Thank you all!

REAPER IN RED

Chapter 31

I managed to send a quick glance over to Professor Goodwitch. She was watching me with rapt attention, hands curled around the lip of her desk, knuckles a painful white. I couldn't decipher her expression. Not in the short time I had between my initial glance and Nora's hammer just barely grazing my shoulder and Weiss's gravity glyphs a fraction too late in binding my feet where they lay.

Then there was an uppercut blocking my view, followed swiftly by a round shield. I ducked. I weaved. I dodged. It was pandemonium in the arena as seven very skilled -in my belief- huntsmen and huntresses in training did their best to try and hit me.

And each attack was closer than the last.

More fluid in motion as their rhythms became more in sync.

More in tune with one another.

I was starting to sweat, and not from exhaustion. Nothing was happening. Why was nothing happening? I blocked Jaune's sword with Crescent Rose, then took a shot at Ren's feat to keep him from properly reloading. Blake popped up behind me. I rolled through a strike, then she popped back out in a flurry of smoke leaving behind a stone statue I her wake. I nearly bulldozed into it to get out of Yang and Pyrrha's way.

"Too slow," Yang exclaimed with a smirk, jumping to the side as Weiss came barrelling in behind her, tip pointed straight ahead. I tripped backwards, stumbling over something as landing face first into the statue.

I quickly dropped Crescent Rose and shielded my neck from damage as the statue exploded into dust. By the time I looked back, Pyrrha was between me and Crescent.

That was bad.

No. That was good. Deflecting a slash with my palm on the flat of the blade, I tumbled over, knocking into Nora. Her shout sounded more excited than painful, so that was good.

I darted forward, shadowy petals trailing behind me. One chance. Sliding under Yang's kick and Pyrrha's stomp, my hand gripped onto Crescent Rose.

Perfect.

A flick and it was out of bounds. Pyrrha smirked.

"No!" I shouted, as my weapon bounced onto the ground, far out of my reach.

The entire fight seemed to stop, taking in the sight of me without my trustee weapon. Then they all turned to Professor Goodwitch, almost as one.

"Nobody said stop," she dismissed with a wave of the hand.

I did my best to try and hide my own smirk. I really did. That didn't, however, manage to stop the light giggle of amusement that crept through my lips.

"Is my baby sis confident she can beat us all now?" Yang was on me so fast, a whirlwind of fists and comments.

I tried to run, only to be met with Blake and Weiss. Double-teaming me with consecutive slashes and strikes. Human vital spots were targeted. Joints, wrists, kidney, ears. Neck. They were pushing me back. Unable to defend myself properly without Crescent Rose.

Then Nora was firing pink explosives at me from her hammer from above. Ren was firing those annoying blaster shots. Jaune's shield was a wall to freedom.

Yang stepped closer. As did Pyrrha. I moved. Fast. Petals scattered across the arena. I couldn't move fast enough in the torrent of near-missed blows.

Nora was crying out in laughter as she poured volley after volley of explosive so close by. Yang was making puns. Jaune was shouting out commands to his team and mine.

I couldn't understand him in all the commotion.

Too loud.

Much too loud.

Pyrrha's sword slashed my cheek. I was able to make it look like a near miss, but I knew it wasn't. Yang's fists came ever closer. Ren had changed from long distance shots to using his weapon up-close. Trading off with Blake in ninja like waves. Jaune tried his best to hit me.

Too close.

Pyrrha leapt into the air and fired from her rifle. I barely moved away in time.

Too fast.

My heart was beating rapidly. My brain was going numb. Going fuzzy. It was all going fuzzy.

I weaved through them as best as I could. Blake's outstretched leg sent me tumbling to the ground. Only just rolling out of harm's way, where someone would have stepped on me.

Too strong.

Too much.

"Enough!" I shouted, swiping my arm across the field.

Jaune was sent flying. He was so close to me, that it was like I had grabbed onto him and tossed him. But I could barely feel his shirt on my palm as he sped into the wall, leaving a noticeable crack behind.

But I hadn't touched him.

No, my magic did. The shadow my hand made on his shirt was all I needed to control the movement. I was slower than I was used to in my Reaper form. I could feel how weak it was, but it was there.

A buzzer rang out.

"Jaune Arc is out by aura loss."

I stared at him in awe. Did I?

I could feel the tingling in my head. I could… I could see, really see.

I stood up slowly.

Oh, oh this felt right.

Without moving a muscle, shadow swirled around me, turning into fluttering rose petals at my will. Yes, I could feel it this time. Actually feel my mind working its magic. Quite literally.

I descended on my teammates, shadowy petals blocking their view of me as I forced them back.

Another buzzer sounded as Yang tripped over the line and fell on her butt outside the arena floor.

"Yang Xiao Long is out by ring-out."

The rest didn't pause their onslaught now. Two of their own had been taken out of play.

I felt like I could do so much. I almost shouted out in laughter. This was… this was divine.

Sweet Salem the Blessed my greatest problem was solved!

Should I laugh? Cry? Hug someone? Kiss someone on the mouth like they do in movies? No, that last one sounded beyond disgusting. Why anybody would want to put their face hole on another person's face hole…

I shook my head. No distractions. The tingling was receding. I jumped high into the air, giving myself space from my attackers. I closed my eyes. No distractions.

Little stress.

Remember that feeling. That sweet tingling sensation in the back of my mind.

Pull it forward. Try to pull it forward just a little bit more.

I landed; my eyes wide with triumph.

It was back.

Weaker, but back.

I had called back my magic in human form.

Now I couldn't hold back my laughter.

"Something funny Rubiroo!" Nora laughed back, a two handed wing of her hammer, spinning her around and barely missing me.

I had to end this now.

My job was done.

I knew I had to lose. It would make no sense for me to beat seven people.

The Pyrrha's spear-sword came a little too close for comfort.

I shrugged. Maybe just one or two more.

I ran at lightning speed -not literally,- stopping just inches from Pyrrha. A vortex of wind and petals slammed into her, throwing her from the ring.

She flipped backwards and landed gracefully; her smile only diminished by the loud buzz of the bell.

"Pyrrha Nikos is out by ring-out."

That felt really good. Now, to drop my aura super quickly. Wiess's Glyph slipped under my feet. A speed glyph. Good I could use that. I jumped up, faster than I usually did, Weiss less than a hair's breadth from me. A gravity glyph from above.

She spun so her feet landed on it, sword held back ready to strike. But I knew her. I trained with her some. Spinning myself, I landed upside down on her glyph.

Oh boy this was probably going to hurt. I shot forwards, head first into the ground. It cracked on impact, sending dust and smoke into the air. Phew, I was scared someone might notice my dive. Flipping myself around so it would look like I landed on my feet, I let Nora, Ren and Blake battle me to the edge of arena.

I let Weiss have the final strike. I near-hit that I was only able to dodge by stepping out of bounds.

The buzzer sounded and the match was done.

"Ruby Rose is out by ring-out. This fight is over." Professor Goodwitch's voice was accompanied by a flail of her riding crop. At once, all the dust in the arena flew back down to the ground. Loose stone and bricks were quickly speeding back towards their original places. Man that lady's semblance was strong. It would have definitely given Reaper magic a run for its money, that's for sure.

"Congratulations to our winners. And you, Miss Rose. It seems like we finally found your match to keep you on your toes."

I chuckled. "You could say that."

"Miss Xiao Long, Mister Arc, Miss Nikos. You all performed exceptionally well in the face of a fighter with a unique and totally indiscriminate fighting style. Mister Arc, you did well leading when you realized that Miss Rose's fighting technique was well above your own."

There was some snickering from the crowd of students watching, but the professor paid them no mind. And neither did Jaune by the look of his growing smile.

"True leadership is knowing when to fight and when to delegate. You did quite well. Just as you did during our foray in the caves," Headmaster Ozpin spoke up for the first time in a while from the back of the classroom. My head quickly turned to face him.

I had almost forgotten he was there watching.

"Miss Schnee, you found the perfect opening to finally send Miss Rose out of bounds when it was clear an aura loss victory would have been too time consuming. Even with the reduction that came from that fall. Also, thanks to you, I might add." Weiss blushed under the professor's acknowledging praise.

I looked up at the screen monitoring our auras. My mouth dropped.

Beside my name was a percentage of aura remaining. It couldn't be right, right? I didn't really have any aura. I wasn't really sure what the aura gauge was measuring, but it had to be like my aura equivalent.

Right?

Beside my name was a half filled yellow bar and the number 51%. My 'aura' was at fifty-one percent.

That… that was not possible. That fall wasn't nearly hard enough to damage me that much. No more than a blip on the screen at best. I spun to face my sister.

"Whoa," I let out, noise ringing in my ears. I wobbled as I tried to regain my balance.

"Ruby!" Yang called out as my vision went blurry.

When had I fallen into Yang's arms? I looked up at her worried face and let out a long yawn. "I'm sleepy," I managed to say as she stroked my hair softly.

I smiled and let myself move into her nimble, comforting fingers.

"Are you alright?" She said, worry written all over her face. "You look like you ran a marathon."

I giggled, powering through another yawn. "I think I did."

"Why don't you bring Miss Rose back to her seat, Miss Xiao Long," I heard the headmaster say. "She seems to just be feeling tired. It likely came from overexertion on her part. I doubt that she had ever faced up against so many people all at once before in this state. Professor Goodwitch, please allow her to rest."

I could almost hear the twinkle in his eye as he spoke. "Please don't punish her too harshly if she falls asleep in class. I feel like after a show such as that, she deserves it."

"Of course headmaster," Professor Goodwitch calmly replied. "You should know when to push yourself Miss Rose. Take the time this upcoming short break to learn the upper bounds of your limits. I expect you to stay awake and ready to learn next time you are caught in this situation. Win or lose," she finished with a smile.

I happily saluted as Yang helped me to my seat. "With pleasure, professor."

And with that, the fight has ended! I would first like to thank everyone for 500 follows. It is monumental to me. Like, no words can describe this feeling. Okay, maybe one: grateful.

lasereye27 - Ruby was a lucky one this chapter! Or was she? Find out next time! (maybe. I haven't finished writing next chapter yet)

Dragonqueen1993 - I'm proud of my little Ruby. She got some nice magical feelings. She forced it through properly for the first time. BUt now the question remains, can she do it again?

Dragon Lord Draco - Hah!Ruby's middle name is careful No, that doesn't sound right... Ruby will workshop it.

ajokitty1026 - Yup! As is tradition! As a little thank you gift to the readers for each (insane) milestone, there's a bonus chapter. So see you again at 600! (honestly, I hope to have this story, or at least this arc done before I reach that milestone o.O)

Cun - Yes, I was surprised that I split up a fight scene as well. As you probably noticed, every fight before this one was a single chapter, since I hate the wait to see the end of the fight. The main reason for this one was because how soon this next chapter would be up. Also, this is monumental! The fight scene needs to be remembered. :D

TiberiumSnow - Thank you so much!

Alucard45 - Patience my young padawan. All shall be revealed in time! Maybe... If I'm feeling generous. And Spooky Ruby is a constant state of mind for me. It would be scarier if you said she was going to leave. I need my motivation Ruby!

devildogg237 - Well, if it sounds like a chapter, reads like a chapter and is called a chapter... then i's probably a fish.

Thank you all for reading, following, reviewing and favouriting! I will see you all again in 2 weeks!