Slowly, the gathered audience found their way back to the stands, some muttering about the cheating, some casting dark glances at the northern princesses. They shrugged off the looks and continued sitting, stone faced. After everyone regained their seats, the herald returned.
"The Sealord Knight has been removed from the tournament!" The announcement was met with loud applause.
"This moves us into round three!"
Ruby could hardly contain her excitement. Round three! That guarantees Yang will have plenty of fans, if not a real sponsor! She felt her heart pounding as the contestants were whittled down further. After round three comes the semi finals… No matter what happens, only four will be left by then.
"After drawing lots, the Thunderclap Knight receives a buy into the semifinals! Now to the first bout, the Huntsman versus the Darksoul!"
The Darksoul Knight was the other mystery champion in the tournament, clad in black armor that looked like crow feathers. He struck cleanly with a slightly curved lance, but neither he nor the Huntsman Knight were moved. They would have to wait to see if someone else was knocked out so they could into the semifinals.
Lastly, Yang took her place across from Sun Wukong, the All for One Knight. She charged at full speed and, as her sister shouted her head off, knocked the golden boy onto his rear. Sun had many fans, but they were quickly wooed by Yang's smile and superior jousting.
"That white-armored knight will need a sponsor. We should speak to her after the tournament." Winter mentioned to her sister.
"Hm? Oh yes. We should… Scoop her up."
"Are you alright Weiss? You seem distracted."
"Yes, I'm fine."
Winter followed the direction of her sister's gaze. It halted before even leaving the stands, as if she was looking at someone sitting there. The red-haired girl. Winter thought. What would Wiess want with her?
Starting the semifinal round, Nora faced off against the mysterious Darksoul Knight. Ren watched as she was unseated by the black-armored knight.
"Nora always did have trouble with curved lances…" Ren's face fell, clearly disappointed.
"I thought the Duke was supposed to be impartial." Ozpin said, chuckling.
Ren blushed. Nora stood up on the field and flung her helmet from her head, waving at him.
"Sorry Ren! I did my best!"
The Duke's face was bright red as he waved back at her. A general laugh passed through the crowd.
This left Yang to face the King's own Huntsman Knight. The portly gentleman bowed from his horse and began the charge. Yang followed with an equally poised charge. The lower center of gravity of her opponent would mean her lance would have to dip when she hit him, which could cause it to skim off. She remembered what her younger sister had said. "Lower opponents will have to hit up at you. Lean back so their lance will skim off you!" Her sister always had know more about jousting than her. The brains and the brawn. Yang thought smiling. Her lance hit and held, while the shorter lance of the Huntsman ricocheted off her chestplate. The King's champion twisted his body so he remained seated on his horse, but it was clear to the observers Yang would move on to the finals.
"Good bout Peter." King Ozpin whispered, smiling.
The Huntsman took another bow as he returned to the stables followed by thunderous applause. The herald returned for the final time, and could hardly be heard over the crowd.
"The finals! Our mystery champions have both made it all the way to face off against each other!"
The Darksoul Knight's horse was black and rippling with muscle. It's hooves shredded the earth as it readied to charge. Yang finally replaced her helmet, leaving only a slit to see out of.
Blake could feel her heart beating. She can save Ruby… The contestants began the charge. Each passing moment was an eternity, the crowd holding their breath, Yang calculating every small adjustment necessary to unseat her final opponent. As they approached each other, it became clear the black knight held his lance much too high. I could easily slip under this jab. Yang thought. He should know that. Why is he not changing his lance hold? Is he planning a change at the last minute? Yang's hands were sweaty and she was panicking now, completely confused by her opponent's strategy. If I go under and he leans back it's all over for me. Yang swung her lance high in the last moments as the Darksoul knight remained perfectly still.
A bluff…
The black, curved lance struck Yang in the center of her shield, lifting her from her saddle and back down onto the dirt. She did not get up this time. The crowd gasped, waiting for the little girl to shout, to save her sister from another cheating bastard. No shout came. It was a fair bout.
Time passed agonizingly. Ren placed his hand on Blake's shoulder. Her face was wet with tears. Weiss shook her head, disappointed. Ruby Rose sat silently, unable to believe what she had just seen. Yang Xiao Long lifted herself from the ground and bowed silently to her competitor, then led her horse back to the stables, limping.
A smattering of applause rang throughout the stands as the herald lifted the knight's hand. "Your champion!" He said, masking his own disappointment. "Now sir, if you'd like to remove your helm and we can grant your reward."
As the herald said this, the Darksoul knight revealed his face, along with a blaze of red hair.
"The name's Roman, for those who were wondering." He took a bow for the crowd. "Now, Your Grace." The man grinned at the king. "I'd quite like my Neo back. I think you threw her in your dungeon or someplace."
"Arrest that man!" The king's advisor shouted, standing up from her seat.
Immediately the crowd began talking and yelling, wondering who the red-haired man was. Roman Torchwick readied his lance as Mercury Black advanced on him, wicked blades protruding from his guard captain boots. Roman's lance swung viciously, clanging against Mercury's boots.
"You gonna take orders your whole life, dog?" Roman spat.
"Taking orders got me everything I ever wanted. How's that for a dog?" Mercury whirled again, cutting Roman's cheek.
More guards were advancing now, but the enormous black horse chased them down, leaving only Mercury to deal with the criminal. Roman thrust with this lance, twirling it over his head, leaving no room for any blow to reach him. Mercury blocked with his gauntlets as best he could, but his arms and legs were being badly beaten. Other contestants began returning from the stables now, wondering who the mystery winner was. Some put their armor back on, and made to assist, but they were too late. Roman caught one of Mercury's kicks with his shield, throwing him against the dirt. The wicked lance poised to strike the captain's throat.
"Any last words?" Roman showed a wicked smile, ready to kill Mercury at the slightest hint of resistance.
His final blow was interrupted as a whirling knife struck him in the shoulder, splattering his black horse with blood. The horse, terrified, charged off into the distance, allowing the other guardsmen and contestants to capture the injured criminal.
"Who threw that!?" Mercury said, wiping blood off his cheek.
"An admirer, it appears." King Ozpin said, shutting off all discussion of the knife's origin. "Put that man in a jail cart in my caravan, and we'll forget this ever happened." Ozpin flashed a wink at Blake. It seems he was the only one who saw her throw the knife. She had lifted it off one of the door guards and had it strapped to her thigh ever since. She smiled under her mask. I think he'll give up some medicine for that.