A/N: PLOT! FINALLY! I really could not stop at some points, so this is probably the longest chapter in the story.

–

It was a sad night for a lonely flame-haired man, sitting in 'solitary confinement'. He was passing the time by recalling his long-lost soulmate.

She had been his friend when they were children, and when his parents died, sorry, gave up from the Apathy, she was the only one who much cared. Their status as soulmates had never been known, as they both pretended to simply not have met their soulmate yet. But then the Apathy had come, and then she had done something. What, though, he wasn't sure.

–

"Run!"

"I can't–"

"I said RUN!"

She pushed him away, then turned to face the Apathy, who were advancing on her. He couldn't take his eyes away as the Apathy's effect started to sink in now that the adrenaline was beginning to fade. And then, all became white as wings (or ribbons, maybe) of light poured from his friend. The Apathy screamed one last time as they were burned. His friend collapsed to the ground as it faded.

He ran over to her. "Come on, come on! Wake up!"

She didn't.

But she was breathing, and he scooped her lithe, light body in his arms and began walking.

It was a long way to Argus, and then he needed to get her someplace secure.

"Soon, my Blossoming Rose. Soon."

–

Roman Torchwick fondly recalled the girl who he had loved, a girl who saved his life. The Blossoming Rose. Maybe if he hadn't lost her, he wouldn't have had to turn to crime. Just as he was thinking this, his cell door opened. Neo was standing there, smirking, twirling his hat on the end of the cane. Quickly he fixed his crime boss persona back in place.

"About damn time."

–

No. NO. NO!

She knows, she knows, she knows!

Qrow's going to burn me alive! First Cinder attack me with her proteges, then I run off as soon as my mark tells me–Bad Amber! I still don't know if Oscar is okay! Dammit, Oscar, you just have to live in Mistral, don't you?

And great, Salem knows I have a soulmate. Damn Cinder for shooting me where she did! When I see her next, she is dead.

I have to find him. I have to protect him.

Her Scroll rang. Still running, she pulled it out and put it to one ear. It was Qrow.

"Hey, Amber? You hear me?"

"Yeah. Could you be quick, I'm in a hurry."

"Alright. Beacon's under attack."

Well, that was a doozy. Amber sighed.

"Okay. Qrow, I'm in Mistral. I won't be able to get there in time."

"Chasing after the kid again?"

"Hey! No flaming about Oscar!"

"Relax, he's a good, honest, hardworking kid. I just can't stand him because he's your soulmate."

"I'm not far from the farm. I wouldn't be doing this, but problem is that Salem found out. I can't let him get hurt."

"Jeez, calm down. I didn't mean it as an insult. Anyways, you might wanna be careful. I'm busy here."

"Thanks. I have to hang up now."

Amber slipped her Scroll back in her pocket and continued running. She was a fairly fast runner, and only a couple of miles from the farm.

But she would have to stop soon.

As her stamina started to give out, she leaned against a tree.

Gods, it was a long way to the farm. Only two more miles, but still. She really hated the journey to the farm. Cut off from civilization, it didn't attract Grimm much simply because the residents were content and happy people with good hearts.

Especially Oscar Pine.

–

Flashback: Qrow and Winter

Winter glared daggers and Grimm at Qrow. "I would think that you would have enough sense to stay away these past thirteen years. But obviously not."

"Hey, Sunshine."

"Stop calling me that," she growled.

"You and I both know you like it," he teased.

"We are not arguing about this with my sister around," Winter said. "Last time we argued, we both lost someone we loved. I will not risk that again."

"Neither will I," Qrow said, just loud enough for Winter to hear.

"Sierra, Qrow. Sierra!" Winter shouted. "How can you be such a lying, deceitful, selfish bitch?!"

Turning around, Winter stormed off, passing by Ruby and Weiss. "Weiss. Let's go." Looking sadly at Ruby, Weiss scurried off.

–

"Winter? What was that about? Who is he?"

For several moments, Winter was silent. "It's...a long story, Weiss. The shortened version is that he's your brother in law."

Weiss nearly choked on her tea. "What?! You two were married?"

"Oh, more than that Weiss. We were in love. Qrow had just graduated from Beacon roughly two years prior. We met by chance, on a mission, and ended up staying together for a good while. General Ironwood later told me that he and the other members of Ozpin's inner circle had realized that Qrow and I were soulmates, but that was long after what happened."

Concerned, Weiss put her tea down. "What was it?"

"He called me Sunshine one day instead of Frosty like I was used to. Apparently he was still a bit in love with his team leader from Beacon, Summer Rose. He used to call her Sunshine. I got offended and we had a fight. You probably won't remember this, Weiss, but I used to fight with a different weapon. It was similar to yours, and used Dust in many of the same ways. Mainly, five types: gravity, lightning, ice, wind, and fire." She paused. "We lived in a cabin in the woods at the time, and during the fight we had he cracked the Fire Dust compartment, and some of it got out."

Weiss's eyes widened. "But you two weren't hurt, right?!"

Winter sighed. "Sometimes, I really wish I had been. You must have been paying attention, someone was hurt."

Thinking back, Weiss recalled the name that Winter had been agitated about. "Sierra?"

With a deft nod, Winter continued. "Sierra is your niece."

Too much. Weiss paused. "She was your daughter?"

"Yes. After our fight, we haven't found her. I have been looking, but...no mention of a Sierra Branwen anywhere. Or anyone matching her description. We lived in Vale, so it couldn't have been Qrow's sister, but...you get my point."

Weiss's brain crashed.

End Flashback

–

"How many people have you hurt to get here?"

"Hmm. I know you, Pyrrha Nikos. And I'm glad to say it could have been a lot more if I hadn't had Ruby."

Graceful and beautiful, yet dangerous. All three words could be used to describe both young women in the room. Feeling a peculiar warmth in their backs, an odd sense of completion filled them.

–

Having just been ejected from a rocket launcher, Jaune fell to his knees. Pyrrha was going after a madwoman! He had faith in Pyrrha's skills, but she had organized the Fall of Beacon!

–

Leaning on his cane, Roman decided that he had better places to be. "Neo, that's enough." Turning to the red-cloaked figure, he smiled arrogantly. Rose, don't kill me. I'm trying. "Well, Ruby Rose, we can all say that I was right. You are persistent. Just like your mother. Now Neo, could you be a dear and give her a solid whack in the head?"

Still shocked, Ruby was defenseless against the head blow, and she passed out.

–

Qrow and several other huntsmen were trying to take down the dragon. But they needed more firepower, and a lot more. In a single burst.

One of the Huntsmen seemed to have a solution. "I think there's a Beacon student who can fire bullets with such force that a small amount can tear Nevermores in half, in a moment."

"Most of them fled," he said. "Cowards. Know their name?"

"Um, I think it's Coco Adel?"

it was Professor Goodwitch who recognized the name. And Qrow, but he stayed quiet for her part. "That's right. I believe she didn't flee, General Ironwood mentioned that her team stayed behind to fight. She's team leader, and not a bad one. Not the best for close combat, true, but still good for this situation."

"She and that other guy on her team got their asses kicked." Qrow objected. "By one person, mostly."

–

If she had heard it, Coco would have resented that statement. But she hadn't.

And she was busy when her Scroll rang. Not one to be outdone by a simple Scroll call, she answered. It was Professor Goodwitch.

"Miss Adel, you're the one person here who could have the most firepower in terms of sheer force. We need you to get close and aim your fire at the Dragon."

"I'm busy with an Atlesian Paladin," Coco answered. "But when I get a chance, geez, that thing sure loves the tower. I'll try my best, and hope it works."

"Thank you, but please do hurry." A beep indicated to Coco that the call was ended, and she quickly put the Scroll away.

"Go on, we're good here," Fox said in her head. "Velvet heard, and I don't think Yatsuhashi will mind. Go take care of it. But don't be too long."

She nodded to him, set her gun back into handbag mode, and ran towards Beacon Tower. There shouldn't be anyone in it, but...there were some scorch marks, and that was quite odd.

Something had destroyed the top of the tower awhile ago, and now the top floor was the old headmaster's office. The Grimm spotted her, but it was very old and clearly saw that she was alone, but that would be a distraction. So, it spared her a moment. Coco unfolded her gun, and took aim.

Pouring her semblance into the bullets, she opened fire.

–

It tore off the Grimm Dragon's wing.

-Reactions-

Qrow: "Not bad."

Glynda: Nice job. Now don't get yourself killed.

Fox: "Wait, she tore off it's wing with her bullets?"

Velvet: "Yup."

Cinder: Salem isn't going to be happy about this...maybe it's time I defect anyways.

Pyrrha: "Thank the gods that thing is gone!"

Neo: Interesting...is that going to kill it?

Roman: Rose, I really wish you could see this.

Ruby: "snore"

-End Reactions-

–

–After Beacon's Fall–

Noteworthy Missing: Team CMSN, Pyrrha Nikos, Ruby Rose, Roman Torchwick, Coco Adel

Dead: Team CDNL, Professor Peach (Beacon)

Many people weren't adjusting. Roman Torchwick had escaped, Coco Adel was presumed dead but not for certain (they brought down the Dragon with the help of her bullets and they would learn, her Semblance). The Dragon had swiped off another layer of the tower, from where she was presumed to be firing from, and there was no evidence that she was alive or dead, as she had simply vanished. It was sufficient to put her team in depression, as apparently two of them were her soulmates, and they disagreed on whether or not she was alive. The three had stuck around for awhile before transferring to Shade in Vacuo.

Ruby Rose had been last seen going to fight Grimm that were flying. She had disappeared without a trace as well.

Pyrrha Nikos had been reported by her leader Jaune Arc as having gone to fight a madwoman. She was only known to be not dead because of his soulmark.

Team CMSN was a skilled team from Haven who evidence suggested as having helped the Fall of Beacon happen.

Roman Torchwick had escaped.

The Headmaster did not know how it had happened.

All this was on the mind of a young woman and a black haired young man. They were young, the woman only about twenty and the young man four years younger, being sixteen. They both bit their lips as they waited for the news report to end.

Grimm all over Remnant had gone savage with anger, and they had found the farm. Oscar's aunt hadn't made it out. Amber had only just gotten there in time to keep him from being killed as well. He was still in shock, but would be okay. Eventually.

–

Far on the other side of Remnant, a silver eyed woman smiled. She was free.

"Now, where are you, Roman?" said Summer, the Blossoming Rose.

–

A/N: Dun Dun DUN! The Fall of Beacon has happened, as well as most of Volume 3 in one chapter. Yeah, the tournament didn't change. Penny is dead (Oh, come on. She gets rebuilt anyways!). But the Fall did. As for what happened to Amber here, I made a slight edit. She woke up a month or so after she was attacked. I get that Cinder stole some of her Aura, but I had already shipped her with Oscar and am not to be deterred.

But that's five lives–Roman, Amber, Pyrrha, Ozpin, and Summer–that I've spared. And so I wish to make the scales even. No, none of Team CDNL counts. They are not sufficient, and in my head they all died anyways. I already paid off one by having a Beacon Professor die. And yeah, Qrow and Winter had a daughter named Sierra Branwen. (Evil Smile)

What else? Oh yeah, I responded to one reviewer and said what Pyrrha's fate would be, but I hadn't fully hashed out the details, so sorry if that was you! And Pyrrha and Cinder are also soulmates. Sorry guys, Achille's Heels is one of my favorite RWBY ships lately. Too much to resist. This was why JNPR wasn't in the hallway scene.

And Coco. I have a vague idea of what I want to do with her, but guess what?