Chapter 1

Broken Lands

Nikos

Pain.

It was something she was familiar with. Something she had endured, worked through and trained with.

This was not the pain of an intense bout in the arena though, it was different.

The pain radiated out in waves through her chest, pulsing in rhythm with every arduous heartbeat. It burned, and slowly spread.

With each pulse it radiated further from her chest with an intense heat. When it pause her flesh was suddenly icy cold and brittle. The cycle of hot and cold continued, moving down through her limbs, up to her head, through every cell in her body.

She screamed, in the darkness all around her she screamed out in pain.

Still the pain grew, it pulsed and multiplied. At every pause she thought she had reached the limit, the highest amount of anguish she could feel. It only continue up though, without stopping it grew and consumed her.

Pyrrha Nikos burned as the ashes of her body slowly collected in the darkest hole of Remnant. She burned for her sins, she burned for the simple fact that she was Human.

When the fiery pain was finally extinguished human she would no longer be.

Patch

Ruby

"Ruby, you are aware we cannot simply take the vehicle," said Ren as he looked at the small hover transport moored to the Patch dock. A whole line of the vehicles were sitting their chained in place. None of them were traveling to the mainland, and hadn't in nearly a month.

The Patch leadership had decided that until word was received from Vale, they would not be allowing travel to the mainland by any means.

"Well I don't feel like swimming Ren."

The normally silent man simply tilted his head in silent agreement.

"So we're going to have to steal one." Said Jaune as he leaned out from the bushes to look at the single guard standing near the vehicles.

"Meaning we have to get past him."

Nora smiled and raised her hammer letting it extend out, "Not a problem."

Before either leader could say something Ren calmly reached out and put his hand on the weapon lowering it before his overeager companion could do something she would regret.

"I don't think we have to fight him," said Ruby looking out at the man. He was carrying only a small pistol and was sitting in his guardhouse staring at a scroll watching something.

Ren nodded his head, "I agree. He does appear to be sufficiently distracted. If we wait for the cover of night it will further reduce the chances of him seeing us."

Nora groaned, "How long will that be?"

Jaune glanced at his own scroll, "Another 45 minutes Nora. Not that long. I'd rather not have to knock some poor guard out because we're going to be doing something illegal."

Ruby nodded in agreement.

The four of them fell silent then behind the underbrush.

Ren calmly folded his legs and closed his eyes, were it anyone else Ruby would have assumed that he was taking a nap but she doubted this was the case. He was probably doing some sort of meditation.

Nora pouting laid back and twirling her hammer around as easily as Ruby did with Crescent Rose started to pass the time.

Jaune and Ruby glanced at one another for a moment before Jaune shaking his head slightly leaned back against a tree started going through something on his scroll.

Ruby for her part simply sat down on the slightly damp snow covered ground and pulling Crescent Rose out from its holster began to absentmindedly clean the weapon. It was a relaxing task, and one that she had performed so many times her hands moved by themselves, her eyes flicking over all of the mechanisms in sequence checking them quickly and efficiently.

Her weapon was by far one of the most complex, Nora's hammer was simply comparatively, Coco's transforming handbag was perhaps as complex but then she hadn't had an opportunity to look at the weapon to examine how it was compacted.

JNRR waited, none of them speaking as the sun slowly began to set over the horizon and the darkness and creeping cold of winter increased.

Their Aura's were mitigating most of the cold but still, it bit into their exposed flesh on occasion when the wind picked up.

"If we're going to do it now is the time." Said Jaune as he slowly stood up, Ruby heard several joints pop as he moved.

"I agree." Sad Ren as his eyes snapped open and he slowly stood as well moving for the first time in an hour.

Nora smiling twirled her hammer and hitting its butt to the ground forced herself up.

"Right, Ren you go first and get the transport ready. The rest of us will sneak past somehow." Said Jaune.

The boy nodded and almost as stealthily as Blake slipped into the shadows and moved towards the Dock.

"Ruby, you go next. Nora and I will go last. We're not the stealthiest so he might see us and we'll end up having to run for the transport."

"Alright."

Stowing Crescent Rose Ruby slowly moved down the hill, being careful not to make too much noise. Blake had on several occasions tried to give her pointes on how to be stealthy, but unfortunately it was something that even after instruction Ruby was horrible at.

A high impact sniper rifle combined with a scythe was after all not the most clandestine weapon that had ever been created, so her usual approach was matched to the methodology behind the weapon.

Reaching the bottom of the hill Ruby dashed across the street towards the guard house, utilizing her semblance to move as quickly as possible. Dashing across the dock Ruby remained as close to the ground as possible, pushing her speed to the limit in an effort to avoid detection.

She hadn't used her Semblance in over a month, not since she had woken up and it was odd. After such disuse she was expecting it to be somewhat difficult to utilize, instead though the speciality that was her own came more easily than ever before.

Making it to the furthest transport from the guard house Ruby slipped inside the vehicle.

"You made good time." Said Ren from the forward controls.

"Seriously, how do you do it?" asked Ruby looking at the man.

He shrugged, "Patience."

Ruby rolled her eyes, "Ready to go?" she asked.

Ren shook his head, "I am having difficulty activating the transport. You don't by any chance know how to bypass the scroll identification on it do you?" he asked pointing at the small slot near the control console.

Ruby frowned, "Uhh, no. You don't?"

"I do not, and neither does Nora."

"And I somehow doubt Jaune does."

Ren didn't say anything.

"Let me take a look at it, maybe I can hot cross it?" asked Ruby as she stepped forwards.

"The term is hot-wire I believe."

Ruby shrugged and looking at the control console for a moment stared at the scroll slot. Unfolding Crescent Rose she swung the oversized scythe at the slot where a scroll would go, stabbing the blade into the workings.

The transport sputtered, and slowly powered on with a low hum.

"The chances of that working seem incredibly low." Said Ren looking at the haphazard bypass Ruby had performed.

"It worked though."

Ren simply inclined his head.

An alarm suddenly blared, both team members calm and impulsive turned to look back at the dock and the guard house.

Nora was standing right next to the first transport in the row, blinking as floodlights suddenly illuminated her. Jaune only a few paces in front of her blinked in the light as well.

"Well so much for stealth." muttered Ruby.

Ren sighed.

Vale

Blake

Darting out from the cover of the awning she pounced, the White Fang thug didn't know what hit him. The human who had seen the barrel of the thug's gun for only a moment as he held it up to his head let out a shout and ran.

"So the White Fang are reduced to petty thievery now?" hissed Blake.

The thug for his part was rightfully justified in his terror, the woman on top of him was wearing a mask reminiscent of his own but almost inverted in color scheme. Instead of white it was a black Grimm mask, the lines in it a dark iridescent blue that almost blended into the black. It covered her entire face, and on top of her head were two cat ears that were twitching in agitation as she stared at him.

"That Human refused to serve a Faunus! He had to learn."

Blake hit the thug over the side of the head with the butt of her gun. He didn't even have an aura shield up, he probably had never managed to unlock his. The mask he was wearing cracked and fell to the ground.

"So robbing him as he travels home will convince him to treat the next Faunus he meets with respect?" asked Blake.

The man didn't say anything.

"I see you here again, I will ensure that you leave with more than a bruise."

Leaning down Blake picked up the man's gun and stowed it with her own.

"I return without my gun and I'm going to have worse than a bruise." Complained the man.

"Then do not return to the White Fang, if you want to make a difference go to the refugee center. Aid those whose lives you destroyed attacking Beacon, those who will never again see members of their families because of the Grimm you led into the city."

He wrinkled his nose at her and turning Blake jumped up to the roof of the building before he could say anything else.

Running quickly along the tops of the buildings of Vale Blake quickly crossed the city, heading towards the Center where she had directed the man. Reaching into her pocket she extracted her bow and tying it in place quickly removed the mask and stored it.

Jumping down to the flagstones Blake took a steadying breath.

"Belladonna, dare I ask where you have been?" asked Glynda as she looked up from the street she was repairing. The woman had been moving out from the refugee center every day, repairing what she could with her abilities even as workers restored other sections of the city.

"Teaching Professor."

Reaching to her belt Blake extracted the few guns she had collected.

"I am not your professor anymore, but still I must say I do not approve of this activity." Said Glynda.

Blake smiled slightly, "You're still a teacher professor, and you cannot deny this is helpful."

The woman pursed her lips and gestured at the ground, Blake quickly dropped the guns and with a casual flick of her crop Glynda crushed the weapons.

"I suppose not. Still I would prefer you worked with the rest of the students."

Blake shook her head, "As you said, you're no longer my professor, professor."

The woman sighed and turned back to her work.

"Very well then."

Blake's ears twitched, she liked the woman. Even now she still had the same demeanor, if she knew it would be impossible to do something she would not waste effort arguing. It was a pragmatic viewpoint that Blake envied. To separate herself from her feelings, and do what was best without letting emotions influence her.

Shaking her head Blake continued down the street.

Other former Beacon students were working as well, doing repairs, and in some cases providing protection. As much as it was against protocol to keep weapons out while in Vale the Huntsmen and Huntresses openly carrying their weapons seemed to be easing some of the populace, or at least those who could forget they had already failed.

Atlas

Weiss

"Father."

The man looked up from his desk, "Yes?"

"I am not going to the Academy."

Carefully the man threaded his fingers together and glared across the table at her.

"You are not? What is it that you intend to do?"

"I want to work in the Company."

Her Father's eyes widened and a rare smile graced his features.

"Really? You've been resistant to doing so in the past, why the change of heart?"

Weiss looked at him for a moment, "I had to prove to myself that I was more than simply your heir, Excelling at Beacon beyond your influence was proof enough. With the schools destruction however, I feel that I can do more good with the Company."

"You insisted on leaving to prove yourself?" asked her Father.

Weiss smiled and tilted her head slightly, "Father, as much as you might deny it you do have some influence over the Academy. The teachers, the students would not have challenged me for fear of you. Proving myself at Beacon was the only way to avoid such coddling, to ensure that I am not dependent on your influence."

Stroking his ego was a tried and true method to get what she wanted from him, although most usually that was money or dust. This though, was perhaps more important.

Her Father nodded, "I can see the logic in that. Very well, if you're over this need to prove yourself there are plenty of openings where you can work,"

Weiss held up her hand.

"The research division."

"The research division?" he asked blinking.

"I am not going to work in an office Father, the research division is where our legacy truly lies. The SDC has always worked hand in hand with the military. I feel I must contribute to that not only to move our family name forwards but repair the damaged pride of our nation due to the fall of Beacon under the Atlas militaries protection."

Her Father once again steepled his fingers and looked across the desk at her.

"Are you sure? The activities carried out in the research division are not always the most pleasant."

"I understand that Father."

He looked at her again for several moments.

"Very well then. You'll begin work tomorrow."

Weiss smiled, "Thank you Father!"

"Anything for my little girl."

Turning from the office Weiss let the smile fall from her face. Something was very wrong with the SDC, and as much as she loved her Father she couldn't help but feel he was involved. Blake, might have been right about a few things. She had to be sure though.

Patch

Yang

"You need to get up and do something Yang." Said Tai as he looked in on his daughter.

Yang ignored him and continued to stare out at the snow.

"I have to go into town to deal with some stuff, alright? I'll be back later."

Yang simply nodded.

Tai sighed and leaving the door to her room slightly ajar looked down at Zwei. The small dog's tail started to wag and he cocked his head to the side. Leaning down Tai scratched at his ear and winked.

The dog's tail wagged harder and he yipped enjoying the scratch.

Walking out after ensuring the dog's water bowl was full Tai carefully closed the front door and strode out away towards the town. Inside Yang watched him go for a moment before turning to once again stare at the trees.

The sun continued to set, and the short winter day drew towards a close.

Their was a small squeak as her door opened slightly and Zwei stuck his head inside. Yang ignore him for a moment.

Zwei whined in distress.

Yang reacting to the familiar sound turned to look at the dog.

"You can open the door, go."

Zwei whined again and hopped on the spot.

"Zwei."

Looking around Yang moved the covers to the side and stood. Stomping past the apparently incapable dog Yang stepped up to the front door and opened it, or rather tried to.

Her right, stump. Moved to the correct position and for a half moment she almost felt the door handle in her grip. The sensation died and was replaced by a cold sweat.

Shaking her head Yang reached out with her left hand and slowly opened the door.

Zwei overjoyed leapt out into the snow and quickly performed his business. Trotting back to her he looked up and panted happily.

Yang looked down at the animal.

"You and Dad planned this, didn't you?"

Zwei trotted past her and moving to Ruby's abandoned room took the small bed in place their in his small mouth and carefully dragged it down the hallway. Yang watched as the small animal shouldered open the door to her own room.

Following him back inside she found him curled up at the side of her bed in his own fast asleep.

"You are too smart, you know that?" growled Yang.

The dog's ears twitched, but otherwise he continued to sleep.

Grumbling to herself Yang slowly clambered back into her own bed.

Broken Lands

Nikos

"I know you're awake."

Pyrrha opened her eyes and stared at the familiar figure, the same woman who had been at the top of the tower, the woman who had taken the maiden power stood at the entrance of the cell.

"What do you want?" asked Pyrrha her voice hoarse and rough, not her own. She ignored it though, it wasn't important at the moment.

The woman smiled, "You were training to be a huntress? It is time to continue that training."

"I won't do anything for you." Pyrrha hissed.

The woman nodded her head and smiled, "Indeed you are far too righteous, far too principled to do anything I demand. At the same time though, you are more easily manipulated because of your convictions."

The woman turned, "Mercury, bring dear Emerald over here."

There was a sound of a brief struggle and a cry of pain, the woman stepped to the side and Mercury pushed his teammate into view at the front of the cell.

"Dear Emerald here was the one who showed you all of those swords as you fought the mechanical girl from Atlas. She was the one who made you dismantle the abomination," said the woman with the women. She leaned down and put her hand on Emerald's chin.

"She however displayed a certain amount of unfaithfulness afterwards and tried to prevent the plan from coming to fruition."

The Maiden smiled and dragged her hand across the girls face, fingertips ablaze with unnatural fire. Emerald cried out in pain as her face was burned.

"Still, you are a righteous soul. You will train with me or I will do this traitor more harm."

Pyrrha stared at the girl and then at the Maiden.

She didn't have a choice.

Standing the woman that had been Pyrrha Nikos stepped forward and into the faint light that emanated from the Maiden.

Pyrrha gasped at the sight of her own appearance.

Her skin was no longer a healthy shade, but instead a deathly pale white, dark red ornamentation ran along her arms and glancing down she saw the corrupt drawings covered her entire body. Looking around she found her hair was no longer the vibrant red, but instead a ghostly white to match her skin.

Jetting from her joints were small black protrusions of blackened bone, reaching up to her face in horror Pyrrha felt at a face that was no longer her own. In its place was some sort of mask, putting up both hands she felt at it in abject terror.

It was a Grimm mask, and unlike the ones that the White Fang wore it was not a facsimile or interpretation, it was welded to her skin, a part of her as it was on any natural creature of Grimm.

The Maiden's smile widened.

"What did you do to me?" asked Pyrrha, her voice scratchy and not her own.

"It is nothing I did, my master simply transfigured your body to match your soul. You Pyrrha Nikos, are a girl whom has always stood above the others, been better than the rest. You're failing was pride. You took pride in your ability to fight, pride in your ability to lead, and perhaps most vainly you took pride in the fact that you were to your peers a goddess in both aptitude and beauty. It atrophied your soul, on the inside you are like the Grimm. A creature that feeds off of the feelings of others."

"No!" said Pyrrha shaking her head.

The false maiden pursed her lips, "You can deny it all you want Nikos, but it is the ugly truth. You enjoyed the attention others gave you. Now are you going to train with me, or do I have to continue demonstrating to this traitor that I detest disloyalty."

The Maiden summoned a flame into her hand and moved it towards the green haired girls face. She whimpered in fear.

"Stop!" shouted Pyrrha, she too another step forward towards the entrance of her cell.

"I'll train with you."

The Maiden extinguished the flame, "Good."