GRAE V4 Ch.7, Strength.

   “Azure. You’ve seemed a little off all night. What’s wrong?” Greyson asked, setting down his airship flying instruction manual.

    “Well, I mean, I love you SO much...” She began.

    Greyson’s heart sank, and his thoughts began to race. “Did I do something wrong? Is she breaking up with me? I don’t want to lose her. Please. Please don’t tell me she’s breaking up with me...”

    “...But when we leave Beacon, I’m still arranged to marry Vladimir. I don’t want to. I want to spend more time with you, but I don’t know if that’s possible.”

    Greyson was relieved. “Hey, we’ve got over three years before that. We’ll find a way.”

    “Oh, I hope so. I know we’ve only been together for like... a few months. But do you think we’ll end up getting married?” Azure asked.

    “Well, that’s a long way in the future,” Greyson said. “But, only an idiot would let someone like you go. As long as I stay alive I intend to stay with you.”

  Azure smiled. “Thank you. I love you, and good luck in your battle tomorrow.”

   “Thank you. I love you too.”


   Greyson stood in line with the few fighters in the tournament left in the one-on-one round. He could identify quite a few familiar faces in the small group. Among them were Pyrrha, Yang, the grey haired man who had sparred Pyrrha what felt like forever ago, and Pierce.

   “The moment you have all been waiting for, we now will begin the randomization process for the one-on-one tournament’s first round!” Professor Port announced.

    Several large, holographic screens appeared above the stadium. The screen was divided in two, one for each face. After about ten seconds of switching too fast for the eye to see, Greyson and Pierce’s faces appeared next to each other.

   “Both from Beacon, the first battle will be fought by Greyson Skye and Pierce Verdi!” Oobleck declared. Greyson and Pierce walked from their spot in line to face each other on the battlefield.

   “Having experience in the contest setting, Mister Skye has become somewhat of a celebrity lately! His lightning-powered, rapid attacking style has won over many fans in the first two rounds of this tournament!” Oobleck commented. “But none should count out his opposition, Pierce Verdi. Relatively unknown before this, Mister Verdi has made a place for himself in the tournament by quickly eliminating all his opponents.”

   “He has the stats to support it, Barty,” Professor Port added. “Mister Verdi has the least average aura lost per battle this year, with an unprecedented 9.3%.”

   Greyson hardly realized the sound of the buzzer. He and Pierce stared each other down, pacing in circles like leopards stalking their prey. From Greyson’s experience fighting Pierce, he knew Pierce’s first law of combat rang true. Never strike first.

   The two continued pacing for half a minute, without anything being accomplished. The cheer of the audience dulled to a confused murmur, as only a select few knew the reason behind the staring contest.

    Suddenly, Greyson dashed forward. As Pierce vanished, Greyson predicted his location with his semblance, and shot. Pierce ducked to the side, and dashed past Greyson, slashing once at his side and once again staring him down. Greyson slashed both Blitz and Nimbus at Pierce, who held both weapons off with Spade. Using Ace, he shot several times into Greyson’s stomach. Greyson kicked Pierce backward, lunged toward him, and stopped, predicting Pierce would use his semblance again. Greyson heard Pierce land behind him.

    “As I thought. You’re proving to be more of a challenge than everyone else,” Pierce commended, lacking enthusiasm.

   “Tough fight. I’m glad you’re on my side,” Greyson admitted. “If we were fighting to kill, I’d be worried right about now.”

   “If we were fighting to kill, you would be dead.” Pierce spun instantly, slicing at Greyson’s neck with spade. Greyson ducked to the ground, and attempted to swipe Pierce’s legs out from under him.

   Instead, Pierce hopped onto one foot, and kicked Greyson in the stomach, sending him rolling several feet. Greyson quickly rolled out of the way as Pierce appeared over him, Ace and Spade ready to finish the fight. Unexpectedly, Pierce stabbed the ground.

   Greyson stood and unfolded Blitz and Nimbus into shotgun form. He shot in Pierce’s direction until running out of ammunition. Pierce used his semblance to dodge each shot, appear next to Greyson, and punch him powerfully across the cheek. As Greyson recoiled, Pierce once again vanished and appeared at his other side, breaking Greyson’s fall with another punch. Then, vanishing and reappearing a third time, slashed at Greyson in an X with Ace and Spade, finishing the fight.

   “Greyson Skye is unable to battle! Pierce Verdi will advance to the next stage of the 1v1 tournament!” Oobleck announced.

   Back in the stands, Kita was extraordinarily disappointed. “So this means... there are people here... stronger than Greyson?” She questioned, not quite believing his defeat. Greyson had ended the battle with only 10% of his aura left. Pierce still had 80%.

   “I didn’t want to route for either side, but I had a feeling this would happen,” Ember stated. “Pierce is damn terrifying when he fights, Grimm or human.”

   “P-Pierce is scary when h-he’s not fighting!” Raven exclaimed.

   “Dude could probably find a way to look intimidating in a pink onesie or something. Er- don’t tell him I said that,” Rusty added.

   Greyson shook Pierce’s hand, and began to walk back to the stands with him. “Hey, we’re... allies, right?” He inquired somewhat nervously.

   “For now, yes,” Pierce answered simply.

   “Wait, what does that mean?” Greyson asked suspiciously.

   “Things change. If it helps you sleep at night, I don’t see a reason to leave now.”