Chapter 34: Problems

Location: Beacon Academy, Vale Year: Unknown

Ironwood was having a conversation with team RWBY in their dorm about the incident from the final round between Yang and her opponent, Mercury...

"I'm sorry, but you've left us with no choice." Ironwood stated.

But Yang replied, "But he attacked me!"

"Video footage and millions of viewers say otherwise."

Then Weiss argued, "But Yang would never do that!"

Ruby shouted, "Yeah!"

Yang's head fell to her hands as Ironwood sighed.

Then Ironwood began, "You all seem like good students and the staff here at Beacon are fully aware that you would never lash out the way you did. Under normal circumstances. But I believe, and hope this to be, nothing more than the result of stress and adrenaline. When you're out on the battlefield, you're judgment can become clouded in an instant. Sometimes you see things that simply aren't there, even after the fight has passed."

Yang then began, "But I wasn't-"

But then, Ironwood interrupted with anger, "That's ENOUGH!"

Then Ironwood said calmly, "The sad truth is... whether it was an accident, or an assault... it doesn't matter. The world saw you attack an innocent student. They already drawn their own conclusions. And it's my job to inform you that... you're disqualified."

XXXXXX

'Edward's POV, minutes before...'

I was waiting outside RWBY's dorm with Ralphie, thinking about what just happened. Pyrrha, now a Fall Maiden and I, the Protector of the Maidens. What's even more crazy, is that I'm somehow related to the supposed old wizard, the very one who granted the maidens their power. But then, pain started to poke me in the head...

"Ugh, great. I got a headache now. All of this is just too much, even for me." I said to myself.

I then turned to Ralphie and asked, "What do you think about all of this, little buddy?"

Ralphie beeped in response, as if replying, "It's everything against that I'm programmed of."

But then, Ironwood came out, looked towards me, and nodded. Then he walked away as we entered without any of them knowing.

"You guys believe me... right?" Yang asked.

Ruby replied, "Duh!"

Weiss replied, "You're hotheaded, but not ruthless."

Then they all turned to Blake and Yang asked, "... Blake?"

A moment of silence came and finally, Blake replied, "I want to believe you."

Ruby replied, "Huh?"

Then Weiss asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Yang started to tear up and asked again, "Blake?"

I thought to myself, 'Why the fu-'

But my thought was interrupted as Weiss asked, "How can you say something like that? Yang would never lie to us!"

Blake sighed and said, "I have someone very dear to me change. It wasn't in an instant, it was gradual... little choices that began to pile up. He told me not to worry. At first, they were accidents... then it was self-defense. Before long, even I began to think he was right. This is all just... very... familiar. But you're not him and you've never done anything like this before."

Then, Blake asked, "So... I want to trust you. I WILL trust you. But first, I need you to look me in the eyes and tell me he attacked you. I need you to promise me that you regret having to do what you did."

Then Yang replied after wiping her tears away, "I saw him attack me. So I attacked back."

Then Blake closed her eyes, then opened them again and replied, "Okay. Thank you."

Then Ruby asked out, "But what if Edward finds out? What will he say about this?"

I replied, "I'm right here."

They turned to me and Ralphie, who was standing in the doorway. I continued, "I was here the whole time. I heard everything."

Then Yang lowered her head in response, as if waiting for me to start screaming at her.

I simply said, "And it is not your fault, Yang. You have already earned forgiveness."

That caught their attention, especially Yang's.

Then Yang asked, "Wh-why? Why forgive me after what just happened?"

I answered, "Because God says to forgive, even to your greatest enemy. God teaches us to forgive others and... I forgive you."

They all stared at me in surprised as I continued, "God loves you no matter how many mistakes you made. Nothing feels better than knowing God loves you, that he is always there for you, and that he will always take care of you. For he says, 'My child, your sins are forgiven'. Besides, I know it wasn't your action you took, so you take no blame for what happened."

Yang began to cry again in response and Ruby began to comfort her. I walked up to Yang and then she grabbed onto me, hugging me.

After a few minutes, Yang finally replied, "Th-thank you." as she wiped away her tears.

I then said, "Get some rest, Yang. You need it."

Then Yang sat back down on her bed and replied, "Yeah, you're right. I'll rest up."

Then Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Ralphie, and I left the room so Yang can rest up.

Then Weiss began, "This is a total mess."

Then Jaune opened the door, revealing Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora, worried, and Jaune asked, "She... doing okay?"

Blake answered, "She's doing the best she can. But Edward did help out raising her spirits up." as she pointed to me, and I simply nodded.

Then Ruby stated, "I hear Mercury and his team rushed back to Haven to be with his family. So, until they land, no one can really question him about what happened."

Then Ren said, "If there's anything we can do, please don't hesitate to ask."

Ruby replied, "Alright then... if that's the case... Pyrrha?"

"Hmmm?"

"You make sure to win one for Beacon, okay?" Ruby said.

"It's what Yang would want." Weiss replied.

Then a short moment of silence came until Pyrrha replied, "I'll do my best."

Then Ruby replied, "I'll be sure to watch tonight in case you're picked!"

But then, Pyrrha seemed to... frown for some reason.

Then Blake said, "Sorry, but I think I've had enough fighting for one year."

"Ditto." Weiss replied.

"Same here." I replied.

Then Weiss asked Blake, "Coffee?"

"Tea." Blake replied.

"Yeah, tea would be nice." I replied.

And with that, Weiss, Blake, Ruby, Ralphie, and I walked away to have some tea.

XXXXXX

'3rd POV...'

Pyrrha continued to frown until...

"You heard the lady! No more moping around!" Nora shouted, catching Pyrrha off-guard.

Then somehow, Nora changed to her fitness clothing in an instant and made a dramatic pose, pointing at Pyrrha and yelled, "We gotta get your butt in shape for the big fight! It could be today! It could be tomorrow! It could be the most important fight of your entire life!" then tried to lift a 1000 pound lifting bar, (tell me what the name it is) but falls over.

Pyrrha was at a lost for words, "Um..."

Then Ren began, "Nora's right."

Pyrrha looked towards to Ren, who's wearing a pink apron with 'PLEASE DO NOTHING TO THE COOK' written on it.

Ren continued, "You can't let your concern for Yang hold you back. You need to focus. You'll be defending the honor of Beacon Academy."

Pyrrha nodded with a slight smile, then replied, "Of course. I-"

But Pyrrha then was interrupted by Ren, while holding a glass of green slime, bubbling, and said, "This blend of herbs and vegetables is filled with nutrients vital to your body's well-being."

Pyrrha replied, "Oh... that's-"

"Please, there's no need to thank me" Ren replied.

Nora began, "Thank you?! Ugh, that looks like slime from a lake-bed!"

"Algae contains numerous spectacular properties." Then Ren handed the glass to Nora and continued, "See for yourself."

Then Nora took a drink, only for her face to turn sickly green, "Ugh!" then ran towards a trashcan and threw up.

After a few seconds, Nora shouted at Ren, "What is wrong with you?!"

Ren replied, "Me? You're the one that wasted perfectly good juice."

Nora argued, "We're supposed to help Pyrrha, not poison her!"

Ren replied, "There was absolutely nothing wrong with that."

"If it looks the same coming up as it does going down, then there's something wrong!" Nora said.

Then Jaune walked up and said, "Hey. How about we all get some fresh air?"

XXXXXX

'Edward's POV...'

We were having tea in the cafeteria while talking I was telling stories about my adventures in the Wasteland...

"Ooh! Ooh, tell us another one!" Ruby said. The others nodded in response. I just finished telling them about my adventure through the Great Divide, with Ulysses and Ralphie.

I smiled and replied, "Okay, now let me tell you on how I first got my power armor from a combat simulation."

Weiss raised an eyebrow and replied, "A combat simulation?"

Blake asked, "What was it about, Edward?"

"It was about a historic event, known as Operation: Anchorage. It's during the war when the US was trying to liberate Anchorage, Alaska from the Red Chinese Communists." I replied.

I told them about Benjamin Montgomery, about where the location is, which Ruby, Weiss, and Blake understood, since my power armor was winterized, and the like. I even told them about the Brotherhood Outcasts and the like. I then showed them Jingwei's Shocksword and activated the voltage.

"Whoa! It's an actual shocksword! Awesome!" Ruby replied.

But then, a large crash erupted and showed an area of cracks and damages to a certain wall. Then we heard yelling, likely Pyrrha's and we ran outside, only to see Pyrrha running off crying and Jaune shouting out her name while he's on the ground.

We ran up to him and I asked him, "What the hell just happened?!"

Jaune ignored me and simply said to himself, "What did I say...?"

I helped Jaune, then grabbed him and repeated, "Jaune! What happened?!"

"I-I... I don't know, Edward. I feel like I said something wrong." Jaune replied.

I then replied, "Give her some room. Some time alone, alright?"

Jaune nodded and replied, "Alright, I will."

XXXXXX

'A few minutes later...'

Ruby, Ralphie and I went to the landing pad, where there was a line, but then we saw Velvet, taking pictures. Ruby went towards her, with me and Ralphie following.

Then Velvet noticed us and she replied, "Ruby, Edward, Ralphie! How are you guys doing?"

Ruby replied, "Hi Velvet! What are you up to?"

"Oh, you know, just working on my photography. Do you guys wanna see?" Velvet responded.

After Ruby looked, she replied, "That's... better."

Then Velvet said to Ruby, "I'm sorry to hear about your sister. Is she doing okay?"

Ruby replied, "Yeah, she's... fine. Heh, thanks."

Velvet replied, "I think it's just awful what people are saying about her. Yang is such a nice person."

Ruby replied, "Well, I'm glad someone thinks so."

Then Velvet turned to me and asked, "What about you, Edward? What do you think about all this?"

"It's all bullshit, and excuse my language, Velvet. I know Yang, and she wouldn't do this, no way, no how. I'm starting to think she was set up somehow." I replied.

Velvet nodded and continued, "Most people don't know what it's like on the battlefield. I mean, even experienced fighters can get scared and start seeing things. If it can happen to Coco, it can happen to anyone."

I asked, "Wait, what happened to Coco?"

"Yeah! She swore she saw Yatsu with her in the forest during the fight with Emerald and Mercury, but he never even made it out of the geyser fields. Stress-induced hallucinations, apparently." Velvet replied.

Ruby replied, "Yeah..."

I began to think, 'Hmm, I wonder if one of them has the ability to create illusions. Maybe-"

Then a flash erupted from Velvet's camera and she replied, "Ooh! Sorry."

XXXXXX

'3rd POV...'

Ruby was back in the coliseum while Edward was back in his dorm with Ralphie and was waiting for the match to begin, until...

She saw Emerald across to the other side and said, "Emerald's here?!"

Then Ruby stood up and left. She went through a door and continued to walk until Mercury walked out from a room.

Ruby was confused from this and replied, "Mercury?"

But then Port voice, while muffled, spoke, "It looks like our first contender is Penny Polendina from Atlas!"

Ruby asked out, "What are you doing here?"

The Port's voice continued, "And her opponent will be... Pyrrha Nikos from Beacon!"

Mercury grinned from the announcement. Then Ruby realised and replied in horror, "Oh no..."

Mercury then stated, "Oooh, polarity vs metal. That could be bad."

To be Continued...

(Again, I'm sorry if I was a little preachy in the beginning, but I hope you enjoy! Now for the final, long-ass chapter, it will take a while, so don't rush me.)