Omake for Pyrrha, the Invincible Girl and walking L of this universe. You thought it was bad in my other fics? You ain't seen nothing yet.
By the way, I'm also thinking of posting a dark 'slice of life' STALKER story due to the release of the new game. It's just a small thing to bring me back to my original writing since I really cut my teeth with dark, cynical stories before transitioning to more humor/romance-based ones when I started writing for Ruby. A return to roots, in a way :)
For anyone interested in making a commission, email me at: storylover543 gmail . com
The streets of Vale bustled with activity as Pyrrha walked quietly through the marketplace, her hands clasped in front of her and her signature polite smile on her face. She had dressed casually today, forgoing her usual battle gear in favor of a simple red blouse, jeans and a pair of brown boots. Nothing flashy. Nothing intimidating. She didn't want to attract too much attention - not that she could help it. Being a four-time champion of the Mistral Regional Tournament tended to make her, well...recognizable.
But that wasn't the problem.
The problem was that no matter how hard she tried to come across as approachable, as normal, as human, something about her seemed to terrify every man she met. Every. Single. One.
She paused at a fruit stand, admiring the ripe selection of apples. She reached out to pick one up, turning it over in her hands as she smiled at the vendor, "Hello," she said softly, her tone warm and polite, "How much for these?"
The vendor - a middle-aged man with graying hair - looked up at her, his face pale, "Y-you're Pyrrha Nikos," he stammered, his eyes darting nervously to her face.
Pyrrha's smile faltered slightly, "Oh, yes, that's me," she said, trying to keep her tone light, "But I'm just here to shop today. Nothing to worry about."
The vendor stared at her, his hands trembling as he clutched the edge of his stall, "Please, I have a family," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Pyrrha blinked, confused, "I...what?"
"I'll give you the apples! Take all of them! Just...just don't hurt me!" The man scrambled to grab a bag, stuffing it full of apples with a speed that defied logic.
"I - thank you, but I don't need that many- " Pyrrha tried to protest, but the vendor shoved the bag into her hands and dropped to his knees.
"Spare me!" he begged, his forehead nearly touching the ground, "I'll do anything! Just don't crush me with your bare hands!"
Pyrrha's cheeks flushed crimson as onlookers started whispering. She opened her mouth to respond, but the vendor bolted, abandoning his stall entirely. She stood there awkwardly, holding the bag of apples as the crowd gave her a wide berth.
"...Thank you?" she said weakly, her shoulders sagging.
She continued down the street, her spirits dampened but determined not to let it ruin her day. She didn't mean to scare anyone - she just wanted to be normal! Maybe if she made a friendlier first impression, she could change the narrative.
Spotting a young man leaning against a lamppost, she took a deep breath and approached him with her best, most reassuring smile.
"Excuse me," she said softly, clasping her hands in front of her, "Do you know where the nearest bookstore is?"
The man looked up, his casual demeanor freezing the moment his eyes locked with hers, "Y-you're Pyrrha Nikos," he said, his voice trembling.
Pyrrha nodded, keeping her smile gentle, "Yes, but please, call me Pyrrha."
He dropped his coffee, "Oh gods, please don't hurt me! I'm just a normal guy! I didn't do anything!"
Pyrrha blinked, completely thrown off, "I...I wasn't going to - "
"I have too much to live for!" he cried, falling to his knees, "I'm not ready to die! I haven't even been to Anima yet!"
"I just wanted directions," Pyrrha said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The man screamed, scrambling to his feet and sprinting down the street as if his life depended on it. He rounded a corner, tripped, and scrambled back up, yelling, "She's coming for me! Someone help!"
Pyrrha sighed, staring at the empty spot where he'd been standing, "This is getting ridiculous," she muttered. Though, she knew she shouldn't have been surprised. This always happened. Always.
She continued walking, her resolve to be friendly unshaken. Surely there was someone in Vale who wouldn't react like she was a walking Grimm attack. She just had to find them. Spotting a man sitting on a bench reading a newspaper, she decided to give it one more try. She approached slowly, making sure her footsteps were audible so she wouldn't startle him.
"Hello," she said gently.
The man froze, lowering his newspaper just enough to reveal his wide, terrified eyes.
"I'm sorry to bother you," Pyrrha continued, her tone as soft and non-threatening as possible, "But could you- "
He screamed. Not just a yell, but a full-throated, blood-curdling scream. The newspaper flew out of his hands as he bolted upright, shouting, "IT'S PYRRHA NIKOS! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"
"I just wanted to- "
"NOOOOOO!" the man howled, sprinting down the street, his arms flailing wildly. People stopped and stared as he careened into a fruit stand, sending oranges flying, "SHE'S AFTER ME!"
Pyrrha stood there, her face buried in her hands, trying to shrink into herself despite being one of the tallest people in the area. She didn't even notice the gathering whispers until a woman in the crowd muttered loudly enough for her to hear.
"Poor guy. He's never going to be able to sleep again."
"Maybe I can comfort him tonight" another added.
"She's terrifying," a third whispered, "Why does she even bother coming to town?"
Pyrrha felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she turned and walked away, her head down. All she wanted was a normal interaction. A hello, a smile, maybe even a conversation. But no. She couldn't even say hi without someone running for their life, screaming about how they weren't ready to die. She let out a long, weary sigh. Maybe this was her curse. The invincible, untouchable Pyrrha Nikos. Not because of her victories in the arena or her unmatched combat skills, but because no one would ever come within ten feet of her without panicking.
Her only solace as she walked back to Beacon was that at least her apples were free.
Pyrrha made her way back to Beacon, clutching her bag of apples like a lifeline. The humiliation of her failed attempts to simply exist in Vale still weighed heavily on her, but she pushed those thoughts aside. There was one person who always made her feel normal - Jaune, the school nurse's assistant.
She didn't know what was wrong with her. She was polite, approachable, and sweet - or at least she tried to be. But every time she opened her mouth, it was like her presence triggered some primal survival instinct in everyone around her.
Everyone, that was, except Jaune Arc.
She perked up slightly as she crossed the campus courtyard. The school nurse, Jaune, had always been kind to her. While other men looked at her as if she might rip them in half, Jaune simply smiled and listened. He didn't treat her like she was made of gold or fire. He just treated her like...her.
It was no surprise that she fell for him. She did want to make friends with men, true, but Jaune was the only one she cared about in that way. Pyrrha quickened her pace toward the infirmary. She told herself it was just for a friendly chat, but deep down, she couldn't deny the thrill of getting to see him. He was her sanctuary in a world of fear and chaos, and she cherished every moment she spent with him. And just maybe she could push herself and they could be more than just friends.
As she approached the infirmary, she rehearsed what she would say to him. Maybe she'd offer him an apple? A small gift, a token of appreciation. Yes, that would be perfect. "Hello, Jaune," she murmured under her breath, practicing her tone. "I picked up some apples in Vale and thought you might like one. No, not too formal. 'Hey, Jaune! I have an apple for you.' No, that's weird. Why do I sound weird?" She shook her head. Just be yourself.
Her hand hovered over the door, nerves bubbling in her chest. Okay, Pyrrha, you can do this. Just be natural. Be -
"Hey, Pyrrha!" She froze, the voice sending a jolt through her system. Turning slowly, she found herself face-to-face with Ruby Rose. Ruby's normally cheerful expression was replaced with something much more intense, her silver eyes narrowed and practically glowing with barely restrained hostility. Her body language screamed territorial, like a wolf guarding its den.
"Hi, Ruby," Pyrrha said cautiously, offering a small wave.
"What brings you here?" Ruby asked, her tone casual but her eyes were anything but.
"Oh, I was just..." Pyrrha hesitated, glancing toward the infirmary door, "I thought I'd check in on Jaune. You know, just to...talk."
Ruby's eyes narrowed further, her stance shifting as if preparing for a fight, "Just to talk, huh?" she said, her voice dripping with skepticism.
"Yes," Pyrrha said earnestly, taking a step back. Ruby's glare was starting to feel more dangerous than a Grimm ambush.
Ruby crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly, "Funny, because it looked like you were about to swoon your way in there and steal some time with my man."
Pyrrha blinked, her cheeks flushing, "Your...man?"
Ruby took a step closer, her smile tight and forced, "Oh, didn't you hear? Jaune and I are kind of...together. Super close, actually. If you know what I mean." She waggled her eyebrows. It looked weird from someone who looked so innocent, "So, if you're thinking of pulling some 'tragic warrior princess' routine to catch his attention, I'd suggest...not."
Pyrrha opened her mouth, but no words came out. Ruby wasn't yelling or being overtly aggressive, but the sheer intensity of her presence left no room for misinterpretation: Back off, skank. That ass is mine.
"I-I wasn't- " Pyrrha stammered, but Ruby cut her off with a wave of her hand.
"Look, I get it," Ruby said, her tone softening but her eyes remaining sharp, "You're sweet, you're pretty, and you don't go around Vale prowling for men like a sex pest." She looked at her in sympathy before her expression shifted again, "But Jaune?" Ruby continued, leaning in slightly, "He's special. And I'm not about to let anyone - even you - mess with that."
Pyrrha took another step back, feeling thoroughly out of her depth. Ruby's intensity was overwhelming, and she didn't want to cause trouble, "I wasn't trying to - "
"Oh, I know," Ruby interrupted, her smile returning to something more cheerful - but not less threatening, "I'm sure you didn't mean anything by it. Just a friendly chat, right? Of course. Totally innocent."
"Right..." Pyrrha said weakly.
Ruby clapped her hands together, "Great! Glad we understand each other." She spun on her heel, her red cloak fluttering dramatically as she pushed open the infirmary door, "I'll let Jaune know you said hi!"
The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Pyrrha standing in the hallway, stunned and slightly shell-shocked.
She sighed, slumping against the wall. She'd barely made it two steps before Ruby swooped in like a guardian dragon protecting its hoard.
Why did this keep happening to her, she thought miserably.
From inside the infirmary, she could hear Ruby's cheerful voice greeting Jaune. A pang of envy tugged at Pyrrha's heart, but she quickly pushed it aside, "Maybe next time," she whispered to herself. She just hoped Ruby wouldn't be there to block her path again.
Pyrrha sat on the bench outside the infirmary, staring at her hands as a faint breeze rustled the trees in Beacon's courtyard. Ruby's words - and her intense glare - still lingered in her mind, but it wasn't the first time she'd felt overshadowed, misunderstood, or just...out of place. She let out a soft sigh, her thoughts drifting to an impossible dream, a world that could never be.
The arena was alive with cheers, the crowd chanting her name in waves of thunderous applause. Pyrrha! Pyrrha! Pyrrha! The announcer's voice boomed across the stadium, declaring her the victor of the Mistral Regional Tournament for the fifth consecutive year. She stood in the center of the arena, breathing heavily but smiling, sword in hand and shield raised high.
"And there you have it, folks!" the announcer cried, "Pyrrha Nikos, the Unstoppable Warrior of Mistral, has done it again!"
She waved to the crowd, her cheeks flushing as flowers rained down onto the stage. For once, their cheers didn't feel distant or hollow. They weren't screams of fear or the trembling whispers of people avoiding her. These were genuine. Warm. Loving. They adored her - not just for her skill, but for who she was. She was more than the Invincible Girl (a name she grew to despise). She was Pyrrha Nikos.
As the crowd roared, a familiar figure stepped forward from the sidelines. Jaune Arc, dressed in a crisp suit and tie, his blond hair just slightly messy in that endearing way she loved. He was holding a bouquet of white roses, his face as red as the sash tied around her waist, "Congratulations, Pyrrha," Jaune said softly, his baby blue eyes locked on hers. The noise of the crowd faded into the background, leaving only his voice and the warmth in his gaze, "I always knew you could do it."
Her heart fluttered as he stepped closer, extending the bouquet to her. She took it with a graceful nod, her fingers brushing against his for the briefest moment. He looked down, his blush deepening, and she couldn't help but smile at his shyness.
"Jaune," she said gently, her voice soft but confident, "Thank you for coming."
"Of course," he said quickly, rubbing the back of his neck, "I mean, I wouldn't miss it for the world. You're amazing, Pyrrha. You're, uh, really amazing."
She tilted her head, her smile widening as he fumbled for words. It was endearing, the way he could face the harassment of Huntresses but struggled to speak his heart. After a moment, he seemed to steel himself, taking a deep breath and looking her in the eye.
"Listen, I...I was wondering..." He hesitated, glancing at the ground before meeting her gaze again, "Would you like to go out with me? I mean, after all this. Like...a date?"
Pyrrha felt her cheeks flush, but she didn't hesitate. She nodded gracefully, her smile warm and genuine, "I'd like that very much."
The crowd erupted into applause again, as if celebrating their moment. Jaune's face lit up, his nervousness melting into pure joy as he grinned at her. He extended his arm, and she took it, the two of them walking off the stage together as the crowd cheered them on.
The fantasy dissolved as Pyrrha blinked, the cool breeze bringing her back to reality. She looked down at her hands, her left clutching the edge of the bench while the right held onto the bag of apples in a vice-grip. The cheers of the imaginary crowd faded, replaced by the faint chatter of students passing by, all of them griping and complaining about their lack of luck with regards to men.
It wasn't real. It never would be. No matter how much she wished for it, the world she lived in was one where her victories brought admiration inside the arena but fear outside of it. Where her strength drove people away instead of drawing them closer. And where Jaune Arc...
She sighed, standing and brushing off her skirt, "Maybe next time," she whispered to herself, casting one last glance at the infirmary door before turning to walk away.
Pyrrha pushed open the door to her dorm room after minutes of walking, her heart still heavy with the weight of the day. She had hoped that coming back to her space, her sanctuary, would bring her some peace. But as soon as she stepped inside, she froze, her gaze landing on the sight that always seemed to twist the knife just a little deeper.
Nora Valkyrie was sitting on Ren's lap. Again.
The cheerful redhead perked up as soon as she saw Pyrrha, her face lighting up with a grin, "Hey, Pyrrha!" she said, waving enthusiastically, as if her current seating arrangement was the most casual thing in the world. Ren, ever the stoic, offered a polite nod in Pyrrha's direction. His arm was draped loosely around Nora's waist, holding her steady as she leaned back against him like a contented cat. Pyrrha could almost feel the invisible aura of smugness radiating off Nora, even if the other girl didn't seem to be trying to rub it in...this time.
"Hello, Nora," Pyrrha said, managing a strained smile. She shut the door behind her and set her bag down by her desk, pretending not to notice how Nora wiggled slightly in Ren's lap, as if to make her presence there even more obvious.
Nora stretched her arms over her head, sighing dramatically, "Ren and I were just having some 'us' time. It's so nice having a boyfriend who actually visits, you know?" She punctuated the statement by snuggling closer to him, her grin widening.
Pyrrha's eye twitched, "How...nice for you."
It wasn't just Ren's presence that bothered her, though it certainly didn't help. Ren was one of the few guys who dared to regularly visit Beacon, and his frequent appearances were a source of immense jealousy for the Huntresses. Most men avoided the academy like the plague, terrified of being caught in the crossfire of the collective thirst that ran rampant through its halls. But not Ren. No, he braved it all for Nora.
And Nora loved it.
Any Huntresses that tried to muscle in found themselves having to pay a visit to Dr. Wood to get their kneecaps fixed, "Oh, it's the best," Nora said, practically glowing, "You know, Pyrrha, maybe you'll get lucky one day and find someone too! I mean, not Ren, obviously." She giggled, playfully poking his cheek, "He's mine."
Bitch, Pyrrha thought bitterly, the word flashing unbidden in her mind. She immediately felt a pang of guilt. It wasn't fair to Nora. She was happy, and she had every right to be. Pyrrha shouldn't resent her for it. But that didn't stop the ache in her chest, the sharp reminder of what she lacked.
It wasn't her fault, she reasoned. Nora didn't ask to be abandoned by her mother when she was barely seven years of age. But oh, how lucky she got after. Ren's parents, taking pity on the girl, decided to adopt her. So even when she awakened her Aura and took her first steps into becoming a Huntress, they all accepted her. Especially Ren. He didn't find her too forward and off-putting. Oh no, he'd become immunized to it early on. The perks of being a childhood friend.
"I'm sure I will," Pyrrha said evenly, sitting down on her bed. She focused on unlacing her boots, trying to ignore the way Nora practically radiated smugness as she tilted her head to whisper something to Ren. He responded with a quiet hum, his voice too low for Pyrrha to hear, but it earned him a delighted laugh from Nora.
The sound grated on her nerves.
"Anyway," Nora said, turning her attention back to Pyrrha, "What's up? Meet anyone interesting in Vale?"
Pyrrha froze for a moment before forcing a smile, "Oh, no, nothing like that. Just...the usual." She busied herself with putting her boots away, avoiding eye contact.
"Aw, that's too bad," Nora said, though her tone lacked any real sympathy. Not because she was cruel, but because Huntresses striking out was the norm. Pity fell by the wayside quick, "You know, if you ever need advice, you could always ask me! I mean, I am the expert on how to snag a guy, after all." She laughed, her fingers toying with a strand of Ren's hair. A part of her was tempted to take out Milo and throw it right at her face.
Pyrrha clenched her jaw, her smile stiff, "I'll...keep that in mind."
Nora, oblivious to Pyrrha's inner turmoil, leaned back further against Ren, letting out a contented sigh, "Isn't it great, Ren? Being in a relationship is just so much better than being single, don't you think?"
Ren, as usual, said nothing, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at his lips as he looked down at her. That simple gesture made Pyrrha's heart sink even further.
She stood abruptly, smoothing out her skirt, "I think I'll take a walk," she said, her voice tight, "Get some air."
"Okay! Have fun!" Nora chirped, waving again as Pyrrha walked toward the door, "Oh, and don't worry, Pyrrha. Your time will come! Maybe you'll even find someone as great as Ren!" She giggled, "Aw, who am I kidding? No one's as great as my Renny!"
Pyrrha didn't trust herself to respond in a way that didn't end with Nora in the infirmary, so she simply nodded and slipped out the door after putting on some house slippers. As she walked down the hall, her fists clenched at her sides, her thoughts swirled with frustration, envy, and guilt.
But mostly envy.
Nora was happy. Pyrrha wanted to be happy for her. But was it so wrong to want a little happiness for herself? Just a moment, a chance, a connection? Was that too much to ask?
Why was it so easy for Nora, Pyrrha thought bitterly. She could demolish a team of Huntresses with one hand tied behind her back and yet she couldn't even muster the nerve to talk to a man in a way that didn't leave them begging for mercy or soiling their pants.
She was a nice girl. She was! She didn't go around harassing men with demands for sex like the other Huntresses, so why was she being treated like she had the plague? She could barely say hi to a man before the waterworks started! Why?!
Unknown to her (which was a good thing given that she would've gone insane if she knew), she was cursed. Her great-grandfather, Lysander Nikos, after failing to make a name of himself, had communed with dark forces from beyond the veil. He demanded that his family name be known forever and the the unknowable beings agreed. His descendant would be known as the greatest warrior of the land, but in exchange, she would never know the touch and warmth of a man. His family name would be known forever, but his bloodline would end. Her virginity would be absolute and eternal.
Eternal fame in exchange for his descendant being an eternal virgin? A price he was willing to pay.
Pyrrha shook her head, taking a deep breath to steady herself. There was no use dwelling on it now. Maybe another walk through the courtyard would clear her mind. And maybe, just maybe, she'd find the courage to speak to Jaune again...if Ruby wasn't lurking nearby.
Poor Pyrrha. In a world of Baalbuddy Huntresses, she still manages to stick out. The Virginia Kissless of Remnant.
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Question:
1. I'm thinking of a 'Guy's Side' omake. Who do you guys wanna see? I'm leaning towards Ironwood, (sane) Adam, and maybe Ozpin who's hiding out in some bunker and desperately trying to not have Salem find him.