The tournament had started earlier today, since the attack the day before had delayed a couple of the semi-final rounds. They'd do them today instead.

The whole time, Clark kept his eyes peeled. Almost literally, since he could go pretty long without blinking. He scanned the faces in the audience, but no one wore a disguise like Emerald. There were some who wore accessories like hair extensions, and even a few who had facial implants from plastic surgery. Still, nobody in the crowd matched the appearance of the three who'd infiltrated Beacon.

If Clark saw them, all he'd need to do was send the general a message. They'd set up a system where he'd only need a few words to give their location and appearance.

"Alright Yats, you're up next." Coco patted him on the back. "Go down there and give her hell."

The big man grinned. "Right."

"Good luck." Clark said, then turned his attention back to the spectators.

"We believe in you." Velvet added.

Yatsuhashi nodded at their sentiments and headed down the stairs. He had a good ten minutes or so to get ready.

Clark had already finished looking through the crowd at super-speed. In the summer heat, few wore anything like a hoodie or jacket that could be used cover their faces. It was a good thing he had a good memory so he could properly use super-hearing. He'd heard Cinder and Emerald's voices only a few times before, but that was enough to let him key into them and tell if they were nearby. Although the technique wouldn't work for Mercury, Clark had never heard him before.

That was one reason why Clark needed to stay vigilant, especially for those entering and leaving the stands, or going into secluded areas of the coliseum.

"Hellooo, Remnant to Clark?" Coco waved a hand in front of his face. "You alright? Velvet just asked you something and you're staring off into space."

Clark blinked a couple times and turned to the faunus. "You did? Sorry, what was the question?"

"I asked what you were looking at." Velvet examined him with a hint of concern. "Your eyes kept darting back and forth around the arena."

"They were? I guess it's because I'm concerned, considering what happened yesterday." Clark answered.

"Yeah, that whole thing was weird. You're lucky you missed it, but it was more confusing than scary." Coco said.

"You don't have to stay if it's upsetting you." Velvet assured Clark.

Actually, he did. Clark had spoken with the general earlier and agreed that he was needed more here, keeping people safe. Even if the sun would have given him an edge in capturing the phantom.

"I'm fine." Clark grinned to display a sense of ease he didn't feel.

Velvet didn't seem to be fooled. "If you say so."

"By the way Clark, did you already have an extra ID?" asked Fox from the row behind him. "I thought you wouldn't have one, considering you come from a pretty remote area."

"Headmaster Ozpin managed to get something ready for me at the last minute."

"Lucky you. Mine was a pain in the ass to get from my parents." Coco mentioned.

"Yeah, there's a surprising number of students who couldn't get in today." Fox said. "They're really not happy with Ironwood."

Clark shrugged. At least they'd be safer on the ground.

The team continued chatting while Clark kept looking over the audience. Normally, he wouldn't eavesdrop, but he intentionally caught some snippets of conversation. He didn't choose randomly, instead paying the most attention to anyone who said words like 'Traveler' or 'White Fang'.

The match began. Clark glanced at the screen. Yatsuhashi Daichi vs. Yang Xiao-Long.

Huh, Qrow's niece.

With a silent apology to Yatsuhashi, Clark paid hardly any attention to the fight. Conversation mostly died down during fights, and people mostly kept to their seats to watch. It was the best time Clark had to examine them. Especially the new arrivals who'd found suitable IDs so they'd be allowed into the coliseum.

Clark actually spotted Qrow in the audience. Up above, separate from his other niece in the front row.

For now, Clark allowed himself to relax a bit. Nobody seemed the least bit suspicious. He turned his attention back to the fight just in time to see Yang's hair light on fire.

Nobody besides Clark seemed the least bit surprised by that, and Professor Oobleck announced it as the use of her semblance. She started pushing back against Yatsuhashi, and he desperately tried to bring his sword up to defend himself from her strikes.

Clark could hear the force behind her gauntlets each time they clashed against the big man's sword. She was surprisingly strong, even when accounting for the recoil of her shots propelling her fists. It was a bit puzzling until Professor Port explained that her semblance gave her the ability to store and return damage.

The match was close, but Yatsuhashi wasn't fast enough to evade her. His defense was solid, but he was tiring. He couldn't last.

So, when she got in close again. He hurled his sword at her, the surprising move threw her off balance. He leapt forward and tackled her, then began a brutal assault. Pummeling her with his fists and elbows.

She reacted quickly and responded in kind. With her semblance empowering her, she took out big chunks of aura with each hit. It was a frenzy of blows between them.

Just barely, Yang reached her limit before Yatsuhashi, and the crowd went wild. Clark heard some yelling that the big man had fought unfairly.

It was strange. There hadn't been this kind of reaction to the brutality in some of the previous matches. There were even a couple rowdy fans yelling or fighting each other up above.

At least the two contestants were more civil with each other. Yatsuhashi offered a hand to help her up. They spoke to each other, and Clark was only one in the crowd who could hear them.

"Thanks." Yang said as he pulled her up with a slight wince. "Can't say I'm not upset about losing, but good job. You surprised me."

"It's not normally how I fight. Not very honorable." Yatsuhashi said. "You were too skilled for me to beat honorably."

"Wow. Smooth words big guy. I'd say good luck on your next round, but I'm rooting for someone else."

Yatsuhashi chuckled, and the two headed down so they'd be able to wipe the sweat off themselves and change. With a few minutes to spare before the next fight, he walked back up the stairs where the rest of his team and Clark were seated.

"Congrats man, you did it!" Fox clapped him on his back.

Yatsuhashi grimaced. "Please don't do that. I'm rather sore."

"Well here's your seat." Coco patted the spot beside her. "Time for you to relax buddy, you've earned it."

"Thank you." Yatsuhashi let out a breath as he leaned back into it. "It's going to be a painful few hours until my aura recovers and deals with this."

"That was pretty surprising, throwing your sword at her." Clark mentioned.

"I got lucky." Yatsuhashi said. "It was a dangerous move that wouldn't have worked in a real fight. I only used it since all I needed to win was get her aura down first."

Clark nodded in understanding. "Word of advice, you won't want to try that if you go up against Penny." She had some serious strength, and her fists were literally made of steel.

Yatsuhashi slumped in his seat. "Either way, I fight her or the Invincible Girl. Great."

Velvet patted him lightly on the shoulder. "Good luck."

\\\\\

That night, teams RWBY and JNPR organized a party for Yang. Normally, she'd have been happier if they'd done it cause she'd won, but it made a good consolation prize.

They'd gotten video games, snacks, and soda. Although if Yang had gotten her way, she would have gotten something stronger to drink. At least, if Ruby weren't there.

. . . And if Qrow didn't stop her. The old man had crashed their party and had the balls to tell her not to drink. Seriously, he got to, but she didn't? Even though she was old enough? She'd pointed out the hypocrisy, and he'd just responded with "Do as I say, not as I do."

He was probably just afraid of what Dad would do if Qrow let her drink.

"Woohoo, I win!" Ruby announced as she beat Nora, and quickly shoved a couple cookies in her face.

"Hey, don't get crumbs all over the floor!" Weiss warned her.

"Sfowwy." Ruby replied with her mouth full, doing exactly what her partner had said not to.

Laughter rang out from the others as Weiss scolded her. She insisted that Ruby at least use some napkins, but her leader's puppy dog eyes and quivering lip deflated her quickly.

Heh, Yang had built up a resistance to that a long time ago.

While everyone else sat together watching the contestants play video games, Yang caught her uncle in the corner silently waving her to come over.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I have a few fighting tips for you."

She gave him a blank stare. "Wouldn't those have been more helpful before the fight?"

He shrugged. "Sure, but tournaments are show fights. There, everyone stops when they're aura's low or knocked out of the area. You'll actually be applying what I'm going to tell you out of school."

"Okay, then what are they?"

"You're strong, and you usually take the direct, straightforward path. You can't always depend on that."

Yang frowned. "Is that it? Hate to break it to you, but I already knew that."

"Really? You certainly didn't act like it." Qrow said. "When that Yatsuhashi guy threw his sword at you, he threw you off your tempo. Only reason it worked was because you kept going straight at him, expecting him to keep blocking with his huge ass sword when he clearly wasn't having much luck with it."

"Okay, yeah, that was a mistake. But he threw it cause he was desperate. It barely worked out for him."

"In a tournament fight. Not a real one."

Yang rolled her eyes. "Then why would he do something like that in a real fight? He's setting himself up to lose if he does that."

"If it were a real fight, he might have still tried it cause he had nothing to lose. Even if someone were weaker than you, they could use that tactic to take you down with them." Qrow answered immediately.

Yang bit the inside of her cheek.

Qrow continued. "It's not just that. If you're more worried about spars in class, then there was your doubles fight. You went straight for that guy with the trumpet, literally straight at him. You were lucky that you were able to overpower his semblance. There were smarter ways around it, firing shots at him, or getting behind cover and baiting him to get close. 'Get mad and punch them' might work for you now, but people will figure that out and avoid it. Or even use it against you like that Neon girl did."

Yang scowled. "Yeah, I get it. Sorry I'm just a brute who punches people."

"Hey, don't get snappy just cause I'm giving you the truth." Qrow sighed. "I shouldn't even need to tell you this right now, you usually deal with dangerous people after you graduate. But you've already met people like Torchwick or the White Fang. There's a chance that . . . that things might get bad sometime soon. You're going to have to be smart if you want to survive, there are people you couldn't beat no matter how many punches you land on them."

"Hold up, I'm not going to just take that." Yang answered. "As long as I have aura, and they don't, I'd definitely win."

Qrow shook his head. "I know at least a couple guys who are plenty dangerous even without aura."

The blonde frowned. Okay, sure, there were dangerous criminals. But how could they be a threat to a huntress if they didn't have aura?

Qrow didn't give her an answer. "Anyway, cheer up. You're doing miles better than Ruby. If her weapon malfunctions or gets lost during a fight, she's damn near useless."

Yang snorted. Ruby really was insistent on using her 'baby'.

"Anyway, that's it for now. You should get back to your friends. I have work to do, and I've had enough of watching you brats." He went to the door.

"Bye old man."

"Bye uncle Qrow!" Ruby called out.

Qrow waved a hand without looking back. "Goodbye, favorite niece and older annoying niece."

When he was gone, Yang chatted with her teammates about the rest of the tournament. Qrow might think that it was just dumb kids fighting, but it was important to them.

Eventually, Yang pulled Pyrrha aside and slung an arm over her shoulder.

"Yang?" She asked with a confused expression.

"Pyrrha, you need to promise me that you're gonna win the tournament." Yang said. "If team RWBY's not going to the top, then JNPR sure as hell is."

"W-well, I'd have to beat Penny first. She looks rather formidable."

"Come on, you're a champion. You can do it!" Yang said. "I'm sure a certain blondie would be super impressed."

Pyrrha coughed and her cheeks turned a tint of pink. "What do you mean?"

Yang rolled her eyes. "Please girl, everyone but he can see what's going on. Hey Jaune!"

He turned his eyes away from the screen. "Yeah?"

"You think Pyrrha could win the tournament?"

"Well, yeah, of course." Jaune answered, and looked his partner in the eyes. "You're a totally awesome fighter, nobody else stands a chance."

"Oh, you're exaggerating." Pyrrha flushed at the compliment.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"Everyone, I think our champion needs a little encouragement." Yang announced, and pumped her arms after everyone looked up. "Go Pyrrha! You'll definitely win!"

"Woohoo, yeah girl!" Nora yelled.

Ruby and Jaune also showed off their enthusiasm. Blake, Ren, and Weiss were more subdued. Guess it just wasn't in them to cheer like everyone else, but they gave their support.

Pyrrha's face almost turned as red as her hair from all the attention.

"Oh, come on, I thought you'd be used to cheering by now." Yang said.

Pyrrha smiled, still embarrassed from all the attention. "Close friends cheering and thousands of strangers pressuring me and demanding that I win are different matters."

"Yeah, even if you'd lost, we'd all be fine with that." Ruby promised.

"Thank you everyone, I'll be sure to make you proud." Pyrrha beamed at them with teary eyes.

\\\\\

Before, Beacon's training rooms had been packed with contestants, all of them getting ready for the tournament. Now, Clark and team CFVY were their only occupants. The other students were off enjoying the festival, since there weren't many people left in contention.

At the moment, Yatsuhashi sparred against Fox. He was the one with the closest fighting style to Penny's, he fought in close and used blades. It still wasn't as similar as they would have liked, since Fox couldn't launch or manipulate his swords mid-air, or turn them into guns. Penny's fighting style was too unique for anyone else to replicate. Even more so than the personalized weapons and styles of most huntsmen.

Yatsuhashi rushed forward at Fox, not letting up for a moment. That was the only way he'd have a chance against Penny. Even so, she was faster, stronger, and better-equipped than Yatsuhashi. Not that the fact stopped him from doing his best to practice strategies against her.

Meanwhile, Coco and Velvet stood on the sidelines and gave their advice. According to them, the two wouldn't offer Yatsuhashi much help preparing against Penny by sparring. Coco preferred to fire her mini-gun from long range, and her close-range option was a heavily weighted handbag. From what Clark had seen, Velvet fought almost entirely by kicking. They couldn't help by fighting Yatsuhashi, but they still played roles in pointing out mistakes and offering ideas.

Clark . . . didn't really have a purpose. Why'd they even invite him? His fighting experience consisted of a few months of instruction devised to either pretend to fight normally or fight someone else just like him, and he'd already made it clear that he wasn't going to offer them any inside advice on Penny. Their advice based on watching Penny's fights was already better than what Clark could give. He was a fifth wheel.

While Clark wondered why Coco had asked him to come here, she called for a few minutes break between Fox and Yatsuhashi. Then, she gestured for Clark to come over from his bench.

He walked over. "What's up?"

"How fast are you?"

He tensed for a moment, then relaxed. This wasn't related to the Dart. "I'm pretty quick on my feet." He answered. "Faster than I look."

"Faster than Velvet?"

Clark nodded.

"What about Penny?"

He narrowed his eyes and answered carefully. "Based on what I've seen, yes. I've sparred her a few times, but I don't know her top speed."

"You have?" asked Velvet. "Have you beaten her?"

"Yes, but in very different circumstances than this tournament."

"Even so, better not let Yatsuhashi hear that you've sparred her." Coco smirked. "He's all for winning fairly, but he might succumb to weakness."

"I seriously doubt he'd hound me for information on Penny."

Coco winked at him. "Buddy, you're too trusting. Alright!" She clapped her hands and spoke loudly enough for Fox and Yatsuhashi to hear. "Clark, if you can prove you're faster than Velvet, you spar Yatsuhashi next. If not, Velvet's up."

"Wait, what?" Clark asked. Where had this come from?

"You heard me. I respect it if you don't tell us anything, I like it better that way actually, but it's only fair for you to spar with Yatsuhashi if you've sparred with her. Right?"

"I guess, but . . ." He didn't have aura. Could he say that his scroll's aura indicator was broken? No, they could just offer their scrolls for him to use.

"But what?" Coco asked. "I know you're not a fan of the tournament, but this is a big deal for us. Yatsuhashi needs the practice. Please?"

"Um . . ." Clark swallowed as he looked at their faces. They were so sincere, and this competition really wasimportant to them. Even though he personally didn't like it, no one was getting seriously hurt in it. He'd just have to dodge Yatsuhashi, right?

Clark sighed. "Okay."

"Great! Get up on the ring." Coco slapped his shoulder. "You win if you get four hits on the other person, and each hit has to take off at least six percent of their aura. So set up your aura readers."

"Actually, I won't need to do." When Clark said that, Coco raised an intrigued eyebrow, and the other three looked mildly surprised.

"Oh? Why not?" Their leader asked.

This time, Clark's excuse wasn't too bad. But then again, he'd felt that way before. He'd have to hope they accepted it. He cleared his throat. "I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but I'm pretty confident in my speed. Velvet won't be able to hit me unless I want her to."

"Really? Big words there farmboy, can you back them up?"

Velvet interrupted him before he could answer. "Clark, you've seen me fight. I don't mind if you're faster, but do you really think I couldn't land a hit on you?"

"Honestly, yes." Clark winced at their doubtful expressions. "You guys know me, I'm not the kind of person to brag. You really don't need to measure my aura."

"Okay, maybe we can do it that way." Coco said. "But if we do, Velvet will only need to land a single hit on you. You'll still need to follow the old rules. That fine?"

"Yeah." Clark agreed.

"Okay." Velvet frowned.

She didn't seem pleased by Clark's explanation. Was this worth it? If he actually ended up helping Yatsuhashi by doing this, the big man owed him.

They got up to the ring, and the display lit up with Velvet's aura reading. She entered her stance, as Clark entered his. Not that he needed to, but it would make him look less like he was underestimating her.

"Ready, set, go!" Coco announced.

Velvet leapt forward and went in for a kick to his side.

She was a much better fighter than Clark, all of them were. But they were still humans (or faunus) without speed-enhancing abilities. Skill had its limits against brute force.

If Clark wanted to, he could heighten his perception of time to the point that Velvet wouldn't even look like she was moving. And that was before his training with Qrow and Ms. Goodwitch, and the spars with Penny, which were designed to help him fight someone potentially faster than him.

Clark stepped back to dodge Velvet's foot. For this, he'd only need to move somewhat faster than other huntsmen, anything more would invite suspicion that he was the Dart.

She twirled around, her heel aimed at him again. He ducked under it but didn't move to attack.

The process repeated several times. Velvet tried to strike him, but Clark dodged each time. He tried to look as if it took some effort, but he could tell she was getting frustrated. A couple kicks had even been aimed at his face.

This wasn't a fair contest. The truth was, Clark could literally dodge her with his eyes closed. Even ignoring the fact that he could look through his eyelids with X-ray vision, he could depend on his hearing. He hadn't practiced the method in a while, since it almost certainly wouldn't work on the phantom, but he could dodge by hearing her legs swing through the air. If he focused some more, he could hear her footsteps echo throughout each portion of her body. Including any aimed at him.

It took disciplined super-hearing to manage that, but it was still an ability he hadn't earned. An ability that gave him an unfair advantage. Even more so when he'd been raised by parents who'd devoted their time to help him focus his hearing.

He hopped a good distance away. "Velvet," he said gently. "I think it's pretty clear I was telling the truth earlier."

Clark heard her clenched fists tighten. "Why won't you fight back?" she asked.

"I'm not a fan of violence. I don't want to hurt you, and haven't I already proven my point?"

"Not until you do what Coco said. You won't help Yatsu by just dodging either, you'll have to hit back."

Clark bit the inside of his cheek, then sighed. "Fine."

This time, he went on the offensive. He ran at her, slowly enough for her to react, but fast enough to still surprise her. She pulled up her arms to block his fist, but it had been a feint. Clark hit her in the side.

The attack took eight percent of her aura. In retaliation, Velvet's foot shot up, and missed.

She was getting angry. Her quickened heartbeat and breathing were due to more than physical activity. Clark knew what she sounded like when it was just exercise.

He put in more effort to make it looklike he was putting in effort. Her kicks missed by inches instead of swinging wide. Her defense held when Clark could either circumvent or break through them with brute force. Her aura was reduced only by six or seven percent with each blow he landed.

His training had given him a good sense for how much force it took to reduce aura. Some people apparently had different amounts, but from what they'd told him, it shouldn't require that much variation in the strength of his strikes.

Finally, he side-stepped her extended leg, and elbowed her in her sternum. Her aura dropped by seven percent, and she fell back.

Clark turned his head and was greeted by team CFVY's stunned faces. He hadn't done anything too strange, right?

Worried, Clark offered a hand to help Velvet up. She took it, but didn't speak or meet his eye after getting on her feet.

"I never expected you to fight like that." Yatsuhashi noted.

"Yeah. Same here." Coco added. "Now we finally get to see why you're a huntsman even when you're not much older than us."

"Only technically." Clark said. The amendment sounded especially weak now.

"Yeah yeah." Unsurprisingly, Coco dismissed it. "Yats, that's what you have to look forward to. Try not to get too humiliated."

Velvet bristled and crossed her arms. "I'm going to get some water." She walked off the ring.

Clark moved to follow her. He had to say something, maybe give some excuse about a convenient semblance.

"Stay up there Clark, Yats is coming right up." Coco said. She also added a shake of her head slowly from side to side and mouthed. 'Wait.'

Clark looked at Velvet for a moment, then headed back up. He'd insulted her, how could he have been so stupid? They'd trained for years to fight monsters, and he'd just outmaneuvered her without breaking a sweat.

He wanted to go up to Velvet and explain, but maybe he'd only make things worse. Coco was her best friend, he'd have to trust her to know how to make it up to her.

"I suppose you won't need an aura indicator against me either?" asked Yatsuhashi.

Clark just nodded.

\\\\\

For the rest of team CFVY's training session, Velvet barely spoke to Clark. The few times she had were when she needed Clark to try a move so Yatsuhashi could learn to counter it. The feeling of being pointedly ignored wasn't easy to take, but Clark didn't complain.

About an hour later, Yatsuhashi was drenched in sweat. A painfully sharp contrast from Clark, who had barely exerted any effort ducking and weaving away the big man's sword or avoiding the punches from his free arm.

They finished the session, and Yatsuhashi spoke between breaths. "I can't help . . . but resent how easy . . . you made it look."

"Well don't be fooled, you made good progress today." Velvet said. "Clark seems faster than Penny, but if you fight her, always keep her ranged options in mind."

Yatsuhashi nodded. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go up, take a shower, and collapse onto my bed."

"Alright buddy, you've earned it." Coco waved as the big man left. "Hey Velvet, could you and Clark bring some drinks up to our room? I need to talk with Fox about something. Bye!"

"Wh-what? Wait!" Velvet cried out, but her leader was already walking away, pulling Fox along by his jacket. He was strangely accepting of it.

Clark raised an eyebrow. Subtle, Coco was not. But at least gave him an opportunity to talk with Velvet.

The faunus sighed. "Okay, leave the choices to me. I know what they like. You can get something too if you want."

And . . . talking to her seemed a lot more daunting than it had been before. He nodded and followed her lead.

She selected the choices. "You want anything?" she said in an even voice.

"No, I'm good."

She held up her scroll to the vending machine to pay. Another sign of how Remnant's technology was ahead of Earth's. No more having to straighten out any bills that the machines would reject over and over again.

Okay, he had to focus. He just needed to talk, bring up what had happened earlier.

"I can carry a couple for you if you want." He said instead.

Without a word, she handed two over.

Clark accepted them as they headed up to team CFVY's room. Somehow, he managed to resist the urge to smash his head into the wall. It was a nice wall, it didn't deserve to suffer for the embarrassment of a stupid, super-powered young alien.

What was he even so afraid of? Just say it! He urged himself silently.

"About earlier . . ." he began. "Are you upset?"

She didn't even turn around. "What would make you think that?"

"N-nothing, maybe I'm just imagining it." He bit his lip. "If I'm not, I'm really sorry about making you mad."

Velvet stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. "I'm not mad." She insisted, then shook her head. "Okay, maybe I'm annoyed, but you don't have anything to apologize for."

"Oh." That was good, at least. "Then why are you annoyed?"

"Right now, I'm annoyed that I'm annoyed when I shouldn't be." She winced. "O-okay, that sounds pretty stupid, but earlier it was different. The important thing is, I'm trying to get over it."

"What started it in the first place?"

"I was upset that you're as fast as you said, that I couldn't even touch you unless you let me."

"Really? I-

"Please don't apologize," asked Velvet. "I was just feeling sorry for myself, and that I couldn't even get a single kick in. I was upset about my skills, not your prowess."

"Then you're not mad at me?"

"M-maybe a little bit." She admitted. "But I know it's irrational. You're a better fighter than me, I shouldn't be mad about that. Although I am a little upset at you holding back so much."

"What do you mean?"

"Clark, you're not the only one with good eyes. I'm pretty good at seeing fighting styles. Plus, I noticed that my kicks started getting closer, and that you were hitting me hard enough to take away just enough aura to satisfy Coco. Did you think I wouldn't?"

"Okay, I didn't think that through." He said. "Seriously though, you're the better fighter. I'm just a guy who was lucky enough to have the right ability."

She rolled her eyes. "Sure. But in a few years, I'll definitely give you a harder time."

"I'll make sure to remember that." He said. "So, things are okay between us?"

"They always were." She gave him a sweet smile. "Thanks for helping our team even though you were uncomfortable fighting."

"It wasn't that big of a deal." Although it would have been if this had gotten in the way of their friendship. He hadn't realized how scared he'd be if he lost it.

"It's a big deal for us. A chance to win the festival doesn't come everyday." Her cheerful mood dipped a bit. "Speaking of, you're going back after it ends, right? Do you have any updates on when?"

Clark shook his head. "No, still not sure. I wouldn't be surprised if it were soon, but it could be a lot longer."

That depended on what the phantom would do after showing up. Or whether Clark was successful at finding him with Ozpin and the general's help.

"You really miss it, huh? I hope you get back home soon."

She was lying.

They continued walking in silence. The familiar crystal in Clark's pocket now felt like it weighed a million tons. Would their friendship really have to end? What if . . . what if he didn't have to leave Remnant permanently?

He couldn't stay, of course. He had to get back to his friends and family back on Earth, but that might not mean he had to abandon the people he'd met here. Jor-El might be able to analyze the event that had brought him here, and find a way to safely recreate it. Maybe he could establish two-way travel.

If he did, Clark would get to visit team CFVY again. He would still get to hear Coco make fun of his fashion choices and demand that he wear 'cooler' clothes. He'd still get to laugh along as she teased and joked with him and all her teammates. Clark would be able to listen as Fox complained about his schoolwork, and talk to Yatsuhashi about his unique philosophies.

Clark would still be able to laugh and chat with Velvet. Watch as her cute nose wrinkled up and her eyes sparkled whenever she got excited and pulled out her camera. Smile when she turned red in embarrassment and her ears drooped down to her face. Hear the familiar rhythm of her heart and breathing, which signaled her emotions almost as expressively as her sweet voice.

"Hey," he began. "After the festival . . . do you want to do something with just the two of us? Alone?"

She turned to him, her eyes wide. "Like . . . like a date?"

He nodded.

"B-but I thought you didn't want to." She looked hopeful, but still held herself back with a hint of caution. "Since you have to go home."

"I do, but it's never been certain when I need to go. Honestly, I didn't think I'd be here for this long." Clark smiled. "I'm glad I stayed though, and I think I can wait a bit longer before going back. Also, you know I've mentioned . . . difficulties about being able to contact you from there, but I want to at least try."

Seconds later, Velvet still hadn't spoken. She just stared at him, stunned.

Clark shifted from foot to foot and cleared his throat. "Is that a no?"

"I-it's-" Velvet shook her head, her ears flinging wildly. "Um, sure! Yes, I'd like to go out with you."

"O-oh, great!" His grin almost stretched from ear to ear.

"Yeah." Her heart raced, and the excitement on her face mirrored Clark's. "After the festival, right? What time and place?"

"Umm," His mind drew a blank. "I hadn't figured that part out yet. I just blurted the question out. I'll text you the details later."

She laughed. "Okay, I'll be looking forward to it."

"Then I'll make sure you're not disappointed." Clark promised. "So . . . what should we tell the team?"

Velvet sighed. "Coco's going to be a pain, but I don't mind telling them everything if you don't."

"I'm perfectly fine with it." He shifted the bottles to one arm and offered a hand. "Guess this would be the easiest way to show them."

"Yeah, and the looks on their faces will be great." Velvet's hand met his own, and they continued going back up.

Clark's sense of touch was different from most. His sense of temperature was practically nonexistent, he was just as comfortable in a snowy field as in a blazing inferno. He didn't feel warmth the same way others did, but what made up for it was his extremely sensitive sense of pressure.

He felt the soft, smooth texture of her skin. The folds at the joints of her knuckles, the small hairs on her skin, and the sweat in her palm. He could feel her pulse beating lightly in her veins, which enhanced the experience of hearing her so close beside him.

\\\\\

A set of abandoned buildings lay on the outskirts of Vale. Gray, dilapidated structures, each barely a couple stories tall, and many displaying crumbling walls. The cracked road was uneven and littered with potholes, and even a few pipes were exposed. There were a few animals that roamed the area, searching for food.

Clark raced in and started circling the region. Gradually, he slowed down. He listened as intently as he could for anything familiar, ready to leave the moment he heard the phantom. It was a risky move, he'd have to reduce his speed to the point that he'd recognize the sound. Doing that also made it possible for the phantom to detect him.

He came to a stop. The phantom wasn't here. No one was. Clark heard no footsteps, no heartbeats, not a hint of life. Not human or faunus life anyway. He scoured the buildings with X-ray vision too and confirmed that there was no one else here.

Looked like Ozpin's lead about this place was wrong.

A raccoon skittered by, a food wrapper held in its mouth. There were more scattered throughout the area, some gathered around garbage that still had remains of food.

Food. This place had been abandoned years ago, there shouldn't have been any food left to scavenge after all this time. A few of the buildings were also a lot less dusty than they should have been.

So, Ozpin's information hadn't been wrong, just outdated. By a few days from the look of things. Maybe if Clark had come here sooner, he'd have found the people who'd stayed here. Although that didn't mean they had been the White Fang, even if this wasn't a place that anyone with other options would have stayed at.

Assumptions could be dangerous. Clark had learned that when writing a few times for his high school newspaper, Chloe had drilled that into him along with other tidbits of wisdom. Such as being wary of seeing what he wanted to see. Clark had to find proof. In her words, a primary source. Or even better, sources.

It'd be nice if there was some graffiti nearby somewhere saying 'White Fang were here!' or a list of evil plans. Unfortunately, Clark had to search every nook and cranny for the slightest hint.

At least he had X-ray vision and super-speed to help him. It would be a seriously time-consuming task for anyone else.

Minutes later, Clark found something promising near some trees east of the buildings. A crumpled piece of paper which he unfolded to reveal a map of Vale and the surrounding forests. It must have been blown there from the wind.

It was dark, but Clark's acute vision allowed him to read it easily. Certain spots around the city were circled in black marker. He didn't recognize any significance to the places, but maybe Ozpin and the others would.

Clark held up the map and focused his vision. Not to look in any other part of the spectrum, or look through it, but to attempt to use the newest ability of his eyes.

He did it. He could see the outlines of fingerprints, the tiny ridges easily visible to him. Only his own fingerprints were present, whoever else had handled this paper had worn gloves. Or maybe it had been long enough for the prints to fade.

Clark took a couple pictures of the map and messaged them to Ozpin and the others. Neatly, he folded the paper and stored it in his pocket.

Finally, he sped back to Vale.