THE STEL STORIES Part 2: The Fall of Beacon

Chapter 3 - Reunions

There were only a few weeks till the Vytal festival, the other academies were slowly arriving at Beacon.
Atlas arrived in full fashion and military force, high-tech airships floating in the air around the city of Mantle.
Vacuo arrived by sea, large boating vessels carrying supplies and students, as hyped as everyone else was for the festival.
Though it wasn't mentioned publicly, more huntsmen were seen on patrol guarding the city, the threat on beacon still high since the last attack and the intel my team and I had discovered.
Scarlet and I stood on the balcony on the edge of Beacon, watching the airships fly by, the streets below in Mantle, packed with people decorating and preparing for the festivities.
"This is going to be amazing," Scarlet said, watching another large airship soar by, his eyes bright like a child in a candy store.
I grinned and said, "Wait till the main event arrives tomorrow!".
For tomorrow, one of Atlas' greatest creations would arrive. The Amity Arena!
It was a large futuristic colosseum, that could fit thousands of people, spectators and all.
The battlefield in the center was unique, capable of changing to different environments for unique combat environments.
And to top it off, the colosseum could fly! It was almost like a floating city, soaring high above in the sky. I knew when I saw it arrive tomorrow that it would take my breath away.
A male voice behind me broke my thoughts;
"What are two punks like you doing out here during class time".
A large smile on our faces, as Scarlet and I, turned to face the two individuals approaching us, both smiling in return.
Gambit Black and Amber Fawn.
"What are you doing here!" I exclaimed happily as Gambit held his hand out to shake, Scarlet, slapping it aside and wrapping him in a large bear hug instead.
Gambit chuckled hugging him back before saying "Got some free time off at the moment so thought I'd come and watch my favorite team at Beacon compete!"
"Thats awesome!" Scarlet replied, eyes even brighter than before.
"Oh before I forget, I would like to formally introduce you to my partner, this is Amber Fawn" Gambit said, gesturing to the short red-head next to him.
She was a stunning woman, short but well-muscled, hair-like embers running down her back, eyes bright blue with a tinge of gold in them.
She wore a small black jacket, and a white shirt underneath, her legs were covered in tight black pants and she also wore black combat boots that matched Gambits.
She smiled broadly at us slapping Scarlet's hand away this time and wrapping him in a hug as well, doing the same to me shortly after.
"It's so good to meet you boys finally! Gambit has told me so much about you!" Amber said smiling.
"The honors ours, Gambit raves on about you" I replied smiling casually as I saw Gambit's face go a little red.
"Does he now?" Amber said with a smug smile as she gazed up at Gambit who was tryna look calm and casual.
"Well, I mean who doesn't rave about their Fiance?" Gambit replied simply.
Both Scarlet and I instantly looked at the sparkling ring on Amber's hand and immediately tackled Gambit laughing and cheering like idiots.
"Congrats ya buffoon" Scarlet laughed out, Gambit laughed shoving us off "Yea yea, ya bunch of kids" he answered, though his face was filled with joy, as was Amber's as she watched laughing.
"Where are Trill and Eclipse?" Gambit asked after shoving Scarlet away again.
"Classes, Scarlet and I are on a free period at the moment" I answered, "We can meet up later for dinner if you'd like, I'm sure the boys would love it".
"We would love that," Amber said grabbing Gambit's hand, "Meet at Pedro's bar at 7 tonight!"
We nodded and after another happy hug from Scarlet, we made our way back to the dorms to tell our brothers the good news.

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Eclipse was terrified.
He had faced large crime bosses, fought giant Grimm creatures and won, had faced off against his old assassin mentor and had won but what he was about to do now had him shaking.
Pyrrha Nikos, Eclipse's Cousin, sat quietly alone in a corner of the library, reading a book.
Her teammates of Team JNPR sat nearby playing some tabletop game against each other, the orange hair girl known as Nora Valkyrie, loudly boasted her victory in the first round to her other teammates Lie-Ren and Jaune Arc.
After a discussion with Lumen the night before, where he had encouraged him to approach her and discuss the truth with her, Eclipse decided that he would tell her now.
He casually strolled over to her, nervously tucking his black shirt into his brown cargo pants, he had left the hat and jacket in his dorm, trying to look casual and at ease.
"Uh hi there!" Eclipse nervously said to her as he arrived at her table.
Phyrra looked up, her bright green eyes filled with kindness as she tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear, "Hello there" she replied kindly "You're Eclipse Markos from Team STEL right".
"Well yes, I mean sort of," Eclipse said stuttering, he chucked his hands in his pockets to hide the shaking.
"Sort of?" Pyrrha replied, a curious look on her face.
"Well you see, I have something to tell you that's important" Eclipse stammered, praying his voice won't crack from the pressure.
Pyrrha politely closed her book and sat back waiting for him to continue.
He couldn't do it, he was too scared, how would she judge him for staying away all this time, for all the terrible things he had done in his past!
A comforting hand appeared on his shoulder as Lumen arrived by his side, he must have walked by and noticed what he was doing.
"You've got this, it's ok," Lumen said quietly a supportive smile on his face.
Eclipse relaxed and nodded his gratitude, before turning back and saying to Pyrrha, "Pyrrha my real last name is Nikos as well, I am your long-lost cousin who was stolen years ago from the family, I was raised as an Assassin and Mercenary by my kidnapper and did terrible things, I have since reformed and now wish to be a huntsman, I am so sorry I didn't tell you sooner".
"It's ok", Pyrrha said calmly standing up "I've known the whole time".
Eclipse jolted startled, he looked to Lumen but even he seemed shocked.
"What! How?" Eclipse stammered, had Ozpin already told her?
Pyrrha smiled then laughed softly before answering, "I figured it out, heard of your name which by the way not many people are called Eclipse, then I heard of a student attack in the courts, did a little bit of investigating on your team and found out about your mission against the Celestials, the same group who attacked our family years ago, so I quizzed Ozpin and he said to ask you".
Eclipse gaped at how smart his cousin was, before falling to his knees and bowing his head.
"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I was so embarrassed and ashamed of my past actions that I wasn't sure how you would react," He said.
Prryha knelt in front of him and wrapped him in a hug, a small sigh coming out of Eclipse.
"It's ok," she said softly, "I understand what you went through, but I'm so proud that you are pushing through it and trying to make a change, besides, I got my cousin back and that's all that matters".
Eclipse smiled and wrapped his cousin in a huge bear hug. The rest of Team JNPR smiling nearby as they watched and when he turned to Lumen, he was smiling giving him a thumbs up.