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-Chapter 15- Vytal festival

The girls woke up to find Austin hadn't replied to any single message nor was he in the room. They all then got ready for the day, after breakfast they met Eada and Jade's parents at Amity Arena for the opening of the Festival. Spending as much time as they could with their families before being called to the arena as it was Team JADE's match coming up. Jade, Eada and Daisy headed to the designated area and there already waiting for them was Austin, no smile when they approached nor did he seem interested in saying where he was or talking in general.

Jade tried to tell Austin his plan but all Austin told them was that he'd let them take the lead, begrudgingly they had to agree as they walked out into the arena, weapons in hand as cheers and boos were yelled out. Daisy waved at Team TGRN and thought it was good to see them out of their dorm. Jade of course waved to her parents as they waved back and held up a homemade Team JADE sign as Eada looked to her parents, stern as ever but they weren't looking at her, they were focused on Austin, not showing any emotion himself and looking straight forward.

Austin was emoting intense vibes as the three girls looked at each other and nodded to each other that they need to keep an eye on Austin. They walked into the centre as they met the other team, their luck was against them as they were selected to face a 2nd year level team from Atlas Academy which had Edmond giving the win to Atlas already. Eada just knew who her Father wanted to win as everyone got ready except Austin who stood there holding his weapon, as the buzzer went off everyone went into action but Austin held back not even moving.

The fight became 4 on 3, Jade was taking on two sword users while Eada had picked the guy with a staff and Daisy was doing her best against a girl with an electrified whip. Daisy and the other girl being the fastest, agile and more flexible went around the entire area, Daisy's best hope was in the trees from growing up in the forest. It didn't help as the girl knew her movements somehow before Daisy did them as she cut in front of her, her whip wrapping around Daisy numerous times and had her shocked with electricity depleting her aura which eliminated her.

Jade couldn't help but look at Daisy helpless and losing concentration like that got the 2 other sword wielders the upper hand as they landed hit after hit, knocking her off balance and disarming her. She had to fall back to her semblance as she teleported short distances as she was trying to get to her sword but the girl with the whip had joined and each time Jade got near her sword the girl would strike the sword making it electrified. Eada on the other hand had led the 4th member to an area covered in rocks hoping to keep this guy off balance.

It didn't work as he kept up with her on the uneven surface and making Eada's plan backfire on her as she lost her balance and was kicked out of the arena eliminating her via ringout. She punched the ground as she looked at her Father knowing what he'd say about Atlas being the best, Jade was surrounded as she called for Austin to help her but he had disappeared and the crowd couldn't even see him as they were all focused on the fighting. Jade was easily eliminated 4 on 1 without her weapon, she thought that perhaps if she did have her weapon then she could take out 1 or 2 if lucky.

The other team eliminated Jade by aura depletion and celebrated, they hugged each other and waved to the crowd thinking they had won, they had all focused on the 3 girls that they forgot about the person that didn't move. This was Austin's plan from the start as the other team focused on the threat moving toward them that they didn't notice Austin standing there and when the fighting was at its peak Austin slipped away hiding, camping in the shadows, waiting for a time to strike or perhaps to see if his team could pull off a victory.

The other team started leaving and the two sword users walked out of the arena first as they were then announced eliminated via ringout. The 4 turned towards the screen as the girl with the whip and the guy with the staff halted to prevent a ringout as they stared at the screen seeing they had only eliminated the 3 members of Team JADE. They then realized they forgot about the 4th, the remaining duo ran to the trees to get out of the open and find the last member but Austin had expected that.

Austin let the girl pass by and as the guy approached he stepped out from his hiding spot using his mace like a baseball bat sending the guy onto his back, he got up and called for help. Austin ran off to hide as the girl ran to her teammates aid, they stood back to back as Austin fired a few pot shots to purposely give away his position, he had ripped his shirt and tied down the trigger on his weapon shooting dust as he rushed around like a stealthy ninja. The guy was too busy blocking the shots as the girl watched his back.

What Austin did was come in from the side and startling the girl she ignited her whip as Austin pushed her arm so the whip hit her own team mate shocking him and depleting his aura as Austin discreetly pressed a button on his watch which had his weapon come to him and catching it, ripping off the bit of material to stop firing dust he extended both blades fighting the girl with the whip. Austin got her relaxed and confident again as he kept his distance which was good for her so he couldn't get close.

Austin was biding his time waiting for his opening and got it as she used the whip to wrap around his weapon to pull it from his hands, what she didn't expect was Austin to freely let go of his own weapon, charging at her as he grabbed her arm and disarming her whip into his hands as he used the whip himself shocking her, depleting her aura to give Team JADE the victory. The crowd cheered as Austin eliminated the final other team member, helping the girl up, thanking her for the fight and giving her weapon back.

The commentators Dr. Oobleck and Professor Port were rather impressed and commended the strategy in making their opponents think they had the win to get an easier victory. Austin walked out of the arena to the lockers where Jade, Eada and Daisy were waiting for him not too happy with his solo technique but impressed he pulled off the win from 4-1. Eada looked to her parents reactions and they were not happy having a 1st year team from Beacon defeat such an highly regarded 2nd year team from Atlas.

Austin put his weapon in his locker along with the girls but they needed a serious talk with Austin as he let his team down, Austin not showing a single spec of caring just said that they couldn't always rely on him and there may be a day he wasn't around to help them, knowing they were annoyed at him he switched it to more a positive outlook saying they got the win and move on to the 2v2 round and they could expect victory if they selected him. The girls looked at each other saying they had a few hours to decide and get back to him.

Austin shrugged knowing it would be stupid not to pick him, point of the Vytal Festival was to show off your skills no matter what year level and taking out a full team solo made him stand out. As Edmond and Narissa approached Eada they deliberately told Eada out loud that she disgraced the Vendetta name and will need to make up for it in the next round demanding Team JADE to select Eada. Austin bit his lip knowing it'll start something if he said anything, Eada looked at the rest of the team to see what she would do.

Jade didn't like how Eada's father wasn't happy with her performance and demanding her for the 2v2 round. She stepped forward saying Eada will be in the 2v2 fight partnered with Austin. As soon as he heard his name Austin turned around locking eyes with Jade asking what she was doing and Edmond glared at Austin asking why his daughter had to fight with the runt. Austin approached Edmond, asking if he'd like to break his arm this time, Daisy pulled him back and whispered that he wasn't worth it into his ear.

Austin calmed down, glad he had actually talked to Daisy but Jade piped up saying she was too tired and sore from the match and Daisy has elected to sit herself out of all other fights, she was only in the 4v4 round to help them due to the rules. Edmond pointed his finger at Austin telling him to stay out of his daughter's way, Eada just looked to the ground, she knew her Father was in denial about her abilities thinking only people from Atlas had skill as Austin previously demonstrated he was the strongest fighter on the team and the best of the 1st Years, even rivalling the 4th Years.

Austin made that point to Edmond asking him why her daughter wasn't permitted to train with the 4th Year students, Edmond tried to comeback saying they couldn't be a match for her and pitying the 4th Year students. Austin broke out into laughter telling him that his dementia must be kicking in early as not only did he wipe the floor with Eada even when he didn't have a weapon and she did. Shouting in his face the truth that a name or place doesn't make the man or woman as he started to walk away.

Jade's parents arrived and congratulated them on the win and were proud of each member as they all tried their best, before anymore fights could start Jade grabbed Daisy's hand and ushered her parents away so they could go out for lunch as Eada left with her parents to get lunch at a really fancy restaurant in Vale. The whole meal Eada's parents lectured her what a privilege it was to be a Vendetta and it was a name to be earnt. They didn't like failure even though Eada was in her 1st year of training nothing she did would be good enough.

Daisy and Jade went to a local diner in Vale with Jade's parents as they talked about their match, made a few jokes and even invited Daisy over to their house anytime with or without Jade. Daisy was loving the time with Jade and her parents, she was happy that her parents seemed to like her which did have her blushing a couple of times. When Jade excused herself to use the bathroom, when she was out of earshot Jade's Mother asked how long had she been interested in her daughter as if the question wasn't serious like if she was enjoying her food or something.

Daisy stared back at Jade's parents, trying to come out with words blushing like mad and stuttering until they told her to relax saying it was ok. Daisy managed to avoid a serious panic attack telling Jade's parents the truth as the first time she saw her it felt like her heart was filled with butterflies doing backflips. She earnt the respect of Jade's parents with that answer and did warn her that Jade hadn't shown any interest in dating girls however wished her luck as Daisy did tell them that no matter what she'd settle for friends if it was a must.

Jade returned and asked what she missed as her Father said nothing important as he only asked Daisy's opinion of the outcome of the match tomorrow as it seemed Eada and Austin didn't get along well. Jade and Daisy both agreed that they have a bitter/sweet relationship but for the best of the team they'd put their differences aside. They convinced Jade's parents well with that as they ordered dessert but in the back of both girls minds as they looked at each other wandering if Jade made a mistake combining those two especially with their parents watching.

Austin had wandered off on his own again, eating in the cafeteria alone reflecting on how the fight as he watched the video replay, closely looking at his own movements, he didn't like performing the tactic he used but it got them the win. Later looking into the horizon leaning back against the tree he sleeps on constantly with the sun setting he couldn't help but think what would happen if he tried to get Jade back or if they never broke up in the first place. However his number 1 thought on his mind was the task given by Ozpin and Qrow, thinking if he made the right choice or not.

To be continued...