ALL NOVEL Chapter 17: Chapter 7: Training with New Powers
The training hall was alive with the sounds of clashing weapons and bursts of energy, echoing off the walls as Team RWBY and JNPR tested their newfound abilities. Their movements were sharper, faster, and imbued with the strange powers of their E.G.O identities. Above the arena, Ozpin and Glynda stood on the observation balcony, watching with keen interest.
Ruby darted across the arena with blinding speed, Crimson Scar spinning in her hands like a whirlwind. Her hood flared behind her as she lunged toward a training dummy, the jagged edge of her scythe slicing cleanly through it. She paused only briefly, her yellow eye scanning for her next target, her voice low and sharp. "Another one down. The hunt never ends."
Blake stood in the center of the room, her harpoon glowing faintly with a flickering flame. She barked an order at Weiss, her commanding tone carrying across the hall. "Weiss, your form is flashy. Keep your strikes precise, or you'll waste energy." She adjusted her grip on the harpoon, her peg leg thumping against the floor as she shifted her stance.
Weiss scowled, her rapier flashing in the light as she executed a flurry of strikes against her own target. "I don't need advice from someone who thinks she's commanding a ship."
Yang tested the strength of her gauntlets, flames roaring with every punch. Her strikes sent shockwaves through the air, and she grinned despite the unease in her eyes. "Not bad! I think I can get used to this."
Pyrrha, silent as ever, moved with precision, her golden spear gleaming as she landed perfect thrusts. The air around her seemed heavier, as though her presence carried an unseen weight. She paused for a moment, adjusting the bandages over her eyes. "The scales are tipping… I need balance."
Nora twirled her electrified claws, sparks flying as she lashed out at a dummy, reducing it to smoldering pieces. She grinned, though her usual cheer felt tempered by the crackling energy around her. "I love this power! It's like the storm is a part of me."
Ren stood back, watching Nora with a calm yet focused expression. His blade moved with precise, deliberate strikes, every slash cutting through the air with surgical efficiency. "Control is everything Nora. Without it, our power is meaningless."
Jaune stood at the far end of the hall, his large sword raised as he struck a training dummy with a practiced motion. His marine blue Zwei overcoat swayed as he moved with an unexpected confidence, his sword bashing into the dummy seamlessly destroying it.
Jaune spoke firmly, his tone steady yet brimming with new resolve. "A shield doesn't just block—it redirects the enemy's strength. You have to be ready for anything." He glanced at Pyrrha, giving her a slight smile, though his demeanor was far more formal than before. "Your movements are perfect as always, Pyrrha. But remember, even balance needs support."
Pyrrha tilted her head slightly, her voice soft. :I appreciate your insight, Jaune. But the scales I carry are not so easily tipped.
---
Observation Balcony
Glynda crossed her arms, her sharp gaze fixed on the scene below. "They've certainly grown stronger, but their personalities… their mannerisms. It's as though they've become entirely different people."
Ozpin sipped his coffee, his expression thoughtful. "Power often reveals the deeper layers of one's character. These identities they've acquired are not separate. They're extensions of who they are."
Glynda frowned, her eyes narrowing as Ruby landed another devastating strike on a target. "Ruby's cheerfulness has been replaced with cold efficiency. Blake acts as though she's leading a crew into battle. Jaune… I've never seen him so poised, so assured. Even Pyrrha seems weighed down by something. Is this power truly worth the cost?"
Ozpin's voice remained calm as he replied, "Change is inevitable, Glynda. What matters is how they adapt to it. They're testing their limits now, finding the balance between who they were and who they've become."
Glynda shook her head, her tone skeptical. "And if they can't find that balance? If they lose themselves to these powers?"
Ozpin glanced at Dante, who stood silently on the edge of the arena, watching the teams with an air of quiet observation.
Ozpin gave a small nod. "Indeed. Trust in them, Glynda. They've faced challenges before, and they'll rise to this one as well."
---
The Arena
Ruby dashed across the hall once more, her scythe cutting through a set of targets in rapid succession. She paused briefly, adjusting her hood. "Not enough… it's never enough," she muttered, her voice carrying a chilling determination.
Blake observed Ruby's movements before returning her focus to her own training, striking with her harpoon in a series of calculated thrusts. "Stay focused. A single mistake could mean everything in a real fight."
Yang rolled her shoulders, her gauntlets flaring to life as she delivered a devastating punch to a reinforced dummy, shattering it into pieces. "Okay, I think I've got the hang of this. Who's next?"
Pyrrha, standing at the edge of the arena, tilted her head slightly as if listening to something only she could hear. She gripped her spear tightly and whispered, "The weight is heavy, but it must be borne."
Weiss huffed, her rapier spinning in a dazzling display of technique. "This power is manageable. It's just another step toward perfection."
Ren stepped beside Nora, offering a quiet nod as she unleashed another flurry of electrified strikes. "Calm your energy, Nora. A storm without control is just destruction."
Nora grinned, though her claws sparked wildly as she spoke. "But sometimes destruction is the fun part, Ren!"
Jaune, meanwhile, stood tall, his shield raised as he blocked another incoming strike from a dummy. He struck with his sword, a measured yet powerful blow that split the target cleanly in two. He turned toward Ruby, his voice steady. "Ruby, precision matters as much as power. Don't just recklessly cut."
Ruby glanced at him, her yellow eye glinting. "And what would a shield know about cutting?"
Jaune smirked, adjusting his stance. "Enough to know that even the sharpest blade needs a steady hand."
---
Observation Balcony
Glynda sighed, glancing at Ozpin. "I hope you're right, Headmaster. They're powerful, but there's a fine line between strength and chaos."
Ozpin gave her a small smile, his tone reassuring. "Have faith in them, Glynda. They're learning, adapting. In time, they'll find the balance they need. In fact how about a little sparring between them to test their new power."
----
The Arena
The air in the training hall crackled with tension as Ruby and Blake stood across from each other, their weapons at the ready. Their teammates formed a loose circle around the arena, watching intently as the two prepared for a match that promised to be anything but ordinary.
Blake adjusted her harpoon, its glowing flame flickering faintly, and straightened her white captain's coat. Her golden eyes locked onto Ruby with the calm intensity of a predator stalking its prey. "Rose, remember this, the hunt is more than speed and force. Let this be a lesson when we hunt Monstra."
Ruby smirked, her hood casting a shadow over her face as her singular yellow eye gleamed. Crimson Scar spun lazily in her hands, the jagged scythe seeming almost eager for blood. "I'll take that under advisement, Captain. But I don't plan to let you lecture me today."
Glynda, standing on the sidelines, raised a hand to signal the start of the match. "This is a sparring exercise. The winner will be the one to make their opponent aura red. Ready. Begin."
The moment the word left her lips, Ruby surged forward in a blur of motion, Crimson Scar slicing and shooting through the air with a wicked hiss. Her speed was overwhelming, but Blake didn't flinch. She shifted her stance, her peg leg thumping against the floor as she brought her harpoon up to parry the strike.
The two weapons collided with a deafening clang, sending sparks flying as the force of the impact reverberated through the arena. Blake pushed Ruby back with a quick thrust of her harpoon, forcing the younger huntress to retreat a few paces.
"Fast," Blake said calmly, twirling her harpoon in a wide arc, "but predictable. You're too eager to rush in."
Ruby's smirk widened as she adjusted her grip on Crimson Scar. "And you're too eager to talk. Let's see if you can keep up."
She disappeared again, peabing behind a red blur. This time, she feinted to Blake's left, then spun Crimson Scar around in a vicious upward slash aimed at her midsection.
Blake's eyes narrowed, her harpoon's flame roaring to life as she sidestepped the attack and countered with a sweeping strike. The burning tip of her weapon arced through the air, forcing Ruby to backflip out of range.
"Not bad, Captain," Ruby said as she landed lightly on her feet. "But I'm just getting started."
She charged again, her scythe and gun a whirlwind of slashes and bullet. Blake met her blow for blow, her harpoon striking with the precision of a sailor navigating a storm. Sparks and embers filled the air as their weapons clashed, the sound of steel on steel echoing through the hall.
---
Yang leaned against the wall, her gauntlets sparking faintly as she watched the fight with a mix of admiration and unease. "Man, they're really going at it. Ruby's gotten faster, but Blake's not giving her an inch."
Weiss crossed her arms, her tone sharp. "Ruby's reckless. She's relying too much on her speed without considering the consequences. Blake's calm and calculated, she has the upper hand."
Nora grinned, her claws crackling with static. "I dunno, Weiss. Sometimes chaos wins the day! Go, Ruby, go!"
Ren shook his head, his voice quiet. "It's not just chaos or precision. It's balance. That's what will decide this fight."
Pyrrha stood silently, her spear resting at her side. Her covered eyes seemed to follow every movement, her voice soft. "The scales are tipping… but neither has claimed victory yet."
---
Ruby lunged again, Crimson Scar spinning in a dazzling arc of red steel. This time, she feinted high and struck low, aiming for Blake's legs. Blake blocked the strike with her peg leg, the harpoon's flame roaring as she retaliated with a swift thrust aimed at Ruby's chest.
Ruby twisted her body, the flaming tip grazing her cloak as she spun away and retaliated with a horizontal slash. Blake ducked under the attack, her movements smooth and effortless, and closed the distance with a quick step forward.
"You're quick, I'll give you that," Blake said, her voice steady as she locked weapons with Ruby. "But speed alone won't win this fight."
Ruby grinned, her yellow eye blazing with determination. "Then let's see if you can handle more than just speed."
With a burst of energy, Ruby disengaged and leapt high into the air, Crimson Scar spinning above her like a deadly saw. She brought the scythe down in a devastating overhead slash, the sheer force of the attack sending a shockwave through the arena.
Blake barely dodged in time, rolling to the side as the blade struck the ground with a deafening boom. The impact left a shallow crater in the floor, and Blake's harpoon flared as she countered with a quick thrust toward Ruby's exposed side.
Ruby twisted at the last second, the harpoon grazing her cloak as she retaliated with a spinning slash. This time, Blake caught the blade with the shaft of her harpoon, the two weapons locking once more.
The two combatants pushed against each other, their eyes locked in a fierce contest of wills.
"Give up yet, Captain?" Ruby taunted, her voice low and challenging.
Blake smirked, her tone calm and confident. "Not a chance, Rose. The captain never surrenders!"
With a sudden burst of strength, Blake broke the lock and delivered a powerful kick with her peg leg, forcing Ruby back. She followed up with a flaming thrust, the harpoon's tip glowing as it sliced through the air. Ruby barely managed to deflect the attack, her scythe spinning wildly as she created some distance between them.
Both fighters paused, breathing heavily as they circled each other.
"You're good," Ruby admitted, her voice softer now but still edged with determination. "But I'm not done yet."
Blake nodded, her harpoon steady in her grip. "Neither am I."
---
Ozpin sipped his coffee, his tone calm. "They're pushing each other to their limits. This is precisely what they need to grow."
Glynda's eyes narrowed as she watched the fight. "Their power is undeniable, but their personalities… Ruby's relentless focus and Blake's newfound command, it's....unsettling."
Dante spoke from his place near the edge of the arena.
---
The air in the arena was thick with tension, the sound of steel on steel and roaring flames echoing with every strike. Ruby and Blake clashed relentlessly, their movements a blur as sparks and embers flew around them. Each fighter pushed the other harder, their respective powers driving them to new heights.
Ruby charged again, her scythe spinning with deadly precision. Her hood flared as she leapt high into the air, bringing Crimson Scar down in a powerful arc. Blake sidestepped at the last second, her peg leg thudding against the floor as she retaliated with a precise thrust of her flaming harpoon.
The harpoon's tip grazed Ruby's side, scorching the edge of her cloak, but Ruby barely flinched. She spun Crimson Scar in a rapid counterattack, forcing Blake to backpedal.
"You're slipping, Captain," Ruby taunted, her voice colder than before. "The hunt doesn't wait for hesitation."
Blake's golden eyes narrowed, her voice sharp. "And you're letting your speed cloud your judgment. A hunter without control is just another beast."
Ruby's yellow eye flashed, a flicker of rage crossing her face. Her grip on Crimson Scar tightened, and her movements became more erratic, her strikes harder and faster but less precise.
---
Yang took a step forward, her usual grin replaced by concern. "Ruby's… not fighting like herself. She's too aggressive."
Weiss frowned, gripping Myrtenaster tightly. "It's the E.G.O. She's letting it take over."
Pyrrha, her spear at her side, spoke softly. "The scales are tipping dangerously. Ruby is losing balance."
Jaune stood near Ren and Nora, his marine blue Zwei overcoat swaying slightly as he adjusted the shield strapped to his arm. His eyes were locked on Ruby as she clashed with Blake, but his expression darkened when he noticed Ruby's strikes becoming erratic.
"Something's wrong," Jaune said, his voice calm but tense. "Ruby's not fighting like herself. She's—" He hesitated, his gaze narrowing. "She's losing control."
Nora glanced at him, sparks flickering between her claws. "She's just into it, right? I mean, Ruby loves a good fight!"
Jaune shook his head, gripping his sword. "No, it's more than that. I've seen this before… in myself." He paused, lowering his voice. "We have to warn Dante."
Ren placed a hand on Jaune's shoulder, his calm voice steadying the tension. "Dante will handle it Jaune."
Jaune exhaled slowly, his fingers relaxing slightly on the hilt of his sword. "Yeah… I just hope Ruby and Blake are alright."
Ozpin sipped his coffee, his calm demeanor betraying a hint of concern. "This is the cost of such power. Let's hope they can rein in before it's too late."
---
Ruby charged again, her movements a blur as Crimson Scar clashed with Blake's harpoon. Each strike came harder and faster, the sound of metal reverberating through the arena. But as the fight wore on, Ruby's strikes became wild, her breathing heavier, her yellow eye glowing with an unnatural light.
Her mind swirled with visions—flashes of the DAMN WOLF, its hulking form looming over her. The training arena melted away in her mind, replaced by a dark forest filled with shadows. And there, in the center, stood Blake.
"You," Ruby hissed, her voice trembling with fury. "You're the THE WOLF."
Blake's eyes widened as she barely deflected another strike. "So you finally gone mad! You dare to strike down Captain Blake!"
But Ruby didn't hear her. Her scythe swung wildly, each strike carrying more force, her breathing ragged as her hood cast her face in shadow.
The embers in the air grew brighter, the edges of Ruby's cloak burning faintly as the signs of corrosion began to manifest. Her yellow eye glowed fiercely, and her jagged scythe seemed to take on a more menacing shape.
Blake retreated, her voice commanding but laced with concern. "Rose, get a hold of yourself! This isn't a hunt!"
Ruby's voice was low, almost a growl. "I'll end you, wolf. I'll hang your head where it belongs."
From the sidelines, Dante's clock face ticked rapidly as he watched the scene unfold. He moved swiftly, pulling a glowing pad from his coat.
Ruby didn't respond, her movements growing more erratic as she lunged toward Blake with a wild slash.
Dante's fingers moved quickly across the pad, inputting commands. With a sharp beep the E.G.O's card withdraw from the pad, inspecting it briefly before tucking it away. The glow surrounding Ruby flickered, and the corrupted energy of her E.G.O began to fade.
Ruby stumbled back, clutching her chest. The jagged edges of her cloak smoothed out, and her glowing yellow eye dimmed as the E.G.O was forcibly unequipped.
Ruby fell to her knees, her hood slipping back as she gasped for breath. Her red eyes darted around the arena, her voice trembling. "Blake… I… I thought…"
Blake lowered her harpoon, stepping closer cautiously. "You thought I was the wolf. Ruby, it was the E.G.O. It got into your head."
Dante stepped forward, his voice calm but firm.
Ruby looked up at him, her voice shaking. "I thought I could handle it… but it felt so real."
Dante nodded, tucking the card securely into his coat.
Blake placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder, her tone softer. "We'll get through this. Just… remember who you are, not what the E.G.O wants you to be."
The rest of the group approached, their expressions a mix of concern and relief.
Yang hug Ruby, her gauntlets sparking faintly. "You scared the crap out of us, Rubes. Don't do that again, okay?"
Weiss crossed her arms, her tone sharp but not unkind. "You need to listen, dolt. If Dante hadn't intervened, who knows what might have happened?"
Pyrrha spoke softly, her spear resting against the ground. "The scales were dangerously close to tipping. Be cautious, Ruby."
Ruby nodded slowly, still catching her breath. "I'll be careful… I promise."
Dante's ticking slowed, his voice steady.
As the group helped Ruby to her feet, the tension in the arena began to ease and preparing for the next match, though the accident still lingers in their mind.
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A/N: Okay, I may have been too exicited on making the fighting scene with 3k words. But I hope it was up to expectation, I read many novel for reference to boost my writing quality I hope you enjoy it.
Feel free to let me know what you think of how the stories are going and where it should go. I'm always eager to hear from you. Leave a powerstone or a comment to support me ;)