Ruby was shocked to hear her name be called. The huntress was even more shocked that Weiss was her opponent.
Ruby nervously walked onto the arena. Weiss walked onto the arena opposite of Ruby. She pointed her rapier at Ruby.
"Ruby Rose, prepare yourself for combat!" She grinned.
"Oh you're on Ice Queen!" Ruby hollered back.
Ruby immediately took off speeding toward her opponent. She fired off a few rounds as she raced toward Weiss. Her teammate blocked the shots and prepared to attack back.
XXX XXX XXX
Pat spun around and caught the mysterious man's wrist. Pat stood up and the man stared him down. Pat twisted the dagger from the man's hand and kicked him back.
"Who are you?" Pat drew Carbon Jäger.
"My name is Stolz, so now that we are done with introductions let's fight," He charged Pat and slammed his fist into Pat's chest.
Pat staggered back and raised his blade to Stolz. Pat pulled the trigger on his blade and the gun fired. Pat pulled the hammer back and fired again. Stolz dodged the bullets.
Pat charged Stolz and slashed at his ribs. Stolz blocked the attack with his forearm and his aura. Stolz kneed Pat in the gut. Stolz flipped Pat over his shoulder.
Pat hit the ground and quickly blitzed away. He came back around and slammed his sword into Stolz's chest. Stolz staggered back from the attack, but quickly regained his fighting stance.
Stolz drew a throwing knife from his pocket. He clenched the knife and charged Pat. Stolz slashed quickly at Pat, but Pat blocked every attack.
Pat slammed his sword into Stolz's knife and knocked it from his hand. Pat slashed Stolz's face. Stolz stumbled back and roundhouse kicked Pat in the side.
Pat staggered to his side. Stolz uppercut Pat in the chin. Pat dropped his sword and went sailing backwards, he slammed into the mountain behind the two fighters.
XXX XXX XXX
Weiss blocked the bullets and shot ice spikes at Ruby. She burst into rose petals and raced away.
Weiss chased after the rose petals using her glyphs. Ruby spun around and slammed her scythe into Weiss. Ruby sent her teammate flying back.
Weiss landed on the stone and slide to a stop. Ruby sped over to her. Weiss leapt to her feet and knocked Ruby back with her rapier.
Ruby stumbled backwards, but quickly regained her balance. Weiss sped up her movements using a time dilation Glyph. Weiss quickly struck Ruby ten times in the chest. She slashed her in the chest and sent Ruby flying away.
XXX XXX XXX
Pat peeled off the wall of the mountain and fell to the ground. Pat scanned the mountain for his blade and saw it was behind Stolz.
Pat rolled his eyes and huffed. Pat drew Thundercloud and blitzed toward Stolz. Pat slashed at Stolz's chest, but Stolz caught Pat's forehead with his hand. Stolz quickly activated his semblance and his arm flashed black. Pat immediately saw nothingness.
XXX XXX XXX
Pat's eyes shot open. He was laying in a field, he instantly leapt to his feet. Pat stood in a stance and gazed around. It was quiet and peaceful. The sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze.
He began to walk through the field. Pat didn't really know what else to do.
Suddenly the scenery changed, to a castle throne room. Pat instantly recognized it as Hope Reich's castle.
Stood in front of him was Liz, he almost believed it was her. Pat wanted to reach out and grab her, but he knew it was a trap.
"This must be a painful memory," Pat heard Stolz's voice echo throughout the room.
Suddenly Liz was impaled by Timo. Pat remained emotionless as she died in front of him.
"Must be hard, watching that again," His voice taunted Pat from the shadows.
Pat began to laugh.
"You aren't the brightest, I'm mentally immune to this illusion stuff, thank Mitleid,"
XXX XXX XXX
Pat leapt back and Stolz leapt back as well.
"How did you manage to accomplish that?" Stolz asked.
"When you're dead and have nothing better to do than meditate you'll learn a lot," Pat smirked.
Pat gripped Thundercloud and blitzed forward. He slammed the sword down and Stolz had to roll back.
Stolz stood at the edge of the ledge they were on.
"It's been fun," He saluated and stepped off.
Pat ran over to the edge and looked down, but Stolz was gone in a flash of black. Pat breathed in a sigh of relief. Pat sat back down and continued to meditate.
XXX XXX XXX
Ruby recovered in the air and gracefully landed onto the stone floor. She looked up and grinned at Weiss. Ruby shot forward and raced toward Weiss.
Weiss prepared a stance and waited for her teammates next move. Ruby neared Weiss and she burst into rose petals and flew around Weiss.
Weiss was confused by this and taken back. Weiss's confused state allowed Ruby to turn around and go in for the strike. Ruby slashed into Weiss's back.
Weiss stumbled forward, her vision was being blocked by the tornado of rose petals that swirled around her and Ruby.
Ruby raced around her teammate and fired multiple shots at her, Weiss blocked them all. Ruby raced into the tornado and slammed her scythe into Weiss again.
Weiss staggered back and Ruby fired a fire dust round point blank into Weiss's chest. Weiss flew out of the tornado of rose petals and tumbled across the stone arena.
Weiss flipped onto her feet and summoned a time dilation glyph. Ruby came speeding towards her. Weiss got into her stance and prepared for her teammate.
Ruby leapt into the air and brought her scythe over her head. Ruby slammed the scythe down onto Weiss.
Weiss had caught the scythe with her rapier, she smirked at Ruby. Weiss pushed Ruby back, but didn't move.
Ruby launched forward and unleash a series of high speed attacks. Weiss was prepared to block them. The two engaged in a flurry fast and quick attacks. Ruby picked up her speed and started swinging faster.
Weiss was barely blocking each attack. Ruby cocked her scythe and prepared to fire. Ruby leapt back as did Weiss and both girls aimed their weapons at each other. Both of them fired at the same time, Weiss fired and ice spike and Ruby fired a fire dust round.
The two shots collided in the middle of the girls and exploded, the explosion sent both Ruby and Weiss flying back.
Ruby struggled to her feet. Weiss also fought to stand up. The two girls glared at each other, they both knew that one good hit would end the match. Weiss shot forward using her glyphs and Ruby charged Weiss.
The two girls were going to collide in the middle of the arena.
"I can't watch," Ryden covered his eyes.
"My lien is on Ruby!" Yang cheered.
"Fifty lien on Weiss," Nora said.
Ruby hurtled toward Weiss and vice versa. The two girls collided in the middle, Ruby burst into rose petals and reappeared behind Weiss. Ruby aimed her sniper at Weiss's head and fired.
The shot sang through the arena and the bullet slammed into Weiss's chest, throwing her into the ground. Weiss slammed into the ground and her white aura shimmered around her body.
Ruby landed back on the ground next to Weiss. She spun around and aimed her weapon down at Weiss.
Weiss put her hands up. "I yield."
Ruby brought her weapon back up and offered her hand to Weiss, her teammate accepted it. Ruby pulled Weiss to her feet. The two girls faced the crowd, which applauded the good sportsmanship they were showing.
Weiss and Ruby walked off the stage. They strolled onto the stands and were met by their friends.
"Ruby, you were amazing!" Yang tackled her little sister in a hug.
"Yang, can't breath!" Ruby struggled to say.
"Oh right," Yang released her sister. "You did well too, Ice Queen."
"Hey!" Weiss protested.
"Calm down, I'm just messing," Yang smiled.
"I could go another year without seeing you guys," Weiss crossed her arms and turned around.
"Oh Weiss you couldn't go another year without seeing your BFF!" Ruby hugged Weiss.
"Ruby, no," Weiss said, uninterested.
Ruby let go and turned around.
"Maybe I could go meet back up with Pat!" She excitedly exclaimed.
"I'd love to come with, but I still gotta kick someone's butt!" Yang slammed her fists into each other.
"You know honey, you could fight me," Ryden whispered in Yang's ear.
"Yeah, kick your butt!" Yang giggled.
"Wanna go right now!" Ryden hugged Yang from behind and started tickiling her.
"I yield, I yield!" Yang struggled to say through her laughter.
Ruby rolled her eyes and smiled. She wanted to go meet back with Pat, but she also wanted to stay for the rest of the matches incase Yang got picked.
"Did Currant fight?" Weiss suddenly spoke.
Ruby and Yang looked at each other with uncertainty, they didn't know if they should tell Weiss the truth.
"Oh yeah he did," Ryden bluntly said.
Yang and Ruby's eyes widened at Ryden's actions.
"Ryden!" Yang punched him in the arm.
"Yang, where is he?" Weiss quietly asked.
Yang sighed and answered. "In Freund's hospital, he was badly injured in his fight."
"Thanks Yang," Weiss smiled and turned around, she started walking away.
"Weiss!" Ruby called. Weiss stopped and turned around. "Let me go with you!"
Ruby ran up to Weiss. She smiled at her teammate.
"Why do you want to come?" Weiss asked, confused.
"I need to walk around," Ruby smiled.
"Okay," Weiss shrugged her shoulders.
The two began walking. Yang silently wished them good luck, they were going to need it.
XXX XXX XXX
Pat sat on the ledge of the mountain. He sighed as he patiently meditated, working through his soul, trying to unlock the white lightning or better control over the winds.
His mind began to drift, he thought about random memories. Pat thought back to the first time he met Ruby, he had no clue that she had such a crush on him. Pat thought back to his days with Clay, his mentor who had taught him everything about fighting.
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Pat sat down on the ledge of a mountain. Clay stood behind him.
"Now just concentrate," Clay turned around to walk away, but a voice stopped him.
"Clay, maybe you could stay and show me?" Pat said with hope.
"Kid, for the last time, I am not your father, your friend or your buddy, I am your teacher and you must learn by yourself," Clay sternly said.
"Yes teacher," Pat quietly said, he thought about Clay's words.
"I'll see ya later," Clay waved and walked away.
"I don't even have a father," Pat mumbled.
XXX XXX XXX
Pat walked through the streets of Freund. It was night and he had trained through the entire day. Clay must've forgotten about him because he never came back. As Pat walked through the busy streets he noticed something that made him feel worse.
A father and his son walked through the shops, they were happy. Pat watched as the father bought his son ice cream.
Pat stuck his hands into his pockets and looked down. He walked into Clay's old hut and left the door open. Pat looked around and saw Clay sleeping in a chair.
"Hey!" Pat shouted.
Clay shot awake, he looked around and his eyes narrowed on Pat.
"Oh hey boy, how'd that training go?" Clay stood up.
"Fine," Pat looked out the open door back at the father and his son.
"Watcha lookin' at?" Clay stumbled over to Pat.
"Nothing, I'm going to bed," Pat said.
"Right, the trip back to your place would be too long," Clay walked toward the door and looked out, he saw the father and son. Clay instantly realized what Pat was looking at.
Pat collapsed onto the floor. He was estaughsted from training all day and Clay only had one bed. Clay looked down at the young boy.
"Hey boy, why don't you sleep on my bed, your mother and my sister wouldn't be happy if they found out I made you sleep on the floor," Clay half heartedly laughed.
"Sure thing teacher," Pat stood up and walked over to Clay's bed, he fell onto and instantly passed out.
"Sleep well," Clay said.
XXX XXX XXX
Pat was meditating on the mountain again, he was focusing his aura. The sun was setting and Clay had ditched him again. Pat focused and his red aura started to coat his body like armor.
Pat heard a voice from behind him that made his heart skip a beat. "Good job boy!"
Pat jumped to his feet and stood up straight. "It was no problem teacher!"
Pat saw what Clay was carrying. Clay had two ice cream cones. He smiled at Pat.
"I figured I should reward you amazing progress," Clay walked over and handed a cone to Pat.
Clay went to the edge of the ledge and sat down, allowing his feet to dangle off the edge. He patted the space next to him and Pat walked over and sat down.
The two ate their ice cream and watched the sun set. Pat looked at clay and smiled.
"Teacher?" Pat asked.
"Call me uncle Clay,"
"Oh okay, Uncle Clay, what's the next stage in our training?" Pat asked.
"Sword play and we must go to the market to find you the right blade," Clay smiled down at Pat.
"Thanks Clay!" Pat smiled at him.
XXX XXX XXX
Pat smiled at these memories. He opened his eyes, the sun was setting. He was always grateful for Clay being there when Pat needed him the most.
XXX XXX XXX
Clay sat in his office. He looked out his window and watched the sun set. He remembered all those times that he and Pat would watch the sunset on the mountain.
A single tear rolled down his cheek as he thought about how much Pat has grown and gotten stronger.
"That boy is something else," Clay smiled at the sunset.
XXX XXX XXX
Ruby and Weiss walked into the hospital. They checked with the receptionist for a man named Currant. The lady was very kind and gave them his room number.
Weiss and Ruby quickly jogged down the hall and found Currant's room.
Ruby looked at Weiss. "Ready?"
"Yes," Weiss replied.
Ruby opened the door and Weiss stormed in. Ruby then shut the door, giving Weiss some alone time with Currant.
Currant looked up from his book. His eyes lit up as they landed on Weiss.
"Oh it's you, I was wondering how long it would take you to track me down" He looked back down at his book.
Weiss quietly walked over to him and noticed his burnt body. None of Alex's lightning had struck Currant's face, but his arms and chest were scorched.
"Why?" Weiss asked.
"Why what?" Currant said, not even looking up from his book.
"Why did you lie?" Weiss coldly asked.
"Because my rage is something that no one can contain, sorry my love," He calmly said.
"I can help you, you have no reason to be angry," Weiss said.
"No, I have Pat's rage and it is something that he doesn't want to admit, but Pat is always angry," Currant closed his book and looked up at Weiss.
"What?" She scoffed.
"Pat has had a terrible life, much worse than he lets on, his mother was killed at the age of ten, did he tell you that?" Currant asked.
"I know about that," Weiss replied.
"Did he tell you that he watched it happen?" Currant cocked an eyebrow.
Weiss was silent, she did not know about that, not even Ruby knew about that.
"Or the fact that Timo was the one who killed her?" Currant knew Weiss had no idea of these facts.
"How about that he knew if he left Hope Reich after his face off with Timo, that Timo would slaughter thousands?" Currant continued on his rant. "So you tell me that I don't need to be angry, I do and that anger can't stay bottled up, look at Pat and see how ell that has worked out for him. The man has been morally injured multiple times and has been killed, all because he can't think straight."
"I can't love someone who is a serial killer," Weiss stared at the floor.
"Weiss, I need to bring justice to those who deserve it and if that means I'll lose your love than so be it," Currant coldly said.
Weiss turned around and walked out of the room. She threw the door open and stormed out into the hallway.
"Weiss, what happened?" Ruby asked.
"He's beyond saving," Weiss quietly said.
"So I'm assuming that there won't be a wedding between you and him," Ruby said.
Weiss gave Ruby a look of death.
"Alright, too soon," She rubbed the back of her neck.
Weiss and Ruby quickly walked out of the hospital. Weiss didn't want to remain there any longer.
Once outside the hospital, Ruby struck up a conversation with Weiss.
"I'm going to visit Pat," Ruby started walking off.
"Ruby, it's night!" Weiss called after her teammate.
"I know!" Ruby shouted back and sped away.
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Fact: König only visited Pat once when Pat was a child and that was when he was six.