Not So Special

Crimson leaned back on the couch in the quiet comfort of his home in Patch, the sound of birds outside far more soothing than the noise of the Vytal Festival in Vale. He had told Ruby he would watch the matches on TV, but she hadn't taken the news well.

"Crimson!" Ruby's voice blared through the scroll, her face red with frustration. "You have to come to the festival! You can't just stay in Patch and watch from the couch like some lazy old man!"

Crimson's expression remained neutral. "Lazy is such an ugly word. I prefer selective participation, Ruby. I'll watch the matches on TV. Besides, Dad's here. Someone has to keep him company."

"That's not a good excuse!" Ruby shot back. "Dad's a retired Huntsman, one of the few people who can handle Grimm attacks on his own. You know he needs to stay for the protection of Patch."

"Well, there's your answer," Crimson replied dryly. "He's one of the few protectors of Patch. He needs company. Besides, I don't see why I need to come."

Before Ruby could explode further, Yang joined the call. "Hey, bro! Ruby's right, you're way too much of a recluse. For someone who says he's going to make a family of his own, you need to socialize and find a girlfriend. Sometimes, I feel like you're the socially awkward one, not Ruby."

Crimson gave her a flat look. "Finding a girlfriend is the last thing on my mind, Yang."

"Oh, come on!" Yang pleaded. "It'll be fun! Plus, everyone wants to see you. The team, our friends—they'll all be glad you're there."

Ruby chimed in, her tone softer but still firm. "It wouldn't hurt to cheer for us in person, would it?"

After a long sigh, Crimson relented. "Fine. I'll come, but I'm already late. I'll probably miss the first match."

Ruby's face lit up in excitement, though she was a little disappointed that he would miss the first round. "Better late than never!" she said.

Yang grinned. "See you soon, bro!"

The call ended, leaving Crimson to prepare for the trip.

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Later that day, Crimson sat in the aircraft's lounge, watching the live broadcast of the first match as the aircraft approached Vale. The screen displayed Team RWBY facing off against Team ABRN from Shade Academy.

The fight was intense from the start. RWBY's teamwork was impeccable, with Ruby zipping across the battlefield to disorient their opponents. Blake's agility and precise strikes forced Team ABRN to split their attention, while Weiss skillfully supported with glyphs, creating barriers and platforms to outmaneuver the enemy.

Yang was the powerhouse, her fiery punches overwhelming their opponents one by one. Despite ABRN's coordinated tactics and their team leader Arslan's impressive skill with her staff, RWBY's synergy proved unbeatable.

The match ended with Yang landing a decisive blow, sending three opponents out of bounds in one punch. The crowd erupted in cheers as RWBY was declared the winner. Crimson smirked faintly at the performance of his sisters.

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The aircraft landed smoothly near the colosseum landing platforms, and Crimson stepped out onto the platform. Ahead, he noticed an Atlesian warship on a nearby pad. Its sleek, imposing design stood out. He spared it only a passing glance before heading toward the coliseum.

Moments later, he heard Ruby's voice calling him. He turned to see Ruby running toward him.

"You're finally here!" Ruby said happily.

"I hope you weren't snooping around the Atlesian warship," Crimson said jokingly.

"What do you take me for?" Ruby asked indignantly.

"Weapons fanatic," he replied with a shrug.

"It's Weiss's elder sis—" Ruby began to explain, but her eyes caught sight of a crowd forming not far from the warship. "Wait, what's going on there?"

"Who knows? Does it matter?" Crimson asked dryly.

"Of course it does! Let's go!" Ruby didn't wait for his response, sprinting toward the commotion. Crimson sighed and sprinted after her.

________________________

As they reached the crowd, they heard a familiar voice.

"She'll protect you, just like Atlas is going to protect all of us, huh?" Qrow said, his tone laced with sarcasm.

The twins pushed through the crowd and found their uncle, Qrow Branwen, slightly tipsy and speaking to Weiss and a white-haired woman who looked strikingly similar to her.

"If you don't hold your tongue, I'll gladly remove it for you!" the woman snapped, unsheathing her weapon.

Crimson stepped forward immediately. "Uncle Qrow, what's going on?"

Qrow turned to Crimson and blinked before chuckling. "Ah! Crimson, just in time! This is Atlas Specialist Winter Schnee," he said, pointing at her with mock formality.

Crimson glanced at Winter, noticing her seething anger.

"She unsheathed her weapon to attack me just because I spoke the truth!" Qrow added dramatically. He tossed his weapon to Crimson, who caught it instinctively. "Go on, kid, beat her up for your favorite uncle!"

"Qrow!" Winter snapped, her voice rising.

"What? You want me to fight you? Meh, I'm not into fighting girls with daddy issues," Qrow quipped with a smirk.

Winter exploded in anger and charged at him, but Crimson intercepted her strike, blocking it with Qrow's sword.

"Step aside! This is a military matter," Winter barked, her authoritative tone grating on Crimson's nerves.

"By attacking, you're proving him right," Crimson said calmly. "Let's de-escalate this before—"

Before he could finish, Winter slashed at him.

"Fine! I'll put you down first!" she declared, mistaking his words as another insult.

Crimson sighed, his patience wearing thin, as he deflected her strikes, sticking to defense.

Meanwhile, Ruby not sure how to react decided to cheer her brother "Take her down, Crimson!!"

Weiss was angry and seeing the situation devolved into a full fight and Ruby cheering decided to support her sister, she cheered "Teach him respect, Winter!"

As for the fighters, Winter's relentless strikes came fast and sharp, her precision honed through years of training in the Atlas military. Her form was immaculate, her blade movements fluid yet precise. Crimson, however, held his ground with an air of calm efficiency, each deflection measured and purposeful. The sound of metal clashing echoed through the courtyard, drawing gasps from the growing crowd around them.

"You're testing the limits of my patience!" Crimson warned, his voice sharp yet controlled as he sidestepped another aggressive slash. His crimson eyes bore into hers, unwavering. "Stop this while I'm still being nice."

Winter's expression hardened, her pride refusing to let her back down. "If you don't want to be harmed, put down your weapon and surrender!" Her authoritative tone carried the weight of years of commanding others, but it fell on deaf ears.

Crimson narrowed his eyes, his patience thinning. For the first time since the fight began, he countered. A single, powerful strike aimed at her blade forced Winter to leap back to avoid the impact, creating distance between the two.

The two looked at each other for a moment, then charged at the same time, Winter was in a slashing motion, while Crimson breathed in air as he whispered "Moon breathing: first form - Dark Moon, Evening Palace"

The next moment Winter widened her eyes as she felt a sharp pain to her right midsection before flung flying by the powerful strike, she rolled on the ground a few times before she came to a stop. She stood up immediately while clutching her side in pain. If not for her aura, that strike would have split her half. She wasn't prepared or in position to counter the sudden increase of speed.

The crowd murmured in awe. Even Weiss, standing to the side, momentarily forgot her anger, watching the clash in silent disbelief. Ruby, however, was excited seeing her brother win.

"Had enough?" Crimson asked, his tone void of emotion..

Winter's lips pressed into a tight line as she clutched her side. Her aura had absorbed the brunt of the strike, but the sheer power behind it left her momentarily stunned. She glared at him, her pride stung. "I underestimated your speed and strength due to your age," she admitted begrudgingly, her tone sharp and biting. "That won't happen again."

Stepping back, Winter stabbed her sword into the ground with a flourish. A large glyph materialized beneath her feet, its icy blue light radiating outward in intricate patterns. Around her, translucent doves formed, their frosty wings shimmering as they circled her like protectors.

"Crimson, be careful!" Ruby called out, her voice tinged with concern.

Without hesitation, Winter directed the doves toward Crimson. They shot forward like icy projectiles, their speed startling. Crimson's blade moved with precision, cutting through the doves mid-flight. Each strike was effortless, his movements almost artistic in their execution.

As he focused on the doves, Winter darted around him, her boots clicking sharply against the stone. More glyphs appeared in the air, their glowing circles forming a staggered path above her. From these glyphs, sharp ice shards rained down, forcing Crimson to divide his attention.

Crimson danced between the shards, his movements precise and calculated. The crowd watched in stunned silence as he deflected some of the projectiles while effortlessly dodging others. His calm composure remained unshaken, a stark contrast to Winter's mounting frustration.

Winter halted her assault briefly, her eyes narrowing as she stabbed her sword into the ground once more. This time, a dense icy mist erupted from her glyph, enveloping her in an opaque, chilling fog. 

Crimson stopped in his tracks, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. His breaths were measured as he scanned the mist for any sign of movement. Suddenly, a sharp whistle cut through the fog—a projectile flying toward him from the left. He turned, deflecting it with ease. Another projectile zipped toward him from the right, forcing him to pivot.

From the center of the mist, Winter charged. Her movements were swift and deliberate, her sword in her right hand and a gleaming dagger in her left. She aimed to overwhelm him with a rapid combination of strikes.

Crimson breathed in deeply as the mark burned on his face, he murmured "Third Form - Loathsome Moon, Chains"

His blade moved in a blur, creating two massive crescent-shaped slashes that collided with Winter's weapons. The powerful arcs disarmed Winter, sending her sword and dagger flying from her hands. She staggered back, clutching her numbed fingers.

Crimson exhaled deeply, his expression hardening. "Second Form – Pearl Flower Moongazing," he whispered.

In one fluid motion, he performed three crescent-shaped slashes that struck Winter head-on. The force of the strikes sent her sprawling across the ground.

Winter struggled to stand, as she glared at Crimson. Her aura flickered weakly, barely holding on. Crimson lowered his blade, his expression unreadable. "You should stop while you can still walk," he said, his voice steady but cold.

Qrow, seeing the fight coming to end, walked closer as he spoke "Atlas specialist? Not so special after all"

Winter gritted her teeth, her pride wounded.