Swing! Batter, Batter! Swing! Chapter 4: The Rose Shine's Silver, a rwby fanfic

Chapter 4: The Rose Shine's Silver!

Robbeyy9588: I like it BlakeXYang, I definatly saw the signs and hints of it back in V2 but there could've been a lot more build-up toward it!

Wolfwood777: The fights are always meant to be awesome and full of action! As for Glynda's reveal, it won't be right away but it'll be soon enough and not prolonged, also, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Guest: Hey... you might be right...

XXX

Up on the cliffside overlooking the battlefield, the staff of Beacon Academy watched with keen interest as various clashes unfolded beneath them. Each battle demanded attention, but all eyes soon turned to a particularly intense duel as Ruby Rose and Weiss Schnee squared off against each other. The tension between the two young Huntresses was palpable, and as their weapons clashed, sparks flying with each strike, even the veteran professors felt the energy in the air.

Glynda Goodwitch, with a swift motion, made their fight the primary feed on the holoprojector. She glanced at the gathered staff. "Let's see what the next generation has in store," she remarked with an approving nod, and the others leaned in, captivated.

Peter Port, the Grimm studies professor, chuckled softly as he watched Ruby move, her scythe an almost perfect reflection of her Uncles's style. "Is that Summer's girl?" he mused, a warm smile on his face. "My, she's the spitting image of her mother!"

Dr. Oobleck, the History professor of Beacon, always quick with his observations, nodded, his eyes following Ruby's swift and agile maneuvers. "Indeed, the resemblance is uncanny! Such spirit and determination—very much like Summer!"

A little apart from the others, standing in the shadows, was a figure cloaked in a dark blue hooded robe, her face hidden behind an intricate skull mask, the edges adorned with faint engravings. Wisps of grey hair peeked out from under the hood, betraying her age despite her masked face. She watched Ruby with a silent, contemplative stare, arms crossed beneath her cloak. She'd seen Summer Rose in her youth, too. Memories of a fierce but gentle soul surfaced unbidden, and she felt a flicker of cautious hope. 'Perhaps this one might exceed her mother...' Yet she held herself back, unwilling to invest hope too quickly. 'If she holds those same foolish ideals, I won't waste my time,'

Suddenly, a booming laugh echoed across the cliffside. "HAHAHA! If she's anything like her mother, I bet she'll give me a fight to remember!" roared the Combat Professor, who stood a head taller than many of her colleagues.

The Combat Professor, Larissa Tock, was a formidable sight—a Faunus woman with crocodilian features. Despite her fifty years, she looked every bit as powerful and battle-ready as her younger years. Her skin bore a greyish-green hue, and a prominent, messy dark-grey mohawk swept back from her head, highlighting an X-shaped scar on her temple. Her sharp yellow eyes gleamed with excitement as she observed Ruby.

Professor Larissa Tock was dressed in a unique, battle-ready ensemble that reflected her rugged past. Her dark green, high-collared shirt was worn under a dark brown corset that hugged her form, with a sturdy strap attached to a narrow leather belt that wrapped around her thigh. Her black-and-gray striped trousers tucked into a pair of well-worn black shoes, and her fingers were covered in dark brown fingerless gloves that revealed nails painted a glossy black. Around her neck hung a large, battered stopwatch, ticking ominously, a reminder of her precise and dangerous history.

Her Faunus trait was immediately recognizable—patches of murky, shaded-green scales dotted her skin, glinting faintly even in the subdued light. These scales extended across her body and face, forming a natural armor that highlighted her crocodilian nature. Her nails were sharp and polished in black, and her mouth was lined with pointed metal teeth that gleamed menacingly, two small screws anchoring them securely in place.

Tock looked every bit as fierce as the stories told about her—a former mercenary with a reputation for taking jobs from the worst of the worst, people many in polite society would never dare associate with. How she ended up as a professor at Beacon was a tale not often shared, a story tucked away in Beacon's enigmatic past.

Watching the holoprojector, Headmaster Ozpin took a thoughtful sip from his ever-present mug, his gaze shifting between Ruby Rose and her formidable opponent. "Hm," he murmured, eyes narrowing slightly. "Her opponent is Ms. Schnee, what a daunting match-up."

Glynda raised a brow, glancing at Ozpin. "For Ms. Schnee, or for Ms. Rose?" she asked, her tone half-teasing, half-serious.

Ozpin allowed himself a slight, knowing smile. "Ms. Rose, I believe she has a good chance, but I'm also acutely aware of Ms. Schnee's training regimen, her sister, Winter, and Specialist Taurus oversaw much of it... She's received more rigorous instruction than most students her age,"

At the mention of Adam Taurus, Tock threw her head back and laughed, a gruff sound that echoed across the cliffside. "HA! My Adam trained that high-and-mighty Schnee girl? Then she'd better be worth watching!" she cried, a hint of pride flickering in her yellow eyes.

Glynda's gaze lingered on the battlefield, a crease of worry forming on her brow. If it was true that Weiss Schnee had been trained by her elder sister Winter—an accomplished warrior who could overpower nearly anyone in the first-year roster with ease—it was already impressive. But to think she had also faced the brutal training of Specialist Adam Taurus, a man shaped by Professor Tock herself, and who had proven capable of matching Qrow Branwen's skill in combat, was a revelation that was both fascinating and terrifying.

On the other hand, Ruby Rose was the daughter of Summer Rose, a Huntress of unparalleled skill and spirit. Summer had not only surpassed her own team in raw ability but had gone on to best the likes of Glynda herself, Willow Schnee, and even James Ironwood at their peaks. Her strength and tenacity had placed her close to legends like Ozpin, Tock, and the Grimm Reaper herself. And now her daughter, young as she was, had been trained by none other than Qrow Branwen—the deadliest man ever to wield a scythe and one of the most feared Huntsmen of his generation.

Then, there was the potential in Ruby's silver eyes. If Ruby's inherited ability could someday surpass her mother's, perhaps even rival the Grimm Reaper's, she might well be the strongest Huntress of her generation, a beacon of hope that others could rally behind. But with all that power came a grave risk.

Glynda wasn't the only one who saw the problem; the woman in the skull mask, standing silently nearby, had surely noticed as well. Though Ruby had inherited her mother's strength, she had also inherited Summer's boundless kindness, her unyielding compassion. Ruby was still so young—naive, in many ways, and too willing to see the best in people. She was undeniably brave, but that bravery often masked a dangerous innocence.

Glynda's jaw tightened as she considered the possible outcomes. She knew better than anyone what had happened to Summer Rose because of that very same kindness. In a world as unforgiving as theirs, there were times when mercy could become a weakness. If Ruby was unable to set aside her mother's ideals in the heat of battle, she would be walking a path of peril. Her spirit was bright, but it could also lead her into situations where she was too willing to sacrifice herself for others.

"If Ruby inherits her mother's weaknesses as well as her strengths..." Glynda thought grimly, her eyes narrowing as she watched the clash of scythe and rapier, "Then Weiss will be the one to claim victory today,"

XXX

Down in the dense forest, Ruby darted between the trees, using her semblance, Petal Burst, to its fullest extent. Her figure became a blur of red rose petals as she zipped around Weiss, attempting to overwhelm the Schnee heiress with sheer speed and relentless, pinpoint strikes. Ruby's plan was simple: wear Weiss down by exploiting her speed advantage, breaking through her defenses bit by bit. But, to Ruby's frustration, the tactic wasn't working as she'd hoped.

Weiss had formed a large, intricate Glyph on the ground around her, a shimmering circle of energy that pulsed faintly with her aura. Each time Ruby entered its perimeter, something changed in Weiss's stance. It was as though she could sense Ruby's approach the instant she crossed into the Glyph's radius, moving to intercept her attacks with a poise and precision that left Ruby scrambling. No matter how many times Ruby tried to strike from a new angle or change her rhythm, Weiss seemed to know exactly where she was going to be.

Ruby's scythe swung again, but Weiss sidestepped, her rapier rising in a fluid, almost effortless block that deflected Ruby's weapon. The impact of each blow seemed to dissipate upon contact, as if Ruby's attacks were reduced to harmless taps. It was as though she was hitting an invisible wall, her strikes absorbed by Weiss's defenses without making a dent.

Frustrated, Ruby retreated just outside the Glyph's range, breathing heavily as she tried to assess the situation. Weiss stood within the Glyph's boundary, her expression calm, even serene, her rapier held at her side. She looked entirely unfazed, a picture of composure, and Ruby realized that this was no ordinary Glyph—Weiss had created a perimeter that enhanced her awareness, allowing her to track Ruby's movements even at top speed. Ruby knew she needed to think fast, or this battle would be lost before it even began.

With narrowed eyes, Ruby tightened her grip on her scythe, trying to plan her next move.

Weiss narrowed her gaze, noticing that Ruby's usual burst of speed had vanished. "Oh? Did you finally realize that charging at me head-on wasn't going to work?" Weiss taunted, her voice carrying an air of smug confidence.

Ruby didn't respond, her mind racing as she concealed herself behind the thick cover of trees and bushes. She clenched her jaw, analyzing the situation. 'Blitzing her won't work… That glyph of hers is like a warning beacon. The moment I set foot in its range, it flares up and gives her enough time to dodge or deflect my attacks. And the worst part? I don't even know the full extent of what she's capable of. I need to stay alert.'

She took a deep breath, slowing her heart rate as an idea began to form. 'What if… what if her glyph can't handle a barrage of attacks all at once? There has to be a limit to how many threats it can detect at the same time... If I hit her with multiple strikes in rapid succession, maybe it'll overwhelm her defenses,'

A grin tugged at the corners of Ruby's mouth as she switched her weapon into sniper mode, setting her sights on Weiss, who still stood confidently in the clearing, her glyph glowing like a vigilant sentinel around her. Ruby steadied her hands, her finger resting on the trigger.

"I've got you in my sights," she whispered to herself, her eyes narrowing with newfound determination.

Without further hesitation, Ruby squeezed the trigger, and the first shot rang out, a bullet slicing through the forest, aimed straight at Weiss.

The moment Weiss heard the faint crack of the gunshot, she whipped her head toward the sound, her glyph flaring in response as it sensed the projectile entering its range. With fluid precision, Weiss spun, deflecting the bullet midair in a burst of shimmering sparks. Her expression remained calm, almost amused.

Weiss had just deflected the latest bullet when, suddenly, her glyph flared again, signaling multiple intrusions at once. Her eyes widened in surprise as she turned, expecting another precision strike. Instead, she saw a scattered hail of sticks and small stones flying directly at her.

"What the—?" Weiss muttered, swinging her rapier to deflect a sharp pebble. She managed to swat a few away, but a thick branch slipped past her guard, striking her shoulder. A sharp stone nicked her knee, forcing her to stumble back with a frustrated grunt. Although she quickly regained her balance and deflected the remaining projectiles, the unexpected barrage had rattled her composure. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the treeline, but Ruby was nowhere to be seen.

Then, a new sound reached her ears—the rhythmic pulse of gunfire, each shot ringing louder, closer. Weiss's grip tightened on her weapon as her glyph remained inactive, no bullets or objects entering its range. A flicker of confusion crossed her face. 'If my glyph's not detecting anything… then where's that gunfire coming from?'

The realization struck her like a bolt. 'Wait… it's not coming from around me… it's coming from above!'

Weiss snapped her gaze skyward just in time to see a figure descending fast—a whirlwind of rose petals spiraling downward, with Ruby at the center, her scythe pointed down like a missile as she continued firing, propelling herself toward Weiss at blinding speed.

Ruby's fierce grin and intense silver eyes cut through the trail of petals, locking onto Weiss. "Gotcha!" she called, her voice carried down by the wind.

Weiss's instincts kicked in. She knew deflecting this attack was impossible at such speed; she'd have to evade. With a quick intake of breath, she prepared herself, waiting until the last possible moment. Then, just as Ruby's descent was nearly upon her, Weiss leaped aside, her aura flaring as she activated a glyph to boost her speed.

Ruby slammed into the ground, her momentum creating a small crater as dirt and petals exploded outwards, blanketing the clearing in a cloud of debris. Weiss shielded her eyes against the wave of dust, coughing slightly as she quickly regained her footing.

Weiss raised an arm to shield her eyes as the swirling dust and scattered rose petals filled the air. She squinted, her vision obscured by the debris that Ruby's impact had kicked up, creating a smoky veil around the crater. Every nerve in her body was alert, her grip tight on her rapier as she took cautious steps backward, scanning the hazy clearing for any sign of her opponent.

Once the dust began to settle, Weiss lowered her arm and peered through the thinning fog, her sharp blue eyes darting from shadow to shadow. The clearing was silent, eerily so, with no trace of Ruby's usual swift, darting movement.

"Come on," Weiss called, a slight edge to her voice, though she couldn't help the hint of a smile. "That was a bold entrance, but where did you run off to now?"

Silence answered her.

Weiss narrowed her gaze, glancing around at every tree, every possible hiding spot. Her instincts told her Ruby was nearby, lying in wait. 'She wouldn't abandon a move like that unless she had a follow-up planned, so where…?'

Then, out of the corner of her eye, Weiss spotted the faintest movement—a flicker of red disappearing behind a tree on the edge of the clearing.

She smirked. 'Found you,'

Quickly, she raised her rapier, summoning a series of smaller orange glyphs in rapid succession, creating a lattice of shimmering symbols surrounding the spot where Ruby had been hiding.

"Oh, are we playing hide and seek now? Don't tell me you're afraid," Weiss taunted, her voice echoing slightly.

Suddenly, two things happened at once. Ruby darted out from her hiding spot, her semblance leaving a trail of rose petals as she vanished, just as Weiss's glyphs flared to life, unleashing a barrage of small fireballs that scorched the ground where Ruby had stood seconds before.

Reappearing in a blur, Ruby launched herself toward Weiss, Crescent Rose raised, ready to strike with all her might. She grit her teeth, eyes blazing with determination. But before she could get close, Weiss smirked, flicking her rapier as a black glyph materialized between them. In a split second, the glyph pulsed, releasing a powerful wave of force that slammed into Ruby, sending her hurtling backward with explosive speed. Ruby crashed through tree after tree, splintering trunks and scattering leaves, before tumbling hard across the ground, her scythe slipping from her grip. Her aura flickered dangerously, barely holding up under the impact.

Groaning, Ruby forced herself to her hands and knees, her vision spinning as she struggled to regain her focus. Her gaze lifted just in time to see Weiss approaching her, each step measured, her expression cool and unwavering. There was a glint of satisfaction in Weiss's eyes—a confidence that bordered on condescension.

Weiss stopped a few paces away, her rapier poised, her lips curving into a smug smile. "This isn't personal," she began, her tone even but firm. "But let's face it—you're out of your league, I've trained with the best of Atlas, I've had to fight for every ounce of respect, to prove I belong here... But you? You're still just a naive kid, chasing after some fantasy of being a hero," Her voice softened, though her eyes were still sharp.

Ruby clenched her fists, her eyes narrowing in defiance. She managed to rise to her feet, steadying herself despite the ache radiating through her body. Weiss's words stung, but they only fueled the fire within her.

Weiss's gaze hardened as she lifted her rapier, pointing it directly at Ruby. Beneath her, a new glyph began to glow—a complex design resembling a clock, black and gold, casting an ominous light on the ground. "I'm afraid I'll have to shatter that dream here, Ruby," she said, her voice cold as the frost she wielded.

Ruby's glare didn't last long; her determined expression softened, and a small smile tugged at her lips as she locked eyes with Weiss. "I... I can't let that happen," she declared, her voice steady with a newfound resolve.

Suddenly, a faint silver glow began to flicker in Ruby's eyes, and the light grew with each passing second. Weiss froze, her confident posture faltering, one hand tightening instinctively around her rapier.

'What… what is that?' Weiss thought, an uneasy feeling creeping over her as she stared into the luminous silver in Ruby's gaze.

Ruby straightened, her breaths slowing as she gathered herself, and in one powerful exhale, the glow in her eyes intensified. Silvery, ethereal energy pooled around her irises, swirling like liquid stardust. The air grew still, charged with a strange power that made the hairs on Weiss's neck stand on end. She took an involuntary step back, the glyph beneath her flickering before dissipating, her composure crumbling under the weight of what she was witnessing.

Memories drifted through Ruby's mind, clear and vivid, as though she could feel her mother's presence guiding her. She remembered a moment long ago, back when she'd first begun her training with Uncle Qrow. Her mother, Summer Rose, had knelt beside her, her warm gaze filled with pride.

"Remember, Ruby," Summer had said, her voice gentle but powerful, "those eyes of yours are a gift… a gift I'm proud to pass on to you, one that I hope you'll use whenever you need it."

Ruby had looked up at her mother, eyes wide with curiosity. "But… what can they do, Mom?"

Summer's smile softened, and she placed a reassuring hand on Ruby's shoulder. "Anything your heart desires," she had answered, her tone filled with a quiet strength.

As the memory faded, Ruby refocused on the present, her gaze locked onto Weiss with a newfound intensity. She extended her hands, palms facing upward, and a soft, silver glow began to coalesce between them. The energy was gentle at first, like wisps of fog, but it quickly intensified, gathering into a brilliant, silvery light that pulsed with raw power.

The light began to take shape in her hands, solidifying and stretching as it molded into a familiar form—the unmistakable curve of Crescent Rose, her scythe. It shimmered with an ethereal glow, almost like moonlight, the silver light radiating from it in gentle waves that bathed the entire clearing. The air around her grew charged, crackling with power as the scythe's blade gleamed with an almost otherworldly sharpness.

Ruby felt the energy flow through her, filling her with a strength she had never felt before, as if she were connected to something far greater than herself. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, the silvery glow in her eyes intensifying, mirroring the light of the weapon in her hands. Every fiber of her being seemed to hum with energy, her aura revitalized and burning brighter than ever.

Weiss took a hesitant step back, her face betraying a mixture of awe and apprehension. She had never seen anything like this—Ruby was radiating with a force that felt both ancient and unstoppable. For a brief moment, the confident mask Weiss usually wore slipped, replaced by uncertainty as she felt the gravity of the power Ruby now wielded.

Without a word, Ruby surged forward, her body a blur of motion as she spun her ethereal scythe as if it weighed nothing. The silver light that formed its blade shone with a fierce radiance, cutting through the shadows around them. Weiss, alarmed at Ruby's approach, summoned another black glyph between them, hoping to repel her as she had before. But as Ruby swung her scythe, it sliced clean through the glyph as though it were no more than mist.

Weiss's eyes widened, disbelief flashing across her face. "No…!" she whispered, her voice barely audible, as reality shattered her confidence.

Ruby didn't hesitate. In one fluid motion, she slashed her scythe across Weiss's midsection, the blade striking her aura with a jarring impact that sent a shockwave of pain radiating through the heiress. Weiss staggered, instinctively bending forward to brace herself, only for Ruby to pivot and drive the staff end of her scythe upward, delivering a brutal strike to Weiss's face. The force launched Weiss into the air, her body twisting from the blow.

Ruby didn't let up. Planting the bladed end of her scythe into the ground, she vaulted into the air, her figure a comet of silver light as she spun, building momentum. With a precise, powerful dropkick, she struck Weiss squarely in the chest, sending her hurtling backward. Weiss crashed into a tree, the bark cracking under the force before she collapsed to the ground in a heap.

Despite the pain coursing through her, Weiss quickly forced herself to her feet, determination and fury blazing in her eyes. She wouldn't allow herself to be beaten so easily. Gritting her teeth, she lifted her rapier, summoning a dizzying array of glyphs—fifty, if not more—encircling Ruby from all angles. Each glyph glowed with a different hue, primed to unleash a relentless storm of elemental attacks.

With a swift motion, Weiss activated them all. Fireballs, shards of ice, torrents of water, and bolts of lightning burst forth from the glyphs, converging on Ruby in a furious assault meant to overwhelm her, leaving no room to dodge or deflect.

But Ruby didn't flinch. Standing amid the chaos, she remained calm, her silver-lit eyes unwavering as the attacks neared her. Just as the elemental storm closed in, beams of silver light erupted from around Ruby. Waves of silver light intercepted each oncoming attack. Fire clashed with silver, ice shattered upon contact, and the water and lightning dissipated, deflected by the relentless silver energy that encircled Ruby like a shield.

Weiss stared, frozen, unable to comprehend the spectacle unfolding before her. Every single one of her meticulously crafted attacks—each elemental burst, each glyph-powered strike—was effortlessly intercepted by Ruby's silver light, as if the light itself were alive, protecting its wielder with uncanny precision.

Not a single strike reached Ruby.

'How?! How is this possible?! How could she of all people… do this?' Weiss's thoughts spiraled, her mind racing with disbelief and frustration. 'I trained for years to master these techniques! Spent endless hours under the grueling pressure my sister put me through, all to perfect these attacks! I fought so hard to reach this level! So how…!? How can this upstart surpass me so easily!?'

Her shock shifted into a seething fury. She glared at Ruby, who stood calmly in the aftermath of the barrage, the same silver energy swirling around her with an otherworldly grace. Her expression was one of steely determination, but there was something else there, too—a compassion that only stoked the flames of Weiss's anger.

Weiss had had enough.

With a shout of rage, she raised her rapier, the blade trembling as her aura flared around her. Another glyph materialized beneath her, a clock-like symbol, glowing with a potent mixture of black and gold. Its intricate design pulsed with energy, amplifying her already considerable speed.

"NO MORE!" Weiss's voice echoed through the clearing as she fixed Ruby with an intense glare, her eyes burning with defiance. "I WILL NOT BE TOYED WITH!"

In an instant, Weiss launched herself forward, her movements faster than the eye could track. The clock glyph had propelled her into a realm of blinding speed, each step carrying her closer to Ruby with precision and power.

You see, The Schnee family was one of the few in all of Remnant to possess an inherited Semblance, a rare legacy passed down through generations. Their Semblance, known as Glyphs, granted them a unique and versatile arsenal of abilities—tools that, in the right hands, could shape the battlefield to their will.

At their core, Glyphs were immensely adaptable, used primarily in three distinct ways: Shields, Projectiles, and Summoning. Shields allowed the user to create defensive barriers, fending off attacks with a flick of their hand. Projectiles enabled them to launch powerful blasts of energy. Summoning, perhaps the most iconic of the three, let the user bring forth spectral versions of creatures they had defeated, commanding these phantoms to fight alongside them.

But among these abilities, one Glyph stood out—the "Time Dilation" Glyph, an ability known for its power and complexity. Unlike the straightforward uses of the standard Glyphs, Time Dilation manipulated space and time itself, forming a small, localized pocket of accelerated time around the user or target. When activated, this Glyph created a dimension where time moved faster within a defined area around the user's body, giving them a brief but extraordinary burst of speed.

Time Dilation's effect was both a blessing and a curse. The moment it was triggered, the user had to be in constant motion; the glyph demanded it. For as long as they moved, time flowed at an accelerated rate for them, allowing the user to achieve blinding speed in what appeared to be only an instant in the outside world. However, this came at a high cost: the instant they stopped moving, the pocket dimension collapsed, forcing the user to readjust to the normal flow of time. This reentry was brutal on the body; once the Glyph's effect faded, the user would be temporarily immobilized as their muscles and senses realigned with the standard time around them, leaving them vulnerable.

So when Weiss summoned the Time Dilation Glyph, she expected a swift end to the fight. With the blink of an eye, she surged forward, moving faster than any normal combatant could hope to track. Her rapier struck out in rapid, precise jabs, her movements nothing more than blurs to those around her.

She should have overwhelmed Ruby Rose in a heartbeat.

She should have ended the battle in that single, accelerated second.

She should have won right then and there.

Yet, somehow, Ruby's silver-lit eyes caught her movements, each strike intercepted by a flash of silver light. Weiss's disbelief turned to desperation as she continued her assault, pushing her Time Dilation to its limits, pouring every ounce of skill she had into overpowering her opponent. But Ruby met her every move, her scythe twirling like a living extension of herself, blocking each blow as if they were dancing in perfect sync.

The moment Time Dilation's effects ceased, Weiss felt her body lock, the unavoidable consequence of the glyph's intense power. Her muscles stiffened as she staggered back, forced to stand still for several heartbeats. In that vulnerable instant, Weiss's mind raced, grappling with the impossible reality she now faced.

How… how did she keep up? Weiss wondered, her breath shallow and ragged as she took in Ruby's calm, unwavering stance. She had thrown everything at her—had used the Time Dilation Glyph itself—and yet Ruby had stood against it, unfazed, as if Weiss's most powerful ability was just another obstacle to overcome.

For the first time in her life, Weiss felt the creeping sensation of doubt, not in her abilities, but in her understanding of power itself.

In a flash, Ruby seized the opportunity. With her silver, ethereal scythe humming with power, she spun forward, delivering a swift and fierce slash across Weiss's chest. The impact was overwhelming—so fast and forceful that Weiss's aura flickered violently before shattering in a cascade of faint, blue light, scattering like dust on the wind.

Ruby didn't hesitate. She pivoted, driving the staff end of her scythe up in a powerful uppercut, catching Weiss beneath the chin. The impact broke Weiss out of her frozen state, sending her reeling backward before she crumpled onto the ground.

Weiss lay stunned, her vision blurred and her body aching, a daze settling over her as she struggled to comprehend what had just happened.

Ruby stood over her, breathing heavily. The silver light that had surrounded her began to fade, her eyes dimming back to their usual shade. But as the radiant power dissipated, Ruby suddenly winced, feeling hot, sharp pain tearing through her head. Blood trickled from her eyes and nose, and her knees buckled as she sank to the ground, clutching her head.

"Ugh... D-Dang it…" she groaned, trying to steady her breath through the pain. 'I still haven't gotten the hang of this… I've never held my eyes like that for so long… Ugh! I just need a minute,' she thought, her face contorting with agony.

Across from her, Weiss lay on the forest floor, her body trembling as she stared up at the sky, feeling a profound ache in her chest that wasn't from the battle. She had lost. She, Weiss Schnee, trained by the best of Atlas, pushed to her limits by her family's expectations, had been defeated.

The hollow realization sank in, and an overwhelming wave of sadness washed over her, mingling with shame. She tried to hold it back, but the tears came, silent and hot, slipping down her face as her mind drifted back to the last words she'd heard from Winter before leaving.

"If you fail, Weiss, I will be disappointed," Winter had told her, her voice stern, carrying the weight of the family's pride. "I didn't train you to fail, we are Schnees, Weiss, we're meant to be the best... Failure is not an option,"

Weiss's heart clenched, and she felt as if she could hardly breathe. 'No… no, this can't be happening…! I-I promised Winter… I swore I wouldn't disappoint her!' Her chest tightened, and fear clawed at her insides, gnawing at her. She shut her eyes tightly, fresh tears streaming down as the weight of her perceived failure bore down on her, making her feel small and broken. 'Please, Winter, Please… don't hate me. I tried… I tried so hard…' she thought desperately, as if somehow her sister could hear her.

Her silent pleas echoed in her mind, and for the first time, Weiss felt her carefully crafted walls crumble, leaving her with the raw, aching fear of not being enough.

As her tears fell into the dirt, Weiss lay there, feeling the ache of defeat not just in her body, but in her very soul. The pain wasn't from her injuries—it was the fracture of a lifelong belief, the devastating realization that, despite everything, she hadn't lived up to the unyielding expectations that had always loomed over her.

Ruby rose to her feet, wiping away the blood from her face with the back of her hand as she looked down at Weiss, lying bruised and defeated on the ground. In her heart, Ruby felt a strong urge to reach down, to help Weiss to her feet and support her toward the exit. It was a small kindness, a simple act that went against everything she'd just done in the fierce battle they'd fought. But as much as she wanted to extend that hand, Ruby forced herself to remember why she was here.

This was a fight for Beacon, she reminded herself. This wasn't just any challenge; it was her shot at her dream, at the very future she'd been working toward. Helping Weiss now, in the middle of the trial, might slow her down. And the brutal truth was that she couldn't afford it—not here, not now, not when so much was on the line.

Her mother had always told her to be kind, to help anyone who needed it, no matter what. But her uncle, Qrow, had cautioned her again and again that her mother's kindness was also what got her killed. Ruby could still hear his voice, sober and grave, reminding her of the price of unguarded compassion.

"Sometimes," he'd said, "being too kind makes you too easy to hurt,"

Here and now, as much as it went against her heart, Ruby couldn't be that kind. She had to make a choice, and she had to make it now. She took a steadying breath, meeting Weiss's tear-filled gaze with as much gentleness as she could muster under the weight of her decision.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, voice soft but resolute, the apology holding more meaning than she could explain.

With that, she activated her semblance, the world blurring around her in a swirl of petals as she darted off into the forest, her real scythe in hand.

Weiss lay motionless, staring up at the sky as the last traces of Ruby's presence faded from view. The world around her felt so still, as if even the trees and sky were holding their breath, watching her in this moment of defeat. Tears pricked at her eyes again, unbidden and unrestrained, and she let them fall, her face twisting with the quiet ache of failure.

The thoughts clawed at her, merciless and unforgiving. 'How could I have lost? I trained so hard… I promised I wouldn't fail…' Winter's words echoed in her mind, sharper than any blade, each one a painful reminder of the expectations she'd failed to meet. 'I can't go back like this. I can't bear to see the disappointment in her eyes…'

A part of her wished the ground would just swallow her up, burying her shame and sorrow so she'd never have to face the weight of her sister's gaze, filled with the disappointment she feared most.

In another part of the forest, Yang sat on the broken trunk of a fallen tree, catching her breath as she gazed off into the distance, where she could just sense her sister's presence. A proud grin spread across her face. "Heh, looks like Ruby won," she murmured with satisfaction. "Sounds like she got a real fight in, too. Wish I could say the same for me."

Across from her, Blake was slumped against a nearby boulder, her breathing labored, her face streaked with blood and bruises from their own fierce encounter. She looked utterly worn down, her amber eyes glinting with a mixture of exhaustion and annoyance.

Yang glanced at her with a sheepish smile. "Uh… sorry about going a bit overboard, what can I say? I'm a little protective of my hair, but hey, at least you're not dead, right?"

Blake's glare hardened, her expression unimpressed.

Yang was about to make another attempt at an apology when something else caught her attention. She froze, tilting her head sharply to the right. A sense of unease washed over her, and Blake, catching on, also turned to look in the same direction, her feline senses on high alert.

What they felt wasn't just any aura—it was two enormous signatures, each radiating a power unlike anything either of them had felt in the Initiation so far. The energy was overwhelming, even from this distance, and it eclipsed Weiss's aura entirely, hovering somewhere just below Headmaster Ozpin's level.

Yang's brow furrowed as a thrill of excitement mixed with caution. "Whoa!" she muttered, eyes wide with wonder. "What the hell is going on over there? One of them feels… kinda familiar, but the other… I have no idea who that could be!" She shook her head, unable to place it.

Blake shifted, pushing herself up a little against the boulder. "Whoever it is, it's more than anyone I expected to feel out here," she replied, her voice low. "And if they're that strong, then something serious might be happening,"

Yang clenched her fists, her signature bravado still flickering beneath the worry. "Guess I'd better make my way over there and see what's up!"

Blake, weary as she was, managed a faint smile. "You just want an excuse to join the action, don't you?"

Yang laughed, a spark of adrenaline reigniting her spirit. "You've already got me figured out!" Yang said with a grin as she got ot her feet. "Well, I'll be off! See ya later, Kit-kat!"

With fiery determination, Yang set off toward the source of the intense aura. Whatever awaited her in that part of the forest, she was ready to take it on headfirst. She was Yang Xiao-Long, after all—tough as nails, fierce as a blazing sun, and with a confidence as boundless as her strength. There wasn't a person, Grimm, or challenge she couldn't face and come out on top. Her grin broadened as she charged ahead, fists clenched, ready for anything.

Meanwhile, Blake pushed herself back to her feet, wincing slightly from the aches of their fight. She looked toward the direction of Beacon with a hesitant but hopeful gaze.

Though she had lost this round with Yang, a quiet hope lingered that the Initiation test was more than just brute strength—that maybe, just maybe, she could still make it into Beacon, despite the setback. Deep down, she had always felt this test was more than it seemed.

Beacon was a place for those seeking a second chance, and she had come here to prove herself, to atone for the choices that haunted her.

XXX

Notes:

1. The Beacon staff is vastly different with the inclusion of Maria and Tock. Why did I add them into Beacon's staff? You'll see soon~!

2. Ruby/Yang's backstory are slightly different as well as Weiss and Blakes due to the mentioning of Ruby's talk with Summer, Winter's cold and harsh demeanor toward Weiss, and Adam not being the Head of the WF's Vale Branch, but instead being a specialist.

3. As you might have guessed, the Silver Eyes are vastly different from Canon, what can they do? You'll have to find out! I'll give you one word that hints at their powers... Antithesis.

In the next chapter, prepare for an intense showdown as Jaune, Mercury, Arslan, and Ciel clash in an epic four-way battle! The fight you've been waiting for is finally here! But that's not all—there's an ominous threat looming over Vale, and we'll get a glimpse of the danger heading their way. Brace yourself, because things are about to get even more intense!

Get ready... you won't see what's coming!