Ch. 34
Like the rest of the world, the city of Vale was alight with decoration and celebration. Parades started, shops went on sales, and faunus and humans alike roamed the streets. In the main city square, located in the commercial district, preparations for a special event were being made.
"Hey, make sure those barriers are straight?" said a woman pointing at a man in a black suit with a red tie.
This woman had gunmetal grey eyes and short white hair with black highlights and parted bangs. She had fair skin and wore a decorated black collar attached to a grey sleeveless shirt and shorts one piece over a full body blue and black outfit with mid-length sleeves and black boots. She also had lightweight dark gray armor plates on her hips and below her shoulders along with two earrings on each ear.
She stood in the middle of the square on a mountain of boxes to gain a height advantage and survey all the men under her jurisdiction. She tapped away on the enlarged scroll in her hands until a familiar voice called out to her.
"Hey babe, I'm back!"
The woman turned around to see Jack with his friends tagging along. She immediately jumped down from her pedestal and embraced him.
"You've been gone for five hours! I hope you don't expect me to orchestrate all this by myself," she told Jack.
"Naw babe, I wouldn't do that to you." Jack then turned to his friends. "Guess who this fine thang is."
"Hmmmmm, did she go to Altair with us?" Emma asked.
"She did for a while," Jack answered.
"You sure, cause I know damn well I'd remember a girl as fine as her," Jurano said.
Abaddon nudged him in the ribs. "Careful dude, Velvet could hear you, and you know we faunus have very good hearing."
"She seems very familiar, but I can't put my finger on it," said Kathleen.
The women strode up to Kathleen and said, "You've grown a lot since I last saw you Morning Glory. Same for you Jingle Bells."
Kathleen's and Emma's eyes widened as they both gasped. "Izzaline!"
Both girls tackled Izzaline in a group hug.
"Say what?!" Both Abaddon and Jurano screamed.
"I can't believe it's you!" Kathleen exclaimed. "I thought you left with your mom to go to Atlas seven years ago. When did you get back?"
"Well, it's a long story, but I got back a month or two after you guys left for Beacon," Izzaline said. "The only ones there to greet me were Jack and a few old friends. Jack was the only one who figured out it was me on his own."
"Yep, expert detective here at your service," Jack boasted.
"But Izzy, when did you get so fiiiinneeee?" Jurano's question was answered when someone abruptly grabbed his ear.
"Jurano, are you flirting?" Velvet asked as she held onto her boyfriend's ear.
"Ouch! No, I'm just being honest I promise," Jurano told her.
"Hmph!" Velvet turned away from him, clearly upset.
"Oh, no. Velvet please don't be mad at me." Jurano went behind Velvet and wrapped his arms around her waist, trying desperately to fix the situation while the others continued to converse with Izzaline.
"He's right ya know Izzy," Abaddon said. "You look great, but it should be expected since seven years have passed."
"Exactly, I can't look like the shy, scared little girl you all remember," she told them. "Now, we should get ready for the event we set up. Didn't you have some other people with you?"
"Yeah, but we got separated on the way here cause they wanted to see the parade. What event are you cooking up here?" Abaddon asked, looking around the area being set up. "And with Junior's men?"
"Oh we hired them from him," Jack said. "We heard about the Vytal Tournament being canceled, and we can't have a Vytal festival without some fighting competition, so we got info about Junior and his services, acquired some helping hands, and set everything up."
"I'm about to be done. Junior's men have already finished putting up the barricades around the arena, along with a few decorations and three sets of bleachers, plus there will be cameras showing the event all around the city," Izzaline told them. "Annnnddddd, done!"
Jack pumped his right fist. "Alright, let's get this shit started!"
XXXXXXX
After getting in contact with RWBY and JNPR, Jack and Izzaline stood on a small stage set up on one end of the town square. Many citizens and students had gathered around, carrying fliers that advertised the event.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen! As you've heard, the Vytal Tournament has been canceled, but will be back next year!"
As Jack expected, a large majority of the crowd booed in response. "Although, just like you, we didn't feel like waiting that long to see some action! The slashing of blades! The clashing of fists! The close calls and epic finishes! That's what we wanna see, am I right people!"
The mood of the crowd transformed into great excitement as there were hoots and hollers up and down the nearby streets. "Now, since you people hold a special place in our hearts, you will be the first ones to get a sneak peek at what's in store for you next year! The upcoming fights you will see here aren't as big as the original tournament, but we'll do the best we can to accommodate your tastes for heated combat! Now everybody, let's get ready to rumble!"
Jack pulled the microphone away from his face, smiling widely at the crowd as they screamed in delight. "Who's the first matchup?"
"It's….Ruby and Emma," Izzaline answered as she set up two icons of the huntsmen on her tablet.
Jurano got back on his microphone. "Alright, you crazy kids here's our first matchup! Ruby Rose of team RWBY versus Emma Trennair of team KAJE!"
A few seconds after being called, both girls descended the few steps into the square arena.
"Ready for round two?" Emma asked, brandishing her Umbra Claws in dual scythe form.
"I'll be the victor this time," Ruby assured Emma.
"BEGIN!"
Ruby made the first move. She rushed forward, spinning like a drill in midair. Emma teleported at the last second, reappearing on the other end of the arena. Ruby fired in her direction, but Emma teleported once more. She attacked Ruby's right side, but the scythe-wielding brunette saw this coming and flipped over her. She smacked her opponent with the back blunt side of Crescent Rose. Emma lost her balance for a moment, then regained her footing. The faunus started firing her pistols at Ruby, who effortlessly blocked the bullets by quickly twirling her scythe in her hands. Changing her Umbra Claws into scythe form, Emma spun her weapon in the same fashion Ruby did and threw it at her. Ruby was surprised by this tactic. She hit the scythe head-on, spiking it up into the air. Unbeknownst to her, this was a distraction. Emma teleported to Ruby's back side. Once more caught by surprise, the brunette tried to react, only to be elbowed in the back. Emma then followed up with a low kick, knocking Ruby off her feet and loosening her grip on her weapon. Emma grabbed Crescent Rose and planted its large blade into the ground nearby. She then caught her scythe as it came back down and swiftly changed modes, freezing with the barrels of both her guns aimed in close range at Ruby.
"And that's the match!"
The crowd let out large applause. Emma pulled Crescent Rose out of the ground and handed it to Ruby, who had just gotten to her feet.
"Awwww! I was sure I was gonna win this time," Ruby whined.
"It's ok Ruby, if you won every fight, then you wouldn't really be learning anything. As huntsman in training, we must learn from our mistakes. That's what Grandpa told me once," Emma told her.
"True," Ruby agreed.
Both girls left the arena for the next battle.
"Next battle, Velvet Scarlatina of team CFVY versus Bolin Hori of team ABRN!"
"Jurano, hold this for me please." Velvet handed her weapon, a camera, to her boyfriend.
"Alright. Good luck out there babe," Jurano said as Velvet stepped down into the arena.
Bolin Hori swung his staff to and fro as he faced Velvet. He grinned, thinking that he had an advantage since Velvet didn't have her weapon with her.
"You sure you can beat me without a weapon?" Bolin asked heartily.
"I'm pretty confident I can," Velvet answered, getting into a fighting stance.
"Aaand begin!"
Bolin swung his staff to strike Velvet quickly at her side, only for her to duck under its swing. She then kicked at his stomach with one leg, but Bolin dodged to his right and swung his staff at her other leg to trip her. Velvet saw this coming and spin with the attack to allow the limb he hit to come back and smack him in the side of his face. Bolin fell on his behind a few feet away.
"She hasn't used her weapon since we started, and yet I find myself outmatched in close combat," Bolin thought. "If she doesn't have a weapon, I can use that to my advantage and keep my distance while striking at any openings with my staff."
With this plan in mind, Bolin stood back up. He once again was the first to attack, coming in close to elbow Velvet in the face. She put up her arms to guard, but this attack was a feint. Bolin dashed back, still with his staff's range of attack, and mustered some of his strength to strike Velvet in the stomach with a powerful jab from his weapon. Velvet clutched her stomach, reeling from the pain. Bolin took advantage of this, striking at Velvet from multiple angles. She managed to escape from the onslaught to recover. Bolin kept his guard up, smiling as if he'd already won since a large chunk of Velvet's aura was already gone. Velvet collected herself, getting back into her battle stance. Unfortunately for Bolin, Velvet attacked first. She became aggressive in her advance, easily breaking through Bolin's defenses and knocking his weapon clean out of his hands.
"My semblance!" Bolin thought.
Velvet attacked once more with a straight forward punch. Bolin put up his arms to block, but Velvet caught him by surprise. She used her right leg to lower his arms and drop his guard. Bolin counter-attacked with a quick jab and missed. Velvet ducked down below and wrapped her left leg around his neck, bouncing up into the air and spinning him around wildly before sending him headfirst into the ground. Velvet landed nearby, dusting off her hands.
"And there you go! Good game!"
"Oh, sorry about that," she apologized, seeing that her opponent was barely conscious.
As Velvet exited the arena, one of Bolin's teammates, Nadir Shiko, picked him up and carried him out.
"Holy crap Velvet, that was awesome!" Jurano cheered.
"That looks like my technique," Kathleen said to Velvet. "I didn't think anyone else could do that."
"Well, I can thanks to my semblance," Velvet replied.
After Velvet's fight, three more one on one matches commenced. The first of those three was Jaune vs Brawnz Ni from team BRNZ, with Jaune barely making the win. Next was Nora vs Sun, and despite her strength advantage and somewhat unpredictable style, Sun outmaneuvered her and claimed victory. Then the third fight, Emerald vs Dew Gayl from team NDGO, who managed to defeat Emerald much to Mercury's surprise. Then there was the final match.
"Now ladies and gentlemen! The final bout! This one's gonna be a team battle! And a classic one at that! Are you ready forrrrr…Boys! Versus! Girlllllsss!"
The people of Vale that were watching hollered with extreme excitement. Everyone loved a classic battle of the sexes in any sort of competition or sport.
"Her we go! These four heavy hitters need to come up please! Arslan Altan of team ABRN and Yang Xiao Long of team RWBY versus Yatsuhashi Daichi of team CFVY and Abaddon Rizer of team KAJE! Well, we've got a spectacular battle right here folks, both sides have a team leader!"
All four fighters faced each other in the arena.
"Don't hold back just because we're ladies Fido," Yang mused.
"No promises goldilocks," Abaddon replied, then looked at Yatsuhashi. "You got my back big guy?"
"I'll do my best," Yatsuhashi replied.
"Hey, Arslan let's teach these boys a lesson!" Yang exclaimed.
Arslan merely smiled and nodded.
"Aaaand begin!"
Arslan's rope dart immediately lashed out and wrapped around Abaddon's right arm. She pulled him towards her with her right arm, cocking her left arm back to strike. The boy had gone with it, and when he was within striking distance, he flipped himself over her. He landed behind her and yanked her towards him. Abaddon punched Arslan in the gut, but she managed to kick him in the face as a tradeoff. They flew away from each other, both having focused their aura into their strikes. Meanwhile, Yatsuhashi had some difficulty keeping up with Yang. Her punches came fast, and he either blocked with his great sword or parried her strikes. In the last parry, he smacked her hard with the flat of his blade. Yang fell to the ground, dazed. She shook her head as she stood, recovering from the blow. She regained her senses in time to sidestep a downward strike from Yatsuhashi's sword. Her rebuttal took the form of a roundhouse kick to her opponent's shin. This momentarily crippled Yatsuhashi's poise, allowing her to punch him with a semblance enhanced punch. To her surprise, he caught her fist with one hand, albeit still taking some damage. He then flung her at Arslan, who Abaddon had just jumped away from in time to avoid being sandwiched between the two girls. After the impact, they both tumbled to the ground.
"Ugghhh, this big guy's quicker than I thought," Yang groaned, rubbing her head.
"I have an idea," Arslan told her, finally speaking. "How about we concentrate our attacks and knock out one at a time? You get up close like you've already been doing while I do ranged attacks."
"Great thinking girl!" Yang told her. "Here I go!"
Yang assaulted Yatsuhashi once more, staying on the move while avoiding his sword swipes. Arslan faced Abaddon again but didn't engage him right away. This seemed a bit odd to him, but he mostly ignored it. He unsheathed his short swords and attacked. Arslan mainly evaded him. She would shoot fireballs, but they all missed him.
"She's missing all her shots, yet I'm not really trying. Something's going on here," Abaddon thought. "Wait, isn't Yatsuhashi-. "
Just then Yatsuhashi's large frame flew past Abaddon's head. He crashed into one of the barriers, greatly damaging it. Abaddon looked at Yang, who's outstretched fist was smoking.
"Heh, so that's what was going on. Nice plan," Abaddon told them.
"You wanna give up now Fido? We've got you cornered," Yang said.
"And you're not getting a handicap," Arslan added.
Abaddon chuckled. "Never said I needed or wanted one."
He combined his four swords into their dual great sword forms, then combined those into Obsidian Fang's third transformation: a large double-edged ultra-great sword.
"Well, ladies, let's see how you handle these great sword skills!"
Yang went at him full speed, with Abaddon going on the defensive. The blonde rocketed forward with a hard punch, but Abaddon dashed past her fist and backhanded her with his right fist whilst blocking a fireball with his left shield gauntlet. With his large sword in his left hand, the boy twisted around and hit Yang, throwing her through the air.
"That tactic won't work. Try something else," Abaddon told them with a smirk.
Yang skidded to a halt next to Arslan. Arslan eyed Yatsuhashi's sword on the ground next to Yang. She went over and picked it up.
"Catch."
Arslan threw the sword at Abaddon. He caught the sword in his right hand and stabbed the blade into the ground.
"Damn. What metal did Yatsu use to make this sword," Abaddon grumbled. "It's much heavier than mine."
"You sure you wanna fight with that Abaddon? It seems like a burden," Yang said.
"Well, the weight of this is nothing compared to a Cerberus' foot," Abaddon replied, patting the pommel of Yatsuhashi's weapon. "It's not nearly enough to make me lose against you two."
Yang and Arslan started blasting fireballs and explosive blasts. Abaddon used his sword to block them, all the while advancing on the girls. He jumped into the air, then came down with a spinning blade slam. Yang and Arslan managed to avoid the shockwave, only for Abaddon to dash straight towards Arslan. He kneed her straight in the gut and quickly slashed her aura several times with his sword. Arslan tried to counter with one aura concentrated attack. Abaddon dodged it, then hit her with his own concentrated punch, depleting her aura and sending her crashing into one of the barriers as well. After dealing with Arslan, Abaddon collapsed his sword and did a quick turnaround. He raised one gauntlet in time to block an explosive punch from Yang. She sent another punch his way, but he pushed it aside and kneed her in the face multiple times with his left knee. Yang reached to grab his knee. Abaddon instead wrapped his left leg around her arm and used it as leverage to kick her in the face with his right. He then launched himself off her, knocking her to the ground in the process. Although, Yang wasn't beaten yet. She stood back up and fully activated her semblance. Her glowing red eyes were dwarfed only by her fire-like mane. Abaddon smiled as he was ready to take on everything the blonde could give him. Yang's onslaught came fast and strong. Although, Abaddon didn't have trouble keeping up.
"Why did she wait 'till now to use her semblance?" Abaddon thought. "If she had used it earlier before my defenses grew, she had the possibility to knock me down."
Abaddon deflected each punch, as they were strong but extremely telegraphed. Yang's advance didn't last long though, and Abaddon caught her final punch. The added shotgun blast barely put a dent in his aura. Having run out of steam, Yang's semblance deactivated. The boy then peppered Yang with a multitude of punches before knocking her out with an uppercut. Yang fell back on the ground unconscious.
"And the battle hath ended! Boyyysssss wiiiiiin!"
The crowd went wild, even more than ever before. Nevertheless, some were disappointed with the results.
"Abby!" Emma jumped on Abaddon's back like usual. "I knew you'd win!"
"Well, I didn't wanna knock Yang out, but I guess I hit her too hard," Abaddon said as he walked over to Yang and picked her up bridal style. "Can't just leave her on the ground like that."
Abaddon walked back to his group as Jack wrapped everything up.
"Okay people, that's all you get for this rodeo! This is just a sneak peek to the actual thing! I know you loved it, and you want more, but that would ruin the actual Vytal Competition! So, goodbye for now! We love you all, and hope you have a beautiful Vytal Festival! "
