Author's Note: New chapter that almost didn't get uploaded today, lucky you? Me? Us?

Pyrrha's hands rested on her thighs as she worked to control her breathing. The exertion from her heavy exercise didn't go away, but it did diminish as the fresh air filled her lungs. Her legs had nearly given out by the end of her workout, although the satisfying feeling of soreness helped to distract her from what was currently eating away at her. Her lips tugged down in a frown, The mere thought of the upcoming event enough to sour her mood.

Coco and her had gone shopping the last two days, the fashion obsessed girl using it as an excuse to shop for her own dress for the upcoming dance. They'd spent pretty much every spare moment Pyrrha had looking for something for her to wear. Initially, she had just gone with the intention of trying to look professional, but as the days had gone on, it became clear Coco was not operating under the same idea. The girl had made it her personal mission to find something that Pyrrha would look 'amazing' in; despite her own insistence that wasn't necessary. That had proven harder than expected.

Though Coco would never say it, that was entirely due to Pyrrha's body. While Amber had never been as well defined as Pyrrha was, she was still a Huntress and thus had the body to match. Toned and defined, Amber had no doubt been a very pretty girl once; combined with Pyrrha's intense drive and training and she'd managed to refine that, but no amount of working out could remove scars. As awkward as it was to admit, Pyrrha hadn't done well at avoiding those.

Even if you ignored the most obvious example, on the grounds that it was technically Amber who had lost the fight with Cinder, and thus her most defining scar wasn't her fault, there were still many more to try and account for. Her hands still had some discolouration from when she'd over used her powers against the White Fang. As soon as whatever backed up the maiden powers had been drained, the flames had lost their magical quality and turned on her. The damage was minimal, but it was still visible even with her Aura trying to heal it.

Tyrian Callows had done far more damage however, whether due to some kind of semblance or the venom he used, his attacks seemed to linger unlike any other. She had a dozen new scars up her arms and legs, not to mention the various cuts on her back and shoulders that had driven away Coco's idea of an open back.

In the end, Pyrrha just wasn't ready for that kind of publicity again. The scars would lead to awkward questions at best, and she wasn't sure she could smile her way through the whole event if half the people there were giving her pitying looks. She would have gone in her combat outfit if Coco hadn't threatened to burn it if she tried.

They'd settled on something not too unlike what she had worn to the dance, only in black rather than red, and a more traditional collar that dipped down her chest slightly; not enough to show anything but it was a far cry away from her last dress. The key addition had been the sleeves that reached down to her elbows; which hid the majority of her scars. Not all of them of course, a few on her forearms were still visible along with the one on her face, but it was better than nothing. Coco had clearly been dismayed by what she claimed was a 'boring waste of cloth' but Pyrrha didn't mind. She wasn't trying to impress anybody, and so didn't care if she looked good or not. The night was going to suck no matter what she wore so she had just settled on what felt comfortable.

The second that they'd gotten back to Beacon, she had made her excuses and ran off to train. The stress of shopping aside, she just needed some time to herself. She appreciated Coco's efforts, and for all that she would complain, Pyrrha was grateful she had friends who cared so much, but even with two days to think about it her reluctance hadn't subsided.

A couple hours of rigorous exercise was just what she needed to clear her mind however, and now that her body was so tired, she couldn't work up the energy to feel concerned about the next couple of days. Combine her physical exhaustion with the Maiden powers she had spent another couple of hours training, and she was ready to collapse.

She'd mainly been going through basic motions, practicing a few tricks she was sure would come in use during a fight and attempting to build up the muscle memory to actually use them. She could flip between the various aspects of the Maiden powers almost instantly now, even if she did admittedly have a preference for fire. Sustained flight was still taxing, it was coming along well enough, but that hadn't been the focus of today's training. Instead, she had been working to implement the powers into her usual fighting style. It would take time to figure out exactly what worked best, but she was nothing if not dedicated.

"I thought I might find you here." Ozpin had been standing back for a few minutes now, simply waiting in silence as she finished her training. She hadn't minded, knowing that his insight would no doubt be helpful, and he had kept his distance until she acknowledged him; giving her the time she needed to destress and rest after such a grueling workout.

As for where he had found her, "I like this place. It's… calm." The secluded garden had started feeling like her own little sanctuary. Whenever she was there the stress or turmoil she felt before was washed away.

Ozpin hummed, stepping forward to stand beside her. Observing the carefully kept gardens with a subtle smile. "You are not the first to think so. It seems at least one student discovers this place every few years and feels drawn to it, usually during times of stress or indecision." He looked away from the various flower beds. "Might I ask what troubles you, Miss Nikos?"

Her first response was to deny that anything was wrong, but a quick glance up at his face was proof enough that he wouldn't believe that. Instead, she sighed, gripping the hilt of Allos for the added comfort. "I'm worried about this ceremony. I know it's stupid, its just…" She struggled to find the words. "I don't want things to go back to the way that they were before."

"When the world knew you as Pyrrha Nikos?" Ozpin asked, Pyrrha nodding to show he had understood her meaning. "I have not known you for long, Miss Nikos, but I am sure of one thing. You are not stupid." She couldn't help but smile at the rather simple words. "And I see no reason that your fear should be so trivialized." Pyrrha stood, sheathing Allos at her hip as she turned towards the Headmaster. "If you would rather back out, I'm sure I could come up with a believable excuse."

"No." Pyrrha closed her eyes for a moment, forcing on her best smile. "Coco would kill me if I didn't show off the dress we bought."

The Headmaster chuckled softly. "Miss Adel is certainly the type to hold a grudge. You are permitted a plus one if you would like to take someone along for company." He paused for a moment, a grin coming to his face that, while happy, contained something else entirely. Oddly enough, it reminded her of Qrow at times. "I believe Qrow and Miss Schnee are set to attend together."

Ah. Now she knew why that expression reminded her of Qrow. It was the look of smug satisfaction one got when having guessed something correctly despite all the odds. Pyrrha coughed awkwardly, a slight blush warming her face as she tried to regain her composure. Qrow and Winter aside, the idea of a plus one wasn't a bad idea, and she would have to bring up the idea to Coco. She had a feeling the girl would accept, if for no other reasons than to show off the dress that she had bought while they were out looking for her own.

"There is another matter I wished to discuss with you, however." Ozpin's smile didn't fall away entirely, but it lost the warmth she had seen there. Now it was nothing more than a polite gesture that she honestly wondered if he even consciously chose to put on. The switch from friendly to professional was hard to miss, and she gave him her utmost attention. "There is still the unsolved matter of your trip to Mistral."

It wasn't difficult to figure out what he meant, despite the vague nature of his words. There was only really one mystery left that hadn't been addressed, that being the end of the fight in the old church building. Or, rather, the sudden explosion that had ended it.

"You said that it was magic. Real magic." Pyrrha said it slowly, unsure of whether or not that was strictly accurate or not. She continued when he made no move to correct her. "If it is, how do I use it?"

"That is a… complicated question, Miss Nikos." He stepped away from her, turning his back as he looked at the white tree on the far end of the garden. "To some extent you already know how, though for you it will be quite difficult to manifest."

"I don-"

"The Maiden powers are a portion of my own magic, a small fraction that has taken on meaning and an existence of its own, but nothing more than one part of four." Ozpin explained. "If you wish to use magic to its fullest extent you will not be able to use mine, but rather your own. If you are capable, it may even grant you more power than was normal during the age of magic."

"So the Maiden powers will make it harder?" Pyrrha didn't understand, but seeing that there were only two people who might have an answer on the planet, she was forced to accept it.

"Assuming you have the capability at all, yes." Ozpin turned back to face her. "I'm afraid there is no easy way to do this… learning to use magic can be a painful experience. When I made the Maidens, I did so with these limitations in mind, but true magic has no such advantage."

"So the pain I felt in the church…"

"Was unfortunately common when discovering one's affinity." Ozpin's expression was one of uncommon discomfort. "If you do not wish to go through that again, no one will blame you."

Pyrrha thought back on the pain in the church. She had been exhausted from the fight both physically and in her Maiden powers, so there was a chance the pain wouldn't be the same; even if it were, she couldn't deny it was at least worth trying to learn.

"Teach me." Pyrrha looked up at Ozpin, the man simply sighed as he set his cane up against a nearby wall.

"There are many different applications of magic. Some more offensive than others, however you will find those the most difficult. magic, at its core, is… like energy we spend to allow us to achieve something. Manifesting that energy and using that manifestation to attack is powerful, but also volatile. I believe it best if we keep it to something you will find more use for. Observe."

Ozpin gestured for her to step back, before drawing his cane up before him and taking a deep breath. She saw his foot slide forward as he pressed off with his back foot. His body became a blur for a moment, there honestly appearing to be more than one of him at times, as he struck the air with his cane. It was hard to follow, even for someone like her. She had seen people who were faster than her before, despite her status as a championship fighter she wasn't the best in every aspect, but even the people she'd fought paled in comparison to real Huntsmen. This was different however, the speed at which he flowed from one attack to another could only be called supernatural.

He stopped as suddenly as he started, his cane falling back down to the grass as he looked back to her. "That is ultimately our goal, think of it as… supporting magic. The idea is to augment your own natural ability. This should aid us if only for its familiarity to you."

Pyrrha nodded quickly, eager to start learning. "I was attempting something similar before you arrived. Working to implement the Maiden powers into my fighting style."

Ozpin nodded. "I saw."

Pyrrha tilted her head to the side slightly. He'd been watching her for that long? She had been sure he hadn't arrived until she was wrapping up her training, at which point she had switched to other techniques. Her confusion must have been evident, for the Headmaster smiled and gestured behind and over her shoulder. She turned, looking up to see a small camera aimed down at the garden.

"It is wise to do so." Ozpin drew her attention back to him. "All too often the Maidens become too reliant on their powers, forgoing their regular training under the impression it is no longer necessary." His eyes closed as he sighed, his shoulders falling somewhat. "It is to my shame that I allowed Amber to do the same."

Pyrrha wanted to say something, but whatever words he needed to hear were beyond her. From everything she had learned. Glynda, Ozpin and Qrow had tried their best to protect her and each, if in their own way, had cared greatly about the girl. The expression on Ozpin's face was one of grief and regret, but when his eyes finally opened, they were filled with a look of steely determination.

"Now then, why don't we begin? Come over here and stand as I did."

Pyrrha did so without hesitation, preparing her mind and body for the pain she knew would come. If she could manage even a portion of what the Headmaster had done, then she could already think of several ways to implement such an attack.

And if the pain was still there, well, she'd just have to learn how to handle it. If it gave her the key to defeating Cinder, then it would be more than worth it.

The cafeteria was a welcome site after so many hours of painful training. Her body had been tired when they started and her workout had been nothing compared to what came after. The pain was… unfamiliar. It seemed her theory had been partially correct, her attempts to use magic at the old church had been made all the worse due to the state she was in at the time, but it hadn't been the night and day difference she had hoped it would be.

Using magic was still immensely painful, something that Ozpin was constantly reminding her to be mindful of. He'd said there shouldn't be any long term negative health effects from their training, but that she might have some from the first time she used it. Only time would tell unfortunately, and until then she would continue to push herself.

"I don't know what's more entertaining, Pyrrha's incoherent muttering about magic or Ruby and Weiss' current argument." Fox was entirely too amused by both of those statements, and she didn't need to look up to know he was smiling widely. Her own discomfort aside, she would also admit to some curiosity about the argument currently unfurling before them.

"I was trying to help!" Ruby snapped at her partner. "A good leader is supposed to motivate and encourage her Team, right?"

"Oh please, like I need your help to be motivated when fighting a Grimm." Weiss managed to miss the point entirely, lashing out back at her partner.

"Ruby has a point Weiss." Nikos was quick to back up her Team leader. "She was just trying to help."

"That is immaterial!" Weiss rounded on the champion. Where a few days ago she seemed so thrilled at having her on the same Team, now she looked irritated at that. "It was dangerous to distract me while in the middle of a battle!"

"Maybe you shouldn't have been so easily distra-." Jaune reached up to pull his partner back before she could finish that, drawing her attention away by asking a question about something they'd learned in Ooblecks class the day before. It ended the Heiress' argument with her, but that only let her go back to her argument with Ruby.

Usually, Pyrrha would have sat through it all patiently, but it was beginning to wear on even her. She didn't dare ask how Team CFVY felt. It was fairly obvious they were regretting asking the first year team to sit with them.

"I can't believe Ruby is being so aggressive." She mumbled, earning a nervous chuckle from the other first year Team sat with them.

"Yeah…" Yang didn't know what to say, that much was clear, though she still felt the need to defend her sister. "They have some teething issues to work out."

"What makes you say that?" Coco somehow managed to keep a straight face as she turned back towards Team RWAN. Despite Jaune's best attempt, his partner had been roped back into the argument; or more likely found something that Weiss had said particularly aggravating and thus rejoined the conversation. They didn't even seem to notice them all looking. "Looks totally normal to me."

"It's normal for there to be issues between teams when they first form." Velvet spoke softly, carefully avoiding drawing the attention of Team RWAN. "We weren't that different."

Yatsuhashi shrugged. "Maybe, but I do not remember ever getting so… vocal, in our disagreements."

Coco turned away from it all, clearly having lost interest in the drama after the third day in a row. "How was that training with the Headmaster?" Pyrrha tried to lift her head, managing to get it an inch off the table before giving up and holding up a thumb instead. Her friends laughed warmly at the display. "I would say that's too bad, but knowing you, I doubt you'd have it any other way."

Silence fell over the table for the first time since the three Teams had sat down. Pyrrha lifted her head just enough to see Ruby and Weiss looking the exact opposite directions of each other, while her younger self stared intently down at her plate. Whatever argument they'd been in the middle of having finally, finally, drawn to a close. For now, at least. In its place was a silence that could only be described as awkward.

Sighing, Pyrrha tried to fill it. "Speaking of the Headmaster, Ozpin says I'm allowed a plus one to that ceremony coming up."

"When is it?" Coco was quick to leap on the distraction, able to tell what her plan was without even speaking to her. It was made all the more obvious for the fact that she knew the answer to the question. It was strictly for everyone else's benefit.

Pyrrha shrugged, they hadn't picked a solid date yet from what she had been told. "Sometime soon, maybe next week or the one after that."

"Any clue who you'll be taking?" To her immense surprise it was Ren who asked her first. Looking over to him, she caught the subtle way his eyes creased at the edge. He had been just as annoyed as the rest of them at the argument between Team RWAN it seemed.

It wasn't her who answered however, rather three of the four members of Team CFVY did so in unison. "Coco."

Pyrrha finally pulled her head from the table, raising an eyebrow as she made eye contact with Coco. She looked just as confused as her and shrugged softly.

"She's the only one who really knows how to act at those kinds of things." Velvet explained.

"It wouldn't be a good idea to make a scene at such an important event." Yatsu quickly agreed with his partner. "We would all be willing, but Coco is the best choice."

"I think it would be funny to see Coco have to stress out about getting ready for a chang-ow!" Fox jumped slightly as Coco's elbow slammed into his ribs.

Pyrrha met her eyes, even as she withdrew her elbow from Fox's side. "Are you interested?"

"Sure, it could be fun." Coco smirked. "Plus, now I get to see you rock that dress all night."

"I can help do your hair." Velvet offered to both of them, though Pyrrha didn't miss the way her eyes went to her first.

Pyrrha brought a hand up to her hair, running her fingers through her brown locks as she thought about how she would want to style it. Despite Coco's initial insistence she go out and get a proper cut when she returned from Mistral, there hadn't been time. Between the White Fang and the revelations about Salem, it had been a busy couple weeks.

Yatsu shrugged softly. "I could help with your nails if you wish." eleven sets of eyes looked up to the giant. "My sister likes her big brother to help her with such things."

"Awww~" Nora cooed, folding both of her hands over her chest as she pretended to swoon "Such an attentive big brother. Ren, why don't you ever offer to do my nails?"

"Didn't he help you just this morning?" Yang smiled.

"Yeah, but he never offers to." Nora said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world, rolling her eyes as if explaining something to a child. "I just make him do it!"

"Uh… should we be concerned about that?" Fox whispered, though not nearly quiet enough to not be heard.

"Anything to say to that, partner?" Nora's head slowly turned towards Ren, her smile fit to drown out the sun as her voice carried just a bit too much cheer with it.

Ren looked up from his lunch, eyes slipping between his partner and the rest of them for a moment, before replying. "Help."

Nora recoiled back from him as if she had been attacked, crying out about betrayal and broken friendships. It was a familiar scene and it brought a smile to her face to see. That smile died however when she looked back to Jaune and saw him eating in silence as his new Team seemed to radiate negativity.

"You can't fix everything Pyrrha." Velvet patted her back soothingly. "Just give them time."

Pyrrha nodded, despite how bad things seemed she knew better. Weiss and Ruby would be strong friends before too long and, though there seemed to be more animosity there than before, Pyrrha and Weiss had also gotten to know each other well before the end. As her eyes fell to Jaune though, she wasn't quite sure if she was willing to leave it all up to chance.

Not when it came to him.

Author's note: Ah magic, bane of every writer's existence. Getting it to make sense, be balanced, and explain all the rules without being too exposition heavy. Not sure I managed that last one, but hopefully it won't become a running issue.

I just wanted to take a second to address something I saw in a couple reviews and that, admittedly, I have been thinking about for a while. When it comes to writing Pyrrha as a character, how accurate do you think I've been to canon? Obviously we don't know a ton about her, but does she feel like Pyrrha Nikos, or just an OC with the same name and basic traits? I've tried to have her grow and change as things go on but I'm worried that has had her divert too much at times.

As one review mentioned, her new habit to drink from Qrow's flask. It doesn't come up too often but I meant for that to be a sort of borrowed trait from the man and a sign that she is changing as a person within the logical limits of the story. I'm worried it hasn't landed well though. Let me know what you think in the reviews.

Sincerely, SE