Unfolding Fate

Chapter 3, Episode 4: Punishment...

The next day at the Amity colosseum...

Shadow and Rinoa stand next to each other, facing Mercury and Emerald as the two smirk at the two Strifes. They wait in the middle as the stadium pulls up a holographic roulette to pick the field.

Port: Ladies and Gentlemen, Shadow and Rinoa of Vale, vs Emerald and Mercury of Haven.

The crowd uproars in applause as RWBY, CFVY, and JNPR are cheering from the crowd.

Ruby: Go kick their Butts guys!

Weiss: Show them respect!

Nora: And make sure to Break their legs!

Jaune: You've got this!

Velvet: Good luck you two!

Midnight and Amber: Show them Who's Boss!

The Colosseum chooses four fields to rise up from below in quarter sections: A patch of tall grassy plains which has a single tree and some rocks; the ruins of a city, complete with buildings holding shattered windows and rubble among the pavement; a hot spring containing geyser spots along a small river and some blue Dust crystal growths; and a familiar section of dense forest.

Emerald: Yo Rinoa, I like your outfit. It suits you well.

Rinoa: Well thank you! But I'm afraid that won't save you from your defeat.

Mercury: Don't worry, we'll make sure not to hurt her Shadow.

Shadow: You better not, or else it won't end well.

Announcer: 3....2...*Rinoa and Shadow get in their battle stances* 1....Go!

Instead of charging forward, Mercury and Emerald slowly walk back into the tall grass and disappear behind the leaves. Shadow raises an eyebrow before Rinoa Ice blasts the grass, then shattering it with a clench of her fist. Though as the view clears, Mercury and Emerald suddenly weren't in that sector.

Rinoa: Huh? Where did they go?

Blake: *as the other members of RWBY look in shock* Look out!

Mercury drops from the sky, aiming for Rinoa, but Shadow pushes her out of the way and blocks the attack with his blades, pushing him back. Shadow then opens fire at him, though Mercury is able to outrun each shot.

Sun: Dang, he's good.

Scarlet: Yeah, But where's the girl?

Mercury reaches the two and kicks away Shadow's guns while dodging Rinoa's attacks, then delivering a double kick to Rinoa the before jumping over Shadow's Axe-kick. He lands In front of him and kicks in the face, leaping over another of Rinoa's attacks, only to let himself be hit so he can get from behind by Shadow. Yet he uses the force of the attack and to the kick Shadow's weapon's into Shadow's gut. Everyone stands still until Shadow compresses his weapons back into its dagger form and tries to hit Mercury with Rinoa, but he deftly jumps back.

Shadow: You're not holding back, aren't you?

Mercury: I might be...

Rinoa: Only one way to find out.

Rinoa shoots her boomerang blade at Mercury, but it fazes right through him before returning to Rinoa. Though as they look in confusion, smoke begins to envelop them. Mercury takes this chance to get behind Rinoa and deliver a flurry of blows. Shadow blocks the attacks, but is pulled away as a chin grabs him and pulls him away from Rinoa into the forest.

Rinoa: Shadow!

Mercury: Best be paying attention...

Mercury appears as she blocks the attack, though Mercury seems to be coming from every angle. She spreads her Angel Wings and flies into the air, before Mercury shows up again and axe-kicks her.