Merging Worlds, Merging Views, New Risks

Chapter 40

(Several Minutes Ago)

Back inside the battle arena, the criminal duo and the nightclub trio all wait for the arrival of Ruby's group while Elizabeth continues to flip through the pages of her book. Before long, Ruby's group has finally reached the tower's entrance and headed inside the arena. Team RWBY, JNPR, CFVY, SSSN, Glynda, Port, Oobleck, Winter, Penny, and Ciel. All of these people lightly chatting with one another, mostly the students. Of course, Celica and Minerva are accompanying them.

Ruby: "Yes! We made it!"

Celica: "Phew, sure took a while to get here."

This draws in the attention of Elizabeth as she closes her book and approaches them.

Elizabeth: "Ah, it seems you all have arrived."

Yang: "Eh?"

Weiss: "Uhm, who are you exactly?"

Blake: "Are you the gatekeeper of this place?"

Elizabeth: "Precisely. My name is Elizabeth. Please to make your acquaintance."

Celica: "Oh, well hello then."

Jaune: "Yeah, uhm, likewise?"

Nora: "Hi, I'm-!"

She's cut off when the woman in blue remarks.

Elizabeth: "No need to tell me. I'm fully aware of all your names."

This baffles the group as the rest of JNPR asks.

Ren: "Huh?"

Pyrrha: "You do?"

Elizabeth: "Of course. By the one who orchestrated this whole tournament."

Naturally, they all know who she is referring to.

Everyone: ("System...")

Not a moment later, the nightclub trio and criminal duo shift their focus on the group that just rolled up not too far from them.

Junior: ("They're here.")

Roman: ("Ah, crap. They really did show up.")

Neo: "...!?"

Miltia: "Geez, took you guys long enough."

Melanie: "We were waiting for like forever."

This prompt to look towards them, Junior, Roman, and Neo. While most of them have no clue as to who the nightclub trio are, they certainly do know the infamous Roman Torchwick, except for Celica and Minerva.

Celica: "...??"

Glynda: "Roman Torchwick..."

Ruby: "Torchwick?!"

Roman: "Hello, Red! Seems like there's no bedtime for you here."

Winter: "So, he's actually here..."

Ciel: "With his accomplice, no less."

Penny: "Then who are they?"

Yang: "Those other three over there are from Junior's."

Glynda: "I'm aware of this, MIss Xiao Long."

Yang: "Wait, you do?"

Stepping forward, the nightclub trio comments.

Junior: "Nice to see you too, Blondie."

Melanie: "While we want nothing to do with you or your friends..."

Miltia: "We got no other option, given our current circumstances."

Ruby: "And what does that mean...?"