RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts

Chapter 26: The Vytal Festival, begins!

WARNING: I own none of these characters sides from my OC(s). All rights go to their respective owners and properties.

This is nothing more than, well a fanfic, a story made up by a fan for entertainment and knowledge.

Everything in this fic is not canon and is only meant to give the audience a new idea of the works of each of the franchises in this story.

So please support me, my work and have some fun. Now enjoy the story. ^w^

Cinder had known the bitter revelations that were brought to light after she had met her Queen. The truth about the world. About the goals. She had done everything to please her. Without her she was nothing. She had gained two who followed her. Gained magic, though half no thanks to that bastard crow. The only thing she feared was disappointment from Salem. However when Evol made himself (quite proudly and boldly so) known as an eater of worlds, the world had shifted drastically.

Her eyes were open to a brand new world. A new outlook that overshadowed everything before it…. Enough for her to change her allegiance to the said world devourer. While Salem was a problem, facing against Evol would be utter suicide.

He and his tribe had ate worlds to gather strength but their gluttony had no limits or bounds. Evol though, his acts were fitting as a Blood serpent he is. He was cunning, sharp, his brain processing faster than any creature on Remnant.

Cinder had no regrets upon deciding to work for him. Regardless she gets the same power as he does, or simply lives to see the world be devoured? It mattered not to her. She just wants more power, and choosing Evol was a no-brainer. All she needs to do, is continue to listen and obey, knowing it'll get better as the days go on. She knows fully well that one misstep from her, will lead to her death in an instant, thus she'll play along for now.

Luckily, she was one step ahead of one little problem.

Lily.

She knew it would be a matter of time before the girl changed sides, and already had her plans set to change both herself and her team to continue her plan to disable Vale and the tower. She simply had to wait for the finals and everything will be done.

But the one small factor was her benefactor who was the one keeping her body alive - the Saint. The very being who had been the reason Evol was once sealed. Unlike her, Vernage had the mind older than Salem. Magic older than her Queen. Combines her magic and combat in a form of Magic swordsmanship.

Yet, the Saint was on the definition of 'good', thus making her an enemy. She not only had sealed and bested Evol over the centuries, but has been continuing to get in his way over and over again. But due to one little mistake, she was bounded to the young girl she considers a daughter, now making things easier should they ever decided to kill the Saint. Yet, Evol continues to let the girl go and live on, more likely unsure what extra spells the Saint has in store for them. It irked her.

She wasn't a fool to witness how skilled Vernage was. In turn, causing Lily to grow as equally as the bluenette's body no doubt adjusted to Vernage's prowess. The longer it goes on, the more likely Vernage will make the decision to seal Evol again as a last resort.

Thus, Cinder was already making ideas and plans to finally take down Lily and Vernage. If she could do it, and whatever spell that was meant to be used on Evol would be ineffective to her, thus earning more power and rights to her by the world eater.

All Cinder had to do now was wait and sprinkle the crumbs for the trap, and then everything would be set in place.

XXX

Above Beacon Academy, was a large, floating coliseum as the cheers and roars of the crowd were heard. This was the famous Vytal Festival, large enough for several hundreds of civilians and students to sit and watch as the rest was being viewed live all across Remnant.

And it was starting off with a heck of a first round of fighters as this one was Team RWBY of Beacon vs Team ABRN of Haven, as the fight was very exciting for everyone. Especially for one rider, as Cody was in the stands, cheering for RWBY, but especially for Yang.

"You guys ready?" Ruby asked her teammates.

"More than ready! Let's kick their butts!" Yang smirked.

3…

2…

1...

The fighters got into their stances as everyone viewing were now on the edge of their seats.

BEGIN!

Upon that, the stage shook as the round edges were pulled downward, what came up was several environments. Ranging from a forest, a lava pit, glacier, and even a steamy mountain range. Once finished the bell went off as both teams charged ahead, each one striking and clashing with each other before they broke apart, each one heading into a different zone to fight and win.

Blake exchange blows against the skater, her blades colliding with the hoverboard of her opponent until she flips away, readies herself and charges in once more. Yang on the other hand was fighting against the leader of Team ABRN as she was delivering punch after lunch with her opponent blocking each attack.

Nearby, the other member of Team ABRN aimed his assault rifle at Yang until a sudden burst of frost exploded behind him, ice now forming up to his thighs. The source being from Ruby with a cheeky grin and her Crescent Rose being the weapon she fired. "Got your back, sis!""But who's got yours?" Her opponent questioned. The teammate with the staff twirled it, ready to hit her until a black glyph appeared behind him. Weiss then shot forward, hitting him and kicking the Hunter back and away from Ruby.

"My, BFF!" Ruby responded.

"Uh…. no…" Weiss denied, charging after her opponent.

Ruby pumps her first before whispering, "Yes."

Their opponent crouches with his weapon as he sees a white glyph appear in front of him. A second later, Weiss dashes by and slashes him, then leaps up and attempts an aerial attack but her opponent was able to block the attack.

The heiress changed tactics as she readies her sword while preparing a glyph behind her, and Ruby uses it to launch herself straight up and come down with her Scythe with a spinning attack. Though the teammate from ABRN, blocked it with his staff, a smirk on his face as Ruby notices it. She grimaces and blasts herself away to Weiss' side while Bolin rushes at them before rolling away from the shards of ice that rained down on him and jumping over Ruby's next attack and continues running.

"Whaaaat!?" Ruby exclaimed.

Her opponent manages to reach for an orange crystal deposit and slice off a shard before tossing it over to the skater over in the ice part of the stadium. With the shard in hand, the greenette fuses the shard with her board, turning the aqua lights to a crimson shade before using her board to free her other teammate from the icy snare.

Seeing her teammate free, she comes back to Blake and slams her board into her enemy's blade, but propels herself backwards and knocks Blake through a frozen pillar.

She then attempts to use her board to slam the disguised Faunus into the ground but when she dodges that, she spins around in a flaming arc which Blake barely escapes from thanks to her Semblance. Now seeing that it was time to change tactics.

Blake launches the pistol attachment of her Gambol Shroud at a nearby glacier and launches herself behind it, as the greenette follows her and sees Blake with her back turned to her under and arch. She grins before riding in to deliver a flaming spiral at her. However, she didn't expect to see the ribbon Blake launched to trap her.

Blake pulls the ribbon with as much force as she can, causing the green-haired girl of Team ABRN to slam body-first into the string, only to use the final kick to knock the greenette out of the stage with the skater crashing into the wall of the stands before landing on the ground defeated.

[OH! And like that, ABRN is out one player! Reese may have done her best with her skating skills, but Blake's tactics worked well! Can ABRN pull a fast one and win this round?] Port said, announcing the game.

"Damn it! They took out Reese!" Arslan growled.

The remaining three members continue to fight against the four but they were losing slowly. The second from the teamwork they have. The crowd at the edge of their seats to see the victory as Team RWBY was clearly winning.

Yang rushed in, with the use of their abilities and began to deliver to the platinum blonde but what she didn't know was that Weiss, Ruby, and Blake were pushing the other members towards the leader of the team. As the leader of Team ABRN tries to block each attack, she saw Blake's blade coming down in which she quickly jumped back, but realized her teammates are behind her as Weiss formed a frozen slide for Yang.

"Yang! Now!" Weiss shouted.

Yang blasts herself forward and skims over the wall of ice, catching Blake's pistol as her teammate uses Ruby as a launch pad to jump off towards the remaining members of ABRN. The three only had a second to look horrified as Blake whips Yang around, tugging hard on it, shooting Yang out to land a devastating punch that sends the trio flying into their elimination, thus making Team RWBY victorious.

[And Team RWBY have won their first match!] Oobleck stated, as the crowd cheered in victory, even the ones that were rooting for ABRN were clapping for them all.

"Yes!" Cody shouted out with delight and glee as with this win, they'll be moved into the dual rounds. He of course got out of his seat and rushed to one of the gates to greet Yang and the girls before they head into the fairgrounds. "Way to go you guys! That was an awesome fight!"

"Yeah we did!" Yang winked at him, "Enjoy that special fiery left hook? Think of that as my tribute to you."

"That's what that was? I thought you just were making something up to impress him?" Weiss questioned the blonde brawler.

"Shhh!" Yang hushed her friend, "She's just teasing. You know how Ice Queen gets." Yang laughed as Weiss glared from that nickname.

Cody was confused before he shrugged it off, "Well, how about I treat you girls at the fair grounds, since the duo matches doesn't start until tomorrow?" He offered to them.

"If you're buying then I'm in!" Ruby chimed.

"It would be rude to deny his offer." Blake nodded in agreement.

XXX

Coming to the food area of the fairgrounds, Cody forgot how many people were around. The food stalls that were around had their customers who ate their meals. Though at closer inspection, Cody briefly noticed the occasional Atlas soldier or two walking by. He was reminded after the events Evol had caused, the world was still on alert of the Faust organization.

To Cody, he knew Evol hadn't got out of his personal kingdom of Eden, only sending his minions for missions. He knew how the bastard was – Evol was waiting for the conflict humans caused and watching it like a sick form of watching a movie.

Yang took notice of Cody's looks as she smiled softly as an idea came to her.

"You know, its crowded here. Know any place that's more quiet?" Yang asked the rider.

"None that I can see." He admitted.

"Oh! How about ramen!" Ruby pointed at the said food stall.

"Ramen? Seriously?" Weiss questioned her leader over the food choice. Her stomach growled, making her flush in embarrassment. "F-Fine. We can do that."

Cody snickered, earning daggers of a glare from the heiress. The five approached the stall, making their orders.

"Mind if we join you?"

The group looked to see Jaune and the rest of his team, JNPR, now approaching them.

"Go right ahead, I have money to spare." Cody gestured to the group to join them as well.

"So when do you four start your match?" asked Yang. "There hasn't been any notifications."

"Eventually… uh, maybe?" Jaune sheepishly answered.

"We can worry about that later. For now, we should eat and get some energy." Ren stated to the others.

"And it's right after our meal! We got another weapon to use!" Nora grinned deviously.

"Gross but effective." Cody responded, with some distant for a tactic.

Weiss rolled her eyes. "You two are disgusting idiots."

"Hey, I agreed it was gross, Ice Queen!" Cody huffed from Weiss's taunt.

"Still."

"Man, you don't have any humor on you."

Blake's bow twitched slightly. Though she wasn't the only one to notice as Pyrrha looked over her shoulder. "Isn't that Lily?"

The rest turned around to see the buxom bluenette though the air around the place she stood was strained. Reason was due to what looks to have been a beverage that had been thrown at her. Evidence being the ice, straw, and cup.

However it was clear Lily's fist looked ready to move for a punch if it went on from the individual was who berating her.

"What jerks…" Weiss frowned at such a sight as she and Blake got up as they walked over with some napkins and some cloth to help dry her off and clean her up. "You okay?"

"…"

Ice blue eyes narrowed at the trio who were harassing the senior fighter. "Hey, what's the big idea?"

"Big idea? You know who she is?!"

"Yeah, our friend." Weiss folded her arms, "Now I suggest you get, before I have my sister, Winter Schnee, come by with some guards and remove you from these grounds."

"Like your family does to the Dust shops?" Weiss' grip on her biceps tightened at the sharp insult.

Lily's hand curled further and further. She was getting more frustrated by this. She gritted her teeth beneath her concealed lips before she marched off in anger. However in the midst of her walking, she swung her Virtuous Steel against a tree. It fell just as she sank into the greenery of Emerald Forest, now gone from their sights.

If she had done so, she would have lashed her large katana on flesh and not wood.

"See what you did?" Weiss accused. "At least she has changed."

"She murdered people! She's a freak who was with that monster snake!"

"And because of that discrimination, the White Fang were made." Blake spoke up, glaring at the harassers, "Do you want something like that to happen again? You are blaming children who lost everything and were forced into submission of a horrid blood oath! We have futures, they don't! For Brothers' sake they have nothing."

"Pfht. Just leave her. She's probably a Faunus supporter." One of them spoke up in disgust as the harassers walked off together.

Upon them leaving, Blake's fist was clenched tightly, enough for some blood to trickle through as she looked ready to scream. But Weiss soon hugged her friend, making the faunus flinch before calming down and returning it.

Faunus were one thing but to witness a human being who wasn't even a Faunus being discriminated against was completely shocking. Deep down, it made Weiss wonder how things would be for her if such roles were reversed. Her, a human, being discriminated.

No wonder Lily had taken in all the escapees. No one would care about them because they were internally different. Their internal workings augmented to inhuman degree. Lily was a clear example. Her precision, durability, agility, and stamina was not human.

Thus the rest of the children who had been forced to ingest the Nebula gas ending up in similar conditions; having to grow up knowing their bodies aren't like others. Aura? Might as well consider it as a shield when their strength had been augmented. Semblance? None of them awakened it.

They would become either weapons to others or continue to be experiments. They had no future at this moment, and can only trust Lily and those she trusts as well, which for now were very small. Only time will tell if they can be given proper families and futures?

"Come on… I'm sure she'll be okay for a bit longer." Weiss gestured Blake back to the others, knowing how her faunus friend worried over the former enemy.

"Okay…" Blake nodded softly as the two made their way back to the others, though the cat faunus looked back to the forest, hoping to see Lily a bit more and comfort the girl as well, only to look back when arriving at the food stall.

XXX

A Beowolf landed on the ground, vanishing into plumes of smoke. Another was impaled by the tree it was thrown to before the third had its leg ripped before the blade dug into its bone armor. The carnage of all the deceased Grimm revealed the source as Lily had beheaded an Ursa with a blade of earth

'Lily.'

"Not now, Vernage…"

'You're angry.'

"What gave that away?" She drawled.

'Do I need to make a gesture to the already vanishing Grimm that were drawn by your feelings?'

"Just let me vent my frustrations." Lily growled in anger, beheading another sneak attack from a Grimm.

'And you know, that you don't have to be alone like this and wallow in such emotions. Your friends…. Your brother… Blake, are all here for you.'

"And are they here right now?"

"…"

The bluenette snarled and yelled in rage, throwing her inherited sword into a juvenile Deathstalker. It wobbled before collapsing. The blade hovered back to her waiting hand. She dug it into the earth and knelt to her knees, pressing her forehead against it.

Vernage wished her body remained, or someway for her to possess a robotic one even for a moment to hug her adopted daughter. She needed warmth, love and support. Not this anymore, but with her unable to always convince Lily to follow her words. She could only sit there and watch, hoping one of the children would be there for her when she cannot be. All she could see was the pain Lily had been hiding from the others.

'Children… please let one of you be the key to truly free Lily from this pain one day…' Vernage wished within the depths of her 'heart'. While stopping Evol is her biggest goal, her personal goal is to see Lily be happy and free from her past.

XXX

The next fight had arrived and to say the least, it was Team JNPR's turn… when they were called for their attendance ten minutes ago. Cody and Team RWBY were with the audience, anticipating the outcome of the fight.

"So, who's betting that Jaune will actually puke on the enemy?" Yang questioned with a snicker.

"To be honest? While I am expecting it, I really hope Jaune can pull it through." Cody noted, as once again his dry sense of 'humor' wasn't able to understand Yang's jokes or puns, something that the others learned quickly over the days of training together.

[Welcome for the next match of the Vytal Fesitval. Today we have Team JNPR vs Team BRNZ!] Port announced to the audience.

[What will we see from these two Teams? Will the winner be JNPR or BRNZ? Each team has a unique diversity, and I'm not saying that due to JNPR's fifth member.] Oobleck added on.

Near Jaune's side was Brawnz Ni, the leader of Team BRNZ. He was a young man, with dark purple eyes and short black hair with his hair slicked toward his left and wearing a top that consists of gradients of gray and purple, scarf, black pants with bronze kneecaps and a dark purple scarf that wraps around his right leg and black boots. His weapon seemed to be gloved claws.

Next to him was Roy Stallion. This hunter had green eyes and brown hair styled in cornrow dreadlocks tipped in gold clasps. He wears a green vest buckled closed on his left shoulder, over a black t-shirt and loose white pants rolled up to his knees. He also wears a pair of fingerless gloves with white armor parts that are the holsters for his weapon and olive canvas sneakers. He had a unique weapon, a slim gauntlet with two saws. He was going to be a dangerous opponent.

Near by was Nolan Porfirio, and this young hunter had dark red hair and pink eyes. He wears a deep sky blue jacket with a black hood and rolled up black sleeves, open over a white shirt with long, rolled up sleeves. A pair of sunglasses with pink lenses hang from his collar. He also wears a pair of ripped burgundy jeans, black shoes and black finger-less gloves. His weapon seemed to be a normal shock baton.

And the final member was May Zedong, this huntress had light tan skin, dusky rose hair and gray-blue eyes. She wears a red and white hoodie with blue tracksuit pants and a distinctive black beanie that covers her left eye. She also wears a large black scarf and red canvas sneakers. And her weapon consisted of a sniper rifle mixed with an ax.

"Looks we got the short end of the stick huh?" Jaune gulped.

"It'll be okay Jaune." Pyrrha reassured.

"R-Right…" he nodded nervously before the four faced their opponents. The arena changed into what seems to be the mountains while there was a forest on the other side. The screen counts down with the right getting prepared.

"You can win you guys!" Ruby cheered for her friends.

The countdown finished as the two teams charged ahead, clashing, dodging and evading one another as the fight begins. May turns around and heads into the trees, cocking her weapon while in the center field, Brawnz Ni delivered a knee kick to Pyrrha's shield that sends her skidding back, right before she blocks the claws on his fists. She jerks her weapon away and makes him leap back, just as the sniper of Team BRNZ jumps up into the branches of the forest.

With Ren, he took a few shots at them but the sniper finally takes aim from her spot and manages to fire off two rounds near Ren, destroying the rocks behind him.

Jaune noticed it quickly as he began to panic, "R-Retreat!" He called out, as his team dove behind some boulders.

"What do we do?" Pyrrha asked her fellow teammate.

Jaune looked over the edge of the boulder to see the members of Team BRNZ closing in. "Spread out! Keep moving!" The leader of Team BRNZ ordered, the other three following as Brawnz lands a punch on Jaune's shield.

"May! Shoot them down!" Brawnz ordered.

May gets even higher in the tree and smiles from behind her scope as she looks at the fight below. Brawnz and Pyrrha continue to duke it out while Nolan slowly advances on Ren when he slides into his path. The prod-wielding warrior looks back at the trees and nods to his hidden ally, who shoots at Ren's feet again and makes him jump around trying to dodge them. Just as he lands, Nolan hits him upside the head with his weapon, and is able to miss the retaliatory kick with another blow to the knee and a final hit to the chest using the business end of his prod. Electricity shoots through Ren's body before he collapses to the ground beside his childhood friend.

"Ren!" Nora called out. She scowled and takes a swing at Nolan who dodges the attack and unleashed his weapon's power into her corset, not knowing the consequences of what he did.

[Uh-Oh. Seems Nolan has just used the wrong tactic. Cause due to his weapon he just forced her Semblance to activate.] Port informed.

Upon hearing this Nolan now panicked upon what he has just done. Nora flexes her arms as pink lightning was coursing through her body, making Nolan raise his hands in surrender but thunder began to spark from Nora's Aura and rushed towards him. And with one strike, she made a single swing and knocked out of the ring with ease.

Seeing this, Jaune looks back at the mountain top, an idea forming in his head. "Nora, get to the mountain!" He advised, the orange-haired spitfire saluted before she rushes up to the mountain. The blonde then looked at his fellow teammate "Ren, try to distract the sniper!"

He nodded, charging ahead while dodging fire, and made it just in time as he dodged under a roundhouse kick from Pyrrha, aiming for Brawnz. He then pointed his weapon at the May before pulling the trigger and sends rains of bullets at her.

Pyrrha began to take on Brawnz and Roy as she kicked one as she deftly dodges and blocks the incoming disks that were being aimed at her. While Ren was doing his best, May quickly got into a position, aiming her rifle at Nora.

"Pyrrha, up!" Jaune called out.

His partner rushes towards him, dodge rolling to avoid a launched saw until she bounds over Brawnz and lands on Jaune's shield. He manages to throw her into the air with her own shield raised to block the kill-shot aimed at Nora. This gives the redhead just enough time reach the peak, and she lifts her hammer up as a bolt of lightning hits the weapon directly.

She changes it back into grenade-launching form and pops the front off to reveal six explosives that shoot out over the field in a heart-shaped formation onto the sniper. The poor girl barely has time to gawk before she leaps over to a nearby tree just as the one she was in goes up in pink flames, leaving only a giant scorch mark billowing smoke to block out the coughing sniper's view. She jumps down from the branches just as her three teammates look up and behind them at Nora coming down on them like a meteor, slamming her hammer into the ground and sending the enemies back at the feet of their disoriented teammate.

"Alright, I think it's time for some team attacks! Nora, Ren. Flower Power!" Jaune shouted out, only to receive confused looks from the two.

"Wait, what?" Nora blinked.

"Uh… you know. 'Flower Power', your team attack with Ren." Jaune said.

"How would that even work?" Ren asked.

"Ugh… Ren brings the Flower, and Nora brings the power!"

"And.. how would I make a Flower."

"So.. where does that put me?" Pyrrha asked, confused.

"Well its 'Arkos' since we have our shields? Remember?"

Pyrrha was confused to this, "Right, no, I don't get it…"

"HEY! We're in the middle of a match right now!" Brawnz shouted to them.

"And WE'RE in the middle of a conversation. What don't you get?!" Jaune replied

"Uh… Jaune? He's talking about 'our' match?" Pyrrha informed as he finally started to hear the booing from the crowd.

"Ugh…" he sighed before looking at Nora. "Nora, just… hit them with your hammer."

Hearing his order, Nora smirked evilly and looked at Brawnz. "You got it." She accepted.

"Wait what!?" Brawnz panicked before anyone could expect it, Nora jumps over in front of Team BRNZ and brings her hammer around to collide with the four, sending them straight to the field that surrounds the arena's rim and becoming unconscious from the attack.

"That was… unexpected?" Cody commented though slightly bewildered.

"Well, bright side they did manage through it without anyone returning their lunch." Blake stated trying to lighten the mood.

"Thank Brothers for that." Weiss sighed heavily. She immediately extended her hand, silencing Cody. "Don't say it."

"Hey, I said nothing, Ice Queen." He shrugged to her with a sly smirk. He felt his pocket vibrate, prompting him to reach into it and pull out his Scroll. "Oh hey Lily! You missed one odd battle."

"I need you in the west of the forest. Vernage told me of the coordinated behavior of the Grimm."

He soon gained a serious look, "I'll be there as quickly as possible." He responded to her. Hanging up, he looked at the girls. "I gotta go."

"Need extra help?" Yang offered to him.

"Just something Lily needs help with. Nothing major." He assured her. "Save me a seat when you guys have dinner!" He began to rush to the exit of the stadium.

"Be safe…" Yang said softly with some worry as the others support her.

"It'll be okay, Yang. He's unlocked so much power now, we don't have much to worry about now." Ruby tried to reassure her sister.

Yang sent a sidelong glance at where Cody left. 'That's the thing…'

She has the right to be worried.

XXX

Cody jogged through the foliage of Emerald Forest, the clamors and distant cheers slowly being mute the longer the distance grew. Slowing down, he saw Lily who was staring from the cliffside. "What did I miss?"

"Coordination from the Grimm being one thing." Lily's eyes never moved, only staring.

"… Lily, are you sure you are okay?"

"I'm fine. Right now, we should worry about the Grimm."

"Hmm… fine.. But we're having a talk afterwards." He said, strapping his driver on, but held up the Magma Knuckle to change into his newest form and power.

"Who made you boss?" The bluenette leapt off the cliffside before she could hear an excuse from the blonde.

"Ugh, she is being so stuck up again." He yelped to a cold touch to his neck. She actually heard him far below and returned the favor with her magic. "I'll shut up!"

BOTTLE BURN!

CROSS-Z MAGMA!

As the weapon was inserted into the driver, the middle section split apart to reveal the bottle, now gaining a orange glow to it. He then began to crank and churn the lever on it, as the large mechanical version of the fist weapon to appear behind him.

ARE YOU READY?!

"Henshin!" He shouted and soon the magma container was tilted towards the blonde, causing it to pour all of its contents all over the boy, even causing it to spill outward in front of him.

GOKUNETSU KINNIKU!

CROSS-Z MAGMA!

ACHACHACHACHACHACHA ACHA!

As the magma hardened and shattered, his new fiery orange and obsidian armor was on him now, as he got ready for whatever Grimm that was about to appear. Seeing a small pack, Cross-Z leapt in a blast of magna and bashed his fist into the Beowolf. The second wolf pounced but when it bit onto his shoulder, all it felt was the searing heat that its teeth melted and its paws on fire.

"Aww, let me help you, pup." He said, as his visor glowed softly only for the fire on the Grimm ignited and covered the entire beast until it turned to ash. "Guess it didn't need help."

His orange lenses glanced at the rest who slowly stepped back. "Who's next?"

"Does it even matter? Let's just hurry and end them." Lily dashed ahead, startling Cross-Z. She moved faster than before. Vernage really wasn't kidding when she once told him that she fought Evol at an insane speed to keep up. Lily's body had already begun to adapt to Vernage's style.

"Is she still upset about what happened at the fairgrounds?" Cross-Z muttered to himself. Shaking his head he focused on Lily but noticed she wasn't around. "Lily? Lily!" Just as he was about to give chase, he saw several Grimm in his path. "…Oh great."

He groaned out as he got into his stance, ready to take out the Grimm, as he was more worried about Lily's mentality than the situation in front of him. But he'll have to worry about that later, first dealing with these annoying Grimm.

…..

…..

Annoying…

Not once has he ever felt like that before, not with Grimm. He knew their danger, yet he was more annoyed by them, than anything. True, while Evol's plans were much worse, he still felt some fear with the Grimm.

But now? They just were annoying to him. Just… what changed in him?

The rider shook his head to shrug off the odd feelings before returning his attention to one Grimm who lunged at him, as he punched its head off as its body dropped to the ground and dissolved. He'll focus that on another time, right now he needs to get to Lily.

XXX

Lily was cutting down the Grimm left and right, infusing her blade with magic. The Grimm were nothing to her as she didn't require the Evol Driver for the skirmish.

These were just beasts of destruction from the Brother of Darkness as her mother figure stated, nothing more. Meaning these beasts are easy targets to vent her frustration out. Which, while Vernage was silent, the bluenette was able to tell she was frowning and giving her a soft glare.

Why should she care about that? After everything that has happened, it was natural to feel like this. But as she continued to slice through the Grimm, the memories of facing the Gears Bros in their 'Hell Bros' form a few weeks ago, then those groups of people who insulted her not too long ago made her flinch for a moment, enough for a Grimm to get a good hit on her.

'She's just another freak like that snake!'

'Go back to him where you belong, monster!'

'Do you honestly believe they'll accept you after everything you've done?'

The words of 899 rang in her ears and head, making Lily lower her head and growled before her magic swirled and released a burst. The trees flew off from the ground, its roots pulled. A few become nothing but splinters and the Grimm being dust.

Slouching forward, the buxom bluenette panted. She hinged her jaw but paused.

"Lily."

"I sensed it…" Lilac eyes wandered before she threw the sword in a spinning motion. It spun around like a saw, cutting down the tree before it returned to her hand. "Come out."

"Well, it seems your senses are still sharp." Cinder said with a smirk as she came into view. "Aw, whats wrong? Not happy to see an old friend, 932? Oh.. pardon me. I mean, 'Lily'."

The bluenette frowned. "And the girl who Is Cinderella. A scrubber."

"Say what you want, but unlike you I do not give up my quest." Cinder stated to her, "Which is why I'm taking the risk to put you down, alongside that Saint inside you."

'Vernage?'

"We must."

"Then, how about we make things interesting?" Cinder said as she soon held up her own, Nebula Steam Gun. Twirling the bottle that looked similar to Evol's Cobra bottle, but it was more blood red and having a glass coloring to it alongside her symbol, she smiled.

"Joketsu." Upon pulling the trigger, a blood red mist spewed from the barrel, covering her as faint sparks within it light up.

FEVER!

SERPENT!

SER-SERPENT!

FIRE!

As the mist died down, Cinder had now changed into a rider-like form as well. One fully resembling her as a conniving snake, or 'serpent' as her armor was slim and sleek like Evol upon using Blood Stark, but now more feminine due to the user. But the pipes were a multicolored glass color for it, as what looked to be the Fall Maiden's flames flowing through the glass pipes.

The center showed a the snake like heart in the center as the snake face was in the center of the heart. Her helmet was like that of Blood Stark, but the teal snake visor was replaced with an obsidian black color to it with red 'eyes' on it, as it glowed softly from the transformation.

"Well? Surprised?" Cinder spoke through it with a devious grin behind her mask.

Lily's shoulders heaved but not with fear but the itch that came crawling in her mind. She flicked the sword into the earth, cracking the ground it stabbed before presenting her Evol Driver.

Placing it onto her waist, the belt wrapped around her before raising the two bottles, twisting the caps upon so. Her lilac eyes gleamed red and slammed both trinkets into the belt at the same time.

KOMORI!

HATSUDOKI!

EVOL MATCH!

ARE YOU READY?

"Henshin…" Lily said coldly as the pipes collapsed and shattered for her armor to attach to the girl.

BATENGINE!

FUHAHAHAHA!

Mad Rogue yanked the large katana off the ground and placed it over her back. Folding her arms, Magic erupted and formed the twin swords. She swung her arms downward, her violet lens glowing upon the chain reaction of the ancient magic of the past. "The neck or heart is all I need to aim for to put you down, scrubber."

An amber hue gleamed upon the obsidian visor. Cinder was pissed. The two maidens lunged at each other. Her obsidian blades meet the magic blades in a powerful collision. Cinder ducked before swinging her sword upward. Alas she was met with a large metal claw and a fist to her armored cheek. A resounding crack echoed on the armor before she was flung across the now makeshift field.

The corrupt Maiden spun, her feet hitting the tree trunk and pushed forward. She threw her two swords and created two more. While the claws backhanded them, Mad Rogue's blades collided against Cinder's own. Glowing violet met glowing amber.

"You didn't grow up in the ways of combat unlike me, Cinder." Cinder found herself shrouded in gravity and thrown to the boulder. "Your Queen may have taught you with your magic but that is just a mere piece! Vernage and Evol taught me everything there is to the ancient magic that Vernage gave me!"

"You think Salem taught me to fight? Girl… I was training when I was a child too, but not by Salem." Cinder responded as what surprised Mad Rogue next, was another bottle she held up, but like the ones they have, it was a regular fullbottle, depicting that of a simple shuriken as she inserted it into the gun.

FULL BOTTLE!

"And this is more than just another suit… Lord Evol made this specifically for me to fight against you and that other tool." She said upon pulling the trigger.

SHINOBI!

FUNKY ATTACK!

Soon, several copies of Cinder's armored form appeared as they rushed towards her, each one going a different direction and path to attack the rider.

"Lily, cast now!"

The copies immediately lunged, creating an explosion upon the attack. Cinder spun the gun around her finger, sauntering towards the plume. "Too much? It's nothing personal-" Cinder gagged when the claw gripped her neck. She saw a glowing V-shaped light and it cleared, revealing the Technomany's formerly evolved ability. The metal being hovered whereas Mad Rogue was held by it. Like a knight protecting its queen.

Its optics shifted before Mad Rogue tossed it Virtuous Steel.

"Sorry, what was that? You might have soap in your mouth."

A loud growl was elicited from Cinder's throat before she pushed herself free, flames released from her palms.

"Face the reality, Cinder. Your pain will only lead you to your downfall if you continue this." That was Vernage's voice.

"Heh… does it look like I care? I only want one thing in life…" Cinder said as the flames ignition were raised tremendously, "Power."

"Greed…" Vernage's voice was soft. Her mind replayed the eras of witnessing the humans and their greed. Be it wealth, status… power. Soon, Cinder broke through with her flames shooting her out like a rocket towards Mad Rogue.

"Let me take over, Lily."

"I said-!" Lily's conscience faded and Mad Rogue immediately snapped to attention and raised her hand. Cinder's grin grew beneath her helmet and spun slightly, her hand aiming straight for the defect's face.

Suddenly Mad Rogue snapped her fingers. Like a bell ringing its toll, the air was silent. The leaves that fell… never touched, and Cinder was frozen in place. Mad Rogue calmly walked. "There is one thing I have learned in my days when my father was ill, Cinder. When Evol had became known… when I lost my faith in the Brothers. I studied, day after day. Year after year throughout my hunting of the snake." She walked past the frozen Cinder.

"It takes a toll on the body. A spell that I had learned just as I learned the spell of reincarnation. As to the spell of transferring my soul." She swiftly swung her beloved large katana across Cinder before lowering it. "Alas… your Queen chose to never dwell into the past of how the first humans casted their magic." She snapped her fingers again.

Cinder felt a powerful blow in her stomach, flung high into the air. When she came down, Mad Rogue slammed her heel. The momentum sent Cinder crashing into a few trees until she met her face with the dirt.

Mad Rogue could taste the blood leaving her lips underneath her helmet but paid no heed. She stabbed her sword in front of the corrupt maiden. "I am sparing you from death. Leave now and if we are to fight again, I will have no choice in the name of humanity to put you down."

Never in her life had Cinder felt such a haunting sensation. Her whole body was frozen and her mind. It felt like minutes passed only to feel such a painful attack. No wonder Vernage was a Saint. She never missed and her goal had allowed her to delve further into the knowledge of the arts of magic since the day she vowed to hunt the snake. The ravenette hissed, as while she wanted to continue. Retreating would be best, as now with the knowledge she was given from that fight? She could report it to Lord Evol, not only to upgrade her armor but warn him of the stasis effect the Saint made.

With a click of her gun, the crimson mist surrounded her before she vanished as the mist faded, leaving the Saint and her host alone for now.

Mad Rogue slowly removed her belt before Vernage coughed harshly, blood dripping onto the verdant grass.

"V-Vernage!"

"Tis but… minor blood loss, my little flower."

Footsteps could be heard as Vernage looked up with some worry that the Gear Bros were hiding, but instead it was Cody, now out of his armor with a worried and annoyed look on his face.

"Geez.. and I thought I was more reckless." He slightly scolded the Saint.

"I am much older than you, Cody." Vernage grunted.

"Yeah, but you seem to now have the same recklessness as us." He responded, helping her to her feet.

"I do not!/She does not!" The last thing Lily wanted to hear was Cody making such a comment about her mother figure! Vernage was no reckless woman

"Either way, lets get you back. You both need more rest now." He sighed heavily as he began to lead them back to Beacon. "By the way what was that? It felt so… weird. Like my whole mind couldn't register anything for a few minutes."

"A spell… to temporarily pause time." Vernage murmured tiredly. "I had… used it once before though as you can see the repercussions of using that spell."

"Seriously? Hmm.. kinda makes me wanna learn it now…" Cody said with some jealousy over the time stop spell.

"Not if you want to lose blood."

"Maybe you just weren't cut out for it?" Cody said, snickering to try and lighten the mood. "Since you are an old soul in a young body and-owowowowowowow!"

His cheek was tugged by Lily as she had taken over to allow Vernage to rest. "She is not that old!" She earned a look from Cody.

"But she is! She is from such a long time ago, I'm surprised she doesn't speak fossil!"

Lily's cheeks tinged red before tugging Cody in a headlock. "How about I turn you into a fossil, you dragonbreath?!"

"C-cAn't.. bReAth.." The blonde choked out, tapping her arm to try and let her give him some air before he'll pass out.

Just another antic the two shared that brought some light into their hearts.

XXX

As night came around, Cody was in his room just looking over the data Pietro gave him on the Magma form that he wanted tested out a few days back. As he looked over it, it went beyond anything possible. He was literally a walking, active volcano in terms of raw power.

He knew that he would have to keep his anger in control, otherwise he could legit cause an eruption of magma and ash, and that wouldn't be good. Though as he sat there, he heard a knock on his door prompting him to get up and answer it as he was confused to who it was this late?

"Hello?" He answered upon opening the door as the familiar blonde brawler was there. "Yang? What brings you out here so late?"

"Just thought maybe you could have some company?" Yang shrugged walking into the room with him.

"Even though you have a match tomorrow for the doubles round?" He questioned her.

"Especially for that. Sides, you know that we'll win." Yang playfully winked at him.

"Mhm, keep talking blondie." Cody playfully rolled his eyes.

"Hey! You're blonde too!" Yang snickered, gently pushing him as he chuckled back. Though in seconds the silence drew in and made things awkward for moment for them both. "S-So um.. How's Lily?"

"Resting up…" He sighed, as he did tell them what happened, making the others worry a bit. While all of them still have lingering trauma from before, they are more trusting to her now after getting to know them both. "Still, wish Lily would talk… We're family after all. She can trust me now."

"Sometimes it takes awhile before someone can open up their heart and fears to someone. You of all people should know that." Yang pointed out as the rider nodded softly. "Don't fret, I'm sure by the time this festival ends? She'll tell you whats on her mind."

The end of the Vytal Festival…. That too reminded him of his promise to tell Yang his feelings. A tint of red to his cheeks forming at that as part of him wanted to confess right now, but he had to hold on. Yang of course taking notice of the red tint on his cheeks.

"Hm? Got something to say?" She asked, now closer to him.

Cody flinched upon this as he gulped but had to change things, less he blurt it out. "J-Just something I'm planning to do is all…"

"Hmm?" Yang hummed with curiosity as she leaned in closer, "Oh? And what would that be, eh?" She questioned him, now in a soothing voice, making the rider flinch from it.

"I-I can't say right now…"

"Aw, not even for me?" She battered her eyes at him, moving closer as her frame slightly touched his.

"I-It's something important and big that I have to remain silent on!"

"Heh, didn't take you for a perv." Yang snickered from that phrasing.

"It's not like that!" He cried out comically.

"Relax…" Yang patted his head gently, "Just teasing ya like any other friend would."

"Friend… yeah…" He muttered out.

"Well, that makes two of us who have something to say when the festival is over." Yang confessed, earning Cody's attention. Yet she turned as she held up a finger to her lips alongside a wink, "Sorry, can't say much more. Just wanted to say that to you as a sort of… 'encouragement' to cheer for me next round, okay?"

Cody nodded softly as Yang waved him goodbye and left his apartment. After some time alone, outside of it, Yang sighed softly as she placed her hand over her heart with a warm smile.

"Yeah… something truly I need to say to you, Cody…" she whispered to herself before she smacked her palms to her cheek to perk her back up. She still had to get back to the dorms and rest, because tomorrow is the next round of the Vytal Festival for everyone, and she needed to be at her top game!

If only it was that simple…. As this was going to be the last Vytal Festival the world will see for many years now….

For this was the start of the Fall of Beacon that would change the world, forever.

XXX