Chapter 14
Year 0 Month 8 Day 30
Pyrrha Nikos was given a choice, to take half of the fall maiden power, or to have a normal life, and she had only month to come up with the answer.
Pyrrha though about this decision for the past Month. She didn't know what it would do to her, or her life. She wanted to tell Jaune, but she didn't know how to tell him. She though of anyone she could talk to about this, that wouldn't pressure her into this.
"How many know about this?" She asked herself. She determined that no one on her team, or team RWBY knew, but maybe… BMBL?
BMBL had been all but disbanded at this point, and half of it wasn't even a real name, but they would seem to have the most knowledge of this sort of stuff. It was a long shot, but she had till today to do it.
She went to Vuren first.
Vuren was relaxing. She had her first day off since she became a knight. She was, and Bora still lived in the dorms, but most of Bora's stuff had been moved to Karel's home.
Pyrrha knocked on the door.
"Come on in Pyrrha." She said. Pyrrha forgot for a second that she could see though the force.
"I have a question."
"I may have an answer, but I make no promises." Vuren said
"Has your master shared anything with you about a secret?"
"You need to be more specific. Is this about the War?"
"Yes and no. If you were offered a great power, but you would lose yourself, would you take it?"
"No. I'm a Jedi. We don't want for power. It's the Sith that want power for power."
"Well, what if getting that power was the only way to keep it from the bad guys."
"Who's to say who are the bad guys. The Imperials think we're the bad guys you know. There can even be bad Jedi. But if you're talking about the maidens then I would ask you how you found out about them"
"How do you know?"
"The Jedi Libraries are the largest fountain of knowledge on Remnant, and many of them mention the maidens. A few Jedi have even been Maidens before."
"Yeah, it's about the Maidens. The woman who controls the Grimm is trying to get the Maiden's power, and she half succeeded. Half the power is in someone else."
Vuren thought about it. She didn't answer for a few seconds.
"If I were you, I would try to keep it out of Salem's hands. She wants us dead. Don't give her the opportunity to get more power, but I would warn you to be careful not to lose yourself. The Maiden's power is dangerous. It's killed more than one who couldn't handle it." Vuren said
Pyrrha just sat there.
"Thanks" She finally got out.
"Now, can I ask you something?"
"Of course," Pyrrha said
"How do I look. Since I can't really see."
"I'm not the person you should be asking. But I think you look nice."
"I was thinking of getting a new outfit. No sleeves, pants, loose. It will help me when fighting not be restricted."
"Are you restricted now?"
"A little, but I know that this new outfit would have to maximize efficiency."
"What about protection?"
"I fight fast. I move fast. I have no need for armor."
"Then I would suggest you be careful. I have to go now and accept my destiny."
"Destiny doesn't always tie us down. It's your choice that will determine your destiny."
Pyrrha smiled at her, then left the room. She was scared, but she felt she had to do this.
Pyrrha went to Ozpin's Office.
"Miss Nikos, do we have your answer?"
"Yes. I will do it."
Both joy and pain were visible on Ozpin's face.
"Thank you." Ozpin said. Qrow came out and saw Pyrrha. He looked at Ozpin.
"So, what did she say?"
"I'll do it."
"Well then, let's do this before you know who finds out."
"It's dangerous for us to do it today. It's a new moon." Ozpin said
"Yeah. But that's all the more reason to do it." Qrow said
"Where are Goodwitch and Roni. I would feel better if they are with us when we do this. We have no idea what could happen."
"Don't worry, there already down there." Qrow said
"Then… let's go." Ozpin got up and the three went in the elevator. No one said anything. They got to the bottom floor.
Goodwitch and Roni were standing ready.
"This may hurt. We have no idea what its going to be like." Roni said. She had her hands on her lightsabers. Everyone was ready to get into a fight.
Ozpin looked at the Machine. Pyrrha got in it.
"Are you ready?" Ozpin said
Pyrrha looked at him.
"I need to hear you say it?"
"Yes."
"Thank you miss Nikos."
The pod closed, and Ozpin turned it on.
"You think your going to win so easily?" Ozpin heard. "While I can't be there love, have a gift from me."
Ozpin turned around and saw Hazel Rainart come from the shadows.
"Ozpin" He said. Everyone got ready for the fight.
Ozpin quickly sent a message to Ironwood to get help to defend Pyrrha.
"Lynda, stay close to the pod." Ozpin said
"Got it." She said. Roni turned on her blades, and Qrow got his scythe ready. Ozpin was ready to defend Pyrrha.
Salem laughed at Ozpin.
"You did tend to ruin what you touched."
"We touched more than once." Ozpin said in his head. He knew if Salem could talk to him, He could talk to her.
"Yes, we did. I still never figured out why you left me. When we meet each other after this body has run its course, I'll kill you again then."
"I never wanted you to resurrect me. I waited for you." Ozpin said. He looked at the fight, to see Hazel coming towards him. He avoided the fist then moved to attack. He swung the cane hitting Hazel. He shrugged it off. He slammed Ozpin in a wall.
Ironwood looked at the message and swore. He got a dozen droids moving to that location, but he feared that wouldn't be enough. He hated having to do this, but…
Ironwood made an executive decision and contacted the leader of the 122nd legion. Karel was in Vale, but he didn't know how much he knew.
Karel looked at his scroll. He didn't understand it, but he did see a series of coordinates. It was below Ozpin's office, far below. He got his lightsabers and his jacket on. He got to the tower and found the button. He called Ironwood, and he picked up.
"Yes Commander?"
"How do I get to wherever you want me to go?"
"There is a button that doesn't corollate with any floor in the tower, press that one. Be ready to fight."
"What's going on?"
"Ozpin will explain, first you need to help him."
"Alright."
"Ironwood out."
Karel found the button and pressed it. The elevator started going down.
Ozpin got hit by Hazel. He skidded back. He breathed heavily and sweat fell down his face. The elevator door opened. Hazel saw Karel.
"What's happening?" Karel took out his lightsaber and turned it on. Qrow yelled out
"Watch out Kid. This guy works for Salem." Hazel rushed Qrow and slammed him against the wall.
"Ozpin, that's not fair bringing another Jedi with you. I guess He'll have to face my apprentice."
As Hazel charged, he stopped. He turned and saw Cinder.
"He's mine. I have to pay him back for hurting my people." Cinder said. She pulled out a red lightsaber.
Roni force pushed her. She turned to her.
"Look at this, I get to kill two Jedi today!"
Hazel fought Ozpin, Goodwitch, and Qrow, while Cinder fought Roni and Karel.
Karel was definitely better than he was when he fought the inquisitor. Cinder was too.
"Didn't you almost get killed by that inquisitor?" Cinder said
"Funny, I remember the same thing happening to you. Cinder was fast. Her blows were blurs, but Karel trained in defensive fighting. He would draw the attention while Roni attacked. Karel was able to block the hits, but he would eventually lose if nothing else changed. Roni started her attack, which caught Cinder off guard.
Hazel grabbed Qrow, and tried to use him to attack Goodwitch, but turned into a bird. He flew away from Hazel's grasp. He turned back into a human.
"Be careful" Goodwitch said
"I know. I know." He said. He hadn't used the force in a long time, but he knew he would have to use it for this fight. Sparks came from his hand, then he sent out lighting from his fingertips. Hazel screamed. Ozpin went in and landed a series of hits. After Ozpin was finished, he looked at Hazel. Hazel glared at him.
Hazel punched. Ozpin blocked with his cane, then it split in two. He looked at his weapon with a pain in his eyes. Hazel punched him when he was distracted. He was about to end Ozpin when they heard a loud noise. All the fighting ended. The Pod opened. Pyrrha walked out with a newfound power.
"NO!" Cinder said She started to charge at Pyrrha, but Karel and Roni got in front of her. She was almost bursting with anger. Roni looked at Karel. She shook her head. Karel smiled. They rose up and Karel used the force to create his sphere. Roni tossed her offhand lightsaber to him, and he made the sphere deadlier. Cinder looked at it. He was getting better at doing this. He was also getting faster. He was able to walk normally now.
Hazel dropped Ozpin. He sent out a fire spell that burned his face, including his eye. Qrow force pushed him into the portal that was made.
"You win this time, but don't get used to it." Cinder went back into the portal. It closed.
"Soon, I'll have your head." Salem said.
Pyrrha collapsed. Roni caught her. Karel turned off the lightsabers. He tossed Roni her lightsaber.
"Now I need to know what's happening? Why were they here?" Karel asked. "And what's happened to Pyrrha?"
Ozpin got up, breathing heavily. He looked at his cane. Goodwitch fixed it.
"Thank you." He said. She smiled. "To answer your question Commander Allusis, this is going to take a while. You know about Salem, but you don't know anything about her."
"Go on."
"She wants to destroy all of life on Remnant." Ozpin said. Karel sighed.
"Why can't there be one evil person that doesn't want to wipe out all life. She was a force user who turned to the Dark side. Is she a Sith?"
"Yes and no. Her latest incarnation is, and her first incarnation, but not all. Salem's Body fall apart every millennium."
"What?"
"Karel, just like you had a secret that would change the world, we have one too. We try to save the world behind the scenes." Goodwitch said
"Then did you stand by as the Jedi were killed off?"
"No. At that point I was a Jedi." Ozpin said
"What?"
"Salem and I were cursed by the Gods to walk this world until they come back. I change bodies while Salem steals them. When that happened, I was a Jedi master. I failed to defeat her. She was too strong for me. I never stood a chance."
"How old are the two of you?"
"We're thousands of years old. I've changed bodied hundreds of times. I don't know how many times she has changed."
"Why was Pyrrha in that thing?"
"We were transferring aura into her."
"What a second, what is this? This is wrong."
Karel looked at Ozpin. Pyrrha opened her eyes. Qrow looked at her, and Amber. Her pod opened. Qrow went to her and felt for a pulse but found nothing. "She's gone."
"No… She is with me." Pyrrha said weakly.
"What?" Ozpin asked
"I can feel her." Pyrrha looked at Karel. "I chose this." She said. She dropped her head.
"She's going to need time to rest. We don't know what this will do to her." Ozpin said
"You're going to tell me everything."
"We will Commander Allusis, but you will forgive us for making you wait some time."
"Fine. Master Roni, I'm going back to Pare."
"What? Why?"
"The 122nd will replace the current force there."
"Alright. When you return, you'll be told everything."
"Good." Karel turned around. "Team RWBY to join me."
"Anger doesn't fit you." Roni said
"And lies don't fit you master. Does Vuren know about this?"
"I pointed her towards the information about this, but she doesn't know everything."
"Do you?" Karel went on the elevator and just looked at Roni. Karel left.
Roni looked at Ozpin. "Do I know everything?"
Qrow clenched his fist. Roni looked at him.
He looked at Roni, and she saw his eyes switching from yellow to there normal color. The Dark side
"Calm down Qrow." Roni said. Goodwitch got Pyrrha and went to the elevator.
"Why should I?" He started to laugh. "We're in a war! We should be taking the fight to Salem."
Ozpin stood up. "Qrow. Don't let it overtake you."
"What? The evil dark side! That's right, I know you Jedi think I'm a freak." He lifted his hand up at Roni. She pulled out her lightsaber. "Yes, you're going to kill me aren't you?"
Qrow looked down and saw roots grip him. Pyrrha looked up.
"Calm down." She said.
Qrow looked at everyone looking at him. His eyes changed back.
"Your right." Qrow said. Roni put her lightsaber away. Ozpin put his hand on Qrow's shoulder.
"It's alright. We don't hate you."
The roots went back to the ground. They covered Amber's body.
"What was that?" Roni asked.
"Whenever I use the force… I become… dark." Qrow said "I'm sorry."
"We understand. The force is dangerous if you don't control it." Roni said. Qrow took out his flask and took a sip. "But you shouldn't suppress it."
"Are you offering to train me? Think I'm a bit old for your kind." Qrow said. He turned and started to drink.
Month 9 Day 2
Karel with his legion flew to Pare. They were the first returning legion to this fight. The battle has slowed down, with days at a time with no fighting. The shield stood, but it wasn't going to last much longer.
"I think you should have gone to Roni." Bora said.
"Where going to be here for a while. I'll talk to her after everything's done."
"Good. Don't let this eat you up." Bora smiled.
Karel went to the HQ with Bora. Soleil was switched out for another commander. Everyone was replaced.
After reporting in Karel went to where they stayed last time, but saw the building was in worse shape. He shook his head and turned back.
"Looks like we're going to have to set up farther back this time." Bora said.
"Something doesn't feel right about this." Karel said
Roni was with Ozpin, and the rest, starting Pyrrha's training. She had only half of the Maiden's power, but she still lots of power she needed to learn to control. Roni found out that her apprentice learned about the maidens before she was meant to. Since she was a knight, she had the right to know, but Roni didn't plan for this to happen so soon. Vuren was brought into the circle, with much hesitancy.
No one liked it, but it was safer to have her near than out there. She was also a good partner for Pyrrha. They sparred, with Pyrrha being hesitant.
"She's doing better with that new outfit." Roni said. "Maybe a bit too fast for Pyrrha."
"She's just learning. She'll be more than ready soon enough." Ozpin said.
"She still hasn't used her new abilities." Goodwitch noted.
"What's holding her back?" Qrow asked.
Vuren landed a kick to Pyrrha's face. She spat up some blood.
"That one hurt." Pyrrha said. Vuren jumped forward, kicking Pyrrha. Before it could connect, Pyrrha grabbed Vuren's foot, then a root shot out, wrapping around her leg. The root brought her down to the ground. All the air in Vuren's lungs came out. Qrow and Roni looked at each other.
Pyrrha looked at Vuren. She held out her hand, and she was being covered by vines. Qrow and Roni were down in the training room in seconds. Qrow stopped Pyrrha, and Roni got out a lightsaber. A lightsaber shot out of the roots. Vuren cut herself out.
Pyrrha shook her head and looked at Vuren.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!" She said.
"Don't worry about it. I've dealt with worse." Vuren rubbed something off her arm. "Aloe?"
"Hey, that's a step forward kid. Aloe doesn't grow naturally near here." Qrow said.
"I think… that all I can handle for today."
"Probably. No idea what this does to your body." Qrow said.
Pyrrha left the training grounds with Vuren helping her.
Ozpin sighed when he saw everything.
"She finally started to use her powers. This is the first time since she got it." Ironwood said.
"I can't help but feel…" Ozpin said. He shook his head. "Never mind."
Ironwood looked at Ozpin. He said nothing.
"I will be heading back to Atlus tomorrow. Be careful everyone." Ironwood said
"Are you sure it's safe to travel?" Roni asked
"It's the safest it will be for a while."
"Do you need a Jedi to aid you?"
"I don't think so. We're going to have many airships."
"Good." She said
The night began to fall in Pare. The Alliance started to settle down for the night. The Empire right outside. Everyone ready for another day of waiting with only a few troops from either side going to fight and dying.
Echo was waiting around for knight. It was the perfect time to finally strike. The 122nd is one of the more elite legions, so fewer troops were around when they arrived. Echo and Jet moved out.
Echo and Jet were able to sneak past most of the people and kill the others. They got to right before the generator and saw that there were half a dozen elite troops standing watch. Echo got two needles ready and Jet got ready. She got two knives. Echo went first. They fell. Jet killed them both
Echo and Jet dashed forward and killed the last two quickly.
Echo got out a needle and jammed it into the generator. He hit the right spot, and it started to malfunction.
He threw a dozen more where they need to be. Soon the machine was jammed up. It was overheating. Echo got out a small explosive, that normally would have done nothing, but now it would destroy it, and start this battle again.
Echo and Jet got away, and Echo pressed the button down. He watched as the shield fell.
The Battle of Pare entered its second phase
Author's Notes: SO since last time I went through finals, had to travel back home, do Christmas, New year's, and start my job again. So that's why I haven't been able to get this up. Sorry. I hope you guys no me by now. I tried.
Next chapter is a Pare chapter
May the Force be With You
-DragonZlayerx12
