Centuries

A Face to the Name

...I know...

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Queen Blake watched from the shadows as Glynda Goodwitch paced back and forth, explaining the importance of defense - to - offense strategy. This wasn't the first class she had observed, of course, however, when Glynda had asked for volunteers to spar for the class, this was the first time she would make herself known to the class and Goodwitch. If only Ironwood could see her now.

"I would like to volunteer," She called out as she stood.

Glynda's face visably paled while the students stared at Blake with a questioning, puzzled look. Of course they would, for they have no incling of the Queen's face. "O-Of course, Miss Belladonna." Glynda looked across the classroom, her gaze pleading for students to not want to face the unknown woman. "Anyone else?"

A blonde stood, her back straight, her posture awaiting a challenge. "I would like to spar with Miss Belladonna, Professor Goodwitch."

Queen Blake smirked. Oh how she was hoping it was the little Dragon. She walked down the stairs, standing in the makeshift stage, waiting for Yang to stand across from her.

Yang smirked. "Why the cape, mystery woman?"

Blake returned with a mysterious smile, removing the cape and throwing it over the edge. "Only a mere formality. It is really quite a burden."

Glynda stood inbetween the two woman, a barely visible weary aura emmitting from her. "You both are familliar with the rules, correct?" Both women nod, dull amber meeting fiery lilac. Glynda whispered to Blake, "Please refrain from destroying anything, your Highness."

A chuckle slipped past slightly parted lips. "Do not worry, Glynda. I have better control over my strength than any huntsmen that walks this earth."

Glynda hesitated then, to what the class saw as a deep nod, the Queen saw a shallow bow, one to not reveal to the class the status of the black haired faunus with rare amber eyes. "Begin."

Yang crouches low, her eyes flickering between crimson and lilac. Blake stood on the other end, her back straight, her eyes focused on the blonde, limbs coiled and ready to strike.

The world seemed to freeze in limbo, the air still, students watching with baiting breath. Lilacs narrowed in suspicion, studying the figure that had seemed to appear from the depths of the shadows. Three seconds. Yang's foot shifts. Five seconds. Her right hand moves subtly. Seven seconds. Her abdomen tightens. Ten seconds. A battle cry rips from her lips as she fires Ember Celica, launching her at speeds where she was just a blur.

A clang of metal striking metal echoes through the room. Blake stood, her position not having changed. Yang's fist had struck, and it connected with Gambol Shroud. The fact that made everyone gasp, Yang's eyes to widen, and Glynda wince was that it levitated mere inches from Blake's face. A smirk was painted onto the Queen's face, despite the fact (actually, it would be the reason her smirk grew wider) her ear twitched at Neptune's barely audible sigh.

"Impressive strength, Xiao Long," Blake said to the woman whose face still bore a dumbstruck expression. "Your speed was impressive also. I almost didn't have time to retaliate."

Yang's lilac eyes finally strayed from the levitating sword to the smirking Belladonna. "How...did you know my name?"

"You can thank your sister and her friend for that." Before Yang could retaliate, she was forced to jump back a considerable distance, for, if she hadn't, a shadow clone of Blake would have surely decapitated her.

Blake grabbed her sword and shifted her stance. "Please, let us continue."

Yang's eyes alight in crimson fury as she ran at Blake with every intention to disarm the Queen. However, Blake knew of her intentions, however, she allowed the "little Dragon" to disarm her of her weapon. Yang's smirk shined once more at the satisfying clang of metal behind her. Without taking a chance of Blake to regain her composure, Yang shot forward for another attack. This time, however, instead of hearing metal clang or the satisfying sound of Blake's grunt of pain, Yang's fist met air.

From behind, a voice said, "I forfeit." Yang whipped around to see Blake standing next to her sword, not a black hair out of place. Blake turned to Glynda, saying, "Tell James that I have found my personal gaurd. Inform Miss Xiao Long to prepare for departure at the first sight of sunlight tomorrow morn." Facing Yang, Blake's smirk turned into a caring smile. "With much training, you could surpass your father and mother. I shall see you soon, Yang."

Then, with a spin of her heel, Blake walked toward the stairs, her sword levitating until attached to her back with black, silk ribbons. Neptune placed her cape over her shoulders as she reached the doorway. Freezing at the doorway, she turned to face the awestruck class. "It was a pleasure to meet all of you who will be under my service after graduation. I am reassured that Remnant will be protected from the Grimm with the strength of the future generation of huntsmen and huntresses." Then she left, Neptune right behind her.

Silence fell across the room like a heavy blanket until a blonde boy with blue eyes questioned with a raised hand, "Professor Goodwitch...who was that?"

Glynda's face remained stoic, hiding her rising panic as she answered the boy. "That, Mr. Arc, was Queen Blake Belladonna."

Yang took a step back. "E-Excuse me?!"

Weiss shot up from her seat. "You mean to tell us that Yang just had an altercation with the Queen?!"

Ruby's silver eyes grew three sizes in surprise and wonder. "And that she is going to be the Queen's Personal Gaurd?!" A squeal ripped from her lips. "That is so COOL!"

A slightly tanned young woman with red hair and green eyes asked, "But the Queen was not as was told to us."

Glynda sighed. "You must not always believe rumors, Miss Nikos. The Queen is nothing from how people describe her."

A young man with long black hair, pulled into a lone ponytail with a pink stripe in his bangs, and magenta eyes raised his hands. "Professor Goodwitch, how do you know if the rumors are true or not?"

Glynda leaned back against the chalkboard used for teaching and sighed. "Well, Mr. Lie Ren, I've known the queen for as long as I can remember..she actually taught Professor Ozpin and I how to fight and use our semblances for all aspects of life..."

A young, orange haired woman with a boisterous air waved her hand wildly. "I sense story time!"

A chuckle slipped past Glynda's lips. "This will be more of a early history lesson...Mr. Winchester, please go inform Doctor Oobleck that many of his students will be late to his class. I shall tell you the story of Queen Blake Belladonna when you return."

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Yes, finally, background on Queen Blake. I know, I know...