Chapter 29: The Tournament

Location: Beacon Academy, Vale Year: Unknown

After the events that taken weeks ago, I was resting up, as well as fixing up Ralphie in my dorm, until I heard a knock on the door.

I asked out, "Who is it?"

"It's me, Ruby. Can I come in?"

"Sure, come on in." I answered.

Ruby enters into my dorm, looked around, and commented, "Wow, you really settled in, haven't you?"

"Yeah." I answered. I then looked at Ruby, and I knew she wanted to talk about something.

"What's wrong, Ruby?" I asked.

She was quiet at first, then asked, "Can you keep this a secret? I want you to know something and I feel like I know you wouldn't turn your back if you hear this."

I answered, "Sure, take a seat."

She sat down on one of the chairs and settled in. I then asked, "So, what's up?"

She hesitated, but then she said, "It's about Penny..."

"Oh? What about her?"

Ruby started to hesitate, "She's... well... she's not exactly human."

I raised an eyebrow, "Wait, is she a Faunus?"

"No, not that either. She's... an android." Ruby stated.

That caught me by surprise, but then I remember back at the docks, how she was destroying VTOLs left and right, and even strong enough to pull down one of them.

"I see... like a Synth from my world." I concluded.

"A Synth?" Ruby asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Made by the Institute in the Commonwealth, or what used to be Boston, Massachusettes, and were made to look exactly like a human being, even to have them actually eat, drink, sleep, and feel emotions, but still like androids, but advance. I met my fair share of them, ever since back in the Capital Wasteland. A guy named Harkness was the first Synth I met. He escaped the Institute because it's like slavery there, and I met him while he was in Rivet City, which so happens to be a beached Naval Aircraft Carrier, making it one of the safest settlements in the Capital. Someone was hunting him down and I made a false trail afterward, making them think he's dead, but in reality, he's not. His serial number is A3-21." I answered.

Ruby was shocked, 'cause I can see it in her eyes. She then said, "So... you care for them?"

I nodded and replied, "Yes, and don't worry Ruby. If you think this is going to change the way I look at Penny, well, you're wrong. She's still a friend of ours, no matter who or what she is. I mean, look at Ralphie here. He maybe a robot, but he's a good friend of mine and truly have a soul." Then Ralphie beeped in joy while bobbing up and down.

Ruby smiled and said, "Thank you. I knew I can count on you."

"Anytime, Rubes." I answered.

But then Ruby said, "I'm also here to ask you something else."

"Oh?"

"Yang and I are going back home to our island, and our father wants to meet you in person. I was wondering if you could come with us. Is that alright, Edward?" Ruby stated.

I nodded once more and stated, "Of course, Ruby. All you need to do is ask."

Then Ruby cheered, "Yes! We are actually leaving now."

"Alright, let's go." I stated.

XXXXXX

'Hours later; at the island...'

We arrive at Ruby's and Yang's home island by the Bullhead, which was the VTOL I've encountered multiple times, and waiting for us is a man who is almost like Yang. There was also another man, who kinda looked like Ruby. It was confirmed that the second man was related since Ruby and Yang shouted, "It's Uncle Qrow!"

Ralphie beeped in excitement, and I knew that he was excited to meet these people.

As the Bullhead landed, Yang and Ruby immediately ran up to them and hugged them, while Ralphie and I followed behind.

Then their dad, Taiyang, noticed us and smiled, knowing who I was, but raised an eyebrow at Ralphie, not knowing who he is.

"Ah, you must be Edward, am I right?" Taiyang asked as he offered a handshake.

"Yes, sir." I answered, shaking his hand.

Then he looked towards Ralphie and asked, "And what is this?"

"This, here, is Ralphie. He's an Eyebot from the Wasteland that I used to traveled with. He will follow me to Hell and back, so I can count on him to have my back." I answered, then earned a few beeps from Ralphie in agreement while shaking up and down.

He chuckled and stated, "He does have quite a personality, doesn't he?"

"Yep, he sure does. Also, thanks for the motorcycle you got me. I was a little surprised that you even did." I stated.

"Of course. You helped out my daughters, after all, being very well protective over them, we might even consider you as part of the family." He stated.

That caught me off-guard for a moment, "Pa-part of the family? Your family?"

"Yes, of course. Ruby and Yang stated that they think of you as a big brother they never had after all you did for them, and even for their teammates and friends while at Beacon." He stated.

This really caught me off-guard, for sure. I looked towards at Ruby and Yang, talking to their uncle.

I thought, 'They think of me as their big brother? I-I... I don't know what to say.'

Then Taiyang asked, "Hey, are you alright?"

I answered, "Y-yeah. I was just caught off-guard from that, is all. After all these years, losing my mother when I was born and losing my dad in the later years, I-"

Taiyang put his hand on my shoulder, then said, "It's alright, I understand what you've been through, from your world. They told me everything, about what you sacrifice, what you did to help the innocent, what you lost, who you lost, everything. You're a good man, Edward, I'll give you that. It takes someone with a strong soul, a strong will, to be still sane after all the chaos and death, you have endured throughout those years. That's why I'm proud to call you family. You did everything for my daughters and for your friends."

I was speechless at this point. I didn't know what to say, except, "Thank you."

"Of course, Edward. Now, let me introduce you to Qrow." He stated.

I nodded, and Ralphie and I followed Taiyang to meet Qrow. Qrow saw us and stated, "Ah, so you're the guy who helped out Ruby at that Dust shop long ago. I heard good things about you."

I answered, "And I heard good things about you, sir. Your nieces talked highly about you."

"Heh, I bet you have. Though, nothing compared to what I heard from you, but still." Qrow stated, confidently.

XXXXXX

'A few hours later...'

After talking to Ruby's and Yang's father and uncle, Ruby wanted to see her mother's grave.

We went up to a cliffside and there, stood a Tombstone, with Ruby's Rose emblem. I figured that's where Ruby got the emblem. Like mother, like daughter. As Yang, Taiyang, Zwei, and Qrow stay behind, and Ruby wanted me and Ralphie to accompany her to there.

Ruby began to pull down her hood and I took off my helmet in respect after standing there in silence, and Ruby began, "Hey mom. Sorry, I haven't come by in a while. Things have been... well, things have been pretty busy. Oh! Dad's here, too. Along with Yang, Qrow and two new friends, as well. Dad's, you know... dad. He's still teaching at Signal, but he told me he's going out on some mission soon. I think he misses adventuring with you. I miss you, too."

Then came a moment of silence, and Ralphie began beeping softly, as if he's depressed. I wouldn't blame him. This is a time a sorrow.

But then, Ruby continued, "Haven't gotten kicked out of Beacon yet! So that's cool. My mentor's with me right now, along with a cute, little friend of his. I also think being on a team with Yang helps. I keep here in line. That was a joke. She's actually a really great fighter, you can tell she's learned a lot from Dad. well, so are Weiss and Blake. Oh! They're my teammates. Together, we form Team RWBY. And yes, before you ask, that does cause a lot of confusion... anyways, uh, I made a bunch of new friends and met some... let's just say, odd teachers. I first met Edward, he's the teams' mentor who's with me right now, and he really cares about us. Oh! We've also stopped some bad guys, too! I guess it's like they say: Like mother, like daughter."

Then came a short moment of silence, then she continued, "I still wonder why Ozpin let me into the school early. But uh, I guess he'll tell me one day. You know how he is. It's funny, the more I get to know him, the more he starts sounding like Uncle Qrow."

Then a bark came from behind us and showed that Taiyang and Zwei were waiting for us.

Ruby began, "Oh! Look's like Dad's back. We gotta go! He's dropping us off at Beacon for the tournament match before he goes on his next mission! Wish us luck!"

Then Ruby put back her hood up and started to walk away. As Ralphie and I followed, I began, "I have no doubt that your mother is up there, in Heaven, smiling upon you and Yang. I have no doubt she's proud of you and Yang on what you've achieved."

Ruby smiled softly and replied, "Thanks, Edward."

XXXXXXXX

'Next day, Near Beacon at the flying stadium...'

Everyone was cheering as the tournament as team RWBY fought against another team.

From the speaker, Port stated, "Hoho! It seems we have another astonishing bout ahead of us! Wouldn't you agree, Professor?"

First, Oobleck corrected, "Doctor."

Then Oobleck answered, "And yes, Peter, I think it's safe to say: This match may be one of the closest we've seen in the four-and-four round of the tournament!"

Then Port stated, "For those of you now joining us, Welcome to the Vytal Festival Tournament! Broadcasting live from the Amity Colosseum!"

Then a short moment of silence came until...

"If this is your first time watching, allow us to break down the rules." Port stated.

then Oobleck followed up, "The Tournament is divided into three distinctive rounds: Teams, Doubles, Singles. Age and school year are irrelevant. In this tournament, the only attribute being tested... is skill."

Then Port added, "Correct! The winners of this battle will elect two of their members to represent them in the Doubles round. Followed by the winners of that round choosing one member to advance once again! This round is between Team RWBY of Beacon and Team ABRN of Haven."

After a while, Team RWBY gain victory and Port announce, "Team RWBY is victorious!"

After a few moments, I met up with team RWBY and I said, "Well done! I told you that you can handle fights without me."

Then Ruby replied, "Yeah, but still. It would have been nice to have you fight along with us."

"Yeah, but we must follow the rules. Plus, I doubt it would be fair if I was with you. I mean, four against five?" I stated, along with Ralphie beeping in agreement.

Then Blake responded, "Yeah, true."

Then we were heading out to go back to the ground to the festival, until Team ABRN came up to us.

The team leader, who fought against Yang, said, "Hey, we just want to tell you that you guys were awesome back there."

Ruby replied, "Th-thanks! You fought well, too!"

"Thank you. My name is Arslan Atlan."

Then the guy with the staff said, "I'm Bolin Hori."

Then the girl with the hoverboard said, "I'm Reese."

"And I'm Nadir Shiko."

We all nodded our heads and Ruby began, "Nice to meet you all. I'm Ruby Rose."

"Weiss Schnee."

"Blake. Blake Belladonna."

"And I'm Yang Xiao Long."

Then Ruby began, "Oh! And this, here, is our team's mentor-"

I followed up, "Edward Vaughn. And this little guy..."

Then Ralphie came out from behind me as I continued, "... is Ralphie. He maybe a robot, but truly acts like a human."

Then I told Ralphie, "Say hi, Ralph."

Ralphie beeped in a greeting manner, catching team ABRN by surprise.

Then Reese stated, "Wow! He's so cool!"

Then Arslan asked, "So, wait. You guys' have a mentor?"

Ruby answered, "Well, one: He was an extra student, and two: he's the youngest veteran to be here."

Then they all nodded and Arslan replied, "Oh, I see. That makes sense. Well, see ya guys around!"

XXXXXXX

'Outside the stadium, on the ground...'

"WE DID IIIIIIIIII-s anyone else starving?" Ruby first cheered, then slumped down.

Blake replied, "I may have worked up an appetite."

Then a loud growl came from Blake's stomach and I replied with a slight grin, "Oh really, then why is your stomach yelling 'FEED MEE!' if you said that you have a slight hunger?"

"Oh, shut it, Edward." Blake said to me, but jokingly.

Then Weiss said sarcastically, "Gee, if only there were somewhere on campus to get food around here. Oh wait."

We were at the fairgrounds, with a bunch of stands where to get food and such.

Then Ruby replied, not knowing Weiss being sarcastic, "It's okay, Weiss. I forget about the fairgrounds, too."

Weiss replied, "I was being facetious."

Then Ruby began, "Wh-well, if you were hunger, why didn't you say so?!"

Then Yang began, "C'mon guys! I know just the place."

As we began to follow Yang, my attention was caught by Weiss' Scroll buzzing. As she looked at it, it said 'FATHER' in the text, and Weiss refuses to answer it and continues on. Me and Ralphie were confused, but shrugged it off and continued onward.

To be Continued...

(Now guys, Edward will soon enter a fight with someone else in a non-canon round, and I am having a hard time, trying to figure out who that Edward would face. Any ideas and suggestions will help me, so... yeah. Other than that, I hope you guys will enjoy.)