David stopped in sudden realisation "They are at their dorm you idiot" he turned back around
David knocked on the door which Jaune opened "Oh, David. I was about to look for you" he stated
"Really?" asked David
"I overreacted, I wanted to apologise" explained Jaune
"No need. You were right and you could have reacted way worse, I've seen it. But I wanted to talk about the Penny thing, see if we can sort out a plan for it"
"Yes, come in" Jaune moved aside to let David in. Nora was over with Pyrrha trying to cheer her up whilst Ren stood in silence
"Hello" greeted Pyrrha, more solemn than her normal self "You want to talk about that?"
"Yes" replied David
"What's the plan?" she asked
"Well, Emerald creates an illusion for there to be hundreds of swords behind Penny which you blast away that the real ones cut her to pieces. Ruby goes to talk to Emerald cause if Yang hit Mercury he'd be in the hospital so why would she be in the stadium. Maybe, try something else dodging or something. When we see Emerald I'll try to help Ruby get to her to maybe stop the illusion altogether" explained David
Pyrrha looked at the ground before standing up "Sounds good. So focus on the initial six if I can and move them away or dodge"
"Yes exactly!" exclaimed David
"And if you two can't get to Emerald I do that but if you two can then the whole illusion won't happen or will disappear?"
"Yes, hopefully. That should make sure Penny will survive. Then later I'll help you fight Cinder and you'll survive"
"But David. She might kill you" stated Jaune
David chuckled "Yeah well… if Pyrrha survives that's all that matters. I can't witness either of you two die again, what it does to everybody. And besides, I don't have much here and I doubt I'll be able to get back home or bring my friends and family here so you know. Trade something meaningless for something that matters to many"
"David…" Team JNPR were in silence
"I'll see you at the stadium. Good luck" he walked out and went into RWBY's room
"So?" wondered Yang
"Sorted, we just have to wait till then and hope" replied David
"Don't worry. She'll be fine" assured Blake
"Hopefully"
"Let's go get something to eat. My treat" suggested Weiss
"Yes! Let's go" exclaimed Yang
--
The group entered the fair and went to the same shop last time, they got the usual but this time Weiss used regular Lien instead of her card
"Hey, it didn't get denied this time" stated David with a grin
"Oh shut up" retorted Weiss
"Hey, Team RWBY!" yelled a cheerful voice, Neon
"Oh hello again" replied Ruby
"You ready for the next match?!" asked Neon
"Absolutely, I wonder who it is"
"I'm so excited!" Neon bounced with glee then looked at David "Oh I know you!"
"You do?" asked David, very confused
"Yeah, David Hayward. Only student in history to have no partner or team" explained Neon
"Oh for the love of-" David facepalmed "Can people stop using that to define me?"
"But it's so awesome! You are a lone wolf, imagine the stories you could tell"
"You have a point. But how on remnant is it getting around to everyone?" asked David
"Well, it spread in Beacon then when the others schools came it spread to them as well" explained Neon
"Ugh, now I'm famous for that" groaned David
"Yep!"
They stayed and talked for a while, eventually Neon left to join her Team
--
"I'mma try to keep this brief but talked to Neon recently. She knows about my no partner or team thing, and apparently lots of others know of it too" David texted
"not particularly surprised, would have done a read up of all students in beacon, before I went to vytal" John replied
"That and it spread from school to school so yay I'm famous for that now I guess. Neon sees it as something amazing, I can tell stories to... people"
"suppose"
"shouldn't you be telling penny stuff?"
"I talked to JNPR and we have a plan now. Tomorrow is the day. I would tell Penny but well, she's 'busy'"
"find her, warn her about the false effect, say it is imperative to the fight"
"ironwood might have contact with the doctor"
"I'll try. Then after that is to help Pyrrha find Cinder which going of the other fights might get me killed"
"you don't need to do much, just distract for maybe 5 seconds, and she's saved"
"Like I could, I might have to fight her. I'm with RWBY, we are about to call it a night"
"ok, gl"
"You want to sleep in here?" asked Weiss
"I guess I could. I'll grab a pillow and-" David got up to go to his dorm
"Here" stated Weiss
"Eh?"
"Here" she repeated, patting her bed
"But where would you sleep?" asked David
Weiss just glared at him. Realising what she meant David's cheeks turned red
"What no, I can sleep on the floor it's fine um…"
Weiss walked over and grabbed his arm bringing him back to her bed "Just get in"
"But-" David stopped by another glare and reluctantly got into the bed, laying on the side closest to the wall where Weiss got on the other side "Are you sure?"
"Yes. You need somewhere proper to sleep and I don't trust you to not wake from nightmares" explained Weiss
"We are getting up before the others though. We don't want them to think the wrong idea"
"Absolutely"
"Calm down you idiot, just sharing a bed" thought David
"I have evolved into a tomato" he texted
"why" John replied
"Weiss made me share her bed with her. Luckily I was the first to wake up but"
"() it's happening"
"Shut up no. She said it's because I shouldn't sleep on the floor and incase of nightmares"
"mmmhm, wouldn't the nightmares only harm her if she was in the same bed, unless her company seemingly dispels them, only further proving it"
"Well when you were a kid and had nightmares didn't you sleep in your parents' bed too?"
"So shut up. Now, actual important things. Today is the day"
"right, so either focus on the first 6 or conceed, whichever one"
"Yeah yeah"
"and if necessary, only use a small magnetic field"
"Yeah. And, if I don't ever get a chance to say this. I love you guys all so much, and I wish you good luck with your futures"
"thanks man, see you on the other side"
"Yep. Hopefully"
"I will"
David and Ruby sat down in a seat as the match was soon to begin
"Hey it's alright. You see her?" asked Ruby
"Uhh… there, directly ahead" replied David, pointing in front of them
"Yep I see her. Ready?" Ruby got up, as did David
"As I'll ever be. Remember the plan?" asked David, getting a nod in response as the two made their way towards and into the staff only hallway, behind all the seats
"If I had my weapon this would be so much easier" groaned Ruby
"Sadly it's a little big, but I have mine" David took out his hilt and drew a red blade
"We've got this" assured Ruby
"I sure hope so" replied David
The duo continued until Mercury casually walked out from a pair of side doors "Hello you two" he glanced at David's katana "Not bad, but why can't we have a civilised talk?"
"Oh shut up ya twat. Let us through" snapped David
"Such profanity and no, I can't let you do that" replied Mercury, readying himself for combat
"Very well" David gripped his hilt and Ruby prepared to run and do any kicking or punching if necessary
"It looks like our first contender is... Penny Polendina from Atlas…" announced Port, muffled from the brick walls "And her opponent will be... Pyrrha Nikos from Beacon!"
Penny had her hands on her hips in excitement "Sal-u-tations, Pyrrha Nikos! It's an honor to finally meet you!"
The troubled Pyrrha doesn't respond, looking at her hands as she clenched them in attempted determination
"This is going to be so much fun!" cheered Penny
"Fighters are you ready?" asked Oobleck
Pennybeamsed widely in anticipation, but Pyrrha was still looking around as if in a daze, though she managed a small scowl at her opponent, her weapons Miló and Akoúo̱ already in hand
General Ironwood calmly sat to observe the fight, Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren cheered for their teammate while Jaune Arc simply watched anxiously, they all knew what was at stake. Emerald Sustrai leaned forward with a glare
"3, 2, 1... BEGIN!" announced Oobleck
Suddenly, Penny was surrounded by her floating swords, gesturing them around to her command before launching a volley of them at Pyrrha, who ran towards them and leapt through or deflected each aimed blade. The swords flew into the air until they turned around and came back to the fight
"Showtime" stated Mercury
David sprinted forward and slashed at Mercury, causing him to jump backwards. He then kicked up into his face and fired launching him back
Ruby quickly ran and used her semblance to speed past them which Mercury shot the ground and propelled himself towards her before bringing his leg down into her back, sending her to the ground "Ah ah ah" he wagged his finger
Pyrrha, now having returned the shield to her back, twirled the javelin to block each sword swipe of Penny's, dropping her weapon when she went to somersault away after being hit by a slash, only to magnetically return it to her hand as Penny readied another wave of blades
"My word! What a tremendous display by Miss Polendina!" exclaimed Port
Fully glowering, Pyrrha rushed forward and jumped on an incoming sword, swinging down on Penny, only to have the assault halted by a collection of blades, though she leapt away from the retaliatory slice as Penny backed away as well. She tried to defend against the multitude of swords with the length of her weapon, but was forced back regardless, prompting Pyrrha to roll the shield from her back onto her arm with her polarity
"Whoo, yeah! Goooo Pyrrha!" cheered Nora
Despite the cheers, Pyrrha wasn't doing well, looking down to see her Semblance's black energy bent the weapons in her hands unnaturally for a split second. Emerald narrowed her gaze further, continuing to concentrate on Pyrrha
"The illusions!" thought Pyrrha
David fired his blade and launched himself towards Mercury, slamming his foot into his cheek "You're not the only one who can do that" he helped Ruby get up
Mercury got up and rubbed his cheek "Not bad, you've improved after your last fight"
Ruby grabbed David's arm and sped past Mercury, using her Semblance and turning them into a red and grey ball of petals
Pyrrha spun wildly as she deflected and dodged each sword, until she got close enough to Penny to deliver a few slashes with the spear, sending her flying back as Pyrrha bat aside the blades called to their wielder's aid. Penny slid to a stop and made a new series of motions, the weapons folding up until she's circled by several laser rifles, a few of which open fire on the approaching champion. Pyrrha avoided the blasts and fought off the remaining swords with her xiphos until she slid into position to charge at Penny and knocked her back. Pyrrha straightened with a victorious grin that disappeared into dizziness, just as she saw Penny rocketing forward, weapons firing behind her like a jetpack so she could leap into the air, then came down as an energized meteor on her opponent.
Rolling back to her feet, Pyrrha didn't expect a sword to knock her shield off, then another to do the same for her blade. She tried to get the latter back with her magnetism, but had to use the power to send a flying sword back at Penny's side. It disappeared behind Penny, only for her to grin and raise her arms as several appear above her, aimed to strike
The two ran away as fast as they could to the exit. As they reached it, they could hear the gasps of the viewers "Oh no, nononono" David busted through the door to see Penny on the stadium collapse to pieces
Ruby collapsed to the ground in tears "Penny"
"We… we failed to save her" mumbled David "I failed"
You can't save everyone. The next chapter will be a large one so it will take a while but be prepared