The day of the wedding had arrived.

The wedding hall was shown to be a large, white church-like building, with a slanted roof. Through the double doors of white wood was the entrance, where entering visitors noticed a muted black carpet against a white ceiling. The first room showed an open door directly in front of the entrance, leading to the wedding hall where the ceremony would take place. Above that door was a white, gold and green banner with the words; Drizella and Eric Chrysanthe

To the side were brass colored wooden columns with bunches of white, green and gold balloons, secured by matching ribbons. There was also a podium with an open book with several names written into it. Nearby the guest list was a table with gifts, some even gift-wrapped.

Soon the camera went through a hall, and sounds of humming were heard through the air.

The bride stood within a small preparation room, adjusting her veil so that it evenly aligned with her hair, humming to herself for a moment. Drizella's three bridesmaids and Belle, the maid of honor, were all present, wearing respective dresses of pink and blue. Belle was also shown to be wearing some sapphire earrings, complimenting her reverse braid.

Drizella looked in the mirror- her white wedding ball gown was shaped like what a princess would wear, with flower emblems and designs stitched into the dress. From the hem circling the bottom of the gown was a daisy and vine design. The sleeves, also embroidered with similar flower designs, were off shoulder, paving way for the white opera length gloves she wore.

On her left wrist was a blue faux flower corsage bracelet. Moving upwards, a necklace of silver and an emerald flower charm adorned her neck. Not too far from her neck, a pair of emerald earrings rested on her earlobes. Upon her head was a gold metal flower crown, serving as the binder to the veil. The veil covered her downward bun while still leaving part of her hair visible, showing off the flower hairpins she borrowed from Anastasia.

"Well, what do you think?" one of the bridesmaids asked her.

"It's perfect."

Drizella turned away from the mirror, trying her best to smile.

"Oh no, are we getting pre-wedding jitters?" another bridesmaid asked.

"No, it's not that…"

Belle looked at her with concern. "What's wrong?"

"Something's missing. I've got something old- the veil. Something new- the wedding dress. Something borrowed- Ana's flower pins for my hair. Something blue, Belle's corsage bracelet." She lifted her gown, took off one of her green heels and retrieved a coin. "Even a silver coin in my shoe. But something feels wrong..."

As Drizella put the coin back in the shoe and put it back on, Belle looked ashamed and guilty. "Is it because I took your sister's place?"

The bride held the maid of honor by her shoulders. "Belle, I hold nothing against you. Aside from my sister, you are my closest friend in this crazy, messed up world we live in." She removed her hands and backed away sadly. "And for so long, we thought Anastasia was gone from this world. Or that she had forgotten about us." She looked at her sad self in the mirror. "But yes, I do feel bad. I promised her that I'd involve her in the wedding, most likely by making her my maid of honor, and yet, the day has come, and I've done neither." She closed her eyes, Belle's reflection seen in the mirror behind her. "If I go through with this, the promise I made will be broken. But if I don't, I'll be breaking everyone's heart, including mine, and keeping my sister from her mission…"

She sniffed. Belle grabbed a tissue and wiped away the bride's small tears as they fell.

"Drizella, please, don't fail to take action just because you're worried about what other people will think. If you want to postpone the wedding, we won't blame you. And if you truly want Anastasia as your maid of honor, I won't blame you."

"No. I want to marry my love today." She turned away from the mirror and looked at her friends. "Especially after all this pomp and circumstance to get myself ready and get everyone here. I just wish I knew how to honor my sister…"

The maid of honor thought to herself for a moment. "Hmm. I think I have an idea." Belle began. "Wait right here."

Belle lifted up her skirt and ran out of the room.

Meanwhile, Mr. M and M stood outside the bathroom, with P.M glancing at the timer.

5:00…

4:59…

4:58…

4:57…

"He's certainly taking his sweet time," he noted.

P.M put his scroll away and looked back at his brother, only to hear no response. A.M appeared to be glancing at something else. His eyes were staring into nothing, and his brother quickly noticed this behavior.

"Azul?"

At this, he was snapped out of his thoughts. "Hmm?"

"Are you alright? Your thoughts seem to be drifting."

"I've been thinking about what Mr. Branwen and team AVNRR (Avenger) said." the swordsman spoke. "About magic. I still can't believe that magic is real. All this time, the fairytales we were spoon-fed as kids, are they all real?"

"Not likely," the gunslinger answered.

Azul raised an eyebrow in confusion. "You seem to be taking the news of magic being real surprisingly well."

"As long as this magic doesn't come to hurt us or Lionheart, it doesn't matter that it actually exists."

"But what if it does? What if Rosa and/or Cinder target us? What if there's something else Lionheart isn't telling us?"

P.M raised an eyebrow. "We shouldn't be prying into his personal life. As long as it doesn't pose a threat, we shouldn't worry about any of this. And they say magic is real, but we have no proof of it. For all I know, the dialogue we heard earlier could be everyone else practicing for a play or short film."

"But why would they pretend magic is real? They said they want to help us defend Haven from future threats. Also, there were no cameras involved- how could it be a short film?"

"Let's suppose that they aren't lying, this either means that magic is real, or all six of them are insane. If the latter is true, then this means that they can't be trusted. If the former is true, then this means that we are dealing with more than we're even supposed to know about. If any magic user does show up and uses their powers against Lionheart, one of us can escort Lionheart to safety and the other can keep the threatening mage at bay."

"But we don't know how powerful these maidens are," Azul argued.

"Maybe not, but it's also possible that none of the Maidens will come here. From what we can tell, Cinder Fall did not come here after the Fall of Beacon, and neither did her associates. What reason would Ms. Fall have to come here? And if Rosa Vernal is truly missing, she's likely dead and the powers of the Spring Maiden are gone." Porphyrios told him.

"But maiden powers don't just vanish, do they?" Azul theorized. "It's possible Rosa doesn't have it, but someone else does. The question is who and where are they? And we've heard mentions of Fall and Spring, the equinox Maidens. What about the other Maidens of Summer and Winter? The solstices? Do they exist as well? And if so, where are they?"

"Brother, I know you're concerned, but we need to focus on the task at hand." Porphyrios reprimanded him. "Need I remind you that the fate of an entire kingdom rests within our hands?"

Azul looked down; he didn't need to be reminded of Mistral's doom, which seemed to be imminent. Protecting Lionheart, the only council member left, was their very purpose. If not for that, they would be traveling around the kingdom, protecting its people from Grimm and whatever else was out there.

Something's not right. I know we're doing the right thing, but why does something feel wrong about this entire situation?

"If Lionheart dies, this kingdom falls apart completely. So please, forget about this magic nonsense and focus on increasing defensive borders around the school grounds."

But will the plan Porhyrios is drafting up even work? What if other magic exists? And if I'm right, what if other magic comes for Lionheart's life?

He wanted to share his concerns with his brother, but Lionheart soon exited the bathroom, denying him the chance to say anything. The three men went down the hall, P.M protecting him from the front and A.M guarding him from the back.

Can we truly save this kingdom from falling? Or are we only delaying the inevitable?

The wedding hall was a beautiful cathedral. With limestone columns, large dome ceilings overhead, a red carpet separating the aisles, a grand pipe organ on the right hand side and a beautiful altar adorned with a red cloth, the church was as beautiful as it was grand.

Said hall was filled with many guests. On the left side were Avril and Francis, the bride's parents being in the very front row. They were dressed respectively in outfits of a pink dress and blue suit, both wearing their normal accessories and black dress shoes. Close to them was a professional photographer they had hired to capture the moments of this joyous day.

Towards the back were Yang and Qrow. The blonde brawler appeared to be wearing yellow opera length gloves, covering the robotic arm on her right side. Instead of her usual clothes, she wore a long dress nearly covering her boots. The hem of the dress was a bright green which gradually resided to yellow, flaring the latter color from the knees upward, making Yang resemble a sunflower. Her hair, normally wild and free, was thrown into a semi-messy bun, looking like it would fall apart at any second. The jewelry and accessories were minimal, bearing only a gold painted necklace with a pink flower charm that she borrowed from Daisy.

Resting at her left side with the shoulder strap on her was a big black purse holding- among other things- her wallet, Scroll and her weapons (despite the extremely low probability of needing them.) She hadn't expected to be here, wasn't sure if she wanted to be, and at that moment wasn't sure what to say, or what to think.

I don't want to be here. It's not that I'm not happy for the marrying couple- I am- but every second that I spend here is time away from my sister. She internally sighed. Not that we'll be leaving until tomorrow morning. I should have been reunited with Ruby by now! Gosh, why does Anastasia have to be so stubborn?!

But are you not being selfish? another part of her mind asked her. As soon as you leave to reunite with your sister, Anastasia will have to leave her older sister, and the rest of her family, behind. She was gone from them for longer than you've been apart from Ruby, and now she has to leave them for a mission that she might not return from…

I don't dare say these things for the fear of being selfish or insensitive, but there's a part of me that wishes I wasn't here. Am I terrible for thinking this?

She looked at the door, opened up but nobody lined up for the procession yet. As she looked back, she saw Anastasia looking out the window, dazed in her own sorrowful world. What was the flower huntress thinking in that present moment?

Yang turned back, trying to hide her anxiety as beneath the glove, her metal arm tremored. She held her arm to her chest, hoping nobody saw what just happened or what was happening.

I wish this wedding would just start…

The unlucky huntsman wore his standard attire, believing it would pass off as suitable (and not wanting to burden anyone into helping him find fancy clothes.) Qrow didn't care much for the wedding, despite being happy for the couple and wishing them well. Mostly he was worried about how long he had been away from Haven Academy.

Every second we spend here is another second that Haven Academy has less defenses. And that team AVNRR is mostly alone with no one to guide them. Unless Ozpin is assuming full control of Oscar, but that likely isn't the case.

Anastasia hid in the very back row, wearing a red ball gown dress. Upon her hands were short red gloves, each holding an accessory over them. On the left, a pair of gold bracelets, on the right, a red and pink corsage bracelet. She smiled in both joy and in relief, trying to hide her growing fears.

Drizella… I feared that I would never see this day. Or that I would be absent from it. It must be fate that I came back when I did. I know you once told me I could be your maid of honor, but that matters little now… She blinked in sorrow. Part of me wishes that the wedding (or perhaps the reception) would last forever, so that I don't have to face tomorrow. But I know that this wedding is just delaying the inevitable…

Behind her, the procession was forming. To the side, an organist made her way to the instrument and sat down before it.

Sooner or later, I'll have to leave.

On the right side were villagers and other residents. Towards the very front were an elderly couple bearing little to no resemblance to the groom, but waited and watched on in joyous pride. The elderly lady had a box of tissues near her right side. Also nearby her were two men in their late twenties bearing resemblance to the elderly couple.

"I'm so happy for him." the woman spoke, sniffling.

"Don't start crying yet. The wedding hasn't even begun." the first of the two men started.

"Oh, let her have this." the second one spoke.

Soon the ceremony began.

[cue music- Super Mario Odyssey- Honeylune Ridge- Wedding Hall]

As the organist began to play her grand instrument, the procession began.

The bride's parents were already seated, and the first people to enter- from the side- were the priestess, the groom and his best man.

Following that, the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked across the carpet, with two men preceding the three other bridesmaids.

Soon came Belle, the maid of honor. Within her hands was a bouquet of blue roses. She walked down the aisle, smiling brighter than everyone else.

Daisy, wearing a purple dress, pink ballet shoes and a real flower crown, played the role of flower girl quite well. Almost too well. With a basket in hand, she ran, scattering red and pink rose petals along the aisle before reaching the end- acting calm and joining the other ladies.

As the main tune came to an end and began again, everyone stood for the bride. Drizella, with a large bouquet of red and pink roses in her hands, walked forth by herself.

Drizella looked towards the love of her life, dressed in a white tuxedo, with a fake flower on the right of his suit coat, and a real crown of white and pink flowers on his head.

He's so handsome, so kind. How did I get to be so lucky? Drizella briefly looked at her sister, smiling and holding back tears as she walked by. I know this day is supposed to be about me, about us, but I have a plan.

Anastasia wiped away her tears. She thought, Oh Drizella… You look so beautiful. I'm so happy that you've found the love of your life. And that I'm here to see it.

The bride was halfway through the aisle as Anastasia shed another tear.

She looks so pretty, Yang thought as she placed her right arm behind her. And I feel so out of place in more ways than one. If Ruby was here, would she enjoy being here? Or would she feel the same way I do?

Here's hoping nothing goes wrong here… Qrow silently prayed.

Drizella… Anastasia thought. I would move heaven and earth for you. I may not be the maid of honor, but I will always be your sister. Forever. I love you.

The music faded away and came to an end as Drizella reached the altar.

The priestess began, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, in the sight of Lady Fate, to witness the union of this man and this woman, in wedded matrimony."

[cue music- A Thousand Years- Christina Perri]

[intro- piano instrumental]

A brief montage began as the priestess went through the ceremony, starting with passages about love and unity..

"Marriage is the promise to love one another, even on the darkest days…"

"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love…"

And ended with the wedding ring being placed on Eric's hand.

"And with this ring, I ask you to be mine." Drizella finished.

The camera showed the wedding rings on both of the couples hands as Drizella held the flowers once again.

[lyrics start]

Eventually, the priestess got to the vows and final confirmation.

"Do you, Eric Owphiyr, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love, to cherish, remain faithful to her and forsake all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I will."

"And do you, Drizella Chrysanthe, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, to cherish, remain faithful to him and forsake all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do. But," she paused. "Before I make this official, there is something I must do. Anastasia, please come forward."

The semi-retired huntress looked on in confusion, but still obliged. A few murmurs and gasps were heard as Anastasia rose from her seat and entered the aisle.

[Pre Chorus line; "One step closer"]

"Huh?"

"What's happening?"

[first chorus]

"The sister of the bride?"

"The other sister?"

Is this some kind of ploy to delay her departure? Qrow fearfully wondered.

What is she doing? Yang thought.

Murmurs were heard as Anastasia gradually made her way forward. With her hands at her side, she approached the bride. Every heel click was heard until, eventually, the huntress stood before the couple.

"Anastasia, I ask for your blessing."

She tried not to stammer. "You're asking… me?"

"I am. Eric has gained blessing from everyone of my immediate family members, save for you. I trust your judgement."

Anastasia stood there in uncertainty.

[second verse]

I will admit, I hardly know this man. I wished I knew him better. I wished that I returned home sooner...

Memories of the family dinner and the games afterward flooded through her mind. The laughter, the joy, the sense of connection.

"You're quite the gamer."

Anastasia smiled. "Thank you. It's been years since I've had this much fun."

And… yet. He's been nothing but kind to me, and to her. And better yet, how could I deny my sister such happiness?

[Pre Chorus line]

"Eric, I give you…"

A moment of silence passed.

"My blessing."

An audible sigh of relief was heard from many of the guests, including Yang, Qrow, the Chrysanthe family, and the elderly couple.

[second chorus]

The huntress turned to her soon-to-be brother in law. "I will admit, I hardly know you- and that is my fault, as I had been away for so long. I know this day is supposed to be about the bride and groom, but we must not also forget that this day is about family." She turned to her soon-to-be wedded sister. "And as happy as I am to see you finding and marrying the love of your life, I can't help but fear that I have failed you as a sister." She looked at the couple, her little sister, her parents, and at the elderly couple and their children. "Truly, I have let all of my family, both present and future, down… when I never intended to.

"I was… and in some ways still am, a huntress. Being a huntress demands sacrifice. Many people often believe that means risking life and limb to protect people and all they hold dear. But what they often forget is the emotional toll it takes on the heroine. I left my family behind all because I wanted to help people from outside my kingdom. I thought it would be easy for me to return to them. But my team leader became selfish and controlling. Before graduation, he originally convinced me to stay with team SSEA for one year. One year became five. Five became ten. And before I knew it, I lost my voice and my courage.

Tears began to build up. "Even before the CCT tower in Vale fell, my family had been left wondering if I was dead. Or worse… if I abandoned or forgot them. I left them in the dark for so long... All because I was tricked into believing I was doing the right thing… only to be dragged into a darkness. A fate that I barely escaped… And now, I am being called for another mission. A mission that I know little about and fear I might not return from. I can't help but fear… that I'm letting everyone down again. And… and…."

[second instrumental]

Anastasia broke down, softly crying. She buried her face in her hands, unable to look at the sister she let down. Her cries became a little louder as she dropped to her knees. The audience looked in sympathy and sorrow, some with eyes watering.

[vocal bridge]

Yang silently shed some tears, both of guilt and for everyone she missed. A few other cries were heard.

[final chorus]

"Ana… Please, don't blame yourself." Anastasia looked up as she saw her sister speaking to her. "We never once blamed you for doing what you needed to do. You did what was right, both by helping others and by coming home. The fact that you're here now tells me everything." She helped her sister to her feet. "You came back because you missed us, and wanted to see us. We never doubted you. And as hard as it is, we don't blame you for going on another mission. You have a call that you feel you must answer. And it doesn't matter if it takes one month, a year. Or even ten more years. When you return, we'll hold you close. I love you, Ana, we all do."

Drizella put her arms around her sister, letting her left arm hold the flowers and the right one to hug the huntress.

'Ana' responded, "I love you too. All of you…"

"Aw…" the audience remarked.

Even Yang and Qrow were smiling.

The elderly woman started crying, with the men near her each handing her a tissue.

Avril's eyes watered as the two sisters continued to hold each other.

The embrace ended, Anastasia blinked away some loose tears.

"Dry your eyes, sister dear. I have something for you. The honorary maid of honor." She paused, placing both hands on the bouquet. "A gift, from the bride to her sister."

She separated the bouquet, revealing that she was actually holding two of them the entire time. On the left was a bouquet of red roses, and the right one held pink roses. Anastasia blinked in surprise as Drizella gave her sister the pink roses.

Anastasia soon smiled. "Thank you."

She held the bouquet, soon joining the bridesmaids, flower girl and maid of honor.

[end of lyrics, outro instrumental]

The priestess began, "That was adorable. And honestly I wish I didn't have to ask, but tradition dictates that I must. If there is anyone that objects to the union of these two people, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

Not a word was spoken. Anastasia smiled at her sister, a tear of joy glistening her eye and being let go. Within ten seconds, the decision was clear.

"So by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!"

The two quickly kissed and cheers emanated for the happy couple. The elderly woman and Avril both cried tears of joy.

[music fades away, instrumental version begins]

As the recessional music began, the newly married couple smiled as they took hands.

Drizella and Eric gradually exited along with the rest of the wedding party, Anastasia a few steps behind her sister and new brother-in-law. With Daisy, Belle, the best man, and the other bridesmaids and groomsmen trailing them, the wedding party left.

The crowd slowly left the church. Soon the crowd had faded out, leaving Yang and Qrow in the cathedral.

Qrow turned to his niece. "Are you alright?"

"I think so."

"Thanks for being patient. I know this must be heard for you."

"I know." She sadly blinked. "But it's even harder to ask Anastasia to leave her home and family behind."

"Honestly, I feel bad for asking her to leave as well. But desperate times call for desperate measures…" He sighed, pausing for a brief moment of silence. "I just wish that the CCT tower was up, just so that I could inform Ozpin's successor about our success." He paused. "And so that you could see your sister."

"You and the whole world, Uncle."

"Well, all that's left to do now is make sure our bags are packed, attend the reception and head out tomorrow morning."

As Qrow walked past her, Yang felt goosebumps prick along her upper arm, and she knew that it wasn't from a cold breeze. She looked for the source of the energy, and looked at her uncle.

Is that… the bird magic that mother told me about?

She dismissed the thought, racing to catch up with the only person near her that she truly trusted.