Welcome to Trick Tower
Netero walked into the lounge for the examiners. Most of them had gone to bed hours ago and were asleep. All but one.
"I noticed the airship has slowed down," Ozpin sat in his chair, reading some papers while he sipped his mug. Pulling another all nighter.
Netero smiled, "I just played a fun game with the two children. I thought it would be nice to give them some extra rest time."
"And here I thought, you were merciless," Ozpin commented.
"Me?" Netero asked, "What about you Ozzie? One year, you created a phase, where you catapulted all the applicants off a cliff and passed whoever survived."
Ozpin sipped his coffee to hide his smile, "It worked, didn't it?"
Netero just laughed as he sat in the chair across from him, "I guess it did," Netero eyes shifted just a bit, "I also saw another of the younger applicants. A girl, Number 407."
"Miss Ruby Rose," Ozpin recalled. There was brief silence before he added, "She looks just like her mother."
%%%%%
Yang followed her uncle back to the house, Ruby and Gon were still sleeping in the wagon. Yang was quiet all the way home. She didn't mean for it all to happen.
What's worse, it wasn't just her. Ruby and Gon almost died.
The house was soon coming into view. The door slammed open, "Yang!"
Aunt Mito burst from the entrance and ran to the little girl. She wrapped her arms around her in a desperate hug, "Oh thank God," she pulled away to look at her, "Yang where have you been, and why did you think you needed to take Ruby and Gon with you? Oh my, look at you, you're covered in scratches."
Seeing Aunt Mito worried just made Yang feel worse, "I'm sorry."
Mito took in a deep breath, before looking at Qrow, "What happened?"
"I found them near the old barn, way back of the island," Qrow looked down.
"What else Qrow?"
"You're way to good at that," he muttered, "There might had been... a wolf pack nearby and..."
"They were attacked by wolves?" Mito practically screamed.
That caused Gon to wake up crying. Mito sighed before taking the baby into her arms and trying to calm him down.
"Auntie Mito?" Ruby sat up rubbing her eyes. Once Gon had stopped crying, Mito cradled him in one arm, before taking Ruby into the other.
"Yang, come inside," Aunt Mito instructed as she carried the youngest into the house.
After putting Ruby and Gon down, Yang was sitting in the bathroom. Aunt Mito was cleaning her cuts.
"Yang," Mito spoke quietly, "Why did you do this?"
Yang watched as her arm was being bandaged, "I was looking for my mom."
Mito sighed, "Yang, I know it's hard to accept. But your mother is dead. She isn't coming back."
"I don't mean Ruby's mom," Yang corrected.
Mito's eyes widened when she realized who Yang was talking about.
"Yang, why would...?" Mito trailed off, not sure how to ask.
"I wanted to have a mom again," Yang said, "I wanted Ruby to have a mom, again. I wanted dad to be happy again. I just... Why did she leave?"
Mito could only frown. As she finished wrapping up the bandages. She pulled Yang into a gentle hug, "Yang. I don't know why she left. But I do know this. You didn't do anything wrong. Your moth-... Raven did something wrong when she left. And you it's not your responsibility to fix this family."
The vibrating in Yang's pocket woke her up. She pulled out her phone and quickly turned off the alarm.
8 am sharp.
She looked around, everyone was still asleep. Everyone, not just Leorio and Kurapika. There was no alarm, or notice going off to wake everyone up.
Yang quietly got up and snuck out of the room of sleeping applicants. She wanted to find Ruby and Gon.
As she walked down the hall, she saw the early morning sun shining through. They were still airborne and flying through the sky, whoever was piloting was probably going to get fired for arriving late.
It wasn't long before Yang found them. They were in a small gym. Ruby had used her cape to cover them both, like a blanket. Yang smiled as she watched them through the door.
"Yang?"
Yang looked to see Kurapika approach her. She quickly held a finger up to her lips before pointing through the door. Kurapika looked and saw her family sleeping.
He nodded and the two walked away.
"So you woke up?" Yang asked.
"I did," Kurapika answered, "I noticed you weren't there."
"Well, it's 8 am and we're still flying. I wanted to see what was wrong and find Ruby and Gon," Yang explained.
The two stopped in front of a window, Yang immediately sat on the bench to watch the sun rise, "I always love the sun," she couldn't help but say, "Whether it's watching the sun rise or set, it's always beautiful."
Kurapika looked at Yang as she watched the sun rise. The morning light, made it seemed like her skin and hair was glowing.
"Yes, beautiful," Kurapika didn't realize he said the words until he heard them. That surprised him and he quickly cleared his throat, "Yang, there's something I wanted to ask you."
Yang looked back at Kurapika, "If it's about... him. I told you I promised-..."
"Not that," Kurapika said, "I wanted to ask about, what you said on the boat."
"I said a lot of things Kurapika, be specific."
"When you said, you wanted to be a Hunter to get wrapped in crazy adventures."
"Oh, what about it?" Yang asked.
"It's sounds absolutely reckless," Kurapika deadpanned. That made Yang stick out her tongue, "But it doesn't feel like you."
"If you think I'm not reckless, then you clearly haven't spent enough time with me," Yang smirked.
Kurapika smiled before continuing, "I mean, yes you do tend to be... aggressive, but you're also dedicated and kind. To Ruby and Gon. I find it hard that someone who is dedicated would be so..."
"Reckless?" Yang asked. Kurapika nodded, "You're not wrong," Yang looked back out the window, "I love Ruby and Gon. I'll always put my family first, no matter where they are. But, at the same time. I don't have anything that drives me: You want to find the Kurta's eyes, Leorio wants to be a doctor, Ruby wants to be a hero, and Gon wants to find his dad. I'm not like them. I want to be a Hunter, but not because I want to be a hero, and..." I'm upset my mom left me, "I want a life where I don't know what tomorrow will bring. For me, that will be a good thing," Yang sighed, "You must think I'm a slacker or something."
"No," Kurapika said, "I think, you just need to find what will drive you. I don't think it's a bad thing you don't have that yet. Honestly, I wish I didn't have my drive," Kurapika looked out the window solemnly, "I wanted to see the world, but not like this."
Yang felt worried. Qrow told her that the clan was isolated. That they lived in fear of discovery so they stayed hidden in the forest. So only a few were allowed to ever leave. That sounded lonely to Yang, but at the same time, she wanted to see the other Kurta. She wanted to see other people who were like her.
She looked back at Kurapika. He was probably the only Kurta who was her age. Yang swallowed, well no time like the present.
"Kurapika?"
"Hm?"
"Um... Well... I'm... I'm a-..."
A chiming noise came over the airship speaker before Glynda's voice began, "I apologize for the long wait. We'll soon be arriving at our destination shortly."
That made Yang and Kurapika look out the window. The airship was approaching a tower.
%%%%%
Once they landed, everyone was standing on the top of the tower. Standing before them was Glynda, "Everyone, this is the site of the third phase. Welcome to Trick Tower."
"Did you say Trick Tower?"
"In order to pass this phase, you'll need to reach the base of the tower alive," Glynda explained, "You have seventy-two hours to pass. I wish you all the best of luck."
With that Glynda got back on the airship and flew away.
Gon and Ruby looked over the ledge, "We're really high up."
The comment proceeded to make Yang grab them by the collars and drag them away from the drop.
"Okay," Ruby walked away from the ledge away from the rest of the group, "No way are we getting down that way, but how are we going to- Ah!"
Ruby squeaked when the floor suddenly gave way, and she fell into a dark room, landing on her butt, "Owie."
After rubbing her sore bottom, she stood up and looked around. She saw a pedestal holding up a set of handcuffs. The chain must had been at least two meters long.
There was a sign above the pedestal, saying, "Work together to escape."
"Am I getting paired with someone?" Ruby asked.
"Indeed," the voice over the speaker made Ruby jump in surprise, "My name is Lippo, I am the examiner for the third phase, as well as the warden for Trick Tower."
"Did you just warden?" Ruby asked.
"You've chosen Double or Nothing, route," Lippo continued ignoring Ruby's question, "Once your partner arrives, the two of you must work together to leave Trick Tower."
The speaker went silent, Ruby picked up one of the cuffs. It actually had a timer, counting down from the time limit, "It's a hand cuff and a watch?"
Ruby secured it on her right wrist.
She looked up at the ceiling, she felt anxious.
"Yang? Gon?" Ruby tried shouting, hoping one of them would hear her and come closer so she could direct them to the trap door. If she partnered with either of them it would be easier.
This is bad, this is bad, I really don't want to get paired with a stranger. Who else do I know. There's Kurapika, he's nice, and he's really smart. There's Leorio, he's nice and funny... don't think he'd be good in a fight though. There's Blake, so mysterious, plus she likes books, though it's not easy to talk to her. Hisoka... NO! Anyone but him!
Ruby then began praying and chanting, "Anyone but Hisoka," over and over again. Until, suddenly the trap door open. Ruby turned, and thankfully, it wasn't Hisoka. However...
"Ow, whoever designed this test must be some kind of sadist," Weiss complained as she stood up, "I swear I-..." Weiss trailed off when she saw Ruby in the room with her.
"Oh, not you again!" Both girls exclaimed in unison.
Weiss looked at the sign and grimaced, "You've got to be kidding me."
"Heh," Ruby smiled sheepishly as she held up her right hand. Weiss scowled.
"Why did you put it on your right hand?"
"I'm left-handed," Ruby said.
"So am I," Weiss said. While she could fight with her right hand, her strikes wouldn't be as strong. She sighed, there was no time for complaining. She went to the pedestal and attached the cuff to her left hand. The door open.
"Okay, so now-..." Ruby was interrupted when Weiss dragged her out.
"Let's get this over with."
%%%%%
"Who came up with this phase anyway?" Yang asked as she walked through the hall alone.
After Ruby vanished Yang looked around to find her, but then a trap door dropped her down into a room, the sign said, Peace or War. The examiner just told her to go down the hall. The guy sounded weird, and creepy. He was probably watching everyone struggle, grinning, and maybe eating popcorn while it happened.
Yang reached a door. It slid open, revealing a small arena like room. Weapons hung on the wall, "Ruby would love this."
There were two doors. The door on the left had one hand print. The door on the right had two hand prints, both right hands.
A pre-recorded message began to play.
Another applicant will soon join you. You'll have two choices. You can fight them, if you defeat them, the door on the left will open, and you'll be taken to the end of the third phase and pass immediately. Or you can choose to work with them, and the door on the right will open. The two of you will then have to complete a course that will take sixty hours to complete. Cooperate or fight, how will you proceed?
So that's what the weapons were for. Yang was confident she could beat most of the other applicants, but while she was always up for a fight. That didn't mean she'd want to fight everyone. If her friends or family came through that door, she'd cooperate. And even if it were a stranger, she'd try to be nice at first and offer the peaceful way. If they refused, then she'd kick their butts.
Yang frowned, what if Hisoka came through the door. Yang would fight him, no questions asked, but could she beat him?
Yang tensed when she heard the door open. She turned, feeling anxious, was it Hisoka?
Purple met yellow, when Yang saw Blake.
"Blake?" Yang asked. She sighed in relief, wait, she couldn't relax yet. What if Blake wanted to fight, what if she was strong and-...
"Yang?" Blake was standing next to the right door, "Are you going to help me open this or not?"
%%%%%
"Weiss could you slow down," Ruby said as she tried to keep up so she wouldn't have her arm dislocated.
"I'm passing this phase," Weiss said, "If I fail because of you- ugh," Weiss groaned, "If Killua passed and I didn't, I'll never hear the end of it."
"Uh, I get it," Ruby said, "Gon drives me crazy too, but you don't have to rush. We have three days."
"Why do you think they gave us three days?" Weiss asked.
"Uh..."
"Because that's the average time it takes to complete this phase. Each phase designed to cut the applicant by at least half," Weiss explained, "There are bound to be obstacles meant to slow us down, or even kill us."
"And maybe prisoners," Ruby said.
That made Weiss stop and turn to Ruby, "Prisoners?"
"The examiner said over the speaker, he was the warden here," Ruby remembered, "This place might be a prison to dangerous criminals."
"Well, that's just perfect, and I'm strapped to you for this phase."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ruby snapped.
"It means I have to lug you around while I have to fight and escape this place," Weiss snapped back.
"It's not my fault, they made the exam this way," Ruby said.
Weiss groaned, "Well it is what it is, let's go."
The two continued their trek down the hall, until they came to a door. When it opened, it revealed a room that was huge, and had no floor. It was basically a bottomless pit. The only way to get to the door on the other side, was a long thin tightrope.
Both girls didn't like the look of this, "I was right," Weiss said, "The creator is a sadist."
"This is just crazy," Ruby panicked.
"Ruby," Weiss said feeling annoyed.
"There's no way we can get across like this!"
"Ruby-," Weiss tried again.
"Why did we have to be chained together, this is bad, this is-."
"Will you shut up? I'm trying to think!" Weiss exploded. Her pent up anger just couldn't take Ruby's chatter. Weiss was just so angry that she was paired with this kid, until she looked at Ruby's face.
The hooded girl looked at Weiss scared and hurt. In an instant, it reminded Weiss of Killua and Kalluto when they were younger.
"I..." Weiss began feeling regret, "I..." she took in a breath, "I'm sorry, I..." Weiss could only squat down into a ball, she felt regret and painful memories flood her, "I'm sorry."
Ruby looked at Weiss concerned. Weiss always seemed sure of herself, but now she looked afraid. Ruby squatted down next to her, "It's okay. We just need to get through this."
Weiss looked up and nodded. The two stood back up, Weiss looked at the obstacle, "I think I can get us across, but you have to trust me."
Ruby looked nervous, "What are you going to do?"
Weiss turned her back to Ruby and squatted down again, but this time, Weiss held her arm back, "I'm going to carry you across."
"What?" Ruby stepped back as far as the chain could let her, "That's crazy."
Weiss was probably a couple years older than Ruby, but honestly, she was short. She was wearing high heals and Ruby was still the same height as her, plus she looked small and petite. No way could she carry her across a small rope.
"At least get on my back," Weiss said, "Let me show you."
Ruby swallowed, well, this could be a test. Ruby carefully walked back over to the white haired girl. She climbed onto her back, the Weiss hoisted Ruby up easily. Ruby was surprised, Weiss wasn't grunting in pain or letting her slip. She had a perfect hold on her.
"Okay, so you can carry me," Ruby admitted, "But the rope... it looks."
"Ruby," Weiss began, "I promise I won't drop you. I can get us across."
Ruby sighed, "It doesn't look like I have a choice."
Weiss sighed, if Ruby was nervous, she might shake and that would make it harder for Weiss to balance them. Weiss thought about what to say next, "Just close your eyes," Weiss said in a gentle tone, "I promise, when you open them again, we'll be on the other side safe."
Ruby relented a sigh, "Alright," she closed her eyes, "Okay their closed."
"Good."
Ruby felt them move through the darkness. She focused on things she liked, Weapons, Zwei, cookies, more weapons, more cookies, more Zwei's, and more-
"You can open them now."
Ruby opened her eyes. Weiss was now standing in front of the exit, the tight rope behind them.
Ruby looked between them confused, "But... how... That couldn't had been more than thirty seconds."
"Thirty-four," Weiss corrected as she set Ruby down, "It would have taken me ten seconds if I was alone."
%%%%%
Gon, Killua, Leorio, Kurapika, and Tonpa were now in the penalty room. They had to wait there for fifty hours.
"Killua," Kurapika said, "Can you show me how that technique works?"
"What do you mean technique?" Killua asked.
"The one that you used to instantly remove his heart?" Kurapika clarified. Minutes ago, Killua had ripped out the heart of a murderer. It was instant, they barely saw it.
"Oh, that one," Killua said, "It wasn't a technique really, I just ripped it out."
"That's all?"
"To be honest," Killua held up his hand, "I did manipulate my body some," Suddenly his nails grew sharp in an instant, "Made it a lot easier."
"Whoa," Leorio said, "are you part faunus or something."
"Nope," Killua shrugged, "Completely human. Mass murderers may talk big, but they're just small time. I used to be a professional. To be honest, my old man would have done a lot better. When he takes a heart, there isn't a drop of blood; and Weiss would had been faster than me."
"Weiss can do that too?" Leorio asked shocked. It baffled him the tiny little snob could be so deadly.
"Yeah she's the one who taught me how to do that, but she won't kill with her bare hands anymore," Killua explained, "One time someone broke onto our property and attacked our little brother, so she killed him. She said she didn't like how the heart felt and she didn't like the blood on her hands, so she's been using swords ever since."
%%%%
Yang and Blake looked across the bottomless pit. According to the sign, they had to somehow hit the button on the other side, to get through.
"Okay," Yang thought, "Maybe we can jump it if we-..."
"Cover your ears," Blake suddenly said. Yang looked at her, Blake was holding up her gun. Yang quickly covered her ears and Blake pulled the trigger. The button was hit, then a bridge extended out of the wall.
"That works too," Yang said.
%%%%%
Weiss and Ruby walked down the stairs. They just passed another trial.
"I wonder how Gon and Yang are doing?" Ruby wondered, "I hope they're okay."
"Worrying about what you can't control won't do anything," Weiss said as they reached the bottom of the stairs. They led into another hall.
"I can't help it," Ruby said, "Aren't you worried about Killua?"
Weiss was silent on that. She was always worried about Killua, but, "I'm not sure I'm allowed to worry about him."
"Huh?" Ruby looked at her confused, "Of course you are. You're his sister. Don't you love him?"
Weiss's face went red, "I do, but... I'm... It's complicated."
"How complicated can it be?"
"My family... is extremely complicated," Weiss said, "You wouldn't understand."
Weiss had a troubled expression on her face. Ruby couldn't help but worry, "Well, let me try."
Weiss sighed, "Why should I tell you? When this test is over, we'll never see each other again."
"Well, that makes it perfect," Ruby said.
"What?"
"I'm a blank wall," Ruby said, "A neutral party. You can vent to me and it won't affect you one way or the other. Come on, it'll make you feel better."
"I doubt it," Weiss said, "But, it'll pass the time."
"That's the spirit."
Weiss thought for a second, where to even start? Weiss glanced at Ruby. Ruby was immature and childish... but she seemed to mean well. Weiss didn't want to endanger her by telling her too much. Granted telling anyone never endangered her family. Their home address was public knowledge afterall. And like Weiss said, they weren't going to see each other ever again after the exam, so, why not.
"Killua and I are from a family of assassins," Weiss said. Ruby probably wouldn't believe her anyway.
"Wow, do they use swords too?"
Weiss looked at her surprised before continuing, "No. Most of them prefer a more 'hands on' approach. My older brother does use needles, but those are for..." Weiss trailed off, she wasn't supposed to talk about Nen, "Anyway. Our family is... traditional."
"Traditional?"
"Most of them are... set in their ways. My parents are assassins, so they think their children should be assassins. And we're trained from an early age to be assassins."
"So, you learned to fight when you were little, like me and Yang?"
Weiss sighed, "It wasn't the only training we had to go through."
"What other kind is there?"
"Training to make you resistant to poison, to torture..."
"How do you become resistant to torture?" Ruby asked.
"Simple," Weiss said, "Get hurt until your mental state takes it."
The chain halted, causing Weiss to stop. She looked back at Ruby, who had disbelief on her face, "They tortured you? Your parents?"
Weiss looked ahead, "And my older brothers."
"But... that's just... why would..."
"I told you, they wanted us to be strong. Strong enough to overcome any trial an assassin may face. They wanted us to be the ultimate tools of death," Weiss could feel herself going cold at the memories.
"What about you?" Ruby suddenly asked, "What do you want?"
Weiss sighed, "You're the second person to ask me that question," Weiss looked down the hall, "Two years ago, my older sister asked me if I wanted to leave. I did, but there was a catch," Weiss paused before continuing, "It would just be me and her, I'd have to leave my younger brother; Killua and Kalluto behind," Weiss squeezed her arm, "I wanted to take them. I wanted to take them so badly, but Winter said we couldn't. My parents, the servants, they wouldn't... I knew it was wrong, I..."
"Weiss," Ruby suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder. Weiss didn't even realize she was crying until Ruby used her sleeve to wipe away the tears, "Calm down. I'm not here to judge, just listen."
Weiss took a few minutes to calm down before continuing, "Winter promised me, we'd return for them one day. When we had the strength and resources to make that happen. That's why I'm here. I need the resources a license will give me."
"Well, Killua's here."
"But Kalluto is still with our parents," Weiss explained, "Killua managed to get away on his own, but Kalluto... He's younger, he still relies on our family. I need to help him see there's another way to live, before it's too late."
Like it was too late for Illumi and Milluki.
"The reason why I'm not sure I'm allowed to worry for Killua," Weiss continued, "I left him. I left him to save myself. He probably resents me for it."
A pregnant silence filled the hallway.
"Well, lets go," Ruby started marching down the hall, "We gotta pass this exam!"
Weiss just nodded as they walked, suddenly, Ruby stopped again, "Ruby why are you-...?"
"You didn't leave to save yourself," Ruby suddenly said, "You left to get the strength to save your little brothers. You did what you had to do."
Weiss opened her mouth to correct Ruby, I don't just have little brothers, I have a little sis-
"Ngh," Weiss groaned when she got a headache.
"Are you okay?" Ruby asked.
"I'm... I'm fine," Weiss started walking, they needed to pass, "Let's go."
%%%%%
"Jeez, this is taking forever," Yang complained as she and Blake walked.
"We both agreed to the long route," Blake said, "Did you want to fight?"
"Not really," Yang said, "These puzzles are just hard. I'm not book smart, I'm Street smart."
"Is that why you hang out with Kurapika?" Blake asked.
"What?"
"I saw you two on the airship," Blake said.
"Oh, well, we met on the way to the exam. Ever since then, our group just... stuck together, we're friends."
"So he's not your boyfriend?" Blake asked.
"What?" Yang looked at Blake red faced, "No."
"So, you weren't about to confess to him, when they announced we arrived," Blake gave a slight smirk.
"No, that..." Yang looked down, "That was completely something else."
"Is something the matter?" Blake asked.
"Well," Yang though, "How would you feel if... someone you've never met before... had a connection to you."
"I don't foll-..." it then clicked, "Oh, you know another Kurta."
"How did you...?"
"I overheard you two talking during the first phase," Blake clarified.
"It's not just that," Yang said, "It's well... how would you feel if you met a stranger, but you know in a way, they're like you, but at the same time completely different. And half of you wants to connect to them, but the other half doesn't because, they're a stranger and you don't want to tell a stranger your most guarded secret."
Blake blinked, "Well, I guess you get to know them first. Find out if they're someone you can tell your most guarded secret."
"That would be nice, but this test is crazy. I don't know what will happen, or even if we'll survive. Normally, I wouldn't mind, but that's only for me and not other people, and even if we pass, I don't know if he'll want to hang around afterwards."
"Well, he wants to mee the other survivor, right?" Blake asked, "He'll probably stick around for that."
"I guess, I shouldn't worry about it now," Yang said. Yang didn't want to talk about it anymore. What if she did tell Kurapika she was a Kurta, and he just hated her? What if she didn't meet his standards? Yang and Qrow, weren't like Kurapika who was calm, collected, and really noble.
Also, Yang didn't want revenge against the Phantom Troupe. If Yang came across them, she'd fight them of course. She didn't want people like that around, but she wasn't hell bent on finding them and killing them, like Kurapika and Qrow. How would Kurapika feel about that? Would he think she was a traitor to their clan?
%%%%%
"Ruby, I told you we should have gone left!" Weiss shouted as the ran down the hall as a giant boulder rolled after them.
"We're fine, don't worry!" Ruby shouted.
"I am so beyond worrying!"
"In a good way?"
"In a bad way, in a very bad way!"
Ruby saw a hole in the wall up ahead, "Then let's jump," Without another word she tackled Weiss and the two fell into the hole away from the boulder. However, the two tumbled through the darkness until they landed on the cold floor.
Ruby sat up rubbing her head, "Ow."
Weiss got up and glared at her, "You insufferable little red-..."
"Congratulations," Lippo's voice called. Weiss didn't know why, but his voice made her think of Milluki, "You two know need to fight two prisoners to get through."
The lights turned on to reveal two doors. The hand cuffs beeped, and the chain fell off.
"You'll be rechained afterwards. Assuming you both live, behind those two doors are criminals wanted for murder. If they beat you, they'll go free, so they're determined to win."
"Why would you make a deal like that?" Ruby shouted.
"Good luck," Lippo ignored Ruby and the speaker turned off.
"I'll take the left door," Weiss simply said as she walked through said door.
Ruby got up and went through the right door. The room was large. Standing on the other end was a cloaked figure, wearing handcuffs.
Ruby had a bad feeling. The vibes this person gave off. It made her think of Hisoka.
Suddenly, the handcuffs fell off, and the figure began giggling. Ruby pulled out Crescent Rose and took a stance.
The prisoner shot forward, Ruby barely blocked the kick that was meant for her stomach. She barely blocked all the attacks he sent her way. Finally, she managed to dodge, just as she was about to attack, something tore through the cloak.
It would have hit Ruby's face, if Weiss hadn't shot from the door, and pushed Ruby away. Ruby tumbled across the floor. When she looked up, she nearly screamed.
Weiss was on the ground, a giant scorpion stinger had stabbed into her back. The prisoner was a scorpion faunus.
"Weiss!"
"Alas," the criminal said, "It was a noble sacrifice, worthy of a Hunter," he then turned to Ruby, a wild grin on his face, "Now it's your turn."
He lunged towards Ruby. Ruby was about to defend, when ice suddenly encased the prisoner.
"That was close," Ruby looked to see Weiss, standing behind the ice sculpture, sword stabbed into the ground, "I beat the other one and came to help. It looks like I- ah..."
Ruby slammed into Weiss, hugging her.
"Ruby, what are you-..."
"You're okay," Ruby cried, "You're okay, you're okay, you're okay," Ruby repeated over and over again like a mantra.
"Of course," Weiss said, "I told you, I'm resistant to poison."
"I'm so glad you're okay," Ruby trembled.
Weiss sighed, "I'm alright Ruby."
After a minute, Ruby calmed down, "Will we get to pass? You stopped him for me."
"He said we had to beat them, he didn't say we had to fight them one on one," Weiss explained.
"I guess he didn't," Ruby said.
"Come on," Weiss said, "Let's go."
%%%%%
As the boys waited, Leorio started talking, "Hey, guys? Who do you think is the hottest female applicant we've met?"
Kurapika sighed, "You're thinking about that?"
"Ruby and Yang," Gon chirped.
"They're your cousins Gon, they don't count," Leorio said.
"Well I wasn't going to say Weiss," Killua said, "She's obviously ugly. No, I say Yang. I mean Ruby is cute and all, but I suppose Yang counts as hot."
"Well, Yang is certainly the most, sexy girl here- ow." Kurapika smacked Leorio before he could finish his sentence, "What was that for?"
"She's our friend, show Yang some respect," Kurapika snapped.
%%%%
The door opened, reveling Ruby and Weiss. When they stepped out, the handcuffs fell off.
Ruby Number 407, Weiss number 312 are the sixth and seventh to pass.
When Ruby saw the other applicants that passed were in the room, she jumped for joy, "Yes, we passed!"
Weiss looked away from Ruby trying to pretend she didn't know her; it might had worked if Ruby hadn't jumped on Weiss.
"Ruby are you-..."
"Thanks for saving me from that crazy scorpion guy," Ruby said.
"It was no big deal," Weiss looked down a little embarrassed, "And I guess... thanks for... listening to me."
Ruby beamed, before hugging Weiss, "Do you know what this means? We're bff's now."
"Get off me you lunatic!" Weiss struggled to escape the redhead.
The display was seen by the other men who had passed.
"Jeez they're loud," Hanzo muttered.
Hisoka was just grinning enjoying the entertainment. However, he could sense Illumi becoming... tense. He glanced at his friend whose eyes were glued on the white-haired girl. Now that Hisoka thought about it, Illumi seemed interested in the white-haired girl and boy. Well, Hisoka was interested in them as well. Number 99 was very skilled despite not having Nen. But Number 312, the darling girl was a much stronger opponent. She was almost ripe enough to pluck. The thought made him shiver. But every time he even considered approaching 312, Illumi's bloodlust would come off in waves.
But if anything, that made Hisoka want to approach her more.
In these times of great hardships, just remember; We are Groot.
