Combat practice was pretty much of a way to show off what students learned. For people to improve and in this case, it was the former. For all other schools and to show the finest Vale had to offer.
Which is why Pyrrha was soloing team CDRL like not even a contest solo.
Sora was astounded at how strong and capable she was.
"Good showing, Miss Nikos you'll do well to make it into the tournament
"Ah right, that...I forgot about that" Ruby looked to her teammate and sighed slightly before breaking out into a smile.
"I'm surprised you did it's all about fighting" Sora cocked a brow and laughed a bit.
"Yeah, you're right, I wonder if I'll even qualify" Ruby perked up at this.
"Why wouldn't you?" Her question wasn't answered when Miss Goodwitch asked him to come down along with the new guy from -Haven? Mercury was his name at least she thought it was she saw just how badly Sora wanted to fight him.
However, the guy was persistent on fighting Pyyrha much to the brunette's disappointment.
"Oh cmon, I haven't had a fight all week!" Sora whined.
"That's because no one wants to fight you. They end up on the ground before they can even put up a fight. If you really want to fight you'll fight in the festival. Let our guests fight who they desired to," Sora sighed and made his way back to his seat and watched the fight.
Speaking of it was actually pretty entertaining but – he never used the sword. Hell, the guy even forfeited.
"This guy is he even trying?!" Sora shouted standing up.
"You sure have quite the mouth, on you kid" Mercury called.
"I wouldn't risk it if I were you, Sora's probably the strongest one of us here, Mercury" Pyrrha responded to his words wisely.
"Seriously. This guy? I don't believe it."
"You don't have to, why don't I come down there and -" The bell rang.
"Remember students the dance is this weekend. But you have your first official mission Monday." Sora dropped the bravado and walked outside. Ignoring the obvious snickering Mercury and his teammate made. He glared and slammed his fist into a locker. Sending it into the classroom the just excited. The students around him stared in shock and astonishment.
"O-Oh, Sorry, miss Goodwitch" The woman just sighed and repaired the obstruction.
"That guy sure has a temper on him. Shall we learn what makes him tick?" Emerald smiled at this.
Leaving the building Blake was routed by Sun. Who promptly asked her to go to the dance. Despite his round about way of asking. Blake turned him down it wasn't until they made it back to the dorm that this was addressed.
"You want me to go to the dance, why?" She wasn't beating around the bush.
"You're letting this investigation get to you. I mean look at Sora, he lost a lot and what's he doing?" They looked over to see him looking at a picture of his family. A somber look on his face he looked over and hid the locket.
"What?" He asked defensively and sighed a bit.
"I understand Blake's side" Two of the girls glared Ruby held a look of sadness.
"However, I also understand them too, Blake you can't let this consume you, you won't be you anymore. You need to live your life." Sora stood up stretching
"Rest, relax unwind and actually go to the dance and have fun," Ruby was ready to chime in
"All we're asking for is one day, then you can return to your research. That's it."
"So – what do you think?" Yang asked.
"I think this a colossal waste of time" She stood up and walked toward the door.
"I'll be in the library" The door closed quietly
"She can't keep going like this" Sora looked at Weiss in astonishment.
"Holy crap, you have feelings!" It was enough to make Ruby laugh along with him for a bit before finally calming and returning to a full-blown glare on Weiss' face
"I do agree with you. She can't" The mood shifted to a serious one again.
"You know her better than I do but I hope she doesn't take the same path Tidus took." A knock at the door took the four by surprise.
Weiss opened the door to reveal Jaune with a guitar.
"Oh please, Jaune, no" Sora rested his head in his hands as Jaune began to sing
"Weiss, for the love of Numora if you don't shut that door. I'm going to beat him with his own guitar." Sora threatened Weiss promptly shut the door. Jaune didn't give up that easily and continued to knock
"Oh come on, if you open up, I promise not to sing" despite the protests from her teammate she opened the door.
"I lied~ Weiss Schnee will you accompany me to the dance, on Sunday?"
"Are you done?" Weiss asked.
"Yes" Jaune responded
"No" Weiss responded as Sora stood up after Weiss shut the door. Opened it walked out and promptly shut it shouting commenced.
"And that is why we call you ice queen" Muffled screams coming from outside were quickly drowned out.
"All people care about is the perks behind my last name, that and I already have a date in mind." Weiss said with a triumphant smirk
"Date or no one of this will matter if we can't get Blake to go" Sora came back inside with a broken guitar breathing heavily.
"IT IS DONE!" He yelled setting the guitar ablaze laughing manically.
"You see that Ruby, that's your date" Yang commented.
"Yeah, isn't he great?" Ruby said dreamily.
"He's laughing like a maniac while holding a broken guitar on fire, you tell me, Ruby" Weiss responded
"He's the best" Weiss pinched her nose.
"And finally we have two left obviously," Mercury said simply.
"Pyyrha Nikos and that Keyblade kid."
"Do tell," Cinder responded a smirk on her features.
"She uses polarity, but you wouldn't know that by looking at her, she doesn't broadcast this." Emerald recited.
"You could take her no problem" Mercury added.
"Now now it's not overpowering the enemy. It's about taking away what power they have."
"Speaking of, did you find a way to get to him?" Cinder speaking a bit cryptically
"So far? A girl he's been hanging around Ruby Rose I think her name is." Cinder's interest was peaked
"Thing is, everyone is saying he's one of the strongest fighters here" Mercury added.
"Then we must break him, make him unable to fight - powerless and deliver him to Sephiroth."
"Why not just dispose of him ourselves?" Emerald asked.
"From what Jecht has said if we could, he wouldn't be such a priority. None of us know what he's capable of why do you think he's coming to oversee the underground base? Best to pull his strings a bit to get a taste before we see either him or Sephiroth again." Her smirk grew
At the gymnasium Yang and Weiss were prodding the young leader for help.
"I need you to pick a table cloth" Weiss commanded
"Aren't they the same?" Ruby asked after looking at both.
"Why did I even ask you" Weiss scoffed Sora came up and took a seat near the ravenette.
"Did you pick out a dress yet?" Yang asked after she placed down one of the large speakers.
"What's the point if Blake isn't going." She glanced in Sora's direction he nodded knowing full well it wouldn't be fun without her
"You're only agreeing because you don't have a suit picked out, am I right?" Sora flinched.
"I uh...do?" He responded.
"Uh-huh, well she'll come don't worry"
Soon after Weiss and Yang got into an argument about doilies then lo and behold Neptune and Sun showed up and Weiss got super girly
"Weiss, for all that is righteous in the world stop doing that you're going to make me sick!"
"Oh, can it, stick in the mud!" She barked back.
"I'll have you know I'm not a stick in the mud, but the thought of you flirting with anything makes me physically ill" Sora retaliated.
"Sora must I remind you I have photos of you in a very compromising position with miss Rose" Sora perked up with a blush as did Ruby
"Th- THAT WASN'T EVEN MY FAULT!" Sora shot out of his seat and tackled Weiss
"Give them here!" Sora commanded
"Get off me you ruffian!" Weiss demanded
"Weiss?" She looked over to the bluenette and shot Sora off of her standing up and dusting herself off.
"Looks like you girls are ready for dress up" Sun chimed in.
"Pfft, as if what are you guys wearing" Ruby shot back.
"Uh, this?" Sun responded Sora stood up and made his way toward the Fanaus and gave him a high five.
"Sora, not you too don't get sucked into his stupidity!" He looked to both blondes.
"Yeah you're right I'm not ready for that transition, too much work, sorry Sun."
"See and just like that I turned him like I'll be turning heads" Yang smirked.
"They'll be turning trying to check out your rack," Sora said offhandedly earning him a hit to the head from both Yang and Ruby.
"Hey, it's the truth, guys are going to be staring at your rack just like if Sun came dressed like that girls all over would be staring at him!" Sora protested
"Dude, are you, jealous?" The brunette glared taking off his shirt.
"Does it look like I have anything to be jealous about?" Despite his healed cuts and battle scars he was almost as well toned as Sun which surprised them "I have no reason to boast about my body" Sora blushed as he trailed off looking away and throwing his shirt back on.
"If you didn't have the hots for my sister I'd have to get a piece of that myself, wait Ruby-" Ruby placed a finger on her sisters lips.
"I'm not into sharing!" Ruby responded triumphantly.
"So, uh what does Blake think about all this?" Sun interjected.
"Is she still being all...Blake-y?" Sun asked clearly concerned.
"I can't think of a way to change her mind." Ruby added
"Guys trust me, she will be there tomorrow." Yang was completely confident.
"If you're sure - call me if you need some brute force"
"That's the only reason we call you" Weiss added
"You can call lover boy that wasn't directed at you~!" Sora ran off towards the school to see Jaune grabbing Ren and dragging him off
"Why...do I feel like I know what this is about" He sighed to himself
"This has to do with Weiss..." He thought for a minute
"Nah, not interested I'll just go check up on Yang." After searching for what felt like twenty minutes he found them Yang smiled and waved him over
"Anyway, as I was saying. after Ruby lost her mother I soon found out that she wasn't the first woman our dad loved and lost." Blake and Sora had matching expressions
"My mother left me at the door step one summer and I kept wondering every day." Yang hopped off the desk they sat on
"I'd ask anyone I met if they knew but one day I found a clue. At least it seemed like it. I waited on dad to leave and put Ruby in a our wagon and set out." She started drawing on the chalkboard
"I must've walked for hours I had cuts and bruises and I could barely stand but I didn't care I had made it."
"And then there they were those burning red eyes, and there I was with a toddler asleep and a girl too exhausted to even cry for help." Sora sat on the steps his mind wrapped up in this story
"Luckily our uncle showed up and saved us but, my stubbornness should've gotten us killed that night."
"Yang i'm sorry that happened and I get what you're trying to tell me I do but I'm not going to stop I'm the only one who can-" She was cut off
"I'm not telling you to stop I'm telling you to slow down what good is doing all of this if you can't even do anything with it? What would you do if Roman walked through that door?" Yang was getting furious
"I'd fight him!" Blake shoved Yang back well attempted to
"how can you fight him you can't even fight me!" Yang shoved her back as Blake stood back up Yang engulfed her in an embrace
"I'm not asking you to stop just please, get some rest not just for yourself but for the people who care about you" Yang walked away towards the steps
"And if you feel like coming out tomorrow" She stopped midway
"I'll save you a dance" a wink was all she left on and made her way out. Blake looked around the room to notice Sora was still there
"Do you have something to say too? I've had enough convincing." He stood up and walked toward Blake with a warm smile plastered on his features.
"I'm not here to pile on, but I understand both sides, Blake. When my parents died I wanted nothing more to get revenge to save people from him." He took a seat on the desk
"You're a lot more level headed than I am and even this is getting to you. And I can understand that" Sora held out his hand
"Hold this" He demanded
"What, why?" She asked
"Just do it" He grabbed a hold of her hand
In her mind she could see an old town, she could see bodies on the ground and from what her friends locket showed - his father strung up like a puppet his mother in a pool of blood and the man responsible laughing and taunting what appeared to be Sora himself as he threw people about. She quickly released his hand.
"Is that-" He nodded
"It's a reminder of what I'm fighting and what I fight for. So that no one has to witness this again but I can't let it control me. that's why I try and laugh and have as much fun as I can. One day it could end" He followed Yang's path and walked out.
"It'd mean a lot to them – all of us, if you came, Blake."
The night of the dance Yang stood near the entrance greeting guests but she couldn't hold her glee when she saw her sister in heels.
"Oh, you look beautiful!" Yang cooed Ruby wasn't having it
"Can we have a serious talk as to how Weiss fights in these?" Ruby started to wobble but a hand saved her from falling. They both looked over and both girls almost had jaws reaching the floor.
Sora slicked back what hair he could his bangs, for the most part, remained in and framed his face. He wore a black tuxedo with a red shirt underneath with a black tie checkered Gray.
"Wouldn't want you to trip, Ruby." He smiled a bit blushing ever so slightly.
"Sora...You" Ruby started
"Look hot! I didn't think you could pull it off!" Yang hollered Sora blushed and hid his face.
"I didn't do this for you, you know!" Sora screeched and grabbed a hold of Ruby's' arm gently. Looking into the ravenette's eyes he smiled almost seductively
"I did it for you," He paused blushing once again
"This is actually the first time I've worn something like this. I don't know if I did it right" Yang ran up
"You did fine, now you two get out there!" She pushed both teens out to the dance floor. Ruby had to latch on to keep herself from falling but in the end landed in a heap and ended up laughing.
They danced sloppily neither really understanding too much of it trying to follow everyone else's lead and ended up just laughing.
"Those two sure are having fun aren't they?" Yang asked Weiss nodded
"So is she" She motioned to Blake and Sun
The doors opened again as Yang made it back to the podium. Sora's sense of smell once again smelled that trio – one was missing but the smell they carried was enough to kick him into gear. He glared a bit at the door leading to the dance floor but ignored it.
"Not now this is for Ruby" They continued to dance and laugh for awhile until Jaune re-entered the dance in a dress. Despite the laughter that filled the room he was the one with the most bravado to do what he needed – or rather promised to do.
"Hey, let's go up to the roof" Sora commented gently nudging the ravenette her blush betrayed her passive response. He carried her up the stairs to the roof her laughing all the way there.
They burst out onto the pavement in a fit of laughter. Ruby was about to fall and she clearly wasn't paying attention. Sora grabbed a hold of her and rolled her into his lap so he took the brunt of the fall despite this they both smiled.
"I'm glad you came" Ruby smiled
"I wouldn't miss this for the world"
"Why's that? I'm sure you could've found something else to do" Ruby giggled a bit
"Maybe," He joked as he sat up staring directly into her eyes the night sky accenting both his and her features
"But It wouldn't mean anything without you being with me" He inched a bit closer
"I can't explain what it is, I want to keep you close I want to fight by your side – I "He paused
"Like you" She finished for him as she closed the distance but something stopped her she was nervous
"I'm sorry I -" Sora shushed her
"It's ok, you don't have to force yourself, when your ready, you're ready"
"Besides what I feel is something I haven't felt. I don't much want to leave you here feeling like this." Sora smiled
"I thought that was already established that you wouldn't be leaving me?" Sora chuckled
"I said I wouldn't leave the team but- this is a bit more personal" They clearly weren't reaching the same point.
"I want to be with you, not just as a friend but -" He paused
"What's wrong?" Ruby's eyes were glued to something below he couldn't tell what he looked down but didn't see anything
"I'll be right back, Sora" She ran to the door and down the steps leaving the brunette in a boat without a paddle he sighed calming himself subconsciously and raced after her.
"The Central library why here?" Sora wasn't really taking it as urgently as he should until he saw A weapon canister buried in the ground. Instead of running into the building he ran up to the top kicking in a window. The person in question whomever it was Ruby was fighting was startled but recovered and dashed away only to reappear behind his date.
"If you care about this girl no sudden moves" Was all that was uttered.
"No reason to be hasty here" Sora reasoned A dagger was at her throat.
"I said no sudden moves" The mask wearing person repeated pushing the weapon closer to his date's throat.
"Look I can be reasonable but if you hurt her-" The masked person smiled a bit
"You'll what?" She repeated a bit of blood was drawn a muffled gasp came from Ruby and that alone was enough.
"Don't you touch her!"
Time seemed to slow for the intruder as one second she was looking at the brunette. Another he was right in front of her his hair darkened drastically and his eyes held a gold hue. He leaned back and launched a jaw crushingly hard punch at the assailant sending them into the elevator
The doors opened to reveal Ironwood they looked back down to see the assailant gone Sora returned to his normal features.
"Well, shit"
Back at the dance the masked woman made it back in time to cut in on a dance with her teammate unfortunately she wasn't looking so great.
"How was your night?" Mercury asked despite the small dab of blood that made her lipstick run. And the bruise on her cheek that was already starting to swell.
"A lot more exciting than I expected that kid is full of surprises and it seems Ruby is the key."
"Should we be worried?" Mercury asked
"Hardly they'll be scratching their heads long after we've finished what we came here for." She smiled a bit
"That Sora kid however may be a bit harder to rid of without some persuasion"
"So what should we do now?" He once again asked
"Enjoy the night, after all it is a party"
The next day, was for a lack of a better word confusing at least for one person that morning. He just walked past Ruby on his way to the office after she was done she seemed chipper but he didn't know how to feel about his meeting with them.
after taking the long elevator ride up he met with Opzin, Goodwtich and Ironwood
"You called, Professor?"
"Yes, it seems...you were also involved in what happened last night." Sora gave a perplexed look
"We've already talked to Ruby and we all agree you did a good job in protecting your teammate – however," Here we go..
"Getting that hands on when your teammate was in a compromising situation was rather – for the lack of a better word reckless. That power of yours when it involves someone or something you care for you can't control it can you? Specific events trigger it correct?" Opzin asked
"Why...do you ask?" The brunette was concerned
"That power of yours is a marvelous gift. I was hoping to see if you wouldn't mind allowing -" Opzin held up a hand
"That isn't what this is about, Ironwood and you know that" Miss Goodwitch interjected
"The reason why is because we've found a possible lead on your friend and team JNPR's missing teammate" Sora perked up
"However, your duties to your team come first, after the vytal festival we will start discussing plans for you to track down Tidus. You will be gone until you are able to locate him or you've manged to make a dent in Sephiroth's plans. You will be shadowing a top hunter or huntress and after they deem your mission complete you will return." Opzin gave the teen a hard look.
"Of course you aren't under any circumstances allowed to tell your team what we've discussed" Opzin stated
"Why...me?"
"You should know that answer better than anyone, my boy. You're the only one who can weather this and come out of it and I won't allow any of my students to come to harm."
"But I'm a student too, aren't I?"Sora questioned rather nervously
"As soon as you leave those walls you'll be under their command, not mine. You will cease to be my student until you return." Opzin stated simply
"You'll be called the day before your set out date you are dismissed." The walk back was uneventful feeling devoid of emotion he simply walked all the way to his dorm
"-That was a bold move," Weiss said nonchalantly
"I think she handled it well" Blake disagreed
"I'm sure it'll be alright" Yang added
The voices grew louder as he grew closer he opened the door as Ruby gleefully jumped up and down in the presence of a package
"What'd I miss?" The brunette asked as aloof as he could
"Nothin much just opening a package from our dad" Yang responded
"Must be nice" It was an absent minded response one that he shouldn't have said
"Sorry, I – I'm not thinking straight." He sat near his pallet looking up at the gift they received which popped out a second later...a dog.
"ZWEI!" Ruby screamed as the dog launched itself into her arms licking her face Blake jumped onto the aforementioned girls bed and Weiss didn't look amused
"A dog?!" Blake asked clearly uncomfortable
"Yeah, dad does this stuff all the time" Yang responded
"The gift or the dog" Blake almost hissed
"Both" Yang laughed a bit
"Are you telling me this mangy, drooling mutt is going to wive with us forevah?" Weiss cooed
Oh dear god they've all given in to the cuteness
"Sora, say something, you're the only voice of reason we have left!" Blake called the person in response just pushed himself into the wall. He began having a staring contest
"What is happening here!" Blake asked herself
Zwei seeming to notice for whatever reason hopped down from Ruby's arms. Walked over to the brunette barking twice then waddling up into his lap and licking his chin.
Sora gently laid his hand on the dog's head and it sat obediently as he slowly brushed his free hand through its fur.
"Awwh see look at that Ruby. You don't have to get all handsy with him anymore he's got the dog now see?" Weiss cooed again – however received no response from the brunette who only perked up when the speaker overhead came on.
"Will all first year students please report to the amphitheater"
After an assortment of decisions they left Zwei to his own devices. With a giant load of food at least, that's what they all assumed.
"What's with the bag, Sora asked
"Oh, uh just – bringing some extra things in case we're gone for a while you know." She placed her bag down and Sora lopsidedly placed his down near hers
"Today, we stand together united, Mistrel, Atlas, Vacuo, Vale the four kingdoms of Remnant. On this day eighty years ago a great war came to an end. I was a war of ignorance, of greed, and oppression." The rest of the speech was something akin to a father sending sending his son off to war
It was hard for Sora to look at him as anything other than that father who didn't want to see any of his children get hurt.
It didn't help that in a weird way – he wasn't one of those. He was an outsider he didn't mind sending off to a possible death – in a way he could look at it as he was the only one who he could send. The only one he could trust enough to do it hence why he acted – a bit more indifferent toward the idea. He had no other options he reasoned.
He heard that they would be shadowing a hunter or huntress for a few days or anywhere to a week. Akin to what he'd have to be going through but in his case it wasn't going to be as pleasant.
"Remember your training and remember to do your best." The girls devised a plan using quadrant 5 as a means to get to the southeast area to find more information on Roman. As well as the white fang however when they put in the team name it wasn't cleared for them because of the amount of experience they lacked.
"Well that's great," Weiss commented
"Any other ideas?" Blake added
"We mail ourselves there" Ruby chimed in animatedly
"How would that work, we'd be better off flying there." Sora huffed
"Well that's one option" A sixth voice added it was professor Opzin
"Unfortunately we've determined that the concentration of Grimm was too extreme for first year students."
"It seems that particular region is rather popular, I have a sneaking suspicion that the four of you will make your way there no matter the job. Draging Sora here despite his protests, am I correct?" They looked to the brunette
"Thank you!" He chimed in
"So how about this, instead of waiting for you all to break the rules how about we bend them." Opzin had a smile littered on his face
"You're the only five man squad available so I'm sure you can handle this. You have the light on your side" Opzin pressed buttons on his communicator allowing them access
"You know, I was fine with the patrol around the city walls" Sora added
"Oh what now you're getting cold feet?" Weiss asked condescendingly
"It's not that but..." He trailed off
"What's killed your bravado? We'll be fine." Yang added happily much to Sora's chagrin
"Thank you professor, we won't let you down" Ruby was elated with confidence
"Do not thank me for this. Teamwork and persistence have gotten you this far. But what awaits you outside the kingdom walls will not care. Stay close to your huntsman at all times and do as he says he can have you sent back to beacon if he finds your skills unsatisfactory. Good luck" The professor left the five to their own devices.
The unease was felt around the team they made way outside of Beacon to the helipads in wait for the one that would take them
"Well, that wasn't exactly uplifting" Was it supposed to be?
"But it's the truth" Blake added
"It's gonna be tough but I know we can do it" Ruby still as confident as ever.
"Hey look team CFVY is back."
Team RWBYS made a quick detour to talk to Velvet – the team leader.
"What took you guys so long wasn't your mission supposed to be over a week ago?" Yang asked Velvet turned toward the team seeming to have a blank expression about the question itself.
"It wasn't difficult or anything it was just...A lot of them along with some new Grimm with yellow eyes." The Bunny Faunus responded before making her way off toward Beacon. Sora stood rooted shocked. An odd silence filled the group but Ruby was there to fill it.
"We've never backed down before and we're not starting now" She was confident more so than anyone had seen her- outside of the five of them anyway.
"Heartless..." Sora whispered Blake gave him an odd look but no one pressed on it
"Mom, Dad, give me strength"