Autumn had come to the little island of patch. They were beginning to fall, bathing the tree line in an almost hypnotic scene as the leaves at the edge of the forest was a cliff side overlooking the sea, a lone figure stood garbed in a red cloak stood staring down at the stone slab laid in front of her.
"Summer Rose "Thus kindly I scatter"
"Hey mom" Ruby said removing her hood looking down upon her mother's final resting place "Sorry I have come by in a while, things have been pretty... well things have been pretty busy. Oh, dad's here too! He's, uh you know...Dad" Ruby chuckled and shrugs " He's still teaching at Signal, but he told me that he's going to be going out on some missions soon. I think he misses adventuring with you."
Ruby then looked down "I miss you too" she then perked up" Haven't got kicked out of Beacon yet! So that's cool. I think being on a team with Yang help. I keep her in line... That was a Joke. She's actually a really great fighter! you can tell she's learned allot from Dad. Well, so are Weiss and Blake. Oh, they're my teammates. Together we for team RWBY! And yes, before you ask, that does cause allot of confusion..." she trailed off.
"Oh!" Ruby said in realization " I almost forgot about Alex and Koan, Alex is Blake's boyfriend at least that's what Yang says she teases them allot but she can't really say anything, I totally caught her about to kiss Koan at the school dance" Ruby giggled slightly at the memory "anyway, uh, I made a bunch of new friends and met some... let's just say, odd teachers,. We've also stopped some bad guy's too, these creeps called the Psycho Rangers!"
"Heh, I guess it's like they say, 'Like mother, like daughter'" Ruby chirped as she smiled "I still wonder why Ozpin let me into the School so early. But uh, I guess he'll tell me one day. You know how he is. "She added" It's funny, the more I get to know him, the more he starts to sound like uncle Qrow"
A bark came from behind her turning Ruby found Zwei and her Dad Tia Xiao Long, his hand s on his waist waiting for her"Oh! Looks like dad's back. I gotta go! He's dropping me off at Beacon for the tournament match before he goes on his next mission! Wish me luck!" Ruby pulled up her hood jogging a few feet away before glancing back at the stone "It was good to talk."
Ruby twirled Crescent Rose, Blake drawing both versions of Gambol shroud, Weiss prepared Myrtenaster, Yang cocked Ember Celica. They charged their opponents from the speaker Peter Port spoke he and Oobleck hosting the tournament "Ho, ho! it looks like we have another astonishing bout ahead of us! Wouldn't you agree, professor?" Port said turning to Oobleck
"Doctor" Oobleck pressed "And yes, I agree. This may be the closest match we've had in the four and four rounds of the tournament."
"For those of you joining us now, welcome to the Vytal tournament!" Port announced, "Broadcasting live from the Amity coliseum!" the crowd in Coliseum cheering the Coliseum itself is a large technological marvel that floated above the city of Vale, airships carrying spectators and participants from the other combat schools arriving.
"If this is your first time watching, allow us to break down the rules." Port stated
"Oobleck then followed up" The tournament is divided into three distinctive rounds: Team's, doubles and singles. Age and school year are irrelevant. In this tournament, the only attribute being tested is... skill"
"Correct." Port said "The winner of this battle will elect two of their members to represent them in the double round. Followed by the winners of that round choosing one member to advance again! The remaining combatants will then fight their way through the final bracket in the hopes of achieving victory for their kingdom!"
Oobleck then added "And yes, Peter, these certainly are some spectacular spectacles on which to spectate upon, and I don't think anyone around the world is going to disagree with me on that!"
"Ahhhh and why would they" Port mused "Now let's get back to the match team RWBY of Beacon, and Team ABRN of Haven."
Reese Chloris a member of team ABRN used her hoverboard to charge at Blake. leaping of the board she kicked it directly at Blake twin blades extending from the front, Blake using Gambol shrouds sheath knocked the board back towards Reese the two-continued swatting it back towards one another until Reese grabbed her board using it to deflect strikes from Gambol shroud, going on the offensive Reese twirled the board in her grasp slashing at Blake who blocked with gambol shroud pushing her back a little.
Reese backflipped onto her hoverboard rushing Blake who smirked an idea coming to mind, as Reese attempted to land on Blake with her board she darts to the side leaving an ice clone in her place causing the skater girl to almost lose balance, taking the opportunity Blake slashed the center of the board seemingly cutting it in backflipped into the air the now separate parts of the board shifting into a pair of dual pistols with bayonets on the end. Reese grabs both guns opening fire on Blake as she landed, only to slip and fall landing on her rear causing her to clutch it in pain. The entire audience gasped Blake herself wincing at the skater's plight.
Yang landed a few feet away from her opponent Arslan, who backed away Yang rushed forward landing a punch on the martial artist the two unleashed a number of punches and kicks ending with the two slamming their fist's together forming a shockwave from the force of the impact, both brawlers being blown back Yang charges forward attempting to land more hit's, suddenly Arslan used her rope dart to tangle up her blond adversary landing a hard hit sending Yang skidding into the winter biome of the field, getting to her feet she struggled to get her balance on the slippery surface Arslan rushed forward knocking Yang back further.
Nadir Shiko, raised his assault rifle aiming down at the blond brawler a gunshot sounded impacting at his feet a burst of frosty blue dust leaving the whimpering gunner encased in Ice up to his thighs. Looking over to the source of the shot seeing Ruby Rose Crescent Rose in hand.
"I got your back!" She chirped
"Yeah, well who's got yours" Ruby turned around to see Bolin Hori approaching her from behind twirling his staff, a black snowflake Glyph appeared to his left, Weiss kicked him through it and into a rock a few feet away.
"MY BFF!" Ruby cheered, Weiss turns to look at her with a deadpan look./p
"No" she then darted off towards Bolin/p
"Yes" Ruby whispered pumping her fist./p
"Bolin crouched with his weapon as he sees a white Glyph appear in front of him. A second later, Weiss dashed by slashing at him leaping up into the air she attempted an aerial attack, he raised his staff blocking her strike. Weiss raised her sword a glyph forming behind her, Ruby using it to launch herself into the air spinning as she came down on Bolin who managed to block her scythe, Growling Ruby pulled the trigger blasting herself away to Weiss's side as Bolin rushed them, sliding under the shards of Ice Weiss formed he flipped over Ruby who only looked on in confusion.
"Whaaat! "She exclaimed
"Bolin smirked breaking away a Dust crystal with his staff, before throwing it over to Reese the scatter girl caught the shard fussing it into her board turning aqua light to a crimson shade, she winks at Blake, using her board heat she freed Nadir from his icy snare.
Swinging back round to Blake she slammed her board down onto her enemy's blade, propelling herself back while knocking Blake through a frozen pillar. Reese attempted to use her board to slam Blake into the ground, Blake dodged backwards Reese spins her board around creating a flaming arc that Blake narrowly avoided thanks to her shadow clone.
"Changing tactics Blake launched the pistol part of Gambol Shroud at a nearby glacier and launched herself behind it, Reese followed behind and sees her with her back to her under an arch. Reese grinned before ridding in performing a flaming spiral at Blake only for her to Vanish. Reese's eye's widened as she saw the black ribbon stretched out in front of her. Blake pulled tightly tensing the fabric close lining Reese before delivering a body kick to knock her out of the field and into the wall of the arena, defeated.
"Ooh, a double whammy! Reese Chloris is eliminated by ring out and Aura depletion" Port announced Reese looked up to the board watching as her aura depleted into the Red her image becoming crossed out beside her teammates she growled in anger slamming her fist into the ground
Back in the fight, Arslan used her rope dart to skate around and avoid Yang coming up behind her, using her shotgun gauntlets she blasted herself forward. Nadir came into the picture aiming his rifle at Weiss, she summoned another glyph launching Bolin at him. the two were helpless as they were swept up in a whirlwind Weiss formed underneath them slamming the two together as a large fist formed out of ice clamped shut around them. It then reformed into a ball that began to roll around on the field.
Arslan saw her team in such a state rolling her eyes in annoyance before changing direction sliding into the path of the ball. Planting her foot, she readied her stance as the ball grew closer and drove her hand into the frozen orb the Ball shattering freeing her allies
" Yang!" Weiss called out
Yang turned to look at her before the two nodded. Weiss created a large frozen slide Knowing what to do, Yang blasted herself forward skimming across the ice, catching gambol shroud as her teammate ran past her using Ruby as a launch pad to leap into the air towards the remaining members of ABRN. The three only had seconds to look on in horror as Blake whipped a screaming Yang around landing a devastating punch into Arslan sending the trio flying into a bolder depleting the last of their aura.
"And that's the match, Team RWBY, are victorious. " Port announced the stadium erupting in cheers./p
"Weiss looked around unsure "We, did it?"
"Ruby leapt up into the air "WE DID IIIIIII-
/
"...is anyone else starving" Ruby said hunching over.
The Team of huntresses now stood in the centre of the fairground. Blake put's a hand on her head taking on a calm look "I may have worked up an appetite." A large gurgle from the Faunus caused her to straightened up her face turning a bright shade of red as her cat ears stood up straight in embarrassment. The victory had been well earned the four had been training none stop since they got back. But it wasn't all for the tournament after the absolute beating they had taken at the hands of the Red Psycho ranger the four had been pushing themselves harder to ensure they were ready if they met him or any of his brethren again.
"Gee, if only there were somewhere on campus to get food around here." Weiss said sarcastically "Oh, wait" she said as they literally stood in the centre of the fairground in a forest clearing surrounded by almost a dozen food stalls each adorned by colourful flags and banners of the four kingdoms.
"It's ok Weiss" Ruby said wrapping her arm around her partner's shoulder "I forget about the fairground too"
"Weiss pushed Ruby away "I was being facetious!" She replied
"Ruby gasped beginning to freak out "Gah! If you were hungry, why didn't you say so."
"Come on I know just the place." Yang said.
"As the girls made their way to the place Yang suggested, Weiss suddenly stopped as she hears the ringtone on her scroll. Pulling it out she looked down at the device the contact labelled 'FATHER' she glared down at it, putting it back where she got it.
"As they kept walking Ruby turned to her sister "So, is this where we're supposed to meet Alex and Koan?" Ruby asked
"That's a pretty safe assumption" Alex said as he and koan approached RWBY from their right
"Hey guy's" A familiar voice called out
Ruby turned back spotting a familiar green haired girl holding a small red wallet with a rose engravement on the outside "Huh?" Ruby said as she began to rummage through her pockets while frantically saying "No!"
Emerald laughed at the red reapers predicament "Good to see you, Ruby!" she said handing the wallet back to the red reaper
"Thanks, Emerald. I guess I dropped it, Ugh, Girl pockets are the worst" Ruby said
"What's up, Em?" Yang asked coming up beside her sister
"Just left the stadium after your amazing fight. you guys were awesome." Emerald said causing Ruby to stutter uncontrollably
"I heard your team progressed to the next round too. " Blake noted
"You know, I feel like we never get to see your other teammates." Weiss said
"Yeah, you usually hang around those other three. "Koan said in though
"Yeah, that hipster guy with silver hair, the other girl with green eyes and what was her name again... Cinder, yeah Cinder, Nyx and Mercury, where are they now?" Alex asked
"The green haired girl's eye's widened for a moment having to suppress a small laugh 'Hipster that's actually a pretty good way to describe that idiot.' Emerald thought before shrugging "Cinder went back to the dorm, Mercury's checking out a few stalls and Nyx well..." Emerald said as she glanced around spotting a multicoloured girl in disguise indulging herself in one of her frozen treats.
"So, how'd they do in a fight?" Emerald looked away in thought, recalling the fight against one of the teams from Shade academy. "Really, well."
"That's great" Ruby said "Why don't we all go out and get some victor food together"
"Oh, gosh that's so nice of you but, my teammates are all kind of...introverted." she said glancing back at Mercury who was busy looking over a pair of boots and began to sniff them pulling away in disgust "Really socially awkward"
"Ohh yeah. I could see that." Yang said Alex and Koan just shrugged it wasn't any stranger then what they'd seen in under town.
"So yeah. Looks like Merc and I will be moving on to the doubles round. What about you guys?" Emerald asked crossing her arms behind her back
"Well." Ruby began "as the leader of team RWBY I thought long and hard about this decision-"
"Ahem" Alex coughed glancing to Ruby a wary look in his eye.
"Oh." Ruby said in realization "Well sorry Emerald we're keeping that a secret, you know can't give up the advantage." Ruby said shrugging
"I, guess." Emerald said with a smile while inwardly cursing 'of course it wouldn't be that easy.' she chuckled "Well if mercury and I see you down the line, don't think we'll go easy on ya."
"Wouldn't have it any other way." Yang said crossing her arms over her chest.
"Alright. Well, gonna go catch some more fights" Emerald said as they parted way's
"Have fun!" Ruby called back
/
"See ya latter!" Emerald said waving goodbye as she turned her back Emerald immediately dropped her act as she walked with mercury looking disgusted.
"So how are the new "Friends?" Mercury asked
"I hate them" Emerald said scowling
Mercury shrugs "Orders are orders."
"Emerald mashed her fingers together angrily " I just...how can they be so happy all the time." Emerald ranted
"Did you at least get what we want?" Mercury asked
Emerald practically growled "No, that little red idiot was about to tell me then Fissure stopped her, apparently they don't want to give away the advantage."
"Great, Cinders not gonna be happy." Mercury said
"I know." Emerald sighed "We should ask around JNPR and CFVY they seem to be close friends maybe they let it slip around them." Emerald said while mercury hummed in agreement.
/
Team RWBY and their companions sat outside one of the more unassuming huts stringed with paper lanterns as they began to order. Alex stood off to the side with his badge looking over the File for Emerald and Mercury something didn't seem right about those two.
"I'll have a bowl of the regular, please. "Yang said a large bowl of ramen being thrown in front of her
"I'll have what she's having" Koan said gesturing to Yang's noodles
"Me too" Ruby said as two large bowls of noodles slid in front of them the red reaper clasping her hands together in excitement
"Do you have anything with a low-salt..." Weiss was cut off as another bowl of noodles was thrust in front of her.
"Blake didn't say anything, nodding at the owner the elderly man smiled darted into the kitchen returning later with a full bowl of smoke Bass. Blake's eyes lit up as she drooled over her order.
"Weiss looked strangely at Blake before presenting her SDC card to the shopkeeper.
"Aww, Weiss! what's the occasion." Yang asked
"Consider it a thank you for sending me to the double rounds." Weiss joy instantly vanished as her card was flung back at her embedding into the wood counter, the annoyed shopkeeper pointing at the register as it beeped 'DECLINED' "What! How can my card be declined I was barely into my monthly allowance" One by one the shopkeeper began taking away their bowls Blake began to slide hers away attempting to hide her meal from the man before it too is taken.
"Nooo!" She whimpered.
"Maybe I could help" The six turned to find Jaune, Pyrrha, Nora and Ren approaching the stand the red-haired spartan holding her own credit card in hand.
"Pyrrha!" Ruby cheered flinging her arms into the air
"Aww! you don't have to" Yang said
"But she could." Blake pressed suddenly her bowl slid back in front of her "Huh?" The owner pointed to her right were Alex sat with his own Bowl of ramen digging in the others looked at the scene in somewhat jealousy.
"Sorry" Alex shrugged "That was the last of my Lien I thought I could pay for everyone's."
"Here." Pyrrha said handing the man her own card" You guy's earned it after that battle
"Mind if we join you?" Jaune asked
"So, you guys think you're ready?" Ruby asked Pyrrha as she and the others finished their bowls while Jaune seemed to be clutching his stomach in pain after eating too much.
Nora began frantically gesturing to her teammate" Of course! We've got a world-renowned fighter on our team, one's basically a ninja, I can bench five of me, Jaune, we've trained all year our weapons are awesome, Glynda barely yells at us anymore and uh...Jaune" Nora said frantically
Ren looks to Jaune and askes "Are you gonna take that?"
"She's not wrong" Jaune admitted groaning in pain still clutching his stomach.
" I'm kidding, he knows I'm kidding. Don't be so nervous! The worst that can happen is we lose, finish a few more years of walking around school with everyone knowing we're failures, our friends will slowly abandon us to preserve their social status, we won't be able to show our faces in classes, Nora babbled as the colour began to drain from her face " No one will want to sit with us in the cafeteria, Ren and I have no parents, and we have no home left to go to, and we'll be renamed team lose-iper! "Nora maniacally laughing soon faded into sobs as she slammed her head down on the wooden counter.
"Oooooookay" Alex said, watching the usual bubbly girl practically sobbing it was weird and out of character... even for Nora.
Ren then spoke up, unaffected by the gingers actions "So yeah, we're feeling pretty good."
"Don't fret. If anything, we should be looking forward to Fight with actual guidelines and not well... murderers and psychopaths.
"Yeah, don't sweat it! We've all faced worse before." Yang said
Blake began counting off the threats on her fingers "Let's see, Grimm invasion, violent extremists, thirteen extremely dangerous psychopaths, getting sent into another dimension by said psychopaths and fighting off alien criminals" Blake finished "Did I miss anything?"
"No, that basically covers it" Alex said
"And that's while we're still in training, Oh! Imagine what it'll be like when we graduate." Ruby said clapping her hands in excitement.
"Maybe then we'll be able to pay for a meal." Weiss sarcastically mumbled to herself.
"Ports voice came over the intercom "Would team JNPR report to the battleground immediately"
"Yes! Like they were scheduled to, several minutes ago." Oobleck's voice swiftly followed with a somewhat annoyed tone.
"Well, it looks like this is it" Pyrrha said she and her teammates rising from their seat,
"Go get em'!" Ruby called out to the retreating forms of JNPR, Nora still looked rather depressed while Jaune simply looked queasy.
Ruby and the others got up from their seats, a subtle beep came from Alex's pocket catching their attention pulling out his plumber's badge Alex looked to the others" You guys go on ahead I'll catch up once I take this." The others nodded continuing to their destination.
Alex rounded behind the stall opening the com on his plumber's badge reviling Ben's face his hood pulled up Rook in the background with a scanner "Rook, Ben." Alex said
"Alex" Ben's voice came through "How have you been? You enjoying the festival."
"It's been fun. Did you just call to ask or is there something else?" Alex asked
"Rook's been scanning the area we've picked up D.N.A and a residual energy signature, you were right the psychos are here." Alex sighed he had hoped he'd been wrong at the time, but this only confirmed it.
"Any luck finding out who their posing as?" Alex asked
"Rook stood up coming to stand beside Ben "No such luck, every inhabitant on this planet is giving off a rather unique and strong energy signature similar to those your friends possess."
"Their masking their own frequency with the Aura the huntsmen students are giving off." Alex surmised.
"We believe so." Rook nodded in understanding
"Rook and I are gonna have a look around see if we can pick anything up we'll be heading over to the stadium in a little while I am so not missing those fights." Ben said
"Copy that, contact me if you find anything." Alex said Rook and Ben nodding as the call cut off. Slipping his badge back into his pocket Alex began making his way towards the bullheads that would take him to the arena and like Ben he was not missing JNPR'sfight.
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Hello readers I'm back with another chapter it is the start of Volume 3 and due to this I am upping the age rating on my story prepare for some blood and gore in the future, possible character death along with some adult topics, anyway as always I hope you enjoyed this chapter see ya next time./p