A/N: A question to start todays chapter. If you could be reborn into any anime world, what would it be and why? For me personally, I would want to live in the RWBY world (go figure), the Danmachi world, or the SAO world. I'm adventurous by nature, and a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so those worlds sound the most fun to me. With that out of the way, let me get down to business. I'm in the process of starting my SAO story. This one will be my oc's adventure through the game and story, and not the Kirito back in time one. For that one I want to do things right, which involves a lot of research and other painstaking tasks. I don't know when the first chapter for that one will be ready, but I will let you all know when. This story is almost at 100k words, and the support is immense for it. Thank you all for reading and enjoy. Rhino out.
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It has been two days since Topaz successfully captured the Hunter in Mantle, and currently Topaz is sound asleep in his dorm room. The clock on the wall in the room reads 4:30 a.m. The door to his room is suddenly thrown open and Winter Schnee stands in the doorway.
Winter: "Topaz, wake up!"
Topaz: "Wha?"
Winter: "You are needed in General Ironwood's office. Immediately."
Topaz: "Ok, ok. Give me a sec to get ready."
Winter: "Very well. Please hurry."
Quickly getting changed and getting ready for the day, Topaz leaves his room after telling Neo and Ariel to go back to bed. Following Winter through the silent Atlas Academy, and quickly into General Ironwood's office. General Ironwood has an irritated look on his face caused by something that Topaz determines is not good.
Winter: "General Ironwood sir! I've brought Topaz as you requested."
Ironwood: "Thank you Winter. You may leave now."
Winter: "Right away sir."
Winter quickly leaves the room and as the door closes General Ironwood turns to Topaz.
Ironwood: "Topaz, I'm sorry for calling for you so early in the morning. There are two issues that require your personal attention. One is urgent, and the other I've been told to tell you is also urgent, even though it is really low priority."
Topaz: "What might they be sir?"
Ironwood: "The most dangerous of the two is the news that the Hunter has somehow escaped."
Topaz: "What!"
Ironwood: "I don't know how, but when his cell was searched earlier this morning, it was empty. There is no sign of forced entry or exit, which means I have a traitor amongst my men. I'm going to need your assistance in capturing him once again."
Topaz: "Of course sir. That bastard deserves to be locked up."
Ironwood: "I agree."
Topaz: "What is the other matter that needs my attention sir?"
Ironwood: "Right, thank you for reminding me. One of my men has demanded that you see him."
Topaz: "Why?"
Ironwood: "I'm not sure to be honest. The only thing he has told me is that he needs to test you for the future of his family. Whatever that means."
Topaz: May I ask for his name?"
Ironwood: "His name is Specialist Roger Tumaki. He runs a sparring gym near by the academy while he is not on duty. He said for you to meet him there."
Topaz: "He must be a relative of Ariel's. Sure, I'll stop by there when I have free time."
Ironwood: "Why don't you go and visit him today, then you can focus on the Hunter without other concerns."
Topaz: "Sounds good to me. It will be nice to meet more of Ariel's family."
Ironwood: "Why don't you take her and Neo along with you. It might be good training for them to participate in the gym as well."
Topaz: "Sure, let me know if you hear anything on the Hunter."
Ironwood: "Will do."
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A few hours have gone by since Topaz's meeting with General Ironwood, Topaz is currently standing in front of a large white building. Above the double doors are large letters that spell out 'Tumaki Gym' in large pink letters. Walking into the doors, Topaz sees a lone desk in front of him with a small woman with light brown hair sitting behind it.
????: "Welcome to Tumaki Gym, how can I help you kids today?"
Topaz: "Hello there, my name is Topaz. I was informed by General Ironwood that Specialist Tumaki wanted to see me."
????: "Oh! You are Topaz? My name is Cindy, and I'm Roger's wife. It's so nice to meet you, and Ariel it's good to see you again, you've gotten so big."
Ariel: "I'm sorry, have we met before?"
Cindy: "Right, I'm sorry. The last time I saw you, you were an infant being held by your mother. You wouldn't remember me."
Ariel: "Oh, well it's nice to meet you, officially that is."
Cindy: "Yes, nice to meet you."
Neo: "It's a pleasure to meet you Cindy, my name is Neo. I'm their girlfriend as well."
As soon as Neo introduced herself as another of Topaz's girlfriend, the air gets cold and Cindy stares at Topaz with animosity.
Cindy: "You dare cheat on my niece you little bastard."
Ariel: "Woah, Cindy please calm down. Topaz is not cheating on me. Neo is special to both of us. At first I was hesitant with her, but before long, I found myself falling in love with her as well. She's a sweet girl (A/N: pun fully intended there) and I don't know what I would do without her or Topaz."
Cindy: "Fine, as long as you are happy."
Ariel: "I am, more than I ever thought possible."
Cindy: "Good. Now let's go see Roger. A fair warning to you Topaz, prepare yourself for a tough fight. He isn't exactly happy that his niece is dating a faunus."
Topaz: "I don't really care what he thinks about me being a faunus. But if he tries anything that puts Ariel or Neo in harms way, we will have issues."
Ariel: "It'll be ok Topaz. My guess is he wants to test you to see if you are capable enough to protect me."
Topaz: "Fine, let's get this over with."
Cindy: "Follow me, I will take you to him."
Walking through the gym, Topaz sees different people sparring with different combat styles, ranging from hand to hand to full on weapons combat. A few of the combatants would stop their fight as Topaz would walk by and give Topaz a glare or scoff as he'd walk by.
Topaz: "Shocker, another faunus loving place on Atlas."
Cindy: "I'm sorry. Sadly, most of the people here are fed the anti-faunus propaganda from the Schnee Dust Company and believe it all."
Topaz: "Whatever, I'm used to it. They keep their distance and I'll keep mine."
????: "Cindy, what brings you back here dear?"
Cindy: "Roger, Topaz has come to answer your summons."
Roger: "Oh, the faunus is here. Well boy, you have a lot of nerve trying to corrupt my niece."
Ariel: "Corru-"
Topaz: "It's ok Ariel. Pleased to meet you sir. I don't know what you mean by corrupting her, but if my loving her is corrupting her then I guess I am."
Roger: "Don't try me. Get in the ring, I apparently need to teach you some manners. Everyone gather round, it's time to show this animal where he belongs."
Standing in the combat ring, Topaz stretches and faces off against Roger and sees the entire population of the gym gathering around the ring with looks of pure elation on their faces. Ariel and Neo look slightly worried, and Cindy just looks disappointed.
Roger: "Are you ready for your lesson?"
Topaz: "Bring it on old man. As long as you don't put Ariel or Neo in any danger we will be fine."
Roger draws his sword and points it towards Topaz. It's a long rapier and judging by his stance, Topaz determines that he is a speed based fighter. Taking a deep breath Topaz prepares for the onslaught of attacks.
Cindy: "Fighters ready? Fight!"
On Cindy's call, Roger rushes at Topaz quickly. Aiming for Topaz's chest, the blade comes closer and closer, until it is parried away by the shaft of Topaz's spear. Continuing his momentum, Roger rolls past Topaz and turns to make another run. This goes on for another 10 minutes with Roger going on the offensive and Topaz dodging or parrying his attacks. The longer the fight goes on the angrier Roger and the crowd get.
????: "Stop dodging and fight like a man!"
Roger: "Stand still you damn animal!"
Roger makes another run, trying to stab Topaz in the chest once again. When Roger sees Topaz shift his spear, he changes his attack to a diagonal slash, fully intending to strike Topaz down. Topaz's calm expression infuriates Roger further, causing him to put even more power behind his attack. Topaz decides to show Roger his ability, and lets the blade hit him at the base of his neck.
Roger: "Die!"
*SNAP*
The crowd, and Roger watch with wide eyes as Roger's rapier snaps on impact. Jumping back from Topaz, Roger looks at Topaz with wide eyes.
Roger: "What are you, you monster!"
Topaz: "I'm no monster, nor am I just some simple animal. I am Topaz Nemea."
Cindy: "The fight is over! Topaz is the winner!"
Ariel: "Uncle, I have some very choice words for you."
Roger: "But Ariel, I did it for your sake."
Ariel: "My sake? You dare demand my boyfriend meets with you, challenge him to a fight to 'show him his place', and attempt to kill him, for my sake?! I don't think so. You did this for your own greed and unwarranted hatred."
Roger: "Ariel I-"
Ariel: "I don't want to hear it. I don't get what everyone in Atlas' hatred for faunus is all about. They are people too, but for whatever reason you all treat them like they are less than you. If that is how you are going to act then never speak to me again. I want nothing to do with you then."
Cindy: "Let me show you three out. I apologize for my husbands actions."
Topaz turns and gives Roger one final look.
Topaz: "It was nice meeting you sir. Thank you for the warm up."
Turning, Topaz walks out of the gym and out into the cool Atlas air.