A/N: Pyrrha is one of my favourite RWBY characters, and I love her to bits. Here is my take on her story. Let me know what you think!

Summary: Pyrrha controls polarity with the finesse of a true Huntress, but her strength has cost her the greatest price of all. Yet, when she finally meets the person she wants to win over, her magnetism fails her. However, she's determined to make their hearts align one way or another. This is a retelling of RWBY while examining Pyrrha's character within the canon from Vol. 1-3.

Laws of Attraction

The match had ended. She had once again won the battle.

As the crowds roared around her, she stood upright, digging her heels into the muddy embankment of the waters on the battlefield. With a sigh, she gracefully swung Miló to the side, flicking off the dirt which had accumulated upon the blade throughout the fight. Compressing her weapon and shield to their carrying forms upon her back, she jogged over to her last two opponents. Holding out a friendly hand, she smiled. "Hey, are you alright?"

One young woman smiled in response, but ignored the help. "Wow, the Pyrrha Nikos is strong and kind. You're pretty incredible, huh?"

Her partner, a young man wearing a dark scowl, stood up shakily on his own as well, dusting himself off. There was a clear limp in his gait as he sauntered over, striking a twinge of regret in Pyrrha's heart. "Of course she's the winner. I told you there wasn't any point in fighting when our names were drawn to fight her." He cast a scathing glance her way. "I'm sorry we weren't more… entertaining of opponents for you. We're just ordinary students, after all."

Pyrrha took a step back, holding her hands up frantically in a peace offering. "I- I didn't mean to give that impression," she stuttered. "I enjoyed our match- really, I did!"

Her two opponents just shared a tired glance and turned on their heels, limping their way out of the small arena as the announcer shouted out, "And with that, ladies and gentlemen, our winner is our very own, beloved Huntress-to-be, Pyrrha Nikos! This marks the fourth time she has dominated in this tournament, and by the gods she gets better every year! Look forward to what she will accomplish in the future, everyone!"

She straightened her back and walked towards the winner's podium at the center of the field, strides long and confident. However, her heart was in turmoil, the crestfallen expressions of the other competitors she had faced emerging in the back of her mind. The sponsor of the competition hung a medal around her neck, and although she smiled and waved to the crowd elegantly, her mind was miles away.

Why did everyone she face look like that? Look like they were in awe, or disgusted by her mere presence? She enjoyed fighting; the strategy used in tournaments was always a fun exercise. Her Semblance certainly made it easier to fight, yes- but that was why she didn't use it often (especially not to create spectacle), only to help alter slight movements to help her throughout each match. She never wanted to stand out, only to do her best.

All she wanted was to fight someone who would tell her that they enjoyed the match, too.

The other competitors spilled out into the courtyard, meeting their friends and family who had come to watch the show. Her mother hadn't come, however – why come when the results were already clear? She knew that her mother was proud of her, and that she never came because she was so confident in her daughter's capabilities. And yet, Pyrrha envied everyone around her, speaking to their loved ones with a sense of excitement.

As she was greeted by flowers and smiles and congratulations throughout her journey back home that day, she knew that it would a long time coming until she ever found that someone. And that hurt her heart, just a bit. People came to shake her hand, to take photos on their Scrolls with her. But no one was there to give her a hug, to tell her that she tried her hardest. No one told her that they were proud of her, like the other competitors were told.

It made her so, so lonely.

But she was Pyrrha Nikos, the pride of Sanctum Academy, and it was her honour and duty to uphold that title. She would do them proud, whether it hurt her heart or not.

She had once again won the battle. And yet, it felt like she would forever be losing the war.