Cue Gothic music and the sound of thunder. "IT'S ALIIIIIIIIIIIVE!"

Sorry for the long delay everyone, here's a longer than usual chapter in response. Hope you all like it!

I'll try to have the next chapter out in a somewhat reasonable time frame. Personally, I blame my muse. I'm trying to cover time faster now so that we can get to Beacon sometime in the future. But it's hard.

But enough about me, you're not here to read about my problems, you're here to read about Ruby's! And in this chapter she has quite a few. As always, I love constructive criticism and all other reviews. Don't forget to follow/favorite/subscribe!

And without further ado...

The Price of Progress

The oldest girl at the table frowned at Ruby distastefully. The other three, for their parts, continued to pretend that she didn't even exist.

"Did I stutter?" The girl said, one eyebrow arching impeccably.

Ruby looked away, shoulders hunching "No… that's okay." She said, holding her tray a little bit closer as she turned.

"I'm glad we understand each other." The smile on her face was as condescending as it was fake. Ruby nodded in reply, not that anyone was looking, and moved away from the table.

"Dust," She heard one of the girls whisper behind her. "Does she think we want to play babysitter?" The tittering of laughter felt like small stones flung against her back.

Ruby stiffened when she saw the shock of bright yellow hair out of the corner of her vision. "Something wrong Rubes?" Yang's voice had an edge to it. "Those girls weren't giving you trouble or anything right?"

Ruby huffed and looked away. "I'm fine." She said, lips quirking down into a glare. "I'm not a baby, Yang."

Yang frowned. "Are you sure. I mean-"

"Yes I'm sure!" She said. She was a big girl, and if she didn't need Yang for the past two years she certainly didn't need her now. "I'm going to my next class, I'm not hungry anymore." She dumped her tray into the receptacle, meal untouched.

As she left the lunchroom, one hand quietly sought her fang pendant as if she was trying to reaffirm her own selfworth.

Left standing behind, Yang frowned to herself before returning to her seat with some of the second year students from the sparing club. Grey patted her on the shoulder as she poked at her meal. "Tough breaks kid."

Yang huffed. "I wish she wouldn't be so difficult."

"Well I for one don't see why you're spending so much time on her." Another girl, Lisa, said. "Like, I get it's bad that she's being picked on, and you like know her or something, but she clearly doesn't want your help." She rolled her eyes. "She's just being a spoiled little child, so let her be one."

Yang frowned. "And what do you mean by that?" She asked, fists clenching below the table.

Lisa scoffed. "Please, she's obviously some sort of self-entitled brat. Like, getting into Signal two years early? Her parents are probably rich or something. Payed her way in."

"Not even," Yang muttered. Out loud she said. "Well someone thinks she belongs here."

"She a baby." Grey said with a shrug. "I don't care what people think, she shouldn't be here."

"Yeah!" The girl agreed. "I mean like, if we all had private tutors and stuff-"

"Wait-" Yang crossed her arms. "What are you talking about?"

Across the table Coral took a sip of her tea. She was the only one of the older students sitting with Yang and the rest of the second years, and so she was the one who answered. "It's what everyone says." She shrugged. "After all, how else could a nine year old have aura?"

"I have aura." Yang shot back. "No one's making a big deal about that."

The other kids shrugged. "You're older." Grey said.

Yang huffed. "Whatever." She stood up, taking her tray with her. "I'm going to look for her." She said.

"What's your relationship with that girl anyway?" Coral asked.

"I think that's none of your business!" Yang called over her shoulder. The rest of the kids at the table shared glances before moving onto other topics.

Her purposeful stride was interrupted when Blake grabbed Yang right outside the doors of the cafeteria, pulling her into a side room before the other girl could so much as yelp in alarm. The cat Faunus immediately backed away afterwards crossing her arms silently.

Yang glared, eyes flashing crimson. "What the hell was that about?!"

Blake glanced away diffidently. "You do realize that you're the last person Ruby wants to see right now, right?"

"What?" Yang shook her head. "Whatever, like you would know anything about Ruby."

"You're right." Blake said. "I would know. Because unlike other people in this room, I've actually spent time with her outside of class."

"Don't even go there, damn cat!" Yang shouted.

"I'll go wherever I damn well please." Blake said, a severe frown on her face. "You however, will not be bothering Ruby for the rest of the day."

"And why do you think I'd listen to you?"

Blake crossed her arms. "Because you may be her sister." She said "But I am her friend."

Yang grit her teeth. "And how, oh wise one, do you know that Ruby doesn't want me around right now?"

Blake sighed. "Because." She said slowly. "I saw her walk out of that cafeteria. And, obviously, the last thing she wants right now is to be babied by someone who doesn't know her anymore and who wasn't there when it actually mattered."

Yang stumbled backwards as if struck.

Blake looked at her for a moment more, and then moved towards the door. When she touched the handle, Yang turned, fists clenched at her sides and eyes glowing red.

The cat Faunus met her glare head on, locking gazes for a moment. "What?" She asked quietly. "Are you going to try and fight me?"

For a moment it almost looked like Yang was going to take her up on that offer. Then she looked away, "Get out." She hissed.

After the door thudded shut, Yang stumbled over to the nearest chair and sank into it, cradling her head in her hands.

Her fingers sank into her short hair, fisting. Not for the first time, she missed having longer hair.

Right before winter break, Signal Academy held a tournament for its students. The event took place over the course of a week, set to conclude one day before Darkest Night, the annual festival of the winter solstice.

For second and third years, participation was voluntary. Older students, on the other hand were scored on their technique as part of final exams.

However, first years were not expected to enter the tournament at all. That was such an accepted fact that no one had even bothered codifying a rule that prevented them from registering. They were simply grouped with the other younger students, as a holdover of a bygone era, when even children were needed to hold back the threat of the Grimm.

Especially on Darkest Night.

But, all said and done, no first year student, and indeed very few second years, ever entered in the tournament. It simply wasn't done. A long string of humiliating defeats and cautionary tales to younger students served as all the deterrent needed to keep first year students from entering.

Which was why everyone was surprised by just whose name filled the 'first year participants' slot for this year's Bright Eve Tournament.

The intercom hissed once. "Ruby Rose," the voice said, "please report to the headmistress's office immediately. Ruby Rose, please report to the headmistress's office immediately."

Muttering swept through the crowd. At the edge of the cluster of students, a small girl with black and red hair slipped down the hall unnoticed, a frown growing on her face.

…

"Come in."

Ruby Rose slowly pushed the heavy oak doors open, her feet sinking into the plush crimson carpet as she walked into the headmistress's office. The room was dominated by a massive, from her point of view, desk made of dark wood. A single plaque sat towards the front of it, reading "Echelle M. De'vask".

"Miss Rose" The severe older woman sitting behind the desk said. "Please, take a seat. I understand we have a few things to talk about."

"Umm." Ruby sank into the chair, "Yes ma'am?"

"My dear, what on Remnant were you thinking when you entered your name into the tournament?"

"Ah" Ruby rubbed the back of her head. "That it would be a… good learning experience?"

Headmistress Echelle sighed, her lips quirking. "Yes, I'm sure that was exactly what was going through your mind." She reached to the side and pulled over a folder flipping through several documents. "I had your combat instructor forward me your progress reports from the entirety of the first semester. According to him, you have yet to lose a single match with another student, is that correct?"

Ruby nodded. "Yes ma'am."

Sever more pieces of paper were shuffled across the desk. "And you have unlocked your own semblance… according to your performance thus far you have a level of competence with your aura that belies your age…" She looked up from the papers, "If my own employee hadn't handed me these documents himself I would almost believe they were forged." She said. "Nevertheless, I can see why that old fool Ozpin wanted you to be enrolled in Signal so desperately."

"Uuhmmm…" Ruby glanced around helplessly for a moment. Then the headmistress closed the file.

"I can see why you might think that you're ready to participate in this tournament." She said evenly. "But the fact of the matter still stands, you are a first year student, and a nine year old at that. So, to reiterate, Miss Rose, what were you thinking when you decided to participate in this tournament?"

Ruby blinked, before glancing away. "Well." She said, rubbing her palms together. "I thought it would be a challenge. It would be something that would really help me get stronger. More than classes and practice."

"Be that as it may. That should be the last thing a child your age is worrying about."

Ruby shrugged. "But I do worry about it..."

The headmistress fixed Ruby with a level stare. "I see." She set the folder to the side. "Well, there is certainly no rule preventing you from entering, and making one would be a needlessly time consuming process. I could simply prohibit you from entering, but that would be capricious in the extreme, especially given the level of skill you demonstrate."

"So… You'll let me enter?" Ruby asked.

"We shall see." Headmistress Echelle said. "First and foremost, I will need written permission from your parents. On top of that, you will have to demonstrate your ability to compete before I make any such promises."

"Oh, um, of course!" Ruby nodded with determination.

The headmistress smiled wanly. "That will be all then. I believe you still have class to attend, Miss Rose."

"Ah! Yes Ma'am." With that, Ruby leapt off the chair and scurried out of the room. A small smile growing on her face. She was going to be able to compete!

"And Miss Rose." The woman said.

Ruby froze. "Yes…?"

"Best of luck."

Ruby grinned. "Yeah!" And then she was out the door.

Echelle sighed, a weary smile gracing her features

…

Ruby skipped down the halls to her first class of the day, a wide grin plastered across her face.

She was going to compete!

There wasn't a doubt in her mind that Cinder would give her permission to enter, and the test? Ruby smirked. "Easy peasy!"

On any other day, Ruby would have garnered at least a few odd looks for her behavior. Maybe some of the other girls in her year would have made snide remarks or given her a hard time. But today, something far more interesting was happening.

Ruby didn't even notice the lack of attention she was getting, or indeed the lack of other kids in the halls, until she rounded a corner, and ran right into crowd that filled the entire hall.

Students from all years were jam packed from wall to wall. Exited voices and murmuring, slowly growing louder as more and more kids joined the mob, swept across the crowd.

Ruby frowned at the sight, had a hunter come to the school or something? She couldn't think of anything else that would get so many people's attention.

After a moment, she walked over to of the older students and pulled on his sleeve.

"Hey!" She shouted over the noise. "What's going on?"

The teenager glanced down at her, a smirk on his face. "Just what everyone knew was going to happen." He said. "They're finally kicking out one of the animals."

Ruby blinked slowly. "The… Faunus?" She asked.

The other student laughed. "Yeah! One of them got caught attacking some girl. Boy is he gonna get what's coming to him!" Ruby gasped, glancing back towards the crowd.

"Hey," The guy knelt down, giving Ruby a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, they've got him in cuffs and everything, there's no way he's getting out."

That, of course, did the exact opposite of quelling her fears.

"But he's a kid!" She protested, eyebrows drawing together in a pout.

He shrugged. "Some faunus are just bad from the start." Was all he said in reply.

Ruby stared for a moment.

"Ah…" She shook her head. "Which one… was he?" She asked quietly.

"The wolf, I think." He said. Then the teenager frowned as Ruby shrank into herself. "What, he didn't do anything to you did he?"

Ruby shook her head vigorously. "No… No!" She said, looking up to meet him in the eye. "He's my friend!"

"Huh?"

Ruby glared at the ground. "Please let go of me." She whispered, before twisting out of his grasp and dashing down the hallway in the other direction. Behind her, she heard Signal's front doors open and close with a clang.

Heart in her throat, she raced to the nearest staircase tearing up to the second floor and the nearest open window.

She caught sight of two uniformed police men escorting Rust to a bullhead. Even from the second story she could see how his posture was stooped, ears pressed flat against his hair, as they manhandled him inside.

One of them pushed Rust roughly into a chair, then the doors slid shut and the bullhead lifted off. Ruby could only watch as flew off into the distance. Taking one of her few erstwhile friends with it.

The bell rang, but Ruby's earlier good mood had completely vanished. Her own head hanging low, she made her way to the first lesson of the day, the teacher would expect them all, minus one faunus, to be there in a few short minutes.

Suddenly participating in the tournament seemed much less important.

…

"You should participate." Blake said.

Ruby glanced over in surprise. "Huh?"

Blake shook her head, moving back to the edge of the roof. She looked over downtown Vale, amber eyes flashing in the afternoon light. "If I'd thought about it I would have signed up as well. So you should definitely still compete."

"Even though Rust got arrested?"

"Because Rust got arrested." Blake shot back. "It's…" She frowned. "It's a statement. That's why you joined originally right?"

Ruby looked down at the concrete for a moment, kicking her heels against the side of the building. "Yeah..." She said. "I thought that… if I did well, maybe everyone'd stop calling me a baby, or a kid. Maybe they'd all accept that I actually do deserve to be here."

Blake nodded. "But now…" She sighed, crossing her arms. "Now it's not just about that, it's about all of us."

"Huh?" Ruby glanced over. "But that doesn't work. I'm not…" She trailed off awkwardly.

"That's the easy part." Blake said. "Just wear the necklace."

After a moment, Ruby smiled. "Ahhh."

"Two bird with one stone." Blake said.

"Of course you'd know all about killing birds!" Ruby said with a laugh, hoping back to her feat. "C'mon let's- ah!"

Her foot slipped off the edge of the roof. Her eyes widened as she began to fall.

Ruby's arms pinwheeled, but she was already off balance. She felt her center of gravity lean out into the void, her other foot quickly loosing traction.

"Ruby!"

And then Blake was there.

She leapt from the roof as Ruby's other foot slipped as well. Ruby felt Blake's arms go around her and, for a moment, she almost thought the cat faunus was dragging them both over the edge.

Then Blake kicked off the back of an afterimage, propelling them back to the safety of the roof. They landed with a thud on the rooftop. Ruby trembling like a leaf in Blake's arms.

It took her a few moments to calm down enough to speak. "Blake…" She whispered.

"… yes?"

"That was really scary."

Blake sighed. "Yes."

After a few more moments, when no adults burst onto the rooftop, the girls got back to their feet, figuring that the entire brief, if utterly terrifying episode, had gone unnoticed.

Potentially life threatening or not, Ruby didn't enjoy the thought of falling off a five story building to test just durable her aura made her.

"Hey Blake?"

The cat faunus turned around, cocking an eyebrow.

"Thanks." Ruby said. "Sorry for being so clumsy." She glanced back over to the ledge. "I can't believe I slipped."

Blake smirked. "You've had a lot on your mind right?" She said. "Not everyone can have cat like grace."

Ruby laughed.

After quick goodbyes, Ruby and Blake parted ways. Neither noticed that one person had witnessed the whole event from the ground.

In front of the school, Yang stood, still staring up at the ledge where Ruby had almost fallen. She had been there in a heartbeat when she saw her sister slip, knowing that she had made the right choice to keep an eye on Ruby. It was her duty after all, even if she knew she had failed it once.

"What the hell…" She whispered. Unconsciously, her fists clenched at her sides.

"Hey, Yang, everything okay?"

She looked down before glancing over at her friend. With a huff she turned and stormed away from the school without another word.

"What the heck did you do Grey?" Another kid asked.

Grey shrugged helplessly. "I don't know! All I did was ask if she was fine? Dust." He rubbed the back of his head. "I thought she was gonna hit me or something!"

Already halfway down a side street, Yang grit her teeth. "Stupid Cat." She hissed out. "Thinks she can take Ruby!" With a yell she punched a nearby dumpster, sending it skidding into a wall with a loud clang.

The first day of the tournament came quickly. And as the youngest student, Ruby was in the first round of seeding.

Signal had rented a large, open air arena as the venue, a stadium that could seat over a hundred thousand people.

Probably only half of the seats were filled, but Ruby still felt surrounded, under too much scrutiny to focus. Sweat beaded on her brow as she walked out into the sunlight. She swiped at it, gripping her weapon tighter as she and her opponent made their way to the center of the arena.

He was three years older than her, and Ruby hadn't realized how much that would count for until now, when he was standing across from her. At least a foot taller, his entire body just plain bigger than hers. She gulped. At the moment she was very glad she had chosen this as her weapon, instead of her normal daggers.

There was no way she'd ever be able to reach her opponents with those.

The sunlight glinted off his sword. And the smell of fresh cut grass hung in the air like a shroud. Over to the side, a hunter was saying something. But Ruby could barely make anything out over the blood pounding in her ears.

She'd fought before, but never like this. Never fair. For a moment she wondered if the boy in front of her had a semblance. That would make things harder.

The sound of the crowd was getting louder. People were cheering and clapping so loud that she almost missed it when the hunter dropped his hand.

"Begin!"

The boy closed distance and swiped.

Ruby ducked. The sword whistled through the air above her head. Her knuckles whitened as she tightened her grip on the wooden haft of her own weapon.

Her counterattack forced the boy to jump away. Then Ruby followed up.

He blocked with his sword. The harsh sound of wood striking metal reverberated through the air.

Ruby yanked.

The blade of her scythe struck him in the back of the head. And for a moment she relished the look of surprise on her opponent's face.

She spun in around. The wind whipped across her face.

Her scythe swooped low then arced up, and Ruby felt the boy's weight as the curved head of her weapon threw him into the air.

She heard the air rush out of his lungs. And then he was flying backwards, before landing hard, his sword clattering to the dirt a foot away.

The crowd, which had quieted at the start of the match, erupted.

Ruby blinked, looking at the stands in confusion.

Were they cheering for… her?

It sounded like thunder.

Ruby felt a smile growing on her face as she turned to face her opponent once more. He was still on his hands and knees, slowly getting back to his feet. Suddenly, she was taken by the urge to put on a show.

She twirled her scythe, switching to a one handed grip.

Crouching into a runner's stance, the blade of her scythe trailing behind her, Ruby Rose took a deep breath and vanished in a storm of petals.

She reappeared behind her opponent, scythe hooking around his waist almost gently before she used him as an anchor to stop her charge.

If she had sharpened her blade, he would have been cut in two.

Ruby felt her weapon jerk painfully, nearly tearing out of her grasp as her boots slid to a stop on the grass. Behind her, there was a pained gasp followed by a quiet thud.

She heard the hunter clear his throat. "Victor of the first bout: Ruby Rose!"

She grinned all the way back to the waiting rooms.

…

Up in a private box, a young girl with pale skin and ivory hair watched the conclusion of the bout with disinterest.

She glanced up when her father placed a hand on her shoulder. "What did he do wrong?" He asks, deep voice rumbling through her like an earthquake.

Weis hummed introspectively. "He clearly had never practiced against a scythe user before, and so he treated it like a normal staff." She frowned. "He also underestimated the girl."

"I would think so." Her father said. "After all, that one's full of surprises…"

Weis said nothing, but looked away with a small pout on her lips.

She remained silent as her father withdrew his hand and turned to speak with the other influential families he had elected to share a box with, leaving her to her own thoughts.

In her head she replayed the fight, frown growing. Really, the girl had been nothing special, a subpar fighter by Weiss's estimation. The only thing remarkable about her was her semblance.

Really there was no reason for her father to find such a girl impressive

Weiss watched dully as the next few matches crept by. Idly, she brushed her hand against her hip. Her fingers dragged over the soft fabric of her dress, curling slightly as if to grasp an invisible hilt before she caught herself.

With a slow sigh, Weiss folded her hands in her lap demurely, returning her face to an expression of detached observation. Her eyes, however, betrayed her true interest in the fights below.

She could practically feel the roar of the crowd thrumming through her, drowning out the suffocatingly polite conversation that pervaded the box. One foot tapped impatiently against the ground as two third year students traded blows in the grassy arena. Her lips quirked downward when one of them over extended to far, and lost the match for it.

Weiss sighed again. "I wish I was down there." She whispered to herself.

Then her father called her name, and she returned to his side, where she curtsied politely before yet another group of rich business men and politicians. She conversed with their sons and daughters as well, before being allowed to leave. As always being drawn back towards the window.

The current bouts were boring yes, but they were far more interesting than dealing with a bunch of stuffy business associates.

Surprisingly, the little girl her father had been so impressed with had some of the more interesting matches of the tournament. Despite her age, she competed on equal footing with students notably larger and stronger than her.

"She's rather good isn't she?"

Weiss blinked, glancing over at her older sister.

A few years older than Weiss, Winter was not only much more involved in the affairs of Schnee Dust Company, but also much more interested in it. She took to these events like a duck to water, unlike her active, almost tomboyish, younger sister.

She was wearing a dress that looked much more constricting than Weiss's own, for which she was grateful. Winter's snow white hair was up in an elaborate bun which contrasted with the simple and understated pony tail her sister had. Were it not for the pale skin and matching ice blue eyes, it would be easy to think these two weren't sisters at all, so different as they were.

Weiss nodded in response to Winter's question as she watched the young girl in red run circles around her opponent. "Father was impressed."

"Hmm…" Winter smiled, placing a hand on Weiss' shoulder. "Does someone wish that she could be in the arena as well?" She asked quietly, smile growing mischievous. "You haven't been away from the viewing area for more than half an hour this entire night."

Weiss blushed. "I don't know what you're talking about, Winter." She said, looking away. "I've been attentive to our guests for the entire night."

"That you have," Winter agreed as she slipped into the seat next to her sister. "But you and I both know you've been more attentive to the tournament all the same."

"What's your point?"

"Ohoho! So quick on the defensive little sister." Winter said. "Best learn to curb that temper of yours."

"Winter, please?" Weiss kneaded her fingers. "Are you just here to make fun of me?"

"Perish the thought!" Winter replied. "I-" The two sisters were forced to pause for a moment as a few men walked over to the window and began speculating on the current bout. Weiss and Winter both rose from their seats to converse with them. Though, much to Weiss's displeasure, Winter forced her to lead the conversation.

Afterwards, Winter turned back to her younger sister. "As I was saying," She began. "I noticed how interested you were in the fights. Unfortunately, this is the only day of the tournament we will be going to."

Weiss nodded. "Father has other business to attend to in Vale after all." She said.

"Yes. But that doesn't mean you can't come and watch." Winter said, pulling a single ticket out of her back pocket. "If you can bear mingling with the common people that is." She added, nose wrinkling slightly.

Weiss blinked. Her mouth moving up and down.

Winter shut her younger sister's jaw with a finger. "Now, what do we say?"

Weiss flung her arms around Winter. "Thank you!"

Winter laughed. "Unfortunately, I could only convince Father to let you attend the last day, so you'll have to miss the Upper division seeding that happens tomorrow." Somehow Weiss looked less than distraught. "But! I told father that maybe it would be good for you to get some of this…" She gestured vaguely. "out of your system while we were in Vale, so that you could better focus on your studies. You understand what I mean by that little sister."

Weiss nodded. "Of course." She said. "I won't ignore my duties!"

Winter smiled. "That's a good girl. Now come on." She grasped Weiss's hand. "That's enough watching children waving around pointy bits of metal. It's time for you to make another round. I expect you to make conversation with all of the guests as are appropriate."

Weiss slumped minutely, before standing up and pasting a polite smile on her face. "Yes Sister. Thank you for reminding me."

For Ruby Rose, the next day started early.

Much earlier than Emerald appreciated certainly. She groaned loudly as the younger girl rolled out of the bed, inadvertently taking the covers with her. "Ruby…" She mumbled. "What 'r you doin'?"

"Go back to sleep, Emmy." Ruby whispered, tucking the comforter back over Emerald. "I'm just gonna go practice some."

"Sure…" Emerald mumbled, snuggling back into the blankets. Her eyes slipped shut immediately. As Ruby padded out of their (now shared) bedroom, one crimson eye cracked open to glance blearily at the alarm clock. "Six 'n th' mornin'…" If she was more awake, that tone would certainly be her complaining that Ruby woke her up so early.

A door shutting quietly was her only answer.

Two hours later Emerald opened her eyes again. She blinked slowly at the other side of her bed, as if expecting to see a mop of red-black hair tucked in next to her, before sitting up and tossing back the covers.

They revealed an astounding lack of Ruby Rose.

Emerald frowned "What the heck is she doing?"

Jumping out of bed, quickly dressed and brushed before marching across the hall to the training room. Up until she opened the other door, Emerald still thought that perhaps Ruby's earlier behavior had been a muddled dream.

After all, Ruby worked hard, especially when it came to training, but getting up at six in the morning on her day off to practice? That was utterly ridiculous. And yet, when Emerald walked into the training room, there Ruby stood, practice scythe in hand.

She was going through a kata, so focused on the motions that she didn't even notice Emerald opening the door.

She spun the practice weapon around her in quick and decisive arcs, motions fast enough that the weapon in her hands almost became a blur. But after a few seconds had passed, Ruby fumbled, the haft slipping from her fingers as she hissed in pain.

Emerald was across the room in a second. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Ruby looked over in surprise. "Emerald…?" She asked. "Why are you up so early?"

Emerald rolled her eyes. "It's eight, dummy," She said. "But forget that, what happened? You looked like you had it down."

"Ahah…" Ruby looked down at her hands. "It's… eight?" Emerald nodded. "Well…" Ruby held out her hands tentatively. Her fingers were red, and Emerald saw several small blisters beginning to form. "I guess I've just been practicing for a bit…" Ruby finished.

It was then that Emerald noticed how Ruby was breathing heavily, and the beads of sweat that covered her forehead, leaving trails of salt down her flushed cheeks.

"Ruby." Emerald started with a glare. "Have you been practicing that kata for the last two hours?"

"Uuuummm." Ruby glanced away. "Not just that one?"

"Dust." Emerald said with a groan. "Okay, you're done here for the day." She pulled the practice scythe out of Ruby's hands. Ruby pouted, but she lacked the energy to actually stop Emerald.

"You haven't eaten breakfast yet, have you?" Emerald asked pointedly.

Ruby froze for a second, before laughing. "Ahhaha." She grinned rubbing the back of her head. "Of course I've eaten breakfast, Emmy, everyone's eaten at least one breakfast right?"

Emerald sighed. "Come on, you training junkie, let's get some food in you before you collapse.

"But I need to finish practicing!"

"Huh." Emerald smirked. "Tell you what, if you can escape, I'll let you practice as long as you want okay?"

Ruby blinked. "Escape wha-aaAAAH! Emerald! Let go of me!"

Emerald laughed as Ruby tried to escape from the head lock. But there was no chance of that, her arm was firmly around Ruby's neck, and she cheerfully dragged the girl out of the training room and back to the penthouse proper.

Ruby finally stopped struggling when Emerald shoved her into a chair and began pulling food out of the fridge. She did now however, stop complaining loudly.

"I can eat later!" She said, slumping over the counter. "But I need to practice for tomorrow!"

"It's a tournament." Emerald said with a roll of her eyes. She put something in the microwave. "Not talent show. If you don't have down now, one more day isn't going to change anything."

"Yes it will!" Ruby said. "Every bit of practice counts."

"Yeah!" Emerald laughed. "Especially the bit that means you're too tired to actually fight tomorrow."

"Emmy…"

The microwave beeped. "Look it's done." Emerald said, pulling out a plate of something, she hadn't really been looking at what she'd grabbed, but it looked pretty good. "C'mon, don't you want some?" She slide the plate back and forth over the counter, letting the steam waft up in front of Ruby's face. "Smells great doesn't it?"

Ruby's stomach growled. She blushed. "… Yes."

Emerald rolled her eyes. "Dumbass." She set the plate down in front of Ruby, smirking when Ruby tore into the meal like a starving beowolf. "See? Told you to eat something."

Afterwards, Emerald dragged Ruby over to the couch. "You're not allowed to train anymore today. That's a direct order."

Ruby pouted. "Then what are we gonna do?" She asked. "There won't be anything on TV until the tournament starts… and that's at ten."

"Please." Emerald shot back. "It's not like the only thing we do is train and watch TV."

Ruby shrugged. "We kinda do."

"Buzz kill."

"You're the one who said I couldn't train." Ruby said. Crossing her arms. "I just started practicing the scythe a month ago, I need way more practice before-"

Emerald bopped her on the head. "No! No practicing." She said. "At the rate you're going you'll rip all the skin off your hands."

"But-" Ruby paused, glancing down at her palm, where her old burn scar still stood in stark relief. A reminder that pushing herself too hard came with its own risks. "Yeah… so, what are we gonna do instead?"

Emerald hummed. "What, don't you have any ideas?"

"You're the one who wanted to do something else." Ruby said, crossing her arms. Emerald huffed. And then they sat there in silence.

"Are we gonna sit here all morning?"

"…maybe?"

Ruby's match was the first one of the morning.

The arena was… slightly more rugged than it had been two days ago, despite the obvious efforts of the tournament organizers to smooth out the scars that two days of combat had left on the grass and dirt.

Across from Ruby stood a fifteen year old, his red shoulder cape flapping slightly in the breeze. The vibrant splotch of color on his otherwise drab uniform drew Ruby's eye. With a shake of her head she forced her attention back towards the katana sheathed at his hip.

Six years her senior, and he wasn't even bothering to look at her. Ruby frowned.

"All matches today will be single elimination!" The match official said. "Those who win will advance to the next round. Bouts are over when one competitor cedes, is deemed unable to continue, or if I declare that the fight is over." He gave the both of them a once over. "Any questions?"

Ruby shook her head.

Her opponent just blinked and glanced over, as if he had only just started to pay attention. "Oh, can we start now?"

Ruby bristled, but the official just nodded, walking backwards a few steps. He raised his hand over his head. "Ready?" Ruby settled into her stance, and his hand swung down, "Begin!"

The young man turned to look at Ruby. "So are you going to give up yet?" He asked.

She glared. He wasn't even taking this seriously! His hand was just resting on the hilt of his sword like he didn't have a care in the world.

"I'm not going to give up." Ruby said defiantly.

He sighed. "Whatever."

He placed one foot forward.

Ruby tensed, eyes flashing.

He vanished.

Before she even realized what she was doing, Ruby threw herself backwards with her semblance. The gray metal of her foe's katana bisected the space she had just stood.

Three rose petals were sliced in half by the blade.

Ruby launched herself to the side. And again. And then backwards.

Each time the sword was there, and the blur of his red cape. But they vanished again before she could focus on her opponent.

No time to counter attack, Ruby flickered around the arena.

No matter how fast she went, he was barely a step behind. His sword singing through the air, dodged by slimmer and slimmer margins as her foe grew used to her speed.

Ruby grit her teeth. She needed to turn the fight around.

Straining her aura, she dashed to the edge of the arena in two quick bursts, planting her back to the wall.

This time, she caught a glimpse of it, the gaudy red cape (nothing like her tasteful cloak!) moving towards her at high speeds. She lashed out, a grin growing on her face as-

As… her scythe cut through a piece of fabric with no accompanying body.

Then his sword took her in the gut, slamming her into the wall of the arena with enough force to shatter the concrete wall. Or maybe, Ruby thought, that cracking noise had come from her ribs.

She glanced down, seeing the katana buried in her stomach. Dimly, she registered that he had used the flat of his weapon.

When he sheathed it, the ground rushed up and punched her. Hard.