Time: 9 Weeks Until the Vytal Festival
Location: RWBY Dorm
Ruby awoke and stared at the top bunk bed opposite her, the conversation with Yang still fresh in her mind as if it was a dream.
She tried to get as much sleep as possible, though it was a restless night.
After the talk, she lay in her bed for a good while as she tried to make sense of it all, even going so far as feigning sleep when the others returned.
Now thoughts came with what awaited her for the day, when she was free from lessons...
Is Yang going to let me spar with Penny and more importantly Zen?
Or will she be ready to stop me the minute I try to leave?
In Zen's dorm, he was stirred from his sleep by an elated Penny.
After getting up, freshened and dressed, the red head explained why.
"I have wonderful news, one of my instructors has to take care of some important business, so that means I will get to attend a lesson with you, and that just so happens to be sparring class with professor Goodwitch."
"That's great, maybe we can spar with everyone watching, we can show them how good we can be."
"We'll see, after all, with yesterday's practice with Ruby it would actually be worthwhile if the two of you squared off with one another."
"Sure.. that can work too. Anyhow are you coming to sit with me at breakfast?"
"I'm sorry, but again I have to attend an early morning session with calibrating my weapons systems, but we can meet up after your second period in our dorm before we can go and train."
Zen found himself sat at the same table he was yesterday, though he wasn't expecting JNPR to come find him again.
They're probably going to want to sit with RWBY as they normally would.
Wonder if they talked to them at all yesterday? Why they were sitting with me and not them?
Surprisingly, he was pulled out of his thoughts as several tray tables clattered around him as the familiar team he talked with joined him.
This time Pyrrha was next to him, Nora opposed him, Jaune opposite Pyrrha and Ren in between Nora and Jaune.
"Hey guys what's going on? I thought you would have gone to sit with RWBY."
"We haven't really seen them, they might be sleeping in." Ren said, picking up a fork and started eating his plate of scrambled eggs.
"Besides, you said yesterday that if we sat together today, we could hear how your mission went.
So here we are." Nora said eagerly, until she looked past Zen.
"Ooh speaking of RWBY, I see them."
Ruby was the first one with a tray full of food in hand, scanning the hall for her friends, she immediately saw Nora waving her over.
"Hey look there's JNPR lets go-"
She took one step forward, but her excitement was halted as she felt a firm grip on her right shoulder before looking back to see Yang.
"That table over there is free." She said with a dry tone, taking a quick glance at the boy whose back was to them."
"But JNPR and- we could always-" Was all she could muster before the flicker of red in her sister's irises' was enough to stop her.
With that, Ruby looked down at her tray dejectedly as she was lead away by her sister, the others following from further behind, as far as what Nora could see at least.
"Huh, I guess they didn't see me... I mean Ruby clearly saw me.
Weird, more weirder, did you guys see the way Yang was acting, I swear she was looking at us funny too."
"Hmnm." Ren mused, all too aware why Yang did what she did.
"What's got you thinking." Pyrrha asked, as she noticed her green teammate pondering.
"I think I might know why Yang was looking over here like she did..."
Before he could continue, Nora chimed in.
"I bet you it's because Zen's with us."
If there was an old gramophone playing in the background, this would be the moment the needle would be violently removed and the record scratch would play through the horn.
Zen thought to himself as Nora continued.
"This is not a one sided attraction... "
Uh what?
"What?" He said, one hand he felt relief that Nora wasn't going in a direction that Yang didn't trust him, but on the other, he knew exactly where Nora was going.
Not this again.
"Yeah, remember yesterday?
Zen didn't want us to sit with them because of the crush he has on Ruby."
"Keep telling you I don't have a crush on her." He retorted, only for it to fall on deaf ears as the Valkyrie continued.
"And I bet you it's the same with Ruby... Yang has figured it out and she's gone all 'big sister mode' to stop her from sitting here as long as Zen is with us."
"Pretty sure if Ruby did have a crush on Zen, Yang would have already ended him by now."
"Not helping Jaune." Zen said as he sharply looked to the blonde leader.
"I mean let's face it, Ruby use to hang out with us when she could during her free time. Now all she does it help you spar Zen, surely after all that time of alone training... you two slowly developed feelings for each other?" Nora replied, her head leaning on one hand as she strummed the table with the other.
"Guys, perhaps we should change the subject? Pyrrha interjected in a Pyrrha fashion, gentle yet firm.
Who knows why they didn't want to sit with us.
Maybe Yang figured we all can't fit on one table, and I don't see any free tables around to combine.
Anyhow we can always ask them in the lessons we share with them."
"Did we want to tell Zen about the flower?" Ren leaned in, talking to the rest of his team as though Zen weren't there.
"Oh yeah, you'd be happy about this." Nora smiled and turned to Zen.
"About what?" He asked, amazed at her change of tone, as if the crush theory had never been on the table.
It was Jaune who then answered him.
"Remember yesterday we told you about that flower we found and protected during our mission?"
"Yes."
"And how I thought the grimm were acting weird, possibly because of it."
"I remember you saying that yes."
"Well, last night when we were going back to our dorm, we received a call from professor Peach to go to her lab, she had something to tell us.
As it turns out, the grimm were being affected by the flower, apparently the theory as to why may be because the odour of the flower is so powerful, it acts as a way to 'mask fear'.
When the grimm have the scent, it will disorientate them and cause them to become even more hostile, even to one another, especially if they're differing species.
"Just like with the beowolves and the polypheme?" He asked.
"Bingo." Nora snapped her finger and pointed to him.
"So this flower is going to have huge potential, right?"
"Indeed."
Pyrrha said in confirmation before elaborating.
"Professor Peach has already suggested a few applications if the compound that makes up the flower's smell can be synthesized and mass produced.
As you might know already, smoke grenades are a common way to deter the grimm, but that only works visually, grimm are still able to track us using their other senses.
Imagine now a modified grenade that instead of smoke, released the compound which could divert the grimm and allow the user a greater chance of putting distance between themselves and the distracted grimm.
Or it could be used to weaponize the grimm against one another.
Say for the next Vytal festival were held in Mistral, patrols could be sent out to disperse bombs along routes where grimm numbers were high and species were diverse.
That way the grimm would be both lured away, being attracted to the smell and begin attacking one another like they did in the cave.
That way tourists travelling through might have a safer journey in order to get to the kingdom."
"There were other ideas she was tossing around, but those were the most interesting.
She did tell us however, it would take some time before anything like that can happen.
Not to mention she wants to grow more of the flower as well as conduct more testing, just to be absolutely certain it does affect the grimm as we described."
Jaune remarked while looking around the table.
"So I guess that means falling into that ravine was worth it." Zen replied sarcastically.
"You could say that. Now, what happened on your mission?" Nora answered, her expression changing to show she was giving him her full attention, the others doing the same, though not as dramatic as the redheaded sloth impressionist.
For a while Zen went on to explain the distress call his team had to answer, that was until he noticed from two tables away... Cardin and his team taunting a dear faunus, not grabbing onto the antlers like they did with Velvet, but rather mocking the look of them.
The four of them towered above the poor girl, preventing her from escaping.
As Zen took notice of the surrounding tables, there really weren't that many people in the dining hall, those that were there either talked amongst themselves or had their attention focused on their books studying.
From where he was seated he could tell that the small group were interacting as bullies, he couldn't hear what was being said, but from the way the deer faunus was standing, insults were definitely being thrown at her.
Without even hesitating, he leapt out of his seat and made a dash to the group, as he grew nearer he spoke in a moderate yet firm tone, though it didn't mean his anger wasn't swelling.
"Hey. You guys mind backing off."
The four who at this point where in tears with laughter at some crude joke Russell made about deer and cars, stopped and turned to face the new voice to the party.
"Well, well, well look here guys, we have a little do-gooder here.
And tell me something short stack.
What gives you the right to tell us what we can and can't say... especially to a freak like this?"
Cardin asserted as he then promptly attempted to grab one the faunus' antlers.
This only infuriated Zen even more, causing him to draw Spirit and point it towards Cardin, who immediately let go and went for his own weapon, the rest of his team drawing theirs.
At this point the entire hall fell silent, waiting to see what happened next.
Somehow the dining hall feels a lot more occupied than before I got up.
"Now, let's talk this out guys.
Really, I think I know why you have an obsession with picking on faunus, especially you Cardin."
"You do?" He asked slightly confused.
"Sure, if I were a complete dunderhead with an inflated ego who has to use a meat tenderiser as a weapon, and the fact knowing there are people out there who have abilities that make them special and unique, which are something you will never have.
Which, if I went up against, can and will make me lose in a fight... then sure I'd be mad as well."
With that said, Cardin refocused all his attention to Zen, his teammates awaiting his signal to strike if need be, but he signaled them to lower their weapons, Zen followed as did Cardin.
He then slowly walked closer towards Zen, gripping his mace, knuckles turning white.
Ruby, who was standing and watching from where she was seated when the altercation started, ran towards the group, standing to the side of Zen and began to snap at Cardin.
"Back off Cardin. I thought we were over the whole bullying the faunus thing, and if you fight Zen then-"
She was cut off as Zen raised his hand to signal to Ruby that he had the situation under control. For a brief moment Cardin actually backed off, he feared Ruby as she proved herself a worthy opponent and he didn't want any trouble with her.
However as Zen gestured for Ruby to stop, a smirk of mirth came over Cardin as he stood more confidently while towering above the two of them.
"Well I guess short stack here doesn't want your help Ruby, thinks he's not manly enough if he needs you protecting him.
Can't have that now can we?"
"Let me guess, you're Cardin Winchester, aren't you?
Leader of team CRDL, you usually have the advantage of your size and strength when it comes to combat.
Am I correct in saying so?"
Zen asserted, showing to the silver night all disregard to what he said.
"Yeah, what's your point?"
"It seems I need to be silenced for my outburst, and if the fact there wasn't an audience here, I would have been acquainted with your mace by now.
So let me propose this... you want to silence me, be a real man and do it in the arena.
I know we have a class together in the afternoon, that's when you can really show me how you feel right now."
Cardin said nothing, his mace groaning under the stress from how tightly he gripped it, he looked around at the tables that surrounded him.
He too feeling that there were more people here now than before Zen walked over.
Jaune's orange haired friend standing with fists raised looking for a fight, and Ruby's sister looking as if she were about to do the same.
How come everyone in this school understands their place... except for the short ones and their friends.
He thought to himself before looking back down at Zen.
"Fine, you looking for an early funeral, you'll get it. Enjoy the rest of the day while you still can."
And with that, team right behind him, Cardin left the dining room, leaving the rest of its occupant's attention focused squarely on Zen.
"Seems like this kind of thing happens on a week by weekly basis, am I right?" He jokingly questioned as a means to cut through the silence.
With that, everyone returned to what they did, Ruby however stood next to him a look of dismay on her face.
"You know I could have handled that, right.
I know the guy's is a complete jerk and someone needs to set him straight, but you didn't need to feed into his anger by letting him get a chance to fight you.
Even with Glynda supervising, he's still going to seriously hurt you.
Please when the time comes... just let it go and just say no if he challenges you.
I know you've been training hard and you've been on a mission, proving that you are quite capable of fighting, but Cardin doesn't play by any technique, he just swings in a general direction and whatever is in his way gets obliterated."
"Ruby, Cardin bullies those who are either different or they are smaller than him, out of those categories I fit both.
Now for me before coming here, it was that latter that I had to deal with, surprisingly I was one of the oldest in my class, but the smallest.
Given the fact that I actually can fight a bully is an opportunity.
To be physically capable of defending myself would have come in handy when I was younger, not to fight my bullies but just to show them I may have been small, but not weak... when I fight Cardin tomorrow, I'm not doing this to get even, I'm doing this to show him not to mess with those he thinks he can."
"Alright, it sounds like your mind is already made up, and I have had enough time dealing with my teammates to know that trying to talk you out of this isn't going to happen.
We will be in the same class together so just know I'll be cheering from the sidelines."
Even if Yang might not be happy about that.
"Thank you, I know that what I am saying sounds insane and there is a very good chance I might be seriously injured... or worse.
When it comes to Cardin Winchester, the only way to get through to him is to bring him down a peg."
"Not sure where you got that idea from, he did agree to the fight after all."
"Okay fine, maybe I was going on blind luck but really, guy has a one track mind of the bully mentality."
Later in Zen and Penny's Dorm
"So let me see if I have everything in order. During breakfast you saw Cardin Winchester taunting another student, who was a faunus and you decided to intervene?"
'Yes."
"Then you berate Cardin, in the hopes he leaves the girl alone?"
"That's how it happened."
"You then challenge him to a fight in the arena during class this afternoon, the same class that I am in?"
"That just about sums it up."
"Zen to coin a phrase from Yang, what the **** were you thinking?"
"Did you just-"
"Yes I censored myself!"
She replied while crossing her arms.
"My father programmed a repository of profanities in my subroutines that get audibly suppressed if I try to say them... at least until next year."
"Penny calm down, it will work out."
"Will it? One of my only two real friends is going to combat one of the most archaic fighters and there is a high probability you will not last two minutes."
"..."
"And yes I did compute that.
If you had an aura you might stand a chance, but you don't and even if you could get a strike on him, you'll be well within reach of his own weapon.
Plus he has the benefit of experience over you, I really can't see this going well."
"Penny I want you to relax, I know you have a better understanding of this fight better than I do, and it scares me to no end, but think about it.
If I am truly going to compete in the Vytal festival, I need to start to fight in situations where predictability is out the window.
All of this might make no sense right now, but Cardin needs to know that I'm not going to go down so easily."
Finally it was time for the afternoon class Zen was waiting for, his heart almost jumping out of his chest as Ms Goodwitch entered and addressed the class.
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.
"Alright, before we begin you may have noticed we have five additional students with us, Miss Penny Polendina from Atlas, and our second year students team CFVY.
They are attending our lesson for today because their regular classes were cancelled due to their instructors being unable to teach them for today.
Now with that out of the way, who would like to start first, and who will you compete against?"
It was silent for the moment, then Fox raised his hand, as he found his way to the sparring area, he then decided to fight Yang.
The blonde brawler having a smirk on her face as she stepped onto the floor.
After several minutes the fight ended when Fox and Yang's fists met, blowing them both back slamming against either end of the wall, Fox only winning by a few percentages, leaving Yang with a bitter expression as the two went back to their respective seats.
"Don't worry, come next year, you can pick a first year to mop the floor with." Zen could hear Blake slyly reassuring her teammate not too far from him.
Next was Weiss versus Yatstuhashi.
The fight itself playing out exactly like the one on the train during the Mountain Glenn mission, Weiss using her glyphs to dart around and continually landing hits on her opponent.
Yatsuhashi then grabbing Weiss by the head and slamming her into the ground before throwing her into the air ready to slice her in half.
Weiss however, regained consciousness, using Myrtenaster to deflect the incoming attack, sending her flying to the wall,.
She landed on the wall with her feet and pushed off of it for a final strike which was enough to end the round.
As more and more students took to the floor Zen started to feel more and more relieved, not just in the thought that maybe Cardin had forgotten about their little dispute, but also that as he observed each fight that went on... he was starting to gain confidence in his abilities.
Not to say he thought that he was able to match them, but just to see these people, fighting as they did, it just made him forget his anxiety.
These fights he would never have seen if he wasn't present, there just was something about them, indescribable.
"Alright students, we have time for only one more match, so who will it be?"
That's when everyone else didn't matter, Cardin stood up proudly, not even addressing Ms Goodwitch as he walked onto the combat area.
"Alright Mr Winchester and who will you select to fight?"
"I'm going to choose, short stack."
"Mr Winchester to whom are you referring-"
Zen stood up and slowly walked down towards the floor.
"See he responds to that name." He casually replied, gesturing to Zen, mace at his side.
Goodwitch blinked for a second, it looked as though she was going to say something but at the last second she stopped herself before changing to the serious tone she had used throughout the lesson.
"Well I would rather you fight with your weapons and not childish insults Mr Winchester.
But may I remind you of Mr. Discovery's condition, and that you will take care when fighting him."
"Sure I'll treat him reeeal nice, it's only fair."
He said as he gave a slight wink to Zen, a shit eating grin strewn on his face.
"And I remind you Mr. Discovery that when you feel that you can't fight no longer or you think the match has gone long enough before the timer runs out, you will have to yield and make it abundantly clear to me you do not wish to continue the fight.
Is that understood?"
"Yes Ms Goodwitch."
"Alright, you may begin at your own pace."
She stepped away and allowed the two the floor, Zen drew his weapons holding them at his sides and gave a slight nod, showing courtesy before the fight, Cardin mirrored the expression.
They got into a fighting stance and waited for the other to make the initial attack.
Cardin was the first as he dashed towards Zen, mace slightly raised to his side not striking until the last minute, he made a sweeping arc aiming for his head or chest. Zen ducked just before it could make contact running below the attack as Cardin's momentum carried him with the attack.
As Zen stood up he turned to face Cardin slowly walking backwards, wearing an emotionless expression and remaining perfectly calm despite the utter fear inside, he had to keep focused.
As Cardin turned to face Zen , wondering how the little runt managed to dodge the attack, dismissing it as lucky, thinking that he was just getting warmed up.
He charged towards Zen, this time going for an upper cut with the mace.
Coming close to his opponent, he brought the weapon upwards awaiting the mace to meet its target.
Who mealy side stepped it, again the momentum carrying through with no resistance.
This was starting to get to him, as Zen was still within striking range, he brought the weapon down on him, just for his opponent to dive roll away from the attack.
Zen continued in pacing around the 'arena' not breaking eye contact with his aggressor.
Cardin opted for the same approach, but adopting a new tactic, he slowly walked up to Zen and raised the mace above his head bringing it down quicker than he had lifted it.
This time Zen didn't dodge, instead, he brought his swords together and allowed them to bear the weight of the blow, bringing him to his knees.
As Cardin went for a quick attack, Zen rolled out of the way.
Climbing back to his feet and continued to circle his opponent.
He could see that Cardin's nerves were thinning, and his breathing became more audible, with that, Cardin ran at Zen looking like he was now trying to grab him.
If he was going to land a hit he would have to keep him from being so twitchy.
That was when Zen decided to strike, as Cardin made for a failed grab and swing, Zen leapt out of the way and dealt his first hit, directly cutting diagonally along Cardin's back, it glowed a dim red as his aura took the hit.
Cardin proceeded to turn and lash out, Zen ducking and knocking Cardin to the ground, his swords making contact with Cardin's ankles.
Cardin whilst on the ground waited for any further attack, which never came, instead Zen merely continued to circle his opponent, ignoring the sudden yells from spectating classmates calling for him to 'get him while he's down'.
Zen quickly glanced up to see Ruby and Penny, each remaining quiet and holding their breaths in fear what might happen if he loses focus.
Kind of like now.
The moment he realised this he dropped to the ground, tripping a surprised Cardin, thinking he had got up at the right time to attack.
As he lay on the floor and Zen got up to repeat his technique, Cardin felt that he had enough.
Firmly pressing a red button on the side of his weapon, a small click like that of a lighter could be heard, then all of a sudden, a roar followed as a jet of red flames came from the base of the head of the mace, engulfing the prongs of the weapon in fire.
Cardin climbed to his feet and trudged towards the boy, now fully aware of the added variable to the fight.
Cardin then clasping his weapon with both hands, lined up ready to swing the mace like a base ball bat, running at Zen as he let the swing down.
Instead of going with the safer option of going away from Cardin, Zen leapt towards him dive rolling as the mace skimming just above his back, he could feel the heat coming off it.
As he picked himself up Zen kicked at Cardin's popliteal, causing his leg to buck.
Zen then went for another strike to the back, taking the approach of becoming more aggressive in his attacks.
If he was going to last in this situation he needed Cardin to be weakened a little bit more.
Cardin aware of how close his opponent was, used his left arm and made a sweeping motion, colliding with Zen's shoulder knocking him to the ground skidding a few meters from Cardin
Felt like I just got hit with a fast moving basket ball, five of them, all in the same spot.
Cardin went for a blow, aiming for Zen's chest but missed as the boy rolled out of the way just in time.
Zen quick to his feet, ambled away keeping as much distance from Cardin for the time being, although his arrmour took the brunt of the force, this didn't leave Zen without a setback.
As Zen felt his arm seething with pain, it stopped going numb, and his left hand spasmed slightly, letting go of Opportunity.
As Zen took a deep breath he waited for the larger boy to charge again at him, this was going to be his last chance to do anything major, his heart almost leaping out of his chest.
Cardin raced toward him going for another downward blow, as he came closer Zen began to approach, his own pace picking up as he got closer.
Just as Cardin went to bring the weapon down, Zen ducked down and stuck his right leg out as he moved passed, his opponent catching his leg and tripping him over, causing Cardin to land face first against the ground.
He waited for him to get up, it was a failed attempt, and so Zen stood there ready for any surprises. None came, as Cardin turned over, he was about to push himself up before he felt his weapon leave his hand as Zen kicked it away, its flame dissipating as it skimmed along the ground.
He was then met with Spirit a few centimetres away from his face.
"Do you yield?" Zen said, somewhat louder than he wanted, the adrenaline still in his system.
Cardin sighed, looking exhausted, he finally exhaled with a resounding 'Yes' as he lay on the floor.
"And that round goes to Mr Discovery... granted you drew the fight out longer than needed... but nevertheless, you employed an effective strategy that won you the match.
Congratulations."
The professor said, a hint of admiration escaped her features before returning to normal.
Zen went to pick up his other weapon, the sensation of touch returning to his left hand, as well as the feeling of pain in his shoulder. I should still be able to fight, just not raise my arm above my head is all, should be fine in a day or so.
He was then greeted with a pair of loud applause from Ruby and Penny, beaming with pride at their friend, much to the annoyance of Ms Goodwitch.
"And with the end of the match, that's time.
I will see you all again same time tomorrow, dismissed."
"As everyone stood up and parted ways, Ruby and Penny made their way down, the rest of Ruby's team making their way to the edge of the doors, allowing their leader some time, though Zen could have sworn for a second he thought he saw Blake wanted to join.
"Well it seems you made it against Cardin, without even a scratch." Penny said with resounding enthusiasm and slight surprise.
"Well, just a minor concussive force was all." He retorted, rolling the affected shoulder before smiling.
"I have been taught by the best haven't I?"
"Yup, you sure have." Ruby replied.
The three of them began to laugh as they were then joined by JNPR.
"Now that wasn't what I was hoping for." Nora said with a disappointed tone.
"She had wanted you to break his legs, at least one."
Ren explained for his teammate while looking at her.
"But don't think I'm upset...I mean when you won I wanted to cheer just like these too, but these two had to hold me back.
Nora pointing to both Ren and Jaune.
As they were about to leave, the sounds of running came from behind them.
"Hey short- I-I uh mean Zen, I want to apologize.
For being a condescending ass, you were the better fighter and I was an idiot for tormenting the deer faunus.
I guess it took someone as big as you to challenge me to show me not to go throwing my weight around, I'll choose my fights more carefully next time, not get on your bad side.
"Alright, so long as you know that, and if I do catch you berating my friends, faunus or anyone else again we will have to go for round two."
"Him and the rest of us." Nora added with a sly smirk, cracking her knuckles for emphasis.
The rest nodding without batting an eye.
"Yeah- I'll remember that..." Cardin answered before shuffling back to his team, relaying to the rest of them what Nora just said, their faces all morphing in horror before exiting the training room quickly.
"Think he'll finally change?" Ren asked aloud, the group still watching the bird affiliated team until they were out of sight.
"With that thick skull? I doubt it, best we still keep an eye on him.
Surprised he even knows what condescending means.
But, at least they'll not try to mess with anyone while we're around." Nora scoffed before proudly declaring them as potential defenders of the downtrodden at the hands of Cardin's team.
"Now enough talking about him, let's head to the cafeteria and celebrate."
"What's there to celebrate?" Jaune asked, already knowing what she'd say.
"There's always something to celebrate when you watch a jerk with his tail between his legs, that and I'm pretty sure they're serving up chicken wings tonight.
"Okay but if they aren't, I'm not making you any pancakes if you get upset." Ren firmly said to his teammate as they all made their way to the exit.
Penny and Ruby followed closely behind and giggled at the pair but stopped and turned to see Zen lagging behind.
Before either of them could say anything Zen looked at them and spoke before already walking towards the locker room.
"I need to re-adjust my armour, I think some parts became dislodged during the fight.
I'll meet up when I'm done."
"Okay we'll see you at the cafeteria." Ruby called out before Penny and her turned back to catch up with JNPR and meet up with the rest of the hood wearer's team.
While all this was taking place, a certain blonde watched from afar, she would have stopped her sister from running to intervene with the confrontation with Cardin that morning, but chose not to as it wasn't simply just Zen she was running to defend.
She hated to admit it, but seeing that ass squirm under pressure when her baby sister ran up to face the bully was worth it.
Now however, things were different, last night's talk still running through her mind, the look of emptiness Blake had when she came back, the anguish she herself felt all this time wondering who this guy was...
"Hey, are you coming sis?"
"Not yet, I need to use the bathroom. I'll catch up with you guys a bit later."
There's something I need to take care of first.
As everyone else made their way towards the cafeteria, Yang watched as Zen made his way to the locker room.
She slowly made her way to the girls toilets, looking back to make sure no one was waiting for her, and at the last second ducked into the boy's locker room before she quietly crept in and saw the shorter boy readjusting his right ankle guard, taking no notice of the brawler standing there, fists clenched.
"Hey! I want to talk to you!"
So we're finally doing this.
"I was wondering when you were going to talk to me in private.
Was starting to think you were never going to do this." He said without looking up, continuing to adjust his armour, appearing unfazed by Yang, despite all instincts telling him to run.
"Can it!" She answered, the venom dripping from her words as she tried to silence him.
"You're here to ask me several questions that have been sitting in the back of your mind since we first met aren't you?"
Silence was all that plagued the locker room, for those short few minutes Zen could only postulate what was going through the girls mind as she merely stared daggers at him, and whether or not it was an invitation to speak or not, he did so anyway.
"For starters, one question you might be asking is how someone like me could possibly attend an academy like Atlas with my level of skill, when I have none of the qualities that make me accepted there.
And I'll admit, I am the last person who'd be qualified to attend a combat school let alone a combat academy, but here I am.
Or the fact I knew Blake is a Faunus, when really no one knows outside of her teammates and close friends, also knowing that little fact as well.
And that if I were to continue, you'd activate both your gauntlets and semblance and I would be embedded in the wall... or worse."
"Enough!
Enough, with the small talk.
Enough of your deception, your secrets.
I'm done with you stalling me for answers.
You did it with me in our dorm, you did it when I asked where you were from, and I checked that... could have been a little more original than going nearly word for word with a travel book.
And you stalled with Blake... since she spoke to you, she's been nothing but anxious, she can't even feel comfortable to laugh when you enter the room.
Do you have any idea what that is like?"
"..."
"You're always being told to stay behind after class when everyone leaves and you've been excused from any tests.
You spend nearly all of your time with my sister whenever she has a free lesson.
WHAT DID YOU SAY TO BLAKE?
WHAT ELSE DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE HIDING?
AND WHY ARE YOU SO INTERESTED WITH MY SISTER!"
Her eyes began to turn red, redder than he had ever seen them, as though from the day she first activated her semblance till now, every moment she had ever used it, now coalesced to this one moment.
Fire licked from her entirely as opposed to just emanating from the tips of her hair.
He could have sworn the locker beside her was starting to warp and distort like the air around her, standing only a few meters from her, the heat radiated off of the blonde as if he were directly in front of an open furnace.
I've been through summer's well over forty degrees, but this...
"You should work on your semblance, you think you are in control while using it, and that you will win any fight by doing so-"
"Don't you dare even think of giving me advice on my own semblance, or how to fight..."
Oh how did she want to show him how much of a fighter she was.
If junior and his men received only a fraction of her rage, there was no telling what could happen.
But the amount of restraint she held onto was unfathomable, a hundred goliaths couldn't hold her back, yet here she was, hadn't even taken a step, but why?
Possibly the thought of expulsion was just enough to save his life, or did she want to at least give him a chance to do something... explain himself, run, fight?
Anything than just stand there like he wasn't asking for a death wish.
The brawler continued.
"You said it yourself, you are the last person that would fit in a combat school, you look like you can barely handle a fight, you lost to Jaune... the fights you've been in besides him...that Cardin fight just now, you merely won that on pure luck... give it another two minutes and your butt would have been saved by the bell.
I can't understand why Ruby is wasting her time teaching you, why she thinks you're a decent combatant. I don't see a fighter when I look at you, just someone looking for trouble and you've definitely found that."
Finally, she took a step closer, knowing that she'd tower over him and that hopefully he'd have the brains to save himself of getting a firsthand meeting with Ember Celica, followed by the second.
"Let me ask you something." He asked as he looked down at the boot that was now slightly closer to him, before looking back up at her.
This ought to be good.
"What?" She asked sharply.
"Is there moment in your life you wish you could change?"
Where is he going with this?
"I mean, if you could go back in time, any point where you would happily change it.
You could change something simple like an embarrassing situation.
Or it could be a chance to relive one of the happiest days of your life.
Maybe it could stem from curiosity, you've seen what life is like now, but how could things have been from another angle."
"What exactly does this have to do with anything right now?
Quit stalling, I'm giving you one last chance to explain yourself before you might regret even knowing my name."
"Maybe what I'd think you'd do is one of two things.
Finding answers about your mom, or trying to convince your other mom, Summer Rose not to go on a specific mission, one which she never returned from."
There was silence between the two as Yang's clenched fists relaxed and her eyes darted back and forth while they flickered between the new intense red and her lilac as Zen could see she processed what he said.
"How did you know about that?"
"Ruby told me, I pieced together what little info she told me about your mother, but she talked more so about super mom."
"She also told me how you were there for her, trying to make her feel loved by those still in her life... at the cost of your own happiness and the void you felt losing one and not knowing the other.
That although you desperately are seeking answers about Raven, Summer was just as much of a mother to you as she was to Ruby."
"Why tell me this. why even care, what is it that you are so interested about in our lives, and us for that matter."
Yang's eyes returning to lilac, she felt his words cut into her, she had no idea why they were eating at her where she stood.
"You want the truth? The truth is that I care for my friends and their wellbeing, and you don't know it yet but I care about you too.
I didn't mean to scare her, but I care for Blake as well as Weiss and I care about the safety for everyone in Beacon.
I cannot be fully honest, but let's just say this.
I have been given the chance, make things right... now I'm already saying too much so let me leave it at that."
He thought that would be enough to calm the brawler, he thought this would be the start much like Ruby.
That perhaps she might be willing to spar too... but oh how wrong he was.
"You know, for a second I thought you were being genuine, you actually sounded genuine... as if you did care, clearly you've been working out exactly what to say, so that your words might make me forget why I'm here.
But after all... you knew this was coming, you just didn't know when.
Rimmy Tim, Crescent Rose, Blake even Zwei all of these things you knew... why?
Who even are you?
If Zen is your real name.
At this point I don't care if you are doing this on your own or you were sent by Roman or the white fang...
Zen could feel the anger return as she took a fighting stance, bringing her clenched fists up, ready to either take another step, or launch herself towards him.
That was until her scroll buzzed loudly, snapping her out of her fury entirely.
Yang are you coming to the cafeteria? You've been gone for quite a while.
"Dammit Weiss." The blonde sighed under her breath,
She slammed her left fist into the nearest locker before slipping the scroll back into her pocket, all the while maintaining eye contact with Zen, even as he looked on as she removed her hand from the locker to reveal a large dent was left behind.
"This isn't over, not by a long shot."
She turned to walk away, but just as Zen thought he could finally breathe, he found himself shoved against a locker Yang's arm pressing against his neck as he was raised above her, his legs dangling just above the floor.
Before I go, I'm going to say this, I've already tried talking to Ruby, she can be, just like her big sister, stubborn, so I'll tell you what I wanted to say to her.
"I don't want you to train with her any more. Whatever you need to do in order to improve... do it without her.
I don't even want you anywhere near her besides class, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you will listen to me and tell her you won't be feeling like sparring with her... not today, or tomorrow or even a week from now.
You've got that?"
She could feel the muscles in his neck twitch in a way that told her he understood fully.
"And if you try to tell her why or what went on here... know that you've burned through all of your chances and I you are going to know the true meaning of regret."
She relaxed her restraint on him as he slumped to the floor, now on all fours as he massaged his neck and began gasping for air, looking up only to see the blonde walking casually away, her footsteps echoing in the empty room.
So here we are fifteen days since the last chapter update? Impossible?
Well fear not reader, you are not being deceived and I am not a robot, but I am aiming to get at least one chapter published a month, the more so the better.
Not to spoil anything, but just to let you know, Yang talks to Zen pt2 will be a few chapters away, no continuity will be broken, but it is not a direct part one part two like it was for forging a weapon.
Now at the time of writing this, it is the 20th of January, one day before Blake's birthday, so Happy Birthday Blake, and is also my best mates Birthday today, though he doesn't watch RWBY he knows I have written this fic and has found it interesting, Happy Birthday C.
Now for the chapter:
Originally I was going to have the Cardin fight a little further down the track, and Yang was definitely going to be its own chapter, but the set up for how they were going to talk in the locker room was always planned, I just needed the situation where Zen would have fought and needed to be there, and since I already had the Cardin fight...buda bing buda boom... solution.
I was inspired for the Cardin fight while playing shadow of war and fighting ologs (again this was a chapter that had been written early on).
Another thing to note is the ending of the chapter, originally Zen bringing up Raven (but more importantly Summer) was going to cause Yang to lose some of her rage to Zen, and the chapter would have ended with Zen walking away leaving Yang alone to think...that maybe there is some good to him.
But then I thought that it will take more than a simple name drop... so we have the chapter as you have read it.
As far as fights go I'm not to sure how I conveyed it, but Zen's main goal was to tire Cardin to then pin him to the ground without having to inflict too much damage.
I hope I did the fight justice.
With that being said I'm going to leave it there.
Don't forget your comments are always welcome and they let me know both how I'm doing and how you like the story.
Until the next chapter.
P.S I wasn't going to mention it but I think I will, from this chapter all the way back to the beginning, there has been a lack of focus on a certain letter of a certain teammate who is at the mercy of a certain blondes amusement...hmmm well the next chapter will fix that