"You should come back to Beacon."
"Weiss we can't leave her alone."
"Blake I'm not saying that, dump her at a hospital and let the police take care of this."
"You know Yang won't do that."
"I don't care. Remember what happened last time we did this stuff."
"What do you mean?"
"Going out to save the world on our own, you three running into the sewers to find me. Uhhhhgg…"
Disgusted, Weiss groaned and turned around pacing away from Ruby at her dorm room desk hunched over the scroll on speaker currently connected to one Blake Belladonna down in the city.
Ruby spoke up, "Did Raven say anything?"
"No," the Faunus replied. "She's still unconscious, and she's heavy."
The red head snorted, Weiss finally got over her quiet tirade and returned.
"Anything else?" The Heiress asked.
Blake did not even pause.
"No that's it I guess," The Faunus said, "Though I don't think I will be making it to my duel tomorrow. Can you apologize to whoever it may concern?"
"Of course."
Still leaning one foot on the twisted iron railing of their temporary balcony Blake turned back to look away from the cloudless and very red late afternoon sky into the hotel room they had rented for the night.
It was a simple thing, one room, two beds, a small bathroom in a closet sized space in the back and a bunch of rickety wooden furniture strewn about. Plus a little square window at the back which didn't offer any views to write home about, but conspicuousness wasn't something they needed right now.
Yang was sitting on another chair on the farthest side of the farthest bed. Hands on her knees and a wandering expression on her face. Looking down at Raven, flat on her back head on the threadbare pillows and still thoroughly unconscious.
They had done what they could for her injury. It looked like two deep puncture wounds to Blake, probably fangs. Raven was lucky to be alive. Too many precious veins and arteries ran through that portion of the body. But that wasn't the only damage done, the skin beneath the sheets of dried blood appeared to have been charred somehow.
The cat Faunus brought the scroll back up to her human ears one more time, "Okay good luck you two we'll call in the morning."
She didn't hear their reply, and Blake didn't need to. Though she could picture the debate now over who she wished more luck upon. But all that had needed to be said had been said so the Faunus shut the scroll down, entered closed and locked the door behind her, and took a seat on the empty bed and stared silently at her partner.
"You didn't tell them about the Grimm." Yang said,
"No need to cause a panic right now. And we have no reason to believe there are more," Blake said, "Do you want to try and wake her up again."
Yang shook her head, "That's probably not a good idea."
She reached over her left shoulder and brought her long blond mane up and over her chest. Tugging and unknotting the golden strands just to keep her hands busy. A well-practiced habit of keeping her mind off of her troubles
She looked up to Blake, "I can watch her. You don't have to stay if you want to head back to school and rest up for your duel."
"I don't think so. I'll just forfeit I don't care, we've got bigger fish to fry right now." She said,
Yang laughed just a little, "Was that a joke Blake?"
The Faunus practically bristled with annoyance, "You know what I meant…"
But her partner just laughed it off, before adopting a more serious tone once again.
"I appreciate this Blake,"
"That's what friends are for."
They each bowed their heads nodding in silent agreement and thanks once again.
Time passed in slow silence, the sun finally set and darkness filled the sky. Both girls quietly took up positions in the room keeping watch. Neither had to talk and waste their time on what they knew, for each had said what was needed to be said.
The links of the flail wrapped around Ignis as Kad pulled back his fiery sword to block once again. This pale boy from Atlas, was too easy to trick.
APRC's leader played down his speed, sweeping his blade in long circles around him. Waving to the crowd deliberately ignoring his opponent.
When the starting signal was given, the shorter trainee leapt forward immediately. The spiked ball on the end of a red chain shot forward from his black right wrist bracer. And its wielder garbed in a loose collection of a low collared grey windbreaker, highlighted by black stitching and panels across his shoulders with black shoes and pants in a similar color pallet. He pushed his aura and rushed to close the distance.
His first mistake.
Ignis in his right hand, Kad leaned to his right, brought his blade point down into the path of the flail to his left.
The ball rang harmlessly off the great sword. And the giant stretched and struck backhanded with his empty hand. Once again wielder followed weapon. This time to skid off the arena floor. His fall accompanied by the rise of cheering from the crowd.
Cheering for the display unhampered by any interference this grand stage could generate when the Dust effects shaped the field. The first full round of the tournament was meant to showcase the students true skill at arms with as few variables as possible. But as the festival and tournament went on the spectacle of combat always had to provide more than just this ancient style of distraction to keep the crowd entertained in this day and age.
Kad was not looking forward to when the floor beneath his boots could turn to any element imaginable at the whim of the game editor.
On the ground his opponent shook his baggy brown bangs away from his vison and swept low at Kad. The giant's boot stamped down, immobilizing the chain and flail. The other boy tugged hopelessly trying to free the weapon.
The giant laughed once, then turned away letting him go. Slowly and gently spinning his sword once again. Walking farther away like he didn't have a care in the world.
But he was still focused, he was always focused.
It was no surprise when he heard the defiant yell come.
Another crash of steel echoed out over the cheering crowd.
Making a certain group of spectator's wince at the sight of the shorter fighter flying back across the arena again. Team JNPR, all of team SSSN, Co'Balt and Alicia Redstone had grouped together in the early hours of this tournament day. No one was busy or scheduled to duel except for Alicia. Everyone else had either been knocked out already, or wasn't scheduled to do anything until later.
All just a group of mutual friends and acquaintances passing the time.
Being watched by one who knew that who they sought would come to these youths soon enough.
Kad pulled back, the other boy let go of his weapon, smartly saving himself from coming into the giant's grasp once again.
He spun, twirled Ignis and let the primitive cudgel wrapped around it fly away. Kad narrowed his eyes in concentration when he saw his opponent raising his left hand now, his right pushing on some mechanism by the little vials of dust strapped to his wrist.
The air crackled with the raw power stored in those vials. Lighting arced away in yellow bolts,
The smaller Hunter shouted once again, pushing the magic minerals forward. Kad raised and pushed his empty left hand focusing aura. A wave of force erupted from his palm in a cone of rippling light which flashed in the blink of an eye and dispelled the Dust.
The Atlesian fell backwards struck by the powerful touch of Kad's semblance.
He couldn't believe that someone could just ignore a Dust attack like that. After the shock wore away he jack knifed up looking for his lost weapon. But instead found the giant now only an arm's reach away.
Kad spun Ignis once more, grabbing the razor edge a hand span from the narrow tip. He stepped and slammed the flat blade the other's forehead, sending him down to the floor and his aura into the red zone.
The crowd's cheer was like a thunder storm as lights flashed in the holographic banners and the announcers began their post-fight pieces, offering congratulations, comments and news on who would grace the arena with their skills next.
Dark skinned and dark green haired Sage laughed and held up his right palm for a high five to those around him. To his left Scarlet with his still broken right arm just gave the other boy a look of pure disgust. But with more treatment and meditation focusing his aura he would be fine within another day or two. Sun laughed out loud at his friends, not a rare occurrence, and meant to be taken in lightly.
Alicia tried to reach over right, in front of Co'Balt who refused to move just to annoy his teammate.
"Chat later, fight now," He said giving his teammate a gentle shove back.
"One more round, mister impatient," Sage answered for Alicia.
Over on the far side of the group JNPR was looking for the other half of team RWBY, absent so far. They knew that the first two members were down in the arena prep rooms getting ready for what some at Beacon were already calling the showdown of the century. But they hadn't seen Yang or Blake which was of particular interest to Nora. Who was currently standing on the rail balancing a hand each on the shoulders of the two males on her team, looking for her would be opponent so she could get Ren, to her right, some unwanted and nearly forbidden payback against Blake.
Sometimes Nora just took things the wrong way and Ren knew all too well the ways that could go. Especially when he and his imagined pride and honor were involved.
Kad knew exactly where to walk back to this majority of his peers and friends, as usual his head was practically rubbing against the ceiling as he walk giving him a slightly hunched over appearance as he tried to avoid any needless head trauma.
But luckily the tunnel out onto the first floor ring opened up into the cavernous open air of the arena so he could stand tall once again. He took a brief pause to drink in the site of thousands upon thousands of people all on the edges of their seats waiting for the next fighters to take position.
Not really one for subtly his unknown observer coughed into a fist to get the giant's attention.
Kad turned his head, moving his peripheral vision looking for the source of the little disturbance.
At head height to his left Mercury was grinning, like usual, right leg crossed up on the opposite knee, leaning back with his hands behind his head.
One seat directly to the left of Cinder herself.
"Nervous?"
"Not at all."
"You look nervous."
"Ruby…"
Weiss's tone took on an edge that definitively said she wasn't going to take any of these little mind games of Ruby's she was trying before their fight. Her leader just smiled some more before jogging out of the dark ready room. The roar of the crowd was already deafening from just the brief second the little side door into the entrance tunnel all the students had come through mere days ago.
The metal clank of the doors closing once again echoed in around the empty lockers and benches. Weiss took a deep breath and exhaled trying to prepare herself. Closing her eyes, blotting out every other thought that crossed her mind. Taking her awareness back just to the task at hand, she didn't hear the light clicks of high heels approaching her until her visitor was practically within arm's reach.
"That's a look I've seen before sis,"
The older Heiress' head shot up at the sound of her sister who she hadn't at all expected to see for the rest of the tournament. She turned around glaring at her twin who turned her blue eyes down, wary of her sister's wrath.
"I'm sorry Weiss," Winter whispered, "If… if… you want me to leave?"
"What do you want?" Weiss demanded,
"Personally? Well… I want to apologize."
The look of anger faded from Weiss's face just as quickly as it appeared, and she could barely find the words to express her surprise.
Winter almost laughed, "I'd be amazed to."
"It's not that…" Weiss blinked and tried to explain,
"Yes, yes it is sis. I'm sorry… I'm sorry... I wasn't as brave as you when it really mattered. I'm sorry your friend was killed. My god… there's so much else."
"It's okay Winter."
The younger girl's pale eyes took on a shimmering tone as tears welled up, putting the talk she wanted to have with her sister away to adress why she was really here.
"Please Weiss, father is going to crack if he doesn't see you soon."
"I'm a little busy."
"I know, but just please? After your duel please?"
Weiss had thought she had made it abundantly clear she didn't want to see either of them,
"Was this his idea?" She asked, "A little propaganda stunt to protect our image?"
Winter shrugged, "I'd assume so."
But she sighed resigned to another bout of drama that she had been so desperately trying to escape from, "After this duel. We'll see."
Winter managed a bright smile, "Splendid… But just watch out. I think Father managed to spice up your showcase for the crowd. Can't let them see a Schnee in anything but the greatest of feats."
"What are you?... Wait!" But despite her sister's protests Winter turned back away and started to leave.
"Hey!" Weiss called again, but her twin only stood at the farther doors, winked, waved, and disappeared.
"You insufferable little white…"
"What brings you two here?"
Mercury shrugged, letting their mentor take the lead,
"We're here to watch," Cinder said,
"Obviously" Kad thought to himself.
At the sound of his deep voice, both Alicia and Co'Balt looked back. Their leader raised one placating hand signaling to wait and looked back to his unexpected visitors.
"Seriously," He asked, knowing Cinder wouldn't personally show up unless this was important.
"We need to talk," she told him.
Kad was still trying to wrap his brain around this, "Now?"
"Not quite."
Weiss walked out to take her place in the arena, the shadows cast be the tunnel slowly drawing up her slender form revealing the Heiress to the crowd. This was not the polite applause she was used to at all the other receptions and recitals Weiss had ever been to.
It was primal.
Thousands and thousands of voices almost hoarse with excitement.
But Weiss didn't care, she was tired of just being a pawn in her family's politics. And she had a promise to keep to her leader… And her friend.
But that didn't mean that she wouldn't give this fight everything she had.
Ruby was out in the center of the arena, bringing her hands back up to her mouth turning and blowing kisses to the crowd. The Heiress turned looking up the high walls, she saw a few familiar faces crowded close to the first row rail. Waving back when the pair of them glanced in their direction. Ruby waving again to her friends, Weiss steeling her heart to get through this as quickly as possible.
From the many hidden speakers, a voice cut through the storm of noise. The well-mannered male tone of the announcer excited for the display he was about to preside over.
"Fellow citizens of Vale and honored guests from afar. Good day, and welcome once more to the Vytal festival tournament. Now! Today, we begin the semi-finals with one duel that will surely go down in the history of this noble event, with the most spectacular fashion."
Weiss frowned, she knew purchased praise when she heard it. Ruby kept on smiling and slowly turning to look into the crowd.
"Let me introduce you to our competitors, although I'm sure I could skip this portion of my job."
"First! Signal academies' finest! Scythe wielder extraordinaire! And the youngest student as well as team leader ever to enter Beacon! Here we have, Miss Ruby Rose!"
She was surprised, the announcer had been more than fair with his description. Weiss heard the complex metal crescendo coming from her leader she brought Crescent Rose up to its full form to flourish it over her head. The razor scythe split the air as Ruby spun it in circles then slammed the tip deep into the floor.
The Heiress swore she could see right down the barrel to the shiny metal heads of Ruby's sniper rounds. Just a small distance in front of the caped girl's now almost predatory smile.
Slowly she took Myrtenaster in her hand, taking her stance looking down her arm and sword at her team leader. The Dust cylinder clicked, rotating in preparation for her opening move.
"And now, the pride and joy of Atlas, Heiress pf the Schnee Dust company, our generous benefactor here at the Vytal festival. Singer, duelist, finest of a long line of great Hunters. You all know her, we'll all see her today! Ladies and gentlemen, one who needs no introduction Lady Weiss Schnee!"
The crowd's cheering reached a new height and volume, making it all the more difficult for Weiss to tune them out. But despite both girls blatantly ready stance their glittering banners showing aura remained a stubbornly neutral gray.
Ruby took a little jab at her partner, her scythe and tongue equally nimble, "They're just drawing out your agonizing defeat princess."
Nearly at a new level of exasperation Weiss could only groan again "Shut up and,"
CHUNMMPH!
The voices from the crowd died down just a little, instantly muffled in shared shock.
Both Weiss and Ruby reflexively stumbled as the floor dropped an inch and began to move.
The announcer took up his microphone once again, "Here we go! A special treat to kick off the finals!"
Even Cinder smiled a little "Well there is certainly nothing money can't buy…"
Mercury put his boots back on the ground and leaned forward to the edge of his seat, "Suddenly this just got interesting again. So Kad? Who's your money on?"
The giant crossed his arms up, "Bigger fish my friend," He turned his head just a little more and locked eyes with Cinder, "When do we meet?"
"Four hours," She replied, "After Emerald is… free. It's time we set phase four in motion."
He could barely suppress the smile he felt trying to come on his face. Kad knew what this meant. Cinder was going to keep her promise to the three of them at last.
She was going to tell them what they were really in Vale for. The planned revolt was still a primary goal.
But it was also a distraction.
To keep all the eyes that mattered busy.
And now she would tell them why.
Both girls moved with the shifting floor, Ruby stepped backwards watching the tiles smolder and crack beneath her red laced boots. Part of Weiss was excited, the always practical, tactical portion of her brain thinking of all the ways she could use this sudden twist to her advantage. But another part was disappointed this wouldn't be a fair challenge now.
The big circle arena had nearly split in two now, one half freezing down into a shade of pale blue ice that was growing spires up to catch more of the spotlights reflecting beams.
The Heiress was glad she stood on that part, even as her high heeled boots began to slide just a little as a slope grew beneath the white haired Huntress.
Ruby was already sweating from the heat wafting off her section, just like on the other side orange spires of Burn Dust sprouted and reached up behind her. The elements flowed in neat lines until the opposing variety neatly split the arena in two. And the announcer gave the final go ahead,
"BEGIN!"
Weiss crouched and swept her right hand down by her feet, feeling the power of so much Dust. A glyph shimmered as she prepared to move,
One moment her eyes were locked back with Ruby's and the next they were flitting through the fall of rose petals left in the scythe wielders wake.
The little team leader shooting off out of sight through the crystal field. The Heiress growled in frustration.
Unmistakable gunshots bounced around her throwing Weiss's hearing off again. Half she imagined propelling Ruby across the field, the other rocketing right for her. Hastily she stood bringing up her weapon hoping to block the first salvo which never came.
Ruby focused on her partner's back, she hadn't shot at Weiss. Just taking advantage of her own mobility with Crescent Rose working to flank.
She had to be quick.
Once again Ruby fired backwards building momentum, she swept her feet out in front of her shooting through the colder air of the ice field. Her scythe folded back all according to its aerodynamic design.
Weiss's combat skirt spun like a top when she realized what was happening.
She flipped backwards out of the way, passing on Ruby's left.
The narrow point of Myrtenaster flipped up stabbing, scratching off the scythe. Which descended unhindered and dug into the flooring.
Ruby spun up on the handle, turned the massive weapon in, grinding a deeper hole where the tip had struck. Then the Huntress swung up on the long shaft and kicked both her feet out at Weiss.
She crossed her arms and took an aura hit from the combat treads. But she set herself to defending against Ruby's swooping onslaught right away.
Her slender rapier would never parry a direct hit from Ruby's scythe, but it proved adequate for pushing Crescent Rose away.
Ruby's hands and weapon were a blur of circles trying to break through Weiss's guard. She couldn't lose any iota of focus right now.
After dodging another high sweep and Weiss made her moved.
Ruby brought the scythe behind her to strike again chambering another round.
Weiss reached out and took a good hand full of the red cape, pivoted and shoulder checked Ruby aside.
She stumbled and cried out but flipped up, not seriously harmed. Now on the defensive as her partner shot forward off another glyph.
She stretched and lunged with Myrtenaster. Ruby tried to duck but only succeeded in falling on her right, slipping away on the ice. Weiss conjured another glyph, stopped her movement then jumped back into arms reach.
Ruby was already up, she bent her knees, and brought the spear point on the end of Crescent Rose up. Her first jab reached around Weiss's sword. She pulled back, knocked the blade down. Pulled the sniper rifle's trigger awkwardly by her shoulder and head.
Weiss's head snapped back with an audible crack from the bladed tip glancing off her forehead. She wasn't hurt, nor stunned,
She was angry.
Ruby jumped straight up in the air, dodging her partner's new frenzied charge off a glyph.
When she rotated herself in free-fall Ruby's eyes lost their focused view and went wide in surprise at Weiss leaving the floor flipping up to keep their engagement flowing.
Ruby was struck down and crashed hard into the dividing line between the ice and fire fields.
Weiss came down holding her rapier pointed to finish Ruby off.
The little reaper rolled out of the way, avoiding the shockwave and shower of Dust from her partner's attack.
Weiss pulled Myrtenaster out of the ground, laid another glyph down and shot after Ruby.
Ruby braced her boots on a tall Dust spire, thinking of what to do next.
Putting on another burst of her semblance both girls came at each other barely touching the ground like two comets of blazing wrath.
Each took another hit. Weiss put another glyph in the air and came back shooting the opposite direction. Ruby skidded on the floor, fired off another round and came into close quarters too.
Both bounced off each other multiple times, all the spectators whipped their eyes and heads trying to track the red and white trails striking off each other and coming back for more.
Both their auras steadily dropped,
The final move was moments away.
Weiss was growing tired of this battle of attrition, she dug in her heels and stopped a few steps into the soldering burn zone.
Mindful of her partner. Ruby stopped to have a look.
Weiss raised Myrtenaster, spinning the Dust cylinder as the blade began to glow a menacing red.
Ruby knew what that meant.
She flicked the catch on Crescent Rose, ejecting the empty ammunition clip and pulling a fresh one from the pouch on the small of her back. She rammed the bullets home, spun herself and weapon racking the first bullet into the chamber.
Weiss braced herself both physically and mentally. Setting her full effort to the task of the duels finale,
She had a plan.
No eyes could track Ruby as she sped away once again.
Weiss rolled her arm back building a bubble shield.
Ruby slid on her back underneath the descending red edge and bowled into the legs of the very surprised ice queen.
Weiss coughed as she hit the floor, realizing she wasted too much energy trying to build the sphere. She tried to bring her elbows up underneath her. Still clutching her sword and looking to the banner displays.
Ruby's aura was solidly in the yellow.
Weiss's was teetering on the brink of red.
She turned on her hands and knees when Ruby's high pitched shout reached her ears. RWBY's leader was swinging the blunt backside of her scythe down to finish off the Heiress.
The snow white girl twisted and dodged what would have been the last blow, she rolled on her back, and then hammered her sword hilt up into Ruby's side.
She gasped and stumbled away, giving Weiss room to shoot to her feet.
Blue eyes met silver, now with a tone of respect that had never been there during all their time at Beacon.
Even so Weiss couldn't let Ruby win.
As the scythe wielder rushed once again, Weiss built a black glyph behind her. She stuck out a hand to try and catch Ruby.
She was stunned when Crescent Rose fell out of its maker's hands. And Ruby appear right in front of her in a shower of red rose petals.
Both girls were at least the same height now, some deep part of the Heiress' noted. Ruby batted Weiss's slender hand down,
She raised her left foot,
Stepped on her partner's waist,
Shot up,
Turned,
Pulled, herself up and around Weiss's shoulders.
Flipped. Bent her legs,
And kicked Weiss back through her own glyph.
Weiss flew back spinning.
Her back struck one of the crystals around them and shattered it into a thousand shimmering pieces.
She rolled along the cool floor out of control, blinking stars out of her eyes as she came to rest on her back,
Absent her sword and a strong enough aura, Weiss could barely move as Ruby's shadow loomed over her.
Her hooked blade thudded down on the right side of her neck, Ruby raised up her empty hand and smiling for herself with the crowd mumbling in disbelief.
Disbelief turning to astonishment.
But excitement quickly won over their collective mind sets. Reigniting the flames of their hearts, and the cheers on their lips.
Weiss couldn't even think straight,
Ruby had beat her.
She moaned and let her pale head fall back limply on the ice, as the sound of her defeat echoed in the thunder of applause.
A/N I know I'm terrible, Did anyone think it was going to be the Big E and not Cinder? if so let me know I'll have a good chuckle.
Right. Still room for legionaries and nothing done on the next chapter,
You know the usual.
But follow review all that good stuff, Soon my friends... Relatively... soon.
