The scene opened on the headmaster's office of Professor Ozpin, who was seated behind his desk across from Pyrrha, as the last rays of twilight came through the clock-decorated windows.
"Well, it comes as no surprise that they've chosen you to move on to the final round of the tournament. Your performance was exemplary." Ozpin chuckled as he gestured to her, his cane resting at his side.
"Thank you, Professor Ozpin, but I would have never made it this far without my teammates. And of course, the training with my brother." Pyrrha said humbly.
"Personally, I think it's the other way around." Qrow said from his spot leaning against a column in the back of the room, arms crossed.
Pyrrha turned around and got up from her chair. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe we've been introduced." She said, trying to be formal.
"Name's Qrow." Qrow introduced himself, still rather hostile.
"Qrow is a trusted colleague of mine." Ozpin explained.
Pyrrha looked at Qrow for another moment before addressing her teacher again. "Professor, if you don't mind me asking, why have you called me here?" She asked.
"Please, take a seat." Ozpin said, still smiling. When she did so, he put his fingers up to his lips, leaning back casually. "What is your favorite fairy tale?" He asked.
"I'm... sorry?" Pyrrha asked, confused.
"Fairy tales, stories from your childhood. Surely you must remember some of them." Ozpin explained.
Pyrrha was a bit put off by the question, but answered anyway."Well, there's The Tale of The Two Brothers, The Shallow Sea, The Girl in the Tower..." She listed with nostalgia.
"What about The Story of the Seasons?" Ozpin asked, leaning back forward.
"Well, of course!" She confirmed happily, looking away in remembrance. "A callous old man, who refuses to leave his home, is visited by four traveling sisters." She narrated the story as the art style changed to show the colored silhouettes of four young women coming across a house on a hill with a single figure in the doorway. "The first understands his reclusive nature and urges him to use his time in solitude to reflect and meditate. The second brings him fruits and flowers, tending to his crops and revitalizing his garden. The third warms the man's heart, convincing him to step outside and embrace the world around him. And the fourth and final sister begs him to look at all that he has, and be thankful." She explained as each of the four performed a different action, with the white one sitting down, the green bringing a basket of fruits, the orange calling their host out of the building and the purple gesturing to what's around them.
"In return for their kindness, the man grants the maidens incredible powers, so that they may continue to help others all over the world. They graciously accept, and promise to share their gifts with the people of Remnant 'til the end of days." Pyrrha finished as a golden light emanated from the old man until it surrounded the four girls, who go on their way with the glow still around them. We then come back to the office as she listed the four off. "Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall; the four maidens. My mother loves that story." She said fondly.
Ozpin nodded. "Precisely. And one more, the Other Worlders?" He asked.
"Oh! That one is Kratos' favorite! It's much shorter, but still powerful and awe-inspiring. Legend states that there is a god of light watching over all worlds and when Remnant sees its darkest hour, dying heroes from other worlds will be reborn from Remnant to save it." She explained.
"Would you believe me if I told you those two have been around since I was a boy?" Ozpin asked.
"You're not that old, Professor." Pyrrha laughed.
"Well, would you believe me if I told you they were true?" Ozpin asked, turning from playful to deadly serious in a millisecond.
Pyrrha was silent for a moment, then gave an uneasy chuckle. "I beg your pardon?"
"What if I told you that there were four maidens existing in this world, that could wield such tremendous power, without Dust?" He asked again.
"You mean... like a Semblance?" Pyrrha asked, trying to make sense of this development.
"Like magic." Ozpin corrected, giving a small smile as he delivered his secret.
"I..." Pyrrha started, looking down.
"Yeah. First time hearing this, it's pretty crazy." Qrow said.
Pyrrha turned her gaze from Qrow back to Ozpin again. "You're serious?" She asked, amazed.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Ozpin asked, completely straight-faced.
She hesitated for a moment, before answering. "... No." She said. struggling for the right words. "Why... why are you telling me this?" She asked, struggling for the right words.
"Well, your brother and his team knows, so it's only fair you know." Qrow said.
"Kratos knows as well?" Pyrrha asked in disbelief.
Ozpin glanced at Qrow, who nodded his approval, before looking into Pyrrha's eyes. "He knows a great deal more than he's let on. But more importantly: we are telling you this, Pyrrha Nikos, because we believe you are next in line to receive the Fall Maiden's powers." He told her.
Pyrrha's eyes grow wider and wider until she realized what he said. "'We'?" She asked.
At that moment, the elevator doors opened and she saw Glynda and General Ironwood step out.
"Sorry we're late." Ironwood apologized as he straightened his tie and Glynda fixed her glasses.
"Wait, what is this? Who are you?" Pyrrha asked, overwhelmed, narrowing her eyes at Ozpin.
"You know who we are. We're still the same teachers and Headmasters you met when you arrived at Beacon." Goodwitch told her, coming forward with Ironwood and Qrow, spreading her hands and trying to sound reassuring.
"But we've got a little part-time job." Qrow added.
"We are the protectors of the world." Ironwood explained.
"And we need your help." Ozpin finished. "Your brother wished for you to be left out of this, but now I believe you are needed." He said.
Pyrrha was shocked into silence as everyone in the room looked to her. "Kratos... How does he know so much about this? And why would he keep it from me?" She asked.
"All will be revealed when you come with us." Ozpin said.
Cut to Pyrrha, looking nervous, in the elevator with the group of "protectors". She looked at Ozpin and Glynda as if seeing them for the first time while a steady beeping signals each floor passed.
"Where are we going?" Pyrrha asked apprehensively
"The vault. Under the school." Ozpin answered. "Kratos and his team heard of it, but you're now SEEING more than he has." He added.
The elevator continued downward through the vertical tunnel of dark green lights until it opened its doors and their passengers stepped out, with Pyrrha being the last to leave as she absorbed the sight of the large, sparsely-lit hallway she was now being lead through. Glynda waited up for her behind the others.
"I'm sure you must have questions." Goodwitch said.
"Maybe one, or two... Although more than that for my brother." Pyrrha said, still taking it all in. They continue on as she decides to ask them her questions. "I still don't understand. You said I was next in line to receive the Maiden's power. What do you mean by that?" She 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." Glynda explained.
"So, how does the power choose?" Pyrrha asked.
"Through a series of stupid and convoluted rules." Qrow called back over his shoulder.
"Qrow." Goodwitch grumbled.
"Hey, don't get mad 'cause I'm right." He said.
Goodwitch looked back to Pyrrha. "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." She explained it all carefully.
"... 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." Glynda informed.
"Unless it's a dude or some old hag. Then the power goes to someone random, and our job gets a lot harder." Qrow added.
"Why tell me all of this now? Why not wait until I've graduated?" Pyrrha asked.
"The same reason we had to ignore your brother's request to keep you from being involved. 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, more prevalent. And it's not going to be long before the peace we've been enjoying for so long goes out the window." Qrow informed her.
"You're not... talking about a war?" Pyrrha asked.
"Not a war between nations." Ironwood said.
"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." Qrow explained.
A humming of electricity was heard as the group comes to their destination at the end of the hallway: A large machine with lit screens hooked up to two rectangular pods, one of which was upright to show through the glass window a young girl dressed in minimal clothing with a burn scar over her left eye and across her face.
"Is that..." Pyrrha started, stepping forward hesitantly.
Ozpin sighed heavily. "The current Fall Maiden, Amber." He said.
"She's... still alive." Pyrrha said, holding herself.
"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 told her.
"What do you mean?" Pyrrha asked. Ironwood sighed with his eyes closed. "Won't... her power... just transfer to the next host?" She asked.
"Look who's been listening!" Qrow said, before leaning towards Ozpin. "She is smart." He whispered to Beacon's headmaster.
"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." Ironwood explained, glancing at Amber. "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." He finished.
"... Her assailant." Pyrrha realized, connecting the pieces together.
"And that would not bode well for any of us." Ozpin said, turning to Pyrrha.
Pyrrha lowered her head in thought, then suddenly comes forward and places a 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 we're truly on the brink of war, why not tell everyone?" Pyrrha demanded, suddenly sounding angry, turning to the teachers and gesturing wildly. "And why wouldn't Kratos tell me?" She asked. Her brother and her had been nearly inseparable since childhood and told each other everything. So how could he hide something.
"Your brother only wished to protect you. But he is also part of the second legend. The Other Worlders. Kratos, as well as the rest of Team SCRN, are warriors from a distant, unknown world, reborn on Remnant. Even we don't know the specifics of their previous lives, as they requested to keep them to themselves, but from what he has said, Kratos wasn't the upstanding warrior we know him as today. He likely didn't want to disturb you with a grim past." Ozpin explained. Pyrrha was shocked at first, then looked down sadly at this.
"As for why we never spoke of magic and the maidens. From what we understand, it used to be common knowledge." Goodwitch explained, coming forward.
"Excuse me?" Pyrrha asked, not expecting that answer.
It was now Qrow's turn to elaborate as he pulled out the familiar flask. "How do you think legends and fairy tales get started? Even the craziest ones come from somewhere." He explained as he got the lid off and took a swig.
"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." Glynda informed.
"And as you can imagine, the ones that succeeded weren't exactly the ones you'd want to have unimaginable power." Qrow said, finishing his drink.
"And so our brotherhood chose to remove the Maidens from the public eye, allowing their existence to fade away into legend." Ironwood finished.
"The things we're telling you go against hundreds of years of human history and religion." Goodwitch explained.
"No one would want to believe us. It would cause an uproar." Ironwood warned.
"It would cause panic. And we all know what that would bring to clawing at our Kingdom's walls." Ozpin finished as he turned his gaze away from the others. "Which is why we would like to..." He started.
"I'll do it." Pyrrha said. Ozpin looked up, surprised, as she stared at the ground, before continuing. "If you believe that this will help humanity..." She went on, then gave them all a resolute look. "... then I will become your Fall Maiden." She finished as the others silently turned to each other with wary faces. "That's what you wanted, isn't it?" She asked.
"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 explained, stepping towards her.
"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 explained.
"Capture it and cram it into something else." Qrow crudely elaborated. "Or in your case..." He said as he gestured to Pyrrha as she took a second to realize what that meant.
"That's..." Pyrrha started, looking to Ironwood.
"Classified." Ironwood said.
"... wrong!" She countered, horrified.
"The feeling is mutual." Goodwitch agreed, glaring at Ironwood, before she switched her gaze back to Pyrrha. "But desperate times call for desperate measures."
"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 explained.
"... Her Aura." Pyrrha realized.
"Her life would become intertwined with yours. The question is..." Ozpin said.
"What's that going to do to you?" Qrow asked.
"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 Vytal Festival is over, we will need your answer." Ozpin explained, as Pyrrha fully understood the dangers she might face.
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. She was scared, both at this frightening truth and the fact she may truly not even know her own brother, before turning away from this expected destiny as Ozpin gave 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 warned.
With the sound of a rapid heartbeat, the scene cut to a smirking Cinder Fall as she sat in one of the Amity Colosseum's seats along with the rest of the cheering crowd, their screams being drowned out by the announcements.
"Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for! The one-on-one finals!" Port announced over the broadcasting system.
In the center of the battlefield's stage, Yang smirked confidently as the camera panned down the line of final fighters, a few new faces mixed in with Sun, Penny, Mercury, Kratos and the troubled Pyrrha at the other end of the line. Kratos looked to his sister, smiling and nodding to her. She flashed her own brief smile, but quickly looked away and frowned once more, much to her brother's confusion.
"Barty, why don't you explain the rules?" Port suggested back in the announcer's box with his co-host.
"Ah, it's quite simple, Peter. Instead of a bracket system, each round of the finals will be randomly determined immediately before the match takes place!" Oobleck explained.
"Much like any good hunt, there will be zero time to prepare!" Port added.
"Ah, yes, yes! Now, let's see who our first match will be!" Oobleck said.
The energetic doctor pointed out to the screens above the stadium as the roulette started spinning, this time for competitors instead of biomes. The "random selection" was watched by the owner of the Crow Bar, a group of Human and Faunus kids, the visitors and workers at the Cross Continental Transmit System, before it got back from the worldwide audience glimpses to reveal the first showdown.
A/N: So, Pyrrha has been faced with a sudden, overwhelming destiny and has had the seeds of doubt about her brother planted within her? How will this effect her? Only time will tell! Keep reading to find out.
