Chapter 17

Fall Maiden

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Flashback

"Scroll Communications / Tv"

Location / Date / Time Change

Ozpin's Office

The elevator door opened and Pyrrha walked in to the room. "You wanted to see me, professor?"

"Yes, please have a seat." He motioned to the chair in front of the desk. The red head nodded and sat down. "Tell me, how was the doubles round you were in?"

"Very difficult." Pyrrha confessed. "Nora was taken out half way through, but I managed defeat them. My team was so impressed, they choose me to advance to the singles round."

"Well, it doesn't surprise me one bit that you were chosen to move on to the final round." Ozpin said. "Your performance has always been exemplary."

"Thank you, Professer Ozpin." She said back. "But I wouldn't have made it this far without my teammates."

"More like the other way around." Qrow said, leaning against a pillar.

Pyrrha stood up and looked over at the older scythe user. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe we've met before."

"The name is Qrow." He said back.

"Qrow is a... Trusted colleague of mine." Ozpin explained.

"Professor, if you don't mind me asking, why did you call me here?" Pyrrha asked as she turned around.

"Please, sit back down." Ozpin motioned to the seat and Pyrrha sat back down. "Tell me, what is your favorite fairy tale?"

"Come again?" She asked confused.

"Fairy tales." Ozpin repeated. "Stories told to children. Surely, you must remember some of them."

Pyrrha though about it before giving her answer. "Well, there's the tale of the two brothers, the girl in the tower-"

"What about the story of the four seasons?" Ozpin asked.

"Oh, of course." Pyrrha nodded. "A cold old man who never left his home in the forest was visited four traveling sisters. The first understands his reclusive nature and encourages him to use his time to reflect and meditate. The second brings him fruits and flowers, and revitalizes his garden. The third warms his heart convincing him to come out and embrace the world around him. And the last sister encourages him to look at all he has and be thankful."

"In return for their kindness, the man gives them all incredible powers so they may continue to help others all over the world. They accept and promise to share their gifts with the people of Remnant until the end of days. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. The four maidens. My mother loves that story."

"Would you believe me if I told you that ones been around since I was a boy?" Ozpin asked.

"You're not that old, Professor." Pyrrha chuckled.

"Well, would you believe me if I told you it was real?" Ozpin asked.

"I beg your pardon...?" She chuckled.

"What if I told you that four maidens really exist in this world that could use such tremendous power, all without Dust?" He continued.

"What, like a Semblance?" Pyrrha asked back.

"More like magic." Ozpin corrected.

"I-" Pyrrha started.

"Yep, first time you hear is pretty crazy." Qrow added.

"You're serious?" She asked looking back at Ozpin.

"Do I look like one for jokes?" Ozpin asked back.

"No..." She nervously answered. "Wh-why are you telling me this?"

Ozpin and Qrow shared a serious look. "The reason we are telling you, Pyrrha Nikos, is because we believe you are the next to receive the Fall Maidens powers."

"Wait, we?" She asked. The elevator dinged and she turned to see Glynda, Natsu, and General Ironwood in the box.

"Sorry we're late." The general apologized as they entered the room.

"Natsu? What is this!?" She asked as she turned back to Ozpin. "Who are you?"

"You know who we are." Glynda said. "We're still the same teachers, student and headmasters you met on the first day at Beacon."

"Well, minus the whole secret group..." Natsu added.

"See, we have a part time job." Qrow spoke up.

"We're the protectors of the world." Ironwood continued.

"And we need your help." Ozpin requested.

Elevator Box

Pyrrha stood in the middle of the group as the box headed down past the lobby level. "Don't worry." Natsu said from behind. "When you learn the truth, it's not as scary as they make it seem. Just relax."

"I'd relax more if I knew where we were going." She said back.

"We are headed to the vault, beneath the school." Ozpin told her.

The elevator came to a stop and the door opened. The adults left the box followed by Natsu. Pyrrha followed wide eyed as the door closed behind her. Glynda turned and looked as Pyrrha walked slowly.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions." The blonde teacher said.

"Maybe one or two... Hundred." Pyrrha said back as they walked forward.

"Natsu was just like that when he learned." Glynda said.

"Speaking of which, why is he here?" Pyrrha asked.

"He's my son." She confessed. "If anyone should learn about this, it's him."

"Son!?" Pyrrha asked, shocked.

"Jeez, you told her?" Natsu asked as he turned around. "I thought we were gonna tell Yang that secret first."

"Does SHE know about this?" Pyrrha asked.

"Absolutly not!" He said. "I wanna keep her out of this for as long as possible."

"But I still have so many questions." Pyrrha said. "You said I was next to receive the maidens powers. What does that mean?"

"Like the Grimm, the maidens have existed for thousands of years." Glynda explained. "But just like nature, the seasons change. No two summers are alike. When one maiden dies, the power leaves her body and seeks out a new host, ensuring that the seasons never die and no individual can hold on to the power forever."

"It's kinda like the Parasites from Dazzle Comics." Natsu simplified. "Only instead of being alien life forms and taking over the host, it's a benevolent force that you control."

"So, how does the power choose?" Pyrrha asked.

"A series of stupid and convoluted rules." Qrow said.

"Qrow..." Glynda growled.

"He's not wrong, mom." Natsu said. "At first, all that we knew was that the powers would be passed on to teenage girls. But now, it turns out that the selection process is a lot more intimate..."

"Intimate?" Pyrrha asked.

"As we understand now, whoever was in the maidens final thought before death is the first candidate for inheriting the powers." Glynda explained.

"Unless it's a man or some old hag." Qrow added, earning a chuckle from Natsu. "Then the power just goes someone random, and our jobs gets a hell of a lot harder."

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

"Honestly, we've run out of time." He said back. "I don't know if you've noticed it, things are getting a lot scarier in the world. Tensions are high, Grimm are getting tougher, more prevalent and it won't be long until this peace even be enjoying blows up in our face."

"Wait, are you talking about war?" Pyrrha asked.

"Between nations, no." Ironwood said.

"We can fill you in on the details once we know you're really with us." Qrow added. "For now, all you need know is that one of the maidens was attacked, and for the first in history, part of her power was stolen."

The group reached the end of the hall, revaling a woman with a scar on her face in medical chamber hooked up to a large device and another pod.

"Is that...?" Pyrrha asked as Ozpin sighed.

"The current fall maiden." He nodded. "Amber."

"She's... Still alive..." She said back.

"As alive as you can be in this condition." Natsu said.

"We're using state of the art Atlas technology to keep her alive." Ironwood explained. "But this situation is extremely unprecedented."

"What does that mean?" Pyrrha asked back.

Ironwood sighed beofre looking back at the maiden. "Well, we don't know what will happen if-when she passes."

"Wouldn't it just transfer to the next host?" She asked again.

"So you have been listening." Qrow said before leaning in towards Ozpin. "She really is smart."

"Under normal circumstances, yes." The general nodded. "But this is an extremely delicate situation. It's not unusual to have the attacker be the last thought of the victim."

"Not to mention, the power has been split for the first time in history." Natsu added. "It could seak out its other half for all we know."

"Her assailant..." Pyrrha said.

"And that would not be good for any of us." Ozpin added.

Pyrrha walked over to the pod and put her hand on the glass, deep in though. "If all of this is true, why have you kept it a secret? If these girls are so important, if we really on the brink of war, why not tell the world?"

"From what we understand, it use to be common knowledge." Glynda spoke up.

"Excuse me?" The red head asked.

"How do think legends and fairy tales get started?" Qrow asked, taking out his flask. "Even the craziest ones come from somewhere."

"Our group was founded in order to keep both the maidens and humanity safe." Glynda continued. "Those hungry for power hunted them down, hoping to take their powers for themselves."

"And the ones that did succeed weren't the kind of people that you'd want to have unimaginable power." Qrow added after he finished his drink.

"And so this brotherhood choose to remove the maidens from the publics eyes, letting their existance fade into legend." Ironwood continued.

"The things were telling you go against hundreds of years of human history and religion." Glynda said.

"No one would want to believe this." Natsu said. "It'd cause a lot of panic in the world."

"And we all know what that would bring clawing to our doors." Ozpin added glaring at James. "Which is why we would like-"

"I'll do it." Pyrrha interupted. "If you truly believe this will help humanity, then I will become your next fall maiden." The five looked at each other with a concerned look. "That's what you wanted, isn't it?

"Yeah, that's only half of it..." Natsu mumbled, rubbing the back of his head.

"Given her condition, you won't be able to inherit Amber's powers naturally." Ozpin said walking forward. "But General Ironwood believes he has a solution."

"For the past several years, Atlas has been studying aura in a scientific standpoint." The general explained. "How it works, what it's made of, how it can be used. We've made some... Significant strides, and we've believe we've found a way to capture it."

"And try to cram it into something else." Qrow added. "Or in your case..."

"Wait, what?" Natsu asked.

"That's..." Pyrrha turned to the general.

"Highly classified." He said.

"Wrong!" She finished.

"It's immoral!" Natsu added.

"Believe me, the feeling is mutual." Glynda added, glaring at the general. "But desperate times call for desperate measures."

"And these are indeed desperate times." The general said. "We can't give you her powers, but we can give you what those powers are bound to."

"Her aura..." She finished his thought.

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

"What is it gonna do you?" Qrow finished.

"You have a big decision to make, Miss Nikos." The headmaster said. "There's no telling if this transfer will work, or if you will be the same after it if it does succeed. I'd advise you to take sometime to think about this matter. But understand at the end of the tournament, we will need an answer."

Pyrrha turned and looked back at Amber's sleeping face. "The assailant that attacked her has made their move. And there's no telling when their next move will be."

Natsu walked forward and put his hand on Pyrrha's shoulder. "I know this is a lot to take in. I was the exact same way when my mom told me about this. Just, consider it."

"I-I will." Pyrrha nodded and turned back and walked back to the group as Natsu just stared at the maiden.

"You okay, Natsu?" His mother asked as she walked forward.

"Yeah, I think so..." He nodded as walked away. The group started to leave the room before Natsu stared back at the box. 'What is this... Feeling?'

Amity Colosseum

Cinder stared at the field as the finalists stood in the arena. "Now, the moment you've all been waiting for!" Port declared. "The one-on-one finals!" The finalists included Yang, Sun, Penny, Mercury, Pyrrha and Natsu.

"You sure you're okay after... That?" He asked.

"I thinks so..." She nodded.

"Barty, want to explain the rules?" Port asked.

"It's actually quite simple." The other professor said. "Instead of the bracket system, all the fights of the round will be randomly determined immediately before the matches take place."

"Much like a good hunt, there will be zero time to prepare!" Port added.

"Yes, yes." Oobleck nodded. "Now, let's see the first match." The randomizers popped up and began spinning. The whole world watched as the left one slowed down. "Mercury Black, vs..." The right one slowed down right past Pyrrha. "Natsu Dragneel! Would all other contestants please leave the arena." Port requested. The students walked towards the edge and left the stage as it reconfigured into a new setting.

"Looks like we got ourselves a rematch." Natsu chuckled.

"Break a leg, Natsu!" Yang shouted as Cinder stood up and left the arena.

The students walked towards each other as the state reset for the next match. "Don't even think about forfiting on me this time." Natsu said, cracking his knuckles.

"Wouldn't dream of it." Mercury said back as both entered their fighting stances.

"Three, two, one..." Port counted. "Begin!"

Both sprinted towards and threw a punch and kick respectively, creating a shockwave. Both pulled back and Natsu swung his tail trying to catch Mercury's leg. He jumped over the extra appendage and bounced off Natsu's face, launching a round into his face.

Natsu pushed back before catching his claws in the ground to slow him down. He coated his right arm in a blade and his left in a shield before bracing behind it as Mercury shattered is with a kick. Natsu swung his arm blade and Mercury flipped back before sprinting forward and delivered a roundhouse kick.

Natsu caught it and pushed away, only for Mercury to spin around and delivered a kick to the blade, breaking it. Natsu coated his arms in gauntlets and swung both in an X. Mercury spun in circle and blocked the arms before launching rounds that matched his momentum, creating a tornado of rounds.

"Okay, this is new." Natsu said as he sprinted forward. Both traded kicks and punches until Mercury delivered an enziguri that dazed the Faunus. Mercury delivered a mule kick to Natsu chest, forcing him back until he stopped and slammed his hands together and launched spikes from his palms. Mercury sprinted forward and punched him before all the crashed down on the Faunus.

Mercury stood up and brushed his shoulder off before a field of ice trapped his feet. He turned around and looked as Natsu stood up, now with small scales under his eyes. He launched forward and threw an ice covered punch that dazed him. He threw a whirlwind kick that Natsu dodged and then punched Mercury in the chest repeatedly before delivering a final haymaker that sent Mercury's aura to zero.

Natsu threw one final punch that sent Mercury to the ground before the buzzer rang. "What a way to kick off the finals!" Port declare as the scales faded. Natsu raised his hands in victory as the crowd cheered.

"Natsu Dragneel wins!" Oobleck said as the arena returned to normal.

"Never a doubt in my mind." Vergil said.

"Doesn't make it any less awesome to watch!" Ryuko nudged back.

"Nice work, Natsu." Yang cheered as she jumped the railings.

"Looks like you were right. I am stronger than you." Natsu said as Yang reached him. "Better luck next time." Both Beacon students walked away form the Haven student, hand in hand.

"There won't be a next time, scales." Mercury said as he stood up. The couple turned around as Mercury jumped foot forward, ready to strike. Natsu pushed Yang to the side and threw a punch that hit his leg and delivered a sickening crack. Mercury cried in pain as the crowd booed him.

"What the?" Glynda asked.

"My word..." Oobleck mumbled.

"Cut the cameras." Port ordered.

Mount Glenn

Grimm of all manner picked up on the negative energy and started walking towards Beacon.

Amity Colosseum

The crowd booed as Mercury held his leg. "My leg..."

"That's what you get, you little-" Yang started as Atlesain Knights and soldiers surrounded the two students and pointed their guns at them. "Wait, what?"

"Natsu Dragneel, stand down!" One soldier ordered.

"Why?" He asked.

"Mercury!" Emerald shouted as she ran onto the field.

"Why'd he do that?" He asked. "Why'd he attack me?!"

"Uh, Natsu..." Yang pulled on his scarf and directed him to the screen, showing him walking away from Mercury with Yang before turning around and unprovokedly breaking his leg.

"That's not-" He started before his cries were droned out by the boos of the arena. Both RWBY and NVAR stared in shock at Natsu's apparent actions.

"Please, some one help!" Emerald shouted as two medics ran onto the field. "Can't you do something?! "They put their gurney and looked at Mercury's leg.

"We need to get him to hospital right away." One said to the other. "Get a blanket."

They loaded Mercury onto the gurney and lifted him up as just Natsu stared as they left the arena. "No, you don't get it! He attacked me! I'm telling the truth!"

"Shut it!" The officer said. "You've caused enough of a scene."

With Emerald

Emrald ran along side the gurney as the medics carried Mercury. "Here, we've got an ambulance ready!" Cinder, in a paramedics outfit, shouted from a dock.

They loaded him into the vehicle and the door closed after them. "Hopefully they'll be okay." One medic said. "That girl won't lead his side."

"Well take good care of them both." Cinder said as she walked into the vehicle and it flew out the docks.

"Oh, my leg..." Mercury whined as he laid on the gurney, milking the fake injury. "Give it to me straight doc, will I ever walk?" Emerald had enough and whacked his shoulder, making him sit up. "Ow, what your deal?"

"Augh, headache..." She complained as she grabbed her head. "A single mind is one thing, but two is a stretch."

"Personally, I think you all preformed wonderfully." Cinder said. "That includes you, Spumoni." She looked over at the driver as her eyes changed from magenta to pink and brown.

"So, did it work?" Mercury asked.

Hideout

"A tragedy took place this evening in the opening match of the one-on-one rounds of the Vytal Festival." Lisa Lavender reported before the channel changed.

"I don't what Ozpin is teaching his students, but that was just disgraceful." A Haven tourist commented. "Completely uncalled for."

"Despite Atlas reinforcements, authorities are still calling on every available huntsman and huntress to aid in suppressing the spike in Grimm activity." A reporter said as the screen showed Grimm marching from Mountain Glenn before it was shut off.

"Hey, I was watching that." Mercury complained as he tuned his prosthetic leg.

"Shut up." Emerald said back.

"This is how you treat your patient?" He asked before Emerald turned the screwdriver in his leg. "Hey, that's too tight!"

"Enough." Cinder said. "I think Mercury put on a wonderful show. He was so brave."

"This isn't some cheap piece of hard ware, ya know?" He said to Emerald as he loosened the screw.

"So, what our next move?" Emerald asked.

"The two of us will make sure the next match of the tournament goes smoothly." Cinder explained as she turned and walked away.

"And my role?" Mercury asked.

"You get to lay low until we need you." She explained as Emerald followed her. "We wouldn't want people to see you walking around and have this whole thing ruined, now would we?"

"You got it..." Mercury nodded as he continued his repairs.

And thus, the end begins.

Now, I'm pretty sure Cinder was manipulating the randomizer and she's still sore about Natsu's pick, so he's the sacrificial lamb in all this. I didn't include the whole background scenes because I don't want to insult your intelligence by thinking you haven't seen it.

Saw Meta vs Carolina on Death Battle two weeks ago, and that got me into Red vs Blue, mostly just to piss my brother off. He REALLY hates parodies of anything he remotely likes. But looking at the RvB fanfic, one thought keeps coming back to me. How has no one done a Fic where Carolina keeps Sigma? Seriously, it'd be so fun to read. If anyone actually writes it, let me know and I will check it out.

Beta read by Natsu is Awesome.