The day was bright. The sky was clear with a pure crystal blue colour that almost resembled a void if you stared straight up at it. The only thing breaking the constant blue was the sun roaring with warmth and illuminating the world below. Below that orb of fire and the sea-like sky, was the city of Vale, one of the four great Kingdoms, and home to the only two Dragons the world knew about.

The city was tucked between the ocean and a large range of mountains, separated from both by many kilometres and on one side the Emerald Forest. A large range of trees and life that seemed to spawn the creatures of Grimm, it lay closer to the mountains then the city, any creatures that came from it would be seen long before they made it close to Vales walls. Though the walls weren't the only thing keeping threats out, the large barrier that surrounded the city in a dome of protection, while invisible to the naked eye, was quite the shield from danger.

Vale's castle was perched on top of a large formation that resembled a 'tiny' mountain. It took up the space of a corner of the city and raised the keep a good hundred metres into the air. Complicated magics ran throughout it to ensure that it didn't cast a shadow on the city during certain times of day, the same magics currently being used by another high up structure in the city at the moment.

Amity Colosseum. The current prime location to be in Vale, and the source of more commotion then the city had seen in quite a while. The floating structure was an arena in a scale meant to make it the grandest in the world, and many would argue it had succeeded in that endeavour. Kept away from the world by a powerful engine keeping it afloat, and guarded by not only the city's defenses, but airships circling it at a distance acting as bodyguards, the structure was the most well guarded thing in the whole city.

Well, almost.

The inside of the Colosseum had an arena that was at least a hundred metres in diameter, and the structure only got bigger from there, forming into an upside down cone shape leading into rows and rows of seats meant for spectators. The rows of seats were only broken up by walkways and private booths which there were only two of. One of which was saved for the announcers of this grand stage, and the other was home to the most important people in the world.

This booth housed the rulers of the kingdoms, and their closest confidants. These thrones were each occupied, and none of the rulers were competing in the tournament today.

Looking down at the rest of the spectators and of course the fighters themselves:

In Mistral's throne, Leonardo Lionheart. A lion Faunas, though it would be difficult to guess that based on his rather timid demeanour. His greying hair surrounded his head and framed it akin to a lions mane, while his clothes were brown and rather drab looking, thoigh decorated with a few medals that he may or may not have actually earned. He had Brown eyes.

In Vacuo's Throne, Gillingham Astutias. An older Roc woman, her apparent cunning nature obvious to anyone that met her eyes... though, she only kept her seat of power thanks to someone else. Her hair was shifting between white and grey all throughout its locks, and tied into a braid draping over her shoulder, her dress screamed vanity and class made of purples and yellows, and a rather stark departure from her country's usual demeanour. She had Black eyes.

In Atlas's Throne, Jacques Schnee. A human much to his own chagrin, he was also keeping his own seat warm. Though his son would take his Throne only once he was of age. His pure white hair was standard for his familys heritage, and his suit was a matching pure white. The only interesting feature he really had was his moustache... but of course that had to be the same shade of white as well. He had Light Blue eyes.

In Vale's Throne, Weiss Schnee. The Frost Dragon, and only one of two that the world knew about at large. Her throne would be hers until she chose to hand it to someone else... or perhaps for as long as she could keep it in her grasp. Weiss was wearing a dress that was a size bigger then she was used to, it was light blue mostly in colour, but decorated with greens here and there which was Vales signature colour. She wore earrings with shining red jewels in them, and had a glowing dust jewel hanging around her necklace inside of a pendant. Though, the most notable feature one might instantly notice of her was the clear bump on her belly. She had Light Blue eyes.

But the rulers of the kingdoms weren't the ones the people were here to see today... for today marked the beginning to the most important part of this grand event... today was the first day of the Tournament.

The Vytal festival was an event that took place over the course of a whole month. Everyday was a parade in the streets below, every night a party in every bar in the city, and every morning a collective groan from people waking up earlier then they wanted. The festival was in full bloom, and today marked perhaps the most important moment of it. The real reason people travelled across the world to be in Vale today, the reason everyone was so excited... and the reason a few people were dreading the coming event.

Today, marked the true beginning of the Vytal Festival.

Weiss Schnee

"Politcs... politics... politics... I wish I could have just sat and enjoyed the tournament..."

Today had much more meaning then just simply watching some fights. Qrow had summarised it simply to her as 'the kingdoms dick measuring competition'. Despite the lack of grace in his words... he wasn't wrong. One look at the faces of her 'equals' sitting beside her in there own ornately designed thrones, it was obvious that they were rearing and ready for the show to start... in their own ways anyway.

What show exaclty though was the question... one would assume they were itching for the fighting to begin, but some of them were more comfortable in a battle of wits... her father being the prime suspect in that regard. If any of them risked speaking at the moment, the others would tear it apart like a pack of starving wolves seeing fresh meat. They were vicious in their desire to somehow say the right string of words to prove they were better then each other.

"You ok?" A sweet voice that was too wonderful to her ears to be allowed to be exposed to such a cruel situation... and yet...

She let out a sigh and looked up at her wife, Ruby was standing beside her throne. The woman was dressed in clothes that didnt match her status of Queen Consort, however as she was a possible competitor today, her current attire of 'combat ready' clothing made sense. Ruby's combat outfit kept Weiss awake some nights, the clothing that hugged her body, a black corset of all things, her lack of sleeves perfectly showing off her arms... hell even her cloak somehow managed to complete the whole look... and then there was the combat skirt! An idea she had stolen directly from Weiss herself, but it wasn't as if the Queen was complaining. Moving her eyes back up to Ruby's face, Weiss realised that her hair was actually a little longer... not by much, it was just down to her shoulders now. If Ruby tied it back Weiss just might pounce on her...

She had her own assigned seat not far in front of Weiss with the rest of the rulers 'honoured guests' but she had chosen to stand beside Weiss... the reason why was clear.

Weiss rested her hand on her now very pregnant belly and nodded. "Yes, I'm fine." Ruby moved her hand down and gently held her own on top of the bump, and they shared a soft smile.

"Wow. You two really are adorable." A voice from the exact opposite end of the whole booth they were in. Weiss turned her head curiously to the speaker, but she felt Ruby tense as she met the woman's eyes. Her voice was low and rather proud... as if she knew she was better then everyone here.

The woman in question... Carmine Escalodos. Her shining Gold eyes were like a beacon that drew your gaze in when they were set on you, and her entire getup seemed determined to keep that attention. A rather provocative combat outfit that exposed a lot of her tanned skin, it was only a few steps away from simply wearing underwear and a jacket... but Weiss supposed one could dress like that if they wanted to, so long as they were as powerful as her.

"Thank you." Weiss gave Carmine a pleasant nod and the woman smirked at her in response.

"Oh you're both fun." Even though she said that, her eyes were locked onto Ruby's own... Weiss felt a bit on tension build in the air but didn't bother addressing it... they could both settle this later.

They were both competing afterall. Though Weiss would prefer if Carmine and Qrow met early in the competition before Ruby would have to fight the woman...

"Come Carmine... let them be as adorable as they want. It's a joyous time afterall, soon Vale will have a little prince or princess running around." Gillingham smiled at the Queens of Vale, but something about her expression hid a layer of smug that Weiss could barely detect. "Out of curiosity, what gender is the baby?"

Ruby went to speak but Weiss gently raised a hand to make her stop before she said anything. "We arent aware yet, theres no need to know beforehand." That was a lie. She knew the gender, but she didn't trust this woman with anything. One look into her eyes showed they were both aware of that, their gazes locked together in a stalemate similar in nature to Ruby and Carmine's own seconds earlier.

"When will this horrid event start." A grumble from the 'distinguished' King of Atlas. He was just grumpy. Despite having the strongest army in the world, it was clear to everyone here that Atlas wouldn't be walking away with the victory today. Their strongest fighter this year was Clover, and he would most likely forfeit any fight he knew he'd lose before it happened.

"He really dosent want to lose his requirements for Conquest..."

There were sixteen fighters this year, more had most likely applied for the right to fight but... well, there was a pretty gruesome entree challenge, and of the sixteen who passed, only ten were strong enough to be worth mentioning.

Fighting for Vale, Ruby Schnee, Pyrrha Nikos, Qrow Branwen, and Jaune Arc.

Fighting for Atlas, Clover Ebi, and Winter Schnee.

Fighting for Vacuo, Carmine Escalodos.

Fighting for Mistral, Lie Ren, Nora Valkyrie, and Neptune Vasilias.

Weiss was aware that Qrow was the favourite to win this year, as he had done in the previous tournament. Carmine had been the runner up last time as well, and the general prediction was that those results would keep this time as well. One glance at Carmine showed she had enough confidence to argue against those odds...

"Gold eyes... like that Cinder woman..."

Carmine was dangerous. No one had to tell Weiss that for her to be made aware of that fact. Yet, the fact that people regarded her as 'The Strongest Non-Harbinger' definitely added to her fear of the woman...

"Welcome one and all!" They all turned their attention to the arena, holographic screens had appeared across the barrier separating the arena and the stands, and displayed on it were... Oobleck and Port? Weiss had to wonder why they were the announcers this year... "Today marks the beginning of this year's tournament! And no one is as excited as I am! But allow me to share in my excitement, and grace you all with this years bracket!" Oobleck was silent for now, Weiss dreaded the moment he started speaking though... she knew he wouldn't stop.

Six months pregnant and she was still forced to listen to his rants in their council meetings...

The bracket appeared on the screen, and the arena went silent for a moment as everyone read It over quickly... the first to react - at least that she could hear - was her father. His hands were thrown up in rage and he let out a string of profanity as he saw Clovers position...

Clover would be facing Lie Ren in his first round, and if he won... he'd be up against Pyrrha next.

"Well looks like he's only competing once this year..."

Carmine started laughing at the kings rage, and Ruby had to stop herself from joining in... but Weiss still had her eyes glued to the screen... Ruby was up against no one of importance in her first round... but her second round... she would face Carmine...

She glanced up at Ruby with worry, but her wife simply shook her head with a smile. "I got this."

Weiss gave a small brave smile and nod, before turning back to the screen.

She had to concentrate for now... this first fight would be a match between Vale and Mistral. A glance at Leonardo showed he wasn't feeling very confident in the battle... or perhaps he was just intimated in general. It didn't matter for now, Weiss turned her attention back to the screen...

The first fight would be-

Jaune Arc

"Alright... come on... you can do this... you can do this..."

"Jaune? You know I'm supposed to be telling you that right?"

"Oh I was talking to me." Pyrrha sighed at his words, but gave a small nod anyway. Jaune laughed at her reaction and shrugged. "Don't worry Pyrrha, I'll be fine."

Jaune was up first. Though his opponent was most likely dangerous, his second round would be against Qrow... so this first round would be his only fight this year.

Well, the only fight he could win.

"Jaune-"

"Pyrrha. I mean it. I'm fine." He gave her a tight hug and smiled as they held each other, before they gently closed the distance and their lips met. In the coming time since they had confessed to each other... well, he didn't know how he had been so blind before it. When she had confessed to liking him for a long time, he had mentally kicked himself for a solid week. "I know I can't beat Qrow... but that just means I can use all of my power straight away against this guy."

"Jaune... we get time after every fight to restock our mana." She gave him a deadpanned look and he shrugged awkwardly.

"Well, now I don't need it!" He laughed a bit and she struggled to contain herself from joining in.

"Ok... promise me you'll be safe out there?"

"No can do. I've got a fight to win, i can't be worrying about being safe." His expression and voice had turned serious, and her own expression changed to match his own.

"Mr Arc? It's time." He let go of Pyrrha slowly and nodded to the helpful faunas man, who quickly took his leave as Jaune turned to the opening... the gateway to the arena.

He took a deep breath... but before he could let it out and take the first step, Pyrrha gave him a small shove on the back and he stumbled a little. Turning back to look at her, she mouthed a small 'I'm sorry' with a sly grin, and he smirked before mouthing an 'I love you' back. Her face exploded with a blush and he quickly moved to walk out into the arena.

The walk was... well, frankly it was a rather large distance to cross. But, stopping in the arena at his beginning position... he felt exposed. People all around him, and so many that he couldn't count them all or make out any details about them. The white stone floor beneath him didn't seem to have any give to it as he stepped across, and he tuned in just in time to hear Port's voice.

"Our first round is featuring The Hero Jaune Arc! Vs! The Drowned Prince! Neptune Vasilias!" Jaune looked to his opponent with a small smile.

"Drowned Prince isnt actually a magic Title... just a name people have given him..."

Jaune was confident his water Affinity would be worthless against this opponent... but that was fine. His Holy Magic had become his main weapon lately anyway.

Eyeing down the man... it was obvious he had lots of experience. His armour was actually rather light, a bright red in colour and only barely covering his whole body baring a helmet. His blue hair was long enough to be down to his shoulders if it hadn't been tied back, and in terms of human age... he looked about forty... though his actual age was likely much higher then that. He wielded a spear, which was a good thing for Jaune... he had trained a lot against Pyrrha, which meant he had some really good practice against that kind of weapon.

His own armour and weapons were all magical now. The armour a pure white with golden trimmings, and his sword and shield matching in colour and design. This fight would be tough... even with his new fancy gear.

"Fighters! Are you ready to begin the Vytal Festival!?" Port's booming voice put a smile on Jaune's face as he felt the weight of his kingdom on his shoulders... it was time to prove what the Hero could do.

He raised his sword up high, and Neptune responded in kind with his spear... though, lacking the same determination and smile Jaune wore. Rather, he looked... uninterested.

"Let the battle commence!!"

Jaune didn't see it at first, he didn't feel the pulse of magic, he didn't hear the sound of an attack... he just raised his shield and gritted his teeth as he transformed... as the entire arena filled with the smell of the sea.