Sorry for the last chapter being short everyone. I've been working my butt off to keep my grades up this new semester of college.
So we're in the homestretch! I dunno what I'm doing when I reach Volume 4, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
Let's go to the tournament!
Shade claps as RWBY celebrates their victory in the arena against Mistral's ABRN. The elder of the Vanguards whistle at their victory.
"They're doing well." Luna says. Shade nods. Sun appears next to them.
"Hey Shade. The rest of the team are exploring around the fair, want to catch up? The next match isn't for a little bit." The Faunus states. The rest of the Vanguard nods at Shade's questioning look.
"Let's go!" The group makes their way to the fairgrounds. Meeting up with RWBY as they split from Cinder's teammate, Emerald. The rest of SSSN arrive soon later. The team falls into conversation with the Beacon team as they make their way to a ramen stand. The eight converse as they place their orders, Shade chuckling at Blake's order of fish on the noodles. Weiss goes to pay in celebration, but her card is declined and Blake goes into depression as her bowl is taken away. The heiress was dumbfounded, before she sighs.
"I should have known my father would try to screw me over." She mutters. Ruby pats her friend's back.
"Perhaps I could help?" Pyrrha's voice cuts through the air. JNPR takes a seat and Pyrrha pays for all twelve.
"I could have paid Pyrrha…." Shade mutters. Pyrrha shrugs it off as they eat. "Besides, you shouldn't be eating too much.. You have a fight next, right?" Ren nods.
"Yes." The quiet male confirms. "But it is good to eat beforehand." Shade shrugs.
"Very well." The Iron Lord agrees.
"Will team JNPR report to the stadium, as they were supposed to be here ten minutes ago?!" Oobleck's voice shouts through the area.
"Now it's time to go I guess." Jaune announces, and his team exit for their fight. Shade waves to them, and them the teams return to the stadium to watch the battle.
-Gonna skip the JNPR fights because you can watch it yourself.-
Shade chuckles at the ending of the JNPR match, before making his way down to the staging area.
"Now for the team NDGO (Indigo), they're certainly a crowd favorite." Professor Port exclaims.
"Yes indeed, however their opponents are certainly nothing to scoff at." Doctor Oobleck states. "They're facing team SSSN (Sun). This festival's first team comprised of students from all four schools." The four girls of NDGO stare at team SSSN as the team rise up. Sun was looking around in awe, Neptune was looking cool as usual. Viola and Shade were meditating. NDGO stares at the team in confusion.
"Ladies." Neptune flirts, with a flirty wink. The four girls glare at the blue haired teen before Neptune is tripped by Forgotten Night. Shade and Viola sigh as they stand up.
"Ignore him, it's how he responds to stress." The Iron Lord sighs, before his helmet morphs around his head, his cloak flowing in a wind.
"You-you're the Iron Lord, are you?" Octavia asks. Shade nods. "Oh boy."
"Do not worry, just give it everything you got. I'm just a teen like you." The Scout grins. A sand field appears behind the girls.
"No worries girls! Home field advantage." Nebula states.
"Hey! Don't forget that it's my turf as well." Sun states.
"Yeah! Don't und-" Neptune starts.
"Oh the beach!" Dew exclaims, interrupting Neptune. The Mistralian freezes, and Shade sighs.
"What's wrong with him?" Viola asks.
"Neptune…. Is afraid of water." Shade sighs. NDGO smirk slightly, but also show sympathy.
"Sorry mate." Gwen says, as the round starts. Neptune files past everyone, standing on one of the mountains.
"Move!" Shade shouts, drawing his handcannon and firing a round at Nebula, even though it was blocked. "Eclipse!" Sun and Viola dash forwards, their semblances rushing forwards like a small army. Shade then flashes before Dew, and the two pole-weapon users duke it off. Nebula tries to fire a round at the Iron Lord with her crossbow, but Viola uses her bow to distract the other archer. Sun quickly moves off to occupy Gwen while Neptune takes shots at Octavia.
"Guys!" Dew shouts, trying to break away to assist her team.
"Sorry, but your opponent is me!" Shade taunts, using Forgotten Night to vault over Dew and land before her while he kicks up sand in her direction. While the move was ineffective to the Vacuo native, it became much more useful as the Iron Lord turns the sand into flying glass shards with his weapon. Dew evades out of the way, summoning a dust devil and sending it roaring at Shade. The Iron Lord fights the raging winds for a few seconds, before diving into the center of the tornado.
"What?" Dew asks herself, before shrugging. Suddenly the temperature around her rises significantly.
"Physics 101!" Shade's shouts over the winds. "Strong, spiraling winds make flames stronger. Strong flames can create their own windstreams, and counter whirlwinds!" The dust devil is engulfed in flames, and then dissipates. Standing in the center with a minor hit to his aura was Shade. "You're good. However, large attacks like that can always be overcome with science." Dew grits her teeth as the two become locked in combat once again.
Meanwhile, Viola was showing Nebula who was superior in archery. While the crossbow user was an excellent marksman, Viola was simply better. Frustrated, Nebula charges forwards, her crossbow morphing into a sword as she closes the distance. A shadow covers Viola, before more of her Shadow Clones bumrush the charging Nebula. Viola's bow then splits into twin daggers and she engages Nebula in a flurry of sparks.
Sun, however, was having an easy time. While Gwen was no pushover, she wasn't prepared to face the full-frontal fighter that was Sun Wukong. Spectral clones followed by shotgun shells and physical attacks overwhelms the girl and leaves her out of the running before she could really do anything. With Gwen out of the way, Sun moves over to assist Neptune, instantly blindsiding Octavia. With two of NDGO out, the remaining two quickly got double teamed.
Neptune backs up Viola, using his Guandao to counter the Nebula's sword. However, this was a terrible matchup. Since his weapon had a longer reach, Nebula got in close and eliminated Neptune. Viola then got a well-placed shot in, blasting Nebula back and out of the arena. The leader hits the ground frustrated.
Shade, was holding his own with Dew. Their weapons a blur as sparks fly. Seeing the rest of her team elimated, Dew summons forth a massive tornado that picks up Sun and Viola and flings them out of the arena. Shade, however, had expected it, activating his semblance to flash forwards. He hooks Dew in her midsection, and the added power from his semblance allows him the fling the girl across the arena. The alarm ring.
"And Dew Gayl's aura has entered the red! An astounding show of teamwork from Team SSSN!" Professor Port shouts. "SSSN moves to the next round!" While Port announced the winners, Shade had moved over to help Dew get to her feet.
"Easy, you're gonna feel a bit numb for a couple minutes." The Iron Lord informs, his helmet morphing into his armor.
"We stood no chance, didn't we?" Dew asks, a frustrated look on her face. Shade grins softly as he shakes his head.
"Naw. You did well. NDGO as a whole did well." He assures, as the rest of NDGO arrives to see what was going on. The rest of SSSN walks into the locker rooms. "The biggest flaw however, was that you allowed yourselves to be split up. Now, against Sun and Viola, who can literally create a small army, it's hard to counter. Another main issue was that you played defensive the whole time. Prioritize protecting each other over fighting off the enemy. Octavia, you're sorely lacking in the range department, while Gwen, you lack at the up close combat. Usually these can be covered by the other, until you two get split." The Iron Lord walks off the arena, motioning the other team to follow him. "Outside these things, I also noticed that you didn't utilize the area as much. Had you gone into the water zone, Neptune wouldn't have done anything. Nebula, using the sand to create a smokescreen could have bought you time to advance on Viola. Dew, don't bank everything on those tornados. As you saw, some mad science can counter act it."
"Why are you helping us?" Nebula asks.
"Because, while I am the same age as you I am an Iron Lord. When I see skilled teams who need a little push to help them, I'll help. Just because I am an Iron Lord doesn't mean I see myself above everyone. It's an added duty, and it is my responsibility to give advice as a more experienced person as well. I survived something nobody thought was possible. Now I must share my wisdom with others to help them improve.
"You sound like a teacher." Octavia states. Shade blinks.
"Do I?" He asks. The four girls nod. "Interesting. Back to the matter at hand. It's minor details in the fact that you still have three more years of school. But no time like the present. I hope I was helpful."
"You were." Dew confirms. "Thank you." Shade grins as he walks off.
"Oh, and one last thing." Shade interjects, looking back to the four. "Keep moving forward. You four have skill. You just need more time to test, to learn how to open your mindset. You've impressed me, keep up the good work." With that, he exits the locker room, leaving the four girls staring at his back. Outside the room, he see Blake and Luna waiting for him.
"I'm so proud of you!" Luna says, giving her student a headlock. Shade chuckles lightly.
"I take it you two heard everything?" He asks.
"We? The whole stadium did. You forgot to turn off your comm when the match ended." Blake chuckles. Shade blinks.
"Ahh hell." He groans, much to Luna and Blake's amusement.
"So what now?" Blake questions. Shade shrugs.
"Want to go read? Got nothing better to do." The Iron Lord asks. Blake thinks, then nods.
"You two lovebirds have fun!" Luna crackles. Shade sighs while Blake smirks slightly. The two teens make their way down to the Commons. A large lounge-like area where all the competitors can go to pass the time and meet fellow students from other schools. Blake and Shade find a corner near a lamp, and the two cuddle up and begin reading a book entitled Destroyermen: Into the Storm. The two bunker down and begin reading. They don't notice the rest of RWBY, SSSN, Team JNPR, Team CFVY, and the rest of the vanguard enter and take up space around the couple.
To any of the visiting students, they'd see a group of Beacon students having a good time hanging out.
That's a wrap. Short chapter for yall. Sorry everyone.
I've been busy with college and family stuff, but I apologize for the delay.
As always, reviews are welcome. Constructive criticism is welcome. Flames are not.
Ciao Bellas!