled Hunter who backed down.

"Mr. Arc, please calm down. The machine is not entirely untested. We have the utmost confidence it will work. We just do not know exactly how the powers will be affected, or how the souls will merge. The procedure however, is known and relatively safe. It's the side effects, if you will, that are unknowns."

"That's not going to inspire a lot of confidence Oz." Qrow muttered under his breath casting a sidelong look at the frustrated professor.

"Exactly." Jaune pointed vigorously at Qrow, before rounding back on the Headmaster.

"Do you even know if the powers will transfer? That Pyrrha won't end up with the ghost of a dead girl haunting her soul for absolutely no good reason?" Jaune had calmed a bit, he was trying to reason things out. However, he was still rather riled up and continued to judge the men before him with angry contempt.

"They should but there is no guarantee. You must understand our options are limited. If we do nothing and Amber dies, we lose the powers. If we wait longer there is an increasingly likely chance that her attacker will do something to try and finish the job. Make no mistake, this machine is our only chance to prevent what remains of her power from falling into the hands of evil."

Ozpin sighed lifting his glasses to massage the bridge of his nose.

"I wish it were different. That we could save her. But the cold truth is that no matter what we try, in all likelihood, Amber will die. These machines are barely keeping her body alive. Even if her Aura and powers were to spontaneously be returned, the damage is extensive. It isn't just her face that was wounded. The entire left side of her brain has been grievously harmed. Damaged on a cellular level, the damage has healed in the absence of Aura, and thus is now filled with scar tissue. Her Aura, should it return, will not be able to repair that. She would be severely handicapped, if she survived at all."

Ozpin leaned forward on his cane and gripped the bridge of his nose.

"Jaune, I do not wish to make an enemy of you. I had fully hoped that you would join us one day as a protector, not just of Pyrrha, but of all remnant. I….." Before he could complete his thought, he was cut off abruptly by the ringing of his scroll.

Frowning at the name, he answered it abruptly. "What is it Port, I'm afraid I'm indisposed at the…. What do you mean hacked? …I see, and you've verified Mrs. Nikos was removed from the selection matrix? …Yes. Notify James immediately and… Ahhh, very good. Have Glynda on standby. …Announce there was a glitch in the system due to Pyrrha having to withdraw at the last minute. Say it was due to an unspecified medical issue. And make a spectacle of drawing names from a hat the old fashioned way. …Yes, I know you are good at that. I will be in touch shortly with contingency plans."

Ozpin returned his scroll to his pocket with a heavy sigh. With a pinched look he retrieved his mug from… wherever he had it hidden, and drank heavily from its, miraculously still steaming, contents. He collected his thoughts and adjusted his glasses.

"It appears the hack of the CCT did more damage than we had thought. Someone is manipulating the tournament, but I know not for what end. It is now imperative that we move forward quickly. I must know now more than ever, Mr. Arc can I count on your support?"

Jaune took a deep breath and with a fire in his eyes and a steady calm voice he gave his reply.

"Yes sir." He paused to release his breath in a heavy sigh. Looking up from the floor, he fixed Ozpin with a stare, an unwavering fire in his eyes.

"I will be your new Fall Maiden."


~~-Yellow Maidens-~~


AN: I told my daughter, who is ten, the overview of what I was thinking of writing as a bedtime story, and she insisted I write it. So here it is.

This will be an AU which Diverts from Roosterteeth's cannon at Volume 3 episode 8 'Destiny' at around 13.5 minutes in. The events of the show up to that point will be kept as prologue. It will preserve elements from the show in subsequent volumes but will follow a different story line.

Jaune may seem a bit OOC here but think of it more like Volume 6 Jaune. Or when Cardin threatened Pyrrha with the wasps in Forever Fall. When his friends are threatened Jaune is fully capable of releasing the beast.

I have seen a few other Jaune becomes the fall Maiden stories, but not one there he gets the powers like this.

This story is intended to be a bit of adventure with some lighthearted and hopefully comedic moments. I don't want it to get super angsty. And it won't get to dark. There will be some relationship elements though and a bit of drama from that.

This is the K+ version of the story. There will also be a parallel story that will be rated M, for an older audience.