Troubled Hearts: End of a Journey, Beginning of Another

There was silence now, out on the streets and throughout the small safe zone that was the remnant of Vale. Winter had come, with it the somber cold and quiet contemplation of a year's end and the promise of a new beginning. But for now, it was quiet and peaceful. She walked down the street, huddled into a borrowed coat of coarse material and fine make. Another of the gifts Ezzy had given her to help her along. Pyrrha would never have guessed how much the woman knew or saw, but it was a comfort knowing she could be herself around her.

"Alright dear, it's time we came clean," the older woman declared, stopping her sewing.

Pyrrha looked up from the trinkets in the shop, letting a small shield fall on its loop. "Excuse me? I don't think I know what you mean."

"No, I think you do." A wicked smile spread across her face. "And you're terrible at fake names by the way."

Realization hit her, and she turned to fully face the woman who had her life in her hands. Ezzy was grinning now, nothing malicious it seemed, but all the same Pyrrha felt like running far and fast. The short woman cut it off as she approached though, stepping up to Pyrrha before wrapping her arms around the redhead. It was a tight embrace, all the strength the elder woman could muster it felt like. There was a split moment where Pyrrha felt like running before subsiding into quiet curiosity as she waited for the hug to end. Finally her friend let go, looking up with bright eyes.

"I don't understand how this is even possible, why are you back?" she questioned, brushing off the black dress that Pyrrha was wearing. "It doesn't seem possible, we all thought you were gone. At least, that's what the woman in white told us. Glynda? Doesn't matter."

"It's... a long story," Pyrrha muttered, fingering the skin where her collar used to be. It felt good, soft and smooth. "How long did you know?"

"From the moment you walked in to the shop. Aside from those great red orbs you call eyes, it's still you." Ezzy was smiling at her, trying to hold back tears with her words. "I've been a big fan for a while now, and it... hurt, thinking that someone so young and talented was gone. Imagine my surprise when you walk in, like nothing had happened."

A smile cracked across Pyrrha's face now. "Believe me, it was a bigger surprise for me when I got free. But why me?"

"Why you? Have you forgotten how talented you are girl?" It seemed she had, wallowing in the peaceful bliss of anonymity that staying with Jaune had provided. "Anyways, you're back now. We need you, especially with the boy leaving and... what's wrong?"

It was the same bitter smile now, morphed from happiness to sorrow at the mention of her past. "I can't... do any of that anymore."

Again the questions seemed to be on the tip of Ezzy's tongue, but they died off after realizing all they'd ever talked about. "Is that... why you didn't really come back?"

"Yeah, among other reasons. I can't be the Huntress everyone saw me as anymore. Now... I'm just Pyrrha Nikos." It still hurt to admit that, to accept that her life was no longer what it once was.

"That's nonsense!" She looked back to see the determined face that denied her own pity. "You're still kicking, so you can still do some good in this world. Just wait and see, you'll be back to your old exploits in no time."

Staring at the small woman, Pyrrha saw a hint of something. Maybe a boy she knew? No, a girl, one who didn't like backing down to anyone. "I don't think it works like that."

"Nonsense, you're the invincible girl, this is just a minor setback." Watching Ezzy shake her fist and rant was becoming too much to handle as Pyrrha let her smile creep back to a jovial state. "See! You're getting it, but enough about that."

"Alright, I'm sorry to be a bother to you. It's just that-"

"Enough of that too, it's not a bother at all. That boy asked, and I knew before hand something like this might happen." Stepping back, Ezzy had a smirk that told more than she let on. "So the boy left, right?"

"Y-yeah, he left this morning after a moment, I came here afterward." Pyrrha wasn't sure how to think about him leaving yet. And that left out Neo leaving on her own to wherever without a word to anyone.

"So I'm guessing you want to see him off then? Well, I just might know that he's going north and should be at the wall now." She pulled a heavy coat off the wall, draping it around Pyrrha's shoulders. "If you hurry, you might be able to see him leave."

So there she was, walking down a street in a well worn coat and contemplating the whereabouts of Neo. The girl liked to come and go according to Jaune, but it wasn't like her to leave before him in the morning. Not in three weeks had she done that. So what happened? Jaune couldn't say, and when Pyrrha pressed him harder about it he got far too defensive to even prod. And, strangely enough, he blushed as well. So many things all at once, and I don't get an answer to any of them. There was a slight knot in her stomach, a dread perhaps.

Still, she walked onward in the cold morning, content to be free. So much of Pyrrha's life was tethered to something, someone, and now she had all of it to herself. To share with whoever she pleased, for however long she wanted. Coming to Beacon was scary, but the responsibility was worse. How did Jaune not crumple under that? Being the leader was something she feared would happen, another burden on top of her own self inflicted ones. But Jaune received it, and he excelled on top of it. So many surprises from him... and now...

The wall was coming into sight now, out in the very reaches of Vale where the Grimm never trod on that fateful day. It was almost peaceful as Pyrrha passed by factories and other unwanted, unsightly buildings. Her mind drifted to other days, when they were just students enjoying free time before their mission. Ren and Nora up ahead, one silently following the boisterous other. Pyrrha trailing behind their timid leader. They were to be Huntsmen, and in the end, they were. But for a little time it was four friends wandering around the city.

"I guess you saw me like that for a long time." The words rang out in the chilly air, a quiet affirmation of her own thoughts. "There wasn't any doubt though, just... I hesitated."

Out in the world, if you hesitate, it all slips away from you in an instant. That was one of the many lessons her time away from home had taught her. There was time now to use those lessons. Slowly Pyrrha walked through the outskirts, watching the walls grow with each step. There was no one around now, a strange sight to be sure. But she liked it this way, a time to be alone with her thoughts was something that had eluded her for a time. And now I have so much of it. Stone bastions loomed high above her now, the last few steps before she could see a stairwell up.

Climbing those stairs felt like pushing past the very last dregs of fear. The knot was still there, but it had loosened some at the prospect of being able to at least say goodbye one more time. Climbing those stairs though, it was another long step. One that ended as she crested the threshold, and stared out at a barren land. Winter was here now, leaves gone from spindly trees. A dusting of white graced the tops of nearby mountains, a taste of what was to come. Pyrrha gazed out, searching from high. And down low, out at the limits of woods, they walked. It was unmistakable, her team.

"I guess we had the same idea," a sultry, full voice spoke from beside her. Turning to look, she found Cinder sauntering up from the stairwell. "Leaving on another adventure it seems. A shame, I so would have enjoyed him staying here."

The woman stood in her traditional dress, dull red with an ornate trim, and she stood without a care in the world. "I guess you wanted to say goodbye too?" Pyrrha mused, watching as a mild face returned her gaze. "Part of being human, wanting to hold onto the things that drift away."

"He didn't say goodbye to me," the woman muttered, staring after the walking team in the distance. "Not that I let him, won't do to let the boy get a big head now."

It was humorous to watch her excuse herself like that, the twitch in her eyes. Pyrrha let out a little chuckle before returning her attention to Jaune and the others. "Have you..." she hesitated, it was a strange question, "have you heard from Neo? She left before the morning, and nobody has seen her."

"The brat? Please, she despises me." Cinder sighed slightly, an admission of some concern. "I'm sure she's fine, that one has more skill at surviving than you or I. She's probably off enjoying some other devilish deed. Who can say?"

There isn't a choice anymore. That was the phrase she had chosen, the one that repeated in her head a hundred times over. And the one that refused to silence as she walked through the woods, ignoring the cold and loneliness. There isn't a choice anymore, I have to. Loneliness that could have been avoided, if only she hadn't asked about the girl. No, he offered to bring her along. I didn't want to hear it. Neo didn't hear it, couldn't hear it. The ringing in her ears, the urge to scream that hadn't ceased for hours now.

There isn't a choice anymore, I have to, I know where she is. Jaune had said he was going to Patch, and it seemed like he was determined to go as well. His friends, Ren and Nora, were with him now. They walked the streets without a care in the world, joyfully talking about Red. Neo had tailed them, hiding from prying eyes and watchful glances. I have to hide again, I'm going to be forgotten. But it was for the best, the quiet demand in the back of her head steadily pushing forth. Now she walked in the quiet of a barren forest, serene and peaceful in its own way. And she walked with the intent of a past life.

There isn't a choice anymore, I have to, I know where she is and why you would want it. Revenge wasn't a piece of her she thought she still had. The life that Roman and Neo had led, the heartache and insanity of a lifetime spent in the depths of criminal depravity. Its mark would remain with her, even when she tried to escape. Neo wound through the trees, keeping a wary eye out on her prey. They don't even look over here, Jaune isn't on edge. This... She couldn't bring the thought forth, overshadowed with the blinding agony in her chest. The need to scream kept clawing.

There isn't a choice anymore, I can, and I will. Even if it was going to hurt him... no, why would she want that? Thoughts escaped her as that driving purpose kept pushing upward. Red. I know where you are. That driving purpose pushed back again, and she trailed Jaune and his friends even further. They were only inside the woods now, looking back at the city they had left with forlorn hope. She wanted to go out there, behind that drive, and stay there. It would be all too easy, appearing out of the shadows. I've done it before, he's used to it. I could forget this all- The reprimand from so long ago finally came, a sharp pain at abandoning him.

The agony had grown to a fever pitch, tearing Neo in two at her own wants. To leave a life of fear and chaos and to honor that life that someone else gave you. She ran. At least, she ran to a place for herself. Gnawing pain had overtaken even the simple sense left to her, a rumbling storm built up within. I can't leave this life. An admittance. And it was accompanied with the first scream she had ever heard from her own throat.

Across the silent winter air it ripped, visceral and unbound. A ways away the trio of travelers looked in the direction of its source, a blond boy frowning with the feeling of dread it instilled. The woman who cried out lamented her fate, the need for vengeance of a man lost to the wiles of others. She let out the screech until it was hoarse and bare, faintly drawing down until it was merely air passing over her lips. Neo fell silent then, tasting the coppery mucus mixed with blood from her own throat. Thoughts no longer rang out in her mind, she was consumed with the need.

Staggering upwards, she returned to her shadowy place behind Jaune and his team. Time would tell whether her deeds would end along with her life. Tears were no longer hidden behind unique eyes, they flowed freely along the path she walked.

"So where is he off to anyways? I could make a guess, but it's better to have the answer outright." Cinder had a look of concern on her face, but it was masked behind the raven hair she flaunted so.

Pyrrha stared at the place where the group was before slipping into the darkened depths surrounding Vale. It looks so cold out there, so unwelcoming. She didn't think like this in a past life, feeling safe in her own skills. Things were different now, the worry for another compounded with Pyrrha's inability to save them, or indeed, do anything for them. I have to wait at the end of the journey. And she hoped it would be the end of the journey for them, returning to Vale and to her. At least, that was her hope, however distant it was now.

"Are you going to just keep staring?" Cinder prodded, frowning toward the tall redhead.

"Sorry, thinking about all of this takes me away from here." Away from the life she would live, or at least, planned to live. Cinder was a thorn, one that wouldn't go away for all her efforts. Magic powers can do that. "You asked where Jaune was going?" Pyrrha repeated, looking out at the woman, "he's going to help a friend. And they're searching for you."

"I had a feeling that was the case," the raven haired vixen cooed, smiling at the thought, "just another in a long list that's growing longer."

"You're not worried? Of course not, you've never worried about a thing in your life." A bold bluff, Pyrrha really had no goal in mind for it.

"My life is filled with horror and... a bluff, he was talking about me then." Cinder laughed a little at catching her subterfuge. "That boy is really something else then. Is that what brought you to him in the first place?"

Apprehension gripped her for a moment, thinking about those days. Was it why I felt so drawn to him? Jaune had approached her first, using some cheesy lines that she'd seen in a movie a hundred times before. But it was more. "I... I don't really know to be honest."

"It's an odd match to be sure, he's really not at your level at all."

That was what people had whispered all throughout their time at Beacon. It hurt each and every time, to think that the bitterness of others was still so prevalent. Pushing people away for being exceptional was something Pyrrha had come to terms with. Pushing them away from someone else... that was new and unwelcome. Was it guilt then? She had resolved to teach him at that point, to bring out the Huntsman that he yearned for. Pride? Obsession? The question was burrowing harder into her past. Those long nights. That growing closeness.

"He's who he's always been." The words slipped out of their own accord. "And that's really what I found so mesmerizing. A boy who just wanted to be a hero."

"I can see it," Cinder intoned, stepping over to stand next to Pyrrha. "He's honest, and that's something I thought was gone with men these days. But there is guile too. He's got potential."

It was strange, talking to the woman who had killed her. Enslaved her. Maybe it was a sign of how far Pyrrha had come? Able to converse with the enemy in a civilized manner, to share the many experiences life had to offer. "What about you? You've said you wanted to gain power, and that you'll remain here. Is that the end of your plan?"

"That is all I have for now." Cinder smiled a grim, toothy smile at her. "Contrary to what you think, I am still human."

"And Jaune? He's going to look for you... with Ruby and the others."

She scoffed, turning her grin to the open world. "I won't let them find me, you can rest assured of that. Still, I wonder why we're even here talking about this?"

Pyrrha turned her red eyes over to the woman, tracing the figure that had burned into her mind from days of pained travel. "There are many paths that we take. Not all of them end alone and forgotten." She never thought of herself as the spiritual type. "I guess, I admire you in a way. Not for what you've done, but for the choices that you made."

This time, the amber eyed vixen who would kill her without a second thought stumbled, blinking as she looked at Pyrrha. "Thank you, I guess. Well, that makes this at least a little easier."

"Makes what easier," Pyrrha asked as Cinder stepped back to the stairs. The woman bent down, retrieving a small box from one of the lower steps and returned to present it to her. "What... what is this?" There wasn't much weight to the package. Not much at all.

"It's you."

Those words struck to her core, and Pyrrha tore the lid off of the box. There it lay, an ornate Grimm mask, the prison that housed her soul. At least, that was the implication from all of her time with Cinder and the words she spoke. Taking it in her hands, Pyrrha felt at the carvings, the recessed lines that felt sharp and cold. It's so close. A part of her, resting in her hands and held together by whatever dark forces Salem conjured. It looks so fragile.

"You can do with it what you wish, I don't need it anymore." Cinder turned to leave, walking to the edge of the wall. "You're not a threat to me... and it'll make the boy happy to see you able to be who you once were."

"Thank you." Pyrrha watched the woman start to leave before a thought struck her. "You know, he might make it. Be a hero that is."

"That means Salem has one more person to worry about," Cinder shouted over her shoulder. "I don't envy the witch anymore, she's alone against an ever increasing number of you people. That's enough to stop me. I don't need any more surprises in my life."

The last comment puzzled Pyrrha, but she let it pass without any more. Cinder left without another word, leaving the girl up on her wall. She turned to stare off at the forest, feeling the weight of the mask in her hands. Not heavy at all, but what I can do. Even if she had to be careful, even if it wasn't going to work out. I can at least be who I've always been. A gust of wind blew across the wall, but it held no chill. Change, that was what Pyrrha felt after all of this. Funny though, she never thought about these things normally.

On wayward winds will such hearts ride. May peace be found at the end of their troubled journey.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading this insane concoction. This piece originally started as a bit of a joke from an art piece. Then the idea grew from the absurdity of having these aggressive, strong, confident women running around with captain noodles. From there I went with a more realistic approach, as I've never written a romance piece before. And the end result is what lay before you. It was originally only going to be ten parts, but that quickly fell by the wayside as new plot threads and fleshing out of others required more space. But through it all, this was the ending envisioned. I do apologize to those few who thought it would continue ad nauseam, but I do have consolation.

While I was writing this, I started thinking of silly turns that would lead to all sorts of ending. Side stories, if you will. While the main plot is done, noncanonical nonsense will continue for a good number more parts. Without further ado, the first of many.

Alternate Ending

Pyrrha turned her red eyes over to the woman, tracing the figure that had burned into her mind from days of pained travel. "There are many paths that we take. Not all of them end alone and forgotten." She never thought of herself as the spiritual type. "I guess, I admire you in a way. Not for what you've done, but for the way you accepted someone else into your life." Jaune had really turned her around, taking so much risk for someone like her.

"Err, thank you? I think?" Cinder stepped back, reaching down to retrieve a small box. "But I think that person would like something else." She presented the small parcel to Pyrrha, a light smile on her lips.

"What is it?"

Cinder smiled even deeper now. "It's who you were."

The redhead felt the immensity in the statement as she opened up her gift gingerly. Inside lay the ornate Grimm mask, the very same that would house her soul. Her past life, once more with her and safe. This... this isn't something that she would do. It has to be a- There wasn't a hint of malice in Cinder's eyes as she looked back. Pyrrha stood there, holding onto a long lost piece, watching someone who had murdered her smile warmly and humbly. And the only person on her mind was Jaune, and the miracles he seemed to work.

"Thank you... buy why?"

That grin on Cinder's face deepened. "I guess you could say the boy has a way into people's hearts." She wandered over to the stairwell, looking back with a devil's visage. "Maybe he made his way into mine."

Pyrrha watched as the woman began to step down before a funny thought entered her mind. "He really can win over anyone. I wonder... what would happen if Salem met him?"

There was a moment where Cinder kept moving, then she froze. Slowly, oh so slowly, her head came around and those amber eyes stared straight at her. "What did you say? No, I heard..." There wasn't fear or anger there. Excitement maybe? Pyrrha couldn't tell. "I have to go, take care girl, maybe one day I'll see you again."

"Hopefully with the boy in tow, not tied to a monster." That was what Pyrrha thought she heard as Cinder made her way down the wall. She watched her go, taking in the idea that had popped into her own mind. Wait... I was joking. But what if... no, that's ludicrous. Gears turned as that funny thought kept pushing ever forward. Slowly, she came to accept what had been proven twice over already. Jaune, I hope you don't run into anyone else on this journey. Another thought of Ruby intruded, and this time Pyrrha seriously contemplated leaving with Cinder.