Another chapter out on time and I am so happy to finish this one. In other news my job hours over here are slightly rough with me going from 12am.-10am., but that's not to bad, I just have to adjust my sleep schedule to better fit those hours. I'm still hyped for RWBY volume 3 and super excited to see episode 18 of RvB on Monday, so far I have loved this season and can't wait to see how they finally bring it to a close.
Not much to say here except that I hope you enjoy seeing how Masked Rose's fights go this chapter.
Team WBY and team JNPR couldn't believe what they were seeing. Sure most students didn't have a backup weapon or plan in case there's was somehow removed from play, but the sudden drop in ability most possessed was almost sad. Watching fellow students being reduced to the equivalent of Signal juniors was disheartening for most of the class in terms of their odds of passing. Everyone was brought back from their thoughts when another student was launched into the wall before collapsing to the ground unconscious.
"That's another one for the nurse. Does anyone want to take him to the office while I set up the next match?" Dunstan asked as a few hands rose up out of the crowd. "You can take him, just remember to come back unlike the others." Dunstan reminded the student after a few had never returned leaving his classroom more and more empty after each match.
"I can't believe how awful everyone is." Weiss said watching the latest combatant being hauled away.
"Most people never train with a second weapon let alone a basic one that doesn't rely on dust. It's to be expected that their styles wouldn't translate over too well." Blake said wondering which weapon if any she would have been able to fight with.
"I took fencing before I got Myrtenaster and some of the other students have weapons that are slightly similar to the swords."
"Unlike you most people make their weapon first then begin training with it to create their own unique style around it. Though it is effective and gives you an advantage against first time opponents it also means that most of their skills are locked up with that weapon type. Out of everyone here those who have a basic weapon scheme and don't use their weapon as a crutch will have the biggest advantage."
"Who do you think will make it in?"
"Pyrrha, Yang, Dove, and maybe Sky. Cardin might have made it in if he wasn't still recovering in the medical wing."
Weiss and Blake continued their discussion as Dunstan began looking over the students for the next round. Ruby looked partially winded, but her recover time seemed to be getting quicker and quicker between each match.
Yang knew she couldn't stop her sister so she raised her hand to stop her the one way she knew how. "I'm next."
"If you'd step down here and grab your weapon of choice I can start the match against Masked Rose." Dunstan said as he motioned to the arsenal behind him.
"I'll take two of these." Yang said while pointing to the stake driver.
"You think you're strong enough to manage two of them?"
"I know I am, now hand them over." Seeing she wasn't backing down Dunstan handed the first one to Yang who started testing the weight by throwing jabs. Once she got a feel for the weight distribution she got the second one on her right arm.
"I'll be honest here, I have never seen someone try to duel wield those before."
"What, they couldn't handle the weight?"
"Oh no, having a gun in your off hand was just far superior. For people like you though it's probably the better choice. Now if you'll excuse me I need to give my assistant a pep talk."
Walking over to the other end of the floor Dunstan saw Rose fiddling with her scythe in preparation of the fight. Seeing Him walk over she stopped working and leaned over to as he whisper to her. "I'm surprised you built that thing in only a few hours."
"If I had more time I would have used a riffle for the shaft of the scythe, but I could only get so much done."
"Still it's a nice replica. I'd say the design is too smooth and user friendly unlike mine."
"Yours is a piece of art though with the way it's balanced and the materiel used is something I've never seen before."
"Well that's enough chat about weapons for now. After this is done we can talk, but for now I need you to fight Yang."
"I can't fight Yang."
"Look I know it isn't ideal, but you need to fight her. I can't have you throw the match just to get her in."
"No, I mean I actually can't fight her. In this small space I don't stand a chance against her. I've sparred with her before and even without Ember Cecilia her punches still hurt."
"In times like this you have to remember what I taught you."
Thinking back on it she couldn't remember any sage like advice he had ever given out it was always simple things like adjust your footing or turn your wrist more, whenever they were doing some light practice. "Can you remind me?"
"Okay, when facing your opponent remember: don't fight, just murder."
"I don't think that works in this situation and isn't the phrase 'don't fight, just kill' as in don't give an opponent a fighting chance?"
"Not when we do it. Have you seen how we fight once we get going? Calling it anything short of murder seems like an understatement."
"Except that I'm not trying to kill anyone after what happened to Cardin." Thinking back on it she hadn't even gone to see him since she put him in the medical wing. Making a note to apologize Rose got back to her task.
"Look you aren't going to kill her just go at her as if you were trying to. I'll stop the match before it gets to that. Does this look like the face of a man who relishes in the deaths of others?"
"You're wearing a black skull mask that resembles something that used to be human. In all honesty it looks like you worship death."
"Why would I worship that loser? He couldn't claim me back in Yharnam and there's no way I'd give him that kind of power now. Just trust me on this you can take her. Just pretend this is another sparing match, except instead of a friendly match you're going to go at her as if your life depended on it."
"This isn't really helping me."
"Look you know how some birds throw their young out of the nest, this is going to turn into one of those situations if you don't get ready."
"I don't like where this is going." Rose said as she pulled her hood down even further to hide herself.
"Well you can't say I didn't warn you." Dunstan said as leaped over the desks and into a seat. "Match start!"
Rose barely had time to register what had just happened as Yang primed both of her weapons pulling the stakes back as she rushed forward. Rose managing to dive out of the way as Yang's fist smashed into the floor. Rose charged her and got ready to land the first blow when the stake lodged in the floor exploded forward throwing debris in every direction. Continuing through the wall of tile chunks flying at her, Rose brought her scythe down only to have it clash against the stake now fully extended.
Using her right hand Yang swung the extended stake like a spear sweeping Rose's feet out from underneath her. Landing on her back Rose saw Yang standing over her pulling back her left fist as the stake driver began building pressure. Rose could hear the distinctive hiss as the stake was pulled back to give it the most room possible to extend and get up to speed. Reaching behind her back as quickly as possible Rose pulled out a gun and fired it point blank at Yang.
Yang barely had time to register the action as it threw her off Rose along with knocking the wind out of her. Rose stood up and saw Yang standing on one knee trying to catch her breath. Seeing her opportunity Rose planted her left foot back and got ready for a dead sprint with her scythe behind her ready to catch anything she passed. Yang seeing her sister's trademarked finisher tried desperately to raise both her arms in an attempt to block some of the damage she was bound to receive.
The silence was broken with the sound of wind whipping around the room along with Yang vanishing from her spot with Rose in a flurry of petals. Trying to follow the action the students saw both of them at the other end of the room with Yang's weapons being the only thing separating her from Rose's blade. As Yang got ready to begin her counter attack she felt the blade pressure her as the red speedster leaped into the air with her sister being dragged along by the scythe. Twirling her scythe, Rose threw Yang back onto the floor with a crash as she landed a few feet away.
Wisps of what looked like flames began to roll off the brawler as she tried standing using the stakes to help lift her up. Once she was standing the weapons began to hiss anew from the newly supplied heat building up the pressure. Rose seeing the familiar red eyes charged to end the fight before it got to hot.
Kneeling Yang fired one of the stakes into the ground anchoring to the floor as she raised her other. The collision shook the room as Rose was brought to a jarring halt from their weapons clashing. Rose saw the counter coming and leaped back as Yang threw her punch only catching air with the swing. Retracting the stake from the floor Yang stood in her ready stance with both arms raised to block any attacks.
Rose swung her scythe only for Yang to duck under the attack and nail Rose in the ribs causing her to slide backwards. Yang pushed forward as Rose took another swing with the same result being a jab to the side throwing her further and further back until she was against the wall. Yang drew her fist back as Rose continued to look at her defiantly in face of defeat.
"Match over. Break it up you two." Dunstan said as Yang smirked momentarily before she felt something pressing up against her chest. Looking down she saw the same pistol positioned just over her heart before Rose holstered the gun on the back of her belt.
"Put the weapons back on the shelf and we'll have a 5 minute break while Rose recovers. Yang if you're hurt go to the nurse's office and no one help her, I swear I can't trust any of you to come back." Dunstan remarked after noticing the last student he sent still hadn't returned as he led Rose into the backroom.
"I forgot how hard Yang hits. In case you can't tell this hurts a lot." Rose said as she felt he skin begin to bruise around the areas she was struck.
"You did fine, by the way remember to reload that gun after each shot. Threatening someone with an empty gun while effective is a moot point after they call you on your bluff." Dunstan took her gun and reloaded it before handing the weapon back.
"I told you it wasn't a good idea for me to fight Yang."
"You just focus on recovering I'm going to address the class and hopefully save you a few matches." Dunstan said while exiting the room and finding the room even emptier then before with only about 40 students left including a few who had already passed. "Come on guys I turn around for a minute and even more of you decide to leave."
"They said they had places to be Mister Arkwright." Weiss said wondering what she could even learn from him.
"Okay show of hands who actually wants to be here?" Dunstan asked as only about 20 students raised their hands. "Okay those of you who don't want to be here can leave I don't have the patience to teach those who won't dedicate themselves to this task."
"Can I fight Masked Rose next?" Nora asked as she nearly leaped out of her seat.
"No Nora, you and Pyrrha pass you don't have to fight. And before any of you start complaining I've already tested their skills first hand they would pass with the weaponry available. Jaune your up next don't get killed." Dunstan joked as the knight palled.
"Can I use that sword?" Jaune asked pointing to the silver edged longsword.
"Sure you just need the sheath as well." Dunstan said as he picked up the oversized sheath that was nearly as wide as Jaune's body and about as tall. It was shaped like a blade with the edges sharpened and an opening built in the base to lock the sword in once it was put away. The sheath was likely forged from a slab of metal and looked just as heavy.
"Can I not have the sheath?" Jaune weakly protested.
"Comes with the sword, put it in the sheath and you have an oversized great sword meant to kill giants."
Jaune took the sheath and strapped it to his left arm in what was best described as a tower shield. The sheath ran the length of his arm with it going far past his elbow by a few feet. The makeshift shield was far heavier than he was used to almost causing him to tip over from all the weight on his left side. Giving the sword a few practice swings Jaune did his best to readjust his balance with the new weight.
"Rose we have a new challenger." Dunstan said as the door opened and Rose stepped out looking no worse than before.
"Alright then other blonde haired stranger, I hope you put up as good a fight as Yang."
"On my mark." Dunstan said as he stepped back out of their way and Jaune kept his shield raised. "Go."
Rose charged and ducked just in time to avoid the sheath being swung at her with an elbow strike. Rolling backwards she avoided a follow up with Jaune's sword as it cut the floor.
Using her scythe Rose did her best to keep Jaune at a distance and out of range. Every swing was deflected by the shield, with neither of them being able to make much headway on the other. It had become a match where neither one wanted to take a risk to break the stalemate. The fight had turned into each of them testing the others stamina instead, betting the match on who would tire first.
When Rose's assault ended Jaune leaped forward closing the distance between them. Swinging his sword down he pushed Rose back slightly before her feet got enough traction. Rebounding as soon as she stopped Rose was standing behind Jaune with her Scythe hooked around the shield.
Recognizing the same move that was used on Yang, Jaune slammed his shield into the ground piercing the floor. Rose paid no mind to the motion though when she ran to the other end of the room with the shield tearing up the floor the entire way. However before Rose could make her jump to throw Jaune into the air she collapsed onto the floor.
"Match over. Remember that outlasting your opponents is a good strategy if you have the endurance for it. Otherwise it will just comeback to bite you so use it with caution since you can never judge an opponent by their appearance."
Weiss not caring for the rest of the matches began staring at the clock waiting for class to end so she could leave and enjoy lunch with the others.
"You go ahead I'll wait for Ruby." Weiss said standing just outside the closed classroom as the others began making their way to lunch. With nothing to do she leaned against the door and heard Ruby.
"Is it okay if I ask you about your first time?" Ruby asked as Weiss took a double take on what she just heard her leader say.
"First time I watched it happen or first time I actually did it?" Dunstan Responded as Weiss quickly pulled out her scroll to bring everyone back to the classroom door.
"First time you actually were a part of it I can't imagine how you saw it first."
"Well my first time happened on my travels to Yharnam during the outbreak. The world was falling apart and it was all centered around Yharnam. The closer you got to the city the worse the outlying towns had become. Eventually I made my way to a small village which seemed relatively untouched until I came across that woman."
"You actually remember her?"
"Of course I do you tend not to forget your first especially with looks like hers."
Weiss' message had been received and the others a few of the others had already made their way back to the door to see Weiss with her ear pressed up against the door. Yang quickly stood next to the heiress and joined her by pressing an ear to the frame.
"So what was it like?" Ruby innocently asked.
"Much like young love it was fast, fun, and ending in a wreak. I didn't have my current tools back then so I had nothing to use. All these questions about me what was your first time like?" Dunstan asked causing everyone outside the door to hush as they joined Yang and Weiss against the door.
"I don't really remember much. I remember a blow to my head and a bunch of people surrounding me before my mind goes blank. The next thing I knew I was stood in the middle of them as they laid on the ground around me." Ruby's voice began to waiver recalling the events of that horrid night. "There was so much blood and I felt happy for some damned reason. I was actually excited that I could experience something like that. Do you know what that did to me?"
"Yang did you know about this?" Weiss whispered to the blonde.
"No, she never told me anything like that. How could I have not noticed this." Yang said with her anger building.
"Ruby you went through something no one should ever have to and you are still alive. Do you know what that says about you?" When she didn't respond Dunstan continued on. "You are a survivor and a strong one at that. Do you know what I did after I was finished with her, I cried for what felt like hours before walking out of the room and leaving town and back on the road to Yharnam."
"But I cried after I realized what happened I was hoping that it was all a dream. How can I be strong when I'm too weak to protect everyone around me?"
"Ruby, emotions don't make us weak and neither does showing them. In fact I have a gift for you, something akin to a reward for keeping your team safe while in that city." They heard the ruffling of Dunstan searching when it suddenly stopped.
"I've never seen anything like this before what is it?"
"That is a good question and I'm not entirely sure how to explain it to you."
"Well what does it do then?"
"Well it makes us feel better. Well it used to, doesn't do much for me anymore. It will probably help you though"
"How do I use it then?"
"You take it in your hand and"- before he could continue the door was busted down by a furious Yang.
-"Get away from my…" Yang looked around the room only to see Ruby admiring a crimson marble and Dunstan sitting behind his desk. "...So how's your day been?"
"Fine, considering one of my students just busted down my classroom door."
"Sorry we just thought that-"
"Ruby and you might want to tag along for some lunch." Weiss interrupted to stop Yang from throwing any accusations.
"Yes we wanted to invite you and Ruby. We weren't going to say anything else." Yang said getting Weiss' point.
"And that required you to bust down my door?" Dunstan said looking over it's sad remains.
"We're very enthusiastic." Weiss said giving a fake smile.
"Alright, just let me call the janitor to take care of this mess all of you left." Dunstan said as they looked around the destroyed floor and splintered door.
"Did you guys see how cool Masked Rose was she was all like Hooowaaah! Witchaaaa! And then she threw you to the floor." Ruby said while making karate like poses.
"It wasn't that impressive I gave her a good beating and would have won if Dunstan didn't call the match." Yang responded playing along with Ruby's idea of a secret identity.
"Can you two stop arguing so we can all go and eat." Weiss said trying to get both the sisters onto a common point.
"Fine" They both said in unison.
"And that takes care of that. The janitors should have the room repaired by tomorrow so I'm free." Dunstan said putting his scroll away.
"So what are you going to get?" Ruby asked wondering what the new teacher preferred now that he had access to beacon's food services.
"Chicken, bread, apples, and carrots. Everything a man could ask for in terms of a feast. Possibly some juice if the fruits are in season. I never bothered learning what was growing when around here so I'll have to ask around." Everyone looked stopped and thought about what Dunstan had just described.
"Dunstan we live in a kingdom we don't have to worry about harvests or food." Ruby said wondering where Dunstan was exactly before the Emerald forest to have to worry about such things. Sure he talked about his fights in Yharnam, but the way he described it made it sound like a city. "We have farms outside of Vale that bring food in and agricultural buildings that produce food all year round."
"Did you live under a rock your entire life or something?" Weiss added slightly annoyed by his apparent lack of knowledge.
"I wouldn't say a rock, but I lived okay wondering around and helping others. Never had a chance to settle down and after I was finished with Yharnam I wound up working in that forest." Dunstan said remembering all the times he accepted food as payment since money became less and less valued the closer he got to Yharnam.
"Enough talk, let's eat already." Nora said from just outside the doorway alerting the Dunstan to JNPR's presence.
"Well said, let us go Valkyrie and see what your cafeteria has to offer for a feast." Dunstan said as he walked out of the room and towards the dining hall.
"Well he seems well adjusted for someone who was stuck in the Emerald forest for who knows how long." Pyrrha said as her teammate wandered off with the professor.
"I think he's trying to cope or maybe he's just doing it subconsciously." Blake added as they all began walking towards the cafeteria.
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked.
"He's mirroring whoever he is interacting with. He's cheery when with Ruby, challenging with Yang, observant with me, hopeful with Jaune, and sporadic with Nora."
"That's just Dunstan being Dunstan, besides Nora makes everyone energetic it's kind of contagious. It doesn't mean he's 'mirroring' us."
"Mirroring is used to establish rapport with others along with integration with the unknown."
"Like the dinosaur?"
"No that's a Raptor. Rapport is the close relationship between friends and their ability to understand each other." Weiss said clarifying the statement.
"Well of course he's trying to make friends. He doesn't know anyone here like me on my first day." Ruby said defensively wondering what Blake was getting at.
"I'm not saying he's doing this on purpose, I'm just saying we might not have even seen what Dunstan is really like."
"Dunstan is not evil Blake, he helped me back on our last mission and got me out our room to do something fun." Ruby said with her words becoming more defensive.
"I'm not saying he's evil it's just that I'm worried for you. We can't trust every person we come across and Ozpin just goes and gives him a position at Beacon."
"Blake you have to give people a chance to earn your trust. If we don't try then we wouldn't be able to trust anyone."
Before they could continue talking though, they arrived at the cafeteria. Walking in they saw Nora and Dunstan both sitting at the same table facing each other with plates staked high. The dishes were spread across the table like a feast would be with the entire surface covered and ready to be picked. Nora saw them enter and began waving at them to come over.
"What took you so long, Dunstan and I had to prepare without you." Nora said cheerfully.
"Prepare what exactly?" Yang asked wondering what could have caused Nora to wait for them to arrive before devouring the plates that lined the table surface.
"Today we celebrate the creation of my class and the students attending it. Besides I had no idea your school offered so much food, this is a king's bounty if I'd ever seen one." Dunstan remarked while looking over the fish, crabs, steaks, fruits, and deserts that had been chosen for the meal.
"I think I'll pass. I'm going to be in the library if you need me." Blake said as she left the table and the cafeteria.
"Come on everyone this is a time to be happy, let us regale each other with tales." Dunstan said as he drank his glass.
"Well there was this one time we fought a giant Nevermore." Ruby began.
"And we killed a Death Stalker." Nora said to adding to Ruby's tale.
"I asked you to keep my friends and I as far away from that blood as possible and you bring it into the heart of Beacon. Do you even know what you brought into your school?"
"Miss Belladonna I brought Dunstan in since I knew he would get here one way or another. I brought him here on my terms to keep others safe."
"You gave him a class to work with and access to all of Beacon."
"Do you know what happened in Asylum that made Atlas was so quick to cover up?" Ozpin took her glare as a sign to continue. "A virus or plague of sorts was distributed to the people. That vial you gave me had traces of blood in it, but it had been refined. Tests show that it has a high infection rate along with the ability to mutate the host's cells rapidly in the right conditions. Had you or your team been exposed you would have tracked the virus back behind Vale's walls."
"Are you saying Ruby is…"
"Miss Rose appears to be a unique case like Dunstan. Both have been exposed to Asylum's people and should have been infected during their escape. However both are relatively the same. While I cannot vouch for Dunstan, Ruby has only shown some aggressive tendencies in a fight."
"You're telling me that was fine. Ruby wouldn't have fought like that and she wasn't herself. She didn't see Cardin as a person he was just something for her to play with before she went in for the kill."
"And she came to her senses and hasn't shown any signs of other aggression since. Even after fighting all those other students she kept her cool and didn't go too far."
"You knew about the Dunstan's exam?"
"Yes and while it wasn't done with my permission it did prove that Ruby has grown more accustomed to her condition. While Dunstan still refuses to give us a sample Ruby was kind enough to oblige us with a one." Ozpin said as he pulled out a single folder full of scans and charts. "She shows no immediate signs that her body has changed. It would also appear that she has an altered version of the virus in her body, whether this is through chance or perhaps her immune system altering it is unknown. She could be the cure to what killed Asylum's people."
"They could have been saved?" Blake asked remembering just how far some of the people had changed when they rescued Ruby.
"What I hope to achieve is a preventative to the disease. I fear that once the changes start they can only be slowed or stopped not reversed."
"At least find a way to keep Ruby away from him. As long as they're together she will be dragged into this."
"Dunstan appears to be the one teaching Ruby how to cope with her situation. Separating them before she's stable could prove harmful to her case."
"You told me we would be safe while within beacon's walls why are you allowing this?" Blake asked starting to feel angry over the entire situation.
"They both share many similarities and if I'm right they share the same disease. Dunstan is the only person we have who knows what she is going through and how to live with it. Until Ruby is capable of controlling herself she will continue to seek Dunstan's aid in the matter."
"Are you telling me to just ignore everything he's done?"
"No, I'm telling you to do what's best for your leader's wellbeing. She is still a child and will need help along her journey. As a teammate I only want you to give her the aid she'll need."
Blake bit her tongue to stay silent knowing she couldn't get Ozpin to change his mind and walked into the elevator to descended back into Beacon.
"Are you ready to finally begin your first real step into the world of a Hunter?" Dunstan asked as Ruby stared into the softly glowing lamp that now sat in Beacon's Garden.
"This will help me deal with the urges?"
"It will help you get a handle on the situation. What you do with is all is up to you."
"Okay, wish me luck." Ruby said as she reached out towards the lamp feeling the familiar sensation of weightlessness as her body began to vanish from Beacon.
Opening her eyes she saw the Hunter's Dream once again. Standing a little ways away from the workshop Ruby looked for the Pain Doll at the steps base only to find her not there. Wondering around inside the workshop Ruby found her around the side of the building kneeling at a grave with her eyes closed.
"Hello, I don't mean to interrupt." Ruby said stirring the Doll from her slumber.
"Ah, Good Huntress it is nice to see you again. How may I be of assistance?" She said giving a polite bow.
"Dunstan said you could help strengthen me."
"Dunstan is alive then, that is good to hear." She said with a slight smile on the edges of her mouth.
"Yes, I'm his student I guess since he's been helping me with being a Hunter."
"Then give me your hand." She said as Ruby gently let the Doll cup hers.
Ruby saw her hand glow with a pale light as she felt the gentle caress of the wind. Before she could become lost in the sensation the glowing stop and their hands separated.
"I can help you. It seems that you have had a full hunt with the amount of echoes you have collected since I last saw you. If you wish I can strengthen you now or you can visit the messengers in the bird bath. Since your last visit they've made some things that might interest you."
"I need to be stronger."
"Then let me take your hand once again and focus on what you want to improve. You will guide me to what needs to be strengthened." She said as Ruby closed her eyes and thought back on her fight through Asylum. Feeling the energy wash through her Ruby focused on her lack on strength causing her blade to get stuck along with her own inability to take a strike. Once she opened her eyes the burning sensation that her blood usually brought had subsided along with some less pleasant thoughts that tended to wonder through her mind.
"I feel better." Ruby said in astonishment from the lack of pain.
"Thank you Huntress, it is my duty to help you."
"You said that the messengers had something?" Ruby asked wondering what the little beings had to offer.
"Next to the front steps is a small birdbath some messengers rest in. They will give you items in exchange for blood echoes."
'How does that work? Do they find them lying around to sell or something?"
"This is a dream Huntress and a dream composed of memories. Certain items are filled with strong memories allowing the messengers to recreate them if something is exchanged. Dunstan used badges of the other workshops, though a Hunters blood alone holds enough memory through the ages for the bullets, blood, and molotovs that make up their base arsenal."
"So if I can think of it I can have it made?" Ruby asked wondering what it would take to make a Paladin.
"The object has to have been around someone who was well versed with the tool and mastered it. Your badge should work just fine as such an object."
"My," Ruby looked at her clothes finding her metallic rose insignia still attached to her belt, "you mean my emblem?"
"Yes Huntress, such a personal object does hold some lingering memories."
Ruby walked over to the bath and peered into the water seeing a multitude of items reflected on the surface, but one in particular caught her interest. Running over to the tombstone Ruby pressed her hand on the grave as her body vanished into a pale mist.
Ruby reappeared in Beacon's gardens to see Dunstan resting underneath one of the trees awaiting her return. Running over to him she began to rabidly shake Dunstan awake from his slumber.
"Come on Dunstan wake up I need you."
"What is it?" He said rubbing his neck feeling it move back into proper alignment after his rude awakening.
"I need more blood echoes for something."
"Ah I remember my first impulse buy from the messengers. Thinking back on it I actually can't remember what I bought. I'm sure it was something useful though."
"So will you give me some echoes?"
"Firstly I can't give you mine since they're a part of me, although I'm unsure on if I even got to keep them once I woke up here. Doesn't matter the point is no you'll have to get them yourself"
"How do I get more then?"
"Well you kill of course. From Grimm to people, all living things contain echoes. The stronger and bigger they are the more they tend to drop."
"Well then I'm going hunting." Ruby said as she got ready to run across Beacon to the launch pads.
"As the only adult around at the moment I have to tell you that this idea will possibly jeopardize your life. So I'm coming along to make sure nothing terrible happens." Dunstan said as he pulled the cane off his belt.
"This is going to be so much fun." Ruby said as she unfurled her make shift scythe.
Now before you all pull out the pitch forks on me let me explain why Jaune beat Rose. Rose's style heavily relies on her using the recoil of her sniper to give her attacks a real kick while Jaune has always used a basic sword meaning his strikes wouldn't have been hampered by the change in weaponry. If we take into account his durability Rose's only chance to take him down would be with her semblance which can be over taxed if she exerts herself to much I.E. her stamina against his.
Also looking back on it everyone in RWBY is freakishly strong. Weiss could single-handedly wield a sword fish, those things on average weight 150-200 lbs. She could probably bench 300 or more pounds easy and she's a string-bean compared to some of the others. Then we have Jaune who apparently hasn't trained a day in his life until he got to Beacon and he can Tank a Death Stalker's strike without budging and decapitate an Ursa. My conclusion is that Aura is a seriously overpowered stat that everyone should be dumping points into.
Got to see some of Ozpin's goal besides just playing chess with Cinder. Well I had fun writing those fight scenes and having some characters using the weapons in ways they weren't designed to be used for. From Yang duel wielding Stake Drivers to Jaune using the sheath of Ludwig's Holy Blade as a shield to match his style. Most of you could probably figure out what Ruby saw in the messengers shop and what she's going to get next chapter.
Until next time folks.