RWBY 10
So, I know I said I had a few reserve chapters, but my beta pointed out a few things that needed to be rewritten, and he only just finished the revised versions last night. SO I'm sorry for the wait, and I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own SAO or RWBY. I also don't own any other letters of the alphabet, but that's not important right now.
"So, it's that time again...?" Sachi asked worriedly, looking from Kirito to Leafa and back over to Yang's party.
"Yeah." Kirito replied, "We've gotta keep going in order to clear the game, right?"
"Yes, but…"
"You don't have to worry." Leafa assured her, "We'll be back before you even know it."
"Not to worry, Sachi." Yang nodded as well, "These two will be fine. As long as these two are with us, I feel sorry for that boss."
"Alright then." Sachi smiled, "I'll leave them to you then."
"They're in good hands." Yang nodded, "So, shall we talk strategy?"
"Won't you be talking strategy with your new guild?" Leafa asked, and Yang just groaned.
"Don't remind me…"
The next morning, Yang left the inn she was staying at with the rest of her party and teleported to the Town of Beginnings. The massive Black Iron Palace loomed over the city as always, housing the Beacon Guild. Waiting in the center of the plaza was a woman with long blonde hair. Her weapon, oddly enough a riding crop, was strapped to her leg.
"Good morning, Miss Yang." she said casually, "I've been expecting you. My name is Glynda"
"So, you knew I wasn't going to try and run off?" Yang asked.
"If you were the type to go back on your word, then we wouldn't have wanted to recruit you." She chuckled, "Anyway, please come with me. The guild master is expecting you."
Following after the woman, Yang couldn't help but look around the Town. The majority of the players were already gone, but there were still somewhere around two thousand players in the city, too afraid to leave.
"Difficult to look at, isn't it?" The woman asked her, "So many people have already died. Is it any wonder that so many would rather live their lives where it is safe?"
"No, but it's… a lot more depressing than I'd expected." She answered, looking at the hundreds of players clinging to tree branches waiting for the hourly fruit respawn. Others were curled up in the dark alleyways sleeping or crying.
"It is. Life in this city is hard if you're too afraid to leave it." She nodded, "There are people who can't make money at all, going hungry every day and sleeping on the streets. Those are the kind of people we're trying to help. Clearing the game is only part of the equation."
"What do you mean?" Yang asked her.
"No matter how hard we try; we can't clear the game in a single day. It will take us a long time, even if everything goes right. In that time, if we ignore the ones living lives of sorrow, it will only lead to senseless death. Do you know how many people have committed suicide since this game began?"
"No…" Yang replied, not sure she wanted to know the answer.
"Two hundred eighty-one." she said, stopping and looking back at her, "It is our belief that that number should not increase. In addition to clearing the front lines, we devote a portion of our resources to aiding players in the town of beginnings. Partying with them to help raise col and levels, handing out small sums of money to ensure that players can eat and sleep properly and the like."
"What's the point?" Yang asked, before quickly correcting herself, "I mean, that seems like an awful lot of trouble without much in the way of rewards, ya know?"
"Tell me, do you think we can win with just the players on the front lines?" Glynda asked her again.
"Well, yeah, we've been doing alright so far…" Yang replied to the sudden question.
"At the moment, yes, we're doing alright." she nodded, "But what about fifty, sixty floors down the road? The chances are high that as we get progressively further, the number of people willing to risk their lives on the front lines will decrease as well. We need to inspire the same self confidence that we all share in the rest of the players. If more players are encouraged to fight, the game will be cleared all the quicker. Besides, as you should know by now, the col required for a player to survive on floor one is a drop in the bucket compared to what we earn on the front lines."
"I guess I can't really deny that one." Yang shrugged while they passed through the gates of the Black Iron Palace.
Standing in front of the building was a familiar white haired man, holding a cane in his right hand.
"Good morning, Yang." he said with a wave, "Glynda, thank you for your good work."
"Of course, sir." She answered, stepping aside.
"While I was waiting, we had a few new recruits come by, and they're waiting inside." he answered, "please make sure they're ready for tomorrow morning."
"As you wish." She bowed, walking past him into the building.
"Now then, Yang, let's go for a walk, shall we?"
"If you say so." Yang said, following him until he stopped a few feet away.
"And you two-' He said with a small smile, "Please, come out."
"You knew we were there?" The familiar voice of Ruby asked from behind her, and she turned to see both her little sister and friend walking through the gates.
"I would have been quite disappointed if you weren't." Ozpin replied, "Though I have to wonder why you're here. Are you merely curious, or were you interested in joining?"
"Um… Join, I think?" Ruby answered, "If you'll have us."
"I said I'd be needing your help, didn't I?" Ozpin asked, looking to Blake this time, "And while we haven't talked much, I can certainly see the advantage of having someone as skilled and… unique as you."
Blake's eyes narrowed, but she didn't respond to his comment.
"You guys sure about this?" Yang asked the two of them.
"Of course." Ruby said like the answer should've been obvious.
"We've been a party together this long, so why change it now?" Blake asked with a shrug, "Besides, being in a guild will probably be better in the long run."
"So then, let's proceed with this then." Ozpin smiled, opening his menu with his left hand and casually tapping it a few times. Three identical windows appeared in front of each of them.
'Will you accept the invitation to join 'Beacon'?'
At almost the same time, they accepted the request. Beside their status bar, they each received an icon shaped like a roaring flame appeared.
"Excellent." Ozpin said once that was out of the way, tapping his menu again and bringing three teleport crystals out of his inventory, "Now, each of you take one of these."
"What for?" Ruby asked, taking one of the crystals.
"There is a… test... tomorrow." He said cryptically, "Nothing too major, I assure you. Thought you might want to have a healing crystal ready in case you miss your timing."
"Missing the timing?" Yang asked, "What's that mean?"
"In due time." Ozpin chuckled, "Now, I'll have more instructions for you tomorrow morning. Until then, feel free to take the day off. Regroup here tomorrow morning at eight."
"Alright." Blake said calmly, "Then good day."
"Later." Yang waved.
"Bye." Ruby said, turning to walk away.
"A moment, Ruby." Ozpin interrupted her, "I'd like to say that I'm glad you decided to return to the front lines. I do hope that your trip to floor one was… enlightening."
"Not really." Ruby answered, "I mean, I picked up a new skill and all, but that's about it."
"Perhaps, but you gained something far more valuable than merely a scythe skill." Ozpin said vaguely before walking back into the Black Iron Palace.
The three woke up at seven the next morning, and after a quick breakfast, they headed down to floor one. The streets were just as depressing as they day before, though this time there were several guild members walking around and recruiting the citizens for an excursion outside the city. Judging from their equipment, they were high leveled too.
When they arrived at the black iron palace, they were met by an incredibly hyperactive green haired man with a mace clipped to his belt.
"Ah, Miss Yang and her party! Excellent!" He said quickly, sipping coffee from the thermos in his hand, "And you arrived earlier than expected! Very well done. Now, gather around and I'll explain the specifics of the test today. First and foremost, my name is Oobleck."
"So… will this be a written test?" Ruby asked nervously, and he just chuckled.
"Of course not. Why, what purpose would a written test do for ascertaining your skills in this game in which we find ourselves trapped?! No, no, what we'll be testing today is your skill in combat as well as decision making and teamwork."
"Oh." Yang smiled, "See, Ruby? Told you it wasn't anything to worry about."
"Now, hold on." He continued, "There are a few things you must take into account first. First of all, Miss Yang, I believe you are the leader of this party?"
"Yup." She nodded, "Why?"
"Please, dissolve the party."
"How's that going to help our team-" Blake started, but he sipped his coffee and held up his hand.
"Now hold on and let me finish." he said quickly, "We need to see not only your individual and group skills, but also your ability to adapt to changes in your environment. As such, we'll be pairing you up randomly with another player you meet during the test."
"So we're teaming with some stranger?" Yang asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Perhaps. "he said quickly, "Of course, a wise player might make plans to ensure that they team with someone with whom they already have good chemistry, but the choice is yours. And even then, you'll have to party with the first person you see, so best keep out of sight if you plan to do so."
"Wait. hold on a second." Ruby squeaked, "So, we might get paired up with someone outside the party...?"
"A very real possibility." He nodded, "So, are there any questions?"
"Um…" Ruby started again, but then the bell started to chime over the Iron Palace.
"Looks like it's almost time." Oobleck said, cutting her off, "Now, in roughly thirty seconds, you'll be teleported into the dungeon on floor twenty-two, where you will undertake this daring task. The job of each pair is to retrieve one of several treasures hidden in the boss room, then make your way back through the dungeon to the entrance. Ozpin and Glynda will be waiting there to give you your 'grades'."
"Got it." Yang nodded, "Alright, floor twenty-two. It's a pretty big forest, but there's that one giant tree in the center, so let's meet there."
"I feel like there's something I'm forgetting…" Oobleck frowned as the chiming bell grew louder. Finally, the crystals started to glow and he gasped, "Of course! Of course, of course, of course! Everyone, be very careful. Your crystals are set to roughly two hundred fifty feet above the surface of the dungeon."
"WHAT!?" All of them screeched, but the crystals teleported them against their will.
When Ruby opened her eyes, she was in a free fall into a massive sea of trees. all around her, dozens of other players were in similar state. With all the other players, it was almost impossible for her to discern which of them were her friends. Instead, she set her sights on the massive tree in the center of the forest.
"Okay…" Ruby said, taking a deep breath and hooking her scythe blade on the top tree branch of a nearby oak. The scythe sliced clean through it without breaking her fall, but it slowed her enough for her to trigger a sword skill, 'Hook' which caught the next branch and sent her flying forward. A second time, she redirected herself to the ground, sliding safely across the dirt without losing much of her hp.
The tree they marked as their meeting place was still visible over the tree line, so she readied her weapon and advanced through the maze of trees. The mindless mobs ran at her, but her sword skills made mincemeat out of them (And received it as a drop!) and she made her way ever closer to the tree. Unlike every other floor, though, she didn't have the layout memorized. The assault team tore through the floor in just over a week, so it barely had any time to leave an impression on her.
After making yet another wrong turn in her empty pursuit of the giant tree, she slashed at one of the tree in frustration, "Why can't I get there!?"
A twig snapped behind her, and she spun around with the tip of her scythe glowing only to find herself face to face with a familiar white haired rapier user. The two froze for a second at the sight of each other before responding the exact same way.
"What are you doing here?!"
"Ruby's late." Yang said, swinging lightly from the branches of the largest tree, "Any ideas?"
"Well, should we be worried?" Blake asked from the shadows, where Yang should not have been able to see her...
"Probably not." Yang admitted, "Ruby's just as strong as either of us, so she won't lose to anything on this floor. But she still should've been here by now."
"She probably got lost." Blake chuckled, and Yang couldn't help but nod. Of all the answers, that did seem the most likely.
"Anyway, Blake, mind if I ask you something?" Yang said after a few minutes of silence.
"Might as well. "Blake sighed, "We haven't got anything better to do for a little bit."
"Blake, you're a Faunus, aren't you?" Yang said softly, and behind her, Blake took a sharp breath, "It's fine if you don't want to answer. It's a bit of a personal question, isn't it?"
"...No, it's alright." Blake said after a minute, "Honestly, I should've told you guys before now. You're right. I'm-"
"Yang!" Ruby shouted, running into the clearing.
"Ruby!" Yang called out, jumping down from the branch, "What kept. you…" She stopped her sentence when she saw the white haired girl from the floor two boss raid, "What are you doing here?" She asked harshly.
"The same thing as you." Weiss huffed, "And don't look at me like this is my fault. I tried to ignore her but Ozpin sent me a message saying I had to partner with her… Where's he watching us from anyway...?"
Almost at the same time as she finished speaking, she received another message. Bringing it up, she inadvertently read it aloud, "Weiss, please don't ask questions above your paygrade. Ozpin."
"Someone got owned by PM." Yang grinned. "So ruby, you got her as your partner?"
"It's not so bad…" Ruby chuckled nervously, "I mean, she's pretty good in a fight."
"Ruby, you realize that she-" Yang started, but she sighed, "Whatever. Let's just go and get this over with. The sooner this test is over; the sooner she's gone."
"My thoughts exactly." Weiss said happily, skipping across the clearing to one of the many corridors, "So, if we just take this path here, we'll make it to boss room."
"The boss room is this way." Yang and Blake both said at the same time, pointing to the same path.
"I think I know my way to the boss room just fine." Weiss huffed, "Unlike some people, I actually fought in the boss battle."
"I know that's a lie." Yang said instantly, "Since we fought the boss too."
"Shut up!" Weiss shouted, stomping her foot, "Let's go, Ruby. They'll see that we're right."
"Um, but…" Ruby started, but Weiss stormed off down the wrong path. Looking back at her teammates, she shrugged, "Sorry guys! We'll meet you there, okay?"
"Ruby…" Yang sighed, but Ruby had already ran off after Weiss, "Great. So much for sticking together."
"You want to follow after them?" Blake asked her, "It doesn't' make any difference to me."
"Nah, we'll go on ahead." Yang shook her head, "If nothing else, we'll be able to rub it in Weiss' face."
Yang turned away from the path her sister and Weiss had taken and headed onwards towards the boss's room.
"Hey, Ren?" Nora asked from the tree branches above him, "Where do you think the others got off to? I mean, I knew I'd be able to find you, and I knew you'd be okay even if I didn't, but if Pyrrha didn't find Jaune, he could be eaten! Or killed! Maybe maimed! Though that last one's not much of a problem since this is a game. Hm... I wonder if we could feed our hunger stat by eating someone's limb..."
"Nora." He said before she could consider the plan any further.
"Yes Ren?" She asked like she didn't know what he was going to say.
"I'm pretty sure cannibalism is considered harm." He reminded her, "And do I need to remind you that you already have two strikes? If this keeps up, you might end up orange forever."
"Those weren't my fault." Nora said cheerfully, "I'm sure that the GM won't hold them against me. I mean, Ruby asked for it, and that other guy, well, he might as well have asked for it."
"He told you to be quiet so you wouldn't give away our position." He reminded her.
"I know." She nodded, completely missing the point of his comment, "I can't believe he said that either."
"Nora." He sighed, "Just shut up."
Surprisingly, she listened to him and didn't reply. Unfortunately, he realized all too soon why that was. All her noise had drawn a monster towards them, and she had a devious glint in her eyes, before he could warn her not to do anything stupid, she grabbed his arm and jumped, dragging him with her because of her insane strength stat. The two of them landed onto the back of the strange black creature, which immediately started bucking for a few moments before breaking into a full speed random run around the forest. All the while, Nora was laughing wildly.
"Okay, now I'm starting to worry." Yang said, finally standing up after staring at the door for two hours. half a dozen different teams had already shown up and left, but there was no sign of Ruby and Weiss.
Blake opened her friends' list for the umpteenth time, "According to the map, she's about a hundred feet from the door."
"Then why isn't she-" Yang started to ask when the door exploded in. Both of their weapons were drawn within seconds, but it was meaningless. The bizarre black creature with only two hind legs and a pair of razor sharp teeth fell forward as the girl on its back casually dusted herself off.
"Aw…. It's broken." She sighed as the beast exploded into polygons. A familiar young man staggered into the boss chamber, looking exhausted.
"Nora… never do that again." he said, collapsing up against the wall. Yang and Blake ran over to check on him and saw that his HP was in the red.
"He fell off." Nora shrugged, hanging the hammer on her back.
"Wait, did you just get all the way on a monster's back?" Blake asked, taking out a healing crystal and restoring Ren's HP.
"Of course not." Nora grinned, "Just most of the way. "
Once his HP was back to full, Ren breathed a sigh of relief and stood up, "Thank you, Blake."
"No problem." Blake replied.
"Where's Ruby?" He asked, looking around the empty chamber while Nora grabbed one of the Rook pieces and started chanting 'I'm queen of the castle!', "I thought for sure that she'd beat us here."
"Why?" Yang asked immediately, and Ren pointed at the door.
"Because on our way here, we saw her flying from the sky and landing in the branches above us." He replied, and Yang ran out the door.
'We've gotta be getting close now." Jaune said after cutting his way through a thicket of vines blocking his advance, "The boss room should be just up ahead, right?"
"Jaune, actually, I think it's probably back the other way." Pyrrha tried to warn him, looking backward to the cliff that housed the boss room. Instead, they were wandering deeper and deeper into the dungeon, and the thicket Jaune cut had a strength requirement that would've been more than any of the clearers could've dealt with at the time when floor twenty-two was the front lines.
Unfortunately, Jaune wasn't paying her any attention. Instead, he was staring a deep tunnel into the ground with an excited grin.
"We did it, Pyrrha!" He cheered, running down into the tunnel.
"Jaune, no!" She shouted, running after him, but soon after they passed through the entrance, the light of the sun behind them disappeared, leaving him engulfed in total darkness.
"Whoa!" Jaune gasped after walking into a wall for the fifth time, "Okay, you know what…" He grumbled to himself and Pyrrha heard him tapping furiously at the menu, "Here we go." He said triumphantly, "Ignite!"
A flash of dim yellow light formed around his hand, or more precisely around the small yellow crystal in his hand.
"And you said that this light crystal wasn't worth buying." He smirked.
"I stand corrected." She nodded, "It's not bright, but at least we won't be walking into walls. Still, we have to be careful. There's no telling when a monster might jump out at us."
"We'll be fine." Jaune assured her, walking confidently through the tunnels with his light crystal held out in front of him. As soon as they turned the corner, the dim light caught on something in the air. Something large and gold.
"That must be it!" Jaune said, stepping forward, "I knew that the relic would be something awesome like this. Let's hurry and bring it back to the guild master. I'm sure we'll be the first ones."
"Jaune, I don't think that's a good ide-" She said calmly, trying not to alarm him, but he stepped forward and grabbed for the golden object. It recoiled slightly, causing him to miss.
"Stupid thing." He said, snatching at it again, and again it moved out of the way. Stomping his foot angrily and ignoring Pyrrha's cry of protest, he jumped up and grabbed it with his entire body.
"Jaune, no!" she shouted as the golden 'relic' started to shake violently, and with it the caves.
The next chapter is beta'd (I mean it this time!), so I'll be trying to upload it next week if life allows. Next chapter will see the end of the test, along with a bit of a fight. More importantly, there's a bit of a change from canon at the end.
Until then, feel free to leave a review.