"The Catalyst" : A Yang Xiao Long AU! #RWBYWATTYS

Vol.2 / Chapter 20 : "Echoes From The Past" (Part 1)

"I am nothing without you." A female voice suddenly said.

Rei shook his head slightly, then stood from Thordin's strike.

"Sure you're something without me. You're Carla, my future wife." Rei replied.

Rei's eyes widened angrily as he suddenly jumped forward at Thordin.

"You see, the thing is, without you.... I am nothing." Carla replied.

Rei quickly combined his strikes into a pattern almost, alternating blows to the chest and face of his opponent.

"You're something all right." Rei said, smiling. Seconds went by. Seconds turned to minutes as the two stared longingly at each other.

"Carla?" Rei asked, breaking the silence.

Thordin suddenly struck upwards with his right fist, upper cutting Rei and sending him flying threw the air in a backwards spin.

"Yes, Rei?" Carla responded.

Rei recovered mid-air, then landed on his feet. He quickly dashed forward, landing a punch to Thordin's face with his right arm.

"I love you."

"Why! Won't! You! Lose!" Rei shouted, landing a punch or kick with each new word.

"What!? Don't say that! You know my father will never allow it...."

"You basically told me the same thing just a minute ago. I know you're father won't allow it, but I'll change his mind."

"Rei, you know what you're saying right?" Carla asked.

"I'm saying I'll fight you're father for his blessing."

Rei quickly grabbed Thordin's head, then smashed it into his knee. He followed the move with a spin, landing a powerful blow with his knuckle to Thordin's face. Rei was going going to continue his combo, but Thordin had caught his arm once more.

"Stop tickling me, you might actually make me laugh." Thordin mocked once again. He quickly then held onto Rei's fist, then threw him across the arena.

"Rei! What're you doing!? Just forfeit! This match isn't as important as your life you idiot!" Yang shouted from the sidelines.

"Sh-shut up!" Don't you realize it yet!?" Rei shouted back at her, slowly getting to his feet.

"He's the one who put Ruby in the hospital. Look at him. He's strong enough to break her bones with a single hit. He has a fucking electric semblance, for Christ sakes! He's the reason Ruby's hands were locked when we found her!" Rei shouted.

And it made sense to Yang. The strength to break bones, the electric semblance that explained Ruby's hands. Even the new scar she'd received that resembled a lightening bolt. The only thing that didn't make sense to her was the reason behind his assault. Why did he attack Ruby? Did someone hire him? Or was it that he just didn't want to have to match his strength against her speed!

Yang was about to shout and scream profanities, but then she noticed that Rei was losing even more horrible. Where Thordin had minor injuries and was still breathing evenly, Rei was breathing very heavily.

"Rei! Please don't! Just stop!"

"Rei! Please don't! Just stop!" Carla shouted as he struggled to his feet. Blood was pouring from multiple wounds, his right arm was broken and his chest had a very large and jagged cut.

"Please Rei, stop! Just give up already!" Carla begged desperately, tears streaming endlessly from her brown eyes.

"I-... I will never stop." Rei responded, shakily standing and glaring at his opponent. David Alvertin stood several feet away from him, his pose revealing that he was ready for another useless onslaught.

"You should listen to my daughter and stop this nonsense. It is quite clear now that you will never be able to defeat me." David mocked.

"I. Don't. Care."

"Then death will do you two apart."

Rei suddenly stood still, his body freezing and canceling all movement. His eyes were hidden from view, his body already becoming numb. Thordin charged, one fist extended forward with the other waiting for a follow-up.

"Rei.... Please.... Just give up." Yang pleaded.

"Rei.... Please.... Just give up."

"Ruby's already in the hospital, I'd rather not have you in there too." Yang's shaky voice said, but to no avail.

Rei suddenly lifted his head, determination lit itself in his eyes. His pupils shrunk significantly, a sign of pure anger entering his mind.

"I will never give up." Rei responded to Yang's desperate plea. He rushed forward, his semblance suddenly flaring and encasing his arm in a black flame.

"Black Dragon's Inferno Flame Fist!" Rei shouted as the black flames on his fist grew far more intense. He raised his arm, then connected the fist to his opponent's face. An explosion sounded, smoke suddenly appearing and covering the arena.

---

Glynda Goodwitch's scroll suddenly began to ring. She pulled the scroll from her side, then answered the call.

"This is Goodwitch speaking." She stated.

"Hey Beautiful. How've you been these past years?" A male voice said. Glynda slowly looked at Ozpin, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Elliot!?"

---

The smoke suddenly disappeared, revealing the climax of the match. Thordin had been knocked out of the arena with Rei still standing. Rei smiled widely, then fall backwards. He was unconscious before he hit the floor.