"She moved."

The realisation sent a jolt racing up Cinder's spine. She hated surprises on the best of days, hated them even more when everything was so delicate. Cinder wasn't naive enough to think she was the only one who could utilise the 'link' between them. 'And if I can feel her, she can feel me.'

"Who moved?" Ever loyal Emerald asked curiously, a hint of nervousness slipping into her voice.

"Unimportant." Cinder answered instantly, getting up and giving their room a once over. It had been entertaining playing student. Bullying those she disliked in sparring matches having become a wonderful stress reliver. That her fun had been ruined simply made her fume. Yet, she coulndt help but be grateful as well. They were handing her her powers on a silver platter after all. "What's important is that they know about us or have someone who can track us. We can't stay here any longer."

"Aww come on. I just got back." Mercury grumbled, even if he knew better than to argue with her. Sighing heavily and dragging himself out of bed. He grumbled and complained all the way, but he did as she said. 'Loyal, desperate. I do so love it when they are eager to please.'

"Won't they know it's us if we leave?" Emerald asked, going over her weapons one last time before they stepped out.

"Not if we can get down to Vale first." Cinder said sharply. Mind swirling with ideas of how she can turn this to her advantage. Amber had been a pain to deal with, but this time it was she who was the more experienced maiden. It didn't matter who the headmaster up in his ivory tower chose. If he sent rabid dogs after her, they would be put down like dogs. "Neither do they knew who we are."

"But they still know where we are." Mercury snarked. "Is this about the failed hit? The glowing eyes mumbo jumbo?"

"So what if it is? Are you perhaps getting cold feet Mercury?" Cinder asked, a lick of fire exploding from her fingers. The snake of fire coming around his neck to gently caress his check. Colour quickly draining from his face. "I can fix that for you, just ask. Just remember that your tights and shin's have different boiling points. But I'm sure I can warm you right up if I were to use my semblance."

"Message received." Mercury whispered sharply, vigorously nodding his head.

"It's nice to have you onboard Mercury. We are doing good work together." Cinder cooed gently. "Don't disappoint me. We are splitting up, meet up with our red tied friends."

With that she opened the door and marched away. Knowing that they would only slow her down. Cinder would allow the little upstart to borrow her power for a little longer. She could make a guess about who she was, Nikkos was the first that came to mind, even if that was quickly shelved, too well known. The bunny girl was another candidate, loyal, good-natured, demure, the only flaw she could see with that was her team being to close knit.

'The silver eyed 'warrior'?' Cinder huffed to herself as she walked down the hallway. Already having had an escape plan in mind since the second day here. 'Naive, innocent, gullible, a perfect candidate. And with all her and her team have been up to, some extra leverage wouldn't be hard to come by. Neither would it be to further fracture the team.'

Picking up her pace slightly when she felt her move. She didn't move fast, instead it felt as if she was wobbling every step. 'Something happened during the power transfer?' Was the first thing that popped into her mind. A logical conclusion as to why she didn't have a diving fireball chasing after her. The desire to dip back and crack a shot at the new maiden was great, but she pushed the naive thought away. Refusing to believe she wasn't protected by only the best.

Stepping out into Beacon's gardens, she coulndt wait until they were ash and dust. Each step through the gardens being echoed by hateful reminders of her past. When she had been worth less than the rosebushes the madam kept.

'You ungrateful little twat.'

'Cinder, you have chores to do.'

'Come on Cinder, repeat after me; I'm worthless, thank you for giving me purpose.'

The scar on her neck itched furiously. Gritting her teeth, the all too familiar haze of rage settled over her. Cinder hated losing control, she hated being reminded of her once weakness even more. 'They were dead. I killed them.'

Yet they haunted her still. Torturing her in death as they had done in life. 'Leave me alone!' she shouted in her mind. Hissing and picking up the pace further. Through their link, she felt fear, anger, but worst of all, warmth and comfort. Making her anger boil. What jealousy she felt thrown into the flames.

Licks of fire stroked her cheeks, bursting forth from her dress. Feeling a pair of burning eyes on her, Cinder threw her eyes over her shoulders. Raising an eyebrow. In a window, Nikkos, Ozpin and Ironwood stood. Their expression varied, but she didn't pay much attention to them. It didn't matter if they knew who she was. It had mattered if Amber were still hidden under the school, but with them moving the power to something else. They turned a treasure hunt into a game of cat and mouse.

Beacon would fall and within the chaos it would be terribly easy to hunt down a single huntress. 'If she doesn't come after me first.' Cinder chuckled, seeing the delicious anger in the 'Invincible Girl's' eyes. They would try to hold her back, but Cinder recognised a woman who had made up their mind at a single glance. It wasn't a matter of if, only when.

Giving a little wave, she dug her heel into the platform. Schadenfreude shooting through her as Beacon's own instruments helped in her escape. In an instant she was gone. Flying over the emerald forest. Holding out her hands, fire sprouted from her hands. Sending her flying towards forever fall.

#-#-#-#-#

"She's gone." Jaune and Ironwood said at the same time.

"She's heading, out? West? Up and turning to the right?" Pyrrha shared, trying and failing to properly explain what she was sensing. Not that anyone could blame her for failing. Less than five minutes, that's how long it had been since she stepped out of the pod. Ushering them on this goose chase.

'It's not really a goose chase, is it? We know how she looks, who her team is.' Ozpin thought to himself.

"James, I'll share partial access to the student database with you. See if you can find out who she was and who her team is." Ozpin ordered gently quickly, before throwing a gaze to his student's. "Miss Nikkos, Mr Arc and Miss Gascoigne. Please follow me back to my office. We have much to discuss."

It wasn't hard to see the objection in their eyes. Thankfully a hard stare cowed them for now. He coulndt have them running of on their own merry chase. Tensions were high in the city, just the thought of two half-maidens battling it out sent shivers down his spine. 'We can't afford to let the power reunite. Least of all in her grasp. Miss Nikkos is bubbling with potential. Unfortunately she isn't ready yet.'

Ozpin hummed to himself as he marched his student's back to the elevator. Sending them a stern glare when he saw them communicating with their eyes. One didn't need to be a genius to know what they were thinking about.

"I'm sorry." Pyrrha was the first to break the silence after they stepped into the elevator. Turning to give Jaune an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for the fireblast. Amber got in control. I… I wasn't myself."

"It wasn't that bad honestly." Jaune replied with a shrug. "It was surprising yes, but I can't and won't blame you for not something that not in your control. And I can do better." Pulling out a glass flask from his vest, a gentle light bathed the interior of the elevator. The concoction shining orange. Even standing a fair distance away from the vail, Ozpin could feel the volatile nature of the concoction. With a cheeky wink to his partner, Arc put the flask back into his vest.

"Mr Arc." Ozpin sighed, feeling all his years weigh on him. The Arc's inside him cheering their how many times grandson on not helping whatsoever. Neither did he need all the rebel souls urging him to kill his student before he reinstated another monarchy. "Mr Arc… just, be responsible with your explosives."

"I know. There's a reason why I haven't taught Violet to make molotovs yet." His student replied instantly. Rolling his eyes at the pout his apprentice gave him. "I mean, I have some on me, not that I really use them anymore."

"Honestly, what don't you have in that vest of yours?" Pyrrha asked gently, looking infinitely more composed now that she did earlier. Running a finger through her hair. Her right eyebrow twitching. The smile she gave feeling strained. Scratching herself with her other hand.

"Proper transcripts." Ironwood butted in with a frown. Turning to him with a piercing glare. "Ozpin, were you aware his transcripts being fake? Did you know he didn't have aura while undergoing initiation?"

"Yes." Ozpin replied calmly. Idly nothing how neither of his student's showed any surprise. As if they both had known from earlier. "His resourcefulness and creative approach surprised me. So I chose to give him a chance."

"Even if it meant he would die?" Ironwood asked instantly. Steely eyes boring into him.

"Even then." Ozpin nodded. "It was his choice to apply. Just as it was his choice to sign the waver. And, James, while I can understand your disapproval. Mr Arc have yet to stop surprising me. His grades and rapidly improving skill speak for themselves."

"I wouldn't have asked for Jaune to come with, if I didn't trust him with my life." Pyrrha added from the side, heat creeping into her voice. Fire bursting into life and fading out repeatedly around her eye as she glared at James.

"Penny." Jaune added immediately after. Sharing a look with Ironwood. "Don't you think it's weird how her eyes contain telescopic lenses and shutters? Implants isn't that uncommon, maybe a bit tragic in someone so young. Poor girl, needing implants before her second birthday." A sharp smile etching itself on his face as he stared into Ironwoods eyes. "However, with her eating habits, I worry for her father. Motor oil isn't something you should drink recreationally. But it's understandable why she carries it on her person, especially with how both her arms and legs are prosthetics-"

"Yes, Penny have had a rough life." Ironwood replied icily. Shooting down what more Jaune had to say. The meaning behind his words ringing loud and clear with the general. He didn't know if he should be proud or worried. The glare Jame's sent him not helping his conundrum in the slightest.

"It was not for his skill I chose Mr Arc as team leader." Ozpin shared, deciding to share his two cents into the conversation. 'I wasn't expecting him to discern Penny's true nature. However I can't say I'm surprised with how 'open' young Polendina is with her particularities.'

The elevator pinning not a second later. "Please, Mr Arc, Miss Nikkos, take a seat while we wait for your teammates to arrive."

Giving the crow outside his window a raised eyebrow, he went to open the window before sitting down and speaking into the intercom. Aware that another set of eyes could never do him wrong. "Can Mr Lie and Miss Valkyrie please report to the headmaster's office immediately? I repeat, can Mr Lie and Miss Valkyrie please report to the headmasters office immediately? Thank you."

"I think I can feel Nora's groan all the way from here." Jaune chuckled weakly, his attempt at lightening the atmosphere appreciated, even if it didn't have the results he likely intended.

"Oh gods, what if they think I'm dead." Pyrrha whispered horrified. Jaune's hand shooting into his jacket to pull out his scroll. Before they could react, Ozpin waved his cane. Hitting him in the wrist and knocking the scroll out of his hand. Snatching it out of the sky and gently placing it onto his desk.

"I'm afraid you will have to wait until they join us before talking about anything confidential." Ozpin said gently. "I can understand the want to share the news with them to lessen their worries, however, please understand the need for caution. With how long they have been here, it's not implausible that malware have been uploaded onto beacon's servers."

"What is malware?" Violet asked curiously, sitting in Jaune's lap. Tilting her head back and looking up at him.

"Think of it as someone possessing your scroll." Jaune started, rolling his eyes at something before continuing. "The one 'possessing' can watch what you are doing, see what you are doing, and do other mean stuff to your scroll."

"Essentially." Ozpin added with a smile of his own. "It's a rather glossed over explanation, but it explains malware well enough. I'm sure Mr Arc wouldn't mind explaining more at a later date. But now as we wait for your team to arrive. Miss Nikos, how do you feel? And please don't lie."

"I'm fine." Pyrrha replied instantly, heat creeping into her voice. Throwing a quick glare to her raw arm and back, guilt settled into her eyes.

"Miss Nikkos. No one who ever scratch their arms until they are raw is 'fine'." Ozpin cajoled gently. Giving her all the time in the world to gather herself. He had seen many Maidens through his lifetimes. Pyrrha was the first attempt at trying to control the shift. 'A failed attempt by the looks of it.' He mussed to himself, idly letting his eyes wander to Violet as the little girl looked gently over at her. Jumping down from Jaune's lap and climbing up in hers.

"I feel her." Pyrrha whispered, wrapping Violet into a hug. "Not her, but Amber. She is still there. Her mind is… jumbled, silenced, but still there. Constantly throwing white noise at me. She isn't screaming, but… she is there. She shouldn't be there. I don't want here there. But she is still there."

"I'm sorry, Miss Nikkos. I really am."

"Don't." Pyrrha replied instantly, fire bursting to life around her eye before dying down as she took a deep breath. "Don't. I chose this. I don't need your patronization. I don't need your pity, nor do I want it. If you want to be helpful, explain what this power is. How I can harness it. How I can use it to kill her."

"Here." Jaune butted in, handing his partner a cup of pudding. Unfazed to the burning glare he got.

"I'm not on my period."

"But you are feeling for two. Or one and a half." Jaune took the glare with grace. Not saying anything when Pyrrha dug in. Neither did they say anything when the tension in her shoulders visibly lessened.

"If you want help, then I can share something with you. As the current Fall Maiden, it is in your right to know." Ozpin said, while he wasn't itching to share, he coulndt afford to have Pyrrha become the next Amber. Both in life status and relation. With how Salem's agents were seemingly everywhere, he needed her on his side. "Amber wasn't the only Fall Maiden I have had the pleasure of working with. The first I got to know was Maple, Amber's predecessor. She was… cut down before her time."

"She was assassinated?" Jaune asked, Ozpin nodding in answer. It wasn't something he was eager to share, but it was knowledge he hoped would make Pyrrha at least stay with her team if anything.

"We don't know who. Neither did Amber, who was the last person Maple thought of." Ozpin shared, subtly letting his eyes wander over Pyrrha. Hoping his message, veiled as it was, would reach her. However, while he didn't want to, he wouldn't shy away from harder measures if be needed.

'Not like it was the first time.'

'Neither would it be the last.'

Different parts of his soul echoed back instantly. Both true, both dredging up memories he best wished to be lost to time. 'I did what was needed.' Ozpin echoed back to the hundreds of remnants of who he had been. 'Not what was right.' The souls of those who had been noble and righteous before 'joining' him echoed back instantly.

"Now, back to why I shared this." Nodding to himself when he saw he had their attention, he continued. "While each Maiden share the same 'core' ability of being able to control the elements, how you chose to manifest the element's differ from Maiden to Maiden. Mable was particular to using earth and wind to change the battlefield to what she wanted. While Amber chose to dabble in almost every element. Using frost, wind, fire together with controlling the weather and lighting."

"And fire is what comes most natural to me." Pyrrha mused, idly gnawing at the wooden spoon. Having already devoured the pudding and using the spoon to get her frustration out.

"It's not surprising. You are angry." Jaune said as if that explained everything. "I don't know how much of it can be applied. But through much of history, Valean or otherwise, fire have often been connected to the soul. To emotion. It's the most volatile of elements. You are angry, confused, hurting, feeling emotions that are not your own, it is not a long stretch to say it's the most natural for you."

"That is a good hypothesis." Ozpin smiled, not afraid of giving compliments where they were due. 'Mostly correct as well.'

"But I don't like fire." Pyrrha huffed, her eyebrow twitching as she shook her head.

"Then it's good that elemental manipulation isn't everything, now is it." Ozpin smiled. Pyrrha's attention snapping to him instantly. "Beside what previously shared, something I have come to learn is that each Maiden have, let's call it a specialisation. Maybe the Spring Maiden would serve as the best example, as healing magic comes naturally. Not impossible to learn, but far harder for the other maidens. I have seen Veronica, a previous Summer Maiden, try and heal a broken bone; the magic itself was rejecting the act. On the other spectrum you have Winter, who speciality is Stillness."

"How can something as archaic as 'Stillness' be a specialisation? Or the Winter Maiden's aspect?" Pyrrha asked, her eyebrow twitching as she wrapped Violet even closer into a hug.

"Because it's winter." Ozpin answered simply. "It's magic, it's not beholden to the rules of nature. Winter is the end. And the winter maiden represents that. In her presence, should she will it, it will be harder to think, harder to move, harder to use aura, harder to do anything but be still."

"And spring is regrowth, new beginnings, life beginning anew. Ergo the spring maiden's aspect is healing or related to regrowth at least." Pyrrha replied. Nodding to herself with a tilted head. "Then what about Fall."

"Let me answer your question with another question." Ozpin replied gently. "What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Fall? And please, think big, what does the season represent to you?"

"Harvest." Pyrrha replied somewhat unsurely.

"Warmth." Violet answered, voicing her thoughts softly. Her dimples showing when she smiled slightly.

"Transition." Jaune answered, biting back on his first answer. With a sigh he continued. "Decay. It's the first thing that came to mind."

"And you are all right. Everything you have answered falls under the umbrella of Impermanence. Which is the Fall Maiden's 'aspect'. Spring is growth, Summer is splendour, Fall is change, and Winter is ending. One big cycle that repeats itself ad nauseum." Ozpin lectured, catching himself before delving into the more philosophical aspects of the powers and the 'core' they were built around. Jaune was nodding along, looking ready to debate him on the matter. While Pyrrha looked lost. Tilting her head to the side, her nails back to scratching into her forearm.

"It may not sound all that impressive, however in my humble opinion it is the strongest. It just needs the right mind to crack the code. Something Maple struggled with. But even then, she was able to create tracking fireballs. She swore of fire after that, but still." Ozpin shared, wondering if maybe he was tittering along an invisible line.

"What? How?" Pyrrha demanded, fire returning to her eyes instantly.

Sighing, he looked at his student. Hurt and guilt mixing until he didn't know which was which. Pyrrha was still herself, but the question of 'for how long' haunted him the longer he talked with her. Her emotions were all over the place, quick to anger, spiralling, hyper fixating, the twitching, the scratching. He could see it on her, how forcing two souls into one body visibly eroded her. 'But it's too late for regrets.'

"She gave life and purpose, temporary that is, to the elements." Ozpin explained, never taking his eyes of her. Humming to himself when he saw her jolt, the kindness and warmth in her eyes overtaking the flames. In a moment, Pyrrha was herself again. Her hand shooting up to anchor Jaune's hand to her shoulder. 'But how long until she begins spiralling again? And what happens when Jaune, or someone else isn't there to stop her from spiralling?' "There is more to that of course, just as there is more to the Winder Maiden's Stillness and the Spring Maidens Healing. However that is for you to explore, just as it is your choice if you want to delve further into Fall's aspect, or if the elements are enough for you."

"You said Summer was connected to Splendour. How? Or maybe, what, is the better question." Jaune asked, scooting his chair closer to his partner. The elevator pinging a second later.

"Let's leave that a discussion another time." Ozpin chuckled gently.

"Pyrrha?" Nora asked gently, stepping out of the elevator and nearly rushing down the poor girl. Only to stop, doubt and uncertainty mixing with hurt in her eyes. Pinpricks of tears welling in her eyes. "Is… is it still you?"

"Yes. I'm still myself." Pyrrha whispered gently. Her soft smile, quickly turning to one of surprise and outright joy as Nora shot forward. Pulling her into a crushing hug.

"I'm glad. So glad." Nora whispered, voice hoarse. Sobs wrecking her body.

"We thought the worst." Ren shared with them. His pink eyes red. Turning to give Jaune a glare. "Your family didn't help much at the time. I won't hold their ignorance against them; however, they have a skewed sense of hospitality."

"Don't I know it." Jaune sighed. Gently removing his hand from his partner's shoulder. "They are gone?"

"Yes. Or, maybe for today is the correct answer." Ren replied. Jaune nodding in understanding.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice." Ozpin said, allowing his students to take a minute to gather himself. Violet for one, gasped for breath after being squeezed between the two huntresses-in-training. "Unfortunate as it is, I didn't call you here for pleasantries. The power transfer, was a success, however it came with a few unexpected side effects."

" 'Unexpected' he says. As if forcing two souls into one body would ever be without side-effect." Jaune snarked with a roll of his eyes. "The machine turned Pyrrha's body into a 'get along shirt'. And it didn't even do a good job."

"Quite." Ozpin replied, turning to give the boy a look. The boy was frightfully sharp, leaving him unsure if it was frustration, or something else that gave the boy such insight. Either way, it only reinforced the notion that he needed him in his circle. 'Maybe JNPR could be the next STRQ?' Ozpin mussed to himself. Not blind to how Ren and Nora's presence helped keep Pyrrha grounded. 'Where Jaune goes, they go. And where Pyrrha goes, they go.'

"However, righteous as your frustration is. That's not why I have called you here." Ozpin continued unabated by his thoughts. Having more than since learned how to properly multitask. "Instead it's two-fold. Firstly, I would like to offer a hidden training ground to team JNPR's use. While I trust Miss Nikkos to keep her magic a secret. It's better that some things are handled with the secrecy they deserve. At the same time, it's a place where Miss Nikkos can go all out without fear or worry."

"That's fine. I guess." Pyrrha replied with a nonchalant hum. Nora nodding along as well, a hint of interest in her eyes, but not something compared to the sea of worry and relief that took precedence. Hovering constantly around Pyrrha, afraid that she would blink and Pyrrha would be someone else.

"It was my wish that maybe Miss Nikkos would have liked to try out her new magic, however I can see you are occupied with something else." Ozpin sighed. Setting his foot down and giving his students a stern glare. "Team JNPR is under house arrest."

"Excuse me?" Jaune asked politely. "On what grounds?" Sharing the affronted look his team did.

Sighing again, he was at least thankful that a screaming match hadn't broken out. Even if he was far less thankful for the purposeful glances shared within the team. "Mr Arc, Miss Nikkos, believe it or not. I can see what you are thinking. You are not as slick as you might think. I can understand, however I cannot allow you to chase after her." Holding up his hand before Pyrrha could explode, he continued. "I understand, trust me, I do. However you must see the bigger picture. Vale as a city, can't withstand two Maiden's duking it out."

"How? The city is older than dirt." Nora butted in, sharing a glance with Pyrrha. The Maiden nodding, her eye exploding into fire and puffing out again and again like an old engine.

"I was not talking about the buildings, Miss Valkyrie." Ozpin clarified gently. Letting his stern gaze pan over his students. "Buildings can always be rebuilt. I meant the spirit, the people. The Breach couldn't have happened at a worse time. Not with all the four kingdoms gattered in one place. While it might not seem that way, the people are angry and grieving. Yes, the stream and the procession worked. However, the tragedy that was the Breach can't simply be brushed under the carpet. And I won't allow you to be the match that strikes the flame. Is that understood?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Crystal."

"Oki doki."

"Is that understood?" Ozpin asked again, demanding they answer properly. His student's mumbled replies not what he was after.

"Yes."

"Yes."

"We won't do anything reckless. Or in the heat of the moment. Ok?" Jaune sighed, holding up a hand and giving Pyrrha a silent look. The burning glare he gave her not fazing him in the slightest. 'But honestly, if you can take a fireblast to the face. And come out completely unscathed. What more can faze you?' It was idle curiosity at best, he had long since come to terms with his aura size and how it changed between hosts. While having much aura allowed one to be a juggernaut. There were moments when having a smaller aura pool allowed for greater finesse. 'Young Mr Lie isn't the only to incorporate aura into attacks. Producing aura shields outside the body requires a finesse someone with large aura can never have.'

"Good. I will be holding you to those words." Ozpin nodded. Opening a drawer and sliding Jaune a key card. "This will allow you and your team entry into the private training ground. Use it as you wish, I choose to place my trust in you."

"Is that all?" Jaune asked, taking the role as speaker for his team. Something the other's seemed content with. Pyrrha especially, looking like a volcano that was about to burst.

"It would be. You are free to take your leave unless there is anything else you want to discuss." Ozpin said. Juniper didn't have to be told twice. In the elevator and riding it down in less than a minute.

Gesturing for them to leave. Juniper not having to be told twice. In the elevator in and riding it down in less than a moment to blink.

Sighing heavily, Ozpin looked at the crow that had flown in through the open window. With a little puff of smoke Qrow joined them in human form.

"Never thought I would see the day where you lost your touch." Qrow snarked instantly. Taking out his hipflask and downing it. Wiping away the tickle of alcohol that raced down his chin with his sleeve. "I don't have to be the one to tell you they are going to be out by six. Not with Mr and Missus walking breakdown leading the pack."

"And that's where you come in." Ozpin said, finger's flying over the keyboard.

"Aww come on. Babysitting? Again?" Qrow groaned loudly.

"Qrow, Miss Nikkos is one of our biggest leads to find out Amber's killer. Maybe even Maple's as well." Ozpin started, not even looking up at the man. "And she may or may not chose to throw her life away in an attempt at revenge… Not that I think about it. It might not even be revenge. Simply the Maiden powers that want to be reunited."

"Hold up. The Maiden powers are sentient now?" Qrow asked, looking into his hipflask with a frown. Finding it's lack of content unsatisfactory.

"Partly." Ozpin replied instantly. Pressing the send button and giving him access to what he maybe would need. "The Maiden power itself is incapable of thoughts, feelings, and what else classify someone as sentient. However it has wants. It wants to be whole. And, if I were to guess, the power wasn't split in the middle. With Pyrrha and our unknown assailant each having one half. Instead, think of it as an onion. Pyrrha have the core layers of the onion. While the assailant has the other layers."

"And since the girl got the 'core' part, she is lacking the other layers. Feeling the power's want's directly."

"It's my assumption at least." Ozpin nodded. Allowing Qrow his theatrics as he sighed loudly.

"Hell of an assumption to make." Qrow tsked. "But I'll make sure the kiddies don't go do something stupid."

#-#-#-#-#

"We are killing her, right?" Pyrrha asked the second they got back to their dorm. The walk back had felt like torture. Ants were crawling in her skin. She itched everywhere. It felt like she had more energy than Nora. She felt empty, hollow, yet also stuffed to the brim simultaneously. Amber's mind was silent, gone, what Jaune had done to her having shoved her out of her body. She wished that had been the end, yet she felt another 'Amber' be born again in the back of her mind.

The worst part was the anger. Pyrrha didn't like feeling anger. It was an ugly emotion. It was the only constant feeling she had felt since waking up in that accursed pod.

"Are we killing someone?" Nora asked curiously. Never having stopped hovering around her. Something she was grateful for. She didn't want to be alone. Coulndt if she wanted to be herself. Nora felt like a summer storm, loud, roaring, crackling with energy. But it kept the flames at bay, even if they licked at her from inside. Her new 'sense', for lack of better word, allowing her to feel in a way that she had never thought possible. Even if it was something she was grateful for now.

Ren felt like silence. A deep pond, a still lake, a gentle winter's night. When he was around, the flame's bite didn't feel so bad. Even Amber's mind was silent around him. Not thinking, not screaming, not doing anything but be. It was still enough to push her towards the edge. But where she earlier felt like she had been constantly falling, she now had solid ground under her feet. The edge was there, but it wasn't closing in on her with lighting speed.

Violet was hard to pin down. Sometimes she felt like a growing bud, other time a prowling pup. Constantly in changing from one 'feeling' to another. Not that it was surprised. She was a child, she was growing, learning, deciding who she wanted to be.

Jaune felt like a campfire of bones, warm, gentle, inviting, but also terrifying in ways she coulndt explain. However, she didn't feel scared of him. He was a pillar she could lean on. The fire welcoming, inviting her to relax, to forgo her burdens and just breath.

"Someone." Jaune replied nonchalantly, drawing a quick little circle with chalk. Placing a white rose in the circle and snaping his fingers. A 'something' fell over the room. The white rose catching fire, burning like a candle.

"Jaune, Pyrrha, I love you. But honestly. Please elaborate." Ren drawled, idly sitting down by the kitchen table and going over his pistols. "If we are going to kill someone, we will need to know more. Someone isn't good enough."

"She's the one who killed Amber." Pyrrha shared. Breathing out heavily. "I don't know who she is, her name, how she really looks, or how she fights. But I feel this constant emptiness gnawing inside me. And I know she can fix it. She has the other part of the Maiden's powers. The quicker she dies, the less this gnawing will push me up against the wall."

"Before we continue, Pyrrha, I'm going to need your help. I'm going to cast the Save State spell on you so I can check how having two souls is physically affecting you. But before that, may I have a strand of your hair?" Jaune asked, his journal already lying on the kitchen table.

"Here." Pyrrha said, biting back on the spiking of anger she felt. Pulling out a single strand of hair she handed it to Jaune. Her partner nodding at her before tying it around his ring finger. In an instant it felt like the fire in her veins were gone. Almost collapsing in relief against the kitchen table. Nora thankfully there to catch her before she completely fell. Breathing heavily, she rejoiced at the sudden clarity. The anger, while not gone, was familiar and not blinding.

"I was afraid of that." Jaune mumbled. Looking at the hair tied around his finer, a crimson flame burning on the end. "The maiden power and Amber's soul is messing with how you feel. Or the intensity of it. Your anger might be yours, but the intensity isn't."

"What… what did you do?" Pyrrha asked, needing to know.

"Sympathy. I'm taking advantage of the bond between us to feel the intensity of your emotions instead of you." Jaune explained, seemingly not bothered by what he felt. Sending her mind awhirl. 'How can he make it sound so effortless?' She wondered, staring at the hair around his finger. Doing her best to breath out as the crimson fire grew in intensity. "But now that you aren't blinded by rage. You need to choose. Are we going after the girl, or are we going to take measures to make sure Amber can't get in control? And maybe find a way to get her out of you permanently."

"I… I don't know." Pyrrha whispered lost. Amber's killer having been the obvious scapegoat. Everything she felt being because of her. Her soul shuddered in delight in just imagining the maiden power's whole, sending a shiver of fear racing up her spine. If she coulndt even trust what she felt, could she trust herself?

Before she could began spiralling, a kind hand landed on her shoulder. Jaune giving her an understanding smile. 'He understood.' The thought had completely slipped her mind in the emotional chaos she felt.

"We'll get through this, together." Jaune smiled gently. Giving her shoulder a good squeeze.

"Team JNPR is ride or die. Weird soul powers notwithstanding." Nora exclaimed with a smile.

"Amber." Pyrrha breathed, feeling the blinding feelings come rushing back as the hair around Jaune's finger turned to ash. "Let's take care of Amber first. I… we… don't need any self-sabotage on my part. Handle Amber, kill the girl. I can still feel her, she's in Vale."

"Glad to see you being on the same page." Jaune smiled, some guilt creeping into his eyes. But she didn't hold it against him. Not now. Not when he felt like a pillar taking all her problems and making them weightless.

"Good for me." Nora nodded. Not giving the thought of having to kill someone a second thought. Pyrrha wished she could have the same happy-go-lucky attitude, but she knew she coulndt.

"You already have a plan don't you, Jaune." Ren added, giving Jaune a look.

"Well, some plans, and some ideas." Jaune shared. "One of them is performing surgery with Crocea Mors. If she can seal an immortal queen, she should be able to seal Amber."

" Jaune."

"It is the last resort." Jaune shrugged, digging out some wax from his ear. "I don't want to use it, neither am I thinking of using it."

"But if she takes control." Pyrrha finished for him, feeling anger spiking through her. Guilt doused the anger, making her shudder as she tough of how it would scar them.

Nodding, Jaune shared a look with Ren. Ren, confused at first, quickly grew horrified. Vigorously shaking his head as he stared at Jaune. "No. No. No way. That's stupid. It's insane. We are not doing that."

"We are." Jaune replied flatly.

"I almost died last time."

"But this time we will all be doing it. Together." Jaune countered.

"Doing what?" Nora asked, worry creeping into her voice. Her eyes bouncing between Jaune and Ren.

"Ren created a Dream Inv-"

"Walker." Ren corrected. Jaune huffed, rolled his eyes, before continuing his explanation.

"A Dream Walker talisman. It's the one he used to try and join me in Yharnam, or something like that." Jaune shared, Ren nodding from the side. "Well, the idea is to use the talisman on all of us together and 'walk' through Pyrrha's dream and into Amber's soul. Using the relationship between body, mind, and soul to get where we want. And when we are in Amber's soul, then we kill her. Kill her identity, her sense of self, kill everything that pushes against Pyrrha's soul. I don't know what will happen after that, maybe her soul will simply shatter, maybe Pyrrha's soul will 'eat' what remains of Amber. But it's better than waiting too long. After all, most get along shirts tear at the seams."

"That's the stupidest, riskiest, reckless, idiotic, plan I have ever heard." Ren replied instantly after having digested everything Jaune threw at them. Pyrrha herself didn't know what she felt. The answer was too much, and she didn't like it. However she liked the idea of her family doing something stupid and reckless even less.

"Foolish." Elizabeth threw out at Jaune.

"And what else will you have me do?" Jaune snaped back instantly. Raising his voice in for the first time. "The soul is sacred. The best I can do for Pyrrha is killing Amber's mind whenever it regenerates, and trying, and failing, to eject the spirituality that's infecting her! My magic isn't without limit, and the soul is that limit. I can't pull miracles out of my ass. If you can find a way to expel Amber's soul without harming Pyrrha, I will be the first test subject if you have to. But how long will that take?"

Ren looked like he swallowed a lemon, glaring at Jaune with fury. Looking one second from throwing hands.

"I'm for it." Nora said, speaking up and taking a step forward. Eyes blazing with determination. "I don't care how stupid it sounds. Or what the risks are. If we can help Pyrrha now, before it gets too late. I'll do it. Whatever it takes."

"Jaune, what's the risks." Pyrrha demanded softly. Not liking how her voice wobbled. Trying again and again to blink away the tears that welled in her eyes.

"Worst of the worst? We all become vegetables. And Pyrrha gets three other minds joining her in that noggin of hers." Jaune said solemnly. Blue eyes wandering over them. "I don't know if it's possible. It's an idea. A desperate gambit at best. I don't know if we will fight Amber, if we can convince her to 'die', or if she can fight back with the maiden powers. But I also know we can't afford to wait. Physically, Pyrrha is doing fine. Mentally, not so well. Spiritually? The maiden powers are forcing her and Amber's soul together. Constantly rubbing against another."

"This is the stupidest bet I have ever taken." Ren sighed, standing up and going over to his desk. Pulling an innocent talisman out of the drawer. "Girls. If we die, I want you to find me and bring me to Jaune. Just so I can tell him told you so."

"You won't die." Annalise demanded. Floating through the air and stopping before Ren. Glaring at him before drifting to Jaune. "You won't die. You aren't allowed to die."

"Love you too." Jaune smiled, ruffling her hair. Turning to look at Violet. Pinpricks of tears welled in her eyes. Her lower lip wobbled as she looked up at Jaune. Wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into a hug. "You can't come with us. We need a strong brave girl to watch over our bodies. Can you be that girl for me?"

Wrapping her arms Jaune's neck, Violet nodded into his shoulder. Her body shivering like a leaf.

"So, fearless leader. How are we doing this." Nora asked curiously. Eyes twitching around, from Ren to her to Jaune and all over the room. Burning this into her mind. Pyrrha doing much the same, her eyes bouncing around as she tried committing everything to memory.

"Smash the beds together in the middle of the room as I draw a boundary." Jaune ordered. Nora nodded once, before doing as ordered. "And Pyrrha, please stop scratching yourself."

Anger and a thousand other emotions burned through her. Snaping her eyes down, the emotions only burned hotter. Thin cuts lined her forearms. Small droplets of blood, to small to be felt, coated her nails. She looked like a victim of self-harm. 'I had been.' The thought didn't bring any comfort. Only shaking the grip she had on her rapidly spiralling emotions.

"If you feel like you must do something. Get dressed in a pyjama." Jaune shrugged. "We are all going to be sleeping on one bed together."

Had it been some weeks ago, the thought would have sent heat shooting though her cheeks. It was still there, she had yet to get over her crush even she had come a long while, but it wasn't enough to push away what else she felt. Vindication raced through her. She hadn't held anything against Amber two hours ago, but the second Amber had forcefully pushed her back. Turning her own body into a prison to hold her soul. All the sympathy she had for the girl was washed away.

She had felt the glee, the fear, and everything else Amber had felt when she wretched control. Amber hadn't meant it, but she also never intended to give her body back. Wanting to run as far away as possible and hide out the rest of her days.

Stepping into the bathroom, Pyrrha felt her rage skyrocket. Amber stared back at her in the mirror. A kind and gentle smile on her face. In an instant Pyrrha blacked out. Only coming too when Ren came rushing into the bathroom, her fist shoved through the mirror.

"I… I need her out." Pyrrha whispered, unsure if it was to herself or to Ren. Ren nodded to her, throwing a look to her hand. A sigh of relief escaping them both. Flexing her hand, she felt thankful for all the lonely hours practicing her aura. Eternally thankful that instinct prevailed over emotion. Not knowing how she would have felt if she forgotten. 'I would lose another piece of myself.' She shuddered.

The second Ren was out she hastily threw on her pyjama. Not caring of it was early. Marching out a second later. Eyes buckling at the large triple bed Nora had fashioned. A large chalk circle drawn around the beds. Jaune's vest and coat were thrown over a chair, standing only in a shirt and pants with suspenders on. Nora and Ren were seemingly slightly undressed and already sitting on the bed.

"Pyrrha, please step over the line." Jaune ordered. With a nod she threw her clothes onto one of the remaining beds and jumped over the line. Jaune gave Violet a stern look, the little girl sitting on another bed with her knees pulled into her chest. Sending a soul melting look at them.

"Jaune." Pyrrha sighed. "Violet have long since become a part of Juniper. I can understand why. But…"

"She's family." Nora finished. Holding out her arms and catching Violet a second later. The little girl beaming, pushing away the bubbling anger. Replacing it with something warmer, kinder, something that made her know that even if it went wrong. None of them would die.

"I trust Violet." Jaune sighed softly. "I simply don't want her to see me like I see myself."

'If that wasn't a loaded statement.' Pyrrha huffed to herself, leaning back into the cuddle pile the bed had quickly descended into. Violet giggling and wiggling herself in between Nora and Pyrrha.

"The boundary looks good." Jaune shared, toeing over the line and sitting down on the bed. "Now, let's hope this works."

#-#-#-#-#

Holding up the talisman between his fingers, it shone for a split moment. It was all Pyrrha managed to notice before everything turned black and she felt herself pulled down into somewhere.

Note: If it feels like Pyrrha is out of character, or her sudden personality switch is jarring. It's because she is. Having another soul shoved into your body isn't healthy. She is feeling the mother of all periods, minus the pain, but all the emotional imbalance.

Note: Thank you for all the well wishes, but, believe it or not, I don't have problems with my father. Titus is exactly who he needs to be, a man who believes himself to be in the right. It will be further explored soon, but there is a reason why he is as he is.

Note: While I know many wants to see Jaune beat the ever living crap out of Cinder, that will happen. After all, a family that kills people together, stays together. You can cut out a tumour early, but if it get's too late. Well…

Note: Mr 'We won't do anything reckless' Arc, ten minutes before doing something reckless.

Note: And it isn't only Yharnam that have horror. Remnant have it own share of horrors as well. Just other types.