Another chapter here for everyone. For those reading, a good several months have gone since I've updated. Life gets in the way with writer's block because I have to think through how I want the next few chapters to go. We'll keep seeing how this turns out, and I will at least say I have felt good so far about everything. Feel free to leave a review with your thoughts or anything else, it's appreciated.
CHAPTER 13 - Responsible Bonding
The day was already eventful, considering it involved Nora finding out about some new sprinkle infused syrup from the store. She had finally caught up on the studies, which wasn't difficult considering the classes were beginner and she was well above that skill level. However, it seemed there was one difficulty about adjusting to school. The spartan-like warrior by the name of Pyrrha Nikos continued to place top of the class. She knew it was by her nature, but Cinder had guessed it was to take what Cinder wanted just like she had taken what Pyrrha had wanted.
They were somewhat acquaintances, maybe after a hangout or two possible friends. And after a talk with Jaune, Cinder was now walking around the city looking for a plan to bond with her boyfriend's partner. It wouldn't be too difficult; she already had a plan in mind. Something that had been festering since her and Jaune's date. She had been researching the fighting ring and what was involved with the league. Conveniently, there was a tournament coming up for all who wanted to participate. With the top twenty pairs making it past the qualifiers.
It seemed the competition would rank each team from a total of points. Where they would essentially fight king of the hill in private arenas the league had set up, each hit, move and win counting for different points. The winner could decide to continue to fight pairs or take their leave for the day. The three day extravaganza already had dozens of pairs signed up and Cinder knew that it would be a cake walk for her and Pyrrha to fight in. Those that qualified would be given a chance to fight in the main tournament for a cash prize and consideration for instant promotion to compete in the league.
She knew the only problem would be getting Pyrrha to not hyper focus on the live streamed part of the fighting and what attention her fame would draw, not to mention the popularity she would gain from winning throughout the fights. For the average hunter, they might not be up to the task, but for Cinder she knew that it would be the beginning of a domino effect. The result would be the complete trust of Jaune's team, and maybe something extra from him. Who knew being selfish for good things could actually feel good.
The registration was already underway, and Cinder planned for the two of them to be ready and registered within the end of the week. It wouldn't be long, but with the day half over she knew she would have to pitch the question and idea by the end of the day for them to have any real prep time. The start of Pyrrha's second workout of the day, right after classes ended would be the decisive point.
Cinder found her training on the punching bag in the corner of the school gym. Thankfully she had changed into her workout clothes including a cropped top to accentuate her abs. She would catch Jaune stealing glances at them when he thought she wasn't looking. Normally, he had become more confident about speaking his mind and communicating his interest in her curved form, yet her toned figure had some contentious spots. It was fine, she liked the knowledge that she held his gaze no matter where she was. Her shorts fit tight to provide best movement during the potential duel she assumed would happen, a water in hand too, to be able to adapt better to whatever situation her conversation with Pyrrha leaned toward. She made her way over, stopping the bag after a rather strong kick from Pyrrha. "Mrs. Nikkos, a pleasure to see you here."
Pyrrha smiled, reaching down to take a swig from her water nearby. "Please, Cinder, I think we're acquainted enough that we can stick to a first name basis. Honestly, I probably know more about you than we'd both like, with how much Jaune talks about you. It's not a bad thing though, I promise. I'm glad he trusts you so much, your work to prove yourself is noticed by the more hardheaded of those around here because of him. Oh, sorry, I'm rambling, aren't I?"
"Of course not, I swear, other than Weiss, you're the only one around here I feel like I can have intelligent conversations with." Cinder stepped in front of the punching bag to take a few hits at it. "Which I came to take advantage of."
The bag swung back as Cinder hit it with some force, she used the time it took to swing back to prep another punch. Doing this a few times, she begun to side step and attempt combos. Nothing fancy, but something to warm up in front of her potential fighting partner. Any sort of subliminal messaging to aid in her quest to bond with her boyfriend's partner would be worth it. She really couldn't stop her habits, at least she could use them for more morally better situations.
They switched places, Pyrrha now moving to more complex movements with the bag. "Well, what do you have for me then? If it's about why Jaune gave you that cardboard cutout of yourself last week and how he got it, I just know some people okay?"
"Wait that was you?" Cinder asked, curious for a moment on the backstory behind one of the more unique gifts Jaune had given her. "No, never mind that's not what I was here to ask about. As we both know, we're considerably skilled huntresses in training, easily able to keep up with year groups above us."
"Right." Pyrrha took the chance to reply in the natural pause of the conversation.
"So, I went to this stadium with Jaune that hosted some fight with a couple of extremely high class huntresses. They host this league that all the retired, current, and non-hunters compete in whenever they want. And the league is hosting their own competition soon that has duos compete against each other."
"Hmm, that does sound interesting. Why ask me?" Pyrrha inquired, letting Cinder switch out with her once again.
Cinder used the excuse of hitting the bag a few times to gather her thoughts, "I have realized over these past few months that there is a difference in only keeping those around your for your own benefit and keeping those around you to benefit from."
Pyrrha cocked her head in confusion, "Sorry, those both sound the same to me. Could you elaborate?"
"See, before this, anyone I chose to associate with was there because I knew that I could use them as stepping stones to gain power or continue my path of success. I didn't care how they were after I left them, if they no longer had use then what was the point. Yet, coming here, experiencing the kindness from Jaune and all his friends, I found it was better to keep people around that I will benefit from." Cinder stepped away from the bag, keeping eye contact with Pyrrha to show her sincerity. "Someone like Roman only leeched. But you, Jaune, Nora, Ren, Team RWBY, and more all have something unique about each of them that I can benefit from and improve everything about myself. Which in turn hopefully helps them benefit from me, and essentially creates a perpetual success machine. All because I surrounded myself with people like yourself."
"I think I see what you are trying to get at, an interesting take to say the least." Pyrrha admitted, "And I think I see where you're coming from, in some shape or form. I experienced the former of what you were explaining for most of my life, with anyone that knew who I was. It wasn't until I met Jaune that the latter was what became who I was surrounded with, a group that succeeded through each other's success and not a self-conflicting whirlpool of selfishness. Anyhow, when is this tournament?"
The sweat was collecting heavily on both of their brows by now, the pants breaking up their conversation. There was a moment where they both took a second to take a swig from their drinks yet again. There was never a question about Pyrrha's fighting prowess, but the small bout with the punching bag had just reconfirmed it. Cinder wouldn't let her admittedly large ego keep them complacent, and the next week or so would still be spent training.
"It is slotted for around a week and a half from now." Cinder said, "Normally, I would say that it isn't enough time to train and prepare. But considering our combined skill, and that this is just for fun I predict we'll be fine."
Pyrrha giggled, "That does sound promising, I suppose we can continue what we we're doing now anyway. This seems like swell training for the day does it not?"
"Oh it is," Cinder replied, wrapping her arm around Pyrrha. "I have the next part of the workout in mind. Come on let's get to it."
The training passed by quickly, with Cinder and Pyrrha meeting up for at least an hour each day before the tournament. The best to come out of it was their quick understanding of each others skillset and moves, the need to communicate had evolved from telling each other everything they were doing to a more frequent implication of their intentions through movement. The worst was a couple bruises, and maybe a slight hit to Cinder's pride at just how adept Pyrrha was at being a huntress. A few more years of training at the academy and when the huntress in training became a professional huntress she would likely be capable of defeating anyone one on one.
Cinder became a little more grateful each day that she had slowly gathered the group of friends she currently had. Pyrrha really did know how to improve each of those around her, and Cinder already felt more confidence with not only the basic weapons but her semblance too. Granted, it was still difficult to see with one eye.
Jaune had done a remarkable job over the months of healing sessions that he had scheduled for her. The worst parts that used to have protrusions, meshed flesh, and striking scars were now finally starting to smooth and disappear. She no longer felt different when the weather changed, or aches in certain spots after a rather intense workout, all she knew was it wouldn't be long until it was like her wounds had never happened. Sessions might have been skipped or used for other reasons, but the consistency of them was showing. So far it seemed the only thing Jaune had yet to figure out was if he was the one not doing it right or if there really was a limit to his boosting healing, and maybe the senses were one of those limits.
It was no matter; she did not fault him for it. How could she? When he had put so much on the line for someone as conniving as her? There was much more she had to do for making it up to him, even not so, to have him in debt enough for some foot rubs would suffice. Beginning a flowering friendship with his partner was a start, maybe the tournament would get Cinder on a cereal box too.
The somewhat newly formed duo went through the in-processing line somewhat quickly and were briefed on updates to the rules, how the rounds would go and what their goals should be to qualify. No one was in the waiting for room with them or outside, this would initially be for the two of them. If they made it past they would invite their teammates and friends.
The current rules stated they would be in a group of ten teams, and they could volunteer to be the starting team to get a bonus, along with the other starting team. Each knockout, hit, and such would be points, while the actual wins would be the multiplier. If they somehow lasted through ten rounds of fighting and beat everyone they would win, they were allowed to stay as long as they wanted to continue in their group but only one would go through to qualify. So sticking it out for a potential few broken bones would probably be the best bet.
"Are you feeling well Cinder?" Pyrrha asked, doing stretches on one of the benches. Her armor next to her to be put on the moment they were given their preparation warning, Cinder tried not to stare at the more defined abs she could ever attempt to achieve or the well endowed spartan that had apparently been gifted elsewhere. Cinder knew what she had, but it did help to be humbled occasionally she supposed.
"Of course," Cinder grinned, glancing over to her current partner, "I have no worries with you by my side here Pyrrha. In fact, I think my ego might need a check with how confident I am that we'll win our group."
Pyrrha laughed, beginning to put her armor on after the five minute warning sounded. "Well let's confirm your suspicions, shall we?"
The two walked side by side out their room and into the arena for their group. A pretty sizable crowd greeted them, the roar when they entered that Pyrrha's entry did not go unnoticed. They, along with the other nine teams met in the middle, shaking hands, getting the rules yet again, and finally the two first teams met in the center.
Their competition currently consisted of a sword fighter by the name of Charlie whose sword could allegedly vibrate so fast it could sheer through anything and his partner Rose who had a bow that could fire different types of dust-based arrows and even one that could be controlled by her. Nothing crazy and just what they needed to gain some momentum.
The beginning words were said and Cinder pushed off to gain first hit, "Pyrrha, Equestrian Broad!"
Her partner nodded and headed in the opposite direction, beginning the first part of one of their rehearsed moves. What looked initially like a pincer, became a broad flank. With each of their enemy team flicking their heads left and right, Cinder let a burst of fire envelop their vision.
"Ready!" Pyrrha yelled on the other side of the flames, a shield zipping through them to Charlie. It bounced off his chest, ricocheting into Rose's face. Both stunned, they wobbled in place.
Thankfully, for whatever design decision or aesthetic the arena had various sand and rocks sprinkled throughout. It wasn't anything special, likely only to keep the audiences pleased as the main event would have exponentially more intricate biomes. Cinder took advantage of what she had, grabbing a bolder and modeling it into a short sword. She continued in stride, slashing at Charlie's heels.
"Come on, give us some fight!" Cinder egged him on, not able to keep herself from being critical. "I thought we were supposed to be fighting?"
"Yeah, well I also thought this was a tournament, not a competition to kill each other first!" Charlie responded, jumping backwards with each swipe of Cinder's sword.
There was a yelp of surprise behind Cinder, she looked around just as the thump of a body hitting the ground reached her ears. "Rose, nice of you to join the fun. Or at least you could have tried to." She spoke to the unconscious body.
"Rose!"
Cinder took advantage of the surprise to her current fighting opponent, throwing the sword like a spear at him. His slow reaction allowed for the sword to slice his shoulder, tacking a chunk out of his aura. She scooped her hand in the ground, flaring her aura and sculpting the mass of ground into multiple sharp objects.
Charlie's staggered form was quickly embedded with several objects, his aura dropping to the red was paired with the horn that signaled the completion of the first round. It was a start, a good one at that. They only had nine or so more battles, but with success like that Cinder guessed more teams would drop out after they watched their upcoming battles.
It wouldn't be hard to qualify, but they weren't battling anyone with a head on their shoulders yet. Likely, the true tests of their skills and combatives would come later in the tournament when more was on the line then some clout to your neighborhood friends or coworkers. There would be a time in the future where Cinder and Pyrrha would be tested, but Cinder was extremely confident. There would be nothing at the end of the day that could stop them from properly bonding. The next few months of battles would make it concrete.
First was the next sets of fights, which excited Cinder enough to see Pyrrha grinning next to her. Cinder was beginning to see the infectiousness that positivity brought with it, slowly but surely.
There it is, the set up to the end of this Arc, heh, get it. The Arcs are set generally around a year, school years worth of time. So we're probably about four or five chapters away. Which could be awhile or not depending on what I do with my time. To keep a spiel going every chapter, this one we'll talk about Cinder's need to justify her actions through the lenses of greed and selfishness.
I think innately, considering what she has been through, she knows what to not do. She's an adult now, or generally at the least, and has had plenty of time to reflect, consolidate and reorganize her feelings and thoughts about her life. So, at this point, almost a year since she was hit by Ruby's semblance, she has internally realized that she wants to be good and how to do so. Yet, her whole life has been examples of what not to do, and those habits learned are not going away any time soon.
It will take people like Jaune, Pyrrha, and their teammates to mold Cinder into the type of people she surrounds herself with.