Heather held the book and said, "You know, you mentioned Cinder Fall… and Season 3. I got a tale that features one of her victims. You know, her deceased prey."
"A Story of the Dead, with Pyrrha Nikos. Do you know the story for her?"
"One from the originals. You heard of The Big Tall Wish? Well, as you know, Pyrrha Nikos was a celebrity, one of the best huntresses in the world, and the coverstar of Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flakes."
"I've heard of the stuff. The cereal was disgusting… but I guess it is a RWBY version of Wheaties."
"Who puts pumpkin bits in a cereal, anyways?" Heather started to complain, as Hanajima said to the 4th wall, while she was talking.
"Allow me to explain what we were alluding to. Most of our Tales of the Bizarre feature retelling of various episodes from The Twilight Zone. As of now, there are four adaptations:
The first original Rod Sterling series is called The Original Series, dating from 1959 to 1964. Some even starred legendary and future stars, such as Bill Mumy, Jack Klugman, Anne Francis, William Shatner, Burgess Meredith, and others. Trust me, there were a lot in 156 episodes.
There's also a second series which didn't last, but lasted pretty well. It's the 80s Reboot, or First Reboot. This aired on CBS during the first two seasons, and syndication on the 3rd. Lasting 3 seasons, from 1985 to 1989. 65 episodes were made; most of the stories were short.
The second reboot is considered the failure of the series. A third series dubbed The Failed UPN Revival, which lasted only ONE season… and aired on UPN (which has been long dead now). It had 43 episodes, and aired from September 2002 to May of 2003. It was cancelled quickly.
Finally, we have the fourth and final (as of currently) series of The Twilight Zone, called The All-Access Explicit Run. This series never aired on television, but it did air on CBS All-Access, a streaming service. It only lasted TWO seasons in 20 episodes, from April 2019 to June 2020. The reason it was called explicit is because unlike the rest of the reboots, this one was uncensored, with very high profanity, sex, and drug use. That's why TV never aired it.
I won't even explain the Movie. It's too horrible to explain."
"HANA! Are you even listening to me?" Heather shouted.
Hanajima said, "I heard you… Pumpkin Pete's is nasty, and you wished it were a Lucky Charms parody, but what's done is done. Besides, couldn't you order the cereal online? Oh, wait. There's a thing called Limited-Time Offers. Now, please stop your whining and make with your story, dear."
"Fine, I will…" Heather sighed, "And don't call me dear, okay?"
She opened the book and said, "Where was I? Oh, yes… Sucks that Pyrrha is dead, and alive in RWBY Chibi's world, but we know all about Pyrrha Nikos and her brave career as a pro. But what happens if her crown is taken from her, after she had a very long career? The Big Tall Wish explains it all. However, what happens when Pyrrha Nikos loses everything, but someone doesn't want it to happen."
Pyrrha Nikos, a woman with red hair, was training in the gym, as she was ready for her big fight, coming this week. She sighed and panted, "So far, so good."
She was greeted by a man with blonde hair and wearing a black shirt and jeans. "Hey, Pyrrha."
"Jaune! I'm glad you came."
"Good luck in the fight, tonight. And, uh, sorry I can't come. I was looking forward to your comeback fight."
"Oh, yes. I'm not used to being that rugged. Here's a chance to redeem myself of a championship fight."
"I'm glad you're alright. Anyways, I'll see you tonight."
Jaune left, as Pyrrha started to punch the heavy bag.
A poster says: "Nikos vs. Belladonna – Main Event Fight Tonight at Mantle Arena."
(Heather): In this corner, Pyrrha Nikos, age 18, stands six feet tall and weighs about 166 lbs. And in just a couple hours, she makes her comeback in Mantle Arena. Pyrrha Nikos, who is a very young and talented prizefighter, has become, by our standards of her profession, and aging, over-the-hill relic of what she was, and who now sees a reflection of the woman who has left too many pieces of her youth in too many stadiums for far too long, before a mass capacity of screaming fans.
Ms. Pyrrha Nikos, who might do well to look for some gentle magic in the hard-surfaced glass that stares right back at her.
Pyrrha finished, as she looked at herself in the mirror, and then to a box of Pumpkin Pete's. She sobbed and said, "I'm not what I used to be." She then resumed training, not knowing that she was in a losing battle. Not just in the ring, but against herself.
(Cut to a graveyard in the destroyed Beacon Academy)
(A hand sticks out from the ground, and Penny emerges, as a deformed zombie)
(Zombie Penny): Saaaaaaaaaalllllluuuuuu… Tations!
(Zombie Penny lunges at the fourth wall, shrieking like a zombie)
Tales of the Bizarre presents:
Stories from the Dead!
(Bizarre Tales starring and featuring characters that are canonically deceased)
Miz-K Note: This time around, we dive into the RWBY Canon, with the VERY FIRST major death in RWBY, Pyrrha Nikos. It was sad to see her go, despite her exit, thanks to Cinder, but it was hard to watch. I won't spoil much on RWBY fans, as I'm getting to know RWBY now, after seeing RWBY Chibi, but here's to what becomes of Pyrrha, in tonight's tale.
But remember, Pyrrha is a victim in this SotD, but it counts.
Tales of the Bizarre #72:
The BIG Wish
That evening, Pyrrha was dressed in her gold armor, about to fight her opponent, Blake Belladonna, the Faunus Champion of Mantle. For Pyrrha, as she was set, it was the biggest fight of her life.
The radio played, "In an hour and a half, former champion Pyrrha Nikos is set to challenge the Faunusweight Champion, Blake Belladonna, in a huge 12-round brawl. This is Nikos' comeback fight, since her retirement back in 2018, after she was disqualified for hurting Penny Polendina, breaking her chest and neck. Pyrrha has a 50-14 record, and her career fell, after the Penny issue."
She turned off the radio and said, "I have so many battles… and I have had bones broken. Nora Valkyrie, she busted my nose and came out on top… Scar on my cheek, not like the scar Weiss Schnee has. I lost to her, during Atlas in '17. Yeah… And Velvet, in '18, broke my neck, but still fought, nearly lost to a Faunus… Though, I'm winless against these creatures." She sighed, as she was sad, "Tired old woman… It's not the Vytal Tournament, anymore. What I did to Penny… I could never forgive myself…"
Jaune Arc heard the whole thing, as he said, "You don't mean that. It was an accident. You did fight your best… but Penny had an accident."
"A fighter doesn't need its scrapbook. You need the whole story cut to her face." Pyrrha said, "I fought everyone, including the champ, Winter Schnee. Still… When I first met her, broke my nose. Still lose."
"I believe in you, Pyrrha…"
"I know. I'm an adult now… trying to catch a bus… and it's left the station." She sighed, "My arms are heavy, like rubber, short of wind, my left eye is almost out. I feel like an old lady… if I wasn't aging." She giggled.
Jaune said to her, "Pyrrha, you're gonna win tonight. I'm gonna make a wish for you, Pyrrha. A BIG Wish. You're not going to get hurt tonight. No way Pyrrha Nikos loses in her comeback story."
"I appreciate it, but… If I lose, I'm quitting."
"Then I'll wish twice as hard."
Pyrrha got dressed, as he said, "You're my friend, Pyrrha."
"Thank you…" She went downstairs, as she winked, "Thanks for the words of advice. I won't get hurt tonight."
"I'm gonna make a wish nothing happens to you. Don't you be afraid."
He left, as she smiled, "I'm going to oblige. Whatever this wish is…"
"The BIG Wish?" Sun Wukong appeared, a man in blonde hair and a monkey tail, said to her, "That loser's been wishing, since the day he was born."
"Well, I'm offered to accept this from Jaune."
"Of course… He wishes, every single day and night. He even wished for $50, for the rent and food." Sun explained, "He keeps making wishes. Big tall wishes. The biggest wish. He keeps shrining everything to others; mostly to some he knows. Just the other night, the boys wanted $25 for the rent, and one night, we had a check for $100."
"Boys in their dreams. We're not children anymore… When do they find out – suddenly find out that there is no magic? Someone on the streets telling you… "Hey, little boy… It's concrete. That's what this world is…" When they find out you can wish your life away…" She sighed, lost in thought, as Sun said, "You'll do great tonight. Take care."
Pyrrha left, as many people were praising her, telling her she'll do it. Jaune watched from out the window, as he was worried.
XXXXX
At the locker room, Pyrrha was training, as Winter Schnee was waiting. "Feisty young lady. The more they get, the harder they want." She explained, "The older they get, the louder they talk."
"What brings you here, Schnee?"
"Oh, I've been planning on a comeback… But I have been scouting on has-beens."
"Your girls… Prospects they ain't." Pyrrha snarled, "Rose, Xiao Long, your sister, and now, Blake Belladonna, the Faunusweight Champion. 12 rounds, shovel them in and out, after the first two. Throw them together in the next round."
Winter said, "I am not trying to haze you. If you make it, you're on your way. But you've had it. You're long gone. All you have to do is last two rounds. Two, three, give or take. Then maybe I'll sign you."
Pyrrha hissed, "You shut up, with your ice breath, Ice Queen. You stink!"
Winter glared, "Do I? Just make sure you last 2 rounds. Win, I doubt it. 2 or 3 prelims, every month, you can do that standing in your head, can't you?" She adjusted herself, "You tell them, Champ."
A knock on the door was made, as a man called, "Nikos! 10 minutes!"
Winter called back, "She'll be ready!" She sat down, as Pyrrha asked, "So, what do I watch out for tonight? I can last two rounds… but what if I go the distance?"
Winter said, "You're no good to me, if you last 12 rounds and with a DRAW on your record. Pyrrha Nikos never draws. But your opponent, I never saw her win… But I know her from Weiss."
Pyrrha stopped and asked, "Wait a sec… Team RWBY, and you're her manager. You've seen the Faunus, every time." She got up and barked, "You're betting on ME, aren't you? No… You're betting on me… to lose! Is that it?" She grabbed her shirt and barked, "You piece of shit!"
"Hey, calm down, Pyrrha! I'm only doing you the favor! Qrow Branwen bet on you for $50 to win! I am doing this to spite him!"
"Spite him, huh? Bullshit!" Pyrrha yelled, "You can bet $20 on a Faunus, but bet her to lose, and now you're betting on the other girl? But once I'm done with Blake Belladonna, it's your ass!"
"If you hit me, I'll see to it you last ten years in jail!"
"I'm gonna make a graceful first round! And maybe I'll send YOU to jail for rigging the fights!"
Winter protested, "YOU LAY OFF!"
Pyrrha slammed her to the wall and barked, "YOU PIECE OF SHIT BITCH! BET AGAINST ME, WILL YOU?" She punched her, but Winter dodged it.
BAM!
She hit the wall with her fist, and she screamed in pain. "AAAAAAAGH! AGH! OW!" The trainer checked on her, as Pyrrha's right hand was hurt. He checked her, as Pyrrha winced in pain. He said to her, "You're going into the fight with a strong heart and determination, but… with four broken knuckles? I don't think so…"
Winter gasped, as Pyrrha growled, "If I lose, it's on you. I'm doing this for Jaune Arc…"
She was given her gloves, as Winter Schnee hissed, "I hope those knuckles heal, by some miracle. You make Qrow win, I'll have your head." She marched off, as Pyrrha grumbled, "Never mind, let's go…"
Her hand was in pain, as she said, "Poor Jaune… I'll give him two strikes with his magic. But…" She put her glove on and moaned, "I still don't believe in magic. Jaune's gonna be upset at me, knowing I got a handicap." She put on her robe and said, "One match… two rounds… One for you, Jaune."
She was heading to the ring, as the crowd was cheering on. Blake was already in the ring.
The announcer was in the ring, as he gave the introductions, "In the blue corner, at 166 lbs, and standing six feet tall, The Polarizing Pyrrha Nikos!" The crowd cheered on, as Pyrrha raised her arm high. "And in the red corner, standing 5'6", weighing in at 136 lbs, the Undisputed Faunusweight Champion of the World, Blake "Black Cat" Belladonna!" Blake, a woman in long black hair and cat ears, stood up, and raised her arms high.
The women went to the referee, as he explained, "Now, this fight goes into 12 rounds, 3 minutes each, I want a good clean fight, and no biting each other."
They tapped gloves, as the bell rang. This match was a boxing match between human and Faunus.
(Glynda): Well, here we are, Round 1 of this huge 12 Round Match. Glynda Goodwitch, alongside Abnes, as we bring you bell-to-bell, this amazing contest. Pyrrha Nikos, coming back after a huge dramatic DQ finish, facing off for the first time, against Blake Belladonna, the undisputed champion.
(Abnes): That's right, Glynda, this is Pyrrha's biggest comeback story, and a miracle here will be amazing, against the spry catgirl.
But it seems that the commentators' words were exact… only…
XXXXX
The fans booed, as Blake was in control of Round 1, punching down Pyrrha, with rights and lefts. Winter watched on, as she was checking her watch. She knew that Pyrrha could last the first two rounds. However, she bet on her to lose, in order to snub at Qrow, who bet his money on Pyrrha to win.
(Glynda): There's a left! Another left, and a right. Nikos is staggering, and she's yet to make a commanding hit. Nikos fires back with a left, and another! Another! Another! And Belladonna with a massive one-two combo!
Blake landed a swift left-right combo to Pyrrha, who was badly hurt.
Jaune was watching with his friends, as he was upset, "Come on, Pyrrha, fight back!" He was crying, as he was praying to Pyrrha.
Blake hit a huge left, but Pyrrha was staggering to the ropes. She fell to the floor, as the referee counted down.
(Glynda): Ladies and gentlemen, Pyrrha is down! What a fast match!
(Abnes): Blake hardly broke a sweat!
(Referee): 1! 2! 3!
Jaune prayed, as Pyrrha was still down and out. Blake was at the corner.
(Glynda): My god! In the first round! Blake Belladonna crushed her!
(Abnes): She's not getting up!
The referee was about to finish the count, as Jaune sobbed, "Please… Get up… Please, get up!"
The referee was at 8, but then… time stopped. Everything stopped, as everyone was frozen in time. Moments later, the referee resumed the count.
"9! 10! That's it! It's over!"
The crowd cheered, as the bell rang. Winter was shocked, "WHAT THE HELL? THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!"
Qrow, a man in black hair, laughed, "Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! HAHAHAHAHA!"
Blake was down on the floor, as Pyrrha was standing tall. But she was shocked. The referee raised her arm high.
(Glynda): And it's over! What a comeback win for Pyrrha Nikos! Pyrrha knocked out the champ, in the first round!
Blake stood up, as she stood by the referee.
"The match is over! At 1:46 in the first round… the winner by knockout… The Polarizing Pyrrha Nikos!"
Pyrrha's arms are raised, and she and Blake hugged. The fans cheered, as they chanted, "Pyrrha! Pyrrha! Pyrrha!"
(Glynda): Ladies and gentlemen, the miracle comes to Mantle! Pyrrha Nikos is back!
(Abnes): A one round KO, and that leaves a sour taste in the mouth of Blake Belladonna.
Pyrrha cannot believe it, but she won. Blake left the ring, in a storm of boos.
"BOO!"
"Faunus has-been!"
"YOU LOST TO THE BEST!"
"Go back to the alleyway, scum!"
The boos continued, as Pyrrha was celebrating.
XXXXX
At the locker room, Winter arrived and said to Pyrrha, "Hey, how are you holding up?"
"Fine. No thanks to you." Pyrrha growled.
Winter said, "Hey, look, I was gonna apologize at the end of the fight… and well… Sorry if I cheesed you back there. But I didn't know you had the pain resistance to do so."
"Yeah, well… I'm better off. I can't believe what I did." She felt her hand and said, "Hmm… It's not broken… felt like it was… Could've sworn."
"What do you mean?"
"When Blake knocked me down… I was unconscious… but the next thing I knew, I was on my feet."
"You were…" Winter said, "You got up, dusted off yourself, and gave Belladonna a run for her money. Hey, if you're interested, how about a fight with Ruby Rose, the Huntress Champion?"
"Nah, I'm packing it in." She then asked, "But still… I was off my feet… What happened?"
Winter said, "If you want to know… read the tabloids." She marched off, "Now, goodnight, Champ." She scoffed, as Pyrrha was confused, "Amazing… I won, but… What just happened?"
XXXXX
Pyrrha returned, as everyone was cheering her on. They praised her for the victory over Blake. Nora said, "Huge right to finish, Pyrrha! You rock!"
She smiled and said, "Right. Where's Jaune?"
Nora said, "Up on the roof."
She went up to the roof, as Jaune was sitting alone. She called "Jaune!"
He called, "Pyrrha! I saw your fight."
"Yeah. Didn't think I won, didn't I?"
"You never changed." He chuckled.
"What's the matter?"
He was upset, as he said, "You're a real tiger…"
"Yeah, I don't remember a thing. I got knocked out, and then my mind went black. I don't know what came over me, but I believe that my own progress returned. Pyrrha still has it. And there I was, the ref waving down on me, and then I bounced back and–."
Jaune stepped back, as Pyrrha asked, "Jaune… I was off my feet, and somehow I came back up." Jaune was upset, as she stated, "Jaune! I was on my feet! She knocked me down, I came back up! What happened at the fight?"
Jaune was hurt. He said to her, "I cannot say… You're a natural. You won. That's all that matters."
"Was I? Was I on my back, and on my way out?"
He nodded, as she said, "Well…" She groaned, "NOBODY remembers it! But what I do know is that I was down, I got back up, and won! And nobody remembers! I thought it happened, but it didn't! I was on my back, being counted out, and suddenly… What just happened? Jaune?"
Jaune said, "All I did was wish for you. I believed in you, and I wished for you. I made The BIG Wish! I wished you were never knocked down! It was magic! You believed in magic! That's what I did!"
"Crazy boy! I don't believe in magic!"
"You don't? You have to."
"I do… but it's just… I don't get myself! You wished nothing like that! It's all a fairy tale!"
"Well, if you wished hard enough, it would come true!" He stated, "I always believed in it! And you should, too!"
She said, "Don't be ridiculous… I could take you by my hand, and make you rub your head! Just tell me what happened, when I blacked out! It was after–!" She paused and sobbed, "Jaune, I have been wishing all my life… It was never magic! Sometimes I wished that Pumpkin Pete's tasted delicious like Lucky Charms or Froot Loops! But I didn't believe it!"
Jaune sobbed, "I'm sorry, Pyrrha…" He hugged her and said, "Please don't defy me…"
"You're too old for wishes… But still, don't you get it? You understand, all I showed for wishing was a face of scars, and the misery I suffered, all through my life; and it might've been the damned Pumpkin Pete's Cereal in my stomach!" She sobbed, "You mean to tell me that I was wished into taking the win, getting off my feet, and believing that I came back and won? You're a kook, Jaune…" She was angry at her, "You mean to tell me that you wished for me to get off my back and win? It is like… I never even came back to begin with!"
Pyrrha was shocked. Jaune wished for Pyrrha to win. Pyrrha was down, taking the 10-count, but in reality, Jaune wished really hard that instead of Pyrrha coming back to win, Pyrrha and Blake actually switched places. She thought, "That would explain my hand being bruised… I broke my hand, and suddenly, the pain's gone…"
She protested, "Jaune, you're insane! What did happen?"
He wept, "Pyrrha… Please, believe in me… I'm sorry."
"Why did I ever become friends with you?" She sobbed, "I'm going!"
"NO!" He grabbed her arm and shouted, "YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE!"
"I WON'T!"
"IT YOU DON'T BELIEVE, IT WON'T BE TRUE!"
"LISTEN! I WON! I don't remember, but I went out there and slugging, and hitting, and winning! WINNING! It was all me! Me, Pyrrha Nikos!" She hugged him and wept, "I can't believe… I just can't… I'm not a kid anymore. It hurts."
"You have to…"
"NO!"
"YES! Please believe!"
They were crying, holding each other, as Pyrrha says that she doesn't believe in magic, while Jaune says that he does. "I don't believe it… I just can't. I don't believe in magic! I can't! And I'm too hurt to believe. Jaune, there's no such thing as magic! But God help us both, I wish there were…"
"You got to believe!"
"I can't! I can't!"
"BELIEVE!"
"No…"
They were still crying, but then… everything went black.
"9! 10! That's it! It's over!"
The crowd cheered, as the bell rang. Winter smirked, as Pyrrha was down on the ground. Blake was standing tall. And the referee raised her arm high.
(Glynda): And it's over! Taken down in the first round, Blake Belladonna does it again!
Blake and Pyrrha stood by the referee. Blake thanked her, as Pyrrha was still upset.
"The match is over! At 1:46 in the first round… the winner by knockout… Blake "Black Cat" Belladonna!"
The crowd cheered on, as Blake raised her arms high. Pyrrha, still in pain, was leaving in sadness. Qrow said to her, as he was crossed, "Better retire, while you still can."
(Glynda): Ladies and gentlemen, it was a beating. Pyrrha Nikos goes down and out, in seconds flat.
(Abnes): No hard feelings, but we have just seen the end of an era… for Pyrrha Nikos.
Pyrrha left in sadness, as the crowd chanted, "Thank you, Pyrrha!" and clapped along. Pyrrha raised her arms high, and left with tears in her eyes. It was followed by a thunderous applause.
XXXXX
That evening, Pyrrha came home, as she saw Jaune sitting on the couch, sulking. She whispered, "Jaune…"
"I saw your fight." Jaune said.
She sniffled, "Yeah… I'm sorry. I let you down, didn't I?"
He nodded, as he said, "I'm real sorry."
She smiled, as she said, "Nah, I threw a rock… Thing is, I hit my knuckles on a wall… and had to fight with one arm, resisting the pain…"
"You're still a tiger. I'm still proud of you."
They hugged, as she sniffled, "Thanks." He asked, "Hey, Pyrrha? How about we go to the park tomorrow, and go on a date?"
"Sure. I'm buying. Gotta spend my purse on something, huh?"
He said to her, "Hey, Pyrrha… I'm making no more wishes from now on… I'm leaving that to the children who wish big. Besides, I'm too old to wish."
She agreed, as she was sad, "Yeah…"
She walked off, as Sun smirked, "How the mighty have fallen…"
Pyrrha marched off, ignoring Sun. He called out, "Pyrrha!" Sun said to her, "I'm really sorry…"
Pyrrha sniffled, wiping her tears, as she said, "It's alright. Tell Jaune I'll see him tomorrow."
She walked off, as she said, "I really wish there was magic, and wishes too… I guess the trouble is… there's not enough people to believe."
Sun asked, "What was that?"
"Nothing… Goodnight." Pyrrha smiled, as she left the building. She walked back home, feeling upset, knowing that she had her moment, and it was gone. Only… She had no idea what happened.
The next day, the newspapers read: "Pyrrha Nikos Retires – Pyrrha Nikos calls it a career, after losing to Blake Belladonna in a one round KO."
Jaune and Pyrrha walked together, as they were having a hot dog in a park.
(Heather): Miss Pyrrha Nikos, 166lbs., former prizefighter with a record of 50-15, who left a second chance lying in a heap of rosin-spattered canvas at Mantle Arena. Ms. Pyrrha Nikos, who shares the most common ailment of all men and women, the strange and perverse disinclination to believe in a miracle, the kind of miracle to come from the mind of a friend, perhaps only to be found… in the "Tales of the Bizarre".
Hanajima nodded, as she said, "Beautiful. Makes me wish that Pyrrha was still with us."
Heather said, "Well, it was the retelling of The Big Tall Wish, a classic that features an all-black cast. I believe this is a message that you have to believe in yourself… or it won't be true. Weird how Jaune suddenly had a thing for Pyrrha. Isn't he into Weiss?"
"Some things are left in the mythos of RWBY, aside from the various characters, dead or alive, past or present…" She stated, "And for the record, Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Flakes… suck."
Heather agreed, as they arrived at a huge building. She buzzed on the doorbell.
"Hello? Who is this?"
Heather called, "Emily? It's Heather Dunn!" Emily appeared on a small monitor and said, "Oh, Miss Heather. Long time, no see. OH? You brought a friend?"
Heather said, "Yes, she's my partner." Hanajima said, "Saki Hanajima. You must be Emily."
Emily responded, "Yes. Emily Maynard, at your service. Hang on, I'll let you guys in."
The door opened, as Heather stepped in. Hanajima followed, as she responded, "A very astute building, one hopes." The door slammed shut.
To be continued…
Don't miss the next story, coming soon…
