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Chapter 8: Reunion of Dragons
'You have to be fucking kidding me?!' That was just some of the thoughts running through Ruby's head due to the current predicament. She expected the dealt this morning between Weiss and Blake had stopped after having lunch with Angelica and the Knights of her peerage. Much to her ire, those two went back at it when they returned to their dorm room.
[Happy thoughts, Ruby. Happy thoughts.] Ddraig said.
'Shut up.' Ruby snarled back.
"You realize that you're defending an organization that hates humanity, don't you?" Weiss argued. "Any Faunus a part of the White Fang are pure evil."
"There is no such thing as 'pure evil'." Blake barked (ironically). "It is people like Cardin, people like 'you' that force the White Fang to take such drastic measures!"
"Allow me to say something to that." Ruby interjected. "Tell me Blake, what about the times those 'drastic measures' have killed Faunus as well?"
Both Weiss and and Blake snapped their heads to the dragoness with wide eyes. Ruby's eyes looked back at them, hiding any emotion with a stoic mask that made them freeze in place. Yang just awkwardly stood at the sidelines.
"I - They just made a mistake!" Blake exclaimed.
"Oh that's rich." Ruby chuckled darkly. "So, we can say the years of bombings on populace and local areas are mistakes?"
Blake growled. "Why are you siding with her?!"
"I'm not taking sides, Blake!" Ruby said sternly while raising her voice. "I am looking at the facts. And the facts say that the White Fang is no longer the protest group it was meant to be. Now, it has become a radical, terrorist group that doesn't give a damn about the people they kill in their 'crusade'. Both human and Faunus alike. The organization lost their grace when they start to kill people shamelessly."
"They aren't like that!" Blake argued.
"That includes Adam Taurus?" Ruby said, dropping the bombshell.
Blake looked like she was hit with a truck and started backing away. Even Weiss was giving the disguised Faunus quizzical looks at Blake's reaction.
"How do you know about that?" Blake said just above a whisper.
"I think the name Blood Dragon rings a bell." Ruby said.
Weiss' eyes widened. "Blood Dragon?! You mean the unknown vigilante that has been going around the world stopping the operations of the White Fang? My father's been trying to give practically half our fortune for him."
"That would be me." Ruby revealed with a smile large enough to reveal her fangs.
"Wha-" Yang stumbled on her words. "But you were always in the house."
"Chakra clone, Yang." Ruby answered. "I usually do it as a past time when the White Fang goes a bit too far. Many of those operations I've stopped would've killed a lot of innocent people. It would surprise you that Sienna Khan and I are on speed dial and she usually sends me when her subordinates go too far."
Ruby started her gig years ago when she first perfected Balance Breaker. She used the mech-like armor as a cover to go around the world and be like some sort of superhero for fun. It was quite useful, especially since Balance Breaker was fast enough for her to fly to the continents with a few [BOOSTS]. Her main priority was the White Fang, especially their terrorist attacks that were targeting civilians. When Ruby had gained the moniker of Blood Dragon due to the fact besides the armor all anybody saw of Ruby was her dragon wings, she shortly met Sienna. Short story goes they exchanged words and came to an understanding that the White Fang was losing its way. Ruby trusted Sienna enough to be convinced that she wasn't a person to kill unnecessarily.
And it wasn't the first time that Ruby and Blake had met. Actually, she has encountered the cat Faunus before when she used the moniker of Blood Dragon in her Balance Breaker. At that time, Blake was still partners with the rampaging psychopath, Adam Taurus. It just took a while for Ruby to remember the familiar scent from Blake.
"You can call the leader of the White Fang on your phone?!" Blake and Weiss both exclaimed.
"You're the Blood Dragon?!" Yang squeaked. "I can't believe my little sister is the Blood Dragon. But where'd you hide a suit that big."
"That's for you find out." Ruby answered. "Besides that, the organization has become a cesspool for bloodlusting hypocrites like Adam. I don't mind Sienna's methods, but I hate the way she has lost control of the White Fang to them. So, I don't think there's much of a defend for the White Fang, Blake?"
"Don't you see it?" Weiss said. "The White Fang are full of liars, thieves, and murderers."
Blake snapped. "Maybe because we're tired of being pushed around."
Silence permeated the room except for the sound of Ruby smacking her face. Realizing her secret was out, Blake sprinted out of the dorm.
"Way to fucking go, Weiss." Ruby said dryly.
If looks could kill, Ruby would've been dead through a thousand types of agony. The dragoness could only sigh at the mess that her team found itself in.
(Two days later)
Ruby, Weiss, and Yang went out on a search for their missing cat. Unknown to them, Blake was meeting with another Faunus, the monkey one from a few days ago, that Angelica captured to investigate the robberies. The trio of RWY were walking down the streets at night on finding their missing teammate. The whole time Weiss was making very awful suggestions how to go about this, but a single glare from Ruby silenced the Schnee from taking it too far.
The trio decided to their separate ways, especially with Weiss who left with a huff. Ruby found herself sighing a lot more often ever since she came to Beacon.
'Ddraig, have there ever been wielders before me that had to deal with shit this troublesome?' Ruby asked.
[Plenty of them.] Ddraig answered. [Some of my partners became famed heroes of legend, but that also came with a heavy responsibility. I always was the last to offer them guidance in stressful times, but I will say you are doing well.]
Ruby scoffed mentally. 'Yeah right. Let's admit it, I've grown so bored to the point that I'm so detached to everyone. I... feel like I'm pushing them away.'
Ruby could hear Ddraig make a thoughtful rumble. [Ruby... I'm not the first to say this, but no one is perfect. Not me, Yahweh, or even the dragon gods. We all have our faults, such as my pride that had me stuck in this Sacred Gear. But I suppose imperfection is more of a blessing, otherwise you wouldn't be out here searching for your teammate, much less care for anyone in this world.]
'Thanks Ddraig.' Ruby replied mentally after a long pause.
[Anytime.] Ddraig said.
As Ruby was continuing her search via following Blake's scent, her Scroll decided to vibrate. Her eyes narrowed to the caller that named 'Tiger' and Ruby made sure no one was around her. Better safe than sorry, Ruby jumped up to a rooftop and answered the call. She didn't want any idiots mistaking her for allying to the White Fang.
"Been a long time, Sienna." Ruby answered.
"Indeed, Dragon." Said the voice of Sienna Khan. "Though, it isn't on good circumstances."
"When is it ever?" Ruby replied. "So what is it? Remember, I'm not joining your group of lunatics."
Ruby could feel the intense breathing from the leader of the White Fang. "I'll admit that the White Fang has... lost its place."
"No fucking shit." Ruby replied dryly.
"In any case, I'll get straight to the point, Dragon." Sienna pointed out. "The Vale branch of the White Fang hasn't been acknowledging my orders. I'm afraid there is a rogue element, and I fear that if openly interfere with this it could cause a divide between White Fang. Possibly a civil war."
"Wow, what a big fucking surprise, Sienna." Ruby said, dripping with sarcasm. "What's next, a coup calling for Faunus superiority? Maybe a civil war wouldn't be so bad. It could weed out all the psychos that you turn a blind eye to."
Sienna sighed. "If I could, I would have picked a much better solution than this."
"We both know what the better choice is." Ruby almost snarled. "Disband the White Fang. However you look at it, this whole organization is hurting both innocent humans and Faunus. I like to think the word for 'equality' is brain dead to over half of the White Fang."
"I-"
But Ruby cut her off. "You sit on that wonderful throne of yours, but you are nothing but a figurehead at this point. I've seen your so-called crusaders for Faunus equality point a gun at children! It won't stop at humans, Sienna! They are calling for blood. That's what your organization has done. I'll go deal with this rogue branch, but not because you asked me to."
"They wouldn't go quietly." Sienna said.
"My patience is running out with this shit." Ruby snarled. "We can at least agree on that the White Fang is crossing lines. Either you fix this mess you did, or I will."
And with that, Ruby ended the call with a draconic snarl. On the other side of the world, the leader of the White Fang paled at that last part. She had seen the destruction 'Dragon' can unleash, and had seen her annihilate entire branches of the White Fang instantly. Sienna knew that Dragon would live up to her words.
Back with Ruby, her head whipped to an explosion at the docks, and the wind blew in her direction carrying the scents. From it, Ruby picked up Blake, the monkey Faunus, a lot of other Faunus, and...
... Torchwick.
"I hate those that get away." Ruby said. "Do you know why I hate the ones that get away?"
[Because it reminds that you had the capability to do in an instant.] Ddraig answered.
"Exactly." Ruby said. "And this time there will be no mercy. But first."
Ruby tapped her Scroll a few times and held it to her ear. After five seconds of the Scroll vibrating, someone picked it up.
"Angelica, how soon can you get to the docks?" Ruby asked.
"Five minutes with a car. Less than a minute with magic." Angelica answered. "Let me guess. Some foolish mongrels causing trouble?"
"Bingo." Ruby said. "Get there as soon as you can. And probably bring some medics... maybe some body bags."
"Ah, this will be joyful." Angelica replied with a hint of mirth before ending the call.
Ruby set her Scroll away, and a maniacal smile stretched across her face. She meant it that there will be no mercy. Her draconic aura flared to life around her, making the ground shake at her feet. The Boosted Gear appeared on her arms, bursting with fire from the jet engines on her shoulders.
"Welsh Balance Breaker: Scale Mail."
Sure it was overkill, but Ruby needed to send a message to anyone messing within Vale. That this city was her territory and anybody that wants to fuck it up will be met with a glimpse of Hell itself. As soon as the dragon-like armor of the Scale Mail fully covered Ruby's body, she unveiled her wings and took flight into the skies like a red comet. The Red Dragon Empress will have her ends meet, anyway she wanted.
Unknown to Ruby, another emperor stood shock still has he felt the Dragon of Domination that rivaled his supremacy. Wings of white with feathers of plasma blue came to life in response as Albion roared in the presence of his rival's power.
(Docks)
Blake didn't want believe it, but this was the truth. The White Fang were behind robberies, and leading them was none other than Roman Torchwick. She had immediately engaged them in combat, intent on stopping the White Fang from committing another sin. The monkey Faunus, who she learned was Sun Wukong, was battling Torchwick with his staff. Unfortunately, the criminal was not some pushover as even with just a simple black cane that he used as a replacement he quickly had Sun on the ground with a gun to his face. Aura could do many things, but it would not stop well-placed bullets to the head.
That was when something crashed to the ground between Blake and Roman with the force of a meteorite. Through the dust cloud that was picked up, they saw an ominous pair of green lights glowing through. They were eyes sat upon a huge figure complete with shadow of unfolded wings. Some force pushed the dust cloud away to reveal what can be described as the apex in appearance and aura. The very concept of domination rolled off the armored mech-like figure, causing Blake, Sun, and the Faunus to shake. Even Roman was taking steps back and when those eyes locked onto him, he felt that death itself was standing right in front of him. A helm resembling a dragon with gem green eyes and adorned with golden horns stared at them all, and waving behind the dragoness was a crimson steel tail.
"Bl-Blood D-Dragon." One White Fang grunt cried.
"W-We're so dead."
"Holy shit." Swore Sun, looking awestruck at the imposing figure of crimson steel, complete with a pair of dragon wings and crimson fire roaring off the shoulders. "That is so awesome!"
'R-RUBY!?' Blake screamed mentally. She knew recently that Ruby was the Blood Dragon, but it never stopped her heart pounding in fear.
"W-Well, this is certainly interesting." Roman said, trying to keep his cool. "It would be better if some of you shot her."
"Human, this monster has slaughtered through countless branches of the White Fang like paper." Whimpered a White Fang grunt.
"You should listen to the smart ones." The Red Dragon Empress spoke. "They usually are able to live longer, give or take an arm or a leg. But I especially loathe the ones who think they can do whatever they want in my city."
"Alright so you can talk big." Roman said nervously. He got the better of his nerves and unloaded a full clip from his pistol, equipped with explosive Dust rounds. But Ruby made no intention to move as the Dust rounds simply shattered on her Scale Mail armor without even a bit of dirt to stain it, much less damage it.
"Pathetic." Ruby hissed.
Ruby raised her right arm and started channeling red lightning into her palm. Sparks as red as blood lashed out on her palm as a small orb of plasma formed between her fingers. She made a swipe, sending a wave of red electricity towards the White Fang members. The multitude of armed terrorists that previously surrounded them were no twitching on the ground in pain. Blake could only stare at the looming form of Ruby in her Scale Mail as her whole body just screamed danger. The only reason she was rooted to the spot was because of pure terror.
Ruby decided to play with the last of her prey, which was Roman Torchwich. With each slow step she made, carrying enough force to leave an imprint in the concrete, Roman made two steps back. His previous calm visage crumbled into a nervous sweat complete with a strained smile. The dragoness smiled a bit wickedly at the smell of fear from Roman.
"I-I know this is, uh, weird, but I feel like we've met before." Roman nervously said. "Did I - Did I do something to-to you?"
"Well, you're not wrong." The Empress replied. "I just hate people that get away."
"We're at an impasse then because I love running away, especially now." Roman replied.
Ruby made a purposely slow backhand swing with her left arm aimed at Roman's head. The criminal ducked under the blow, but his eyes followed the armored fist as it buried itself into the industrial steel of a crate next to him. It served its purpose as Roman's whole body started to shake in terror.
"Please someone help me." Roman whimpered meekly.
God had to be alive because for some reason Roman's prayers were answered. Three Bullheads flew over a building and stared raining down bullet hail aimed at Ruby. The dragoness turned her in annoyance, not minding the bullets that shattered against her armor. Meanwhile, Roman took that chance to roll out of the volley of fire and run for his life to a Bullhead. Ruby was about to cup a Dragon Shot to obliterate the Bullheads until they were instead brought down by a rain of weapons of legend, exploding in midair. Ruby glanced to the source of the golden portals and found Angelica in her detective uniform. She already had golden portals lined up on the White Fang to detain them. Those that made the mistake of resisting were treated to the sight of how a blade can be used as a missile.
Akame and Esdeath were with her as well handling any of the stranglers that were remaining. While Akame kept a stoic composure slicing through the grunts with minimal effort, Esdeath was laughing in excitement either freezing grunts in place, probably giving them some nasty frostbite, or using her sword. She may or may not have cuts some limbs off.
"Phooey, these guys are so weak." Esdeath whined.
"We get paid better if we just detained them." Akame admonished.
Ruby followed the scent of Torchwick to a Bullhead ascending from the ground. She let out a soft growl of annoyance; she had no intention of letting Torchwick go again. Her wings snapped to their full span and lifted her off the ground in one flap. Blake, Sun, and the newly arrived Weiss and Yang watched with wide eyes as their leader flew into the sky after the aircraft. She quickly caught up to the Bullhead and dug her clawed gauntlets into one of the engines. No matter how much the pilot tried the Bullhead could budge from Ruby's grip. From his seat in the cockpit, Torchwick paled when he saw those green eyes glaring right back at him as Ruby tightened her grip on the aircraft.
"Who gave you permission to leave?" The Red Dragon Empress said.
Ruby aimed a hand at the cockpit that was charging a green orb of the Dragon Shot. Torchwick at his point was praying to whatever gods were out there to please help him. At the same time, his thoughts were going down memory lane of the transgressions of his life that led him to this moment. Perhaps he should've have listened to his mother and become a doctor in his uncle's footsteps. It was good pay, they said, but Roman wanted the rush of life instead. A good, honest living dashed away because of a thrill. If he only knew it led to this moment, stuck in a cockpit with a bunch of insane Faunus about to vaporize by some dragon Faunus woman in a crimson suit of armor.
"Yes, indeed you're strong."
Somehow, his prayers were answered, but not by a god. A flash of blue and white blinded his vision. Torchwick blinked the daze out of his eyes and right in front of them just outside the cockpit was another one in suit of mech-like armor as well. Unlike Ruby however, this one took a more masculine appearance and the metal shined a blinding white with blue gems here and there. The biggest difference was instead of jet engines on the shoulders, the newcomer had wings made of blue energy itself.
"Hello, my rival." Spoke the newcomer, the voice giving away to be a young man at least. "You certainly don't make it a habit to hide yourself."
Once Ruby felt the power, a power that rivaled her own, she went stiff. Slowly like a rusty door, her head swiveled to face the Dragon of Supremacy, the one she was promised to face, the one and only equal she will ever face, the White Dragon Emperor all in his glory in his own Scale Mail. Her helm hid away the absolutely gobsmacked look on Ruby's face as green and blue, and red and white, stared down each other. In her shock, Ruby's grip on the Bullhead loosened and Roman wasted no time to fly out of there, and thanked whatever god had just saved him.
"You're letting him get away!" Blake shouted but a hand stopped her. Looking back, she met the face of Angelica, and her eyes were locked to the pair of dragons in the sky.
"Blake, do you know how long-" Weiss exclaimed.
"Weiss," Interrupted Yang, her voice a bit stiff, "I think that's the least of our problems."
All eyes went up to dragon and the dragon/devil hybrid levitating in the sky. Weiss knew that the red one was Ruby given the fact that she had seen photos of the 'Blood Dragon' and the fact Ruby told her. Then her eyes settled on the white one, taking a more masculine, bulky build compared to Ruby's mech-like armor. It soon clicked in her head of who the newcomer was and her eyes widened through a few emotions including fear and shock.
Esdeath was the one to speak their thoughts, with a look of shock not like her. "Angelica, is that..."
"Yes." Angelica said, a cold sweat the only sign of her worry. "That's the White Dragon Emperor. I did not expect him to come here so soon."
Yang whipped her head to the other blonde. "You knew this 'Emperor' or whatever was coming here?!"
"It's inevitable." Angelica answered. "The Heavenly Dragons will always face each other."
"We have to leave." Weiss said, earning a look from Yang. "If they fight now, they could destroy the whole dock."
"We are not leaving her." Yang shouted in rage.
"Forget the dock." Said Akame, showing the first sign of emotion that was fear. "If they fight, we can consider the entire continent gone."
"Are you fucking serious?!" Swore Yang, glancing to Angelica. "You can stop them, right? You have a Sacred Gear too."
"I loathe to admit it, but I can't do anything." Angelica growled. "They are both in Balance Breaker while I haven't awakened mine."
With those words, the pairs of eyes could only stare at the twin dragons with a tense unease. Back with Ruby, she had not said a word through the entire encounter nor have any of them made a move on each other. Ruby's thoughts were either stopping completely in a crash, going faster than light, or somehow both. She can feel the power from her destined rival, and it was... exciting her. Her rival was here! He was right in front of her! She can finally have the challenge, and her inner dragon roared to face it! To prove that she is the alpha of this world.
[Are you going to ignore me, Albion!?] Snarled Ddraig as the green gems on Ruby's Scale Mail glowed.
[Not really, Ddraig.] Albion replied as the blue gems on Vali's Scale Mail glowed in response. [What a fascinating world you've been hiding.]
Ddraig growled. [I am not some scared hatchling.]
"You know, I was watching you the whole time since you arrived to the docks." Said Vali, his helm hiding the grin on his face. "But I simply could not take it and had to meet my rival in person. I have to say, I am very impressed. Do I have the pleasure to hear your words?"
[I... may want to warn your partner, Albion.] Ddraig said. [My partner is a little bit-]
"Fight me!" Ruby shouted, her Scale Mail calling out a [BOOST]. "I've been waiting for so fucking long for this! Let's go, White One!"
Vali smirked behind his helm at this response. "I would love to but-"
Vali didn't get to finish before a metal fist met his face. Despite the sudden blow, it made Vali's grin even grow. On the ground though, the spectators had to brace themselves from the physical force of the punch. The White Dragon Emperor recovered quickly just in time to notice Ruby's follow-up. He nimbly dodged out of the way and placed a hand on the extended arm.
[DIVIDE.]
The call from Divine Dividing leeched off the power Ruby gained from her [BOOST] making her movements slower. Using the leeched power, Vali grabbed Ruby's extended fist, pulled the Empress towards him, and landed a crushing knee hard enough to crack the Scale Mail a little. A grunt of pain escaped Ruby's mouth as she was hurled into a crate that was full of Dust. That also exploded on impact and knocked Sun out cold.
"What the-" Gasped Yang. "What happened to her? Didn't she do that thing with the boosting?"
"That is what makes Divine Dividing and Boosted Gear opposites." Angelica explained. "One doubles your power, but the other divides it. It is an eternal power struggle that has existed between the Heavenly Dragons."
Vali could still sense the life signs of his rival still strong, in fact he could practically feel the excitement emanating from Ruby even from this range. It made the dragon/devil hybrid all the more thrilled that his destined rival was not only strong, but also had a lust for battle like his own. He honestly understood the Empress' excitement to battle him. After what he has seen of this world, there isn't anybody of the supernatural here, the creatures of Grimm are not much of a fight for even High-class beings, and the strongest humans could get here is possibly low High-class at best. So Vali understood the boredom that must have plagued the Red Dragon Empress, and honestly she would fight whatever that met to her standards without a second thought.
But there was still something missing about this. This was sudden and not the right time. He wouldn't be like the other wielders of Divine Dividing and Boosted Gear. If he was going to have a battle with his equal, Vali wanted it to be a show. He was lucky that such an opportunity was going on in this world. Besides, it gave him time to actually know the one he will be facing. They don't even know who it is behind the helm.
Ruby, on the other hand, was absolutely drunk in battle lust as she clutched her abdomen that was rocking with pain. How long?! How long had anyone actually been able to land a successful blow? How long has it been since she actually felt pain? As wrong as it seemed, Ruby wanted to feel more pain.
[BOOST.]
By the call of Ddraig, the wreckage where Ruby was hurled into blasted it apart and there stood Ruby in her Scale Mail brimming with power yet again. She lurched her head to the air and unleashed a mighty roar of a dragon.
"This is it!" Roared Ruby. "This is what I have been waiting for! I feel pain! I actually feel pain, and I can't get enough of it! We are not done, White One, not for a long while."
Disturbed thoughts went through WBY at Ruby's roar. Weiss and Blake were highly caught off by the insanity of what Ruby was speaking of, and wondered where she hid this side of herself. Yang was thinking in a different matter.
'Holy fuck, she's a masochist.' Yang thought. 'Must not tell Dad or Uncle Qrow.'
Ruby cupped a green orb in her hands till it grew to the size of her hand. Despite its meager size, the humans, devils, and one Faunus could feel the pressure just from that orb alone.
"Dragon Shot."
In a surprising move, Ruby punched the orb in the Emperor's direction and unleashed a wave of pure dragon energy. Vali widened his eyes behind his helm and extended his left hand towards the ray of destruction.
"Reflect."
The air rippled around Vali's palm upon the word. As the Dragon Shot made impact, it stopped a moment in Vali's hand. It appeared to be a bit of a power struggle as Vali had to exert a little more effort into the spell. With a soft grunt of effort, Vali managed to overpower the Dragon Shot and deflect it up to the air instead of back to the Empress. The green ray of energy ascended the sky for a few hundred feet before exploding in a blast that was large enough to level the entire dock.
"Eager, isn't she?" Vali noted.
[Bored is an accurate term.] Albion said. [I can sense that the new Red Dragon Empress is more dragon than she is human, possibly Ddraig's doing though I am no better. As such, she is quite, as you say, jumpy in a world where there isn't anything to challenge her or even be worthy to court with her.]
"Excuse me, 'court'?" Vali said with a quirked eyebrow.
[... Hopefully, you'll never find out.] Albion said from a long pause. [It would save me and Ddraig some... embarrassment. If you don't want to fight her, I suggest you stop her right now.]
Vali mentally gave his agreement and looked down at his rival, who was charging up on [BOOSTS]. He honestly didn't want to do this, but this didn't feel like the right time. He slowly floated down to Ruby's level without giving off any harmful intent.
"My rival," Vali said, "as much as I hate to say this, I don't want to fight you. Not yet."
Complete silence went over the whole dock. The glow in the green gems of Ruby's Scale Mail dimmed and her red aura simmered down. But like a calm before the storm...
"WHAT!?" Ruby roared. "FUCK OFF! I HAVE WAITED HALF MY LIFE FOR THIS MOMENT!"
"But is it really worth it?" Vali said. "I want to fight you, I promise you that, but right now it feels empty. We hardly even exchanged names or who we look like. Tell me, my rival, is a fight with an equal really that worth the effort if you nothing about your opponent?"
Ruby let off a growl, but her stance relaxed. "...No."
Vali nodded. "We may be rivals, but we can still settle on common ground. This is neither the right time or the place. When we fight, I want it to be a spectacle because who can say they witnessed a fight between the Heavenly Dragons. Why not show this entire world?"
"How would go about this?" Ruby wondered.
"I did hear of a world tournament coming up by the end of the next spring." Vali answered. "I think they call it the Vytal Festival."
Everyone's eyes widened at that, especially Ruby. Her conscience screamed about this being a bad idea, but her inner dragon couldn't but roar in agreement.
"B-But he can't do that." Weiss exclaimed. "He's not even a student at any of the academies."
"As if simple rules can stop any of the supernatural." Esdeath quipped. "No, there's no stopping him getting into the tournament and you wouldn't even be able to stop him."
"What do you think?" Vali asked. "Wouldn't be wonderful to have our battle in front of the whole world to see?"
"Ruby!" Yang shouted. "Don't-"
"Yeah." Ruby agreed, making a grin behind her helm. "That does sound wonderful."
Vali chuckled as he flew up into the sky. "We will meet again. Sooner than you think."
His wings of energy glowed a brilliant blue before Vali flew off at hyper sonic speeds through the sky. No one would even notice the blue streak across the sky as it disappeared over the horizon. Even Ruby's enhanced senses had no way of tracking Vali's speed. It was enough to make her shiver in excitement at the fact her rival was so strong in so many ways.
Ruby canceled her Balance Breaker, leaving her in her semi-dragon form before she retracted her wings and tail. Her head was hung low with her hair shadowing most of her face, and a hand went to rub the place where she received that blow. It made Credence's blast feel like a small sting. WBY ran up to their leader in worry.
"Rubes, are you okay?" Yang asked.
Ruby in turn started to shake and they could hear little chuckles escaping her throat. It soon devolved into crazed laughter with her hands holding her sides. WBY took steps back, disturbed at the sight.
"Am I okay?" Ruby exclaimed. "Yang, I've never felt better in my entire life. Did you see him? Did you feel his power? I can't wait. I simply can't wait until I get to actually fight him!"
"With the way you talk about him, it's like you have a crush on the guy." Yang quipped, and immediately slapped her hands to her mouth in laughter as she realized how funny that was.
The others who heard as well faced similar reactions. Angelica and Weiss had on hand over their quivering lips. Blake had a small smirk on her face with the occasional fit of laughter. Esdeath and surprisingly Akame were bursting with laughter.
Ruby, on the other hand, was stiff as her mind fully processed what Yang said. Her body went dead still like petrified wood. The grin on her face crumbled away into one of horror, and her head creaked towards Yang. Unknown to Ruby, her cheeks brightened.
"Y-You take that back!" Ruby shouted.
Yang glanced to Ruby and her laughter came back with a vengeance. "Oh my gosh, you're actually blushing."
That was it for Blake, Weiss, and Angelica as they fell to the floor laughing. Ruby refused to believe that! That was her rival, not her lover! She didn't even know the guy or who he looks like. Yet, the growing blush on her cheeks said otherwise. Her eyes twitched in anger and she yet again summoned Ddraig's power.
"Welsh Balance Breaker: Scale Mail."
"H-Hey, it was joke! I-It was just a joke! We can laugh at a joke, right Rubes? Rubes? What are you doing to that crate? No wait! No! No stop! I take it back. I take it back! I'm sorry! I'M SORRY!"
I did not expect the chapter to be this fucking long, nor was it going to take up my entire afternoon. But this is how it is with the first meeting between Ruby and Vali. Now you might be wondering about the lack of interaction of Sun. That is because he was knocked out the entire time as you will find in the reading. The rest of Team Vali, or KABL as it can be called, will make their official appearance in the next chapter taking place at the start of Vol. 2.
Up next is Chapter 9: Green and Blue.
Stay in touch. Please, please leave a review.