The battle opens in the midst of the action, with Blake Belladonna fighting Reese Chloris in fast-paced close-quarters combat. Reese attacks Blake aggressively with her Hoverboard, but Blake is able to parry most of her attacks. Reese attempts to perform an acrobatic aerial jump, but fails and falls painfully on her tailbone.

Meanwhile, Yang Xiao Long takes on Arslan Altan and they exchange blows in rapid hand-to-hand combat. Although they initially appear evenly matched, Arslan uses her rope dart to catch Yang off-guard, knocking her into the icy portion of the arena. As Yang attempts to regain her balance on the slippery ice, Arslan presses her advantage and hits her again.

Yang lands near Nadir Shiko, but before he is able to act, Ruby Rose immobilizes him with some ice Dust. Bolin Hori appears behind Ruby and threatens to attack, but Weiss Schnee quickly kicks him away with her glyphs. Weiss and Ruby team up on Bolin, but he manages to evade both of their attacks and goes for some fire Dust. He throws the fire Dust to Reese, who infuses it into her Hoverboard, granting it the ability to create fiery blasts and heat.

Reese frees Nadir Shiko from the ice using heat from her Hoverboard, and then returns to fighting Blake, attacking her with a vicious onslaught of fiery blasts. Blake manages to evade her attacks and slips away. Reese spots Blake seemingly distracted, facing the opposite direction. Thinking she has caught her off-guard, Reese attacks her from behind, failing to recognize that it was merely a decoy Blake had created with her Semblance. Using Gambol Shroud's ribbon component, Blake clotheslines Reese and then knocks her out of the arena, disqualifying her on two counts - Aura depletion and ring-out.

Weiss uses a black glyph to incapacitate Bolin and Nadir, and then, using ice Dust, envelops them in an enormous ball of ice and begins rolling them to the edge of the arena. Arslan punches the ice ball and releases a blast of fire into it to free both of her remaining teammates. Weiss then uses ice Dust to create a massive ice ramp, which Yang slides across. Blake tosses Gambol Shroud in kusarigama form to Yang and swings it to help her accelerate. Yang leaps into the air while Ruby assists Blake in a high jump. Blake yanks the ribbon and throws Yang forward, allowing the latter to deliver a powerful blow to all three of their opponents, ringing them out

I watched Ruby's team with a small ping of guilt. Azu and Sumire were cheering happily. They were our friends and Yang was my girlfriend. Dan's judgement of not letting me fight in the duos round had mixed up our plans. Sumire and Azu had a good Chemxstory or chemistry yet they aren't good fighters. Dan will need to carry the partner to victory.

“Uhm Gold Senpai?” Sumire looked at me with her Violet eyes.

“Yeah?” I answered.

“Is something bothering you?” I felt her hand grab mine.

I looked at Sumire, her violet eyes searching mine for an answer. I sighed, squeezing her hand gently. “I guess I’m just… second-guessing everything. Sitting out, watching Ruby’s team fight—it made me think about whether I made the right call by agreeing to Dan’s plan. Maybe I should’ve just fought. I hate feeling useless.”

She tilted her head, her expression soft but thoughtful. “You’re not useless, Gold Senpai. You’re our leader. You’re the reason we’ve made it this far. But if you don’t feel right, maybe it’s worth figuring out why. Is it just about not fighting, or is there something else on your mind?”

Her question caught me off guard. Was it just about sitting out—or was there something deeper gnawing at me?

The others headed off to eat while I sat in the stands. I saw my older brother walking my way. “If it isn't my little shadow.” He opens with.

“Hey Fuwa, I guess you saw what I did.” I didn't look into his eyes.

“Yeah, don't feel ashamed of yourself.” He sat beside me. “You and your team fought together like a trained warrior machine. You got a trained soldier, two girls who fight like a knight and her beast, and you the Leader of Team Cascade.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fuwa why are you here?”

“Well I came to see the Vytal Festival, and to sign people for my show.” His cat ears moved around frantically.

I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at Fuwa. “Sign people for your show? That’s what this is about? Not checking up on your little brother, but recruiting?”

Fuwa chuckled, brushing a strand of silver hair out of his face. “Come on, Corey. Can’t it be both? I wanted to see how you’re doing, and yeah, I’m keeping an eye out for talent. It’s not like I’d ignore the Vytal Festival. The best fighters in Remnant gather here—it’s prime hunting ground for someone like me.”

I shook my head. “You’ve always got an angle, don’t you? I can never tell when you’re being genuine. You say you’re here for me, but it feels like you’re just scouting for your next big star.”

Fuwa leaned back, his expression softening. “You know, it hurts a little that you don’t trust me. I mean it, Corey—I’m proud of you. You’ve come so far since... well, everything.”

“Since the White Fang, you mean?” I cut him off sharply, my voice low.

He hesitated but nodded. “Yeah. You’ve grown past that. You’re leading a team, fighting for something better. Not everyone gets the chance to rewrite their story like that.”

I looked away, my ears twitching. “Maybe. But I still feel like a ticking time bomb. You saw what happened in the last round—I lost control, Fuwa. That’s not leadership. That’s barely even human.”

Fuwa reached out, resting a hand on my shoulder. “You’re not just your instincts, Corey. And you’re not the mistakes of your past. You’re a fighter, yeah, but you’re also someone who inspires loyalty. Look at your team—they believe in you. That’s what matters.”

I didn’t respond immediately, my gaze fixed on the arena below. I wanted to believe him, but trusting Fuwa’s words had always been tricky. “I guess we’ll see if you’re right. For now, I just want to get through this tournament without making things worse.”

He smiled, standing up. “Fair enough, little shadow. But don’t forget—whether you believe me or not, I’ll always have your back. That’s what family does.”

As he walked away, his tail swishing lazily behind him, I couldn’t help but feel conflicted. Was he really here for me? Or was this just another one of Fuwa’s schemes? Either way, his words lingered in my mind longer than I cared to admit.

_________________________________________________________

I joined the others as they were eating at a stand. I threw my hood on. The girls were laughing happily. Dan, Jaune and Ren were joking around.

“So who are you guys picking for the two on two rounds?” Nora asked us.

“Well Yang and Weiss are our picks.” Ruby revealed. “Corey, who are you sending in for the double match?”

“Dan and…. Me!” I smirked. “Cowboy, we're going to make a show of it!”

“I thought you agreed to sit it out since you lost control.” Dan crossed his arms. “Unless you're being sarcastic about this?”

I shook my head no. If I had a chance to fight Yang and test myself, I will. Azu hands me her bow.

“Try to fight at a distance.” She bowed politely.

“I'm not an archer like you.” I handed her Attach Arrow back. I looked at my weapon, Fated Hour. “This battle, this moment, I've seen it in my dreams.” The quote was inscribed on the chamber.

The others continued their casual chatter as I sat down beside them, the weight of my decision lingering in the back of my mind. Ruby, Yang, and Weiss were still joking around about their own picks for the upcoming rounds, their excitement infectious. It was almost hard to believe we were all about to face off in the tournament.

Nora, who was stuffing her face with a meat skewer, paused mid-bite. "So, Corey, what's this about you getting back in the ring with Dan? Are you sure you're ready for this?"

I glanced at Dan, who was leaning back, looking amused but skeptical. "I’m sure," I replied, my voice firm. "I’m not letting anything get in the way of what we’ve worked for. Not now."

Sumire looked at me from the other side of the table, her eyes filled with concern. “But… you’re not pushing yourself too hard, right? After everything that happened?”

I flashed her a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine, Sumire. You don’t have to worry about me.”

She didn’t seem fully convinced but didn’t press further, returning her attention to Azu, who was quietly nibbling on her food. The small moment of quiet between us gave me some time to reflect. There was still doubt in my mind, still that voice telling me I might not be ready, that the rage I couldn’t control might resurface. But as I looked at my team, their faces filled with anticipation and belief, I knew I couldn’t back down.

Dan, noticing the intensity in my gaze, leaned forward slightly. “If we’re doing this, we need to make sure we’ve got our strategy straight. The two-on-two isn’t just about raw power—it’s about coordination.”

“You know that’s how we roll, Cowboy,” I grinned. “We’ve got this.”

“Yeah, yeah, but don’t get cocky, Cat,” Dan shot back, cracking his knuckles. “This won’t be some easy win.”

Azu’s soft laugh cut through the conversation, and she placed a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, Gold Senpai, we believe in you. Just remember, you’re not alone in this.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words, and despite the lingering unease, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth from the bond we shared. The journey ahead wouldn’t be easy, but we’d face it together.

The sounds of laughter and conversations around us faded as I looked up at the tournament bracket on a nearby screen, picturing the battles to come. I wasn’t backing down—not this time. Not when the people I cared about were depending on me.

The day came and went, we all returned to our dorms for the next day of the Vytal Festival. I saw a fight that made me question something. Penny and her team from Atlas. There was something off about this Penny girl and I can't put my finger on it.

Yang and I kissed before we went back to our dorms. Tomorrow, I will fight once more. Dan is our strongest fighter, and I'm pretty sure we'll not lose.

_________________________________________________________

The Next Day

Our match is: Soji Uva and Navy.  What do you know, we got the guy who clocks up and someone who is literally a tactical genius against a stubborn guy and someone who's just passing through.

I gulped. Dan smirked a bit. “We got this.” He didn't look very confident in himself. I wasn't either.

Our two biomes we were fighting in were Ice and Ocean. Great, no traction and wetness. Either we need a miracle or we lose here.

“Cowboy, I think we're screwed.” I whisper to him.

“Cat, remember who you are.” Dan replied.

The battle begins with us not knowing who was the real threat. Navy, she wasn't just the brains behind her team. She was six steps ahead.

“Cat, don't make a plan. We'll do what we do best.” 

“Make jokes?” I replied.

“No.” Dodo Faunus shook his head.

“Get on their nerves?”

“Closer.”

“Fight each other?”

“No, we're going to bullshit.” Dan finally told me.

Soji tapped the side of his belt. “What are they talking about?”

Navy raised an eyebrow. “Not sure. They're just mumbling something about Bushaki or Bs?”

“Should I clock up?” Soji stepped forward.

“No, save it for later.” She told him.

I got on all fours, and Dan took off his hat. “I'm going Weast and you're going for the square root of pi to the ninth power.” I told him.

“Got it.” He cracked his knuckles as Navy was trying to figure out what we meant. “Weast? Doesn't he mean Western?”

I extended my claws on my Gauntlets to get some traction on the ice. Soji went for Dan. His sword to the stubborn Dodo’s fists.

The members of Team SANE smiled at us. “Alright, try to keep up.” Navy points her saber at me. I didn't build up enough force.

Soji’s sword kept bouncing off of Dan's guard. “Cat, head to pi times the square of negative b plus or minus the square root of four a c over two a.” I nod.

The girl with a tactical mind looked confused. “What?”

The man who walks the path of Heaven looks at his teammate. “They're confusing you.”

“Psychological warfare.” She nods.

Dan winds up his fist and knocks Soji into the ice biome. He scooted back to where I was. This was my chance to help out. I fired an ice bullet that froze his hand to the ground.

Navy threw her blade and it hit me. I hit the boundary line. Dan gasped as I fell to my knees. My Aura hit its limit. “Corey Gold Tokiwa-Silver has been eliminated before we could see that brute force he showed off.”

“Cowboy, it's all you.” I gave a thumbs up.

He smiles. “Alright.” He begins to dance as Soji tries to hit him from the Ice Biome.

“What’s this? Mister Crimson is dancing instead of fighting?” Oobleck announced.

This was driving Navy crazy. “Take us seriously!”

Dan continued his absurd dance, moving to an imaginary rhythm that only he could hear. His arms flailed wildly, his feet sliding effortlessly on the icy surface. It was ridiculous, but it was also working. Soji and Navy were both visibly agitated, their focus wavering.

Soji growled, struggling to pull his hand free from the ice. “This is nonsense! Clock up!” he shouted, activating his Semblance. In an instant, he disappeared, moving at a speed that made him nearly invisible.

Dan stopped dancing, his eyes scanning the ice biome calmly. "You think I can't keep up with that, huh?" He took a deep breath and waited.

Soji reappeared behind Dan, his sword raised to strike. But Dan was already moving, ducking and spinning to the side in a fluid motion. He countered with a powerful punch aimed at where Soji had been—only to hit air as Soji vanished again.

Navy smirked from the sidelines. “He's too fast for you. Give it up.”

Dan shook his head, smiling. “Nah. I just need to find the rhythm.” He closed his eyes, listening. The sounds of Soji’s rapid movements echoed in the icy arena. Each step, each shift of ice—Dan could hear it.

Suddenly, Dan lunged forward and slammed his fist into thin air. There was a loud crack, and Soji reappeared, his Aura flickering as he stumbled back, clutching his chest.

“What?” Navy’s eyes widened. “How did you—”

“Instinct, darlin’,” Dan said, adjusting his hat. “Dodo instinct.”

Soji’s Aura was visibly weakened, but Navy didn’t give him a chance to recover. She charged at Dan, her saber slashing through the air in precise, calculated strikes. Dan barely managed to block each one, his movements still playful but with a sharpened edge.

“You’ve had your fun,” Navy hissed. “Now fight seriously.”

Dan grinned. “I am serious. Seriously having fun.” He shifted his stance, launching into a series of feints that forced Navy onto the defensive.

She parried one blow after another, her frustration mounting. “You’re wasting your energy!”

“Nah,” Dan replied, spinning around her. “I’m just getting started.”

Then, out of nowhere, Dan slid across the ice and delivered a devastating uppercut that sent Navy flying backward. She landed hard on the frozen ground, her Aura dangerously low.

The crowd erupted into cheers, and Oobleck’s voice echoed through the arena. “Incredible! Dan from Team Cascade is holding his own, turning the tide with sheer unpredictability!”

Navy groaned, forcing herself to stand. “You think this is over?”

Dan tipped his hat. “I know it is.”

Before she could react, Dan kicked a chunk of ice toward her. She sliced through it instinctively, but that brief distraction gave Dan the opening he needed. He closed the distance and delivered a final punch, knocking her out of bounds.

“Navy is eliminated!” Oobleck announced. “Team Cascade wins!”

Dan stood there, catching his breath, then looked up at me in the stands and gave a two-finger salute. “That one’s for you, Cat.”

“So he seriously just danced to beat a girl whose mind would rival a Strategist.”  Weiss looked at how our random BS beat a Tactical mind.

“It looks like those two had a plan in case they faced Navy and her semblance.” Pyrrha told them.

“Knowing those two, they don't think, just bullshit.” Sumire smirked.

“Damn, Dan has some moves.” Josh chuckled. “Boo boo got himself taken out on purpose.”

“What makes you so sure?” I got defensive.

“Well you didn't use your Semblance or your feral side.” Josh hit close to home.

I growled a bit. Sumire slapped me. “No growling at your friends.”

I rubbed my cheek where Sumire slapped me, more surprised than hurt. She crossed her arms and gave me a stern look. “You’re better than this, Gold Senpai. Don’t let him get under your skin.”

I sighed, the tension easing slightly. “You’re right. Sorry, Josh.” I forced a smile, trying to shake off the frustration.

Josh shrugged, flashing his usual flamboyant grin. “No worries, darling. Just calling it like I see it. You’ve got more control than you think—don’t let that feral stuff define you.”

I nodded, appreciating his words even if they stung a little. Dan, meanwhile, had made his way back to us, looking a bit winded but triumphant. He dropped into a seat next to me and wiped the sweat off his brow. “Told you we’d make a show of it.”

“You pulled off a win by dancing,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief. “How do you even come up with stuff like that?”

Dan grinned. “Sometimes you gotta think outside the box—or in this case, outside the rhythm.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “But hey, we made it through. That’s what matters.”

Sumire leaned forward, her violet eyes shining with pride. “You both did great. But, Gold Senpai, next time… maybe let Dan do the dancing.”

Everyone laughed, the tension from earlier fading away. Despite the odds, we had pulled off a victory, and for now, that was enough. The Vytal Festival wasn’t over, and the challenges ahead were only going to get tougher. But with my team by my side, I felt ready for whatever came next.

“Tomorrow’s another fight,” I said, standing up. “Let’s get some rest and be ready.”

Dan smirked. “You got it, partner. But don’t think you’re off the hook. Next time, you’re doing the dancing.”

“Over my dead body,” I shot back, grinning as we all headed out of the arena.

The next match was Pyrrha and Nora against two students from Shade Academy. I never learned their names.  It was a quick match, Nora and Pyrrha tore them up.

Pyrrha and Nora entered the arena with their usual confidence. Pyrrha had her calm, composed demeanor, her spear Milo gleaming under the arena lights, while Nora wore her trademark grin, swinging Magnhild like it weighed nothing. Their opponents from Shade Academy looked strong—one wielded dual scimitars, and the other carried a massive war hammer. But from the way Pyrrha and Nora stood, it was clear they weren’t intimidated.

As the match began, their opponents charged forward with coordinated attacks. The Shade fighter with the scimitars moved with blinding speed, aiming for Pyrrha. However, Pyrrha deflected every slash with ease, using her shield Akoúo̱ to block and parry. The war hammer wielder targeted Nora, meeting her head-on in a brutal clash of strength. The sound of their weapons colliding echoed across the arena, and the crowd roared in excitement.

“That hammer guy thinks he can out-muscle Nora?” Dan laughed from our seats. “Big mistake.”

Sure enough, Nora let out a gleeful shout and pushed back with a surge of strength, sending her opponent stumbling. She used the momentum to swing Magnhild in its grenade launcher form, firing an explosive shot that knocked the Shade fighter off balance.

Meanwhile, Pyrrha calmly disarmed the scimitar-wielding opponent with a well-timed disarm maneuver, using her semblance to subtly manipulate their weapon mid-swing. She followed up with a spinning kick that sent them flying across the arena.

The Shade team tried to regroup, but Pyrrha and Nora weren’t giving them a chance. Pyrrha delivered a series of precise, contr