CACE: A RWBY Story

Volume 0: Chapter 10

The entire school is gathered in the auditorium, watching a few Professors shuffle through the crowd and to the front of the stage. The group is Professor Goodwitch, flanked by Professor Port and Oobleck. While facing the students, Professor Goodwitch gives the waiting crowd a small smile of pride.

"Students, it is great to see your progress this year. As you all know, our intramural teams tournament will begin soon. It is my pleasure to announce that the team who wins will be granted a spot in the Vital tournament next year."

The hall erupts in surprise and excitement over this offer. Professor Goodwitch pauses for a moment, while the other professors attempt to quiet the room again.

"Look on your scrolls for the posted schedule. Additionally, the brackets are being posted in common areas for you to view. We look forward to seeing your performance."

She gives the students a small smile before leaving. Many teams rush out to begin training, while others start talking strategies. Team CACE is only represented by three teammates today, Ze is gone. Charley and Alex stand close together while Cat stands awkwardly on Alex's side. After the announcement, Charley and Alex started a strategy discussion.

"Ze and you are our team's best close range fighters." Alex informs him. "Cat and I share similar distance based attacks."

"That's only good if you have a teammate to draw the opponent's attention." Charley counters. "It would work best if at least one of you joined Ze and I near the other combatants. I don't see why you couldn't swap roles while in combat."

"That's only if your engaged in a straight fight with them, part of the battle is approaching." Alex replies. "Taking the time in the first few seconds of the match to wear out their melee fighters would be a great advantage."

"I'm going to find Ze." Cat blurts out, stopping the two for a second.

"Cool, see you later Cat." Alex calls as Cat leaves Charley and Alex to continue their debate.

The room is emptying out as more teams leave to discuss their strategies in private and others have finished up their conversations with friends. Alex and Charley keep up their heated argument.

"Cat could be supper helpful on the front lines with her semblance. It could mask Ze and I during a fight, giving us an advantage over the other team."

"You forget that neither of you be able to see." She stops him. "That wouldn't work unless you can see through her mist. I couldn't and I'm sure you can't."

"Even you have said that you can sense when Cat is coming through her mist, our time training with her has made us less susceptible to her semblance."

"Any Faunus on the opposing team will find her ability to disappear as a mere party trick."

"That's not what Cat said, no one except you noticed her in the mist."

"My point exactly, I only listened for her."

The two continue to bicker even as they walk back toward the dorm. As they enter, an already annoyed Cat glares at the two. Ze is once again mysteriously gone from the dorm.

"Will you two ever stop!?" Cat asks them.

Alex and Charley stop in their tracks and glance at Cat then back at each other.

"No." Both say in unison.

Cat scoffs and throws herself on a bed, covering her ears with the pillow. Alex and Charley resume their debate but quieter than before as to give Cat some peace. A half hour drags by before Ze joins his team in their dorm.

"I've been going over the bracket system, looks like we can plan ahead on this one. The qualifiers are randomly selected teams who will compete. The winners and losers will be ranked and placed into the brackets." Ze explains. "You got it?"

"Yeah." Cat's muffled voice comes from the bed furthest away.

"Yes."

"Yep." Alex punches Charley lightly. "We got this."

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