The crowd cheers as the next tournament fight is about to begin. Azure and Diane step on the battlefield and see their opponents.
Port: And for our next matchup, we have Azure Aoi and Diane Peregrine from Beacon against Koba Tang and Avyana Aera from Mistral.
Koba Tang stepped onto the field holding his greatsword as he waves to the crowd just as his partner Avyana Aera steps up next to him holding a bow and arrow. Azure pulls out his swords and Diane combines her blades and transforms them into a double-sided battle axe. The fighters take their positions as the field randomizer spins.
Oobleck: And the battlefield will be, an urban jungle and the ocean!
The fields surrounding the contestants change and ready themselves.
Koba: You ready to get pummeled kid?
Azure: As if.
Avyana: We'll try not to bruise you guys too much.
Diane: We'll happily send flowers.
Ivan: You got this Azure!
Azure looks to the crowd to see the entirety of team SAFF cheering him and Diane on.
Bleu: Show the how we Beacon Huntsman fight!
Fang: Watch each others backs!
Sky just gives a thumbs-up.
Port: Ready, 3... 2... 1... BEGIN!
Without hesitation, Avyana dashed forward, her bladed bow gleaming as she slashed at Azure. However, Diane intercepted, blocking the strike with her axe.
Koba seized the opportunity, swinging his greatsword at Diane, but she nimbly took to the air, dodging the heavy strike.
Meanwhile, Azure and Avyana engaged in a rapid exchange of arrows, each dodging the other's shots with swift, calculated movements. The tension escalated until one of Avyana's arrows landed between Azure's legs, blinking with a blue hue before detonating into a burst of water.
Azure, now drenched, merely grinned.
Azure: Thanks for the assist.
He raised a hand, his Semblance flaring as the water around him coalesced. With a swift motion, he fired three water-infused arrows at Avyana, striking her and reducing her Aura.
From the stands, Bleu Falls jumped up in excitement.
Bleu: Yeah, get 'em, Azure!
Ivan and Fang exchanged glances, nodding in approval.
Ivan: Not bad.
Back on the battlefield, Diane and Koba's weapons clashed with resounding echoes. Koba swiftly transformed his greatsword into an LMG and opened fire. Thinking fast, Diane spun her axe in front of her, deflecting the bullets in a dazzling display of skill.
Azure, noticing Diane's predicament, scanned the battlefield and spotted a small pond nearby. Wasting no time, he sprinted toward it. Avyana, recognizing his plan, took off after him.
Azure leaped into the pond, disappearing beneath the surface. Avyana nocked an arrow, eyes narrowing as she waited for him to resurface.
Suddenly, the water began to glow, rippling ominously. A whirlpool formed at the pond's center, swirling with increasing intensity.
Avyana: (uneasy) Uh... Koba?
Koba stopped firing and turned toward her.
Koba: What now?
Diane, realizing Azure's strategy, spread her wings wide. With a powerful heave, she unleashed a mighty gust that sent Koba tumbling into the whirlpool.
The vortex intensified, spiraling into a full-fledged water tornado. Avyana yelped as she was sucked in, spinning helplessly before being ejected out of bounds. The match was over.
The stadium erupted into cheers as the match announcers declared
Oobleck: Victory goes to Azure Aoi and Diane Peregrine!
Azure and Diane, ever sportsmanlike, walked over to their fallen opponents and extended their hands.
Azure: (helping Avyana to her feet) Great match.
Diane grinned as Koba accepted her hand.
Diane: You guys put up a hell of a fight.
Avyana sighed, shaking her head before smirking.
Avyana: Next time, we're winning.
Azure: (chuckles) We'll see about that.
As the crowd continued to cheer, the competitors shared nods of mutual respect, ready to fight another day.
Amity Fairgrounds
Team SAFF and team ARID are seen at a noodle stand celebrating Azure and Diane's victory. As the Shopkeep brings the food, Fang's Scroll starts ringing.
Fang: Huh? (pulls out his Scroll and looks to Ivan as he nods his head to him) Excuse me for a moment.
Bleu: Don't take too long or your noodles will get cold.
Fang steps away from the group as he answers the call to hear a female voice.
?: Get out of Vale, Fang. It's not safe there.
Fang: It's the Vytal Festival, and we are in a time of peace. So unless you are calling to turn yourself in, call the cops if your- Wait, how do you know my name?
?: Just do what I say and I'll answer any question you ask me. Leave Vale and head to Menagerie.
Fang: Who are you?
?: I can't answer that right now. They could be listening. You need to find your brother and go to Menagerie.
Fang: Now you listen here, I'm not doing anything you tell me to do. And the next time I see Klaw, I'm going to kill him. Now leave me ALONE! (hangs up)
Fang returns to his friends as they started laughing at a story that Ian was telling.
Ian: I swear I don't know what happened, first thing I thought when I walked into the room, I looked around me and then said "What the hell am I doing in here?"
Everyone around the table started laughing as the scene cuts to everyone's bowls of ramen having been emptied.
Fang: Oof, that was a lot.
Ivan: You're telling me. I wish I could use my Semblance for this. But sadly it doesn't work like that.
Bleu: I don't think I can eat anymore.
Sky lets out a loud burp as everyone looks at him.
Sky: Um, excuse me.
Ivan: That was gross but awesome.
Port: (Over PA system) And that's the end of the doubles round folks. Rejoin us in the next hour and see the fights for the one on ones.
Diane: Does anyone want to do something before the finals begin?
Fang: I gotta head back to the shop.
Bleu: I'll go with you, Fang.
Ivan: I might head to the Café and meet up with you guys at the shop later.
Sky: (To Diane) What did you have in mind?
Azure: We need to head into town for some Dust and ammo.
Ron: Wanna join us, Mr. Altair?
Sky: I'd be delighted.
Fang's Shop
Bleu and Fang enter the shop and she flips the light switch. She looks around to see the pictures Fang has of him, Tukson, and Kayla together in Vacuo as she looks at him with sadness.
Fang: Alright, so considering that it's been an hour and I don't think we'll get any customers. How about we watch the finals while we wait for the others to return?
Bleu: Sure, why not.
Fang turns on the TV as the news starts playing.
Lisa Lavender: (TV static cutting to the Vale News Network with the combined kingdoms' symbol and a caption reading "Tournament Tragedy") A terrible tragedy took place this afternoon in the one-on-one rounds of the Vytal Festival Tournament-
Fang switches the channel to the next one.
Haven Tourist: (out in the streets of Vale to the camera) I don't know what Beacon's Headmaster is teaching his students, but that was disgraceful! Completely uncalled for!
Fang and Bleu see the footage of Yang Xiao Long firing her gauntlets at Mercury Black's leg at close range.
Fang: What the hell?
Bleu: Why did she do that?
Fang switches the channel again.
News Reporter: (with the video of several Grimm – Goliaths, Ursai, Nevermores, Boarbatusks, and Beowolves – running across Mountain Glenn towards the city) Despite Atlas reinforcements, local authorities are still calling on any available Huntsmen to aid in suppressing the spike in Grimm activity.
Fang: Agh, shit. We might be busy the rest of the night.
Bleu: Let's find Ivan and Sky and see if we can help with the Grimm.
Fang: Alright, I just can't believe that someone would just outright attack an unarmed student.
Bleu: Wouldn't have been the first time I've seen that.
Team BLAE Second Year At Beacon
Port: Bleu Falls and Akali Shadow win the match and will be moving to the finals.
The crowd cheers as Akali helps Bleu up off the ground.
Bleu: Thanks.
Akali: You did great out there Bleu.
The girls turn to see Ahri and Evelynn running toward them. Evelynn hugs Bleu as Ahri high fives Akali.
Ahri: You two were on fire out there. I mean that in a "you guys were awesome" and not the literal on fire.
Akali: Thanks Ahri.
Evelynn: Now how about we get something to eat?
Bleu: Agreed.
Team BLAE arrives at the fairgrounds and started playing some of the attractions when all of a sudden Bleu notices four girls walking toward her and Evelynn. She got a good look at them and soon realized, it was her old team back from Atlas, team EMBR.
Bleu: Oh no.
Evelynn: What's wrong?
Bleu: It's my old team from Atlas. Just pretend like I'm not here.
Ebony: So this is where you've been all this time? You ditched us for Beacon.
Bleu turns to see her old team standing before her. Ebony Hex, Marigold Fiona, Robin Topaz, and one other that Bleu did not recognize. Must be her replacement after she left with Glynda to come to Beacon.
Evelynn: Excuse me, but that's none of your business.
Bleu: Eve, no don't.
Marigold: Oh look, Ebony, she's got a girlfriend.
Topaz: Geuss she's not just a runt from Mantle, but she's also a freak.
Bleu: Look, Ebony, I'm sorry for what happened before but you have to know I had no control over that. It was the first time I ever used my Semblance.
Ebony: I don't care. You left your teammates before we could have resolved what happened. But I guess I can see what you've learned here at Beacon in the finals.
Evelynn: You do understand that the matches are randomized, right?
Ebony: True. But Amity comes from Atlas. I can easily make sure that whatever happens with the finals, I will get the fight with Bleu.
Evelynn's tail whips came up as they moved closer to Ebony, making her back away.
Evelynn: If you dare try to hurt Bleu, I will teach you the meaning of revenge.
Topaz: Wait, did you say that Bleu is the team leader?
Ebony: (clearly hurt) You left me in Atlas and were given a team.
Ebony is stopped as Akali moves her Kama to Ebony's neck.
Akali: (walks around Ebony as she speaks) Sorry to disappoint you, Princess. But you will be fighting me, not Bleu.
Ebony: What?
Akali: We decided that I'll be representing our team for the finals. So go ahead and rig the fight. At least whether I win or lose to you, I'll show more honor to the title Huntress. Bring it on.
Ebony is angered by this as she looks at Akali and then Bleu.
Ebony: Fine, but you will see no mercy from me.
Akali: Good, because I would never show you any.
Ebony growls in anger as she and her team leave. Bleu hugs Akali as she is on the verge of crying.
Bleu: Akali please, let me face her. This is my mess. Let me fix it.
Akali: And let her or one of her lackeys beat you to death? Hell no. Now you listen to me Bleu Falls, you are my leader. But you are also my friend. And for the past two years, we've worked together, I would always be ready to fight for you or alongside you. Whatever the outcome, I know you will be there for us as I would for you.
Akali wraps her arms around Bleu as Evelynn and Ahri join the embrace.
Amity Colosseum
Port: And for our next match up we have Ebony Hex from Atlas versus Akali Shadow from Beacon.
As Akali and Ebony step onto the center platform, they both pull out their weapons.
Ebony: I'll make this quick so I can go after Bleu.
Akali: That's only if you able to walk after I'm done with you.
Professor Peach: Fighters, are you ready?
Ebony gets into her fighting stance as her arm blades extend and Akali grabs her Kama and flips it around, showing off her skills.
Professor Peach: 3...2...1... Begin!
The battle begins with Ebony charging towards Akali and swinging both her arm blades in a crossed attack but she misses as Akali swiftly bends back, dodging the attack and counters by swinging her knee into Ebony's stomach, launching her in the air before kicking her mid-air to the edge of the stage. The crowd all at once gasps at the surprising start of the match as Ebony sits up and starts coughing and breathing heavily since she just got the wind knocked out of her. She then looks at her Aura gauge to see it at 75% just from Akali's counter-attack and she didn't even use her weapon.
Ebony: What the hell was that? You didn't even try to use your weapon.
Akali: If you want to clash blades with me, you have to earn it, just like everyone else.
Ebony stands up and puts her arms together and transformed her blades into bladed brass knuckles. Akali smiles as she readies her Kama for the real fight. Ebony charges at Akali as she jumps into the air with her right fist reeled back and launches herself downward to Akali to strike her but Akali dodges and uses her Kama as a hook around Ebony's neck and slams her to the ground. Ebony quickly gets up and her eyes start to glow. She then screams at the top of her lungs as crystal spikes protrude from the stage and Akali flips backward to avoid being hit by them. Ebony switches back to her arm blades but starts growing crystals on the blades making them longer.
Ebony: Now I'm going to make you bleed, bitch.
Akali holds her Kama in front of her while she reaches for a sphere-shaped device from her belt and presses a button, causing it to light up. Ebony with her rage charges after Akali only for her to start running around the stage and dropping the spheres behind her as Ebony chases her.
Ebony: Now you choose to run. What does Bleu even see in you three degenerates? If she stuck around longer, I could have molded her to be better than the scum that she grew up with.
Akali: That's your problem, you only see your teammates as tools and when you can't control them, you force them into submission.
Akali stops in her tracks and turns to face Ebony when all of a sudden the spheres begun exploding with all sorts of colors. The stage was covered in every type of color and Ebony just started laughing.
Ebony: Color bombs, really? What kind of plan was that?
Akali then smiles as her eyes change from olive green to an illuminated golden green and slams her hand onto the paint. Ebony looks around and sees something start to form from the paint. Suddenly a massive Sea Feilong made from the paint surrounds Ebony.
Port: Oh my, what is this?
Professor Peach: Well Professor Port, this is the capabilities of Ms. Shadow's Semblance, Artisist. This allows her to create anything that she has seen with the colors that surround her every day. But in this particular case, she decides to use more than just one color to show off her art.
Ebony cowers as the Sea Feilong fires a multi-colored beam at her, draining her Aura down to 12%. The bell goes off as Ebony has lost the battle due to her Aura at the low. The Sea Feilong dissipates as Akali's eyes return to their normal olive green.
Port: And Akali Shadow has won the match! Congratulations to team BLAE of Beacon.
The stage lows down as Akali sees her teammates waiting for her with smiles on their faces. She then sheathes her Kama and steps off the platform. Ebony, now angered extends one of her arm blades and leaps into the air screaming until she stops moving mid-air. Akali turns to see her opponent stuck in the air as she was trying to attack her when she wasn't looking and then turns to see Professor Goodwitch pointing her riding crop at Ebony as she has stopped her with her Semblance.
Glynda: That's quite enough Ms. Hex. You dare to attempt to strike an unarmed student. Normally this would cause you to be disqualified but since your team is already no longer in the tournament, your Headmaster will deal with you instead.
Glynda releases Ebony as she drops to the ground. Before she could move she was surrounded by Atlesian soldiers. She is then escorted from the Colosseum as she looks back at Bleu and her team and whispers to herself.
Ebony: Don't think that this is over Bleu.
Back To Present
A lonely Beowolf wanders through the streets of Vale when all of a sudden Ivan comes slamming down on its head, killing it as it disintegrates. Ivan pulls out his Scroll and calls Bleu.
Ivan: North section is clear. How are you both doing?
Bleu: (on Scroll) We were able to drive out the rest of the horde but there may be some stragglers still in the Emerald Forest.
Fang: (from Bleu's Scroll) I'm already heading that way. See you guys there?
Ivan: On our way.
Sky lands next to Ivan holding Stormfall in staff form.
Ivan: Anything we missed?
Sky: Nope, the Grimm are retreating for now. But who knows when they'll be back.
Ivan: (sighs) It's a mess, and all because of an accident at the Colosseum.
Sky: Just hope that it's the only incident we get.
Ivan: Agreed. Let's go.
As Ivan and Sky head to the Emerald Forest, the screen cuts to black with the distant sound of a growl.