Chapter 34:

Port: "The match will begin in 3... 2... 1... BEGIN!"

At Professor Port's call, Topaz stands and waits for Mercury to make a move. Mercury launches himself at Topaz, going for a heavy kick to Topaz's head going for an easy win. Topaz takes a step back and leans his head to the side, avoiding both the kick and the blast Mercury uses to follow up the kick. Topaz notices Mercury's almost reliance on his kicks, he doesn't throw many punches his way, and when he does, they are weak and predictable to Topaz. Topaz throws a punch of his own and catches Mercury's chin, sending him sprawling across the ground. Mercury slides and rolls bouncing up onto his feet. The two face off with each other once again, this time though, Topaz makes the first move. Catching Mercury off guard with a sudden burst of speed, Topaz feints a kick from his right leg, and instead throws a left hook when Mercury braces for the kick. Catching Mercury in the temple, knocking him to the ground, sending his aura into the red.

Port: "AND THAT'S THE FIGHT! Topaz is victorious!"

The crowd breaks into a roar celebrating Topaz's win. Topaz looks at Ariel and gives her a bright smile which she returns. At that moment, Topaz feels an odd disturbance and sees Emerald, eyes closed in concentration. Seeing her aura flicker Topaz realizes she's doing something big. It was at that moment Topaz heard Mercury shift behind him. Topaz looks towards Emerald and instinctively roars. The roar sends a minor shockwave across the arena and at the same moment Mercury kicks Topaz in the small of his back. The crowd gasps as Topaz sells the act of being hurt from the attack.

Ariel: "TOPAZ!"

????: "Oh my Ohm. Did he really attack him after the fight was over?"

????: "How could that happen."

Port: "Everyone calm down. Dr. Ooblek and I have been informed that General Ironwood has sent an escort to retrieve Mr. Black and bring him in for questioning."

Topaz glances towards Mercury and gives him a wink to set off his temper once again. Mercury yells and lunges for Topaz once again, but before he can land a hit, Ariel jumps in front of him and sends a powerful kick to his temple knocking him unconscious. Immediately after, the doors into the arena open and two atlas military personnel come in and bring Mercury into custody.

Topaz: "Thank you Ariel."

Ariel turns to look at Topaz with tears in her eyes.

Ariel: "You dummy, you knew something like this was going to happen, didn't you?"

Topaz: "Honestly, I had a theory it would, but I didn't know what exactly would happen. I'm sorry for worrying you."

Ariel: "Why do you always try and carry these burdens by yourself? You have so many of us that want to help make things easier for you."

Topaz: "I do it Ariel, because at the end of the day, I couldn't live with myself if anyone I care about get hurt because they follow me into danger."

Ariel: "We feel the same way Topaz! How do you think Neo or I would feel if you suddenly didn't come home one day because you got hurt trying to do something too big for you? It would tear us up inside."

Topaz: "I'm sorry Ariel. I'll try to be better about letting you guys know. I love you."

Ariel: "Please do try Topaz. Don't just say so, actually do it. I love you too. Now let Neo know you are ok, she's probably freaking out right now."

Topaz gives her a smile and takes his scroll from her. Messaging Neo that he is ok and that she shouldn't worry only led to a conversation very similar to the one he had with Ariel.

{Topaz: I will try to be better at letting you guys know when something is going down Neo. I'm sorry again for worrying you.}

{Neo: You had better Topaz, or I'm going to tell Summer. Please be safe there.}

{Topaz: Now that's just cruel to bring Summer into it. I will, I promise. Neo, I love you.}

{Neo: You finally said it. I love you too.}

Ariel looks over Topaz's shoulder and saw their conversation. She chuckles and kisses the top of his head.

Ariel: "It's about time."

Topaz chuckles to himself, then turns to look up to her.

Topaz: "I know. I wanted to wait until it was a special moment, like with you, but I felt by saying it there it would help calm Neo down."

Ariel: "Well, she isn't calm currently."

Topaz: "What do you mean."

Ariel: "She hasn't stopped messaging me since you said it. She says that we had better visit tomorrow."

Topaz: "You two are too good for me, you know."

The two share a kiss, getting a cheer of approval from the crowd. Realizing where they were, the two separate and begin blushing furiously. Ariel helps Topaz get to his feet as a medical team approach.

Medic 1: "Follow us to the examination room, we will evaluate the injury and go from there."

Topaz: "Ok, lead the way."

Medic 2: "I'm sorry young lady, but you are required to wait outside during the examination."

Ariel: "Why is that?"

Topaz: "She can follow in with us."

Medic 2: "Does she have any relation to you?"

Topaz: "She is my girlfriend and I trust her with my life."

Medic 2: "Very well then."

Ariel: "Thanks Topaz."

Topaz: "Don't mention it Ariel."

Following the medical team, Topaz and Ariel arrive at the examination room. Going inside the medical team begin gathering their equipment to make sure everything is alright with Topaz.

Medic 1: "Alright, shirt off and lay on the table."

Topaz takes off his shirt and lies on his stomach so the medics can look at his back. Medic 1 begins prodding around where Topaz had been kicked, while Medic 2 begins checking his vitals.

Medic 2: "Ok, take a deep breath... And out. Good."

After almost twenty minutes of being inspected, the medics back off and begin writing on their individual clipboards.

Medic 1: "Ok, everything looks good. I'm going to suggest you ice the injury and try to relax as much as you possibly can."

Medic 2: "Miss, we will leave it to you to keep him in line, alright?"

Ariel: "You got it."

Medic 1: "I wish the both of you a good rest of your day."

Ariel and Topaz leave the examination room and begin making their way to where Scarlett and Nova were waiting for them. Walking out into the stands, Topaz sees Penny being attacked by Emerald. Before anyone could react, Penny's mechanical secret was revealed to everyone. While everyone is frozen in shock, a feminine voice begins playing over the announcer's channel.

????: "Look everyone, at the secrets your superiors are hiding from you. Why would General Ironwood, and all of Atlas need a weapon that looks like a little girl? And the girl earlier, Ariel. Such a ruthless attack to simply knock out someone who was frustrated from losing. Just what are they teaching in these academies anymore? It seems like all that power is getting to their heads. It's time for a new era, one started through destruction."

At the mention of destruction, alarms begin going off around the arena, indicating a major grimm attack. A nevermore then breaks through the ceiling of Amity Arena and lands in the center. Topaz and Ariel jump down to face it, but before they could do anything, Ruby lands in front of them holding one of Penny's swords, tears streaming down her face. Without a word, Topaz walks over to her and gives her a comforting hug.

Topaz: "We will get to the bottom of this Ruby."

Ariel: "Ruby, are you ok?"

Ruby: "No I'm not. I'm angry."

Ruby jumps at the nevermore and buries the blade into the side of its head, killing it instantly. Turning to face everyone, Ruby begins giving a speech to both motivate and prepare everyone for the fight to come. After she finishes, she turns to Topaz.

Ruby: "Topaz, any words of your own?"

Topaz: "You summarized it pretty well on your own Ruby. All I'm going to say is protect each other. No being a hero and rushing into danger by yourself. Pyrra, I mean you. You are one of the most talented here, but even you are only human at the end of the day."

Pyrra: "But-"

Topaz: "No buts, we will all survive this, and grow stronger from it. Now let's show the world what happens when you mess with the wrong people!"

Everyone: "YEEEEEAAAHHHHH!!!!"