Over 5000 views! I am truly grateful to everyone following and enjoying my story. You are the ones driving me forward to continuing this tale ;).
The match between HERO and CFVY continues, will our heroes be able to weather the storm and continue onward in the Vytal Tournament? Reviews and critiques are appreciated for future improvement, and as always, a huge thank you to all my readers :).
Velvet took hesitant steps amidst the swamp, doing her best to remain silent and not breathe too heavily…both to hide her presence and avoid the smell. She could not imagine the audience would enjoy the slow game of cat and mouse she and Olivia were playing.
Her ears were trained as high as she could make them, remembering Olivia's explanation of her semblance back when she'd snuck her into the 2nd year dorms to deal with Cardin. She couldn't trust her vision until she knew where she was…as counterintuitive as that sounded. The swamp also dulled her sense of smell…sound was her only advantage here but she had to continue…if she didn't track her down Olivia could snipe her team with impunity.
There it was! Very faint but present, Velvet would never mistake that slight inhalation of breath. Olivia was good but she was still nervous…she had her. Velvet flipped upside down onto one hand at the moment the shot fired, a round sailed between her legs as she performed a handstand split.
Ok, the shot came from that direction…have to find SOMETHING to focus on, a rustling bush…a footprint, something to draw attention to her and focus past her semblance…
Sure enough, a single ripple caught her attention, barely noticeable but that's all she needed. Velvet bounded over a series of stumps and performed a drop kick on the location. Her foot hit empty air, but she caught sight of what had made the splash. A single purple naginata shimmered out of existence as her foot made contact with it.
She got a clone of Esmerelda's weapon to distract me?
She felt a breeze behind her…Velvet spun and raised her arms in front of her. Olivia's rifle slammed into them, a moment slower and it would have impacted the back of her head.
"Thought I had you with that," Olivia grunted, clearly disappointed. In a flash she spun her rifle and swung it like a bowstaff, trying to find an opening in the Faunus girl's defenses. She would occasionally fire her rifle at times she felt the angle may allow for a hit. Velvet dodged them all, she was too quick, parrying and deflecting her strikes expertly. Olivia's swings were just too limited.
"Sorry," Velvet apologized as she leapt over an attempt to stab her with the barrel now affixed with a bayonet. She perched herself on top of it for a half moment before performing a backflip off, uppercutting Olivia with her heel as she leapt away.
Olivia shook her head, clearing her blurring vision as she took a step back, putting some breathing space between them.
"I have some surprises," she smiled. Velvet didn't know she and Nora had finished her weapon modifications already and rushed Olivia head on, attempting to get so close her weapon would be useless.
With a twist of her hand the long barrel of her rifle disconnected from the rest of the gun. The tip expanded outward, turning it into a moderately sized one-handed mace. The remainder of the rifle condensed into a mid-ranged pistol, the ammo clip rotating to smaller rounds that could be fired much faster. The bayonet jumped to the now semi-auto pistol doubling its use as a close range knife.
Olivia brought the mace down on Velvet who crossed her arms defensively, unable to dodge from so close while moving forward. The head burst into flames upon impact thanks to the dust cartridges within and knocked the rabbit-Faunus backwards. She didn't have much practice with it…but seeing as Velvet had never been seen using a weapon she was hoping it would be the advantage she needed to overcome her skill.
"Amazing!" They heard Oobleck shout to the crowd. "It appears Mr. Daichi's strength is completely ineffective against Mr. Soplar!"
"Indeed!" Professor Port agreed. "Thus far the young man has been unable to score a significant hit against the first year. What an upset!"
Velvet sighed heavily as Olivia swung again, this time she dodged, a bit of fire barely singing her shoulder armor. Olivia unloaded a volley from her pistol, forcing her back again.
"I was hoping to save this for later…but I guess now is ok if everyone is focused on the other side of the arena," Velvet frowned. "Please don't tell anyone." She reached behind her, tapping the camera she had secured to her back. Olivia had wondered why she'd brought it into the arena.
In an instant a blue beam of light shot from the camera into Velvet's outstretched hands. Olivia could only stare in awe realizing the light was contorting into a new shape.
Is that…Yatsuhashi's sword?
Arena Center…
Yatsuhashi was blasted backwards by a kick from Horatio only preventing a ring out by sinking his sword into the floor and holding tight as it tore through the stadium floor several feet before stopping.
He's caught his stride, Cinder smiled; with the large man's powerful attacks it'd taken only a few swings before Horatio now overpowered him. The armored brute wasn't catching on as he continued swiping at him with his massive sword.
Horatio was able to block and parry each swing, rotating between his arms and legs. It seemed he had taken some pointers from his fight with Mercury. After a couple rotations he started stepping backwards, Yatsuhashi pressing forward with his attack.
He's trying to make it look like he's having trouble keeping up…like with Mercury it just goads his opponent into pushing forward hoping to break through him.
Yatsuhashi brought his sword down with all his might, the same swing he had performed during the Breach which shattered the pavement and sent a group of alpha creepers flying. Horatio narrowly side stepped the swing, leaping into the air to avoid the shockwave produced.
Excellent…don't block every swing or your infinite strength will become obvious. Cinder was actually enjoying the match; she had expected to be bored until the finals. She had no idea Horatio could be so…deceitful.
Horatio slammed his palms onto the ground once the shockwave had passed, with all his strength he wound up his legs, planting both squarely into Yatsuhashi's chest at an angle. The gentle giant was lifted off his feet and sent flying so high he could not hope to stop his momentum again, striking the back wall of the arena and slumping to the ground.
"AND Mr. Daichi has been eliminated by ring out!" Dr. Oobleck exclaimed over the cheers of the crowd.
Horatio leapt for joy, savoring his victory…the feeling did not last.
"Oh dear!" Professor Port announced. "It appears that with Ms. Ramus' aura dropping to the red the match has now been balanced at 3 on 3."
Olivia? Horatio turned towards the swampy terrain, a familiar rabbit Faunus emerging alone and heading towards Esmerelda and Fox.
Horatio cursed himself for not winning faster…and rushed forward.
On the Plains…
Roland had immediately regretted challenging Coco to melee combat…it was probably worse than the bullets. He charged CFVY's leader with his warglaive, slashing downward while ready to dodge any swings of her handbag.
He had woefully underestimated her; with a simple swipe of her offhand she had parried him at the wrist, knocking his strike away. Simultaneously she swung her handbag, catching him in the face, grabbing his parried wrist she had then proceeded to hurtle the poor man over her head, slamming him into the ground with a crash.
"And Ms. Adel performs a DEVASTATING first strike!" Port shouted, sounding like he was encouraging the beating. "Mr. Mane is out of his element in a solo offensive setting."
Roland growled in frustration at those words, spinning on his side he attempted to clip Coco's ankles but she jumped at the last moment. Using the force of his spin Roland brought himself back to his feet, taking up a defensive stance.
It had not ended there, anytime he rushed her head on she was ready, dodging and countering him with savage blows from her handbag. Considering the immense gun it could become the weight was understandable with the condensed equipment it had to contain within. He had attempted to sever the bag from Coco at the handle, but his blade scrapped off it…being far thicker than it seemed.
The only blow Roland landed required him to sacrifice a shattering hit to his arm; grabbing hold of a wrist he temporarily immobilized her as he delivered a knee to her gut. Coco had barely staggered before realizing he'd knocked her sunglasses off. With a look of pure rage she cracked him across the face with one of her high heeled boots, sending him flying.
"You got spunk," Coco complimented with a wink as she recovered her shades. "Most go down after my first hit."
"I have thick skin," Roland replied with a smirk. Despite the punishment he had taken he was impressed his aura had not yet collapsed into the red. "I take a beating just about every day, a super girlfriend stronger than you will do that."
Unheard by him Yang let an "aww" escape her lips. "Flatterer." Casey and Cinnamon looked absolutely horrified beside her…even Elf had lowered her ears in fear.
Coco let out a chuckle as her handbag reconverted into its gun form. The barrel spinning in preparation to fire, Roland had no time to transform his shield back.
A loud clang announced his salvation as Horatio dove between them, kicking the barrel and sending her first volley sailing into the air towards the crowd. Fortunately the energy barrier surrounding the arena absorbed the blasts, such safety measures were standard.
Coco corrected her weapon and swung sideways, clipping Horatio's torso and sending him sliding away to stop alongside his battered teammate.
"Nice work Roland, I'll take it from here. Ezzy will need backup."
"Good luck!" Roland exclaimed, patting Horatio on the back as he turned to run, not needing to be told twice.
Coco scowled at his attempted retreat, squeezing the trigger and sending a hail of bullets towards the running opponent.
Horatio stepped between them, the bullets impacting his arms crossed in front of him defensively. The force pushed him back several feet but otherwise did no damage. He locked eyes with Coco and grinned.
Swamp Outskirts…
Esmerelda fell backwards, barely dodging Fox's follow-up strike. He seemed to be going faster than before; she had been forced to create three weapon clones to keep the red-haired fighter at bay. Even just an extra year at Beacon showed such growth compared to Team HERO. Despite lack of pupils in his eyes he seemed to have a perfect perception of his surroundings.
Velvet had joined the fray against her; she was now completely on the defensive. Olivia must have been beaten, Esmerelda hoped she was alright. The two were rotating, taking turns attacking her and parrying her weapon clones before the next took advantage of the opening. She was being pushed to the edge of the arena…
"Downfall of King and Country!"
Esmerelda smiled at the words, Roland slammed into Fox from behind and gave her the opening she needed to retreat from the edge with a series of backflips. As they had practiced before, Roland locked his shields, Esmerelda safe behind him. More clones of her blade shimmered around them, four in total…the most she could create without dropping her aura into the red…they had their fortress.
Velvet glanced over at Fox with a worried look on her face, in the distance they could see Coco tied up firing at Horatio who was dodging and otherwise engaging her. She would not be able to provide cover.
"Surround," was the only word Fox uttered. In response Velvet ran around the two, circling to their unprotected back.
Esmerelda reallocated two of her clones to keep an eye on Velvet. With as fast and agile as these two were…their shield wall was not as effective as they'd hoped.
"We hold," Esmerelda muttered to Roland. The two thought it may turn out like this. Team CFVY was better than each of them individually in skill and experience. They hated to admit it, but in their current state they were essentially cornered…
The Plains…
Coco was getting angry; her minigun was running hot. She probably hadn't released the trigger in almost a minute of continuous fire and had spent almost as much ammunition as she used fighting at the Breach.
So why…isn't…he…dropping?
Horatio spent much of their initial confrontation running like a fly you just couldn't catch. At first it'd been fun herding him where she wanted only to cut him off. After a few minutes of that she'd gotten bored and planned to end it, luring him right into a kill zone.
Or so she'd thought.
Despite the unfathomable amount of ammunition she expended, almost every shot she could tell had hit the mark, Team HERO's leader just wouldn't go down. The first few seconds he had been plowed into the ground from the force of the hits…but it didn't take long before he started getting back up! Even pushing against her volley!
"This…is…inconceivable!" Oobleck was shouting from the announcer's box. "I've never seen an aura take such punishment! Yet our readouts are confirming Mr. Soplar's is still holding strong!"
Professor Port just stared, for the first time that year he had no words. The readings had to be broken, presented on the main viewer Mr. Soplar's aura level had not even budged from the green. Coco finally released her grip on the trigger to allow it to cool, glaring daggers at Horatio over her shades.
"Just what are you?"
Horatio brushed himself off, gritting as apparently his entire body was searing hot from the bullets impacting him for so long. Even his aura was shimmering gold. "I am Horatio, Huntsman and leader of Team HERO of Beacon Academy," he answered politely with a smile and quick bow. "Nothing more, nothing less."
With those words he took off towards Coco, his speed vastly improved as he dodged her subsequent volley, he would be on her any second. Coco thought fast, reducing her weapon back to its handbag she blocked his opening swing.
He's strong…like a Beringel!
Coco turned to avoiding Horatio's blows, cartwheeling around them expertly. Despite being stronger and faster than her, Horatio could not land any subsequent attack. Coco's smug smile returned to her face as she noticed his swings were getting slower as his golden aura dimmed. After a failed high kick Coco grabbed Horatio's leg, with a spin she tossed him as hard as she could. He sailed through the air, barely stopping only a few feet from the end of the arena. He sighed heavily in relief that he wasn't thrown completely clear. Coco raced towards him, not even bothering with her gun.
Just one more throw…I get that and it's over.
Horatio stood to his full height, raising his foot and slamming it down again and again.
Geez calm down, Coco thought to herself. No need to throw a tantrum.
No one saw Cinder's smile deepen at Horatio's actions.
As Coco drew closer Horatio inhaled deep, leaping high into the air as he had done on Merlot's island. She came to a screeching halt where he had been standing, her sunglasses sliding down her nose in surprise at how high he had gone. Horatio raised his fists at the apex of his jump, spinning fast to accelerate his momentum back down.
Coco realized his plan too late.
He slammed into the arena with such force the floor shattered, the ripple effect lifting Coco clean off her feet along with the tiles, dirt and rubble sending her flying…out of the arena and into the wall upside down. She slumped to the ground, staggering to her feet with a frustrated groan on her lips.
"And Ms. Adel is eliminated in a DEVASTATING ring out!" Professor Port shouted, finally having rediscovered his voice. "They will need to repair the stadium after that one!"
"Ah but it appears Mr. Soplar is equally eliminated!" Oobleck pointed out.
"Wha...?" Horatio stuttered. He had just landed right in his original starting location within the arena and had plenty of aura, how was he…?
Looking down, Horatio realized he had hit the ground with such force that he'd gone clean through the plains…and the default marble underneath, he was now standing squarely on the dirt floor beneath the stadium.
"Oh come on!" he cried out in frustration at his technically accurate ring out.
From the nearby stands Cinder just facepalmed. Recovering the moment before Horatio spotted her, responding to his look with a wink and acting as if she was fanning herself with her hand.
Well…he did eliminate CFVY's best…it's a start at least.
Swamp Outskirts…
Esmerelda and Roland struggled under the assault of Velvet and Fox from both sides. Roland had already been forced to split his shield in two and they were revolving like a door. It was a delaying tactic at best. They had heard the announcement that both their respective team leaders were eliminated, the four of them were all that remained.
"I can't watch!" Cinnamon covered her eyes as Roland took another blow from Fox. He was clearly getting tired.
"You have to!" Yang exclaimed, she was already on her feet, punching empty air as if she were fighting alongside him. "Roland can take care of himself…I toughened him up after all! Have some faith in your brother!"
Elf let out a solemn howl.
"Got a plan?" Roland whispered to Esmerelda.
She glanced between Fox and Velvet...not wanting to admit it but they'd barely hurt the red-haired boy's aura…Velvet's on the other hand sputtered when overexerted…Olivia must have done some damage. It shouldn't take much more to...
"Just one," she smiled. "Put your shield together and cover me...be ready when I give the signal."
With that last word she bounded over his head sprinting towards the rabbit Faunus before Roland could clarify what she meant by a signal, her weapon clones followed behind. Fox saw her charge and looked to step in the path, only to be faced with Roland again, cutting off his assistance.
Velvet was skilled…but even she couldn't keep up with Esmerelda and four additional weapons assailing her at once tired as she was. With a frown of frustration she pulled back several feet, her hand falling to the camera at her hip. Esmerelda saw her chance.
Falling down on all fours her weapon clones seemed to merge into one over her back and flew towards the Faunus girl who had paused to reach for her camera.
Velvet looked up too late, realizing the single violet weapon split back into four an instant before impact. She barely had time to groan before all of them struck her chest, blasting her backwards into a large swamp tree. As she slammed into the trunk the weapons lit up…and detonated.
"And Ms. Scarlatina's aura is knocked into the red with that incredible strike! "Oobleck announced as the readout at the side ticked down. "Team CFVY is on the ropes!"
Not giving a moment to rest Esmerelda extended her real weapon to its maximum ten-foot length and buried it into the ground. With all of her clones expended she would have to make do without.
"Roland! Down!"
Planting her legs, Esmerelda spring boarded off her naginata's haft full speed towards the two men still fighting across the field, leaving it behind. Roland heard her shout and complied, dropping down to one knee. Esmerelda shoulder slammed Fox HARD, sending both of them flying towards the edge of the arena like a projectile.
Fox rolled in mid-air to push Esmerelda off him, sending her falling out of the ring alone and skidding across the dirt floor. The agile member of Team CFVY was able to use the momentum from the throw to stop himself, dropping down just barely at the edge of the ring, waving his arms in the air to steady himself…a strong breeze would have thrown him over the side.
After several seconds Fox righted himself, his feet now securely on the arena floor once again. He sighed with relief that he had successfully balanced.
His relief was short lived as Roland's shield caught him in the chest in that exact moment, sending him flying backwards again into the far wall and landing beside Esmerelda with a thud. The shield buried itself into the stone above him, the throw clearly intended for a one-way trip.
"With that double ring out Team HERO moves on to the next round in a STUNNING UPSET!" Professor Port announced to a thunderous applause. He could not believe the team he had personally supervised throughout the year would be eliminated in the first round.
Team HERO reconvened in the center of the stadium, hands raised towards the applause in victory. Olivia had staggered out of the swamp with Roland's help, she was groggy but otherwise fine. Team RWBY and the others were on their feet applauding the win.
"On that note, we will be having a brief intermission before the final match of the day to make…repairs to the arena." Oobleck announced. "We thank you all for your patience."
"We can go congratulate them before the repairs are done," Yang offered enthusiastically. The others nodded in agreement if only to stretch their stiff legs.
Weiss raised her arms; it felt good to stand again. Following Blake she glanced up at the sky, her jaw dropping open, so entranced she barely noticed Ruby crash into her from behind.
"Weiss…what are you...doing?"
The snow-haired heiress never took her eyes off the horizon as a familiar looking Atlesian cruiser drifted through the sky. Four long extravagant banners billowed behind it gracefully as it drifted towards the airship dock.
"She's here," Weiss sighed, a genuine smile forming on her face much to the confusion of her team.
Ozpin's Office…
Professor Ozpin and General Ironwood watched the conclusion of the match, turning to one another in understanding.
"Remarkable," Ironwood whispered, still focused on Horatio's survival of Coco's initial barrage. "It has to be him…no doubt about it."
"Very little doubt left," Ozpin cautioned. "I received another update; he followed up on some leads in the field but refused to give an update except in person."
Of course his timing would coincide with Specialist Schnee's…
"How long until he arrives?"
"That I do not know," Ozpin sighed. "Based on his last transmission if he had traveled nonstop he should have been here by now."
Ironwood sighed, massaging his temples. "You fully know as well as I what he stopped on the way to do…"
Crowbar…
"Now THAT was a match!" The bartender exclaimed as he cleaned an old shot glass.
"That was a hot mess," the sole remaining patron in the bar groaned under his breath. Taking a deep sip of his drink.
How do you ring yourself out THROUGH the floor?
"Come on," the bartender groaned as he complained at another match. "You don't like the Vale kids, you didn't like that JNPR team trouncing BRNZ…what fight are you here for?"
The man was appeared middle-aged, his black hair currently in the process of losing out to grey. He had an old suit with an out of place red-cloak around his back. He'd been hanging out at the bar all day. With a sigh he glanced out the window, a custom Atlesian Cruiser flew past trailing ornate banners that barely disappeared into the distance by the time he finished turning.
"That one," the man answered, downing the last of his drink and dropping the money onto the bar. "Happy Vytal Festival!" He exclaimed, slurring his words as he stumbled outside.
"You'll miss the last fight! I hear Team NDGO is a favorite!" The bartender called out to no reply. With a shrug he returned to cleaning the shot glass, accidentally knocking a nearby mug over to shatter on the floor.
"Aw," he sighed sadly at the broken remains, cursing his bad luck. "Gee darn it."
HERO, RWBY and their friends have succeeded in reaching the next round, manipulations and machinations churning around them. As always read and review...but most of all enjoy! :)