Ch.32

"Welcome back class, today will be relatively easy. Only just a few practice matches scheduled-."

"Hey Augusta."

I turned my attention from Goodwitch to Russel, the man's wide smile already giving me a clear indication he was looking to push my buttons. Really man, we just got to the arena, I don't really want to be bothered now. "So I heard you and Velvet hooked up."

"Word travels fast."

"So it is true! Dude, information, now."

I sighed internally, what was he looking for from me? Some magical story of how we ended up together, blissfully in each other's arms…? Oh god please don't let that be the case. Leaning back in my seat overlooking the battlefield, I rested my body against the wall behind me, above it another row of seats. The building was designed like a colosseum, I was unsure or not considering that they were supposed to be training to defend, not in gladiatorial combat. Another thing to add to the list of things strange with this school of defenders.

I turned back to my team, Russel still staring at me with curious eyes. Sky was smiling, looking down upon the grounds, I guess happy for my predicament, or at the very least laughing at my joy of being targeted by Russel. Dove still held his neutral expression; I assume that he didn't really care, as long as the team still held function. Cardin twitched slightly at the new revelation, his ill-found feelings towards the woman holding firm. But at least it wasn't without reason, I'm sure the man will learn to get over it but he does have a thick skull, so it may take a while.

I am…glad that they have accepted my stance. It would be complicated if the team stood against me on this decision of mine. Although it was my choice, mine and mine alone, it helped that they would stand by me on this. Maybe they have grown after all, to accept me entering this relationship.

A relationship…who would have thought. A broken thing like me, ending up with a vision…it's a funny thought, but one that is now a reality. It's still a foreign concept to me, this idea of love. It may take a while to get used to, but at the same time I wholeheartedly embraced the idea. Because…well why not? She…Velvet, from the beginning, has cared about me unconditionally. Embracing, guiding, keeping me from making mistakes that could have been disastrous otherwise, so why not? Why not embrace this feeling, this rush while it is happening, I doubt it will ever resurface like this again. I allowed a smile underneath my scarf. It wasn't a bad idea, having this kind of feeling, not at all, especially with her.

Returning back to Russel, I spoke calmly, trying to escape this while I could. "What is there to tell? It happened."

"Oh come on. There is more to it. Tell me Augusta! Let me live through you!"

"You're a strange, sad little man. And I pity you."

"What does she see in you?"

I gave him a threatening look before the last syllable even left him, the man quickly changing his tone while rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry."

Forgetting the man's slight provocation, I turned back to the teacher, the blonde woman continuing her basic announcements before tapping her scroll a few times, a massive screen suddenly appearing in the center, a roulette wheel of students being displayed. The wheels spun, the first student being selected rather quickly. "Pyrrha Nikos!"

Most of the class groaned in despair, and for good reason, she was a powerful opponent. But not without her flaws, untouchable maybe, but not unbeatable. The second wheel continued to spin, slowing down in its speed before almost grinding to a halt, stopping on a rather surprising picture. "The entirety of team ALCRD!"

"What the hell is this?!"

Russel suddenly stood, a look of annoyance and ager upon his face. "What we aren't good enough so we have to be mushed together to be even counted as one hunter!"

"Fine Mr. Trush, you may be the one to face her."

Really? The difference in power from Pyrrha to Russel is immense, Pyrrha is surely on another level, that of a second or third year maybe. So what was this, social suicide? Turning to Russel, the man's face was suddenly stuck within one expression, that of fear. The man was scared, and rightfully so, this was complete bullshit. "Ya know what I change my mind!"

"No Russel, you have convinced me. Show us what you can do."

Ok, ok I can do this, focus. It's only Pyrrha…who has never lost…winning three tournaments in a row…I'm doomed. I mean what in the world was this? Putting me against one of the strongest people in this school! I would stand a better chance against the Schnee! But never mind that, focus on the battle ahead. Ok, right, left, right, left. Gear checked out, the boots are fitted, I should be ok. At least that might give me a slight advantage. I mean Augusta believed in me, I mean he said so. If he thinks I might be able to survive more than three seconds…then I'm going for five.

Stepping out of the long hallway, I was greeted with the almost blinding light coming from above. Shining down upon the warrior goddess and the teacher that seemed to hate me. Slowly, I walked forward, drawing my dual daggers, I hopped slightly, trying to get my blood flowing, the adrenaline pumping. Remember what he said, use my speed, she is fast but she can't keep up if I go all out. Misdirection, insults, turn the floor on fire if I gotta, just find out ways to enter her in new situations, I can adapt faster. Alright, alright let's go!

Goodwitch saw my enthusiasm, along with Pyrrha who stepped into her own stance, completely still, an iron wall. The teacher nodded towards us slightly before tapping a few buttons on her scroll, our Aura's now gaged above the arena as she then spoke towards everyone. "Begin!"

Ok, ok watch her, ambidextrous but she relies on her right leg, alright if I can make her lose her footing…alright I got a plan! Charging forward I cried out for battle as I approached the woman, Pyrrha crouching now, but never moving. I activated my Aura, rolling into a sphere and charging the woman. The Spartan seeing this for miles, raising her shield to deflect my body. But what she didn't seem to see was my body rolling above her, a small bullet imbedding itself within the ground a clear inch infront of her. She twisted, observing me at every moment as I landed, shooting bullets behind, infront and to the sides, one landing in each direction, near the edge of the battle field.

Pyrrha stared at me quizzically, starting to walk forward in a slow and deliberate pace, backing me against a wall. She hadn't begun her attack yet; I guess she was wondering at what I was planning. Ok, time to mess with her a little, my specialty. My voice low enough for only her to hear, I didn't want to spoil anything for anyone in the stands. "So Jaune's a nice guy huh?"

She stopped slightly, but continued in her walk. "I mean he has really grown. Not the little wimp he used to be, I mean do you see the girls starin' at him now? Dude must be pushing women off with a stick."

She increased her pace, closing in faster, she was getting aggravated. "But I think I also heard something about his perfect woman, white hair, slim figure, not too tall because he just loves to be able to stand over her-."

She was really angry now, time for the finishing blow. "I was also talking to him at one point; did you know he absolutely hates the color red?"

"That's enough!"

The Spartan charged suddenly, her shield suddenly imbedded within the space where I stood. Gliding back, she continued her assault, picking up her shield within the instant and barraging me with strike after strike, all without mercy. I stood my ground as much as I could, deflecting what I could and dodging what I couldn't. I was slightly lucky, most of my equipment was leather, if this was Cardin fighting her, I doubt he would have been able to even dodge one strike with that persistent semblance of her's.

Back-flipping out of the way of another strike, she continued her attack, trying to slash across my back. Crying out in surprise, I ducked under her initial strike, immediately then having to do the splits in order to avoid the incoming shield. The adrenaline running through my veins was probably the reason of what I was about to do next, after the shield passed cleanly over my head, I saw the sword already moving to stab me within the second I dodged. So what I did was simple, I switched the dust within my weapon to fire, and fired at the ground inbetween us. The explosion almost instant, the earth erupting from the shot, sending both myself and Pyrrha in different directions.

My body hitting the ground hard, bouncing once…twice before I recovered, shaking slightly but alive. Looking upwards, the horror returned to my eyes as the warrior was already up and charging towards me much faster than what I thought was possible. God damn how much time did it take for those dust containers to kick in! I can't activate my boots now! Damn it, I might not have a choice! Before I even finished the thought, the woman was upon me, her sword aiming downwards to pierce my body upon the ground I lied in. Deciding that I didn't really want to die tonight, I clicked my boots together once. In that moment a sudden surge of momentum carried my away from the attack, my body rolling again before I caught myself and stood, grinding to a halt and kicking up dust as I did so. Well, at least they worked. The woman stood there for a moment, confused as to what just happened, that's when I heard a long, sharp whistle.

I instinctively jumped, the whistle almost instantly stopping. In its place came a sound of ice, the element covering the arena within a blink. Finally! Thought those shots might be dead. Landing upon the ice, I looked forward once more to see a rather funny sight. Pyrrha was stuck within the ice, trying with all of her might to remove herself from the element but finding it rather difficult. Goodwitch had successfully evaded the attack, landing softly upon the ice, continuing to watch the battle. The red-head turned to me once more, frustration within her eyes, the realization coming to her that she probably have shouldn't let this continue this long.

Immediately, she transformed her weapon, the rifle-mode now unleashing hell upon me, but I was more than prepared. Clicking my boots once more, small blades seemed to protrude along the soles, jumping my body an inch above the ground. Ah the wonders off all-terrain movement. Dashing forward, now gliding across the ice, I was able to evade the first couple of shots, but the others seemed to curve towards my body. Either she is from Wanted, or that semblance is doing its magic. Alright, I have to go on the offensive, now or never.

Suddenly changing course, I charged for Pyrrha. My blades moving to intercept her bullets, even as I continued my pace towards her. As I grew closer, the frustration grew upon her face. She was getting angry, aggravated that she should have ended this sooner. She suddenly retracted the rifle, transforming the weapon once more into a spear, immediately launching it towards my form. Jumping with ease, I performed an axel for added flair as the weapon sped past me, leaving her wide open. What I didn't expect was for the javelin to immediately change direction, slamming into my back mid-flight. The spartan then threw her shield, the object slamming into my ribs as her sword eventually came around, slashing me repeatedly before one powerful blow sent me flying backwards, slamming into the side of the colosseum.

Groaning in pain, I tried to rise but found a sudden weight upon my neck, a sword threatening to tear through my flesh. Great, just great. "That's enough, the victory goes to Pyrrha."

As Goodwitch called the match, the floor whistled once more before the ice shattered, floating into the morning air before dissipated all-together. Looking over towards my opponent, the red-head seemed to actually be breathing heavily, her body ridged and strong but hunching over slightly. Did I actually do some damage? Well, I guess I can chalk that up as a slight victory. "The match does go to Ms. Nikos, but be careful next time Pyrrha, you were expending a large amount of Aura in this fight. And to you Russel, I must say that you have improved greatly in order to keep Ms. Nikos on her toes like that. I look forward to seeing what the rest of your team can do."

Wait, you mean I gotta do that again? She does realize that was like, pure luck. Eh, I'm sure she'll get it sooner or later. Standing, I sighed slightly at Pyrrha's blade falling towards my feet. Picking up said weapon, I trudged towards the woman, her face more than showing her anger towards me. Scratching the back of my head slightly as she ripped it from my hands, I spoke nervously. "Sorry, about what I said. I didn't mean it, it was just something to throw you off your game."

She seemed almost taken-aback by this, as if she never expected an actual apology. Once upon a time I probably would have never given one. "It's…ok Russel, it's a good tactic, I won't hold it against you."

I breathed a sigh of relief as the woman walked away, a now neutral expression on her face. I actually thought she was going to kill me for a moment there, good thing she is a good person huh. Turning back towards the stands, I found the rest of my team rather easily. Sky was nearly screaming in how much he was cheering for my loss, really he is a freakin idiot. Dove sat there like usual, a copy and paste expression on his face. But Cardin really surprised me, a slight smile on his face as he clapped with Sky, I…didn't really expect that. The final person, the leader of the team took his time in his motions, bending over slightly and catching my eye, as if he knew I was watching him specifically, he is kinda weird like that. But, with one quick movement, he stuck out a thumbs-up, all the sign I needed towards his approval of my show. He…he has never really given us pure, undeniable praise before. And if I was the first of the team to advance to the point where he is actually satisfied…this…is….awesome! "Booyah!"

A/N: Sorry about delay, school is kicking my ass along with work. Expect the other chapters to be late like this, sorry again.