Cheers of excitement erupted from the audience as the two opposing pairs faced off for the match, Mercury Black and Emerald Sustria against Coco Adel and Yatsuhashi Daichi the gentle giant currently meditating while they waited for the match to begin. The four biomes rose up around them Aa tall grassy panes with a single tree and some rocks, the ruins of a city complete with destroyed buildings and rubble, a hot spring containing a small river geyser pools and dust crystal growths, and final a rather familiar section of forest.
Team RWBY, Velvet, Fox, Alex, and Koan sat together as the rabbit Faunus cheered her teammates on "Good luck, you two!" Velvet cheered.
/
"Hey," Coco said pulling down her sunglasses to look at her opponent "Love the outfit kid."
"I'll try not to get blood on it" Emerald replied resting her hands on her hips.
Yatsuhashi rose from his meditation "I can't promise you won't be leaving without a scratch" he said drawing his blade
"Oh, I won't be the one bleeding "Emerald replied rolling her shoulder.
"I like her," Coco said.
Coco, Yatsuhashi, Emerald, and Mercury waited for the match to begin.
"Three, two, one. Begin!" Port announced over the intercom.
Instead of charging forwards Emerald and Mercury slowly walked back into the tall grass disappearing into the glades. Coco and Yatsuhashi smiled at one another the beret-wearing girl shifting her weapon into its Gatling gun form and opened fire, the crowds of Sunglasses wearing fans roared in approval even as the stray rounds bounced off the force-field in front of them.
Coco lets up on the barrage when she and Yatsuhashi notice their opponent missing from the plains biomes "Huh?" Coco said in confusion.
Suddenly Mercury dropped down from the sky, aiming for Coco. Yatsuhashi pushed his leader aside bringing his blade up blocking Mercury boots pushing him back Coco fires once again at the silver-haired boy the rounds trailing behind him as he outran each shot. Mercury darted towards the two kicking away Coco's weapons while dodging Yatsuhashi's sword delivering a double kick to the large man before jumping over Coco's barrage of bullets. Landing on the barrel he kicked the beret-wearing girl in the face, leaping over another of Yatsuhashi's swings only to receive a backhand from Yatsuhashi.
Grabbing Coco's collar forcing her to press the muzzle of her weapon into Yatsuhashi's gut, shifting her weapon back into its compact form and tries to hit him alongside Yatsuhashi. Jumping back Mercury launched two blasts from his boots that Coco and Yatsuhashi easily deflected, looking back to the silver-haired young man their eye's widened in surprise as dozens of the shots surrounded the handstand pinning Mercury
/
"Is he brake dancing?" Alex asked with a raised eyebrow
"Does it matter?" Koan said looking back at the cyclone of explosive flares
"It's definitely effective" Blake mused the others hummed in agreement before turning their attention back to the fight.
/
Mercury unleashed the barrage at the two members of CFVY creating a smokescreen giving him the perfect cover to come up behind them. Grabbing their arms, Mercury delivered a flurry of kicks that knocked them back, a chain shot out of the forest wrapping around Coco's waist dragging her back
"Coco" Yatsuhashi yelled as he tried to reach out to her. Despite his efforts, Coco disappeared into the canopy receiving a blow from Mercury Yatsuhashi grabbed him by the collar throwing him into the hot spring biome. As Mercury slid back Yatsuhashi leaped high into the air his sword raised high bringing it down as he descended the blade collided with Mercury's boots, the resulting shockwave caused water to fly back the earth below them to crack and multiple geysers to go off around them.
Mercury fires his boots allowing him to get out from under the blade, aiming a swipe at Yatsuhashi's feet the giant avoiding his kick countering with three swings of his massive sword, Mercury ducked under each swing. One of his kicks broke away some stones from the ground which Mercury kicks into Yatsuhashi leaving him open to another assault from Mercury the final kick knocking Yatsuhashi into a superheated geyser that went off in his face causing him to scream in pain Half blinded he frantically stood up opening his eye's only to see Mercury coming right at him.
/
Coco slammed into one of the tree trunks shaking it off her hands instantly went up to her face trying to find her shades, looking around she finds her signature sunglasses lying a few feet away shattered. "Ok, I don't like her." Coco grumbled suddenly a gunshot rang out Coco threw herself back the round barely missing her more rained down from Emerald's position in the trees.
Coco unleashes her Gatling gun again opening fire into the branches above Emerald returning fire when she could before shifting her weapon to their sickle form swinging from each tree before vanishing behind one. Coco scanned the tree lien her Gatling gun raised ready to fire.
"Coco" a voice called out
Coco turned to see Yatsuhashi standing behind her looking back to the trees "Watch out she's in the trees!" Coco called out to her teammate suddenly a buzzer rang out, Coco looked up at the footage of her teammate being defeated
"Oh, and with that, Yatsuhashi is eliminated" Ports voice came over the intercom
Coco's eyes widened in shock "What!" she said glancing back towards her teammate only to find him missing, it wasn't possible he was there only seconds ago, her hands began to tremble along with the rest of her body as her eyes rapidly scanned the canopy "Damn" Coco muttered
A twig snapped to her right Coco raised her Gatling gun only for her body to freeze at what she saw, Psycho red stood a few feet away from her sword in hand the blade stained crimson red Coco took a step back tightening her grip on her weapon as Red chuckled his dark eye's flashing for a moment "Watch the birdy" he said as a figure rose up behind Coco.
Coco spun around only for everything to go black.
/
Everyone in the stands watched with batted breath, suddenly Coco shot out of the forest her unconscious body skidding to a halt in the center of the stadium next to her teammate as Emerald emerged from the forest swinging her sickles by the chain she and Mercury looking down on their opponents.
"Coco" Velvet whispered covering her mouth in shock as foxed placed a hand on her shoulder
"No way!" Alex said staring down into the arena Coco and Yatsuhashi were one of the strongest at Beacon and they lost so easily something... something didn't feel right about this.
Behind the group Cinder rose from her seat a triumphant smile on her face as she walked off
/
Later in the pavilion, Weiss sat across from Winter at a small table a plate full of croissants and strawberries present in the center of their table
"Your...leaving?" Weiss asked her sister.
"Yes. I was merely required to oversee the transporting of additional units to Vale. Our last shipment was lost in an ambush, I believe you had a run in with its cargo. If those Paladins were in their prototype stages; otherwise your team may not have fared so well. "Winter replied "Then again I've heard from general Ironwood that boy... Alex was it, has already shown his strength on a battlefield, I'm glad he was there with you"
Weiss sighed and looked down dejectedly, Winter reached across taking her sister's hand in a gentle embrace "Weiss you've done...well, out here, on your own. You should be proud. I'll be honest, it was quite amusing seeing Fathers face the day you left for Beacon!" Winter said, causing Weiss to smile.
Weiss straightened up crossing her arms over her chest " I can't wait to show him what I've learned!" She boasted
"Oh" Winter stated curiously "Then what do you think you've learned." She asked the younger Schnee.
"What do you mean? I'm getting better and better with my glyphs!" Weiss claimed, " I've even started Time Dilation "
Winter stares intently at her sibling "And what about your summoning?" she asked
"I..." Weiss tried responding, but just sighed and looked away. "You know I can't"
Winter shook her head in disbelief "Don't be ridiculous. Every Schnee has the ability to summon. We have for generations"
"I've tried!" Weiss cried out "It's just... it's the one thing I've been having trouble with!"
"We Schnee's are unique" Winter began" Unlike many, our Semblance is hereditary, but that does not mean it will come easily," Winter said as she raised her hand forming a small glyph "Your Semblance is like a muscle. The more you practice with it, the stronger it will become. But if you only focus on one aspect of it..." The glyph in Winters palm expanded in a bright flash causing Weiss to turn away, looking back she stared in awe at the white and blue Beowolf at her sister's side. "If you fail to test the limits of what you think is possible, then you will never truly grow."
/
The hallway outside team RWBY's dorm was relatively quiet students passing by minding their own business that is until "You'll never beat me, old man!"
"Heh, your nothing' but talk, kid! " Qrow replied. Some passers-by flinched at the volume while another simply shook his head
'Only you Rubes' Alex thought as he approached the dorm he knocked hearing a "Come in!" from yang before opening the door he was greeted by the sight of Ruby and her uncle Qrow Branwen in the middle of one of their games he glanced over to Yang who sat on the bed next to her sister cheering her on.
"You can do it, Ruby!" She called out.
Silence followed as a voice called out "Soaring Ninja wins: Total Annihilation!"
"And by the way" Qrow began "Don't ever call me old."
"My turn," Yang said barreling into Ruby taking her spot next to their uncle.
"Need a hand, "Alex said helping Ruby back up "Oh hey Alex, what are you doing here?"
"I've been going over a few files needed to stretch my legs, so what's going on here?" Alex asked turning towards the scene before him
"Oh," Ruby said darting back over to sit by her uncle "Uncle Qrow was telling us a story about one of his missions"
"Now where was I," Qrow said while idly beating Yang in the game. " I come across a small village in the swamps west of Mistral. Right off the bat, I knew something wasn't right."
"What were you doing there?" Ruby asked
"I needed information." Qrow answered " Tired from battling Grimm along the way, I decided to start my search at the towns Inn. The place was crawling with lowlifes and thugs, even a few huntsmen who I could only assume had been hired by less than reputable people, for less than respectable jobs. And then it happened" Even Alex leaned in in interest.
"What happened?" Yang asked voicing her curiosity.
"I was defeated..." Qrow slowly said. " By the mere sight... of the Innkeepers skirt length!"
'Good Lord' Alex thought rolling his eyes.
A pillow sailed towards Qrow, the huntsmen easily caught it and in that moment won the match
"Ugh, you're the worst" Yang said while Ruby and Qrow broke out laughing
Turning to his eldest Niece "Best two out of three?" he asked.
"So, uncle Qrow" Ruby began "Did you get in trouble with Ozpin?"
"Nah, me and Oz go way back. Were cool. Besides the kids the one you should be thanking." Qrow said pointing to Alex " You're a good shot kid, not a lot of people can catch me off guard, and you definitely saved me from having to explain the chaos to Glynda" Qrow said.
"Yeah, no problem I'm usually the guy who has to rain in the loose cannons back remind me of Manny."
"Manny?" Qrow asked
"Yeah, he's a good guy has a big heart but likes to pick a fight, it's usually me or his sister Helen who has to real him in before he knocks someone out," Alex said remembering his time spent with the brother and sister duo, he could still remember the graduation party they threw, turns out a Tetraman can be a lightweight
"He has a sister?" Qrow asked
"Yeah" Alex already knew where this was going. "And before you ask she's not your type."
Qrow grunted shrugging.
"So, what are you doing here anyway?" Ruby asked, " I thought Dad said you'd be on a mission for, like...ever"
"Well, a professional Huntsmen like myself is expected to get results, as soon as possible" Qrow answered.
"Yeah, I get pretty much pros, too" Yang replied.
"Ohh really?" Qrow replied
"Psst, yeah. read the news some time we totally saved Vale while you were gone" Yang stated
Qrow turned to loo0k at his Niece "Really, well imagine my surprise I heard you almost stopped a train and then went missing for a week after the Grimm were pushed out of Vale, not only did you scare Tai half to death, but we also thought the two of you might be dead!" Qrow snapped back his voice laced with some anger and worry directed towards the two girls who shrunk away from their uncle a silence following.
The two girls wouldn't look their uncle Qrow took a breath calming down. "Look... I'm sorry I snapped like that it's just been... stressful juggling my mission and wondering if I might get the chance to see the two of you again." suddenly a pair of arms locked around his back ruby burrowing her head into his back her sister soon joining them.
"We're sorry, we should have called you and dad when we finally got back." Ruby said as her grip tightened around her uncle.
Qrow chuckled for a moment "Don't worry about it squirt" He said. the two sisters pulling away.
"Well, on the upside we did manage to help put Torchwick away," Yang said.
"Torchwick was just a puppet someone else has been pulling the strings, at least that's what my gut's telling me." Alex said taking a seat on the bed.
Qrow nodded in agreement "Good instincts, Torchwick's was nothing but a Pawn. Sure, you may be acting like Huntresses, but you're not thinking like one, you really think four girls and their friends could end all the crime in the kingdom."
"I mean, I did until you said that" Ruby replied
Qrow continued "Violence hasn't dropped since Roman got nabbed, it stopped. Completely. No White Fang activity anywhere around the city. You cut the head off the king Tiajitu but now the second one's calling the shots. That's what Ironwood can't get through that thick metal head of his."
If Magister Tennyson were here we wouldn't have that problem" Alex muttered.
"Magister who?" Qrow asked
Alex was silent for a moment as Qrow stared at him waiting for an answer Yang and Ruby both stared at each other in slight worry. "Max Tennyson, Magisters his title" Alex began " he's the leader of a small militia group back in my hometown he taught me a lot of what I know, Max is the kind of person who always put others before himself but when it boils down to it isn't afraid to make the tuff decisions, but if he ever offers don't eat his cooking unless you're a fan of larva" Alex said cringing slightly remembering one of the stories Ben had told him about his grandfathers... diet.
"Ew" Ruby said she and her sister shivering slightly at the mental image of the man dining on a plate of insects.
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind." Qrow said cringing slightly "You sound like you respect him allot"
"I do, he pulled me out of a dark place when I was younger if he hadn't been there I don't think I'd be the same person I am now." Alex said
"He's starting to sound a bit like Oz, I wouldn't mind having another one of him around, maybe even set Jimmy straight." Qrow said
"Wait, so, you know the General?" Ruby asked
"Hey, I know everybody to some extent. Remember, you're talking to a member of the coolest team to ever graduate Beacon! Qrow said pulling out a rather worn picture Alex Ruby and Yang looked won at the picture the blond brawler's eye's widened as she stared at one member in particular
A woman with a spiky black-mane of hair a Katana like blade grasped in her hands, Yang's violate eyes scanned over her face, the same one she saw every morning when she looked in the mirror taking in every little detail she could before Qrow pocketed the picture Yang shook herself out of her stupor as her uncle continued. "Team STQR (Stark). That's where I met your parents, girls. We were pretty well known back in the day."
"Well known for crummy fashion sense." Ruby said causing Alex to chuckle.
"Hey, we looked good. And I have a number of inappropriate stories to back that up. But I'll save that for when your older " Qrow said
"Ew, gross!" Ruby cringed
"Anyway, I'm too old to be hanging out with a bunch of kids. You're going to cramp my style." Qrow joked as he stood up heading towards the door. He stopped a moment later speaking back to his nieces and their friend. "Look. Just remember you've still got a long way to go. And don't think for a second graduating means you're done. Every day out there's worth a week in this place. You two your gonna go far. But only if you keep learning, and only if you never stop moving forward" He says "Before turning towards Alex "Keep an eye on these two if they're anything like me and the others when we were their age, well... you're in for one hell of a ride." Qrow said turning and walking out the door
"You have no idea." Alex said he looked towards Yang and Ruby.
/
'That evening'
"Are you absolutely sure?" Alex said to the leader of CFVY who had shown up at his dorm with Velvet, he was surprised to learn paradox told them about who he really was without contacting him first, never the less it was good to hear there were a few more people in Beacon other than RWBY and JNPR he could trust to keep his secret.
The beret-wearing leader of CFVY sat on his bed her partner Velvet to her left currently in the middle of a conversation with a certain blue robotic owl.
"I saw that fucker, Alex you don't forget something like those things especially when one of them tried to decapitate you." Coco said with a slight shudder, their encounter with the Psycho ranger during the breach had left an impression on all of them it was quite the wakeup call to learn there could be things out there stronger and eviler than the Grimm" I'm sure it was him."
Alex hummed in thought "During the match, you said you were seeing things?" Alex said with Coco nodded
"One-minute Yatsuhashi was behind me the next he was gone," she said, "Next thing I know that bastard showed up just before that Emerald chick blindsided me."
Alex stood there in deep thought, if what Coco said was true then why didn't Emerald interfere when the Psycho ranger showed up it should have definitely been apparent he didn't belong there unless... "What if he wasn't really there"
"What do you mean," Velvet asked her leader nodding in agreement
"Like you said you were experiencing hallucinations when you were around Emerald. What if she was causing them" Alex said pacing back and forth
"You mean her semblance," Velvet said
"Maybe," Alex said. "But if that's the case, then how would she even know about the Psycho's Atlas has been trying to keep a tight lid on their existence." The mint haired girl was present at the dance he had seen her among the crowds watching his brawl with Psycho Gold but how could she know about the others. This wasn't making sense.
"What about the breach," Velvet said, "The media covered the events on the breach there could be a few videos circulating around online." Velvet pointed out
"Not likely." Alex said, "I've been trying to keep my activity along with the Psycho rangers under wraps, circuits been keeping an eye on things from here Atlas has only been seeing the footage that they needed to see everything else was scrapped by this little guy" Alex indicated to the circuit.
"Then how would they even know about them let alone what they look like," Coco said.
"I don't know, from what the reports say he and her partner were at least five blocks away when we were attacked" Alex turned back to face the upper years "Thanks for telling me about this I'll contact you if anything comes up." Alex said
"No problem," Coco said rising from the bed turning to face the Omni Ranger "If you ever need our help don't think twice about asking we've got your back," Coco said Velvet nodding in agreement.
"Thank you," Alex said as Coco and Velvet took there leave.
Taking a seat at his desk Alex set his plumbers badge down on the surface creating a holographic screen, pulling up the footage from the fight he switched between a few of the corresponding cameras around the table fast forward towards the part where Coco was defeated he zoomed in on Emerald and Mercury as they stood over their opponents
Narrowing his eyes, he stared at the image the same question repeating inside his head 'Who are you, and what are you really up to?'
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AN: And yet another chapter comes to a close with some, suspense, suspicion and family drama. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and what I'm putting out there I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.