Fuyu: Featuring OCs by me and my friend Invisibl3ssed, another OC will come after tournaments

Chapter 37: New Faces - Round 2 start

Next morning, the gang is gearing up for round two and the semi-finals. Gris and his team are ready but he wonders about Kala and Matt. Who will be in their team for this? When Gris asked them about this, Kala said with a smile, "I know some people who survived the first round. Don't worry about us, worry about your team." Gris still was worried but decided to take her word for it. RWBY+ headed out to the festivals first, round 2 and the semi-finals will be both on the same day today so the tournament will continue starting noon. Upon arriving, Gris put up his hood to avoid the trouble of people recognizing him immediately. Blake stayed close to him since he is almost ahead of the group behind Ruby. For some reason, though, both Kala and Matt haven't met up with them. Gris was sure they have a plan for this coming round but he never asked what kind of plans Kala and Matt have.

RWBY+ decided to just walk around and check out some stalls that caught their interest as well as grabbing something to eat before noon. Matt and Kala finally caught up to the group with some new people that they saw in the tournament. One is a peach skinned girl in a somewhat peculiar outfit, her top and dress have a sort of industrial look to them with an interesting classic look to them, which Gris identified as a style as 'steampunk'. Her eyes seemed to be looking at each of Gris and company exactly as if she's scanning them. The other girl, slightly taller than the previous girl by an inch or so wearing what looks like a sort of hunter outfit, waves at them but didn't say anything. "These two are Ilia Telos and Izzy Falconer," Kala began gesturing to both of them, "We've just became friends a few months back."

"Pleased to meet you two," Gris said after everyone was introduced.

"Likewise," Ilia said in a robotic tone, while Izzy, her apparent adoptive sister, silently nodded without saying a word. As they headed for the bracket board, it seems they were right. Teams have been set up for those who haven't had one in the first place and given names like they did in Beacon, those who have teams already are kept in their respective groups. Matt's team, written as MIKI in the brackets, seems to be on course to meet team RWBY+ in the semi-finals. They all saw this, and Gris said with a grin to Matt, "Well, see you in the semi-finals, Matt."

"Yeah," Matt said, "We'll see who's better."

"I hope to see how all of you fight," Kala said barely hiding her anticipation for the upcoming fights.

"I hope the same," Gris said smiling.

They all smiled as round 2 was announced so everyone goes to get ready for the fights. Gris picked up a scroll and sat down on a nearby bench near the transport area. Everyone gathered around as he worked the display on the screen with ease selecting the team RWBY+ will be facing. He looked at the enemy's individual physical stats and weapons as well as looking back on footage of their battles to see their fighting styles. Gris later did the same for MIKI's opponent and compared both opponent teams, all the while nearly shutting out everyone only taking input from his team and friends as well as reading off the stats in a slightly flat tone. "Is he really like this," Weiss asked, "I haven't seen him this dedicated when it comes to studying."

Matt laughed a little, "When feels like he needs to learn something, he pretty much goes all out into it. How else do you think he knows how to take things he learned and translate it into what he does?"

"That's kinda crazy," Yang said, "But I can see where you're coming from."

"I thought his fast reading was impressive," Blake commented, "but I never knew he can do stuff like this."

"What'd you expect," Gris said not taking his eyes off the screen looking over the comparisons, "I don't mess around when it comes to things like this. Since it's a competition, we gotta win."

"Interesting," Ilia said looking at the scroll's screen, "Our opponents seem to significantly different."

Gris nodded, "the team me and my team will be facing seems more focused around long range strikes and close quarters ambushes. Your team, is up against a team that seems to rely on quick hit-and-run tactics and a reasonable amount of stealth," He turns toward Matt, "You're really gonna have to put your senses to work, Matt."

"I'll be looking forward to that," Matt said as the round 2 fights started. Everyone turned towards the screen to see the first fight is setting up while the announcer declares the start of the round 2 fights as the screens showing the competing teams all set to launch while the countdown begins. The main rules stay the same, take down your opponents by taking down their aura levels. Added to that, team members are required to locate each other in the field but they could still fight. All this was explained by the announcers as the countdown winds down to 0 and the competitors are launched into the field. Both teams managed to regroup and start the fight. Gris studied the fighting styles and tactics of both teams on the screen and took a mental note of everything about the winning team. Gris did the same for every fight up to Matt's team. When they launched in, the team regrouped and began to put a plan into action. Kala and Ilia with their guns should hang back and guard Izzy and Matt's flanks as they engage the enemy team in close combat. Izzy, turns out to be quite fast despite the size of her weapon while Matt's speed barely surpasses hers. Kala and Ilia could barely catch up but they keep to their positions. Suddenly, they slow down as Matt heard something but pretended not to notice but had everyone got ready. Suddenly, the other team attacked, jumping out from the brush, but what they didn't know, is that Matt heard them coming and struck first. Kala side rolled and opened fire as the other team returned fire. Ilia jumped up into a tree behind the enemy and began firing ice shotgun slugs from her weapon. Matt and Izzy charged foreword and proceeded to fight in close combat. The tables had been turned for their opponents from when they first struck and the battle was over as the Aura levels of the enemy team have fallen.

"Whoa," Gris said in amazement, "I never knew he could turn a battle like that. A little reckless with the charge but still, he won." Gris then thought to himself, 'I guess the lone wolf is a true leader, I'm proud of ya Matt.'

"I wonder what it'll be like to fight him when we do," Blake wondered.

"I know it'll be tough fight," Weiss said, "That's for sure."

"But didn't you help lead us through that huge battle against that Grimm concentration," Ruby asked Gris, "If it weren't for you, we would've been easily overrun and maybe even died."

"I knew the enemy's ways through close studies," Gris said, "it'll be even harder for me since me and Matt hasn't seen each other for a long time. I don't know how much his sense for strategy improved."

Suddenly breaking the mood, Yang said, "Y'know what? Seeing him like that a lot, I think he's kinda hot."

Everyone looked at her as she blushed out of embarrassment just as Matt's team got back. Matt noticed her blush and asked, "Something happened?"

"Nothing at all," Gris said casually, "Just talking about stuff."

"Really," Matt wondered, "I guess it's probably a real special conversation."

'I know he heard her but I'll let it slide,' Gris thought and said aloud, "Yeah, I guess it was." They left it at that as RWBY+'s match is coming up