Chapter 12: Vale
Disclaimer: I do not in any way or form own Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There or RWBY. They belong to their respective owners, Takumi Yanai and RoosterTeeth Animations respectively.
The identity of the guests from Falmart have been confirmed. They are Tuka Luna Marceau, an elvan survivor of the flame dragon, Lelei La Lalena, a human mage, Rory Mercury, an Apostle, and Pina Co Lada, Princess of the Saderan Empire and her aide, Bozes Co Palesti.
While their exact schedule is still classified, it is believed that the Princess will first meet with the council to discuss political issues between the two worlds, before the other girls enlighten the public to the mysteries of Falmart, most likely at some point during the Vytal Festival Tournament.
The location of the talks between Princess Pina and the Council had been debated extensively. Ozpin wanted it in Beacon. Ironwood wanted it in Mantle, or at least his flagship, the Hyperion. The other members all wanted it in their own city. Then, they realized that a solution was right in their face.
"Welcome to Amity Colosseum," Winter declared, stepping off the bullhead. The exhibition matches were only scheduled to begin the next day, so the massive structure had only a skeleton maintenance crew on board, as well as a good number of Knights to act as security. Behind her, Pina and Bozes exited the airship as well, the latter looking slightly uncomfortable. Pina was physically fine, but her mind was once again overwhelmed. Standing on the flying colosseum made it seem even larger than it had looked on the ground. The sheer amount of resources needed to construct such a thing was unheard of. Winter continued,"A collaborative effort between all four kingdoms of Remnant, Amity represents the unification of kingdoms after the end of the Great War. It-"
"How does something this size fly? Without wings?" Bozes blurted out. Her face was pale, as though she expected the entire stadium to come crashing down at any moment.
"Gravity dust," Winter explained, frowning at the interruption as she motioned for them to follow her into the colosseum. "I presume you saw the giant crystal at its base? One of the largest pieces of gravity dust ever mined. Its power had kept the place afloat for eighty years, and will continue to do so for a hundred more."
Pina perked up at the mention of a war. Her training kicking in, she asked, "What is this war you speak of?"
Unfortunately, her answer was, "Perhaps it would be better to allow the Council to explain that."
"And who exactly is this council?" Pina asked, disappointed but not surprised by the answer.
"The Council is the ruling body that runs the Kingdoms. Each Kingdom has one, in charge of policies and decisions," Winter's explanation ended as they reached a door. She tapped her scroll on the scanner, and the door slid open. "Please, enter. They're waiting for you."
With a nod to Winter, Pina entered the room, where the most powerful people on Remnant awaited.
The room was large, with one entire wall made of glass that allowed a breathtaking view of wherever the Colosseum was situated. Right now, flying over Vale, Beacon Academy and its surroundings could be seen - and Beacon Tower reached almost as high as Amity itself.
The room itself was plain grey, much unlike the brightly decorated corridors and exterior of the Colosseum. The center of the room was dominated by a large circular table, where two people were seated. One, a middle-aged man with tousled silver hair and sharp facial features, with an outfit mainly consisting of an unzipped black suit over a dark green buttoned vest and shirt. In front of him, on the table where his elbows rested, was a cup of coffee. The other man wore a white overcoat, with a black sweater and gloves. He had a strip of silver metal above his right eyebrow whose function Pina couldn't decern. Around the rest of the table, where others would usually sit, were translucent projections of people.
"Greetings, Princess Pina and Bozes," Ozpin began. "I would like to welcome you to the Amity Colosseum. I am Headmaster Ozpin of Beacon Academy."
The headmaster of the school that trained students who could decimate an army. He must be a very, very powerful man, Pina realized. As though reading her mind, Ozpin gave her a smile, his brown eyes boring into hers. He had the eyes of someone far more experienced than he seemed.
"I am General Ironwood, commander of Atlas military forces and headmaster of Atlas Academy."
The general of the 'Men in White', who had taken down the flame dragon. He commanded a powerful army, one that the Empire had no chance of rivaling.
The other headmasters too introduced themselves - Leonardo of Haven and Theodore of Shade. Pina was also introduced to the various councilmen in charge of the four kingdoms of Remnant, who were unable to physically attend but would join in on the conference from around the world.
How powerful was that magic, to allow people to take part in an event so far away?
"Let's begin," General Ironwood said. The council seemed fine with allowing him to lead the conversation, even if Ozpin didn't.
"Princess Pina, the Empire of Falmart recently launched an invasion on Vale through this Gate, which was repelled by my army and the Huntsmen. Despite that, hundreds were killed or injured, and as many missing, presumably captured and brought to Falmart by your army. So tell me: why?"
Under the combined gazes of Remnant's leaders, Pina felt very small. Calling in her training, she tried to find her confidence, and replied, "You see, the Gate is something of a natural occurrence. The Empire simply uses it to... well, for conquest, to acquire new goods."
"So this has happened before? The Empire has attacked other civilizations beyond this Gate in the past?"
"Yes. If you don't mind me asking, what are your plans for the future? Do you intend to conquer more land?" Pina questioned.
The councilmen looked at each other. "Before we answer that," Ironwood said, "Please tell us about the life that exists on Falmart. Are there any particularly... dangerous species or beasts?"
Pina gulped, "The flame dragon would be the most powerful monster that we know of. It is a legendary beast capable of laying waste to armies." And your soldiers defeated it so easily, Pina decided not to add. "There are other legends like the minotaur, but they cannot be confirmed."
"And the Apostles?" one of the council members asked.
Pina was beginning to see the pattern. They were trying to look for threats on Falmart, presumably before they launched their own invasion. She could try to embellish the danger, but what was the point? Remnant could destroy them. "Well, we don't really know much about them. All I know is that, to become an Apostle, one must be chosen by a god. They are immortal and powerful, capable of battling armies. After a thousand years, they will ascend to godhood, and no one really knows what happens after," Pina replied.
"Are there any other species?"
"There are a variety of demihumans like goblins and ogres, as well as wyverns and wyrms, but the Empire has subdued most of them."
"And... magic?"
"Magic? Mages are rare but powerful. A group of skilled Mages can turn the tide of any battle, but I don't know their exact abilities. You'll have to ask of them," Pina said.
Once more the councilmen looked at each other, before blinking out of existence. "Thank you for the insight, princess," Ironwood said. "While the council discusses this, is there anything you want to know?"
"What is it that you want?" Pina asked once more.
"The council will tell you after their discussion is complete. What I meant is, is there anything about Remnant you would like to know?"
There was one thing. "The Grimm," Pina said, "What are they?"
Ozpin was the one to answer her, "The creatures of Grimm, are beings of pure destruction that lack a soul. For as long as humanity walked the face of Remnant, the Grimm were alongside us. Trying to destroy us. Few know where they come from, or why they seek our annihilation, but the threat they pose is very real. The young are savage and vicious, while the older ones are intelligent and insidious. You should hope you never have to meet them."
And as an image of a Beowolf was projected in front of her, Pina couldn't help but shudder.
"So, what do you want to do?" Ruby began. RWBY - including Blake, who had returned from Peach with a clean bill of health - was in their dorm room, along with the girls from Falmart, Rory, Lelei, and Tuka. They had thought that Tai would be escorting them, but apparently he was 'busy'.
"This is a warrior school, yes?" Rory asked.
"We are trained to fight here, if that's what you're asking," Blake replied.
"Then I challenge Ruby Rose to single combat!"
"I'm in!" Ruby agreed.
Later, she almost changed her mind when Professor Goodwitch gave her a spine-chilling glare. As always, the combat instructor was in the arena. "Let me get this straight," the stern teacher said, "You're tasked with showing the visitors around Vale, and the first thing you do is fight them?"
"Rory was the one who challenged me," Ruby replied meekly.
"I did," Rory added, "So, shall we begin?"
Glynda sighed. "Very well. Fighters, take your positions. Everyone else, out of the ring."
They did as told, Rory and Ruby moving to opposite sides of the ring and preparing their oversized halberd and scythe respectively. The others retreated to the stands.
"Alright. Rory Mercury versus Ruby Rose of team RWBY. Standard tournament rules apply: if a fighter's aura level reaches critical or she steps out of the ring, she will lose. Rory, please activate your aura," Glynda said. The aura sensors had locked onto both of the girls. Ruby's was full, while Rory's empty.
"Don't have an aura," Rory casually told her.
"What? Do you know how dangerous this is? Without an aura, you can get seriously hurt!" Glynda chided, "This battle will not continue."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Rory assured. Before Goodwitch could speak, both her and Ruby dashed forward. With blinding speed, the two met in a clash of metal. Ruby, sped up by her semblance, swung Crescent Rose in an upward slash, bypassing Rory's defenses and cutting her arm, drawing first blood.
Glynda gasped at the wound, stepping forward and raising her riding crop. She was about to use her semblance to forcibly separate them when a familiar voice came from behind her, "Let them."
"Ozpin? Rory's getting injured!" Glynda rebuked.
"If you look again, Glynda, she's already healed," Ozpin pointed out, one hand still gripping his ever-present cup. Goodwitch obviously didn't believe him but looked anyway. To her surprise, Rory was uninjured, darting around the arena with all the grace and agility of an aura-boosted Huntress.
"Still, I don't believe that this is a good idea," Glynda muttered, "Dangerous, risky, and most certainly unfair. If Ms. Mercury cannot be hurt, then Ruby is at a severe disadvantage." She glanced at the screen, where Ruby's aura bar was steadily dipping, while Rory's stayed dark. "The only way for Ms. Rose to win is..."
'I have to force Rory out of bounds' Ruby though, spinning her scythe to deflect the halberd strike. In retaliation, she swept Crescent Rose at her opponent's feet, only for Rory to dodge by leaping into the air. With a laugh, she came crashing down, her halberd slicing through a sudden burst of rose petals to slam into the ground hard enough to crack it.
The scythe came in from behind, hooking around her chest, leaving a cut that healed almost instantly. Ruby twisted her body, swinging Crescent Rose in an attempt to forcibly throw Rory out of the ring. Having managed to keep her grip on her halberd, Rory simply dug it into the ground, halting her backward momentum.
She looked back to Ruby, who now had Crescent Rose's scythe tip embedded in the floor. Using the blade as a monopod stand, she let loose with the sniper rifle, firing semi-auto at Rory.
Unused to the concept of firearms, the first bullet took Rory by surprise. It tore through her chest, a fatal wound to any mortal. To the Apostle, however, it was a mere annoyance and a warning of Remnant's deadly weapons. The next few bullets were deflected by her halberd, before Rory leaped forward, intent on forcing melee combat to negate Ruby's range advantage.
Seeing Rory dash over, Ruby quickly prepared her defense. As the Apostle blitzed in, Ruby was prepared, leaping nimbly over the attack while firing a shot at point-blank range. The bullet did little damage but its recoil propelled her several meters away. She twisted in midair and dug the blade back into the ground, coming to land on top of the handle of the scythe. From there, at the very edge of the arena, Ruby looked back at Rory.
Rory laughed, "You certainly have some skill. And your technique is unique." She spun her halberd one-handed as she spoke, before returning to a combat stance.
"Thanks! You're pretty good, too," Ruby replied.
With a smirk, Rory attacked again, this time aiming her halberd at the scythe embedded in the ground. From her position on top of the scythe, Ruby was hard-pressed to counter it. Hopping off, she grabbed Crescent Rose, doing her best to block the blow.
Rory's sheer strength overcame Ruby's defense, sending her flying straight out of the ring. Before she could land, however, Ruby was on her scythe once more, firing a few shots behind her to slow her momentum, before flying back to the arena in a flurry of petals.
Ruby swung her scythe, using her momentum to add power to the attack. Her opponent, however, saw the strike coming and stepped aside, before bringing her halberd to bear upon Ruby. Halberd and scythe clashed once more, and once more Rory's brute strength threw Ruby back.
Her aura dipping, Ruby reconsidered her plan. Rory had no aura to deplete, so she had to force her out of the ring. But from their previous clashes, Rory was much stronger than she was, making it unlikely that she could be simply thrown out. She would have to get in close, Ruby decided, and somehow trip her up.
A few seconds later, they rushed back into battle. This time, it was not a fierce clash of brute force against brute force, but instead, an elegant dance of parries and counterattacks. Back and forth they went across the ring, halberd, and scythe flashing in intricate patterns. The two were little more than dark blurs as they sped up, pushing their abilities to their fullest.
Rory wore a maniacal grin as she dueled Ruby. It had been too long since she had challenged someone who could stand up to her in single combat. Ever since she had become an Apostle, few could give her a good workout, and the bandits that she had recently taken out most certainly were not one of them. Dancing around Ruby's slashes, Rory decided that she like Remnant.
But now it was time to end this. Despite Ruby's unorthodox fighting style, she had an idea. When Ruby attacked again, she hooked the blade of her halberd over the scythe, before twisting and locking the two weapons together. That forced them into a contest of strength, one that both Rory and Ruby knew the outcome of.
Ruby, however, had a way out. With the flick of a switch, Crescent Rose folded up, returning to its smaller storage form. This disengaged the two weapons before she rolled away from the halberd's crushing blow and returning her scythe to its full combat form.
Ruby looked back to her opponent, who suddenly appeared too close for comfort. Once more the two clashed, weapons seeking to wound. To Ruby's surprise, Rory didn't even try to dodge or block. Accepting mortal wounds, she simply allowed Crescent Rose to cut into her while she focused on attacking Ruby. Using her immortality to her advantage, Rory landed heavy blows on her opponent, until the buzzer sounded.
Ruby's aura was in the red.
There was silence before Glynda cleared her throat and announced, "The winner is Rory Mercury." The lights came back on, and she was suddenly aware of the crowd that the fight had attracted. Goodwitch looked at her watch.
"What are you all doing here?" she shouted at the students, "It's ten minutes past the end of the break. Anyone not in your classes within five minutes gets detention!"
Spurred by the threat, the gathered students except for team RWBY quickly vacated the area. Among them were (em and merc)
"Immortal, eh? That could be an issue," Mercury said.
Emerald rolled her eyes, "She's not our target. You do remember what Cinder said, right?"
"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled, "I've got my eye on the mage."
"Oh, come on!" Yang complained, "We get a day to do anything we want and we go to the library?"
"The library is an important place of learning, Yang. Surely even a brute like you can appreciate that," Weiss rebuked.
"We've been studying all the time! We need to relax, go hit up a bar or something."
Ignoring them, Lelei began to wander through the library, her neutral face hiding her awe at seeing such an endless amount of books. Weiss ignored her noisy teammate and went after Lelei, helping her pick out the most important books. The books about Grimm, dust, technology...
"Wait, can you even read our language?" Weiss wondered as she picked out another book to add to the ever-growing pile.
"I've been studying your language," Lelei replied, "I can read and speak it decently. This will help me improve."
Now that she mentioned it, Weiss released that Lelei wasn't using a translator. Had she really managed to learn a new language in just a couple of weeks?
Having decided that she had sufficient reading material, Lelei told Weiss and began to leave. Weiss quickly went to help her check out the books before the two went to drop them off at the dorm room given to Tuka, Lelei, and Rory.
When they returned, Ruby was sobbing, Rory looked ready to tear someone's head off and Yang was wearing a smug expression. The reason was soon clear: the Remnant: the Game board on the table, on which Mistral dominated the map.
"Team RWBY. Aren't you supposed to be showing our guests around Vale?" Ozpin asked. All eyes turned to him as the headmaster entered the library, cup in hand. Behind him were Winter, Pina and Bozes, the latter two looking around with wide eyes.
Ruby giggled nervously, "Um, yeah, but Rory wanted to fight, then Lelei wanted to see our library, so..."
"Not to worry, Ms. Rose. Anyway, I'm here because the Princess has a request. She wants to see the city, but their guide, Winter, isn't very familiar with Vale. I was wondering if you could show them around as well," Ozpin told them. "Also, if you don't mind, please buy some formal clothing for the girls. Beacon will cover the costs."
Ruby looked at her team, who shrugged. "Alright then. To Vale!"
A/N: I've been slowly losing interest in this story. And even I can tell the quality's dropping in the last few chapters. So, I'm declaring another hiatus. Indefinitely, until I can get back to it. I'm not abandoning it.
Happy Chinese New Year, everyone, and all the best.
-Sav