(A/N)
Hello and welcome back to another chapter of NCRS Volume 3!
Apologies for the delay, I'm trying to juggle between stories, artwork, getting into new franchises, and the real world.
I'm glad that you guys enjoyed the fights and the introduction of Team LGTS. There'll be more exciting things up ahead.
To recap what happened last time, Team SSSN struggled against Team NDGO, but they managed to win thanks to Sun and Neptune while Team NCRS battled against Team LGTS and managed to pull off a victory.
With round one over and a mysterious ship passing by, who'll make it pass the 2nd round? And who is this mysterious person that Weiss and Cloud are talking about? To find out the answers, let's get started!
Family Feud
Beacon Air Docks
"Weiss, Cloud, slow down!" Ruby cried out as she, Natsu and Snake chased after the heiress and the blonde swordsman. "What is the big deal!? Who is it? Who is she!?"
"It's Winter." Cloud answered with a small hint of fear in his tone.
"Wait, who?" Natsu asked in confusion.
"Winter is Weiss' older sister." Snake informed the silver eye girl. "And she's also a Specialist in the Military."
"Really!?" Ruby and Natsu gasped in disbelief as the five stopped at the docking bay.
The airship lands in front of the four as the door opens, revealing two Atlesian Knights-200 drones and a woman in her mid 20s that has the same hair and eye color as Weiss, wearing a blue, gray, and white military uniform.
"Winter!" Weiss shouted with delight as she ran over to her older sister. "Winter! I'm so happy to see you-" Weiss pauses for a moment before clearing her throat. "Your presence honors us."
"Beacon… It has been a long time." Winter gave her sister a simple nod as she exited out of the airship along with the two drones. "The air feels… different."
"The season has changed." Cloud mumbled before giving Winter a salute while sweating. "I mean, the climate in Vale is different from Atlas! Also, it's an honor to see you again!"
"I see that you haven't changed one bit, Cloud." Winter saluted, though she has a small unamused expression on her face before noticing Snake. "David? You're here too?"
"Hello, Winter." Snake greeted with a salute. "I take it things are managing well in Atlas?"
"For the most part, yes." Winter answered.
"So, what brings you here to Beacon?" Weiss asked.
"That's classified." Winter answered.
"Do you know how long you'll be staying?" Weiss added.
"That's also classified." Winter repeated. "I didn't come here for simple sightseeing. Nor did I come to watch my flesh and blood fail so miserably in battle."
"But, we won." Weiss brought up.
"Only a novice would refer to that as a victory. I counted at least three strikes missed." Winter said before glaring at Cloud and Snake. "And you two weren't any different from her."
"Apologies." Cloud laughed awkwardly. "It's just we weren't expecting our opponents to be that formidable."
"We won't allow that to happen again." Snake added.
"I'll take your word for it." Winter nodded before gesturing the drones to leave, prompting to back up. She lets out a sigh before a small smile forms as she looks at Weiss. "So how have you been holding up?"
"Oh, splendid!" Weiss answered with pride and delight. "Thank you for asking. I'm actually in the very top ranking of our sparring class! And the rest of my studies are going wonderfully, too! I'm-" She was cut off when Winter bonked her in the head.
"I'm not referring to your educational life, you boob." Winter scolded while Weiss rubs her head, which has a bump now. "I'm asking how you've been. Are you eating properly? Have you taken up any hobbies? Are you making new friends?"
"Well, there's Ruby." Weiss answered. "And I've entered a relationship with Cloud."
"Heh, boob." Ruby snickered along with Natsu, only for them to earn simple punches in the shoulder from Snake while Cloud pushed the bump back into Weiss' head.
"So this is the leader you've spoken of." Winter said while looking at the leader of Team RWBY. "How appropriately… underwhelming."
"Uhh thanks?" Ruby said skeptically, not sure to take it as a compliment or insult.
"Greetings, Ruby Rose. I thank you for taking an interest in my sister." Winter said.
"Oh! Uh… Thank you. The honor is in my uh… Court." Ruby replied awkwardly.
"And who's this?" Winter asked, looking at Natsu.
"This is Natsu. He's the leader of the team that me and Snake are in." Cloud introduced.
"I'm also Snake's partner." Natsu waved with a toothy grin.
"And how long have you two been in a relationship?" Winter questioned both Weiss and Cloud.
"We've just started dating." Cloud answered as he held Weiss' hand.
"I can tell by the looks in both of your eyes." Winter noted before looking at Snake. "So how have you been managing in your new residence?"
"Things are a lot more calmer now." Snake answered. "Me and Cloud became quite close to our teammates."
"It's a relief to hear that you two are managing after your dismissal from the Military." Winter said. "If it's not too much trouble, would you mind escorting me to your quarters?"
"Really?" Weiss asked with a hint of glimmer in her eyes.
"Are you sure you got enough time for that?" Cloud asked. "I thought you said that you're here for classified reasons."
"It's true that I have business here, but it wouldn't hurt to spare enough time to see if your living conditions and your teammates are up to my personal standards." Winter answered.
"Sure, we'll lead you to the dormitory." Cloud said as the six are making their way to the Beacon Dormitory with the four knights surrounding them.
However, two of the drones were torn to pieces, catching everyone's attention as one of the heads rolled towards the Schnees, dragon faunus, and former soldiers.
"Hey!" A scraggly like voice shouted, prompting the four to turn around to see the drunk man from the Crow Bar. "That's right, I'm talking to you, Ice Queen."
"Wait, you mean Weiss?" Cloud asked while raising an eyebrow while Winter halted the knights from attacking.
"Not her, Spiky head." The drunk man said before glaring at Winter. "I'm referring to her."
Just as Snake and Cloud slowly backed away, a crow flew off a lamp post.
"Saw that gaudy ship of yours in town. I guess you're here, too." The drunk man scoffed.
"I'm standing here, aren't I?" Winter asked with a bitter tone. "And I hope you do realize that you've destroyed Atlas Military property."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I mistook this for some sort of sentient garbage." The drunk man said sarcastically.
"I don't have time for your immature games, Qrow." Winter sighed.
"Qrow?" Snake repeated while looking at Cloud.
"I felt like we heard that name before." Natsu whispered.
"Wait, so you're saying that you've met him before?" Weiss asked the two, earning a solemn shrug from her boyfriend.
"Oh, so since you're an Atlas Specialist, you think that you're so special." Qrow said in a mocking tone.
"It's in the title." Winter informed the drunk man.
"That title only covers Atlas' true nature: A bunch of sellouts." Qrow said back.
"I'm not sure what you think you're implying, but I've heard enough." Winter said with a more annoyed tone.
"Oh I heard, too. I heard ol' Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin." Qrow brought up.
"Ozpin?" Weiss asked.
"Weiss, Cloud, David. It's time for you to go. Take your friend with you as well." Winter told the three so they won't get caught in an upcoming fight.
"You better listen to her." Qrow agreed. "They'll protect you. Just how Atlas is going to protect all of us, right?"
"If you won't hold your tongue, then I will gladly remove it for you." Weiss growled as she took out her sword.
"Alright then." Qrow chuckles as he slicks his hair back. "Come and take it."
Winter charges towards the semi-drunk man, only for him to easily dodge them. Qrow ducks underneath another of Winter's strikes. Winter swings her sword down as it hits the base of Qrow's blade, Harbinger, before he presses the button on his hilt, extending the blade as Winter takes a step back. Qrow spun his sword and pointed it at Winter before the two clashed again.
"He's able to keep up with Winter?" Cloud said in disbelief while Ruby ran over to her friends within the crowd.
"Wow, they're so fast." Natsu said with excitement.
"He has a rather interesting fighting style." Snake admitted, though he still isn't impressed that two grown ups are fighting on school grounds.
"What's going on!?" Ruby questioned in an urgent tone.
"Some crazy lunatic just started attacking my sister." Weiss explained, gesturing over to the fight.
"Crazy guy?" Ruby gasped. "Who would do such a thin- Oh my gosh, that's my uncle!"
"Excuse me!?" Weiss asked in disbelief.
"Wait, he's your uncle!?" Cloud added, even more dumbfounded than before.
"Kick her butt, Uncle Qrow!" Ruby cheered.
"Uhh…" Weiss hesitates for a moment before shouting- "Teach him respect, Winter!"
"Is she seriously getting into this?" Snake asked with a deadpan expression.
"Knowing Weiss, once she gets fired up, there's no stopping her." Cloud sighed.
Meanwhile, Mercury is walking in the crowd before noticing the fight going on. He squinted and gasped upon seeing Qrow before he ran towards the school dorm.
Qrow and Winter continue to trade strikes with each other before Winter changes her fighting style by the pommel of her saber. However, Qrow slams his sword on the ground, shattering the pavement after Winter jumps backwards in the air with the help of her glyph.
Winter landed near a lamppost while Qrow leaped towards the elder Schnee before swinging his blade, destroying the lamppost while Winter jumped over him. Qrow turns around and swings his blade again, only for Winter to dodge and land on the base of his weapon.
Winter backflips onto the stump that used to be a lamppost, but then leaps off onto a railing high above, right as Qrow throws his sword at the stump. Qrow transforms his weapon, firing a cannon shot at Winter and forcing her to jump onto the side of a concrete, arched pillar.
Qrow lets out a scoff before charging towards Winter, who is running up the pillar while Qrow fires another shot, only to miss. Qrow continues to fire until Winter is covered in a cloud of steam.
Qrow changed his weapon back to it's blade form as Winter leaped out of the steam, separating her weapon into two blades before swinging them at Qrow, who blocked it with his blade as the pillar broke from the force and combined weight.
The two crash into the ground before sliding backwards. Winter stabs her sword into the ground, creating a glyph before summoning a flock of white Nevermores. which began flying towards him. Qrow swings his sword at the flock, causing a few to burst into small clouds of steam. He then sends a dust arc at Winter, causing her to jump back and putting an end to the birds.
Winter angrily summons a second glyph behind her, and the blade of Qrow's sword begins to transform in a sequence initiated by its clockwork gears before it transforms into a scythe.
"Let's finish this, Schnee." Qrow smirked before he and Winter charged at each other and prepared to trade a big blow until.
*CLING! CLING!*
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Qrow and Winter's eyes widen in shock as they see Jubei in between them, blocking their attacks with his dual kodachis.
"Mr. Mitsuyoshi?" Winter asked in disbelief.
"Looks like he's not the only one here." Qrow said, looking over Winter's shoulder as he sees Ironwood and Penny behind them.
Winter turns around and gasps before turning around as she and Qrow put their weapons away. "General Ironwood, sir!"
"What in the name of Remnant is going on here?" Ironwood questioned with a displeased look on his face.
"He started the altercation, sir!" Winter explained.
"That's not true." Qrow spoke up with his hands behind his head. "She's the one that attacked me first."
"I don't care who started this fight." Jubei sighed as he put his kodachis away before walking towards Ironwood. "I swear, I'm getting too old for this."
"Well I appreciate you handling the situation before it got out of hand." Ironwood commended the elder cat faunus before noticing Qrow. "What are you doing here?"
"I could be asking you and Jubei the same thing." Qrow said back to the general.
"Now, now, everyone." Everyone looks over to see Ozpin with Glynda and Miller behind him. "There is an exhibition match happening between Team KNRY (Canary) and Team GNJR (Ginger) at the Colosseum and I can assure you that they have better seats and popcorn."
"If you all don't want to see the match, then I suggest you go back to the festival grounds or your dorms." Miller spoke up. "We'll handle the mess."
"Let's go." Ironwood ordered Winter, who obliged his orders and followed him. Penny notices Ruby and quietly waves to her, earning a wave back in return before leaving.
"UNCLE QROW!" Ruby shouted as she leapt onto her uncle's arm, much to his surprise as he looked at his excited niece clinging onto his arm. "Oh, it's so good to see you! Did ya miss me? Did ya miss me!?"
"Nope." Qrow answered in a joking manner while patting Ruby on the head.
"Qrow." Said person looks over to see Ozpin holding his arm out while Ruby falls onto the ground and Glynda repairs the courtyard with her semblance. "I would like to have a word with you."
"I think I'm in trouble." Qrow whispered to Ruby.
"You did kinda destroy our courtyard." Ruby pointed out.
"Yeah I did. Catch ya later, kid." Qrow chuckled and exchanged fist bumps with his niece before following the teachers into the building.
"Now I see where you got your recklessness from." Weiss said, crossing her arms.
"You're just jealous that he kicked butt." Ruby teased with a grin.
"It was a draw at best." Weiss denied.
"Come on, let's go see the exhibition match." Cloud offered. "The rest of our team is over there."
"Seeing the match could give us ideas for new strategies." Snake pondered.
"Wait, are you two competing in the doubles round?" Ruby asked out of curiosity.
"Snake will be competing, but me and Natsu aren't." Cloud answered.
"I'll be teaming up with Ragna." Snake added. "He found out that Jin is competing in the doubles round."
"Are you okay with that decision, Natsu?" Weiss asked.
"Yeah, I'm cool with it." Natsu answered. "I understand why Ragna want to fight, so he took my place."
"Well since I'm teaming up with Yang for the doubles round, I'll have to give it my all." Weiss said with pride.
"That's the spirit, Weiss." Cloud smiles at his girlfriend as they hop onto a bullhead before it takes off for the colosseum.
Ozpin's Office
Ironwood is waiting with his arms crossed in front of Ozpin's desk while Winter is impatiently pacing about and Jubei is leaning against the wall. The three looked over to see Ozpin, Glynda, Miller, and Qrow exiting out of the elevator.
"What were you thinking!?" Winter questioned Qrow angrily.
"If you were one of my men, I would've shot you on sight!" Ironwood added.
"If I was one of your men, I'd shoot myself." Qrow said as he took out his flask.
"Your tongue is as sharp as ever, I see." Jubei noted, doing his best to not chuckle in amusement.
"While I wouldn't condone his behavior…" Glynda sighs as she adjusted her glasses before looking at Winter. "Retaliating like you did certainly didn't help the situation."
"He was drunk!" Winter argued.
"He's always drunk." Glynda said as the six looked over to Qrow, who's drinking from his flask. His eyes widen when he notices them staring, and he holds the flask out to the side, looking at it awkwardly before grimacing.
"I don't blame him for drinking a lot after what happened with his team." Miller sighed with a small hint of sympathy.
"Whoa there, pal." Qrow glared at the former Atlesian instructor while holding his pinky and index finger closely. "You're this close to crossing the line."
"My apologies." Miller cleared his throat. "It was not my intention to provoke you."
"Qrow, would you care to explain why you're here?" Ozpin questioned as he sat down in his chair.
"You've been out of contact for weeks!" Ironwood brought up. "You can't just go dark like that in the field!"
"I'm not one of your special operatives, Jimmy." Qrow answered in annoyance as he put his flask away.
"It's General." Winter scolded before turning to Jubei. "I swear, your habit of going under the radar is starting to off on him."
"It wasn't on purpose." Jubei defended with a grumble. "Anyways, you got intel, Qrow?"
"Oh I got intel alright." Qrow answered. "And I'm telling you, our enemy is here."
"We're aware of the situation." Ironwood stated.
"Oh, you know. Well, thank goodness I'm out there risking my life to keep you all informed!" Qrow said in a sarcastic tone.
"Qrow-" Ironwood started.
"Communication's a two-way street, pal." Qrow interrupted as he holds up his scroll and points at it. "See this? That's the SEND button."
"They had reason to assume you'd been compromised." Winter said, crossing her arms.
"And I have reason to assume you don't need to be here." Qrow said back before looking at the rest and pointing at the lieutenant. "Seriously, who invited her?"
"...Schnee, we'll discuss this incident back at my ship." Ironwood ordered.
"But sir!" Winter started.
"Winter. Leave." Ironwood said with a stern tone.
Winter hesitates for a moment before saluting and making her way to the elevator. She looks at Qrow, who gave her a wink, before letting out a scowl and exiting the office via the elevator.
"You can continue, Qrow." Jubei said, gesturing his hand.
"Your little infiltrator isn't just another pawn. They're the one responsible for Autumn's condition." Qrow explained, surprising the four.
"The traitors are responsible for that incident!?" Jubei exclaimed.
"Well this confirms your theory, Miller." Glynda said, earning a small sigh from him.
"I knew the traitors were up to no good, but this?" Miller asked.
"Despite what the world thinks, we're not just teachers, or Generals, or Headmasters. The people in this room, the headmaster of Haven Academy, our closest allies, we're the ones that keep the world safe from the evils no one even knows about!" Qrow explains as he got up in Ironwood's face. "It's why we meet behind closed doors, why we work in the shadows. So you tell me, James, when you brought your army to Vale, did you think you were being discreet, or did you just not give a damn!?"
"Discreet wasn't working." Ironwood said as he placed his scroll on Ozpin's desk, causing a hologram of Vale, Beacon Academy, the Amity Colosseum and Ironwood's fleet of Atlesian Airships to appear in the center. "I'm here because this is what was necessary."
"You're here because Ozpin wanted you here!" Qrow exclaimed while pointing over to Ozpin. "He made you a part of this inner circle and opened your eyes to the real fight that's in front of us!"
"And I am grateful for it." Ironwood commended.
"Oh you got a nice way of showing gratitude." Qrow said sarcastically.
"The people of Vale needed someone to protect them; someone who would act. When they look to the sky and see my fleet, they feel safe, and our enemies will feel our strength." Ironwood explained.
"Wait a minute. You think they're scared of your little ships?" Qrow laughed before looking serious. "I've been out there and I've seen the things she's made, and let me tell you... they are the definition of fear."
"And the fear does bring Grimm." Ozpin agreed, standing up from his seat. "A guardian is a symbol of comfort. But an army is a symbol of conflict. There's an energy in the air now, a question in the back of everyone's minds: If this is the size of our defenses, then what is it we're expecting to fight?"
Ironwood glares at them before sighing and walking forward, picking up his scroll just as it flashes with the image of a black queen chess piece.
"So what do we do now?" Jubei asked. "Our enemies could make a move at any moment."
"I suggest we find our guardian." Ozpin answered.
"E-Excuse me?" Glynda gasped as the answer caught her off guard.
"Ozpin, I thought we're doing that plan after the Vytal Festival." Miller brought up.
"I know, but after hearing your theory and Qrow's intel, I believe we should act now before it's too late." Ozpin explained.
Amity Colosseum
"Seriously!? Uncle Qrow is here!?" Yang shouted in excitement and stood up from her seat upon hearing the news from her sister.
"I know right!?" Ruby cheered with delight. "This is like the best day ever!"
"I'm glad you two are happy…" Ragna said, covering his ears while in his seat. "But, would you mind toning it down? People are trying to watch the match."
The sisters look over to see Weiss, Blake, Natsu, Cloud, Ragna, and Snake in their seats while a few wandering eyes are staring at them, prompting to sit back down with an awkward laugh and blush.
Down at the battlefield, Team KNRY and GNJR are fighting with their names displayed on the screen. Kiato Halloran, Naofumi Iwatani, Ren Joker Amamiya, and Yuri Lowell of Haven Academy on the left. Goro Akechi, Naomi Hunter, Judith Kyrozo, and Raphtalia Q'Ten Lo of Shade Academy on the right.
Kiato has dark blue hair tied up in a long ponytail in the back and blue eyes. His outfit consists of an opened white yukata with light blue scales on the sleeves and blue linings that resembles ocean waves, white shirt, gold scaly belt, blue yukata pants, white socks, and brown sandals.
Naofumi has short and semi-spiky black hair and sharp green eyes. His outfit consists of a light green hooded cloak, dark green jacket underneath a silver chest plate, brown wristbands and black gloves, silver shield with green linings and a gem on his left arm, dark green pants, and brown combat boots.
Joker has wavy unkempt black hair and dark gray eyes underneath his black glasses. His outfit consists of a black ankle-length tailcoat, a high-necked waistcoat with gold buttons, black pants, brown-black winklepickers and a pair of red gloves.
Yuri has long purple hair and brown eyes. His outfit consists of a black tunic with lavender accents and patterns that exposes his chest, gold bracelet on his left arm, black trousers, and grey boots.
Goro has shaggy brown hair and reddish-brown eyes. His outfit consists of a princely-like outfit: a long sleeve white tunic with red accents, brown cape, gold belt, white gloves, beige pants, and black dress shoes.
Naomi has long and wavy dark brown hair and brown eyes. Her outfit consists of a purple collared shirt underneath a white lab coat, black gloves, dark gray pencil skirt that reaches to her knees, black tights, and combat heels.
Judith has purple hair tied up in a bun with one lavender highlight in her front bangs and brown eyes. Her outfit consists of a long sleeve white and blue buttoned collar shirt showing her cleavage, white gloves, black pants with strings on both sides of her hips, brown belt with a white fabric with gold lining covering her from hip to hip, and blue boots with short heels.
Raphtalia has long brownish orange hair and red eyes with a tanuki tail with a brown spot at the tip as her faunus trait. Her outfit consists of a red tunic, cream puffy long sleeve shirt with a red ribbon tied in front of the collar, brown leather chestplate and gloves, white combat skirt that goes past her thighs, and tan combat boots.
"So you're the best team from Haven Academy?" Goro asked, placing a hand underneath his chin. "I must say, I'm quite impressed with the rumors I've been hearing about you."
"And we've been hearing a lot about you guys." Kiato said with a confident smile. "You guys are one of the best from Shade Academy."
"Aw stop, you're going to make us blush~" Judith teased in a playful manner.
"You think flattering is going to make us go easy on you?" Naofumi asked with a deadpan expression. "Because it isn't working."
"I was going to say the same thing." Naomi agreed.
"Keep in mind that this is an exhibition match and not an actual one." Joker reminded everyone while adjusting his gloves. "But that doesn't mean we can't have fun during this fight."
"Right. Let's give it our all." Raphtalia said, swishing her tail with delight.
"I think that's enough talk." Yuri said, adjusting the bracelet on his arm. "We don't want to bore the crowd, do we?"
Both teams got into their respective battle stance until the buzzer went off, prompting both teams to charge at each other.
Joker grabbed his red and black cane, Paradise Lost, before grabbing the gem and drawing out his liuyedao. Goro draws out his white and gold cavalry sabre, Laevateinn, before he swings it at Joker, prompting him to block it with his sword.
Raphtalia performs a forward flip in the air before drawing out her orange katana with pink and gold flowers for the hilt, Hugen Muso. She holds her katana upwards and performs a forward spin, descending down towards Naofumi as he took out his silver shield with a green gem on the front, Freedom Fighter, blocking the strike before a blade pops out of the bottom of the shield. Naofumi pushes Raphtalia backwards before swinging his blade, clashing with the female tanuki faunus.
Kiato took out his dual giant teal bowie knives, Adore, before swinging them at Naomi, only for her to duck underneath and grabbed his arms before spreading them out. Kiato smirks and he performs a backward kick, knocking her back a bit before she goes in to attack.
Yuri draws out his red-purple double sided axe, Dein Nomos, before swinging it at Judith, only for her to hop over him before taking out her blue and white spear, Brionac, and swinging it at Yuri's back. Yuri turns around and locks her weapon with his before they toss them up in the air and start throwing fists and kicks at each other.
"Wow, they all look so strong!" Natsu exclaimed with stars in his eyes.
"I'm not surprised since they're the best from their respective academies." Blake stated, playfully rolling her eyes over her cousin's reaction.
"I can tell you that Team KNRY is no joke." The two faunuses look up to see Sun in the seat above them.
"Hello Sun." Blake greeted. "I heard you and Neptune are fighting in the doubles round."
"You bet." Sun winked before looking at Natsu. "Sucks that I won't be able to fight you."
"You can thank Ragna for that." Natsu said, rubbing the back of his head. "But I will fight you one day."
"Looking forward to it." Sun grinned.
"By the way, you said that Team KNRY is no joke, right?" Yang asked.
"Definitely." Sun answered as Team RWBY and NCRS looked at the monkey faunus. "They're about the same year as us, but they have crazy skills that make them look like they graduated. Heck, they even beat my team during combat training back at Haven."
"They're that strong?" Weiss asked, widening her eyes slightly.
"They're more than strong. It's like their reflexes and their battling styles are totally enhanced." Sun said. "Though I heard Team GNJR is no joke either."
"I can definitely agree with you." The nine students got startled and turned around to see Lightning a few seats away from them.
"Hey, what's up Lightning?" Natsu greeted with a toothy grin and wave.
"Where's your team?" Ruby questioned, noticing that Gray, Tao, and Scream are not with the pink haired girl.
"Gray and Tao are currently with Scream. She's still recovering from that roar during our match." Lightning said with a sweatdrop.
"Did I really go overboard with my roar?" Natsu laughs sheepishly before frowning in guilt.
"A little." Lightning admitted. "But don't feel guilty about it. You didn't know about Scream's condition."
Natsu looks at Lightning before smiling at her. "Thanks. I'll go see Scream after the match."
"Sure, I can lead you to the dorms the Shade Academy students are staying at." Lightning said with a solemn nod.
During their conversation, Yang slightly pouts upon seeing how Natsu is being friendly with the leader of Team LGTS. 'Why does this bug me?' She thought.
"Lighting, what were you going to say about Team GNJR?" Cloud asked.
"Oh, that's right." Lightning cleared her throat. "I was going to say that Team GNJR is actually stronger than my team. They're the same year as Team CFVY."
"They're seniors?" Snake asked.
"They are, though Raphtalia is about the same age as you guys." Lightning clarified. "Despite that, they have a tremendous amount of skills and experience thanks to their training and missions back at Shade Academy."
"We'll have to be cautious if we end up fighting them." Snake told Ragna.
"I agree." Ragna huffed while looking at the match. "This is going to be a pain in the ass."
"We'll have to be cautious as well, Yang." Weiss said.
"Totally." Yang nodded in agreement.
With Team CRME
"Qrow Branwen's here?" Zeref asked after he, Cinder, and Emerald heard the news from Mercury.
"Are you sure it's him?" Cinder asked, pacing back and forth in the center of the room.
"Bad hair, used a scythe, and smelled like my dad after a rotten day." Mercury listed. "It's definitely him."
"What do we do?" Emerald asked.
"Nothing. We stay the course." Cinder answered as she grabbed her scroll from her desk. "They have no idea who we are, so we have no reason to worry. Besides, the last of the heavy lifting is being taken care of thanks to our clever little friend."
"Anywhere good?" Emerald asked again.
"You could say that. Go to your rooms. I'll prepare everything for tomorrow." Cinder instructed.
"Yes, ma'am." Emerald nodded.
"Got it." Mercury complied as the two exited out of the room. Zeref got up from his bed until…
"Not you, Zeref." Cinder spoke up, catching the black haired man's attention. She pats the left side of her bed, gesturing to him to sit down.
"I take it you have other plans for me?" Zeref asked, sitting next to Cinder.
"Of course." Cinder answered, placing the scroll on her lap so he can see the roster.
"I gotta hand it to him. He sure knows how to get into the system." Zeref chuckled in amusement.
"Yes. We just need to wait for the right moment until we have full control of everything." Cinder said, navigating the roster until she selected Mercury and Emerald to face off against Coco and Yatsuhashi in the doubles round. "Zeref. I want you to do me a favor." She said, looking Zeref in the eyes as her own eyes glow fiery orange. "I believe it's time to find Autumn."
(A/N)
And that is it for this chapter of NCRS Volume 3!
I hope that you enjoy some of the new and original scenes for this. I've wanted to make some changes ever since looking at this chapter.
Also, for those of you are wondering, yes. I've added Persona, Black Clover, Tales, and Shield Hero into the roster of franchises for NCRS. I know that's like nine series, but those four franchises will be minor.
I hope that you guys like the lineup for Team KNRY and GNJR. I've wanted to use those characters for a while. Especially Yuri, Joker, Goro, Judith, and Naomi. They may or may not appear in future volumes.
See ya in the next chapter!
Next Time: Lesson learned