Chapter 2: Meeting Someone Special
It took a few weeks to get plans drawn up for my weapon. Ruby had wanted to go all out and make a rocket launcher and shield combo, but I managed to tone her down a bit. I went with a katana and sawblade combo, and named it Redemption. Ruby asked why I'd named it that, and I didn't really have an answer.
Ruby said it should be ready in about a week if we kept at it. Other than that, I kept training with Tai and Yang, the latter giving me questioning glances and stares when she thinks I'm not looking. I had decided to ask about it. The opportunity arose when I was reading one of my favorite books, When You Reach Me.
"What's up, Yang?" I asked.
"W-what?"
"You've been giving me these weird little looks the last couple of weeks. What's up with that?"
"I-I haven't- Alright, you caught me. It's just I don't understand it. You lost your friends, your family, and it's like it just doesn't bother you." She said.
My explanation for my sudden appearance was quite easy to think up. I'd said my village had been attacked by Grimm, and I had been chased from there to the tree where, quote, 'a mysterious man named 'Q'' found me passed out in it and unlocked my Aura.
I sighed, closed my book, moved over, and patted next to me, getting ready for a long explanation. She sat next to me.
"It's not like it doesn't bother me, Yang. I hate myself for not being better, or at least being able to do anything. It kills me on the inside to not be able to see my little brothers, or the person who raised me anymore. I had a niece, she was seven. My older brother, who had taught me what I'd known about fighting, and my youngest brother and sister.
"But what's keeping me going is the fact that they wouldn't want me to mope around. They'd want me to train, to make sure that it doesn't happen to some other unfortunate soul. And besides, pouting around like some lost puppy isn't going to change what already happened."
At the mention of puppy, the resident corgi walked in, wagging his tail. I stood, replacing my frown with a much needed smile, as I refilled Zwei's food and water.
Another week later, Ruby came to me as I was getting ready to spar with Yang, and dropped a package in my lap.
"What's this?" I asked, opening it. In it, is a set of special black and red weapon paints with assorted brushes. "What's this for?"
"For this." She set a weapon on the table.
"Oh, Ruby, you didn't have to. Why'd you finish this without me?"
"Consider this a 'thank you' for coming to me to help" she said
I stood, and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a hug. "I owe you one, Ruby."
"Just try not to suffocate me again." She giggled out.
I let go, and scratched the back of my head. "Sorry again about that, but you did kinda run me over. This'll be a surprise for Yang in today's spar. Wanna help me paint it?"
"You bet!"
We ended up painting it all black, with the exception of the blade, which we painted red. And with a bit of heat to dry the paint, Redemption was finally completed.
"Oi! Cole! You better get out here before I come in there and throw you out here!" Yang shouted from outside.
"Coming! You comin', Ruby?" I asked.
"I wouldn't want to miss it." She answered.
We walked outside, where Tai and Yang were waiting. I made sure my weapon was concealed.
"Ready?" Tai asked, and we both nodded affirmatives. "Fight!"
We charged each other, and she jabbed at me with her right fist, which I blocked. She followed up with a left hook, which I knocked off course, and used the opening to knee her in the stomach. She bent over, and I sent her a totally awesome uppercut. It landed, sending her back a few feet.
She ran back towards me, and I noticed her gauntlets were activated. I ducked the punch that came at me Matrix style, pulled out Redemption. I jabbed the butt-end of the sword at her chin, and it connected, stunning her. I put most of my strength into an uppercut swing, knocking her into the air a good bit.
I got into a batter's position, and waited for the right minute. I swung with precision timing, and sent her a good ten feet away, as I yelled, "HOME RUN!" She stood with a groan, and looked at me with red eyes. At that moment, I realized, I messed up.
'Uh-oh.'
She fired her gauntlets behind her, giving her a boost towards me. I popped out the triggers to grab so I could use Redemption as a shield. It worked, for the most part, but I was knocked off balance. She took advantage of it, kicking me into the air, and firing three punches, accented by gunshots.
'She frickin' SHOT me!'
I hit the ground with a thud, and stood with a determined frown on my face. She looked surprised when I stood, and I used that opportunity.
Yang recovered quickly and threw a punch my way, but I caught it and pulled her into my hilt, effectively clotheslining her. She stood, running towards me. She punched me, at the exact moment I hit her with Redemption, and the match ended.
"Match." Tai said. "Yang wins. Great job, you two."
I stood, and held my hand out to help Yang up.
"Rivals?" I asked.
"Rivals." She answered, taking my hand.
We turned when we heard clapping coming from behind us.
"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby yelled, barreling into him.
"She does that a lot, doesn't she?" I asked.
Whatcha guys think about the weapon? I hope I'm getting the characters personalities right. RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth.
