Yang woke up early the next day and stretched on her bed. She made a mental note to try to steal it since it was the comfiest bed she ever slept on. She stared around for a while to see her teammates where still asleep. She hoped that at least next day she could spend some time with Jaune, as she wanted to tell him her feelings as soon as possible. And she felt the moment was at hand as she finally got to know everything about the boy she was in love with.
She got up and walked lazily to the bathroom, but stopped along the way to see someone put a note under her door. She took it and recognized Jaune's handwriting. For a moment she amused herself the thought of being a letter for her, but knowing him it probably was addressed to the whole team.
Hey girls,
Today the breakfast will be at 9:00 in the main dining hall since some hotshots from the other kingdoms will be here. You don't have to come if you don't want to, that's why I didn't sent a message to your scrolls, I didn't wanted to wake you from your beauty sleep. But if you do want to come, put something nice and formal and send me a message. I'll come to escort you all by 8:45.
Jaune.
P.S.: Tell Ruby there'll be cookies and Blake that I asked the cooks for some fish based dish. And Yang, since you're probably reading this, try to calm Weiss down. It's not a big deal.
"Stupid considerate knight…" Yang said with a smile. "Well, 7:30. So glad we have two bathrooms here. Well, better wake up everyone."
"WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME!" Weiss yelled as she fixed her makeup. "Why he didn't called us earlier!"
"He was being considerate. Besides, you know how things are around here; they're quite relaxed with formalities." Yang said as she helped Ruby in her dress.
"Well, maybe today they'll be a little more formal with a foreign entourage coming." Blake suggested as she read a book and waited the other girls to get ready. She was glad she wasn't one to spend too long to get ready.
"Look, we're guests to the queen, our behavior will reflect on her, so please can we all just act proper today?" Weiss begged and Yang rolled her eyes, receiving an icy deadly glare from the heiress.
"Alright, alright, I promise from my end to behave like a lady."
"It also means no puns." Weiss said and Yang gestured in mocked shock.
"Are you saying my puns aren't proper? I'm so 'disapunted'!"
"I hate you sometimes."
"Aww, it means you like me other times!" Yang mocked back to Weiss chagrin, but they stopped talking when they heard knocks on the door. Blake closed her book and opened it, to reveal the rest of team JNPR. Nora was wearing a cute China dress, obviously pink, while Ren used a variant of his usual attire more fit to formal occasions. Pyrrha used an elegant but simple red dress with a long skirt and bronze colored details.
"Hello again. Jaune said for us to wait here since he imagined you all would take longer than us to get ready." Pyrrha explained and Weiss groaned and resumed fixing her white dress. She would use her hair freely that morning and no headpiece. Ruby and Blake were wearing the same dresses they wore for the ball, and Yang was wearing a cute yellow dress with sunflower patterns.
"I wonder what Prince Charming will wear. I think I never saw him in anything but the school uniform or the usual black hood and jeans." Yang wondered as she finished helping Ruby.
"And the onesie!" Nora reminded them.
"Hopefully he won't be wearing THAT to the table." Yang said with a roll of eyes. She wouldn't admit though, she kind of grown on the outfit. It helped remember her that Jaune was still just himself.
"And done!" Weiss said as she stared at the mirror, then checked her scroll. "And just in the nick of time."
As on cue they heard knocks on the door and saw Jaune standing there. And they were surprised. He was dressed in a while military-like uniform, with his usually messy hair now perfectly combed back. For a second they almost wondered if it was really Jaune, except that he smiled the same silly smile he always had.
"You all look gorgeous." Jaune said as he took a moment to stare at his friends.
"Oh, that includes Ren?" Yang teased and Jaune chuckled.
"Yeah, why not? OK, since this is a formal meeting, there will be a little bit of protocol to follow…"
"Boo!" Nora manifested her opinion about protocol.
"It's just for a while, and it isn't a lot of thing to follow on. First, mom. You should refer to her as 'your majesty' while there, or at least as Queen Charlotte. When she enter the room, bows and curtsies, same as when she leaves. You don't seat or eat before she does and you don't leave the table before her, unless you request it and she give her permission. No touching her unless she starts it. If she talks with you, you answer her. And that's pretty much it." Jaune finished and they eyed one another.
"Wow. That certainly is different from what we have being doing." Ruby commented.
"I know. We just put with it for the foreign authorities. You know, put them in their place and all that. Mom hates all this protocol but it does help when we want to remind them who we are." Jaune added. "Let's go then?"
"Jaune, how about you and your sisters? Or your father?" Pyrrha asked as she walked by his side.
"Well, if mom isn't in the room, the rules apply to me as her eldest child. Though you don't address me as 'your majesty', that is just for the Arcadian monarch. You address me as 'your highness.'"
"I never imagined to ever having to call you this." Yang said with a small giggle.
"Believe me when I say I dislike being called that. Makes everything awkward. I'm just Jaune Arc, student from Beacon as much as any of you." He said with a smile and everyone smiled back.
The walk to the main dining room was rather short, but they all noticed the increase in people guarding the castle, all wearing light blue fancy uniforms but carrying modern weapons. They also noticed everyone was a bit stiff now, and they all saluted Jaune as he walked buy. The boy was showing a little nervousness, but tried to keep smiling and nodding to the people they crossed buy. When they arrived, a pair of guards opened the doors for them, something they never saw before and they entered the room.
It was a big room with big crystal windows, though the glass wasn't clear, but had a white color and a diamond pattern, allowing sunlight to enter but they couldn't actually see outside. A few guards were in front of the doors, and a few maids and butlers waited for the guests. Charlotte and Ichika were there, the man wearing a suit, while the queen herself wore an orange and yellow dress and a small crow on her head, with a single purple stone in the middle. The Arc sisters wore proper dresses, including Makoto and Nero, and all of them wore a small crown made of silver.
"Ah, there you are, Jaune." Charlotte approached them and they all bowed or offered a small curtsy. "Your aunt is bringing our guests soon. You all look great."
"Thanks, your majesty." And variants of the phrase was offered to Charlotte.
"Sorry we have to follow protocol today. After this, I'll have Jeanne, Artoria and Nero to take you all in a small trip. Jaune, I'm sorry, but I want you to stay with me today." She said and Jaune stared at her in surprise. "Jaune, I decided to make public that you're my heir. So I want to start getting you used to the politics. Don't worry; I won't take you from your friends."
"Mother, I still think Jeanne or Artoria…"
"Jaune, I raised you all, and I know any of you would be great monarchs on your own, but you have something Jeanne and Artoria don't have. Jeanne loves Arcadia, but she forgets sometimes Arcadia is part of Remnant, and Artoria tends to shoulder everything. You on the other hand know we can't be isolated from the world and to ask for help when needed. And let's not talk about Nero." She added and both chuckled a little. "I'm sorry putting this responsibility on you, but I know you can do it."
"I… I understand." Jaune conceded, but didn't act too happy about it.
"Good, I already made a public statement after all." Charlotte said and Jaune stare at her in shock. "Oh, here comes the other guests."
Jaune mumbled something under his breath, eliciting his friend to giggle a little before everyone composed themselves. The door on the opposite side and first came what they believed to be emissaries from Vacuo. Two women with dark skin and pale blonde hair came inside, and they noted they were probably related. The women traded greeting with the queen and them with the princesses and finally with Jaune and his guests. After them came a small elder woman in a business suit, and the familiar faces of Ozpin and Glynda, and they recognized the Valean councilwoman as Amanda White. Ozpin and Glynda followed protocol, but they smiled gently at their students, and there was a bit of commotion when the girls saw their old babysitter. It was just Charlotte devilish smile that keep them from breaking protocol.
After them came a hulking man with tanned skin and bright red hair, with a small man with dark hair. After the usual greetings he approached Pyrrha and held her by her shoulders, surprising everyone.
"Pyrrha! Long time no see!" He said with a loud laugh.
"It's good to see you again, Chairman Alexander." She answered kindly.
"You look as beautiful as always. Mistral misses its champion a lot, you know?"
"I imagine. But going to Beacon really helped me improve." Pyrrha explained with a sweet smile.
"And got you to know the prince here." Alexander eyed Jaune from head to toes. "He's quite a catch I heard. It would be a great way to strengthen the ties Arcadia and Mistral have."
"Chairman!" Pyrrha blushed terrible at the comment while the man laughed aloud again.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Unless you're really aiming for him, in that case you have my support."
Pyrrha was as red as her hair, while Jaune had no idea how to react at that. Blake and Yang cursed their luck as that put the champion in the spotlight. Thankfully the last guests arrived shortly after and took the attention from them.
"Winter?" Weiss gasped in surprise as James Ironwood came in company of Winter Schnee, her older sister.
The general had a hard expression on his face, while Winter was being pretty neutral. He quickly greeted everyone, though he eyed Jaune longer than the boy was comfortable with, but at least he was polite. The older Schnee sister on the other hand talked a little with Weiss.
"It's good to see you again, sister." Weiss said with a content smile and a small curtsy.
"It's nice to see you in good health, Weiss. How have you being?"
"I'm fine. My grades are some of the best and my combat rank is…" Weiss started and somehow Winter hit her head in a quickly and almost imperceptible motion.
"I'm not talking about grades. I'm talking about you. Are you healthy? Eating properly? Have you made any friends?" She said in a concerned tone that warmed everyone's heart.
"I… yes, I'm fine. And those are my friends. Ruby is my team leader, her sister Yang and Blake are my teammates. And I think I don't have to introduce Pyrrha… or Jaune. I'm also friends with Nora and Ren, their teammates." Weiss said with a smile.
"I see." She gave a slightly disappointed glare at Ruby, which coiled shyly. "We'll talk later then. I want you to tell me everything, but unfortunately we have business to attend first. I'll let you know when."
"Of course, sister, I understand." Weiss said, but everyone could see she was beaming with happiness. Winter gave Jaune just a quick and curious look before returning to the general's side.
Breakfast was… something.
Alexander open and happy nature helped to avoid the mood becoming too stiff, but there was a clear tension between Charlotte and the general, as their conversation hid several layers of second meanings. The Valean councilwoman also seemed to convey in her talk that she wasn't actually happy to be there. The two ambassadors from Vacuo mostly listened and talked with each other in a low voice.
Jaune was so happy his friends and sisters were there.
"I think it's time for us to go about business." Charlotte said as she noticed everyone stopped eating. "I believe we should move to the meeting room them."
She got up and walked, talking with Ichika and Chifuyu. Jaune groaned a little and followed, only giving his friends a sad smile, which they returned with small waves. The other guests followed them, leaving the Beacon students and the Arc sisters behind. Jeanne approached the girls with a smile.
"I know you all might've wanted Jaune to be with you, but I hope you all understand that he have his duties to follow."
"I hope his duties don't take all our time here." Yang complained and Jeanne offered a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Probably just today and tomorrow at the ceremony, but I promise he'll be with you after that. He probably wants to be with you all right now. So, let's all get changed and I'll take you to the seaside."
Jaune wanted nothing more than be with his friends in that exact moment.
There was a heavy mood in the room, especially between his mother and the Atlesian general, for what he could tell. In the round table of the meeting room was him, his mother, father and aunt. The general sat opposed to his mother, with Winter by his side and the Valean councilwoman on his right. Ozpin and Glynda sat on the left, close to the ambassadors from Vacuo. Opposed to the ambassadors was the chairman from Mistral and his assistant.
"I want to thank you all again to come for Arcadia's Festivals. I hope you're all enjoying your stay." Charlotte started amicably.
"Can we cut the chase? You called us for a reason, Charlotte, and I'm still not happy on how your battleship opened fire against my fleet." Ironwood said in his formal tone and Jaune winced.
Of course mom would do something like this! And what the fucking hell the general was thinking coming here with his damn fleet in tow? That we would put the red carpet for a foreign army?
"How odd, considering you was ready to ignore our borders."
"Vale asked the general to help us protect our land after the Breach, Charlotte. And technically, Arcadia is still Valean territory." Amanda said in a displeased tone, and Charlotte nod in dangerous understanding.
"Oh yeah, that little technicality that is just words on a piece of paper. Let's not fool anyone here, Arcadia status as an independent kingdom is just a formality away, which is the main reason I called you all here. The last treaty our countries signed thirty years ago expired, in fact, yesterday. So, I want to discuss a new one, as it's in the best interest of my people to renew the friendship between our countries." Charlotte made a nod and a secretary distribute old documents in paper form to the presents.
"The old treaties?" One of the ambassadors from Vacuo examined the paper.
"Yes, in case any of you want to review it. But now it's time for us to make a new one, one where Arcadia is finally recognized as its own kingdom." Charlotte said and her secretary gave the presents a new stack of paper.
"Forget it." Ironwood said without examining the papers. "We can renew the old treatiess, but now it's not the time for change."
"I think you're misunderstanding me, general. I'm not asking you permission to declare to Remnant of our existence and our status. I'm informing you I'm going to do it tomorrow."
Jaune let out a small meek sound and tried to make himself as small as possible on his seat.
"Do you like the statue?" Jeanne asked as Blake stood in front of said statue.
It was the statue of the Arcadian founders, and it was similar to that on Beacon, except Jaune's ancestor was holding hands with his partner, and both had their weapons down and heads uncloaked, showing to everyone to see that the woman was a Faunus.
"I do, actually." Blake answered simply, with a small smile.
"They both believed in the union of the people of Remnant. I can later take you to our historical archives."
"I'd really like that. Maybe take some copies with me?"
"I'll make sure you can. Now come, we need to take the train or Ruby and Nora will drive Ren and Weiss crazy."
"Will Jaune be alright?" Blake wondered as it was clear some important business was being discussed back there.
"Don't worry, they're all adults there. I'm sure they are having a very polite discussion right now." Jeanne comforted her.
Oh for heavens' sake! They're behaving like children!
"Absolutely not! This is not the moment!" Ironwood shout as he got up, putting both his hands on the table.
"Again, I'm not asking for your permission, general. I'm stating my intent. The reason I invited all of you is so we can form alliances, trading deals and mutual defense agreements." Charlotte stated calmly, but her smile was that of a devil.
"Then why do it anyway? In fact, if you just stopped trying to separate from Vale, you'd have all of this." Amanda said in a rather angry tone, just not as angry as Ironwood's.
"Don't make me laugh, Amanda. Vale didn't give a dime to my great-grandfather came here to create a settlement, and only appeared when we were fully formed just to collect taxes and impose their laws on us. Funny, seventy years ago they also came with Atlas in their tail." Charlotte retorted and Amanda growled a little.
"It doesn't matter what happened in the past. After the Breach what the people of Remnant wants is stability. Suddenly discovering that there was a fifth kingdom hidden from them will just cause unwelcome turmoil." Ironwood said as if he was ending the discussion.
"And whose fault it was, James?" Alexander spoke for the first time, now in a very serious tone. "It was a mistake we all committed just in an attempt to force Arcadia to conform and now we just don't have an easy way to fix it. If the queen wants to do it, all we need is coming to an agreement on how to do it."
"Unacceptable. Look, let's compromise. We renew the former treaties for another ten years, maybe even give you a different special status, Charlotte. But I won't allow you to public declare independency." Ironwood said, but Charlotte's expression remained unreadable.
"And what if we refuse, Jimmy?" Chifuyu talked in a sharp tone. "Will you take your fleet from Vale and attack us? Because I'm pretty sure a war will keep the stability of Remnant. And I wonder how the people of Atlas and Vale will react discovering that the fleet supposed to be protecting them is being used to repress another kingdom. Or will you try to block us again like was done seventy years ago? Which I'm sure it won't go the same way now."
"I think we all should calm down." The Vacuoan ambassador said. "No one here wants a war at this moment. I think any decision we made must be in common agreement."
You mean you will vote with the majority. Jaune groaned at the thought, knowing Atlas held great influence in the other kingdoms, holding the mightiest military and the SDC as the wealthiest private company. And knowing his mother, he knew she wouldn't back down of her plan.
"Sorry, Charlotte, but we need to do what is better for everyone. The safety of people comes first." Ironwood said in an attempt of conciliation.
"That's bullshit and you all know it."
All heads turned to the voice that spoke. Jaune cursed the fact he let his thoughts out.
"Excuse me?" The general questioned, and Jaune knew he couldn't back down now.
"I was there during the Breach. Your little show of power did nothing to prevent it, and it was us from Beacon that answered first. Your might fleet just came after for cleaning duty." Ironwood steel gaze was cast on him, and he was almost giving up if his father didn't signalize him to continue. "The truth is this has nothing to do with security, it has to do with ego. You don't want anyone challenging you or the balance you established. The way I see it you all can go back to your countries and say to your people you all just made a new enemy because you were all too afraid or stubborn to accept reality. Or you can go back and say to your people that you got a new ally in this troubled time and maybe even some trading deals that will bring quite good money for everyone involved."
"Have you finished?" Ironwood asked and Jaune felt again as the seventeen year old awkward boy he was.
"Y-yes."
"Then we're finished here." Ironwood said with a motion for leaving.
"Sit down." They all turned to see Alexander staring at Ironwood with a displeased expression. "The prince is right, James. We can be all friends here and help each other or we can leave and create a problem for ourselves. Mistral have benefited from our trading deals with Arcadia and honestly, its due time for us to recognize them as a kingdom. You have Mistral's support, your majesty."
"Alexander!" James roared as he almost broke the table as he slammed his fist on it.
"My country can take its own decisions, general. Or you'll use your fleet to make us change our minds too?" Alexander challenged and Ironwood went silent.
"We all can come to an agreement. For example, Arcadia has a need for commodities like iron and copper, and I'm pretty sure there is a market for our food products outside." Charlotte said, bait for the Vacuoan women, their kingdom being full of deserts and could do with another source for much needed food.
"I think we can hear their proposal in finer detail." The ambassador took the bait and Charlotte's smile became more welcoming.
"And how about Vale? What kind of compensation we'll receive from losing one of our settlements?" Amanda said and if a stare could kill, Charlotte would have her turned into ashes with hers.
"I think we won't need compensation." Ozpin said suddenly. "Instead, we can always collaborate with each other in other ways. The council was worried with the security of the Vytal tournament, and I believe Arcadia would be more than happy to provide help in that front. And there's always other fronts where help could be welcomed."
"I think… we can take that in consideration." While Amanda hated Charlotte's guts, she knew that diminishing Ironwood's influence on vale would be beneficial in the long term too. Ironwood groaned defeated and sat back at the table.
"Good, now, let's discuss the fine details…" Charlotte said, her smile now truly angelic, causing Alexander to laugh and everyone else to be confused. Ironwood groaned louder but kept his mouth shut.
"I don't want to be king…" Jaune groaned and let his head hit the table rather hard.
It took them the whole day to create a deal everyone agreed on. Mistral was the easiest one, basically just trading a list of import tax-free products between the two countries and a few fine details on special laws for their citizens. Vacuo, in Jaune's opinion, got the most favorable deal to them, but the blonde boy decided it was because his mother preferred getting their support than their money. Vale turned to be a big pain in the ass in their demands, and it took hours for them to seal a deal both could agree. Surprisingly, Atlas ended up accepting they were defeated quite fast and now they had their signatures in a treaty that would allow Arcadia to come public over their independency.
"You did well there, son. Your little outburst helped making some of them to make a decision and challenge the all mighty James Ironwood. Because I swear I was one step from murdering him and that despicable Valean woman." Charlotte said and patted his head.
"At least tomorrow everything will go as planned." Ichika comforted them, hugging his wife and smiling at Jaune. "And we can stop all this stiff protocol."
"Thankfully no more incidents will happen this week. You should go meet your friends; I have reports from the staff they have being rather rowdy asking for you." Charlotte suggested and Jaune nodded, weakly walking away.
He finally noticed it was night, a little past ten, and he sighed. A whole day lost because a bunch of grownups decided to be childish. He sighed again and didn't notice he stumbled in one of the maids.
"Oh, sorry, I was distracted." He said as he helped her up. He wondered who she was as her face wants familiar. Black hair in high twintails and green eyes in a petite girl. He deemed her as cute. She flashed him a smile and waved everything was OK. "Sorry again. I better let you work."
With another smile and a curtsy she left, and Jaune made a mental note to find her again the next day to properly apologize. He walked back to his room, where he could hear the voices of his sisters and friends. He smiled and opened it, hoping to talk with them just a little before going to sleep since they had the festivities the next day.
He was dragged inside and the door closed.
"You took way too long nano!" Miki complained as she held his arm and pouted. Jaune chuckled and would pet her if Ruby didn't have his other arm, also giving the same pout.
"It wasn't as fun without you!"
"Look, I'm sorry OK? Things got way more hectic than I expected. Tomorrow is the first day of the Festivities, so I intend to spend as much time with you all as I can." He promised with a smile and finally the girls let go of him as he sit on his desk and left a tired sigh out.
"I suppose prince duties aren't as fun as the movies show." Blake questioned and he nodded.
"Honestly, adults can be so… childish! It was like they were fighting for a ball that wasn't even theirs!" Jaune said letting some steam off. Pyrrha came closer to him and massaged his shoulders. "That feels nice. Thanks, Pyr."
"You're welcome. I think we all should go to sleep them, since we have a busy day tomorrow." Pyrrha suggested and Jaune nodded.
"You're right. I'm eager to fight you tomorrow, Pyrrha, and I want to be in my best form." Artoria said with a smile that Pyrrha gave back. She couldn't lie that she was eager to fight Jaune's sister.
"We should go to sleep too." Makoto said as she grabbed Miki by her hand. "We do have our show too."
They said their goodnights and left Jaune alone in the room. He removed the uniform and put it back in his closet, putting a more comfortable sleepwear before checking his scroll on last time. It was then that he heard knocks on the door and hoped it wasn't more royal obligations waiting for him. But when he opened he saw Yang standing on his door.
"Hey."
"Hey." She answered with a small smile. "I have a small question for you."
"Question?" He inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"I want to know… what you want for your future." She asked while combing her hair with her fingers.
"What?"
"If you want to be a Huntsman or a king?" She reinforced and he took a moment to think about it.
"I want to protect people. Both are just ways to the same end, I think. But… I really prefer the freedom of being just Jaune Arc." He confessed and she smiled at him before hugging him.
"You can count on me, alright? For anything."
"Thanks, Yang. I'm really glad you're here." He answered and she sighed contently on his chest.
"Jaune… after you finish your princely duties… Can we… hangout, just the two of us?" She asked and gave him a pleading stare. Jaune gulped a little as how that made her face even more beautiful.
"S-sure. I'll… make sure to have a day free for… us…" He said and she smiled again, then she kissed his cheek.
"Thanks, sir knight. Now sleep well!" She skipped away and Jaune stood there for a while, before closing his door.
The next day started early.
The royal family made an official announcement of Arcadia's newfound status for all kingdoms, and signed treatiess with the representatives. Suffice to say Ironwood had a very displeased expression when he signed it, but otherwise the news caused a spontaneous celebration on the streets. Jaune's friends only met him later the day when they took a bullhead to the Arcadian Arena, since the trams couldn't go due to the people on the streets.
The Arena was made in a classical style, with arcs and columns of marble and was filled with people inside and outside. Pyrrha had to leave the group to prepare for her fight against Artoria, and Weiss was invited by Winter to join the Atlas entourage, which Charlotte understood and excused her. Miki, Ranko, Anya and Makoto had to leave to, because they were one of the main attractions of the day, leaving team Nora, Ren, Ruby, Yang and Blake to join the remaining members of the royal family in their private stands.
"Wow!" Ruby was the first to say as they arrived, seeing the amount of people waiting for the festivities. "Do you think there'll be as many people in the Vytal Tournament?"
"It'll be more. The stadium will be bigger." Ren explained as they took their seats.
"That will be so cool!" Nora said as she moved excitedly around.
"Hmph. A shame Arcadia won't participate this year. Umu! We would win the tournament easily!" Nero stated proudly, following with a loud laugh.
"Don't worry, we'll win with Jaune!" Nora answered and Nero smiled at the bubbly girl.
"Of course! My brother's team can't lose when you have him and Pyrrha."
"Sorry, girl, but team RWBY is in for the win!" Yang challenged and the two blondes traded challenging smiles.
"Calm down you all. We are about to start." Ichika said as Charlotte got up and approached the microphone. As she did it, the Arena went silent.
"Dear citizens of Arcadia, my dear guests from other nations. I thank you all for your presence in this historical day, the day Arcadia is accepted as the fifth kingdom of Remnant, as equal to Vale, Atlas, Vacuo and Mistral. Today we celebrate our beginning but also our future, a future of cooperation between nations and friendship between our people. Our country was born in the principles of equality, fraternity and freedom, principles we follow today and that we hope to be the basis of our future. And with this principles in mind we celebrate our Founding, our Independency and now our friendship with the other kingdoms." She said and was followed by a round of applauses. After a few minutes of cheering she raised her hand and the Arena went silent again. "As we start or Festivities today, our first event is to celebrate our friendship with a match between two of the best warriors Remnant have. From Mistral, student of Beacon Pyrrha Nikos against Artoria Pendragon Arc!"
With her announcement the two warrior girls where brought up from hidden doors underneath the Arena. Pyrrha was wearing her usual outfit, but Artoria was wearing a heavy grey armor over a blue and white dress, and carrying a heavy looking sword in a beautiful sheath, standing proudly with both hands on the pommel as the tip of the sheath rested on the ground. The crowd cheered both loudly, but neither girl acknowledged it at the moment.
"My brother spares no praise of you. Fighting you is an honor."
"It means a lot his praise to me. But I'm eager to test my skills against someone trained by Orimura Chifuyu and called the best fighter your age." Pyrrha answered with a smile.
"So, let's both give our best, of our pride and honor." Artoria finished as she clipped the sheath on her armor and draw the beautiful two-handed sword. Pyrrha answered by reading Miló and Akúo. A moment of silence came from the Arena, and then a loud bell rang.
Pyrrha was surprised when Artoria pushed forward in an incredible speed despite the heavy looking armor, and had time to only block the sword with her shield. Once again she was surprised on the strength her opponent could impose despite her petite size. The red haired champion countered with the spear, but the Arc girl dodged and blocked skillfully. They started trading blows, and that forced Pyrrha to use her semblance to avoid some dangerous attacks from the opponent. The crowd cheered louder as the fight become more and more intense.
"I… never imagined to see Pyrrha under pressure…" Blake said as she saw her friend having to dodge to get Jaune's sister of her, only to see the blonde girl close the gap immediately.
"She isn't an acrobatic fighter like Pyrrha, but she uses speed and strength well." Yang recognized.
"Sister's sheer determination is her biggest quality, though she lacks showmanship. Umu! Not a single taunt or beautiful maneuver!" Nero complained.
"Whatever. Pyrrha will still win. I bet a 50." Yang said as she pulled the crown card.
"Beacon all the way!" Ruby said as she also dropped a 50. Blake, Ren and Nora also bet on Pyrrha.
"My sister won't lose! She is one of the Saber sisters after all!" Nero said popping a card from her cleavage. Jeanne also added one for her sister, and surprisingly Charlotte and Ichika also dropped some money.
"It'll be a draw." Jaune said as he put his money on the hands of Yang.
"Way to be non-committal, vomit boy." Yang teased but took the money anyway.
Meanwhile at the Arena Pyrrha did a series of back flips to get some distance and with a jump fired Miló in carbine mode. Artoria dodged most of the bullets or used her sword to block the few most dangerous one, closing the distance again. The two girls were now in close quarters again, and trading furious blows at each other, the screen on the sides of the Arena showing their Aura slowly being chipped away.
Pyrrha then fired Miló in close range, surprising Artoria as her armor and Aura absorbed the damage but forced her to jump back. Using the chance the Beacon girl used her shield to hit her opponent again, and then forwarded to try to finish the fight. Artoria though recovered quickly and used her sword to block the attack, making sparks fly as the two weapons connected. The Arc girl spun on her feet quickly and hit Pyrrha on her back, throwing her to the other side. The redhead skillfully recovered her position by spinning her own body and landing her feet, recovering her shield with her Semblance.
"I see now. I noticed my blade and body wasn't moving as supposed to, like an invisible hand guiding me to miss you. I can see why some people call you Goddess of Victory." Artoria praised her opponent as both stood in battle stance.
"I must say, you are a very tough opponent. I haven't being challenged like this for a long time." Pyrrha admitted, but had an honest pleased smile in her face, and Artoria gave back on of her own.
"It's a shame we must end this now. You know… my sword have a name…" Artoria said as she lifted her sword with both hands over her head. A golden energy started flowing from the girl to the blade and Pyrrha could feel the pressure from where she stood. "Sword of Promised Victory… EXCALIBUR!"
With a downward movement all energy was unleashed in one single beam in Pyrrha's direction, surprising her for a split second. The champion put her shield in front of her and fired Miló against the energy beam, then used her Semblance to create a magnetic shield in front of her. Her spear flew on top of the beam and hit Artoria in the chest, her Aura and Armor protecting her from a deadly attack, but she used all her Aura to protect herself from Excalibur's attack.
They both fell on their knees and panted hard, but yet both smiled at each other. The bell rang again indicated the battle was over, and the two girls stared at the digital panel, and both laughed a little at the result.
"A draw…" Pyrrha said first.
"I used too much Aura to make this attack, and your little trick with the spear got me." Artoria admitted as she walked towards Pyrrha.
"I… I'm happy. You pushed me to do my very best." The redhead answered and Artoria nodded in understanding.
"Next year… At the Vytal Torunament. We shall cross blades again." The Arc girl suggested and Pyrrha smile grew bigger.
"I'll be waiting." She offered and then they noticed the Arena was chanting their names and clapping and the girls waved at them.
"Meh. Maybe I should go there and show what a real fight really is."
"I knew I smelled something awful. I expected a rat, not a drunk old crow." Chifuyu said as she readied her sword at the man hiding in the dark corner of the Arena.
"Oh… hello, Chifuyu…" Qrow answered as he readied his own weapon.
"That was awesome! Did you see that Renny? It was like Saber was a canon and Pyrrha a force field!" Nora said as she jumped and clapped on her seat.
"I think our daughter found her equal." Charlotte said as she also clapped.
"I can't believe you won!" Yang complained as she gave Jaune the money.
"What can I say? I know my sister and my partner. And I need the money to fill a promise I made to someone." Jaune said with a small wink, making Yang smile at him.
"So, what is next?" Ruby asked and Jaune was about to answer when they heard trumpets playing an announcement tune. From the underground doors came Nero wearing a red and white dress that…
"Jaune… I can see through her skirt!" Blake commented with a small blush as Nero waved to the crow, whose cheer was even louder. When she turned her back to them… "Jaune! I can see her butt!"
"Oh great… Nero is doing it again…" Jaune face palmed while the rest of his family laughed nervously at the scene.
"Umu!" Her voice resonated around as she wore a small microphone on her lapel. "Wasn't that a great fight, my people?! It was breathtaking and worth of both my sister and my brother's teammate! BUT! I think we need even more entertainment in this amazing day! As one of the Saber twins I ask thee! Is there anyone brave enough to come here and challenge me in a fight?!"
A.N.: Who'll be the brave soul to fight Nero? Stay tuned for the next episode!
OMAKE
Morning had come to the Arc household, Nora had yet to kick into her hyperactive mode, Ruby was busy chomping on cookies and as such nearly everyone was at the breakfast table enjoying a nice peaceful...
"NERO!" The peace was broken by the voice of Artoria screaming the name of her sister.
The doors burst open and a red blur being chased by a black one zipped into the room. Chifuyu and Charlotte let out long suffering sighs as Nero was on the side of the table near Jaune and his friends while Artoria was glaring at her from the side near her parents.
"Sister you are over reacting again." Nero said trying to calm her enraged sister. "Umu! I offered my help dressing you and you accepted."
"You tricked me, why did you not give me my blue dress and instead give me this ridiculous MAID OUTFIT?!" Artoria bellowed in anger.
Indeed Artoria was dressed in a black with white trim one-piece dress with an above knee length skirt. Over the top was a white half-apron, with frills and a lace on the back. A ruffled lace headpiece sat on her blonde head and long black stockings and black high heels finished her appearance.
"You know, she really put everything on before noticing it was a maid dress." Yang whispered to Jaune.
"Artoria is not a good early riser most of times." Jaune explained.
"But you look so cute in it." Nero protested with a smirk. "Plus it doesn't emphasis your chest… or lack when compared to my own."
Jaune, Ruby and Yang all shrank away from the normally regal sister as a vein bulged on Artoria's forehead. Her chest had always been a sore spot and judging from the way Artoria was snatching a sword from one of the decorative suits of armor it still was.
"I WILL CUT TO YOU INTO RIBBONS NERO!" Artoria screamed and leapt over the table swinging the sword at her sister who was quick to start running again.
"Your flat chest will increase wind resistance and slow you down, sister." Nero taunted as she ran out into the hallway.
"I WILL END YOUR EXISTENCE!" Artoria's voice screamed as the crashing of glass and metal echoed throughout the household.
"Never a dull moment around here." Chifuyu sighed. "Then again what should I expect from Ichika's children."
"Oi!" Ichika tried to protest.