Sorry for my bad English.
This note was already posted in "A Huntress and Umbra Witch". If you already gave me your answer, you don't need to answer my question.
What do you think about a character dying?
One of the fics I am following up has made a turnabout on the original events, and I particularly did not like how those events went. I will not enter in too much detail about it but what I can say is that the author made the characters who died in the original show live in the end. The way he used the characters and how everything wrapped on bothered me a little, but there is those who liked what they read, with a few agreeing with me.
This is making me think in how is going to be when the time comes and I decide to end the life of one of the characters, making me realize that I may make the same mistake Rooster Teeth did with Pyrrha, my opinion. Make the whole scenario bad build and make most part of my readers complain about how I did everything.
Also made me realize that is not easy to kill a character in a story. I will need to think about the impact that will made in the story and in the characters, but I also think that is a mistake to let a character live just because I want to see him keep living.
This is kind confusing me about when I will have to or not make a tragic outcome to one of the characters. So for now, I will focus on the plot right now.
Enough said. To the fic!
General Ironwood has a very busy schedule. Being in the military, the headmaster of Atlas and occupying two chairs in the council makes him a very busy man, but when he heard from Ozpin that he made the Challenge to two students, he cleaned some space in his agenda to watch the fight from his headquarter.
It is not so usual for a headmaster proposes the Challenge, and Ironwood was curious to know why he offered to a boy who faked his transcription to his academy. Besides, since there not much people like Ryan in Atlas, he was curious to know how people like him would go against students from one of the four academies.
-Are you seeing everything James? –He heard Ozpin asks.
-The image is fine Ozpin, thank you. –Ironwood spoke from the video hologram.
-I didn't though you would have take interest in this Challenge after I show you both transcription of Mr. Arc and Mr. Forest.
-Really? I'm actually surprise that the other headmasters not are going to watch this. It is always something interesting to see, it reminds me of the time I propose the Challenge.
-I remember as well. Their second match was very interesting if I can say a word about it.
-But I'm curious, I can understand if you had made the Challenge to Forest, regardless of who is father is… -James said, remembering the few times he meet Wolf. -… but why make the Challenge to a boy who forged his transcription to your academy?
-Do you remember the Danger Zone? –James nodded, remembering that he helped to build the one in Beacon, and in Atlas as well. –They both survive an entire day there, which Mr. Jaune Arc not having enough combat skills to face the Grimms from the Zone.
-A whole day in the Danger Zone without much combat skill? Are you sure he forged his transcription?
-To tell the truth, Mr. Forest did most part of the work but under Mr. Arc's guidance. I believe they can make one of the best partners Beacon ever had.
-Brains and brawl, huh? –Ironwood knew that if both parties work together, they could become a deadly combination.
The question is can Jaune and Ryan work together like that? It was not something that was going to be seen in this match. Remembering about the details Ozpin gave to him, Ironwood heard that it was going to be an elimination match.
Seeing the situation from the duo's angle, they probably would put the most skilled to fight first so the less skilled may face a tired opponent. This would only works if the first one to fight be able to defeat his opponent, if not they are doomed.
-C'mon guys! It will already start! –Ruby shouts to her team and CNVL following behind.
-Remind me why are we going to watch their fight? –Weiss asked running after her leader.
-To show our support for them, of course. –Pyrrha said.
Weiss frowned as the rest of CNVL passed through her in the corridor with destination to the arena. Once there they were not surprise to see the place almost empty, which was strange. For what they heard, the Challenge was something that caught the attention of almost everyone in Beacon, not only the staff.
So they were surprise to see a boy sitting alone in one of the sits in the front. He had a messy black hair and was wearing glasses of the type that the lenses increased the size of the eye. In his hands, a book with stars and planets on the cover.
-Excuse me. –Ruby called and the boy turns away from his book to look to the newcomers. –What are you doing here?
-I heard about the combat that is going to happen today, and that has taken my interest.
-Any reason for this match takes your interest? –Pyrrha asked curious.
-I and one of the participants are old acquaintances.
- Acquaintances? –Chocolat asked. –Do you know Jaune or Ryan?
- Me and Forest met during our childhood days, so when I heard about this confrontation he would attends, I thought about check how he is going these days.
-And you are?
-Natsu Hanabi. –The boy introduced himself.
-I'm Chocolat, and my teammates Pyrrha, Ren and Nora. –Chocolat introduced herself and her team, with Ren and Pyrrha just waving while Nora made a V sign with her hands and smiling. –And the one taking the match with Ryan is Jaune.
-And I am Ruby Rose! Fearless leader of team RWBY! –Ruby introduced herself. –And my great teammate Blake, my partner Weiss, and my sister Yang.
-Is a pleasure. –Was all Natsu said.
With the introductions done, Natsu went back to read his book, Ruby and her team sat down by his side, with CNVL on the side, except for Chocolat.
-I just gonna check how Jaune and Ryan are going. –She said as she made her way to the locker room.
-I will go with you. –Pyrrha said getting up from her seat.
The girls left, leaving team RWBY, Ren and Nora alone with Natsu. Yang who was sitting besides Natsu, to not let a random boy close of her sister, leaned forward to see what he was reading.
Locker room
Sweaty hands, legs shaking, unable to focus in something more than a second… yep, Jaune was nervous. The fight was going to happen soon and he could not help but fair the outcome. A single defeat means to forget his whole future as huntsman.
With his head down, his focus was on the floor and in Ryan's feet wearing his sandals.
-Why do you wear sandals? –Jaune bluntly asked, trying to find anything to get his head off from his current situation.
-What's wrong with my sandals?
-It seems to be a bit impractical during a battle.
-Not more than high heel boots… -Both boys turn their head to see Chocolat and Pyrrha appearing in the corridor. -… but I can make work.
-The ladies need something? –Ryan asked.
-We just thought in check how you both are going. –Pyrrha answered. –We know the pressure you both must be feeling right now.
-That goes without saying. –Jaune stated.
-Okay, Jaune is worried. –Chocolat said and turns to Ryan. –And how are you going, Ryan?
- I've been better.
-That's reassuring. –Jaune commented.
-Don't let your worries take your mind before the battle. –Pyrrha spoke. –This will distract you during your match.
-But I can't help but feel worried. –Jaune spoke, hiding the fact of what will happen if he loses.
Not knowing that Pyrrha actually know, along with Ruby and Nora. But she did not spoke a word about it because of what Ryan said in the infirmary.
-You both survived the Danger Zone for an entire day, so our classmates should be piece of cake for you both.
-I guess? –Ryan asked, not knowing if this was one hundred percent right.
-C'mon! I see you fighting, so I know that you will just do fine. –Chocolat stated. –And Jaune… Jaune is… well, you know… uhhh, Pyrrha a little help please? –The brunette asked and hearing Jaune groan.
-What Chocolat means is… just stick with your strategy and we know that you both will win. – The redhead stated, knowing that Ryan was good enough to defeat the first opponent and at least tire the second one, something that Jaune was hoping as well.
Even with their little plan, Jaune rather fight together with Ryan during the match than go one against one. At least with the gunslinger he could work together to compensate his low combat experience.
Two in sync exceed one in perfection, right?
They may have a chance to fight together if they reach the second match, for now if Ryan loses, Jaune will have to show the result of his training.
-Mr. Arc and Mr. Forest, the match is about to start. –Come the voice of Ozpin. –Please enter in the arena you both.
-I guess we don't have time to whine. –Ryan spoke.
-Whine about what? –Jaune asked.
-I don't know. My older brother sometimes says that before doing something. –Ryan answered and both girls giggled at their interaction.
-Wait, one more thing. –The brunette called and leaned forward Jaune and gave a quick peck in his cheek, surprising both him and Pyrrha. Then she turns to Ryan, pressing her lips on his good cheek, making his face go red as Jaune. –For good luck. –She said with a wink making both boys blush even more.
They turn their back for the girls and start to walk to the arena, moving like robots for not expecting the action from the brunette while Pyrrha stood a bit uncomfortable for her partner give a kiss to the blonde.
-The only woman to ever kiss me like that was my mother. –Jaune said.
-That's a bit depressing. –Ryan commented which earned a little push from Jaune.
As they enter in the arena both girls stood in the corridor, watching them leave.
-C'mon. Let's go back to our seats. –Chocolat spoke getting Pyrrha out of her train of thoughts.
-O-oh, right.
Back to the arena
They enter in the arena, but not sign of their opponents. They probably will come alongside professor Port. They both turn to see their friends sheering for them. Ryan looks to both teams for a brief moment and look back to ahead, then his eye widened and look back at the seats, this time focusing his attention to Natsu with a surprise expression.
Jaune took notice of this and asked.
-Do you know him?
-You could say that. –Ryan said and before Jaune could ask what he meant by that, the voice of professor Port called.
-I glad to see you both here in the arena! –The mustachioed professor began as he approached the center of the arena along with two of his students. -Some actually run away from the fight. It seems that Glynda owns me a very expensive beefsteak. –And with this statement it was confirmed that Glynda thought little of the duo.
The blonde teacher sitting in the seats alongside the other teachers and the headmaster frowned. While Port keeps snickering toward Glynda, Jaune look to both students who will be his and Ryan opponents.
The first one had an appearance that screamed bad boy from head to toe. With messy brown hair, leather jacket, ripped jeans and boots. In his back a blue and red spear with black bands tied close to the blades.
The other was a very different individual. He was taller as Cardin Winchester but wear nothing than a pair of pants and boots. In his head, a samurai helmet with a single horn similar to a rhino.
-They will be our opponents? –Jaune asked just to be sure.
-Allow me to introduce you both to Skyward… -Port says gesturing to the spear wilder. -… and Reddohon! -Then gestured to the big guy.
-It's nice to meet you both. –Ryan said as he reaches his arm for a handshake.
-You smell like defeat. –Reddohon scoffed.
-And sportsmanship is out of question, it seems. –Ryan stated bitterly.
-Come on now. Let's not get so harsh here. You all will be only opponents, not enemies. –Port says. –As you four know, this match makes part of the Challenge both Jaune Arc and Ryan Forest are currently going. I not only choose who are their opponents but also decide how this match will be fought, by elimination! So who will be the first combatants? –Port asked.
The duo nodded to each other and Ryan stepped ahead, followed by Reddohon.
In the seats, the teams RWBY and CNVL they were anxious for the match to begin. But also took the opportunity to study the duo's adversaries.
-The big one is not the guy Weiss defeated last week? –Ruby asked.
-I remember of him very well. –Weiss began. –He is just muscles, no brain. Because of that was easy to deal with him with my fighting style.
-And the one with spears face Pyrrha a month ago. –Yang stated.
And now Pyrrha wished she could give a tip about Skyward's fighting style for the duo, those spears can be very problematic. But she remembers Glynda's warning about not interrupt the fight and she do not think they will allow her to speak before the fight began.
-They don't seem to be teammates. –Ren commented, noticing that the duo's opponents were not from the same team.
-So students from different teams can fight together? –Yang asked.
-Only if they want to, I think. –Chocolat spoke. –I think if the match be fought as a team, they may or may not accept make part of the Challenge if they fight alongside someone they can work together.
-But there times that they will not be able to fight alongside their teammates. –Weiss stated. –This may prove be a good exercise for them, if they want to.
-Whaaat?! –Ruby asked. –But I want to always fight together with my team!
-There times that will be not possible, Ruby. –Chocolat commented.
As Chocolat tried to calm down her fellow team leader, Pyrrha thought about what was just spoken. The Challenge may also test the duo's team work, meaning that even if they fight together next time, they may be in disadvantage if their opponents have better team work than them.
Back to the arena, Jaune and Skyward left the center to give the fighters space to fight. Ryan stood still but raised an eyebrow seeing Reddohon putting an armor that covered only his shoulders and arms.
Port was not so far from them with his arm raised, ready to begin the first of the five fights that will decide the future of Jaune as a huntsman… and Ryan. Don't forget about Ryan. Both teams leaned a bit, looking forward the beginning of the battle.
-Alright, let's the match… Begin! –Port lowered his arm as the match officially began.
Like an angry animal, Reddohon roared and rushed against Ryan. The gunslinger stood still and Jaune was about to shout to him move out of the way, it was when Ryan sidestepped Reddohon and kicked the back of his knee, making him stumble and fall on the floor.
The big guy was unfazed with his fall and rushed again against Ryan. This time the gunslinger put a feet in Reddohon's helmet and stepped down, making his face meet the concrete of the floor.
Reddohon rushed for the third time and Ryan got ready counter his assault, only to be surprise when once closer of Ryan, Reddohon raised both his arms and brought down wanting to crush the gunslinger. Ryan acted quickly and held both his big arms, stopping his first attack, the second one come when Reddohon brought his head back and headbutt Ryan right in his forehead with force.
Ryan's body arched releasing his opponent's arms, and Reddohon did not waste the chance to bring his arms down again. Ryan also took advantage of the attack to roll back, making his opponent hit and break the floor.
Ryan was sitting on the floor, with his back turned to his opponent and rubbing his forehead, making his friends look at him with incredulous face.
-He's full of openings. –Pyrrha thought. –He let his guard down a lot, and seems to not have much equilibrium. Not to mention he is letting his blind spot for his opponent to take advantage of it!
Where the professors were sitting, Glynda alongside the others were thinking the same thing. After seeing Ryan fight during the sparring matches, the blonde teachers come to the conclusion that his fighting style was a complete contradiction.
Despite his skills, Ryan is clumsy and has no moderation in his movements. Time by time, Glynda saw him around the academy falling in the stairs, hitting the head somewhere, letting objects fell from his hands and more.
Yet, he seemed to know when to make the right movement and not waste an opening presented to him. Glynda tried to understand how come someone can fight like that but could not find any answer for that.
Back to the arena, Ryan notices the shadow of his opponent and roll to the left, laying on his back. Reddohon raised his feet to stomp Ryan's head, and he just rolled away again while giving screaming. Next he rolled away from a punch strong enough to stuck the fist on the floor. Who thought Reddohon was stuck, he just ripped away the concrete around his fist to hit Ryan who rolled away once more.
Ryan was back in his feet and Reddohon roared while delivering a punch against his opponent. Ryan holds the arm by the wrist and sends his opponent to the floor with a judo throw. Reddohon seemed confused for a moment before go back to his feet.
On his knee, Reddohon got ready to rush at Ryan but found the gunslinger nowhere to be found, all because Ryan was standing behind him. It was an old trick he uses but never fails before. Reddohon looks around his body looking for his opponent but as his blind spot moved, Ryan followed always standing away from Reddohon's sight.
Everyone watching the fight was actually surprise with the trick.
Suddenly Reddohon was surprised by the arms wrapping around his waist and the big student was lifted from the floor and had his helmet stuck on the floor once Ryan uses a suplex against his opponent. Reddohon get his helmet out of the floor and the horn is hold by Ryan who threw him to the opposite side.
Reddohon was getting annoyed. Punching the floor, he roared again and rushed at high speed against Ryan, and surprising everyone by shoving his own face on the concrete, breaking the way and removing his head from below throwing pieces of concrete against Ryan.
Caught by surprise, he nearly not rolled out of the way when the pieces of debris came in his direction. Once in his feet the horn of his opponent's helmet was already inches from his face. He was able to get hold of the horn before it opened a hole in his head, stopping Reddohon's offensive.
The bigger students was surprised that someone smaller than him was able to hold him in the place. Seeing that his opponent's arms were busy, Reddohon tried to punch Ryan who blocked with one of his knees. Reddohon tried uses his other arm but the result was the same.
Reddohon keep punching Ryan and he keep blocking all the strikes with his knees until he get hold of his opponent's fist with his feet, his sandal on the floor. Putting his hand on Ryan's shoulder, Reddohon tried to get rid of the boy holding him in the place, wondering how someone smaller than him was holding him in the place.
Ryan take advantage he was distracted and gave a jump, spinning his body midair along with Reddohon's and throwing him again on the floor, this time with his back on the floor. Reddohon roared and smashed the floor around him, angered. He forgot about his early strategy and went to punch after punch.
Ryan dodge each one, letting some frightened screams as he dodges the fists aimed to his face and chest.
It was not the first time both teams RWBY and CNVL heard Ryan screaming while dodging someone's attacks but each time they heard it, they wonder if this is the same boy who survived alongside Jaune in the Danger Zone.
Reddohon was not different from an angered beast. His moves have less moderation than Ryan's, anyone watching doubt that he was seeing anything that was not Ryan at this point. A proof of that was when the last punch was thrown, Ryan ducked and the fist was trapped in the wall. Ryan was lying on his back and used his leg to hit the arm that was aiming to his head.
Reddohon screamed in pain holding his arm and notices too late a foot coming to his face. The force of the kick was strong enough to send him flying away some meters and land hard on the floor.
Ryan was back to his feet and removing some dirty of his clothes when he heard Reddohon roaring like a wild animal, punching the floor for being the only thing he could hit with his fists.
-I'LL CRUSH YOU! –He roared and rushed once again against Ryan, this time also using his arms like a rhino running.
-I felt that you are a bit tense. –Ryan spoke as Reddohon approached. –Maybe you should take easy during yoUR…! –He shouts jumping Reddohon's headbutt, rolling over his body and landing behind him.
Reddohon moved his arm to try hits Ryan who ducked the incoming arm, the sidestepped the fist coming from above and landed on the floor, making some cracks on the concrete. Ryan was once again surprised when Reddohon removed his arm from the floor with a huge piece of concrete in his hand that he used to smash Ryan. Putting both his arms like an X, the piece of concrete thrown at his body was reduced to debris and Reddohon sent his feet straight on Ryan's stomach, finally landing a hit against him and sending him flying back at the center of the arena.
Ryan rolled on the floor while speaking nonsense until stopped looking at the roof. His eyes widened when he saw Reddohon falling down ready to crush Ryan below his feet. Ryan recovered quickly and raised his legs, kicking his opponent on the stomach and sending him flying away once again.
Reddohon crushed on the floor with an artery hidden below his helmet. This time he did not lose time and rushed at the same time he roared after Ryan, throwing punch after punch against his opponent. Ryan dodges every hit from his opponent, this time more easily since Reddohon's movement become more predictable.
He keep throwing punches blindly, desperately trying to get Ryan, his breath become ragged, his forehead was sweating and his movement were slowing down, but this did not stopped him from keep trying.
Eventually, his moves were more like he was just stretching his muscles and he fell on his knee, taking deep breathes and making a puddle with his own sweat. Even raise his head was taking all he have. Once Ryan enter in his line of sight, he raises his arms and try to reach him, only to fall face first one the floor.
Ryan slowly approached him, watching how his opponent down from tiredness, suddenly reaching an arm to Ryan who gave a kick on Reddohon's face, making him go down for sure.
-Why do they always try this? –Ryan asked.
-This ends the first match. –Port spoke as he approached. –It seems that Reddohon's wildly approach was not match for Ryan's skills. This is something must be told to him once he awakes, until them, let's continue with the Challenge, shall we?
Yukino alongside a boy with white hair appeared in the arena, with the boy getting Reddohon from the floor and carrying him out of the arena.
-Idiot. –Skyward muttered seeing his big classmates being carried away.
-Now, Skyward it is your turn.
Skyward ignored the nurse passing by him and went to the center of the arena where Ryan and Port were waiting.
The teams RWBY and CNVL could feel some relief if the next opponent was not Skyward. Unfortunately the day the duo was busy with other school chores, Skyward offered to fight against Pyrrha, and while was not able to defeat the champion they knew that the match was not going to be as easy Reddohon.
-If only I could give them some tips. –Pyrrha muttered seeing Skyward walk to the center of the arena.
-Are you ready Skyward? –Port asked.
-You bet that I am. –He answered.
-So I hope that you still have energy to make this an interesting match, Mr. Forest. –Port commented before raise his arm. –Alright! The second match shall now… begin!
Port gave sign to the match start.
Ryan's eye widened when Skyward moved in blind speed and nearly did not have time to hold one of the spears that his opponent swung to cut down his shoulder.
-What the…? –Ryan then notices something else, his shoulder was freezing.
Skyward swung his second spear and Ryan rolled away from the attack, but once he was back to his feet, he went in panic and seeing the red spear on fire.
-Fire… -Jaune commented with slow voice, remembering about an important fact regarding his partner, and this also made him feel panic. –Why did have to be fire?
Back at the arena, Skyward jumped high and threw the red spear against Ryan who rolled away but once he was back in his feet, had to avoid the blue spear wing against his head. Skyward took the red spear back during Ryan's dodge and aimed to his feet, but Ryan was able to give a small jump and avoid the red spear, and give a kick against Skyward who used the blue spear to block the attack.
The kick was strong enough to push Skyward away and different from the last match, Ryan actually moves against his opponent. But once Skyward cut the floor in front of him, making a small fire wall, Ryan stumbled in his own legs and fell on his butt.
Skyward raised an eyebrow. He just wanted to distract him but seemed to take a different effect. Not that he complained and shoved his red spear on the fire wall, aiming to Ryan's face. The gunslinger was able to grab the blade of the spear with his feet and hold in place, but his legs were trapped together by ice from the blue spear.
Skyward jump ahead and tried to pierce Ryan's aura with the blue spear, but he broke free from the ice and decide to dodge the spear, not wanting to have his hands frozen. But once in his feet, he slipped down with the ice on the floor. The red spear come and he had to cover his face with his arms to block the attack, but groaning at the burning feeling in his left arm. The ice spear come down and he kicked away, making it hit the floor above his head and frozen the floor above his floor. Ryan kicked Skyward's leg and his stomach making him roll backwards. He was in his knee and put both spears like an X to block a punch from Ryan strong enough to push the weapons away and gave Ryan opening for a punch on Skyward's face.
He went flying back but landed on his feet, clashing both his spears and sending an ice spike flying in Ryan's direction. This made the gunslinger finally pull out his silver revolver and reduces the ice spike to pieces that melted in the floor.
-He finally pulled his guns. –Pyrrha spoke.
- Why he didn't that before? –Ruby asked.
- Frankly, what does he have in his head? –Weiss asked.
-Probably he did not wanted to show too much what he can do. –Ren said. –It is an elimination match, meaning that his second opponent would watch the first fight, and come to a way to counter attack his fighting style.
-But it just a pair of guns. –Nora commented. –It really has much to show?
-Every weapon may be something else in the right hands. –Ren answered. –Each one of our weapons has something more than can be seem. Ryan's guns may not be different.
-But what his guns would have that is different from any else? –Yang asked.
Back to the arena, Ryan spins his revolver with his index finger as he waited for Skyward's next move, and there is the fact he did not wanted to approach his opponents while he swung his red spear.
As if the fate just spit in his face, Skyward decide to spin the red spear before swung his weapon sending flying an arc of fire. Normally, the bullet would go through the fire this big, yet Ryan pulled his black revolver and pulled the trigger.
Once the bullet went through the arc of fire, the flames dissipate in midair. Skyward's eyes widened and put his spears like an X to block the incoming bullet. When the bullet collides with his weapons, he was surprise with the force behind the shot. His spears hit his own chest and he nearly went flying away, but just almost stumbled in his own feet.
Seeing the risk of blocking the shots of his revolvers, he rushed against Ryan with his spears ready. And Ryan seeing that Skyward was after him, he put his revolvers back to the holsters. This action made both teammates wide their eyes.
-Why did he put back his guns? –Ruby asked.
None of them had time to get an answer when Skyward jumps high in the air spinning the red spear above his body. As his focus was on the ring of fire above his opponent, Ryan's legs tremble. He could have dodged the incoming strike, but out of fear Ryan just revealed another of his tricks.
The red spear came down, and hit his target, but Skyward was surprise to see Ryan with his arms crossed above his head, not by the fact he was blocking but with the solid concrete around his arms from his wrists to his fist.
-What the… -Was all Skyward was able to speak before felt the air leave his lungs with a kick on the stomach.
This time he went flying back but shoved both his spears on the ground. Focusing in what was ahead of him, his eyes widened seeing the concrete fist coming to his face. The fist almost connected to his face, and Ryan something freeze his feet. Skyward moved to behind Ryan and cut his back with the red spear, followed by a cut with the blue spear, covering with ice part of his back.
Skyward raised an eyebrow as Ryan broke free from the ice on his feet and gave a kick that was blocked with both spears, freezing his ankle. Skyward moved the red spear, fire floated with the swing that made Ryan fall in his rear. Skyward swung his spears trying to get Ryan who was just backing away like a victim crawling away from a murderer.
-What's wrong with Ryan? –Pyrrha asked.
-He seems… frightened. –Ruby spoke next.
-My focus is in something else. –Weiss stated.
-What do you mean? –Ruby asked.
-Did you guys notice his red spear sometimes seems to fail to release its fire?
Back at the arena, Skyward stuck his shirt on the floor with the red spear but as Weiss just stated, nothing happened. This made Skyward confused but he needed to focus on the fight, shoving the spear against Ryan who got it with both his feet and kicked it away.
Ryan rolled and was on back on his feet, but gave a frightened scream when Skyward, with his red spear back in his hand, made a ring of fire right in front of him. With Ryan back sitting on his rear Skyward brought the red spear down only to hold the blade with his hand. With his hand covered, flames spread from between the finger, his eye widened and with a scream he just threw away the spear with Skyward still holding. Not paying attention to where he threw his opponent's weapon, Skyward landed next to the blue spear.
He gave a vertical swing with the blue spear sending flying an arc of ice against Ryan who still was trembling on the floor. The ice made contact with his back freezing again. This took Ryan out of his trance and he turns around to confront Skyward, but screamed again and rolled away as an arc of fire almost hit him.
-My spear is working, so why fire doesn't come out when I hit him? –Skyward asked to himself before turn his focus on Ryan. –And his guy is for real?
Ryan recovered quickly and was back to his feet, but was breathing hard. Skyward ignored that and rushed against him and Ryan answered by smashing his fist covered with concrete on the floor, causing a small earthquake, enough to make Skyward stumble with the trebling below his feet.
Ryan did not waste time and even with his hands covered with concrete, he rushed in high speed against Skyward, aiming a fist to his face that was parried and he answered by swinging his blue spear. Ryan blocked and gave a kick that Skyward blocked, with effort, and sends his own kick. Ryan blocked with his knee and head butt Skyward. The spear wilder almost fell on his back but he used his spear to hold and push himself and attack Ryan with a knee on his stomach, but receive a hard punch on his face.
Skyward stumbled back and with eyes widen, he parried Ryan's strikes with his spears while stepping back with each attack he blocked.
-He's strong! –Skyward strong while parrying another punch.
But something popped on his mind.
Using the momentum Skyward shoved his blue spear near Ryan's left feet. The floor there froze and Ryan had his feet trapped on the floor. But compared to the other times he froze the feet of his opponents, there did not have as much ice as his past battles.
Putting two and two together, he figured out.
The red spear come from above and Ryan pushed the weapon away and punched Skyward who blocked his punch with both his spears. The punch sends him back a little but he seemed not affected by the attack at all.
-You can absorb dust. –Skyward spoke making Ryan's eye widen in surprise. – Even if you are afraid, you have no problem in absorbing fire, but seem to take more time to absorb ice.
Now Skyward knows about his semblance, and his fear of fire.
-H-he can absorb dust? –Weiss asked. –I can't believe that a semblance like that even exists!
-This can give to him a huge advantage against those who mainly uses dust to fight. –Pyrrha commented.
-It is not fair! –Nora complained.
-Not fair? –Asked Chocolat.
-She can only absorb electricity. –Ren answered before focus on something else. –But there is the problem that he takes more time to absorb ice.
-And he seems to be a bit uncomfortable with fire. –Chocolat commented.
Back to the arena, Ryan now was the one dodging and blocking as Skyward swung both his spears. The concrete of Ryan's hands start to crumble apart with each attack he blocked.
-What is the use of those guns if you are not going to use them?! –Skyward asked after bring down both spears only to be hold by Ryan.
Instead of answer, Ryan just threw him back. Skyward rolled on the floor and was forced to get down to not be kicked in the face. Ryan with his back to Skyward and turns around to give two electrified tornado kicks against his opponent. The first was blocked but got both spears used away and received the second kick right on the face.
Skyward shoved the red spear against Ryan and he pushes away with his leg and shoving the blade on the floor. This action drew Skyward close enough to be punched on the face. As he stumbled back, Ryan pulled out his black revolver and surprising everyone by throwing his weapon to his opponent!
Instinctively Skyward went to grab the revolver and felt the weight of the gun pull his arm down along with his body. Ryan immediately rushed forward and gave an uppercut in Skyward's chin. He went flying as the revolver slips from his hand and with a loud "Thump" fall on the ground.
Skyward shoves both his spears on the ground and land on his feet while remembering of the weight he just felt in his hand.
-That revolver is heavier than my spears together! –He thought. –It is because of that he is not using his revolvers? But it seemed that he could handle the kickback just fine! -With his focus back to his opponent, Skyward sees Ryan charging some electricity in his body? –What? He can store dust in his body too? It is how he covered his hands with concrete?
Hitting both fist on the floor, electricity spread through the arena. Skyward got his spears out of the floor and shoved back the blue one to use as a pole vault and leapt from the floor as electricity spread below him.
Once his feet touches the floor again, Skyward leapt again, put both ends of his spears together, and starts to spin vertically in high speed while his spears shot fire and ice. Ryan was forced to jump aside and Skyward passed through him. But as a ball once hits the wall and went back, forcing Ryan dodges again.
Skyward ceased the spinning for a moment only to turn around to Ryan's direction and start spinning again.
As Ryan keeps dodging Skyward's attack, Jaune was sweating bullets. Skyward was not only going toe to toe against his partner but also was using his weakness against him! Now he was worrying about their plan not work with Ryan being afraid of fire, and even if Ryan tires Skyward, Jaune was having doubts if he could take him down.
The same could be said of the teams RWBY and CNVL. While tire Skyward would help Jaune if Ryan loses, some of them were having doubts if Jaune could face the spear wilder.
Back to the arena, Ryan still was dodging the spinning attack and did not seem that Skyward was going to stop so soon. Seeing no other choice he decides to use the rest of the dust stored in his body, but was not going to be electric dust.
Skyward approached his opponent still spinning until he meet something akin to a immobile object, with the blades crashing against really hard, a shockwave was created and stopping his attack.
Looking to just what he hit, Skyward was surprise to see Ryan covered with a strange armor made of concrete. His wrists, ankles were covered with concrete and on his back something similar to a turtle shell but made of stone.
Everyone eyes widened seeing in what he just did, not expect that the gunslinger could just create a armor out of blue.
Now what he had a new armor, he surprised everyone even more by just assuming a position that covered his entire body. After that, he did not move a muscle.
Skyward took the chance to charge against him and unleashed a barrage of attacks, ice and fire covering the air around them as the spear wilder keep with his attacks, not stopping until the armor was broken like last time.
Jaune was becoming even more nervous as Skyward's strikes keep going.
The floor around Ryan was being covered in ice, slowly melting due the heat of the fire caused by the red spear, but froze after immediately after the attack of the blue spear. Skyward's attacks didn't seem to be stopping. He remembers that the same type of earth covered Ryan's hands early, so if he just need to make a opening in this rock shell of his. He just needed to keep attacking.
Then he notices… Ryan really was not moving a muscle since he protected himself with that armor.
It has no need to say that Skyward starts to suspect his lack of actions.
-He thinks that I will fall for the same trick that moron of Reddohon fell?
With that in mind, Skyward gave a jump back, taking distance from him to Ryan. Holding his spears, still together, he waited for whatever Ryan was planning. If Ryan was not going to do anything, he could see a small opening in his defense.
The suspense actually was getting on both teams and Jaune. They all leaned forward a bit. Curious about what was going to happen next.
Skyward waited and waited but Ryan did not move a muscle yet. Seeing that he was not going to do anything, he took the first move. The red spear ignited and he aimed at the rock shell in front of him.
With a war cry, the spear went flying in high speed with the point of the blade aimed to the little opening in the defense. When the blade of the spear was inches from Ryan, his concrete armor just explode and something in flames just went after Skyward faster than his spear.
Skyward could only get a glimpse of Ryan, his body leaving a trail of flames behind as he run after Skyward with his fist ready. The fist made contact with the chin, and Ryan leapt from the floor pushing Skyward's body out of the floor, hitting with such force that Skyward's grey aura was visible for a moment before disappear from his body.
The movement caught everyone by surprise more than when Ryan covered himself with that earth armor. He just moved from a spot on the arena to another in just a second!
Ryan's feet touch the floor the same time Skyward hit the ground. The spear wilder was not moving and Ryan was on his knee breathing heavily. He really not likes fire.
Everyone in the arena, even those who were not interested in the Challenge at first, watched with eyes wide open.
Ryan won! Both battles!
-He won… -Ruby spoke with a smile.
-He won! –Chocolat spoke louder, followed by the cheers of her teammates and friends.
As Ozpin heard the duo's friends cheering their victory, he thought about the fight he just watched.
-Most impressive. –He heard Ironwood speak. –This is the first time I see someone win both fights in an elimination match.
-He sure has talent to be a great fighter. –Ozpin stated.
-But I admit that I am a little disappointed to not be able to see Jaune Arc in action this time.
-There will be the next match for you to see.
-Sure something interesting will come from this Challenge.
-And why you say that James?
-I don't know. I just felt. –Was all Ironwood said before end the transmission.
-So James also can see that, hum? –Ozpin spoke to himself. –I wonder why we felt that.
Back to the arena, Jaune rushed to his partner.
-Ryan… you were amazing. –If Ryan was not in his knee trembling, he would have notice something strange on the tone of Jaune's voice, but Jaune was able to see something wrong in Ryan. –Uh, Ryan? Are you alright?
-I-I'm fine. I just need to keep trembling a bit.
-It was because you covered yourself with fire? Speaking of which, how did you do that?
Before Ryan could answer, Port approached.
-What magnificent match, Mr. Forest! –Port loudly stated. –I choose them both as one to be the muscle and the other to be the speed, and you was able to outmatch them both! Ozpin sure made no mistake in proposing the Challenge for you both!
-Thank you for confirm that Port. –Spoke Ozpin as he approached them. –And now, I'm proud to say that both Mr. Arc and Mr. Forest passed to the second round of the Challenge. And before we part away already I must ask, are you feeling alright, Mr. Forest?
-I'm fine. Just need to tremble a little.
-Don't ask. –Jaune spoke.
Locker room
Once Ryan stopped trembling, he and Jaune went to the locker room where both teams RWBY and CNVL were waiting for them.
-Congratulation guys! –Ruby spoke first. –I knew you both could make it!
-You mean "Ryan" could make it.
-Weiss. –Chocolat hissed, and the heiress just huffed.
-So, the next round, huh? How you both are feeling? –Yang asked.
-As I just won in the lottery. –Jaune answered.
-Excuse me. –Spoke an unfamiliar voice to Jaune. Ryan looks to who spoke and see Natsu approaching him. –Apologies for interrupt but I need to have a small talk with Ryan, if is not problem.
-Speaking to Ryan? –Nora asked.
-It is okay. I talk to you guys later. –Ryan said as he walked out of the locker room with Natsu.
-I must admit, I was worried when he covered himself with that armor. –Blake spoke once Ryan was out.
-You were watching? –Yang asked. –I could swear that you was more interested in your book than in the fight.
-Maybe at first. –Was all Blake said.
-So, you guys want to celebrate? –Ruby asked.
-I would love Ruby, but I just want to rest a little. –Jaune said as he also left the locker room.
-Rest, but he didn't fight. –Nora stated.
-I felt that something is wrong with him. –Pyrrha said.
-Why do you say that? –Nora asked.
-The way he approached Ryan in the arena. –Chocolat answered, also noticing something strange with the knight. –Despite the fact they just went to the next stage of the Challenge, he did not seemed so happy about it.
With that spoke, both teams start to wonder what got in Jaune.
Later in that day
Headmaster Office
After contacting the Arc family to give the news about Jaune passing the first round of the Challenge, which makes his father jump with joy, Ozpin used all his will to contact Wolf and give to him the news about Ryan.
-If you like to waste your time be my guest, but don't drag me along.
-Always a pleasure to talk to you Mr. Forest.
-Can't say the same. –Wolf commented before drink something. –So, you gonna send my son back to Vacuo already?
-Actually, he just won the first match of the Challenge.
-Good, more time away from me.
Wolf could easily win the prize of the biggest son of a bi**h Remnant ever seem. Remember about something Port spoke with him some days ago, Ozpin gave a long sigh before asks.
-Mr. Forest, I am actually afraid to ask, but you know that your son is a faunus, right?
-I know.
-And you know why he is hiding his animal trait?
-He is not hiding anything. –Ozpin raised an eyebrow and then, both he and Wolf stared to each other for a couple of seconds until the old gunslinger spoke again. –And you want an explanation, right?
-If possible. –Ozpin answered before give a sip on his mug.
-He had a tail, but it was torn from him.
For the first time in years, Ozpin was so surprised to the point of spit out the coffee he was drinking.
-S-someone tore off your son's tail?
-Did I stutter? And no, it was not me.
It seems that even being a bastard, even Wolf has his limits. But still, he was surprised. It was not the first time he heard something like this happening, but the last time he heard that happening was a long time ago, before the war end.
Remembering a thing or two about faunus physiology, Ozpin tried to ask.
-So the motive he seems so uncoordinated is because…
-He is missing something that gives him balance.
-Wolf, you are his father. How come you let this happen?
-Letting happen.
-Wolf…
- Wolf, do this! Wolf, do that! Wolf, you have to do it! Wolf! Wolf! WOLF! Everyone has to blame ME for whatever has wrong with that lad! Do you think I wanted to let the boy be kidnapped if I knew everyone would complain to me!?
-Kidnapped?
- And you ignored all my complains and heard just that part, right?!
-What happened to him when he was kidnapped?
-If you are going to ignore me, then go ask that tin man about it.
-James? What the general… -Ozpin tried to ask but Wolf cut off the transmission before he could end his sentence.
So James has something to do with whatever happened to Ryan's tail? It is related with the fact Wolf did not know who unlocked his son's aura? The burns on his face also have something to do with this? Is that why he is afraid of fire?
And yes, Ozpin notices.
It seems he will have some talk with James later.
Courtyard
-So, any of them know about us? –Natsu asked to Ryan.
They both were walking alone in the courtyard after Natsu asking to talk to him alone.
-Not yet.
-Yet? You plan to talk?
-He's my partner. I can't keep this secret from him much longer.
-Was told to us not say a word about this to anyone.
-Yes, and commander Diamond said I was going to enjoy live with my father. –There was no way Natsu could have not notice the bitter tone in Ryan's voice. –Some keep asking to me why I did not unlock his aura when I could, but…
-Since you not know what kind of effect could have in his aura, you decide to not do it. –Natsu answered and Ryan nodded. –You are right about not doing. We are not the same since our childhood.
-You not called me just to talk about the old times, do you?
-No. It just there just a few like use that I am more comfortable speaking with someone like me. There a few more that chose death.
This statement made Ryan stop his walk, and made him wonder how come he did not end up like them.
End of the chapter.
For the sake of the plot, I gave in this chapter more focus on Ryan, meaning that following chapter will focus more on Jaune. Now it will take some time for the next match of the Challenge but it doesn't mean that they will not enter in some combat in the span between every match.
Every match also will be big as this chapter is, but will be different from this match, of course. I will try make the next fight scenes better so it take as long as this chapter to write.
That's all folks, see you next time!