Volume CRBN!

by Dancesnapple

Four individuals. Four different people of different walks of life resulting in an adventure. Hopefully, a bond that can last. Team CRBN (carbon). Features: OC Main character, main team has two OCs alongside a lovable crime duo, and some family drama on all sides. Features a 'soundtrack' element for the fic. ENJOY! Story begins on third listed chapter. Very slow start.

58. 56 Encounter! A Golden Dragon!

Longest chapter yet? I think it might be. This monster was much longer than I thought. I expected 14k words. I ended up with 22k.

A clear warning to anyone who dislikes the off song fic gimmick this story has. Two thirds of this chapter is nothing but that.

Five songs in total. If you dislike it, this is why I limit it to parenthesis so it may be ignored if that's the case.

Chapter Fifty Six: Encounter! A Golden Dragon!

Large, loud pops of smoke dot the bright ocean blue sky! Festive flak blasts signaling the eventful day to come! Banners fly with the wind over Signal Academy as civilians pool into the campus. The crowds gather at various prop up vendors set up along a signed path. Concessions, carnival games, and attractions are abound.

Rather than the entire academy opened up to the masses, the setup appears to direct everyone down a single path. The direction of the festivities bridges into the forests, moving deeper into the island from the sea side school. Every single stand and attraction has its own television, too! Most are switched to channels per audience request, but all the machines in sync switch to a local broadcast on command!

The screen switches to a fancy sleek black desk with the initials VSB. A broadcast desk with large stadium bleachers behind it. The desk appears to be in a glass booth, separated from the audience seating.

One man sits on the left side, with a trimmed receding hairline short brown hair and a business charismatic smile. He wears a business suit complete with black vest and red tie, but no jacket. His white button up shirt is rolled up on the sleeves to the elbow.

"Hello and welcome to the Vale Sports Broadcast! It's that time of year again to celebrate the power of our youth in joyous competition! I'm Bernard Cotton to provide you, the viewer, commentary on today's grand event... the Patch Island Bash Tournament! Joining me as co-host today, friend and colleague, Pepe Briggs! Pepe?"

Beside him is a tanned man with a large, LARGE mane of light brown hair sticking out in all directions stuck out with the use of excessive hair spray. The man oozes an atmosphere of relaxation and smooth sailing, wearing a tight shirt, aviator sunglasses up on his head, and a chain necklace. In his spiked out hair, cat ears flick. He's a lion faunus.

"Pumped and ready for a day of mayhem, Bernie! I'm telling you, some of these contestants written in have been the buzz of the town! I'm ready to see these kids light it up out there! Speaking of-" He pauses, bringing up a rolled paper wrap, lit by a lighter, and takes a puff on it. "Want some?"

The more presentable host gives a hard stare before answering. "No, I'm fine. I like to observe the action nice and sober, but I am glad for you."

Pepe chuckles. "So much to feelin' the Bern. Now, let's inform the new people at home. We are waiting for the committee of Signal staff to make the ruling for how this tournament will go. Let that sink in. We, here, right now, still don't know what kind of tournament we're in store for with our sixty four competitors?" He ends in a questioning tone.

Cotton nods with a smile. "That's right! As is tradition, at the strike of noon, the tournament will start. However, the tournament rules, as always, are decided by chance!" He ends with a dramatic dip in tone.

The cameras for the broadcast shift view, looking into the stands of the tournament location. Up at the top is a viewer box, where the officials for the broadcast likely reside. However, out and showing for the entire audience is a large rotund wheel!

"Thirty minutes til noon, eleven thirty, the Patch authorities will put forth their representative, who I am told will be Signal Academy Professor and local celebrity Taiyang Xiao Long. At that time, he will spin... the Rule Wheel! The result of the spin will determine the system by which the tournament shall be rendered!" Cotton finishes with an undertone of excitement.

Pepe slaps the table, completely unable to hide his energy. "Local hunk spins the wheel, and we leave the world ahead of us to fate! Options include a typical one v one tournament bracket, but come on! We can't just be square and have that as the only option! We have Team Tournament as an option as well, where all the entrants will be randomly teamed in groups of four! Grimm Hunt Tourney will have the academy staff release tiny, malformed Grimm to act as stage hazards to the typical tournament! We have Tag Tournament, self explanatory, as well as, get this... the BASH RUMBLE!"

The faunus slaps the table again with the announcement of what is surely his favorite pick. Cotton clicks his tongue amused and cuts in. "Pepe, I don't think getting too excited for any one option is professional. After all..." He smiles charismatic for the camera.

. . .

"They're ALL worth it."

Carmine blinks at the television at a food stand. Neo stands beside him, the two of them back in disguise as Zane Maxwell and Vanille Carson. "Great. So much for planning. We basically just HAVE to wing it."

Neo perks up with her scroll. She shows him a message. Roman is positioned at the docks, Blair is in town. After the announcement that Tai would be at the main event, Blair decided to hang a distance away from the tournament, but close enough to come if needed. Roman assures that he's staking out the right boat, but Blair has contested it.

As it stands, they just need to proceed. Neo will flop out of the tournament, Carmine will intentionally get captured, Neo will tail and alert Blair, and they hope the bad guys walk directly where Roman can reign hell on them. But at this point, when does anything go according to plan?

"Come on. Let's grab some food before this goes down-"

"Well, well, well... You smell that, Dino? Smells like someone bout to get wasted!" The irritating voice cuts into Carmine's good mood.

Dino glares at Neo, half bending around Deonn. "You know? Everyone's always saying blue is their favorite color, but now I think it's mad ugly when it's natural." Neo raises a brow, but otherwise shows no reaction to the blatant insult.

"For fuck's sake-" Suppressing a groan, Carmine whirls around with a bright grin, not matched by his narrow gaze. "Oh, look! Three Idiots." He spots Deonn, Doto, and Dino. He nudges Neo beside him and whispers loudly at her. "Now, don't let them know you insulted them behind their backs. They're sensitive." Neo giggles loudly, tilting her chin up. She's more than willing to embarrass these three again.

"Okay, okay. Let's strike a deal here, fellas." Doto steps up. "Losers in the tournament pay for the winners dinner and everything will be mellow. How about it?"

"He says in the obvious three to two odds there." Carmine cuts in with sarcasm.

The bald boy adopts a cocky grin. "You aren't winning anyway, but doesn't that make the potential win better? Be neighborly-"

"I'm not your neighbor." Carmine snaps before setting a look on all three of them. "Come to think of it, I also think I hate you." He adds plainly.

"I think you have zero chance and are scared, but-" Doto starts confident, but Deonn cuts him off.

"Just put up or shut up! Loser takes their licks and owes the winner!"

Dino snorts. "I want my money back for yesterday first from your short stack girlfriend."

Neo feigns a frown and cracks her fist under her eye, miming crying. She then snickers and winks at the guy, getting a furious growl back. Carmine grins. "Fine. What are the stakes exactly?"

"My money. Four times interest!" Dino snaps. "A picture of you holding a sign enshrined to my greatness!" Deonn huffs. "A three foot hoagie from Benji's in Vale!" Doto proclaims loudly. All four other teens send a mix of incredulous or cringed looks at the hairless fighter. "A man has his wants." Doto adds attempting to be cool with a white teeth flashing grin.

Neo sends a smirk to the Carmine. Obviously, the boy would instantly take a similar sized sandwich for his own gluttonous sake. Said boy cuts a glare at her. "What? Some guys have basic wants. Shutty."

"Answer your terms, idiot!" Dino glares at the two, impatient. "We want to hit the stands before the tournament. You're wasting our time."

Carmine and Neo share a glance, the girl smiling brightly and gestures to herself. The three boys cock their heads at her, so Carmine translates. "She wants three pieces of jewelry. A bracelet, a necklace, and a set of clip on earrings. Matching." He mutters emotionless.

Neo flashes a grin at the boy's lack of enthusiasm. She signs. "Some girls have basic wants. Shutty." She mocks him, earning a light swat from his right arm.

"Well, that's pretty petty." Doto pouts at the girl. The three idiots then glance at Carmine.

The boy raises a brow in challenge. "How much is a standard school lunch from the cafeteria?"

"That cheap garbage? Four Lien a pop." Deonn answers.

"For the rest of the semester, you will buy one of the first years' lunch for them, changing to a different person each day. No picking the same person twice." Carmine demands with a straight face.

All three teens flinch at the demand. "WHAT?!" They yell in unison. Deonn adds. "No way! That's stupid, and they're not involved in this."

"Too bad. Take it or leave it."

The three mull the idea over, scowling. Deonn nods. "I change mine. I get a date with Candi there." Neo wrinkles her nose at that.

Doto nods. "I want TWO three foot hoagies."

"Ten times interest for my money yesterday. Then it's a deal." Dino finishes. He holds his hand out for the two CRBN members.

Carmine looks at Neo, but the girl gives a fake smile. She steps forward and accepts the handshake with Dino. Soon as their hands separate, she plays up wiping her hand clean, earning another scowl from the lanky boy.

Soon as the three leave, Carmine raises a brow to her. "Change of plans. You get yourself eliminated after at least knocking them out." Neo hums a chuckle to herself, face morphing into a sadistic grin.

. . .

Following the crowds eventually found the duo on a woodland trail. It was a fair distance into the forest, which shocked Carmine, but the trees were spaced and lined almost perfectly symmetrically. It was obviously a man made trail, beautiful flower beds along the whole way as well. Still, he wasn't quite sure what to make of the end.

The path inclines upward until reaching what Carmine assumed was the top of a hill. However, upon reaching the top, he realized he wasn't at the top of a hill...

He was at the top of the stands.

The top of the incline stood above a quick decline with metal benches and seats lined in rows going downward. They built the seating literally into the land. However, the dip in the land wasn't natural. The seats curved around in a coliseum arena, easily able to seat the entire population of the island and then some!

He spots the broadcaster booth to the right side of the top rows of seats. Following this trail, he glances down to the front rows closest to the center arena. There, far off, he spots a cleared clean area with more broadcasters. In the center was the Vale Sports Broadcast desk with the two television personalities from earlier!

Above the arena is a floating drone with four giant television screens directed in all four directions. Surely to allow the audience to see closer shots and shots of the commentators. Currently, it merely plays commercials for several of the concessions booths the teens had passed on the way in.

His gaze fell on the center arena itself. The location they will be fighting.

Separating it from the crowd is a massive moat filled with water. Along the front bottom row of seats are several devices set up in a uniform pattern. Some form of protection? Hard light dust perhaps to protect the audience from stray shots. He resists the urge to go and check them out. Hard light dust is the form of dust he's had the least experience with.

Inside the moat is a gigantic rock and earth platform that could fit at least three ball fields within it. It's not flat either, seeming to imitate a sort of rural environment with its own trees and a few ruined farm houses built into it. Complete with a large metal electrical tower, missing its electrical components though.

Neo nudges him. He follows her direction to find a sign that reads 'Competitors, enter here'. The sign directs them into a stair well that leads under ground. Though it's fully metal still. An underground bunker for staff and students?

"Jeez. They went overboard with this place." He comments off hand. He lets her lead him as they both absorb the surrounding imagery. "We gotta go down to get a final checkup by the nurse." The two descend into the stairs, moving underground. "Don't let her inject anything." Carmine adds quietly.

Neo hums a laugh in spite of her steeling gaze. The idea of AZRL getting her again after these years comes. With it, a bubble of anger. It would be interesting to see their reactions, but only if in the end it's her standing over them.

The two arrive in a large open room. Dozens of teens around them are off in groups. The contestant area! On the far end of the room sits a curtained off section. Outside it is a desk with one of the school professors outside it.

As they approach the desk, Carmine makes a point to locate the three idiots. All three are off in a corner, looking like they're hyping themselves up. Just watching their boundless energy wore the boy out. They still have a half hour before this starts, for gods sake.

The room also has four televisions scattered along the walls. All four are on the broadcast hosts as music blares out! The crowds gathering into the arena above ground roar in a cheer, the sound coming through the broadcast.

"What's going on?" Carmine asks as he and Neo reach the desk.

The professor smirks and directs his attention to the screens. "They're about to spin the wheel to determine what kind of tournament this is. Pay attention. This will decide the next hour to three hours of your life."

. . .

Atop the stadium, Taiyang Xiao Long steps out, a chorus of whistles out for him. He blinks aloof, slowly forming a grin and sending a wave for the crowds. He looks to the large spin wheel over the top back row as he approaches it.

"I love you!" A shout comes as a bundle of flowers is pitched into his gut.

He pauses, spooked and frozen as he blinks surprised at the number of varying aged women in the stands. Slowly, he cracks a nervous smile, easing the flowers down and into someone, anyone else's hands. He moves on before another bouquet can fly at him.

The two commentators laugh at the scene. Cotton gives a showman's laugh befitting hosts of all times. "Ah, the life of a local celebrity. Envy from all men, lust from the women, right Pepe?" For a second, the lax faunus doesn't answer, so Cotton turns to him. "Pepe?"

Pepe flinches. "What's that, Cotton- Oh! Definitely! Hunk man's got it all!" The chill man returns to staring off at the scene. "He just emanates Dad energy, too."

Cotton raises a brow. His face remains stoic, but his voice is slightly amused. "Shall I amend my previous statement about just who is experiencing lust here?" He spots Tai arrive at the wheel and smiles. "Alright, folks! Our representative has arrived at the Rule Wheel! Remember, the result of this spin will determine the entire rule set for this tournament!"

Pepe drums on the table. "Come on, Tag! Bring on Team matches! Or better! Bring the BASH, baby!" Taiyang reaches for one of the dozens of handles on the sides of the wheel. Gripping it, he flashes a smile for the crowd. "Count down! 1!" Tai plants his feet. "2! 3!"

Tai wrenches down, sending the wheel into a full board spin! The crowd erupts as the tool whirls round and round and round and round... and round... and round...

… And round...

The cheers start to wane, dying down to mere whistles and woos. However, even that starts to circle the drain. The wheel spins for a solid thirty seconds without losing speed. Tai purses his lips, nervously scratching the back of his head. A slight sweat drop goes down as he tries to play it off with a chuckle.

Cotton shifts his mouth with a twitch. "Ssssssso, we apologize, folks. It would appear that there may be something wrong with the wheel." He cups his mic to muffle his words as he calls to a helper on the side. "Did they over oil the thing?"

"Spin me like that." Pepe pipes up with his brow up.

The more professional man sends a dull look. "Recall this broadcast is rated PG-13."

The faunus taps his temple. "Not up here." He then perks. "Oh? Is it slowing?"

Cotton claps his hands. "Alright! Here we go, people at home!" The wheel starts to slow. The people hang on the spin as the momentum slows and slows. The handles click along the arrow on the top, declining speed as the sounds begin to space out.

As it slows, the arrow is positioned over One V One Tourney. Click. It's over Tag Tourney. Click. It's over One V One Tourney. Click. Team Tourney. Click. One V One.

The click slows to a creaking decline. Nearly stopping. Click. Tag Tourney... The arrow bends on the next handle...

Click.

Bash Rumble.

"HAHA!" Pepe shrieks, standing up from the table as the crowd erupts in cheers.

Cotton is left in shock before his face pulls into a smile. "Folks, I cannot believe my eyes. The tournament rules selected today are the namesake of this whole event." He dips forward. "Today, we experience a-"

Pepe throws an arm around the man and calls into the man's mic for him. "-Bash Rumble! This is gonna be RAD!"

. . .

Carmine purses his lips. "Why do I feel like something bad for us just happened?" He mutters for Neo. The girl can only shrug with a slightly unnerved smile. He looks around as all the students burst into a loud mob of whisper yells. "I hope this isn't gonna be something hard for us to control."

The professor at the counter chuckles. "You kids are lucky. Professor Long will be down in a second to explain the rules to you. Don't worry." He looks to Neo and thumbs to the nurse curtain. "Head on in for your checkup."

Neo enters the nursing area, sure enough finding Miss Boyd wiping off a medical table. The nurse is laid back, but perks slightly seeing the mute. "Ah, Miss Carson! I hope you're not fairing worse than my last checkup." At Neo's quirked brow, the woman gives a light wave. "Oh, a student thought she could illegally drink in Vale last night. Still hungover, so she's been disqualified. Though, I suspect it was a large group with her."

The mute snorts and shakes her head. She gives a scout salute before sitting on the medical table. While Miss Boyd works her over, Neo pays close attention to the supplies in the room. She doesn't spot the box with the black dust inside, but she does locate the syringe case from her desk drawers.

With pursed lips, she almost wants to ask about it, but isn't given the time. Miss Boyd perks up and separates a comfortable distance from the girl. "You pass the checkup. Don't get hurt, and have lots of fun."

Neo flashes a smile. This woman was very welcoming. It almost reminds her of when Blair had been posing as a doctor for AZRL all those years ago. But, that mental link sets her hairs on end. Neo stands to leave, catching one last look at the clear case of syringes.

Blue infinity symbol on some. A light clear violet mixture in in others... Nomaura is the same color, but that symbol doesn't match. Neo tries to discreetly snap a picture on her scroll of the case, but Boyd gently ushers her on out of the nurse room.

"Next up, please." She politely requests of the professor.

Neo scowls as she meets with Carmine. Before the two can exchange words, the boy is brought inside. However, Carmine looks to his arm...

'Bottom right under the table. You recognize the symbol?'

The letters crack off. An impossibly small and quick shatter illusion on his arm flaking off like dust. Carmine settles into the seat and waits for Miss Boyd to check him. The woman steps in front of him, a relaxed and calm visage. "Alright... Mr Maxwell? I've been told by Mr Long to measure your aura before proceeding."

Recalling Tai's threat to him and the idiots' yesterday, he tenses. "He was serious with that? Jeez." He channels his aura at his finger while she clips a device to detect it.

A few seconds tick before she clicks her tongue. "Lucky you. You're at one hundred percent on aura." She removes the device and gathers her other tools. "Alright. Let's check you up."

Carmine grumbles as she does so. Even when Blair works him over, he's taken to doing several evaluations himself. Needles in his hand? Fine. Needles in other's hands? Hell no. He forces himself to let her work him over as he evaluates the room. The first thing to pull his attention was a closed container in a shelf.

"What's that?" He asks off hand.

The pink haired woman sends a dull look before smiling. "Oh, that's one of my pets. I always keep at least one with me at all times. The box is his enclosure." She perks up slightly with a growing glib tone. "Would you like to say hi? His name is Francis."

"Uh..." Carmine leans towards the enclosure container. "Enclosure... Like a reptile enclosure?" While leaned to it, attempting to peek through a crack, Boyd smiles and tugs the box out, opening the top side.

Ssssn Ha!

The red skinned snake with black patterns and blue tinges in the black snaps at the boy. He lurches back, spooked as he hits the floor. "Ow! Fu-"

"Language, boy." Boyd says coldly as the odd colored snake slithers onto her offered arm. She leans forward unafraid as it flicks its tongue on her cheek. She smiles again. "Aww, Mommy apologizes for leaving you enclosed so long."

Incredulous, Carmine stands up, breathing in relief. "First, why? Second, isn't that poison- er, venomous with the colors? Third, what kind of name is Francis for a snake? Fourth, does this mean you DID leave Dino envenomed by a snake, and that it was yours?"

The woman raises an unimpressed brow. "In reverse order... No. Mr Styles got bitten by a benign variant local to the island." She then smiles at the snake again, the woman and animal nose to nose. "Also, what would you name such a handsome boy?"

The boy huffs and mutters off hand. "Steve, Randall, Jake the Snake, Riddle, Manda... Hell, make a full name. Ana Conda Boyd."

She chuckles lightly. "I'll steal that for any females I obtain in the future." She straightens her focus on him, the snake coiling and coming to rest its head under her pulled forward braided hair. "He is quite venomous, but VERY well trained. I have antivenom if anyone learns the hard way to antagonize him." She winks lazily.

"Also, snakes like mine have extremely high senses of taste, smell, and touch. I have a lot of uses for scouting, hunting, and recon with them. Francis is one of my better companions. He's here for companionship AND to let me know if anyone tries to break in here." She finishes with a smile.

However, her tone dips dangerously. "And he's not the only one in here. Do watch yourself in my territory. Okay?" She chirps a soft laugh

With bugged out eyes and drenched skin, the boy sweats nervous and stiff. "Duly noted..."

"Well, you are free to go. Do have fun out there! All contestants will cycle back in here once eliminated or after the tournament conclusion!" She waves him off.

"Right..." Carmine suddenly absorbs more of the room's details in as a sudden surge of self preservation.

Then he spots the case Neo had specified. His breath catches... Blue infinity accompanied by violet. That brings him back...

He smiles and leaves, meeting with Neo. "Hey. I'm as healthy as a snake." He pipes up in an exaggerated joke. The boy then pulls the girl off to the side. With haste, he finds a small corner open and free of any other students.

Neo huffs, annoyed, but once settled, she schools herself. If he's pulling her away, he must have some-

"She's one hundred percent AZRL." He says with no room for doubt. She straightens, double taking. Aw... she liked her. "That blue infinity symbol is the symbol made for a privately made aura stimulant... that only AZRL partners have. It was in Menagerie." He grimaces. "I would know cause I used it on myself to directly counter Nomaura."

And if it counters Nomaura... That can only indicate the that the violet syringes would be exactly that. Neo frowns and nods. She signs. "I'll follow her after getting eliminated." She then nudges Carmine's shoulder for his attention. A concern laces her features.

He offers a soft smile. "Hey. If you're all watching my back, I'm invincible." He pats her shoulder and sighs. "Though, I'm not too happy to get the jab again. Nomaura freaking sucks, by the way." He adds in a joking tone.

She giggles. He knows she's had it put in her before, so she settles for rolling her eyes and playing dumb. "It does? Oh no."

"ALRIGHT EVERYONE! GATHER ROUND!"

The entire room of teens have their conversations end as Taiyang enters from the side with a grin. "Come on! Jaina, eyes over here. Hey, Terry! Conversation is over or you speak for everyone, okay?" As the teens settle and slowly move in, Tai nods at the more respectful attention. "Now! The tournament begins in fifteen minutes. We're gonna give out the rules for you right now. We got sixty three competitors."

"What happened to sixty four?" A girl's voice calls from the side.

The blonde professor huffs. "Because someone thought they could get away with drinking illegally and came in hungover." Disapproval drinks from him. "And I have more than a hunch she wasn't the only one. Social butterflies and all."

Carmine snorts and mutters. "Should I assume she was blonde?" He says, recalling his nameless friend from the previous night.

"SHHHHH!" A hissing chorus of shushes from various female students in the crowd snap at him! He hunches down at the sudden attention.

Alright. Maybe a lot of girls went out last night. Oh! That means his friend is still here, maybe?

Tai speaks up again. "Shall we move on, please? As you might have heard from the rather... spirited crowd above, the rule set we landed on is the famous Bash Rumble. This means maximum chaos as fast as possible."

Carmine raises a brow. "Definitions please?"

The blonde man grins. "Simple. All sixty three of you will be going into the arena at once. Last person remaining inside the arena is the winner."

"WHAT?!" A chorus of shrieks come out in unison.

Neo feels the air leave her if that's the rule. She gives a shaky look to see Carmine sending a gaped look at the professor. "So... like a royal rumble?"

Tai sends a finger gun his way. "A complete battle royal. Contestants will be eliminated by getting knocked off the stage into the water moat around it! All your aura's have been sampled on checkups, so we have aura meters on you all. Anyone drops to a dangerously low level, the professors will know to step in."

Carmine grumbles. "So this is gonna be a gigantic cluster of death. Fun- Wait!" He straightens and sends a look at Neo. "Can people team up and try to make sure they're the last ones remaining?"

He feels the blood drain his face when Taiyang smirks. "Hope you've made plenty of friends!"

Deonn's voice rings over the crowd. "Let's go! Top three for us, you feel me!" He yells at his two companions, hands coming in for unity.

Well, shit. They're outnumbered by the idiots. Hell, they could end up facing an entire posse of pathetic prats. He would chuckle at his internal alliteration another time. Carmine gulps. "This turned into a half hour spectacle."

Tai chuckles and adds. "And 300 hours of alternate angle footage and focus on simultaneous fights to be played locally for the next month." He walks by the two CRBN teens with a laugh. "Prepare yourselves. Five minutes and we head to the arena."

Carmine and Neo share another look before groaning. Why did life hate them?

. . .

"Here come our competitors! A verifiable march to madness." Cotton comments with a grin. The students are led out of a cut out by the bottom rows of the arena. They come to a stop in front of multiple professors, sending the children coy looks. They part ways as a bridge extends out over the moat below!

The bridge connects with a metal latch on the center arena with an echoing thud. The crowd whistles and howls in anticipation. The children are all directed across the bridge with the professors with them. Many of the teens begin waving and boasting to the crowd.

The commentator watches on as he speaks to the people. "Alright, everyone. The Bash Rumble is known to be rather uncontrollable. Competitors don't simply slug their way to the top! They can use their minds as well!"

Pepe swings in a full circle on his chair before sending a radiating smile to the cameras. "We're talking alliances, betrayals, stealth, manipulation, leadership, and my favorite, Bernie, LUCK! It's gonna be Game of Empires out here. Blink and you miss it!"

The human show host smiles honestly. "The energy is quite infectious, I hope you at home can see. Bow, the professors of Signal are placing each competitor in a designated starting position. These placements are designed to provide a buffer to the emergence of the teens' strategies, putting all preemptive plans out the window."

"All battle plans fail after first contact! It's gonna be explos- AH!" The faunus yelps as he swings on the chair... until it breaks. The man falls behind the desk, Cotton glancing down at him with pursed lips. Suddenly, Pepe bounces up to stand. "I'm okay! Here we go!"

. . .

Inside the arena, Carmine is brought to a stop in dirt and gravel. Behind him is a large rock face leading to a raised level, other students being placed up there. He quickly gets a lay of the land. He's close to the edge, the arena side a distance to his left.

In front of him, a third year boy with brown hair and dark leather light armor comes to a halt with a cocky smirk. The boy raises two switch blade knives. He flips them in a flourish together and merges them into an uzi sub-machine gun.

Far to his right, near the dead center of the arena near the radio tower, he spots a hair of blonde. Oh! She wasn't the one to get wasted and hungover! He smirks at that. The blonde haired girl was positioned between several others. He sees the broken up house near her area.

Over the side of the broken up house, Neo finds herself placed in a trimmed lawn beside the structure. She smiles at the professor as she's left. Near her is a male student. A second year boy with a grungy look. His weapon cranks into a chainsaw, sparking with lightning dust. The pig tailed girl smirks, crouches, and waits.

She glances around the corner of the house, towards an abandoned barn. She spots several shiny cameras placed strategically all over the arena itself. Fancy! However, directly by the barn is Dino, standing a head over everyone else despite being slightly hunched. He does look off standing there... menacingly... Great.

Directly by the radio tower finds Deonn popping out and checking his rifle ammo mag. The faunus looks positively thrilled! Confidence oozes from him to the point of stomach turning. Arrogance.

Ahead of him is a large boy. Large in both girth and muscle. However, his weapon in his hands... is a set of bagpipes. The kid looked like a fourth year, but was foreign. The boy's slightly chubby cheeks almost jiggle with giddy laughter.

Deonn's smile drops slightly. "Yo, you need to calm, or I'll feel disgusting beating you. Chill." He turns and spots Doto up on the risen level on a rocky landscape in the distance. "Yo, Doto! Check out this guy! Is he built worse than Dino?"

Doto turns and squints at the larger bagpipe player. He shrugs and calls out. "Nah! It's easier to be big creepy than slender creepy!"

"I heard that, idiots!" Dino's shout comes from the distance, making both other boys laugh.

Doto chuckles, looking to the side to find his own musical opponent. A girl, a second year with lime hair, thrums the chords of a guitar. Each section of the finger board is lit with loaded dust, the sound hole in the center of the instrument revealing a handle inside.

"Yo! Play me a sonnet, please!" Doto grins to make friends.

Above the tournament stage, a drone hovers with a digital board. 60. 59. From the arena speakers all over, Pepe's voice calls. "Here we go! This shindig starts in under. One. Minute!"

The crowd erupts as a countdown timer appears on the drone. 45. 44. 43.

Carmine checks his gun one last time, well aware of the leering boy aiming at him from the distance away. The undercover boy's eyes flash dangerous. His Jager boosters hum before the boy does a flourishing spin, the boosting air kicking up a small dirt cloud. The cloud settles, finding Carmine smirking and aiming Heulin Noon back at his opponent.

35 seconds.

Deonn flashes a grin, snapping his rifle in two halves. The front hand shifts and molds around his left forearm in a thick coating. The back half shifts around his right fist, dust load channeling into his fist. He begins punching in the air in a warm up. (A warp effect ramps up into building beat! "I'm comin' back... to take care of this!")

Neo pops to her feet, hopping up and down altering footing. She rolls her neck and shoulders with a content smirk. Around the area, Dino expands his disc weapon. (Beat repeats. "Let's Go..! Let me see whatchu got!")

It pops open, sides buzzing with fire dust in a flaming saw wheel. The lanky boy begins rolling his right arm with the spinning arm, building torque. ("Get some- Get it! Let's go!")

The long haired blonde girl activates wrist bracers, the weapons locking out into shotgun arm guards! The girl throws shadow punches before punching both fists together. A fiery bang sounds with delighted lilac eyes darting back and forth. (Beat repeats heavier with more energy. "I'm BACK!")

5. 4. 3. Cotton's voice sounds over the intercom. "And here! We! Go!" ("Let's rock, baby!" Beat bridges into first verse.)

The crowd erupts. Carmine fires at the punk boy before him! The boy ducks the shot, opening fire with his uzi! Carmine twists and boosters to the side to dodge! ("I use to be the flashiest star, chilling with cash and cars, but somewhere lost my passion's heart.")

Carmine fires back again, aimed at his opponent's legs. The enemy boy stumbles back to dodge, Carmine jump boosting to close distance in the small gap! He spins into a Jager boosted round kick! The enemy boy plants his feet and side blocks with his forearm! ("Now at the Combo Gym, getting my back my art. With the fury inside you can't match my spark.")

Pushing the airborne Carmine into a twirl, the boy transforms his uzi into his dual switch blades. He swipes at Carmine in a flick, but Carmine dodges, his hair getting clipped by the miss. Carmine lands and ducks back as the boy slashes in a flurry. ("So, pull up your guard before I shatter your chest. I got the instinct to do it in this battle of death.")

Duck, dip, dodge. Carmine avoids each blade jab. He spins Heulin Noon in hand, pistol whipping the next strike down then left side kicking his opponent off kilter. ("This is my time to rise you can't rattle my steps. I'm gonna win, and don't matter who Challenge me next!")

The opposing boy grunts in pain, righting himself and slashing forward with both arms! Carmine brings his left foot down, kicking the left slash down, and Jager boost kicks the right slash up with his right foot! His opponent open, Carmine aims point blank. ("So, I can power through you with no risk, leaving your soul twisted up in my closed fist.")

The double shot that comes blows his enemy tumbling back! Carmine lands on both feet, aiming up. Soon as the other boy stands, right by the edge of the arena, Carmine fires again. The boy yelps as he leaves the arena and hits the water moat. ("Take notice, I stand as the coldest, baddest, erratic fighter you could face on a foes list.")

Carmine fist pumps in cheer. The intercom roars out, Pepe's voice calling above. "Russett Dixon eliminated! Two down already!" ("The knockout king to all my opponents I'm taking every moment to win, baby I own it!")

Carmine double takes. "TWO?!" Who eliminated someone before him? He turns his head, eyes bugging out as larger boy charges him with a large hammer! With a growl, Carmine snap reloads and aims. ("Yeah, I start to zone in with flurries and combinations, and end you with haymakers, my skills are way greater-!")

Neo slyly ducks and weaves back, dodging swipe after swipe of the lightning arcing saw blade! The grungy boy ducks low, the chainsaw locking solely around his right arm. He swipes low, trimming the grass as Neo short jumps the slash! ("I'm back to Rise! I'm back to Glow! I'm back to Fly! I'm back to Soar!")

A snap swipe of Hush, whips the boy's head back. The large teen snarls as he lashes with the saw again, but Neo strikes his knee out. Unbalanced by her, he flails in retaliation as Neo continually dodge and counter strikes him repeatedly with Hush. ("I'm back to War! Let the truth be Told! I feel on fire when my passion Flow!")

Carmine recalls! He warps out of the way as the large hammer smashes into the ground. Earth dust in the hammer morphs the head into a large blade! The hulking teen glances around for Carmine. Behind him, Carmine appears in place, firing twice into the back of the boy's knees! ("I'm back to Rise! I'm back to Glow! I'm back to Fly! I'm back to Soar!")

The large boy drops to a knee from the shots! He twists barely enough to see Carmine boost charge with Jager. The CRBN boy speed shoulder tackles the larger teen back. ("I'm back to War! Let the truth be Told! I feel on fire when my passion Flow!" next verse begins.)

The large boy casts the earth dust, morphing the bladed hammer into a pick and catching himself on the arena edge. Carmine rights himself. However, a spark in his far periphery alerts him. ("Rock! Ready! No! Stop! Yeah, it's getting tense up over on my block.")

Carmine ducks back in haste! A dust shot flies by his head, striking the large boy's weapon! The hulking boy falls into the water, eliminated! Breathing heavy, Carmine slides behind a rock cover, looking to the radio tower. ("I'm locked in the clinch, I'm 'bout to go off. I was lost, but back now as the Champ and Boss!")

Several long range gun students have taken over the different levels of the radio tower! One, a sniper, gives up on attacking the boy. The various teens on the tower appear to ignore one another. Ah, teaming up, as they nod to one another. ("Rock! Ready! No! Stop! Yeah, it's getting tense up over on my block.")

One young girl on the lower levels, notices a shimmer in her scope. She frowns, pulling from her scope- The grungy boy with the chainsaw slams into her head first! The shatter illusion around the scope breaks as Neo leaps up the tower past the two. ("I'm locked in the clinch, I'm 'bout to go off. I was lost, but back now as the Champ and Boss!")

Neo leaps to the top level, a brown haired boy with a rifle spooked. Neo lunges down, the boy duck rolling along the top level platform. He tries bring the rifle up, but Neo knocks the aim up with Hush. She kicks the sniper clear off the tower. ("When I breakthrough, I shake fools with great moves, and train to stay loose, my power stays brute!")

A quick glance confirms the chainsaw boy has started fighting the long range students below. Neo smirks and sprints into a jump! She leaps from the tower after the main sniper she'd just kicked! ("Hit me if you want, my chin is like granite. Keep throwing your best out, but I'm still left standing!")

The sniper twists to fire back in mid air, but Neo spears into them, both tumbling. Twisting, Neo hooks Hush under the boy's arms. She rolls and launches the boy further and further away! The boy is sent far enough that only water is under him. ("I rock steady, my heart's heavy with fire! Call me the trailblazer I'm taking this game higher!")

Neo lands on the upper rock level, watching the sniper boy fall outside the arena into the moat, eliminated! Neo gives a peace sign to the crowd with a smarmy grin and wink. ("I move fast like a speed bag. Throwing right crosses over your weak jabs!")

Carmine rolls his eyes spotting the large screens around the crowd stands featuring Neo's cocky pose. Laugh it up. ("It feels good without the implants in me. Here to show the world that my skills more than skin deep.")

Attention forward, another teen boy with a long sword charges. The hilt of his gun is configured into a gun as he charges Carmine. He moves into a flurry, Carmine deflecting with Heulin Noon. ("I charge in a wind speed, moving in a frenzy. Show I'm the Champ, leave them something to envy!")

The enemy boy broadly sweeps his blade in a slash. Carmine lurches back, out of range, but the sword tip stops its sweep directly in front of his face. The boy smirks and activates the gun in the hilt, firing at Carmine point blank! ("I stay defiant in the sweet science, ready to rumble in the jungle on these weak lions!")

At the same time, Carmine aims up, firing a shot with Heulin Noon. The shots from both guns collide in the mere inches between both gun barrels. An explosion of both shots blow both teens from each other! ("I'm a legend and a Street Giant! Think you can last 3 rounds against me, fool? Keep trying-!")

Both teens tumble along the ground in opposite directions. Carmine catches himself on the arena ledge, barely avoiding an elimination! The enemy boy rolls to his feet, pointing to sword gun and firing at the ledge. Carmine warps away with his Recall, the other boy halting. ("I'm back to Rise! I'm back to Glow! I'm back to Fly! I'm back to Soar!")

Sensing the threat, the swordsman ducks as Carmine's shot from behind misses. Flicking a trigger, his blade ignites in flames as he slashes at the CRBN teen! His sword connects and explodes on contact- ("I'm back to War! Let the truth be Told! I feel on fire when my passion Flow!")

Directly into Hush, Neo between the two boys! Her weapon's dust resistance lets her swat the sword aside as she presses the attack with a riposte followed by quick strikes with the parasol! (I'm back to Rise! I'm back to Glow! I'm back to Fly! I'm back to Soar!)

The girl deftly redirects the boy's next counter, throwing his weapon from his hands! She bashes him dazed. The girl ducks to the side as Carmine crouch steps forward, slamming his heel up into the boy's jaw as the Jager boost fires! (I'm back to War! Let the truth be Told! I feel on fire when my passion Flow!)

The boy is propelled back, off the arena and into the water below. ("Lets ROCK!" Music cuts out)

As the arena remains erupted in shots and clashes of weapons, Carmine and Neo clasp hands with a grin. "Good save. We got this." He looks up with a thoughtful look. "Let's see. How many left?" The two glance above, spotting one of the many screens reading out.

'Contestants Remaining: 53'

"WAH!"

Carmine and Neo separate as a smaller boy flails through the air off the arena. Pepe's voice shouts out. "Another elimination! We're down to 52, baby!"

Cotton's voice follows. "Too bad for poor Timmity Tommen. Better luck next year!"

A honking musical hum rattles the air, catching their attention. The CRBN duo turn in sync to see who launched the poor tiny boy... The large teen boy with the bagpipes. His upper half is plump while accompanied by french fry legs. He smirks as he begins playing a tune on the instrument.

"..." Carmine and Neo glance at one another before bursting into laughter! Neo wheezes as she leans against the boy. Carmine keeps his eyes on him. "Wha- Wha- You-you're weapon is bagpi- HAHA!" He coughs and straightens, shaking his head. "Like... why? I have to know!"

Suddenly, as the tones shift with the instrumental play, the pipes throughout the tool shift!

The large boy uses switches on the sides of the man instrument body as the sound barrels shift and aim forward...

Carmine ceases laughing and squints. "Wait... Are the pipes guns-" Neo straightens and tackles him aside!

BOOM!

A cannon like shot of earth dust blasts out! The large metal and rock slug smashes into the ground the two teens has stood. Carmine and Neo roll to their feet, both wide eyed. One blink. Twice. The large boy smirks while playing the bagpipes, the piping shifting as a fire dust spout aims at them!

Carmine nods. "Okay... but still, why though?"

The spout erupts as a long flamethrower blast arcs out at the teens. Neo opens Hush, splitting the flames around the two in twin streaks. Carmine hunkers behind a rock, aiming Heulin Noon up! However, Neo gently presses his weapon down.

At his raised brow, Neo smirks and shakes her head. If she's going to intentionally lose in the early game, she's going to get some fun out of it, damn it! She signs. "He's mine. Keep kill stealers out of it."

Carmine snickers. "Whatever. Don't lose." (Drum sticks tap in beat, ending the second bar in a rapid succession.)

The large boy chuckles, his flabby cheeks waving with the huffs as he continues playing the instrument. Neo smiles sweetly, standing her ground. (Drum stick beat repeats as drums join in sync. The rapid succession following yields drums into main instrumental!)

The flame spout erupts a whipping blaze at the girl. Neo opens Hush to split it, charging through it! The flames cut off as another pipe alternates on the instrument! The pipe has six small gun barrels together as it spins! A mini-gun barrage unleashes as Neo cuts right! The shots lick at the ground behind her heels in the full sprint! (Full instrumental plays a full repeat into first verse)

Neo slides behind a rock, the bullets chipping away at the stone! Neo crouches and smirks, disappearing behind a Shatter illusion. She can use her semblance a little differently. In her place is an extension of the rock. ("Her breath began to speak As she stood right in front of me...")

The enemy boy moves around to aim at the girl, but she's gone. He frowns, looking about. The large boy slowly inches forward, closer to the illusion rock. ("The colour of her eyes Were the colour of insanity...")

He moves one step past the unnatural extension of the rock. The boy cocks his head at the uneasy feeling. Shatter! ("Crushed beneath her wave! Like a ship, I could not reach her shore-")

He jerks back as Neo erupts from the rock illusion, lunging a thrust with Hush! She strikes the bagpipes aside, moving into a twisting strike. ("We're all just dancers, on the Devil's Dance Floor! Well-" Music intensifies into chorus)

The large boy moves surprisingly quick, dodging two swipes before Neo kicks up. His eyes on Hush, he fails to dodge her knee striking his jaw! He jolts, back, but plants his foot. His grip on the bagpipes shifts, all the pipes shifting to aim in a single direction. He grips all the pipes between his large mitten hands and swings the instrument as a large club! ("-Swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o. Swing a little more, a little more next to me!")

Neo ducks the first swing, using the blade of Hush to quick slice at the boy's calves. The boy drops, but twists into a broad swing. The next club swing crashes full brute force into Neo's block, sending her careening away. He immediately shifts his weapon and fires another earth dust cannon! ("Swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o. Swing a little more, on the Devil's Dance Floor! HYA-")

A large blow back of dirt kicks up at the impact, but Neo is gone. The large boy grimaces, looking around with no target in sight. She was right there right? He begins spinning, looking about. (Music dies down, left with rapt drum sticks and a flute melody.)

A note of paranoia starts to hit as he sweats. Whipping around back and forth, he still fails to find the girl half his size! He gulps before taking a shaky breath. (Additional instruments join repeating melody into final build. Drums begin to increase)

The announcers outside the arena glance above the large boy. Cotton snorts with a smirk and nods. "I think we have a practically perfect person in our midst." Followed quickly by Pepe adding. "We going Poppins in here." ("Swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o. Swing a little more, a little more next to me...")

Behind the large boy, Neo drifts down with a predatory smirk, Hush open. Landing silently like a serial killer, she flaps Hush closed to intentionally make noise! The boy jolts around- ("Swing a little more, little more o'er the merry-o-")

Eyes flashing pink and brown, Neo gleefully lunges, piercing Hush's blade through the large boy's aura shield and through his bagpipe weapon! The boy is thrown from his feet, launched over the edge. ("SWING A LITTLE MORE, on the Devil's Dance Floor!" A last note blares as the music cuts. )

The loud splash in the water is followed by a ding for an elimination! Neo smirks once more. She turns to see Carmine, exchanging a nod. The two glance up. 'Contestants Remaining: 45' Carmine sends her a nervous smile, which she responds with a stewing scowl. Now or sabotage the plan. Neo nods.

Behind Carmine, a punk girl with a grenade launcher takes aim at the boy!

Carmine's eye glances over his shoulder. He's aware of it, but he glances back to Neo with an apologetic shrug. Neo sighs. The enemy girl fires upon the boy, and Neo lunges in. She pushes Carmine out of the way as the grenade shot hits her instead.

The short term pain reminds Neo to kill Carmine later, but plans are plans...

As Neo allows herself to be thrown from the arena and into the water!

"Oh! Poppins is out!" Pepe calls. "Sad times. She had a good run."

Neo emerges from the water, finding a small cutout just above water level where a Signal professor was directing eliminated students. The girl stews with a half lidded glare up at the arena edge. Carmine sends a thumbs up down at her, but she returns a middle finger. She swims to the cutout to exit the arena...

Carmine sighs. He turns as the grenade launcher girl fires at him again. "Alright... it's go time." He propels himself to dodge with a Jager boost. Then he redirects and charges the attacking girl.

. . .

Inside the contestant area, Neo steps in, squeezing off the dripping water with a scowl. The eliminated students ahead of her are in line getting an exit physical. Miss Boyd opening her room for the student in front of the large boy who sulks, bagpipes in hand. He sends a sulking glare over his shoulder at the tiny girl.

With a nervous sweat, Neo slightly smiles and waves.

Several monitors in the room show different fights going on in the arena, live. She can see Doto squaring off with a boy using a fencing rapier in a goofy fluffy coat. Some type of strange musketeer knockoff.

Boyd clears the boy ahead of her to enter her room, leaving Neo next in line.

Cotton's voice calls over the coverage. "Mr Bower has managed to knock off his second opponent! Looks like him and Mr Styles have formed a team at the barn!"

Neo spots a television showing the two idiots hunkering down by themselves. They seem to be gesturing to a three way fight going on atop the broken barn. Pepe's voice calls in. "That Dino Styles is looking like a mad genius. I wonder what they have in store for the audience!"

On the screen, Dino uses his flaming wheel weapon to spew a flame ring out. Casting dust, Dino creates a smokescreen in the barn as Deonn uses his right weapon gauntlet. Dust flashes in hand as he punches out the ceiling, causing all three of the unaware students above to fall to the bottom level.

The two idiots then set the barn on fire, turning tail and leaving the three panicking students inside the ban. Pepe's voice calls. "OH, those little rats! You can tell they played Ding, Dong, Ditch a few times."

Cotton adds, officially. "All children at home should be aware of the dangers of arson."

Neo sees the door for the nurse open. She enters, finding no sign of the bagpipe wielder. Interesting. Neo nods in greeting for the woman, which Boyd returns. "Well, I was certainly impressed by your performance." She gestures to the television in the room. Neo's unhappy grimace earns a chuckle. "Really. If you had abandoned Mr Maxwell, you could have made it well into the long game."

The undercover girl rolls her eyes, but stops upon seeing the snake enclosure nearby. It doesn't take much for her to know it's the same snake she'd had to wrestle back into the nurse's desk the night before. The reptile pokes its head out of the container, simply staring back at the mute.

Boyd gives a knowing look, pulling Neo's attention back. "Though, I can imagine a few reasons one would be so self sacrificial." The coy smirk spooks Neo, a light blush forming. "Ah, you don't need to worry. I'm not too terrible a gossip. People just don't want to spend that much time around me for some reason."

Neo sends a pointed look at the snake head poking from its container, given free reign over the medical counter.

A hearty laugh leaves the nurse at that, shaking her head. "No, dear. Everyone loves little Francis!" Neo's sullen glare at the beast that tried biting her just a day ago shows otherwise, but it only strengthens the nurse's mirth. She quickly starts the exam, turning Neo various ways and getting a quick scan of the girl's aura.

During this, Neo sends a short look to the case in the corner... one of the violet syringes is gone. There were four before. The single blue shot with the infinity symbol remains as well, which after Carmine's confirmation earlier, doesn't surprise her.

After only a few quick once overs, the woman steps in front of Neo with a smile. "Aura is still high, and no lasting injuries. Here!" She produces a small container with two pills. "For your throat. One now. One later."

Neo's gracious smile is rather forced, waiting for the woman to turn around before hastily pulling a gap in her shirt to put the pills in. Like hell she's gonna take anything from her after Carmine's confirmation earlier. Her face contorts to scrutiny while Boyd remains turned towards her snake. Said reptile still is staring dead at the girl, creeping her out.

The nurse smiles back at her and waves. "Enjoy the remainder of the tournament, Miss Carson."

Neo forces a grin as she leaves the room. However, the moment she's gone, her shatter illusion walks away. The real girl remains nearby ready to begin spying on the woman. However, before she can get ready, she misses Boyd's lip curling up. The woman's eye doesn't leave her snake.

She mutters softly. "Really?... Is that so?" The snake hisses at her while the woman hums with a smile. "Well, it cannot be helped then."

. . .

'Contestants remaining: 29'

Carmine lays low. The explosions and excitement around the arena rumble around him as he crouch runs through a gap in bushes. His gaze trails to find the barn absolutely encased in flames. Hell, he can feel the heat from here! What idiot set that off?

Questions for someone else to clean up.

His attention lands on the two story abandoned house near the massive radio tower. Judging by the smoking embers atop the metal tower, that likely would not be a great place to lay low. He just needs to conserve aura for now. Wait until the top twenty to start trying to get some attention. He doesn't need to be the standout player. Just needs to stand out as useful enough...

Getting within a short sprint of the house, he readies himself to-

BOOM!

The side wall of the house shatters off as a girl ricochets off the ground. Carmine stares wide eyed as Deonn and Dino leap out from the second level. Carmine groans and hangs his head. "No~... Frick..." He scoffs and sucks in a deep breath. Resigning himself, he straightens up and forces a large smile.

Time to channel Roman. Channel Roman. Channel the smarmy douchebag!

"Alright, let's cook this brat- Hey-aye!" Deonn lights up in glee. "Yo, Dino! Look who it is!" He steps out from the house, arms wide in a 'come at me' pose while walking.

Snorting, Carmine mimics the exact pose. "Well! If it isn't the March Hare and the Mad Hatter bullying Alice. Where's the Dormouse?"

Deonn twitches. "Oh, think you're clever making up names no one's heard of."

"Uh, Deonn? I think those are from a story." Dino mutters.

"Shut up! No one cares about stupid names."

The girl they'd just blasted from the house gets up with a wince. "My name actually IS Alice."

"Oh!" All three boys snap quick looks to her with their simultaneous exclamation. Coincidences, they guess.

Dino grins back to Carmine. "Well, where's Candi? She finally dump you?"

Carmine shrugs. "She told me to catch up after I waste you all. She was bored." He looks the girl in the eye and nods his head for her to rush off. The smaller girl nods in appreciation and leaves, the two other boys reacting too late.

"Hey! Get back- AH!" Deonn snarls, turning back on Carmine. "You really like playing a stupid hero, don't you? Idiot."

"Not nearly as much as you and your girl scouts love being daft cunts." Carmine wags his brow in a 'you know it's true' gesture. "Come on. Admit it, now. You're among friends." He teases.

Twitching angrily, Deonn huffs. "Dino, go get Doto's dumb ass and watch what happens. I want this idiot for me!"

"You got confidence?" Dino hypes up his tone, slapping the dark boy's back.

The faunus nods with a grin. "I got CONFIDENCE! Go on!" He grins and nods enough for his faunus hanging rabbit ears to flop like a hair whip! Dino laughs and rushes off. The dark boy rolls his shoulder, his aura flashing a dark gold around his right fist. "Any last words?"

Carmine's gaze follows Dino leaving. "Hold on." He mutters before cupping his mouth with his right hand. He shouts out. "Why do you run creepy, too? Slow down if you're gonna be Slender Man!" Satisfied when Dino nearly trips registering the insult, Carmine turns his attention back on Deonn. "Alright, you were saying?"

Deonn snarls. "Ignore me for the last time-"

BOOM!

Another section from the side of the house collapses out, flattening over Deonn and burying him in debris. Carmine's bugged out eyes absorb the faunus being erased from view under wood and chips. His jaw parts dumbly as he gives a dumbfounded stare. "Eh..?"

It's the lime haired girl with brown leather short shorts and a tight silver vest, all saturated in their color. She grins and winks yellow eyes at the boy, her dust loaded guitar in hand. "Heya there! You giving the idiots, trouble?" Her speech carries a southern girl accent, catching him off guard.

Carmine blinks twice. "Uh... yes?" He smiles and shakes himself off. "Sorry, name's Ca- Zane!" He corrects, almost giving his name honestly. "Zane M-Maxwell. You?"

She grins manic at him. "Jaina Hara!" She thrums a chord on her guitar as she leaps from the house roof and onto the ground by the boy. "Anyone who gets them in a tiff has a step ahead from me. They like ganging up on people, so hope you don't mind me makin' them reap what they sow." At that, Carmine grins wide for her.

"Cool! Thanks! By the way, why a guitar?" He points at her weapon with an innocent curiosity.

She doesn't get the chance to answer. Deonn's fist blasts out of the rubble, the boy ripping free as he comes to a halt. "What the heck, Jaina? You dumb idiot! This doesn't involve you!"

"I just want someone to explain why they made their weird weapons like this..." Carmine sulks, dejected. Jaina snickers beside him.

Another ding sounds. The group looks up to find the sign for contestants. 'Contestants Remaining: 22'

Well, maybe this can get fun. Carmine smirks at Deonn. "Tell you what. Me and you go at it, and when your backup dancers arrive, she jumps in for me." He looks to Jaina with a brow raised. "Sound okay?"

The girl chuckles and waves him on. "Fine. Be honorable. I'll tune up the band while you wait." She leans back and actually begins tuning the physical strings on the guitar.

Carmine and Deonn share a look, both double taking with the girl giving in before they shrug. Carmine readies himself as the faunus huffs. "Let's go, then. HA!" He charges the undercover boy, aura charging in his right hook. "Get some!"

The silver haired boy dodges, the charged fist releasing the aura! A plume of dirt and debris flows out as a shock wave warps the air. Carmine can only blink away the mirth, getting serious. This might be trouble.

. . .

"Oh boy." Taiyang snickers in the crowds. He shuffles around another path, several spectators occupying the space simply standing and exclaiming several observations. His students were performing remarkably well, bringing a sense of pride in the man. He makes a mental note to use the recordings to come up with constructive critiques for his classes.

Although, his pride primarily focuses on one in particular... Try as one may, favoritism is inevitable when blood is involved.

Speaking of! Where is his other one?

The man scans the seating, scouring for his target. Let's see. If he were a sugar black hole promised hot chocolate if he found ideal seating, where would he be..? Ah, well. He'll find her eventually. Quick check for the arena to see how the bigger one is doing.

Aha! He lights up. "Good right hooks. That makes three eliminations on her own." He then does a quick look at the different floating monitors above. His other students were in various scenarios. He pouts and mutters. "What did we talk about, Jade?" He looks to another, brightening. "Jaina? And..." He deflates. "Oh... Deonn and Zane..."

On the screen above him, he watches Carmine outmaneuvering Deonn, the faunus furiously giving pursuit! The faunus is using his semblance for close combat. Not surprising, given its purpose. The boy can store energy within existing matter, igniting it to the surface with impact. He uses this to charge energy inside his fist, primarily his right weapon's structure, for extremely powerful strikes.

He watches as Carmine warps out of the way of a punch, the missed strike wiping out the ground where he'd been. Deonn turns to find Carmine warp into place, throwing a roundhouse kick boosted with Jager. He uses his braced left arm to block and push Carmine back as he again gives pursuit.

Tai smirks. Deonn is one of the top fighters in his grade! Barring Doto and a particularly spirited blonde a year younger than them, Deonn is unsurpassed in martial arts among the Signal student body! Although, he can chalk the two above him as having large benefits with semblances. Semblances that directly counter Deonn's own.

Which brings his attention to Carmine. "Zane Maxwell..." He brings a hand to his chin in thought, watching the way Carmine fights. "A teleportation semblance. But, he seems to be appearing in odd places."

His brow pulls down as he focuses on the 'foreign' boy. Something is... familiar with him, but he just can't grasp it...

. . .

The ground splits with a crash, Carmine skidding back to a halt on his feet. He releases a light breath before smirking. "You gonna try hitting something today?"

The debris clears in a burst. "SHUT UP!" Deonn transforms his arm guards together into its assault rifle mode. "Here's hittin'!" He opens fire, a burst of shots spraying around the dodging boy!

Carmine narrowed spins around shots, raising his gun to return fire! Deonn breaks to his left, getting around the corner of the house for cover. Carmine's shots blow large portions of wood away. With a huff, Carmine fires a double shot. The double shot punches through the entire corner side of the building!

As the corner collapses down, Deonn is forced out of hiding. Rolling to a crouch aim, he sprays shots at Carmine, the boy flipping away and dodging shots by inches. Landing, he does a snap reload...

. . .

Tai's eyes squint on Carmine's snap reload. So... Zane's semblance can teleport his ammo as well? That's very interesting. The teacher in him is already racking his brain with ways to about nurturing a semblance like that.

However, each and every note he takes on the boy nags the back of his head. Like he knows this kid's power... Like he knows this kid...

. . .

Carmine snickers as he lands. A sweat drips down from exertion, but he's truly enjoying himself. It's so rare for fighting like this to not be so life threatening. It's... well... Maybe school and being around others like this wasn't nearly as frustrating as he always thought it'd be.

"Back here, idiot!"

The smirk washes off. Right. He'd have to deal with these idiots daily. He retracts that thought and sends it to burn in hell. He spares another glance at the contestant counter. 'Contestants Remaining: 11' Immediately after, the number drops to 10! A ding sounds, all the contestants halting momentarily.

Cotton's voice sounds out just enough for the teens to catch. "I don't think a boy's leg is supposed to turn that way, but Jesse Anders has been... folded by the young Arlong!"

"Bending that way is a definite ouch!" Pepe adds with quite a large amount of pep.

Carmine rolls his eyes. So, head count. Himself, Jaina, Deonn, and presuming the other idiots are still here, that makes up half of the top ten. He just needs to eliminate the idiots, then he should be fine to drop out! "Alright, so ignoring someone apparently getting turned into a pretzel, you ready to actually take this serious-"

He's cut off as a burning disc strikes his back. Carmine is launched forward into the dirt in a large hit. Painfully, he looks around, seeing Dino's fire disc bouncing back... It then warps into the ground, passing through the grassy dirt like it wasn't there.

"Whatizgoin baby! Woo!" Dino shouts as he pulls his weapon out from the ground. Much in the same way as it entered the dirt, it passes up like a specter as he takes possession of it. Doto isn't with him...

Groaning, Carmine gets to his feet. "What is going on with your head? What happened to a fair fight?"

Deonn snorts. "Whatever. I'm over it." He glances Dino. "Where's Doto's dumb ass?"

The lanky boy snorts. "Lapis from class B sucker punched him and ran! Doto took offense and said 'let me talk to him' before going after the little idiot." He waves Deonn off. "He knows where we are, so let his dumb ass take his time." He spins in place, power throwing his disc weapon ahead! The weapon zips over the ground, a streak of flames as it closes in on the unprepared boy.

A guitar chord blares loudly, a charged shot of lightning dust fires like a canon! The disc is blasted on the broad side, half burying it into the dirt.

Deonn looks over. "Ah, crap-" He grabs Dino and dodges away as another loud blaring note sounds. A charged dust cast blast strikes like lightning, scorching the grass! The two idiots recover, glaring up. Jaina leaps down, landing by Carmine.

"See what happens when you play fair?" She says amused to Carmine as she offers him a hand.

Carmine snorts. "Prove that they have no nuts? Probably worth it." He takes her hand as she laughs and helps him up. "Alright... Uh, what can you do? Strategize and all?" He awkwardly asks.

The girl winks and holds her guitar up. A quick glance at the weapon, and he sees that the chords decide which dust is charged up the instrument's neck. She casts the dust from there, using whichever element comes. Maybe even dust combinations. "I got a good gauge on you, so just stay out of my way, and we'll be fine."

He smirks. "Okay, now, what can the skinny guy do?" He asks as Dino warps the ground again, pulling his weapon up from the ground to re-arm himself. "Some type of spacial semblance?"

"Good eye." Jaina nods and whispers. "He can pick a space and create a flat portal to another point of his picking. He uses his weapon like a spinning death saucer sorta thing that he can use portals to redirect and get back." She then wrinkles her nose in disgust. "His verbal tick is annoying when he does it."

"What are you-" Carmine is cut off as the flaming disc warps through the ground under them. Both jerk back and dodge repeatedly as the saucer warps through the air at multiple angles, chasing them!

"Wh-wh-whatizgoin over here! Hey!" Dino calls out as he tries to hit them. The air ripples beside him as he passes his hand through the shimmer, producing his disc again!

Both teens glare at the lanky boy. "That..." Jaina says with disdain.

Suddenly, the air ripples directly in front of them as Deonn warps through, hitting both Carmine and Jaina with a double clothesline! He sends both tumbling into the large house, landing in the wreck of a living room. Deonn snorts. "Eat that, losers!"

Dino gives an obnoxious laugh as he settles by his friend. "Combos, man! We got them!"

Carmine and Jaina both give scathing glares as they pick themselves off the ruins what must have been a sofa. Carmine sends a dull look at her. "Hit after I knock them back." He warps away himself. Recall.

He reappears directly in front of the two boys, in a position he'd been during one of his dodges before! Suddenly, each boy is met in the face with one of Carmine's heels, followed by a Jager boost! Both are launched back.

Seeing her opportunity, Jaina blares a riff on her guitar, earth dust channels out! A booming thrum rumbles through her and into the ground! The rumble surges past Carmine's feet to the two before earth dust warps. Twin earth spikes jab up into Deonn and Dino. ("HARDCORE COUNTRY!")

Jaina snickers, playing a tune as the guitar neck shifts dust colors. "Oh! Look at that!" She speaks in a mocking tone, fake surprise. (Slow beat guitar and drums build.)

"We got combos!" Carmine adds in a similar tone to the girl, throwing the idiots' words back. The two opposing boys snarl as they stand back up! Carmine clicks his tongue, making a 'come here' gesture. ("Hey, hey can't you see?" "I'm a rockin' southern girl runnin' wild and free!")

"That's it! Dino, let's cook 'em!" Deonn charges. Behind him, Dino spin throws his disc weapon directly behind the faunus! The disc disappears in a warp in the air! ("Hey, ya'll walkin' through the door!" "High-class style country to the core!" Beat ramps into chorus)

Directly in front of Carmine, the disc warps out. He whips back, the disc passing over him before disappearing in another warp. It reappears above, coming straight down at the boy! ("Hardcore country!" "Backwoods or uptown~")

He Jager boosts aside, the disc striking the ground! Deonn grabs it mid stride, throwing it with his off hand after Carmine. Jaina reacts, striking a chord and blasting out channeled fire dust! ("Hardcore country!" "Rockin' your world with a thrillbilly sound~")

The blast ricochets the disc aside. She then aims the guitar neck at the charging faunus. The neck lights blue, blasting ice! ("Hills and stones~... Junior and Jones..!")

Deonn tanks the hit, his charged semblance energy in his body as his hikes his fist up. The ice shatters as he throws a right hook! "Eat this! BOWER!" Jaina's ice cast forms a statue replacement of her as she leaps away. The punch shatters the statue as she steps back. ("One thing I'll always be... is Hardcore country!" Beat dies down to final verse)

The ground under her shimmers as she falls through it! Dino's semblance! She falls out onto the ground between both boys! Dino grabs out his disc weapon and attempts to bash it into her from one side, Deonn attempting to punch her on the other. ("Hey, hey can't you see? A rockin' southern girl in designer jeans!)

Carmine fires two shots off, striking Dino's weapon and Deonn's side before they double hit the girl. Jaina riffs a chord, lightning dust charging up the guitar neck as she smirks. ("Hey ya'll in a 4 by 4! Diamonds in her heart. Country to the core!" Final chorus begins)

Holding the neck up, the guitar acts as an electric coil, lightning sparks arcing off and jolting both close boys off. She then shifts her grip, the lightning now charging the man body. ("Hardcore country!" "Backwoods or uptown~")

"How's this for 'Bower', jerk!" She wields the guitar from the neck like a lightning hammer and baseball swings the instrument into Deonn's gut. ("Hardcore country!" "Rockin' your world with a thrillbilly sound~")

The faunus is launched up, at risk of falling out of the arena. "Dino! Save!" He shouts out. Dino tries to focus, but Carmine missile kicks him forward. Dino rolls with the kick, unable to locate Deonn. ("Hills and stones~... Junior and Jones..!")

"Dino!" Deonn's voice raises an octave, but it's too late as Carmine aims up and shoots the airborne faunus. Deonn is further launched off the edge of the arena and into the water. ("One thing I'll always be... is Hardcore country!" music plays out)

"Deonn!" Dino shrieks. He backs up as Carmine and Jaina line up against him. The boy and girl share a glance before giving a high five! Dino gives a nervous look as he steps back. Then he notices something behind them... "Bout time..."

Carmine and Jaina are both caught off guard as a newcomer kicks into Carmine from behind. Doto lands, twin sai in both hands as he strikes at Jaina. The girl blocks with her guitar, getting knocked off balance.

Dino smirks, whip throwing his burning disc weapon. It warps in space, reappearing beside Jaina as her focus is on Doto. With a fiery blast, the girl is hit and thrown off her feet! And off the side of the arena. Carmine recovers, moving to the edge attempting to reach for the girl. "No!"

He's too late. She falls into the water below, Carmine, Dino, and Doto all three near the edge looking over. A good deal of space between them. Doto calls down to Deonn below, who is scowling in the water. "Deonn! Why you getting eliminated, bro?"

The faunus swims in place with a furious look up. Jaina emerges from the water near him as he calls up. "Yall know exactly why!" He jabs an accusatory finger up at Carmine while he sends a side glare at Jaina. "Exactly why!"

Carmine purses his lips. "Because you're a blow hard target asking for an ass kicking?" Dino and Doto snicker at that.

The faunus scoffs. "Course not." The dark boy then flicks a finger in his rabbit ears. "Racism."

The CRBN boy's eyes bug out. "Rac- Bullshit!" He sputters out at the idiot. "Screw you!"

"Screw you!" Deonn shouts back up at him. A professor at a nearby opening is flagging Deonn and Jaina over.

Said girl grumpily rolls her eyes. "Oh, Shut. Up Deonn!" The girl swims for the opening as Deonn unhappily follows.

On the arena, Carmine is flabbergasted, shaking his head and giving the remaining two boys an incredulous look. "The hell? Does he just say that anytime he loses first?"

Dino and Doto share a glance, then shrug and nod. Doto answers. "Yeah, kinda." They share a small chuckle before they send cocky glances at Carmine... It takes only a second for Carmine to remember. "Now, let's get to it."

"P-pardon?" Carmine nervously responds. He boosts back with Jager, sliding on the ground to a stop a good distance away from the two. This is bad... As if in answer, he can hear the commentators over the intercom.

"Mr Bower has been eliminated by the impromptu team of Mr Maxwell and Miss Hara. However, it would see young Dino and Doto have capitalized and eliminated Miss Hara! We now only have four finalists!" Cotton's voice rings.

Wait... That can't be right.

Pepe's voice chimes in. "I'm hanging by the edge of my seat! All out remaining fighters are colliding!"

"We're top four?" Doto questions before lighting up in excitement. "We're top four, my dude!" He clasps Dino's arm as the two grin in excitement.

Carmine looks around the arena. Sure enough. 'Contestants Remaining: 4'

Dino chuckles. "What other idiot is left for us to cook?"

Pepe's voice once more announces. "For the people at home, we only have four remaining fighters. We have the aspiring DJ 'whatizgoin' Dino Styles!" A collection of cheers come from the crowds, making the lanky boy grin cocky. "We have sleek and stylish, good at the game Doto Reeds."

At the crowd cheering, Doto plays slick and smooth. "I know. I know. I got the reads. I got this." Carmine resists the urge to smirk at that. The commentary continues around them.

"We have the foreigner, the lone stranger, Zane Maxwell!" Carmine blushes as another section of the crowd cheers. Cheers for him! That's... it's rather nice, actually. He shrinks under the gaze and offers a slight wave for the people.

"And last but not least. We have Signal's very own third year Golden Dragon... Yang Xiao Long!"

Dino and Doto both pale. Dino jolts. "You GOTTA be kidding me-"

"Oh no! That ain't good." Doto's voice tightens as he freezes rigid.

Carmine cocks his head at them. "Huh?"

Behind him, the blonde girl leaps over the destroyed house, propelling herself with shotgun blasts firing off her fist bracers! The girl lands on the ground near Carmine and flashes a large grin. "Sup!" She stands straight, punching both fists into each other as a fiery pulse briefly emanates from her. Her lilac eyes then blink, looking to see Carmine. "Oh, hey you!"

Yang Xiao Long

Age – 15

Two years before Beacon entry

Carmine's eyes blink wide. "... Xiao Long?"

Yang snorts, rubbing a finger under her nose cocky. "Yeah! Can't you tell? Blonde hair, outrageous power, and a great sense of humor?" She winks at the end.

"Your humor sucks! It's all pun based!" Dino snaps at her before shrinking in towards Doto. "Uh, Doto, can I talk to you in private real quick?" The two uneven boys hunker down in the corner by the house, leaving Carmine and Yang alone. "Doto, this is bad. We've never beaten her in one on ones, and she has that other idiot with her."

Doto nods solemnly. "We can't change it, but you know what? I'm feelin' confi-DONCE!" He pronounces the word wrong in an almost regal way as he holds up a fist. "We got this. I mean, he's only been here a day, so it's not like he'll already have her in his corner or any-"

The two quit their conspiratorial conversation as they hear Carmine speak happily to Yang.

"You know, I actually thought you were the hungover student they talked about earlier."

Yang scoffs. "No! I'm responsible, unlike Bailey. Besides... I couldn't convince the bartender to give me anything hard." She ends in a huff as she kicks at the dirt.

Carmine snickers. "Maybe she gets special treatment ordering herself the Bailey's?" He quips, referring quite badly to the Bailey's alcoholic beverage. Yang snorts at that.

"I gotta remember that one!" She laughs with it. "But I warn you. You're threatening a pun master."

"I'll take that challenge! By the way, explain your weapon!" Carmine beams looking at the golden metal bracers on the girl. "Shotgun fire dust punches?! That's so cool!"

She cranks the right weapon. "It's name is Ember Celica! And what about you, Mr double barrel? And what's with the ankle armor?"

Carmine gleefully beams, holding up his gun. "Well, first off, my gun's name is Heulin Noon..."

Yang snorts a laugh before bellowing out. "Really?! 'Howl' noon?! That's great!" She laughs.

"What the hell?!" Dino shrieks. "You know each other?!" The two other teens share a look, shrug, then nod back. Dejected. Dino hunkers back down with Doto. "You were saying, idiot?"

The entire time, Doto's face remains hard and stoic. Despite the serious stone face, his voice raises an octave. "Well, that ain't good..." He shakes it off, arm around Dino as he forces a smile. "But let's con-vert this conflict to confidence!" He shouts out in proclamation. "We'll do this tag style!"

Carmine leans to Yang, muttering under his breath. "No one gonna comment on him saying 'con-vert' instead of convert?" Yang smirks and shakes her head.

"Let him be him." She directs her attention to the two idiots. "Tag style, huh? Why can't we just brawl and be done with it?"

It's Carmine's turn to conspiratorially whisper to her. "I, uh, actually had a bet with their group over whose side would outlast the other, so..."

She blinks. "Wow... guys..." She shakes her head. "What's at stake?"

"Our money!" Dino cries.

"Our dignity!" Doto exclaims with a raised fist.

"One of those is fictional." Carmine mutters then clarifies. "If I win, they have to lottery style pay for underclassmen lunches for the semester instead of bullying."

Yang whistles out, impressed. "Dang! I'm in!" Dino and Doto jolt back in fright, making the girl grin. "We win, and the first three days you're paying for my sister's lunches. She LOVES the cookies by the way."

"You can't hijack our bet!" Dino jabs an accusatory finger at her, but she stands tall with her hands on her hips.

"Accept it, and I'll forget about you three insulting her eyes." Her gaze narrows dangerously, tone dipping dangerously. Carmine could swear her orbs flashed red for a split second.

Doto kicks the dirt and mumbles. "I don't know what you're talkin' about. That was Deonn's dumb ass-" Yang remains unfazed by his pathetic defense. He sighs. "Alright, fine. We accept. Let's do this! No designated corners. Hand tags for switches. Only those tagged in can throw hands, my dudes!"

. . .

The crowd was starting to get annoyed. The kids had stopped for now a few minutes as they just talked! Tai was able to feel the growing annoyance simmer in the crowd as he watches his daughter seem to get along swimmingly with Zane. Not surprising, seeing how he made a point of making enemies out of all her own enemies.

Still, he was bugged by the nagging feeling watching the silver haired boy. If not for the blue eyes, he would be the spitting image of Ozpin! A comparison that quite frankly shocked him. There were small mannerisms that almost reminded him of the old man too.

Chin up in thought, a part of him wonders if Oz has ever had any one night stands... No. He dismisses that quickly. Ozpin would be a wine and dine gentleman that likely knows every single brand of drink. Somehow. Still, where did he know this boy from?

Nearby is the commentator desk. Cotton scrutinizes the children slowly getting shown across all the monitors of the arena. "Ladies and Gentlemen, it appears that our final four are negotiating in some way. The people are getting restless. Some... more than others." He looks over, pensive.

Pepe sits up on his knee on the chair as it swivels in place! "The people want blood, Cotton! We came for hardcore-" His tone calms as he says sweetly. "-safe, wholesome, sportsman-" His voice intensifies. "-Violence!" He swings on the chair and holds his mic up. "Let's get an explosive finish! F n' A!"

Cotton raises a brow. "I see someone took an upper." He then looks to the arena, pausing. "Now, folks, we have a development."

Dino and Doto high five as Doto steps forward. He stretches and limbers up. Dino moves back and leans against a rock. Across from them, Yang and Carmine share a look, words going between them as they gesture back and forth.

"It would seem our competitors have a different rule set in mind."

"Spectacle?" Pepe shouts out, leaning forward. "Showman whimsy?"

Cotton smirks. "I do believe the teens have decided on... an impromptu tag bout. The foreign powerhouse and golden dragon vs our two senior devils!" He nods his head to Pepe. "Spectacle enough for you?"

Pepe slaps the back of his hand into his other palm. "Bring the energy and the pain, baby!"

. . .

"So... what's Doto's semblance?" Carmine whispers to Yang as the short martial artist steps forward.

The girl groans. "It's a time based semblance."

He cuts in, amused. "Oh! I know about those."

"He can activate it by taking a second to focus. The semblance shows him in his head the next three seconds of his own perceived time. He then can counter whatever is gonna happen." Yang explains unhappily. "You either gotta power through him or make him predict the wrong moment. It takes him a bit to use the focus again."

Carmine whistles. "Okay. That's a first on that." He then waves his hand forward. "Ladies first?" He smirks.

Yang rolls her eyes with an amused smirk. "Oh. A gentleman. How studly." She snorts as she takes a wide stance. A grin pulls. "You won't get any fun this way."

The boy steps back, resting his gun arm up as he nods. "Hey, if you beat them both on your own, I get to laugh at them. Win win."

Doto grins back at Yang. "Oh, back to the classic match up! Throwin' hands like fun times!" He spins his twin sai in hand before settling one in a forward grip, the other reverse grip.

Yang snorts. "Don't get upset when you don't measure up." She winks. The short joke processes as Doto purses his lips and scowls. She gives no time for him to quip back as he surges forward! The girl throws a right jab. Doto deflects. Another jab, deflected again!

The show of action gets the crowd roaring yet again, but Yang continues throwing strike after strike as Doto maintains steady defense! Doto times a block using one sai pommel, then swipes with the other! Yang blocks the sai swipe up, counter punching...

Doto's eyes blink shut... just a fraction of a second longer than normal.

His semblance.

The boy's eyes snap open as he tilts his head. Yang's fist flies by his ear, a shotgun shot blasting by him! He punches the pommel of his sai into Yang's gut! She stumbles, but presses on. She advances on him, throwing three more punches with shots popping off each jab!

Doto takes a high block, once more blinking his eyes just that bit too slowly. He redirects her punch up as he drops. He kicks out her forward leg, dropping her to a knee. He then capoeira kicks her in the chest, sending her rolling back.

Yang rolls onto her feet, hand rubbing her chest as she growls. Behind her, Carmine blinks twice, processing the moves.

The boy raises to his feet, smile beaming. "Yeah! I'd say I'm having fun! I got READS, dude!"

Before the girl can charge again, Carmine chimes in. "Let me." He walks up, slap tagging his hand off Yang's left fist. Tag in. Carmine steps up. Yang raises a brow, but steps back. Carmine takes a wide stance, spinning Heulin Noon on his finger in his left hand. "Try reading me." He whips his weapon hand forward!

Doto smirks and blinks. His semblance activates as he chops up with his sai. Mid swipe, he knocks Heulin Noon from the boy's hand entirely, then jabs. Carmine's off hand catches the jab with his off hand. He throws a left elbow, Doto using his off hand to block.

The two jerk apart, both stumbling back in their own spins. Carmine boosts with Jager into a roundhouse kick. Doto blinks again. He ducks and pushes up, his upward strike hitting the kick and throwing Carmine back into a flip. Carmine twists and lands, gritting his teeth.

Doto lets out a laugh. "Yes! You can't even touch me! Go ahead. Try. Try something."

Carmine obliges, sprinting back in and leaping into a spinning series of kicks. He spares a glance above at the airborne revolver. Closing on Doto, he moves into more kicks.

His opponent does the slow blink.

Timed right, Carmine recalls, blinking back a split second's time. He instead moves into a different kick from the left rather than the right! Doto's eyes snap open in shock as he flails to dodge. "WAH!" He stumbles on his back foot!

Carmine moves into another kick, landing it off the bald boy's head. "Got you!" The kick sends Doto back, but the bald boy transforms his weapons into pistols, opening fire. The shots knock Carmine back, both boys sliding away and steadying themselves on their feet.

"Whoa! What was that?" Doto exclaims. He looks shocked! "My semblance has never felt like THAT."

"Aren't time semblances fun?" Carmine grins wide. "I think so, anyway." He recalls Heulin Noon in hand, aims, and fires.

The air shimmers by Doto, Dino's disc warping out and blocking the shot! Dino passes through, slap tagging Doto's hand. He then spin throws his disc at Carmine. "Tag, baby! Whatizgoing-" Carmine barely twists out if the way of the fire disc.

Dino kicks him in the gut as he straightens up. Carmine rolls to his feet and returns fire. The air warps, and Dino retrieves his weapon to block. Carmine himself warps this time, recalling closer to the enemy boy. Appearing right in front of Dino, he grabs hold of Dino's disc and rolls back. Dino yelps as Carmine roll throws Dino with his weapon.

He hits the ground hard, the lanky boy groggy. "Ow..." Ahead of him, Carmine aims at him. Behind Carmine, Doto waves him on to tag in! Dino warps the surface of the ground, shoving his hand to stick out of the ground by Doto. "Tag!" He calls out as Doto takes the hand.

Carmine's face scrunches confused, but Dino pulls Doto up through the ground with the warp! Doto leaps in and kicks the surprised boy. As Doto and Carmine exchange hand to hand, Dino turns to find Yang punching down at him.

"Ah!" He lets himself fall into his warp in the ground, rising behind the other two boys as a fire dust shot blasts through the warp after him, barely missing. "Foul attack!" He calls as he jabs a finger at Yang.

She grins. "You got on the wrong side."

"We don't have designated sides!" Dino cries back, livid. Yang rolls her eyes and smirks at the melee between Carmine and Doto.

Carmine faces his back to Yang, left hand raised to fire at Doto. His right bends behind his back. Yang's gaze falls to his hand as he flicks his fingers for her. Asking for a tag. Yang smirks. (Three quick base beats followed by a pause. The next three beats are higher.)

Yang surges forward. Carmine fires his gun for Doto to dodge, then lurches aside as Yang tags his hand. Her fist raises to attack the surprised Doto. (then three lower notes play, then three original notes build to first verse. Drums and guitar add in)

Unprepared, Yang lands three quick shotgun jabs! On the fourth, Doto ducks, reorienting himself as he blocks the fifth. Patting her fist aside, he counter punches her back. ("Come at me, and you'll see... I'm more than meets the eye!")

Stumbling back, Yang throws a fire dust shot. Doto dodges, but it buys Yang enough to straighten and start throwing more shots. Doto is sent flipping back. ("You think that you'll break me! You're gonna find in time-")

Mid flip, Doto passes through a warp in the air. Appearing by Dino, they tag as Dino charges through. He deflects one fire dust shot with his disc before throwing it at her! ("-You're standing too close to a flame that's burning Hotter than the sun in the middle of July!")

Yang double fires both gauntlets down, launching herself up over the disc! The disc passes through another warp, appearing under Yang up towards her! Yang then double fires herself forward, directly at Dino! ("Sending out your army, but you still can't win. Listen up, silly boy, 'cause I'm gonna tell you why~!" Build to chorus)

Dino dodges forward, Yang smashing the ground behind him. He warps the air in front of Yang, his disc flying through at her face. The girl bashes the disc up, popping it flipping like a coin. She shifts herself as it falls down before punching it back to Dino like a projectile. ("I burn!" "Can't hold me now, And you're not stopping me-")

Dino yelps, ducking and barely managing to grab the grip on the broad side of his weapon passing over him. Pulling up, Yang is back on him! He blocks two punches, then shield bashes her off balance. He wears the disc as a shield and spin swipes, using the fire saw to slash. ("I burn!" "Swing all you want. Like a fever, I will take you down!" Music plays out to next verse)

Yang blocks, getting knocked back a short distance. She halts herself, then dodges a second slash. The flame saw clips a small lock of hair... Failing to notice, Yang dodges again and punches Dino back. She holds her hand out for Carmine as he tags in. (Music break plays through to bridge into verse two.)

Yang throws Carmine at Dino! The CRBN boy Jager boosts into a kick, sending Dino tumbling along the ground. Carmine stands tall, waiting. ("Reign supreme? In your dreams! You'll never make me bow!")

Dino snarls as he stands and throws his disc to attack! However, before it goes far, it enters a warp. The disc warps out behind Carmine, but the boy smirks. ("Kick my ass? I'm world-class, And Super Saiyan now-")

Carmine drops. As the disc flies forward over him, he aims Heulin Noon at the warp behind him! He fires into the warp, his double shot coming out the other side directly in front of Dino! The resulting explosion blasts Dino away! ("You're starting up a fight that you just can't finish. Watch the little hearts while they scrape you off the floor!")

Dino embeds into a nearby rock, head hanging. Cotton's voice calls over the intercom! "My! That last hit knocked Mr Styles' aura in the red! He's unable to continue!" ("Bringing out your rockets? Well, shoot 'em up, baby! High as you can go, but I'm the one who's gonna soar~!")

"Dino!" Doto exclaims in fright! He gulps, looking up to find one of the arena monitors showing Dino's aura meter in the red. Bugged out eyes, Doto's voice is resigned. "Alright. Well!" ("I burn!" "Can't hold me now, And you're not stopping me-")

He turns to see Carmine smirking at him. Doto shakes off the nervous sweat. "I got this! Let's talk!" He leaps at the boy. ("I burn!" "Swing all you want. Like a fever, I will take you down!")

Doto switches one sai into gun mode. Carmine redirects the gun to fire and miss, then aims his own gun. Doto knocks Heulin Noon up to miss its shot with his sai, then aims to fire again. ("It doesn't have to be this way. Let's kiss and make up, then you'll learn!

The two trade attempts to fire their guns point blank, each redirecting aim with their off hands. Doto slow blinks, his semblance activating as he ducks another shot and strikes both weapons into Carmine's gut! ("You can fight your life away. I get what I want, so don't bother and just watch me burn...")

Carmine is splayed out, grunting in pain but annoyed. "Your turn!" He holds his hand up as Yang tags past him! ("Hotter than the sun, feel my fire! Pyromaniac, my desire!")

Doto shuffles his feet before settling into a stance. She charges to take the bait. He uses his semblance again, fluidly catching her her charge! ("Thought that you could see the truth, 'Til I just burned down the booth!")

Yang gets hip tossed over him, slammed into the ground. Not missing a beat, she blasts up to her feet as he Doto frantically parries multiple punches. ("Human Torch, can't fuck with me. Johnny Blaze: Suspect B.")

Eyes blinking again, Doto knocks both Yang's arms wide. He switches his grip to bash Yang with both sai pommels! Yang's eyes flash red as they hit her gut. ("Scorch 'em quick, lightning fast. Melt them bitches down to ash-")

A flash of fire burns off her aura, gone in a second. Doto's hit doesn't budge her an inch! Yang shoves him off balance and advances! ("Gasoline, kerosene. Strike a match, ignite the scene.")

Advancing like a brute, Yang ignores multiple attempts to manipulate her punches. Doto frantically changes from blocks or parries to straight dodging. ("Things will never be the same. Feel the fury of my flame!")

Yang's red eyes flash dangerous as every odd punch starts to land. The fire dust bursts on each strike begins knocking Doto odd balance, almost flailing. ("Beg for mercy, it won't help. Embrace the ending you were dealt!")

Doto closes his eyes for his semblance again, but Yang doesn't strike. Instead, her eyes flash back to lilac as she holds her hand out. ("Seems you chumps will never learn. Now sit back and watch me burn!")

Carmine tags past her, landing a jump kick the second Doto opens his eyes again! He's sent tumbling back. Groggy, Doto slowly collects himself and pushes up on his feet. (Instrumental solo plays bridging to final chorus)

Frantic, Doto switches his weapons to gun mode and opens fire. Carmine power slides under the bullet barrage and up kicks his heel into the bald boy's jaw. "Serve's up!" ("I burn!" "Can't hold me now, And you're not stopping me-")

Doto knocked up, Yang leaps over, grinning wide. "It's GOOD!" She strikes Doto in the gut in a superman punch, launching the boy clear of the arena. ("I burn!" "Swing all you want. Like a fever, I will take you down!" Music plays out.)

Doto's rag dolling body hits the wall of the moat, sticking for a second before slipping down into the water below! The crowd's uproarious cheers ring out for several seconds until Doto's head comes from the water gasping. A deep frown marred his features. "Aw... my hoagie..." Right beside him, Dino's lanky form smacks into the water. Doto jolts. "Ah!" He dives underwater for several seconds.

Atop the arena, peeking over the edge, Carmine and Yang watch, waiting. Yang is smirking while Carmine's brow furrows. He begins counting his fingers how long they've been underwater... are they okay?

Doto breaks from the water, Dino in his arms. "Ah! Dino!" The lanky boy is in a daze, mouth hanging open as both water and drool drips out. "Wake up and start kicking! I'm not comfortable enough to do the jaws of life, my dude!"

The two remaining fighters watch the two swim for the nearest exit for eliminated contestants. Carmine mutters. "They gonna be okay?"

Yang waves his concerns away. "Yeah, they're just dramatic." She stands straighter, holding up her fist. "What works?"

Carmine lights up! After all the times Roman repeatedly shoots this phrase down! He grins and reciprocates it. "Teamwork!"

The two stand straighter as the crowd of cheers continue to ring. Several sections of the people are near a standing ovation. Out in the open, bathing in the sheer attention, Yang blinks in pleasant surprise, but Carmine shrinks, scratching at his head nervous.

The commentators themselves clap in praise. Pepe has the largest grin of the crowd. Cotton sends him a knowing look. "Did the spectacle hold up, Pepe?"

"That was rad~!" He holds it out, sounding spent of energy.

Back with Yang and Carmine, the blonde bumps him. "Come ~on! Stand out! Be the bee's knees. You're the silver medal after all."

Ignoring the terrible saying from her mouth, Carmine processes the rest of her statement. His eyes trail up. 'Contestants Remaining: 2' "Oh shit... We ARE the last two." He sends a glance at her.

She gives a cocky smirk, an excited glint in her eyes. "Let's pick the best spot!" The two turn to find a spot away from the wrecked house. She sends a look over, raising a brow. "You take a bad hit to the head? That's not blood is it?"

Carmine blinks... He feels his head...

No blood. Passing one of the house's shattered windows, he looks at his head. His crimson red roots are showing. The hair dye is rubbing off! He forces a large grin. "Y-Yeah! It's healed with aura healing now, so let's just get this done and over with. Eh hehe." He nervously sweats, praying to god that she doesn't call attention to it...

Yang shrugs and continues. "Okay, then."

. . .

Taiyang's eyes widen. He stands from the seat he'd taken. "Oh, crap..." Silver tips with crimson roots. He stands frozen for a few seconds processing. Why is he here? Where are the others? What is he doing on Patch? Is something else wrong around here? Is-

Wait.

He's about to fight Yang.

The man pales. His hand can't produce his scroll fast enough as he hastily opens his contacts and hits call. The tone rings twice before the receiver picks up. "Yo. Tai? Did Yang do something stupid in the tournament?" Qrow's voice comes through the line.

"I don't care what Ozpin has you doing. Can you make it to Patch soon?" Tai says, voice tight.

A short pause comes before Qrow responds. "I just got another bounty mission finished up. I was gonna head in within an hour or so to celebrate with you guys for Yang. Something happen-"

Tai cuts his best friend, brother off. "Stow any pit stops. This is serious." He moves away from his seating. He needs to find a spot to find Carmine as soon as the tournament ends. "Carmine Uhlric is about to fight Yang in the tournament."

. . .

Underground, Miss Boyd's eyes stare intently at the monitor. The two other boys had yet to arrive for medical checkups. She needed to finish the evaluation. A small amount of papers in her hand were chalked full of notes as she marked off various thoughts and comments over the course of the matches.

Within her medical room, Neo remains... A shatter illusion of a counter extension over her. She remains tense, waiting for a good glimpse of the paper.

A ring sounds off, Miss Boyd answering a scroll call. "Yes." She answers curt. All traces of kindness, passion, warmth, replaced by a hollow cold chill in her voice. "Yes, I've been evaluating several." A long pause comes as the nurse continues to listen. "Yes. I already have one. I'm about to have another ready."

Neo's gaze narrows.

"Yes. I'll have one more ready before I head over. Whichever child places second will be my last pick." She pauses. "Understood." She hangs up.

Before Neo can truly go over the details of what was spoken, noise rings out. Doto enters into the room. "Hey, Miss B! I'm gonna need some ointment cuz I got cooked!"

Neither the boy, nor the nurse notice Neo's hiding spot as they perform a quick evaluation. Miss Boyd smiles pleasantly as she states. "You're going to be fine. The things most bruised today are egos, I'm sure."

Doto slumps. "Aw, you don't have to do me dirty like that." He sulks.

She chuckles. "Go on to the third level with the others. Mr Bower is up there already, and send in Mr Styles."

The bald boy chuckles. "I won't tell Dino you got Francis out! Later!" He leaves the room, Boyd laughing amused.

A moment passes before Dino enters the room swaying. "I'm beat..." He sits down, but does perk as the beautiful nurse begins her physical evaluation. "Ugh, can I please get some pain killers?"

Miss Boyd smiles, but her eyes... Neo's heart sinks noticing the intent. The nurse retrieves the box in the corner. A violet filled syringe is in her hand. "Sit still for me." She says softly. The boy, completely unaware of his surroundings, relaxes...

He tenses and chokes as the syringe injects into the base of his neck! His hand comes up, weak, but falls limp soon after. His eyes gloss over as he slumps in the seat. Neo is wide eyed watching it all happen before her. A back flap of the medical room opens as a man in sunglasses enters. Miss Boyd looks at him and loses her entire welcoming demeanor.

"Here's the second one. His semblance is perfect for infiltration and utility." The man nods, picking up the boy and carrying him through the back opening directly by Neo's hiding spot. The girl forgets to breath, keeping completely still.

The nurse leaves her papers on the counter as she spares the man one more look as he leaves. "The last one will be the next one in here. Then, you leave. Fast as you can." A second later, Miss Boyd spares a pet to her snake, then leaves it at its enclosure. She leaves the room, Neo finding herself alone...

The girl pokes her head out. That settles it. AZRL confirmed! She looks to the papers left on the counter. Categories and scores... Names...

'Subtlety, Control, Forethought, Execution, and Adaptability'

The very same five categories she herself was graded on within AZRL. The grading to determine theoretic pricing to begin auction. She glances at the bottom. 'Zane Maxwell' and 'Yang Xiao Long'. Both are candidates for the final catch.

She sucks a breath in. Carmine isn't planning on winning, so he's definitely going to be the next catch.

Neo quickly hides again as Miss Boyd reenters the room. Damn. She'd really wanted to see what Miss Boyd graded Carmine at... Competitive natures and all that. Still, there's one detail within the room that Neo didn't take notice of.

The snake, Francis, was staring intently at her corner.

. . .

Carmine comes to a halt by a granite rock face. The obstacle walls off a section of the arena with its top acting as an elevated level. He glances around his surroundings. A short distance off is the four pillar base of the mostly ruined radio tower. The top levels of the pillar are shredded from combat. "So, how's this for the spot?" He asks.

Even knowing he'll have to throw the fight, that doesn't mean he isn't going to have fun. He smirks at the girl as she stands by the closest pillar leg of the tower. "Eh? It'll do." She sends a cocky sneer.

"Our finalists have selected their battlefield. You can feel the anticipation rising. One more elimination will crown this year's Patch Champion!" Cotton's voice rings out with a chorus of cheers. "Now, with so little confusion from multiple fights, we can even pick up these teens smack talk!"

Pepe's excitement chimes in. "F'n A, Cotton! F'n A!"

Both Yang and Carmine glance around blinking. Several of the planted cameras on the arena are still functioning, now aiming at them. Closer inspection of the nearest camera embedded in the granite rock face shows a small microphone built into the camera. "They can hear us now?" Carmine says in a quiet voice.

"Indeed, young man." Cotton's voice answers, jolting Carmine in embarrassment. Some laughter in the crowds comes at the boy's blush on stage.

"Friggin expensive putting mics everywhere." Carmine remarks.

"What Mike? I already eliminated him." Yang chimes in with an evil grin.

"..." The arena goes silent.

A voice calls out... Is that Deonn? "Ah, no! Is she bout to open mic night with puns?!"

Carmine loosens up as a small smile pulls at him. "What's wrong? She's just Yang'in your chains."

"Uh..." A collected chorus of groans start to build.

The blonde beams a smile. "Hey Zane! With all those idiots talk about cooking you, do you prefer medium or Maxwell?"

"UGH!" Another, more powerful crowd reaction of disgust echoes with an undercurrent of snickers.

"We can waste their time and pass a foot ball? Go Xiao Long." Another audience cringe sounds, the only two smiles being in the arena itself.

"Starting with the bangers." Yang snorts to herself, almost disrupting her next sentence. "But I bring the Yangers!"

"Boo!" "Stop talking!" "Get on with the fight!" "You suck!" Chants build with the crowd, which merely fuels the two teens on with unbridled joy.

Yang jabs a thumb to the crowds. "Look at that! I'm driving them in-Zane." Another mass crowd groan.

"Gucci-Yang. Gucci-Yang. Gucci-Yang!" Carmine bumps back and forth as if bouncing to music. He laughs at the crowd's pain. "Ah, the best way to begin a day with a bang."

Yang flashes a grin. "I like to start every day-" Both suddenly speak together. "-With a Yang!" Both teens double over in uproarious laughter. Carmine is wiping a tear from his eye as he steadies himself on the granite wall. Meanwhile Yang shakily lowers almost on her knees. "Gosh, I'm lightheaded! Always fun in the Yang Gang."

Carmine snorts. "Pft! I half expected that to be called a Yang Bang." He cracks into a laugh... and slowly realizes he's the only one laughing. Yang is now staring incredulously at him. "W-What?"

"So that's the kinda girl you think I am?" She crosses her arms.

He processes the words like a deer in headlights. He just wanted the pun. What is she- Realization hits that he just implied her and other people... He pales and shakes his head, flailing his hand. "Oh no! No, no no no no! That's not-"

"Wow." Yang raises an unimpressed brow. "You might as well be calling me a hussie. Are you trying to make a pass?"

Carmine, blushes fully red, flails. "No! No, I-I. Um, I mean, you're quite pretty but-" She narrows her gaze on him. "But actually, I have a-... Well, me and Ne- Nille- Uh... I kinda have someone."

Yang holds a smoldering stare before she breaks into a snort. "No worries! Just messing with you! It's surprisingly easy!"

Her and every other damn person Carmine interacts with. His mind briefly wanders to Neo, Roman, and Blair. He scowls at her. "Oh, now I hate you." He plainly states.

"Stop flirting and fight!"

Carmine fights a blush and clams up. They're not flirting! God! "Alright. Let me take out my anger and get this over with. Give you more of a haircut than Dino did." He rats off as a mild threat.

Yang blinks, going stone rigid. "Haircut?" She begins looking over her long mane of hair, indeed finding the fringes sliced by Dino in one of their exchanges.

The girl is deadly silent, no longer even breathing...

Carmine rolls his eyes. He flips off the crowd for their irritated boos and rage. So much so, he completely misses the complete aura of danger coming off the girl now behind his back. Misses her aura flaring.

Misses her eyes blaze red. Her hair heating into a blaze of fire. A release of the fire within.

Yang's semblance activates in full. A low growl comes from her as she burns towards the boy.

Carmine blinks feeling the heat in the air raise. "Eh?" Fire blooms behind him as he jerks. ("Fire!")

Within a split second, Carmine is rapidly ducking and weaving explosive fists! Missing by inches, the heat singes his shirt collar! "WHAT?!" He dodges to the side, Yang's rage fueled fist smashing the granite wall! "WHAT?!" She rips her arm from the wall, throwing a hunk of granite at him! (Heavy guitar riff begins then repeats.)

He ducks it and sends a kick to her gut! It lands and knocks her, but it feels like kicking an Atlas war mech! His foot numbs. "FUCKIN'-!" He Jager dashes back as Yang thrashes down. A fiery blast breaks the ground before she roars after him. His back hits the leg of the radio tower. "WHAT?!" He shrieks again, then ducks. (Instrumental repeats once more. Final repeat has added percussion)

Yang's running punch strikes the metal of the tower, carrying her past Carmine, rippling and breaking off the leg of the tower off! ("Fire!")

Carmine boosts forward, away from the monster blonde. He whips around, firing twice! The first shot knocks Yang off balance. The second sends her sprawling back. Carmine ends, wide eyed and gasping for air. Pepe's excited voice rings. "Home girl Yang's semblance has finally kicked in, fully charged!" (Heavy guitar riff begins then repeats.)

Carmine double takes at the monitors. "Fuck you, 'semblance'! Her semblance is the Hulk?! Does she conjure her time of the month?!" Yang rips away from the ground far off, red eyes locking on Carmine. "Pardon?" (Instrumental repeats twice more into first verse)

Yang smashes the ground with her fist! The girl pries a hefty boulder from the ground with a heave. She plants her footing and punches the hunk of rock at the boy! ("Alright! Sharpen the mix. Get the pressure!)

Carmine dodge rolls aside, the boulder breaking on another leg of the radio tower. He then dodges fire dust round after fire dust round, Yang punch shooting a barrage at him from the distance! ("You've had the time to rest, Which is coming to an end. And we start again!")

Irritated with the misses, Yang moves into a charge. Carmine snap reloads Heulin Noon and begins firing one shot at a time. Yang raises a cross block over her face and chest, still sprinting as the first explosive shot impacts! ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

The girl continues running. The second explosion stuttering her run. Then the third she takes like a champ! ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

The fourth she barely reacts to. Carmine scoffs, firing a double shot. ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

Yang throws both arms down, fire blasting herself into the air over Carmine's shot. Flipping, she comes down with a blazing fist! ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

Carmine lurches back, twisting left! Yang's heated fist passes his head as his wide, fearful eyes follow it! His lips are sucked in comically with a nervous sweat. The fist continues down into the ground! ("One! Two! Three! FIRE!")

The resulting shock wave shatters the ground, then kicks up a dust cloud. Then, a fiery burst blows the cloud apart! ("Hey! Hey! Hey!")

Carmine slides out from the flame burst, Yang barreling after him! He ducks down the back avoiding two strikes, then Jager boosts one kick up, striking Yang's shoulder around. He follows with a step kick, knocking her further off from him. She twist and spins a forearm bash. Carmine blocks, grabbing her around to throw her off balance. (Heavy guitar riff begins then repeats.)

Yang holds her arms up in a cover block, advancing like a boxer and breaking the guard for quick jabs. Carmine kicks at the guard, then dodges the coming counter. Yang throws a shotgun blast out, knocking Carmine around. She advances to capitalize, but Carmine calls. "Zero!" His armor flashes to his chest and arm as he punches up! (Instrumental repeats twice before cutting to synth melody)

Carmine's armored left fist collides with Yang's right hook! A brief shock flows through them both, quaking and cracking the dirt around them. Yang blinks confused. "Oh, Yang's not the only one hiding more tricks!" Cotton comments sound. Yang grits her teeth angry, Carmine calming. (Synth melody plays twice over, leading into verse two)

Yang follows through, shoving Carmine back. She feints into a mix up, Carmine using his armored arm to deflect, then uses his right arm to pistol whip crack Yang in the jaw! She winces, shakes it off, and throws a hard jab! ("Sharpen the mix to all kind of tricks. Up to the pressure feeling the kicks!")

Eyes wide, Carmine crosses his armored arm over his armored gut and tanks the punch! It's power knocks the air out as he's launched away straight back! Planting his feet into the moving ground under him, he leans and digs the armored arm in as well to grind to a stop. Just before the ruined burnt barn. ("You love the sound we need you to go! Up and down. Chilli bow! Chilli bow!)

Carmine rolls right, fire dust shots blasting the ground by him! He returns fire, getting behind the burnt barn for cover. He sprints down the length of barn. ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

Yang smashes through the barn wall, eyes finding the fleeing boy. She propels herself forward with Ember Celica to close the distance! ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

Carmine whirls around. He lets out a spooked gasp as he ducks and rolls forward under Yang's charging punch! Carmine jumps and flips over Yang as she whips around, missing another punch. ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

He lands, back to the wrecked wall of the barn. Yang yells out as she punches at him! Carmine blinks away. Recall! Yang's fist releases a dust shot as the whole wood wall shatters! ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

Carmine rapidly recalls, warping around Yang from each position he'd just been in! Her head whips around confused, unable to focus. Finally, she turns her head, finding Carmine aiming Heulin Noon point blank! He fires! ("One! Two! Three! FIRE!")

The blast launches Yang into and through a tree, hitting the ground hard! ("Hey! Hey! Hey!")

Yang rolls to her feet, eye clenched in pain. The collapsing tree falls towards her. She roars up, catching and leveraging the large log! She launches it straight back at Carmine with inhuman strength! Carmine power slides under the tree and kicks up into a run. "Schneider!" He closes the distance, armor forming blades on his arms. He strikes Yang with one passing slash! (Heavy guitar riff begins then repeats.)

Yang grits her teeth, shifting Ember Celica as her hands snatch each mounted blade of Schneider! Carmine's wide eyes dart around as Yang headbutts him dazed! Carmine almost falls, but recovers. He pulls up and drop kicks her to release his blades! Both teens hit the ground on their backs, mirrored pain on their faces. (Instrumental repeats twice more into Bridge)

Both start to stagger, pushing up weakly. Meeting gazes, Carmine can't help an ecstatic laugh rasp out! Above, the monitors display both his and Yang's aura meters. Both currently hover just above the red... (Near silent instrumental with percussion keeping the beat. Voices begin to break into building instrumental)

"Man... this is so much fun. Ah!" He stumbles to a knee, grinning wide after the pained grunt. Yang mirrors the action, pushing herself up. ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

He speaks low to himself. "Heh! I really, really wish I could go for the win here." Just barely above a whisper. ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

Yang's eyes shift back from red to lilac, her semblance wearing off. Her fists shake as she amps herself and grins. "Break's done!" ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

She forces herself to her feet, same as Carmine. "Jager." He mumbles, armor flashing to his feet. He draws Heulin Noon and fires! ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

The girl ducks, the shot passing her head into the ground! She fires a shot back at him as she moves into a run. ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

Carmine ducks back, the fire dust passing over. He boosts back with Jager for the slight extra distance to right himself! ("Back to the family, a guaranteed emergency! The radical MC H.P's got the melody!")

Yang closes the distance, bringing a fist down as Carmine blink recalls behind her. Both teens glare over their shoulders, then whip around! ("Back to the family, back to the family! Back to the- back to the- back to the- back to the-")

Carmine leaps another punch, then Jager boosts into a spin. His leg spin kicks out at the girl! Yang's off hand follows up, uppercutting up at him! ("Back-back-back-back-back-back-back-back-")

His armored shin connects with her jaw as her fist smashes into his rib! ("B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b" Voice warps repeat.)

Both kids are launched, Carmine up into the top of the granite wall, Yang tumbling across the ground like a skipped rock! ("FIRE!")

The crowds are roaring, spirits high in cheer as dirt clouds blow around both their launched bodies. Overhead, both their auras flicker red. Pepe's voice rings out. "Oh no! Are they both disqualified?" (Heavy guitar riff begins then repeats.)

Cotton's voice responds. "Double elimination rules. Both are legal. Next to land a strike will win!" As he speaks, Carmine pulls out from the granite, falling to his hands and knees. Once more, Yang picks herself up as well in the distance. (Instrumental repeats twice more)

Yang shakes her head, grunting out. "It's gonna be me!" ("Hey! Hey! Hey!")

She moves into a sprint at the boy, Carmine still righting himself. A smile plays at him. Yeah, it is going to be her. He waits for her to get closer. (Heavy guitar riff with added synth begins then repeats.)

He raises Heulin Noon to aim, though his numb arm shakes. Are there two Yangs? He COULD land the shot before she can, but... He sighs with a smile. "Sorry, but..." (Instrumental repeats twice more into finale)

Yang cries out, fist cocking back and soaring at the boy's face! ("Hey! Hey! Hey!")

"I give up!" The words pass his lips as Yang's fiery fist stops literally inches from his chin! (Music plays out)

Wind whips past him as the force gusts against him. Yang's lilac eyes blink confused, despite Heulin Noon's double barrel an inch from her own face. Both teens stand frozen in mid attack. His finger on the trigger to blow her away. Her fist halted just before hitting its target.

"... Wut?" Yang mutters.

A silence passes before a single voice from the crowd echoes in the silence. "What?!"

Carmine smirks and pulls back. His off hand grabs Yang's forward arm and raises it. "I said I give up. That means you win!" He then adds quieter. "We'll have to do it again."

"B-but... I'm not finished." Yang whines, jerking her arm out of his grip as her temper flares. "WE aren't finished! This isn't a win-hey!" She jolts as Carmine backs away further and further from her, closer to the edge of the arena. Her hand reaches out for him. "Don't you dare-"

POP!

Confetti flies down over the arena as Yang freezes like a statue, eyes wide. Cotton's voice announces over the arena. "My friends, we have ourselves a new. Patch Island Champion at Signal Combat Academy... By forfeit, your uncontested winner is... YANG XIAO LONG!"

The crowd erupts in cheers, a standing ovation begins.

Carmine can't help a snort come out as his heel hovers just past the edge of the arena. He winks at Yang and waves. "Hmm... I'll give you a freebie. No pain, no Yang."

Yang simmers with a furious glare. "No! You're the one turning down the pain! Get over here and shoot my perfect face! This is not a win!" He rolls his eyes, which only serves to make Yang sear in heat. She slowly forces herself to straighten. "Zane Maxwell, Yang Xiao Long is going to have a long word with you next time I find you!" Her pain of denial begins to wane as she regains her cool.

He snorts. "Yeah... about that..." He leaves off. Zane Maxwell is a lie, so he doubts that will happen. "See ya." He takes the extra step and falls back off the stage. Carmine hits the water in an official elimination, leaving Yang alone on the stage.

Yang stands with a half lidded stare, the party antics around her almost going to waste. Her eye twitches. "I can't be only one feeling blue balled right now." A heavy, heaving sigh passes through her before she allows a smile and wave for the cheering crowds. "Yes, yes. I'm fabulous!"

. . .

Carmine shuffles into the contestant room, sopping wet. A smile plays at his lips. That. Was. Fun! The weapons. The people. The weapons! The spectacle. The WEAPONS! Seriously? Freaking bagpipes?! Flame discs, gunblades, and guitars. Oh my! He doesn't even care if his hair dye was running off his head, his crimson hair bleeding through. Yang was right to assume it looked like he was bleeding with the sudden contrast.

He's gestured into the nurse's room, a sobering chill killing his high. That's right. He needs to see if he's taken. Admittedly, a small part of him wanted to just go back to Roman and Blair. But... this was why he was here. The boy enters to find Miss Boyd tidying up much of the counter.

She turns to him, sending a bright smile. "Ah! Zane! Good to see you." She smiles for him to seat. "I was unaware you were a bottle boy." The woman teases.

Carmine snickers as he takes the seat. "Yeah, yeah." He plops back with a pure drained visage. "I'm beat. I'd like to get done and sleep today off like a bad hangover." The woman laughs with him, but her posture is stiff. "Is this where I turn and cough?"

"In a manner." Miss Boyd's tone loses some humor as she urges. "Let me check you right..."

He jolts as he feels the jab in the base of his neck.

"Here..." She says with a cold, calculated stare sending his world off into darkness. The last thing she registers is her withdrawing an empty syringe with a single speck of violet liquid on the needle. Yeah... It feels almost just like Menagerie. Just... more... tired...

An additive..?

Not... fair...

Miss Boyd catches the boy as he nearly slouches off the chair. She looks up to find the man from the back entering from the rear entrance. "Careful with this one. If he wakes, he may just pose a problem." She orders. The man accepts Carmine and lifts him up. As he leaves the room, Miss Boyd reaches out for her snake's portable enclosure. "Leave as soon as possible. Call me if there are complications."

She leaves through the front. The man leaves with Carmine into the back.

Not a second passes before a section of the counter shatters away. The addition falls away as a sweating, tired Neo steps out. Scroll in hand, she hits send on a message before moving after the mystery man.

Go time!

I think this may be the longest chapter I've ever posted... We've finished the tournament! We had our big first true encounter of Carmine and one of the main four RWBY characters. Yang wins the tournament, but unknown whether Carmine would have won if he went for the win.

But, uh oh. Other things are getting spicy...

On an unrelated note, I HAVE been having a slight itch to start another story in another fandom. Currently, I've been having the itch to tackle either a what if continuation of Arcane... or a what if redo of Death Note. Not quite sure if I even want to start something else with this story being the beast it is, but eh. Thoughts swirling.

References:

Songs used in order: I'm Back(To Rise) by Mick Gordon. For tournament start. First and third verses.

Devil's Dance Floor by Flogging Molly. Neo eliminating bagpipe. First verse and bridge.

Hardcore Country by Mickie James. Carmine and the guitar girl, Jaina Hara, vs Deonn and Dino.

I Burn by Jeff Williams... I would hope that one is known. Carmine and Yang vs Dino and Doto.

Fire by Scooter for Yang vs Carmine. Their fight has been planned since I first started this story. Hope it delivered.

Deonn's Bower semblance is simply put a melee counterpart to Carmine's Dad's semblance. Jared's allowed him to form his aura and condense it into projectiles. Deonn's semblance condenses his aura within his limbs, specifically his fists, for explosive impacts.

Dino's semblance is virtually identical to Killa's. However, he does not have the coloration limitation, allowing him to warp through any surface within line of sight and concentration. Drawbacks in comparison to Killa's is that his semblance creates the warp in the surface, so other people can abuse the same surface he's actively using. Also, faster burning of aura.

Doto's semblance allows him to activate and gain three seconds of clairvoyance. A defensive and manipulative opponent that lets you... try something... and then he perfectly counters. The counter to him is throwing off his timing activating the ability like Yang or tricking the semblance itself like Carmine.

Jaina Hara is very, very loosely based on Haruko Haruhara from the anime FLCL. Simply put, guitar weapon play fast and loose girl having fun.

The two announcers of the tournament are named Bernard Cotton and Pepe Briggs. They are based off of the two tournament commentators from the movie Dodgeball, Cotton McKnight and Pepper Brooks. Just for some fun with the announcers running commentary.

Join next time in chapter fifty seven: Bridges.