Fern walked around, examining the jacket that Lance wore. They had met up in their usual training grounds in the Emerald forest. Fern was astounded by the clothing.
"Where did you learn about these markings?" Fern asked, studying the markings of dust on the sleeves with his fingers .
Lance shrugged. "I just read up on them."
"Don't you know what they do?" Fern questioned. Lance shook his head causing Fern to sigh. "Of course you don't. Those markings allow the dust to travel easier through the cloth and increase the power of your attacks, but just remember that the dust isn't unlimited, you'll have to resew it eventually."
"So how do I use it?" Lance asked, eager to test his new project out.
"Well the fire one should be controllable with your aura. The earth dust requires you to touch the surface you are casting it onto, then you can send it out."
Lance held out his right hand and began to concentrate, a small flame suddenly appeared in his hand. He smiled and looked at Fern.
"So am I a natural or what?" He said with a grin.
"Well done, but you haven't even come close to scratching the surface of fire dust," Fern said, grinning.
"What else is there to know? I summon it and shoot fireballs at the bad guys," Lance said.
"Fire dust is a powerful dust type, being only rivaled by lightning dust for destructive power." Fern reached into his back pouch and pulled out some viales of dust. "I'm still learning about those two, I used to research them a lot."
"What happened?" Lance asked.
"I stopped. Dust is a powerful tool, but a Dust Mage who can master those two could take on an army."
Lance grinned and looked down at the small flame. He was ready to learn more about his dust and how to use it effectively. He eagerly looked at Fern.
"What can you show me?" Lance asked, grin widening.
"Later, for now you need nothing but combat training," Fern answered.
"I need to train with this jacket!" Lance whined.
Fern sighed. "Fine, train all you want, I'll see you tomorrow."
XXX XXX XXX
Lulu sighed and cracked her neck. "I really didn't want to fight serious, but I guess I have to."
She leapt towards Takeshi and slashed at him with her knives. Takeshi blocked the attack with his blade, then leapt away. Lulu charged him and Takeshi flipped over her, slashing at her back. Lulu was able to spin around and block the attack. Takeshi stabbed at her, but Lulu caught his blade with her knives. She held the blade still, making sure not to let it move.
Suddenly Ruby came flying in and cut at Lulu with her scythe. Lulu pushed Takeshi away and spun around to block the incoming attack. She was too late and the scythe hit her in the chest. Lulu staggered back as her aura absorbed the blow. She glared at the two and closed her eyes.
Suddenly her aura began to manifest outside of her body, forming multiple arms. These arms came equipped with a knife for each arm, resulting in six aura arms to sprout from Lulu's side. Lulu smirked and charged back into battle.
"This is my mighty semblance, Mutate!" She shouted, hacking away at the two.
Takeshi began blocking the knives as they came towards him. Four of her arms were focused on Takeshi and the others on Ruby. The knives were like a swarm, each cutting at their enemy with rapid speed. Ruby was having trouble keeping up and was eventually overwhelmed, being struck numerous times in the chest. Ruby stumbled backwards and Lulu saw her chance.
Lulu used all four arms and swung at Takeshi. Knowing he couldn't block it, Takeshi leapt backwards, dodging the attack. As soon as Takeshi had leapt away, Lulu bolted towards Ruby, using all eight blades to strike her. Ruby's aura was broken, the crimson aura shimmered around her body as three of the knives entered her flesh. Ruby had been stabbed three times in the side, upper chest, and shoulder.
Lulu yanked the knives out and Ruby collapsed immediately. Takeshi witnessed this and his eyes widened in shock.
"Ruby!" He shouted.
Takeshi leapt towards Lulu and brought his blade down over his head. Lulu raised her real arm to block it, but the blade slashed right through her flesh, severing her arm. Lulu howled in pain and staggered back.
"Your semblance has a massive flaw!" Takeshi readied his blade again. "You're not just using offensive aura, but your regular defensive aura. In short, while your offensive skills rise, your defensive is lowered massively, allowing me to cut straight through you!"
Takeshi sent his blade hurtling forward, stabbing at Lulu's chest. Lulu brought down her aura arms and tried to block the attack yet again. Takeshi's attack was blocked, but he forced Lulu to slide away on her feet from the force of his attack. Takeshi twirled his sword around and rushed her. Lulu slashed at him and he ducked, swiping her side with his blade.
Takeshi cut at Lulu's back, but she spun around and blocked the attack. Takeshi charged her again, ducking from her attack and countering. He continued this process for some time. Finally Lulu grew enraged, she leapt away, trying to gain distance.
Takeshi refused to let her move, he cut at her again and again. Lulu blocked the few attacks she could, but Takeshi was landing a great amount of strikes on her. Finally Takeshi brought his sword above his head and slammed it down. Lulu deactivated her semblance and stopped the attack with one arm. She panted and coughed up blood. Her body was covered in blood and her crimson aura shimmered, trying to heal her.
"So, this is the power of a warrior from that small village, what was it's name again?" Lulu asked, struggling to push against Takeshi's blade.
"Osten and I doubt you'll last much longer, give up!" Takeshi shouted.
"I suppose you are correct in that matter, but like you, I'm not alone in this fight, Fin!" She shouted.
Suddenly a man leapt from behind Lulu, he stabbed his rapier down at Takeshi as he landed. Takeshi pushed Lulu back and leapt away. The man's face was masked and he was dressed in all black tactical clothing. Takeshi leapt towards him and swung his dadao sword. Fin barely moved and Takeshi was sent flying away.
Takeshi hit the ground and collapsed, sliding to a stop. He struggled to stand and Fin took this time to strike. In the blink of an eye, Fin was upon Takeshi, blade ready to pierce him.
"Interesting how someone like you could take care of Lulu like that, but this is where you die, boy." Fin said, his voice refined and calm.
Fin thrusted his blade down, but it was suddenly stopped by a long sword. Fin's red eyes widened in surprise and they followed the long sword's blade to its owner. Bronze pushed against the rapier, stopping it from entering Takeshi. He pressed a button on his hilt and the blade of his sword began to glow white. Bronze slashed at Fin, their two blades collided. Fin pushed against Bronze's mighty long sword. Realizing Bronze had the upper hand in physical strength, Fin pushed Bronze back and leapt away.
Fin felt his sword take on a new weight. He looked down at his blade and was surprised to see it covered in ice. Bronze suddenly snapped his blade down onto Fin's, shattering the rapier. Bronze then swung at Fin, the man stepped out of the way.
"That was a smart move boy, but I have some questions to ask," Fin said. He raised his arm and Lulu threw her knife into it. Fin examined the short blade. "Not exactly my style, but it will do. Now for my questions, who are you and who is your friend?"
Bronze didn't say a word, he instead charged Fin. He slashed at him, but Fin easily blocked the attack with his knife.
"I see, not a very cooperative person are you?" Fin calmly asked.
"Unfortunately not!" Bronze said, shoving Fin away. Bronze raised his blade and held it pointed at Fin.
Suddenly the blade began to glow. A white light came flying from the blade, shooting across the ground and striking Fin in the chest. The man was sent flying by the energy. Bronze smirked and rushed after Fin, whom had hit the ground, but was able to recover with haste.
"Interesting attack, semblance? Fin guessed.
"Yeah, something I don't like using in fights. My semblance, Final Shot!" Bronze shouted, still rushing towards Fin.
Bronze swung at Fin and pressed the button on his hilt. Fin dodged the blade and it struck the ground, leaving a trail of ice. Bronze brought his arm around and unleashed a barrage onto Fin, pushing himself to his absolute limit. Bronze filled the barrage with fast moving attacks of steel and ice, mixing in his Shot semblance occasionally. Frost formed around the two as Fin either dodged or block the few attacks he couldn't escape from.
Finally, Fin felt the need to finish his mission. He ended Bronze's barrage with minimum effort. Jabbing the boy in the gut with the hilt of his knife, slashing his chest several times, and striking his shoulder, sent Bronze into the air. Bronze flew back and hit the ground, skipping across it like a stone tossed at water. He finally hit a pillar of the bridge above them and came to a sudden stop.
Fin smirked underneath his mask, he twirled the knife in his hand and began walking towards Bronze's limp body. The man placed his foot down onto Bronze's back and raised the knife.
Suddenly pillars of rock came flying at Fin's back. Fin spun around and swiped them into pieces with his knife. He looked at his new opponent, This time it was someone he did know.
"Ah, so nice of you to finally join us Mr Sage," Fin said, smiling under his mask. Lance glared at Fin, his arms crossed. Lance cracked his neck and began walking forward. His determined blue eyes peered into Fin's scarlet red ones that almost seemed to glow. The young male clapped his hands together and began to sprint. Fin smirked under the black mask. "What's this? Some form of magic?"
The markings on Lance's arms suddenly lit up. Lance stuck both hands out and a rock materialized in his palm. This rock was surrounded by fire that orbited the stone with intense speed. He then launched the flaming stone at Fin, who dodged it with ease.
"Some dust contraption in those sleeves?" Fin charged Lance and swung at him.
Lance raised his right hand and his flame symbol flashed, fire appeared in his hand and he sent a blast of it at Fin. The man stepped back as the torrent of flames, that flew from Lance's hand, flew past him. Fin swiftly jabbed Lance in the side causing the boy to stagger back.
"Ah, so you learned the art of dust infused clothing?" Fin asked. Fin charged Lance again, but this time Lance held up his hands to guard himself, ready to use his dust. Fin side stepped at the least second, this fake out caused Lance to send another torrent onto where Fin once stood.
Kicking Lance in the back, Fin cut his chest with the knife. Fin grabbed Lance's right arm and pulled it behind his back. Lance was forced to the ground by Fin, who then pinned him.
"Keep taking massive leaps and bounds, soon you'll be a worthy opponent. For now, I must bid you a farewell," Fin said. "I'll be seeing you soon, Lance Sage."
Lance struggled against Fin, but an idea came to him. Placing his left hand on the ground, Lance sent aura through his left arm, activating the dust in his sleeve.
"Why not finish things here?" Lance cockily asked.
A pillar of stone flew from the ground. It slammed into Fin's side and forced him to release Lance as he was ejected off the boy. Lance quickly scurried to his feet. He spun around and Lance swept at the air. His symbol on hi right sleeve illuminated and a wave of flames flew from his hand.
This new force of fire was different from before, Lance had increased the intensity and power of the flames. Fire raced towards Fin, who was recovering from the last attack. Fin quickly hurried to dodge the flames, for even he couldn't withstand the force of the fire.
As the wave of fire engulfed Fin, Lance wondered if he had done it, beaten an enemy that even Bronze couldn't conquer. As the flames erupted into an explosion, Lance hoped he had succeeded. Unfortunately his hopes were shattered as a man leapt from the flames. Fin stood straight, his blood red aura shimmering around his body. Lance stood there, in awe and fatigued from
"That was well played, boy," Fin said, walking towards Lance. "I almost actually faltered in those fires of hell you thrusted unto me."
Lance went to use his fire again, but suddenly Fin was in front of him. Fin thrusted the knife at Lance with great speed. Lance shut his eyes and waited for the blade to pierce him, but instead of immense pain, he heard the sound of fabric tearing. Fin's knife tore through the symbol on Lance's right arm, cutting it in two.
Lance's eyes grew as he saw this. The boy flipped backwards, trying to gain distance. He then went to place his hand onto the ground beneath him, but Fin was suddenly right in front of him again.
"I know the rules of dust chemistry!" Fin shouted, cutting at Lance, who was forced to retract his hand and dodge the attack. Fin stood straight again and pointed the blade at Lance. "You can't morph the ground, unless you touch it and I just severed the dust in your right arm, stopping you from using anymore fire."
Fin launched towards Lance, furiously hacking away at the boy. Lance did his best to dodge the high speeds, but with no weapon it made it difficult. Lance ducked, narrowly dodging the blade again. He tried to place his hand on the ground, but Fin sent his knee into Lance's face. Lance staggered backwards and Fin leapt towards him, slashing his torso.
To gain distance, Lance leapt away from the barrage that Fin was inflicting. The two then stared at each other, Lance wondering what to do and Fin wondering if Lance would go on the offensive.
"Boy, I can't kill you, but I can wound you rather severely!" Fin rushed towards Lance again.
Suddenly an idea popped into Lance's mind, something that Fern had showed him during their training. Lance clapped both his hands together and focused his aura. The symbol on his left arm began to glow, but the one on his back did as well. Something began to form in the hands of the teen, it was metal. A sharp and shining blade of iron soon began to morph in his hands. Fin's crimson red eyes widened in pure shock at the blade that Lance now held. Lance raised the sword and aimed it at Fin.
"Your plan to rid me of my flames was a flawed one, in targeting my right arm's dust symbol, you left me with my earth dust!" Lance calmly explained. "And the air dust on my back! If you know about dust chemistry then you surely know that, if mixed together in the right portions, air and earth dust make iron, which I can then morph into any object I want!"
Lance charged Fin, who was still in awe. He brought the blade over his head and sent it down. Fin frantically went to block the attack, raising his knife over his head. The two blades collided and the sound of metal against metal rang throughout the area around them. Fin pushed the blade up and kicked Lance in the gut.
"Foolish boy, while impressive that you learn so quickly, how will that blade help you? You're fighting me!" Fin shouted.
Fin shot toward Lance like a bullet, arriving at Lance's side in the blink of an eye. Fin slashed Lance's ribs, piercing his aura and the jacket. Blood dripped from the wound as Lance swung his blade at Fin, who blocked it with his own. Fin held nothing back, furiously slashing away at Lance. The man spun the teen around and ripped through the symbol on his back and kicked him in the spine.
"Now die!" Fin shouted, hurling his knife arm forward into Lance's back.
Suddenly something stopped the knife. A man stood behind Lance, two arming swords were in both hands and they both were holding the knife back. Fern sighed and looked back at Lance, who was in shock.
"All that work into your jacket, only for it to be destroyed. You really are a moron," Fern disapprovingly said. "I knew you would go pick a fight somewhere, just can't believe how powerful your opponent is."
Fin tilted his head. "Who are you?"
Fern shoved Fin away with his duel blades. Fern leapt towards the man and slashed at him with both his swords. Fin knocked them both away and heaved his knife to Fern's gut. Fern swiftly caught the knife with both blades. The Fern smiled at Fin and the other man did the same under his mask.
"My name is Fern, I am currently the teacher of this child," Fern explained.
"Ah Fern, I have heard many stories of you," Fin said.
Fern cocked an eyebrow. "You know of me?"
"Yes. I wished I could test your skill of combat, but now is not the time. That being said." Fin yanked his knife back and, with swift movement, cut into Fern's arm. Fern's green aura absorbed the damage, but he was thrown off balance. Fin grabbed Fern and throw him to the ground. "Farewell Fern, I hope we may meet on the battlefield again."
Fern hit the ground and immediately rolled onto his feet, aiming both blades at Fin. Two symbols on each sleeves illuminated and sparks began to collect on the blades. Fern unleashed the lightning, its yellow bolts curving around as they stretched off the blade and unleashed a crack of thunder. Both bolts struck Fin in the chest, sending him back.
Fin landed on his feet a few yards from Fern. The two stared each other down, but Fin spun around and hurdled the knife at Lance. The boy had no time to react to the knife as it flew in at high speeds. Lucky for Lance, he didn't have to. Fern was in front of Lance in the blink of an eye and had knocked the knife from the air.
Fern's gaze was set back onto Fin, but he and Lulu had vanished. He sighed and sheathed both his blades. Fern turned around and gazed among the four students that littered the area around them, his eyes saw Ruby and they widened. He rushed over to her and frantically picked her up.
"Lance, I'm going to take Ruby to Beacon to treat her injuries, gather the rest of your team and put an end to this!" Fern ordered. He then leapt away, carrying the injured girl with him.
Lance watched his teacher leave and then looked around. He saw Bronze, who was still unconscious, and he saw a teen he had yet to met. Lance continued scanning the area around him. He saw the rest of team RWBY and Iron still doing battle with the massive robot and Silver and Neo looked as if they were just begging their battle.
"Hey!" Lance called out to the other teen. The male looked over and pointed at himself in confusion. "I'm going to help fight that robot, can you help my friend?"
Takeshi nodded and raced off. Lance set his gaze onto the robot and clenched his blade. He held up his right arm and stared at the torn symbol, he wanted to try and use it so badly, but the risk was too great. Having the symbol torn makes the dust unstable and hard to control, one of the downsides to the style of sewing dust that Lance used. He sighed, knowing he had a blade of iron and some dust in his left sleeve, Lance charged into battle.
XXX XXX XXX
