Chapter 13

Year 0 Month 8 Day 01

The war seemed to slow down in the winter months. Snow caused Vehicles to take it slow. The Air forces seemed to only deliver supplies to those trapped in battles. The Navies kept the grounds they won secure.

Ruby loved the silence. Since the war began, it seemed that silence was gone. She hadn't seen as many battle as many of the other Jedi. She was that she was losing her skills.

"Don't worry so much Ruby. Just meditate." Vuren said.

That was hard to do. The wool in the robes she wore made it hard to concentrate. She wasn't in her regular Jedi attire. She was given a traditional Jedi Robe. Vuren was going on her last trial, and Ruby was trying to reassure her. She would have to leave soon, then Vuren would go on her last trial to see if she has what it takes to become a Jedi Knight.

Vuren got up and hugged Ruby. "Thanks for being here. One day you'll go through this."

"Is it scary?"

"Yes, but we have to let go of our fears."

Ruby left the room and saw Roni.

"Ruby, come with me. I think you'll want to watch this."

Vuren was going through the trial of insight, just like Karel went through over a year ago.

Vuren knew that something would happen to force a vision upon her. She didn't know what. Last time Roni used a dust to force the vision. Vuren had been wondering what it would be this time.

Ruby watched as Roni walked up to Vuren. Somehow Vuren didn't see her. Roni lit an incense. Vuren's head shot back. The wrapping around her eyes fell. Her eyes were shooting back and forth.

Roni went back to balcony to watch Vuren. Her scroll buzzed, and she read the message.

Ruby looked at her. "You should be here master. Don't worry whatever it is, I'll take care of it."

"That's very kind. Thankfully, it's just checking on something. Ask Karel if you could borrow his ship for this."

"Alright." Ruby said. She left the room.


When she got to Karel's house he was walking outside of it.

"Karel!" Ruby shouted.

"Yes?" He turned and saw Ruby. "Oh, Ruby, what is it?" He asked

"I'm going to check on a disturbance near the temple we went to. Can I borrow your ship?"

"Why does everyone take my ship? Do you even know how to fly it?"

"No… but I can get someone who can."

"I'm the only person here. Bora's out training our troops, and Yang's with her band. Vuren can't fly, and Roni's doing stuff."

"Yeah, Vuren's knighthood trial." Karel whistled.

"I did that over a year ago. What took her so long?" Karel joked

"It's just a disturbance, so We'll be able to be back here before she finishes up." Ruby said

"Alright. I have time. Let's go."

Ruby and Karel go to his ship and Karel sits in the co-pilot seat. Ruby looks at him

"Your going to have to learn how to fly this thing. I'll be here to make sure you don't crash it."

"Okay…" Ruby gets in her seat. She looks at the buttons. Karel points to the start button.

Ruby starts the ship, and they start flying. Ruby takes it slow.

"Good, don't get us killed by going faster than you need." A button starts flashing. Karel presses the button, and a hologram of Bora come up.

"Hello Ruby, Is Karel with you?" Bora said.

"Yeah, I'm right here." Karel said

"Where are you going?"

"Roni wants us to check on something at the old Jedi Temple. Shouldn't take too long. Anything you need?'

"Yeah, did you send squad 7 off on a special recon mission?" Karel thought about it for a second.

"Yeah… I did. They're going on an educational trip. I sent them to find healthy edible things in the wild. It's wilderness survival training."

"I see. When was that?"

"Two days ago"

"Have you seen them?"

"No. Where did I send them again…" Karel snaps. "I remember, I sent them to the old… Jedi… Temple… I caused the disturbance."

"No, I don't think you did. I got a report from them that they saw something near where you're talking about. If your heading there, you'll probably run into squad 7. Make sure they're safe." Bora said

"I'll tell them that you worry about them. Should make them feel good." Karel said

"You care for them too."

"Yeah, but I don't act like their mother. That's your job." Karel said

"Keep your eyes open. Love you."

"Love you too." Bora ended the call.

"What do you think we're going to find at the temple?"

"I don't know. Could be anything. Grimm maybe." Karel scratched his chin. "It's a good thing we put a new security system around the place."

"Yeah. Don't we normally have a security team there?" Ruby asked.

"Yeah…. Ruby, I'm taking over."

"Okay." Karel pressed a few buttons, then he took control of the ship. He sped up and got to the sight on half an hour. He landed where he did last time.

"Be on guard Ruby. We have no idea what's here." Karel grabbed his lightsaber. Ruby went for hers. When they left the ship, they started walking towards the old temple. Squad 7's leader came up to Karel.

"Commander, the temple has been breached."


Vuren woke up in the testing room. She saw Roni smiling.

"You did it!" She shouted. Vuren smiled. She rose up, but then the door exploded. The guards were killed, but The Jedi weren't. Ruby got out her lightsaber and took down two imperials.

"Imperials!" One of the Jedi shouted. Vuren got her lightsabers and jumped up on the Balcony. Roni cut down another two imperials.

"How are they this far in?"

"It's a surprise attack. We should have seen this coming!" One of the Jedi said.

Vuren cut down another two. Then six Sith drop down. She could feel that dark side rippling off them.

"Let's see how the Jedi fare against us." One of the Sith said

"Yes, Let's"

The Sith charged forward. Vuren caught one of the blade, then tried to slash the Sith.


Ruby and Karel walked to the temple door. The security guards were dead. Karel closed their eyes.

"Squad 7, our enemy is after the memorial chamber! We cannot let them get to it."

"Yes sir!" They shouted.

Ruby knew what he was talking about. They went into the chamber and saw a dead… person. They weren't in imperial clothing. Karel turned one over, and he saw that this was a white fang member… who died in mistral.

"What?"

He saw new breath come into the person in a dark realm… He saw a woman come towards him. It was Cinder.

Cinder said something, but he couldn't hear what she said.

"Ruby, be careful. Something's not right." Karel said

"You can say that again." Ruby said

They went further down. Karel noticed that the attackers didn't have any blood. Confusion lit his face.

They moved forward and saw dead in most of the rooms. Karel heard gunshots coming from the memorial room. He hurried and went to the room. The door was locked. He would have to unlock it with a lightsaber.

Karel stabbed the door. The door was a dense door, and it was very hard to cut. It took Karel Two minutes to cut thought the door. He pushed the door in.

Karel and Ruby entered the room. Squad 7 stayed behind to make a sweep of the temple.

In the room Karel's eyes narrowed at the sight he saw. Mercury and Emerald were standing there.

"You." Karel said


Vuren was able to take a Sith down, but two of the Jedi were dead.

Roni was doing the best she could to fight against the strongest. Ruby wasn't faring too well.

"Don't get over confident!" Roni yelled.

Ruby force pushed a Sith and got out her Crescent Rose and fired at the Sith. The Sith was hit in the stomach. He got mad, and rushed Ruby. Ruby wasn't ready and was quickly killed.

"NO!" Vuren yelled. She jumped behind the wounded Sith and cut him down. Roni took down her Sith, and quickly dispatched another. The last remaining Jedi besides Roni or Vuren was killed.

Two Sith and two Jedi.

They rushed forward locking their blades.


"Us." Emerald said

"I know the Schnee's mistreated the miners. I am more aware of that then you know. I've been trying to stop that, but that doesn't give you the right to murder Whitley!" Karel shouted. Ruby looked at Emerald.

Emerald Started laughing.

"You believed that?" She said. Karel gripped his lightsaber tighter. "I must be a good actress. What do you say Mercury?"

"You convinced a Jedi knight, so I'd say yes." Mercury got in a fighting stance.

"It's time for a rematch. Let's see if the Jedi is stronger now."

Ruby turned her lightsaber on. That caught Emerald's eye.

"So, you're a Jedi now. So, what? You stand no chance…" She looked at Ruby's eyes. Mercury looked also. They were more defensive now

Karel noticed this. He was going to have to over compensate for the defense of Ruby. Ruby hadn't noticed yet that everyone was focused on her.

"Silver eyed Jedi were always a thorn in Salem's side." Mercury said.

"Ruby Rose was you name right…"

"Yes." Ruby said

"Was Summer Rose your mother? If she was do you know how she died?"

"Yes. Salem killed her."

"Yes. She did" Emerald said disappointed.

She lifted her gun up and fired. She didn't fire at the Jedi, but at the lights. Karel rushed forward and attacked Mercury. He turned off his lightsaber until right before the slice. Karel cut off his Arm. Emerald grabbed Mercury and left in a portal Salem made. Two people came out of the portal. They held up red lightsabers.

"We're Jedi who were killed by Salem. We're here to kill you." One of them said

"We're sorry. We can't control ourselves."


Vuren cut the leg off the Sith, the cut him with an X across his chest. Roni spun around planting her lightsaber into the Sith.

"Master, they got Ruby."

Roni looked down with Sadness in her eyes.

"We have to keep going. If the Sith were able to get to us here, who knows where they are."

"Right master." Roni and Vuren hurried up to the top of the elevator shaft. When they go to the top, they saw the Sith cutting down Jedi and hunters in the street. It was horrible. Karel was one of the only Jedi still fighting. He cut down another Sith.

He sliced the head off one, then looked at them.

"Ozpin's dead!"

A Sith Lord jumped down and slammed his lightsaber into Karel. Karel coughed up, then slammed his lightsaber through himself.

"I'm Sorry." Karel said.

Vuren ran towards him and grabbed his body. She closes his eyes. She grabbed Karel's lightsaber.

"I'm sorry friend."


Ruby spun her lightsaber and was able to get a scratch on her enemy. Karel was able to duck under a slash, then headbutt the guy. Karel kicked the lightsaber out of his hand the quickly dispatched of his opponent. He needed to help Ruby.

Ruby got hit by a force blast that sent her flying back. Karel stopped the killing blow by pushing the attacker. Ruby got up and slashed at him.

He blocked the attack

"I'm sorry. I can't control myself. You have to kill me."

"Can you start making more mistakes?" Karel asked.

"You have the skill to take me down. You have to have the resolve." He said.

"We have to do this" Karel said. He was going to use the technique he came up with. He pulled five to him. Three of them circles him in a star shape, and the other two circled around the star. Karel walked forward. Ruby never saw it like this. Karel only ever had two lightsabers to use.

"Salem is going to take note of you Jedi knight." The enemy said.


Vuren saw Sith and Jedi fighting around them. She saw a Grey Jedi ship coming, dropping off grey Jedi everywhere. The empire sent out thousands of battle droids. The Alliance sent out its own troops. Bombs were falling all around them. It was overwhelming Vuren's senses.

"Keep fighting!" Roni said. Then a dark cloud filled the sky. A woman fell from the cloud and landed close by. She looked up and raised her hand. Hundreds of Dark portals opened, and Grimm started filling the streets. Now it was a mess. Jedi fighting Sith, fighting droids, fighting Grimm.

The woman pulled out a red lightsaber and started moving forward, towards Roni and Vuren. Two grey Jedi jumped in the way but were dead in seconds. A Jedi ran to stop her, but they stood no chance. A Sith fired lightning at her, but she just put her hand up, and absorbed the blast.

She sent it right back, but this was black lightning. There was no body left. Half a dozen Grey Jedi, three Jedi, and four Sith ran up to face the woman.

They fought bravely, but they didn't last long. Vuren started to have a sense of dread come over her.

"Vuren, don't be afraid, she feed off fear."

"Who is She?" Vuren asked.

"Her name's Salem."

"Salem?"

"Yes, she's the one who destroyed the Order here on Remnant." Roni said

Vuren held her lightsabers close to her. It seemed as if where ever Salem stepped, death followed. Any who tried to fight here were struck down.

She just kept moving forward. Nothing stopped her. The Grimm were tearing the average person apart. She was terrifying.


Karel blocked the attack from the Enemy with one of the lightsabers. The enemy took note of the style. He couldn't block the onslaught that would be coming his way. He stepped back, but With Ruby there, he couldn't take a break. He had to keep going on.

"You're good Jedi Knight." Salem's Jedi said

"You can't win this."

"I wasn't meant to. I was a distraction." After that he turned his lightsaber off. Karel couldn't stop the circle, and the lightsaber cut him in half. Lights came back on, and Karel looked around. Some of the lightsabers were stolen.

Karel and Ruby went to check on the lightsabers. All the ones stolen were from masters.

"What's Salem planning?"

"We don't have time to think about that. We need to get the remaining lightsabers to the temple." Karel said.

"That seems like desecrating the memories."

"I know, but if they stay here, Salem's going to steal them. I'm going to call squad 7 to see if they found anything. Karel his lightsabers away, then started to clip the lightsabers he borrowed to his belt. Ruby started to gather the lightsabers.

"Squad 7, report"

"Nothing commander."

"Good, come up to the memorial room. We're going to have to carry a lot of stuff back with us."

"Yes sir."

They got up to the room.

"Squad 7, we're going to be taking the lightsabers that remain in the temple and we're going to load them onto my ship. Then we'll fly back to Vale. We need to report these things to high command."

"Yes sir." Squad 7 started gathering the lightsabers. Karel felt dirty doing this, but he knew it was better than Salem taking them.


Salem got to where Roni and Vuren were. The Grandmaster jumped down and started to fight. The other council members joined in. Together they were able to push Salem. She had to put effort in. When Roni joined in Vuren had a thought pass though her mind.

"We may win this!" She thought. Then her hopes were dashed when Salem cut down the grandmaster. The other Jedi continued their fight, but slowly they were each cut down until Roni was left.

"Vuren, I'm sorry. I'm not strong enough." Roni said, then Salem slammed her lightsaber into Roni's chest. Vuren felt her heart start to burn… but not like she just saw her master die.

Something wasn't right.

Salem walked to Roni.

"You are the last of the Jedi. After I kill you then I'll finally be rid of my biggest enemy."

Vuren knew something was off.

"This… is my test."

"Your mind is giving you visions of grandeur. I'll make sure that's gone."

Vuren turned her lightsabers on.

"My master's not dead. She's still alive, and the feeling I felt when you struck down this illusion was nothing compared to what I would feel if you did kill her. My friends aren't dead. My home isn't destroyed." Vuren said

"I would tell you to look around but that would just be cruel. So instead, I'm just going to cut you to pieces. I'm going to feed you to my pets. I'm going to burn your precious school down and break the temple."

"You are an illusion." Vuren got down on her knees and started to meditate. Salem screamed, then brought her lightsaber down. Vuren felt nothing. Then opened her eyes. Though she was blind, she saw greater than any with eyes.

For the first time in years, she has been able to see clearly. She saw the flow of the universe. She saw life itself.

The image that flooded her head was breathtaking, and a tear flowed down Vuren's face.

She saw she was in the testing chamber. She arose to her feet.


"Master." Vuren said then bowed where Roni was.

"You completed the final test to become a knight." Roni said. Karel and Ruby came down the elevator. Ruby ran to the balcony.

"I've passed." Vuren said.

Vuren could that Ruby was smiling.

"Congratulation!" Ruby shouted. Roni put her hand on Ruby and Karel.

"What was at the temple?"

"Salem. She stole about thirty lightsabers from past masters."

Roni clenched her teeth. "I should have known. What about the other lightsabers?"

"We have them. My men brought almost all of them to the Temple. Ruby and I have the other four."

"I see. Well, we have to go knight Vuren."

"I'd like that." Vuren said.

Roni, Karel, and the other Jedi knights made the circle. Roni repeated those words she told Karel when he was made a knight.

By the right of the council,

By the Will of the Force

I dub thee knight of the Republic

I dub thee knight of Remnant

Roni repeated. She moved the strand of hair to where she could cut it. Roni made a quick slice. Releasing Vuren from the rank of Padawan and bringing Vuren to the Rank of knight.

She hugged Roni. Her master from childhood. The woman who watched over her during the Clone wars, and who saved her from the clones. Roni was the closest thing to Mother she had. Roni hugged back.

Karel smiled. He forgot for a moment about the War and Salem.

Vuren hugged Karel. They were best friends for as long as they could remember. They were the only people to know what life was like after the Clone Wars.

Ruby was right outside the circle. Vuren hugged her too. For the past year she was the person who was there for her. Ruby and Vuren worked side by side for the entirety of the War so far. Those days would be ending, but her friendship won't.

The Jedi left except for those who were once Roni's Padawan's.

"I'm back down to one." Roni said.

"I wouldn't have passed the trials without you master."

"Don't forget the lessons I taught you." Roni said She turned to Karel. "What happened?"

"We went to the temple and saw the security forces dead. I sent squad 7 to train in the area. Good thing they did. We went into the temple, then we found some of Salem's lackies." Karel said

"You recognized them. Who were they?"

"They were the people who killed Whitley. Salem started this War." Karel said

"That's… disturbing." Roni said. "This is going to have to come to the Council. We're also going to need to do something about all the lightsabers that you've collected."

"I was thinking that Ruby should keep one of them."

"Really?" Roni said

"Yes. We met this Jedi when Ruby and I went to the temple the first time. He was a descendant of Revan and Bastila Shan. He told us about his twin brother."

"Why would Ruby take it?"

"He promised me that it would bring me great knowledge. I was also with him when he died."

"I see… I think we'll be able to do that. It's inheritance. If the Jedi gives a lightsaber to someone before they die, then who they give it to is the owner of it." Roni said

"That's why Yang gets the lightsaber she has."

"Yes."

"But what of the lightsabers that weren't past on?"

"They are made memorials for the holder."

"Why do you think Salem stole the lightsabers?"

"We… have an idea. One of our Jedi found out that Salem could revive the dead and force them to work for her. The war's the perfect cover to bolster her forces. She's an ancient evil. She's killed hundreds of Jedi. Who knows how many Jedi she has under her control."

"I see."

"She doesn't have my mother." Ruby said

"How do you know that?" Roni asked

"We buried her body. I saw my Mother hurt Salem. Badly."

"Then Salem can be defeated." Roni said "Go you three. Go celebrate. I have to de a few things before I can celebrate with you."

"alright master." Vuren said. Roni put her hand on Vuren's shoulder.

"I'm no longer your master. I'm just your senior." Roni said


Roni went to Ozpin.

"Salem's stealing lightsabers from Jedi masters. Somethings going to happen and soon." Roni said

"Yes. I can feel that. She wants only death. She wants us all to die. Curse the Gods for not destroying her. Curse them for keeping her here for so long. Curse them for leaving." Ozpin said.

"How old is she?"

"Thousands of years old."

"I thought you said she's younger than the schools." Vuren said

"Correct, but also false."

"Explain."

"You see, her latest iteration is young. Less than two hundred years old. Salem's body is different from what you would expect. It's like a battery."

"I see."

"Yes. Every thousand years she must replace the body, but her soul is still intact. And her memories."

"How do you know this?" Roni asked

"Well, you see. Salem and I we're husband and wife at one point." Roni looked at Ozpin.

"What?"

"She was a good person once. She… changed because I died."

"So that means the both of you change bodies. How much longer do you have with this body?"

"I live regular lifespan. Salem has killed me at least four times. She hates me more than the Gods."

"There has to be more to it."

"She blames me for killing our children."

"Did you?"

"No. She killed our children when she destroyed our home. They were the four maidens. She killed me right afterwards."

"So, the maidens' power was created through… your seed?" Roni said

"Yes, and Salem."

Roni rubbed her chin.

"How can we defeat Salem?"

"There is one of two ways to do it. Three of my deaths were caused by it. Salem needs a new body every thousand years. That is when she is the weakest. She becomes killable then."

"What's the other way?"

"Praying that when the Gods come back we can convince them to take her powers away."

"And if we don't?"

"Then all those who come from this planet will die. Less then ten people left alive."

"What if there's another way?"

"If there is, I've not found it."

"But what about Jash Beam and Tanner? Tanner's reports said he found a way to kill Salem for good."

"Yes. But we can't find the place where the report is hidden."

"We'll keep looking for it."

"You do that." Roni nodded and left the room.


Ozpin knew he could trust the Jedi the most. He was one in a past life. He sat back.

"I think I should go to check on the spring maiden."

Ozpin went down to the chamber. He looked at the Maiden. It was easier to keep her safe.

"Troubled, are you?" Ozpin heard.

"Master Yoda. The force connects us. I can talk to you down here, with the Maiden, but not anywhere else."

"Strong the force is where you are."

"Yes. It is. This young woman has been dying for almost two years. I think soon she'll go."

"Pass we all must."

"But then her powers will go to someone who's truly evil."

"Stop this can you?"

"No. She'll pass. That we can't stop. But we can give the remaining power to one person…"

"Trusted is this person?"

"I think she trusts me. Am I abusing her trust?"

"No answer I have for you. Unique your planet is. Little advice I can give you."

"I'll have to do it."


Ozpin called his inner circle.

"The Maiden's going to die very soon. James, we have to use your machine."

"Do you have anyone in mind?"

"Pyrrha Nikos."

The shook their heads.

"That's a good choice." James said

"Can she handle it?" Asked Qrow

"She's not out in the field." Glynda said

"Is this right?" Roni asked. "If this is right, then I will get her."

They looked at each other.

"We have no other option." Glynda said

"That's not what I asked."

Ozpin sighed.

"I have no answer. On one hand, it's condemning Miss Nikos to our lives. On the other, we can't let this power fall into Salem's hands."

"These options are both bad, but one is worse. We're going to have to do it."

Roni didn't like it, but she knew it had to be done.

"Let's do it." Roni said, "Curse Salem for making us do this."


Month 8 Day 2

Pyrrha walked into Ozpin's office. She looked around seeing most of the War council here.

"Come miss Nikos, take a seat." Ozpin said

"What's going on?" Pyrrha said.

"Miss Nikos. What do you know of the tale of the four Maidens?" Ozpin asked.

Pyrrha told the story about an old man giving four maidens power. She told of the kindness of the women, and the old man. Ozpin smiled as she retold the story.

He knew it was altered over the years, with no small part on him, being the author of the tale.

"What if I told you that some fairytales have more truth. What if I told you that tale was true?"

"What are you saying?"

"Those four maidens, their real. They use magic. Crazy right?" Qrow said

"What…" Pyrrha looked at everyone. "Why are you telling me this?

"We are telling you this, Pyrrha Nikos, because we believe you are next in line to receive the Fall Maiden's powers." Pyrrha looked at the faces of everyone.

"Wait, what is this? Who are you?" She said

"You know who we are. We're still the same teachers and Headmasters you met when you arrived at Beacon."

"But we've got a little part-time job" Qrow said

"We are the protectors of the world." Ironwood said

"And we need your help" Ozpin said

They all went to the elevator and went down to where the Fall Maiden slept, barely clinging to life.

"I'm sure you must have questions." Roni said. "I had them too."

"Maybe one, or two... I still don't understand. You said I was next in line to receive the Maiden's power. What do you mean by that?" Pyrrha asked

"The Maidens have existed for thousands of years. But much like in nature, the seasons change. No two summers are alike. When a Maiden dies, her power leaves her body and seeks out a new host, ensuring that the seasons are never lost, and that no individual can hold on to that power forever." Goodwitch explained

Pyrrha: So, how does the power choose?

"Through a series of stupid and convoluted rules." Qrow said

"Qrow." Roni said

"Hey, don't get mad 'cause I'm right." Qrow said

"At first, the only thing that was certain was that the powers were specifically passed on to young women. But as time went on, it was discovered that the selection process was much more... intimate." Goodwitch said.

"... Intimate?" Pyrrha asked concerned

"As we understand it now, when a Maiden dies, the one who is in her final thoughts is the first candidate to inherit her power."

"Unless it's a dude or some old hag. Then the power goes to someone random, and our job gets a lot harder." Qrow Said

"Why tell me all of this now? Why not wait until I've graduated?" Pyrrha asked.

"Honestly, we've run out of time. I don't know if you've noticed, but things are getting a lot scarier out in the world. Tensions are high. Grimm are growing stronger, and people are forgetting how to fight them. It's not going to long before something big happens."

"Like what?"

"Both Karel and Vuren had dreams where Vale was destroyed. We only make them have a vision. That might mean that there is an attack coming, soon."

"We can fill you on the details once we know that you're with us. For now, all you need to know is that one of the Maidens has been attacked. And for the first time in history, part of her power was stolen."

They go to where the Fall Maiden is being kept. Ozpin puts his hand on the case

"I'm sorry." He whispers.

"Is that..." Pyrrha start

"The current Fall Maiden, Amber."

"She's... still alive." Pyrrha said

"For now. We're using state of the art Atlas technology to keep her stable. But there is a lot about this situation that is... unprecedented." Ironwood said

"What do you mean?"

Ironwood sighs, then he closed his eyes

"Won't... her power... just transfer to the next host?" Pyrrha asked

"Look who's been listening! She is smart." Qrow said

"Under normal circumstances, yes. But this is a delicate situation. It's not uncommon for the last thoughts of the slain to be of their attacker. And to make matters worse, no one's seen the power split like this before. For all we know, it will seek out its other half." Ironwood said.

"...Her assailant." Pyrrha was starting to connect the pieces together

"And that would not bode well for any of us." Ozpin said

Pyrrha lowered her head in thought, then suddenly came forward and placed her hand on the glass of Amber's pod.

"If all of this is true, why keep it secret!? If this girl is so important... If she's so powerful. Why not use her power to stop this war?" Pyrrha said extremely angrily.

"From what we understand, it used to be common knowledge." Goodwitch said

"Excuse me?" Pyrrha asked.

Qrow took out his flask "How do you think legends and fairy tales get started? Even the craziest ones come from somewhere." He said, while taking a sip

"Our group was founded in order to protect both mankind and the Maidens. Those hungry for power hunted them with the hope of inheriting their strength." Roni said

"And as you can imagine, the ones that succeeded weren't exactly the ones you'd want to have unimaginable power." Qrow said

"And so our brotherhood chose to remove the Maidens from the public eye, allowing their existence to fade away into legend." Ironwood said

"The things we're telling you go against hundreds of years of human history and religion." Goodwitch said

"No one would want to believe us. It would cause an uproar." Ironwood said

"It would cause panic. And we all know what that would bring to clawing at our Kingdom's walls. And who. Which is why we would like to..." Ozpin said

"I'll do it. If you believe that this will help humanity... then I will become your Fall Maiden. That's what you wanted, isn't it?" Pyrrha said with vigor. Everyone watched her.

"It is, but I'm afraid it's not that simple. Given Amber's condition, you won't be able to inherit her power naturally. However, General Ironwood believes he has a solution." Ozpin said

"For the past few years, Atlas has been studying Aura from a more scientific standpoint; how it works, what's it made of, how it can be used. We've made... significant strides. And we believe we've found a way to capture it." Ironwood said. With emphasis on believe

"Capture it and cram it into something else, or in your case..." Qrow said pointing at Qrow

"That's..." Pyrrha said, looking at Ironwood

"Classified."

"...wrong!" Pyrrha said

"The feeling is mutual. But desperate times call for desperate measures." Goodwitch says

"I wish it didn't need to come to this." Roni said

"And these are indeed desperate times. We can't transfer Amber's power to you, but we can give you what those powers are bound to." Ironwood said

"...Her Aura."

"Her life would become intertwined with yours. The question is..." Ozpin began

"What's that going to do to you?" Qrow finished

"You have an important decision before you, Miss Nikos. There's no guarantee this transfer will work. And there's no telling if you will be the same person if it does. I advise you to take time on this matter. But understand that before the month is over, we need an answer"

Pyrrha didn't respond, instead placing her hand on the glass separating the maiden from her potential replacement, seeing her scared expression reflected on the scarred face of the dying girl, before turning away from this expected destiny as Ozpin gives one final warning.

"The assailant that attacked the Fall Maiden has made their first move. And there's no telling when their next move will be." Ozpin said.

The die was cast, and Salem never played fair. This too familiar game has begun anew. And the ever-present feeling of dread hung over Ozpin.

Author's Notes: I'm mixing stuff from the older seasons with stuff from the newer seasons of RWBY. If any of this is inaccurate to the show, many mistakes in this story came about from starting in Season 3

Hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving. I did.

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May the Force Be With You

-DragonZlayerx12