Here we are at Chapter 46. Things are starting to get serious now that Velvet has been told the truth about the Maidens. I wonder how things will go down from here on in. Anyway, I do not own RWBY or Tales of Berseria. They belong to their respective owners. Here's chapter 46. Enjoy.

Chapter 46: Velvet vs Mercury

To say that Velvet is angry would be an understatement. She was livid. Livid at finding out that so many secrets were being kept from her and her teammates. Angry that Ozpin would put her friend, Pyrrha, in such a difficult position, even if she had the choice to decline. However, knowing the kind of person Pyrrha is, she really didn't have a choice in the first place. But most of all, she was livid that Ozpin seems to have something planned for Ruby. She felt that Ruby's trust in Ozpin was being betrayed with his actions. However, she couldn't quite bring herself to tell Ruby about this. She didn't want to worry her.

Well, with Velvet in the state that she's in, there is only one things that could possibly calm her down. Her girlfriend. Velvet returns to her dorm room to find just Ruby inside, eating some cookies on her bunk. Just seeing the sight of her enjoying herself already does much to help calm her down.

"Oh, hey Velvet. Where did you go?" Ruby asks.

"Oh, just to Professor Ozpin's office. He wanted to congratulate me for making it to the singles matches in the tournament. Nothing much else besides that," she lies.

"Oh, that was nice of him. But, you deserved to be the one representing the team in the final round. You are the best fighter on our team, and you didn't get to compete in the first round anyway. I know you'll kick but in the rest of the tournament," Ruby says.

"Yeah…" Velvet mutters dismissively as she lies down on her bed, breathing a heavy sigh.

Ruby notices this and jumps off her bunk to walk over and sit next to Velvet, "Hey, is everything okay, Velvet?" she asks, a little concerned.

"I'm fine Ruby. Just…exhausted. And maybe a little nervous as well. I've never had the spotlight on me like this before, even back in my world when everyone was pretty much trying to kill me. I'm just not used to it," Velvet says with her eyes closed.

Ruby wonders about this for a moment, but then shows a soft smile as she slowly moves to lie down and cuddle up to Velvet, surprising her a bit as she opens her eyes to look right into Ruby's.

"Ruby?" Velvet questions her.

"Velvet, I know you're going to do great tomorrow. You're strong, experienced, and you're really smart. Don't think about all the people that are watching. Just focus on the person you'll be fighting against and no one else. And if it helps, just know that you're not alone out there. You have your friends with you. Team JNPR, Sun and Neptune, Weiss, Blake, and Yang…" Ruby says before resting her forehead against Velvet's. "…And you have me too. I'll be with you every step of the way, okay."

Velvet allows a small smile to appear on her face, "…Thanks Ruby. I'm…really glad I got to meet you and become a part of your life," she says.

Ruby smiles back, "I'm glad I got to meet you too. And I'm really glad that we're together," she replies.

The two then share a deep, loving kiss as their arms wrap around their bodies. All their affection for one another, their bond, could be felt in this embrace. Their bodies move to the point where Ruby is on top of Velvet, nearly straddling her (for the record, Velvet let her do that). They continue to kiss for a few more moments before the need for air finally takes hold and they have to separate to breathe. Deep blushes are on their faces as they breathe a little heavily.

"I feel much better now," Velvet notes.

Ruby giggles, "Happy to help. Maybe a little rest will help a little more as well," Ruby suggests.

"If it's with you, then I'll sleep like a baby," Velvet replies.

Ruby snuggles up to Velvet, resting her head under Velvet's chin as the two slowly let sleep take them over. Velvet holds Ruby close to her in her arms as they fall asleep. Whatever the future may hold for her, one thing is certain for Velvet. As long as she was with Ruby, she could take on anything that stood in her way.

…

Velvet opens her eyes and finds herself once more in a white expanse that remains in the deep corners of her mind.

"Haven't heard from you in a while. Not since a while back during my team's trip to Mountain Glenn, I think," Velvet says as she stands up and turns around to see Summer Rose standing behind her as usual.

"It is good to see you as well, Velvet Crowe. It has been some time," Summer greets her.

"You only ever show up when you have something important to say. So, what' going on this time?" Velvet asks.

"I know that Ozpin told you the truth, about the Maidens," Summer says.

"Yeah, and that he wants one of my friends to become the new Fall Maiden. Not to mention the fact that he may have something planned for Ruby, which I am dead set against," Velvet vents her frustration.

"He was the same with me and my team, actually," Summer admits.

"What, why you?" Velvet asks.

"Apparently, I had a special…gift that he needed to fight the Grimm. A gift that Ruby has inherited from me. I believe that is one of the main reasons why Ozpin enrolled Ruby two years early," Summer says.

"What gift?" Velvet questions her with narrowed eyes.

"One that will make her a target in the future, I'm sure. You may find out soon enough, though I hope not. Just be there for her should that time come," Summer says.

"Why?" Velvet asks.

"Huh?" Summer replies.

"Why should Ruby have to be a part of this? She's an innocent girl…Just like how my brother was innocent," Velvet mutters.

"Unfortunately, fate often has plans for us. Plans we cannot escape from, no matter how hard we try. But more importantly, Ruby chose this life. Just as I once did. Believe me, I would rather my daughter not have to fight for her life like this, but she chose to put others before herself. A choice I can't help but be proud of," Summer says. Velvet glances at her. "As long as she has her friends, her family, and you, she'll be alright. She's my daughter after all. She's strong, and possesses a spark that can bring hope to other people. As long as that spark never dies, she'll never stop doing what she feels is right," she says.

Velvet sighs, "And I'll be there to make sure that spark never goes out. After all I…I…" Velvet trails off.

"I know. Just be sure to tell her that when the time is right…It's time for me to go now. Just be careful from here on in, and protect Ruby for me," Summer say as everything starts to fade.

"I will. I promise," Velvet says before everything goes white.

…

Velvet slowly opens her eyes to look at the dorm room ceiling above her. She sighs and glances down to see Ruby, sleeping peacefully on her chest with a light snore. Velvet shows a soft smile as she gently kisses the top of Ruby's head before deciding to go back to sleep herself. Tomorrow is going to be a long day after all.

…

It is late the next day, and everyone is at the coliseum to watch as the final round begins. Teams RVWBY and JNPR sit in the stands as they watch their teammates take the stage. Fans cheer all across the arena as the next event gets underway.

"Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for. The one-on-one finals!" Port announces as the crowd cheers in anticipation. In the center of the arena, the team representatives of the remaining teams are lined up, with Velvet at the far left followed by another student, then Sun Wukong, then two other students, Penny, Mercury, and finally Pyrrha. "Barty, why don't you explain the rules," Port motions to Dr. Oobleck.

"Ah, it's quite simple, Peter. Instead of a bracket system, each round of the finals will be randomly determined immediately before the match takes place," Oobleck quickly explains.

"Much like any good hunt, there will be ZERO time to prepare," Port adds.

"Ah, yes, yes, now let's see who our first match will be!" Oobleck exclaims, pointing to the big screen.

Everyone in the stands and around the world watch as the roulette spins until it finally lands on the first two fighters, Mercury Black and Velvet Crowe.

"Velvet Crowe vs Mercury Black!" Port announces as the crowd cheers again.

"Kick his butt, Velvet!" Ruby cheers for her girlfriend.

However, Cinder then stands and leaves the stands before the match begins, still smiling.

"Would all other combatants please leave the stage," Port says.

The other fighters leave while Velvet turns to face Mercury. As the other contestants leave the main arena, Velvet and Mercury stand in the center of the arena. Next, the sides of the arena open up, with high railings holding lights like at a rock concert rising above them, along with the center of the arena hovering a little higher than the rest of the arena.

"Hope you don't chicken out on me this time," Velvet notes as she narrows her eyes at Mercury.

Mercury chuckles, "Heh, you wish," he taunts her.

"3…2…1…Fight!" Port announces and the battle begins.

Mercury runs at Velvet and throws a jump kick that she flips over with ease. She lands and activates her arm blade. Velvet runs at him and thrusts it at Mercury. Mercury deflects it with a swing of his left foot, but then Velvet activates her right foot blade and swings it up while doing a backflip, with Mercury just barely avoiding it. Mercury spins around and does a roundhouse kick at her, Velvet ducks under the strike and performs a few right kicks and him with her foot blade. Mercury counter with a few shots from his feet, and the two parry each shot. However, Velvet had the advantage of having a third blade, the one on her arm. In the midst of their foot flurry, Velvet twists around to balance herself on her left hand and swings her arm blade around after deflecting Mercury's kicks, landing one blow before jumping away as Mercury tries to retaliate. With some distance between them, Mercury fires off a few shots at Velvet, who slices through each round with her blades.

The two run at each other again, and Mercury does a front flip kick at Velvet's head. Velvet dodges to the left to avoid it, and then thrusts her arm blade at Mercury. Mercury deflects it with his right arm, and then throws a left punch, but Velvet moves her head out of the way before throwing a right side kick at Mercury, who blocks with his right knee. Mercury spins around to throw a right hook kick at Velvet's skull. Velvet leans back from the strike, and then fires off her gauntlet at point blank range that manages to hit Mercury, forcing him to jump back to avoid a few more shots aimed at him. Velvet fires off a few more shots, which Mercury runs around the arena to avoid as he makes his way back over to Velvet. When he gets close, Mercury jumps into the air and throws another front flip kick at Velvet. Velvet blocks with her gauntlet and pushes him away before getting back on the offensive. She swings her arm blade at him again, but Mercury ducks under the strike and does a low sweep kick at her feet. Velvet side flips over the attack, and then parries a few low kicks from Mercury with her arm blade before she jumps up and, activating her left foot blade, slams it down on him. However, Mercury twists out of the way and throws two kicks that nail Velvet, forcing her back.

Velvet jumps back and activates her demon claw. Mercury runs at her, but Velvet swings her claw upwards, knocking him up and then roundhouse kicks him hard enough to send him off the arena. However, Mercury pulls off a save by firing off his boots, using the recoil to propel himself into the air, over the arena, and back into the fight.

"You're gonna have to do better than that, sweetheart," Mercury taunts her again and then runs at her.

Velvet conjures up a fire arte and fires it at Mercury, who jumps over it and lands in front of Velvet. She swings her claw at him, but he ducks under it before he starts breaking dancing on the ground while swinging his legs at her. Velvet backflips out of the way, and then Mercury fires off a shot at her. Velvet just simply backhands the shot away with her demon claw.

"Next," Velvet says.

Mercury smirks before he balances himself on one leg and starts firing off multiple shots all around him. Because of the Dust in the rounds, the shots start flying around the arena in a circular formation. A few shots fly by Velvet, who ducks out of the way before glancing at all the rounds flying around them. She then runs at Mercury and swings her claw at him, but he ducks under the strike and counters with an upwards kick that knocks her into the air. He then jumps up after her and twists in the air before swinging his left leg down on her. Velvet uses her claw to block the strike and lands on the ground, just before the swarm of rounds that Mercury fired off fall down on her, engulfing her in smoke. Mercury lands on the ground and playfully swipes some dust off his shoulder, thinking he won.

"Oh, if I were Mercury right now, I'd turn around," he hears Oobleck announce.

Confused, Mercury turns around to see a large detached demon claw above Velvet, due to her semblance blocking the rain of bullets. Velvet takes out an ice Dust crystal and absorbs it, coating her claw in ice. She runs at him and swings her claw at him. Mercury tries to parry it with his right leg, but when they make contact, he finds his leg coated in ice. Velvet swings her claw at his left leg, coating it in ice and essentially freezing his feet to the ground. Mercury tries to break free, but is too late as Velvet swings her claw upwards, sending him up into the air. She then jumps into the air after him, and fires off a fire arte at point blank range at him, nailing him hard and sending him crashing into the ground. Velvet lands back on the ground as Mercury's aura becomes depleted, and the buzzer goes off.

"Oh, what an exciting way to kick off the finals!" Port cheers.

"And Velvet Crowe is the winner!" Oobleck announces as the crowd cheers for her victory.

Velvet deactivates her claw and looks at Mercury, "Maybe next time, you'll put up more of a fight," she notes before she starts to walk away.

Mercury growls and stands back up, "There's not going to be a next time, claw girl," he warns her.

Velvet looks back and sees Mercury go to throw a jump kick at her. However, something felt a little off to her, and so to remain cautious, she jumps out of the way, only to see the Mercury attacking her suddenly vanish when he hits the ground, and another Mercury still standing where he was originally. Velvet looks confused, while Mercury looks really shocked, and continues to walk away.

"What the Hell was that all about?" Velvet wonders.

Mercury clenches his fist and is about to attack Velvet, but a quick glance at Cinder who is sitting up in the stands, shaking her head with narrowed eyes, makes him rethink his decision. Velvet walks out of the arena and is greeted by her teammates.

"Velvet! I knew you could win!" Ruby cheers as she runs to wraps her arms around her girlfriend.

"You were awesome out there. Now, we're one step closer to winning this whole tournament," Yang notes.

"Yes. I think the only one you have to worry about that's still around is Pyrrha. Other than that, you should have no problem defeating the other remaining contestants," Weiss adds.

"By the way. What happened after the match, Velvet? You looked back at Mercury, and then jumped away from him almost as if he was about to attack you even though the match was over?" Blake asks.

"Honestly…I don't know. I saw what looked like him attacking me, and so I reacted. But then he vanished and I saw him again, standing in the same spot. I don't know, maybe I was just seeing things after having a tough match. It's been a long day after all," Velvet says.

"Hm…I guess I can see that. Well, no matter. What's important is that you won. Come on, let's go celebrate!" Ruby cheers as she starts to walk ahead of the others.

"I hear that. Let's go!" Yang agrees and follows her sister, followed shortly by the rest of the team.

"Maybe they're right. I guess I'm just getting a little tired…Still, I wonder…" Velvet thinks as she follows her teammates.

…

"What the Hell was that?! I thought the plan was for her to break my leg and spook the audience!" Mercury yells at Emerald as the two of them, plus Cinder, talk in their dorm room.

"How am I supposed to know?! I used my semblance on her as planned. I know she saw the illusion of you attacking her. It should've worked!" Emerald retorts.

"Well, maybe you weren't trying hard enough!" Mercury counters angrily.

"Well, maybe you need to watch that fat mouth and that big ego of yours!" Emerald retorts.

"QUIET!" Cinder orders them, making them shut up. "While this does make our plan a little more difficult, it does not change it. Don't worry, just in case something like this happened, I had a backup plan for us. We can still get what we want," Cinder says as she pulls out her scroll, showing the pictures of Pyrrha Nikos and Penny Polendina, and shows an evil smile.

And that's the chapter. I first thought about Velvet attacking Mercury because of the illusion, but I decided against it since I doubt someone like Velvet Crowe would fall for something like that, so I decided against it. Anyway, Velvet defeated Mercury, but it seems Cinder still has something else up her sleeve. What awaits Velvet and her team in the future? Until then, please Read and Review.