Chapter 10

Dance the Night Away

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Flashback / "Communication Chatter"

Location / Date / Time Change

Night of the Dance

Ballroom

Yang stood behind a podium in an orange yellow dress with frilled arm sleeves and white heels. The door opened and Ruby walked in wearing a black trimmed red dress with black heels. "Oh, you look wonderful!" The older sibling cheered.

"Can we please talk to Weiss about how she fights in these things?" Ruby asked before almost falling over.

Outside Plaza

Sun walked towards the ballroom in a black shirt and white tie. "Stupid, dumb, itchy neck trap." He complained before adjusting the cloth.

"I knew you'd look better in a tie." A voice said from behind. Sun turned around to see Blake standing in a black dress and a teal bow on her head. She walked over, grabbed his arm and and lead him to the ballroom.

"Does this mean we're going together?" Sun asked.

"Technically." She answered. "But my first dance is spoken for."

Ballroom

Waltz music played through the speakers as pairs of students danced with each other. Yang and Blake bowed to each other as they finished their dance before Sun walked over and started waltzing with Blake. Her teammates looked at the smile on her and knew they had succeeded.

"I told you she'd come." Yang bragged at her success.

"Mission accomplished." Weiss, in a white dress added.

"So, what do we do now?" Ruby asked them both.

"Just have fun." Yang said as she and Weiss walked away.

"So does that mean I can change out of these things and back into my hood?!" She asked her sister but got no response. "Stupid lady stilts..."

"Quit complaining." She looked over as Natsu, in a black tuxedo and a red undershirt walked over. "Your tail isn't shoved down your pants leg."

"Not enjoying yourselves?" Both looked over as Ozpin walked up from behind.

"No, everything's fine." Ruby lied to the professor. "I'm just not really a fancy-pantsy-dancy girl..."

"Yeah, I'm not really good in these kinds of places either..." Natsu added.

"Well, you two can't spend your entire lives on the battlefield, no matter how much you want to." Ozpin said back.

"Yeah, that lessons been floating around a lot lately." Ruby said.

"If you really think about it, fighting and dancing aren't that different." Ozpin said as he turned to the dance floor. "Two partners, interlocked... However, a misstep on the ball room merely leads to a swollen foot."

"Or a twisted ankle..." Ruby mumbled in embarrassment.

"Or a bruised tail..." Natsu added.

"It's not everyday that friends get to come together like this." Ozpin said. "Time has a way of testing our bonds, but it's nights like these that can help keep them stronger than ever. Nights like these are ones we should never forget."

The door opened, catching Natsu and Ruby's attention. "You guys are just in time." Yang said to Emerald, in a dark green dress, and Mercury, in an orange trimmed tux as they walked through the door.

"We wouldn't miss this for the world." Mercury said before he and Emerald walked onto the dance floor. All around the room students in tuxedos and dress were chatting with each other. Oobleck and Port were laughing at a joke, and Ironwood even got Glynda to dance with him.

Behind the punch bowl, Ruby and Natsu held a glass of the liquid before Jaune slid next to them. "You two hiding at the punch bowl, too?" He asked.

"Yep." Ruby nodded.

"Uh-huh." Natsu added.

"To the socially awkward." Jaune joked as the three tapped glasses. "So, Natsu, where are your teammates?"

"Well, Aerith is over there." The Faunus pointed at the staff wielder, now in a light pink dress with a light gray trim, cool gray heels and a pink bow with gray dots, talking to a dark skinned man with green hair in a green trimmed tuxedo. "I think Vergil and Ryuko are around here somewhere."

"Sorry things didn't work out with Weiss." Ruby told the blonde.

"Nah, it's cool." The blonde played it off. "I could see why she'd want to go with Neptune."

"What are you talking about?" Ruby asked, confused.

"Come on, not many people can pull off blue hair." Jaune said before raising his glass to his lips.

"Ruby, I thought you said Weiss came alone." Natsu said, making Jaune choke on the punch.

"What?" Jaune asked before looking at the heiress messing with the floral arrangement.

"She said she was too busy focusing on the dance to worry about boys." Ruby explained.

The blonde looked over at Neptune, who was making Sun and Blake laugh, with disdain. "Hold my punch..." He told Natsu before he stormed off to the bluenette.

"Okay..." Ruby mumbled as Natsu took a sip out of Jaune's punch.

Jaune forced his way through the crowd, but stopped when he saw Pyrrha walk by him and up the stairs.

'I am so gonna win this bet.' Natsu thought as he took another sip of his punch.

Balcony

Pyrrha stared up at the sky in sadness, her red hair flowing in the night breeze.

"Hey, Pyrrha." Jaune said as he walked through the door.

"Hello, Jaune." She said turning around.

"You doing okay?" He asked while walking forward. "I haven't seen you all night."

"I got here late, it seems." She answered turning around.

"Well, you look really nice." Jaune said as he reached her.

"Thank you." She said back.

"Your date isn't gonna kill me for saying that about you, is he?" The blonde nervously asked.

"I'm pretty sure you're safe tonight." She answered.

"So, where is the guy?" Jaune asked.

"There is no guy." Pyrrha confessed turning to the blonde.

"What?" He asked shocked.

"No one asked me." She explained.

"That's not... you're Pyrrha Nikos. How could no one ask you!?" Jaune asked.

"I've been born with incredible talents and opportunities." She started explaining while turning around. "I'm constantly surrounded by love and praise. But when people put you on a pedestal like that for so long, you become separated from the people who put you there in the first place."

"Everyone assumes I'm too good for them, that I'm on a level they can never attain. It's become impossible to form any sort of meaningful relationship with people. That's what I like about you." She said turning to the blonde. "When we met, you didn't even know my name. You just treated me like everyone else and thanks to you, I've made friendships that will last a lifetime."

"I guess, you're the kind of guy I wish I was here with. Someone who just saw me for me." She turned around and started walking back to the door.

"Wait-" Jaune turned around and saw Neptune walking up to him.

"Hey, Jaune was it?" The bluenette asked.

"Yeah." The blonde sighed.

"This party's pretty lame, huh?" Neptune asked. "I mean 'ballroom dancing'? No thank you."

"Yeah." The blonde said, angrier than before.

"Cute girls though, huh?" The second boy asked.

"Is that all you care about?" Jaune asked as he turned around.

"Huh?" Neptune asked confused.

"Do you even care about the girls you're hitting on?" Jaune asked. "How they feel about you?"

"Hold on! Where is this coming from?" Neptune asked confused.

"How could you just turn her down like that!?" Jaune asked.

"Who?" Neptune aksed.

"Weiss!" Jaune shouted.

"Uh... It didn't work out." The bluenette said as he scratched the back of his head.

"What, are you too cool for her!?" Jaune asked. "Too many options on the table? Weiss Schnee personally asked you to the dance. How in your right mind could you possibly-"

"I can't dance." Neptune confessed.

"Come again?" Jaune aksed.

"I can't dance, man." Neptune repeated.

"But you're, so cool." Jaune said.

"Thanks." Neptune said back. "I try super hard to be that way."

"You would rather brake a girl's heart and come to a dance alone than just let everyone see that you can't dance to the rhythm of music?" Jaune asked.

"Pretty much." Neptune nodded.

"Well, that certainly makes me feel better." Jaune said turning around.

"Please don't tell anyone." Neptune begged. "Look, if you want Weiss, she's all yours. I won't get in your way."

Jaune sighed before he turned around and leaned against the railing. "Do you like her?" He asked.

"Well, I mean... I don't know her that well, but she seems pretty cool, so yeah." Neptune nodded.

"Then go talk to her." Jaune said back. "No pickup lines, no suave moves. Just be yourself. I've heard that's the way to go."

"Yeah, but-" Neptune started.

"Dude, you don't have to look cool all the time." Jaune interrupted the bluenette. "Honestly, if you could be a little less cool, I'd really appreciate it."

"Yeah... Okay." Neptune said back.

"Go talk to her." Jaune said. "I guarantee it will make her night."

"Thanks... You're a really cool guy, Jaune." Neptune said as he walked over with his fist out.

"Hey, don't lie to me." Jaune said as the two bumped fists. Neptune turned and headed back to the ballroom. "Okay. That leaves only one thing left to do."

Ballroom

Yang stared out from the upper level of the room at the mass of people dancing and conversing. Footsteps belonging to Natsu and Ruby told her they were walking over. "You know, we really need this." The blonde said.

Down on the floor, Ren and Nora were dancing roughly, and Sun and Blake were dancing peacefully, as were Aerith and her date. Near the side of the room, Penny, surrounded by two Atlas guards, started dancing in place.

"I guess." Natsu said.

"Well, I think you did a great job of planning it." Ruby said.

"Aww, thanks." Yang wrapped her arm around her sister and pulled her in by the throat. "But it wasn't just me. Ryuko and Weiss helped a lot."

All three looked down and saw Weiss sitting in a chair as Neptune walked over.

"Tomorrow, it's back to work." Yang complained with a sigh.

"Well, I'm sure we can handle whatever life throws at us." Ruby said before the people on the floor started laughing, making all three look down.

"Except that." Natsu said, trying not to laugh.

The laughing crowd made way as Jaune, clad in a white dress, made his way towards Pyrrha. She turned around and stared at him in disbelief.

"Eh, a promise is a promise." Jaune said with a shrug of his shoulders.

Pyrrha stared at him before she broke out in a laugh. "Jaune... you didn't have to-"

"Hey, I'm an Arc. We never go back on our word." He said before he held out his hand. "Now do you wanna stand there and laugh at me, or do you want to dance?"

"I would love to dance." Pyrrha put her hand on Jaune's before he pulled her in.

"Ren! This! Is! Happening!" Nora cheered from the side.

"Wait, what's happening?" He asked confused before Nora dragged him to the dance and team JNPR started a group dance.

Off to the side of the room, Vergil and Ryuko stood against the wall. Vergil was in a tuxedo with a blue undershirt, an orange bow tie, and his ascot in his jackets pocket. Ryuko was in a sleeveless double strap dress with a red top and a dark blue under skirt and red heels.

"This is so stupid." Vergil complained.

"Yeah, I guess." Ryuko said. "Wanna dance?"

"Sure." Vergil said quickly and the two started walking towards the dance floor and started to dance.

"I had no idea you were a dancer." Pyrrha said to Jaune impressed.

"Yeah, well this is what happens when you grow up with seven sisters." Jaune explained before he spin dipped the red head and then spun her.

"So, what made you change your mind?" Weiss asked Neptune.

"Huh?" The bluenette asked.

"You said you were too embarrassed before. What made you come and talk to me?" She explained.

"The dude in the dress." He pointed to Jaune on the dance floor. "You've got some good friends looking out for you."

"Well, looks like those two are finally together." Ruby nudged her sister.

"Yeah." Yang said. "I'm going out for some air." She turned and head towards the stairs that lead to the balcony. Ruby looked at her sister with confusion and wanted to go after her.

"I'll go talk to her." Natsu said and walked after her.

Balcony

Yang stared up at the moon and sighed. Ever since she talked to Blake about her mom, she had been feeling down. 'Why'd you have to go, mom?' She asked herself.

"Thinking about your mom?" The blonde looked over as Natsu stood at the door way.

"What are you talking about?" Yang asked trying to play it cool.

"I heard the story you told Blake." Natsu said.

"You were spying on us!?" Yang asked infuriated as her eyes turned red.

"Not intentionally." Natsu held up his hands in defense. "I saw you dragging Blake into a classroom, and I guess my curiosity got the better of me."

"So, I guess you wanna give me your pity, huh?" Yang asked as her eyes returned to normal.

"Not at all." Natsu shook his head. "If anything, I'm actually jealous of you, Yang."

"Of what?" Yang asked. "You actually know your real mom."

"No, I don't." Natsu said walking over. "The mom I have adopted me on a trip to Atlas. I have no idea who my real parents are, where they are, or even why they left me." He leaned his hands on the railing and looked up at the moon. "I've tried to find any information on them, but it's like they don't exist. I just want to know why they left me."

He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see Yang standing next to him. "Don't worry, we'll find the answers one day."

"Yeah, I guess..." Natsu somberly said before Yang dragged him back inside and onto the dance floor. "What are you doing?"

"It's a party." Yang said as she placed her hands on Natsu's hand and waist. "So, let's dance."

"I... can't dance that well." Natsu admitted embarrassed.

"I'll lead, then." The girl said as the two started moving to the music. The dancing duo earned some dirty looks from the likes of Cardin, but everyone else either ignored them or gave soft supportive comments. "You're really good at this, Natsu."

"I know. Not bad for one day of lessons, right?" The Faunus joked, making Yang laugh.

"So, were you being serious when you said you were jealous of me?" Yang asked.

"Yeah, I was." Natsu nodded.

"Well, don't be." Yang said back. "We both have parent who raised us, and we will find our answers someday."

"Yeah, I hope we do." Natsu said as Yang spun in his hand.

"So, who's your mom?" Yang asked.

"I can't tell you." Natsu answered. "If I tell you, you'll scream it for the whole room to hear."

"Come on, please." Yang begged.

"I'll ask her if she can talk to you." Natsu sighed. "Okay?"

"Deal." The blonde nodded and the two kept dancing.

Emerald and Mercury looked down from the railing at the mass of dancer. "Looks like everyone here has a partner." Emerald commented.

"How long do I have?" Cinder asked from another location.

"Be back by midnight, just to be safe." Mercury suggested.

"I'll keep an eye on the clock." Cinder said. Ruby nodded at a pair entering the ballroom before she left to get some air. She looked up and noticed someone running along the roofs of buildings before she moved to pursue her.

Cinder crawled along the side of a wall and looked over at the guard at the main door before she sprinted across. The guard noticed this and started to walk towards the other wall, unaware that Cinder had snuck around him until she chopped him in the neck, rendering him unconscious.

She dragged his body to some bushes and dumped him in them before she walked into the CCT tower, letting the other guards inside see her. "Excuse me, this area is off limits." The closest guard said as she kept walking towards him. "Stop!" He drew his pistol and fired as she sprinted towards him. She pushed his gun downwards and punched him in the face.

She turned as the second guard charged her with his baton ready, but she back kicked him and turned the first guards arm, forcing him to fire on his comrade. She spun and kicked the first guard in his knee before she jumped over him and threw him into the railing.

The two guards at the top of the stairs jumped down and charged her as she summoned flames that hardened into swords. With extreme skill she dispatched the guard before she made her way to the elevator.

Inside the Elevator

"Hey, do you know what the wifi password is?" One guard asked the other.

"'Beacon' but put a 3 in for the e and add a pound symbol at the end." The second explained as the elevator door opened and they jumped back in surprise at Cinder standing at the door. They looked beside her at the unconscious bodies of the other guards before she walked in. She turned around as the door closed behind her before the guards tried to overpower her.

Outside the CCT

Ruby walked along the path to the CCT and noticed the knocked out guard in the flower bed. She grabbed her Scroll and punched in a code before her locker embedded itself in the ground and opened, revealing Cresent Rose.

Top of CCT Tower

The elevator door opened, revealing Cinder standing above the two defeated guards. "Well, that's handy." She said, looking at the Scroll she took of one of the guards. She walked out of the elevator and the door closed behind her as she walked over to the nearest terminal. She sat down and began hacking into the system.

"A guest is leaving the party." Emerald reported.

"Who is it?" Cinder sighed.

"Ironwood." The first girl clarified.

"Looks like the general has had enough fun for tonight." Mercury commented.

"Should we stop him?" Emerald asked as a black queen chess piece appeared on all the terminal screens.

"No need. We're done here." Cinder smiled behind her mask as she stood up, only to be met with the sound of the elevator moving up. She hid behind the desk and wait per as the elevator door opened, and Ruby Rose walked out, holding Cresent Rose in its scythe form.

"Hello?" She asked before almost tripping on her heels. She looked down in anger before looking around the room. "Is anyone in here?" She walked forward before Cinder stood up from behind the desk. "Excuse me. This isn't a masquerade party, you know. You don't need the mask. So why don't you just-"

She stopped talking when Cinder pulled out a dust container and swung it, creating shards of ice that seemed to glow. She swung her arm again and sent the shards flying towards cinder, shocking Ruby for a brief second before she spun her scythe and blocked the shards.

She fired bullets from her scythe that Cinder blocked with her hand before she spun around and created her blades again. Ruby pulled her scythe out of the floor and jumped forward ready to slice Cinder in half, but the masked girl jumped back before she summoned three arrows from nowhere and fired them from her blade bow, creating an explosion that pushed Ruby back.

Both girls looked at each other as the elevator dinged, forcing their eyes towards the door as it opened, revealing General Ironwood. Ruby turned back with a smile only to find the room empty.

With Cinder

Cinder pushed open the door as archaic ruins floated around her arms before her whole body glowed in a yellow light and she pushed open a second door. Behind her, guards rushed in and stepped on glass before they opened the second door and found themselves in the ballroom.

People all around were sitting at tables, dancing separately like Neptune and Weiss, or waltzing like Yang and Natsu, or Emerald and Mercury. Emerald felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Cinder, now clad in a black dress. "How adorable. Mind if I cut in?"

"Not at all." The green haired girl moved to the side and Mercury and Cinder started waltzing.

"And how was your night?" Mercury asked in fake curiosity.

"A bit more, eventful than I anticipated." Cinder confessed.

"Should we worry?" He asked.

"Not at all." Cinder laughed. "They will be scratching their heads long after we're done with what we need to do here."

"So, now what?" Mercury asked.

"Enjoy the rest of the night." Cinder said. "After all it is a party." She looked over his shoulder at Natsu still dancing with Yang. She motioned to Mercury and the two split up and walked over to the pair. "Care to change partners?"

"Sure." Yang nodded and started dancing with Mercury as Cinder held her hand out and Natsu took it. She pulled him in and looked into his eyes.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing." She said with a sly smile as the two started dancing. 'What is it about you that makes me feel like this?' She asked herself as she felt another pang in her chest. 'It doesn't matter.' She shook her head as the bell rang twelve times. 'I will find out your secrets, and when I do, you will be mine...'

As the two continued their dance, the terminal in the CCT flashed the black queens peice before it faded as Ironwood talked to Ruby.

The dance is done! Yes, I changed Yangs dress. I just felt like it had to be done, a simple white dress wouldn't turn my head. I've planned on including this interaction with Yang since I started this story, whether she was dead last or first place on the poll. The dirty looking thing is because Cardin seems like the guy who would hate interracial relations, so that why I put it in.

That's right, I planned to put Vergil and Ryuko together, so I hope you like them. If you don't know who Aerith was dancing with, it was Sage. If you still want her to be with Natsu, go vote. The poll ends soon.

For NVAR's outfits, I looked up Natsu and Vergil in tuxedos and used fan art of them. I found Aerith in a dress that seemed perfect for this occasion, and then I looked up Ryuko in a dress, which took a long time to find.

Poll results this week. Ruby is still in first place and Yang is still in second, but that might change after this chapter. Percentage wise, Neo, Winter and Coco are tied for third. Vote wise, Neo is ahead by two, and Winter is ahead of Coco by 1.

Next chapter is the start of the away missions at Beacon, so I have a question: Do you want NVAR to go with RWBY, or do you want them to do their own thing? Let me know in the reviews.

Beta read by digemsmack.