Hey guys! What's up? Sorry if I didn't update yesterday because my 5th Period has a requirement of doing an online class which I already did. So expect me to do that oh yeah, I'm heading to an convention this Friday, but Thursday I'll be heading to the hotel that my grandfather bought. So thus meaning, I'm going to miss school… crud. Well guys, RWBY 4 is coming in 2 months! Excited?! I am! Well here it is guys, chapter 8! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Sonic goes to SEGA and RWBY goes to Roosterteeth and Monty Oum!

The scene opens as we see a swirling wave of sand landing in the sewers where the buxom blond and a red-headed echidna faunus came out of. After Yang Xiao Long got her bearings together, she glared at her boyfriend Knuckles Geb popping her knuckles ready punch him into next week.

"YOU FUCKING IDIOT!" Yang screamed as her lilac colored eyes turned red as Knuckles backed up and sweated with fear. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?! YOU MADE THINGS WORSE FOR ME AS NOW GENERAL IRONWOOD IS NOW GOING TO HUNT US DOWN!"

Knuckles grew tick marks on his head despite being scared. "I AM TRYING TO FUCKING PROTECT YOU YANG! THAT BASTARD MERCURY TRIED TO KILL YOU AND THAT ROBOTIC DIPSHIT IRONWOOD WOULD TREAT YOU LIKE A CRIMINAL! I'M LETTING NOT YOU GOING TO LET YOU GO TO JAIL! YOU HAD THE RIGHT TO DEFEND YOURSELF! MERCURY IS THE ONE AT FAULT!"

Yang huffed trying to control herself as she balled her fists. "I don't NEED protection! I can handle things by myself!"

Knuckles scoffed and then laughed at Yang of her stupidity. "Oh yeah right Yang! Like back at Mountain Glenn! That odd eyed bitch nearly killed you and if it wasn't for me bailing your sorry ass out, Ruby would be one short of a sister!"

-Music: Seeking Answers (Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 3)-

The Fiery Blond remembered that humiliating defeat by Neo as she grit her teeth as her anger grew. Then she whipped around and gave Knuckles a right hook to the face sending him down the trail of sewage. "..."

Then the blond saw a fist struck her chin as she was sent flying as Knuckles popped his knuckles and neck. Knuckles' last nerve was snapped and now he has had it. First, trying to save Yang from being killed and this is the thanks he gets. Then Yang stood up as she popped her neck slammed her fists together as a fire ignites around her and her hair glowed brilliant white as she charged throwing her fist at the Echidna Faunus. He easily evaded her but Yang won't stop as she tried attacking him, but then Knuckles blocked her attacks. Then Knuckles saw an opening to strike his irate girlfriend but she gripped his hand and sent a fiery punch to his face. But then by instinct, he kicked her stomach. The two were sent flying in the sewers. But both of them recovered and charged at each other again causing the sewage to be everywhere. Knuckles decided to make the first attack with a kick which Yang blocked and gripped his foot but the Hot-Headed Warrior used his other foot to strike her chin that got her staggering, then a punch to her stomach which Yang caught. Then the buxom blond sent a flaming fist on his head and sent an axel kick sending Knuckles skidding on the sewage. Knuckles' eyes turned green as his Jeidomōdo o bureijingu (Blazing Jade Mode) was activated as green flames exploded to life. Yang let out a cry as her eyes turned red as her semblance was activated. Green and yellow flames has made the darkness of the underground sewage system of Vale a blaze of the colors of green and yellow. Then Knuckles and Yang charged at blinding speeds causing waves of sewage to form as their fists clashed causing a flash of white down the tunnels and pathways. Now flashes of yellow and green collided against each other causing shockwaves. These two don't realize what is going on in Vale above.

Sonic grabbed on to something as it felt like a earthquake. "W-What in hell is going on?!"

Silver had a flash of a dragon and a rhino clashing till he gasped. "Oh no! It must have started!"

"What has started Silver?!" Blaze as her companion and best friend. "What's happening?!"

Silver looked at Blaze with a grim look. "The fight between Knuckles and Yang! This is what I said about the "clash of the dragon and rhino"! Yang is the dragon and Knuckles is the rhino!"

"Why and what in the world are they fighting about?!" Tails asked with an incredulous expression.

"Yang is in distress! And Knuckles is trying to protect her but Yang realizes that she'll be in deeper trouble than we can fathom of what Knuckles had done!" Shadow said as his hoverskates lifts him into the air.

"We gotta find them before Vale falls apart!" Sonic said letting go of the lamppost and runs off.

Back to the fight, Knuckles and Yang were getting tired, badly bruised, and they're getting low in power. The echidna faunus sighed as he wiped the sweat off of his brow as he glanced at Yang, then he realized something.

(Flashback)

"Don't you know what have you done to me?! To us?!" Yang cried as she socked her boyfriend's face with her red eyes filled with rage.

"What have I done? WHAT HAVE I DONE?! I SAVED your ass! That's what I have done! All I have done for you and this is how you thank me Yang! HUH?!" Knuckles sent a lower cut on her head sending her to the ground.

Yang stood up as she charged at Knuckles with her fiery fist which Knuckles blocked himself but her punch was too powerful for him to block. "...You don't see it don't you?! What you did in the stadium! I was willing to take the consequences till you barged in and made things worse for us! Now Ironwood sees us as criminals! I don't need you looking after me! I can do it by myself! Can't you just stop fighting for me?!"

Knuckles stood up as he balled his fists. "...I promised your father that I would help you and look after you! It's a promise that I tend to keep! You can fight me all you want but that won't stop me, you'll have to kill me for that to happen! Because I fucking love you damn it!"

"Then… If you do love me… Then do you trust me?" She asked as she glared him.

(Flashback End)

-Music Ends-

-Music: A Certain Reunion (Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 3)-

Yang glanced at Knuckles who was just standing there, she was about to charge till she saw his hand raise signaling her to stop. Knuckles tried not to let his tears be seen by Yang, she'll probably make fun of him but he rose his head as his violet eyes were brimming with tears. "Rad… Red?"

Knuckles grit his teeth trying not to cry. "I get i-it Y-Yang. I-I get it! I messed up! I'm sorry if I-I made things worse… It's not that I didn't trust you… I was s-scared. I couldn't bear to think of the terrible things that could happen to you Yang… I just… I just-"

Yang just hugged him with a small smile on her face. "I know Knuckles… But I was scared too. What I did to Mercury and me fighting you… Today is just one of those days. I'm sorry for fighting you Knux, but I just needed something to hit to get rid of this anger and fear. Can you forgive me?"

Knuckles embraced her back with tears and with a big smile. "How can I not Yang?" The couple kissed despite having to fight in the sewers. Then they broke the kiss with smiles till Knuckles flinched of the pain from his body from the fight.

"Yup… I don't think I can walk Rad Red…" She collapsed in her boyfriend's arms.

The Red Knight caught Yang by her shoulders and then carried her on his back. "I might not last long either but I got to get out of here!" Knuckles thought as he began his voyage.

"KNUCKLES!" A familiar voice shouted which made Knuckles stop to if his ears are playing tricks on him.

-Music Ends-

"SONIC?!" Knuckles shouted back.

Sonic and the others found him carrying Yang as he saw their injuries. Silver and Blaze walked to Knuckles, he realized Silver but he didn't know Blaze.

"Knuckles…" Silver said with a serious tone.

"Yang is just unconscious for now and we're okay but we just need to take out the stress. So get us out of here now!" Knuckles said to Silver frantically.

"Once you guys get healed up, we must talk. We've wasted too much time as it is." Silver said as warped out of the sewer.

"Chaos Control." Shadow said.

Everyone teleported out of the sewers.

Now, Knuckles and Yang were healed up but they had to get some clothes to change out of their raggy ones. Now, Team SSKT, Team RWBY, Silver and Blaze were in Team RWBY's room when Ironwood came in as they were talking. Ironwood wasn't happy today with Yang and Knuckles' stunt they pulled.

"I'm sorry, but you've left us with no choice." Ironwood stated.

Yang groaned in annoyance. "But he attacked me!"

Ironwood paced around the room, not looking at her. "Video footage and millions of viewers say otherwise."

"But Yang would never do that!" The Ice Queen said gesturing to Yang.

Ruby stood up from beside her sister. "Yeah!"

"You all seem like good students, and the staff here at Beacon are fully aware that you would never lash out the way you did... under normal circumstances. What I believe and hope this to be is nothing more than the result of stress and adrenaline. When you're out on the battlefield, your judgment can become clouded in an instant. Sometimes you see things that simply aren't there. Even after the fight is past…" Ironwood stated with that last statement, he looks to the right while rolling his right shoulder.

"But I wasn't-"

"That's ENOUGH! The sad truth is, whether it was an accident or an assault, it doesn't matter. The world saw you attack an innocent student. They've already drawn their own conclusions. And it's my job to inform you that... you are disqualified." Ironwood declared angrily and sternly.

Yang's shock turns into miserable understanding when she looks to the ground. "..."

"Denied General Ironwood." Shadow spoke up as his crimson eyes glanced at him. "Not everyone is innocent, not even Mercury. Everyone commits sins, even you. Everyone sees differently you're correct on that but you shouldn't base your decision on the people. Next time, look over the footage, Yang and Mercury are at fault. I know how human beings work."

"Disqualify Mercury along with Yang. I know well as the rules state if your semblance gauge is depleted, then the person loses right? Mercury lost. So you made a bad call General." Tails spoke up looking at him.

Ironwood glared at Shadow and Shadow glared at him back. Ironwood just left the room as he shuts the door.

"You guys believe me, right?" Yang asked.

Ruby smiled. "Duh!"

Weiss shook her head. "You're hotheaded as Knuckles, but not ruthless."

Yang realizes one of their number hasn't spoken. "Blake?"

Blake turns her gaze away, earning a shocked look between Ruby and Weiss. "I want to believe you…"

"Huh!?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Yang's eyes widening, tears forming instantly as she says in a hurt voice. "Blake?"

"How can you say something like that? Yang would never lie to us!" Weiss said to her Faunus teammate in disbelief.

Blake glances at Weiss, then takes a deep breath before starting. "I had someone very dear to me change. It wasn't in an instant, it was gradual - little choices that began to pile up. He told me not to worry. At first they were accidents, then it was self-defense. Before long, even I began to think he was right. This is all just... very familiar. But you're not him. And you've never done anything like this before. So... I want to trust you. I will trust you. But first, I need you to look me in the eyes and tell me that he attacked you. I need you to promise me that you regret having to do what you did."

Yang wipes her eyes of tears, then says as calmly as possible. "I saw him attack me, so I attacked back."

Blake lets out a deep breath as she closes her eyes and smiles, then looking back up at her partner. "Okay. Thank you."

"I think I'm gonna rest up." The buxom blonde said with a small smile.

Silver cleared his throat. "Sorry to cut you off on your rest but we have business here."

"Oh right, what were you going to say Silver?" Ruby asked the futuristic Faunus.

Silver opened his eyes as his amber eyes. "Beacon has been infiltrated by her…"

"Who's "her?"" Weiss asked raising an eyebrow.

Blaze looked at the Ice Queen. "Cinder Fall. A woman of great evil, and she has a lust for power and completion…"

"Whose Cinder Fall?" Knuckles asked raising an eyebrow.

"I know who you meant Silver." Everyone turned to the Black Knight was looking at everyone from the window. "A woman who wants to purge this decaying world into darkness by getting the remains of the Fall Maiden's power."

"Ah, the "Tale of the Four Maidens"! I always loved that story when I was younger." Weiss stated with a small smile. "Wait what? The Fall Maiden's power?! They're real?!"

Shadow looked at Weiss as he closed his eyes. "Yes unfortunately… Under this very school lies an underground level that Ozpin, Ironwood, and Glynda accessed when Pyrrha was with them. Qrow was with them also…"

"Uncle Qrow?" Yang and Ruby repeated their uncle's name in unison and in surprise.

"Yes. It turns out that they're looking for a "Guardian." I don't know what this Guardian is… But Ozpin chosen Pyrrha as the Guardian and to be the next vessel of the Fall Maiden. The current Fall Maiden is Amber and she's in a lifepod with a horrid scar on her face…" The Black Knight said looking looking at the clouds. "Suspected that scar was from someone or something sucking almost of all of Amber's powers…"

"Wait! I sensed a dying flame somewhere around here! Couldn't it be the Fall Maiden?" Knuckles asked realizing something. "The leaves had the color of fire on them so…"

"So somehow Cinder Fall must have gotten a portion of the Fall Maiden's power beforehand! And so she must have sneaked in Beacon disguised as a student to get her hands on Amber's power! She's vicious…" Sonic said with a frown.

Silver looks at Blaze who nodded. "Shadow, how did you do know this?"

"I sent one of my Shadow Snakes to see where Pyrrha was going. She doesn't go there unless Ozpin contacts the administration or send someone to get her." Shadow answered.

"How did Pyrrha feel about this?" Blake asked. "Is she okay with this?"

Shadow shook his head. "Nope… The poor girl is struggling to make a decision. Unfortunately… She has little to no time left. I hope she makes the right decision quick, if she fails, then Pyrrha will meet her end."

Everyone gasped in shock. Ruby looked sad as she went to her boyfriend who hugged her and rubbing Ruby's back. Blake had a forlorn expression, Yang looked down balling her fist, Silver and Blaze had disturbed expressions, Sonic had a frown, Knuckles was angry but he didn't express it, and then Tails. He was quiet as tears fell from his shadowed eyes.

"It's just unfair… How can they do this to a person? It's not fair… Pyrrha shouldn't have to go through this at all! I had no choice to be a jinchuuriki! I could have said no but I had no choice! Pyrrha should live her life like she wants to! Not to have a curse like I have!" The Jinchuuriki/Faunus said in anger and sadness as his voice was cracking by every word he uttered.

Blake just hugged him gently as she wept too. "... Tails... You're an example for everyone to learn from… But all we can do is… Is help her."

"Remember. Amber and Pyrrha are too valuable to be taken by Cinder's hands. Protect Pyrrha." Blaze said to everyone in a serious tone.

"No need Blaze. I know just the perfect candidate for Pyrrha." Shadow said with a smirk. "Jaune Arc."

Knuckles laughed hysterically at Shadow's choice of person. "Jaune?! That's funny Shadow, so who is the person protecting Pyrrha?"

"Knux, he's serious." Yang said.

"You gotta be kidding me…"

"Don't sell Jaune short, I know he'll protect her. He might not look like it but he's willing to do anything to keep her safe." Sonic said with a nod and a smile. "Good choice."

"We'll let you two rest. C'mon guys." Silver said walking to the door as the others followed.

Cut to outside the room, where Ruby is closing the door, pausing only for a second to see Yang and Knuckles look at each other forward before shutting it completely. She joins the others in the middle of the hallway.

Weiss shook her head and sighed. "This is a mess…"

Then the sound of a door opened seeing Team JNPR there having concerned looks.

"Are they doing okay?" Jaune asked.

Blake nods. "They're doing the best they can."

Ruby holding her hands up. "I heard Mercury and his team rushed back to Haven to be with his family. So, until they land, no one can really question him about what happened."

"Well… He had it coming for that little stunt he pulled." Shadow snuffed.

"If there's anything we can do, please don't hesitate to ask." Ren said.

Ruby looks down seeing the sight of Pyrrha. "All right then. If that's the case... Pyrrha?"

Pyrrha looks to Ruby as she gets herself seated on on a bed. "Hm?"

Ruby holding her clenched hands up as she tries to put on a grin. "You be sure to win one for Beacon, okay?"

"Good luck out there." Sonic said standing next to Ruby with a thumbs up.

Weiss nodded. "It's what they would want."

Pyrrha turns her head away before coming back with her attempt at a confident look. "I'll... do my best."

"I'll be sure to watch tonight in case you're picked!" Ruby said excitedly.

"Don't forget us!" Sonic chimed.

Pyrrha's smile dips down into worry as she looks away.

"Sorry but, I think I've had enough fighting for one year." Blake said tired of fighting.

"Well Blake, we have no choice…" Tails said with a sigh.

Weiss nodded once. "Ditto. Coffee?"

Blake smiled. "Tea."

The members of Team SSKT and Team RWBY walk down the hall, and Jaune only closes the door when he sees Ruby disappear behind the corner. Pyrrha continues to look forlorn, until...

Nora suddenly getting up in Pyrrha's surprised face, grinning madly. "You heard the lady! No more moping around! We gotta get your butt in shape for the big fight! It could be today, it could be tomorrow, it could be the most important fight of your entire life!"

Pyrrha smiled a little in bewilderment. "Um...:"

Ren who was from another part of the room. "Nora's right. You can't let your concern for Yang and Knuckles hold you back. You need to focus. You'll be defending the honor of Beacon Academy."

Pyrrha nodded. "Of course. I-"

"This blend of herbs and vegetables is filled with nutrients vital to your body's well-being." Ren said bringing a cup of green liquid that bubbled in front of Pyrrha.

"Oh, that's-"

Ren stepped away, smiling. "Please, there's no need to thank me."

Nora looking at her partner with a disgusted face. "Thank you? Ugh, that looks like slime from a lakebed!"

Ren turns away from her, cradling his creation. "Algae contains numerous spectacular properties. See for yourself." He lifts it towards her mouth.

Nora sips it down and immediately regrets it, face turning the same sickly green as the healthy sludge. "BLEGH!" She goes straight over to the waste basket and dunks her head in, getting all of the liquid out while continuing to make disgusted noises until she turns back around to Ren. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? Ugh…"

"Me? You're the one that wasted perfectly good juice." Ren retorted.

"We're supposed to help Pyrrha, not poison her!" Huffed Nora.

Ren shook his head. "There was absolutely nothing wrong with that."

Nora places hands on her hips as she resolutely states. "If it looks the same coming up as it does going down, then there's something wrong!"

Neither of them notice Pyrrha's smile at their antics fade once more, though their leader does from the doorway.

Jaune came over and placing a hand on their shoulders. "Hey, how about we all get some fresh air?"

Pyrrha looks up at Jaune, who grins at his troubled friend. "Yes."

Yang and Knuckles, still in the dorm sitting on Blake's bed, looks out the window at the members of JNPR walking in the courtyard outside, Nora marching alongside Ren with Jaune and Pyrrha in the back, all of them looking happy to be with each other.

Qrow suddenly revealed to be leaning against the door, arms crossed and a small smile on his face. "Hey there, firecracker. Sandboy."

Yang was not surprised enough to turn around, she instead gazes down. "Hey, Qrow."

Qrow snorts like her response was funny before becoming serious. "So, why'd you do it?"

Yang glances at him. "You know why."

Qrow uncrossing his arms as he leers at her. "All I know is that you attacked a helpless kid. So either you're lying or you're crazy." He smirked.

"I'm not lying." She said resolutely.

Qrow makes a disappointed noise. "Crazy, got it." He walks to the center of the room, hands in his pockets.

"Who knows? Maybe I am."

"You're not helping Qrow…" Knuckles said flicking him off.

Qrow shakes his head as he continues pacing. "And here I thought your dark-haired friend was the emo one."

"I saw my mom. Well me and Knuckles did. Yang said then she looks at Qrow's sudden stop and shocked reaction from the corner of her eye. "I-I was in a lot of trouble. Took a pretty hard hit. But when I came to, the person attacking me was gone. And I thought I saw... her. Her sword, like the one in you and dad's old picture."

Qrow laughs. "You're not crazy, Yang. That was your mom, all right. Let me guess - she didn't say a word, did she?"

Yang looks up as he walks up to her between the bunk beds. "How did you know that?"

"I don't see my sister very often, but she does try to keep in touch... whenever it suits her." Qrow said.

Yang shook her head at the revelation. "Wait. You mean you talk to her? That was real?"

"Yeah, she found me. Had a tip from my most recent assignment and wanted me to give you a message." The Drinker Huntsman said.

Knuckles looked at Qrow. "Why didn't you tell her sooner!?"

Qrow lets out a sigh as he goes over to the window, not looking at his niece and her boyfriend. "I was tryin' to wait for the right time, and this sure ain't it. But I guess you deserve to know. She wanted me to tell you that she saved you once, but you shouldn't expect that kindness again. Raven's got an interesting way of looking at the world that I don't particularly agree with. And she's dangerous. But you're a tough egg, kiddo. Shouldn't let this tournament thing get'cha down. You had a slip-up, sometimes bad things just happen. I say it's time you move on."

Yang stares up at Qrow. "Move on to what?"

Qrow leans down on the dresser under the window. "Well... Raven let some info slip before she took off. If you ever wanna track her down, I think I might be able to help."

He glances back at Yang, who looks at him with her full attention. Then Knuckles had one eye glance at Qrow.

-Music: Love and Peace (PPGZ)-

In the twilight, Pyrrha sits alone outside the dining hall, head bowed as the wind rises. She sees the air blow a single orange leaf onto the cobblestones at her feet, and she looks at the fall colors with a face of total fright, remembering the sight of Amber in her comatose state and the choice weighing her down.

"Hey. I-It's no green goop, but I think it still might do some good." Jaune's voice snapped Pyrrha out of her trance.

Pyrrha stares at the offered treat while she comes back to the real world before hesitantly taking it. "Um, right. Thank you, Jaune."

Jaune's beam fades as he sees her still-tormented face, and looks to the far end of the building as Nora and Ren come around, the latter carrying a cotton candy, a tub of popcorn, and a drink to sip on.

Nora already knows what's happening right as she sees it and gesturing to her distracted friend. "Uh... come on, Ren. Let's go back to the fairgrounds. I'll win you another stuffed animal."

Jaune looks back to Pyrrha and takes a seat next to her. "You were the first person to ever believe in me, you know that? Even when I told my parents I was going to Beacon, they told me not to worry if I ended up having to move back home. How depressing is that?"

"I'm sure they didn't mean-" Her sorrow becomes surprise, eyes widening and dropping the pink fluffy snack as she realizes Jaune's hand is placed upon hers.

Jaune smiled slightly. "I guess... I'm just trying to say that... you've always been there for me... even when I didn't deserve it. And I can tell there's something on your mind, so... I don't know. How can I help?" In his mind, he thanked Shadow for bring Pyrrha into his attention and life.

Pyrrha as her astonishment melts away into contentment, she leans over and places her head in a startled Jaune's shoulder, closing her eyes. "You're already doing it."

Jaune quickly matches Pyrrha's smile with his own, and the two stay there for a long moment, but as an additional autumn leaf joins the first, Pyrrha's expression darkens once more.

-Music Ends-

-Music: Sadness and Sorrow (Naruto)-

"Jaune…" She called as Pyrrha gets up from her nestling.

Jaune looks at her. "Hmm?"

Pyrrha suddenly takes her hand out from his, looking away. "I don't know what to do."

Jaune rose an eyebrow. "W-What do you mean?"

Pyrrha glances up as she wonders what to say. "Do you believe in destiny?"

Jaune was taken aback by this question. "Um... I-I don't know. I guess that depends on how you view it."

Pyrrha explains her opinion as the wind blows the two leaves away. "When I think of destiny, I don't think of a predetermined fate you can't escape. But rather... some sort of final goal, something you work towards your entire life."

Jaune nods. "Okay. Uh, yeah. I can see that, sure."

Pyrrha struggling to find the right words as she glances at him. "Well... what would you do if something came along that you... never expected? Something that had the potential to stand between you and your destiny?"

"Like what?" He asked Pyrrha.

Pyrrha barreled on in stress. "Or what if you could suddenly fulfill your destiny in an instant, but at the cost of who you were?"

Jaune leaned over and attempting to place his hand on her shoulder. "Pyrrha, you're not making any sense."

Pyrrha stood up away from his touch, holding herself as if on the verge of tears. "None of it makes sense! This isn't how things were supposed to happen!"

Jaune gets up as well, spreading his arms in confusion. "I'm sorry! Please, I-I'm just trying to understand what's wrong."

Pyrrha sighed. "I've always felt as though I was destined to become a Huntress - to protect the world... and it's become increasingly clear to me that my feelings were right. But ...I don't know if I can do it."

Jaune smiled. "Of course you can. The Pyrrha Nikos I know would never back down from a challenge. And if you really believe it's your destiny to save the world... you can't let anything stand in your way."

Despite Jaune's intentions, this doesn't bring relief. Instead, Pyrrha looks absolutely shattered, covering her mouth as she begins to sob.

Jaune realized his mistake. "Pyrrha?"

Pyrrha turned away, face still in her hands. "Stop…"

Jaune continuing to approach her. "Did I say something wrong?"

"STOP!" She cried.

She holds her hand out, a black energy surrounding it as she unintentionally uses her Semblance to push Jaune's armor and its wearer into the dining hall column. He weakly watches her from his spot above until she opens her eyes and realizes what she's done.

"Jaune!" She lowers her hand and lets him fall to the ground, finally letting the tears come as he looks up. "I'm... I'm sorry…"

"Pyrrha, wait!" His outstretched arm does nothing to stop her from running away, and he faces the ground, cotton candy still discarded beside him. "What did I say?"

-Music Ends-

At the cliffside docking bays down the main alleyway and under the floating Amity Colosseum, Ruby and Sonic walks up to the end of the line waiting to get in the transport up to the arena. She turns her head to see Brawnz Ni and Nolan Porfirio talking outside the line, and beyond that, Sun Wukong walking away, Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang over his shoulder, with a familiar rabbit Faunus snapping photos of him. Ruby steps out of line and approaches her from behind as she continues taking pictures with her camera until she notices who's behind her.

Velvet turned around. "Ruby! Sonic! How you doing?"

Ruby raised a hand in greeting. "Hi, Velvet! What're you up to?"

Velvet rolled her eyes happily. "Oh, you know. Just working on my photography. Do you wanna see?" She offers her camera to Ruby, looking extremely delighted. Ruby immediately notices that Velvet didn't even get all of Sun in her picture, cutting out his head and feet

"That's... better." She steps away as she grins in forced approval.

Sonic nods with a sheepish smile. "Y-Yeah."

"I'm... sorry about your sister. Is she doing okay?" Velvet asked in concern. "How about Knuckles?"

Ruby looked away. "Yeah, she's fine, heh. Thanks."

"Knux is cool." The Blue Knight said rubbing the back of his head.

Velvet puts the camera away in the box on her back. "I think it's just awful what people are saying about them. Yang and Knuckles are nice people."

Ruby laughs a little as she rubs the back of her head. "Well, I'm glad someone thinks so."

Velvet shook her head, arms crossed. "Most people don't know what it's like on the battlefield. I mean, even experienced fighters can get scared and start seeing things. If it happened to Coco, it can happen to anyone."

Sonic rose an eyebrow in confusion. "Coco?"

Velvet nods "Yeah. She swore she saw Yatsu with her in the forest during the fight with Emerald and Mercury, but he never even made it out of the geyser fields. Stress-induced hallucinations, apparently."

"Yeah…" Ruby turns her head away in thought, only to look back at Velvet after a quick flash startles her.

Velvet lowered the camera from her face, smiling apologetically. "Oh! Sorry."

Back in the Colosseum, people are back in the stands cheering and ready for entertainment as Ruby descends down the steps to an open seat. Despite everything that's happened, she's smiling widely, looking around at the assembled crowds... until her stupefied eyes see a familiar, glaring face on the other side of the arena.

Ruby was surprised. "Emerald's... here?

As if sensing she's being watched, Emerald leans forward to glare at Ruby and Sonic, who suddenly gets up with a worried expression and runs towards the exit tunnel. Checking to see if no one's around, the two enters a door labeled with a yellow maintenance sign and finds herself inside of the Colosseum. Sonic and Ruby walks forward with determination as the announcers' voices are heard, muffled behind the brick walls.

"All right, it's now time to begin the randomization process for our next fight!" Oobleck said excitedly.

The sound of the roulette is heard faintly, but what makes Ruby stop in her tracks is the sight of another unexpected "friend" stepping out from a nearby tunnel, completely unharmed and definitely not going home.

Ruby squints as if making sure. "Mercury?"

Sonic's eyes narrowed as he unsheathed Caliburn. "Mercury."

Port smiled under his mustache. "It looks like our first contender is... Penny Polendina from Atlas…"

Ruby's attention goes from the broadcast to the fraud. "What are you doing?"

"And her opponent will be... Pyrrha Nikos from Beacon!" Port exclaimed happily.

Ruby's head dips in thought until she realizes the awful truth. "No…"

Mercury put a hand to his chin. "Ooh, polarity versus metal. That could be bad."

Ruby glares at her new opponent, reaching back to grab Crescent Rose, only to remember she doesn't have it on her. Mercury simply grins maliciously and sets himself up in a fighting pose.

Sonic grits his teeth in anger realizing what is going on. "You bastard… You rigged the damn matches!"

Mercury laughed. "Yeah right! You wish! Also, you're going to tell me where your red-headed teammate is and will make yours and little-red riding hood's end quick and painless!"

Sonic's eyes were hidden behind his bangs and then his shadowed eyes glowed white. "Hell to the fucking no Mercury!" He charged at him with a battle cry.

Outside, the arena's center is lifting back into the air, and an oblivious Penny is grinning wildly, with her fellow redhead Nora cheering excitedly from the stands, even getting Ren to let out a reluctant "Yaaay..." The screen fades to black as Pyrrha, face and body still filled with depression, looks to the ground while the stage finishes being set up.

To Be Continued…

The final hours of Remnant are near…

The Elemental Knights must succeed…

Or Remnant will fall!