"No."

Professors Ozpin and Goodwitch exchanged a worried glance.

"Miss Schnee, are you asbolutely sure that you don't want t-"

"I said no." Weiss interrupted. Goodwitch sighed; the heiress was as stubborn as a mule, refusing to relent. Ozpin decided to make another attempt.

"Miss Schnee, Professor Goodwitch and I are trying to make this clear to you: forfeiting this match is not a cowardly action. Given what we've seen of this...Tristen, we highly recommend that you consider-"

"Consider what, sir? Throwing in the towel and handing that creep the trophy through fear? That might be what somebody weak would do, but not me. I, won't, quit!" came Weiss's reply. At this point, Ruby butted in.

"Professor Ozpin sir, with all due respect, Weiss can handle herself, sir! And...I believe in her!" Ruby exclaimed, motioning to her partner sat next to her. Weiss remained steadfast, sitting perfectly straight in her chair, eyes fixed on the two teachers. Glynda Goodwitch made one final, desperate outreach.

"Weiss, may I remind you of Tristen's track record so far in the competition. First, he defeated Zoe, one of Team AZRE, in a mere 15 seconds. In his second match, he hospitalised Sun Wukong with Sun's own gunfire. And just days ago, he eliminated Penny from the tournament, and since then Penny has been taken back t-"

Ozpin set a hand on Glynda's, and they exchanged a glance. Goodwitch had fallen silent instantly. Ruby narrowed her eyes a little; what had just happened? Where was Penny?

"Miss Schnee, if you wish to compete, we will not prevent your participation. However, it is our duty to make sure you are aware of the...severe risks involved in doing so. Even now, it's not too late to pull out of the match. The waiting crowds will be...frustrated, of course, but that shouldn't be a problem." Ozpin said, sipping yet more coffee. Weiss stood from the table which separated them.

"I understand the risks. But I won't be like the rest, sir." With that, Weiss turned to exit the dimly lit meeting room. Ruby sprung to her feet and followed the heiress out.


Ruby caught up with the snowy haired huntress with a dash of her semblance. They marched side by side along the desolate hallway, approaching the locker room. Ruby had no words for her partner, and yet she desperately craved to be able to reassure Weiss; to tell her she could do it, tell her she was going to win for sure. But she couldn't form the sentences, for she felt fear for her partner. What Weiss was about to face...Ruby felt her breathing quicken, and nervous jitters began to creep over her.

They arrived at the locker room, and Weiss instantly began equipping herself - opening a nearby locker, she pulled out the combat essentials. Her combat boots, many crystals of Dust, and of course, her fabled Myrtenaster. She took the sword gracefully, inspecting its hilt and its blade, before securing it on her hip. After strapping her boots on firmly, she stood and faced Ruby. The two exchanged expressions which said more than words ever could.

Ruby slowly trudged towards Weiss, until they were centimetres apart. The red huntress looked at the heiress, gulping and playing with her hands nervously.

She broke, and flung her arms around Weiss. Weiss returned the embrace, clutching onto Ruby's back and holding her head as she felt dampness on her shoulder, occasional droplets of her partner's tears soaking through the fabric of her jacket.

"...W-Weiss, I'm...I'm scared..." sniffed Ruby, her voice muffled as her head remained pressed into Weiss's clothes. The heiress exhaled, trying to control her own rising heart rate.

"..I'm scared too, Ruby." Weiss said through a sigh.

"I-if that Tristen g-guy goes too far, o-or he h-hurts you, I swear I'll come down there...and I-I'll-"

"No, Ruby." came Weiss's interruption. "I need you to promise me that." Ruby brought her head up; her silver eyes perplexed and full of fear.

"I need you to promise me...that you won't intervene. No matter what happens." Ruby paused, shaking her head.

"...W-Weiss, I won't stand by whilst h-he-"

"Do you trust me, Ruby?" Ruby nodded anxiously, sniffing and brushing wetness from her eyes.

"O-of course."

"Then promise me. I need you to promise me that you'll let me keep fighting until the very end."

Tears brimmed up in Ruby's eyes again, and she fought desperately against them with rapidly stuttering eyelids. She nodded reluctantly, and the two partners locked into another hug, holding on as if it were their last moments together.

Several seconds later, they pulled apart, still holding each other's arms as the fear of what was to come gripped their minds. Ruby leaned her forehead on Weiss's, cherishing the moment just a little longer.

Ruby felt herself leaning her head in a little closer, the action coming so naturally to her. Weiss mirrored her movement, similarly drawing closer without thinking about her actions. The distance between their lips narrowed, and Ruby slid her arms around the heiress's back and onto her shoulders. Weiss's arms held around Ruby's waist a little tighter. Panic raced through the heiress's mind, her thoughts a mess.

What am I doing? Why am I...

They closed their eyes, closing the gap between their mouths slowly. Mere millimetres separated their lips now. Ruby shifted her lips, ready for...

A loud bell rang out in the locker room. Weiss jolted back from the near kiss, swallowing nervously and slipping out of Ruby's hands.

"...It's time. I-I have to go fight now." Weiss whispered. She walked away, approaching the door to the stadium centre. She paused, glancing over her shoulder at Ruby, who stared back longingly. Every fibre of Weiss's being yearned to forget about the match, forget about Tristen, and return to those entrancing silver eyes.

But the world was cruel, and would not leave them be. Fate had brought them together just weeks ago; now it was tearing them apart again, like fragments of a mirror.

She had to do this. She had to go out and face Tristen.

No matter what happened in this match, Ruby would be facing Tristen afterwards. That made this all the more important.

She had to prove to Ruby that this monster wasn't invincible. Somehow.

She opened the door, and once more stepped out into the stadium.


Ruby had accelerated back into the stands as fast as she could, zipping in next to her big sister and the others. She had harassed Professor Ozpin relentlessly to make sure that they got good seats, and he'd agreed to it; they sat right by the action, low down, practically on the sidelines. Yang looked down at her little sister. No smile on Ruby's face today - in place of it was an expression of dread. Ruby's hands hung by her side, frantically fidgeting her fingers. Yang grimaced, realising she had no words to adequately console her with.

Out in the centre, Weiss was approaching her podium. Tristen stood still and silent, fixated on the heiress as she took her position opposite him. Below them was another spacious arena, a circle of 100 metre diameter. This arena was more eye-candy than it was practical battle space. Everything was made of glass. The floor was solid glass, as were the huge blocks which were dotted around the arena, each 7 feet high and serving as spots of cover for the competitors. At the very centre of the arena was a tall, pristine water fountain, partially carved into the glass floor.

"Alllllllright then! After the Bracket B Final ended in a spectacular tie, we have the first of two finals matches today! On one side of the arena, we have the graceful heiress to the Schnee Dust Company herself - she's ice cold and she's always got a plan, give it up for Weiss! SCHNEE!" called the marshal. Applause rang out around the stands, but Weiss remained focused only on the boy opposite her. "And facing off against the ice queen, please give it up for the mysterious rookie who stormed his way to the top, Tristen! FALL!"

The crowd noise fell to a murmuring. No more was he something to marvel at.

He was something to run from; something to fear.

Tristen was unfazed by the reaction, maintaining his discomforting smile, transfixed on the heiress. The clock hit 30 seconds.

"So lovely to see you again, Weiss." Tristen called out. His voice was ever calm - his tone did not suggest he was about to be fighting in a tournament final. "And now we get to face one another in the arena - how splendid."

Weiss remained silent. The clock ticked down to 20 seconds.

"If it's any consolation, Miss Schnee, I'll make this quick..."

Weiss remained silent. 15 seconds.

"No witty comeback for me, Weiss? I must express my disappointment. I would enjoy this more, if there were a little fight in you..." he seemed to spit the words out.

Weiss refused to answer. 6 seconds.

Tristen seemed to become agitated by the lack of response. He readied his broadsword in his right hand.

Three.

Two.

One.

Zero.


Weiss leapt off her podium, arcing through the air and sweeping Myrtenaster horizontally. An impressive burst of fire shot from the tip of her blade, rolling through the air towards Tristen. With a wave of his hand, the flames scattered, dispersing harmlessly around him. He dropped down into the arena, landing atop one of the large glass cubes. Weiss had landed onto the shining floor, bending her knees to absorb the fall and leaning behind cover in order to load a yellow Dust crystal into her rapier. It clicked into place neatly.

She rolled out of cover, got to her feet and unleashed the attack on Tristen. Astonishing blue forks of lightning exploded out of Myrtenaster's tip, each bolt accompanied by a deafening crack. Ruby covered her ears in the stands, watching the electricity shoot at Weiss's enemy.

Tristen held his hand out before him. The streaks of lightning seemed to absorb into his palm, resting there as a pulsating white glow. He chuckled, before flicking his wrist forward.

The electricity burst back towards its caster. The forks hit Weiss and she flew backwards, slumping against a glass cube.

"WEISS!" Ruby shouted out desperately. She tightened her knuckles until they were white, frustrated that there was nothing she could do to help from here.

The heiress rose to her feet groggily, struggling for breath. Wisps of smouldering smoke hovered above her body; burn marks were present on her arms where the lightning had struck her.

She discretely loaded black Dust into her rapier's chamber. Weiss swung the sword above her head and planted the blade into the ground; suddenly, the arena was plunged into eerie darkness, the viscous black smog obscuring vision. Tristen looked around curiously, sniggering to himself.

"Oh this is interesting, Weiss. Is the heiress trying to hide from me in the shadows? Not for long, I'm afraid." Tristen swirled his hand in an oval shape, and the clouds of black fog began to clear around him rapidly. However, he spotted Weiss standing exactly where she had been before. Tristen saw Weiss's hand movements a moment too late, her eyes focusing on his feet.

A glyph appeared on the glass cube beneath him. Tristen panicked, trying to escape - but failed to think fast enough. The glyph launched him up into the air; he flailed and kicked as he was thrown upwards like a rag-doll. As he began to fall downwards, Tristen tried to manipulate the air below him into a 'cushion' - but the makeshift air barrier was too weak to break his plummet. Tristen crashed back down onto the glass cube, as the crowd cheered in glee. Tristen growled and got to his feet, furious at the humiliation.

"You're going to pay for that. You are going, to pay, for, that." he said, barely containing his rage. He stretched his hand out again. Weiss heard the cracking sound just an instant too late; she spun on her heel to look behind her, watching in horror as the enormous glass cube slammed into her with the force of a truck. Weiss flew through the air backwards, landing in the water fountain with a dramatic sploosh. Tristen kept his focus on the huge lump of glass, however. He drifted the cube over the water surface as the heiress was submerged, and held the cube there, hovering without motion on top of the water.

Ruby screamed out for her partner before turning to Yang in frantic desperation. "He's trying to drown her! YANG, HE'S GOING TO DROWN WEISS!" Yang, Blake and Team JNPR could only watch on in dread, Yang's sister in a terrified frenzy, as Weiss thrashed about under the cube, unable to get above the water surface to breath. The heiress desperately swam around to try get around the cube, whilst Tristen malevolently kept the glass cube above Weiss, denying her the ability to get out of the water.

To Ruby's relief, a line of glyphs appeared under the water - Weiss launched herself horizontally out of the water fountain, skidding across the glossy arena floor. Weiss sputtered and choked water out of her lungs, lying on her side. Her skirt and jacket clung to her, drenched and heavy. She dragged herself across the floor to lean against one of the large cubes, coughing out more water. Tristen laughed out, clapping as she staggered to her feet, legs trembling. Bruises lined her calves and thights, interrupted only by various bleeding lacerations which wept deep red.

"Do you see now, Weiss? This is why it's a lot easier, and a lot quicker to just submit to me. How about I make you a deal? That's fair, right? I promise to only play with you for a little while longer, and then I'll finish you off. I think we can both agree that I'm being generous, considering you dared to try attack me. Are you willing to accept, then? Will you yield to me, little girl?"

Weiss remained silent.

"I find a little struggle attractive in a girl, Weiss, but this is getting tiresome now."

Weiss refused to answer.

Have it your way then...but mark my words: when I'm finished with you, you're going to dearly wish you'd just given in to me."

Ruby seethed at his words; they made her feel sick, and she felt powerless to save Weiss. All she could was stand here, watching this monster torture her partner. Ruby scrunched her face in fury. Yang looked at her sister with unease, noticing that Ruby was clutching Crescent Rose instinctively.

Weiss grabbed Myrtenaster from the ground, and switched to the white-grey Dust setting.

I just need to buy some time.

She ignored the agony all over her body, and put the feeling of cold to the back of her mind. She stabbed the blade into the ground once more.

The winds converged around her, swirling with increasing ferocity until the protective tornado had formed around her. The great storm drew water from the ground and flung it high into the cloud layer. Tristen stretched out his hand, trying to grasp at the tornado to pull it apart...he found himself unable. The air particles were moving too rapidly around for him to be able to control their movement. He narrowed his eyes.

"If I can't tear the walls apart...then I'll just have to tear you apart..." he grumbled. Tristen aimed his palm at a nearby glass cube, and squeezed his hand into a ball.

The glass cube shattered upon his command; uncountable numbers of glass fragments littered the ground, and Tristen forced them to obey his authority. The inanimate shards complied, rising off the ground and levitating. Tristen swept his arm at the tornado.

The glass debris shot towards the tornado, slipping through the currents of air and attacking the inside. A million million fragments of jagged glass shot into the centre of the storm. A dreadful scream rang out from the inside of the hurricane, and the audience gasped in terror at the barbaric attack. The tornado faded away, and Weiss came back into view.

The heiress was crouching on the ground. Patches of red lined her dress and jacket; along her legs and arms, hundreds of tiny cuts oozed crimson, and more cuts had appeared on her face. Her offset ponytail had been marked, its usual perfect white colour stained with patches of bright red. She struggled to stay crouched, swaying from side to side, barely holding herself from falling into shock induced from the blood loss.

"That's it. This is...this is disgusting. We have to put an end to this match right now." Yang said, staring in petrified disbelief at the arena. She glanced over to Blake. Blake nodded, and the two of them turned to exit the row of seats. Ruby stood from her seat, blocking their way, with her head bowed down.

"Ruby, what are you doing?! Move out of the way now!" Blake shouted in a rare break in her tranquility. "Don't you care about your partner? She needs medical attention! Let us through!" Yang added. Ruby stayed motionless, preventing them from leaving. She shook her head from side to side, still looking down at the floor, her face out of view.

"Ruby! How could you want to leave your teammate in the-" Yang stopped instantly as Ruby brought her head up.

Ruby's silver eyes were puffed up and flushed red. Rivers of dampness had formed under her eyes, running down her cheeks as tears continued to well up and streak down her face. Her breaths were short and shallow as she snivelled and cried. She was trembling as she sobbed; Ruby was on the verge of a complete psychological breakdown.

Yang felt her own eyes brim up with wetness as she looked upon her distraught little sister. "R-Ruby?" In spite of her utter anguish, Ruby blinked through the tears to keep her eyes fixed on Yang's.

"I...I h-hate...e-every s-second...of t-this..." Ruby stuttered out in a whimper. Her voice was so terrified and fragile; it was barely audible. She fought through sniffs and endless tears to keep speaking. "T-trust me, Yang. I h-hate this. I...w-wish I c-could stop this..."

Yang swallowed, holding back her own sobbing. "Then l-let us get down there, Ruby. We can get Weiss out, b-before she gets seriously hurt..." Ruby looked up at her sister again, another flood of tears sweeping down her face like tiny waterfalls.

"S-she made m-me p-promise, Yang..."

Yang stared at her sister, waiting patiently for her to continue.

"W-Weiss made me p-promise n-not to stop t-the fight...no m-matter what h-happened. P-please Yang. D-dont make me b-break my promise to her. N-not to Weiss." Ruby whispered, swallowing as droplets continued to race down her cheeks. Yang could not hold herself together anymore; the blonde burst into sobbing herself, taking her sister into a hug and gripping tightly as Ruby's tears soaked into her jacket. Blake dabbed her own tears onto a tissue, before clearing her throat.

"Alright, Ruby. I understand. We...we won't stop the match."

Ruby and Yang released, sniffing and wiping tears away. Ruby nodded at Blake in a silent thanks.

"It's just...t-this is horrific to watch. I-I can't stand the sight of what's happening to Weiss out t-there..." Blake finished.

The three members of Team RWBY looked out to the arena, watching as Weiss gasped for breath, blood streaming down her pale skin.

"So, have you quite had enough yet, Miss Schnee? Or must I press further?" sneered Tristen, pacing along the glass cube he stood atop; the same cube he had not moved from since the beginning of the match. Weiss picked up Myrtenaster from her side with a quivering hand, blood dripping onto its handle. She rose from the floor on legs which barely held her, threatening to give way at any moment as the stuttered like her hand. Tristen frowned, clenching his fist.

"Why...just...why won't you just stay, down." he growled through gritted teeth. He raised his arm and focused on the water left in the fountain; bringing his arm upwards, he commanded the water to hover in the air.

He threw the mass of liquid at the heiress. The levitating wave smashed into her, throwing her across the arena into a cube.

Weiss collapsed to her side, and slipped into unconsciousness.

The marshal looked on in horror; Weiss's aura was still miraculously green, but he had no choice. The girl had passed out from sheer torture.

"I...I guess t-that's it, folks..." the marshal stuttered out, far removed from his usual enthusiastic tone.

Ruby felt nauseous, like she was going to faint. She refused to believe this was happening. It had to be fake.

It had to be a dream, a nightmare.

This couldn't be how it ended.

She looked down at Weiss's body.

The heiress's scarlet blood mixed with the clear fountain water into a sickening, swirling concoction.