Chapter 15: Amity Arena
Disclaimer: I do not in any way or form own Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There or RWBY. They belong to their respective owners, Takumi Yanai and RoosterTeeth Animations respectively.
A/N: Too harsh? Not harsh enough? Spoilers: It won't really matter. I've got enough of this politics, talking and blaming each other nonsense. This chapter is rule of cool. I need some action.
This is Lisa Lavender, reporting live from Amity Colosseum. After the delay caused by the tragedy of the Gate, the time is finally here to kick start the eightieth Vytal Festival Tournament. This monumental event is being projected to the homes and screens of millions around the world, from Atlas to Vacuo, everyone will get to witness this great event.
Unfortunately, it has been confirmed that Rory, Tuka, and Lelei will not be making any appearances beyond being spectators. While this is unfortunate, the Tournament still promises to be greater than any other.
It was early in the morning when Pina and Bozes were escorted by a female guide wearing the now-familiar white Atlesian uniform. They took an airship to Amity Colosseum, the size of which kept surprising her, and landed there. The soldier led them to the VIP seats, a double layer of chairs at the very front of the seating area. Rory, Lelei, and Tuka were already there, as were many other students. Further inspection revealed that team RWBY was also present, even if they were seated far away from the Falmart group. Behind them, hundreds of spectators waited eagerly for the event to begin. In front of them was a plain, flat circular area, most likely the arena where the fighters would battle.
The size was larger than any Empire Colosseum and the atmosphere unlike any she had known, but Pina resolved to pay close attention. She would analyze the fighters' every move to see their strategies and learn how to mimic or counter them. After all, now that she had aura, surely she could learn something from watching. Could the General really have thought that she wouldn't try? it seemed like a huge oversight, but Pina wasn't going to question the opportunity.
"Please take a seat, the exhibition match will begin shortly," their guide said, gesturing for Pina and Bozes to sit beside the others. "If you want refreshments, signal one of the serving staff. If you have any other requests or questions, let me know."
Pina did as instructed, feeling herself sink into the comfortable chair. Bozes followed her lead and their guide left, but Pina was sure that she would be nearby.
"Welcome, everyone, to the fortieth Vytal Festival Tournament!" Professor Port's voice boomed across the entire stadium, amplified so that every person could hear him clearly - not just those physically in the floating colosseum, but also those around the world watching its broadcast live. "My name is Professor Peter Port, and this with me is Professor Glynda Goodwitch."
Indeed, the huge screens around the colosseum showed Port and Glynda, who were both sitting in a booth with microphones before them.
"That's right. We will be your announcers for today."
"Now, the moment you've all been waiting for. The first of the exhibition matches is a one-on-one battle, so let's welcome our first combatant: Winter Schnee!" Port called out.
The crowd cheered as she entered the arena, wearing her usual white attire. After waiting a few seconds for the noise to die down, Winter's introduction began.
"Winter Schnee is a Specialist in the Atlesian Military's Special Operatives unit. She has the hereditary Schnee family semblance of Glyphs, a powerful semblance with many uses. Her weapon is Edel Blume, a pair of Dual-Wield Dueling Sabres. Despite being one of the youngest specialists in the Atlesian military, her skill in the blade and mastery of her semblance is extraordinary," Glynda expressionlessly said.
Wearing her usual blue and white coat, Winter strode confidently into the center of the arena. Her sword in hand, she drew it across the air in a quick slash. Behind her, the Schnee snowflake appeared, a glyph conjured by her semblance.
This was what Winter was preparing for instead of supervising them, Pina realized. If the casual display of power to create that glyph that slowly rotated behind her was any indication, Winter was an incredibly powerful fighter. Pina had not really got to see the full capabilities of any Remnant fighter, so she looked on closely, eager to learn.
Port began the introduction for Winter's opponent, "Today, Ms. Schnee will be fighting a student from Beacon Academy, Ariel Fauxen."
Ariel entered the arena from the opposite side of where Winter did. Pina recalled that, back in Falmart, a woman named Vela Fauxen was leading the recon team. This had to be the daughter she had mentioned. The crowd cheered for her as well. Ariel ignored them, focusing fully on Winter.
"Ariel is the heiress of Fauxen Manufacturing, a large manufacturing and research company. Her semblance is Projection, allowing her to create copies of anything she touches, similar to how hard-light dust operates. Her weapon is Heaven's Gate, a Multi-Form Combat Staff. Despite her age, Ariel is one of the best fighters in Beacon Academy, capable of defeating full-fledged Huntsmen."
Ariel wore light armor, made of shining golden metal. She had a pair of armguards, one of which had a detailed metal dragon coiled around it. She wielded a staff, much like her mother. At its tip, a pair of wings spread out, both beautiful and deadly sharp. They glowed as Ariel closed her eyes. When she opened them a moment later, a pair of golden, shining wings - exact replicas of those in her weapon - flared to life on her back. With a quick, embellishing spin, Ariel raised Heaven's Gate to point at Winter.
An angel. With her golden aura, shining armor and now those wings, Pina had no other word to describe her. Her mind was frozen and her mouth open.
The large score screen came to life, showing portraits of both Winter and Ariel. An aura bar loaded up for each, both full and green. Several screens around the arena changed to show a closeup view of the two fighters, who both wore the same knowing smile. The smile of old friends ready to put on a glorious show.
"These two impressive fighters will battle it out in the first of our exhibition matches today, in the ice and fire biomes."
The outer area of the arena floor fell away, revealing a pit into the depths of the stadium. The holes were very quickly filled up by a pair of artificial biomes, unlike anything Pina had ever seen. The half behind Winter was an icy tundra, speckled with sharp ice shards. The other half, behind Ariel, was much more volatile, filled with bubbling lava and bursts of fire. Remnant had created entire artificial biomes, dangerous and unpredictable, for no purpose other than entertainment. Even the Empire's harshest winter was less severe than the pure sheets of ice, and the lava matched that within active volcanoes. Pina gulped as a scary thought hit her: did these conditions exist in Remnant? Was that why their fighters trained to fight in such unforgiving environments?
"Begin!"
Deep in thought, Pina almost missed the start of the match.
Winter blasted off her glyph with such speed that she seemed to teleport, appearing at her foe. Pina did not have time to react before the two began to do battle, metal ringing out.
"Oh ho, they're getting right into it!"
"Winter initiated the battle instantly with a lightning-fast blitz, but her opponent was prepared," Glynda pointed out.
Having used the greater reach of her staff to knock Winter's charge aside, Ariel counterattacked by spinning her staff in horizontal circles around her body. Whenever Winter tried to strike, Heaven's Gate's longer form would knock Edel Blume aside, preventing her from landing any blows.
With a direct attack out of the question, Winter decided to leap into the air, white glyphs appearing in a hemisphere around Ariel. Using one as a platform, Winter darted downwards, rapier outstretched.
Ariel nearly managed to halt her staff's momentum to pull it above her, blocking the aerial attack. Even then, she had barely a moment to recover, for Winter simply leaped to another glyph before rocketing back at a different angle. Ariel spun on the spot, doing her best to anticipate the next attack and block it with Heaven's Gate. The rings of metal on metal showed her relative success, but for each hit she blocked, another would sneak past and dent her aura.
"Winter is using her semblance to attack rapidly from multiple angles, forcing her opponent on the defensive," Glynda noted, "If Ariel cannot break out of the ring of glyphs, she will be defeated."
Pina barely heard the commentary as her mind struggled to keep up. Winter was barely visible as a blue blur, dashing between her artificial platforms. She could not even keep track of Winter, she realized, how was Ariel even managing to defend? Her aura was dropping, but slowly.
Ariel's wings flared with light before they thrust down heavily and sent her into the air. More than just for show, her wings brought Ariel up and out of the oppressive glyphs, Heaven's Gate shattering the one that blocked the path.
With her opponent now freed from her containment, Winter's remaining glyphs faded away. She took the opportunity to split Edel Blume, removing the smaller rapier from within the larger. Now dual-wielding, she crouched slightly, ready for another assault.
Wings flapping slowly, Ariel remained hovering in the air, her weapon changing as well. The wing-blades slid down the side of the staff, spreading out to become a crossguard. The rod of the staff flattened out as internal machinery whirred into action, transforming Heaven's Gate into a heavy twin-bladed sword. Wielding it with both hands, she turned its deadly tips to Winter.
The two met in combat once more. Winter leaped into the air, once again forming numerous glyphs to use as platforms. Ariel had no such need, her wings allowing her full freedom as they initiated an airborne battle.
Pina watched the dizzying display open-mouthed. If one of them attacked the Empire, attacked her Rose Knights, what could she do? They flew out of reach of swords and spears. Their weapons could shatter any shield. Magic was too slow; it would take too long to prepare, and most likely miss anyway. An arrow barrage might hit them, but...
Ariel burst forward with explosive speed, slamming Heaven's Gate into Winter. The impact of the blow took away a good portion of her aura and sent her flying out of control to crash into the icy biome in an impact that should have killed any man. Instead, she jumped back to her feet almost immediately, showing no damage. Watching Ariel fly uncontested in the air, Winter snatched up a few shards of ice dust lying around her, dislodged by her crash. She smirked.
"Ah, it seems that Winter has a plan!" Port called out.
Analyzing the situation, Glynda added, "Ms. Fauxen has the advantage of mobility in the air. Winter must ground her to achieve victory, and I believe she knows how."
With a flick of her wrist, Winter used Edel Blume to send a barrage of sharp ice shards at Ariel. She dodged immediately, drawing her projected wings close to send herself into a steep dive. When she was a few meters above the ground, she unfurled her wings, slowing herself to a hover, sword in hand.
A large ice spike streaked towards Ariel, launched by Winter at her opponent. The unexpected projectile was too close and too fast, and Ariel could barely bring Heaven's Gate up, marginally deflecting the shard aside. Instead of a direct blow, Ariel felt the projectile narrowly miss her body... and pierce a wing, shattering the projection into glittering dust.
Unbalanced, Ariel fell gracelessly, spinning as she tried to correct her fall. All she managed to do was avoid the lava pool below her, crashing onto solid ground. Winter was over her immediately, pressing her advantage. Edel Blume's greater half stabbed into the ground, where Ariel was a moment ago. The specialist kept up her attacks, slashing rapidly with both blades of her weapons as her opponent was forced to retreat.
Ariel rolled as Edel Blume swept above her head, picking up a stray fire dust crystal as she did. She immediately inserted the volatile crystal into the base of Heaven's Gate's blades, where it glowed brightly as the weapon drew upon the power within.
When Winter attacked again, blades slashing, Ariel countered with a massive upward cleave. With a roar of fire, Heaven's Gate left a blazing trail that lingered in the air, sending Winter flying back, her aura glowing as it turned the heat away.
As Ariel raised her now-blazing sword, Winter dropped onto one knee and sunk her smaller rapier into the ground. At her feet, a glyph with a new design appeared, spinning. Beside her, an identical one appeared. From this new glyph, a beast, glowing blue, took shape.
Pina recognized the Beowolf. Even if it were a mere copy of the real one, or perhaps an image, it struck fear into her heart. If endless numbers of such monsters plagued Remnant, how could they survive? Would the Empire withstand their might? How brave, how powerful, are these people, to thrive amid such danger?
"It seems that Ms. Schnee has summoned a Beowolf!"
"Indeed, Professor. The Beowolf is her preferred summon, fighting alongside their creator to overwhelm opponents."
"Oh ho! Can Ms. Fauxen survive the onslaught?"
The Beowolf summon howled, bounding forward. It leaped as it neared Ariel, raising a deadly paw to swipe at her. It was promptly cleaved apart by a single slice of its target's flaming blade.
The destruction of her first summon didn't faze Winter in the slightest. Two more appeared, both charging forward. They too were cleaved apart by Ariel, who began to approach her opponent.
Seeing that her Beowolves were not working, Winter created a larger summoning glyph above her. A new, greater summon took form, one with the body and head of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and the tail of a scorpion.
A legendary manticore. Even as the terrifying creature leaped forward, fangs gleaming, Pina couldn't help but wonder what other forms the Grimm could take. A wolf, a bear, a manticore... were there -
A roar shook Pina out of her contemplations. She looked back to see that the dragon bracelet that Ariel was wearing had come to life. Shining gold, a long, serpentine dragon burst forth, a direct - if a hundred times larger - copy of the bracelet. Its wings burst open, sending the projected dragon into the air, where the manticore met it with a fearsome growl. They engaged in a spectacular battle, blue and gold blazing in equal measure as the summon and construct went at each other with fang and claw.
Below them, Winter and Ariel struck in mirror of their creations. Winter's lighter rapiers clashed with Ariel's heavier sword in a constant metallic ring. The ice that Winter expertly wielded met the raging fire of her opponent, sending forth bursts of steam that clouded the air before swiftly dissipating. Back and forth they battled, blades moving almost too fast to see.
It was less of a fight and more of a dance. One where a misstep meant not just a sore foot but being thrown across the arena. Where blades sang and struck and blocked. Pina was left in awe at the display of dazzling skill.
Over their heads, the manticore and the dragon disengaged from their duel, retreating to either side of the arena. Both were injured, as much as animated constructs could be, but that did not stop them from charging back into battle over the center of the arena. They met and began to spin around each other, forming a blazing ball of blue and gold.
Below, Edel Blume and Heaven's Gate met, both unleashing the full force of the dust within them. Roaring fire met freezing ice, causing a massive shockwave that shook the stadium and caused a huge cloud of steam to erupt at the center of the arena. It blasted upwards, a spinning hurricane of boiling water, straight at the two fighting constructs. The water tore through them, destroying them both instantly. The summoned manticore and the projected dragon both exploded in a storm of glittering particles.
Time seemed to stand still as the spotlights glittered off thousands of tiny blue and gold particles. They filled the air, dense enough to have a solid existence, yet scattered enough that they did not block the fighters below. Winter's two rapiers were locked against Ariel's larger sword. The former, glyph at her back, was shimmering slightly as the light reflected off the ice shards around her. The latter, wings blazing strong, had flickers of flame glowing around her. The ground around them was cracked, sending up more fire and ice into the chaotic scene. And on both faces was a huge grin, of a successful and glorious demonstration between old friends.
The moment passed, and the crowd erupted in cheers as the remaining particles faded away. Pina, however, was too busy being frozen in shock and awe.
How could the Empire fight such power? The power of fighters who could summon legendary allies, who could manipulate the elements of the world, who could battle so violently for entertainment. Was there any force that could hope to challenge them?
it would take years for her to get to such a level, if it were even possible. It didn't matter that she had aura. Remnant would crush her armies if they dared fight. This was what Ironwood had wanted her to see. This was why he had insisted that she stay.
The alarms began to blare. In the shocked silence (apart from the alarms) that followed, the calm, electronic voice began spelling out the imminent doom, "Warning, Grimm attack underway. Evacuate immediately. Threat level...
...unclassified."
A/N: Ariel is Vela's daughter. Her part in this story is no more than a side character that I've grown to like. Maybe in another story, I'll give her a full personality, but for now, she exists for the sole purpose of 'rule of cool'. This entire chapter was for 'rule of cool'. And scaring the heck out of Pina, but still.
Glynda is taking over Oobleck as announcer because he's still in Remnant with Vela.
Surprisingly, Winter's weapon does not have a canon name. Edel Blume is my personal name for it, meaning 'Noble Flower' in German. I think it's nice.
As for Ozpin and James informing RWBY's parents about their foolish act: Summer is dead. Raven is missing. Tai is in Falmart. Jacque is a POS. Willow is drunk. The Belladonnas are across the world. There are really not many people to tell.
The next chapter is when the fun really begins.