Ruby Schnee
She touched down gracefully, barely making a noise as she moved from landing to walking in the same smooth motion. Her wings folded back into her body and her red scales disappeared within two steps as she entered Beacon's foyer. The mansion like base for the Hunters was quite the spectacle of a building, and the magic within was enough to make her want to investigate for curiosities sake... but she had more important things to do right now. Glancing left and right, she only had to wait a few seconds after entering for someone to come rushing over.
"Y-your Highness!" She didn't remember this guys name... he was a Hunter clearly, and she knew he was often around Cardin... but his name and any details about him other then what she could spot at a glance eluded her.
"Take me to Ozpin." He nodded quickly and led her down the twisting and winding hallways of Beacon. The place seemed to reject any unwelcome guests... it's enchantments were designed to make navigating it even more confusing then it already was for anyone not intimately experienced with the layout... Ruby was liking less and less how this whole thing screamed of an inside job.
She didn't want to think about that for now...
Turning a corner into the cell block, Ruby was greeted with numerous Hunters of all different kinds investigating the place. Some were checking the rooms enchantments, others were making sure the other prisoners were safely secured, and further ahead Ozpin stood in front of a much stronger looking cell... an open one. Ruby nodded to the helpful man and walked away, mentally promising herself to learn his name.
She stopped middway to Ozpin when she saw a familiar face, and even with the circumstances... she couldn't help but saying hello. "Blake."
"Ruby?" The faunas woman quickly turned around and smiled as her eyes met silver. "What are you doing here?" She moved in for a hug and Ruby didn't hesitate in embracing her.
"I'm here to help." She wasn't about to share her theory... it was stupid enough to even suggest, but for now Weiss believed her and that was all Ruby needed to keep pushing.
"Well-" Blake pulled back and let her go with a smile. "I was checking some things as well..." She turned back to the cell she stood in front of and Ruby leaned around her to check the apparently empty room.
"Ummm..."
"Another escapee." Blake clarified.
"Ah. Someone you put in there?" Ruby stood back up and Blake sighed gently.
"Someone I knew yes..."
"That's not the question I asked."
Ruby's eyes grew concerned, but she didn't get the chance to say anything else. "Your Highness-" She turned to Ozpin as he spoke, having approached her when she stopped to talk. "-I'm glad to see you made it."
She moved over and was pleasantly surprised as Blake followed. "What happened?"
Ozpin smiled, he had started treating Ruby with more respect ever since she actually started expressing her authority... it took a while to get used to it, and Ruby still wasn't all the way there. Pride was helping a lot. "The individual known as Neo escaped-" He gestured to the much stronger looking cell... Ruby could feel the anti-magic restrictions still pouring into the room even from outside of it... not even she would have been able to use magic in there. "We still arent sure how exaclty."
"Outside help?" Ruby took a step towards the cell and glanced around it. They all worked the same fundamental way, just some being stronger then others. The cell was essentially a massive cube built into the side of the hallway, all the faces except the connection to the hallway exuded massive amounts of anti-magic into the room, and the front wall was a barrier made up of the same spells.
"We're assuming... for now, we have no clue."
"Surveillance was apparently cut off." Blake chimed in which caused Ruby to tilt her head.
"So it was definitely outside help."
"Neo has an Affinity in anti-magic, its possible with enough mana that she simply cut off the defenses." At Ozpins words, Ruby glanced at the cell again and felt the sting of the anti-magic again... the amount in that room...
"Yeah i doubt it."
"Very well then. We'll proceed accordingly-"
"One more thing." Ozpin raised an eyebrow at being cut off. Ruby didn't want to say this in front of Blake but... well she had no choice now. "I believe Weiss is in danger."
"Could you elaborate?"
"Ruby? Don't you think this is a bit... much...?" Weiss's voice held barely contained worry and concern, but Ruby simply shrugged as she checked the runes again.
"Nope." With a small pulse of mana the barrier activated and their bed was covered from all angles now by a thin layer of blue light. "This should keep anyone out... and anything strong enough to get through will wake us up anyway."
Weiss put her book down and sighed, leaning up a bit more from her side of the bed and sighing gently. "Ruby-" Said girl was already in the bed with her wife now, helping her up as she tried to sit up properly. "Thank you... but... I'm fine, I promise."
"I know you are-" Ruby gently held Weiss's hand and gave her a soft smile. "And I'm gonna make sure it stays that way."
"I heard your orders to Clover you know-"
"And I stand by all of them."
"Ruby... not allowing anyone near me that dosent talk first? Constant usage of anti-magic in his eyes to check for illusions?" Her face was deadpanned at this point and Ruby shrugged.
"Neo's crafty."
"We dont even know if she's coming for me."
Ruby slumped a bit. "I thought you trusted me-"
"I do Ruby, I do." Weiss reached over and cupped both her cheeks. "But that just means Neo being freed might be bad for our child... it dosent mean she'll try and attack us immediately."
"I'm not planning on risking that." Ruby's determined expression made Weiss sigh and drop her hands. "Weiss?"
"I trust your judgement Ruby. If this is how you want to do things then... ok." She layed down slowly and turned her head to meet Ruby's eyes. "Can you turn the lamp off?"
Ruby wanted to say more... but Weiss needed her rest. She gently nodded and reached over, flicking the light off and shrouding the room in darkness. Ruby slowly reached over and rested a hand on Weiss's belly.
"Goodnight Weiss... Goodnight Argus..." She closed her eyes... but didn't sleep that night.
"Welcome one and all to day three of the Tournament!!" Port's booming voice made Ruby snap awake again, her eyes being barely closed as she tried to keep herself awake... and failing.
The Colosseum was jam packed once again today, and everyone held an excited energy that Ruby was failing to match. She hadnt slept last night or the night previous... and frankly she had been lucky her fight yesterday hadnt been against someone tough. Today was the opposite though.
"Ruby?" She zipped over to Weiss's side quickly, having been in her seat for once today. Weiss let out a gentle sigh as she appeared there, and gently held her hand. "I want you to try and sleep for me ok?"
"What? Nah, I'm fine." The expression on Weiss's face showed how little she agreed with that statement. "Weiss I need to make sure you're ok-"
"Your Highness-" Ruby turned suddenly and Clover smiled at her. "I promise to keep her safe strictly to your orders."
"Clover i-"
"Ruby. Rest." Weiss's frown had gone beyond cute and reached an actually scary level that Ruby felt herself crumble a little beneath.
"I... I can't... I can't sleep knowing you're in danger-"
"Clover?" The Queen didn't have to elaborate further as Clover stepped forward and put his hand to Ruby's face. A small pulse of mana washed over her and she felt her body grow heavy before her eyes shut suddenly.
Weiss Schnee
She watched Ruby slump onto Clover's hold, and the Knight slowly carried her down to her seat. Weiss nodded to him at a job well done and sighed before glancing at the other rulers... all of which who were trying not to comment on any of that.
"Good to know it's that easy to knock her out-" And then there was this bitch. "-ill remember that for our fight." Carmine smirked at Weiss and the Queen nearly retorted... but held her tounge. She'd just let Ruby do the talking when they fought.
"Just try it in the fight..."
Her mental grumble was meant for no one but herself, but outloud she simply ignored Carmine and turned to Clover. "You won't be fighting today?" He chuckled gently and shook his head.
"I don't believe I can defeat Pyrrha Nikos unfortunately... or anyone that could defeat her." Weiss nodded at his words and turned back to the arena... speaking of uneven fights...
She sighed gently as she watched Jaune and Qrow step out onto the arena, stopping at their starting positions.
"Say what you will about the Hero... he didn't back down from this fight..."
As much as she wanted to cheer for Jaune, as much as she knew Pyrrha wanted to cheer for Jaune... this could only end one way. Everyone knew that. Qrow was arguably the strongest person in the world, and challenging him was a sure-fire way to be humbled.
"When he actually uses his power..."
Though, he had no excuses today. Perhaps not in this fight... but he would most certainly use Death's power by tournament end.
Jaune Arc
"Yeah... I'm gonna lose."
Staring down his opponent... well, what was there to say? He could tell at a glance that Qrow simply outclassed him in everyway. Physical strength, skill with a blade, mana, Affinitys, magic skill... this wasn't a fair fight, but that was the point of a tournament afterall, there had to be a winner.
"I'm impressed kid." Qrow spoke with a snarky voice, but Ruby had once said that was just simply how he talked, and taking his words at face value was always a good idea. "You didn't back down."
Jaune smiled and raised his sword and shield. "What kind of a Knight would I be if I didn't take the chance to face the peak of the world?" Qrow chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.
"I may be really strong kid... but I'm not the peak of anything. I'm just a guy who got lucky." Jaune tilted his head and Qrow explained. "The Harbinger titles are the strongest powers in the world, but when you put them against each other you gotta look at all of the person's abilities... The current Conquest is an Amazon, Famine is a Faunas, and my sister can't compete today... I got lucky cause I'm a Roc."
Jaune frowned and shook his head. "You're underestimating yourself... your skill is your own." Qrow chuckled and drew his sword as Port spoke their titles. "If you don't believe me... how about you indulge me?" Death tilted his head. "We fight without magic. No mana, no transformations. Just you, and me. Only using skill." Jaune wasn't stupid... even that wasn't a fight he could win.
Qrow had a good three-hundred years of experience on him... but this wasnt about winning. This fight never was about winning for Jaune, he knew he couldn't.
"I know I'll lose... but maybe I can help you while I do."
Qrow considered it for a moment... then shrugged. "Sure, why not. But if you get close to winning I'm gonna turn on the magic, kid." Jaune nodded quickly and took a deep breath...
"Me as I am now... vs the strongest the world has to offer..."
"Let the battle commence!!"
Jaune could recognise the disparity between them before the battle started. At a glance he could have told anyone how much stronger Qrow was then him... and yet...
Experiencing it was something different entirely.
He was on top of him before Jaune even realised, his shield took the brunt of the attack only because Qrow had been aiming for it. Jaunes arm was thrown back along with his shield and Qrow spun mid-air to kick him in the same direction his arm was now pointing before Jaune could even get a hit in.
He rolled as he landed and quickly got to his feet again, locking his eyes onto Qrow and immediately dropping into a stance. The Harbingers blade was longer then his own, and it weighed a ridiculous amount... yet he twirled it around like it was nothing, the two-handed weapon was being handled like a dagger.
"Maybe even is a bit too far..." Qrow relaxed his expression a bit and readied his blade forward. "I respect you, kid. Don't think for a second I don't. So understand that when I tell you to change into at least your half form... it's not me being an ass."
Jaune chuckled and nodded, skipping his half form entirely and going straight for a full transformation as he eyed down his opponent once more. Magic still wasnt allowed in their own personal rules... but Jaune expected to get there before Qrow had to resort to using more power.
Qrow approached at the exact same speed, but this time Jaune could see it. It wasn't an instantaneous movement anymore to his eyes, now it was just plain fast. He brought his shield up and angled it to let Qrows blade slide down it and miss, as it scraped along his shield Jaune stepped to the side and slashed horizontally in an attempt to counter. Qrow committed fully to his downward swing and the force of it lodged his blade into the ground, he then used it as leverage and flipped his body up and over the slash. He drew his sword from the ground as he leaped and slashed at Jaune once more before sticking the landing now on the otherside of the Hero.
"What the fuck-"
He was back on Jaune straight away, their blows met with heavy clashes of force, the arena feeling softer beneath Jaunes feet as he stepped and adjusted his footing to keep up with the man... funnily enough, Jaune was nearly as strong as him when they were like this. He had fought Pyrrha enough times to be able to tell when two opponents skill was too uneven to make for a proper fight. Jaune could see openings all over the place, there was one at least every few seconds, yet he knew not to go for them, they were too consistent to all be real openings... Qrow was just trying to bait him.
"I can't tell if any of them are real either..."
That was probably why he was feigning so many.
Qrow got a solid kick on Jaunes stomach and the Hero reared back in pain before gritting his teeth and launching forward for another clash. Qrow chuckled as their blades met in a lock and he used the chance to talk. "Feel free to use magic, kid." He dropped his sword to the side and the sudden lack of push back forced Jaune's blade to follow Qrows to the ground. The Harbinger used the chance to punch Jaune in the face with his other hand and sent Jaune back once more.
This time he simply shook his head and entered his stance immediately again. Jaune let a glow pass over his body as enhancement magic started flowing through him... now he was definitely stronger then Qrow, who was still in his base form.
Qrow moved into an airtight stance and smirked at Jaune, goading him into approaching this time.
The Hero was happy to oblige as he rocketed forward, more then likely appearing faster to Qrow then Qrow had previously to him when he transformed. His first strike was deflected and Jaune was quick to send another in, Qrow sidestepped the swing and moved his own blade to meet Jaunes stomach. It instead met Jaune's shield with all of his weight behind it as he pressed into the magic weapon with the hopes of knocking Qrow off balance. He actually succeeded and Jaune was quick to step forward into the opening and plunge his sword towards Qrows-
"Wait... an opening...?"
Qrow smirked from his off balance position and fully committed to the movement, flipping backwards with his hands on the ground and kicking Jaune's sword high above his head before lunging forward and pressing his blade against Jaune's throat.
He didn't feel the cold steel connect to his neck, rather he felt a soft mana flow around him as the barrier activated. Jaune let out a sigh and nodded before smiling at Qrow.
"You're a good fighter, Jaune." Qrow pat his shoulder with a smirk and turned away, already moving out of the arena as people cheered for his victory... though quieter then in any of the other matches.
"No 'kid' this time?" Jaune's smile probably couldn't be wiped off his face at the moment, and Qrow simply waved at him without turning to face him.
Weiss Schnee
"Tsk... I can't believe Death would entertain that game of his." Weiss let out an audible sigh at Carmine's words.
"Do you have to comment on every fight?"
"Is that not why we're watching?" Carmine asked it so genuinely that Weiss actually wasn't sure if she was joking or not. "Besides, he filled the Hero with false hope by not crushing him."
"And how old are you exactly?" Carmine stuttered, unable to form a response as she whipped her head around to find who had said that. Weiss carefully looked over at the new voice and found that Leo had a guest.
"Orange hair... pink colouring in her armour... and a hammer that Ruby would probably fawn over..."
"Excuse me??" Carmine finally formed a response and the girl laughed at her.
"Well, Jaune is what like... twenty something? Aren't you like four hundred? Seems a bit unfair to call him bad when you have so much more 'experience'." Weiss had to stop herself from laughing at the way she said that last part, the jab at Carmine's lack of youth seeming to hit a sorespot as the Pheonix nearly growled with rage.
That being said, it was impossible to tell that she was actually that old... Weiss had to wonder how this girl new exactly... or maybe she was the only one who didn't know.
"Anyway, I'm Nora! Nora Valkyrie!" And like that she managed to make them all shut up nearly instantly.
"Aren't you... fighting next...?" Weiss spoke carefully and Nora looked at her a bit confused for a moment. Their gazes practically locked on each other as Nora seemed to slowly work through those words before a light bulb sprung on in her head.
"Oh shoot!!" She quite literally zipped out of the room. Moving so fast she resembled Ruby whenever she dashed as rose petals.
Weiss looked forward again and shook her head with a sigh. "That's the Valkyrie huh..."?"
"Goodluck Winter..."