Ch.25

"Up next, Pyrrha Nikos and…Augusta."

I sighed slightly, standing and making my way down to the central arena, the entire area within a stunned state of silence. They had been looking forward to this fight, a champion fighting a beast, the top two in the combat category for this year. But I wasn't even sure if I wanted this fight to happen. For I didn't even know if my opponent was willing to fight as well.

Watching on the other side of the arena, I saw Pyrrha rise as well, heading for her own way down to the arena, a separate flight of stairs. Something changed between team JNPR once more, I saw it as she moved away from Jaune. They were connected once more, but that uneasiness was still there, maybe Jaune finally listened to her, but I wasn't sure, I wasn't in the mood nor did I have the right to ask.

But the way she moved, the way she walked, it was slower, more deliberate, she had to think about every step before taking it. Something else was taking up a good portion of her mind. Maybe they had a talk, it was about time, who knows if Jaune actually listened this time or not. But at looking at the man, he seemed in a world all his own, eyes completely staring into a universe I wouldn't imagine. He was in a deep thought, but about what? His current situation probably, he better pick the correct choice, to either leave or take Pyrrha's help, those are the only options he has. "And we both know what he will choose."

I stopped on the flight of stairs, staring downward towards the last step, observing as Sigma glared off into the distance, into the enemy I had yet to face. "He wants to be a hero, it's easy to see, so he will take Pyrrha's help, if not hesitantly. Agent Maine, I suggest you throw the match."

What?

"This woman, she is just as strong as Carolina, if not just missing the mark on experience. You can win, but it would take your all. Do not show the students this. We do not need to show the world your full strength yet, so throw the match, or find a way out of it. She will also be emotional, so if you fight she won't be at her full strength, it will be a hollow victory. You will have another chance, but this isn't the time."

You are not in control of me.

"Unfortunately no, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't listen to me. Think, and decide for yourself."

As I reached the final step, the vision of Sigma vanished into the air, the flames dissipating almost instantly. I was still unsure about the true purpose of this vision, if it was a vision. I was so…confused of just what was happening, was this truly Sigma? If so, did Smoke have something to do with his resurgence? It's possibly the most likely answer, the voice box must have done something to revive him, but for him to be permanently inserted into my mind…what was this? No, it can't be, it's just my past coming up to haunt me, he can't be real, he can't be.

I stepped into the light of the gladiator ring, letting the eerie silence envelop me in a cold embrace. I took another look at my armor quickly before I continued my approach, maybe this wasn't the time for fighting. The vision was right, Pyrrha was in emotional distress. Even if I won, it wouldn't be true, and I would have another chance at a fight, maybe I should pass up this opportunity, but first…just to make sure.

I continued my journey, walking forward at a slow pace. Goodwitch watching as we both approached, stopping at the same time, and stepping into defensive positions, Pyrrha drawing his weapons with some slight effort I noticed. "Alright, begin when ready."

Neither of us moved, watching, waiting for the other to strike, I took this opportunity to speak to the woman. "Did he accept?"

She looked towards the ground for a moment, her grip slipping. "Yea, he did resist, but he now knows. I just didn't want it to be like this."

"No one usually does. I'm not going to fight you Pyrrha."

She looked at me curiously for a moment, a shout of 'boos' coming from the stands. "What?"

"You're emotional, this wouldn't be true. We will fight at a different time. So, I forfeit."

Goodwitch sighed, typing into her scroll slightly before speaking. "Ok, the victory goes to Ms. Nikos. But Augusta, the enemy would never show sympathy for emotions. Can you be sure Ms. Nikos here is even telling the truth? Are you sure she isn't dangerous?"

I took another look at her, activating a long forgotten part of my armor, assessing her vitals as I announced to the world. "Her heartbeat is seventy-per-minute, regular but it is increasing. Blood pressure is also going down, breathing slowing. Her legs are also in the wrong position for her fighting style, usually they are five degrees to the left, and she has never faulted on this before. Also her grip is light; her hands are usual solid upon her weapons, with one punch I could send both out of the arena. Not to mention the chemicals within her brain are slightly erratic, in a teenager it's expected, but this and other things show clear signs of-."

"Ok Augusta, that is enough."

"Ms. Goodwitch, I have spent a lifetime knowing who is my enemy, not knowing who is my foe, and having everything I know become my nemesis. Don't patronize me on not knowing my enemy. I know the difference between a soldier pointing a gun at my face, and a woman who is having a personal crisis. But, unfortunately Ms. Goodwitch, I do not know if you are trying to antagonize me or not…please, enlighten me."

She glared at me for a moment; she was studying me, watching my every move, listening to every syllable out of my mouth. She wasn't trusting of me, and for good reason, but to provoke me now? What was she thinking? "No Augusta, I am not, I am simply trying to teach you. Class you are dismissed! That is all for today."


"Hm, seems you bothered her slightly."

I disregarded the voice within my head, turning and trying to concentrate on my notes. Sitting now in Oobleck's class, I watched as the professor zipped around the classroom like a lightning bolt, never staying in the same place for more than five seconds. It was still a wonder to me on how he managed to do so. The energy within that cup he carries around must be something beyond this earth to make a man move like that. I wonder if I could get my hands on some of the stuff. Maybe a question for another time, I needed to concentrate now.

But something was bothering me, and it wasn't just the object of my nightmares sitting next to me in class, it was Velvet. The woman still sitting next to me like always, but she never spoke, never really bothered to look up at me, what was wrong? Did I hurt her that badly? "You did slam a door in her face."

I don't need your opinion!

"Just an observation. Don't blame me for your actions. But think about this Augusta, it may be better this way."

Leave me alone you demon!

"I understand that you are angry with me, for reasons that I know too well. But believe me when I say our fates are more intertwined than ever. I would not lead you astray-."

Shut up! I don't need anything from you! You ruined my life! You killed my friends! My family! You made me kill Carolina! North! I was lucky enough to stop you from ending Washington! You killed me inside! I will never listen to you, you're a fucking monster! "Augusta! What is the meaning of this?"

I returned to the unfortunately reality around me, my eyes focusing upon the scene around me. Infront of me stood Oobleck, nearly glaring at me for a reason I didn't understand, the students behind me watching me intently, all with curious gazes. Velvet watched me from afar, slight worry in her own eyes, what had happened? Looking infront of me, I found my fist deeply imbedded within the wooden desk, smashing a hole into it the size of my head, sending cracks throughout the board. Shit, I let my emotions free. "Well Augusta, I'm awaiting an answer."

And I didn't have enough time in the world to give you one. Collecting my scroll, I brushed past the teacher, abruptly walking out the door. I didn't care to notice Velvet's worrying gaze, the way I saw the distressed thoughts beneath them, all searching for an answer. I didn't bother to see Cardin and Dove's curious stares, watching me, wondering at just what had happened, they had never seen me lash out before. I didn't care about any of this, they didn't matter to me, nothing did, not while he was around…watching, observing, smiling as he followed with me, never leaving my side.


"Augusta, what's wrong?"

I stopped slightly at the light voice behind me, turning around to see Velvet behind me, her arms crossed and a hard look on her face. She wasn't going anywhere without an answer that was for sure. But I was sure that the library would be able to hide me for a while at least…who was I kidding, this place wasn't the most ideal, she probably even knew I was going to be here before I even thought of it. "I told you that."

Looking over slightly at Sigma, the A.I. was currently observing shelves upon shelves of books, reading each and every title, learning as much as he could about this world as I was. The man, he never went away, he never backed down, always right next to me, would this carry on forever? Am I stuck with him for the rest of my life? How can I escape this demon of a thing? "Augusta, I'm right here stop ignoring me."

Suddenly looking over to Velvet with slightly wide eyes, I noticed slight changes about her. Her eyes watering, face turning red slightly, fists now clenched, she certainly wasn't happy. I needed to talk to her, leave Sigma, now! "Alright, if you insist, I'll roam around in some memories. And if you are worried about 'privacy' I can hear your thoughts, not your words inside your mind. So do what you please, I can't harm you."

But you are the bane of my existence you infernal thing. Watching him slightly in my peripheral vision, the man vanished within his own flames, seemingly gone from this world. And in so I returned to Velvet, sighing internally before I grabbed and typed into the scroll in my back pocket. "I'm sorry Velvet."

"Sorry doesn't really cut it, what happened Augusta, what's going on?"

"A ghost from my past is coming to haunt me."

"Is it that one guy? Has he been bothering you?"

"No, not him, its…something else."

"Something?"

"It would take forever to explain, but know I have it under control."

She scoffed slightly, "It seems you do, it really seems you do."

She looked at me differently now, not with anger, her eyes were just…blank. Even with this I could sense the underlining sadness beneath them, the frustration that I bore. There was just, no way to explain it, how would I? She would never believe me, plus I cannot drag her into this, I cannot put her in danger. I have to solve this alone. But, I couldn't push her back any further. I couldn't do this to the only person to show me kindness in so long, she was the only one I could possibly trust. But could I trust her enough to let her know this, could she help me? I don't know, I just…don't know…no, no more what ifs. If she wanted answers, I would give them. I don't care anymore if she would believe them or not, I had to tell someone, she was the only person I think I could trust in this world.

I moved to type into my scroll once more, to finally let her in, to finally let her understand. But before I could do so, a blur of red bashed into me, falling over before rapidly standing and shaking me slightly, Ruby's eyes wide and fearful. "Have you seen Blake!?"

Shaking my head, the girl's own fell as she sighed slightly. "She ran off yesterday, we couldn't start searching until now. She is probably in Vale somewhere. I guess it was stupid to ask you, you two don't really like each other do you? Listen, if you do see her, tell me ok-?"

"I'll help."

"Are you serious Augusta? You don't have to I mean-."

"Don't worry, I need to go out into Vale anyway, I'll help you."

"Oh awesome! Ok, we are heading into Vale now to look for her, I just wanted to check here real quick. Message me if you find her ok? Bye!"

With that, the young girl was gone, in a blaze of red and black, dashing out of the library. I turned to Velvet slightly, her eyes confused and questioning. "Why do you have to go to Vale?"

"…It's time. I'm going to tell you why I'm here. But not here, I know Ozpin has eyes here-."

Her eyes flashed, looking away for a fraction of a second before returning. I guess she knew this as well, the man was sure to have an eye and ear nearly everywhere in this building, and I wasn't sure if I could trust him yet. So Vale was my only choice, there no one would be able to hear. And if Argum would try to even begin to listen, he would be removed from this world. I have deemed only one worthy, and only she shall hear. "That's why we are going to Vale, I'll explain then. Plus there was could also look for Blake."

"I still thought you two were on bad terms."

"We are, but I'm doing this for Ruby's sake, she helped me a lot in the beginning of the year, and I think it's time I started helping her out as well."

"Ok…but I expect answers Augusta."

"And they will be given."