A/N: Before the story begins, I just want to answer to some of the confusion I've seen to the story so far. My thought behind introducing Topaz to the Xioa Long/Rose family was to try and keep Summer alive in the most realistic way possible. By introducing Topaz to the family, it would give Summer more incentive to stay at home and help raise the kids. My idea behind the early kidnapping was to give incentive to Ruby and Yang to grow stronger themselves. Whether what I did was right, is up to you guys, but I hope I was able to help clear it up a little.
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Markus: "Well, well, well. Looks like it'll be another win for me today. No way an animal can beat the likes of me. Well cat, let's see what you've got."
What can be said about Markus. Topaz can see that he carries a two-handed sword and has a simple chest plate on his chest. That is the only thing Topaz cares about enough to notice about him. Taking another deep breath, Topaz gets into the combat stance that Mike drilled into him.
Announcer: "Now that both combatants are out and ready, let's get this show on the road. Fighters, FIGHT!"
On the announcer's call, Markus rushes towards Topaz and swings his blade at him with a heavy vertical slash. Taking a step to the side, Topaz parries his attack with a light swipe from his ax, and then kicks him in the small of his back, causing him to stumble by Topaz. Markus rounds on Topaz, furious. He rushes at Topaz again and swipes at him quickly with a downwards diagonal slash, when Topaz steps to the side, Markus turns on the ball of his foot and continues his slash towards Topaz horizontally. Seeing the attack coming, Topaz raises his ax to block the attack, but underestimated the power behind the attack, and is sent back a few feet.
Markus: "HA, take that!"
Slowly rotating his wrist to shake off the sting from that block, Topaz looks towards Markus and gives him a grin, trying to get on his nerves, and it works. With a roar, Markus charges at Topaz again and slashes at him with another horizontal slash. Learning from his last attack, instead of blocking, Topaz returns his slash with a vertical one of his own and slashes down on his outstretched blade, burying it in the dirt. With a backhanded swing Topaz slashes across his chest and sends him to the ground. Topaz then stands over him and points the head of his ax towards Markus' neck. He clutches at his chest, only to find a large scratch on his chest plate, then looks at the situation he finds himself in.
Markus: "Phew, thank goodness for this thing. And I yield, I don't want to die. You forgive me for the things I said right?"
Topaz: "Whatever, I have no desire to kill for someone's entertainment."
Announcer: "Well, there you have it ladies and gentlemen. Markus has yielded to Topaz, which means the Schnee Dust Company is the winner of this wager match."
After a few moments of silence from the surprised crowd, they suddenly erupt into cheers. Topaz sees Mr. Schnee up in the crowd give a single nod of approval before turning and walking away. Going back into the door which he came from, Topaz puts the ax back where it is supposed to go, then waits for the other door to open and let him return to his room. After a few minutes, said door opens and as Topaz walks out, he sees Mike standing there alongside Mr. Schnee.
Mr. Schnee: "Well, I guess that your performance was acceptable seeing as your victory made me money."
When the Schnee turns around Mike gives Topaz a thumbs up and a smile, and then motions for Topaz to follow him. Following after Mike, he leads Topaz to his room and then opens the door allowing him to enter. As soon as Topaz enters the room Mike follows in and closes the door behind himself.
Mike: "Good job today kid. As little as he shows it, Mr. Schnee is also happy of your victory. Seeing as you aren't hurt, we will continue with the usual training tomorrow, but focus with the ax since it appears to be your weapon of choice. Get some rest kid."
Topaz: "Thank you sir."
As Mike leaves the room, Topaz enters the bathroom and quickly cleans himself before returning to bed. Sleep quickly overtakes him. When he awakes the next morning he quickly notices another note lying on the end-table next to the bed.
{Kid, it seems that things are going to go a little differently today than we had planned. I'm sorry to say, but it seems that Mr. Schnee will be taking you with him as he travels to Atlas. He didn't give me a full reason, but mentioned something along the lines of entertainment for some guests he will be expecting. So good luck, you're going to need it.}
Seeing the note, Topaz can't help but worry about the night to come. After a few hours, the door opens, and a maid walks in holding a weird looking package in the shape of a shirt. The maid then opens the package and shows Topaz a simple suit. She informs him that, that is the apparel for him this evening. Topaz looks at the suit then turns back to the maid rather embarrased.
Topaz: "Um, I don't know how to wear that."
The maid blinks twice as she processes the new information. She then explains the proper way to put it on step by step. After a little while, Topaz stands there in a new suit with a look of discomfort. The maid walks up to him, and then proceeds to tie the tie around his neck, then steps back and nods in approval of her work.
Maid: "If you would kindly follow me, I shall lead you to Master Schnee, so that he may inform you on what tonight will all hold."
She then turns and walks off at a moderate pace. Topaz falls in step with her pace and then continue to follow her as she makes her way through the halls. After almost 10 minutes of walking, she stops and then puts her hand onto one of the black screens that Mike has used in the past. The door opens and inside Topaz sees Mr. Schnee standing there next to a car.
Mr. Schnee: "Well it's about time you showed up animal. I swear it shouldn't take so long to dress yourself, but oh well, at least you look presentable. Now get in, we shall discuss what will happen on the way."
He turns and enters the open door and then gestures for Topaz to follow him. Getting in, Topaz sits across from the Schnee on opposite ends of the vehicle. The door closes after he enters and the driver then enters the driver's seat and begins to set off.
Mr. Schnee: "Now then, tonight I will be having you as a 'Guest of Honor' so to speak for this little gala I'm putting together to show the world that the Schnee Dust Company is on good terms with its anim-, I mean faunus help."
Topaz: "Okay, so what should I do then?"
Mr. Schnee: "That's the best part. You don't have to do anything. Just sit there and smile, and when I ask how things are, you just tell everyone that things are great, with extra enthusiasm that only kids can give. Sound good? Good."
Topaz: "I can do that."
The rest of the ride continues quietly. Topaz just stares out the window and watches as the world passes by. After a few hours, they arrive at an open field with a large white ship. Once the car parks, the driver exits the car and then proceeds to open the door for Mr. Schnee and Topaz. Leaving the car, Topaz follows Mr. Schnee towards the ship. He boards the ship and wonders just how the night will go.