3rd Person POV

Penny: "Salutations, Pyrrha Nikos! It's an honor to finally meet you."

Pyrrha simply looks down at her own hands, seemingly checking herself and her equipment, but she's distracted. All she's really checking are her arms and hands, gripping and releasing her fingers to get her blood flowing, but she's not excited. She's not happy or looking determined to win. She's just... distant.

Penny: "This is going to be so much fun!"

With Ruby

Standing opposite Ruby is Mercury Black, the boy whom Yang was supposed to have severely injured in her match, yet here he is, standing tall on both legs. He's in her way to get to Professor Port and Dr. Oobleck. She sent that message to Ichigo, but who knows if he got it? At least she knows where they are and can get to them... If Mercury gets out of her way.

Ruby: "Mercury, what are you doing? You were hurt. Why- What's going on?"

He doesn't say a word, only giving her a smug grin as the crowd's cheers dampened by the walls around them give a louder sound than him.

Ruby: "Fine. If you're not going to tell me... "

She steps to her side, only for him to step in the same direction. She narrows her eyes at him when he mirrors her movement again.

Dr. Oobleck (PA System): "Fighters, are you ready?"

Oh no. The match is starting.

In the Arena

Dr. Oobleck: "3... 2... 1... Begin!"

Penny summons eight of her swords and flies them all in Pyrrha's direction. Pyrrha either blocks or dodges all of them, trying to gauge Penny's considerable strength. The swords then fly behind her and come back, forcing her to dodge.

Seeing an opportunity, Pyrrha gets into close range, with Penny directing her swords in sequence to strike Pyrrha, who blocks the blades with her spear in a manner similar to a swordswoman. Pyrrha jumps back and lands on a sword, suing the force to propel herself forward. She performs a downward slash with her spear but is blocked by Penny's weapons. Pyrrha grabs her shield from her back, her anxiety causing her Semblance to bend it and her spear slightly, bending them back into place a second later.

With Ruby

Mercury's kicking at Ruby, fighting her to keep her away from anyone who can interfere. She gets in close, using her meager hand-to-hand combat skills to prevent critical damage, but Mercury's focused on making sure she doesn't get past. He goes to kick while she's in range, but she feints, using her Semblance to go around to his side and get further down the corridor.

Ruby (thoughts): 'Ichigo... Hurry!'

She keeps running, trying to get out of the maintenance tunnel so she can warn everyone.

In the Arena

From the stands, Ichigo's half-watching the battle, half-on the lookout for anyone using their Semblance.

Ichigo (thoughts): 'If you're planning on interfering, show yourself already...'

Pyrrha sees Penny aiming her weapons at her, like a marionettist controlling all their puppets at once. This entire time, Pyrrha's been on the defensive, very rarely attacking. The swords multiply somehow, but Pyrrha knows she's in danger.

Ichigo (thoughts): 'Wait a second, that Aura. Whose is it?' He scans the Arena with his eyes. 'I've felt it before, but who does it belong to?'

He Flash Steps to where the Aura's coming from, seeing the green-headed Emerald Sustrai. That doesn't make any sense though. For all intents and purposes, she shouldn't even still be at Beacon.

Ichigo: "What are you doing!?"

Emerald looks up at him, her red eyes widening at him briefly, but she grits her teeth and looks back at the stage. Ichigo feels her Aura spike once more, indicating that she's using her Semblance.

Ichigo: "No you don't!"

He punches her in the stomach, knocking her out. He catches her and puts her over his shoulder, but the second he does, he feels someone's Aura drop dramatically and then... disappear. He hears the crowd gasp at the same time he turns his head, seeing Penny in pieces on the ground. There's no blood. Just Penny's body separated, parts of her scattered as her swords drop from the air. Pyrrha's panting and holding her head, but even as she does, she looks horrified, the shock of what she just did apparent.

Ichigo grips Emerald tightly, his eyes fixed on Penny. He's angry. This girl caused this to happen. Some sort of mental attack on Pyrrha, probably, but that doesn't matter now. She succeeded. He failed.

Professor Port: "No!"

The entire crowd is floored when Ichigo's anger causes his spiritual pressure to leak out, severely affecting everyone present. The world watches as Penny's lifeless body lies on the ground of the arena and the people in the stands go down. Sparks shoot out of Penny's wounds from her scattered body parts.

Yoruichi: "Ichigo!"

She appears next to him, her Flash Step and own level of strength allowing her to be relatively unaffected by his sudden release.

Yoruichi: "What happened? What are you-"

She looks at the stage where Ichigo's staring, seeing the dismembered girl. She looks back at Ichigo, his teeth clenched. That girl... She had met her twice, both times in the company of Ruby. Ichigo must have known her as well.

Yoruichi: "I see... Ichigo, please calm down. I know it's sad and I know you're angry, but this isn't helping. I promise, you can grieve later, but right now, you must control yourself."

She places her hand on his open shoulder, looking at him tenderly. His teeth unclench slightly as he reins in his spiritual pressure back to its suppressed levels, though he's still as angry. He's just controlling it at the moment.

The crowd feels the gravity lifted off them, starting to stand back up. Ruby finally makes it to the arena, too late.

Ruby: "Penny..."

She sheds tear after tear as her friend's dead in front of her, having been powerless to stop it. Mercury catches up to her, and upon seeing the damage done, simply lets her go. There's no need to chase her anymore.

Dr. Oobleck: "Broadcast, what are you doing!? Kill the feed!"

Broadcast (Radio): "Something's wrong! We don't have control over the cameras! We can't even shut off the broadcast!"

Dr. Oobleck: "What!? How is that possible!?"

The screen showing the broadcast shows a red layer over the stage with a black chess piece in the middle, a Queen piece.

??? (Broadcast): "This is not a tragedy. This was not an accident. This is what happens when you hand over your trust, your safety, your children, to men who claim to be our Guardians, but are, in reality, nothing more than men. Our Academies' Headmasters wield more power than most armies, and one was 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's star pupil. What need would Atlas have for a soldier disguised as an innocent little girl? I don't think the Grimm can tell the difference. That little gravity that caused everyone here to collapse just a few moments ago was likely another result of Atlas's dangerous and unnecessary experiments. And what, I ask you, is Ozpin teaching his students? First, a dismemberment, and now this? Huntsmen and Huntresses should carry themselves with honor and mercy, yet I have witnessed neither. Perhaps Ozpin felt as if defeating Atlas in the tournament would help people forget his colossal failure to protect Vale when the Grimm invaded its streets. Or perhaps... this was his message to the tyrannical dictator that has occupied an unsuspecting Kingdom with armed forces. Honestly? I haven't the slightest clue as to who's right and who is wrong, but I know that the existence of peace is fragile and the leaders of our Kingdoms conduct their business with iron gloves. As someone who hails from Mistral, I can assure you the situation there is... equally undesirable. Our Kingdoms are at the brink of war, yet we, the citizens, are left in the dark. So I ask: When the first shots are fired, who do you think you can trust?"

The broadcast terminates, leaving just static on every screen.

Dr. Oobleck: "The feeds are all jammed! We can't get a message out!"

Professor Port: "Will SOMEBODY tell me what in the world is happening!?"

They hear a siren go off, coming from both Vale and Amity Arena's alert system.

The crowd does not follow this advice, instead panicking and running rampant out of the stands to get to shelter. General Ironwood goes into the broadcasting booth, grabbing the microphone from between Port and Oobleck.

Ironwood (PA System): "Ladies and Gentlemen, please. There is no need for panic."

As soon as he says this, a Giant Nevermore lands on top of the Arena's forcefield, causing ripples as it attempts to get inside.

Sun: "A Nevermore!?"

Coco: "How'd it get past the Kingdom's defenses!?"

Ren: "It wasn't alone..."

With Ozpin

Having watched the broadcast and hearing the sirens, Ozpin knows what's coming. He hears movement behind him.

Qrow: "Oz-"

Ozpin: "Get to the city!" he commands.

Qrow: "But-"

Ozpin: "NOW!"

Qrow and Glynda look at each other for a moment, promptly following orders. He knows Grimm are going to be flooding the streets any second, if they aren't already. The people must be protected.

He gets a call from James, quickly answering it.

Ironwood (scroll): "Ozpin, the girl. I can exp-"

Ozpin: "You brought your army to my Kingdom, James. Use it."

Skies Above Vale

Several soldiers are running around on one of the commanding airships above Vale, working hard to prepare to engage the enemy Grimm that are incoming. It's not going fast enough though.

Commander: "Damn it!" He goes over to the radio. "This is Blue Four! Blues Two and Three, fall into defensive position!"

Radio: "Roger! Blue Three in position!"

Commander: "Blue Two, what's your status?" He doesn't receive an answer. "Blue Two, come in!"

On Blue Two, while the Commander of Blue Four is blowing up at the radio, a certain person dressed as a soldier walks through the airship unimpeded. With all the soldiers either knocked out or dead, she's free to do as she pleases. She twirls her umbrella and goes to the prison hold, cane in hand, and opens the only occupied cell.

Torchwick: "Well... It's about time."

Blue Two turns towards its comrade airships and fires Dust lasers at the middle ship. Torchwick and Neo hear the Commander of Blue Four panic as his ship starts to go down, hitting Blue Two in the process and making them both crash.

Torchwick: "Woohoo! Oh, it is GOOD to be back!"

At Beacon

On Beacon's airship landing pads, several bullheads land, opening to reveal members of the White Fang, including one Adam Taurus.

Adam: "Bring them to their knees!" he commands.

Other airships open and Grimm jump out, with one Ursa Major roaring as its brethren emerge from their captivity, responding to the negative emotions being emitted all around them.

With Weiss and Blake

Try as they might, the soldiers of General Ironwood's military are struggling against the growing Grimm attack in the fairgrounds, where Blake and Weiss were when the alert sounded, where they still are in an attempt to help the people there. They don't have their weapons on them, so all they can do is stand and watch. Blake pulls out her scroll and dials Yang, who picks up immediately.

Blake: "Yang, are you okay!?"

Yang (scroll): "Yeah, I'm fine! Is Ruby with you? She's not answering her scroll."

Blake: "No, she isn't. Yang, I'm sure she's fine. She's our leader, I'm sure she can take care of herself."

Yang (scroll): "...right."

They can hear her running, probably through the dorm so she can go find Ruby.

Weiss: "This can't be happening... Penny..." she laments.

Penny was their friend. She was weird, but she was their friend. And now she's gone.

Yang (scroll): "I'm heading to the docks near the courtyard. White Fang are releasing Grimm into the school!"

Blake: "The White Fang is here!?"

They hear shots and the sounds of Grimm coming from the call, followed by some return fire from Yang.

Blake: "Yang!?"

Yang (scroll): "I've got to go! Be careful!"

She hangs up the call and Weiss and Blake are now left with the chaos of their own environment.

Weiss: "Blake, what are we gonna do?"

The ninja looks at her teammate, pushing some buttons on her scroll to bring up an interface.

Blake: "We're going to the docks and we're doing our job."

She presses the last button and a few seconds later, a locker lands in the ground behind them. It opens and reveals Blake's Gambol Shroud. Weiss nods in agreement, steeling herself for the long battle ahead of them.

In Amity Arena

Ruby and Pyrrha stare at Penny's body as everything goes to hell around them. People panicking, screaming, and running; the Giant Nevermore on top of the Arena's hard-light Dust shield threatening to break in with its shrieks; the warning system alerting them of a massive Grimm invasion. None of that matters to them. To Ruby, her friend is gone, and to Pyrrha, she's the one who killed her.

Yoruichi: "I take it by the way you're holding her, you're not exactly happy with her, are you?"

She points to Emerald Sustrai, who should have been on a ship to Haven with her team. Clearly, she's not there, but here. Ichigo has her slung over his shoulder, unconscious. Her Aura's completely broken, something that must have happened when Ichigo knocked her out. He did a good job restraining himself from killing her with his strength. Couldn't interrogate her if that happened.

Ichigo: "Yeah. She was using her Semblance during the match, probably on Pyrrha. When I noticed, I came here. She noticed me and went back to the match. She started using it again, so I knocked her out, but..."

Yoruichi: "But it was too late, right?"

Ichigo: "...yeah."

Yoruichi: "Ichigo..."

In the stands across the stage from them, Jaune, Nora, and Ren are still there, not abandoning Pyrrha. Ichigo can hear Jaune call out to her, Ichigo's gaze once more fixed to Penny, though his ears hearing Jaune.

Jaune: "PYRHHA! Pyrrha! That thing's going to break in! You've got to move!"

The Giant Nevermore shrieks once again as the Dust shield flickers. Jaune jumps over the barricade as the Nevermore flies into the sky.

Jaune: "Pyrrha! Please snap out of it!"

The Dust shield shatters as the Nevermore dives through it. It knocks Jaune flying and Pyrrha on her back with the force and wind of its landing. Ichigo hands Emerald's unconscious body over to Yoruichi and draws Zangetsu. He jumps forward but is surprised when the Nevermore is pushed back. He senses that Ruby's current in front of the bird Grimm, having used her Semblance to close the gap in the time that Ichigo gave Emerald to Yoruichi. Not wanting to waste the change, Ichigo spins Zangetsu using its cloth and throws it at the Nevermore's head, using Deadly Darts. The force causes its head to explode from the slicing impact, the rest of the body turning to black dust.

Ruby: "What the-"

Ichigo: "Ruby." He appears at her side. "Are you okay?"

Ruby: "Ichigo...' She has tears in her eyes. "Penny, she's-"

Ichigo: "I know."

Pyrrha walks hesitantly toward them, her entire body shaking.

Pyrrha: "Ruby, Ichigo, I- I'm so sorry. I-"

Ruby: "Me too."

He pulls them both into a hug to comfort them.

Ichigo: "Pyrrha, it wasn't your fault. Somebody messed with your head just like they messed with Yang's. You were only doing what you thought you needed to, just like her. Nobody can blame you for defending yourself. You aren't to blame for this."

She clings onto and cries into Ichigo's shoulder, thankful for his words.

Several lockers appear where the Nevermore was, apparently called in an attempt to ground it. A bit too late for that. The lockers open up and show the multitude of weapons hidden inside each, each corresponding to a student that didn't run when the alarm was triggered; students who are still here. Among those are the rest of Team JNPR, Team CFVY, Team SSSN, Team ABRN, Team NDGO, and Team FNKI. They each grab their weapons while Ichigo's comforting the girls.

Ichigo: "Everyone, listen up! I need you to know that this isn't on Pyrrha."

Pyrrha: "Ichigo..."

Jaune: "He's right. Whoever it was on the microphone, they're the ones who did this. We have to make sure they don't take anyone else."

The students of Beacon, Haven, Shade, and Atlas stand together, weapons in hand, ready to defend Beacon. As if on cue, several more Grimm land on top of the Arena. They don't make their way inside yet, but just wait for more to show. Once there are about eight Griffons, two of them start flying down, but aren't inside yet. Ruby pushes herself off Ichigo, having been comforted enough for now.

Ren: "Griffons."

Neptune: "Anybody got a plan of attack?"

Ruby: "Sun. I need your scroll."

She presses a few buttons, calling her own locker down to her position. It lands in front of her, opening to show Crescent Rose, but one of the Griffons dives and lands just behind it. Ichigo draws Zangetsu again, but pulls his hand off the blade when he sees two people to his left, followed by a gunshot to the Griffon's neck.

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

Ruby: "But-"

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

Ruby pulls Crescent Rose from the locker, shifting it to scythe form.

Ruby: "Ichigo?"

She looks to him for guidance. She just wants to make sure leaving them here is the right thing.

Ichigo: "Everybody, move out!"

The students start running toward the airship landings. Velvet takes a picture of him commanding the others, but is quickly called by Coco.

Dr. Oobleck: "Professor Kurosaki, a word?" Ichigo walks over to her and Professor Port. "We shall defeat the Grimm here and will join you at the school when the situation permits it. Until then, I trust you to watch over the students."

Professor Port: "Make sure nobody falls. Remember, while you're their age, you are a teacher of Beacon Academy. You have a responsibility to them."

Ichigo: "You don't have to tell me. I was already going to do that, Dr., Professor.