The light leaked in from the dorm windows and a trickling beam of sun shot right into Yangs sleeping eyes. She groaned and rolled over.. off her bed. She was not a morning person, to say the least. As if the cosmos had lined up, the Teams alarms all started going off at the same time. Ruby jumped straight out of bed, chipper as always. Pyrrha slipped out of her blankets and headed for the bathroom, smiling, letting out a yawn. Yang looked over at Jaune, whom was still in dream land. He hadn't budged an inch. Calling him a heavy sleeper was an understatement. Yang tapped Jaune on the forehead. He mumbled something and moved a little. Yang leaned in close to his sleeping face. Her cheeks started getting hot. Eazy to say, she wanted to kiss him. Yang could feel his soft breath on her lips as she inched closer. She prayed Ruby wasn't looking. Her prayers were answered.
When Ruby jumped off her bed and slammed her elbow into Jaunes chest. Jaune gasped and sputtered, rolling out of bed and clutching his mid-section.
"RUBY, What The Hell?!" Yang yelled.
Ruby looked confused. "What?.."
"Thanks Rubes.." Jaune mumbled as he stood.
"What?!" Yang outbursted Now she was confused.
"Oh, don't worry about it sis. You're usually in the bathroom when I wake Jaune up, huh? Yeah he sleeps pretty heavy, so we agreed this was the way." Ruby stated. Jaune nodded.
"It hurts for a sec, but boy does it wake me up." Jaune added.
"What does?.." Pyrrha asked as she came out of the bathroom, rubbing her hair with a towel.
Yang shook her head, and went into the bathroom to prepare for the day.
It was the second day of the Vytal tournament. And on their way into the arena stands from the dock, Jaune was stopped by a Green haired girl with darker skin, and a grey haired boy. Yang recognized the girl. She had some friendly conversations with Team Player and Team Brown. Everyone had pegged her as sweet and innocent, but there was just something about her that didn't sit right with Yang. Yangs instincts told her this 'Emerald' girl was more than meets the eye, and there was just something off about her. Pyrrha and Ruby went on ahead, while Yang stayed behind and stood around the corner, back to the wall, trying to listen in.
"Jaune, right?.." Emerald asked. Her voice was gleeful in nature. Yang hated that.
Jaune nodded, "Yeah. You're Emerald... I believe?.. And.." He turned to the grey haired boy. He was just standing there, smiling, arms crossed.
"We haven't met. I'm Mercury." He finished for him. Mercury extended his hand and Jaune cautiously shook it. Mercury gripped Jaunes hand hard, and didn't let go.
"Ah.. ha ha.. this is where you let go now..." Jaune said nervously. Yang peeked ever so slightly, just to where she could see them but was out of view. She noticed Mercurys hand locked on Jaunes. Yang was confused.
"Listen.. Arc.. Buddy.." Mercury said with a different tone entirely. His voice was now low and harsh. Emeralds voice lost all the happy tone it previously had and switched to something more menacing.
"We need information. In exchange, we'll withold ours." Emerald stated harshly. Yang grinded her teeth. She knew these two were fakes with dirty intentions when she first laid eyes on them. Now she knew it for fact.
Jaune took a step back, but Mercury yanked his hand and pulled him close. Jaune struggled, but couldnt release Mercurys grip no matter how hard he tried. Yang was starting to get mad. They were interrogating him. Yang had half a mind to just step out and deck the silver haired punk in the face. But she didn't. She had to see what dirt they had on Jaune. She could only think of one thing. Jaunes faked transcripts.
"W-what do you want?.." Jaune asked in return.
Mercury grinned. "Calm down. We just want to know which of your teammates is going on to the two on twos."
"Oh.. Uh.. I'm not allowed to tell anyone that..." Jaune said. It stated in the Tournament rules and student handbooks thatn you weren't allowed to divulge this information to anyone, no matter the circumstances. Mercurys hand tightened even more around Jaunes.
"And we're 'Not Allowed' to tell anyone about your semblance. Are we?" Jaunes eyes widened and his breath became shallow.
"You're bluffing!" Jaune hastily replied. Yang squinted, utterly confused. What did they mean? As far as she knew Jaune didn't have a semblance. Hell, he didn't even have his aura unlocked before he came to Beacon.
"Why don't we ask your Family if we're bluffing?.." Emerald replied. Jaune shook his head and his eyes bwgan wattering. Yang had never seen Jaune so panicked. Now she knew she had to step in.
"Yang and Pyyrha. Blonde and Red hair!" Jaune yelled in reponse. With this, Mercury let go of his hand, and the two grinned at him. They put their happy fake mask faces back on. Yang stepped out from behind the corner.
"There you are Jaune. I've been looking for you." Yang lied.
"Yang." Emerald greeted, smiling.
"Emerald." Yang responded in such a cold tone it could freeze and melt you instantly. Emerald jolted slightly at the utter bloodlust in Yangs eyes.
"See ya later!" Yang said cheerfully. "C'mon Jaune, we saved you a spot." Yang put her hand on Jaunes shoulder as she said this. She started leading him to the entrace. She could tell by his stance and his eyes that he was still shaken up. But what did all this mean? What does Jaunes family have to do with his semblance, and, for that matter, what even was his semblance? Yang would have to get these answers soon on her own time.
Yang wasn't really concerned with the tournament matches that had nothing to do with her team, but there were two certain someones in the match that had recently gotten on her bad side. Mercury and Emerald. They were up against the fashionista girl and the big guy from team Coffee. Yang had already forgotten their names.
As soon as the horn signifying the begginning of the match blew, Mercury and Emerald slowly walked backwards and slipped into the tall dry grass behind them, dissapearing from sight. Using stealth and surprise attacks, the Green and Grey haired fighters outsmarted and overcame Coco and Yatsuhashi in under five minutes. Now Yang was interested. Two people of great skill and strength threatened her Jaune to find out mundane information, and she needed to know why. She got up to go track and stalk her new targets, but was stopped by Pyrrha grabbing her arm.
"Where are you going? We're up next!" Pyrrha exclaimed. Yang mentally facepalmed. She forgot to check the schedule. Her investigation would have to wait.
Yang and Pyrrha waited ion their side of the middle platform of the arena, waiting for their opponents.
"So.." Yang spoke up, "What do you know about these two we're facing."
Pyrrha nodded slowly, "All I know is they're from Atlus, and they're supposed to be Elite." Yang sighed and cracked her knuckles. Suddenly, their opponents were dropped onto the platform on the opposite side. To say the least, they were not what Yang and Pyrrha were expecting.
The guy was classily dressed. He looked as though he had come from a major jazz jam session. His classy wear was topped off with a fedora and shades, not to mention the trumpet he was holding. The girl standing next to him had pinkish-orange hair and was clad in a variety of colors. She was on roller blades and wielded nun-chucks.
These peoples colurful attire and happy go lucky looking personalities was already starting to irritate Yang, and she hadn't even heard them speak yet.
"Ay. Your Pyrrha Nikos, right? Heiress to Nikos artillery?" They fancy boy with the trumpet asked. 'Nikos Artillery?' Yang thought. 'Sounds made up...'
"Uh.. y-yes.." Pyrrha replied hesitatingly. Pyrrha was obviously uncomfortable talking about it. Maybe she hated her family?
"So I bet you know a thing or two about weapons?"
"Well... yeah..."
He smiled, "Well that's funny, cuz... My dad use to own a weapon shop line. That is, until your fathers company ran him out of business."
Pyrrha looked at the ground in front of her, "I-I'm sorry to hear th-"
Pyrrha was cut off when he scoffed, "Yeah, I'm sure you are!" He said sarcastically.
Yang snapped, "Hey, y'know what-" This time Yang was cut off.
"Hey y'know whaaaat~ That's what You sound like!" The colorful girl mocked her. Yangs eye twitched as she imagined their blood and guts spread around the arena. She was already pissed today because of Jaunes interrogation, but now these two were fitting to smash her 'Go Nuclear' button.
"Where'd you get your hair extensions?" The annoying girl asked Yang. Yang closed her eyes, seething.
"This is my normal hair." She tried to reply calmly.
"Ooh, really?.." The girl asked with a slight tone of disgust.
Yang was about to explode. "You got a problem with tha-"
She was cut off again, "You should try rollerblading sometime. It's sooo fun! Although, it'd be pretty hard since, Y'knooow, you're kinda... Top-Heavy?... " Yangs eyes went wide and her mind went blank. The only thought running through her brain was that she needed to beat this girl into the ground and then some. The respective land types rose around the two pairs and the air became silent.
Then the match began.
The boy immediately put his trumpet to his mouth, put his fingers to the keys and blew. What came out was actually Visible soundwaves. Powerful soundwaves. They started pushing Yang and Pyrrha back. Yang Held off as long as she could, but the whirlwind blew her off her feet and threw her into the Urban biome behind them. Pyrrha shoved her sword into the ground and held her place. He would eventually have to take a breath, and that's when she'd attack.
The colorful girl chased after Yang. Yang got to her feet and saw the girl coming at her. Yang ducked a wide swing of her Nunchucks, and the girl zoomed past.
The boy finnaly stopped to take a breath, and Pyrrha drew her sword from the ground and lunged. But her window was shorter than she thought. He immediately blew on the trumpet again. Pyrrha threw her shield up and slowly made her way forward, trudging towards the boy. He smirked and suddenly stopped. The lack of resistance sent Pyrrha toppling forward her momentum carried her past him. He spun on his heel and kicked her in the back, sending her through two fire dust pillars.
Meanwhile, Yang was rapid firing her gauntlets at the colorful girl, but her speed on her rollerblades in this Urban terrain was similar to Rubys. She was grinding off rails and bouncing off walls in every direction and Yangs eyes couldn't keep up. The girl got behind her and smacked Yang upside the back of her head with her Nunchucks. She quickly spun, came from the other side and whacked her in the side. She repeated this four times and landed every hit. The girl skid to stop a ways from yang and cracked her Nunchucks like glow sticks. Sending Ice Dust coursing through them. She zoomed past Yang and slapped her leg with her weapon. To Yangs surprise it encased her mid to upper leg in a block of ice. Yang lifted her leg and stomped hard, shattering the ice. The girl swung back around and hit Yangs left arm, encasing that now. The girl sped towards Yang and drop-kicked her in the stomach. Yang flew into a wall, but got back up.
"You should cool off! Get it?.. Because you're angry?.." The girl shouted from a distance, mocking Yang.
Yangs temper was off the charts. She slammed her left arm into the weak wall behind her and it crumbled. At the same time, the impact removed the ice from her arm.
Meanwhile Pyrrha charged the boy and he Blew sound waves her way. She dodged it this time, and flung her shield at him. He ducked but was too late to dodge her incoming flurry. She landed a couple hits on him and it made him stagger. She rushed him again but this time he was prepared. He kicked off her chestplate and as he landed, there were four of him. The three clones had slightly different colors to their suits, so Pyrrha knew which one was the real one, but that didn't matter. The four of him Played their trumpets and combined their soundwaves into one that was four times as large and powerful. This eazily took Pyrrha off her feet and sent her flying across the arena. He smirked as his clones faded back into him.
He stepped on Pyrrhas sword before she could grab it. They both turned their heads to see Yang swinging at the air. The girl was making circles around her and continuing to mock her.
"Y'know You're actually pretty when your mad! I mean, I'm not saying you should go on a diet, I'm just saying you NEED to go on a diet!" The girl chimed.
Yang growled and screamed, "That's it!"
With Yang distracted the boy took the chance to ignore Pyrrha and turn his fire on the blonde brawler. His clones reappeared and he took aim at Yang. Pyrrha screamed, as she used the last of her strength to tackle all his clones at once and him, carrying them into a fire dust fountain as it bursted, simultaneously knocking herself and him out of the match. Or so everyone thought. The boy tumbled out of the steam and quickly got to his feet. The girl and him exchanged a nod and the girl started making her way to Yang. Yang charged up the rest of her aura and released her semblance. She used the memories of all the mockery, torture, and intense anger she had felt throughout the entire match, no-the day, NO- The WHOLE MONTH and turned it to her opponents.
She ran straight into the sound waves, which was sending the girl towards her, and shot her gauntlets behind her, propelling herself towards them. Yang took a couple swings at the girl but she ducked and weaved out of the way of the blows. Yang jumped high into the air and fired powered shots towards the girl, wich she skated past, every shot destroying huge chunks of the arena. The girl didn't realize Yang was doing this to make it impossible for her to skate. As Yang predicted, the girl messed up, and flew off a piece of the ground that was sticking up like a ramp. She landed on hard to skate, rocky, terrain and started losing her balance.
Yang hit the ground and rolled. She ran towards the boy and he blew his trumpet her way. Yang jumped over the soundwave, shot her gauntlets to launch herself to where she was directly in front of him. Yang closed the front whole of the trumpet, and the boys eyes widened as the power redirected and blew out the back, exploding on him. His aura was depleted and he was out of the fight.
Yang turned to see where the girl who was still trying to get her balance was heading. She was heading for a steaming geyser. Yang stomped her foot down charged her remaining power, and sent it coursing throughout her arms. She cocked her gauntlets, and aimed high. As she thought, the geyser erupted, sending the girl into the air like a clay pigeon.
"Fuck- OFF!" Yang Shouted as she fired all shells from both her Gauntlets as once. The shells combined into one large mortar round and slammed into the girls chest and exploded. She was shot backwards into the forcefield protecting the audience. She hit the ground, out of bounds, and was completely unconscious.
Yang calmed herself, happy she knocked the two smug punks out. She went to Pyrrhas side.
"That wasn't very elite of you.." Yang stated sarcastically.
Pyrrha coughed up a little smoke and chuckled. "..Very funny.."
Ruby and Jaune ran up to them.
"Yang, that was amazing! You obliterated them!" Jaune praised. Yangs cheeks went red and she looked away, avoiding his gaze.
"Th-Thanks.." She mumbled.
"That was a gutsy move, Pyrrha! I loved it!" Ruby said, grinning.
Pyrrha smiled.
After the match was officially over. The group voted Yang would go on to the next match, which, she would normally protest. However, if it meant getting more praise from Jaune, she'd be willing to make the sacrifice.
The group took a lunch break at their usual stall with team Brown, and the two teams shared tournament war stories. Soon the announcement bell rang, and Pyrrha was called in to Ozpins office for unknown reasons. The rest of Team Player went back to the arena, where Yang would face off against her semi-finals opponent.
And boy was she happy to see who it was. The silver haired tyrant whom interrogated Jaune earlier, Mercury.
The two had an intense match and exchanged an uncountable amount of arena shaking blows. But he was no match for Yangs power. The thought of Jaune praising her again empowered her beyond her limits, and she dodged each of his kicks like a leaf fluttering in the wind. She slammed her fist into his side and blew him back. He stood and rapid fired shots from his boots. He used wind dust crystals to shoot out pockets of air that began to swirl around them like a vortex. While Yang was distracted even for a second, he flipped forward and axe kicked her on the top of the head. As she hit the floor of the arena he sent every pocket of wind slamming into her.
Yang shook off the attack like it was nothing and charged him. She landed a flurry of blows on him and with a heavy haymaker to his cheek, he was knocked down and his aura was depleted. Yang turned and threw her hands up, and the crowd cheered in a pounding roar. She felt dizzy from the excitement. She turned to Mercury.
"Better luck next time." She said smugly.
He winced and growled, "There isn't gonna be a next time, Blondy!" He charged at her in a flying kick that was way too predictable. Yang punched him back down with a shot from her gauntlet.
What happened next, shocked her. She heard Boos and screams from the audience, and she looked at her teammates that were stunned in silence. Emerald came down and ran to a crying Mercurys side. Suddenly, police surrounded Yang and demanded she stood down. Yang was utterly dumbfounded, because he tried to attack her after it was already over, or so she thought.
"Why?! Why would she attack me?!" Mercury cried to Emerald.
Yang looked up at the megatron that was playing a replay of the last moments of the fight. On the screen Yang knocked Mercury down and walked past him. But instead of him getting up and attacking. Out of nowhere she had turned and shot him in the leg. Yang knew this is not how it happened, and there was foul play at work.
Yang looked at Mercury. "You-"
Through his crocodile tears he put on for everyone watching Yang could see the faintest of smiles on his face. Yang hung her head and closed her eyes. It took all her effort not to explode and kill him on the spot. She surrendered to the police.
The Haven enforcement lead Yang and her teammates to their dorm room, where James Ironwood was waiting to have a conversation with them.
"But He attacked ME." Yang argued.
"Look, you have violated the rules and have left us no choice." Ironwood stated clearly.
"But Yang would never do that..." Ruby rebuttled.
"Sir, I like to think I know Yang pretty well. That was completely unlike her! This has to be some kind of mistake!" Pyrrha added. At this point, though, it didn't matter what any of them said; she was in too deep.
"I understand. Both you and your classmates agree that was uncharacteristic of you and I'll simply chalk it down to the stress and adrenaline of the moment taking over. However, there has to be repercussions for a public atrocity such as this."
Yang sighed. She nodded, signifying that she understood.
"I regret to inform you I am here to tell you you're disqualified." Ironwood said. He turned on his heel, and his guards and him left without another word.
Team Player sat in silence for a moment.
"You... You guys believe me?.. Right?.."
Ruby chimed in first, "Duh! Wouldn't be the first time we've heard of someone with a semblance that manipulates what you see, sis."
Pyrrha smiled, "You're hot-headed and a bit brash, but you aren't ruthless."
Yang and the other two girls looked at Jaune. Jaune avoided their gaze and said nothing.
"Jaune?..."
Jaune sighed and looked down, "I want to believe you..."
"What?!" Pyrrha and Ruby shouted in unison.
"Jaune?.." Yang whimpered as tears started forming in her eyes.
"What do you mean, Jaune?.." Pyrrha asked, concerned.
Jaune cleared his throat. "I use to know someone... who was very sweet.. kind.. and didnt have a care in the world. One day, though.. he let his problems take over, and he erupted. He hurt everyone around him who he once trusted the most. I'm not saying I don't trust you. I really want to... I just need you to look me in the eye tell me that's not what happened..."
Yang wiped her tears away. "Jaune. I saw him attack me first, so I attacked back."
With that, Jaunes stern look faded into a smile.
"Then I believe you."
Jaune placed his hand on Yangs shoulder. "Get some rest."
Jaune, Pyrrha, and Ruby left the room so Yang could relax.
While in the hallway, Blake and her team came out to ask if Yang was okay. They explained she was dissapointed in herself, and needed some rest and time to think.
Yang sat up in her bed and stared at the floor in intense thought.
"Hey, Firecracker." A familiar voice said from the other side of the room.
"Qrow..." Yang said as she met her uncles eyes with her own.
"So.. Why'd you do it?.. Either you're lying or you're crazy."
Yang snapped, "I'm not lying!"
Qrow looked down and rested his hand on his chin. "Hm.. Crazy then..."
"Who knows.. Maybe I am..." Yang mumbled.
Qrow paced. "And I thought that Blake girl was the emo one..."
"I saw mom..." Yang changed the subject. Qrow stopped pacing and turned to look her in the eyes. Yang continued, "I was in a rough spot... I took a pretty hard hit. When I woke up, the girl attacking me was gone... and... I swore I saw moms sword. The one thats in all the pictures of you guys..." Yang sighed and put her hands in her lap.
"You're not crazy, Yang. Let me guess, didn't say a word?" Qrow asked.
Yang nodded.
"I don't see my sister very often. But, she does try to keep in touch.. when it most suits her, of course." He said as he scoffed with a smile.
Yang was surprised. "Wait.. you mean... you talk to her?.."
"Yeah. In a more recemt assignment. I needed a tip and it led me to her."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?.." Yang quipped in an irritated tone.
He replied, "Well, I needed the right time to tell you. This sure aint it. But, I guess you needed to know. She wanted me to tell you she saved you once, but you shouldn't expect that kindness again." Yang looked down, distraught. "Raven has a strange view of the world I don't particularly agree with... and she's dangerous, but you're a tough thing, kiddo. You slipped up, and sometimes bad things just happen. I say, it's time you move on."
Yang sighed. "Move on to what?.." She asked.
"Well... Raven let some info slip.. before she took off. If you ever want to track her down... I might be able to help." Qrow smiled at Yang and she smiled back. The two exchanged a hug and Qrow took his leave.
Yang decided she needed some fresh air and went for a walk. As she was strolling around the courtyard, trying to clear her mind, she saw Jaune in the distance. He was heading somewhere with a Stick of cotton candy. Yang followed him, trying to catch up. She didn't want to go so fast it seemed she was matching his pace and stalking him though. Yang stopped and ducked behind a corner when she heard Jaune say something, mostly because it gave her a fright.
"Hey." Jaune walked up to Pyrrha, who was sitting against a wall, looking depressed. "It's no delicacy, but it'll still do some good." Jaune stated as he extended the fluffy treat her way.
"Uh.. Right... Thanks, Jaune.." Pyrrha said. It didn't sound like the sugary treat cheered her up too much. Yang was confused and wondering why Pyrrha of all people was so downtrodden.
Jaune slumped down next to her. "You were the first person to ever believe in me..." Jaune stated. Yang didnt like where this mood was going. The setup was too... romantic.. Jaune continued, "Y'know that?.. Even when I told my parents I was going to beacon, they said it'd be okay and not to worry if I had to come back home.. How depressing is that?.." Jaune looked away, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"Jaune, I don't think they meant-" Pyrrha gasped, which gave Yang a jolt. Neither Pyrrha nor Yang knew if he really meant to do it, but they both noticed Jaune had placed his hand on top of Pyrrhas and was holding it there firmly.
"I guess.. I'm just trying to say that... You've always been there for me. Even when I didn't deserve it. And, I can tell there's something on your mind.. so... I don't know... How can I help?.." Pyrrha and Jaune locked eyes and it looked as though she was starting to get teary eyed. This is exactly what Yang didn't want to happen. She wanted to be mad at Jaune, but she really couldn't. He was just trying to help out a teammate after all. Pyrrha smiled. She leaned over and laid her head on his shoulder.
"You're already doing it..." She replied bluntly. The two sat in this position for quite some time, and every minute that went by made Yang more irritated. She wanted to do something. Make a noise or fake call Jaune. Anything to pull the two apart.
"Jaune.." Pyrrha spoke up and raised her head. Yang sighed in relief. "I don't know what to do..."
Jaune tilted his head. "W-what do you mean?.."
She met his eyes. "Do you believe in destiny?.."
"Um... I don't know.. I guess that depends on how you view it.." He replied.
"When I think of destiny.." Pyrrha sighed, "I don't think of a predetermined fate you can't escape. But rather, some sort of final goal... Something you work towards your entire life..."
"Okay" Jaune responded simply. "Uh.. Yeah. I can see that. Sure."
"Well.." She continued, "What would you do if something came along that you never expected? Something that had the potential to stand between you and your destiny?.."
"Like what-" Jaune tried to say but was cut off.
"Like what if you could suddenly fulfill your destiny in an instant? At the cost of who you were?!" Pyrrha was sounding panicked. At this point, Yang and Jaune were both extremely confused. Jaune made it verbally clear.
"Pyrrha You're not making any sense!" But Pyrrha was hearing none of it. She quickly stood to her feet.
"NONE of it MAKES SENSE." She stated hysterically. "This ISN'T how things were supposed to Happen!"
Jaune stood too. "I'm sorry I'm just.. trying to understand what's wrong!.."
Pyrrha sighed. "I've always felt as though I've been destined to become a huntress. To protect the world... and it's become increasingly clear to me.. that my feelings were right... But.. I don't know if I can do it..."
Jaune took a step coser to her. "Of course you can! The Pyrrha Nikos I know would never back down from a challenge. If you really believe it's your destiny to save the world... you can't let anything stand in your way..." Pyrrha covered her mouth and began to sob. Jaune put his hands up, concerned he did something. "P-Pyrrha?..."
"Stop... " She mumbled.
He took a step closer. "Pyrrha... Did I say something wrong?.." He took another step towards her and put his hand on her shoulder reassuredly.
"Stop!" She screamed and threw out her hand. She used her semblance and flung Jaune back with extreme force and he slammed into the schools wall. Yangs eyes went wide and she was filled with an anger she had never felt before. It was something different. It was an anger that made her blood boil.
Pyrrha started bawling, realizing she had hurt him. She turned on her heel and ran. She zoomed right past the corner Yang was hiding behind. Jaune fell to his knees. He wasn't really hurt that bad, at least, not physically.
Yang ignored Pyrrha for now and ran to Jaunes side.
"Y-Yang?.. Where'd you come from?.." Jaune asked, coughing twice.
Yang helped him up. "I saw what happened..."
"What.. What did I say?..." Jaune whimpered.
Yang wrapped her arm around his shoulders. "Jaune I... I don't know.."
Yang had walked Jaune back to the arena and they took their seats in the podium. Yang got Jaune a cold drink, and tried her best to comfort him. They knew Pyrrha was in the semi-finals. Even after what just happened, they weren't going to miss her semi-finals match. They didn't even know who her opponent was. Pyrrha walked out and stood in the middle of the arena. She looked just as sad and distraught as she did earlier. Yangs scroll made a bleeping noise. She pulled it out and saw it was a message from Ruby. She realized Ruby wasn't in her seat and wondered what was going on. She opened the message and it only read four words:
'Mercury Is Here. Help!'
Yangs eyes widened. She knew it. He did trick them someway. There's no possibility he was back on his feet that fast. Yang quickly stood and went to leave, but was caught off guard by Jaune.
"Great.. Now both girls that broke my heart are here..." He said as he sighed.
Yang turned to ask what he meant, but the announcers answered that question.
"Pyrrha Nikos.. Versus.. Penny Polendina." Yang was so in shock she couldn't breathe. She had a million questions. There she was. The girl she watched drown that night at the docks. Standing battle ready in front of Pyrrha. Yang took her seat and tried to catch her breath.
"They.. made another one?..." Yang mumbled.
Jaune leaned closer. "What?.."
"N-Nothing.." Yang replied quickly.
The horn suddenly blew for the match to begin.
Pyrrha shook away her depressed look, and the two girls ran at each other. Their weapons clashed and Yangs mind told her something was wrong. She put two and two together, and finally realized what has been happening this whole tournament. Pyrrhas semblance would destroy Penny given the chance. Mercury, Emerald, and whoever their group was... They were trying to draw grimm to the city by causing tragedies.
Pyrrha and Pennys weapons clashed rapidly faster than regular eyes could comprehend. But, as the battle raged on, Yang began to notice something. Pyrrha was off balance. She wobbled with every step and her semblance glowed around her randomly as though... she was having trouble controlling it. It would explain her out burst with Jaune earlier. Yang could've sworn she saw Pyrrha pass out for a split second. This provided a window of opportunity. Penny kicked Pyrrha in the chest and she slid back across the platform. Penny controlled her stringed blades and knocked Pyrrhas shield and spear out of her hand. Penny pulled her weapons back and prepared to launch them all at once. Yang noticed Pyrrha stumble and she looked incoherent.
Penny sent all of her swords Pyrrhas way at once, and Pyrrha panicked. Pyrrhas semblance exploded from her hands outward in a huge shockwave. Flinging the wired blades back towards Penny. Penny dodged them, but didn't take into account the wires attached to them. Each of the swords wires wrapped around her metal limbs and pulled them back. Penny gasped as they kept going, and Pyrrha realized what she was doing, but it was too late.
The wires ripped through Pennys metal body, completely severing her limbs and cutting her in half at the hip. Pyrrha clasped her mouth with her hands. The crowd let out unanimous gasps. Pennys eyes faded to grey, and she shut off. Yang recognized this. Penny two point oh' was dead, and Pyrrha, wether it was an accident or not, killed her.
Yang looked over at Jaune. He was wide eyed and stunned to silence. Yang imagined this was what it was like to be in the stands when Mercury and Yangs thing happened. She grabbed Jaunes hand. Not meaning any sort of romantic endeavor, but because it made her comfortable. They needed it. Speaking of needing someone..
"Oh, Shit! Ruby!" Yang shouted as she let go of Jaunes hand and sprinted towards the entrance. She didn't have to go far. Ruby was on her knees in the entrance doorway, crying. She had lost a friend. And her teammate caused it. Yang hugged her sister, and an unfamiliar voice came over the intercomms.
"This is not a tragedy. This was not an accident. This is what happens when you hand over your trust, your security, your children, to men who appear to be your guardians. But are... in reality... nothing more than men. Our acedmys headmasters wield more power than most armies, and one was audacious enough to control both. And yet, what do we have her? One nations attempt at a metal army. Torn apart by the nations star pupil. Why would they need a soldier disguised as a little girl?.. The Grimm can't tell the difference. And what, I ask you, is Ozpin teaching his students?.. First a display of brutality and now this?.. Huntsman and Huntresses should carry themselves with honor and Mercy, yet I have witnessed Neither. Perhaps, this is his message to the tyrannical dictator hiding in his nation. As someone who hails from Mystral.. I can tell you all the situation there is equally undesirable. So I leave by asking this... when the first shots are fired... Who can you trust?.." With that, the war sirens starting going off. Grimm had flooded the city. People were being told not to panic but that wasn't very reassuring, considering a huge Alpha male Nevermore was slamming and pecking on the top of the shield protecting the arena.
Ironwoods armies ships were slowly coming in. Suddenly, one of the ships turned on the other two and shot them down. Jaune came up behind Ruby and Yang.
"What the FUCK is going on?!" Jaune yelled,
"Pennys Gone..." Ruby sobbed. "Grimm invading in drones... Pyrrhas a murderer... and our first line of defense was shot down." Ruby stood.
Jaune nodded and hugged her, "We have to protect those who can't protect themselves... Wether we like it or not, when we joined this academy, we signed up for this."
"So we fight?.." Yang asked.
"So We Fight." Jaune confirmed.
Shit stuff is starting to get intense. This is where the crews start seperating and everyone starts getting fucked over. So, I will be putting a spin on events more so at this point forward. I really hope you guys are enjoying this as much as I'm enjoying writing it. Jaune's semblance is a mystery that will be revealed You!