Hi guys :) I wrote this chapter just after uploading chapter one of this Fanfic. I'm still trying to figure out how to better format this stuff for the website, but I hope I did a better job than with the first chapter. You can expect new chapters frequently, in exchange for a shorter length.
I haven't seen the newest episode yet, so my Fic is probably already incompatible with canon. But I hope you'll enjoy it nonetheless :)
Edit: Oh, how incompatible it turned out to be...
Chapter 2: The only way to win is to loose
It was early in the morning. The first rays of the rising sun shone through the window of Ozpins office. And assembled in front of a big, holographic monitor in the centre of the room stood those who wished to preserve the world: Professor Ozpin, Glynda Goodwitch, James Ironwood and Qrow Branwen. On the monitor, three black figures could be seen.
?: „Once again, we are disappointed with your performance. The Guardian needs to be found before the annual eclipse, else another year is wasted."
Ozpin: „My apologies. I was certain that Miss Nikos' skill and personality would suffice, but perhaps I had misjudged her. Her heart was too... impure for her to be the one we need."
Qrow: „C'mon, you should've seen that comin'. She's head over heels for that Ark boy. That's an instant no-go."
?: „Mr. Branwen, you have no right to ridicule the efforts of the Professor. Isn't it your sister who created this threat in the first place?"
Qrow: „Oh, so now I'm responsible for what she's doin'?"
Ironwood: „No, but it was you who failed to stop her seventeen years ago."
The general took a step forward towards the screen.
Ironwood: „May I suggest again the option I have offered you on several occasions?"
?: „There is no need for that. We are aware that your robot fulfills all the requirements, but
such experimentation would put our success at great risk. Remember, the lives of the
citizens of all four Kingdoms are hanging by a thin thread."
Ironwood: „Understood..."
He stepped back in line with the others.
?: „Professor."
Ozpin: „Yes?"
?: „Remember: this is your last chance to prove that our trust in you is not misplaced. Do not disappoint us again."
Ozpin: „Of course. I will see to it that the other candidates be brought here for the examination."
?: „Very well. Report back to us tomorrow at 600."
The screen went back to the Beacon Academy logo and a general sense of tension spread across the room, nervous looks jumping from one person to the other. The first to get herself back together was Goodwitch.
Goodwitch: „Listen, we shouldn't waste our time worrying about how little of it we have left. Professor, please tell us who the others are you see the potential in."
Ozpin: „I'm afraid one of them has to be excluded from that list after what we heard yesterday. If Miss Nikos' impurity stemmed from her lust towards Mister Ark, then we can assume he too has become corrupted because of this relationship. Sadly, the only other option I see is..."
Weiss: „RUBY!"
Weiss jumped out of her bed screaming as the sound of Rubys infernal whistle tore her out of her dreams. Visibly annoyed, the heiress commented:
Weiss: „Really, was that necessary!? We don't have to fight today. It's only Yang against that... grey haired friend of Emerald's."
Ruby: „Yes, Weiss, it was necessary. Look over there!"
Ruby pointed over to Blake's and Yang's bed. Blake was in a state of complete shock due to the sudden loud noise, but the blonde in the upper bed was still sleeping like a rock.
Ruby: „YAAAAAANG!"
No response. Weiss got up, went over to their bed and violently tossed Yang off.
Yang: „AAAAAAH! Kittens! Kittens everywhere!"
It took a second for Yang to realize it had all been a dream, but once she did, she was furious.
Yang: „Da HELL was that for!?"
Ruby: „Yang, it's quarter past eight. Your battle starts in less than three hours."
Yang: „Oh shitshitSHITSHITSHIIIIIIIIT!"
The brawler dashed into the bathroom like a rocket. In a matter of minutes, she was finished with showering and dressing.
Yang: „Well, I still wanna do something real quick before the match. See ya later!"
Yang tried to exit the dorm room, but her partner raised her voice before she could do so.
Blake: „What kind of 'something' do you have in mind?"
Yang: „Well, you see, I want to meet with another friend of mine. You know me, I have lots of 'em."
Blake: „Right..."
Yang: „So, uuuuhm... I hope you'll come watch me later."
Ruby: „Of course, sis. Why wouldn't we?"
Yang only looked over at Weiss, who was already climbing back into bed.
Yang: „...Nevermind. Later."
The area around the great fountain was crammed with students and other visitors from every Kingdom on Remnant. How was Yang supposed to find Summer in this place, especially since she didn't even know how her step-mother looked like nowadays. She decided on simply sitting down on the fountain, waiting to be found. It was five past nine as a figure she had only occasionally caught glimpses of approached her.
Cinder: „Yang Xiao Long. I see you are waiting for someone. Did the ravens whisper a little secret in your ear?"
Yang looked up at the person speaking to her. Cinder Fall, a student from Haven Academy visiting for the festival.
Yang: „Oookay... Do you want something from me?"
Cinder: „Cut the bullshit, you know exactly why I'm here."
She turned around.
Cinder: „Follow me, we'll talk inside."
Cinder's room was very spartan-like. Not much had been changed from the plain layout of the dorms, except for a high-performance laptop sitting on a table in the corner. The two young women sat down on the beds, facing each other.
Cinder: „So, on how much did Raven fill you in until now?"
Yang: „Well, not much, I would say. If I had to break it down, she told me something about an ancient cycle in which some being called the 'Queen of Grimm' would be resurrected and fight a chosen guardian of humanity and if that doesn't happen, we'll all get fucked over and the world ends or something. And you are trying to make the cycle take its natural course for that reason, while some kind of secret council is trying to create a Guardian early and upset the balance or something."
Cinder: „Well, it really sounds quite ridiculous if you say it like that... But I suppose one could put it that way."
Yang: „But down to business. Where is Summer Rose?"
Cinder chuckled.
Cinder: „You're looking at her."
Yang's jaw dropped.
Yang: „Impossible! You don't look like my step-mother at all!"
Cinder: „That's the work of my semblance, sweety. I can change my appearance to whatever I feel like. Doesn't really come in handy for a Huntress, I know, but for a rebel trying to avoid detection..."
Yang: „...It's perfect..."
Yang gave Summer a tight hug.
Yang: „Long time no see, supermom."
Cinder: „Long time no see, my little brawler."
They stayed like that for a few seconds, before Summer spoke up again.
Cinder: „I really should explain to you what you are supposed to do now. We don't have much time."
She looked over at the door and shouted:
Cinder: „COME IN, MERCURY!"
Mercury Black, Yang's opponent in the coming battle, entered the room.
Mercury: „What the..."
Cinder: „I suppose you two already know each other, so take a seat and let me explain the plan."
Mercury: „What the hell is SHE doing here!?"
Mercury stared at Yang in unbelief.
Cinder: „It's alright, Mercury. She's on our side in this."
He nervously sat down next to her, never taking his eyes off of the blonde.
Cinder: „As you know, our main goal is to prevent the council from finding a suitable Guardian while the Queen of Grimm is still regaining her power. Through the use of our little digital queen, I have found out that there is only one remaining candidate for this year... Ruby Rose."
Yang felt a burning in her gut, as if she had just been punched there real hard.
Cinder: „Now, one of the requirements for becoming the Guardian is physical skill. Meaning that the Guardian has to be the best of the best. As such, if team RWBY were to loose in the tournament..."
Yang: „...It would reduce the likelyhood of Ruby being chosen, right?"
Cinder: „You catch on quickly. I like that."
Mercury: „So, what you're suggesting..."
Cinder: „...Is for Yang to loose the fight on purpose."
Silence took over. Yang was conflicted: If she lost the tournament, her team would be devastated. On the other hand, if she won, she would put her little sister's life in great danger. After a few minutes, she finally brought out an answer.
Yang: „...I'll do it. I will put up a show for a few minutes, then let Mercury kick me in the face and act as if I'm dazed by it."
Summer smiled.
Cinder: „Excellent. I knew I could count on you with this."
She took out her scroll.
Cinder: „Oh dear, look at the time! Your battle is supposed to stard in 30 minutes. Better get going, you two."
Yang said goodbye and went outside, leaving Mercury and Cinder alone.
Mercury: „Cin... I mean, ma'am?"
Cinder: „Yes, Mercury?"
Mercury: „You're smiling..."
Cinder: „Is that so unusual? The plan is going well, I have every reason to smile."
Mercury: „If you say so... It just seemed kinda different from your usual, malicious smile."
Cinder: „That must have been your imagination. Now hurry!"
Mercury sighed.
Mercury: „Alright. Maaaaan, I still got a hell of a hangover here. Fuck."
He drank a sip of tap water and went after Yang. Summer watched through the window as the two ran towards the airships at full speed, trying to catch the last one. She could only hope that everything went well. For Remnant's sake, and her daughter's.
Two chapters of this before I even have access to the Image Manager XD
Leave a review or two, if you like. But please point out what you don't like and don't just bash me without explaining why :)
