A.N: I'm apparently about to be trapped by one of the worst blizzards in years. Guess that means I can't avoid my taxes any longer. On the plus side, I can just do stuff like this. Enjoy everyone.
Chapter 36: True Resolve
You could hear a pin drop in the arena as the battle between Blake Belladonna and Dollie Grass neared its beginning. The sudden bombshell that Blake dropped from entering the arena without her bow (thus outing herself as a Faunus) seemed to stun everyone into silence. Dollie had a completely unreadable expression on her face.
Yang took note of the silence across the arena and whistled. "Wow, who hit the mute button?" She could not help but joke.
"Yang, you know exactly why everyone's silent. They all thought Blake was human." Weiss chided Yang. Weiss then turned her attention to Hansel. "Well, Professor, this is what you wanted, right? For Blake to show confidence in her identity. That's supposed to help her, right?"
Hansel nodded. "Aura and Semblances are a manifestation of the soul, the heart." Hansel reminded them. "If the soul is in turmoil, you cannot fight to your full potential. Belladonna's 'identity crisis' was keeping her from going all out."
"Now that she's managed to push past this barrier...she can finally start to truly grow as a Huntress." Hansel declared.
Yang could not help but grin. "For what it's worth Teach, I think she really needed a good kick in the ass, and if there's one thing you're good at, it's motivational ass-kicking."
"...The question now is whether she can or not." Hansel ignored Yang's compliment.
Zwei suddenly poked his head out of Yang's bag yipping happily at the sight of Blake in the arena. Hansel gave Yang a deadpan expression. "You brought him to the match?"
"I mean, Ruby brought him yesterday. He's just acting up a bit today." Yang pouted before looking at Zwei. "Back in the bag, Zwei."
"Hey you two, I think they're about to start the match!" Weiss exclaimed.
The ref looked at both Dollie and Blake. "Combatants ready?"
Blake nodded. Dollie did the same. Blake felt an involuntary chill run up her spine. What was that all about? Dollie struck as the talkative type. So why did she seem so...quiet right now? "Begin!" Blake barely heard the ref begin the match.
Then Dollie started to laugh. That chill returned. "Wow," she said, "just wow. So you were hiding what you really were."
"So Faunus...did you have something to hide?" Blake's eyes widened. No, that was impossible. How could Dollie have figured her out so quickly?
"Well, I guess it really doesn't matter. I'm going to enjoy this." Dollie held out an open palm. "Now come forth, Dollhouse!"
Suddenly, a massive black dome enveloped Blake and Dollie. Hansel, Yang and Weiss all gasped. "Wait...what the hell was that?" Yang demanded. "Where's Blake?"
"That was a Semblance." Hansel immediately noted. "Shit, I don't know what that thing is, but if it can affect an entire area like that, Belladonna's in trouble."
"I didn't even think Semblances like that were possible." Yang admitted.
"Not every Semblance is simple like yours and mine, Xiao Long. Semblances come in a wide variety because they're a reflection of who we are." Hansel reminded her.
"Then...Blake's really in trouble, isn't she?" Weiss realized.
Hansel nodded. "And the worst part is, we can't even tell what the hell's going on in that dome of her's." Hansel noted, his expression contorting into one of uncharacteristic concern. "But what kind of Semblance is that? It's almost like it was designed to hurt people instead of Grimm."
"Didn't you plan to teach us how to fight people instead of Grimm?" Yang inquired.
"Being taught how to fight others is one thing...but it's like this girl has geared her power towards trapping people and killing them." Hansel corrected Yang. "Frankly, if your Semblance was geared towards hurting people, I'd have you committed before you knew it."
"Should we try to get the match called?" Weiss asked.
Hansel thought the matter over. Then he remembered the bars that were tuned to the Auras of the two combatants. "We'll keep an eye on Belladonna's Aura." He replied. "If things get bad, we'll rush down and ask the ref to get this thing taken down. And if he can't...well, I guess I'll just have to bust through it myself."
"You really want to take that risk?" Weiss inquired. "Who knows what attacking that dome will do to you."
"I'm not letting any of you die on my watch." Hansel responded simply, making Weiss and Yang look at him like he had grown a second head.
With Yang, Weiss and Hansel having decided on their game plan, we can now go inside the dome, known as Dollhouse, to see what was happening on the inside. And truth be told, nothing was happening. At least, nothing was happening that Blake was aware of. In fact, Blake could not see anything. Even with her enhanced vision, she could still not see anything.
What kind of Semblance is this? Blake wondered.
"Aww, look at you, all tense." Blake then heard Dollie's voice. "You can't see anything right? You can't see anything, even with your beast-like eyes, Faunus."
Blake's eyes widened. "Truth be told, if I wanted to, you wouldn't even be able to hear me, either." Dollie admitted. "But you will hear everything I have to say to you. I don't normally go near the Faunus students because letting them know how I really feel would just get Team GLDN in trouble. But now here we are on the battlefield. I'd say that's as good a time as any."
"I'm not interested in talking!" Blake charged forward, drawing and swinging Gambol Shroud. She was gambling that Dollie had not moved from her spot at the start of the match.
However, Blake quickly found she was swinging at thin air. "Oh no, you will hear all of this." Dollie told Blake.
"Anything you have to say to me, I seriously doubt I haven't heard it before." Blake responded. "Cat ears, remember?"
Dollie laughed at this. "Oh my, it seems you misunderstand me. I may hate you but I can assure you I'm not like that very vocal few that just hates anyone that's different from them. No, I've got every right to be pissed off at you Faunus."
"So I suggest you shut up and listen." Blake suddenly yelped when she was struck across the back by some sort of blade. It must've been Dollie's weapon. One of two kukri knives.
She came out of nowhere...I didn't see or sense her coming!
"Think of it this way, my little story is the only thing keeping you from getting your ass kicked right now, Belladonna." Dollie noted. "After all, you were screwed the minute I brought out my Semblance: Dollhouse."
"Dollhouse creates a space where I can remove the senses of anyone who's caught inside of it, like how I removed your sight. I manipulate what goes on inside like an actual dollhouse." Dollie explained. "In other words, inside this dollhouse, I'm pretty much a goddess."
"Well that's pretty presumptuous of you." Blake scoffed. That got Blake another slash. This one was to her stomach. Her Aura briefly became visible. Dollie hit hard.
"Presumptuous, huh? That's rich coming from a Faunus." Dollie spat.
"You know, for someone who claims she's not close minded, you really do sound close minded." Blake noted. Now a slash across the shoulder. "And trust me, I know what that's like to sound that way."
"Shut up! You know nothing about me!" Dollie screamed.
"Then please, enlighten me." Blake replied. "After all, you've got me trapped here, so I might as well listen."
Dollie grumbled at the fact Blake was showing no fear. That was not entirely true. Truth be told, Blake was very nervous right now. This was the first time she was truly blind in a fight. Without her eyes and her ability to sense another person's Aura there was not much she could do. If she could keep Dollie talking, perhaps she could try and figure out a strategy.
Dollie, however, really wanted Blake to hear this. So, she began to bare her soul to her foe. "I was a child of Mantle, like a lot of these recruits." She revealed. "My parents...we were poor but we were very happy. They worked in a Dust mine...so that I could live a happy and comfortable life."
Blake's eyes widened. This already sounded extremely familiar. "They worked their way up the ranks and became supervisors of the mine. They loved the employees they supervised and their employees loved them."
"But then...the White Fang decided they didn't matter." Dollie's voice started shaking with sadness and rage. "Those...those murderers raided the mine! And when my parents tried to negotiate with them, tried to explain to them that they were hurting good working people by stealing from the mine...your so-called freedom fighters murdered them! Murdered them to send a message to the Schnee Dust Company!"
Dollie was screaming with rage and grief now, making Blake wince with each sentence. "My parents did nothing wrong!" Dollie yelled. "They tried so hard for me and for their employees! They deserved life just as much as any Faunus did!"
Blake lowered her head. Those were the exact same words Weiss said to her. This was what she meant back then. "So tell me why, Belladonna? Why did my parents have to die? What did their murders accomplish for your people? Why do the lives of Faunus matter and my parents don't, huh?" Dollie demanded.
"Dollie...I…" Blake tried to reason with her. She was also trying to remember that particular incident. But she could not.
Adam and Sienna...they killed so many people affiliated with the Schnee Dust Company, she had honestly lost track of what incident and who died as a result.
"You know what? Don't fucking bother!" Dollie screamed. "I don't want to hear any excuses! All I've heard ever since my parents died is how 'victimized' the Faunus are and how Remnant's 'radicalized' them, even though we've already done so much to try and make things right!"
"But what about my family, huh? How is it fair that only you people get justice and we don't?" Dollie demanded.
Blake could not answer that. She was then struck once more by Dollie's kukri knives. And to think, Dollie did not even know that Blake was a former member of the White Fang. God only knows what she would do if she got her hands on that little tidbit of info. "I really tried though, you know. I tried to live a damn decent life like my parents would've wanted from me!" Dollie revealed, continuing to strike at Blake from every possible side.
"I tried to move on. I joined the fucking army to get all this rage out of my system and do something constructive with my life! But it. Wasn't. ENOUGH!" Dollie screamed. "Living day in, day out, watching people treat Faunus like the real 'victims' of this story, when it was my parents who were murdered!"
"But don't misunderstand me, Blake." Dollie calmed down with a deep breath. "I'm not interested in taking Remnant back to the days Faunus were slaves. I don't give a shit whether they're slaves, equals, or anything like that."
"I just want accountability, that's all." Dollie revealed. "I want the bastards who killed my parents brought to justice. I want the world to stop pretending that the Faunus are just poor, helpless victims when they're just as responsible for their actions as humans are. I want the double standard to stop!"
"I want my parents' lives to have mattered just as much as the Faunus, that is all."
Blake lowered her head at this. She really had no response to this. Dollie Grass had every right to be angry at her.
"You cannot have equality while excluding humans from the conversation. Otherwise it just becomes Faunus supremacy." Professor Kobalt's words suddenly rang out in Blake's mind.
This is what you meant, isn't it, Professor? Blake wondered. I spent so much of my life worrying only for my people, I really did forget that this fight was just as much for humanity's sake as it was the Faunus.
No. It was not that I didn't forget. It was more like...I didn't want to see it. I refused to see Adam's growing insanity and hate, and both humanity and the Faunus suffered for it. I can try to claim I rose above that by abandoning the White Fang. But I didn't just run away from the White Fang. I ran away from both the Faunus and humans. I ran away from the Faunus because I was afraid of what Adam and Sienna were turning them into. And I ran away from humanity because I...I just didn't care enough about them.
It's always like this. I'm a coward. Blake acknowledged. I run away from every problem I've ever faced. I've turned away from the truth so much.
But it's not just because I'm a coward, I'm a damn hypocrite too. I've made so many excuses for the Faunus...for the White Fang, while people like Dollie and Weiss have suffered so much. All because I refused to acknowledge that life is more than just a battle between good and evil. Black and white.
It's very grey. And that means acknowledging that today's good can easily become tomorrow's evil if we aren't careful. And that people are more than just what we may personally see as good and evil.
Blake's eyes widened as it hit her. Justice...it's not just about good and evil, isn't it professor? Because good and evil...those terms and their meaning change so often in the hands of different people. Justice is stepping back and seeing the evil in every person, regardless of their species, so that you can fight to preserve the good in everyone else. It's about looking past our own biases and doing what's right, not what we think is 'good.'
That's how you fight for your justice...isn't it professor? Blake noted. I spent so much of last night wondering how you can fight for a world that curses your very existence. But now I think I know why. Because you're able to look past yourself and your own feelings and opinions. And that allows you to fight all kinds of evil, for the sake of all the good.
Professor...I'll do everything I can to become a model student that you can be proud of...so when this is over...please keep teaching me, because it's clear I still have much to learn.
But first thing's first...it's time I win this fight. And I will win this fight...because I have teammates who are counting on me, friends who have looked past my own 'evils' and have loved me dearly.
"Dollie!" Blake declared loudly, making the member of Team GLDN freeze in place, shocked by the sudden loud declaration. "I will beat you!"
"The fuck do you get off saying that?" Dollie demanded. "You can't even see me! I'm invincible inside of my Dollhouse you idiot!"
That's right, I can't see her because she used her Semblance to wipe away my sight. Blake remembered. Wait, but Dollie said she could remove all my senses if she wanted to, right?
I can still hear her...and I can definitely still feel every blow she delivers, Aura notwithstanding…
Blake's eyes widened. That's it! This is definitely going to be a reckless plan, but I have no choice!
I'm seeing this fight through until the end. That's what it means...to have resolve!
"TAKE THIS!" Dollie screamed, hitting Blake with another slash from her kukri knife.
Then, much to Dollie's shock. Blake suddenly grabbed her arm and gripped it hard. "What?!" Dollie yelled in surprise.
"Found you." Blake said before slashing upwards, striking at Dollie's Aura.
Dollie's eyes widened as her Aura flickered dangerously, becoming visible for a moment. This was the one major downside. Using Dollhouse consumed a lot of her Aura. So if she were somehow hit, she was in major trouble.
"How did you…"
"Your biggest mistake was at the very start of this fight." Blake revealed, switching Gambol Shroud to its gun mode with one hand. "You didn't take away my hearing and touch. If I had to guess, I'd say you wanted me to hear how much you hated me. And you wanted me to feel it too."
"From there, it just became a matter of being willing to stand there and wait for you to strike first. That way, I could know exactly where you were."
Bullshit! This coward had the guts to take an attack head on just to find me? Dollie could not believe it.
"To be honest, Dollie, I'm grateful to you. I needed to work up the resolve to stand and fight without falling back on my Semblance to run away when the going got tough." Blake admitted. "And I certainly can't deny I needed to hear your grief."
"Because that strengthened my determination as well."
And with that, Blake blasted Dollie point blank with Gambol Shroud. Dollie screamed in terror and pain as her Aura became visible, desperately trying to protect her from Blake's attacks. No! No! No! My Aura's going to shatter if I don't drop Dollhouse! Dollie frantically noted. Aww shit! I haven't dropped Dollhouse to continue the fight in so long!
But still...if I don't, I'm going to lose this fight for sure! Dollie narrowed her eyes as she mentally prepped herself for what was about to happen. This damn bitch. She thinks she's the only one here with determination?
I'll show her I've got plenty in spades!
Then, in an instant, Dollhouse dissipated. Blake gasped in shock, taking her finger off the trigger and allowing Dollie to repel her with a kick, putting some distance between the two of them.
From the stands, Yang and Weiss gasped at the sight. "Holy shit, Blake and that other chick look terrible." Yang noted.
Hansel folded his arms. "Well, whatever was happening, she got Grass to drop that Semblance of hers. The fight is even now."
Blake and Dollie looked to the side and saw that both their Auras were now in the red. "I really wasn't expecting you to drop your Semblance." Blake admitted.
"You may have determination, but I've got even more, Blake Belladonna." Dollie growled. "No way in hell am I going to lose to some bitch who just now found a pair!"
"Still, you doled out some major damage." Dollie noted. "I've got just enough in the tank to make one last push. And it looks like you're the same, right?"
Blake nodded, switching Gambol Shroud back to its katana form. "Oh, you're going to fight me head on?" Dollie asked.
"You plan to do the same." Blake noted. "And besides, I doubt I can catch you, unless it's a point blank shooting."
"Then, I guess if this were Vacuo...one of us would have to yell 'draw.'" Dollie grinned. "But fuck that, I'm coming right at you!"
Dollie dug her heels into the ground and then immediately began sprinting towards Blake. Blake, however, calmly stood in place with her hand on Gambol Shroud's hilt. I know enough about her Semblance. She uses those shadow clones to take the hit for her, beating her opponents with sneak attacks and misdirections. Dollie remembered from the footage at the Vytal Festival.
That won't work though. I'll make it seem like I'm attacking, but in reality, I'll be waiting to see where the real Blake will end up. When she moves for real, I will do the same and cut her down!
Dollie was now nearing Blake, who still had not made a move. Come on, make your move! Still nothing. Damn it, hurry and use your stupid shadow clone Semblance!
You will run, damn you! That's all you can do! You will play right into my hand! Especially after all the mental prep it took to leave the safety of Dollhouse!
Dollie was now right in front of Blake. "Dodge, damn you!" Dollie screamed.
In that moment, Dollie hesitated to attack Blake because she just did not know what the cat Faunus was planning. All her planning to attack Blake as soon as she made a move, but as soon as Blake showed she was not going to move the way Dollie wanted her, Dollie found herself unable to act.
A swift draw of Gambol Shroud. Blake stepped behind Dollie, who's Aura shattered around her. Dollie's eyes went wide for a moment before stumbling forward and collapsing to the ground, where she lay motionless.
The official ran over to Dollie and checked her. He quickly raised his hand and made the call. "Dollie Grass is unable to continue! The winner is Blake Belladonna!"
"Alright!" Yang forgot her shock at the state the two girls were in to cheer for her best friend's victory.
Weiss cheered as well while Zwei yiped with glee. The rest of the arena was simply silent, shocked by the battle that they barely got to see. Gra Steinn heaved a sigh as he rose from his seat to prepare for the battle. Truth be told, he knew that was going to happen as soon as Blake outed herself as a Faunus. Dollie's track record against fighting Faunus was simply terrible. She cannot even beat Neon Katt.
"Dollie you damn fool." He muttered. "You lost focus again and it cost us. You're lucky that my win gives the whole team the win."
Blake calmly sheathed Gambol Shroud. She looked over at her teammates and smiled at their happy faces. Then she looked at Hansel, who was simply expressionless. Then, he nodded curtly at her and mouthed 'A-' to her.
Blake smiled and nodded right back. She took one last look at Dollie and her expression softened. Perhaps one day...we can have a more honest and peaceful conversation. I still dream of justice...and I think it starts with people like you...who've also suffered.
And with that, Blake exited the arena to rejoin her teammates. Shortly after, medics arrived to take Dollie to Nurse Sclater. Then, with both combatants having left the field, the next announcement was made over the intercom.
"Will Ruby Rose and Gra Steinn please report to the arena for their match? Ruby Rose, Gra Steinn, please report to the arena for their match."
Gra grinned as he made his way down to the arena. That grin was immediately wiped away when he saw Flynt Coal, who was gazing at him with a look of concern. "What?"
"Gra, man, just keep it clean, alright?" Flynt requested. "Those RWBY girls, they're good girls man. She deserves a clean fight."
"You wound me, Flynt, I always fight fair. My style isn't meant for fighting dirty."
"I ain't talking about just the fight, Flynt. That girl's got a dream just like you do. You gotta respect her." Flynt told him. "I know you. We both grew up in Mantle. We both grew up hating the men on top. But those girls on Team RWBY, they're self-made girls, people you once dreamt of becoming like."
Gra narrowed his eyes. "Gra, come on man, do it for me." Flynt pleaded. "After all we've been through together, at least keep it clean and respectful for your best bud."
Gra sighed. "Flynt, you are still my best friend." He admitted. "But...nobody gets to the top in this world without stepping on others."
"Life is a race to the top, a competition. And the winners get to live carefree, happy lives." Gra reminded Flynt. "And to make my ambition to get to the top a reality, I'll step on that little brat as many times as I have to."
Flynt sighed as Gra walked past him. It was worth a shot. Best of luck, Rubes. You've got your work cut out for you with this one.
Meanwhile, back with Team RWBY, Yang frowned slightly as she heard the conversations about her sister's upcoming fight with Gra. "Gra's got this in the bag, no way that Rose girl is going to get past his defenses."
"Dude's the best shot in the entire school. He's totally got this."
"They're still not giving us much of a chance, huh?" Yang noted.
"Don't be so surprised," Hansel folded his arms, "every single fight is a different matter. You three earned your respect through your victories, now your leader has to do the same."
"She will be here, right?" Weiss asked.
"I trust your sister to wake her up and get her here on time." Hansel responded without hesitation.
Blake then arrived. Zwei almost leapt out of Yang's bag at the sight. "Sweet fighting Blake...even though we could only see the end." Yang complimented.
Blake smiled slightly and nodded. She was still reeling from everything Dollie had thrown at her emotionally, but she would put on a brave and happy face for her friends. She then turned her attention to Hansel. "Professor," she said, "I take it that was the answer you were looking for?"
Hansel nodded knowingly. Blake nearly sat down, thinking that was all she would get. Then her eyes widened when Hansel actually spoke up. "Well done, Belladonna," he praised, "with that, you're now starting to act like a true Huntress."
Blake sank into her seat, shocked that Hansel was actually genuinely praising her. "Huh?" Yang gasped. "High praise for her and not for us?"
"She took a big step." Hansel responded simply. "She earned very high praise. Now shut up and let's watch your sister fight."
Gra stepped out first. "She's not here." Weiss deadpanned.
"She will be." Hansel said firmly.
Then they heard the familiar frantic screaming. Then a burst of red petals suddenly blasted through the stands, going right over the railing at the front row and landing on the other side of the arena.
"See." Hansel said in a tone of voice that almost seemed smug to the rest of Team RWBY.
Just a bit earlier, Winter Schnee was sitting next to a sleeping Ruby Rose, who was sleeping on a couch in the teacher's lounge. Winter let out a hum slightly, gazing at the time on her scroll. "That fight between Belladonna and Grass should be over by now. I'll just wake her up."
Winter walked over to Ruby and began to gently shake her awake. "Ruby," she said softly, "Ruby, wake up."
"Mmm...five more minutes...mom…" Ruby muttered.
Winter blushed in embarrassment at someone who was just under a decade her junior calling her mom. She quickly shook off her embarrassment. "Ruby, you have a fight to win. Wake up."
Ruby seemed to stir awake at the mention of a fight and leaned up, stretching. Her eyes then widened in realization. "Umm...did I call you mom?"
"Yes, yes you did." Winter nodded.
"Ugh…" Ruby buried her face in her hands at this. "Kill me now."
"I'm afraid that'll have to wait, Ruby. You have a fight to win." Winter reminded her.
Ruby took in her surroundings. "Where are we?" She asked.
"You're in the teacher's lounge." Winter told her. "Your professor brought you here after you two stayed up all night training. Honestly, that was a bit reckless on his part. And after I had so much praise for him yesterday, too."
"Oh, that was on me, actually." Ruby admitted with an embarrassed blush. "I was the one who insisted we kept at it."
Winter sighed. "And why did you recklessly insist on pulling an allnighter training for your teacher?"
"...I wanted to land at least one hit on him." Ruby replied.
Winter gave Ruby a deadpan expression. She then sighed again. "Never mind that. You should get going. There's no doubt in my mind your teammate won her match, so now it's up to you to close things out for your team. Get going, Ruby."
"Yeah, okay." Ruby shot to her feet, grabbing Crescent Rose from a coffee table. "Thanks a lot, Specialist!"
With that, Ruby disappeared into rose petals, speeding out of the teacher's lounge towards the arena. Winter sighed. "That girl," she muttered before chuckling, "still, with how much she clearly wants to improve, I can see how she's managed to earn Weiss' loyalty and respect."
Winter then let out a light gasp. "Ah, I should've asked her if she actually did manage to land a hit on Professor Kobalt. That would've been a nice little tidbit of info to learn."
Winter let out a hum as she took out her scroll again. "As much as I'd love to watch that girl win, I should pick up the slack for the professor in his investigation..."
Back in the present, Ruby rematerialized as she stared down Gra Steinn. Gra laughed a little at the sight of her. "Well," he said, "you certainly know how to make an entrance."
"I wasn't late, was I?" Ruby asked Gra and the referee.
"No, you were right on time." The referee shook his head.
"For what it's worth, I would've asked this man to extend your time." Gra admitted.
"Oh, thank you." Ruby smiled.
"Because I wanted to make sure everyone watching this fight would see you be humiliated by the best this school has to offer."
"Oh." Ruby's smile immediately vanished at that statement.
"Well, I mean, I have no choice but to humiliate you, Ruby." Gra smiled brightly. "After all, your teammates beat up mine. So I have to pick up the slack and make up for their screw ups."
Ruby shook her head and readied Crescent Rose. "Sorry Gra, but I'm going to win this fight. You say you have to pick up the slack for your teammates. Well, I say I can't let my friends' efforts go to waste."
Gra frowned at Ruby's confidence as he drew his weapon, a simple bow that lacked a bow string.
As the two leaders of their respective teams stared each other down, getting ready for battle, Flynt took a seat next to Hansel and the rest of Team RWBY. "Yo." He said in a half-hearted tone of voice.
"Hey there, Flynt, what's up?" Yang asked, her focus still mainly on her sister.
"Nothing much...you've been doing pretty well, beating Team GLDN. Nobody was really giving ya much of a chance." Flynt noted.
"Well, being the underdogs motivated us." Weiss replied.
"Underdogs...yeah…" Flynt sighed. That word certainly struck a chord with him. "Listen, I'm really sorry about Gra."
"Why do you feel like you have to apologize for him?" Blake asked.
"Because Gra and I grew up together. We were best friends." Flynt admitted. "I understand him better than anyone, even his own teammates."
"You were his best friend?" Weiss was surprised at this. "But you're so...chill."
"And he has no chill." Yang frowned.
"Well...that may come from how Gra grew up." Flynt admitted.
"What do you mean?" Weiss asked.
"Gra and I grew up in Mantle. My pop owned a Dust Shop, but Gra's parents...well, they were trouble. It got to the point where he spent more time at our place than his own." Flynt explained. "His parents both got run out of their respective jobs by the good folks of Atlas. And honestly, rightfully so. Both of them were pretty rotten."
"Both Gra and me...we had every reason to hate Atlas." Flynt acknowledged. "But Gra...the opposite happened. He started to envy the people of Atlas...covet what they had. He wanted the life they had so he could get away from his awful parents."
"But Gra, he was never the same after he started coveting what the people of Atlas had. He's...well, what you see now."
"So he turned all that envy and hate into a drive to get stronger." Hansel noted.
"I mean...if you want to put it like that." Flynt shrugged.
"And do you think Rose can overcome that?" Hansel asked.
"Honestly? I don't." Flynt sighed. "Gra's earned his rep as one of the strongest students in the school. And Ruby's Semblance...it just doesn't match with his."
Weiss, Yang and Blake fell silent at this. Hansel shook his head. "Can't be a Huntress if you can't overcome a bad matchup." He claimed.
"You think she can win." Flynt noted. "Because she's your student right?"
"I believe she can win because she has no choice but to win." Hansel replied, silencing Flynt. "And besides, if there's one thing I can sincerely praise her for though…"
"Begin!" The ref yelled.
"...Is her sheer determination." Hansel revealed as Ruby leapt right at Gra.
I don't know what this guy can do...but he probably knows all of my tricks from the Vytal Festival. Ruby noted, moving to swing Crescent Rose. I need to make the first move, and end it quick!
Gra smirked and held up a single hand. "Appear, Stone Wall!"
Gra's entire body was suddenly enveloped in a spherical gray barrier. Ruby's Crescent Rose collided harmlessly with the gray barrier as Gra quickly moved his hand to the spot where Crescent Rose collided. "A defensive Semblance?" Weiss was surprised.
"Gra's Semblance, Stone Wall, the student body's ultimate shield." Flynt explained. "I can't even break through it with the full force of Killer Quartet. The only time I've seen it crack is when he spars against Nezha."
Ruby let out a yell of surprise as she suddenly felt the blowback from her own attack force her away from Gra. "Now, let's get started, Silver Yew." He grinned as a golden bowstring suddenly formed along the bow.
"Wait, that's Dust!" Weiss exclaimed.
"Then how he's going to shoot at her will be…" Blake trailed off as Gra, wearing black gloves, grabbed onto the golden string and pulled it back. A golden arrow that crackled with electricity appeared.
"The arrow is made of Dust too!" Yang exclaimed.
"A bow that uses Dust to form its arrows. That's such an incredible design." Weiss complimented.
"Dodge this, Ruby Rose!" Gra exclaimed as he let the electric arrow fly from his bow. He quickly formed another arrow as the first shot moved towards Ruby.
Ruby quickly turned into rose petals and sped away from the first shot. As the petals suddenly slowed down, Gra fired off his second arrow. The key to fighting a fast opponent is to aim your attacks where they will be...not where they are.
Ruby rematerialized, trying to take aim and shoot at Gra, only for the second shot to strike her right in the ankle. Ruby screamed as electricity coursed through her body from the point of impact. Gra quickly created a third arrow.
The next shot will go right at her shoulder. I'd take her out with a shot to the chest, but the electric shocks could stop her heart. And I'd need time to switch cartridges. I can't give her the chance to try and break through Stone Wall. She might…
Gra was cut from her thoughts as he heard the sound of gunfire. He quickly raised his hand, moving it in level with Crescent Rose's bullet as it bounced harmlessly off of his barrier. He looked over at Ruby in surprise. The petite girl was gritting her teeth, holding up Crescent Rose to fire at him.
This girl...her pain tolerance is…bah, it almost makes me want to gamble shooting her in the chest.
Ruby got up to her feet, only to wince slightly. The arrow itself had not damaged her, but the electricity seemed to have given her a bit of a ruthless shock. Her Aura should fix that up in a jiffy.
I can't let him fire off more of those arrows of his. Those actually hurt!
Ruby fired off several shells from Crescent Rose. Gra's eyes widened and held his hands in front of each shell, allowing them to bounce harmlessly off of the barrier.
Hansel's eyes widened slightly. So that's what it is… He noted.
Gra regained his composure and smirked at Ruby. "You can shoot a hundred of those, but my win's already guaranteed, Rose."
"That's big talk coming from a guy hiding behind his little barrier." Ruby countered.
Gra scowled. "Big talk coming from a girl who only knows how to run around in rose petals." He growled. "I'm not going to let you stand in the way of my goals."
"I've got goals too you know." Ruby countered.
"Oh, yes, your little self-righteous rants about how we're all on the same team, we're all trying to save the world and all that jazz." Gra rolled his eyes. "Like I'd lose to a little girl with 'little girl goals' like yours."
"Oh, and your goals are better than mine?" Ruby narrowed her eyes.
"Why is she trying to talk to a prick like him?" Yang spat. "Seriously, the more I hear his stupid voice, the more I want to just march down and punch him in his stupid face."
"She's trying to keep him talking." Blake noted. "She's trying to stall so that she can figure out how to fight that Semblance of his."
"Nobody's been able to figure out Gra's Semblance." Flynt shook his head. "Nezha pretty much has to brute force his way into damaging that barrier."
Flynt looked over at Hansel. "So, Teach, be honest with me, do you honestly think Ruby can beat Gra?"
Hansel remained silent, thinking back to his training with Ruby last night.
She had been knocked over yet again, having taken another brutal slap from Hansel's Wolf Fang. "Ow…" she was whining. "Why do you keep slapping me with the flat end?"
"It's my way of 'killing' you without actually killing you." Hansel had replied. "That's the tenth time I've 'killed' you."
Ruby was grumbling in frustration. "You jerk, you're going way harder than you did in the Neverland Gorge."
"Well yeah, this time I'm preparing you for an actual fight with an extremely skilled student. I have to go harder if you want a chance to win." Hansel was defending his actions with the greatest of ease.
Ruby was still grumbling. With how badly she was doing against him, she definitely did not feel ready. Hansel then heaved a sigh. "Don't give me that look. Contrary to what you may think, you've actually been doing fine."
"I have?"
"Yeah, you're going to do fine against Gra tomorrow. You've been lasting longer and longer every time I 'killed' you." Hansel had pointed out to her. "Now that we've started adding new tricks to your arsenal, and you've definitely taken those lessons to heart, we can start building up your strength and your Aura."
"Huh?"
"Make no mistake, Rose, if I was going all out, I'd have you in the infirmary again." Hansel had told her. "So, I have to hold back just enough to bring you to the brink, allow you to recover and then try again."
"During the first attempt, you lasted five seconds. The second time was just under 30 seconds. The third time you lasted a full minute. Every single time you got back up, you lasted longer and longer."
"Some Huntsmen and their Aura grow from difficult trials and challenges. It's actually a big reason why we hold the Vytal Festival, to pick out those kinds of Huntsmen-in-training." Hansel had explained.
"Huh? Why do only some of them grow that way?"
"Because Aura is life energy, the soul. Every person in this world is different, Rose. That means, every person's soul 'matures' in different ways. That was why I needed Belladonna to face her identity head on. For her soul to mature, which would subsequently strengthen her as a Huntress."
"And what about me? What causes my soul to mature?"
"Exactly this. Experiencing difficult trials and challenges, and keeping the determination to persevere through each of them."
Hansel had then heaved a sigh. "What a pain, your soul matures just like mine. No wonder Professor Ozpin is so insistent on me being the perfect teacher for you."
"Anyway, the point is, you've gotten even stronger from this. So let's just call it a night and get some rest."
"NO WAY!"
"Huh?"
"I don't want to stop yet! If I really can get stronger like this then let's keep going!"
"There's no reason for you to keep going, you idiot. You need to get some sleep. A healthy lifestyle is key to growth as well, ya know. And I'm sure you don't want to be some pintsized runt forever."
Ruby's cheeks had puffed out at that statement. "Meanie!" She had snapped, readying Crescent Rose for another round. "Just for that, now I really want to continue!"
"Oh crap…" Hansel then realized he might have said the wrong thing.
"I'm not going to stop, Professor! Not until I land a hit on you, like I did in Neverland Gorge! Like I did on your first day!" Ruby had then declared. "I can't become the Huntress I want to be...if I can't even challenge you!"
"Teach?" Flynt asked, trying to get Hansel's attention.
Hansel was shaken from his thoughts by Flynt's voice. He then remembered what he had asked and nodded. "I do."
"You have faith in Ruby?" Yang was surprised. "That's a first."
"Oh shut up." Hansel glared at Yang. "Anyway, just watch. If any of you are having doubts, she'll surprise you soon."
If she's getting him to keep talking, that'll give her time to figure out how to beat that Semblance. I figured it out Rose, so you have no excuse.
"Well, of course my goals are better than yours. Because my goal sets me up to live the best, most comfortable life possible!" Gra smugly declared.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ruby narrowed her eyes.
"Just what it sounds like!" Gra replied. "A ranking officer in the Atlesian Army is set for life. A constant pension, the admiration of the people for your years of service, and a cushy little home in this castle on the clouds."
"That's what you're after?" Ruby could not believe how hedonistic this guy sounded.
"What, you think I became a Huntsman so I could throw my life away in an unwinnable war?" Gra scowled. "Bullshit, I ain't dying like that. I've got far bigger plans for myself."
"I'm going to rise through the ranks of the Atlesian Army, until I can live a comfy life as a ranking officer, and then retire with my pension." Gra clenched his fists. "I won't have to worry about money again! Or security! None of that! I'll be a winner! I'll show those two that their boy became more than they ever could have hoped to be."
"And what about the people of Remnant?" Ruby demanded. "We have a duty to them, right?"
"Keep your self-righteous bullshit to yourself!" Gra yelled.
"I'll put in the hours I need, but I don't owe the people of Remnant a damn thing! I grew up a rat in Mantle after all! They didn't give a shit about me before, so why should I now?"
"If they won't let people like me in that sweet, sweet, carefree life of theirs, then I'll just have to step over everyone I have to get my own piece of it!" Gra declared. "I refuse to die as nothing more than a filthy rat! I'm going to be a king, just like the people of Atlas!"
"So you see, Rose, it's nothing personal!" Gra admitted. "You're just a stepping stone! And I'm moving up!"
Yang, Weiss and Blake looked down at Ruby, wondering how she was going to respond to that. Honestly, they were all expecting her to start yelling at him for how wrong he was. Give some speech on the importance of heroics. However, Ruby instead took a deep breath and crouched down.
"Going for a direct assault again? You're wasting your time!" Gra yelled, readying Silver Yew.
Ruby transformed into rose petals and began flying towards Gra at a rapidly increasing pace. That won't work! I'll just blast her out of the sky with Silver Yew's thunderbolt arrows!
Gra fired off a single arrow. Then, the rose petals suddenly split apart, shocking Gra. WHAT? But she didn't have that trick during the Vytal Festival!
The rose petals harmlessly formed back up after moving past the thunderbolt. Then, much to Gra's shock, Ruby returned to her human form. She pointed Crescent Rose behind her and started firing off shots to pick up even more speed and momentum.
Gra's eyes widened in realization. Shit! She's trying to pick up momentum to create an even stronger attack! He quickly placed Silver Yew on his back and held both hands out in front of him.
Ruby then moved the blade of Crescent Rose out in front of her just as the blade collided with the barrier. I've stopped the attack and now-
Gra then gasped as he was swept off his feet. The barrier was now flying backwards, taking Gra with him. No way, she used the strength of her momentum to sweep me off my feet!
But still, as long as I keep both my hands up like this, feeding my Aura into the barrier at the front of it, I can still protect myself from any attack, no matter how strong! I've still got this!
Then, Gra remembered he was going backwards. In an arena. Where there was a wall between him and the participants. Oh no. Gra realized what Ruby's real plan was. OH NO!
Ruby was not trying to break his barrier from the front. She was going to shatter it from behind. I...I won't make it in time!
Indeed, just as Gra came to that realization, Stone Wall hit the wall behind him. Then, much to the shock of everyone watching this match, Stone Wall shattered from behind. Gra hit the wall just as the rest of his barrier shattered. Then things went from bad to worse. With the barrier no longer protecting him, Ruby drove the blunt-end of Crescent Rose right into his chest.
The impact made Gra's head smack into the wall as well. He let out a soundless cry before slumping to the ground. Everyone in the arena fell dead silent at the sight before them. Even Ruby's teammates were stunned.
Hansel folded his arms, now remembering how the final hour of his training with Ruby last night went.
The tip of Crescent Rose's blade was pointed at Hansel's forehead. Hansel's eyes were wide in shock. She did it. She actually did it. The girl looked like she would collapse at any moment, but she did it.
Ruby panted heavily before forcing a smile. "You see, Professor?" She had said with that smile of hers. "You can do anything...if you don't...give...up…"
With that, Ruby collapsed onto her side. Hansel was then cut from his shock when he heard light snoring from the young girl. "Seriously, this girl…" he muttered.
Ruby Rose stared down at Gra, giving him a small glare. "I'm not like you, Gra." She declared. "I'm not interested in becoming a Huntress for some cushy position...a lot of money...or an easy life."
"I'm becoming a Huntress, to be like the heroes in the stories...to be like my mother!"
The ref ran over, taking note of Gra's unconscious form. "Gra Steinn is unable to continue! The winner is Ruby Rose!"
There was no sound. Nobody had even expected Ruby's victory, let alone for it to happen so quickly. "She beat him." Flynt muttered in disbelief. "She actually beat him."
Ruby then looked up at her teammates and her teacher. Her eyes fell on Hansel, who was gazing down at her with an emotionless expression on his face. Then, she let out a gasp as the expression on Hansel's face changed.
Hansel Kobalt gave Ruby a small smile of pride. He nodded in recognition of her victory. Ruby could only smile right back. She had done it. She had gotten her teacher to recognize her efforts.
It was at this moment, Ruby truly felt like she took a step forward in her dream...
A.N: So I guess the first big question I have to answer is: why did I have two big fights in one chapter. Because these were meant more for character development than anything else. Especially with Blake.
Next question, why did I have that section on how to grow Aura. I mean, I had to do something to add some actual rules and world-building for Aura (and just in general, honestly). You would not believe the amount of times I had to rewrite and revise the rules in that conversation just to make sure it wasn't too OP for everyone in the world. I'm honestly happy with how I settled on it being dependent on people's personalities (souls).
And finally, Ruby's Semblance. It's time I acknowledge how they talked about her Semblance in Volume 8. Time to be blunt. I hated it. Why would you think giving your main character such an OP power that's basically a Logia Devil Fruit was a good idea? I thought it worked better when it was just super speed. But, of course, I like the whole splitting apart thing, as long as it's a move that basically is cast from 'MP', and not the default state of her Semblance.
This brings me to another point: how do you think RWBY views conflict? Because honestly, after Volume 8, I'm beginning to think that conflict to them is not something for characters to grow from (like it should be, especially in an anime-inspired show). Rather, to them, conflict is something to show off how awesome and perfect the characters are. That only works if you're showing off your characters with a new move (Straw Hats and Fishman Island, Naruto vs. Kakuzu or Pain, etc.)
But yeah, I definitely took a lot of inspiration from Black Clover for the second half, namely Asta, Yuno and Sekke. I don't have a problem admitting that. Nothing wrong with using a skeleton and try to build something of my own from it. Like how Gra is a bit more sympathetic than Sekke ever could be. In the end, Gra's a guy who lived a rough life and became hedonistic for it.
Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I'll see you all next time. Hopefully the next chapter will be shorter.