Sorry about the wait. I've been occupied with school, London trips, and jetlag. Anyways, here's the next chapter. ENJOY!

Chapter 8: Am I ready?


Blake was true to her word.

Later that day, having nothing else to do, I took the chance to get some shut-eye.

An annoying ringtone started building up. I yawned, picking up the phone to mute it. "Ah dang it," I remembered, ' doesn't connect between different worlds.' I checked the flashing scroll.

Activating the scroll and selecting the mail icon, I scrolled through the messages. At the top was a message from Blake. The scroll read the message, "Weiss agreed to train you. Meet us at the gym."

Jumping out of bed, I dressed in my spare martial art uniform and strolled over to the gym. (A/N: The uniform consists of two parts. The top is a black shirt with a tiger on it. The second part is black sweat pants.)


The room felt very boring. Ruby sat in the bleachers eating a cookie while Blake and Weiss were chatting in the center of the court.

Walking up to the pair, I noticed Blake finishing her conversation with Weiss and stepped towards the bleachers. "I'm only doing this because Blake asked me, by no means does this make us friends." She informed coldly.

"She said the same exact thing to me! Look at us now!" Ruby shouted.

"I'm still angry about you burning my skirt." She glared.

"I said I was sorry…" She lowered her head, pulling her cape over.

To break up this awkward conversation I interrupted, "So, what are you teaching me?"

Weiss attentively picked up a sword off the ground and tossed it to me. "We are going to fence."

I grabbed the sword and gave it an experimental spin, "Never used a rapier before." I sighed, "I hope it doesn't feel much different than the swords I practiced with back in Edmonton."

Weiss rolled her eyes and raised her sword. I raised mine and said questionably, "Let's dual?"

She sped forward and swung her sword, which I blocked. With lightning speed, she brought the sword back around and disarmed me.

I grimaced at how fast I was beaten. Weiss motioned for me to retrieve the blade.

I picked up the sword and returned back to my original position. "Duel!" I said with determination before going on the attack. I took three swings which were easily blocked. The fourth attack was parried and would've flown across the room if I hadn't been holding onto the sword really tight. Amused at my attempt, she struck with her blade glowing, disarming me again.

Wiess smirked and motioned for me to try again.

Turn's out I'm not that talented in fencing. Though I improved my performance, I was disarmed four more time; Weiss adding in a snide comment every time I lost. The most recent was, "What are you even wearing? Pajamas?"

Picking up the sword, I groaned. "I can see why she's called Ice queen…"

Suddenly, I had an idea.

I looked at Weiss, "Let's make a deal." I challenged, "If I win this round, you have to give me a ice dust crystal tomorrow morning before the shuttle takes us to Vale."

Snorting with sarcasm, "Do you honestly think you can beat me?"

"Is that doubt I here?" I pressed.

She thought for a moment before a devious smile appeared, "When I win, you have to cut Yang's hair."

"I'm sorry, its my fault you have to do this," Ruby said from across the gym.

"I'm glad you think so, because you're going to hold Yang down while he's cutting her hair."

"WWWHHHHAAAAATTTTTT!?" Ruby cried.

"Done, lets do this!" I told Weiss, shifting into a more defensive posture.

Not wanting to risk losing, she created a glyph behind her. I recognized it from before. It would increase her speed immensely. She jumped into it, propelling herself forward bullet-speed. Streaking across the gym, I thought I was going to lose. That would have been the case, if it weren't for a miracle. A foot away from me, my body seemed to react faster than usual. My sword interlocked with hers, stopping its momentum. Her face started showing confusion, but I wasn't finished yet. Riding the momentum, I roundhouse-kicked her, disorienting her. Angrily, she retaliated by swinging wildly. I parried two attacks before riposteing the third thrust. I would've won the duel, if it weren't for my sudden exhaustion. Because of that, both blades were sent skittering across the floor.

Silence engulfed the room as Blake and Ruby noticed that both combatants were disarmed of their weapons. Feeling the silence become awkward, I spoke up.

"Hey Weiss, am I correct to say that a combatant in fencing loses the duel when they're disarmed?"

"Yes, you're right," She answered, "Why do you ask?"

"Then I believe our match ended in a draw."

"We're not finished yet!" She said, picking up her blade.

"Forget it Weiss, the rematch wouldn't even be fair," I responded, "It's an effort even to stand right now, so how about we compromise?"

"Go on," she nodded, interested in the matter.

I paused, clearing my throat before continuing, "Since we tied, we have to fulfill both ends of the agreement. You'll give me the Ice dust crystal you promised."

"And you have to cut Yang's hair," Weiss finished. "I find these terms- acceptable." She held out her hand.

"Glad you agreed," I said thankfully, shaking her hand in agreement of the new deal.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," She smiled before walking away, then Ruby and Blake approached me.

Ruby spoke first, "So, how was the match?"

"Well, I have good news and bad news," I started. "Which one do you want to hear first?"

"The Good news!" She exclaimed immediately.

"The good news is that I'll get the dust crystal tomorrow."

"That's great Cole, but what's the bad news?" She asked.

"You're not going to like this," I said, nervously rubbing my neck. "We're gonna have to cut off some of Yang's hair."

Mental mirrors shattered as color drained from Ruby's face.

Blake shook her head, "Don't worry. We won't let Yang kill you. Any other harm, however, we can't be held responsible for. Isn't that right, Ruby?"

Ruby gulped nervously, but nodded.

Blake left, leaving Ruby in the gym.

"Well," she said stoically, "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Ruby waved goodbye and exited the gym. I stayed for around 5 minutes before walking back to my dorm and prepping for tonight.


It was at 10:25 when I made my move. Moving silently, I made my way to team RWBY's dorm. Putting my ear to the wall, I listened for any signs of activity. All that could be heard was loud snoring. I thought of how I was to enter the room quietly when I noticed their door already opened.

"Thanks, Blake" I whispered, stepping into the room. It was quiet and peaceful; the lights turned off and four girls sleeping in their beds. A quick scan of the room revealed Yang to be the one snoring. In fact, she was drooling a little. Tip-toeing across the floor, I bent down and cut a strand of hair off her head with a pair of scissors. My mission complete, I stood up and walked back to my dorm.

Lying down, I pondered the possible consequences I would suffer for snipping her hair. "Eh, what she doesn't know won't hurt her," I thought. Pocketing the hair strand for safe keeping, I drifted into unconsciousness.