RWBY: Moon Reflection

Crimson pushed open the door to Team RWBY's dorm room, his steps calm and composed as always. Inside, the room was filled with tension, the air heavy from the uncertainty and unease that had gripped the team since the confrontation with general Ironwood.

Yang was the first to notice her brother's arrival, sitting up from her spot on Ruby's bed. "Crimson! Finally, you're back," she said, her voice laced with nervous energy.

He offered a small smile and gestured for them to gather. "I've got some news, but don't expect the full report," he started, his voice calm and measured. "What you need to know is this: the team you're up against has a semblance that manipulates perception. It makes people see things that aren't real."

The room fell silent as the implications sank in.

Yang's eyes widened, a mixture of relief and anger flashing across her face. "So... I wasn't just imagining things," she muttered.

Crimson nodded. "You weren't. The same thing happened to Coco earlier, she is the proof of your story. It wasn't your fault, Yang."

Excitement bubbled up as Ruby and Weiss exchanged glances, and Blake's ears twitched in thought. "We need to tell everyone!" Ruby exclaimed.

"No." Crimson's sharp tone silenced the room. "These matches are broadcasted across the four kingdoms. If this kind of information leaks, it won't just affect the tournament. It could destabilize more than you realize. This stays between us for now."

The team's enthusiasm dimmed slightly, but the weight of doubt that had plagued them lifted. Yang glanced down at her hands before looking up at Crimson, her usual spark returning. "Thanks, Crimson... for standing up for me."

He shook his head, a rare, genuine smile crossing his face. "You are my sister, Yang. Of course, I would always stand up for you."

Weiss, usually reserved with her compliments, gave him a small nod of approval. "Your perceptiveness is remarkable, Crimson. Not many would have figured that out"

Blake, always watching with quiet intensity, added, "Yang and Ruby are lucky to have you."

Ruby and Yang exchanged grins, a shared sense of pride lighting up their faces.

Crimson cleared his throat, pulling out his scroll. "Ruby, do you have Pyrrha's number?"

Ruby blinked in surprise. "Uh, yeah, I do." She quickly shared the number before tilting her head in curiosity. "Why do you need to call Pyrrha?"

"She wanted to talk to me earlier when I was on my way to Ozpin's office. I told her I'd speak with her later," Crimson replied matter-of-factly as he typed the number into his scroll.

The girls exchanged looks as Crimson stepped aside to make the call. As soon as he left the room, Yang's mischievous grin spread across her face. "Oh, I see what's happening here. Pyrrha wants to confess!"

Ruby rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Yang, not everything is about romance."

Weiss tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Actually, they would make a good pair. Crimson is intelligent, skilled and grounded. Pyrrha is skilled and composed. It's a great match."

Blake's golden eyes glinted with interest as she added, "It's not impossible. Pyrrha is one of the most admired students in the school, but she's never shown much interest in anyone. If she does like Crimson, it could be interesting to see where it goes."

Ruby groaned. "Can we not turn this into a shipping discussion?"

Yang smirked, leaning back on her hands. "Too late."

The room filled with light laughter, the team's spirits lifting as they speculated. Outside the dorm, Crimson leaned against the wall, his scroll in hand as he waited for Pyrrha to answer. 

"Hello," Pyrrha's face appeared on the scroll, her tone warm and inviting.

"Hello, Pyrrha. I've wrapped up my business. Are you free to talk now?" Crimson asked in a relaxed tone.

"Yes, I am. Are you still at Beacon? If so, let's meet in the back courtyard," Pyrrha replied with a smile.

Crimson nodded. "Sounds good." He ended the call and began making his way to the agreed location.

________________________

Minutes later, Crimson and Pyrrha met in Beacon's back courtyard. Crimson was the first to speak. "I'm all ears now. What did you want to talk about?"

Pyrrha looked at him for a moment before walking over to a nearby wall. She sat on the ground, leaning back against it, and said, "Crimson, do you believe in destiny?"

"Define destiny," Crimson replied, folding his arms as he watched her intently.

Pyrrha's gaze dropped slightly. "When I think of destiny, I don't see it as some predetermined fate you can't escape. I see it as a final goal, something you work towards your entire life." Her expression turned somber.

"I see," Crimson said, his curiosity now piqued. "And?"

Pyrrha stared at him, searching for the right words. "What would you do if something came along that you never expected—something that had the potential to stand between you and your destiny?"

Crimson didn't reply immediately. He simply looked at her, his intense gaze revealing that her question had struck a chord within him.

Seeing his silence, Pyrrha turned her eyes to the horizon and continued. "Or what if you could fulfill your destiny in an instant—but at the cost of who you are?"

She couldn't explain everything to him. Ozpin had told her about the Maidens, about the choice to become the next one. She felt overwhelmed and trapped. It wasn't how things were supposed to be. This choice wasn't fair.

"Crimson finally spoke, his voice calm but tinged with sorrow. "And you feel like this sudden change is wrong? Like it's unfair? Like it's not how things are supposed to be?"

Pyrrha blinked, caught off guard by how precisely he understood her feelings. Unable to find her voice, she simply nodded.

"Destiny, as you described it, is just a goal," Crimson began. "It's ever-changing. Life throws unexpected events our way—some push us forward, others bring us to a halt. The goal itself isn't what matters. It's just a marker, a way to know we have reached the end of our journey. But without it, how will you ever know that your journey is over?"

He paused, his voice growing quieter yet more heartfelt. "If the journey is full of regret and pain, what's the point of reaching the end? The journey is supposed to change you, to shape you, for better or worse. But if you lose yourself along the way—if you abandon who you are—then all you will find at the end is regret."

Pyrrha looked down, Crimson's words resonating deeply. He could see the confusion and turmoil etched on her face.

"I don't know what choice you're facing," Crimson admitted. "But no matter what your goal is, staying true to yourself is what really matters. When it's all over, you'll be able to look back without regrets and begin the next journey."

After a long silence, Pyrrha finally spoke. "What if I make the wrong choice?"

Crimson's gaze softened, his tone thoughtful yet understanding "Isn't that true of every choice in life? You can never know if a decision is right or wrong until you've lived through it. Every choice, every mistake, every step forward or backward—those moments, strung together, become the story of who you are. The important thing is to live in a way that makes that story worth telling, to be like the sun: vibrant and true. So that, long after your light has faded, people will remember you, and they will tell your story."

Pyrrha stayed quiet for a while, Crimson patiently waiting nearby. At last, she looked up at him, a small but genuine smile on her face. Her mood had lightened. "Thank you, Crimson. I mean it."

"Anytime," Crimson replied with a smile of his own. He saw a reflection of himself in her—a reminder of the choices he had made to achieve his goal, even at the cost of everything else.

He gave her a brief nod and said, "I will leave you to rest. The next match might be yours, after all. Besides, I'm pretty sure the school staff doesn't appreciate me wandering around as if I own the place."

Pyrrha chuckled softly, waving at him. "See you later."

Crimson turned and walked away, leaving her feeling lighter than before. She had been right to think he could understand her.

_________________________

Pyrrha returned to her team, her steps lighter and her demeanor brighter than it had been in days. She no longer carried the gloom that had weighed her down. Addressing the group with renewed energy, she reminded them they needed to be at the colosseum soon, gently urging Jaune to follow her as they left.

Off to the side, Nora grabbed Ren's arm, pulling him into a hushed conversation. "Hey, don't you think something's up with Pyrrha?" she whispered, her tone laced with curiosity.

Ren tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

Nora rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Come on, Ren! She's been all gloomy and weird since yesterday, like something heavy was on her mind. Then she disappears for a bit, talks to Crimson, and now she's all smiles? Doesn't that seem suspicious to you?"

Ren frowned, genuinely confused. "Maybe she was just nervous about the matches. It's not unusual."

Nora groaned, throwing her hands up dramatically. "No, Ren. There's something going on between them. Mark my words."

Ren shook his head dismissively, refusing to entertain her theory further. "Pyrrha's fine. If anything, she's just a little less anxious now. Let's leave it at that."

As Ren walked away, Nora crossed her arms and pouted. "Ugh, you're so dense, Ren."

But despite her grumbling, she couldn't deny she was relieved to see Pyrrha back to her usual self, whatever the reason might be.