Centuries

Like Father, Like Daughter

Hey, before I start, I would like to say that I had started posting artwork onto Tumblr. spadeslick had put the link on the comments section in one of the previous chapters.

Laura: Sweet...didn't know you could draw.

Yes you did!!! YOU LIVE WITH ME!!!! WE GO EVERYWHERE TOGETHER

Laura: Not everywhere...

*doesn't know whether to face palm, strangle Laura, or groan*

Laura: Enjoy the story.

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In the heart of one of the many courtyards that surround the spiraling towers of Beacon, the sounds of gunshots and metal striking metal resounds across the land. Grunts of exertion and battle cries mix as two figures entangle themselves in the dangerous tango of battle. A red blur zips past one in white, kicking up dust. The one in white does quick gestures with her rapier, named Myrtenaster, and several glyphs appear across the courtyard. "You honestly believe that your speed will help you against my glyphs, Ruby?" The short woman in white scoffs.

The red blur stops, rose petals floating to the ground all round her, a gigantic, advanced scythe, dubbed Crescent Rose, resting in her small hands. "You apparently have been unsuccessful in stopping me so far, Weiss."

A figure on the far side of the courtyard calls out to the two. "Come now, you two! I swear you converse more than you engage in physical combat!" Her lilac eyes twinkle with amusement. "I came here to bear witness to a skirmish, not your weird way of coquetry."

Weiss glowers at the young woman. "Silence, Xiao Long!"

Ruby's silver eyes roll as she regards the smug woman. "Yang, please restrain yourself from your mockery at such a serious time as this."

Yang laughs. "Now, now, Rubes, what big sister would I be if I were to not take this opportunity to mock you and the Ice Queen."

An indignant huff and a stomp of her foot expresses Weiss' annoyance at such a nickname. "I've told you many times, Yang, to never call me such a name."

Yang rolls her eyes, then her shoulders, activating her gauntlets named Ember Celica. "Step back, sister," she addresses Ruby. "I shall engage in combat with the icy one. Watch the dragon bring down the Queen."

As Ruby takes a step back, silently wishing for the victor to be Weiss, said woman shifts her stance into one preparing for an intense battle. "The dragon is always the one who is slain, Xiao Long. Prepare to be vanquished."

In an instant, gold and ivory clash in a fierce battle of strength, will, and weapons. Ember Celica blocks each quick and deadly strike from Myrtenaster, while the rapier blocks each blow from the gauntlets. Both fighters seem equally matched in both strength and will. Suddenly, a bright light blinded all watching. All but an amber eye that watched from a high tree.

Queen Blake Belladonna had been strolling through the campus grounds, listening to the sounds of battle and casual conversation with Neptune trailing behind her, when a sound, not unlike the ones surrounding but different all the same, drew her towards the trio. She silently removed her cap, handing it to Neptune, before jumping to grab onto a branch, climbing the tree with the nimbleness of a panther. There, she perched herself on a high branch, watching and listening. When the bright light flashed, she saw a burning, golden fire in the middle, the girl with the burning lilac turned crimson eyes being the source of the bright inferno. Blake becomes entranced, watching this young woman fight as if it were a simple dance that was easy to master.

She easily slipped from the tree, landing wordlessly next to Neptune. "Did she catch your eye, Your Majesty?"

Blake's eye never left the woman as she laughed, helping the woman in white to her feet after knocking her down with a powerful blow. "She's...different than all the others that I have witnessed. Ironwood, nor Ozpin or Goodwitch, has mentioned her when discussing security for the kingdom." Neptune drapes her cape back over her shoulders. "I want you to find Ozpin and ask him for the file on Yang Xiao Long, Neptune."

Blue eyes widen in surprise. "Xiao Long? As in Taiyang Xiao Long?"

Blake nods, taking one last look at the "little dragon" before turning and leaving, determined to learn more about the golden haired girl. "Like father, like daughter, my old friend."