Overture

Ruby Rose

-----

When Cooper asked her out to the training hall for another date, Ruby instantly knew it would be good.

Why?

Ruby shot Cooper.

That's why!

"Yeow!" Cooper slid behind one of the dozens of metal panels flipping up from the floor. "You got me right on the rump, love!"

"Exactly!" Ruby darted past the panel and swung Crescent Rose. "Got'ch—Huh?"

Where'd he go?

He reappeared from further away, bow drawn.

Uh-oh.

Cooper fired an arrow. A twirl of her scythe smacked away that problem. Ruby charged. An ice crystal clattered in her path, and he hit it with a fire arrow, clouding her in a puff of steam.

A sharp sting hit her knee. She yelped and swung her scythe. Another hit caught her arm. She fired. Then it was her stomach, and then her back.

Ruby stomped the floor. "No fair. You're invisible!"

"All's fair in love and war." He swept her off her feet and held her in his arms, their faces a hat apart. "Say, been meaning to tell you something I overheard yesterday."

Ruby jumped free and put distance between them. "And?"

"I think some bad people have a naughty plan up their sleeves."

"Uh-huh." She loaded a new magazine into her scythe and pointed behind her. "Go on."

"Wait," he backed away, "you're not angry are you?"

Ruby smirked. "Nope."

In a burst of rose petals, she bullet boosted at him and went for the head, but he ducked in the nick of time.

"You just tried to kill me there, didn't you?!"

She fired away. "Nope!"

Somehow, someway, Cooper narrowly slipped her shots and dove behind more cover, and Ruby blocked another arrow.

"You're gonna have to try harder than—" The hum and glow of Dust activating dropped her heart. "Uh. . ."

An ice boulder meteored towards her.

"Ah!" Ruby scrambled away right before the boulder fell on her. "You just tried to squash me!"

Cooper popped up on top of the boulder. "Nope!"

It's so on now.

An exchange of gunfire and arrows rained between them while they weaved past each other's shots.

Ruby sped her way up, hooked her scythe on the boulder, and flung herself to the top.

Nothing except a single arrow was there, stuck in the boulder with a rope attached to it.

Cooper ziplined to safety.

"Oh, no you don't," she said.

Ruby steadied her scope, and like any good sniper aiming at a moving target, she fired where he was going to be.

The bullet struck him square in the back, and she savoured his shrill of pain.

Cooper tumbled off the rope, and Ruby ziplined down, detaching herself at the right moment to land on him with her muzzle jammed against his cheek.

"Admit defeat," she bolted her scythe, "or else."

"Geez." He wheezed and pushed her gun out of the way. "Alright, alright. You win."

Ruby hopped off and whooped.

Cooper sat up, groaning.

"Don't know about you," he said, "but I think that was a bit much?"

"Sorry." She rubbed her head. "Kinda got carried away there for a second."

"Guess I can't argue with that, now can I?" He went to get his backpack on a table. "Time for a treat."

"Treat?" Ruby hurried over. "What treat?"

Cooper flourished a cookie from a paper bag. "Ta-da."

"You shouldn't have!" She snatched it. "Thank—"

A sting of regret spat it back out.

"What the—Cooper, these taste terrible!"

"I never did say they would taste good." Cooper shrugged and leaned onto Merry Outlaw. "Now did I?"

She threw her cookie at him as he laughed in her face.

"So, about what I was saying earlier." Cooper sat on the table, "it's actually quite important."

Ruby joined him on the table and listened to everything he had to say about what he overheard from Mercury and Emerald. To say it was a shock would be an understatement. Mercury and Emerald seemed like such nice people, but if Cooper said it was true, then everything about them was a lie.

Roman Torchwick? A grandmaster plan? Cinder and Roderick? Something about this Adam guy and the SDC?

None of it sounded good.

Cooper typed something on his scroll.

Ruby tried to get a peek at the name. "Who are you messaging?"

"Just letting the lads know about it, too." He sent the message. "Before I forget and all that."

"Alright." Ruby tapped her toes together. "I'll keep a close eye on them. See if they're up to any funny busy. You do the same. Let me know if you learn anything new."

"Aye, love." Cooper tipped his hat. "By the way, you planning on heading to the Colosseum tonight?"

She made a dumb face. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Great." Cooper pecked her cheek and ran off. "See ya there!"

Ruby touched the hot spot where he got her while doing her best to calm her racing heart.

Hmm?

Something was on her lap, and what it was baffled her.

A plastic container full of strawberries.

When did he. . . Nevermind.

Ruby fished one out, examining every speck of it for any kind of flaw, and bit it.

"Oh, yeah," she thought and let the juices massage her tongue. "This is definitely way better than cookies by a long shot."

The moment of sweet bliss was cut short by a ring.

Ruby checked her scroll and sighed at the name of the caller.

-----

Yang Xiao Long

-----

All the games at the fairgrounds were a joke.

One by one, Yang lined up each stall and knocked them down, snatching the top prizes without so much as a sweat, until it actually became a problem.

'Geez,' she thought as she wandered around, 'I'm way too good at this.'

"Yang." Ruby trailed behind and struggled to get a grip on the bags of prizes stuffed in her arms. "I think you should stop now."

Yang blew her lips. "Just a few more. I wanna win something from every stall."

"Come on." She moaned and tried to find her balance. "Let's at least take a break. I'm kinda hungry."

At that exact moment, her stomach rumbled.

"See!"

Yang rolled her eyes and searched for a good place to eat.

Guess now would be as good a time as any to put something in herself before the finals start, but the real question was what?

"Got anything in mind, Rubes?" Yang said. "I'll have whatever you're having."

Ruby peeked over the bags. "Let's try that one. I could go for some pretzels right now."

Why not?

They ducked under the curtain, sat at the stall, and ordered their food.

"Ugh, finally." Ruby dropped the bags on the grass and shook her arms. "That was killing me."

"What about Crescent Rose?" Yang counted the many times her sister effortlessly swung around that scythe. "How much does that thing even weigh?"

"That's different. My Sweetheart's never heavy." She yawned. "Besides, I came here straight from my date."

An ember ignited inside Yang. "What?"

Ruby went rigid.

"Uh, I mean, um. Well, you see. . ." She threw her hands down and glared. "Just give Cooper a break already. I really like him, okay!"

Yang imagined all the things she'd do to him the next they met. "Not happening."

"Okay, then." Ruby crossed her arms. "What if I said you can't be with Rod?"

She stared. "That's different and you know it."

"Different?" She gave an incredulous look. "How in the world is that any different?"

"Because I'm the big sister and I said so."

"Yang!"

"Sorry, Rubes." She put her foot down. "There's no way I'm going to let him steal you away from me."

Ruby bashfully shrugged. "Actually, when you think about it, that's kinda his thing."

Yang facepalmed.

Time for new security measures.

"Something wrong?" said an oddly familiar voice. "You seem troubled."

Entering the stall was a man in a blue-violet suit with a fedora and sunglasses.

Who the heck was this guy?

Then, after several seconds of intense scrutiny, it hit her, and she couldn't stop herself from breaking out a toothy grin.

Reynold smirked. "It's been a while."

"Rey!" Ruby skipped over and clung to his arm. "It's so good to see you. Did you miss me? Did you miss me?!"

He flicked her nose, making her squeak and let go.

"You've both grown so much since I last saw either of you." Reynold ruffled their heads. "Maybe except you, Ruby. You're still just as small as I remember."

"I drink milk!"

"Watch the hair." Yang pulled away and ran her fingers through her locks. "You have any idea how hard I worked to make it look this good?"

"And who taught you how to do that?"

Damn. He got her there.

Dad and Uncle Qrow certainly didn't know how to clean themselves up like Reynold did, that's for sure. They could take a lesson from him every now and then, but they'd rather let a horde of Grimm tear them apart before letting that happen.

Reynold pulled out the pistols from his holsters and passed them off to Ruby, who squealed and drooled at the sight.

"So," Yang said, "what's with the hat and shades, Rey? New style?"

"A disguise, actually." He removed the hat and put his normal glasses on. "I tend to attract a bothersome amount of attention."

She laughed.

"Anyways," he slid into a seat, "which one of you is representing your team tonight?"

"That'd be me." Yang flicked a thumb at herself. "And I'm itching for a fight."

"Is that so?" Reynold glanced at the prizes. "The matches are starting soon. Shouldn't you be getting ready?"

"Just killing time is all." She stretched out her arms and cracked her fingers. "But enough about that. Any cool stories you have to share?"

"Yay, stories!" Ruby waved around Reynold's pistols. "Tell us about all your adventures!"

Soon after, they passed the ball of memories back and forth, reminiscing over their childhood to the wildest things they've seen, and boy did it really get Yang going.

"You wouldn't believe it." Yang chomped her pretzel dog. "Roddy's actually a good dancer when he tries."

Reynold sipped on his straw. "Is that so?"

"You should've seen it." Ruby ripped a piece of her cheese pretzel and tossed it in her mouth. "They were killing it!"

"Yeah." The ghostly music of the ballroom still echoed in her bones. "That was the greatest night of my life."

"That reminds me of the dance during my time here at Beacon." Reminiscence flashed in his lenses "It was something alright."

Yang slurped her soda. "How so?"

"My teammate, Laurence. . . Well, let's just say there's a reason why alcohol is prohibited from the school dance nowadays."

She choked. "No way."

He chuckled. "Yes way."

Ruby giggled, and Yang doubled over, thumping the counter.

"Attention," Port said over the speakers, "would all finalists please make their way to Amity Colosseum."

"That's me." Yang scarfed the rest of her food. "Too bad. We were just getting into it, too."

If she left now, she could squeeze in a light warm-up.

"Try not to lose, Yang." Reynold feigned disappointment. "I don't need that second-hand embarrassment in my life."

"As if." She waved it off. "I'm gonna win the whole thing, even if it means going through Roddy."

"Can you, though?"

She placed a hand on her hip. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know." Reynold gave her an amused look. "Don't think I haven't noticed how you are around him."

Yang pressed her lips together and combed her hair while Ruby awkwardly nibbled on her pretzel.

"Who do you think spent the most time babysitting you three?" He dusted off his shoulder. "You're rather obvious."

Yang clicked her tongue and turned away.

Tell that to Roderick.

"And one more thing." Reynold touched the bags of prizes and gathered their empty cups. "When you're ready, take these cups to the dormitory, and then give me a call. I'll deliver it to your room."

"Thanks for that." Ruby exhaled relief. "You have no idea how happy I am to know I don't have to carry those any more."

What a snappy Semblance.

"It was nice seeing you again, Rey." Yang gave him a hug. "You coming with, Ruby?"

"I'll be with you in a bit. I wanna catch up with Rey some more."

"Alright. Don't get too carried away," she said and pushed past the curtain. "Wish me luck."

On her way to the airbus station, a woman in a crimson dress with golden swirls strutted up beside her.

A burst of fire popped inside of Yang.

"Say, was that Reynold Hill you were speaking to?" said the Haven student. "You wouldn't mind introducing me, would you? I'm a big fan."

She resisted the urge to gag. "Were you spying on us?"

"I just happened to be passing by." She acted innocent and showed a fake smile. "I don't believe we've officially met. I'm Cinder."

"Yeah, I know who you are." Yang aimed a laser at Roderick's number one stalker. "And why don't you mind your own damn business."

Cinder's face stretched wider. "But it is my business."

Yang restrained her knuckles begging to be let loose.

"Did I strike a nerve?" She leaned close enough to put her jaw within punching range. "I'd very much appreciate it if we could avoid an international uproar."

This bitch.

"And before I go, there is one more thing I have to say. . ." Cinder's dead set gaze pierced Yang. "Roddy. Is. Mine."

"Shut your mouth!"

"Hurry along now." She hummed and sauntered away. "I have a strong feeling you'll be competing tonight."

Yang stormed off, seeing nothing except red.

-----

Pyrrha Nikos

-----

Sitting across the desk from the Headmaster himself in his office, Pyrrha never thought it'd be for reasons beyond her understanding.

For the longest time, other than the usual greeting, words were absent.

They simply sat there with only the clunking of gears in the rafters to fill the uneasy silence.

It was definitely discomforting for sure.

It didn't help that Ozpin blatantly watched her from over the rim of his tinted glasses, and he completely ignored any attempt she made to start a conversation.

There was a reason why he summoned her here, wasn't there?

Just as she was about to try her luck and say something again, he spoke.

"Before we begin, I'd like to offer my congratulations for Team JNPR advancing this far." A flicker of pride and joy chirped out of Ozpin. "It comes as no surprise that they've chosen you to move on to the final round of the tournament. Your performance was exemplary."

"Thank you," Pyrrha forced a smile, "but I would have never made it this far without my teammates."

"Personally, I think it's the other way around."

She twisted and suppressed glaring at the middle-aged man suddenly emerging from behind the shadows of a column.

"I'm sorry," she kept her formality in check, "but I don't believe we've been introduced."

"Name's Qrow," he said and moved closer into the light.

"Qrow is a trusted colleague of mine," Ozpin said.

Pyrrha instincts kicked in.

The air was thick, almost suffocating, doubt clawed the back of her mind, and tension armed her muscles to spring at a moment's notice.

This entire situation was wrong.

"Headmaster," Pyrrha said, "if you don't mind me asking, why have you called me here?"

Ozpin leaned onto his elbows, fingers laced over his mouth. "What's your favourite fairy tale?"

She tilted her head. "I'm. . . sorry?"

"Fairy tales, stories from your childhood." Humour lifted his voice. "Surely you must remember some of them."

Pyrrha masked her rising distress with nostalgia from her childhood. "Well, there's The Tale of The Two Brothers, The Shallow Sea, The Girl in the Tower—"

His eyes narrowed. "What about The Story of the Seasons?"

A surge of excitement eased her slightly. "Well, of course."

A callous, old man, who refuses to leave his home, is visited by four traveling sisters, named after the seasons, who taught him to see the beauty of everything all around.

In return for their kindness, the man granted the maidens incredible powers so that they may continue to help others across the world. They graciously accepted and promised to share their gifts with the people of Remnant until the end of days.

Pyrrha touched her heart. "My mother loves that story."

Ozpin playfully motioned his hands. "Would you believe me if I told you that one's been around since I was a boy?"

A laugh bubbled out of her. "You're not that old, professor."

"Well," his tone dropped several octaves, "would you believe me if I told you it was true?"

Just like that, she lost hope of this being a normal conversation.

"I beg your pardon?" she said.

"What if I told you that there were four maidens existing in this world," his stare held her at gunpoint, "that could wield such tremendous power without Dust?"

She swallowed to clear the growing drought in her throat. "You mean. . . like a Semblance?"

Ozpin lowered his hands to reveal his amusement. "Like magic."

The mere word squeezed her circlet tighter around her skull.

"Yeah," Qrow said and uncapped his flask. "First time hearing this. It's pretty crazy."

Pyrrha recollected her senses and got a grip on her rattled nerves. "You're serious?"

Ozpin's expression didn't budge. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

"No. . ." She planned a way to escape to the elevator. "Why. . . Why are you telling me this?"

The men nodded at each other.

"We're telling you this, Pyrrha Nikos," Ozpin said, "because we believe you are next in line to receive the Fall Maiden's powers."

The confession punched her gut, but one special word stung more than the rest.

" 'We?' " she said.

As if on cue, the elevator doors open.

Glynda Goodwitch and James Ironwood entered the room.

Ironwood straightened his tie. "Sorry we're late."

"Wait, what is this?" Pyrrha lurched and kept an eye trained on everyone. "Who are you?"

This wasn't good.

Pyrrha was surrounded by four seasoned warriors, and she was unarmed.

Everything inside screamed at her to flee. Just find a way—anyway. All that mattered was putting as much distance between them and herself as possible.

With Ironwood and Qrow covering her flanks, Goodwitch drew closer.

"You know who we are," she said kindly. "We're still the same teachers and Headmasters you met when you arrived at Beacon."

"But we've got a little part-time job," Qrow said.

Ironwood lifted his chin. "We are the protectors of the world."

Ozpin joined their side. "And we need your help."

The room wobbled.

The rapid pulses of her heart drummed out all other sounds from her ears, and the sickness churning in her almost ejected dinner on the floor.

There was no way this was real; this wasn't happening.

Roderick came to mind.

Pyrrha latched to him for dear life, embracing the comfort only he could ever bring to her in this world.

However, nothing could've prepared her for what was still to come.