Chapter 29: Breaking Point

The castle walls finally come crumbling down.

"Today, we will be practicing working together with those on your team who are not your partners. There will no doubt be times in your career as hunters when you are separated from your partners, or they are rendered unable to fight. Many teams become so dichotomized that they fail to realize that it is critical to develop a personal relationship and combat rapport with all three members of your team, not just one. Miss Rose and Miss Belladonna, please approach the stage. You will be sparring alongside Miss Valkyrie and Mister Winchester."

"You got it, Decaffeinated Headrest!"

"Miss Rose…"

"Oh, right! You got it, Professor Sandwich!"

She had to be doing it intentionally. She just had to.

Glynda had never been one to cling to silly concepts such a pride, but she did hope that the students of Beacon would put on a good show for the transfers. Of course, she had selected among her best first year teams, and it was no secret that Cardin was something of a pet project for his team leader. Had she chosen Sky and Ren, their bond may not have been strong enough to overcome the powerhouse that was Team Rainbow.

Something about that team stood out to her, and not just because she'd used her influence to push Ruby forward two years. She hadn't thought very highly of the Schnee in the first few days of class, but the young heiress had turned that notion on its head by pulling herself out of whatever funk she'd been in mid fight. Yang was a monster on the battlefield, perhaps the only student of her capable of fighting the Invincible Girl on equal terms. Her strategy needed work, but her semblance made up for it. And Miss Belladonna…

Glynda knew the final member of Team Rainbow was hiding something. There were odd gaps in time on her application form, and calls to the combat school she'd supposedly attended had been inconclusive. Glynda wanted to keep digging, but Headmaster Ozpin assured her the situation was under control.

It would have to wait. The combatants had entered the arena.

"Begin!"

Ruby and Blake charged forward. Blake ran to the right of Nora and slammed the blade of Gambol shroud into the ground. She threw the hilt of her ribboned sword to Ruby on Nora's left, and a cyclone of rose petals swirled around the girl. When the flowers fell to the floor, Nora was tied up by the ribbon. Ruby held the ribbons taught from a distance, keeping Nora restrained as her muscles flexed.

"This won't hold me forever!"

"It doesn't have to. Just long enough for us to make this two on one!"

Cardin slammed his mace into Blake, but she disappeared in a puff of smoke. That is, the shadow clone disappeared, and the real Blake leapt away. Unfortunately, this pushed her to the edge of the training ring.

"I'm not gonna make things easy for you. Poor Blake – all alone, no partners, no weapons. It looks like you're out of options!"

"I'm not alone."

Goodwitch saw Ruby throw her scythe over Cardin's head before Blake landed the one-liner, so it didn't have as great an impact when it landed in Blake's hands.

Blake twirled Crescent Rose twice before slamming the pole into Cardin's leg so that the scythe blade was just behind his feet. He cried out in pain, but his aura remained in the green. Blake switched Crescent Rose to sniper mode and shot. The backwards momentum pulled the scythe towards Blake, sweeping Cardin's feet out from under him.

"Excellently done, Miss Belladonna!"

"Thank you, Professor Goodwitch."

"Yeah, I made sure Blake 'n' all the other Rainbows all know how to use Crescent Rose!"

Glynda adjusted her glasses. "That's…actually quite forward thinking, Miss Rose, especially given the goal of this lesson."

"My baby's just too perfect to not be adored by the entire team. She needs plenty of loving', more than I can provide on my own."

Glynda facepalmed. "Ruby…"

Nora continued to struggle, and Gambol shroud ripped slightly. Seeing she needed to quickly dispatch Cardin, Ruby let go of Blake's weapon and wrapped her arms around the back of Cardin's neck. The boy tried to reach behind him to throw her off, but Blake landed a kick to his stomach.

Nora tore the remaining ribbons from her arms and checked her scroll. It was good to see that students were taking her lessons to heart. Maintaining good awareness of her aura was crucial to knowing when to fight, and when to retreat.

Cardin turned around, Ruby still on to him, and threw himself onto Blake. All three fell to the floor, but Blake was squished beneath the weight of both her teammate and adversary. Glynda winced. That would have to hurt.

This was not going well for Winchester, though he was putting up an admirable fight. Even though he had to be physically larger than the other girls combined, their teamwork was most impressive. Had Glynda been a betting woman, her money would not have been on the Castles.

Nora was still looking at her scroll. She'd better finished checking it and rejoin the fight, or Team Rainbow might just realize their goal of a two on one fight.

Cardin rose from the pile of people and struck at Ruby with his mace, but she wrapped her arms around Blake and zoomed the both of them out of there. Blake gave her back her sniper, and Ruby began taking Dust-enhanced shots at Cardin. A burst of ice solidified around his feet, but he smashed it away with his mace. Unfortunately, lowering his weapon exposed his face, and a fiery shot collided with his forehead.

Nora still hadn't taken her eyes off of her scroll. Was that…audio? Was she watching some video in the middle of a fight?

"Miss Valkyrie, please–"

The scroll dropped out of her hands, and she drew her hammer. Cardin stiffened and turned around to face his leader.

Turing his eyes away from his opponent was a rookie mistake, one Glynda wouldn't be caught dead making. Ruby hit his back with a lightning dust shot. Cardin's aura dropped, but he didn't react to the shot.

Then, with the speed of a someone half his size, Cardin raced straight towards Nora, tackling her. The two tumbled out of the ring.

"T-The match…ahem…the match goes to Team Rain–"

"I'll kill you! I'll fucking kill you all!"

Nora switched her hammer into a grenade launcher. Shit!

THOOM!

The grenade just sailed past Ruby, likely due to Cardin trying to wrestle Magnhild out of Nora's hands.

"Miss Valkyrie, explosive ordnances are strictly–"

The next shot didn't miss.

A bright pink explosion of glitter encompassed the arena. Glynda used her semblance on Cardin and Nora. Unaware of why Valkyrie had elected to break out potentially lethal force, she elected to err on the side of overcaution and restrain them both. A second wave of her riding crop and the smoke dissipated. Ruby was lying on the ground.

Oh no. Oh no no no.

But her eyes were open. And she was not standing where the explosion had gone off. And she wasn't injured at all. Wait, where was Blake?

There she was. At the ground zero.

"Won't…let you…hurt Ruby…"

Explosive weapons were banned from use against other hunters for a reason. The Faunus stood, but just barely. Her shirt was torn clean off, and burns covered her bare chest. A chunk of metal from the combat ring was sticking out of her leg, blood dripping down from the wound. Glynda thought she might even be able to see some bone–

Wait, the Faunus?

Blake's bow had been taken off her head, and two somewhat singed cat ears that were only now visible. Glynda supposed that would explain why Miss Belladonna's application was so secretive.

It was a shitshow sundae with clusterfuck sauce drizzled on top. Apparently, Carlos of Team Castle had assaulted some helpless transfer, and his leader promised to report it but didn't. Now, she herself was in Oz's office for nearly killing Ruby.

No one hurt his niece and just walked away. Qrow would've chewed Valkyrie out if Ruby herself hadn't spoken to him on the bitch's behalf. Apparently, Ruby and the cat girl that nearly got dusted were good friends with her or something.

It must've been a miracle that Faunus survived. Her aura had broken, and she was gonna be stuck in a hospital bed for the next few days. At least she'd have the little Neo girl to keep her company.

Two casualties in two days. This had expulsion written all over it. Qrow knew it, and so did Oz. As much as they both hated to admit it, there was no way they could keep all four of them in Beacon. Maybe the gay couple, but not Nora or Cameron. 'Sides, Qrow wasn't sure he wanted to argue on their behalf. A violent ruffian team, no silver eyes, a girl that was too wild to be a maiden – there was just no reason to keep them on.

This was the first time they'd come before Oz, but Qrow had met them before. He remembered the trip to Forever Fall when Calvin had tried to prank Winter's sister and got Grimm-napped for it. Nora had taken on Goodwitch to protect her teammate. Now, she couldn't even meet Oz's eyes.

The four of them were seated in front of Ozpin's desk. Qrow leaned on a pillar in the back of the room, curious to see how this would play out. The big man sipped coffee out of Oobleck's thermos, then set it down calmly. Qrow knew that he liked to give students a lot of leeway towards troublemaking, but attacking their peers crossed a line then for even him.

"Do the four of you have anything to say for yourself?"

Apparently, none of them did.

"With two black marks on your record, I'm there may be no course of action but to expel the four of you."

"Four?! But the Sky and Ren didn't–"

"– didn't come to me when Mister Winchester assaulted Miss Neopolitan. All four of you participated in what may be considered a cover-up. Furthermore, I'm afraid I see no future for a two-man team at Beacon, both leaderless and deprived of their partners."

"Cardin only attacked because–"

"Nora," Ren spoke calmly.

"Mister Lie, I apologize for you and Mister Lark being in this scenario when neither of you were directly responsible for either of the assaults, but–"

"There were no assaults."

Qrow's eyebrow rose. The kid seemed smarter than tryna pull a fast one on him and Oz, especially when Professor Goodwitch's full class witnessed the fight.

"Please explain."

"As you know, both Ruby and Blake have spoken in favor of Nora. They can attest that this was a one-off incident that does not reflect her gentle nature. All involved parties can agree that it was an accident."

"And Miss Neopolitan?"

"She was sparring with Cardin when he injured her. A tragic accident, to be sure, but not one necessitating such extreme punitive action. Detentions or perhaps suspensions of privilege should suffice."

"Sparring? That does not concur with the statement provided by Team Caiman."

"That must be a misunderstanding. If you doubt me, then by all means, call them up here to your office. They'll confirm what I said."

Oz was silent for a minute. An actual minute – Qrow counted to sixty. One minute didn't sound like a lot, but it sure as Dust was awkward by the thirty second mark. Bastard was probably distracted thinking about the billions of women he must've banged over the centuries.

Finally, he pushed down on his intercom. "Professor Goodwitch, please send up Team Caiman."

Team Crocodile Rock was weird.

The mute girl with the cast walked into the office like she owned the place. The hospital had allowed her to briefly attend this 'disciplinary hearing,' though she'd have to go straight back after. The other chick, miss green hair, looked shifty as shit, like she wanted to make a mad dash for the door the second Qrow looked away. Last but definitely least was the complete douchebag with silver hair. He hadn't done anything to Qrow, but Qrow had him pegged as a fuckboy the minute he laid eyes on him.

"Please, take a seat. Where is your fourth member, Cinder Fall?"

"Miss Fall is busy training," Shifty Eyes said. "She offered for me to speak on her behalf."

"I see. Now, I would like to speak about the incident. Mister Lie has claimed that Miss Neopolitan was injured while sparring with Mister Winchester, in spite of previous statements that did not corroborate this account. I find this hard to believe, but he claims you will verify this account."

Shifty Eyes nodded. "That's exactly what happened, sir."

Mutey and Fuckboy's necks might've snapped with how fast they twisted around to look at the lieutenant team leader.

"Really, Miss Sustrai? I've heard from the school nurse that Miss Fall was furiously ranting about some…what was her phrasing? Ah, yes, 'dirtbag taking a cheap shot at the competition.' And you allege her rage was over an injury incurred while practicing?"

"Your nurse must have misheard."

Oz's face didn't betray any emotions. This time, he saw fit to deliberate with himself for well over two agonizing minutes. Qrow got all the way to 153 when the headbastard finally spoke.

"I suppose, if no party wishes to claim malicious intent, there is no need to escalate the issue. Miss Valkyrie and Mister Winchester, please report to detention every Friday for the next two months. Furthermore, your access to Vale shall be restricted unless a staff member is escorting you. A mark will be made on your record Do not let this incident happen again. Ever. Dismissed." He pressed his intercom. "Miss Goodwitch, would you please come up?"

The elevator wouldn't fit them all, so Glynders took Team See Ya Later Alligator down first. When the empty lift came back up, Ozpin nodded. "Qrow, if you would…"

Qrow hopped in with the troublemakers. When they were halfway down, he pressed the stop button.

Sky groaned. "Why are we always stopping when we're six stories from the ground in an elevator? I'm afraid of heights."

"Then you shoulda picked a better name, kid. Now, you." Qrow pointed at Ren. "Explain."

"As I said, the incident–"

"No more bullshit. We don't go down until you talk."

Ren met Qrow's eyes. He definitely has some shiny brass balls to stare right back at a veteran huntsman.

"Fine. It was simple logic. Team Caiman had nothing to lose by accusing Cardin yesterday. Nobody would bat an eye if a single student were expelled from Beacon for getting into a fight with a foreigner. But a full team of 'rogue' hunter students being kicked out of Beacon after a nearly lethal event, one involving the youngest ever Beacon applicant? In part due to unprovokedly attacking the Mistralian delegation from Haven? That's front page news. That's the start of an international incident. And I doubt that Neopolitan and her team want the attention it would bring. Emerald likely realized this. If I hadn't spoken up, she probably would have tried to recall the accusation on her own."

"Why don't they want attention?"

Pink eyes bore into Qrow without flinching. "I thought you said no more bullshit."

Damn. How had Ren made it into elevator without his huge balls getting stuck in the door?

"What is it with you kids and talkin' back to teachers? First Nora tells Goodwitch to fuck off at Forever Falls, now this. Team Castle really sticks by its own."

"Damn straight," said Sky. Nora nodded sagely in agreement.

Qrow took a sip from his flask. "Fine. No more bullshit. I noticed how uncomfortable the crocodile huntsmen were in Ozpin's office. They're clearly from the wrong side of the law. But you took a big risk gamblin' your freedom on Emerald's shifty eyes. Though I guess you were already expelled."

"It's not just that. We don't have proof but…"

Qrow's flask was empty by the end of the story, meaning it must've taken at least 21 seconds to tell.

"So Carson's got the magic power to tell if someone's evil?"

"My name's Cardin. And we believe it's more like detecting malice. I automatically respond when it's especially strong, but I might be able to overcome that by training. It's why I reacted to Nora getting angry."

"And why did you go nuts, girl? Did one of the baddies have a mind control semblance or sumthin'?

Ren opened his mouth to explain but realized he actually didn't know.

Nora averted her gaze. "It's not that. I…I got this video sent to my scroll. Based on what Ren's told me, I'd bet it was Neo who sent it, as a means of manipulating me."

She reached into her pocket and dug out her scroll. Swiping it a few times, she pressed a button. The three teammates and one professor huddles around her to watch. It didn't look like much – the video was aimed at the ceiling, but the audio was instantly recognizable.

"…if Nora had asked me before, I probably would've said yes, but she never did. Whenever others inquired as to the nature of our relationship, she'd always vehemently call it 'not together-together.' She had her chance. Plenty of them. But for now, let's just enjoy one another's company."

Ren's heart stopped beating. It was a video of his date with Sky. It all clicked into place – Neo stalking them, Cardin sensing her anger, Nora checking her scroll during the fight…

Sky stepped away. It was quite a wide step.

Probably a good call.

"I…I lost my mind when I saw it. All I could see was red, and I wanted to kill whoever was in front of me. Ruby and Blake, they were just the first people I could point my gun at."

"Nora…"

"I'm sorry, team. For all that I tried to be a good leader and huntress, I proved myself unworthy of this mighty hammer." She tried to hand the hammer to the teacher. "I can no longer call myself a leader."

"You kinda did mess up," he muttered.

"Professor Branwen, please," said Cardin. "We're having a moment here!"

Cardin looked Nora in the eyes and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Nora. Listen to me. You are the greatest leader to have ever come to Beacon. I know this because I was the worst student to ever come to Beacon. I bullied others, I hated Faunus, and I was an all-around shit. Most people would've wanted to knock my head off, but you had faith in me. You didn't threaten me or order me to behave; you talked to me. Counseled me. Helped me overcome my insecurities and become a better person. I know I'm not perfect, and I still have some ways to go, but every bit of growth I have made is due to you. Nora, the truth is, I lo– I lo– I look up to you."

Nora wiped a tear out of her eye. "Oh, Cardy. You always know just the right thing to say."

"So, are we cool? Like, you're not gonna break my arm or something?" Sky asked nervously.

"Oh, silly Malarkey. I'd rather break your legs." Nora smiled. "But seriously, we're good. I'm not mad anymore. The shock got me at first, but I'm not gonna go crazy again, and I'd never raise a weapon to my own teammates. I forgive you."

Sky wiped the sweat from his brow. "Whew! I was worried I had a hospital bed with my name on it next to Blake and Neo! That would be an awkward tea party."

They embraced, and to Ren, it was among the most heartwarming, wholesome moments he could have ever witnessed. Team Castle had overcome their issues and were now stronger for it. Truly a wonderful conclusion to a harrowing ordeal.

…something wasn't right. Ren wanted to be happy with this picture perfect resolution, but Nora's phrasing bugged him. Perhaps she could clarify.

"Nora, you said you forgive Sky."

"Yeah. I promise, I'm not gonna launch grenades at him or anything. Gotta save my ammo for whatever dastardly plot the Caimans are up to, heehee!"

Everyone's in a good mood. Team Castle is happy. Let it end here. Let it lie.

Ren couldn't.

"What exactly do you forgive Sky for?"

"For going on a date with you, Renny." Nora blinked at Ren, then smiled like he'd said something silly. "I can forgive him as long as he promises not to do it again. He probably just thought you were super great and couldn't hold himself back. Trust me, I feel that way all the time." Nora patted Sky on the back. "You've got good taste, Sky."

"Nora, seriously. Do you object to Sky and me dating?"

"Well…yeah. I mean, duuuuh! It's you and me, Ren and Nora, partners. We're meant to be together. You can't just…just…date someone else, Renny. You're not supposed to go and…you just can't."

Cardin stepped in between them. "Hey, maybe we should–"

"I'm not defined by you," said Ren, activating his semblance as he matched Nora's gaze. "My entire life doesn't revolve around you. You're my friend, maybe even my sister, but that's it. I'm not Nora's partner, not Nora's boyfriend, I'm Ren. I have my own wants and feelings, and it's not your place to tell me what I can and can't do."

"You mean who you can and can't do."

Ren's semblance held back his rising anger, but just barely. It was times like this where his power truly came in handy. "This isn't a joking matter. You've always made it clear we're not a couple. Ren and Nora, not together-together. I'm dating Sky." Ren motioned towards his terrified boyfriend.

Sky, to his credit, forced a smile and waved.

Nora showed no amusement, throwing her hands into the air. "Fine. You win, Ren. Let's get together-together. Is that what you wanted to hear? Is that why you did all this, to force me to admit my feelings? That's quite the convoluted way to ask me out to the dance."

Ren's semblance was now so active that it was probably consuming a sizeable percentage of his aura. It would be okay, as long as he didn't do anything too rash. That was him; calm, cool, collected Lie Ren.

But did it have to be?

Why was it always him who had to use his semblance to destroy his own feelings? Why was it always Ren who had to be the mature one? Why did Nora get a free pass, courtesy of his own wheeling and dealing, when she tried to kill Ruby Rose, and Ren was the one who had to rein himself in? Why why why…

So he stopped.

Ren let go of his semblance.

A wave of raw fury overcame him, washing away his doubts. Never before had Lie Ren experienced such an extreme passion, and it felt sooooo good. They'd all been lying to Ren. Anger didn't blind you; it made everything so beautifully clear. Why had he been holding back all these years? So much wasted time.

Ren slapped Nora. She probably didn't feel a thing through her aura, but damn if it wasn't satisfying. Sky and Cardin nearly fell over backwards, and Professor Branwen whistled.

"Fuck you, Nora. I hate you. I HATE YOU!"

Ren's voice was unrecognizable.

He liked the way it sounded.

Nora sneered at Ren as angry tears began to pool up in her eyes. "Professor Branwen, when you go back to the headmaster, please tell him I want to switch up Team Castle. Cardin will be my partner, and Sky will be Ren's. That way, those two can bang each other in Vale whenever I turn my back."

"Fine!"

"Good!"

"Great!"

"Cardin." Nora turned on the terrified knight. "I know you want me. You and I are going to the dance. Then, we're gonna fuck," she commanded through her tears. "Hear than, Renny? I'm gonna bag my first guy before you do."

Sky crossed his arm. "No. That's not going to happen."

"What?" Nora seethed through her tears. "Sky, I'm mad at Ren, but you better stay the fuck out of this."

"Nora, after everything Cardin did to comfort you, do you really want to use him like that? You're better than that. Look, I get it. You're hurt, so you're just saying whatever you can to hurt Ren. You don't really mean a word of this. I refuse to watch you destroy yourself."

"I'm not mad. I mean every word of what I'm saying!"

"Nora."

"Ren's just some slut, and I'm better off without him."

"Queen of the Castle Nora."

That silenced her.

"You've built this team from the ground up. You rode a Grimm through initiation with me in tow to find Cardin because his name started with the letter C. You interrupted the headmaster to save us from being Team Narwhal. Team Bitch-Ass Unicorn Fish."

A giggle slipped through her tears at the memory. She immediately straightened up and made her face impassive once more, but Sky saw it and kept going.

"Team Castle left its mark on Beacon before it even was a team. Our team survived the Emerald Forest catching fire – hell, it was our campfire that started it; we practically burned the fucker down ourselves!"

She snorted, this time openly.

In spite of himself, Ren smiled too. Why…Why had he been so mad?

"When Cardin got stolen, the three of us stared down the biggest, baddest Grimm that Remnant has ever seen and came out on top for a second time. No other team can boast that – not Rainbow, not Adventure. It was us. Team Castle. Your Castle. We can be the best damn team Beacon ever spits out, or we can let our negativity do the Grimm's work for them and fall to pieces. It's your choice, but I for one hope that our queen decides to stick around for a little bit longer. So, what's it gonna be?"

"Ohhhh, Malarky! I'm sorry, Sky! I didn't mean it! I don't wanna fight, I don't wanna hurt you guys, I wanna be a team!

Nora burst into tears as she broke down. Sky wrapped her in a hug, then reached a hand out towards Ren, offering for him to join the duo.

Ren had half a mind to not take it, just to spite Nora for the way she treated him, but Cardin rolled his eyes and roughly shoved Ren towards his boyfriend and his partner. Once he was there, wrapped up in their arms, his anger left him, and he leaned right into the embrace.

He was right. Nora wasn't the only one saying things in the heat of anger that weren't true.

It was too early to apologize. She had been wrong for trying to control him, and he was never going to apologize for acting out against that. But for now…

"I shouldn't have hit you," Ren whispered.

"I shouldn't have blown up Blake!" Nora bawled loudly. "And I shouldn't have called you a slut…and I shouldn't have said that…and told Cardin that…and…and…"

She trailed off, clearly unable to focus on a single thing for which to say sorry. Ren accepted the spirit of the apology and patted her on the head. Snot and tears got all over his tailcoat as she wept, but there was nowhere Ren would rather be.

Perhaps a time would come when they would hash out their arguments about the whole together-together thing and set some concrete boundaries, but it didn't need to be right now. At least the team wasn't fighting, and they were looking in the right direction to get started.

Sky sighed exhaustedly as the two shorter hunters apologized to one another, and he reached a hand to Cardin. Cardin grumbled and fussed but finally relented, joining the others in their embrace.

The others probably couldn't hear it, but Nora whispered into Ren's ear.

"You chose a good one, Renny."

Ren was glad he hadn't let things lie.

Omake

Team Castle: We all love each other! Let's all hug as a group!

Qrow, still in the elevator, out of alcohol: Guess I'll die.

Omake 2

Nora: I'm unworthy to wield this hammer. *hands Magnhild to Qrow*

Qrow: Whosoever holds this hammer, if they be worthy, shall possess the power of…Nora. *casts Magnhild into the Bifröst*

Omake 3

Ruby: You got it, Decaffeinated Headrest!

Ozpin: Decaffeinated? You dare use that word in my school?!

Next Chapter: Follow Through – In which both Neo and Blake learn that actions have consequences, though some are sweeter than others.