The fight lasted 2 minutes and 27 seconds after which Penny Polendina was dead.

You were stunned into inaction, the gravity and severity of the situation was now plain and clear. As you stared at the Queen piece on your scroll you barely acknowledged the monologue Cinder was giving, her chiding and disappointed tone was masking her true emotion.

The satisfaction of her victory. 

You didn't know when her speech ended or notice the alarm bells begin to chime doom, but you did hear the screams in the hall and that finally brought you back to the new reality.

(Y/N): "YANG!" You yelled, launching to your feet and bursting through not only your door, but the blonde's as well.

She was in a similar state of shock and disbelief, but already arming herself to go out. She looked at you with wide eyes and pulled you in for a hug, one you happily returned. She then pushed the hug apart in panic.

Yang: "We need to find everyone."

(Y/N): "Pyrrha, Jaune and the others are at the arena-"

Yang: "So is Ruby!"

(Y/N): "What about Blake and Weiss?"

Yang: "They went to the fair! I tried calling them but the network's down."

(Y/N): "Fuck, we'll need to split up. I'll go to the arena, do you have your scroll?"

Yang: "Here, but what good is it?"

(Y/N): "I'm gonna use your locker to get up there. Network is down but if I guess the general area…" Yang gave you a concerned look. "Listen, I'm the one you have to worry the least about right now. I'll always come back to you all."

Yang: "Doesn't mean I'm not allowed to worry."

(Y/N): "Alright." You bared a smile. "You go get Blake & Weiss, we will all meet back up at the main bullhead landing pad." Now all of the fire evacuation drills didn't seem so stupid.

Yang: "Got it. Just stay in one piece?"

(Y/N): "Only if you do." You smirked giving her one last kiss before the two of you ran in opposite directions.

Sprinting through the halls you came to the locker rooms, noticing that several lockers were taking off already, looking for Yang's you quickly found it. Tapping the scroll to it opened the door and allowed you inside, unceremoniously dumping the clothes onto the floor as you did. Inside the dull silver box you inputted a rough guess as to the location of the floating arena, and with a click of a button you felt yourself get propelled through the air.

After a minute of travel you braved a look through the grating and realised you were way off course. You were going to miss the arena by a mile. Trying to open the door you found that it was locked, probably for safety purposes to prevent items from flying out. Seeing no other choice, you braced against the wall and kicked hard. Once, twice, three times, on the fourth it finally buckled and snapped away, almost causing you to fall out immediately.

Grasping the sharded metal you felt it bite into your skin and rip. You were now dangling out of a rocket propelled locker hundreds of feet off the ground. But at least you could see. However, to your horror, all you witnessed was a horde of Grimm invading from the surrounding areas of Beacon. The screeches and cries of Human and Grimm echoing throughout the air. Your moment of grief was interrupted by yet more bad news as you were splashed with liquid, more precisely fuel, from the line you had cut kicking the door out.

Gritting your teeth as the wind whipped away at you, you slowly let go of one side of the locker to reach and grab Yang's scroll. Pulling up the locker controller you found a series amber and red warning for the haphazard transport, dismissing them was difficult but after you had you were able to steer the locker back towards the arena. But just as you got into airspace the rocket sputtered and cut out, and you began to fall. 

Letting go of the locker, you tried to relax your body to go as limp as possible. A difficult mental feat as you watched the ground rush to meet you, but one you managed as you met the concrete with a roll, only for your momentum to carry you directly through the seating arena and down a set of stairs. You finally came to a stop after body-slamming into a concrete wall, the impact being felt on both your ribs and the wall paint-job. With no time to do your quick heal trick, you forced yourself up and staggered towards the center of the arena, noticing a large gathering of students.

(Y/N): "Not too late to the party, am I?" You asked walking towards the group that you could now see consisted of your friends.

Pyrrha: "(Y/N)?!" The redhead asked in a mix of shock and concern. "I-I can explain-"

(Y/N): "I'm glad you're okay." You said bringing Pyrrha into a hug, one she quickly returned. "We can talk about everything later. Right now we need to help who we can."

Pyrrha: "R-right." She said, wiping tears from her emerald eyes, a fiery spirit reigniting.

Jaune: "We need to stop whoever was on that microphone."

(Y/N): "Cinder…" Her name escaped in a frustrated growl, only confusing the others.

Ruby: "You know her?"

(Y/N): "She's planned this for a while. We didn't know to what extent-"

Pyrrha: "We?"

(Y/N): "Ozpin, Ironwood, Qrow- listen they'll be able to explain better than I can-"

Coco: "I'm sure it will be insightful, but cut the chit-chat, we have incoming!" The leader of the senior team barked, her weapon already aiming towards the descending Griffins.

As all of the gathered students readied themselves for a fight, a large projectile explosion flew out from the commentator box. This connected with a flock of the griffins, diverting their attention as further projectiles collided with the black feathered creatures. You all looked to see Professor Port and Doctor Oobleck running forward, the former firing shots from his weapon.

Port: "Students! I think it would be best for you to leave."

Ruby: "But-"

Dr. Oobleck: "Miss Rose! This day will surely go down in Remnant's history. I'd prefer it if my students could live to tell about it."

All of the students nodded their thanks to the Professor and the Doctor, before turning and running from the arena.

Dr. Oobleck: "It was a pleasure working with you-" The green haired man began solemnly before being interrupted by his enthusiastic partner.

Port: "Come now, you act as if it's over! One final match Barty, place your bets!"

Elsewhere, you and the rest of your friends were running towards the remaining shuttles, intent on using them to reach Beacon. Only to be surprised upon stumbling across Ironwood.

Not wasting any time, and looking to be of help the assembled students stood before Ironwood while he looked on stoically. As if he was systematically determining who would desert and who might fall. His ill will towards you was clearly discarded for the moment given the nod he directed at you.

Ruby: "What's going on!?" She asked, taking on the leader role well. 

Ironwood: "Grimm are crawling all over the city. The White Fang's invaded Beacon, and to make matters worse, some... vagabond has seized one of my ships. Until we regain command, the skies are out of our control. So I'm…" Ironwood paused and fired a gunshot at the Grimm advancing on you all from behind. "...going to take it back."

Ironwood turned for his ship, but he was stopped when asked another question.

Jaune: "What should we do?"

Ironwood reconsidered the students before him. Evaluating the best motivation to rally them, before deciding on the truth.

Ironwood: "You have two choices. Defend your Kingdom and your school... or save yourselves." A number of Atlesian Knights marched onto a ship behind the General. "No one will fault you if you leave." He climbed aboard the ship and gave one last nod to you all. "Let's move out!" His ship sped off into the sky, leaving you all with one dropship.

There was some murmur of hesitation from the students, the reality of the situation setting in. All the training up until now was always done with some level of precaution or safety net, but if they mess up now there would be no one to help them. 

(Y/N): "Anyone who is confident with flying take the controls." You finally yelled, which kicked everyone to life.

An Atlas student stepped forward followed by their team, with a nod they went to the cockpit as others piled into the ship, ready for a fight.

Jaune: "Our main priority will be on providing safe passage for civilians. We can split into a few teams…"

Ruby: "Right, you four take the main entrance to Beacon. Take a couple of the teams. On the way I can stop off with some of the others at the fairground."

(Y/N): "I'll go with you." You nodded at Ruby, "We can all meet back at the main evac site once our zones are clear, or we can no longer hold them."

Pyrrha: "What about this Cinder person you mentioned?"

(Y/N): "If you see her, run." You said locking eyes in a hard stare. "That goes for all of you." You looked from Ruby to the rest of JNPR.

Jaune: "Got it." He agreed.

Coco: "All aboard!" You heard the yell and saw that your group was the last needing to board. 

JNPR walked onto the ship, with you close behind, only for you to look back seeing Ruby stood transfixed as her eyes followed something in the air.

Ruby: "Something's wrong-"

The words barely escaped her mouth when all of you watched the ship General Ironwood had taken plummet from the air. There wasn't any signs of damage, it had just fallen from the air, as if the controls had been destroyed.

That's when, from the corner of your eye, you noticed a flicker of blue to red as an Atlesian Paladin turned its attention to the dropship. You heard the whir of weapons powering up, your body reacting before you could even comprehend why the mech was acting so maliciously.

(Y/N): "RUBY!" 

You yelled, tackling her, just as an explosion erupted from between you and the dropship. The force of the explosion sent the ship flying away from the arena, as well as Ruby and yourself into a pile of rubble.

You were covering Ruby as a few small rocks and dust settled around you. You were panting as Ruby looked into your eyes with shock and confusion. She looked as if she was about to question your actions when you both heard another whir of weapons cycling. 

As if realisation hit her, Ruby grabbed ahold of you and, with a burst of her semblance, you were both pulled through the air in a mess of rose petals. She was just able to direct you both into a hallway before being unable to maintain it any longer. The petals disappeared and you both went rolling along the abandoned halls, landing just a few feet apart.

(Y/N): "So that's what that's like…" You groaned, dragging yourself to your feet again.

Ruby: "It's usually a lot smoother than that." She said, pulling herself up. "What now?"

(Y/N): "We'll need another way down."

Ruby: "The lockers!"

(Y/N): "At this point I should get some pillows for the inside of em." You lamented on the uncomfortable interior.

Ruby laughed and you both began to walk towards the arena you had previously left. As the adrenaline subsided, a wave of pain washed over you and you became acutely aware of several large gashes in your legs. Ruby had clearly noticed you slow down as she matched pace and even began to help you walk.

Ruby: "Do you need a minute?"

(Y/N): "We don't really have the time to waste."

Ruby went quiet and nodded. You both soon arrived at the sets of lockers, now cascaded on the floor in the absence of a Nevermore. There was no sign of the two teachers, but there was plenty of evidence of fighting.

Ruby: "We should go to the command ship, try and take out the hijackers."

(Y/N): "That's actually a good idea… alright can you program it?" Ruby nodded as you climbed inside the locker. "I'm ready."

Ruby clicked a few buttons and then climbed in alongside you. It was cramped, but you soon felt the telltale rumble of flight as you took off into the air.

Elsewhere, Pyrrha and Jaune were fighting several Ursa Major. After they had failed to convince the pilots to go back for Ruby & (Y/N), all of the students had gone to either the fairground or the main Beacon avenue.

 Jaune: "We're holding them for now. But the White Fang are just airdropping more right into us!" He said, looking up to the numerous Airships dropping off Grimm in various areas of the Academy.

Pyrrha: "Coco said she'd look into taking them down. We just need to keep this entrance clear for any survivors…" she started, trailing off when she locked eyes with Ozpin standing patiently at the main door. 

He nodded at her and turned, walking further inside the academy. Pyrrha, in turn, beginning to follow silently, understanding what she had to do. Jaune watched his partner begin to abandon their post in confusion.

Jaune: "Pyrrha! Where are you going?!" He yelled before cursing and running after her.

None of the three were aware of Cinder staring atop a rooftop, having been drinking in the carnage until Ozpin slipped up. And now he had, she followed, the click of heels drowned out by the screams of destruction.

Atop the military flagship, Ruby's locker came to a less than elegant landing. Ruby and yourself stumbling out a few seconds later, stretching your now aching limbs.

(Y/N): "No room and no pretzels, last time I fly AirRuby." You joked, looking at her with a smirk. 

Ruby: "Hmph, pay for first class next time. Then you'll get your pretzels." She shot back.

The banter ended when you both heard a Griffin land behind you and growl. Looking to one another, you both unsheathed your weapons and made short work of the creature. Looking towards the ship entrance you were close to unsurprised to see Neo stood holding her scroll up at the two of you.

(Y/N): "You could surrender and come quietly. Or we beat you and you come quietly. I guess whatever you do it will be quiet." Neo glared unimpressed, her expression shifting to one of disappointment. "What too far?"

Neo held the bridge of her nose, clearly frustrated at your presence and jokes. That was until you all heard the doors of the ship swing open with a metallic twang. Roman Torchwick emerged swinging his cane, coming to a stop right next to his partner.

Roman: "Well, well, well, if it isn't Red and the Freak. Trying to ruin my plans yet again?"

Ruby: "You won't get away with this!" Your adversary snorted slightly and held his arms wide.

Roman: "Look around Red! I already have." He held his cane up as a sight flipped from the bottom. "Kill them." With those words, a single burst of red energy fired towards you.

Raising your pistol, you quickly fired off a corresponding ice-dust bullet, which met with the red energy and exploded. The explosion creating a dust cloud of dissipating energy.

(Y/N): "Neo’s the muscle so stay away from her-"

You felt yourself thrown across the ship as Neo kicked you from behind, straight into the glass clone of herself she had left behind. Looking up you saw Roman's cane staring you in the face, but before a shot could be fired you were pulled off your back as Neo hooked your coat with her umbrella, throwing you into the ship's one wall. 

Roman seemed confused as to why Neo had moved you but dismissed it, as he looked towards the oncoming Ruby. His skills as a criminal managed to keep up with the Huntress in training as the two exchanged blows, neither taking the edge just yet.

You grunted as you were dragged to your feet by Neo, pinned to the wall, only to be confused as you felt something cold around your wrist and then the clang of metal. Trying to pull your left arm forwards you found that a cuff on your wrist was locked to the wall above you, seemingly via a magnetic pull. Neo grabbed your face and pulled your attention back to her.

Neo: "I believe what I said was 'stay out of our way and you will be safe', yet here you are." She signed, elegantly taking a step back to avoid the swipe of your free right arm.

(Y/N): "Have you seen the destruction around?! How could I stay out of your way?" You growled trying to pull your arm free. "And what do you even care?" 

Neo stared at you, her eyes widening slightly as if pondering her own actions, before looking to the ground. After a few quiet moments she looked back up at you with softer eyes.

Neo: "Stay here. I will collect you when it's time to leave." She then turned on heel and began to walk back towards the still fighting Roman and Ruby.

(Y/N): "Neo don't you dare!" You yelled, desperately pulling against the cuff.

Between Neo and Roman, Ruby didn't stand a chance, the young huntress getting thrown between the two criminals until her aura shattered and she was left leaning on her weapon in exhaustion.

Roman: "Well Little Red, I would say it's been fun, but it hasn't." He aimed his cane upwards and smirked. "Night night."

A streak of red went firing off into the night as Ruby's eyes widened, the energy exploding into a burst of color as it connected with a Griffin in the sky. Roman grit his teeth as he fought to bring his arm back down from where you held it upwards.

Neo quickly looked back to where you had been cuffed previously, seeing only a severed hand and a splattering of blood. 

(Y/N): "Not… today…" You grunted with labored breaths.

Roman grunted as he felt the stump of your arm connect with his stomach, a lovely red stain imprinting on his coat. However, the criminal managed to rip his arm free of your grip and cracked you across the head with his cane, sending you tumbling to the floor. With ringing ears you heard Ruby wincing and saw through teary eyes that Neo was looking at you with… concern?

Roman: "Will. You. Just. Stay. Dead!" Each word was punctuated with a kick to your chest, rolling you closer and closer to the edge of the airship.

(Y/N): "Sure… soon as… you get… a sense of style." You quipped with a bloody smirk.

Roman stared in disgust for but a moment before smiling. He then flipped his cane around and held it like a golf club, lining up with your head.

Roman: "Fore!"

You heard the clangs of metal as someone ran forward before the cane connected and the world went dark, your last moments of consciousness being that of falling.

Ruby watched as (Y/N) was sent flying into the air, several Grimm diving to grab him as a free meal. What was unexpected was that Neo went jumping after him, her signature umbrella piercing a Grimm on the way down. Roman seemed equally as dumbfounded as Ruby, leaning on his cane as he rubbed the side of his head.

Roman: "Well I'll be damned…" He paused and looked towards Ruby, slowly walking over while twirling his cane. "Well, seeing as we're alone. How about I kill you properly this time?"

Ruby's aura flickered as she tried to reactivate the protective shielding to no avail. Roman simply smirked and knocked her down yet again, standing over her with his cane.

Roman: "You got spirit, Red. But this is the real world!" Roman whacked her in the side, Ruby getting rolled a few feet back. A gap Roman quickly closed. "The real world is cold!" Roman landed another strike, this time on Ruby's legs. "The real world doesn't care about spirit!"

Ruby lurched and kicked him in the knee, causing him to lose his balance for a moment. Ruby went to rush past him for Crescent Rose only to be slammed in the back by a cane.

Roman: "You wanna be a hero!? Then play the part and die like every other Huntsman in history!"

Roman smashed Ruby across the face, rolling her onto her back as the criminal stood victorious, raising his cane for one last strike.

Ruby looked up into the sky, becoming aware of the screeching Griffins drawing closer due to Roman's negativity, but they weren't close enough to interfere with the fight. Her eyes briefly wandered over to her weapon still impaled into the ship, it was too far and she wouldn't be able to stop Roman with it anyway. Her eyes finally went to the face of the man who hated her and she decided.

Roman: "As for me? I'll do what I do best! Lie, steal, cheat, and SURVI-" 

Ruby focused and channeled her remaining aura into her semblance, the bloom of rose petals enveloping herself and Roman as the two went flying into the wind. The petals danced violently as they soared towards the Grimm, the creatures turning their attention to the delicate things.

Roman's eyes shot open as he found himself midair, his arms and legs flailing as he continued to fly upwards. His eyes drifted towards Ruby, noticing her aura flick off once again and a shining silver beginning to dull from her eyes. The sublime light of that silver was the last thing he knew before being consumed by the Grimm.

Ruby crashed back into the Airship, shaking and panting as the realization of what she had done dawned on her. But with no-one left to control the ship, she soon heard the lurching of metal could be heard as the words "AutoPilot Disengaged" rang out. Ruby steeled herself and forced her way to her feet, rushing to grab her weapon and make her way back to the ground.

Elsewhere, just outside of the Beacon grounds, Neo landed on the ground less than elegantly. The added weight of holding onto the still unconscious (Y/N) making the fall faster than typical. She quickly set aside her weapon and laid (Y/N) flat on his back, relieved to find his heart still beating.

It dawned on her then that, in all likelihood, the man in front of her would have probably survived the fall, in a manner of speaking. Yet she had still jumped after him. Her eyes drifted upwards to the now crashing Airship, tears beginning to run as she realised that Roman would never have allowed it should he be alive.

It was the first time she had cried like this in years. With real emotion. With actual grief. The tears dripped onto (Y/N) staining his already ripped clothes further. She had made a decision, she had been selfish, she had been in love. And now she would have to live with the loss of her friend. 

Wiping the tears away, she pulled out the weapon of the man before her, having disarmed him earlier, and laid it on his chest. She held both his hand and bloodied arm and sighed before standing and disappearing into the night, her own weapon dragged at her side.

Neo: 'Till we meet again.' She blew a kiss towards (Y/N) before she was gone.

Not 6 minutes after Neo's departure, (Y/N) sat up with a loud groan of pain. Everything hurt and one of your ears was ringing, there were numerous cuts scattered across you, and you realised your hand was still gone when you failed to push yourself up with it.

(Y/N): "Typical… Monday…"

You managed to force your way to standing, your body filling with adrenaline as it worked overtime to cope. If you died now, you could be out for hours maybe even a day before coming too. It wasn't an option. Slowly, you began walking towards the smoking rubble of Beacon. Only stopping to collect your weapon that had fallen to the floor, failing to see the tracks leading the opposite way from you.

(Y/N): "Alright Cinder, what more have you got…"

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Archer: I decided to split this chapter and the next one after this hit 4k words.

Jack: Who the fuck even are you.

Archer: The Author.

Jack: It's been like a year.

Archer: Whoops...