Whew, it has been a busy week. Between my work schedule getting bent sideways and school, I almost thought I wouldn't have this done. But, we pushed through, didn't we?

So here you'll see Yang and Pyrrha duke it out while Blake hypnotizes Ren and Nora. Fun times. After this point, it's going to be heavy on the psychological shit, so... Be ready...

Before I begin I want to say a quick word to the user Beloved Nightmare Union. You're words meant a lot and I thank you dearly for taking the time to leave that hell of a review. It means a lot whenever somebody goes out of their way to do that in the length that you did. Thank you so much!

Now, without further delay, onto the story!

Edit: I FORGOT TO ADD: BY NO MEANS IS HYPNOSIS THIS EASY! SERIOUSLY, THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO IT BUT FOR THE SAKE OF TIME I SHORTENED IT DOWN. SORRY.

Enjoy!

Yang and Weiss walked across the campus, no sign of Pyrrha nor Jaune in front of them. The gladiator had left in a huff, her leader right behind her, so it was safe to assume that he was by her side the entire way. It could also be assumed that they were already at the training arena.

Weiss looked at her teammate, "Are you alright?" She asked.

Yang stopped and turned to the heiress, "I have no idea." She said, cocking her head in a quizzical manner. Her tone of voice told Weiss that Yang was joking, however. "I'll get back to you when I have any idea of what's going on right now."

Yang walked on, her teammate close behind her. "Do you know what you're going to do?"

"Of course!" Yang chuckled, "I'm going to- in this order- Walk in, find Pyrrha, beat the ever-loving tar out of her, wait for her to wake up, beat her some more, then after she wakes up a second or third time I'll ask her what the hell her problem is!"

Weiss stopped, her eyes wide. Yang had clearly no time to think this out, but she still had a plan already. "Well, I see you've made your decision..." Weiss said to herself. She speed-walked to catch up with the brawler, "But you still have to remember that Pyrrha is our friend. Plus, she's really, really tired, so you might not need to hit her too hard."

"Doesn't matter!" Yang clapped, "She threatened my sister, she threatened my team, she's going down!"

In no time at all the duo wound up at the arena- the very same one they were in to fight Ruby not too long ago- and met Professor Peach at the door. "Well..." The woman said, looking surprised, "I don't know what you did to her-" She nodded to the inside, "-but she is mad."

Yang shook her head and sighed. Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose and spoke for her and her teammate, "If we had any idea ourselves, we'd tell you."

Peach made an affirming sound and led the two inside. The lights were just coming on as the former classroom was now turning into a regular fighting area for the two teams. Yang and Weiss looked around, noting how eerie it seemed... How empty it was...

Hell, even when they were fighting Ruby, they still had a small audience.

"Weiss..." Yang called, "Come with me... If Pyrrha's down there, I don't want her jumping me."

Weiss nodded in agreement and followed Yang into the locker room. As they did, Professor Peach started on the control console, setting the arena up for combat.

Down in the locker room, the 'W' and 'Y' of RWBY made their way to Yang's locker. The team- like most- arranged their lockers in order. Ruby had the first, Weiss to the right of her, Blake and Yang in the same way. Yang opened her locker and began to inspect her gauntlets. She had two sets of tools for Ember Celica, each one held the same tools used to fix the gauntlets should anything happen to them. Inside was a few belts of shells.

Weiss also opened hers, grabbing Myrtenaster in case things got... Hairy.

As the heiress closed her locker, she could feel a harsh presence... A familiar one... But she knew that person wasn't here... No, this feeling went to another individual. She turned around and saw Pyrrha Nikos staring down Yang. Weiss glared back and gained the gladiators attention. Weiss patted her weapon, silently letting her friend know not to do anything...

Pyrrha got the memo and returned to her business, properly setting her armor. Jaune was next to her, apparently trying- and failing- to talk any sort of reason in his partner. It looked as though she was completely ignoring her partner.

Yang nudged Weiss, who turned to face her friend, "Thanks." The brawler said, "I think she was going to start early on me." Weiss shrugged the compliment off, trying to figure out what the issue was in the first place.

Back over to Pyrrha, Jaune was currently sifting through his partners silent treatment. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?" He asked, "Like, you're not even in the right condition to fight..." She shook her head as she strapped her boots together, fervent on the idea of combat. "I know, you don't really care much for what I have to say right now, but at least listen to one thing I have to say!"

"What, then?" Pyrrha asked harshly, "What do you want to say? Tell me. I'm listening."

Jaune stared into her half-closed eyes, which were giving him the sternest of glares. This wasn't the Pyrrha Nikos he had been teammates with... No, she was turning to a monster. A sleep deprived monster, and there seemed to be no way of talking her down, "Just... Take it easy, alright? You've had a rough few days and you need a break. Let's let cooler heads prevail and tomorrow we'll patch things-" A slam of Pyrrha's locker and a red-headed figure walking away interrupted Jaune, who stood bewildered by what just happened.

Yang and Weiss approached, now done with their preparation. "What was that about?" Weiss asked.

Jaune shook his head and turned to Yang, "Listen, she's not alright. Take this one easy on her and don't go too heavy. She'll definitely be the first to make mistakes, but that doesn't mean you have to capitalize on everything." Yang looked to him, confusion written on her face, "Alright. I know I'm asking you not to fight at full strength, but I don't want her overcompensating this fight and getting hurt. So please, just take it easy on her, okay?"

Yang nodded and looked out the door of the locker room to the arena floor, "I get it. Hold back and let her tire herself out. I'll rock her to sleep, Jaune, don't worry." With that, she exited and walked out to the arena floor. The deafening silence around her made things all the more eerie.

Jaune sighed as he physically deflated, shoulders slumping, "It's not you I'm worried about..."

Weiss chuckled as she followed Yang to the floor, heels clacking with every step. "Come on, lover boy," She called, "Let's go watch our teammates fight." Jaune shook his head incredulously, but agreed regardless and followed the heiress out.

"You know what you're getting yourselves into, right?" Blake asked, trying to make sure her friends were ready, "By agreeing to this, you are pretty much giving me the green light to make you two do anything."

Ren nodded assuredly as Nora piped up, "We're sure. After all, if we can't have some fun with it then what's the point?"

"Alright, then." Blake said, picking up a library book she found earlier in the week. She opened it up and started, "Have a seat on Weiss' bed and close your eyes..." She began.

Glynda and Ruby watched closely; Glynda making sure everything went well, Ruby seeing how Hypnosis is done. She could have seen it at Signal, but was out sick the one day it happened. She never forgave herself, nor her body for getting sick on her as apparently it was really funny.

"And do you know what you're getting into, Miss Rose?" Glynda asked, quietly. Ruby looked up at her quizzically as the instructor went on, "You do understand that, if you go through with this... You will be reliving the trauma that essentially caused your amnesia. You understand this, right?"

Ruby nodded slowly, confirming Glynda's words, "I don't think I really have a choice, now do I?" She said, "It's this or relearn everything from the past year... Besides, it would be a pain to the team if their leader was out of commission like that... Yang keeps saying she doesn't trust Weiss as a leader, either."

Glynda was surprised by the teen's words. She wasn't doing it so she could have her memory back, she was doing it so her team can have their leader back... She was about to argue that the choice was essentially Ruby's and that she didn't have to go through with anything, but deep down she knew her student's mind was made up.

Ruby would sift through every painful memory so long as she finds the right one...

"Now," Blake said, her voice low and soothing, mesmerizing even. "Both of you need to concentrate on my voice and relax. Take a deep breath," She inhaled with her subjects, "And exhale." As both did, she began to slowly walk about around the bed, "Keep taking slow, deep breaths. Relax your muscles and find comfort in the room..."

Glynda was surprised at how well everything was going so far. Nora, for once, was actually calm and relaxed. "Now, with your eyes closed, I want you to envision a place, any place, where you find comfort. Anything that is soothing or relaxing to you, is now where you are at...

Look around you, and see where you are at..." Both Ren and Nora looked around, their eyes staying shut, "Now, look in front of you. There should be a door. Go through the door and you will find yourself at the top of a staircase overlooking a beach. A very quiet beach with nobody else on it. All that's there is the sand, the calm waves and a very light breeze flowing through the air."

Blake returned back to the front of the bed and paused, letting the change in scenery kick in. "Look out to the sea and concentrate on nothing but the sound of the water slowly washing up to the shore. Feel the cool breeze on the warm day, the cloudless sun brightening the day. You want to go to the beach, but you have ten steps to walk down before you can touch the sands."

Ruby watched, well, more listened, trying to imagine what exactly they were seeing. Blake's rather soothing voice made it easier to imagine clearly the scene she spoke of. Blake continued after another pause, "As you walk down the steps, your world will get darker. With every two steps, you will fall asleep, getting ever so deeper as we go..."

"Step one, you feel the cool ocean breeze overtake you, the sun now setting.

Step two, you slowly feel the sun setting, it's rays now cooling.

Step three, the breeze stops and the water stays stationary.

Step four, as you notice the water disappears you slowly feel the embrace of sleep. The air cooling as the sun sets further into the west.

Step five, you're halfway there, now. You're body and mind are soothed as the temperature stays at a comfortable level for you..."

Glynda and Ruby watched on, impressed by the display. The instructor was surprised that Blake didn't go for the easiest technique: Putting someone in a trance, then hypnotizing them from there. Even she hadn't mastered the way Blake was doing it... All it was, to her, was amazing.

Ruby noted how well it seemed to be going, imagining everything that her teammate was saying. If she didn't know any better, she might even slip into hypnosis right now...

"Step nine, You can feel sleep's embrace as the heat from the sand below surrounds you.

Step ten, you are now at the final step. Your world is dark, almost completely black as you find sleep. Your body and mind are both relaxed as you slip into sleep. You are now under my control. When I say your name and snap my fingers, you will be put back into this state and will wait for my words. You will do what or say something only if I tell you to. You will listen to no one else."

Ren and Nora, now slumping on the bed, appeared to be sleeping. Exactly where Blake wanted them. She turned to Glynda, who smiled and nodded in approval. "Very good, Miss Belladonna." She said, "Let's see if it worked, now."

Blake nodded and turned to her two subjects, "On the count of three, you two will wake up. One," She began her count, raising her hand to prepare a snap, "Two." She eyed both participants, both of whom seemed to be very much gone, "Three." With a snap of her fingers, both Nora and Ren opened their eyes and sat up. It wasn't a jolt awake; it was more of a gentle rise from a good night's sleep.

The duo looked around the room, then to each other, and finally to Blake. "Did I work?" Nora asked, "I don't feel very hypnotized..."

"Let's find out." Blake smiled, "Sleep." She put a hand on Nora's shoulders and snapped her fingers. Nora automatically closed her eyes as her head tilted back, "When I snap my fingers you will..." She thought for a moment, "Show us what a sloth sounds like."

Ren chuckled and shook his head as Nora did the best sloth impersonation anyone has ever seen, hanging off of Ruby's bed while only using her right hand and foot to grab on for support. She also made her signature sloth sound, causing the room to have a chuckle. "I'm not sure if that's what a sloth sounds like." Goodwitch said, finally composing herself.

"I didn't even know sloths made a noise..." Ruby chuckled, watching the display, "At least we know it works. How do you feel, Ren?"

The stoic boy looked back at the young girl and smiled, "I don't feel a difference. Actually, the whole process was very soothing and relaxing. I think Pyrrha may find some use for it."

Glynda nodded in agreement, "You could probably do a 'post-hypnotic suggestion' on her, too." Ruby looked up at her blankly, clearly not understanding what was just said, "A post-hypnotic suggestion is where, whenever someone is hypnotized, you make them think they believe something or make them think that they think a certain way. Say that if I wanted to make Nora believe she was really a sloth, I could tell her while she's in the trance that she'll act like a sloth until a certain time."

Ruby nodded in understanding, all the while thinking how easily manipulated the mind can be. It amazed her, in a way. It also kind of scared her...

"Ren." Blake called, "Sleep." With a hand on his shoulder Ren's head dipped down and his eyes closed. "Nora." She did the same, causing the hammer-wielder to fall off of the bed. "When I snap my fingers at the count of three, Ren will jump and outstretch his arms to as far as they can go. Nora will carry him around the room while saying 'Boop' at every step."

"Oh, dear God..." Ruby said, "Already she's gone mad with power..."

Glynda sat, surprised by her student's early command over the mental states of her friends, "I never knew Blake could have such a dominating side of her..."

Blake smiled as she snapped her fingers, "Three!"

Peach watched carefully as all participants entered the training floor. She noted Weiss and Jaune along the side, ready to render aid or a quick stop to the fight, whichever came first. She looked out as Yang and Pyrrha took their places; Pyrrha already drawing Milo and Akuno, while Yang refused to activate her gauntlets. This made Peach wonder, for a moment anyway.

"Ladies!" Peach called over the speakers, "And Jaune." Jaune smiled lightly and waved, "Welcome to... Oh, what the hell. We're not here for introductions. You know why you're here, so I'm going to lay down some basic rules for you.

Rule One! No cheap shots. Let's keep this clean.

Rule Two! No Hair pulling." She thought for a moment, unable to figure out any other rule, "If I find something else I'll tell you. Begin!"

Both Yang and Pyrrha locked eyes. Pyrrha's shield was in front of her face whilst her sword was up in the javelin position being held around the side of her shield in a defensive manor. She crouched as she braced herself for any of Yang's attacks.

Yang, however, just stood there patiently... Waiting for the right moment. She watched as Pyrrha stayed in her stance, unmoving... Patient. It surprised Yang. 'She's so battle ready... Huh...' She thought.

Jaune and Weiss watched intently as they waited for either of their teammates to make the first move. "Any time now..." Weiss whispered. Jaune let out a chuckle as he eyed his partner.

Yang, reluctantly, was the first one to charge after growing impatient with the gladiator. Her gauntlets extended to full length as she punched the shield dead center, rocking Pyrrha in her place. A second shot fired off, knocking the already off-balanced teen to the floor.

Pyrrha spun on her back and flipped to her feet, still showing that she has the moves for combat. She raised her shield and charged ahead at full speed, preparing to ram the brawler. Yang however, expected this move, and leapt into the air. She planted her feet firmly on Akuno and kicked off, causing Pyrrha to falter.

"What's wrong?" Yang taunted, "You off your game? I coulda swore I was facing Pyrrha Nikos!"

"You'll see." Pyrrha retorted through gritted teeth. Again, she charged ahead, but this time her blade was at the ready. Yang, unable to spot Milo behind Pyrrha's back, prepared to make the same move twice and leapt into the air. Pyrrha planned on this and thrusted her blade forward. Yang barely had enough time to bring up her left arm and make a shot out of her gauntlet to block Pyrrha's daring attack.

A moment at hand, Yang grasped Pyrrha's wrist and locked it underneath her arm, trapping the gladiator. With her free right arm, Yang jabbed repeatedly at Akuno, which was being tactically used by Pyrrha to protect her head.

'Time to get aggressive...' Yang thought. Her left arm still locking down Pyrrha's right, she knew for a fact that she had one chance, and a slim one at that. She stopped punching the shield. Instead, she grabbed it and yanked it away, tossing it across the arena. She had only a second before Pyrrha would activate her semblance, so she transferred the momentum she received from the shield toss and turned it into a jumping double-kick, which connected with a resounding smack.

Peach visibly recoiled from the hit, able to tell that it hurt like hell. Jaune and Weiss both flinched as Pyrrha landed on her back. The gladiator slowly rose to her feet and extended her left arm. It hummed as a dark glow surrounded her hand. The same glow also surrounded her shield, and in a second flat, Akuno was flying towards its owner.

As Pyrrha set her shield into place, Yang took her stance with a smile on her face. She didn't have to look at the board to know that she was winning so far. "Had enough, Pyrrha?" She called, "Get it out of your system yet?"

"Not a chance!" Pyrrha yelled sharply, "I'm not through, yet!" Her breaths were short and sharp, but she still charged back into the fight.

"Let's change that, then."

Jaune and Weiss watched as Yang effortlessly dodged Pyrrha's attacks, clearly trying to avoid further contact until her opponent would tire out. "Weiss," Jaune called amidst the heat of battle, "How are you doing?"

"Oh, will you give it up already?!" The heiress hollered, "I mean, really! Why now-"

"No, no, no, no, no, no..." The blonde boy waved off, "I actually mean that genuinely. I want to know how you're feeling right now."

Weiss looked up at her friend, rather surprised, "W-w-wha-?"

"I want to know how you're feeling about all of this. Last night Yang said something about you having a feeling of helplessness, and I-"

Weiss sighed, interrupting his rambling. She spoke up over the clanks and bangs of the fight before them, "I'll stop you right there." She huffed, "I don't feel helpless about all of this, with Ruby and even with this right here..." She nodded to the fight, "No, I feel useless."

Jaune looked at her curiously as she continued, "When we were told that Ruby had amnesia, I was so concerned for her. Not because she didn't remember me, or Blake or any of that, but because she couldn't remember. I wanted to find a way to help her, but... I just... There was nothing for me to do, you know?" She folded her arms across her chest, "I went and told Ruby that I'd have her back, but really the only thing I've done was pester her about school. That's it. 'Here, Blake will help break you out of this and Yang will be there to help you sleep, and all Weiss, you're partner, is going to do is make sure you keep up your grades!'"

She looked away from Jaune as he nodded. This is exactly what he wanted out of the heiress; her to open up and get everything off of her chest. "I just... Blake is doing something to help, Yang is always there for her... I just feel... Useless... I'm utterly useless..."

"No you're not, Weiss." Jaune assured, "Sure you may not be doing as much as Yang and Blake, but you're still doing something. And if you want to do more, I'm sure there will be a way for you to. You just have to find it."

Weiss gave him a confused stare, "How will I know what to do?"

Jaune shrugged as he looked back out to the fight, "That's for you to know..." Was all he said. Weiss stood, surprised by what just transpired. Jaune Arc, the goofy leader of Team JNPR had just helped her... The one guy she never expected...

"Wait..." Weiss turned to him and glared, "How do you-?"

"I have seven sisters, Weiss. I know how to deal with girls." He chuckled, "You think you all can hide secrets but I know when you are. I think you know what you can do to help Ruby. You just have to stop worrying about what will happen and do it."

Weiss turned back to the fight, contemplating what Jaune had told her. His advice was pretty sound and his logic made sense. As she thought about his words, she watched the fight. Yang and Pyrrha were currently exchanging blows, Yang apparently only have taken a few hits. Her Aura hadn't dipped at all throughout the duration of the fight. All the while, Pyrrha's was fluctuating; a problem that had been taught in basic Aura classes.

Lack of sleep, meant lack of Aura. This, Yang knew. This, Yang would exploit.

Pyrrha's newfound, albeit temporary, weakness, gave Yang the best shot of winning. All she had to do really was keep dodging, weaving and otherwise avoiding her opponent's hyperlethal attacks, which seemed to aim more towards punishing over killing. Still, Yang did not want to take the risk.

Pyrrha, now using Milo in its blade form and began slashing the air in front of Yang in an attempt to cause damage. Yang seemed to dance through each swipe, unintentionally taunting her opponent. "You know," The brawler sung, "If you actually got some rest and were able to see through your hate-filled eyes, you might see that no matter what you do, you can not win."

"What. Do. You. Mean?!" Pyrrha grunted, taking a step with every word. She spun into a jab with Milo turning back into its javelin form, her shield being used to not only block Yang's few, defensive attacks, but transfer energy and momentum into brutal strikes of her own.

Yang kicked Pyrrha's blade away, to which the gladiator replied with a slam of Akuno into the brawler's face. Yang was sent back a few feet, clearly reeling from the hit. Despite Pyrrha's current state, her strikes still packed one heck of a hit. Yang could feel her semblance activate- primarily in defense- But she willed it down, knowing she couldn't go too hard into the fight. She wanted Pyrrha to get tired and give up, not get seriously hurt.

Regardless of her interest in dealing back the damage she took, Yang kept her mind on her original intentions. She slowly rose to her feet and glanced at her friend, sadness in her eyes. "I know why you keep this up, Pyrrha." She said, her voice calm and collected. "I know why you fight."

"Oh? Please, Yang, enlighten me."

"Because you blame me." Pyrrha shook her head, trying to deny the accusation. But Yang wasn't done, "When you should be blaming yourself."

The Mistralean Gladiator stared at the brawler, interested. She wasn't expecting Yang to take this approach... Actually, she wasn't sure what to expect. But now, she was interested with what her opponent had to say... "Go on, Yang. Please."

"You want to blame somebody but yourself for you sleep situation. At first, you blamed my sister- bad move by the way- then you blamed Blake. Then Weiss. Then I told you to blame me, and you agreed. When really, the only person you need to blame is yourself."

Pyrrha began to listen intently more and more as Yang spoke. Jaune, also, was a little lost, trying to figure out where Yang was going with this. Weiss, however, saw the reverse psychology behind it all. Pyrrha sheathed Akuno and stabbed Milo into the ground, leaning on it as she grasped the blade's handle. "What are you getting at? Why should I blame myself?"

"Because, Pyrrha, you agreed to everything. I don't know what happened the first night, why you lost sleep then, but that's beside my point. On the second night, when Weiss came to you, asking for you to help Ruby and her with Peach's class, you agreed. Sure, you lost a night, but you helped a friend. On the third night when Blake and I came to you and your team, you were the first, the very first, to volunteer your team to join the search."

Yang took a breath, but continued, "On both of occasions, you could have said no. You could have told us that you haven't been sleeping well and we would have understood. You didn't have to do anything, we weren't pressuring you nor were you told. You could have declined. Yet, you still helped. And now, after helping us, you plan to hurt us because you haven't had a little nap."

"It's not that simple, Yang! It's-"

"No, Pyrrha, it is that simple!" Yang yelled as her eyes turned blood red. She summoned the might of her semblance in preparation for her next move, "You blame us when you're the one who did this to yourself! We aren't to blame for your problems!"

Pyrrha listened to everything. Yang's words causing her to rethink the past few hours, to regret what she had done. Deep down she knew her blonde opponent was right. There was no justifying her actions because there was nothing justifiable.

"ARHG!" She screamed, rubbing her temples, "Damnit!"

Everyone present noticed the change in atmosphere. Everything had shifted as Yang took her advantage further, "You know I'm right, Pyrrha. Admit this defeat, and I'll forget all about this!"

"I... I-" Pyrrha stuttered. She was having an internal crisis, her mind trying to protect itself. She was never known for her ego. Actually, Pyrrha Nikos was the more humble in all of Beacon. Still, she tried so hard to prove that she was right, mainly to herself, that she actually believed herself more than Yang. But she knew Yang was right...

She was so conflicted...

"You... Y-y-you're... You're right, Yang..." She finally admitted, dropping to her knees. She pulled Milo up out of the ground and used it as a stand so she wouldn't fall over completely. "What's worse? Despite how much I know you're right... I still have to do this..."

Yang could barely hear her opponent when out of nowhere a bronze shield flew past. Yang dipped backwards into a flip, landing with an explosive and resounding smack on the flats of her feet. She looked up and saw Pyrrha running at full speed, her javelin in tow, pointed right at Yang's neck.

"Damnit..." Yang muttered. Time seemed to slow as the gladiator approached. Yang brought up her right arm and smacked Milo out of Pyrrha's hands, causing both fighters to spin. Pyrrha attempted to bring back Akuno while spinning into a kneel, but Yang had other intentions.

The brawler spun around on her left foot and faced Pyrrha, who barely got around to activating her semblance. Yang's was already flared. She planted her right foot, transferring the rest of her momentum to her right arm as she brought the figurative hammer down upon Pyrrha.

With a shot from Ember Celica, Yang's fist connected effortlessly with Pyrrha's head, following through while the Mistralean Gladiator's body eased. Pyrrha's muscles weren't as tense as her hair covered her face.

Yang reset her stance, waiting for her opponent to come back for another. But there was no movement... Not even a twitch. She looked up and saw that the force of her impact had knocked off Pyrrha's headpiece, luckily enough it didn't shatter.

A loud alarm rung out, scaring Yang back into the real world. Time sped up into its normal pace as a voice over the speakers called out; "Yang Xiao Long is the winner!" As Yang looked up, she saw a very impressed, or horrified, Professor Peach. At this distance, she couldn't really tell.

Her mind was running wild as she tried to comprehend what just happened. On the board, she saw that Pyrrha's Aura had dipped dangerously into the red, and yet her own had only gone into the yellow. As she stared up, she could hear two pairs of footsteps, one heavy and loud, the other light and easy. She turned to see Jaune jog past her with Weiss right behind.

"Good job," The blonde boy said in passing, "But you could've eased up a little..." Yang shrugged, knowing full well that no matter what, what happened was bound to happen. Be it at the start, or later in the fight.

The brawler turned and found two white sleeves wrap around her neck. She made a soft 'Oompf' sound as Weiss brought her into a tight hug. Yang had to duck a little bit in order to get down more to Weiss' level. "And where did this come from?" She joked, "I think Ruby's starting to get to you..."

Weiss chuckled as she glanced up, meeting Yang's eyes as they returned to their lilac form, "Shut up and let me give you a congratulations hug..."

Yang, finally, returned the hug, "You have definitely been hanging around Ruby alot..."

Blake, Ruby and Professor Goodwitch all sat around a small card table- one that nobody knew where it came from, all they knew was that Nora was easily able to acquire it- and enjoyed a stack of pancakes made and served by Ren.

"You know..." Goodwitch said, "I might just have you have Ren reveal his recipe for these..." She took a drink out of her glass, "These are exquisite!"

Blake shrugged, "Eh, I think I'm done snooping around for secrets. He can keep this for a while longer." Ruby chuckled silently at her teammate's comment. "I heard that." Blake called. Ruby turned away, choking on her food, causing both Blake and Goodwitch to laugh.

"So," Ruby spoke after composing herself, "What are we going to do now? I mean, we've gone as far as having them make out lunch... Now what?"

Glynda finished her meal and glanced at her student, "That depends. Do you feel as though you understand how this works? You've seen the process firsthand, after all..."

Ruby glanced up, thinking about what to say next. The implications of her thoughts could be... Not what she would be hoping for... "Well, yes and no." Blake and Goodwitch looked at her, puzzled. "Let me explain. Blake, you've gone and have done a great job hypnotizing these two. It's clear they're under your control. But... How will they... I mean-?"

"I think I know what you're getting at." Blake interrupted, "You're wondering how I'll be able to bring back your memory through this?" Ruby nodded in confirmation, thanking her teammate for finishing her thought. "Let me explain. While hypnotized, I can have you go deep within your subconscious and find what you're looking for. I believe a demonstration would help. Nora!" She clapped, "Front and center!"

The hammer-wielder ran up in mock salute and smiled, "Yes, captain?"

"Sleep." Blake soothed, putting a lone hand on her shoulder, "When you wake up, you will tell us all something from your childhood. An event that you can hardly remember. You will tell us it as if it happened yesterday."

Ren spoke up, "Have Nora tell you all about the time she ate a tub of ice cream before dinner and still didn't get caught."

"Alright, Nora, you will do just that!" Ruby watched in anticipation, hoping to see something done. If it worked, then this would be a success and she would be more comfortable moving on. If not... Then they have to make up and move on to a Plan B. "Three!" Blake's fingers snapped as Nora returned to the world.

"When I was a kid, I asked my dad if I could have ice cream for dinner. He said 'no' but that didn't stop me. So, I went and ate the vanilla ice cream that we had in the freezer before dinner, at about four-fifteen. My dad was out when I did, so I thought I had a few minutes. Unfortunately, I ate way too much... I had it all. When I heard his car pull up, I thought I was in so much trouble, so I hid the spoon in the tub, practically flew downstairs and threw it in the freezer."

She explained more, imitating her story with a theatrical flair that only Nora Valkyrie could do, "When daddy walked in, I was still standing next to the fridge, breathing heavily, though I tried hard to hide it. He walked in, looked at me and shook his head. All I'm thinking is 'Oh, no! He knows! Play it cool, Nora!' He goes and makes dinner, which is ready about twenty minutes later. He's giving me the eye all throughout, and I'm just thinking 'Play. It. Cool.' I had to eat everything, even though I couldn't."

She paused to take a breath, "I ate it all. It was a grilled tenderloin with mashed potatoes and carrots. He put quite a bit on my plate out of spite and to test me, but I passed the test. After dinner, about an hour or so later, my stomach is just full to bursting. I wasn't feeling well at all, but doing anything about it meant blowing my cover. Well, my dad called me downstairs and asked if I wanted any ice cream." All three grew a smile as she went on, knowing full well where this story was going. "I told him I was good, but he said he was going to have some anyway. So, I sighed and ran as fast as I ever have in my life downstairs and told him not to. Instead of ice cream from here, I wanted the local ice cream man. Boom, problem solved, right?

Nope. He agreed and we went outside and waited. About ten minutes later the truck came down the street and we waved him down. It was at that point where he forgot he didn't have money and ran back inside to get some. I looked to the driver and just said, 'I need help. I at a tub of vanilla earlier and left it in the freezer when I wasn't supposed to eat it.' He nods and tosses me a fresh tub and tells me to go change them out quick. So I did."

Blake grew a rather confused look to her face, not sure if that was it. "U-um... Are... Is that it?"

"Yup!" The Valkyrie chirped, "I got away Scott free from the whole ordeal! Except for when I threw up on my dad at about nine-forty two. He thought it was because I had the ice cream after dinner. I have never, ever told him about it."

"I did." Ren piped easily, earning a hurt glare from his partner. "He asked me about it probably two years ago. I told him everything."

"Ren!" Nora cried! "You... How-?! Why!?"

The stoic boy shrugged with a small smile, "I wasn't going to lie to your father. That wouldn't be right."

Blake put both the Hammer-Wielder and the Lotus aside as they continued their... Conversation... And looked at Ruby, "See? Did that answer your question?" Ruby nodded with a smile. "Good. Whenever Weiss and Yang get back we can do you, next." The argument between Nora and Ren grew to... Rather obscene lengths, "Now what to do with them?" Blake asked through gritted teeth. "I got it. Nora! Ren!" Both turned to face her, "Sleep."

"Miss Belladonna?" Glynda asked, "Don't you think it's a good time to get them out of your trance? They have served their purpose, after all..."

Blake thought for a moment. Professor Goodwitch's words were true, Nora and Ren had served their purpose and done their job well... But... "I could do that. Or, or, hear me out... We can have a bit more fun with them..." Glynda glared at her student, in no mood for games any longer, "Oh fine." Blake sighed, getting the point. "Be honest though, if this were Weiss and Yang, would you let me do what I was originally planning on doing?"

The instructor pondered her options, "Ultimately yes. I only want to stop this because... Well, we never know when your friends will be done. We don't want them coming in on any... Unwanted scenes, now do we?"

"Professor?" Ruby called, "What did you think we were going to do?" Glynda stuttered, unable to find words to describe her thoughts, "Our plans were to make Yang act like Weiss and Weiss act like Yang, and do a few other things to mess with their minds."

"We'd make them put their belongings in the other persons area. Like Yang's signature scarf in Weiss' bag, and Weiss' tiara on Yang's bed. Then we were going to have Yang act like she was her motorcycle while Weiss rode her back all over the hall."

Glynda couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had automatically assumed that the team's intentions were... Rather unmentionable. "Also a makeout scene wouldn't hurt."

There it was. Blake's addition confirmed her thought as she shook her head with a laugh. "I think we've had enough fun for today, ladies. Blake, you've proved your point and Ruby, I believe you understand what's going to happen. Now, Blake if you will..."

"Right." The faunus nodded and turned to her still-sleeping companions, "When I count to five, you will awaken, out of your trance and will be back to normal. One, you are growing less and less tired. Two, you are remembering none of what has happened here, only knowing that you have helped your friends in many ways. Three, your mind is more and more awake and functional, but will rest whenever you want or need it to rest." Every count brought on a rise from the duo, their muscles stiffening as they stood, backs straightening in proof. "Four, you are almost completely awake, and when I snap my fingers, your eyes will open and you will be back to normal...

Five." She snapped, "You are completely awake."

Nora was the first to open her eyes, looking around the room. Ren was next, but just stood in his spot and stared straight ahead, "Did it work?" Nora asked.

"In fact, it did." Professor Goodwitch called, standing up from her seat at the table, "You both performed wonderfully in our little project. What do you remember?"

Ren rubbed his head, shaking it at the same time, "I... I don't remember anything. I do feel well rested, though..." Nora nodded in agreement, "You wiped our memory in a post-hypnotic suggestion, didn't you, Blake?" The girl in question smiled, but didn't answer yes or no. Ren shot her an approving nod and smiled slightly. "I think we've served our purpose. Come on, Nora, let's go prepare for when Jaune and Pyrrha arrive."

With that, the two left quickly. Ruby was rather surprised that she didn't hear any more from Nora as they exited. She thought for sure that the normally energetic girl would say something else on the way out. Alas, she shook the thoughts from her head as she turned to the other two occupants within the dorm, "Now what?" She asked.

Glynda shrugged as she sat back down at the table, "Now we wait. And when the rest of your team arrives, we can begin."

Ruby nodded. 'Hopefully, soon.'

Ah, the ever so needed stop. Just when you think we can go on, I decide to cut that cord right down.

No regrets.

So, how was it? It's been a while since I wrote a fight scene for this chapter. I'm happy to say that I do actually intend to implement another fight scene or two before the story is done, it's just most of the fighting will be done in a rather... Different setting.

As always, guys and girls, please leave me a review and what you think! I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Also, the next chapter may be a little late, as I have a few tests this week and my work schedule is leaving me almost no time for play (kill me!). But, hopefully I'll power through it and get it to you as fast as possible.

Until Next Time.