"Sterling and Terra of Beacon! Versus, Blaze and Joy of Shade!"

Professor Port's voice boomed over the arena, the cheers from the crowd nearly deafening and Sterling and Terra stood in the center of the arena, facing down their opponents. Blaze was a bulky, muscular man with vibrant red hair and charcoal black eyes, wearing too many belts over his chest and a pair of blacksmith's thick pants and a large hammer over his shoulder. Joy was strange to look at, bright yellow hair with pink tips and pink eyes, a blinding assortment of yellow and white sundress against pale skin made it hard to tell where her form was.

"So, am I fighting this one on my own, or am I going to get backup this time?" Terra's voice sounded dubious, but Sterling shot her a smirk.

"Don't worry, I'm here to win this one."

"So why aren't your weapons ready?"

"Does it look like these jokes deserve my weapons?"

Terra sighed, shaking her head. "Alright, let's get this over with."

The modules over every zone of the battlefield lit up and started their fast rotation, but Sterling's eyes focused on Blaze, almost dulling their color as his mind seemed to push out other thoughts.

"Hey!" Blaze yelled out over the arena, his free hand gesturing to Sterling, taking a half-step towards him. "I'm surprised you made the cut! Don't worry, you won't have to dance for long!"

Sterling didn't even give Blaze the satisfaction of rolling his eyes, gaze stiff on the man, body standing completely neutral. It seemed to put the other off, gritting his teeth and both hands going to the grip of his warhammer. The roulette ended, the terrain of the arena shifting. Behind Joy, a long field of white Calla Lillies and white Orchids appeared. Behind Blaze, spires of Obsidian speared up from the ground, lava flowing gently around the stalks. Behind Terra, walls of stone erupted from soft earth, one would assume a maze within but it was hard to tell from where they stood. And behind Sterling, ruins came up from the ground, as though a modern building was destroyed by an explosion.

The moment the bell tolled, Blaze let out a battle cry, dashing forward, taking to the air with his hammer back behind his head as far as he could draw it. Sterling took two steps forward, his eyes on Blaze's arms, and he moved as the other did, his arms lifting over his head, dropping down to a knee as his forearms blocked the hammer. The impact caused the ground to buckle, but Sterling smirked, seeing the surprise on Blaze's face. His arms pushed back and opened, knocking Blaze backwards while rising and stalking towards the man, who landed on his feet and readied his weapon.

Sterling didn't need to check his own aura, but he saw it when he glanced at the board for Blaze's. The attack chunked ten percent off. He'd get him for that.

Sterling's approach started slow, but worked into a jog, then a run, towards Blaze. The redhead lifted his hammer and took a heavy swing to the side, but Sterling jumped, hands landing on the hammer's head for a moment for a vault before his feet slammed into Blaze's chest, making him stumble back two steps but catching himself. Sterling flipped onto his feet before stepping forward, his leg coming up fast, the flat of his foot landing and resting at Blaze's neck. The redhead merely chuckled, his hand coming up and grabbing Sterling by the ankle, but he jumped, body spinning, and the heel of his other foot impacting Blaze's skull with a loud, sick smack, knocking the larger man to the ground.

Sterling looked up at the board. Twelve percent. Not half bad for the guy. Maybe he'll get the guy a drink after t-

Thunk. Sterling only heard the impact of the hammer against his side and the whistling of the air before he was slamming into an obsidian pillar, causing the brittle substance to break and fall over into the lava. Sterling pushed himself up with a huff before turning to Blaze, his eyes narrowed.

"Rude." Sterling slowly got himself to his feet, but Blaze was already moving, slamming his hammer into the ground. Sterling flipped forward just before Lava erupted where he was, a large column of it shooting into the air before hardening. He looked back, scoffing at the eruption before darting forward. The fight was starting to get boring.

His foot pushed into the obsidian ground, launching himself forward. Blaze swung, the hilt going through the air before the hammer slid out to its full length, but Sterling slid under it, rising up quickly within the handle's reach, and sent two hard punches at Blaze's abdomen before pushing him back with a double palm thrust. By the time Blaze had his balance and was looking up, Sterling was in the air, his right fist drawn back and glowing white hot. His fist swung, hitting the redhead on the left side of his face, and time seemed to stop for a moment before he was shot off rolling along the ground, the alarm buzzing for Blaze's knockout.

Sterling looked up at the board. One percent. Perfect. His own power was around sixty.

"And Blaze has been eliminated by Sterling's Aura punch!" Professor Port called out over the arena, but Sterling turned his head towards the stone maze. There was the sound of stone rustling and weight shifting violently in it before Joy jumped over the wall and landed on the loose dirt. He didn't like the smile on the woman's face as their eyes met.

The ground rustled slightly before Joy was knocked off her feet, a hand shooting up and hitting her mid spine as she fell backwards before Terra erupted from the ground, knocking Joy into the air then several feet away, another buzzer going off.

"And victory goes to Sterling and Terra of Beacon!" The roar from the arena made Sterling beam, looking around at the blur of faces, giving a wave. Terra seemed a little more energetic about it, but both were quick to head to the lift to the fighter underpass. The moment they were out of earshot of the audience both of them gave a rather high-pitched shriek of joy, arms waving in victory, giving each other a high-five and hip bouncing.

"What, deciding not to celebrate in front of everyone else?"

Sterling froze and turned his head, his cheeks blushing silver as he saw the two standing there, but his eyes were transfixed on the blonde. "Yang..." His feet moved on their own, walking towards her, then running, a feeling of hope crossing his face. Her arms lifted as he got close, but they slid around his neck as his arms went to hold her hips, the kiss hot and slow. Terra merely chuckled at it, walking past the three, and Weiss crossed her arms, looking away.

It was a long moment before Sterling took a breath once more, his forehead to hers. "No punch this time?"

"I figured you had a rough enough time out there with the Hammer." Sterling's eyes closed as a soft chuckle left him, letting out a sigh of relief in it.

"I had a rough time without you."

"Aww. Keep up with the cheesy lines and you'll have me around more often, lover boy."

"Yang, can you hurry up? We have a match to get to."

Both Sterling and Yang turned to face Weiss, who started on her way to the arena. Both chuckled before sharing a much softer kiss.

"Good luck to you on the match."

"Thanks." Yang smiled warmly, and her arms came out from around his neck, but Sterling still had a firm grasp around her hips.

"Tonight, after your match, I'll meet up with you?" His hand lifted from her side, his knuckles glowing warmly as they stroked over her cheek. It was a strong desire to hold that touch, the feeling nothing short of sublime. But his hand fell away, and he could hear the intake of break from Yang. Her eyes smoldered, lips open slightly before she kissed him roughly, drawing his lower lip in, giving it a small nip and pull before letting him go.

"Tonight it is, Sterling. Don't keep me waiting..." It was his turn to be breathless as he turned to watch Yang go towards the lift. It took a moment for him to realize what was going on, and he jumped, heading back upstairs to find a seat to watch the match.

"Is 'divide and conquer' your life motto or something?" Raz's voice made Sterling roll his eyes, although a cold chill went down his spine. He turned to face Raz, but his eyes flicked to the side to see behind him for a moment. Cinder. That was just great.

"Hey, make them isolated and it's easy to break down your opponents. I'm sure they were far more trained with fighting together lately than alone."

"And leaving Terra to fend for herself?"

"Terra's a big girl, she can handle herself. I probably would have stuck to you like glue if you were my teammate, though."

Sterling could hear Terra chuckle from behind the other man, and Raz seemed to glower for a moment before relaxing with Terra's hand on his shoulder. Still, every action was being scrutinized right now, and he couldn't let his mask slip at all... or give her any sort of satisfaction.

Top Heavy. The words rung through his mind as he looked at the arena shifting. Oh joy. His eyes narrowed as he leaned forward in his seat. "Kick her ass, Yang!" He yelled out, angry for her, although he calmed himself quickly, feeling Cinder's eyes on the back of his head. Easy, Sterling. She doesn't have anything to yell at you with, yet.

It was starting to get late when he got a message from Ozpin, a simple summons to his office. A frown crossed Sterling's lips, looking at his scroll, then at the time. Yang was going to kill him...He fired off a quick text, telling her that Ozpin wanted him, that he would be a little late but he would make it tonight, before he was running towards the tower. He was surprised to see Qrow heading to the elevator, and Sterling was quick to slide in before the doors were able to close.

"Go on, squirt. Ozpin's waiting for me."

"Me too." Sterling's voice was monotone, although he tilted his head slightly, eyebrow quirking and a smirk on his lips. A face that Qrow mimicked.

"Well then."

The elevator went up, and Qrow was the first to step out, Sterling close behind, hands in his pockets. If they were summoned, this could be some important stuff... was Ozpin finally trusting him with his own plan?

He was quiet and Qrow and Ozpin were talking, although a few words stuck to his mind. Champion? Maiden? There was a flash in his mind, causing his eyes to squint closed, fighting off the tinge of a headache that came with it.

"You summoned me, Professor?"

Ozpin turned to face him, his fingers lacing and resting on his desk. "Yes. I want you to stand at the side and observe, Sterling. I want your opinion on what is about to unfold here." He motioned with a finger towards one of the pillars in the room, and Sterling took the hint, walking over and leaning against it just as the elevator opened once more.

Pyrrha didn't seem to notice anything as Qrow stepped aside opposite of Sterling, taking a seat in front of Ozpin. Such idle banter, was this what Ozpin wanted him to focus on? It didn't seem like it was worth the time or effort to. The words that came from Pyrrha to Qrow were bitter, he could feel that energy in the air even as she kept her composure... even if Sterling agreed with Qrow. She deserved stronger teammates... but then again, having a team to build up with was a task on its own, and she seemed to be fit for it.

He was pulled out of his thoughts at the mention of the seasons. Sure, as Pyrrha retold it, he knew it was heavily abridged, and it was something that he hadn't been told in his childhood, his father never much for stories... or anything other than training him. But he could feel his headache worsening, eyes closing tight as a flash of an image came to mind. But just as quick as it came, as he reached to hold onto and study it thoroughly, it was gone.

Next in line... Sterling's hand went to cover his eyes as the elevator opened once more, the headache getting worse. What was this? There was a ringing in his ears... no, was this screaming? It was a veritable white noise that blocked out everything. His knees buckled, his free hand going to the floor to keep him from falling completely, but his body had gone numb. Images flashed by too fast for him to get any sort of sense from them, although they slowly faded to a completely dark mind.

By the time the noise and images faded and he could feel the world around him again, the others were gone. He made his way to the elevator, pressing the call button... nothing. He pressed it a few more times to no avail before he started pacing circles around the office. The sunlight was nearly gone when he heard the elevator arrive once more, this time only Ozpin exiting.

"Why did you lock me in here." Sterling's voice was low, almost cold as he regarded Ozpin. The Headmaster didn't seem too disturbed by it, walking around his desk to take a seat.

"I needed to have a word with you about what you listened to."

"And why didn't you bring me with you, then?"

"I'm not ready to show you what Miss Nikos was shown."

"And she was?"

Ozpin let out a sigh, eyes closing for a moment as he thought before speaking up, staring Sterling in the eye. "At least I know that Miss Nikos is on my side, Sterling. I asked you to spy on the enemy, yes, but you have yet to pick a side."

"I've told you everything I have managed to find out. She seems persistent on keeping the... slog of it off my shoulders."

Ozpin was quiet, and the silence stretched out for a long few seconds, making Sterling uncomfortable. Finally, Ozpin leaned forward. "I want your opinion, Sterling. Do you think Pyrrha is capable?"

"... Capable of what?" His face was a guise of confusion.

"Of being a Maiden."

Just mention of that word made it feel like a spike went into his mind, and Sterling screwed his eyes closed, a hand going to his forehead. A few deep breaths before he could control it, looking at Ozpin. It was something about that word. "Why does my opinion matter?"

Ozpin frowned at that, although he stood, motioning for the elevator. "Very well. You may go, unless you have something else to tell me?"

Sterling thought for a moment before he rose fro his own seat. "Nothing comes to my mind, Professor." He gave a small bow before he headed to the elevator. The entire ride down his mind was buzzing. What had happened? What exactly was Ozpin hinting at?

And why did he want his opinion if Pyrrha was a... Maiden? Just thinking the word made his head hurt.

Still, all of those thoughts disappeared when the elevator opened, and he stepped through the first floor to hit the outdoors. He took a heavy breath of the cold air before his mind jolted. Yang. His feet took off towards the dorms, the wind taking the rest of the shock from him. It was only a few minutes before he was knocking on her dormroom door, but he was surprised by the sudden movement, a hand on his hoodie as the door opened, pulling him through the doorway before it was closed and he was slammed against it.

If that didn't take his breath away, the kiss that followed did. It was filled with emotion and desire, and he could feel Yang pressing firmly against him, hands on his shoulders to keep him pinned. He pressed back, giving into the kiss and his hands finding her hips. He managed to break for air, his forehead against hers, eyes closed. "God I love you."

"Kept me waiting long enough." Her voice had an air to it that made him laugh softly.

"Ozpin locked me up for a bit while he dealt with stuff. I'm sorry."

A smirk crossed Yang's lips, a hand sliding up from his shoulder to slide through his hair, bringing a soft sigh from his lips. "I forgave you for driving a train, I can forgive being a few minutes late."

A grin crossed his lips, a weight lifting from his chest as he heard that. He took a moment to look around the room. "Where's your team?"

"Oh, them?" Yang's other hand slid to his zipper, loosening his hoodie before sliding it off his shoulders, a heavy clunk filling the room from his weapons hitting the ground. "Qrow took them out to Vale to celebrate. I said I was staying behind to get ready for the Finals."

"So that gives us... how long?" His hands slid up from her sides, unbuttoning her half-jacket and pulling it off.

"About two hours." Yang's hands pushed the shirt up over his head, although a hand pinned it and his arms against the door. "Enough time for you?"

"I can make do." A chuckle left Sterling, leaning forward and playfully nipping at Yang's lower lip. "But there is one thing that I had in mind."

"Oh really?" Yang's chest was flush against Sterling's, giving a rough kiss before pulling his shirt off fully and tossing it aside. "And what is that?"

"Oh, something like this." Sterling lowered a hand, glowing softly in the dim light of the room, and brushed it slowly along her cheek and down her neck. A soft gasp left Yang, a visible shiver going down her spine as her eyes closed halfway, at least until the glow left his hand. There was a soft sound from Sterling. She was truly beautiful.

"Yes, more of that." Yang said, her voice a half whisper, eyes still half closed, looking at his lips.

"What I want to give is permanent. It will link us, Yang, for good."

"Yes." The answer was quick, and he didn't have the chance to say anything about it before she was kissing him, slow, loving but a hint of desperate passion in it. She slowly led him backwards towards the beds, and he lowered her onto one, covering her body with his. Every little touch along her skin he added just a little more, the glow at his fingertips, and he showed her his emotions. Absolute love, devotion and want, especially want and desire once he was peeling the last strips of fabric from her body.

Subconsciously, even as he felt her legs wrap around him as they joined, he knew he made his decision. Nothing could change his mind about what was going to happen. His lips found hers, the kiss hot but dominated by love instead of lust, feeling her arms wrap around him, legs tightening. It was slow, his body seeming to shimmer against hers from the light, before it moved against her body, inviting and warm. Two hearts beating. The changes were slow, feeling the waves of her very soul. As if from far away he heard her gasp against his lips, a moan ringing against his ears, before he could hear her voice in his mind.

"What is this?" Her voice had the slightest tint of fear, but it was more confused, detached from the pleasure in their bodies.

"It's... hard to explain..." His voice almost seemed lost with it. "Our souls embracing. Linking together..."

"For good?" Yang's voice seemed worried about it, although there was another tone in it. Sterling prayed it was a hopeful tone.

"For good."

There. It was the last piece, their minds melding together for a moment, protecting her from the worst memories of his past, but she saw them, his life as he knew it. And his love for her. He could hear another moan from her, but this... this was a closeness that he craved. Two hearts beating as one.

Their climax washed over both of them, simultaneous, powered by each others. The glow died down, unnecessary to burn so much energy to do that again. Yang opened her eyes, both of them panting from exertion, and the kiss that followed was slow, passionate and loving. Sterling took her hand, fingers lacing together.

The side he chose was hers.

"You know..." Her voice caught his attention, eyes opening, seeing the small smile on her lips. "You're going to have to explain to me what you just did." She leaned up, nipping at his lip. "Because I liked it."