I don't own RWBY or Escape the Night.
Months before the guest arrived
The view opens up on a dark carnival of sorts. There, hundreds of visitors came to attend the show. Not for mystical or astounding sights. But to bicker and mock the freaks. Not all of them are Faunas. Inside one tent, was a hulk of a man with a hideous face. He could do nothing more then to growl and hiss as he wanders back in nervous terror. Suddenly the ring master dressed in his dapper suit and top hat walked on into the freaks tent.
"The crowd is waiting." The Ring Master said with a sadistic smile. The hulk of a man growls in response. Course that angered the Ring Master. He walked up to the hulk of a man. Despite being smaller than him the ugly man seemed visible terrified by him. "Did you hear me, you freak? Go out there now, or I will make you suffer."
The ugly man whimpers in protest but with a shout, "Do it!" the creature walked on out to his position.
The Ring Master followed. They watched as the clowns struggled to entertain the crowed. After failing to amuse the crowed, the Ring Master walked on stage. "Ha, Ha. What a shallow performance. But now, for the main event, the behemoth from beyond. Sam!"
The Ring Master got off the stage and allowed the ugly man up on stage. He went about his act, flexing his muscles but the crowed didn't care. The moment he made the first flex was the moment he was pelted with peanut shells. The crowd booed and hissed and sneered at the ugly man till one woman shouted something horrid.
"Get off the stage, freak!" She shouted as she shucked a mud pie at him.
That set the big guy off. Leaping off the stage he raced over to the woman and begin strangling her. The crowed screamed in horror as he snapped her neck and tossed her limp body aside. Realizing what he had done and fearing punishment he quickly raced out of the tent. The crowed in a panic, the Ring Master quickly got on stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's all part of the show. It's all part of the show, relax." He shouted to crowed. Causing them to calm down as a few of his workers discreetly get rid of the body. Meanwhile, the giant was hiding by an empty lion's cage. He had killed that woman. Now the Ring Master will punish him. He cried sorrowfully waiting for the inevitable when someone approached him. The stranger spoke but not in a voice that the freak recognized.
"They mock what they don't understand… but I know what you are." The voice spoke. The freak looked up to see a man dressed in a dark robe and wearing a haunting bird mask. He knelt beside the giant and held out his hand.
"You're a god living among mortals. Let me take you to a place that truly understands that." The masked man offered. The monstrous creature looked at his hand before looking up at the Bird mask. Hesitantly, he took it. Upon doing it the scene goes dark and a loud roar from him can be heard.
Currently in the Lounge of the manner. 8 hours to Sun Rise.
A loud thunderous roar can be heard echoing through the house. This brings the scene back to the foyer. After Ruby had set the relic atop the mantle, a series of roars echoed throughout the house. Causing everyone to go into a panic as they tried to guess what in the hell was that noise. The roars got louder as the seven remaining kids gather in a circle looking around frantically. Normally they be able to handle even the simplest of Grim bear handed even. Yet no one had any weapons… or aura. Semblance is non-existent. Along with that they have no idea what kind of monster will they be facing. And seeing what they just went through, there is some doubt that they can even fight this thing.
"Penny, what was that?" Ruby asked looking around frantically.
"I… I have no idea. Never heard an animal like that before." Penny said as she looked around the room. "Doesn't sound like a grim or any human related species."
"Or any animal." Blake added as her Faunas enhanced eyes darted around the room. "Maybe we should carry on with caution."
"Yeah. Don't want to fight this thing without our big guns." Sun muttered to himself.
After a few moments the roaring stopped and the group slowly eased themselves. Looking around they found that nothing had changed. It took them a few moments to be at ease before Ruby recalled something.
"Hey Sun, Ruby. Did any of you two find any clues in that room?" Weiss asked as her eyes still dart around.
"Um, yeah. Just this." Sun said producing a strange parchment. The group looked down at it and found it to be a half Leinen admission's card. No clues besides what was on the back was found. Scribbled on the back was the word, "Round and around the room we go."
"Huh… so do we look for something round?" Jaune asked.
"Like a record player?" Nora asked pointing to the record player. Penny quickly inspected it but found no signs of any clues.
"Hmm… maybe the phone?" Weiss suggested pointing to the phone. Ruby quickly inspected it and found nothing.
"Maybe a toilet?" Jaune suggest. Only to get a disgusted glare from everyone. This prompted him to explain himself. "What? When you flush it the water spins around… I'm just spit balling ideas at this point."
As dumb as the idea is. The group agreed that they had no idea where to look for. So they spread out. Searching for everything round that they can find. Checking heaters, fans, pots, even Jaune checked out the toilets for safe measures. Didn't found anything till Sun pushed aside a lamp that had a leaflet sticking under the lamp by a piece of gum. He called out to everyone and they quickly approach him.
"Listen to this guys. The carnival is coming to town. Follow your nose to the show." Sun read aloud before turning to everyone. "What does that mean?"
Everyone begins murmuring to themselves when Nora noticed something. It was a faint with but she was sure of it. "Hey guys. Do you smell that. Smells like breakfast."
Everyone turns their noses up. Surprisingly Nora was somewhat right. There was something oddly breakfast-y in the air. It took Ruby a moment to realize what it was. Oranges. The smell was oranges. Upon screaming the answered did they realize what they had to do. The group traverse the first floor. Looking for the clue using their noses it took them ten minutes till they came to a cabinet with a brass balance scale on top. Ruby noticing something off quickly grabs a chair to look over. Much to her surprise she see's multiple orange skins laying about on top of the cabinet. Along with a brightly colored Box.
"Hey guys, check it out!" Ruby shouted pointing to the box.
"Splendid find Ruby!" Penny said with excitement.
"How have we missed this?" Jaune asked.
"Don't know. Half the time I'm honestly surprise we haven't noticed this freaky stuff." Nora responded.
"Regardless can someone grab it. I much rather get out of here then discuss the details of our bad vision." Weiss remarks, while feeling slight annoyed that she missed such a detail as well.
Sun wanting to quickly end this nightmare as well, quickly reaches up and pulled down the box. He then carried it back to Foyer. It was a strange box. A mixture of decaying red and white stripes line the side. Despite it having hinges he couldn't open it up. However there was a slit at the top. It took everyone a moment to realize that it was a ticket box. Sun at the advice of Weiss put the ticket into the box. Upon doing so the roars begin again causing the group to panic, however it was Blake's scream in horror that caught their attention. The box had open and inside was Blakes deepest fear. A clown, more accurately clown masks.
"What the hell Blake?" Nora asked.
"Clowns… I hate clowns." Blake said with a stutter at the sight of clown mask.
"As ridiculous as that is. I will have to agree, these clown mask's are… unsettling." Weiss concurred with Blake.
"Hey, is that a note?" Sun pointed out. Right beside the two haunting clown masks was a note beside them. Along with a parchment attached to lid.
Weiss picking up the parchment it reads. "Now you see me. Now you don't. Time is not forever. Time runs out. You share is only one sixth of an hour not a moment longer."
"One sixth an hour that's… 40 minutes?" Ruby asked.
"No, that's ten minutes." Weiss corrected.
"So someone has to wear this hideous thing for ten minutes?" Blake asked completely scared stiff by the mask.
"I have no idea, maybe for something important?" Weiss said with a shrug.
"Well, maybe the thing on the box will explain what there for." Jaune suggested.
Turning their attention to the box Weiss read the following. "The Guardian is awake it's rage can tear asunder both tree and mountain. There is a melody that is played when horses run in a circle that will summon the ring leader and his cursed carnival. His whip and wit has the power to subdue the monster. The first key to unlocking the horses waits in the river that flows to the sky on the back of the estate grounds."
"River that flows to the sky? Ugh, I hate riddles." Nora complains.
"Yeah well, least whoever wrote this gave an idea where to search this time." Sun stated.
"Still doesn't explain the mask." Blake said not taking an eye off them.
Just then, the Butler came around with a stamp letter in hand. "Excuse me, Ms. Rose. You were all in a rush to get this box out that you left this behind."
"Thanks Arthur." Ruby said with a smile as she takes the letter. She then opens it before reading the contents.
"For those who come across the house Guardian, I have mustered every hex and curse I know into a pair of twin clown masks. So that those who made it this far can use them to evade the monster. The two wearing the clown masks will be invisible to the Guardian and should search for clues. While this happens those without must hide from the Guardian past the grass line on the back of the estate. My wife had hexed two runes as barriers to prevent the guardian from crossing it. However, it has come at a price. Every five minutes a gong will sound and one of the masked wears must run to the exchange circle. Which presides in a ruin that my wife had burned into the ground. I'm sorry that it couldn't be closer but magic is neither of our forte. Once in this circle the mask wearer must remove their mask and place the mask on another guest. The Guardian patrols the grass-covered area. By the evil within the houses command the guardian won't kill the unfortunate souls still alive. It shall send them to the shadow realm. A pocket dimension where the evil dwells. If everyone is captured, the guardian shall recover the artifacts and you will have to go through the previous challenges again to collect them. We unfortunately failed; I doubt we will escape this damned place. But this shall be our saving grace. God speed. Cobalt Vasilias, Member of the Society." Ruby read aloud.
"Wait… Vasilias… isn't that Neptune's last name?" Jaune asked, everyone agreed on the strange name when suddenly the loud growl can be heard. This time from outside. They turn their heads to see the horrific monstrosity before them. A huge hulk of a man with a demented face, and sets of teeth like horns sticking out of its shoulder, arms, hands, and head. It growls some more before breaking down the window and racing in.
"Run, run!" Jaune Shouted as the guardian marches in.
The group quickly raced out with Ruby quickly racing over to snatch both masks. She just barely avoided getting snatched by the guardian before booking it out of there. The seven raced around back towards the trees. As Ruby was about to make it, an invisible force held her back. She see's that the two mask couldn't past her. The guardian was swiftly approaching her so Weiss raced over to help her.
"Ruby come on now is not the time to fool around!" Weiss shouted.
"I'm not fooling around. These masks don't want to come with me!" Ruby said struggling to pull.
As she pulls the guardian was on top of them. It swings down at the two. Quickly acting Ruby dives to the side, while Weiss was sadly too slow. The monster grabbed her with both hands at the waist. She screamed for help, unable to break free when suddenly the creature crushed her. Her body goes limp before dropped. Strangely enough a moment before hitting the ground her body turned into dust.
"Weiss!" Jaune called out to her. In a fit of panic, he was about to race over to her dusted body when Blake held her back.
"Jaune, she's fine. She's still alive!" Blake shouted.
"We don't know that!" Jaune shouted.
"Yeah but if we all get caught then we have to go through it all over again! Those deaths all of them in vain. Would you want that for Pyrrha?!" Sun asked as he pulled her back.
"Don't you dare say her name." Jaune snapped at Sun.
"Guy's forget about this Ruby's in trouble!" Penny shouted pointing out that Ruby was on the ground. Yet the guardian was focused on them not on her. It became apparent that when she dived to the side she had accidently slipped the mask. As she slowly pull herself to her feet, she spotted that she had dived onto a burnt part of grass. The burn mark resembling the same symbol as Neptunes cult.
"Guys, I figure out where to put on the mask!" Ruby shouted out. "Someone needs to get over here and put it on!"
"How are we going to do that! Dumb guardian is camping us!" Nora shouted earning a growl from the guardian.
"I don't know. Figure it out. I'm going to look around for the place in the riddle. Where the river that flows to the sky?" Ruby shouted as she sets the clown mask down and quickly raced around looking for the riddle.
As she looks around for the river that flows to the sky, the rest were trying to think of a plan to get the mask. Blake then came up with the idea to use herself as bait. She called out the guardian and tried to run around him. For a time it worked. Nora quickly raced on over and tossed on the mask. However before Blake could get back to the safe zone. She slipped on her heels. Falling down allowing for the creature to grab her. Like Weiss the creature broke her back, dusting her. As Sun screamed out to her, Ruby and Nora searched the entirety of the back yard. They couldn't find anything till a gong was heard five minutes in. While they didn't have to go back, Ruby chose to. She raced over to the steps and waited for someone to take the mask. Jaune decided to give this a chance so he got ready to run with Penny acting as a distraction. Penny ran free with the creature chasing after her. Jaune raced on over to Ruby and she set the mask on his face before racing to the safe zone.
Sadly the creature notice and raced over to grab Ruby. Penny seeing this raced forward. Just before the creature could grab Ruby. Penny dived in front of her. Pushing Ruby into the safe zone while the creature grabbed Penny. Ruby watches in Horror as the guardian twisted Penny's head a full 180 degree's. She dropped to the ground before turning to dust. The entire time this was happening, Nora had uncovered something. While looking in the tulips, she saw this bird bath fountain. Wondering if that was the riddle, she checked it, finding a key attached to a large key block. It had written on the side 'Pool House.' She raced over to the pool house and begin to unlock it. She was just about to unlock it when she heard something splashing behind her. Looking over she could have sworn she saw something in the pool. Just before she could check it out, Jaune raced over.
"Hey did you found something? Penny just been dusted and we need some good news." Jaune said as he raced on over.
"Um yeah. The key to the pool house." Nora explains as she unlocked the door.
"Good, cause we need this win." Jaune remarks as he enters inside.
"Yeah. Don't won't to watch another friend get buried." Nora said sorrowfully.
Jaune didn't had anything to respond to. Ren was his friend. And the idea of how he went was too much even for him. They quickly found this chest, reaching inside they removed another chest. And inside that one was another chest. By the time they reach the fifth chest did they found a lock. By the time they pulled it out it was Nora's turn to head back. She quickly got back and waited. Ruby then distracted as Sun raced on over to Nora. The Creature had spotted her and just before she could make it back the creature grabbed her arm. With a sudden flick, her entire arm bone was ripped from her socket. She fell screaming before turning to dust. That just left Ruby, Jaune, and Sun left.
Sun raced on down to the pool house to find Jaune looking at the lamps over handing. Quickly launching in to find out what's going on he asked Jaune. "What's the problem?"
"Um, the dumb box needs a code. I found these different numbers in the mirror, and in the lamp as well as that strange wooden plaque between them." Jaune remarks as he tried a different number of numbers but nothing seemed to be working.
"Maybe use the mirrors?" Sun suggested realizing a trick he'd play on his team using mirrors.
"What do you mean?" Jaune asked, failing to get the right combination again.
"Here I'll show you." Sun said as he held up a mirror with the roman number 2 written on the center. Holding it at an angle causes the reflection to give a reverse sight. Sure, enough the jumbled words spell Seven.
"Huh… wait. The lamp had that number on the side." Jaune pointed out.
"A Vale Numeral?" Sun asked.
"That and a regular one… so that means the code is… 3-7-4-8?" Jaune guessed.
Sun quickly inserted the number and sure enough that was the right combination. The check was unlocked and inside was a hand-held carousel. It was cranked but there was more to it on the bottom. Reading the instructions aloud it says, 'Stand on a circular stone platform next to the house. Raise the horses to the sky and let the melody play.'
The two knowing where the stone circle is they quickly raced on over to it. Ruby watches from afar as the two who have been more or less enemies this night, hold a small carousel above there heads. Soon after a somber melody begin to play. As the music played for ten seconds a whipping noise was heard behind the two. A large puff of smoke obscure everyone's view as two strangers walked on out of there.
"Come on, there's no need to hide in the wood! Everybody's welcome at the show!" The Ring Master shouted out as he whipped his whip. The two looked at each other before looking back at Ruby. They noticed right away that the Guardian seems visible terrified and focused on the Ring Master. "Come on! I promise I don't bite! Though my lovely assistant may. Ha ha!"
Ruby quickly made her way down to Sun and Jaune. The woman dressed in a scantily stage hand costume pulled out a small ball before tossing it on the ground. With a puff of smoke, there friends, all those who were caught by the guardian were there. Like nothing had happened. Relieved Ruby goes to hug Weiss and Penny, Jaune hugged Nora, and Sun hugging Blake. They were relieved to have everyone here. However there excitement soon thereafter ended when the Guardian approached. Everyone backed away in fear when the Ring Master Stomped on over to the guardian, visibly furious.
"You, come here and kneel before me you ungrateful runaway." The Ring Master demanded. Sure, enough it complied. It knelt down to its knees as the Ring Master got up into its face. "I made you into something people would travel miles to see and you threw it all away. There will be punishment."
The creature whimpers in fear, pitiful considering that not ten minutes ago that thing was ripping them to shreds. The Ring Master then turned to the others, and with a smug smile he remarks. "I think a celebration is in order!"
"Yes, celebrate!" The assistant said with excitement as she tosses confetti into the air.
"Ha, Ha! For the return of our beloved, Sam think thou, my esteemed guests. I ask you to join me in the evening of the thrilling bizarre, of the carnival, and the cast! Ha hah ah ha!" The Ring Master laughed as he whipped his whip against the ground in-between every line. He then marched away from the Estate, towards the garden. He was about to continue when he notices the group not following. So with a chuckle he remarks. "Well come on then. Follow me, my fellow inquisitors of the bazar! Come on and follow me!"
The group turned to each other having no idea what to do, so they complied and followed after. They followed him down to the garden where they unexpectedly uncovered a carnival had been set up in the garden area. As magnificent as that was, it certainly was unexpected specially for the poor flowers being trampled underfoot. Before arriving at the gate the Ring Master stopped and pointed to a bearded lady at a stand.
"I need your ticket, please." The Ring Master said pointing to the woman. Everyone looked at each other wondering what ticket when Ruby remembered something. She reached into her silk robe coat and retrieved the ticket from before.
"Here you go." Ruby said uncomfortable as she hands the ticket to the woman.
"Welcome to the circus." The bearded lady said as she takes the ticket. "Do relax, it's not that entertain to watch from afar."
"Yes, it truly is... unless your in the bed Ms. Blonde." The Ring Master said with a smile causing the bearded lady to chuckle along with him.
The group gave various degree's of disgust at the idea of him peeping on her, or anyone wanting to sleep with her. Before this could go on the bearded lady quickly turned to the group and snapped at them. "Now go. The show's about to begin."
"Aw yes, yes. Now follow me ladies and gentlemen." The Ring Master said as he merrily walks along to the big tent.
He leads them to the carnival tent. Pass by hissing tall men, demented clowns, and queer freaks of nature. Upon entering the tent, the group noticed at the other end was the Artifact. Sitting there, out in the open. The Ring Master spotted the excitement in the groups eyes and addressed them on it.
"Ah ain't it a beauty. Took me half a life time to find." The Ring Master remarked.
"Sir… I know… I mean… I can imagine, how hard it was to find this. But I think we need that more you." Ruby said addressing the Ring Master.
"My dear child. That thing, is my greatest achievement… but, since you all look desperate, I am willing to make a deal for it. Find me two willing participants for tonight's show, and I will loan you the artifact." The Ring Master said before holding out his hand. He then remarked. "Do we, have an accord?"
Ruby looked down at the hand before back up at him She knew full well what will happen but they need that artifact. So with a begrudging sigh, she shook his hand. The man then took a step back, with cane and whip in hand he shouted. "Wonder, pleasure doing business with you child. I shall return in five minutes time for the volunteers. Though I must warn you, this show sometimes can be quiet, precarious! Heh ha!"
He then walked off to deal with Business. Leaving only the group behind to make the choice. Thankfully, the Butler had caught up with the group. Hat and parchment in hand. Before voting Sun spoke up.
"Before we vote. Can I ask something of you Ruby. Put my name in." Sun requested causing a mixture of responses
"Wha, Sun what are you doing?" Blake inquired about what he was doing.
"Ruby has been voting for herself, these past few games. Not once has she put any of us in danger. Even during the last game, she put her own name and it backfired. I don't want her to do that again. Not even for our own." Sun explained.
"Sun, I don't want to do that. If someone goes in, and dies… I can't…" Ruby couldn't even find the right words to describe the horrible idea it would be to sacrifice her friends in such a manner.
"Wait, so this entire time you have only ever voted for yourself?" Jaune asked.
"Even to be buried alive?" Nora added. Ruby gave a solum nod… which was received with a slap across the face from Weiss.
"You complete dolt! What were you thinking trying to kill yourself like this!" Weiss snapped.
"I brought us here… Neptune… Pyrrha… Ren… Yang… all of their deaths. Are on my hands." Ruby replies as she looked down at her hands. To anyone else it may look like she was rubbing them, but to her. It was soaking in blood.
"You… dolt!" Weiss said sternly as she raised her hand. Ruby expected another slap but instead she felt a sudden embrace. Weiss had gone to hug her much to her surprise. "It wasn't your fault. So stop it. Don't you dare get yourself killed for our sake."
Ruby tried to say something but instead the rest of the group goes to hug her instead. First Penny, followed by Nora, then Jaune, followed by Sun who dragged Blake along. The group continued to hug her for a few moments when the butler spoke up.
"Excuse me, but I still need your votes. And we don't have long before the Ring Master returns." The Butler spoke.
"Just, put my name in it." Sun spoke.
"Same." Blake followed.
"Down with that as well." Nora added.
"Yes please, mine as well." Penny requested.
"I shall toss mine as well." Weiss added.
"Don't forget about me." Jaune remarks.
"Ugh, yeah toss my…" Before Ruby could finish everyone's put their hand on hers.
"Hush. No, not today." Weiss said as she covered Ruby's mouth. "Toss my name in twice and that will be her vote."
"MWWFISHS" Ruby struggled to say but couldn't through the groups hands on her face.
"Very well. Give me just but a moment." The Butler remarked. He then proceeded to write the names down before tossing them into the top hat. Ruby struggled to stop him, but she was too tired to do a thing. Soon enough the names begin to be drawn. She held her breath as she prayed that the second name wasn't picked.
"Jaune." The Butler announced. With a bold nod Jaune removed himself from the hug. Following after was the next name. 'Blake'. She too walked on over. Just as she did a slow clap can be heard from the side. It was the Ring Master, returning with his assistant.
"Oh how heartwarming. Self-sacrifice makes for such great drama. (Sigh) And to think, I'd seen enough people backstab to think such a thing existed. Right, any-who I thank you two for participating. For the rest of you, please sit with the audience. I promise they won't bite… maybe stab, punch and occasional shoot. But no bite."
The assistant then walks up and got in-between the two before wrapping her arms around them. The Ring Master then addressed the two. "Sadly, you two cannot participate in your current clothes. They will get ruin. Let my lovely assistant take you back stage to get dressed for tonight's showing."
"Come along you two cuties." The woman said before slapping both Jaune and Blakes rears with excitement.
The two gave perturb looks as this girl dragged them along backstage. The rest sat down in a crowed of strangers. Ten minutes passed with the group munching on cotton candy. Then the Ring Master appeared on stage with a smoke screen. He gives a bit of a bedazzle before breaking out into his big speech. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have entertained you all with multiple acts of amusement, Humbugs beyond imagine, and horrors from beyond the stars. But tonight, we have something truly miraculous and quite touching. An act of love, of brother and sister hood. A performance of sacrifice. I give you, your acts for tonight please give them a round of applause for there commitment to the show!"
Just then Jaune and Blake walked out in matching color scheme clothes. Black and white stripes. Difference being that Jaune had strongman shorts over a tank top with a black beret and Blake wearing a corset with black and white stockings. Least her Faunas features were covered by the same type of beret. As they approach the stage the crowed open with a harsh set of boo's and open mockery. Not a great first impression as it seems. As they booed the group begin cheering for both of them but the crowed got louder with their boo's to drown out there friends.
"Ha ha. Seems the crowed aren't convinced by your act of heroism. So, let's prove them wrong now." The Ring Master said before turning to the crowed. "Ladies and gentlemen, these two will be performing three acts for tonight's show. The first one is a strong man feat, the second, a juggling act, and the third, the tightwire walk of death!"
With that last one said he points to a tight wire that was hanging only six feet off the grown. The Crowed continued to boo so to prove them wrong, Blake walked on over to the strong man. She grabs the hammer, ready to silence this crowed of mocking ingrates. When she bashes the hammer, the ball didn't even went up half way. The crowed continued to boo much to her anger. She took a step back ready to give it another shot. This time going over the half way mark but not to the bell.
"Oh, tough luck kido. But no third chances. Perhaps another time ha ha!" The ring master said as the crowed begins to mock her. As Blake grumbled about scaping some small minded folks, Jaune walked on over to the strong man.
He nervously looked up at it before looking down. He gave a small sigh and hit it. The ball rocketed up but didn't hit the beel. Earning him a loud shout of boo's. The Ring Master spoke up. "Oh, so close. Give it another try kiddo!"
Jaune looked over at the crowed booing him consistently. He felt there boo's like rocks against his skin. Then he noticed Ruby. Giving him a small nod. Not to beat Blake but to shut these rude people up. Jaune turned back to the strong man and with a single breath he takes the second swing. The rock rockets up, bashing into the bell. The room goes quiet as the only sound were the group cheering him.
The next task was a bit of juggling. Seeing Jaune had won the last one he went first. Unlike the strong man they had one shot. Jaune gave his attempt but end up dropping the balls. Earning himself a round of heckles and boo's. This time from a fiercer crowed. Blake was up to bat and she only managed to keep two of the balls in the air. She can flip a katana but she wasn't known for her juggling. After failing she tosses one of her balls in a fit of rage. Direct shot hitting an obnoxious old man in the groin. This got a chuckle from the Ring Master but that was all. The third and final task was to walk across a tight rope. Blake went first. Without Aura she still manages to balance across just fine. This earned an applause and cheers from her friends while the rest in the crowed remain silent. It was Jaunes turn now. Sadly, he took but one step before slipping and doing the split. Least the crowed got a laugh out of this… granted at his expense rather than the comedic accident.
"Well. That was quite a performance!" The Ring Master shouted as he addressed the audience. "Sadly there can only be one winner. Question is… who won?"
He then pretend to pause before turning around. Waiting a moment before snapping his finer. "Oh, I got it. The two of you please get on the dunk man. We'll let the crowed decide!"
Blake helped Jaune over to his before heading to her own. Now sitting over the dunk tank, the Ring Master continued on. "Now, our two noble volunteers are sitting precariously over the water. What they don't know, is that I had them both filled with exotic man eating fish! So, for those who don't want to fall in they better hope they earn less boo's then the other! Ha ha… let's start of with our brave young lad here!"
He then points to Jaune earning a loud group of boo's. Despite trying to save his life, his friends calls for applause was silence by the wave of heckled, demands for death, and boo's. The only response from this was. "Oh… crap." The Ring Master then walked on over to Blake's tank. And pointing to her tank and waited for the audiences' remarks. The same was to be expected, they heckled, demands for blood, and booed her. The Ring Master then held his finger to his chin and thought about it.
"All right alright… let's see… hmm tough choice indeed… but I think." The Ring Master then turned to Blake and Jaune. Both holding their breath as the fate of their lives rest in his hands. Their hearts suddenly dropped when the Ring Master's cruel and wicked smile appeared on his face. "I think… BOTH WILL DROP!"
With those words they both dropped into the water. The crowed goes wild with excitement they laughed and cheered as Blake and Jaune remained submerged. The water turn a coat of red and the audience got what they wanted… blood. For the group they went absolutely silent. Specially for Ruby. Two of her friends, just sacrifice themselves. For her. They literally died for her. As Sun and Nora screamed out in horror for their friends, all seem dark for the group. When it became apparent… that it was a cruel joke. Blake and Jaune emerged from the pool absolutely fine.
"Oh dear… it seems I had forgotten to put in the flesh-eating fish in today. Ha ha!" The Ring Master chuckled as Blake and Jaune gasped for air. They quickly pulled themselves out of the water, frighten what this sick man would do if given the chance.
"(Gasp, gasp) that… (Gasp, gasp) was not… funny!" Jaune struggled to say in complete shock.
"I'm going to burn this… damnable place… to the ground." Black vowed as she slowly picked herself up. "Nobody makes me into fish food."
"Yes it would have been ironic my dear feline-teer." The Ring Master punned at Blakes now expose cat ears before offering a hand. "But you brought back my greatest endeavor. So I say this makes us more than even."
Blake refuse to take the hand and instead got up and walked towards the group. Angry at what she had gone through. The group raced down to the stage as the crowed continued to boo, wishing that they had both died for their entertainment. Sun had quickly removed his tweed coat and wrapped it around Blake for warmth while Nora did the same with her coat. Ruby absolute furious with the Ring Master for doing such a nasty trick, tossed Jaune her robe before marching up to him.
"That was sick. You know that." Ruby snapped.
"My dear, it's all a performance. But what can I expect from such a tight fit of friends such as yourselves." The Ring Master said in an unapologetic grin.
"(Sigh) Whatever, just give me the relic." Ruby demanded.
"Hmm, I did promise you it. Oh very well." The Ring Master then snapped his finger and the assistant carried the relic on over to her. "Do come again. We always have room on stage for more."
Ruby didn't say anything. She simply walked away with the rest following after her. As they leave the Carnival turned to dust behind them. Become nothing more than a distant memory. The group allowed the two to get dress before reconvening in the lounge. Ruby now holding the artifact approached the shelf where they were holding it. Nora then grabbed another, followed by Weiss and a soaked Blake. As they hold all dark artifacts another question came to mind.
"So… what now?" Nora asked.
"I… I don't know. We collected them all… I don't know what to do?" Ruby states.
"Maybe there is an answer in Neptune's jacket?" Jaune suggested. This earned the ire of Wiess ice cold glare but much to everyone's surprise, Sun intervened.
"It's a possibility. We didn't search that hard the first time. Maybe there's a note we missed." Sun said in Jaune's defense.
Wiess gave him the ice-cold glair but after a few moments relented. The group then turned to the body of their dead friend. He was covered by a blanket, right beside Ruby's dead sister. Blood staining the era around his mouth.
Well, looks like they got a lucky break. Hello everybody Wombag1786 here. So it seems we didn't loose anybody this turn about. Along with that they collected all the artifacts. So now they must complete a ritual of sorts. Though, I doubt it be that easy.
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This is Wombag1786 signing off.