Finally moving into the tournament! I put quite some thought and time into creating these fights between the characters for these next few chapters, so I hope you enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed writing them! Thank you guys so much for all the support you've been giving me as I continue writing. You're the best!
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Speech
Thoughts
Chapter Eleven: Perfect Storm
"Hey, mom. Sorry I haven't come by in a while. Things have been... well, things have been, pretty busy. Oh, Dad's here, too! He's, uh, you know... Dad." she shrugged continuing "He's still teaching at Signal. But he told me that he's going to be on some mission soon. I think he misses adventuring with you" her face turns forlorn "I miss you too" she paused before continuing.
"Haven't gotten kicked out of Beacon yet! So that's cool. I think being on a team with Yang helps. I Keep her in line... That was a joke. She's actually a really great fighter! You can tell she's learned a lot from Dad! Oh, so are Weiss and Blake. Oh! They're my teammates! Together, we form Team RWBY! And yes, before you ask, that does cause a lot of confusion especially since there is five of us since Slade joined. Slade is... well he's my b-boyfriend... he's very handsome and kind, smart too, that usually helps during his fights, which he always seems to win" she groaned lightly. Ruby felt awkward talking about Slade even though she knew she was talking to herself, she never really imagined boys would be interested in her, she was genuinely surprised when Slade asked her to the dance.
"Anyways, I made a bunch of new friends, and then I met some... let's just say, uh, odd teachers. Oh! We've also stopped some bad guys, too! I guess it's like they say: "like mother, like daughter"! I still wonder why Ozpin let me into the school early. But uh, I guess he'll tell me one day. You know how he is. It's funny, the more I get to know him, the more he's starting to sound like Uncle Qrow" A bark alerts her to the ever-adorable Zwei and the sight of her father, Taiyang Xiao Long, in the trees behind her.
"Oh! Looks like Dad's back! I gotta go! He's dropping me off at Beacon for the tournament match before he goes on his next mission. Wish me luck!" She puts her hood on and starts to walk away, but turns and delivers one final message to her mother "It was good to talk"
"Hey" Tai greeted with a stern look.
"Hey, Dad... what's with the look?" she asked nervously.
"Boyfriend?" Tai asked not changing his expression.
"Oh... you heard that did you?" Ruby asked rubbing the nap of her neck sheepishly "I promise I was going to tell you... he wants to meet you anyway"
"He wants to meet me? That's a new one" Tai chuckled as they walked.
"He's not like most guys, Dad" she smiled.
"When will I be meeting him then?" Tai asked elbowing her in the side jokingly.
"You can see him fight during the tournament!" she said excitedly.
"Ozpin is letting a team of five fight four?" he asked surprised.
"No, of course not. He's letting Slade fight a team of four on his own" she answered as if it was obvious.
"Ah, of course... I should've known" he said looking at her with a slightly annoyed expression.
"Slade said he'll be waiting for me when I get off the airship. His match will be up first today. We go after him" Ruby explained.
"Perhaps I will tag along to watch the fights then" Tai grinned "And meet him of course"
"Please don't be weird" Ruby pleaded with puppy dog eyes. Zwei barked at her excitedly "Zwei and Yang like him, that should be enough right?" she asked hopeful.
"Zwei likes everyone, and Yang isn't your father. I might be persuaded if Qrow liked him"
"Maybe he will!" she argued.
"Qrow doesn't like anybody" Tai laughed in response.
"He likes me and Yang!" Ruby protested crossing her arms.
"Who likes me?" Yang asked as they arrived at the airship.
"Uncle Qrow" Ruby answered hugging her sister "Dad wants to meet Slade" she added releasing her hold on Yang.
"Yikes"
"Why yikes? When I was your age... on second thought I should be happy your both not parents" Tai laughed.
"Dad!" Ruby and Yang yelled embarrassed.
"Trust me, Slade would never get the chance" Yang whispered to her father reassuringly.
"Yang!"
"Relax" Tai said holding his hands up in surrender "I promise I won't try and scare him off if he doesn't give me reason to" he held one hand over his heart.
"Thank you" Ruby sighed still slightly nervous.
The airship took them to the stadium, Slade could be seen waiting on the landing platform waving as it landed.
"Please don't do anything weird" Ruby said again as the doors opened.
"Me? Weird? I would never" he joked as Zwei ran past him barking excitedly at Slade.
"Hey, buddy" Slade chuckled lowering himself to the dog's level petting him gently with one hand.
"Slade!" Ruby yelled excitedly tackling him to the ground in a hug as he stood back up.
"Not that I am complaining, Ruby. But just once would you mind not tackling me to the floor?" he asked laughing as he helped her up.
"Nope!" she answered grinning back at him.
"Told you" Yang laughed "She does it to everyone, you'll get used to it" Yang assured punching him in the shoulder.
"I already am, it's my back that'll never get used to it" he joked feigning injury.
"You're boyfriend seems nice" Tai chuckled approaching him.
"Mr. Xiao Long. It's a pleasure to meet you" Slade said surprised, extending his hand toward him.
"Is it? Not many boys want to meet their girlfriend's parents. Most would rather avoid it"
"Well, I guess I'm not most boys" he shrugged off "Will you be staying for the fights?" he asked curiously.
"I will... is that a problem?"
"Not at all, sir. I'm looking forward to the fight myself"
"Who're you up against?" he asked.
"Team MARN (Maroon) from Shade Academy" Slade answered.
"You confident Mr. Stroud?"
"One against four? I'd be concerned if they made it a challenge" he laughed confidently.
"Bold words, I hope you can back them up"
"Judge for yourself, sir. I wont disappoint"
"We shall see"
"Dad" Ruby groaned.
"Will your parents be attending the fights as well?" Tai asked trying to be polite, Ruby and Yang waved their hands in front of they're face trying to warn him.
"I rather doubt it" he answered.
"Why is that?" Tai asked confused.
"They're dead" he answered.
"Oh... I had not heard-"
"It's ok, it was a long time ago. Talking about it doesn't bother me anymore" he assured placing his hand onto Tai's shoulder.
"Would Slade Stroud please report to the battlegrounds immediately!" Port's voice came over the intercom.
"Yes! Like he was scheduled to, several minuets ago" Oobleck's voice added.
"Sounds like I should get going, enjoy the fight" Slade called as he left, kissing Ruby on the cheek as he went passed.
"Good luck!" Ruby yelled after him.
"He doesn't need luck" Yang laughed.
"You really think he's going to win a match against four students?" Tai asked curiously.
"He beat Pyrrha and made it look almost easy, he will be fine" Yang assured as they walked to their seats. Weiss and Blake were waiting with Team JNPR with three open seats.
"What took you guys so long?" Weiss asked impatiently before noticing Tai "Who's this?" she asked.
"This is Dad. Dad, this is Weiss and Blake" Yang introduced gesturing to her teammates.
"Now I've met the whole team" Tai said shaking their hands.
"This is our friends team JNPR!" Ruby called gesturing toward them "This is Jaune, Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren" she introduced pointing to them as she said their names.
"It's nice to meet you all-" Tai waved.
"Oooh, the match is starting!" Ruby yelled interrupting him and jumping into her seat excitedly.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a special match for you today!" Port's voice announced excitedly.
"Indeed, Peter. Today we have team MARN of Shade Academy up against Beacon's very own Slade Stroud!" Oobleck announced confusing the crowd as Slade waves out toward the crowd walking to the center to meet his opponents.
"You may be wondering why there is only one fighter against a team of four... just wait and see!" Port yelled excitedly smashing his fist into the table.
"What're they just handing us this match?" asked one of Slade's competitors. He wore a large blue jacket and blue pants with black boots his jacket open revealing his toned figure and a pair of goggles resting on his forehead with a red flame symbol on the top of them. His brown hair was slicked back, he had fairly pale skin and blue eyes. On his back rested a dark blue rifle with a flame symbol on the side.
"Looks like we've got an easy win" his teammate agreed laughing. She wore a black combat skirt with yellow trim throughout and a mushroom cloud symbol above her waist matching with her heels. Her hair was a light blonde with green eyes and tan complexion. She had a large rocket launcher on her back.
"If he's fighting by himself, he must be formidable. Don't underestimate him" warned another. He had a similar mask on his face to Slade's with deep red armor covering his body from head to toe and a sash over his forehead with a wolf's head symbol on it. He was fair skinned with spikey red hair and dark brown eyes. He had a small sword sheathed on his back.
"Lighten up, Marel" scoffed his final teammate "Amaranth and Raj could take him. The four of us will have no problem" she added. She wore a sleeveless dark purple dress with an asymmetrical hem and brown armor underneath covering her arms, chest and legs, with a pauldron on each shoulder with a glass mirror symbol on her left one and armored boots with a heel in the back and two circlets around her wrists. She was fair skinned with black hair and red eyes.
"Your confidence will be your undoing, Nebula" Marel shot back.
"Are you going to talk all day or are we going to fight?" Slade asked raising an eyebrow from beneath his sunglasses.
"Ho ho! Looks like things are getting heated between our contestants lets move this along shall we?" Port asked.
"Indeed, I do believe that is the best course of action" Oobleck agreed.
The holographic roulette appeared showing them their selection to be forest terrain and the second to be a symbol of tidal waves.
"Forest and ocean? This match up will be interesting!" Port's voice called excitedly.
"3...2...1... Begin!" Oobleck counted down.
"Guess we'll see how good your boyfriend really is" Tai mused aloud leaning forward.
"I think you'll be impressed" Ruby said confidently "Go, Slade! Kick their butts!" she yelled excitedly.
"Raj!" Marel yelled as the three of them ran towards the trees.
"On it!" he yelled back placing his goggles over his eyes he spat a large fireball from his mouth at Slade forcing him to jump backwards into the water to avoid it. Slade jumped back out on the opposite end running toward the trees as another fireball came soaring toward him exploding on impact.
"It appears Rajah has decided to use his semblance from the get go!" Port announced.
"Things are not looking good for Mr. Stroud" Oobleck agreed. Slade emerged from the smoke cloud of the previous explosion sliding to a stop. Another fireball soared toward him, Slade jumped over the fireball onto a nearby tree branch. Suddenly he watched as multiple smaller fireballs soared toward his current position as if anticipating his movements. Slade flipped forward onto a nearby tree trunk then pushed off back flipping in the air he drew his pistol and fired several shots lodging them all into the tree next to Rajah causing him to stumble out of the tree he was hiding in.
"That wasn't very hard" Slade sighed looking down at him from the tree "You shouldn't use your semblance so obviously, people can create countermeasures to it easily if you use it so blatantly" Slade explained. His ears perked up when he heard something soaring toward him, looking up he saw a rocket flying his way. Jumping back off the tree he narrowly escaped the blast.
Nice strategy he thought with a smirk as he flipped backwards into his landing.
"Rajah, he's at two o'clock" Amaranth pointed forward reloading her launcher.
"Got it" Rajah fired another fireball, Slade smirked once more standing perfectly still as the fireball collided with him, exploding on impact.
"Did he just-" Tai tried to ask.
"Keep watching" Weiss said without moving her eyes from the ring.
"We got him!" Rajah cheered loudly.
"Told you this would be easy" Amaranth agreed. They both suddenly turned around when they heard someone clear their throat, Slade stood with his arms crossed.
"Almost had me there" he mocked.
"How did you..." the question hung in the air. Rajah stood charging him with his fist, Slade smashed his hilt into Rajah's chest then spin kicked him in the face knocking him down, picking up Amaranth by the back of her neck her dragged them both to the edge of the ring and dropped them off the side much to their protest.
"It appears, Amaranth and Rajah of team MARN have been eliminated by knockout!" Port announced.
"Looks like your boyfriend has some tricks up his sleeve. Not sure why the rest of their team didn't help out earlier though" Tai wondered aloud.
"They don't seem like they get along too well" Blake agreed. Slade looked around as he walked through the forest area. Looking to his left he unsheathed his blade and held it out in front of him deflecting a knife thrown at him.
Good timing
Marel suddenly stabbed his blade toward his chest, Slade sidestepped the attack. Placing his palm onto Marel's back he flipped himself over him then blocked a second strike with his gauntlet having sheathed his blade once more.
"You're going to lose here!" Marel yelled striking furiously.
"You've been hiding for quite some time, trying to gauge my abilities?" Slade asked ducking back under a strike, the standing firmly as he blocked another attack.
"I knew letting them attack you would draw out your abilities while I watched safely. Now I know what you can do and I'm prepared for it" Marel explained through gritted teeth.
"That's why you were waiting for me to defeat them? I must say for a group called team MARN you certainly don't act like a team"
"What're you talking about?"
"First you let your two weakest members strike out so you can get a closer look at my capabilities, and now Nebula is doing the same thing with you. A good team supports each other by holding the other up together. Your team only keeps itself up by pulling yourselves over the other members" Slade answered.
"Says the one fighting on his own"
"Pot, kettle" Slade replied kicking Marel in the chest throwing him back. Marel threw a grenade at Slade forcing him to flip over the explosion. Looking down he noticed several more waiting behind the bush he flipped over.
"Got you!" Marel yelled as they exploded. Slade landed on a nearby tree branch watching the explosion from afar. Knifes flew his way through the dust cloud, he easily blocked them all with his blade. Marel appeared behind him kicking for his face. Slade twisted his arm around to block the kick with his gauntlet as he tossed the blade from his right hand to his left.
Marel pushed off onto the tree from his arm then axe kicked down at Slade as he backed out of the way. Marel punched for his face with both arms afterward having them both be blocked effortlessly, kneeing toward his chest then outstretching his leg to kick spinning around to kick again with his opposite leg. Slade move away from his attacks then flipped onto his hands to avoid the final kick to his face. Marel swept his legs toward his head as he landed, Slade pushed off his hands landing easily on his legs.
Marel flipped forward kicking for his face again, Slade caught his leg in his right hand then ducked back under his opposite leg as it swung around. Slade grabbed Marel's legs and slammed him through the tree branch and into the ground. Once the dust cleared Slade slammed his fist into Marel's chest with as much force as he could.
"It appears Marel has been eliminated due to aura level" Oobleck pointed out.
"That's three for Slade and zero for MARN" Port agreed "What will happen next? Can Nebula take Slade on her own?"
"I suppose we'll find out" Slade chuckled, stopping he abruptly twisted around slicing his blade through Nebula's head causing no damage "What the?" she grabbed his arm just after her own passed through his.
"Hoho! Nebula's semblance has been revealed!" Port announced.
"Quite so. Nebula's ability to phase through attacks is quite astonishing, no one has learned the secret behind combating it. Let's see how Slade fares" Oobleck explained.
"You took down my entire team. You're stronger than I imagined... but I am invincible" Slade kicked her chest forcing her to phase through it after contact, escaping from her grasp jumping as far away as he could.
"You can only pass through attacks after they've made contact with you. You won't be able to dodge all of my attacks" Slade analyzed aloud "Let's see just how strong you are"
Nebula's circlets connected a bright blue chain from each one forming behind her back as she charged. Slade charged her as well stabbing his blade through her, after passing through the chain made contact with his chest, Slade fired his pistol backward into her shoulder causing her to yell out in pain. Using his blade he sliced through the chain.
Her chain weakened after she was hurt. Creating a weapon out of your own aura can be dangerous when not regulated correctly. She relies too heavily on her semblance to be able to balance them both simultaneously, I may have just found my opening
"Simply incredible! Nebula has been hurt!" Oobleck yelled shocked.
Nebula turned around growling angrily "You got lucky there, you won't be again"
She's able to pass through attacks after they make contact but has to become solid again to attack me. I have to aim for a mutual strike, precisely timed. But she knows she is vulnerable when she attacks, she'll be cautious not to get too close when I am armed. Considering the time remaining in the match, she won't want a lengthy battle either
Slade charged forward holstering his pistol as Nebula charged him
Whoever attacks an instant quicker than the other will win this! he concluded throwing his blade forward it passed through her head. Nebula's hand reached for his throat as the blade finished passing through her head.
"I win" she grinned just before she made contact. Slade suddenly vanished reappearing above her catching his blade in his right hand and slamming his leg down with a powerful kick on her back crushing her into the ground. Flipping in the air he placed his hand onto her back vanishing again they both appeared outside the ring before he appeared back inside the ring again, spinning his blade in his hand he stopped it above his sheathe and slid it into place.
"I-I'm not sure what just happened" Port admitted confused.
"Nebula appears to have been eliminated by... knockout?" Oobleck asked in awe "Simply astonishing, it appears the winner is Slade Stroud!" he announced clapping his hands together excitedly.
"How did he do that? What did he even do?" Tai asked. The screen above them replayed the scene slower and slower each time until they were able to see what happened.
"Slade's semblance is teleportation" Yang answered with a smirk.
"Woohoo! Way to go Slade!" Ruby cheered being joined by the rest of the crowd shortly after.
"I'll be honest... I never expected him to win" Tai admitted.
"We know. No one who doesn't know him would've expected it" Jaune assured "We only know because we're his friends"
"Interesting" Tai mused aloud leading them out of the stands and out toward where Slade had been waiting.
"You were amazing!" Ruby yelled jumping into his arms once more almost knocking him off balance.
"Thank you, Ruby... but I didn't do anything that great, they did most of the work for me by not working together like a team. Had they done that I probably would've lost"
"Lost? Don't sell yourself short, kid. You might've had a harder time, but you probably still would've come out on top" Tai assured coming out to see him and his daughters.
"I think our dad likes you" Yang whispered giving him a thumbs up.
"You're certainly not what I was expecting when I found out Ruby had a boyfriend" Tai admitted "I'm glad of all the boys she could've chosen that she chose you"
"See? I told you your dad would like me" Slade said mouthing a thank you to Tai.
"Well I guess you were right. Nothing to be nervous over" she sheepishly rubbed the nape of her neck. Tai slung his arm around his shoulder as Ruby released him.
"If you ever break my daughter's heart, there isn't anywhere in the world you can hide from me" Tai warned quietly.
I've heard this somewhere before haven't I?
"She scares me more than you do, sir" Slade admitted with a smirk matching his volume.
"Glad to hear it"
"Your sister is here?" Slade asked surprised as Weiss ran over to the landing platform with Ruby just behind him.
"Winter!" Weiss called as they approached the elder Schnee "Winter! I'm so happy to see you! Oh..." Weiss suddenly curtsies "Your presence honors us"
Winter looked around them taking in her surroundings "Beacon... It's been a long time. The air feels... different"
"I mean it is fall, so, eh, it's probably colder" Ruby pointed out, Weiss punches her in the shoulder, causing her to gasp in pain before turning back to her sibling.
"So, what are you doing here?"
"Classified" was her crisp reply.
"Oh, right. Well, how long are you staying?"
"Classified" she said again stressing the word.
"Of course" Weiss smiles and nods in understanding. Ruby looks pensively around in the silence
"Well... this is nice... I think"
"You're going to love it here! I know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon is different from Atlas!" Weiss excitedly tells then discreetly whispers "Vale, too" then continues excitedly "The government and school are completely separate! Can you believe it!? I-"
"I'm more than familiar with how this kingdom handles its... bureaucracy. That is not why I came" Winter snapped sternly.
"Right! I'm sorry!"
"Nor did I come here to watch my own blood fail so miserably in battle. But it appears that I have no choice in the matter" she continued rudely, earning a dark glare from Slade.
"But, we won!" Weiss argued puzzled.
"Only a novice would refer to that as a victory. I counted at least three strikes missed" Winter chastised turning toward the AK-200s behind her "Leave us" The AK-200s obey, walking two steps backwards into formation as she sighs and smiles a little more warmly at Weiss "How have you been?"
"Oh, splendid! Thank you for asking. I'm actually in the very top ranking of our sparring class! And the rest of my studies are going wonderfully, too! I'm-" Weiss began answering excitedly.
Winter slapped Weiss "Silence, you boob! I don't recall asking about your ranking, I'm asking how you've been. Are you eating properly? Have you taken up any hobbies? Are you making new friends?"
"Well, there's Ruby" Weiss answered gesturing to her.
Ruby giggled "Heh, boob"
"I see. So this is the leader you wrote of. How appropriately... underwhelming" Slade's anger was beginning to boil over.
"Uh... Thank you!"
"Greetings, Ruby Rose. I wish to thank you for taking an interest in my sister"
"Oh! Uh, yes, of course!" Ruby replied attempting to salute and curtsy "The honor is in my... court!" Ruby nearly lost her balance with this gesture causing her to flail her arms until Slade used his hand to catch her, she laughed nervously.
"You are?" Winter asked looking toward Slade.
"This is Slade!" Weiss answered happily.
"This is the teammate you've told me so much about? I admit you're much younger than I pictured you" Winter stated in a condescending manner.
"You annoy me" Slade replied keeping his voice level.
"Excuse me?" Winter asked surprised.
"Reintroduce us once your sister learns some manners" Slade said toward Weiss storming off angrily.
"What's with him?" Weiss asked Ruby, who shrugged in response.
"I have business with the General and your Headmaster. But, seeing as I am early, why don't you take me to your quarters?" Winter proposed.
"Really?" Weiss asked hopeful.
"Yes. I wish to inspect them and make sure they're up to my own personal standards" she answered walking forward, the androids following at a distance.
"Of course. Just so you are aware, the bunk beds only look unstable"
"Bunk beds?" Winter asked as if the idea was disgusting. Ruby waved to them as they left.
"I'll catch up- I mean, I will... reconvene with you both... at a later..." she pauses with her hand on her head, wracking her brain for the right word "juncture!" she yells raising her finger "At a juncture. Yeah" she mused to herself as she walked off in the direction Slade left in.
Qrow stood in the courtyard placing his blade on his back as Winter prepared to charge with one of her glyphs. Qrow gestured for her to come closer with his finger causing Winter to launch herself forward screaming in rage. Winter's blade came into contact with another mere inches away from Qrow's neck as a loud thundering voice yelled.
"SCHNEE!" Qrow looked down in front of him in surprise to see Slade standing there with his blade blocking Winter's.
"General Ironwood, sir!" Winter addresses turning around to face him sheathing her blade.
"What in the world do you think you're doing?" Ironwood asked sternly.
"He started the altercation, sir!" she answered. Qrow places his hands behind his head in a relaxed stance.
"That's actually not true. She attacked first" Qrow interjected.
"Is that right?" Ironwood asked. Winter searched for words before realizing Qrow was correct, she looked away in shame "And you" Ironwood says addressing Qrow.
Qrow points to himself in mock confusion "What're you doing here?" Ironwood asked venomously.
"I could be asking you the same thing" Qrow shot back.
"I-"
"Now, now, everyone" Ozpin interjected with Glynda beside him "There is a sanctioned fight happening just around the corner at the coliseum, that I can assure you has better seats... and popcorn" he explained swirling the cocoa in his mug.
"Break it up, everyone! We will take care of this mess" Glynda added glaring at the four of them.
"Let's go" Ironwood ordered as he and Winter left.
"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby yelled leaping giddily onto his arm shaking her legs in delight. Qrow looks at her as she swings on his arm.
"Uncle?" Slade asked confused as he turned around.
"Hi" Ruby said as Qrow's eyes met hers "It's so good to see you! Did you miss me? Did you miss me?!" she asked excitedly.
"Nope" Qrow answered giving his own grin as he pats her head.
"Qrow!" Ozpin's voice called "A word please" he said as Qrow dropped Ruby. Glynda was repairing the courtyard with her semblance.
"I think I'm in trouble" Qrow whispered to Ruby discreetly.
"You did kind of tear up our courtyard"
"Yeah... I did do that" he relented "Catch ya later kid" he winks giving her a fist bump.
"Suddenly you're recklessness makes sense" Weiss pointed out approaching Ruby.
"You're just mad because he whooped butt" Ruby nudged her shoulder.
"That was a draw at best!" she argued.
"Ruby's grin says otherwise" Slade laughed.
"Mr. Stroud" Ozpin's voice caught his attention "Join us, we have something to talk about" he explained gesturing for him to follow.
"Are you in trouble?" Ruby asked.
"What for being a good person?" Slade asked with a wink "I'll see you later" he added kissing her quickly on the lips before leaving.
Slade, Ozpin, Glynda, and Qrow exited the elevator into the office.
"What were you thinking!? Winter yelled angrily.
"If you were one of my men, I would have you shot!" Ironwood agreed. Qrow pulled out his flask as he entered the room.
"If I was one of your men, I'd shoot myself" Slade struggled to conceal his laughter at Qrow's comment.
"While I wouldn't condone his behavior, retaliating like you did certainly didn't help the situation" Glynda lectured Winter.
"He was drunk!" Winter argued.
"He's always drunk!" Glynda yelled back. The five turn to Qrow to see him drinking from a flask. His eyes widen when he notices them staring, and he holds the flask out to the side, looking at it awkwardly before grimacing. staring at Qrow in shock, then sighs and sits down.
"Qrow, why are you here?"
"You've been out of contact for weeks! You can't just go dark like that in the field!" Ironwood yelled.
"I'm not one of your special operatives, Jimmy!" Qrow pushed past him.
"General" Winter growled. "Whatever. You sent me to get intel on our enemy, and I'm telling you, our enemy is here."
"We know" Ironwood says leaning against Ozpin's desk.
"Oh! Oh, you know! Well, thank goodness I'm out there risking my life to keep you all informed!"
"Qrow-" Ironwood began before being interrupted.
"Communication's a two-way street, pal. You see this?" Qrow pulled out his scroll "That's the send button"
"They had reason to assume you were compromised" Winter answered his unasked question.
"I have reason to assume you don't need to be here. Seriously who invited her?" Qrow asked gesturing to Winter "Or the kid for that matter?" he added gesturing to Slade.
"I like him. Why have we not met before?" Slade asked gesturing to Qrow.
After a moment of silence, without looking at her Ironwood spoke "Schnee, we'll discuss this incident back at my ship"
"But, sir!" Winter protested surprised.
"Winter. Leave" he ordered sternly.
"Yes sir" She saluted then turned on her heel and gives the winking Qrow a dirty look as she exits via the elevator.
"Slade, this is Qrow Branwen. Ruby's uncle" Ozpin introduced.
"Pleasure" Slade smirked.
"Should I care who this kid is?" Qrow asked.
"I should hope so. He is a member of your niece's team" Ozpin answered.
"He's on the pipsqueak's team?" Qrow asked.
"Correct... and you will be training him for the duration of the tournament"
"I what!" Qrow asked in surprise.
"Nice" Slade laughed "You expect this drunk to actually teach me? I'll be surprised if he can keep himself standing much less fighting"
"Mr. Branwen is one of the most highly trained Huntsmen I have as well as one of the finest teachers at Signal Academy. I'm sure you will do fine"
"Oz, I have far too many important things to do-"
"Such as?"
"Well... drinking?" he tried shrugging his shoulders.
"I'm sure you can find time to fit his training into your clearly busy schedule" Ozpin chuckled at Qrow's annoyed expression.
"Will that be all, Professor?" Slade asked.
"Yes, you're dismissed" he answered sitting in his chair. Slade nodded then left through the elevator.
"I should be going as well, Ozpin. I apologize for Ms. Schnee's behavior, justified as it may be" Ironwood stated leaving the room.
Qrow just glared at Ozpin displeased with his situation. "Something you'd like to say?" Ozpin asked without looking up at him.
"Why me?" Qrow asked.
"I have already told you about Slade prior to your arrival here. You should know why-"
"Him? He's a first year, Oz. You can't seriously bet everything on him-"
"I wont be betting everything on him, Qrow. That's why you're training him. Of all the students that have attended this school, he is by far the most powerful I have ever met. Slade hasn't even scratched the surface of his semblance and he can keep up with someone as strong as you"
"Keeping up with me won't get him anywhere if he can't win"
"He's stronger than you and Raven were at his age. I know Slade will accomplish great things... I'm just worried he'll turn against us"
"Against us? What makes you think he'd do that? From what you've told me he's the perfect example of what a Huntsman should be"
"So were you at one time... losing Summer changed many things about you, Qrow. Not all of them for the better"
"Ozpin!" Glynda lectured.
"He's right, Glynda... it did change me. That's why I want to know what you think could change his perspective"
"Ruby"
"What about her?"
"Slade cares deeply for her, for all of his friends. If he were to lose one of them... I'm not sure what he'd do-"
"I've got him"
"Qrow?" Glynda asked confused.
"I'll make sure I prepare him as much as I can. The rest is up to him"
"Thank you"
"You told me about his abilities in combat, but last I heard he hadn't unlocked his semblance. What is it?"
"Some form of teleportation"
"Teleportation? Like warping?"
Ozpin nodded his head "We've yet to discern exactly what he is capable of once he has completely mastered it, but he learned more in one day what most people would take weeks. Slade does his own training by himself discovering new possibilities with his semblance... so far we know he can move himself anywhere within a ten mile radius, however he can extend this distance with multiple uses consistently. Slade can move anything he comes into contact with, the larger the object the more energy it takes for him, he hasn't made any progress with moving things he hasn't made contact with. Hopefully you can make some headway with that" he explained.
"Looks like I have quite some work ahead of me"
"Indeed... be sure to take a look at his match from earlier today. I'm sure you'll be most impressed with his abilities"
"I'll handle that myself thank you very much, I'll be sure to look into it when I get the chance"