The New Rose

Chapter 19 - Game Over

The dance had been going pretty well, everyone was having a good time and people were dancing. It probably helped that everyone had a good laugh after seeing Jaune Arc in a dress, something that his own teammates couldn't believe he did. Jaune explained to his friends that he made a bet with someone that if Pyrrha showed up without a date, then he would wear a dress. His friends wondered who he made that bet with, but Jaune was silent in that matter.

Jaune had been down in the dumps this past week after his conversation with Ruby. It pained his core to admit it and he really didn't want it to be true, but Weiss really didn't like him no matter how hard he tried to reverse that. It made him feel defeated, and he was so defeated that he didn't even bother to comprehend that Ruby told him that Pyrrha liked him. He felt that there was no way that was true, it had to be Ruby just getting back at him for what he said about her that night.

Yet nothing could prepare Jaune for the sad scene that he saw when he caught Pyrrha gazing into the night on the balcony. Jaune could see the sadness in her eyes and when he asked her where her date was she replied that she didn't have one. It shocked Jaune who continued listening to Pyrrha say that everyone thinks just because she is a tournament champion meant that she had all of these people drawn to her, but it was the opposite. Jaune didn't know what to do in the moment but knew that she needed some cheering up, so he put on the dress.

What followed after that was Team JNPR doing some kind of dance number, something that caused the crowd to get into it. Meanwhile Blake was having fun with Sun as her date, she was really glad that she accepted his offer. She always felt butterflies when she was with Sun, but never knew if it was a good thing or not. After today she knew that it was a good thing and wondered when the right time would be to take things further with him.

Weiss and Yang were happy that things were going so well at the dance, but both of them could not help but feel disappointment as well. Weiss was sad that Neptune didn't ask her to the dance, and she was even more upset that he seemed to be avoiding her for some reason. Yang was trying to have a good time but found it difficult to do that alone, not to mention she was still pretty angry that Ruby was apparently out with some boy that she had never mentioned. She knew Ruby was still pissed at them, but she never imagined something like this would follow.

Meanwhile, Emerald and Mercury were doing their best to act natural and not draw any attention to themselves while Cinder was in the tower. They had lost communication with her, but they didn't worry too much, Cinder probably just switched it off after she got done in the tower. Even if she was spotted it wouldn't matter because Cinder could handle anything, at least that is what Emerald fully believed. They both believed everything would be fine, but that belief would not be proven true as a group Atlesian Soldiers busted through the doors and were immediately in front of Emerald and Mercury with their weapons drawn.

"Hands in the air now!" One of them commanded and the two did as they were told.

"What's going on here?!" Glynda asked a bit freaked out and everyone else was just as scared as the music stopped.

Just then Ruby and Seth came through the door, with Seth pushing Cinder who was in hand cuffs forward with each step. Everyone's eyes widened at this and were shocked at what was happening but no more than Emerald and Mercury. Cinder had been caught and was apparently caught by Ruby? How was that even possible and who was the other guy? Also, how did Ruby get in contact with Atlesian Soldiers and how was none of this transmitted to Emerald or Mercury through Cinder's scroll? An atlesian soldier grabbed Cinder's arm and brought her to the other two and commanded they all get on the ground.

"Cinder what's going on?!" Emerald asked scared but Cinder just glared at her.

"Don't say a word!" Cinder hissed as the soldiers put handcuffs on Emerald and Mercury.