RWBY (Volume 3) Chapter 7: A Ter͝r̡̛͠i̛b̢le͜͞ Feeling.

This entire damn day you've felt on edge. Your Ring continuously glows and burns against your skin despite your clothes specifically made to stop that -or at least that's what you hypothesize. Yet still, you feel on edge, you've noticed Sophie has also seemed tense, her coat being completely black despite nothing happening and her mood seeming fine. Why do you have the feeling that something terrible is going to occur? You've wished Yang good luck on the one-on-one finals, which she of course just smirked and said she didn't need it. You're all sitting in the stands of the arena just waiting to see if Yang will be picked for today.

Port: (Intercom):"Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for! The one-on-one finals!" You look over at Yang who's smiling confidently. You see a couple of new peeps along with people you know like Sun, Penny, Mercury, and Pyrrha who...doesn't seem to be doing so hot. "Barty, why don't you explain the rules?"

Oobleck(Intercom):" Ah, it's quite simple, Peter. Instead of a bracket system, each round of the finals will be randomly determined immediately before the match takes place!" 

Port:"Much like any good hunt, there will be zero time to prepare!"

Oobleck(Intercom):"Ah, yes, yes! Now, let's see who our first match will be!" The screens above the stadium as the roulette starts spinning, this time for competitors instead of biomes. The first fighter is selected and it turns out to be Yang and the second one also being chosen which seems to be Mercury. Oooh boy, this'll be a fun one to watch.

Port(Intercom):"Yang Xiao Long and Mercury Black!"

Ruby:"Break a leg, sis!" Ruby yells at the top of her lungs, which you very highly doubt that Yang can hear considering the THUNDEROUS AMOUNT OF APPLAUSE. But meh you're gonna shout anyways

You:"SHOW THE WORLD WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF HUN!!!!" A slight burn in your Ring makes you look down at it. "What the hell is up with this thing today?" You look up and just barely make out Cinder, she's smiling slightly as she gets up and walks away...where's she running off to?

Port(Intercom):"Would all other combatants please leave the stage!" You focus back on the upcoming fight.

The other do what Port says as Yang starts walking up to Mercury in the middle as the floor around them opens once more, with a ring of spotlights rising up to automatically fix their lights on the remaining two. Oh classic-like duel, no biome randomness and advantages here.

Jack:"GET 'EM YANG!!!!" Jack's pumped up to say the least.

Sophie:"WIN ONE FOR US YANG!!!! So is Sophie! Jack places a hand on your shoulder as you both focus in on what they're saying.

Yang:"You better not go easy on me." Mercury laughs darkly. Well that's an evil laugh if you've ever heard one...

Mercury:"You wish." Both brawlers face the crowds one last time, then slowly start advancing on each other, arms raised defensively until their hands can almost touch, as the final countdown commences.

Port:"Three! Two! One! Begin!"

Immediately, Yang throws a punch, and Mercury spins his foot to meet it, creating a shockwave between the weapons that launches him back. He closes the distance quickly and aims at her feet with his boot, but she leaps over it and fires off a shot of her Ember Celica that he rotates to avoid. They fight fist-to-fist for a moment, Yang getting in a fiery blast on Mercury at the cost of him also landing a blow on her. She falls back on her feet when Mercury shoots himself into the air to get farther away from her, looking up and smiling. Yang doesn't relent for a second, launching shot after shot only for Mercury to dodge each of them, sliding around the stage on clouds of air until he attempts to come down on her with his leg. She blocks and pushes away the attack, but he goes under her shotgun burst and manages to land a kick on her, though she still lands in a crouch, now grimacing. She launches forward with a double blast and continues landing blow after blazing blow on him, right up to when he roundhouse kicks her in the back and attempts to hit her with his heel. She gets out just in time and punches he ground trying to get him, but he leaps out and twirls to get a hit on her. One of his kicks seems to pass over her, but then he brings it down hard enough to shatter the steel underneath, which Yang narrowly rolls backward to avoid.

They exchange kicks after this attack until Mercury hits her backwards, and he rushes forward only to receive a fist to his chin, then his torso, knocking him on his stomach. He gets up right as Yang starts raining down fire again, causing him to somersault back until one explosion causes him to get knocked off of the stage. He saves himself by firing his boots downward and flying back in front of his enemy, unleashing a series of kicks that she deflects with her arms. She ducks under one attack only to receive another as Mercury jumps into the air to knock her back, and he follows it up with a shot from his boots. Yang avoids it effortlessly, not noticing it still hanging around behind her.

Switching tactics, Mercury starts shooting his foot out in every direction, each kick into the air accompanied by a silvery blast that are barely even aimed at Yang. You realize that he's doing the attack he did against Team CFVY, she dodges each one coming her way and gets in close through the circling barrage of shots, fighting with their fists again until Mercury kicks her into the air and knocks her right back to the ground, followed by the dozens of swirling shots that now converge right on to Yang. You look closely, your foot tapping impatiently as you hope she hasn't been eliminated due to that. When the blasts stop coming down on his opponent, Mercury gets up from his crouch and grins to himself, dusting off his outfit and seeming as happy as can be until the smoke from behind him erupts into flames.

You:"MMM! GET 'EM BABE!" You yell as your burning love slams her knuckles together and rushes at him, screaming as she lands a punch that sends him back, and she rushes up avoiding each kick and even taking one with no effect to pound at him with an unrelenting bombardment of left-right blows. He has enough time to let out a pained groan before she hits him in the stomach, his Aura sparkling up to try and defend him from the last hit to the face by Yang. He lands on his back as the buzzer sounds over the roars of the audience. Port begins to speak as Yang breaths out a sigh of relief. As you all vividly clap in happiness.

Port: "What a way to kick off the finals!"

Oobleck: (while the stage is enclosed by the stadium floor again) Yang Xiao Long wins!"

You:"HELL TO THE YES!!!!!"

Ruby:"Yeah! You did it, sis!"

Blake:"Way to go, Yang!" Jack stops holding onto your shoulder as he gives you a high five as you all look at Yang who's just circling around Merc, probably just telling him that he fought well and to do better next time or something like that.

But then it feels like the world just stops as your beloved Yang just all of a sudden fires her Ember Celica on Mercury's leg as the sound of something painfully breaking rings out across the coliseum...

You:"YANG!?" Your eyes widen vividly as suddenly the cheers from the crowds turn into intense booing, people cursing her name left and right. You feel...just...pure confusion as to what led her to do something as stupid as this? Something's not right here!

Oobleck(Intercom):"My word!"

Port: (Intercom):"Cut the cameras!" 

Mercury:"My leg, MY LEG!" He yells as he rocks back and forth in pain.

Yang:"That's what you get, you little- Huh?" she stops just as she notices the Atlesian Knight-200 droids and two Soldiers circling the Huntress-in-training and raising their guns to her

You:"Damn it! I gotta get down to her!" You are about to burst down into the arena but you get grabbed by Sophie, her jacket's a pure black as she has the slightest hint of a black mist surrounding her. She's pissed to say the least...

Soldier:"Yang Xiao Long, stand down!"

Yang:"What!? Why!?" Gah! You feel like you can't do crap about this situation! Involving yourself will only make this seem worse than it is!

Emerald: Mercury!" she rushes over to her Mercury's side, comforting him

Mercury:"Why'd she do that!? WHY'D SHE ATTACK ME!?" Yang gets a disgusted look from Emerald, only now looking up at the screens above her to see the footage of what just happened, she looks stunned...almost like...what you felt when you saw footage of yourself against Izunia. You begin piecing things together as you look down at Yang, your face visibly confused with the similarities beginning to stack. She looks up at you all, just devastation beginning to appear on her face as you yell

You:"Damn it!" You don't know why but you just stop letting Sophie hold you back as you blast over to them. You land on the arena platform as Atlesian guards and Atlesian Knights point their guns at you." You arrived just in time to see Mercury being pulled away on a stretcher with Emerald by his side...yep his leg is definitely broken, ouch. Yang looks devastated as she looks back at you.

Atlas Officer:"Don't take a step closer!" He yells as their guns are loaded and are aimed at both you and Yang

You:"She's part of my team and I don't appreciate you all holding guns to her head!" You yell in anger as Atlesian Knights surround you as well.

Atlas Officer:"She just incapacitated a student that she had already beaten! I don't care if you're part of her team, you need to leave!"

Yang:"You don't understand! He attacked me, I swear!" The same Atlas Officer turns and yells

Atlas Officer:"Stow it! You've both already caused enough of a scene!" They raise their weapons in response...your face scowls in fury as you see General Ironwood approaching you all. Ugh this day is gonna be a REALLY DAMN LONG ONE AIN'T IT!?

(Later| RWBY'S DORM)

You're all back in your room with General Ironwood who's been simply just berating both you and Yang, and MOSTLY Yang about your guys's actions today. Which of course has placed you in a REAL pissed off mood.

Ironwood:"I'm sorry, but you've left us with no choice."

Yang:"But he attacked me!"

Ironwood:"Video footage and millions of viewers say otherwise."

You:"Sir, with all due respect the SAME thing happened to me in my fight with Izunia! She wouldn't stoop to that level, sir!"

Weiss:"Yang would never do that!"

Ruby:"Yeah!" She says as she gets up. Ironwood turns around as you see Yang sigh and place her head in her hands...you look down at her as you rub her shoulder slowly...

Ironwood:"You all seem like good students, and the staff here at Beacon are fully aware that you would never lash out the way you did... under normal circumstances." You look at Ruby as she sits back down."What I believe and hope this to be is nothing more than the result of stress and adrenaline. When you're out on the battlefield, your judgment can become clouded in an instant. Sometimes you see things that simply aren't there. Even after the fight is past...and the very same applies to you (F). We've already talked about this."

You:"Sir, I'd understand if this was one time thing but this type of situation JUST happened with the same exact reasoning!"

Ironwood:"This is just a coincidence, might I remind you all that you've all been through rough patches already in your short time of being Huntsmen and Huntresses?"

Yang:"But this is different! I wasn't-!"

Ironwood(angrily stern):"That's ENOUGH!" He yells as the room gets quiet...you expected him to snap...seeing how now Beacon is being pro"The sad truth is, whether it was an accident or an assault, it doesn't matter. The world saw you attack an innocent student. The world ALSO saw two students trying to kill each other over an exaggerated rivalry" He looks at both you and Yang as you lower your head. "They've already drawn their own conclusions. And it's my job to inform you that...you are disqualified." Yang is shocked...before that shock turns into misery as she looks to the ground "And...though it is not my duty to inform you...(F) and Jack may soon no longer be involved with Team RWBY. You all look up and glance at each other in shock.

You:"I'm sorry, what!?" You say while standing up as Ironwood looks at you.

Ironwood:"The headmasters of the Huntsmen Academies have noticed that this team in particular has been in the most accidents, stirred up the most trouble, and has had the most conflict with outside forces. They believe that the extra addition of two 'unofficial' members has drastically increased the amount of problems your team generates."

Ruby:"No that's absolutely not true! (F) and Jack are VITAL to our team, taking them away will just leave things all messed up!"

Ironwood:"I understand that, and that's exactly what I and Ozpin have been arguing in favor for leaving (F) and Jack on your team. We will try our best to stop this, or at the very least delay it. But I simply wanted to inform you of this so you all digest this information." Ironwood leaves the room...the door closes as you all feel just...empty inside. You place you head in your hands. Yang looks up.

Yang:"You guys believe me, right?"

You:"Of-freakin' course hun!"

Ruby:"Duh!"

Weiss:"You're hotheaded, but not ruthless." She says while shaking her head. "And I think I owe you a bit of an apology (F), with THIS 'incident' happening and the exact same argument being argued I feel that you're in the clear." Sophie nods

Sophie:"Same here, sorry I didn't trust you at first (F)...and...sorry you have to go through this Yang..." You sigh, well at least now they believe you about what happened with Izunia.

Jack(Quietly):"I believe you..."Jack says silently, he seems to be really out of it considering you were both just told you might be leaving your team soon enough

Yang:"Blake?" She looks at her as Blake turns her gaze away, you exchange looks with Ruby, Weiss, Jack, and Sophie.

Blake:"I want to believe you..."

Ruby:"Huh!?"

Weiss:"What's that supposed to mean?"

Yang:"Blake?" she says in a hurt voice as her eyes widen and tears form...that look just freakin' decimated your heart.

Weiss:"How can you say something like that? Yang would never lie to us!" Blake takes a deep breath before starting.

Blake:"I had someone very dear to me change. It wasn't in an instant, it was gradual - little choices that began to pile up. He told me not to worry. At first they were accidents, then it was self-defense. Before long, even I began to think he was right."she pauses as you realize that she's talking about Adam..."This is all just... very familiar." Yang looks up, tears now falling down her face "But you're not him. And you've never done anything like this before. So... I want to trust you. I will trust you. But first, I need you to look me in the eyes and tell me that he attacked you. I need you to promise me that you regret having to do what you did." Yang wipes her eyes

Yang:"I saw him attack me, so I attacked back." lets out a deep breath as she closes her eyes and smiles

Blake:"Okay. Thank you." There's a slight pause in the room

Jack:"This isn't right..." They all look over at Jack, lightning slightly crackling over him as he just has his head in his hands "...Why is this happening to our team?"

Weiss:"What do you mean?"

Jack:"Just look at us! These past few days has just been terrible for our team! The knowledge of a incredibly powerful amalgamation can appear at any moment just leaves us worried and vulnerable, the destructive fight between (F) and Izunia that got US disqualified and put a bad reputation on (F)'s name and now THIS!?" Jack's lightning spikes violently as Ruby places a hand on his shoulder

Ruby:"Jack please...this is has just been a bad week." Jack angrily gets up

Jack:"No this is more than that! From the start it feels like OUR team's been through the most crap. We've been through things that no normal FIRST YEAR student should be facing, maybe they're right about separating us...?" You all widen your eyes slightly.

Blake:"You're...actually suggesting that you and (F) get placed on another team?"

Weiss:"I may have considered it and joked about it in the past Jack but you both are too valuable to this team to just be taken away."

Jack:"But...are we? (F)'s powerful yes, but he places ANOTHER target on our backs due to not JUST knowing Torchwick personally, we now have to deal with Neo who Yang's already fully aware of how strong of a fighter she is, our father, you know THE ONE WHO'S BEEN EXPERIMENTED ON AND WAS 'HYPER EVOLVED' AND IS A FREAKIN' MANTICORE FAUNUS. And if THAT wasn't enough, we have objectively the most powerful individual we currently know of after us who could be here at ANY time that he wants...so YES I feel like we're a damn liability to the team." 

Ruby:"But where you both even go? Without us you'll have no one else to protect you..." Ruby slowly gets up, approaching Jack.

Jack:"But by being here we're just a danger to you...I'm starting to think I shouldn't have become a Huntsman in the first place." You all look at him in shock. Dear lord...poor Jack must be broken on the inside...

Ruby:"Jack-" Jack sparks out the door in an instant...you all look at the door...

You"He'll be alright Ruby...he's just at his breaking point...he'll calm down eventually, he's just scared." They all nod at you. You turn to Yang who's just silently staring at the ground. You place a hand on her back "You okay Yang?" She snaps out of her trance and glances up.

Yang:"...I think I just need to rest up." You all stand up smiling

Blake: "We'll get out of your hair."

You all walk outside of the room, where Ruby is closing the door, she pauses for a second as you see Yang slump forward before shutting it completely... She joins you and the others in the middle of the hallway. Weiss sighs and shakes her head

Weiss:"This is a mess..." 

You:"That's an understatement..."You hear the sound of a door opening and you see Team JNPR peering around the edge of the door concerned.

Jaune:"She doing okay?"

Blake:"She's doing the best she can." Ruby holds her hands up

Ruby:"I heard Mercury and his team rushed back to Haven to be with his family. So, until they land, no one can really question him about what happened."

Ren:"If there's anything we can do, please don't hesitate to ask." Ruby looks down

Ruby:"All right then. If that's the case..."she turns her gaze up again "Pyrrha?" Pyrrha looks over to Ruby as she is sitting on a bed.

Pyrrha:"Hm?" Ruby clenches her hands and holds them up as she puts on a grin...or at least tries to...can't blame her for not being able to look strong, especially with today's events.

Ruby:"You be sure to win one for Beacon, okay?" You all smile sadly afterwards

Weiss:"It's what Yang would want." Pyrrha turns her head away...is something up with her? She looks back attempting to look confident...yeah, something's up with her. Jeez it's been a REALLY bad day for all of you...you sigh...can't get any worse...can it?

Pyrrha:"I'll... do my best."

Ruby(excitedly):"I'll be sure to watch tonight in case you're picked!" Pyrrha looks away as the door to Team JNPR's room closes.

Blake:"Sorry but, I think I've had enough fighting for one year."Weiss nods

Weiss:"Ditto." She pauses "Coffee?"

Blake:"Tea." They both walk away as only you, Ruby and Sophie remain.

Ruby:"So...what are you two going to do?"

You:"Well I'll probably wait around Beacon for a bit so I can talk to Yang alone...I'll try and join you later to watch the rest of the tournament with you afterwards. But...can I ask that you try and find Jack, I think he needs someone to just be his shoulder to cry on if it's not too much to ask." Ruby smiles

Ruby:"I was planning to find anyways. I'll meet you at the stadium then." You both look at lil' Sophie. "And how about you Oreo?" She lightly smiles at her nickname being said

Sophie:"I...think I'm just gonna head home to mom, it's been a real long day, and I just NEED to talk to mom about some things..." You both nod and lightly smile

Ruby:"Well...I'll see you guys around I guess? Bye." She speeds off as rose petals are just left all on the ground. You look at Sophie, her jacket's been black the entire day, and the hint of that dark aura is still emanating off of her, she walks away as you sigh, alone in the empty hallway.

You:"God this day has been a mess..."

(Well all I can say is to prepare for some heartbreak next chapter..., next chapter should be up very soon.)