RWBY: Moon Reflection

The colosseum buzzed with excitement as the crowd eagerly awaited the next match. The randomized selection process spun on the massive screen before finally settling on two names: Pyrrha Nikos and Penny Polendina.

Crimson and Ruby sat together in the stands. Ruby bounced slightly in her seat, the usual energy in her movements, but Crimson remained still, his gaze fixed on the arena below. When Pyrrha's name appeared, Ruby clapped excitedly. "This is going to be so cool!" she exclaimed. Crimson offered a small nod, his attention drawn to the screen as Penny's name was announced next.

The two combatants stepped into the arena, greeted by the deafening roar of the crowd. Penny smiled brightly, her voice cheerful as she said, "I've been looking forward to this match, Pyrrha!" Pyrrha responded with a confident smile, raising her shield and spear.

As they took their positions, something shifted in Pyrrha's demeanor. Her eyes flickered toward her weapon and shield, her expression twisting with uncertainty. For a brief moment, her hand trembled.

Crimson noticed immediately. He leaned forward, his sharp gaze catching every nuance of her body language. When Pyrrha shook her head and seemed to steady herself, a look of relief passing over her face, Crimson didn't relax. He stood abruptly, drawing Ruby's attention.

"What's wrong?" Ruby asked, her tone laced with concern.

"I'll be back," Crimson said curtly, heading toward the quieter edges of the stadium.

Ruby frowned, then stood and followed him, weaving through the crowd.

Crimson found a secluded spot and dialed Qrow on his scroll. The call connected after a few rings, and Qrow's rough voice came through. "What is it?"

"There's something wrong with Pyrrha," Crimson said, his tone low and urgent. "She hesitated, looked at her weapons like something was off. I think she's seeing things. This might be connected to what we talked about earlier."

Qrow's face hardened. "I'll alert Ozpin and Ironwood immediately. Stay put and keep watching."

Before Crimson could respond, Ruby caught up to him. "What's going on?" she demanded, her arms crossed. "You're acting weird."

"Nothing you should worry about," Crimson replied, his voice deliberately calm. "Go back to your seat."

Ruby's brows furrowed. "Since when do you hide things from me, Crimson?"

Before he could answer, the stadium fell eerily silent. Oobleck's voice, normally rapid and enthusiastic, came over the speakers, but this time it was filled with horror. "No…"

Crimson and Ruby turned sharply toward the arena. The sight before them froze Ruby in place. Pyrrha stood, shocked and unmoving, while Penny lay shredded into pieces on the floor. Sparks and wires sputtered from Penny's remains, her robotic components laid bare.

The silence was deafening, broken only by Ruby's choked gasp as she dropped to her knees. Crimson's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable but his mind racing.

Above the arena, the massive screen flickered. The scoreboard was replaced with a black queen chess piece set against a blood-red background. A familiar voice echoed through the Colosseum.

"This is not a tragedy. This was not an accident," Cinder Fall's voice began, smooth and cutting. "This is what happens when you hand over your trust, your safety, your children, to men who claim to be your guardians but are, in reality, no more than tyrants."

The crowd began to murmur, confusion and fear rippling through the stands.

Cinder continued, "Our academy headmasters wield more power than most armies, and one is audacious enough to control both. They cling to this power in the name of peace. And yet, what do we have here? One nation's attempt at a synthetic army, mercilessly torn apart by another star pupil. What need does Atlas have for soldiers disguised as sweet, innocent girls? I don't think the Grimm can tell the difference. And what is Ozpin teaching his students? First dismemberment, and now this? Huntsmen and huntresses should embody honor and mercy, yet I witnessed neither. Perhaps this is to be expected when you look at their actions behind closed doors."

The screen changed, displaying a grim scene: General Ironwood savagely beating Roman Torchwick. The footage was brutal, showing Ironwood firing into Roman's legs, his face devoid of mercy. In the background, Crimson's voice played over the footage: "You have Roman Torchwick imprisoned, right? Interrogate him and make him talk. If necessary, torture him. Cut him little by little. Make it so he either says something useful or dies in the process."

Ruby's head snapped toward Crimson, her eyes wide. He didn't meet her gaze, his focus locked on the screen.

Cinder's voice resumed. "They believe themselves above others. They dictate what is right or wrong. Perhaps this is how they handle their conflicts? I don't know what to expect from them anymore. But I know this peace is fragile, and the leaders of our kingdoms handle their business with iron gloves. As someone who hails from Mistral, the situation there is equally... undesirable. Our kingdoms are on the brink of war, yet we, the citizens, are left in the dark."

The crowd grew louder, panic and anger taking hold. The screen cut to a live feed of Vale, where Grimm began pouring into the city, their haunting cries audible even through the speakers.

Cinder's voice darkened. "So I ask you: when the first shot is fired, who do you think you can trust?"

The broadcast ended abruptly, plunging the colosseum into chaos. Alarms blared, signaling the Grimm invasion.

Ruby trembled on the ground, her mind reeling. "Crimson… Was that you? What's happening?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

He didn't answer her immediately, his eyes turned upward where a gigantic Nevermore was trying to break the shield. Behind it, hundreds of flying Grimm loomed in the distance. The people around them were running, evacuating in panic.

Crimson finally spoke, his expression cold. "This is going to be a bloody night."

________________________

Pyrrha stood frozen, her eyes fixed on Penny's torn body sprawled across the ground. The world around her faded into an indistinct blur as the enormity of what she had done sank in. Her knees buckled, and she dropped to the ground, hands trembling. Every sound—the gasps of the crowd, the distant alarms, the rising chaos—was muffled and distorted in her mind. She stared blankly ahead, her breath shallow and uneven. Then, without warning, a powerful gust of wind slammed into her, sending her sprawling backward. As she regained her senses, her vision cleared to reveal a gigantic Nevermore looming over her, its crimson eyes locked onto her as if she were its prey.

The Nevermore let out an ear-piercing screech and lunged forward, its talons glinting in the harsh stadium lights. Just as it was about to strike, a red blur streaked past Pyrrha, forcing the Nevermore back with a sharp impact. The blur resolved into Ruby, petals still swirling around her. One of Penny's swords was in her hands, its blade buried deep in the Nevermore's chest. Ruby leapt back to stand protectively in front of Pyrrha, her silver eyes blazing with determination. She pointed the sword at the monstrous bird and shouted, "Leave her alone!"

The Nevermore's screech reverberated through the arena as it spread its massive wings and charged again. Before it could reach them, weapon lockers rained down from the sky, striking its back with force and pinning it momentarily to the ground. Huntsmen and huntresses-in-training from all schools emerged next to their lockers, reclaiming their weapons with practiced ease. They formed a line beside Ruby and Pyrrha, their gazes filled with resolve and pride.

The Nevermore thrashed violently, breaking free of the lockers and scattering the students. It rose to its full height and began flapping its enormous wings, preparing to take flight. Suddenly, a flash of light cut through the chaos. The Nevermore's movements halted abruptly, its head falling to the ground with a sickening thud. Standing near the severed head was Crimson, holding Pyrrha's weapon in one hand. His expression was cold.

Crimson turned to Pyrrha, his crimson eyes meeting her dazed gaze. He walked toward her and threw the spear at her feet. "Fight now. Think later," he said curtly before turning his attention to Penny's shattered remains. He knelt and picked up another of her swords, inspecting it briefly before gripping it firmly. Meanwhile, Ruby summoned Crescent Rose, her scythe gleaming in the flickering lights.

High above, Griffons began descending to the top of the Colosseum, their shrill cries sending waves of unease through the arena. They perched menacingly, their eyes scanning the chaos below. The students tensed, and Sun broke the silence. "Anyone got a plan?" he asked, his tone strained.

Crimson stepped forward, his voice calm yet commanding. "You all need to leave. I will cover for you."

Ruby immediately objected, her voice sharp with defiance. The students exchanged uncertain glances, frowning at Crimson's tone. Crimson elaborated, his gaze calm. "I'm by far the strongest one here. I can hold my own. You, on the other hand, have numbers. Use them to evacuate the Colosseum. Help the people."

At that moment, Professors Oobleck and Port arrived, their presence bringing a measure of authority to the chaos. Oobleck's voice cut through the noise, rapid but firm. "All of you must leave. That includes you, Mr. Rose. This is our job, professional huntsmen, to handle."

Ruby protested, her voice breaking with frustration, but Oobleck's response was unwavering. "This day will go down in history, and I want all of my students alive to tell the story."

Crimson, seeing that the professors were taking charge, gave a small nod. He turned to leave with the students, but Oobleck called after him. Crimson paused, glancing at Ruby, silently urging her to follow the others.

Oobleck approached him, his expression serious. "We need all the help we can get today. I hope you will assist the students."

Crimson's reply was blunt. "I can't guarantee their lives. But if I find the Mistral rats who caused this, their end is going to be horrible"

Oobleck nodded solemnly. As Crimson turned to leave, Port called out to him. "Mr Rose," he began, his voice heavy with unspoken meaning. "Do you think of yourself as a monster? Like the ones you've described in my class?"

Crimson stopped, turning his head slightly to meet Port's gaze. His answer was simple but chilling. "I am the worst of them." He turned and walked away without another word.

Port watched him leave, a frown tugging at his lips. He turned to Oobleck. "I know this is wrong, but I pray Mr Rose crosses paths with the ones who caused this disaster."

Oobleck's eyes narrowed, his expression grim. "I agree," he said quietly.