Hey Guys VACman here today for another chapter of SOR.

Now it begins, the Beginning of the End for this book.

Now here it is Chapter 44 of SOR.


Chapter 44: Beginning of the End: Twin vs Twin

Location: Amity Colosseum

Time: 4:30 pm

After yesterday's first Singles matchup the crowd was still anxious about what happened to Yang. They are waiting for the result if she's going to continue or forfeit on the tournament.

"Ladies and gentlemen, after yesterday's matchup we would regretfully inform all of you that Miss Yang Xiao Long of team RWBY has forfeited from the tournament of the competition." Port said from the commentator's booth as he received numerous murmurs from the crowd.

"But, as the old saying goes… "The show must go on." Therefore the tournament continues today!" Oobleck said from the commentator's booth as the crowd cheers on before the randomizer appears again. "All right, it's now time to begin the randomization process for our next fight!" he said.

Back in the Colosseum, people are back in the stands cheering and ready for entertainment as Ruby descends down the steps to an open seat. Despite everything that's happened, she's smiling widely, looking around at the assembled crowds... until her stupefied eyes see a familiar, glaring face on the other side of the arena.

"Emerald's... here?" she said.

As if sensing she's being watched, Emerald leans forward to glare at Ruby, who suddenly gets up with a worried expression and runs towards the exit tunnel. Checking to see if no one's around, she enters a door labeled with a yellow maintenance sign and finds herself inside of the Colosseum. She walks forward with determination as the announcers' voices are heard, muffled behind the brick walls.

The sound of the roulette is heard faintly, but what makes Ruby stop in her tracks is the sight of another unexpected "friend" stepping out from a nearby tunnel, completely unharmed and definitely not going home.

"Mercury?" Ruby said while squinting as if making sure.

"It looks like our first contender is... Dante Redgrave from Beacon..." Port said from the broadcaster's booth.

"What are you doing?" Ruby said as her attention goes from the broadcast to the fraud.

"And his opponent will be... Vergil Gilver also from Beacon!" Port said from the broadcaster's booth. Which made Ruby dips in thought until she realizes the awful truth.

"No..." She said as Mercury puts a hand on his chin.

"Ooh, gunslinger versus swordsman. That could be interesting." He said.

Ruby glares at her new opponent, reaching back to grab Crescent Rose, only to remember she doesn't have it on her. Mercury simply grins maliciously and sets himself up in a fighting pose.

Outside, the arena's center is lifting back into the air, and a battle-ready Dante wielding his pistols along with grinning wildly, with Vergil who his sheathed katana stabbed to the ground while holding it at the center with his two hands.

"You ready for this bro?" Dante asked as he points one of his pistols towards Vergil.

"You know I am." He replied while tightening his grip on the katana.

"Fighters, are you ready?" Oobleck said as both twins ready their weapons. "3, 2, 1... BEGIN!" Oobleck said as he leans forward.

Both brothers then rushed towards each other, with Dante firing his pistols towards Vergil who blocked and deflects the bullets with his katana. As they got close enough Vergil swings his sword downward trying to sweep Dante off his feet, but missed as his opponent flips over him and started firing some bullets. The blue-coat swordsman recovered and deflected the bullets again but this time with his scabbard. Both fighters land on their feet before rushing at each other again, but this time Dante holsters his guns and pulling out his sword.

The two Sons of Sparda met in the middle and swings their swords at each other which caused a shockwave at the center of the arena while the duo is in a blade lock.

"You know that this match is rigged right?" Dante said while still in a blade lock.

"Yes, but we have to make it look real, so fight me as your life depends on it." Vergil replied before pushing Dante back with his katana.

"You're right. I think it's about time we play this dance to the highest level." The younger twin said while pointing his sword towards Vergil.

"I agree, so don't you dare hold back Dante!" He said before rushing towards his younger brother with his katana.

(Insert Casey Edwards ft. Victor Borba | Bury the Light)

Both fighters rushed towards each other and swung their swords when they reached the middle. The impact of the swords created a small earthquake that almost rocked the entire colosseum, causing a lot of people to get off their seats. Dante and Vergil swung their swords rapidly trying to hit each other, but to no avail as each time their swords are about to hit their mark, it's either blocked parried by the other. One final swing from both sons clashed forcing them back a few steps due to the impact from their swords.

As they recovered Dante pulls out again his pistols then started firing towards his older brother who deflects by using his katana. Vergil then lines up some of the bullets he caught from his brother then sends them back to his brother who simply cuts them down with one sword slash.

Vergil sheaths his sword before started firing a barrage of spectral swords towards his opponent who rolls to the right before cutting down two of them. The blue-cloaked warrior continues to rain down more swords towards Dante who continues to evade by either rolling to the ground or flipping back before cutting down four more swords. Knowing that his current tactic has proven to be ineffective Vergil switches from Yamato to Beowulf then rushed towards his younger brother who also switched to Agni and Rudra then meets him at the center. The two brothers clash their weapons at each other causing their surroundings to engulf into flames and brighten the area with white light. After a few minutes of trading blows both brothers jumped back and charged up their weapons. Dante unleashed a shockwave of fire and wind while Vergil punched the ground and launched a shockwave of his own, filled with light energy. Both shockwaves collide and caused a huge explosion in the middle before Vergil and Dante rushed towards each other again which caused a stalemate between the sons.

The crowd roars as the match was happening as they stand to their feet for an intense sequence. While the match going Emerald was about to leave her seat until Kairi and Sora sat next to her forcing her to sit back down.

"Where you going, come on this fight is getting interesting." Sora said as passed a box of popcorn to Kairi who grabs it.

"Yeah, I agree. This is fun." She said while eating the popcorn and Emerald getting nervous.

While the match was going Ruby then confronts Mercury.

"Showtime." Mercury said before looking back at Ruby

He goes forward, blocking Ruby's path with his arms outstretched, restraining her movements no matter where she moves. Panicked, she grimaces and spins forward, becoming a blur of red and petals rocketing toward Mercury, only for the villain to kick her twice mid-dash with Talaria and knock her to the ground. He advances on her just as she gets out her Scroll, about to push the button to call for help when a bullet sends the device flying out of her hand.

"Let's just keep this between us friends." Mercury said as he lowering his leg from its kick before moving towards her.

As he got close enough as red scabbard bashed him on the face causing him to fall to the ground. As he gets back he saw Koga and Rei in front of Ruby with their sheathed weapons.

"How about you try and pick a fight with us you grey-haired jerk?" Rei said as he spins his sheathed swords before performing a fighting stance.

"Ruby, we'll handle this." Koga said as he motions to Ruby who steps back.

"Sorry, but I got errands to run. See ya." Mercury said as he tries to escape with a smirk on his face.

"And where the hell do you think you're going you son of a bitch?!" a voice shouted from behind him said as he loses his smirk then turns around and saw Makoto wielding an ax and Aigis using a sniper rifle attachment.

Back at the arena Vergil and Dante continue to trade blows with their weapons, as the blue-cloaked warrior was still wielding Beowulf while his younger twin was now wielding Cerberus and sends ice spike from the ground. Vergil rolls to the right before leaping in the air and delivers an aerial sidekick towards his opponent. Dante created a wall of ice to stop his brother's attack, but it didn't matter as the ice wall breaks and Vergil's kick went through only to be caught by Dante with the chains of his nunchucks attached to his opponent's leg. He then swings Vergil towards the ice wall before delivering a thrust kick which not only breaks the ice but also pushed his opponent near the edge of the arena.

As Vergil gets back up to his feet he noticed that his aura level dropped to seventy-five percent. He then stretched his neck before switching to Yamato then rushed towards Dante. The red-cloaked hunter sends ice spikes towards his incoming opponent who simply cuts down with his katana then leaps in the air and unleashed a rain of spectral swords down on his opponent. Dante blocks the spectral swords by creating a dome of ice from Cerberus. As he descends towards his opponent Vergil cuts the dome with his sword before landing to the ground then delivered a rapid succession of sword swipes towards Dante who was unable to block them. Vergil then performs a spinning back kick which sends Dante to the other side of the arena. Dante kicks back up to his feet and noticed that his aura level has dropped to sixty-five percent.

The crowd once again roars after another incredible sequence while the fight was going.

Backstage Mercury was surrounded and attempts to escape by delivering a barrage of kicks to his opponents. Only they were mostly blocked by both Koga and Rei before countering with kicks of their own pushing the grey-haired assailant back. Mercury then kicks off the wall and launched himself towards the Makai Knights and delivers a heel kick. Koga and Rei blocked the kick and sends Mercury towards Makoto and Aigis who simultaneously kicked him towards the wall, knocking him out cold.

Back at the arena, the match was still going, only this time both brothers' aura levels were decreased.

Dante and Vergil rushed towards each other and met in the middle trading blow again with their swords.

Each time their swords clash sparks fly around the arena causing the battleground to engulf into flames, surrounding both Sons of Sparda. Dante and Vergil continue to trade blows towards each other, with the same intensity on how they start the entire fight. Dante hops before sprinting towards his older brother who was still in his spot and has his katana sheathed. As Dante was halfway across his opponent Vergil created a dark purple orb near Dante's position by unsheathing and sheathing Yamato in a blink of an eye. As Dante got close enough the orb sword swipes hit Dante by the shoulder before blocking the last swipe with his sword. Vergil sends another purple orb towards Dante followed by swords swipes from the distance which Dante easily evaded. Vergil then unleashed a barrage of purple orbs towards his younger brother causing him to evade the follow-up slashes. Dante then charges up energies from his sword while evading Vergil's orb slashes. With enough energy, Dante holds his sword backhanded then sends multiple shockwaves of energy from his sword towards Vergil who was able to get hit his older brother with one of the shockwaves before evading the rest. The shockwaves also extinguish the flames around them making the arena clear again. Both brothers then noticed that their aura level is at twenty-five percent.

The crowd cheers as the match was getting more interesting as both fighters were giving it they're all to win.

"Unbelievable, this is only the second match of the Singles round and we are witnessing an incredible match ladies and gentlemen!" Port said from the commentator's booth.

"With both their aura levels down to twenty-five percent, it has now come down to one final sequence of this match!" Oobleck said from the commentator's booth.

"Well now, it comes down to this then, huh Dante?" Vergil said as he holds his katana with both hands.

"Agree, why don't we give them one last show, eh Vergil?" Dante said as he and his opponent performed a fighting stance to end the fight.

"What could happen, next folks?!" Port said from the commentator's booth as Ruby rush towards the stands and both Dante and Vergil about to end the fight.

"We have to stop them!" She said before Koga stops with his sheathed sword.

"No, this is a battle between brothers. Let them fight." He said as Ruby gave him a shocked expression before turning back to the match.

Both brothers readied themselves before towards each other with swords to end the match. And when the brothers met in the middle with their swords at each other by their abdomen with blood flowing out of their bodies, causing both twins to fall to their knees.

(End Song)

The crowd gave shocked reactions while the rest of the teams DKSM and VKRA remained calm. Mercury on the other who was being tied to Aigis' shoulder was smiling as their plan was a success not before Rei smacked him on the face with one of his swords and Makoto punched him on the gut.

"Dante…Vergil…" Ruby said as she falls to her knees just before both twins' falls to the ground with the swords still stabbed to their abdomen.

While that was happening the broadcast of the match was still going causing confusion to both teachers at the commentator's booth

"Broadcast, what are you doing? Kill the feed!" Oobleck said while putting a hand up to his ear.

"Something's wrong! We don't have control of the cameras! We can't even stop the broadcast!" Broadcast Op said over the earpiece.

"What!? How is that possible!?" Oobleck said.

In answer, the background behind the two teachers changes to the video feed of the sight before them tinted an ominous bright red with a black queen chess piece hovering over the scene. They turn back to the arena as a familiar voice rings out throughout the Colosseum and the rest of the world watching these events.

"This is not a tragedy. This was not an accident. This is what happens when you hand over your trust, your safety, your children, to men who claim to be our guardians but are, in reality, nothing more than men." The speaker said while Several audience members look uneasy, while Jaune is seen mouth agape in shock "Our Academies' Headmasters wield more power than most armies, and one was audacious enough to control both." The speaker said from the sound system of the arena.

While the speaker kept on talking Makoto and Aigis turns to Koga and Rei who gave them a nod before handing Mercury to the Makai Knights and rushed towards the hallway.

"They cling to this power in the name of peace, and yet, what do we have here? One nation's attempt at a synthetic army and another allow their two-star pupils to murder each other. Why would Beacon allow a battle between their aces to occur, in the process of losing their guardians against the Grimm." The speaker said.

While the unknown speaker kept on talking Aigis and Makoto barged in the commentator's booth and relived both Port and Oobleck from their duties. Aigis then inserts a USB cord from her back and inserted it into the sound system of the arena.

"Perhaps Ozpin felt as though defeating Atlas in the Tournament would help people forget his colossal failure to protect Vale when the Grimm invaded its streets. Or perhaps this was his message to the tyrannical dictator that has occupied an unsuspecting kingdom with armed forces. Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue as to who is right and who is wrong. But I know the existence of peace is fragile, and the leaders of our kingdoms conduct their business with iron gloves." The speaker said as Aigis was successful in connecting with the speakers giving Makoto a nod.

Makoto then motions Koga from the booth with a signal who responds by nodding towards him before nudging Rei who whistled with two of his fingers.

The whistle attracted both Kairi and Sora who chained up Emerald to leave their seats and starts walking down the stands with their prisoner.

"As someone who hails from Mistral, I can assure you the situation there is... equally undesirable. Our Kingdoms are on the brink of war, yet we, the citizens, are left in the dark." The speaker said. "So I ask you: When the first shots are fired... who do you think you can trust?" the speaker said before the crowd turns to the arena and was shocked by what they saw.

In the middle of the arena, Dante slowly gets back to his feet followed by Vergil with their swords stabbed to their bodies and raised their heads up and started laughing before turning to the crowd.

"What is the meaning of this?!" the speaker said as Dante pulls out his scroll and activates its speaker.

"I'll answer that question for you, Cinder Fall." He said as his voice was heard around the colosseum gaining mixed reaction from the crowd.

During the confusion, Vergil also pulled out his scroll and also activate its speaker.

"She has point, who do you trust in a time of war?" Vergil said as Ruby looks up and stood back up to her feet before being greeted by team JNPR along with Weiss and Blake. "Let me and my brother, my real brother tell you all an old tale." He added as the crowd was shocked to the revelation.

Both twins then removed the swords off their chests then returned them to their respective owners.

"You should always know who to turn to, you turn to your allies…" Vergil said as he walks towards Dante and pats him on the shoulder. "…and you turn to your blood." He added before Dante steps forward.

"Long ago, there was an even more dangerous war that occurred. A war between the residents of Remnant and the demon lords of the Underworld. The demos led by the demon lord Mundus was at the brink of victory. Driving the world to madness and destruction." Dante said while walking around the arena, facing the crowd. "Remnant and its inhabitant were facing extinction, with all hope lost they succumb to fear, to desperation and to anger." He added before Vergil steps forward, facing the crowd.

"But an unlikely ally appeared before them, showing the denizens of Remnant that there is always hope in the darkest of times. He showed us that no matter what happens one shall never surrender." Vergil said as twirls his sheathed katana. "His name was Sparda. A powerful demon who fought alongside the warriors of Remnant and turns the tide of in their favor. A traitor to his kind he maybe, but a hero and a legend to the people of Remnant." He added before the crowd became curious and Dante steps forward.

"You might be asking yourselves: why are these two handsome young men telling an ancient tale to every one of this colosseum right now?" he said before Vergil smacks him on the back of his head with the scabbard of his katana. "Because people believed that Sparda was their salvation, they believed that Sparda will deliver them victory, that they entrust the fate of humanity to a stranger, let alone a defector to his kind, betraying them to save the people of Remnant." He added before placing his sword on his back. "Sparda not only delivered the promise of salvation. He also died for it, leaving his family defenseless. Sacrificing his life to protect and save us all." He added before Vergil steps forward again.

"And his legacy will remain, for we are the ones that must uphold to such a duty." He said before unsheathing his katana. "My name is Vergil Sparda, and this…" he said while motioning to Dante who pulls out his sword from his back. "…is my brother Dante Sparda." He added.

"Our father trusted humans to fight alongside him and succeed. Humanity entrusted Sparda to bring them victory, which he succeeded." Dante said. "So to answer your question Cinder, people can trust their allies, their friends, and their family like what Sparda did. You pretend to be a queen to this game, but you are nothing more but a pawn to a more powerful being." Dante said before an alarm blares around the colosseum.

"Alert. Incoming Grimm attack. Threat level: Nine. Please seek shelter in a calm and orderly manner." The alarm announcer said before the crowds begin to flee, wild and screaming, through the exit tunnels, while Ironwood enters the announcers' box and grabs the microphone from between Makoto and Aigis.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please. There is no need for panic." Ironwood said.

With that said, a Giant Nevermore appears atop the arena's domed force field, giving a series of deafening screeches as it claws and pecks at the defense with its beak.

"Finally some fun." Dante said before he and Vergil rushed towards the giant Grimm.

The Nevermore unleashed a barrage of feathers towards the twins who evade by rolling to the side before Vergil unsheathes his katana cutting of its left wing before Dante cut down the other wing before both brothers simultaneously decapitate the downed Grimm.

After the fight against the giant Grimm, all six teams approached the duo before Koga and Rei tossed Mercury to them while Sora and Kairi bring them, Emerald. Dante then approached the tied up assailant and grabs Mercury by the hair.

"I did say that you were a dead man right?!" he said before kicking Mercury by the head towards the ground.

"You guys are really crazy." Blake said before Ruby walked up to the twin brothers.

"So what's the plan?" Ruby asked as Vergil steps forward.

"The city right now is under attack by the Grimm, we need to deal with them giving time for people to evacuate." He replied.

"The Knights stationed here will help with the evacuation, me, Rei and the rest of the Knights will aid them, making sure everyone gets away safe." Koga said.

"Kairi and I will try to find Riku, hoping he's still here in the city. Maybe he can help us right now." Sora said.

"Me and Aigis will take care of some of the Grimm rampaging in the city. At the same time get civilians out of the area." Makoto said.

"You guys do that, while me and Vergil need to get back to the mansion and get Yu along with Gonza out of there." Dante said before Blake walks up to him.

"Get her to safety Dante, please." She said before Dante nods in response.

"Yang is still in the mansion, recovering. Are you going to get her as well?" Weiss asked.

"We will don't worry." Vergil responds before another Nevermore descends and lands near their position.

Due to its arrival, both Mercury and Emerald were able to escape leaving the five teams to deal with it.

Suddenly, the Nevermore gets pinned down by a barrage of rocket lockers and screeches out in pain before going unconscious. The lockers then open up, revealing the weapons of various students, including Crocea Mors, StormFlower, Magnhild, and Fulcrum. The respective owner of the sword pulls it out from his locker and is shown alongside Scarlet David gripping his cutlass and flintlock pistol, Sage Ayana with his sword, and Neptune Vasilias with his gun in hand along Sun Wukong with Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang in its staff form, Ren and Nora carrying their respective weapons, and the remaining members of Team CFVY, the members of Team ABRN, as well as Flynt Coal and Neon Katt of Team FNKI, all gripping their respective weapons. The students are then suddenly shaken when the Nevermore starts to get back up. Ren then leaps up into the air and uses the blades of his weapons to slash at the Nevermore's eye. Arslan Altan uses her rope dart to swing down and grab the towering Yatsuhashi from the ground carrying him upward. Sage also leaps up into the air, and Nora runs up to the Nevermore's head and hit it with Magnhild in its hammer form. When Arslan reaches peak height, she lets go of Yatsuhashi, who is then joined by Sage, as the two broadsword wielders slash down and decapitate the Nevermore. Causing it's head to land near Ruby before dissipating into black particles, while the students form a perimeter.

"Everyone here ready to go to war?" Dante asked as everyone nodded in response before noticing team SSVR leaving the colosseum. "How about you guys?!" he shouted towards the team who ignored them and left. "Cowards." He added before turning to everyone. "Whatever you do, stay alive and kill any bastards you see out there!" he said before Makoto heard a voice in his head.

"Though art I… And I am thou…" the voice said.

"Though shall have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Personas of the Fool and Judgement Arcanas…" The voice said before fading away.

Knowing that this would be an important battle with his friend Makoto has strengthened his power of the Judgement Arcana.

Ruby then approached Dante.

"Dante I need your scroll." She said as Dante gave her his scroll then summons her locker which opened up revealing Crescent Rose.

As Ruby grabs her scythe a group of Griffons appeared from above and rushed towards them. One of the Griffons lands on her locker and roars at her before being scared away at the sound of a gunshot.

"Students! I think it would be best for you to leave." Port said while holding Blowhard in hand, with Oobleck holding Antiquity's Roast in its club form.

"You got it professor!" Dante replied before all the teams left the colosseum to defend Vale. He then stops his teammates to talk to him.

"What's wrong Dante?" Zaruba asked as team DKSM was left in the arena.

"This is it boys, you know what to do." Dante said as his teammates' nod in response.

"We're going to be careful, don't worry." Koga said as unsheaths his sword.

"We got this covered leader." Sora said as he summons his keyblade.

"Just remember this is an army of Grimm so stay alive out there you bastards." Makoto said as he pulls out his Invoker right before Dante punches him on the shoulder before hearing a voice in his head.

"Thou art I... And I am thou..." The voice said.

"The bond thou hast nurtured hath finally matured." The voice added.

"The innermost power of the Fool Arcana hath been set free." The voice added.

"We bestow upon thee the ability to create Susano-o, the ultimate form of the Fool Arcana..." the voice said before fading away.

Knowing that this would be one of the most important battle together as a team Makoto has unlocked the full potential of the Fool Arcana.

After talking with each other the team left the arena and head to the city.

SOR

SOR


There you have it folks Chapter 44 of SOR

Now the time for the final few chapters of SOR has begun.

This has been VACman signing off...