CHAPTER III
Beautiful. Isn't It?
Chryso's heart leapt with a sudden burst of hope as she spotted Jaune standing in front of Pyrrha's statue. This was the moment she had been waiting for, this was the chance to recruit him for her mission. But instead of calling out to him, she hung back, watching him from a distance, gauging his mood and demeanor.
"Mom?" Chryso Nikos spotted Pandora, carrying a stack of red flowers to leave by the statue. Then, she talked to Jaune...
Chryso watched quietly from a distance, listening in as Jaune and Pandora talked. She couldn't make out every word, but she could sense the grief and sadness in both of their voices. It was clear they were both deeply affected by Pyrrha's death. Suddenly, a realization struck Chryso. What was she thinking, rushing in to recruit Jaune for her mission? The wound was still fresh in all of their hearts, and she needed to tread carefully.
Their mood both shifted to peace, and tranquility, they were still in grief, but her mother and Pyrrha's friend seemed to share a heartwarming moment on that cold night. Chryso watched as Jaune and Pandora continued their conversation, their words lost to the rain that fell around them. Despite the tragedy that had brought them together, there was a sense of peace and healing between them.
Chryso's breath caught in her throat as she watched, feeling a mix of emotions - sadness, guilt, and hope all at once.
Grey's eyes widened with recognition as Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren entered the cafe. "Team JNPR!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with shock and excitement. She had heard so much about them from Pyrrha and Chryso, and now they were standing right in front of her. She couldn't believe her luck. "Please, be welcome. What can I get for you?"
Nora grinned widely at Grey, her eyes gleaming with energy. "Oh man, this place is awesome! I'll have a triple-shot espresso and a banana nut muffin, please!" Ren nodded politely at Grey. "And I'll have decaf tea and a blueberry scone, thank you."
Grey rushed to prepare their beverages "This one is for Jaune, it's on me" She smiled as she sealed the cup.
Grey quickly prepared their drinks, a triple-shot espresso for Nora and a decaf tea for Ren, placing the finished beverages on the counter in front of them. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she slid the cup towards Nora. "Here you go! And this one's for Jaune," she added, tapping the cup gently. "It's on the house," she said with a smile. "Tell him I said hi.
Ren and Nora took their beverages and continued their search for Oscar Pine, their lost friend, on the streets of Argus, not before reuniting with Jaune in front of their fallen teammate statue...
As Jaune and Pandora had a heartfelt conversation in front of Pyrrha's statue, Ren and Nora appeared out of the rain, approaching them with smiles on their faces. "Hey, Jaune!" Nora called out, waving as they approached. "We were looking for you!"
"Oh..." Nora said after seeing the statue of her long lost friend in front of them
Nora's eyes widened as she saw the statue of Pyrrha in front of her, and for a moment, she fell speechless. Jaune could sense the sadness in her expression, and he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know," he said softly. "I miss her too."
Nora took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. The memories of Pyrrha were still painful for her, and seeing her statue brought back waves of grief and sorrow. She looked at Jaune and Pandora with watery eyes, and he gave her a sympathetic smile.
"I'm glad she was surrounded by such amazing people" Pyrrha's mother said as she wiped off a tear.
Pandora's eyes filled with tears as she looked at the statue, and then at Jaune and Nora. She had heard so many stories about how the four of them had fought and trained together, and she was incredibly grateful for the bond they had shared with her daughter. "Thank you." she whispered, her voice shaking. "Thank you for being there for her."
Without saying another word. Pandora left, completely unnoticed save for the flowers that were now laying on the pavement in front of her older daughter's bronze feet. Jaune and Nora watched silently as Pyrrha's mother walked away, leaving the bouquet of flowers at the base of the statue. They both looked at each other, feeling a mixture of sadness and sympathy for her. After a moment of silence, Jaune turned to Nora
"I'm sorry... For being a terrible leader"
Nora's expression softened as she listened to Jaune's words. "Hey, don't beat yourself up like that!" she responded, her voice filled with empathy. "You were a great leader, and you still are. We all miss Pyrrha, and I know it hurts. But we're a team, Jaune. We have each other, and we'll get through this. Together."
"We don't want to lose you too" Ren said.
Nora nodded in agreement, her eyes gleaming with determination. "That's right." she said, her voice resolute. "We're not losing anyone else. We'll stick together and watch each others backs, no matter what. That's what Team JNPR does."
All the doubts that remained inside Jaune's mind cleared, he took a last look at his friend's statue "Thank you"
Jaune nodded, a sense of resolution and determination filling him as he looked at Pyrrha's statue. The weight of his grief and guilt seemed to lift, replaced by a newfound strength and confidence. He knew that with his friends by his side, they could face any challenge that came their way. Together, they were Team JNPR, and nothing would stand in their way.
Chryso waited for them outside the memorial park... "Easy...just relax...tell them you want to join them..."
Chryso took a deep breath, mentally rehearsing her lines in her head. She knew that this moment was crucial to her mission, and she had to make her case convincingly. She watched as Jaune, Nora, and Ren slowly approached, engaging in lighthearted banter and teasing each other, their conversation barely audible to her ears.
As they approached, Chryso's heart began to race. She took one last deep breath and stepped from the shadows, revealing herself to them, she called out, her voice echoing through the night air. "May I have a word?"
"Oh..." The three friends gasped at the sight of another one of Pyrrha's relative... "Sure..." Nora said.
Jaune, Nora, and Ren looked at Chryso with surprise and curiosity, surprised by her unexpected appearance. They could see the resemblance between her and Pyrrha, and they knew that she was someone important to Pyrrha in some way. "What can we help you with?" Jaune asked, his voice gentle and kind.
"Hello... I'm Chryso Nikos... Pyrrha's younger sister..."
Chryso's eyes meet Jaune's surprised gaze, as she smiles softly. Chryso stays calm, although her face is filled with a deep sadness, yet still holding up a brave smile for Jaune. She seems almost exactly like her older sister. Jaune, Nora, and Ren listened intently to Chryso as she introduced herself as Pyrrha's sister. They could hear the sadness in her voice, and they knew how hard it was for her to come forward.
Chryso smiles softly, as she slightly bows, before shaking both their hands. She then notices Jaune looking at her curiously.
"Oh, and you must be Jaune... I've heard stories about you..."
She looks down slightly, her expression being one of guilt.
"I'm sorry if I look like Pyrrha... I couldn't help it..."
"I'm sorry for your loss," Jaune said gently. "We all miss Pyrrha dearly."
"Nora Valkyrie. Nice to meet you" She said
"Lie Ren" Ren extended his hand to greet Chryso "We were your sister's teammates"
"You're so adorable!" Nora exclaimed in her upbeat mood "I could spread you on a cracker!"
Chryso couldn't help but chuckle at Nora's comment. She knew that Nora was just trying to lighten the mood, and she appreciated the attempt.
"Thanks," she said with a small smile. "And I'll take that as a compliment. But I have something important to talk about."
"I want to go with you guys... Yes. I know I'm risking my life. I know that my mom you just met there is going to freak out...but..." Chryso looked at her sister's statue... "I need to do this. I want not only answers... I want justice... I want to kill Cinder Fall"
Jaune, Nora, and Ren listened intently as Chryso spoke, her eyes lit with a fierce determination. They could sense the gravity of her request, and they knew that it was a risky mission. "We're honored that you want to join us," Jaune said slowly, his eyes fixed on her face. "But you need to understand that this is a dangerous mission. We will be going up against Cinder Fall, one of the most powerful enemies we've ever faced. Are you sure you're ready for that?"
Chryso took a deep breath, feeling a wave of nervousness wash over her. She knew that this was a pivotal moment, that it could potentially change the course of her life forever. She closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind, trying to hear the voices of those she had lost guiding her. Finally, she spoke.
"Yes," she said firmly. "I'm ready. I want to join you, no matter the danger." She takes a moment, as she seems to have something on her mind. She seems like she wants to speak, but is hesitant and holding back some kind of feeling.
"I know... I'm not as strong... as my sister was... but... I want to try..."
At the Cotta-Arc house. Chryso approached the door of the Sapphron house, feeling a knot in her stomach. She took a deep breath, her heart racing with nerves and anticipation. She gently knocked on the door, and a moment later, it was opened by Sapphron, who regarded her with a warm smile. "Chryso, right?" she asked, her voice gentle and kind.
Chryso looks around and takes everything in slowly. She's overwhelmed with so much emotion, with so many different feelings going throughout her mind. She seems like she's about to cry, but she holds the tears back... it seems like she's been through too much trauma, but is still fighting to stay strong... She also seems to be feeling a lot of guilt about something.
"Good evening Miss Cotta Arc" Chryso smiled, she was accompanied by Grey Ulrika. "That's right. We are looking for Jaune and his friends. May we come in?"
Sapphron nodded and smiled, impressed by Chryso's formal demeanor. "Well, you've come to the right place," she said, stepping aside and gesturing for her to enter. "Jaune and the others are just through there in the dining room. They've been waiting for you."
Something caught Chryso's attention. A box of Pumpkin Pete's Marshmallow Crunch... without her sister's face on it
"These must be the new package" She sighed "Without her..." Chryso picks up the box, and looks at it closely. The old ones used to have Pyrrha's face on them, and now they replaced it with someone else's. It feels wrong to see anyone else's face on these cereal boxes, except hers...
"Yes. After the Fall Pumpkin Pete decided to change the package. Out of respect for your sister I guess" Grey said.
Chryso nods softly, as she sighs deeply.
"I know... I understand why... I just... it feels wrong... to see anyone else's face other than her... even if it's for a good reason."
"It's just one of the many things that the Fall of Beacon changed" Grey sighed.
Chryso nods softly, as she looks at the box again. It's just another reminder that Pyrrha's gone... and even if the memory of her is still alive here, nothing will replace the feeling of having her here... alive... in person... with them...
Chryso's expression grows into a sad, mournful one as she looks at the cereal box she's holding, feeling a bit emotional. She just wishes that things were different…
The atmosphere in the room was serious and somber, but there was an undercurrent of anticipation as well. As the others looked up and saw Chryso and Grey, there was a moment of silence as they all seemed to study each other silently. To ease up the tension. Terra prepared some tea for everyone in the hut. Chryso notices a change of topic in the room, as she hears the kettle in the kitchen starting to boil for tea. It helps to ease the tension, and she smiles softly.
"Tea sounds nice... I'd love a cup..." Chryso smiles weakly. She then takes a sip, her eyes lighting up as she tastes the deliciousness of the tea. She seems really happy to have a taste of home, especially since she hasn't had a cup of tea from Mistral in a really long time.
"Thank you... It's just like I remember..."
"Jaune...do you mind if I use your scroll charger...mine is..." Ruby instantly drops to the ground when she sees Chryso. The similarity to her older sister is almost uncanny... especially for one so recent. Ruby seems almost frozen still, as she seems stunned by how similar the two girls look.
"Don't worry. She just... overreacted" Yang helped Ruby to wake up and stand on her feet again.
Grey and Chryso watch as Ruby is helped up to her feet. She feels relieved to see Ruby awake and able to stand, but she still feels quite worried, and a bit guilty about the whole situation. She smiles at Ruby to try to ease the tension a little bit.
"I'm sorry for making you faint..."
Finally, Ruby walks over to her, an anxious look on her face and looks at the redhead in the eyes. "Is it true? Are you really Pyrrha's sister?"
"Good heavens!" Weiss Schnee gasped, covering her mouth with a hand.
"We had no idea..." Blake Belladonna said, staring at the young redhead.
"Nice to meet you all. Team RWBY. Right? I've heard so many things about you, girls... I watched every fight you had..." Chryso's eyes reflected the grief and sorrow of that memory "At... Vytal Festival"
The members of Team RWBY looked at Chryso with a mixture of awe and sadness. They understood the pain that came with the memory of the Vytal festival, and they could see that Chryso had been deeply affected by Pyrrha's loss.
As the members of Team RWBY took in the news that Pyrrha had a sister, they all reacted in their own way. Blake's amber eyes fixed on Chryso with a mixture of surprise and curiosity, Weiss's hand remained over her mouth in shock, and Yang simply stood there, her eyes widened in wonder. Chryso took out her Scroll to show everyone the screensaver, and they looked at it to see the photo. It's a photo where she and Pyrrha are having ice cream, and both of their faces are stained by the chocolate chips and vanilla. Both of them had this wide smile on their faces, like if they knew it was the last time they would be together... It's a bittersweet and touching photo, and it gives them confirmation of her identity. Everyone is stunned by the picture and the realization that she is Pyrrha's sister.
Chryso chuckles slightly, as she looks down at the cookie that Ruby was just given. She doesn't know much about her, but from what she's heard, it's good to know that she's a good person to hang around with.
"Pyrrha always used to talk about you..." Chryso smiles softly, as her expression grows into one of sadness. "She's always thought of you as one of her closest friends… Pyrrha said that you were pretty cool...She also said that you can get pretty hyperactive and silly every now and then..."
The group laughs a little bit in response to her last statement.
"That's right!" Weiss said. Chuckling.
Chryso looks up at Weiss and Blake, and chuckles softly as well.
"Pyrrha also told me that you were pretty smart, and a good fighter. I always wondered how she made such good friends like you guys..."
