Note: So this took longer to get out than I thought it would. Oh well, sorry about that. Now that we're in volume 3 I can finally get onto writing the character story arcs I've been looking forward to.
I'd like to thank the person who gave me two characters for the story. They will be a part of team SHRP and I did my best to represent them the way you described.
Anyway, thanks for sticking around so far. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
RWBY: Team JSTC 'Justice'
Volume 3 - Chapter 14
Dawn approached. Team JSTC stared at the sky. A floating arena hung above the land, a fight already taking place inside. Each member of the team wore their emotions like a fancy hat. Trance wore an expression of calm anticipation. Cait wore one of nervous excitement. Shade, a blank stare, his thoughts and emotions hidden from those around him. Jason, he had a look that spoke "I'm ready to take on the world!". Confidence and determination filling his heart and mind.
Jason: This is happening.
Shade: It really is.
The four of them turned their heads to the shuttle ready to take them up to the arena.
Trance: Well, no point in keeping the crowd waiting, right?
They made their way onto the shuttle.
[One inflight movie later]
The team, minus Shade, sat ready in the team waiting room. Waiting for their turn to get called into the arena.
Cait: Where's Shade again?
Jason: Getting some last minute practice in.
Their sunglass equipped teammate huffed at the statement. He was polishing his weapon.
Trance: Don't you think he's done enough over the past few weeks?
Jason: What do you mean?
Trance placed his weapon down and stood up.
Trance: Ever since we finished that mission it's like he's done nothing but train for the tournament. A few sparring matches to hone your skills I can understand, but we barely get to see him in his spare time.
Jason: He just want's to make sure he's ready for this.
Cait: Trance kinda has a point…
Jason: Alright, fine! I'll talk to him 'after' the match, okay?
His companions smiled approvingly before an announcement came over the speakers.
Oobleck (Speakers): The next match will be Team JSTC from Beacon academy vs Team SHRP (Sharp) from Haven academy. Both teams please proceed to the arena.
Shade wandered back into the room and glanced over his teammates.
Shade: We should go.
The team all got up and walked out of the waiting room.
[Round 1]
As they walked into the arena, the shear size of the place finally became clear. Jason turned full circle, gazing in near disbelief at the crowds surrounding them. A slight sense of nerves hit him from the realization of just how many people were here, but he quickly shook it off and hyped himself up for the match. As they approached their starting position the four of them spotted team SHRP already waiting on their side of the arena.
Their team leader was a tall guy with spiked black hair. He wore a dark coat over a black undercloak. On his back rested a 'really' oversized sword strapped to a worn black leather harness. In a holster where the harness met his waist he had what seemed to be a form of assault pistol, which was still bigger than a normal weapon. He wore an expression across his face that said he was taking this seriously.
He seemed to rapidly survey the members of team JSTC, lingering a short glance on Jason, before turning to his team and whispering.
His presumed team partner was a girl about a head shorter than him. She had brown hair that only just reached down to her shoulders and clear blue eyes. Her outfit was similar to her leader's but without the coat. An assault sniper rifle hung from her back with a connecting strap, it's clear the weapon has undergone several modifications as evidenced from the attached bayonet and grenade launcher under the barrel and the seemingly more recent knife modification to the back of the gun. On her belt she had a knife sheathed, presumably as a secondary weapon for more close combat situations.
The last two didn't look like much. One had an assault rifle that had sword-like modifications while wearing light plates of armor across his body. The second was wearing technologically advanced looking pieces of armor, covering most of her body. She didn't 'seem' to have a weapon.
Team JSTC immediately identified the team leader and his partner as the largest threats.
Trance: So what's the plan boss?
Jason entered a brief train of thought.
Jason: We don't know what these guys are capable of. I say we draw them out first and get a good look at their capabilities. Then once we've done that we can force them into a retreat and regroup to form a real plan for a final strike.
The rest of the team nodded in agreement of the plan. They turned to their opponents and waited for the match to start.
Once team SHRP had finished whispering plans to each other they stood opposite team JSTC. Around them the arena started to shift in shape as floating screens displayed a random biome generator selecting two different biomes in a very jackpot machine like manner.
The first selection was for team SHRP's side. Ocean, a large puddle of water with occasional spots of land dotted at points. More notably however, there was small shipwreck at the center of the biome. Their team leader glanced back and shot a slight smirk.
Team JSTC turned to look at their biome as it was selected. Urban, a selection of buildings began to rise from the ground revealing themselves to be connected by several roads. On closer inspection the biome seemed eerily similar to the ruins of mountain glenn. The buildings were run down or collapsed, several piles of rubble were spread out across the ruins.
The team turned to each other with smirks on their faces, each thinking the same thing. Heavy cover for a strong defense. Once the battleground was set and ready, professor Port began counting down and both teams entered combat ready positions.
Port: Three…
Jason spotted the members of team RWBY and JNPR cheering them on in the crowd. This sight lifted his courage and determination. He nodded to them before activating his helmet.
Port: ...two…
Cait took slow deep breaths to calm herself before putting on a look of determination and raising her staff into a steadfast position.
Port: ...one…
Trance placed himself into an aggressive stance. His intentions being to try and lure one closer to them.
Shade took one glance at the crowds of people before closing his eyes in thought for a moment behind his mask. He reopened them, glaring intently at his chosen target.
Port: ...begin!
Team SHRP each began working independently to go against their opponents. Their team leader unsheathed his large sword with one hand and wielded his assault pistol with the other. He opened fire with a stream of energy based dust rounds flying out of his weapon.
His partner also began firing while slowly backing towards her team's biome. The third member of the team used his assault rifle to open fire also. The fourth member, stood with outstretched arms and open palms, waiting.
Surprised by the hail of weapons fire being launched at them, team JSTC were forced to retreat towards urban ruins. Jason was quick to dodging the shots as best he could, being lucky enough not to get hit before he found cover in a building. Shade didn't use his semblance, choosing not to give away his 'ace in the hole'. Cait spun her staff to block several shots from hitting her before switching to her rocket launcher and 'rocket jumping' into the air away from the free fire zone.
Trance, on the other hand, had charged forward using 'Buzz Kill' to deflect most of the bullets. He approached the two latter members of the enemy team, using a pulse to push them into the ocean biome behind them.
Jason and Shade dived through the windows of a collapsed building with no ceiling. The 'interior' was filled with rubble leaving barely any breathing room as the brotherly pair took cover against the concrete walls.
Jason: Guess they had the same plan.
He spoke with a hint of excitement. Shade took note of this.
Shade: Idea's for getting the upper hand on this one?
Jason peeked out from behind his cover to spot the girl with the assault sniper rifle was dashing for the wrecked ship.
Jason: They're stalling so that they can get a sniper to cover their advance.
Cait landed behind him, taking the duo by surprise.
Cait: Looks like you're gonna need some fire support of your own if you intend to advance.
She said this while patting her rocket launcher, smirking and winking at them. Jason smirked back.
Jason: Alright, Cait get the high ground and spread them out. Shade you go after the sniper and I'll go for the team leader.
Shade nodded and the trio of teammates waited for an opening. When the team leader stopped to reload his weapon the team acted immediately. Shade rushed forward as his brother used his semblance on his leg muscles to dash ahead.
Behind them Cait rocket jumped onto the roof of a nearby building and turned her weapon towards the battlefield. Firing a rocket at their leader who had to jump back to dodge the blast.
Jason jumped over the explosion as it hit the spot the enemy leader was standing. When he landed Jason began striking aggressively against his foe who blocked his attacks with large sword. He had converted his pistol into a large knife and was using it as another weapon.
Jason's thoughts: This guy must be really strong. Wielding his large sword in one hand while still maintaining the focus to use a second weapon at the same time.
Jason crossed his blades and blocked a heavy strike from the large sword, entering a weapon lock.
Jason's thoughts: I'm going to have to match his strength if I intend to beat him.
He focused his energy into his arms and started to push back his enemies large weapon. Until he noticed the mischievous grin on his foes face.
Suddenly Jason's arms stopped moving. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't get them to keep pushing. Before he could realize what was happening his arms moved out of his control, sliding away from the large blade in front of him and to his sides.
Jason: W-what!?
The large blade collided into him, knocking him onto his back on the ground. He smashed his fist on the ground in anger as he got up. He flowed energy into his torso to ease the immediate pain. Only after barely getting onto his feet, he couldn't move.
Port (over speaker): Ooh, it appears Shade of team SHRP is using his semblance.
Jason: Huh?
Oobleck (over speaker): Ah yes, Shade's semblance allows him to control and manipulate energy to his will. Which is really unfortunate for Mr Conduit, whose semblance is energy generation.
Jason: Oh you've got to be kidding me…
Shade closed the gap between them and raised Jason into the air so that they were eye level.
Jason: ...the first opponent I fight in the tournament just so happens to have a perfect counter to my semblance.
(SHRP) Shade: What are the chances of that?
Without another word he flung Jason at the building Cait was held up in. Sending both members of team JSTC flying backwards off the structure.
Meanwhile Shade had followed the girl aboard the wrecked ship. She was climbing the mast to get a better sniping point. Shade walked up to the bottom of the mast and sliced it, cutting it clean off from the ship. The girl looked down at the sudden disturbance and Shade kicked the mast, causing it to topple over. The girl quickly climbed onto the topside of the falling stretch of wood and ran towards the falling end. Shade stabbed both of his weapons into the falling mast and yanked it towards him, forcing immense strength that strained his body. The girl jumped and spun around raising her weapon and firing a shot that grazed Shade's arm as she fell into the water below her.
Another battle was being fought nearby as Trance's weapon collided with the sword wielder of team SHRP. The armored girl tried charging at him from behind as Trance used his pulse to push away the sword wielder into the water and bring his weapon to contact with the approaching suit of armor. The strike was ineffective and the armored girl collided with him, knocking him back. He regained his posture and pushed his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose. As she charged again he impaled his weapon into the ground and shot a burst of six blue glowing buzz blades that upon impact froze the armored girl in place. Trance smirked and readied himself to finish her off. But before he could move a the ice casing suddenly exploded revealing a now, on fire, suit of armor. Having taken him by surprise the armored girl continued her charge at Trance and rammed her head into his stomach like a raging bull. Only now she did fire damage.
When she halted her charge Trance fell to the ground. He quickly stood up and glanced at the sand now covering his body, his eyes drifted to the scorch marks staining his leather jacket. He sighed and quickly removed said jacket from his body, earning a short cheer from the crowd, leaving him with just his white shirt. He grabbed his weapon and re-stanced himself as the girls partner rejoined her after being flung into the water.
Trance: I'll try something else then.
He switched his weapons ammo type to explosive and engaged his opponents once more.
Back at the wrecked ship, Shade had chased his opponent onto the shallow waters in front of the ship. She stopped and turned around, changing her rifle into the form of a schmitter similar to Weiss's, and unsheathed her knife quickly converting it into a pistol before firing several shots at Shade who skillfully dodged them. He quickly closed the gap between them and locked weapons with the girl. When they broke the lock the two of them began to clash their weapons repeatedly. Strike after strike, neither one of them could seem to break the other's defense.
The girl decided on a plan b. Jumping back away from her black cloaked opponent, she switched her pistol back to its knife form and her schmitter back to it's assault sniper form. When Shade attempted to approach her she detached the blade of her knife from its hilt and swung it at him from a safe distance forcing him to keep a short distance. She then used the grenade launcher under the barrel of her gun to force him back even further so that he was standing in the water. She smirked and sheathed her knife, freeing up her hand as she crouched and placed it into the water at her feet.
Shade raised an eyebrow beneath his mask. Suddenly the sound of rushing water surrounded him as a shadow crossed over the area. He turned around and witnessed the tidal wave right before it consumed him and pushed towards the area Trance was fighting at. Trance used his 'pulse' to put some distance between his two opponents. He adjusted his weapon wielding arm and pushed his shades back into place with the other as he readied himself for their next attack.
Shade: Trance, run!
He turned his head towards his teammate's voice. upon witnessing the wall of water Shade was trapped in, Trance turned and ran. However, the wave quickly sucked him in and the two members of team JSTC were dragged and thrown into the center of the arena. The two of them, now soaking wet, cough out water while getting back onto their feet. Trance looked up at the large screen displaying the aura levels of both teams.
Team SHRP stood with their two leading members at full aura levels while the armored girl had two thirds and the last guy had half. Team JSTC wasn't doing so well though. Jason and Trance were down to half aura while Shade was almost in the red. The only one who still had green aura levels was Cait.
Trance: We need to regroup. Rethink our plan.
Shade glanced at their opponents as they readied to attack.
Shade: Agreed.
Meanwhile in the urban biome Jason and Cait laid on the floor in pain after their fall. Cait used 'Boomstick' as a crutch to stand herself back up. She hurried over to help her leader up.
Cait: No charging in again.
Jason: Not yet.
He put on a half hearted smile and chuckled, Cait rolled her eyes at this. Their remaining two companions rushed around the building that provided cover for the team.
Trance: We're getting our butts kicked out there.
Shade: Plan?
Jason scratched his head in thought until a loud chain of explosions gained the team's attention. Team SHRP were using explosive dust to destroy the building between them and team JSTC. They narrowly avoided the falling debris and took cover behind the remains of the building. Almost instantly they became pinned down by weapons fire.
Trance: Now we're stuck!
Cait: Thank you captain obvious!
Cait switched her weapon to it's rocket launcher version and quickly fired a blind shot in the direction of the enemy. Jason proceeded copy her and blind fire from their covered position.
Jason: Alright, I'm open to ideas here!
Trance: Um, can we get any high ground?
Jason: We've already leveled practically the entire playing field.
Cait: Maybe we can spread out and divide their attention?
Jason: No we stick together! We can't make a risky move like that right now.
While the rest of his team attempted to work up a plan, Shade glanced around his cover just enough to see the enemies position. Center of the arena, in the open. No cover.
Shade: I can take them.
The team turned to him with shocked expressions.
Jason: W..what!?
Cait: You can't!
Trance: You wouldn't make it a third of the way! One hit and you're out!
Shade took in a deep breath before responding.
Shade: Then I won't get hit!
Before they could argue with him, he rushed out of cover with both weapons up and began firing at the team in the open.
Jason: Wait...!
Cait: He's gone mad!
Trance: Dammit! That training better be worth it!
Trance used his 'Buzz Kill' to fire a burst of smoke trailing buzz blades into the sky. Shade continued his charge dodging and using his weapons to block shots about to hit him almost elegantly. As he got closer he saw that team SHRP had expressions of surprise and confusion on their faces. Below his mask Shade was focused and determined. Trances spinning blades impacted the ground in front of Shade and a large smoke cloud burst out around him and team SHRP. The armor wearing girl punched forward into Shade's path in hopes of hitting him, only to find that he had disappeared.
(SHRP) Armored girl: W..what?!
(SHRP) Swordsman: Where did he go?!
Behind them, from a shadow on the ground, Shade quickly rose up and aimed both of his weapons outwards.
Shade: Boo…
Before team SHRP could react, gunfire started hitting them as Shade spun around firing both of his weapons. Their leader used his sword to try and attack Shade but he merged into the ground again. Only to reemerge behind him, jumping into the air and landing a clear heavy strike onto (SHRP) Shade's back. His partner attempted to use her scimitar to strike the dark cloaked nightmare only for him to raise a sickle and deflect her attack. (SHRP) Shade turned around swiped at (JSTC) Shade with his knife, which was blocked. Quickly following it up with him and his partner performing a synchronized weapon lock with Shade. He glanced through his mask to see the armored girl charging towards him. As she was about to reach him he merged into the ground, dropping both of the weapons he was locked with onto the armored girl and sending her into a spiral onto the ground.
(SHRP) Sniper girl: How is he doing that!?
(SHRP) Shade: It must be his semblance!
The swordsman member of the team interrupted them as he was flung into the girl. Shade had reemerged from the ground and thrown him. He raised both weapons and swarmed (SHRP) Shade with bullets. He raised his sword in time to block the shots but when he readied to attack, (JSTC) Shade had already disappeared again. By this point the armored girl had barely gotten to her feet again. Shade jumped from the ground behind her and was now standing on her shoulders. He punched the armored girl in the head making her lose control of her balance. Shade used his feet to control the armors balance and began spinning her around, he raised both of his weapons up and outstretched his arms before firing endlessly.
Meanwhile, the rest of team JSTC observed Shade's work in disbelief.
Trance: Holy crap…
Cait: He really took them by surprise, huh?
Jason: Guys, now's our chance!
Trance: You're right!
The three of them stepped out of cover and readied their weapons.
Jason: Stick together this time!
Cait and Trance: Right!
They charged towards the smoke cloud as it began to clear up. Shade continued to fire madly in a circle atop the armored girl. He was... ...laughing, enjoying the pleasure of overpowering his foes. Every shot that hit its target sent a shiver of satisfaction up his spin. Every strike that was made gave him a sense of challenge and joy. Knowing full well that he could easily overpower them was just becoming amusing to him. He was forced from his happy demeanor when the armored girl had regained her balance and grabbed Shade's legs, intending to slam him into the ground. However Shade curled himself fully and hooked his weapons under the girl's arms and lifted her from the ground, flipping her over him in the air and slamming her onto her back. But he didn't stop there, proceeding to loosen the hook on her slightly as the enemy team leader prepared to strike. Shade dragged her around him, quickly lifting her up and swinging her full circle before unhooking his weapons and launching her into her team leader, knocking them both to the ground.
Shade attempted to level his breathing, the exhaustion was quickly catching up to him. He quickly blocked a strike from team SHRP's second in command and proceed to kick her in the gut. He followed this up by blocking a strike from the team swordsman and swiped his other weapon across his face while holding the trigger, forcing the swordsman to the floor. He turned back around and attempted to strike the sniper wielder only for her to dodge the strike making him miss and impale his weapon into the ground. She swiped her secondary weapon at his head using its connecting line extension to reach him from a distance. The blade hit his mask, knocking it from his face and shattering it onto the floor. He stumbled back but quickly recovered, growling angrily now that his face was no longer concealed.
Shade: It was just weighing me down anyway.
He spoke this words as he unclipped his cloak and it fell to the ground, revealing his bear dark skin. The two proceeded to clash their weapons several times. Nearby the team leader and armored girl stood up again. He glanced up at the screen displaying both team's aura levels. (SHRP) Shade was down to half aura levels alongside his partner. The armored girl and the swordsman were about to enter the red. He glared at the duel happening in front of him. He raised his pistol at his target. One hit was all he needed.
'BANG'
His eyes widened in shock. The shot had been blocked by the cat faunus now standing in front of him.
(SHRP) Shade: Crap, I forgot about the rest of you.
He turned just in time to collide weapons with Trance as he charged him, clashing their weapons several times before a shot came in from the side and hit (SHRP) Shade in the head. He glanced his vision in the direction of the shot to see the leader of team JSTC aiming one of his shortsword revolvers at from a distance him while wearing a small grin. Cait went for a critical strike towards (SHRP) Shade's head but he dodged backwards. Behind him the armor wearing girl dived over him, suit set ablaze as she impaled both fists into the ground sending a wall of fire at the cat girl. Cait pun her staff around to clear the fire and make room for Trance to slide in and launch several beeping buzz blades into the joints of the girls armor. He rushed up to her and kicked her away before detonating the explosives, the blast destroying her aura levels and launching her out of the arena.
Oobleck (over speaker): My word, just like that team JSTC has achieved first blood! Figuratively speaking of course.
Shade continued his battle with the sniper wielding girl, blocking and deflecting several strikes until she was able to knock him to the ground with a powerful dual weapon clash. Shade stared up at the gun now pointed at his head, the girl wasted no time pulling the trigger of her rifle. Time slowed as the bullet left the weapon, mere centimeters away from taking Shade out of the match. But a blade moved into Shade's vision, blocking the bullet.
Jason: Get away from my brother!
Shade smiled, his brother stabbed at the girl with his other blade forcing her to retreat back. Cait moved up to a defensive position while Jason offered a hand to his brother.
Jason: You still good?
Shade clicked his own neck and quickly stretched out his muscles.
Shade: Never better.
They nodded to each other before turning towards their remaining opponents. The remaining three members of team SHRP had gathered up and began retreating towards their ocean biome.
Jason: Trance and Cait, cut them off. We'll finish them from all sides!
The team nodded in agreement. Trance used his 'pulse' to propel himself into the air and ahead of the enemy team while Cait used her rocket launcher to 'rocket jump' past them. The two brothers chased after the enemy team quickly firing their weapons.
Jason: Their leader's semblance lets him manipulate energy. If I use my own semblance too close to him, he could turn me against you guys.
Shade: Then don't use your semblance.
Ahead of them the enemy team stopped in their tracks as a rocket hit the floor in front of them creating an explosion. Cait and Trance landed in front of the three of them with weapons ready. Before SHRP could react shots started hitting them from behind. JSTC acted quickly in their actions forcing SHRP to improvise their own.
(SHRP) Shade wiped out his pistol, switching it to its ray setting, and fired it towards Trance who attempted to dodge the shots. He quickly turned around and swung down with his large sword locking weapons with (JSTC) Shade, who had rushed up to him quickly using his semblance. His partner had charged up to Cait and entered a short duel with her. Trance quickly rushed up dueling girls to aid his partner.
Jason ran up to the battle before entering combat with the swordsman. He hoped to finish the guy off quickly, but then he used his semblance. Suddenly the swordsman's attacks became faster and faster until his arms and the blade became a blur. Jason panicked at the unexpected actions and used his semblance to increase the power of his own attacks, hoping to cause some knockback. His plan was successful, striking against the blade hard enough to force the swordsman to stumble back a bit before proceeding to use both blades to slice across him from both sides. The strike finished off the his opponent.
His victory was short lived when he suddenly lost control of his arms.
Jason: Oh, crap.
Without any control he was turned towards the fight between Cait, Trance and SHRP's second in command. His energy was uncontrollably forced throughout his body, taking away complete control of his movements entirely.
Jason: Cait look out!
Cait turned towards her leader's voice only to receive a strike from his weapon to the face.
Jason: I'm sorry!
Cait blocked the continued incoming attacks from her leader, leaving Trance to fight the second in command by himself.
Cait: What the hell Jason! Stop attacking me!
Jason: I can't! Their leader's controlling my semblance!
Cait: Oh no. Shade!
The tall shirtless demon man was still in conflict the enemy team's leader. Upon hearing his teammates call of his name he quickly locked weapons with his opponent and glanced in her direction. His face turned angry upon seeing his brother turned against his friends.
Shade: Stop playing dirty! Let my brother go!
(SHRP) Shade: And you using your semblance wasn't playing dirty?
Shade angrily broke the weapon lock and clashed blades with his enemy again and again. Upon hearing Cait let out another cry for help, he quickly merged with the ground and rushed over to her in mid combat. He re-emerged at top speed, tackling his brother to the ground and holding him there with one arm while using his other to lay suppression fire against his previous target.
Shade: What did I say less than two minutes ago!
Jason: I'm sorry Shade, I panicked.
Shade: Well then don't panic again!
Before long the enemy leader let go of his control of Jason and Shade helped him to his feet, never letting up on his suppressive fire.
Trance was flung along the floor at his companion's feet as the sniper girl quickly rejoined her partner and the duo hurried over to the ocean biome. Trance struggled to his feet, clearly on his last legs.
Trance: What's... the plan... boss?
Jason didn't respond and instead turned his gaze in the direction of the two remaining members of the opposing team. They had hurried over to the water, exchanging a brief discussion before the girl crouched down placing both hands into the water. His gaze moved to the display screen showing everyone's aura levels. Everyone's levels were near the red. He dropped his gaze back to the enemy to see a tidal wave approaching them.
Jason: I have an idea.
Trance: Better be good and better be quick!
Jason: Shade and Trance will use ice dust to freeze the tidal wave in it's path.
Shade and Trance switched out their ammunition and nodded in response.
Jason: Cait will launch me through that thing and I'll finish them off with one final blow.
Cait: Wait, what?
Shade: You could only do that when when overcharged.
Trance: And we've seen that they can counter you're semblance.
Jason proceeded to combine his blades and switch them to it's lightning gun form.
Jason: Exactly why I'm going to pool all my energy into this one strike.
Cait: But...
Jason quickly jumped onto Cait's back.
Jason: Trust me.
Cait let out a sigh of defeat and got into position. Jason turned to Trance.
Jason: Impossible odds, right?
Trance smirked in response before him and Shade started firing ice at the wall of water.
Jason: You ready?
Cait: My team leader is quite literally riding me right now.
Jason: Is that a no?
Cait: That was more of a self realization on my end. I'm ready.
Cait proceed to fire off a rocket, launching the two of them towards the wall of water. Cait continued to fire to pick up velocity. The whole time her leader was charging up his rifle. Upon impact with the wall of water the duo felt a brief stroke of pain that was ended immediately after they exited the other side of the tidal wave. Jason quickly jumped onto Cait's shoulders and pushed himself forward towards his targets faster. The shocked looks on their faces spoke for their disbelief. It took less than three seconds for Jason to land, and when he did he stabbed the end of his weapon into the water and let go of the trigger, releasing the powerful energy charge.
The lightning dispersed across the water, so much energy had been poured into the blast that the water couldn't contain it all, sending out rapid bursts of electricity into the sky around them. Jason merely focused on absorbing the energy that attempted to harm him while Cait had safely landed on one of the small sand islands. However the remaining members of team SHRP weren't so lucky. They stood there for several moments as the electrical current wiped their aura levels clean out.
Jason remained still for a few moments, his exhaustion from the fight had forced him to use his rifle as a crutch. Cait rushed up to him.
Cait: Jason, are you okay!? Do you need any help!?
Jason: N..no, I'm…
He struggled to get to his feet.
Jason: ...I'm fine. Just, used a lot of energy.
The cat faunus wrapped an arm around her friend and helped him get to his feet. He silently thanked her after he stabilized. The smoke in the air was slowly clearing up. Shade and Trance walked up to their companions.
Trance: Wow boss. Just, wow.
Shade remained silent with an impressed look on his face. Jason converted his rifle back to the dual shortsword configuration.
Jason: That's called beating the odds. It always looks impressive.
Trance: I bet the crowd will say the same thing.
Jason and Shade glanced at each other in realization and shock. As the smoke cleared the team looked around at the crowds around them, suddenly cheering and applause was heard across the colosseum. Jason and Shade became lost in the praise, the younger of the two growing a truly happy smile as he raised his fist into the air victoriously, earning further applause from the crowd. Shade grew a genuine smile. Glancing down at his brother he saw a tear of joy slide down his cheek. Behind them, their teammates watched happily as the brothers enjoyed the glory.
Cait: I think this win was good for us. All of us.
Trance: Yeah, I agree.
Port (Over speakers): And with that spectacular finale team JSTC win their first round!
[Shortly later]
Both teams had left the arena. Team SHRP had stopped them, wanting to congratulate the winners. The team leaders shook hands while offering a brief exchange of words.
(SHRP) Shade: You did good out there.
(SHRP) Sniper girl: Not once did it cross my mind that you would dive head first into a tidal wave for a sneak attack.
Jason: Well it's sorta become our thing to win against ridiculous odds at this point.
He chuckled while saying this. The boy and girl in front of him turned to each other with knowing looks.
(SHRP) Shade: Be careful not to get ahead of yourself.
Jason: Huh?
(SHRP) Shade: The more you see yourself earning from a victory, the bigger the lose is when it takes it all away.
Silence came between the three of them before team SHRP turned and left them. Leaving the team to ponder those words. Trance interrupted the group and pulled some lien from his pocket.
Trance: So who wants some victory food.
[End of chapter]
Note: So here we are again. Just to clarify, no more oc's submitted will make it into volume 3 chapters, however if you do decide on offering one or two then they might make into the volume 4 stuff later on.
Oh that's another thing to clarify, I plan on finishing this story after volume 3 to round out the beacon arc and create a squeal story for volume 4 to presumably volume 6. Just letting you know my current plan right now.
One last thing. I listened to a lot of music while writing this chapter to help me feel in the moment and a thought occurred to me. What kind of songs would you apply to the characters of THIS story. I have my own ideas of what the main themes for each character would be but I'm really curious on what you think they would be. Be sure to let me know.
Anyway, that's all from me. Hope you enjoyed.