Chereads / The Strength Needed: A RWBY Tale / Chapter 31 - Chapter 31:

Chapter 31 - Chapter 31:

Port: "The match will begin in 3...2...1... START!"

On Professor Port's signal, Topaz rushes into the forest and makes himself scarce in the foliage. Hearing footsteps near him, he quietly makes his way over, and finds Skye walking around, probably looking for him. Topaz decides to have a little fun, so he picks up a rock and tosses it near Skye. Watching Skye jump at the sudden sound almost caused Topaz to break into laughter. Topaz watches Skye slowly creep through the forest, turning around every ten steps. Topaz decides he's had enough fun and drops down onto Skye, knocking him unconscious immediately. Rushing through the forest, Topaz sees Cardin and Dove hiding behind a rock to avoid Ariel's blade whip.

Cardin: "Dammit, this bitch just won't stop."

Dove: "I know! Just wait until we get our hands on her. We will show her, her place."

Hearing them say every word infuriated Topaz. Not caring about stealth any longer, Topaz walks out from the forest and makes his way over to Cardin and Dove. Cardin turns and sees him approaching so he smiles and shouts.

Cardin: "NOW!"

A single shot rings out from behind Topaz. He turns and feels the bullet fly by his shoulder. Pulling out his own gun, Topaz fires towards where he heard the shot come from. Hearing a pained groan, Topaz faces Cardin and continues walking forwards.

Cardin: "Stay back you animal. Or else."

Topaz: "Or else what Cardin. What could you possibly do to me?"

Cardin: "Who knows. Maybe your little girlfriend would like to find ou-"

Before Cardin could finish his sentence, Topaz punches him in the cheek. Hearing a sickening crunch and watching Cardin flop on the ground unconscious brings a smile to Topaz's face. Topaz then turns to Dove and cracks his knuckles.

Topaz: "No one. And I mean no one, talks about Ariel like that. Especially people like you. Pathetic wannabes who get off from making fun of people."

Dove: "Shut up animal. You should know your place, and its below our feet. Fu-"

Topaz stares wide eyed as Dove is lifted up a foot, by a foot, sent into his manhood from behind. Watching Dove sink to the ground holding his manhood in agony. Looking to see who did it, Topaz sees Ariel standing there with a smug look on her face.

Ariel: "What? If they think I'm just going to sit there and let someone speak badly of you then they are dead wrong."

Topaz: *chuckling* "You're the best Ariel."

Ariel: "I know."

Port: "Um... Well seeing how Dove Bronzewing is refusing to stand back up after that hit, we will take it as him forfeiting. So with that, team SATN is our winners."

Ooblek: "I'm sure every male audience member, or any male watching at home feels nothing but sympathy for Mr. Bronzewing, regardless if he deserved it or not."

Port: "Right you are doctor. Our medical staff may want to have ice at the ready."

Topaz and Ariel laugh at the commentary and make their way over to their teammates holding hands like the deviants they are.

Nova: "Remind me not to get on your badside Ariel. I felt that pain from way over here."

Scarlett: "As much as I would like to say he is overreacting, he did jump when the hit occurred."

Topaz: "Don't worry about it, I think every guy was in the same boat there."

Ariel: "Good, everyone needs to get it into their skulls that you, and every faunus out there are not animals, but people too. And let's be honest, none of the four of them need to reproduce. Technically I did the future world a favor."

Nova: "Gods Ariel, as true as that is, that's dark."

As Topaz and his team make their way out of the arena, they run into team RWBY and team JNPR. Everyone laughs when Jaune flinches when Ariel turns towards him.

Jaune: "It's not funny. I think I might be traumatized from that hit."

Yang: "Jaune, imagine how Dove feels."

Blake: "He most likely won't be able to walk straight for a while."

Yang: *under her breathe* "Wish you'd do that to me."

Topaz chokes on air at her comment while everyone else just looks at him strangely. Aside from Yang who has gone red from embarrassment.

Blake: "Did you say something that caused that Yang?"

Yang: "Nope, I did nothing."

Blake: "You're all red, are you feeling alright."

Yang: "Never better! Let's move on."

Topaz makes his way over to Pyrra.

Topaz: "Hey Pyrra, how goes things with Jaune?"

Pyrra: "Um, he trains with me most days, so I feel like we are closer because of that."

Topaz: "Pyrra, all you need to do is tell him how you feel. I will almost guarantee he will feel the same way."

Pyrra: "I don't know."

Topaz: "It's ok Pyrra. Don't force yourself, but also don't wait too long. Jaune is clueless, but the moment someone starts showing him how they feel he will start favoring them. You got this Pyrra, and if you need any help Ariel and I will be waiting."

Pyrra: "Thanks Topaz."

Topaz: "Don't mention it."

Topaz and Ariel split off from everyone else and walk around Vale just enjoying each other's company. They stopped at a little ice cream store and each bought a cone. Topaz was enjoying his chocolate ice cream when he felt his hand being pulled. Looking over to Ariel who was pulling on his arm, she stared at him with puppy dog eyes.

Topaz: *sigh* "Here, take it."

Handing over the rest of his ice cream, Ariel happily eats it quickly. Topaz chuckles and watches her as she eats.

Ariel: "Thank you."

Topaz: "You're welcome."

The two happily continue their little date around the city for a while longer before making their way back to Beacon. When they arrived at Beacon they find the courtyard a mess. Concrete shattered here and there, and what looks like atlas robots torn to pieces scattered about.

Ariel: "What happened here? I hope everyone is ok."

Topaz: "I'm sure everyone is fine."

Making their way towards Ozpin's office to make sure everything is alright. As they get there, a woman in an Atlas specialist uniform angrily walks out of the elevator. Her white hair is put up in a bun, and her bangs are parted to one side. Topaz stiffens when he recognizes her. Feelings of frustration and fear begin to resurface and he begins to slip into panic. But before he slips too far, a comforting hand grabs his own and gives it a reassuring squeeze. Taking a deep breathe Topaz faces the woman in front of him.

Topaz: "Another Schnee. Great."

????: "Do I know you, or are you just another faunus that hates the Schnee name?"

Ariel: "I'm sorry ma'am. Topaz had an incident with your father when he was younger. I don't know what exactly happened, but whatever it was, it's left a bad place in his mind."

????: "My name is Winter, please use it instead of ma'am. It makes me feel old. And as for what my father did, I apologize."

Topaz: *takes a deep breath* "I-It's ok Winter, thank you. My name is Topaz, and this is my girlfriend Ariel."

Winter: "Ah, so you are the one that Weiss mentioned. I should have known."

Ariel: "Winter, do you know what happened in the courtyard?"

Winter freezes and begins to look both nervous and embarrassed at the question.

Winter: "Well, you see. I was just leaving my ship upon my arrival when suddenly some drunk bastard started a fight."

Topaz: "Oh no."

Ariel: "What's wrong Topaz?"

Topaz: "The drunk bastard wouldn't happen to be Qrow Branwen would it?"

Winter: "Yes it would. Why?"

Topaz: "Great, that means he is here."

Ariel: "Wait, why is Qrow being here a bad thing?"

Topaz: "Qrow always reeks of alcohol. It hurts my nose to be near him."

Winter: "I concur with that assessment."

Ariel: "Ok then. I guess I will take your guys' words for it. I've only known him as a teacher, and he wasn't drunk then."

Topaz: "No he was, just not overly so."

The elevator suddenly opens, and General Ironwood walks out, followed by Qrow.

Qrow: "Hey look, it's the Ice Queen, and... Topaz! It's good to see you squirt."

Topaz: "I'm not a squirt old man."

Qrow: "I'm not old. You know I have the inappropriate stories to back that up."

Ironwood: "Topaz, it's good to see you again. Good win today, as painful as it was to watch. You young lady, have a powerful kick."

Ariel: "Thank you."

Topaz: "General Ironwood, nice to see you too."

Ironwood: "Winter, I hope you and Topaz didn't cause each other any trouble."

Ariel: "They were fine General. A little abrasive at first, but Topaz quickly calmed down."

Ironwood: "I see. I guess it's understandable given the circumstances of his past."

The elevator doors open once more, and Professor Ozpin walks out followed by Professor Goodwitch.

Ozpin: "Oh, hello students. What brings you here this evening?"

Topaz: "We came over to make sure everything was ok. We got back and saw all the damage to the courtyard and couldn't help but worry."

Ozpin: "Everything is fine. There is no need to worry."

Topaz: "We heard the story and understand."

Ozpin: "Very good. We should all make our way to our rooms for the night. It'll be another busy day tomorrow."

Topaz and Ariel head towards their dorm room and quickly head to bed. Tomorrow starts the doubles portion of the tournament. And after discussing it with their team, Topaz and Ariel will represent team SATN given their good teamwork and coordination.