Weiss Schnee
"So, how are things?" Her eyebrow twitched as he spoke, Ozpin had timed his words perfectly for when she had gone to take a sip of her coffee. Instead of putting it down and answering, she took the sip anyway and made him awkwardly wait, drawing out the process before setting the cup down.
"You have access to any information you need to check the stability of the kingdom Ozpin. You don't need to ask me directly." Her words were quick and without pause, she answered lightly because it was obvious to her that he wasn't here to ask about that.
He seemed to approve of her answer. "How is acquiring an heir progressing?" His reiteration didn't make her any less annoyed.
"Are you asking about details of what my wife and i do?" She raised an eyebrow again and gave him a blank stare.
"Of course not. I'm simply curious if things have progressed at all." He dodged the accusation quickly, and Weiss was almost impressed.
Weiss raised her hand and simply waved the question off. "There isn't yet progress to speak of."
"I see." Ozpin stroked his chin gently and thought for a moment. "Perhaps I could request Glynda to look into the ritual-?"
"That won't be necessary. If the circle needs adjustment Ruby will be able to handle it." Weiss had noticed recently that certain council members seemed to... doubt... Ruby's abilities. Which was annoying to the Queen. Ruby was making very good progress, she could transform at will now and control herself perfectly. She'd even cast her first spell recently!
"I meant no offense. I simply believed that Lady Schnee-" Weiss settled her gaze into a glare focused on the man. That was something else people had been having trouble getting there head around. He cleared his throat and corrected himself. "- Her Highness is busy at the moment is she not?"
Weiss sighed and glanced to the side. The gardens had finally gotten a new addition, a larger section of lovely red roses. They were her favourite flowers to look at now.
"Ruby is attending the Hunter Exam today, but it wont take too much of her time." They both knew that just being a Dragon practically guaranteed that Ruby would pass.
"And what of her training and missions afterwards?" That caught her attention and made her return her gaze to the man, now with a questioning look. "Did you expect me to not take advantage of having a Dragon under my command?"
Weiss sat forward. "My command still holds precedent over your own. If you attempt to send my wife away, dont expect me to not intervene." He held his hands up defensively at the accusation.
"And what if... for example... Ruby wishes to go on missions?"
She paused at that... sitting back in her seat with a troubled expression. "Ruby wouldn't want to leave me..." Her mumble was unbecoming of a monarch... but she felt childish saying it any louder.
"Given how fast Dragons can fly, she could handle a mission at the Atlas border and be back in a day at most." He took a sip of his own drink as if to emphasise his point... speaking of which.
"Is there a point to all this Ozpin? Or are you simply trying to make me unhappy?" Weiss crossed her arms as if to emphasise her point.
"No matter what you do, Ruby is an asset to this kingdom. Once she becomes as strong as yourself - which she certainly will - simply having her defend you at all times would be a waste of her abilities." Weiss was beginning to hate it when Ozpin made a good point.
"I don't want her to leave my side..."
"An eternal life is a long time, Your Majesty. Spending too much of it right next to each other is bound to make you sick of each other's company." She wanted to punch him just for saying that... but a small part of her was worried he was right. "There is a certain Knight in Atlas... I was hoping to convince you to send a request to your brother for his aid." Ozpin slid a document across the table and Weiss reached for it.
"Aid in what?" She glanced over the paper and was... surprised. Ozpin wanted the strongest Knight of Atlas... here?
"Everything." He reached over and pointed to a certain part of the paper... the listing of his personal details, and more specifically pointing to what he was.
"... I see." She leaned back from the paper and nodded. "That would be helpful..." It was just a matter of convincing her brother to send him over...
"So... was I successful in my endeavor today?" His smirk was punchable to describe it simply.
"Yes Ozpin..." She sighed and closed her eyes in annoyance. "Congratulations... you won."
"Excellent-" He clapped his hands together. "I'll begin preparations for him." And with that, her 'advisor' stood and trudged away.
His job was technically her 'most trusted' advisor. But he was actually the commander of Vales 'army' as well... which basically just meant that he was the Lord in charge of the Hunters.
She watched him leave and let out a breath as he moved back into the castle doors. Afterwards, Weiss stood and moved over to the rose patch she had been staring at, kneeling down and gently holding one to smell.
"So many people here under my command... I wonder how many are actually loyal to me..."
She stood again and glanced around the garden... it felt so peaceful to just exist in. Perhaps her biggest regret of this castle so far was that she had made this place her private meeting spot with Ozpin.
The pleasantries and welcomes had been completely ignored, she let her muscle memory and subconscious handle all of her exchanges as she stepped into the private seating area.
It was decorated with the classic Schnee blues and whites, all of it fancy and much too pompous for today... she couldn't even come and watch her wife take an exam without it being a huge deal.
Waiting for her were finally some people she didn't have to pretend to be happy to see.
"Yo! Weissy!" Ok maybe she had to pretend with one...
"Hello Yang." She tried her best to not groan the words out as she took her seat, a variable throne in the middle of this private booth-like section of the arena... which probably hadn't existed till recently.
Weiss hadn't seen it when she'd been here for Ruby's last exam...
"How have you been?" Blake's words were a lifeline, a much calmer yet still warm reception that Weiss greeted with a geniune smile.
"Stressed, unfortunately." Her answer was simple, but she didn't want to talk about all of that right now-
"Anything we can help with?" Curse Pyrrha and her pure soul! Weiss let out a sigh and nearly groaned as she saw Yang open her mouth again.
"Pretty sure Ruby has been 'helping'." She said it with such a teasing voice, it would have made Weiss blush if she wasn't so exhausted.
"In a way I suppose that's the problem... it's been nearly a month now, yet still no signs..." She practically breathed out the words, her brain feeling slower then normal now that she was allowed to relax a little.
The silence lasted longer then she expected... no quips from Yang? She expected at least a joke or a-
Weiss glanced over and saw them all eyeing her with confusion.
"What?"
"What did you mean 'no signs'?" Blake spoke with more confusion then Weiss had expected.
"I'm... not pregnant yet...?" Did they... not know Ruby and herself were trying for a-
"I'm gonna be a Grandma!?"
"An Aunt Yang!!" Blake's yell of frustration was something Weiss had been growing used to recently... with the blonde pregnant, she practically lacked a filter on how she felt about Ruby now.
With a glance to her side, Weiss nearly laughed at Pyrrha's expression. Eyes locked forward and face empty as she tried to ignore how awkward that whole exchange had been.
"Oh, they're starting!" Yang pointed to the arena excitedly... as if they couldn't see the man step out into the centre.
Port was his name as Weiss had learned recently... one of Ozpins more trusted allies, and probably the person that actually handled most of the Hunters missions and commands... well, him and Glynda anyway.
This stage of the exam was pretty simple, just some one on one fights meant to showcase each individuals skillsets. The actual result of the fight wasn't a deciding factor, the loser could pass and the winner could fail.
They tried to match up people of equal power however, so hopefully that kind of situation could be avoided.
"I wonder who Ruby will be matched up against..." She spoke during Port's speech, not caring for the welcoming, and apparently neither were her friends.
"Did she end up making any magic items?" Weiss turned to Blake as she spoke.
"Just one, apparently she couldn't find another one she wanted yet." Weiss knew that Ruby had made the same magic item that Rory had used... it had allowed his strength to match Pyrrha, so it would definitely be enough to defeat anyone here today.
Then again, so was just her base power most likely.
"So who could they possibly match her up against-?"
"-And for our first match-!" Port's booming voice finally registered in Weiss's head as she heard him say something she actually cared about. "Ruby Schnee, The Rose Dragon! Vs! Jaune Arc, The Hero!"
Silence filled the private booth as the rest of the arena's audience lit up with cheers. Weiss slowly turned to Pyrrha who was looking pale now...
"Oh... shit." Yangs words perfectly spoke to how they all felt at the moment.
Ruby Schnee
"Oh shit... oh shit, oh shit oh shit!" She paced back and forth just before the entryway, her heart racing as she glanced out to the arena... Jaune was already walking through on the other side.
"What's wrong Ruby? You got this." Qrow was not helping right now!
"I know I do!" She yelled it at the man, who was still sitting down while she was freaking out. This room was meant as a sort of preparation for the combatants... not that Ruby had needed any. "That's the issue!"
Ruby was... well...
With no easy way to put it, she was stronger then Jaune. They had spared before, and the result had been clear... Ruby had beaten him even without the Titan Bracelet that was now wrapped around her arm.
"Oh... you're worried he's not gonna get to show off in your fight?" Her uncle was slow at the best of times... "I'd expect the Hero to be stronger to be honest..." His disappointment wasn't well hidden... probably because he wasn't trying to hide it.
Jaune hadn't yet figured out Enhancement magic... if he had, he'd be able to use his Holy Magic to cast it and he could still concentrate while using it... which would put him on equal with Ruby even with the Bracelet!
"At least... I think..."
But as things were now...
"Welp! That sounds like a problem for you to solve kiddo!" Qrow was unempathetic as he pushed her by the shoulder, practically throwing her out into the arena as she stumbled.
She glanced back at him with a glare, but sighed and turned forward, walking into the arena anyway.
Jaune was armed with his new fancy plate armour and a way better sword and shield now. The armour was a gift from Weiss thanks to his efforts in the rescue mission, and Ruby had promised to make him some magic gear later... but as for right now?
"Shield has some basic reinforcement enchantments... sword is an Adapting blade... armour isn't magic... no magic items..."
Yeah... this wasn't fair.
"Why didn't I take the bracelet off??"
She groaned in her head as she adjusted the metal on her arm, glancing up to the stands and finding her target... Pyrrha was seated in Weiss's private area, and she gave the woman a look of apology before turning back... though, her eyes paused on Weiss who simply gave her a small smile... Ruby found it odd. Not the smile, but... something seemed off about Weiss.
She shook her head and set her eyes on Jaune.
He... well, he looked determined. But knowing Jaune, he was exaclty as aware of the power difference as Ruby was.
"Are you both ready to begin?" She had nearly forgotten Port was here, and jumped a little at his words before nodding. Jaune gave a nod as well, and he smiled. "Good. The fight will begin and end at my call, not before or after." He then walked away, probably heading back up to the stands... giving Ruby and Jaune time to awkwardly look at each other... and talk.
"So umm...-"
"Ruby. Don't hold back ok?" He gave her a geniune smile and moved into a stance before transforming.
Hero's were Humanoid creatures. Like Amazon's, Dwarfs, and Elfs, just to name a few... they didn't need to struggle to attain a mastery form to use there full power while wielding weapons. There full form didn't change there shape drastically enough to lose that capability.
So, Jaune went straight to his full form.
The Hero gave off a gentle glow. His sclera turned a glowing yellow and his hair let off a white light as soft wisps of light were generated from his body every now and again... it was enchanting to see.
Ruby gave a gentle sigh and nodded, activating her half form.
Her pure red scales formed over her body and clothes, only stopping at her cloak and neck. Her eyes became slits of silver and horns sprouted from her hair, as her cloak became a darker red that resembled a leather type substance. It matched the membrane of her wings, and the claws that were a stand out of her wings were melded into her shoulders and just stopping at her neck, forming a shoulder guard kind of armour.
Her tail swished gently behind her, but with some concentration she made it erupt into rose petals and meld back into her. It was something she could learn to fight with... but it was more effort then it was worth.
Her claws detached from her shoulders and formed back into proper limbs as her cloak spilt down the middle. Her wings extending out to her sides as she took a deep breath.
"Fighters ready?" Port's voice rung through the arena, and they both tensed as they prepared to strike... But Ruby focused her mind, activating Pride, and working through the facts.
"If we were both human Jaune would be stronger then me, but since he's a Hero and I'm a Dragon, I'm just a little bit stronger in our base forms. The physical boost I get from my half form puts my on equal with his full form, and the Titan Bracelet is about a two point five times power boost to my strength and defence. That's not even accounting for my wings being stronger then my arms, and the fact that my scales are naturally incredibly resilient."
If Ruby changed into her full form... the fight was over.
Jaune would actually be pretty even with her in terms of power if he knew Enhancement magic... but since he didn't she was going to have to play this smart.
"I have to keep the fight going long enough for him to show his power, but not delay it so much that Port thinks I'm holding back on purpose..."
Which she was.
"Begin!"
Jaune shot forward immedaitly, the wisps trailing behind him as he swung at a diagonal with his sword. Ruby moved her right wing closer and across her body to block the attack, and her left wing shot forward to attack at his stomach... right where his shield happened to be.
Both attacks met each other's defence and Jaune kicked away from her to disengage, firing off a blast of glowing white fire as he did, which Ruby swatted away with her wing before It hit her.
"Holy Magic grows in power with how evil you're opponent is... sorry I'm not a monster Jaune."
The definition of Evil was difficult to pin down, but things like the murder of innocents definitely counted. No one knew the exact parameters.
Jaune readied his sword and closed his eyes for a moment, Ruby took the chance to prepare herself, expecting a big attack... or at least trying to make it look like she was.
His sword began to leak with a glowing Light which held three colours, blue, white, and yellow. Ruby was confused for a moment, before he swung the blade in her direction, still too far away to come close to hitting her.
With the sword itself anyway.
The blade let out a slash of glowing Light, the white magic flying straight towards Ruby and she quickly dodged as a cloud of rose petals. Taking deep breaths as she reformed just a metre or so to the left.
"His water Affinity... if he uses it with Holy magic, he can stack the effects of both Affinities."
She smiled and stood properly. Maybe the difference between them wasn't so big after all.
He dashed in again, his sword now holding more power thanks to the new kind of magic it was being charged with. Ruby caught the blade in its downward swing with both claws, and stared up at it still above her. The kick to her stomach was unexpected, and she recoiled a bit from it, losing her grip on the sword as it continued downwards.
With grit teeth, she was forced to dodge as a mass of red again, reforming to find he was already on top of her once again, swinging once more.
This pattern continued for a while. Jaune would attack and Ruby would dodge immediately, or block, then dodge after he broke her defence. In terms of actual skill in combat, he outclassed her.
It actually made up for the difference in their power more then Ruby was expecting.
"If you had enhancement magic... you could probably beat me as I am now, even in my full form."
Ruby just needed to hold out for as long as she could before transforming.
Jaune noticed the pattern, and backed off. Ruby was confused once she had reformed, but didn't advance on him... she knew he had more combat awareness then herself, and approaching now could mean walking into a trap.
Jaune raised both hands and pointed them towards her, gritting his teeth as a searing light emerged from them. Ruby reacted too late to flee as rose petals, and the inferno of Holy flames covered a good third of the arena as he unleashed his spell.
The arena had a barrier between the stands and the actual fighting area. It was fueled by anti-magic, and was designed to stop spells completely while allowing non-magic sources through. Which meant the flames that didn't hit the floor or wall of the arena raised up against the curved dome of a barrier, flooding back down and to Jaunes sides as it kept the flame thrower going.
The flames were interrupted by an explosion of force and sound. The noise not carrying through the barrier and leaving all the onlookers confused as the flames dispersed around the source of it. The full figure of the Rose Dragon emerged as the Holy flames died down and Jaune tried in vain to cover his ears.
Ruby stopped the roar and charged towards him now. She had wrapped herself in her wings the second she saw the attack coming, thanks to how durable her mothers cloak was - even though it let blunt attacks through easy enough - with the added power of her transformation it easily resisted some flames.
Jaune managed to get ahold of himself just in time and avoided her first attack, a large sweep with one her wings claws, which was now the size of him. The second claw swung afterwards and Jaune took it head on, holding his stance as the claw collided with his shield, pushing him back a fair distance... but not sending him flying. Which actually surprised Ruby quite a bit.
She stood tall and proud now, eyeing him down as he kept his stance strong. The determination in his eyes was something to be admired as he stood in front of what was now a much more powerful threat.
She bared her fangs and swiped with both wings at once, biting down at him in the same motion to create a three pronged attack on the man. He held his shield up to block her maw, and generated a bubble around himself, a barrier made from Water and Holy magic.
Her claws slammed into the sides of it and she moved her head back up, applying more pressure from her wings as the bubble began to crack and buckle under the pressure.
"He's lasting longer then I thought... maybe I should worry more about how I'm doing."
She threw her head up in another roar and the sound passed through his barrier, this was a less potent roar then before, but still enough to destroy his concentration. The barrier collapsed and both claws slammed into him from both sides, grabbing his body and raising it into the air. She held him just in front of her head and tilted her head as she eyed him down.
"So. Do I win?" Her voice probably let a bit of her smugness leak through in the telepathy... but she was just happy to be showing off her control for once.
"I dunno Ruby... Port said the fight dosent end till he calls it... so-" Jaune gathered his mana and let out a blinding flash of light straight into her face. Ruby growled in pain and her grip loosened a little... but not enough for Jaune to escape.
She turned her head away as the light continued and with another growl she snapped her head suddenly towards his upper body while he remained in her grasp. Her maw wide open in a biting motion as-
"Stop!" Her jaw halted it's motion with Jaunes upper body inside her maw. She moved her head back and nodded with satisfaction before letting him down gently onto the ground.
Port had called the match, and it was pretty clear why.
Ruby had won.