A/N: T-4. I just need to say this- when I originally started planning this fic, my plan (including all the transcribed dialogue from the show and all my notes) was over 100 pages on my Word document. I've been slowly whittling that number down as I've been writing each preplanned chapter. Now, we're left with less than ten pages of planning/dialogue/nonsensical ideas. What a life.

OST: 6:24 by Danger

Leave some reviews/PMs. It'd be pretty rad as we race to the conclusion.

Laws of Attraction

Pyrrha followed Professor Ozpin without a word, the man leading her through the ground floor of Beacon Tower silently. She kept her eyes trained on the back of his white hair, the normally-messy cut even more ruffled than usual, clear marks of fingers having run through them over and over again visible amongst his locks. Every wet hit of his cane upon the tiled floor echoed loudly in the silent facility. There was not a sound coming from the room, no other occupants to fill the void as they walked.

Pyrrha refused to look at the dismembered bodies at their feet, convincing herself that the red in her vision was nothing more than her bangs. Nothing more.

As they finally reached the elevator and summoned it down, the door behind them creaked open. "Mr. Arc," Professor Ozpin called without turning around, "don't bother hiding. If you're coming with us, then hurry. We must be off."

The redhead spun on her heel, horrified. Just as the headmaster had predicted, Jaune stepped into the CCT, wide-eyed and terrified. He froze upon seeing the carnage around the room, and before she could warn him, he turned to the nearby garbage can at the exit and threw up the contents of his stomach.

"Mr. Arc, there will be time for histrionics later," Professor Ozpin repeated testily as the elevator dinged, the doors opening. "Either get in or go help your teammates."

"I-I'm coming!" Jaune squeaked, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. He clumsily began to run towards them, keeping his eyes locked on the duo- on Pyrrha.

When he finally crashed into the elevator, Pyrrha grabbed his shoulders. "No, Jaune," she breathed, shaking him. "No, you can't come with us! Stay with them- you're our leader, they need you! You don't understand, you can't-"

"We have no choice but to take him," the Huntsman cut in. The elevator doors closed, and the man used his Scroll to unlock the button leading down to the vault. "We must move quickly- we may already be too late."

"No," Pyrrha breathed, looking back at her leader. The blond's expression was green, frantic.

"Pyrrha, what is going on?" Jaune whispered at last, leaning heavily onto the elevator wall. The box began its long descent, trembling occasionally. "Where are we going?"

The redhead groaned, "It doesn't matter, Jaune. You need to go back to Nora and Ren-"

"Nora and Ren have fought together their whole lives, long before they met us." Colour was slowly returning to his face, the determination from before flashing in his eyes. "I'm sure they'll be okay. Besides," he reached over and grabbed her hand, just as he had barely a few minutes before, squeezing comfortingly, "our team isn't complete without you, Pyrrha. I'm your partner. I'm not letting you go alone. Who's gonna look after you?"

Professor Ozpin was eerily silent throughout the exchange, keeping his eyes fixated upon the door.

Pyrrha started, gaze darting back and forth between the sincere blond and the silent headmaster. "But- but sir, Jaune's going to find out-"

"I'm sure your disappearance would let him know eventually, Pyrrha," the man intoned smoothly. "And I may require an extra set of hands."

"But-"

"But nothing. The time is upon us, whether we are ready or not. This isn't how we wanted this to go, but we have been left with no other choice. The assailant has acted- we must act accordingly." The door opened at last, the box settling down at the bottom of the vault, and he sprinted out into the long, dimly-lit corridor. Before either of them could say a word, he had already gained a lead. They followed him as quickly as they could- yet, for a man who used a cane daily, he was surprisingly quick.

The blond looked around the intimidating hall, confusion twisting his brow. "What is this place?"

As they ran, Pyrrha glanced over her shoulder, keeping her expression neutral. This is really happening. "It's... a type of vault."

Even out of the corner of her eye, though, she could see how Jaune's face folded, concern lacing his voice. "You've... been here before?" he asked in disbelief. There were a million and one questions on his face, and she had no time to give him the answers he deserved. She hated it.

She said nothing. Her heart, however, was screaming, begging to tell him the truth, tell him everything she wasn't able to bring herself to say earlier that day by the dining hall. Instead, she pressed her lips together and looked away.

"What would this school need to... hide?" His words trailed off as they finally arrived at the large chamber at the end of the hall, the boy slowing down to a stop before the giant Aura-transferring machine. "What? Who?"

Professor Ozpin ran straight towards one of the monitors around the empty vessel. Pyrrha halted in her tracks, eyes glancing over Amber's comatose body before landing upon the blond. "Jaune…" she trailed off. Oh, if only we had time. I didn't want you to see this.

The Huntsman cut her off before she could continue. "Pyrrha! Get to the pods!" he said urgently.

She looked up at Jaune. The blond boy- that sweet, sweet boy- was staring back at her with such worry in her eyes that she almost melted, almost crumbled before him. All he wanted was to help. I'm so sorry. Silently, she ran to the second pod.

Turning to Jaune, Professor Ozpin added, "Mr. Arc, if you'd like to help, you can stand guard here." The blond hesitated for just a moment before turning around, holding up his shield and blade in a defensive stance.

As the elder man typed furiously on the monitor, Pyrrha murmured lowly, "What do we do now?"

He sighed, turning his head to the side. "We do nothing." The pod opened up before her feet with one final keystroke from the man, and he turned to look at her wearily. "You, Miss Nikos... have a choice to make." His eyes were hidden behind his glasses, but by the tremble of his lips, the deadened set of his jaw- the frustration was palpable.

She stared at the opened pod. There were glowing blue transmitters spread out along the upright bed where she needed to lie down, presumably connected to the thick black cables which joined this pod with Amber's. This machine is going to change everything.

But what other choice did she have? Her mind raced around the possibilities, but each one led her back to the exact same place- becoming the Fall Maiden. There was no one else in her class, in her generation, who would be able to handle its powers. Professor Ozpin had said so himself. And, Pyrrha knew more than anyone, that there was no other young woman in her class who could handle the isolation guaranteed by the life of a Maiden.

I'm going to be alone again. She sniffled. But I promised to protect them. And taking on this role- if it means that no one else has to suffer, then I'll do it. It's what I was meant to do.

A small smile graced her lips. And, maybe, I'll be strong enough to use this power to take back Beacon. Her mind began to race. Maybe I can take down the Grimm. I might be able to save Vale. I might be able to stop whatever was happening in Mistral. I can protect everyone. If not me, then who?

She placed Miló and Akoúo to the side of the pod, running her fingers along the embossed metals tenderly. I'm not going to run away. I'll prove to everyone that I can do it. Her resolve grew, and she straightened up, readying herself.

Even if I am never the same again.

She cast a glance back at Jaune. The blond was still standing at the ready, facing away from her. His silhouette, lit up by the uncanny glow from the monitors, seemed to shine against the darkness of the corridor beyond. His back was broad, shoulders strong, prepared for whatever lay ahead.

He stood in the stance it had taken her months to teach him. Now, it looked natural on him. He looked like a Huntsman.

That was the thought which broke her down again. The tears welled up, spilling slightly onto her cheek, and she had to bite back the words which so desperately wanted to fall out of her lips.

I'm so sorry, Jaune. She wiped the tears off her cheek, then climbed into the pod, keeping her eyes locked onto the blond's noble figure as the pod's lid closed. I love you so much. I'm so, so sorry for making you be here during this. This isn't how it was supposed to happen. Please don't hate me.

Suddenly, the entire facility seemed to rumble. Professor Ozpin cast an anxious look backwards before turning to the monitor again, determination renewed. "Are you ready?"

Pyrrha made eye contact with him, then nodded, slow and unsure. She wasn't ready, but there was no choice.

"I..." The man trailed off. His voice quieted, growing gentle, sorrowful. "I need to hear you say it."

The redhead lay her head flush against the back of the pod, staring up into the dark, shadowy ceiling. "Yes."

The Huntsman muttered, "Thank you, Miss Nikos." She pretended not to notice how his voice hitched up on her name. Then, he pressed a few more buttons, and the machines whirred to life, sound muffled in her enclosed prison. She waited, keeping her eyes closed, unsure of what to expect. On the back of her eyes, she fixated on the one image that she wanted to remember until the end.

Jaune's back, strong and proud.

I guess… this is goodbye.

And then… all there was around her was pain.

White-hot pain seared through her entire body, and she screamed louder than she had ever screamed before. The hurt was immense, utterly unbearable, taking away all control of her limbs as she attempted to curl in on herself to shield herself from the hurt. It's too much- this is-!

And then, nothing.

Her mind's eye snapped open, and suddenly, Pyrrha was floating in an empty space. There were no walls, no floor nor ceiling to confine her. Her legs hung limply in the air, and she looked at her hands, glowing black with her Semblance.

Standing in front of her was a familiar figure, surrounded by a tawny glow. Willing herself forward, Pyrrha found her floating form to gently drift towards the girl who somehow had found footing in this empty void of white space. Pyrrha extended her legs, begging to touch the ground, to feel solid floor beneath her heels once more. By some miracle, the same foothold seemed to appear under her feet, and she touched down behind the woman silently. "You… you're Amber, aren't you?"

The young woman spun around, brown bob swaying with the action. Her eyes were full of pained tears, the scar tissue contracting with the furrowing of her brow, the trembling of her lips. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, voice high and choked. "I can't give the Fall to you."

Pyrrha frowned, the panic flaring up once more. "No, but- but I need your powers. I'm so sorry, but I need them, you don't understand-"

"I want to!" Amber screamed, voice shrill and broken. "I can't!" With that, the young woman reached out tanned hands and placed them on Pyrrha's temples, forcing the tawny Aura into her.

Pyrrha screamed back, her mind collapsing.

Nothing... then, oddly enough, dirt.

She coughed. It took a moment for her to regain her senses, but soon, the first thing the redhead noticed was the dirt road upon which she lay. Blinking slowly, she saw a dark, stormy grey sky, clouds flying over the flat landscape ominously. In the evening light, the surrounded trees and brush were silhouetted in black against the dim horizon, imposing shadows watching over the barren road.

The sound of hooves on dirt caught her attention. From the other end of the road, she saw a robed woman seated upon a white horse, slowly making her way down the road. It was clearly Amber, in all her proud, regal quietude. Suddenly, in front of Pyrrha, there was a little girl and a tiny bicycle lying askew. Where in the world did she come from? the redhead wondered, watching as the woman dismounted her horse.

Even with the hood, Pyrrha could recognize Amber's figure. The little girl sobbed quietly, so Amber approached her carefully. Taking a knee in front of the girl, the woman smirked, then reached into her waist pouch. The girl immediately flinched and shielded her face, as if expecting a slap.

The moment should have been tender, as Amber pulled out an apple- a peace offering. However, something about the air was wrong. Who is this girl? Why is she on a bike in the middle of nowhere? Why would there be a child on the road, alone? What is going on?

Then, a dust cloud appeared further down the road, directly in front of Pyrrha. Amber gasped quietly in confusion, having noticed it too. Instantly, the little girl disappeared into thin air, and the Maiden leapt backwards, throwing off her cloak and pulling out a dual-ended staff tipped with large Dust crystals.

There was no scar on her face.

And, standing in front of Amber, was none other than Emerald.

The fight between the two young women commenced, but Pyrrha was frozen in place, horror washing over her. In that moment, everything clicked in Pyrrha's mind.

This… this explains everything. Emerald can conjure illusions, can't she? She must have made up that little girl. She gasped. That's how Coco and Yatsuhashi must have lost. That must be why Yang attacked Mercury- that means that she must've manipulated what Yang saw. Yang kept saying that Mercury attacked her first, and- oh gods, she wasn't lying, was she? That's what she must've seen.

Suddenly, her attention was drawn back to the battle when a third pair of footsteps appeared. Mercury ran forward from the hills, beginning his attack on Amber. However, in a few quick movements, she had pushed him back and summoned a powerful blast of flame to attack the boy. The slate-haired boy curled in on himself, using his legs to shield the rest of him from the brunt of the assault.

Pyrrha almost sobbed when Mercury pushed through the fire, poised to attack again. The flame had eaten away at his pants above his knees, but that was enough to see the artificial legs which extended out in a kick. They shone in the light from the fire, glinting metal attached from above his knees all the way down to his feet.

So they forced Yang to destroy his leg, knowing they could repair it quickly, she wheezed, covering her mouth with her hands. I knew that there was something off. His legs- my polarity- they were metal, no wonder they were so heavy-

She gasped again, the realization hitting fast and hard. She almost vomited. No. He found out about my polarity because of our practice match in class. That's why he was so cocky during the dance. That means… if he knew… if he had known that Penny was a robot, if he were somehow able to manipulate the matches…

The tears which rolled out of her eyes blazed trails of fury down her cheeks.

Suddenly, Amber's eyes blazed with rings of fire, and the girl rose in the air. Thunder and lightning cracked as she moved her fingers, the wind picking up, the dense clouds gathering to strike down her enemies. She was awakening the power of a Maiden.

No projectiles from her two assailants could land against the force of her power. Pyrrha could only watch blankly as the Maiden manipulated hundreds of leaves laying scattered on the ground, carrying them to her on a whirlwind. Then, without the use of any Dust, she froze each leaf and shot them at Emerald and Mercury, slicing them open mercilessly.

Yellow eyes flashed behind Amber. "Watch out!" Pyrrha cried, but it was obvious no one could hear her. She was nothing but a spectator to this particular horror story.

Sprinting down the road towards the onslaught was none other than Cinder, the girl with golden eyes. Amber heard her approach and shot a fireball back at the girl- but, using her Semblance, Cinder was able to turn the attack back on its sender, tossing Amber to the ground. The three of them quickly engaged Amber in hand-to-hand combat, and Pyrrha could only watch, utterly helpless, as they managed to knock Amber cleanly on her stomach in a blaze of fire.

Amber retaliated quickly by using her powers to fire a shockwave of flame back towards them. Soon, her opponents were back onto the ground. Shaking from exertion, the Maiden stood, retrieved her staff, and wobbled down the road, anxious to take out her first opponent- Emerald. As she raised her staff to strike the final blow, however, Pyrrha saw Cinder crawl to her feet. The woman raised her bow, aiming strong and true at Amber's back.

"No!" Pyrrha begged, falling to her knees. She wanted to run after them- she wanted them to stop- but she couldn't, her feet chained to the ground on which she stood, forced to live through the horrifying recollection from the sidelines.

The arrow landed. Amber gasped, falling to her knees, and the battle was over.

Cinder walked around Amber carefully while Emerald and Mercury grabbed the girl's arms, holding her in place. The golden-eyed girl raised her pale hand, holding it above Amber's face. A strange shadow appeared on her palm. From the center of the reddish shade, a tiny dot appeared. Pyrrha squinted, staring at the growing dot from where she stood, confined. What is-

Then, red bug-eyes flashed, and Pyrrha knew. It was a tiny Grimm.

Amber gasped. "Please don't…"

The Grimm spat a black, tar-like substance onto Amber's face, eliciting heart-rending howls of agony. Strands of it still connected to the Grimm, to Cinder's hands. The tawny glow of the Maiden's powers burned around her eyes for a moment before travelled up the sticky strings like electricity conducted on a wire. The glow spread up Cinder's arm, enveloping her body- and then, the same blazing heat erupted around Cinder's eyes.

As the vision before her dimmed, and Amber's memory of the incident- because that was what it was, that was the only explanation- faded away, she heard Cinder smirk.

Cinder was the assailant. She's been here all along. I knew I had heard that voice in the arena before- it was Cinder this whole time.

Memories of those eyes watching her from a distance, glowing ominously from the shadows, raced through Pyrrha's mind. I knew something was wrong! She beat the ground furiously with her fists, tears ripping from her throat painfully. I knew something was going on! Why didn't I say anything? Why didn't I tell anyone?

The box whispered, rearing its ugly head for the first time since reuniting with her team again, Because you weren't strong enough.

No! I am strong enough!

But she had no more opportunities to defend herself, defend her actions. Amber suddenly stood before in the white void once more, weeping openly. "I want to give it to you. Anyone but her. But… it's not my choice to make."

"But… but I was supposed to protect everyone," Pyrrha pleaded. "Please, you have to-"

Amber's eyes shone with tears, her chest heaving with every word. "I'm… so sorry."