Remnant Of Hope (RWBY RP)

[Spectre]

(Some dialogue is taken from the transcripts on the RWBY wiki in scenarios such as speeches and the like. Just a heads up. This RP takes place alongside the main story from episode 1 and onward.)




Junior's Club, Vale.

Behind the bar there is a large, heavyset fellow wearing immense dark salmon colored plate armor with a hound motif. The helm is an armet with a toothy Mesocephalic snout-like visor. (tl;dr, the spot where he sees through looks like a dog mouth.). The top of the helmet is tipped with a pair of spikes that resemble pointed ears. The gauntlets and boots are designed to give full movement of the fingers and toes, and each digit is tipped with a relatively blunt claw. The armor is decorated with various celtic knots that bear a vague resemblance to the human vein system.

His weapon appears to be an immense pole arm, with both ends tipped with a blade. The blades are quite large(One being larger than the other), resembling a pair of wide great swords. The blades are quite thick, and beneath the base of the larger spearhead there are two triggers with a gear-like switch underneath. A similar mechanism is under the base of the smaller spearhead.


Junior:Bradagan, we've been going over your lines for half an hour now. Just give everyone whatever drinks they want and make sure they pay. We don't do tabs in here unless their picture is on the wall. *gestures to a wall behind the bar couter*

Brad:*In a voice oddly high pitched for his size* Ok! "Hey bruv, what'll you have?" for guys, "You got a name, sweetheart?" for women, and if they ask to see you tell them you're out for the night.

Junior:You still sound like you're faking it. Whatever, it'll do. Now, everyone who comes in here is pretty yellow so you shouldn't have to worry about any fights starting with all my men standing around looking tough. *leaves, malachite twins in tow*




Brad:*exhales* (Ok, first job ever. Can't afford to mess up.)

Music

Brad:*Nods his head to the music* (Oh..I love this song. Just wish it wasn't so loud!)*looks down and begins cleaning a martini glass*

A rather striking blonde woman walks into the club, she approaches the bar.

Yang:*Sits down* Strawberry Sunrise. No ice.

Brad:Aren't you a little young to be in a place like this?

Yang:Aren't you a little huge to have a voice that high?

Brad:(Oh man, She's acting confrontational! What do I do!?..OH! Forgot my line) *Leans in* You got a name sweetheart? (Excellent, I said it perfectly that time!)

Yang:Yes sweetie, I got several. But instead of sweetheart you can call me SIR! *Grabs his groin*

Brad:What are you doing!?

Yang:I'm here to see Junior. Now!

Brad: Okay, evidently I've offended you in some way. I really don't wanna lose this job because it pays well, its my first job in general, and these are rehearsed lines!

Yang:How are you even standing!?

Brad:What do you mean? I-...Oh.*sighs*

Yang:...............

Brad:I uh....*Turns and Coughs* This is awkward.

Yang:*lets go and shakes her hand off, looking puzzled*

Brad:*Scratches the back of his helmet* (Pretending I got an itch..)

Yang:*sigh* Sorry about uh, Grabbing you. But is Junior here? I need to see him, its important.

Brad:He went out for the night, I'm not sure what time he'll be back. Sorry.

Yang:Oh well, I guess that means I have time for my drink!

Brad:*hands her the drink she ordered* Strawberry sunrise, no ice, and I even put in a little umbrella!

Yang: *Smiles* Aww, isn't that sweet of you! *Picks up her drink and takes a sip*..*puckers*

Brad:So! *nervously* How is it?

Yang:*Grins* Its good! Thanks. Really...Tart.

Brad:*sighs in relief* Really good to know the First drink I mixed wasn't a failure! *Exasperated* Unless you're just being nice.

Yang: Its fine, I promise! Anyway, I feel that we got off on the wrong foot.

Brad:Ah, no worries. I had it coming, I figured its not proper courtesy greeting someone with a pick-up line, but since that's what Junior told me to say I figured I should follow his instructions to the letter.

Yang:I can respect that. *holds out her hand*

Brad:*Recoils*

Yang: Easy big guy! You know how to handshake right?

Brad:Ah..Yes. *Shakes her hand*

Yang: Name's Yang Xiao Long!

Brad: Just call me Brad.

Yang:So, I've never seen you around. Whats a decorated huntsman like you doing working in a bar?

Brad:I'm actually not a huntsman yet. I just finished my last semester at signal and I'm moving to Beacon tomorrow.

Yang:Really? My little sister goes to signal and *pauses and thinks* Wait, how old are you?

Brad:Seventeen!

Yang:I never would have guessed. How did you end up with a job as a bartender?

Brad:Junior just walked up to me and said he'd pay me 30 lien per hour. Not an offer to turn your nose up at!

Yang: Well that figures, junior always was one to tip toe around the law.

Brad: Please don't tell anyone about my age, I really don't wanna lose this job on the first day!

Yang: Your secret's safe with me. Change the subject?

Brad:Yes!

Yang: If you don't mind me asking, whats up with your equipment? it looks Really top notch, that's why I originally took you for a huntsman.

Brad:The armor and weapon are both heirlooms.

Yang:Mind if I look at your weapon?

Brad:Oh, of course. Just please, for the love of all that is holy, don't drop it! *Hands her his pole arm*

Yang:*takes it and gasps in surprise* Its..Heavy! I mean REALLY heavy! *looks over it and mutters* Ruby would love this.

Brad: *impressed* I'm surprised you can carry it, took six of juniors men to try and confiscate it from me before he gave them the all-clear.

Yang:What can I say? Strength runs in my family! *hands it back* I appreciate it.

Brad:Of course. *Takes it and puts it on his back*

Yang:So, you mentioned they were Heirlooms. Got any family?

Brad:I...No. No family. Grimm attack wiped my hometown out completely.

Yang:*Sincere* Aww, I'm Sorry.

Brad:Don't be. Its in the past, probably never would have been found and taken to Signal if it didn't happen. Lemonade out of lemons as the old proverb goes!

Yang: That so? Good way to look at it! I'm attending Beacon this year myself, maybe we'll run into each other again.

Brad:That'd be swell-

??:HEY! barkeep, stop chewing the fat!

Brad:OH! Sorry. *looks at Yang* I need to take this, feel free to kick back.

Yang:*waves as Brad heads down the bar*

Roman is sitting down on a bar stool. Neopolitan is standing next to him.

Roman:About time. You new here?

Brad:Yes sir I am. Need a drink bruv?..*looks at Neo* You got a-...*thinks*..Can I get you anything ma'am?

Neo:*Shakes her head*

Roman: Double shot of Screaming Blitzen. Put it on my tab.

Brad:I'm on it! *begins mixing the drink*

Roman:*looking at his watch* Can we speed this along? I need to be somewhere by nine!

Brad: My apologies, just making sure I'm using the right mixture!

Roman:*growls and facepalms*

Brad hands Roman his drink.

Roman:*Sips it* Amateur, didn't put in enough peppermint. Hope you don't expect a tip.

Brad: *Dejected* No sir, I don't. Anything else?

Roman: Give Junior my regards when he gets back... *puts two cards on the counter and walks out, Neo in tow, several of Juniors men follow him*

Brad:*looks at the cards* Huh, that is way more than what the drink costs..He DID leave me a tip!... Yang! *Walks back over and Notices she isn't there, her drink is nearly full*...Ah. Figures. *notices a lein card and a little napkin note* Oh....



"Brad,

Thanks for the chat. Overheard where to find Junior so I'm heading out, keep the change!

P.S: Go easy on the lemon next time. ;3

<3 Y"



Brad:Well at least she left a tip. *Puts one of the cards in the cash register*..*picks up her drink and downs it himself*...OOOOGH! *coughs* That is SOUR...


Two hours pass by. Brad has been dragging through the night, he looks drained.


Brad: So many people.....Theres ringing in my ears...Where on earth is Junior?


The news comes on a television perched over the bar.

Here's Lisa Lavender with tonights breaking news!

Lisa:The crime wave thats been sweeping across Vale continues as a small independent Dust Store "From Dust Till Dawn" was robbed in the last hour. Police are currently investigating the scene and are recommending homeowners and shopkeepers close up early and to lock their doors and windows. Eyewitnesses claim that the robbery was carried out by the notorious career criminal Roman Torchwick, *Puts up his mugshot*


Brad:*Shakes head* Another robbery...Wait a minute, thats the man that was in here a while back!...Oh dear, whatever have I gotten myself into!

Junior walks in with a limp, along with the Malachite twins who look worse for wear.

Brad:...*Looks at Junior, he's arguably nervous* Boss! You're back.

Junior:*grunts and sits down, hissing in pain* Just give me a bottle.

Brad:Yes sir. *Hands him a bottle of tequila*

Junior:*Downs it*

Brad:Are you alright boss?

Junior: Got manhandled in front of the twins by a blonde woman whose over a foot shorter than me. You think I'm alright!?

Brad:*Uncomfortably* Oh.

Junior:*takes a drink*

Brad:Well..*thinks for a minute* Hey Junior, I appreciate the opportunity you've given me. But I'm afraid this job isn't for me. I can't handle all the noise.

Junior:I'm surprised you can even hear in that tin suit! Fine, go.

Brad:*sighs*

Junior:*Holds out some Lien cards* Just take your pay and get out.

Brad:Okay. Oh, Torchwick sends you his regards. Thank you. *takes the lien and leaves the club*



He walks outside.

Brad:*Sigh* (Don't wanna get involved with the criminal underworld. Figured a salary that nice was too good to be true.)

??:So Brad, how was you first job in the urban jungle?

Brad: Ugh, terrible Mr. Branwen. My ears are ringing, came close to getting involved with criminals, got yelled at, frankly I just want to start going back to school where everything's organized and legal.

Qrow:Well that's a shame! Junior's has the best selection of drinks this side of Vale, would have been really nice being besties with the bartender.

Brad:I don't see how you could stand going in a place like that all the time. Those awful lights flickering everywhere constantly, the music loud enough to vibrate my helmet...Ugh.

Qrow: Well thats city life for you, things are gonna be alot different here than on Patch.

Brad:Honestly miss the forests of Ghruama. Beowolves and ursae at every corner but I find them several times more honest than most of the people I've met thus far, plus they were....Simpler to deal with.

Qrow:Don't be like that, you're gonna go places kid, you did so well at Signal you got invited to beacon after just one semester. Got the making of a killer huntsman!

Brad: If you say so Mr Branwen.

Qrow:Would you stop calling me that? Just Qrow will work, you're not technically my student anymore so you can ditch the formalities. *Takes a swig from his flask then hands it over to Brad*

Brad:*Takes it, cracks the front of his helm and takes a large swallow* Blah....Like swallowing fire. *Hands it back*

Qrow:*Takes a swig..Only to find the flask is empty, he turns it upside down with a bemused grimace* Well maybe it wouldn't have burned so much if you didn't wharf down the last half of the container..

Brad:Sorry Qrow.

Qrow:Just don't make it a habit. Need to drink it in moderation, like me! Otherwise you'll become an alcoholic.

Brad:I think I just understood sarcasm for once.

Qrow:*Laughs* See? You're getting it. Go get some rest kid, you got a big day tomorrow.

Brad:Alright. See you.

Qrow:*Transforms and flies off*



The next day; prospective students are on an airship headed towards Beacon.



Brad:*Sitting down in front of a window, looking at the city below*

??:Hello Brad.

Brad:*looks up* Oh, Hello Ms. Goodwitch.

Glynda: I apologize for any inconvenience, but a hiccup in our servers resulted in several pieces of information being destroyed. I'm going to need you to fill out your Student Profile again.

Brad:Every trace of it? You can't dig up my profile from Signal?

Glynda:Its a lot more convenient to fill out the information sheet. *hands him a Scroll*

Brad:Ok Ms. Goodwitch. I figured something like this'd happen, so I got a copy of the sheet saved on my Scroll a little while back. *holds up his scroll*

Glynda:Very wise! Lets link them up.


HUNTSMAN BIO

Name: DRUST, BRADAGAN

Age: 17

Height: 6'8 / 2.03 Meters

Weight: 487 LBS/ 220.8 Kilos

Equipment;


1: Gae Bolga Cannon

Weight: 119 LBS / 53.9 Kilos

Max Width: 1'8 / 0.5 M

Length: 7'5 / 2.26 Meters

Folded: N/A


2: Riastrad Matrix

Weight/Height: N/A


Semblance: Warp Spasm

Description: Ability to directly channel aura into malleable body mass, enabling shifting of density. Mass cannot decrease past the users initial weight.


Glynda:*Shifts glasses* Its going to be difficult acquiring a locker that can hold your weapon since it can't fold...The sheet is incomplete unfortunately. We'll need specific measurements of your armor in order to prepare a locker for it.

Brad:The armor doesn't come off.

Glynda: Don't be ridiculous -

Brad:Ever.

Glynda: Mr. Bradagan, regulations aren't going to allow-

Brad:*getting defensive* I thought we had all of this worked out when I was back at Signal! *Stands up* The armor. STAYS ON. ALL THE TIME.

Glynda: *narrows eyes* Watch your tone-

*Beep*

Glynda:I need to take this. We aren't done. *Checks her scroll*...........Very well, Mr. Drust. You can keep the armor with you. *begins walking away*

Brad:Thank you...*follows her* Ms. Goodwitch! I'm sorry for raising my voice at you. Its just, this armor is extremely important to me. I can't take it off. You wouldn't understand...

Glynda: Apology accepted Brad.

Brad:Just..I had no right to get snappy, but I have this...*Trying to find words* Condition, I need to keep the armor on. Please understand-

Glynda: *Sighs and smiles lightly* You already apologized once, you have a pass on the armor. Its ok.

Brad:*exhales in relief* Thank you! If there is anything I can do to make up for copping an attitude, please don't hesitate to let me know!

Glynda: *chuckles* Just make sure to do your assignments on time and pay attention in your classes. I'm sure we'll forget about this incident before we know it.

Brad:Good to know, thank you so much for being understanding! I'm sure you're a busy lady so I'll go back to staring out this window!

Glynda:*walks off* You do that, I'll see you later Brad.

Brad:*exhales and sits down*

[Spectre]

As time passes on the way to Beacon, Bradagan has taken to pacing the ship and observing the students onboard.

Brad:(Maybe its just my helmet, but alot of these students look like shadow figures. Unnerving....)*bumps into someone*

Both:I'M SORRY!

Brad:I apologize, I didn't know where I was going! This armor can muddle my eyesight you see! *Reaches down*

Pyrrha: *takes his hand* Thank you, but the fault is mine. I was looking over the orientation page a little too thoroughly! I should have paid more attention to where I was going.

Brad:...Oh, I know you! Sort of. You're...Famous! I think I've seen you on the front of a cereal box somewhere.

Pyrrha:Pumpkin Petes Marshmallow Flakes?

Brad:Yes, thats the one! I tried it once, got the worst stomachache of my life. No offense to you of course!

Pyrrha:None taken! Its pure sugar. The flakes are literally made out of marshmallows.

Brad: Anyway, I've seen you before but I'm afraid I don't know your name. Care to elucidate?

Pyrrha:Pyrrha Nikos. *Holds out her hand*

Brad:*Reaches out with slight hesitation and shakes hers* Bradagan Drust. Brad for short. I take it we're both attending Beacon this year?

Pyrrha:You would be correct!

Brad:Marvelous! Thats two friends I've made so far here in Vale, in two days no less!

Pyrrha: You're not from Vale?

Brad: No, I'm from Ghruama.

Pyrrha:*Surprised* Ghruama? I didn't know there were people living there.

Brad:Well there were, but naturally settlements don't last long there due to the massive population of Grimm. Lost my hometown years back and I had been living in the woods until Professor Branwen found me.

Pyrrha:Ah, I've heard of a few rumors that came out of Signal, I assume they were about you.

Brad:Oh dear..Flattering I hope?

Pyrrha:Well they give you an air of mystique, if that counts as anything. A feral man taken into Vale by a wandering huntsman, a natural born killer of man and grimm!

Brad:Well I wouldn't say I was "Feral", but I did live on wild game and plants for the most part. Had myself a cozy little cave. I also wouldn't call myself a manslayer...Killed plenty of Grimm though.

Pyrrha:Evidently. From what I've heard you graduated from signal after just one semester.

Brad:Yes. I'm no prodigy though, I've just had to live alongside grimm my entire life.

Pyrrha: Sanctum has some powerful variants of Grimm lurking around but I've never been in a situation like yours, you'll need to give me more details sometime.

Brad:Gladly! To make a long story short, it was a surprisingly peaceful existance. No politicking or worrying about etiquette! You typically don't have to apologize after bumping into a Grimm for instance, and I've never had them harp on me over table manners!

Pyrrha:*Light laugh* Indeed.

Brad:Anyho..Its been a joy meeting you Pyrrha. I'm going to get back to making my rounds so to speak, get an idea of who I'll meet!

Pyrrha:Likewise! I have some things I need to read over, I'll talk to you again later.

Brad:*Waves and continues walking through the ship* (Had no idea there were rumors about me. Hope I don't draw any unwanted attention...)



Brad:...*hears someone gagging* Hm? *looks towards the noise*

Jaune:*Puking into a trashcan*

Brad:*walks behind him* Are you alright?

Jaune:Blegh..Just..A little motion sickness!

Brad:Oh. Well here, I have a spare handkerchief. *Hands it to him* Don't worry, its pristine!

Jaune:*Takes it and wipes his mouth* Ugh...Thank you. Any idea how much longer till we get to Beacon?

Brad:I'm not sure unfortunately. I'm new myself.

Jaune:*hic* Oh great...

Brad:I know of a little herbal mixture that would help with nausea. Unfortunately I doubt we'll find the ingredients on-board an airship.

Jaune: *Holding onto a post* Thanks for trying to help anyway. You're alot nicer than everyone else I've met on here!

Brad:Well I appreciate you saying that. So far I haven't really bumped into any undesirables.

Jaune:No offense, but with how you look I have a hard time imagining somebody trying to pick on you.

Brad:Yes, my armor does provide a sort of "Intimidation value"...Oh, whats your name?

Jaune:I have many names! Vomit Boy, Tall Blonde and Scraggly, Dork, Scrawny... but you can call me Jaune.

Brad:Will do. Bradagan Drust, Brad for short.

Jaune:Nice meeting you Braaauuu-*Turns to vomit into the can*

Brad:I suppose my name doesn't roll off the tongue easily.

Jaune:Ugh, very funny!

Brad:Thank you! I try to lighten things up when I can.

Jaune:That was s-*Vomits*

Brad:Erm...Well Jaune, its been nice meeting you. If you want anyone to talk to I'll be wandering the ship! *Resumes*

Jaune: Will doaaauugh*Pukes*

Brad:*Walking* Poor fellow.

[Spectre]

Brad has found himself a cozy spot on the airships deck, he's standing and peacefully taking in the breeze.

Brad:(Mmmm..Why did it take me so long to try the stairs? Could have sat up here the entire time instead of pacing about.)

A hologram of Glynda appears throughout the ship.

Glynda:Hello, and welcome to Beacon. I'm Glynda Goodwitch, and you are among the privelaged few to receive the honor to attend this prestigious academy. Remnant is experiencing an incredible time of peace, and as future huntsmen and huntresses, it is your duty to uphold it. You have demonstrated the courage required for such a task, and now it is our turn to provide you with the knowledge and training to protect our world. All students must now head down to the dock and make their way to the main hall for the orientation ceremony.

Brad: Hmmm..A hologram?..*Reaches for it out of curiosity*

Glynda:*Slaps his hand with her flog*

Brad:*Retracts hand* Oh, how Incredibly realistic!

Glynda:Hands to yourself.

Brad: Sorry!

Glynda:*Fades*

Brad:*sighs* Well, here we go. *Heads down to the dock*


Nearly everyone has departed from the ship, Brad is one of the last students out. He strolls down the path taking in the new environment.

Brad:*Admires the building* (Massive place, completely dwarfs Signal!...Oh, wait a minute..) GAH, ORIENTATION! STALLED TOO LONG!

Brad begins sprinting towards the central building, although he manages to avoid running into anyone, he ends up tripping on his own feet and landing into a very sizeable luggage, a huge elemental explosion sends the students scattering.

Brad:*smoking and crackling with various elements* ..............................................Ow.

??:ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? First that dolt from earlier blows a crater in the path and singes my outfit, AND NOW YOU COME ALONG AND DESTROY MY ENTIRE DUST SUPPLY AND LUGGAGE FOR THIS SEMESTER!!!

Brad:...I'm..S.S....Sorry....*Stands up weakly and shakes off the soot*..I was just trying to make sure I wasn't late for the orientation ceremony!

Weiss:Well now we're BOTH going to be late thanks to you! And now I have to call back home to get another supply of dust!

Brad: Again, I'm terribly sorry miss...?

Weiss:Weiss Schnee. Of the Schnee Dust Corporation?

Brad:Schnee Dust Corporation?

Weiss:You don't know about- Did you grow up in the woods or something!?

Brad:Well, actually...

Weiss:*Disgusted sigh* I'm wasting my time! *Continues walking towards the hall in a huff*

Brad:*Depressed* I've ruined her day! Maybe even her entire year! *Collapses head into his palms* Stupid clumsy...Blasted armor!

Servant:*notices him* Don't worry guy. She'll have everything replaced in a day. Perks of being a Schnee. *Tries to scavenge anything from the explosion*

Brad:*Groans and heads towards the hall*



Brad walks in. He glances over the crowd, and settles into a inconspicuous corner.

Ozpin is standing in front of the microphone.

Ozpin:I will keep this brief. You have gathered here today in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you're finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people of Remnant. But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy. In need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at the school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step. *Walks offstage*

Glynda:*Takes the mic* You will gather in the ballroom tonight; tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed.

Brad:That was....Not exactly my idea of an inspirational speech. *Grumbles* Honestly not what I needed to hear after that little episode on the path outside...*sighs and walks out of the hall*

Brad begins strolling through Beacon, getting use to his surroundings. He appears intimidated by the size of the school, and takes a break from walking by standing against a wall in a hallway.

Brad:*looking forward* (Well I've met three friendly people, hopefully I can make amends with the fourth...)

While Brad is lost in thought, a raven-haired girl with a black bow strolls by and stares at the armor.

Blake:(Looks roomy. May be a good spot to settle down and read.) *Looks at her surroundings, making sure nobody is watching as she opens the chestplate and steps in*

Brad:What the-GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! WHAT THE SAM HILL ARE YOU DOING!? *begins rolling around in a screaming panic*

Several nearby students notice the spasming armor and flee from the scene.

The flailing goes on for a solid two minutes, eventually brad is completely exhausted and hyperventilating.

Brad:*Gulps nervously* I don't know who you are. But I am going to open my chestpeice a little way. You're going to crawl out, and we will not speak of this again..Nor will this incident repeat itself.

Blake:Okay, I'm sorry. I didn't know there was a person in here! *Carefully emerges from the armor*

Brad:*Closes his chestpeice* Thank goodness that's over. You aren't hurt are you? I know I can be very flighty when in a panic.

Blake:No, I'm fine. What about you?

Brad:I'll be fine.*Holds his head with one head* just need some time for the shock to wear off. Trying to seek some privacy in a suit of armor huh?

Blake:Yes. I'm looking for a place to do my reading in peace, I figured an oversized suit of armor would work well.

Brad:*Obviously recovering from a panic* Whew. I can understand that. I use to do the same with this very suit in my youth. Always quiet, never got bothered. Then again I never had issues with encountering someone with a similiar line of thinking..Hey, Hold on a minute...*pulls a black ribbon out of his chestplate* This yours?

Blake:!!! *Swiftly grabs the ribbon and puts it on*

Brad:Are you okay?

Blake: Please don't tell anyone about this.

Brad:Well I wasn't planning it. Having someone slip into your armor with you isn't something I'd share-

Blake:I mean about my....Bow.

Brad:Oh, that. Well you have my word. During my brief time in Vale I've seen little faunus descrimination, but I can understand not wanting to risk bringing attention to yourself.

Blake: Thank you.

Brad: I'm Bradagan by the way. Brad for short. You?

Blake: My names Blake.

Brad:Odd, I've never met a woman with that name.

...................

Blake:Well if thats everything...I'm going to go.

Brad:Of course. Don't let me keep you.

*Awkward silence*

Blake:(Usually at this point they try to carry on a conversation...)

Brad:(I can't tell if she actually wants someone to talk to or I should just leave her alone, bloody hell I wish I was just face to face with an ursa right now, at least I'd know what to do!)

Blake:......

Brad:Brad:Ahem..I ah, I'm not particularly social myself. Though I try to be. I'm sort of waiting on a "cue" for lack of a better word...So, do we part ways?

Blake:Yes.

Brad:Alright then! I suppose I'll be seeing you around.

The two go their separate ways.

Brad:*Rubs his arms and shudders* (My skin won't stop crawling!)*Wiggles around* Somethings in here. Feels like a book! *Reaches into his chestplate and pulls out the book* "Ninja's Of Love?"..."He had leaned into her, drawing his tanto. She gasped and gulped nervously. Its blade was thicker than the grip itself"....*Closes it* Well! I suppose everyone has their own tastes in...*Coughs* Entertainment. She'll likely be wanting this back.



Later that night,

The students are gathered in the ballroom, preparing for bed. Brad is sitting in a dark, isolated corner trying to doze off.

Brad:................

"HEY! Brad! Is that you?"

Brad:Hm? That voice... *Stands up*

Yang:*waving* Over here!

Brad:*waves and walks over* Yang! I was wondering when I'd bump into you again.

Yang:Likewise, how come I haven't seen you anywhere? You're pretty hard to miss!

Brad:I have an acute talent when it comes to making myself inconspicuous!

Yang:Hiding from me huh?

Brad:Oh no! Not at all! Its just I don't really go out of my way to-

Yang:I'm joking! *Rubs the head of the girl beside her* This is my little sister Ruby!

Ruby:*Waves* Hi.

Brad:Pleasure to meet you Ruby! I'm Brad.

Ruby:Same. *trying to find a topic*...I really like your armor!

Brad:Why thank you, its an heirloom.

Ruby: Don't take this the wrong way, but were you trying to sleep in it?

Brad: Yes. Its comfy.

Yang:It looks like it'd get kinda sweaty to me!

Brad:Nonsense! If it weren't for the volume of my footsteps and the impairment of my vision I'd forget I'm wearing it.

Yang:Riiiiiight.

Brad:*Notices Blake sitting and reading nearby* Hello Blake!

Blake:*casually waves*

Ruby:You two know eachother?

Brad:Just a bit we, err, bumped into each other earlier. Neither of us seem to excel at holding a proper conversation unfortunately so we didn't really become familiar. No offense!

Blake:None taken.

Weiss:*Stomps over* What are you doing?! Can't you see some of us are trying to sleep!?

Weiss/Yang:OH NOT YOU AGAIN!!

Brad:*weakly* Hello Miss Schnee.

Weiss:*looks at Brad* I KNEW IT! I should have figured you'd know these dolts!

Brad:Actually Miss Schnee I literally just met Ruby, and I met Yang last night.

Weiss:Well pipe down, all of you! Its late!

Ruby:She's right guys, people are trying to sleep!

Weiss:Oh now you're on my side-

Brad:If I may Miss Schnee-

Weiss:You may not, and stop calling me that!

Brad:You're kind of dragging on the conversation when it could simply be ended here and now. We're starting to get some ugly looks from the crowd.

Blake:*Shakes her head and blows out her candelbra*

................

Ruby:*Whispering* That reminds me, someone needs to turn off the rest of the lights.

*groan*

Glynda:*walks in, annoyed. She claps her hands and all the lights go out*

............

*Rustling*

Brad:...Hey Blake...Blake?

Blake:*Still reading, she sighs* Yes, Brad?

Brad:You err..Left your book in my armor.

Blake:*shocked gasp, she whispers angrily* Hand it back! PLEASE!

*Loud footsteps*

Blake:STOP! I'll come get it from you!

*Loud crash*

Brad:SORRY!

Jaune:MY KNEEEEEEE!! YOU SMASHED MY KNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Brad:..........SORRY!

Jaune:I think its broken, ITS BROKEN!!

Pyrrha:Hold still and let me check it.

Jaune:IT HURTS!!

Pyrrha:Just a little dislocated. Give me a second..

*CRACK*

Jaune:OUCH!!! NOW ITS...Moving again....thanks, whoever you are.

Pyrrha: Not a problem, but lets save introductions for tommorrow.

Brad:I'm too scared to move! I think I'm on top of someone-

Weiss:GET OFF ME!

Brad: Right! Rolling over. Ready or not...

*rustle*

Nora:*excited* REN, IS THAT YOU?

Brad:Nnnnnnoooo.

Nora:Aww..

Ren:....................

Brad:Sorry. I'm going to stand up now and-GYAH IM FALLING, OUT OF THE WAY!!!

*Crash, sound of a weapon unfolding*

Brad:What on earth is happening!?

Ruby:Crescent Rose!!!

Yang:Ruby, why is crescent rose in here?

Ruby:In a new place, lots of new people! I just wanted to keep it with me for one night!

Yang:Well, this is nice. One wrong move and someone's gonna get bisected!

Ruby:No, its ok! Just gotta fold it. Let me feel for it.

*Shuffle*

*Rustle*

Jaune: I'm having that dream again...

Ruby:EW, JAUNE!

Jaune:*Girly scream*

Ruby:Sorry!

Brad:Whats going on!?

Jaune:This is the most horrifying and awkward night of my life!

Brad:What do I do!?

Ruby:Just stay where you are! DON'T MOVE! Gonna grab my weapon and fold it...GOT IT!

*Gunshot blows out a window*

Ruby:WRONG TRIGGER!

Yang:How did everybody sleep through that?

Pyrrha:Tiring first day...

Nora:*Snoring*

Ren:.................

Brad:I'm just going to work my way to a corner and fall asleep there! Just..Nobody move!

*Footsteps, he trips*

Yang:*Sing-songy voice* Hellooooo!

Brad:SORRY! Moving again!

*Softer footsteps*

Brad:Ok...In a corner...*Sits down* Nobody around, I'm good. Everybody else ok?

Everyone:Yes.

Brad:Alright!...Goodnight all.

*Brief silence*

Blake:*Whispering* I still need my book.

Brad:*Gets up again*

Blake:STOP! I'll come and get it. Just hold it out for me.

Brad:Ok, doing so.

*Blake grabs the book*

Blake:You didn't read it by any chance, did you?

Brad:Me? Oh no, nonono. I'm not really into...Romance novels.

Blake:Good! Good. See you tomorrow Brad.

Brad:Goodnight Blake.

[Shadow Scryer]

In Atlas, the ground is caked in snow. A shadowy, armoured figure is fighting a young woman.

Shadowy figure: *Wields a longsword in both hands, though this one has two seperate blades, each extending slightly past the end of a double-barreled shotgun* *Plants feet firmly and strikes up diagonally*

Young woman: (Oh, we all know it’s Rennay) *Ducks beneath it and delivers a swift kick to the back of her foe’s leg. In her feet are bladed boots, her forearms equipped with little machines over bracers, each with a metal piece running up each of her finger bones, past the knuckle and into metal pieces covering every individual finger* *Follows up with a deceptively powerful jab to the ribs, knocking the figure to the side by two meters*

Figure: *Looks back at her and grabs her ankle as she goes to kick again*

Rennay: Uh-oh…

Figure: *Elbows her in the gut from that position, lets her go, causing her to instinctively double over from the pain, flips its blade upside-down and swings, catching her in the neck with the weapon’s gurad*

Rennay: *Falls to the ground, cluthing her neck and gasping for air*

Figure: … *Dissipates*

Footsteps can be heard crunching through the snow from behind her, as can a sigh of evident disappointment.

??: *Looks the same as the shadowy figure, except in colour* Better, but still inadequate. You must focus more on technique, rush strategies will only get you killed, my daughter.

Ren: *Grits teeth* I- *chokes* I did-

??: SILENCE.[/i] You did acceptably in crippling and repositioning your opponent, but you should have followed up with a crossbow bolt from a safe distance. You rely too much on headstrong tactics more suited to a heavily armoured meat shield.

Ren: *Painfully gets to her feet* (Stubbornly) Would’ve done great against anyone else.

??: (Coldly) Anyone else would care even less about what state you ended up in.

Ren: You know what I mean! (Insincerely) The great Captain of the Atlesean army, Herzlos Schlits! Ooooh, no-one can beat his strategy in one-on-one combat, they’d be an IDIOT to try!

Herzlos: I said nothing of the sort. And if that is your attitude, perhaps it would be more beneficial if you did not attend the academy, young lady.

Ren: *Eyes widen in horror* Wait, I didn’t mean-

Herzlos: In fact, perhaps it would be ideal if you had some time away from Atlas in general to get your head straightened. I think Beacon Academy would work perfectly. I’ve already registered you and packed for the new semester, starting tomorrow.

Ren: (In dismay) But-

Herzlos: That is an order.

Ren: *Slumps* Yes sir.

Later;

Herzlos: *Watches the airship depart*

??: You’re actually sending her away? I thought you didn’t like people touching your ‘precious little girl’.

Herzlos: She tries to fill every role on a team by herself. If she is to improve, she will need allies to fight alongside, else she will die on her first foray onto the battlefield. And may I request you not mock me, general.

Ironwood: *Chuckles* You know, the Vytal festival’s coming up this year and from what I’ve heard, we might need a few extra ships for protection. I’m officially ordering you to take responsibility for one.

Herzlos: Peculiar, but I graciously accept.



Rennay: *Forlornly watches Atlas disappear*

The next day passes relatively uneventfully for her.
(Sorry for the short post, not really sure how else I could've introduced her.)

[Spectre]

Early the next morning;

Brad wakes up. He has awakened significantly earlier than most of the students. He gets up as quietly as he can and makes his way to the cafeteria.

Brad:*Sniff*..Hm.

The kitchen staff is hard at work preparing breakfast for the new students.

Kitchen Worker:Hey! You're up awfully early.

Brad:I'm a light sleeper, used to getting up extremely early. *Looks over the selection of food* This looks and smells incredible, I've not seen such a selection of food before.

Kitchen Worker:Well Beacon is a pretty high end school you know. All the chefs here actually train in Mistral for 3 years before they can apply for a job here.

Brad:You're not a chef?

Kitchen Worker:Nah, I just make sure all the food gets out and keep tabs on our stock so the chefs can focus on their thing. You want anything?

Brad:Hrm...Difficult choice. I'll go with a large bowl of oatmeal with two pints of black coffee. I'm talking Atlas pints.

Kitchen Worker:That much? Can't say I'm surprised, the students and staff here go through our coffee supply like its going out of style. *Begins preparing Brad's order* So..Black coffee, nothing in it?

Brad:Nope.

Kitchen Worker:What about your oatmeal?

Brad:Nothing.

Kitchen Worker:Ok, you can always come back and get seconds or condiments so no pressure.

The kitchen worker hands Brad his breakfast.

Brad:Thank you very much! *Sits down at a table* ....*Swigs his coffee* (Hot, black, and bitter as a Grimm pit. THIS is coffee!)

Pyrrha:*walks over with a tray* Hello again!

Brad:Good morning Pyrrha! How did you sleep?

Pyrrha:*Chuckles* You mean after the crashing and gunfire finally stopped?

Brad:Sorry about that, a fellow student dropped something earlier yesterday and I was trying to return it. Should have let her come to me and get it instead of tossing myself all over the place.

Pyrrha:That would have been wise.

Brad:I know. I try to be a people pleaser but sometimes I just don't think things through and end up making the situation worse.

Pyrrha:Well I think it was nice of you to try and take it to her.

Brad:Thank you. Sorry for any damage I may have caused on your end last night, Already hard enough seeing in the dark without this armor on.

Pyrrha:I'd imagine so but...If you don't mind me asking, why do you wear it all the time? I don't think I've seen you without it on since yesterday.

Brad:You seem to be a understanding lady. Its...I don't really like being touched. It also helps keep me calm. Muffles loud noises, keeps ne'er-do-wells at a distance, regulates my temperature to an extent...

Pyrrha:I see. That explains why you weren't all that keen on shaking my hand yesterday.

Brad:Yes, its not that I don't trust you, its I simply don't really care for physical contact of any sort.

Pyrrha:I understand. We all have our quirks.

Brad:So if you don't mind miss Nikos, where are you from?

Pyrrha:Well I'm originally from Mistral, Sanctum to be specific.

Brad:I remember you mentioning Sanctum. I haven't done that much traveling, but from what I've heard its always been a land of cultural splendor.

Pyrrha:That it is, Sanctum is dotted with countless ancient monuments that have withstood the test of time. In fact the architecture used back then has held up so well alot of modern Sanctum constructs are built with the help of ancient schematics.

Brad:Fascinating. I do hope to travel there one day when I graduate from here. I am curious though, how is the grimm situation over there?

Pyrrha:There are relatively few Grimm in comparison to most other lands, but there are some incredibly powerful variants that aren't found elsewhere. Nemeans, Orthros, Hydras, Stymphalians...

Brad:Not sure if I've seen those. Grimm are grimm to me, I'm better at memorizing their appearance and typical attack patterns than the names most people call them.

Pyrrha:I see. I'm looking forward to Professor Port's classes, he's going to be teaching us about Grimm and proper hunting styles this year. Supposedly he's been all over Remnant.

Brad:A world traveling huntsman then? I to look forward to tapping into his pool of knowledge. *sips his coffee* So long as its more of a focus on actually fighting the creatures as opposed to pointless "Hows and whys". Like when they were discovered, who took down the largest recorded specimen or the quantities they killed, historical tripe that has little to do with actually hunting, combating, and killing the things.

Pyrrha:Strictly here for practical knowledge huh?

Brad:Yes, thats just about the gist of it. Learning about history is fine and all, what with the old "Must know it or you're doomed to repeat it" proverb. But I couldn't care less about all the little trivial details so often spouted off.

Pyrrha:I personally like learning it myself.

Brad:Well more power to you Pyrrha. Perhaps you can host a study group of sorts to help out those with difficulty focusing on such details like myself.

Pyrrha:I'll certainly keep that in mind Brad. Well, we've talked long enough, its about time to get ready for our initiation exam. I'm heading out. *stands up* See you!

Brad:Later Pyrrha. *waves* *looks around, noticing all the students finishing up* It honestly doesn't feel like that much time has passed. *Pops open his visor and swallows the entire bowl of oatmeal* *Closes the visor and shakes his head, producing a guttural growl, he stands up and takes his coffee with him to the locker room*


In the locker room;

Brad is looking at his scroll and walking by various lockers.

Brad:Hmmm...Oh bugger the numbers. *walks over to the largest locker in the room* I suppose it pays to have an unfoldable weapon. *types in the code and it opens, revealing Gaebolga, he removes it*...It's light. Wheres my- AH HAH!

Brad opens a drawer at the bottom of the locker that contains 12 relatively small warheads, with four varieties including fire, energy, ice, and high impact rounds.

Brad:There you are you little dickens!

Ruby:WOW!!!

Brad:*turns around* Ruby, Yang! Preparing for the initiation exam?

Yang:Yep, we just noticed you getting ready and Ruby wanted to see your weapon.

Ruby:Can I...Touch it?

Brad:You can hold it if you wish, just be careful with it.

Ruby:*Eagerly grabs the weapon, her eyes widen from the weight and it nearly yanks her down* YIKES!! It can't be practical wielding something this heavy!

Brad:Its not, but there is alot of power in this weapon for those who can wield it. *Picks it up* For instance...*Presses a switch on the pole, causing the spearheads to divide revealing a pair of large firearm barrels within the top, larger head and a single barrel within the smaller head.*

Ruby:*Squees* ARE THOSE BAZOOKA BARRELS!?

Brad:Yes indeed! The Gaebolga cannon is capable of carrying and firing miniature dust powered warheads which can be fired directly via the triggers beneath the blade or set on a short timer by turning down the gear beneath. I have four types of ammunition I typically use. Fire, energy, cryo, and high impact rounds for raw force or if I need to launch myself through the air for whatever reason. They're extremely powerful, but I can only carry four warheads at a time within the weapon. I've tried carrying more on my person but I tripped and nearly blew myself off the face of Remnant. If I may Ruby, what is your weapon?

Ruby:*Unfolds Crecent rose*

Brad:Ah, Magnificent piece of work! Scythes make for an unconventional weapon, but are surprisingly deadly if properly crafted and handled. Reminds me of the weapon my teacher back at Signal used, he was amazing with that scythe...

Ruby:Thats our uncle Qrow!

Brad:You're related to Professor Branwen? Small world indeed! He was my teacher.

Ruby:How come I never saw you at Signal though? I heard something about Uncle Qrow bringing in some wild guy from somewhere, but...Well, didn't really care at the time.

Brad:I took the night classes, less people then. Plus I was only around for one semester before they decided to place me in beacon....Also I'm not wild, just lived a long time in the wilderness. Anywho, I noticed the barrel on your scythe...

Both: High impact Sniper rifle ? / !

Ruby: Yes! How did you know?

Brad:Basic firearm management and repair classes. Plus with the length of your scythe making it double as a sniper rifle would be a no brainer...Say, you know what would make your scythe even more awesome? A Phial Slot!

Ruby:*disappointed* Oh I know...I want one so bad but they're so expensive!

Brad: Same here. Its a relatively new technology unfortunately so it costs an arm and a leg to get it. I'd love a slot on each spearhead so I wouldn't have to solely rely on my warheads for elemental punch...Not even sure my weapon could take one as it is now. While it was a state-of-the-art weapon for its time period its a rather crude weapon in comparison to the technology I've seen wielded in Vale.

Yang: *Friendly tone* Initiation is starting in five minutes geeksquad!

Ruby: Talk to you later Brad! *Zips off*

Brad:*waves*

Yang: Better follow her! *Starts walking after her*

Brad follows Yang out of the locker room.

Yang:Told you she'd love your weapon!

Brad: I'll say, your little sister is quite precious. Seems very bright!

Yang:*Gleefully* Oooooh I know right?! I'm so proud of her. I think she really likes you to!

Brad:*Light laugh* I'm truly flattered! Should have known you two knew Professor Branwen the moment I saw that scythe, he is literally the only one I know who is capable of making a devilishly effective weapon out of what by design is a gardening tool, and do it with such style!

Yang:I know right? Also, friendly advice~ Never call one a gardening tool around Ruby, she HATES that!

Brad:I'll keep that in mind, but it is a fact. However anything can be made into a deadly, high class weapon. All it takes is ingenuity! Which, I must say, Professor Branwen has in spades. I can see where Ruby gets it from.

Yang:*Slightly disheartened* Ruby isn't...Actually related to our Uncle Qrow.

Brad:Oh...I apologize, I seem to have ignorantly dove into a family matter.

Yang:Its ok. Don't worry!

Brad:*Trying to change the tone* Well regardless the girl has a really fine head on her shoulders! I'm certain she's going to excel in the initiation exam. You to, I don't doubt!

Yang:*confidently* Yup!

Brad: I'll do my best, not really sure what to expect since I've not explored this particular forest, though the Grimm Variants I've seen on Patch aren't particularly threatening.

Yang:Well Patch is a pretty small island, we're heading into a giant mainland forest. No telling what we'll get to fight!

Brad:*laughs* You are certainly excited about the prospect of facing Grimm!

Yang: Duh! Why do you think I'm attending Beacon? I am gonna knock their socks off!

Brad:*Honestly* I've never seen a Grimm wearing socks.

Yang:*snickers*

Brad:...What so funny?

Yang:Nevermind.

Brad and Yang walk outside, several students are lined up on platforms going along the top of the Beacon cliff. They take a position on the platforms.

[Spectre]

Ozpin: For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest.

Glynda: Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of "teams." Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates... today.

Brad:(Hrrrm...)

Rennay: Wait, what?! But we just got here! I literally don't know anyone yet!

Ozpin: These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well.

Rennay: (Dismayed) But we don't KNOW who we work well with! Once again, only one day!

Ozpin:*Sips his coffee in relative Apathy* That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years.

Rennay+Ruby: (Horrified) WHAT?!

Brad:If I may Professor Ozpin, isn't this a little...Unnecessarily risky?

Ozpin:*Sips coffee* After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die.

Brad:I'm not sure he can even hear us....

Rennay: Wait... *Looks at the platform she's standing on* (Nervously) What are these?

Ozpin:*sips his coffee* High-powered Springs. You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. You will guard that item, as well as your standing, and we will grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?

Rennay: *Looks at the distance between them and the Emerald Forrest* ... (Horrified) SPRINGS?! We're being LAUNCHED there?!

Jaune: Ummm...Sir...

Ozpin: Good! Now, take your positions.

*An anonymous student is sent flying and screaming*

Rennay: Wait! I-I'm not designed for landing strategies! I'll be a red splatter on the ground or a tree before I can even get a partner!

Jaune:I-I'm sure we'll be given parachutes or something!...Right?

Ozpin: No. You will be using your own "landing strategy."

Rennay: (Frozen in terror) I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die on my first day of school because I don't know any landing strategies.

Brad:*whispers to her* Don't worry, just grab onto me-*flung*

Rennay: *Notices she's next* (Hysterically) THERE'S LITERALLY NOTHING I CAN DO TO SLOW MY FALL! *Launched*

Brad:*Flying through the air, albeit not at the same velocity and distance of lighter students*

Rennay: *Screaming hysterically in utter terror*

Brad:OVER HERE MISS!

Blake:*Casually flies by them, looks at Ren and shakes her head before flawlessly executing a landing strategy further down into the forest*

Brad:Huh, I was wondering where Blake went.

Glynda:*observing them* Perhaps we should have handed out emergency parachutes just in case?

Ozpin:*Puts on sunglasses and sips his coffee* Suns so bright today...

Rennay: *Notices as Blake sails past* *Desperately ties a length of rope to one of her crossbow bolts, loads and launches it in Brad's direction* LOOK OUT!

*CHINK*

Rennay: SORRY!

The bolt is harmlessly stuck in a crack on his armor.

Brad:*Didn't hear her* WHAT?

Ren: *The rope is pulled taut and she begins plummeting* (Desperately) PULLMEINPULLMEINPULLMEIN!

Brad:*Yanks her over to him with a single pull*

Rennay: URK! *Manages to grab onto him as she sails past, latching onto him in a death grip*

Brad:Nice for you to drop in! *laughs* Looks like we're partners.

Rennay: I'MGONNADIE!

Brad:No you won't, I have a landing strategy! Its tried and true, and has not failed me once!

Rennay: *Notices the groud swiftly approaching* E-eheh- y-you'd better use if soon- eheh- 'cause if you don't - eheheheh - I'm gonna go splat!

Brad:Oh, I'm already in the midst of using it!...I just land on my feet! *Laughs*

Rennay: ... (Miserably) I really AM gonna die. I'm gonna die on my very first day 'cause I don't have in-built shock absorbers.

Brad: You should be fine if you just jump off at the last second!

Rennay: Did that once. Broke my spine and skull.

Brad:Ah. Right, the cruel, insufferable buzzkill of physics..

Rennay: It was from about... a third of this height. So for what it's worth, it was nice knowing ya.

Brad: Well I'm sure you'll be fine-*Lands, his legs sinking about a foot into the ground*

*CRUNCH*

Glynda:*Winces, looking away from the scroll with a horrified expression*

Ozpin:*Peeks at the scroll, he closes his eyes and briefly shakes his head*

Brad:*Watches Rennay sprawl off* Oh no! *Effortlessly pulls himself up out of the ground and walks over to her* Are you alright?!

Rennay: *Spine is at an unnatural angle, knee is backwards, left arm has snapped off at the shoulder and is covered in scars along the front as a result of gravity continuing when she was latched onto Brad's armour* *Gurgles*

Brad:Oh...Stupid question. I apologize. *Stoops down and picks her up* Is there anything I can do?

Rennay: *Hoarsely* Need... living... flesh... to drain...

Brad:*looks around* I don't..See anything but...*thinks*....*Lays her down and nervously takes off his gauntlet, he looks away and puts his hand over her chest* Make it quick, please.

Rennay: But... would k...ll... b...t *Breathing becomes significantly more shallow*

Brad:I will be fine. Do it, quickly!

Rennay: ..*Weakly reaches up and grabs it* ... *Brad's hand begins turning grey as her wounds close, arm returns, spine and knee snap back into place and a previously unseen hole in her lung closes up* *GASP* *Begins coughing*

Brad:*Instinctivley pulls away his hand and looks at it, he's visibly stressed* Are you...Done? *Hand begins to swiftly revitalize*

Rennay: *Pats self down and experimentally moves extremities* Yep. I'm alive. *Winces* Sorry about that, big guy.

Brad:*Swiftly puts his gauntlet back on* I'll be fine.

On the cliff, Glynda and Ozpin are observing them through her scroll.

Glynda:Amazing..It appears their semblances work exceptionally well together. I was certain she was going to die.

Ozpin:Hmmmm...

Brad:*Holds his head, seeming confused*

Rennay: You okay, big guy?

Brad:*muttering* Its over..He's dead...You did it with your own two hands...He's dead...

Rennay: (Confused) I what? I've never killed anyone before in my life!

Brad:I...No. Its not you. I'm sorry. We need to get moving if we're going to reach the forest temple. How good are you at pathfinding?

Rennay: (Sheepishly) I, er... I've barely been allowed to go out back home. And I lived in Atlas. This is all new to me, sorry.

Brad:Very well, simply follow me then. *looks up at the sun and points* Just need to keep heading in this direction until we see the plant life get sparse. No clue what Ozpin was talking about, theres no "Path" here to follow!

Rennay: ... Well, at least one of us knows what he's doing.

Brad: I've spent alot of time in the woods. I'll get us to the temple, just help me out with any Grimm we find!

Rennay: Sure, I ca help with that! Can't be anywhere near as bad as dad...

Brad: *Hesitantly* I take it hes a tough sparring partner?

Ren: He's a captain in the Atlesian military. He's... (Slightly downcast) Never really gone easy on me.

Brad:Well I suppose I could understand that philosophy, Grimm and Criminals most likely won't go easy on you in an actual fight. Oh, I almost forgot. I don't think we've been properly introduced. Seeing as we're on a team it'd probably be a good idea to learn each others names, wouldn't you say?

Rennay: Yeah... sorry about that. I'm Rennay Schlitz. *Holds out hand*

Brad: (Oh wow, she's small.)

Rennay:*Smiles, couriously looks at Brad*

Brad:....*Slowly extends his hand and shakes hers with a soft grip* Bradagan Drust. Brad for short.

Rennay: *Notices his hesitance* Don't like contact, big guy?

Brad:No. I don't.

Rennay: Uh-huuuh... Welp, moving on. I'm sure we'll get to know each other back at the academy now I know I'm not going to be a red splatter on the forrest floor. ... (Sheepishly) Sorry 'bout that by the way, I'm kinda acrophobic. And really can't use any landing strategies with what I have.

Brad:Acrophobia you say? Thats a rough quirk for a hunter to have, then again I'm not one to talk since I have to force myself to shake someones hand. Anywho, we've gone a good ways in. I can see where an old path use to be, straight line to the temple I assume due to the distribution of plant life.

[Spectre]

Brad and Rennay are making their way down the path.

On the Cliff.

Glynda:So far the most effective team appears to be Bradagan and Rennay. They're already almost to the temple while it seems everyone else has gotten either lost or caught by a large Grimm.

Ozpin: *Sips his coffee* Drust grew up in Ghruama and Rennay was raised by Herzlos, such results are to be expected.

Glynda:We've...Lost contact with several students. I fear there may not be enough to fully form some teams.

Ozpin: The trial is not over, we're not absolutely certain of the number of students we'll have after its complete.

Glynda:I certainly hope they're just lost...


Brad:*Observing the surroundings as he walks* So far no Grimm - *Casually smashes the spearhead of his weapon at a lunging Beowulf that leaps from the brush, sending it smashing into a tree and melting* - thats been worth our time.

Rennay: *Points her arm upwards and fires a electric dust bolt, causing a smaller nevermore to fall dead behind them and disintegrate*


In the bushes, Cardin and his three cronies are observing the two.

Cardin:*Peeks out* And here's the path at long last! Told you following the lummox would be a good idea.

Russel:So what do we do now?

Cardin:Are you kidding? Did you not just see what they did to those Grimm? Its like they were swatting flies! We're gonna "help them" get to the forest temple of course!

Russel:Aaaaaah! Okay then...

Cardin:Now just pipe down and let me do the talking!


Cardin and his group approach the two.

Cardin: Good to see I'm not the only one who can track here! Nice job finding the path.

Brad:Oh! Hello there. I remember seeing you on the cliff, whats your name?

Cardin: Cardin Winchester! *Points to his teammates* These guys are Russel Thrush, Dove Bronzewing, and Sky Lark.

The three smile and wave.

Ren: *Grins and casually salutes* Rennay Schlitz, nice to meetcha.

Brad:Just call me Brad, tired of repeating my full name to people, heheh. So, on your way to the temple as well? Encounter any Grimm?

Cardin:Nothing we weren't able to handle! *Cartoony Flashback to the four running and screaming from an ursa*

Brad:Excellent, same here really. The forest has been quite tame.

As the group of six make their way to the forest temple, it rises into their field of vision.

Rennay:"Forest Temple"?

Brad:Looks like a shrine if I've ever seen one.

Sky Lark trips and falls into a wide, shallow hole.

Its an enormous footprint, bearing an odd resemblance to a hand.

Rennay: ... Okay hands up, who here knows anything about Grimm tracks?

Cardin:Hrm..I uh, got my own theory. What do you think? *Looks at Brad*

Rennay: *Raises eyebrow at Cardin* (Slowly) Uh-huuuuuuuh...

Brad:*Helps Sky Lark out of the print*

Sky:Uhh, thanks.

Brad:*Cracks his visor further to examine the track more thoroughly*....Strange. Has anyone here ever fought a Beringel?

*The group is silent*

Brad:...Nobody? .....This footprint is probably a couple days old, probably got pressed down during a rain when the earth was softer. Hopefully it was just passing through.

Dove:*Gulps*

Cardin:"Beringel" huh?

Brad:Yes, possibly a silverback judging by the size. Hopefully thats not the case-

A roar is heard as a tremendous, gorilla-like Grimm lands on top of the forest temple, shattering several columns. Unlike a typical Beringel, it is easily 3x the size and its mask has expanded to form a armor-like plate on its back.

Brad:Its a silverback.

Cardin: Blades out for combat!!

Cardins group takes out their weapons and prepare for battle.

Brad:Don't move. Hang on a second.

Silverback:*Looks over the group, observing them with an unusual caution*

Cardin: Maybe its friendly?

Rennay:*To Cardin in a deadpan voice* You cannot be serious. It's a GRIMM.

Brad:No, its going to attack. It senses our fear, so its taking the time to observe us, trying to gauge how much of a threat we'll be, how it wants to go about attacking us.

Cardin:How do you know all this?

Brad: Alot of these back where I came from, I-Say? Weren't there four of you?

Russel:*Behind the Silverback, holding a pair of black bishop chest peices, he tosses a smoke bomb at the group*

Brad:*Hoarse coughing* WHAT IN BLAZES!?

Cardin:*running* Well guys, its been nice! But we were just sent to grab relics, not hunt Grimm! Keep it busy for us, ok?

The smoke clears, revealing just Brad and Rennay are facing the hulking Grimm.

Silverback:*growls*

Ren:*Livid* I am going to beat them within an inch of their lives.

Brad: *Discouraged* Ugh.



On the cliff;

Glynda:*disgusted* That Winchester boy and his group are going to be a problem.

Ozpin:*sips coffee*

Glynda:Ozpin, those two are not going to be able to bring down a Silverback Beringel, If we don't do something they're both going to die!

Ozpin:Watch.

Glynda:...Very well Professor. *Looks down at her scroll* What is a Beringel doing in the Emerald Forest at any rate? They shouldn't even be living on Sanus!

Ozpin:*sips his coffee* Hmmm, Migration perhaps?



Back at the temple;

Rennay:Hey Brad?

Brad: Yes?

Rennay:You fought these things before, right?

Brad: Regular Beringel? I've fought and killed a few. A Silverback? Never went within a mile of them if I could help it.

Rennay:Great. Juuuuuust GREAT.



SILVERBACK BERINGEL

This Will Be The Day

Silverback:*Sweeps one of its arms at the pair*

Brad:*Uses Gaebolga to vault over the arm*

Rennay: *Quickly backflips over it, launching a pair of bolts at it as she does so. While they embed in the Grimm's hide, it barely seems to notice*

Brad:*Lands on its back-shell and plunges Gae Bolga into it by the large head, he takes a second to look over it* The hide stretching over its muscle is torn in places, go for the exposed red tissue-

Silverback: *Grabs Brad, holds him in front of its face and snorts* *Grabs him with both hands and begins squeezing*

Brad:*growls as he tries to push apart its hands*

Rennay: *Jumps onto and off Brad's helmet, spinning in the air as she strikes with both bladed boots, one after the other,then jumps skywards off its mask as it swats at her* *Holds an arm forward while airborne, aims and fires a bolt at the red section* Brad! I think I figured something out! It's not moving because it thinks-

Silverback: *Spins and smacks Ren with her partner*

Rennay: GYAH! *Crashes through a tree*

Brad:REN! *Snarls as the Celtic veins on his armor glow a light blue, he musters enough strength to burst from its grip and deliver a punch to its temple that cracks its mask and staggers it back* Are you alright!?

Rennay:(Shakilly) I'm fine! Well... it USED to think we weren't a threat.

Silverback:*Roars*

Rennay: *Shakes head as she gets up* ... Wait! Draw it to the clearing, we don't want it-

Silverback: *Grabs a tree and rips it from the ground as easilly as one would pick a grape*

Rennay: Yeah, that. *Lays flat on the ground as the tree club sails over her, firing two bolts as it does* *Rolls out of the way as it's brought down and is immediately grabbed and swung into a tree by the proactive grimm, she punches the tree, a purple force engulfing her knuckles as they connect with it, shattering it* *Manuvers her legs and stabs the monster in the center of its arm, causing it to roar in pain and instinctively drop her*

Brad:*Uses the distraction to leap on its back and yank out gae Bolga, he takes it and stabs in in between the silver backplate and its flesh, firing off his electric dust warhead, sending it sprawling and twitching, blowing a hole in its lower back revealing its spine*

Silverback::*roars in pain and stands up, beating its chest as its eyes begin leaving a glow trail*

Brad:THERES MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM YOU BRUTE!

Silverback:*leaps over Brad and slams his fist downward*

Brad forcefully rakes his hand down a gear-like mechanism on the hilt and Plants Gaebolga into the ground, then leaps away, the Silverback's fist slams down causing the weapon to tear up through its hand, spread the top blade, and launch a frost warhead right into its face, encasing its upper torso in ice.

Rennay: *Darts around it and delivers the hardest punch she can to its spine, resulting in a audible CRUNCH*

Silverback:*Sprawls onto its side, sending Gaebolga flying out of its hand*

Rennay: *Leaps on its shoulders and starts pounding on the back of its head*

Brad:Catches Gaebolga as it flies towards him, then growls and gets into a charging position* OPEN WIDE!!!

Rennay: *Darts to the side and delivers a powerful hook directly to its jaw, shattering it*

Silverback:*Whoops and grabs its dangling jaw, attempting to snap it in place*

Brad charges and stabs Gae Bolga into its mouth, splinting its upper jaw at the teeth, the Silverback manages to smash its fist down onto Brad at the same instant.

Brad: *Growls, holding the hand up* REN! SMASH THE RED BUTTON ON MY WEAPON'S GRIP! *Gauntlet veins glow as he tosses the Silverback's arm off*

Rennay: Right-

Silverback:*Swiftly rips Gaebolga from its teeth and tosses it at Brad*

Brad:*Rolls out of the way and grabs it the moment it hits the ground* Balls, that would have been a beautiful finisher!

Rennay:BRAD! CLEARING! NOW!

Brad:Right!

The two flee away from the forested area to reach a clearing, the enraged Silverback follows them by dragging itself(Albeit extremely quickly) with its arms due to its injured lower spine.

Rennay: *Dodges a incoming rock* How much punishment can these things take!?

Brad:Pound for pound, they're one of the strongest and most durable Grimm there are; in addition to being one of the most intelligent. *uses Gaebolga to vault over a rolling log* Speaking of which, I figured it would have retreated by now!

Silverback:*roars and leaps into the air using its forearms, turning around and landing in front of the two*

Brad: *Jumps over an arm sweep along with Ren* They also have incredibly powerful forearms that makes their back legs redundant when it comes to overall agility, its mainly to help them stay balanced!

Rennay: Yeah, that'll be real helpful in class, I'm sure you'll get an A++ WHY ARE YOU GIVING SUCH LONGWINDED SPEECHES?!

Brad: *Evades a fist slam from its right hand* Because you asked me a question, I'd be rude not to answer! *Evades a fist slam from the left*

Rennay:*Leaps on its left fist and runs up its back* When or if I ask a question during a life or death situation, just PLEASE give me the short of it! *Executes a double jump kick on its head, chipping its mask and landing on its shoulder, sliding downward leaving a tear due to her footblades*

Silverback:*Lifts up and screeches as she slides downward*

Brad:*Plants the large blade of Gaebolga into the ground below it and rakes his hand down another handle gear*

Rennay jumps from its back and delivers another jump kick to its spine, damaging it further and causing it to fall to the ground, which in turn causes Gaebolga to sink into its stomach*

Brad:GET BACK!

The two leap a small distance from the Silverback.

Silverback:*Looks at them and growls angrily, then lets out an agonized screech*

The Gaebolga diverges its blade inside of the silverback's body, the high-impact warhead in the spear tip is activated.

After one last shriek the warhead explodes, blowing out the silverback's entire torso and sending its backshell flying off.

Silverback:*Slumps to the ground, dead. It evaporates*

The music stops.

Brad:HAHAHAHA!!! That was INCREDIBLE! Our first day at beacon and we've killed a silverback Beringel, thats a first time for me! *Walks over to Gaebolga and pulls it out of the ground, holding it in the air* GLORIOUS!

Rennay: *Breathing heavilly* Okay... S-so it's dead? It's actually dead?

Brad:*notices a severed artery from the beast that hasn't evaporated, he picks it up*....No pulse....*Cheekily* I think it is!

Rennay: (Dryly) Real funny, big guy. This is the first time I've actually fought a Grimm. And the things we fought earlier barely count.

Brad: Well, might I say that for someone with no prior experience your combat abilities, atleast with Grimm, are quite exceptional! But I digress, lets not tarry any further and grab one of those relics.

The two walk into the forest temple.

Rennay: *Holds up the black rook* Welp, we've got what we came for, I'm not a red splatter on the ground and neither of us are monkey chow. Pretty good, actually!

Brad:I'll say! Lets head back, sure we'll get a good grade if we're atleast the second ones to turn our relic in. (Blasted Rapscallions..)


Meanwhile, Cardin's group is walking through the forest back towards the cliff.

Cardin:*laughs* Did you hear that tin suit? "WHAT IN BLAZES?" Screamed like something clamped onto his nuts!

Dove:Good job with that smoke bomb Russel!

Russel: *Mock bow* Thank you! Thank you very much...

Sky Lark:...Hey guys, whats that?

Cardin:*looks* Hmmm...

There is a pair of long, sleek, luscious feminine legs wearing flowery, form-fitting white velvet thigh-high socks.

Woman:*Light growl*

Cardin:Helloooooooooo gorgeous!

Russel:*grins* Whats a-

Cardin:*Covers his mouth and approaches the tree* Hey miss? Lost in the forest? Good thing me and the fellas here came around, this place is full of Beowolves and *peaks around the tree*....Ursas.

Some hot music for that pretty, pretty lady.

The woman lying in front of the tree is, indeed, an ursa. Wearing a pair of socks so hot they make even it's legs appealing.

Cardin:Oh BITE ME.

Sexy Ursa:*Roars and kicks Cardin into a tree*

Russel:Hmm...Not what I was hoping for! *Takes out a paper bag* But we'll improvise-

Sexy Ursa:*Roars and leaps in front of Russel, delivering a roundhouse kick that sends him flying into a tree with a loud crunch*

Sky:*leaps with his halberd raised*

Sexy Ursa:*Somersaults under him and raises its leg directly upward, kicking him in the groin*

Sky:MMMMMMMPH!!! *Twitches and slides off the Ursa's fair, smooth foot*

Sexy Ursa:*Turns to glare at Dove, roars*

Dove:.Please please NONONOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-


Brad and Rennay walk by.

Brad: *Hears screaming, looks in its direction to see quite a one-sided fight, if it can even be called a fight* Do you think we should help them?

Rennay: 'Eh, don't feel like it.

Brad:Same, I'm sure those innovative young men will figure out a way to slip out safely.

Rennay: It's using the armoured guy to play whack-a-mole with the other three. Aaaaaaaaand they're getting knocked further into the ground every time it hits 'em.

Sexy Ursa:*Holding Cardin in between its toes on its right leg by his nose and using him to smash his three cronies*


On the cliff,

Glynda:...Cardin's group is being beaten down by a lone Ursa.

Ozpin: *sighs* Disappointing. *sips his coffee*

Glynda:Wearing socks.

Ozpin:*Spits out his coffee* What!?

*They watch the carnage*

Glynda:Should we-

Ozpin:No, no. They escaped that Silverback beringel perfectly fine, I'm certain they'll find a way to get out of this one.

Glynda:If anything, uploading this to RemTube should bring in significant advertisement revenue.

Ozpin:Pardon my breach of professionalism, but...That ursa is totally rocking those socks.

Glynda:*groans*

The music fades.


The Team Naming Ceremoney has begun.

Ozpin: Russel Thrush. Cardin Winchester. Dove Bronzewing. Sky Lark.

The screen of the auditorium shows each of their profiles as they are lined up for the applauding audience to see as Ozpin continues*

Ozpin: The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team CRDL, led by... Cardin Winchester!

Cardin:*proudly wearing the socks of the ursa in his belt*

The audience gives one more wave of ovation, while Jaune, Nora, Pyrrha, and Ren walk up to the stage to take their places in front of the headmaster as their faces fill the screen.

Ozpin: Jaune Arc. Lie Ren. Pyrrha Nikos. Nora Valkyrie. The four of you retrieved the white rook pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team JNPR.

Amid the clapping, Nora laughs and gives Ren a hug.

Ozpin: Led by... Jaune Arc!

Jaune: Huh? L-Led by...?

Ozpin: Congratulations, young man.

A grinning Pyrrha offers a friendly shoulder bump to Jaune, but her "fine leader" is knocked over and falls to his butt in front of the laughing audience.

Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang move onstage.

Ozpin: Blake Belladonna. Ruby Rose. Weiss Schnee. Yang Xiao Long. The four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team RWBY. Led by... Ruby Rose!

Weiss looks surprised, where Ruby is obviously in shock as Yang goes over to hug her.

Yang: I'm so proud of you!

*RWBY moves off the stage*

Ozpin: Unfortunately, not all students made it to the temple and only one black rook was retrieved. Because of this, my chess set is now incomplete and there are only two members of the next team, but their skills have proven to complement each other perfectly.

Bradagan and Rennay walk onstage.

Ozpin: Bradagan Drust. Rennay Schlitz. This team is composed of only two; but these young focused warriors managed to reach the temple by themselves and together, slew a mighty silverback beringel. They then retreived the black rook peice and brought it back before any other students completed the trial, receiving the highest possible grade. With their incredible courage, unshakeable resolve, and top class efficiency, I am proud to name you two....

Brad/Ren:*look at eachother and smile*

Ozpin:Team B.D.R.S(Badarse)!

Brad:...*Whispers to Ren* Badarse? Really? Don't get me wrong I'm flattered but...

Rennay: *Leaps, raising a fist gleefully* WOO!

Brad:*Scratches the back of his helmet and waves at the cheering crowd*

Ozpin: It looks like things are shaping up to be an... interesting year.

[Spectre]

Rennay and Brad enter their dorm. Due to the fact there are only two team members, it is quite spacious.

Brad:Hm...*looks around* I like it! Could use a bit of decor though, what do you think Rennay?

Rennay:*Passed out on her bed, snoring*

Brad:..Kind of thinking the same thing myself. *Walks into a corner and sits down against the wall, he yawns and his head droops*


Early the next morning,

Its the crack of dawn. Everything is still dark for the most part.

Brad:*suddenly springs awake, standing up and looking around*....Mmmph.

Rennay:*Lightly snoring*

Brad:I Don't think I'll ever get use to living outside of the jungle......*Sits down and manages to doze off*

...........................

A little while later, a loud racket from the floor below wakes Brad.

Brad:*Wakes up and gets into an alert combat pose, he looks around in a panic*....What in blazes...?

Ren:*Still snoring*

Brad:*Growls and covers the sides of his helmet due to the noise downstairs* Unbelievable. Better get dressed. *Grabs his school outfit and walks into the bathroom for a minute, then walks out in his armor still on but wearing a tie around the neck.*

He walks downstairs to the noisy dorm. He throws the door open.

Brad:*Angry stare*

RWBY:............

Brad:What is going on here?!

Ruby:We were making...*Proudly gestures towards the mess* BUNK BEDS!

Brad:I can see that. *sincerely* Very Innovative.

Weiss: How about knocking next time!? We could have been getting dressed!

Brad:With all due respect Miss Schnee, even I don't make that much noise when I get dressed and my armor weighs atleast a third as much as I do!

Weiss: "When I get dressed"? Do you even take off that stupid armor!?

Brad:*Sigh* Yes, obviously! I need to shower and change clothes regularly. I'm reclusive, not filthy! In fact, I'm wearing my class outfit under the armor.

Blake:Thats a bit...Redundant.

Brad:I got a free pass on wearing my armor, not violating the dress code! Besides, everyone can still see my spiffy tie. *Points to said tie* See?

Weiss:*Sighs* Still, its NO excuse for just barging in on our dorm like that!

Brad:Your door was not even locked. Furthermore, every dorm has a bathroom and a spacious closet for whatever privacy you need, I believe we're expected to use them!

Weiss:Grrrr...

Brad:*Takes a step back and raises his hands* But I digress! Please just try to be quieter from now on, I'm trying to get more sleep and Rennay hasn't woken up yet.

Ruby: Ok, just make sure you get her up soon. We have our first class at nine.

Weiss:NINE!?

Ruby:Yes, nine-

Weiss:ITS EIGHT FIFTY FIVE YOU DUNCE!

RWBY hustles to get to class, along with JNPR. Brad panics and runs upstairs.

Brad:*Throws open the door* RENNAY, GET DRESSED!

Rennay: *Sits up, revealing she's wearing the bare minimum* (Blearilly) Wha...?

Brad: CLASS IS IN FIVE MINUUUUUTES!!!

Rennay: (Sleepilly) Oh. Nuts. *Gets up and dressed, not bothering to pretty herself up so it really doesn't take long* *Half-heartedly runs, falling down the stairs when she gets to them*

Brad: *Checks on her in concern, only to find she's fallen asleep* Oh come on! *Picks her up and slings her over his shoulder*

Glynda checks her watch as the nine and one run by

Glynda: Are you SURE that's Herzlos' daughter?

Ozpin: *Sips coffee*


Brad:*Catches up to RWBY and JNPR*

Brad/Pyrrha:Hello again!

Both:Hah, Jinx!

................

Jaune:Are you two related by any chance?

Both:Nope!

Ruby:*looks at them, perplexed* Are you lying?

Both:Not at all!

Ruby:I think they're lying.

The group manages to arrive in Port's class at the last second, they rush and take their seats. Brad sits down in the row above JNPR and plants Rennay in the chair beside him.

Rennay:*Producing a sleep bubble*

Brad:*Thumps it, causing it to pop*

Rennay: 'Eh? ... When'd I get here?

Brad:*Shushes her and gestures to Port*

Port:MONSTERS! Deeeeeemons! CREATURES OF THE NIGHT! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names..But I merely refer to them all...AS PREY! HAHA!

Rennay: ... *Whispers to Brad* Wake me up when class ends or he says something useful. *Falls asleep*

Brad:*Sigh*

Port: And you shall too, upon graduating from this prestigious academy! Now, as I was saying: Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world! Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces! And that's where we come in. Huntsmen! Huntresses...*Winks in RWBYs direction*

Yang:*Uncomfortable* Eeeegh...

Brad:*Raises an eye at Port under his helmet*

Port: Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves! From what, you ask? Why, the very world!

Student In the back row: AYEEEEEEEEEEEP! *Raises fist*.....* notices he's being stared at, he sits down uncomfortably*

Port: That is what you are training to become. But first: A story. A tale of a young, handsome man... Me! When I was a boy..

*Everyone sort of spazzes out from the story*

Pyrrha:*Talks quietly through a fake smile* This is not what I was expecting.

Brad:*Whispers* This is Professor Port? The world-travelled huntsman?

Port: ...Despite smelling of cabbages, my grandfather was a wise man. 'Peter', he told me...

Brad:This has nothing to do with hunting Grimm.

Pyrrha:I'm certain he'll get to it, you know classes are always usually lighter at the very start of the year, to help students settle in.

Brad:I'm not even sure he can hear us.

Port: In the end, the Beowolf was no match for my sheer tenacity, and I returned to my village with the beast in captivity and my head held high, celebrated as a hero!

Brad:He captured a Beowulf..? I mean, I know its harder capturing live Grimm than it is killing them, but a beowolf is one of the lowest of the low.

Pyrrha:Maybe it was his first hunt or something. For someone with no experience capturing a beowolf is a notable feat.

Port: The moral of the story is..A true Hunter must be honorable, a true hunter must be dependable, a true hunter must be well-educated and wise! So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?

Cardin:*Fires a spitball at the back of Brad's helmet*

Brad:*Raises his hand back*

Weiss:I DO SIR!

Cardin:*Snickers*

Port:MR. DRUST AND MISS SCHNEE!

Rennay:..Wha...*Gets up and shakes her head slightly* What happened? Why's there a cage in here?

Brad:Hm!? Wait- I

Port:I'm going to allow the both of you to show your stuff! but first, I'm giving Mr. Drust his turn. *turns to Brad* I've heard some interesting stories about you! LET US TEST THEIR VERACITY! Step forward, and face your foe! *Gestures to a cage and presses a button on his scroll, causing Brad's weapon locker to drop from a slot in the wall*

Brad:*growls at Cardin, he walks down and grabs his weapon from the locker and faces the cage*

Rennay:*Groggily, she raises her arm* Go an...Get 'em big guy...

Pyrrha:Good luck!

Brad:*Waves back at them* (Alright, lets see...That sound. Borbatusk no doubt.) *Focuses on the cage and points the large end of Gaebolga down like a shovel*

Port:Alright! LET THE MATCH...BEGIN! *Uses his Blunderaxe to slash off the front of the cage*

Borbatusk:*Roars and charges towards Brad*

The Borbatusk reaches Brad's weapon. He flips it up into the air with a digging motion, sending the squealing grimm catapaulting behind him.

Brad:*Spins Gaebolga around and swiftly walks over to the flipped Borbatusk, impaling it through the stomach with the smaller end of his weapon*

Borbatusk:*squeals and melts*

Port:My word, that ended the moment it started!

*Most of the class begins clapping*

Rennay:*has fallen asleep again*

Yang:YOU NAILED IT!

Ruby:THAT WAS AWESOME!

Pyrrha:Flawless technique!

Cardin:Hmph.

Weiss:*quietly* Show off.

Jaune:*Gulps*

Port:Well, it seems we are in the presence of a true huntsman in training! Well done Mr Drust!

Drust:I appreciate the ovation, but it was nothing. I grew up having to fight these things, they have a predictable and reckless attack pattern. The fact it was caged and only had one direction to charge made dispatching it relativley simple.

Port:Clearly! I'll have more test material brought up for Miss Schnee, in the meantime I'm assigning you all a report on the behaviors of Borbatusks! There is no set amount of pages, but the papers must cover all critical aspects of this Grimm species and must be turned in within a week. I WILL recognize half-hearted work!

Cardin:*groans and pinches his nose* (Stupid grimm..)

Port:I think you've earned yourself a coffee break Mr. Drust! Take five.

Brad:Thank you sir. *bows head, he puts up his weapon and walks out of the room*

Rennay:*snoring*

Port:MISS SCHLITZ!

Rennay:Wha- ah! *Stands at attention*

Port:I can tell you're being held together with tape and glue, why don't you go with him?

Rennay: Yes sir! *Walks out as respectfully as possible*


He steps out into the hallway followed by Rennay, a group of passing beacon employees are carrying a cage containing another Borbatusk to the classroom.

Brad walks down the hall to a coffee table and some chairs sprawled out, theres a pot full of coffee on top with several different creamer containers and types of sweetener, along with a tall stack of paper cups and lids.

Brad:*Admiring the variety*...You'd think there was a religion centered around this stuff. *shrugs and pours himself a cup of coffee, he takes a sip and sits down in a chair*

Rennay: *Yawns and stretches* I never liked the taste, myself.

Brad:Well theres every flavor of creamer under the sun, you could change it to whatever you prefer.

Rennay: Tried 'em all, hate 'em all. Besides, caffiene screws with my sleep.

Brad:Strange. I'm under the impression theres likely nothing that can interfere with your sleeping pattern! You've probably slept about 14 hours since last evening.

Rennay: *Wipes sleep from her eyes* Actually, today's the first time I can remember NOT having coffee. Usually get woken up at six, given coffee with breakfast, study 'till twelve, lunch and coffee, combat training 'till four, fitness training 'till eight, dinner, then revision of study and any mistakes I made in training 'till eleven. Every day.

Brad: Sounds like an incredibly difficult lifestyle. I can see why you performed so exceptionally well against the silverback yesterday...And why you hate coffee so much.

Rennay: Yep. This is the first chance I've had to sleep more than seven hours in ... thirteen years. Dad started the whole thing as soon as he thought I could walk properly.

Brad:Hellfire, I understand now. I can't really sleep that well at all. I get up at the crack of dawn like clockwork most of the time. Been trying to make myself sleep more.

Rennay: Yep! So... yeah, this is gonna be a regular thing. Ya mind waking me up every day?

Brad:Certainly not! I always usually get up around 5 or so every morning, and on days I try and make myself get a little extra sleep I'll probably get up before classes start. Main reason I managed to sleep for as long as I did today was due to that silverback fight yesterday.

Rennay: Insomniac huh big guy?

Brad:I just sleep very lightly. Lived alot of my life by myself in a grimm infested jungle. Any little rustle in the bushes could have meant certain doom if I didn't respond. Also couldn't afford to waste daylight.

Weiss walks out of the classroom in a huff. She passes by the two without a second thought.

Brad: *Watches her walk by* Whats eating her?

Rennay:*Shrugs* Shes like that all the time.

Brad:Oh, just remembered. We have to write a report on Borbatusks.

Rennay:CRAP! What are the details?

Brad:Doesn't have to be a specific length. Just has to cover all critical aspects.

Rennay:Such as...?

Brad: I'm assuming habitat, attack patterns, abilities, strengths and weaknesses, the works.


Students are leaving Port's class.

Rennay:Well next class won't start for a while. Want to get a headstart on that Borbatusk report?

Brad:Good idea. To the library then?

Rennay:Yup!

The two head towards the library.




The rest of the rather uneventful week passes by. On Monday morning, Brad is looking over his homework grade at a hallway coffee table.

"120

Amazing work Mr. Drust! I shudder for any Borbatusk who runs into you in a dark ally!
You've gone over all required information and seamlessly covered several extra credit goals!
However, I have penalized you by 5 points for sloppy handwriting. Neatness counts! -Professor Port "

Brad: Well, a boost of extra credit is a grand way to start the semester!

Weiss sits down at the end of the table.

Brad:Oh! Miss Schnee! I-

Weiss:*sighs* Stop calling me that. Just Weiss will do.

Brad:...Oh?

Weiss:I just want to take a moment to apologize for how I've acted towards you since starting this semester.

Brad:Ah, no apology necessarry. I did destroy your luggage after all, I am so incredibly clumsy!

Weiss:Yes, thats true. I mean, the part about the luggage being destroyed. Nevertheless, that still doesn't really excuse how I have been acting.

Brad:Oh...Well, apology accepted! I'm so glad we were able to put that mess behind us....

...........................

Brad:Still, I am sorry about the luggage. I really should have been more mindful of my surroundings.

Weiss:You've already apologized and I forgive you! All I ask is that you do the same for me.

Brad:Of course miss-...Weiss.

Weiss:*holds out her hand* So, lets start over shall we?

Brad:*Shakes her hand* Of course! I'm glad to have remade your aquaintance!

Weiss:*Shakes his hand* Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Scnhee dust company. As the name implies, we sell dust and dust accessories, along with various oral hygeine products. *Holds up a Dust For Dummies pamphlet* Take this for extra details.

Brad:*Takes it and holds it upside down as he opens it, then swiftly and awkwardly flips it right-side up* Hmmm...Thank you! *Puts it in his chestplate* I am Bradagan Drust, I grew up in the woods. I don't have a sales pitch but I can identify edible mushrooms and make really good betelnut coffee that will only make you cough up blood for a half hour tops.

Weiss:Thats...Interesting!

Brad:So...New class is starting. Mathematics.

Weiss:Hah! Easy peasy.

Yang:*walks over* Wait, what? Did I hear you right? We have a math class?!

Weiss:Yes?

Yang:*Eyes turn red and hair flares up* NOBODY SAID THERE WOULD BE MATH!!!

Brad:*pounds table* I KNOW!! We didn't have it at signal! It makes no sense why we'd get it here!

Weiss:Primary combat schools like signal just focus on teaching the basics of fighting and hunting along with weapon use and maintenance. Its an optional third party academy that is attended alongside a typical high school. Beacon on the other hand is considered a university and is essentially a college in addition to the worlds top combat school.

Yang:*groans and flares down, facepalming* Thats stupid!

Weiss:Beacon heavily relies on international government funding in addition to donors. Do you realize how expensive it is to run this place? Ammunition, dust products, top class medical care, world renowned combat teachers, fully equipped dormatories, decent cafeteria food...

Yang:But what does that have to do with teaching all this general ed crap?

Weiss:*sigh* To make a long story short, Beacon has to provide mandatory General Education classes in addition to actual combat training to qualify for the necessary government aide to keep this place top notch.

Brad:*Weakly* I didn't sign up for this.

Weiss:Nearly everybody attending here didn't. Its just something we must soldier through. Anyway, math isn't THAT bad.

Yang:Its PURE EVIL!

Brad:And I hear the math teacher is the Devil!

Weiss:Don't be ridiculous!





*Cuts to class*

The students are sitting at their desks looking unnerved. The room is dark, and every desk is illuminated by a black candle with a red-colored flame.

Ruby:*Shuddering*

Yang:Sis, I'm right here.

Ruby:*Shrinks behind her desk* This place is scary!

Weiss:Oh don't be a bunch of pansies!

The door flies open.

Weiss:*Under her desk*KLEIN!!!

Blake:*Casually reading* "Klein"?

The light shining from the hallway reveals the silhouette of the math teacher. He is very tall, horned, with a forked tail, and what appears to be cloven hooves.

The door shuts.

He walks through the classroom, the students are standing completely still. The clicking of his hooves echoes throughout the room.

Ruby:*huddled with Yang*

Yang:*Sighs*

Rennay:*Snoring*

Brad:*Silent*

Jaune:*Shuddering*

Pyrrha:*Pats Jaune on the shoulder*

Nora:*excited*

Ren:..............


Suddenly a roaring, red inferno rises from behind the teacher's desk, it is a massive fireplace that illuminates the room further.

Mephisto:STUDENTS OF BEACON! I...Am Professor Zentrum Mephistopheles.

Professor Mephistopheles is a tall, dark skinned Faunus. His lower legs are covered in a rust-brown fur and end in black cloven hooves. He wears a set of rather expensive looking black pants that are short enough to reveal his goat legs, his upper body covered with a rust colored smoking jacket over a black shirt that is wrapped in a black arrow-shaped sash that bears a resemblance to a forked tail. His rusty hair is styled in a manner that resembles backward facing horns with an inward curve, adding to his menacing visage are intense fiery orange eyes with tiny pupils and a full goatee.

He also wears a silver chain pendant.

Mephisto:Call me Professor Mephisto for short. *Sits at his desk* I will be teaching you math.

The crowd is silent.

Cardin:An animal teacher? Man, beacon must have had a budget cut!

Mephisto:*Slowly gets up, he walks up to Cardin's desk*

Cardin:....

Mephisto:Mr. Winchester, I'll have you know that I am fully qualified to teach mathematics at this school, and have done so for many, many years. Likely before you were born. I'll have you know-

Cardin:Oh please! Spare me!...Of your stupid little life story.

*Cardins cronies laugh*

Mephisto: *Claps* Good show Mr. Winchester, it appears we have an aspiring comedian in our class. Unfortunately, I don't laugh very easily. But, I have a joke of my own!

Cardin:Lets hear it!

Mephisto:What do you call something thats shriveled, black, and stinks to high heaven?

Cardin:What?

The fire from the candle spreads to Cardin and ignites him on fire, he begins running around screaming.

Mephisto: An immolated carcass.

Cardin desperately claws at the door trying to get out of class.

Mephisto:There is no escape from my classroom, Mr. Winchester....Not without a hall pass.

Cardin is rolling around on the floor screaming as the fire burns brighter. The students stare in horror.

Mephisto: What? No laughing? I suppose my sense of humor is a little dry, that was less of a joke and more of a statement of fact. Now, for an educational question. Ignoring aura, how long would you estimate for a live human to burn to death if continuously roasted by 37 degree fire? Celsius now, not farenheit. I'm asking for a personal guess, you will not be graded for this.

The class is silently staring at the flailing Cardin.

Mephisto:No answer? None at all?

Class:...

Mephisto:Its average human body temperature you dim litwicks! Get up Winchester, you're fine.

Cardin:*Fire dies down*!?!?

Mephisto:*Points at Cardin's desk* Sit.

Cardin runs over to his desk and plants himself down, his cronies silently stare at Mephisto.

Mephisto:Have we reached an understanding boys? *leans onto their desk towards them*

CRDL:*Nod furiously*

Mephisto:Perfect....Now, children I'm going to explain a few things. Expository answers to some little questions alot of you are probably thinking about and I expect you to listen.

Rennay:*Snoring*

Mephisto:*Glares* SCHLITZ!

The flame on Rennay's desk roars loudly in conjunction with his voice.

Rennay: *Yelps and jumps backwards, toppling from her seat*

Mephisto:So glad to have you join us miss Schlitz! *Turns his head and smiles* Nice nap?

Rennay: *Gets up and shakes head* Sorry sir. I... *Hangs head* have no excuse, I'm sorry.

Mephisto:Now, I can respect your honesty, you admit your mistake. *Walks downward...Then swiftly turns around* However I will not tolerate napping in my class.

Rennay: *Shrinks* I'll TRY not to, sir...

Mephisto:Hmhmhm...Thats cute. I'll make sure to wake you up if you do but every time I'm interrupted by your slacking I'm adding two minutes overtime for the entire class.

Rennay: (Desperately, to Brad) *Whispers* PLEASE wake me up if I pass out.

Brad:*Gulps* I will!

Mephisto:Excellent! I see that everyone in class is awake and focused!...First off, you're probably thinking. What does mathematics have to do with hunting Grimm? I'll tell you what, nothing much. I daresay that most of the stuff you learn in here will likely never be used outside of class in a truly practical manner, but we're required to teach a math class along with literature and history because we'll take a massive cut to our funding due to some legal wishwash and that in turn will severely effect the overall quality of the school. So I'll tell you what! I'm not going to be forcing asinine overly complicated concepts and methods on you. All I want in my assignments are the right answers. All I ask is that you show your work to prove you didn't cheat and everything will be just peachy.

Brad:(Maybe this won't be so bad...)

Rennay:*Shuddering as she desperately tries to stay awake*

Mephisto:Now! You're also probably wanting to know, "Why have we been here for over a week and we've only had one class?" Well heres the thing, in Beacon we try and transition you into things at a reasonable pace. First week you've been introduced to Professor Port's class. Second week, this math class. Third week, Doctor Oobleck's class. Fourth week, Professor Peach's class. From that point, you will attend each of our classes twice a week, two classes per day. This does not include your daily combat training routines instructed by Professor Goodwitch or extracurricular activities such as the dust workshop and apprentice-level hunting contracts that will be offered later this year. Everything clear?

The class nods.

Mephisto:Lovely! One more thing, you may have noticed all of our classes have a peculiar grade range! From a 0 to a 125. The reason for this is because every assignment you are given will have optional extra credit work that can potentially push a perfect 100 up to a 125, or a 75 to a 100. That sound good?

*The class nods a bit more enthusiastically*

Mephisto:Good, good! Now seeing as this is your first week in my class I'm going to give you a simple assignment that isn't critical to your grade, but covers a broad range of different mathematical conundrums that will give me an overall idea of where you stand. *Claps his hand*

Short stacks of paper fly out of the candles and land in front of the students.

Mephisto:You may begin. And don't even think about cheating. *sits back*



At the end of class,

The desk candles go out and the ceiling lights turn on.

Mephisto:*looking over the papers, he wipes his eyes* Alright. A scant few of you actually did well, most of you not so much, and....Some of you are going to require nothing short of an educational miracle. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm a stress eater and I can tell this class is going to wreak havoc on my waistline. *looks at an apple on his desk, fits the whole thing in his mouth, and eats it.* Mmm...Clash dishmished. *Swallows*


The students walk out of the classroom, many of them looking burnt out.

Ruby:*Carrying out Yang on her shoulder* That wasn't so bad!

Yang:Uuugh...

Rennay:*Collapses* Uuuuuuugggghh....

Brad:*Catches her* Uuuuuuuuuuuggggggghhhh......*collapses himself, landing on her*

Rennay:*SQUILCH*

Blake:Don't be so dramatic...

Weiss:Most of it was basic stuff!

Pyrrha:To be fair Weiss alot of students that are attending beacon didn't think they'd have to bring the math skills they were taught back in high school with them. Most of it tends to go through one ear and fall out the other after the last exam.

Weiss:Well its their fault for not researching beacon more thoroughly before finishing high school!

Nora:*Collapsed on Ren's back, eyes are spinning and shes drooling*

Ren:*sighs* Lets get some sugar in you.

Nora:Bllleeegggghhhhhhhhhh....

Rennay:*Emerges from under Brad in the midst of regenerating herself* I second that, I'm starving! *Looks at Brad* Big Guy?

Brad:....

Rennay:*panics* BRADAGAN!? I DIDN'T OVERDRAIN YOU DID I!? *Gets down* PEASE GET UP!! GET UUUUUP!!!!

Brad:Ugh...Closer...

Rennay:*leans in* What is it? WHAT DO YOU NEED!?

Brad:Closer......

Rennay:*leans in closer*...?

Brad:Need....*Weakly* Cofffeeeeeee....

Rennay:GET US SOME STRAIGHT BLACK COFFEE, STAT!

Yang runs over to a glass emergency container on a wall containing a thermo, she punches the glass and takes it. She leans down over Brad and props him up, pouring the coffee into his visor.

Brad:*Inhales loudly*!!!

Yang:*Smiles* Thought we lost you there a second! Are you alright?

Brad:*Eyes are glimmering under his helmet, hes somewhat dizzy* Hmmmm..Yes sir...I am now..Very much so!

Rennay:"Sir"? I think he's delirious!

Yang:*Awkwardly diverts her eyes and helps him get up*

Brad:*Stands up and shakes his head* Thats some really good coffee! Thought I was in heaven for a second there. Ahem...Its lunch time, right?


*Cuts to lunch, everyone is sitting at a table. Many of which are agonizing over their math grades*

Nora:*Passed out*

Ren:*takes a peice of cake with a fork and pops it into Nora's mouth*

Nora:*Springs awake* I AM ALIIIIIIVE!

Brad:...So...What'd you get on your math test Rennay?

Rennay:*Glumly* 27. You?

Brad:I got a negative 17.

Rennay:Wait, what!? How is that even possible?!

Brad:I don't know, all I know is Professor Mephistopheles started crying right after I turned in my paper, then he threw it to the floor and set it on fire.

Rennay:Guess math is both of our weaknesses big guy. *turns to RWBY and JNPR* What about all of you?

Yang:*shrugs* 80. Good enough for me!

Ruby: I dunno, didn't check.

Ren:*takes out his Scroll* Well, all of our scores are on here and.....*Eyes widen*

The other students surround him in curiosity and stare at the top test results.


1:Jaune Arc (125)

2:Weiss Schnee (123)

2:Pyrrha Nikos (120)

3:Ruby Rose (112)

5:Nora Valkyrie, Lie Ren (100)


Everyone looks at Jaune.

Jaune:...What?

Weiss:How did- BUT- Why-

Jaune:Guys, whats going on?

Ren:*Hands Jaune the scroll*

Jaune:*Surprised* Wha!?...*grins and looks at Weiss* Well, looks like we're the top two math students Snow Angel. If thats not fate, I don't know what is~

Weiss:I DEMAND A DO-OVER!

Pyrrha:*Sighs*

Jaune:So Weiss...How about you and me be study buddies? I am a free-flowing well of knowledge~

Weiss:*Facepalms*



The story continues a week later at a student sparring match.




The teams are sitting in the audience while Cardin Winchester and Jaune are sparring. Although the match has drawn on for a while, it is horrifically one-sided.

Rennay:*Cringes at the sound of a strike* Ugh...

Ruby:Come on Jaune, YOU CAN DO IT- *Slamming noise* TAG IN! TAG IN!!!! *Hugs Yang and closes her eyes* DEAR MONTY I CAN'T WATCH!!!

Yang:*Rolls eyes, but pats Ruby on the back*

Brad:You know I have to admire Jaune. Despite being so thoroughly thrashed he is incredibly determined. Durable aura to! *winces at another strike* VERY durable.



Cardin: This is the part where you lose!

Jaune: Over my dead bo-*kneed in the gut* OOMPH!!!

Cardin:*Grins and lifts his mace over Jaune*


Brad:*About to get up* Is he trying to kill him!?

*Buzzer sounds*

Cardin:*Relents* Hmph.

Glynda: Cardin, that's enough! Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc's Aura has now dropped into the red. In a tournament-styled duel, this would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle, and that the official may call the match. *Looks at Jaune* Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now. Please try to refer to your Scroll during combat. Gauging your Aura will help you decide when it's appropriate to attack, or when it is better to move to a more... defensive strategy. We wouldn't want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf, now, would we?

Cardin: Speak for yourself. *Walks out*

Rennay: *Glares at Cardin as he leaves* If I ever get the chance, I'm gonna break his arms and leave him in the middle of nowhere. Probably... I dunno, mountain Glenn or something.

The bell rings.

Glynda: Alright, thats all the time we have for today. Remember, everyone, the Vytal Festival is only a few months away! It won't be long before students from the other kingdoms start arriving, so keep practicing! Those who choose to compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale!


The students leave for lunch, most of them move ahead of Brad and Rennay.

Brad:That was a very...Interesting match.

Rennay:Forty-five minute long sparring class and Jaune managed to hang in there through the whole thing. *Somewhat dissapointed* I didn't get a turn with anybody...

Brad:Yes, I must say Jaune is impressive. While his fighting style is rather....Minimalist you have to admire his resolve and durability. He has an incredibly powerful aura!

Rennay:That or Cardin hits like a wet paper towel.

Brad:*growls* Might explain how he acts, has alot to compensate for.

Rennay:Are you alright big guy? I've been hearing that growl alot lately.

Brad:Cardin's just getting on my nerves, the way he and his little wolfpack act towards everyone is incredibly obnoxious. People like him bring nothing but trouble.

Brad and Rennay walk into the cafeteria. Team RWBY and JNPR are sitting at the same table, Jaune looking dejected. The duo get their trays and join them at the table.

Brad:You put on a really good show there Jaune! *Pats him on the shoulder and sits down in front of him*

Jaune:*sigh* Thanks Brad. No need to lie to my face though...

Brad: Oh hush! You put up a good fight, I don't think I've ever seen such tenacity! *Holds out a Pumpkin Pete cereal bar* I know we're just limited to one of these each what with the surgeon general warning and all, but I got one for you!

Jaune:*Allows himself a short-lived smile as he takes the bar* Thanks...*Sighs and looks downward*

Brad:Put on a smile bud, I'm certain you'll do better in the next match!

Pyrrha:*Sighs* Its not the match, Brad. Cardin has been picking on him since the first week of school!

Brad:*Growls* Should have figured!

Jaune: Who? Cardin Winchester? Nah, He just likes to mess around! You know, practical jokes!

Ruby:He's a bully.

Jaune: Oh, please! Name one time he's 'bullied' me.

Ren:*Takes out a rather long list* I keep records.

Jaune:*Sighs*

Pyrrha:Jaune, you know if you ever need help, you can just ask.

Nora:OOOOOH! *Stands up* WE'LL BREAK HIS LEGS!!!

Rennay:*Stands up with her* LOWER SPINE!!! Two birds with one stone!

Nora:*looks at her with a disturbed expression*.........GENIUS!!!

Brad:Funny you should mention those suggestions, I've actually been examining several legal documents learning exactly what constitutes as "Physical Assault" in Vale just in case I'd run into a fellow like him, give me a wider range of opportunities to....Defend myself.

Yang:*grins* Mind sharing?

Brad:I got them with me right now! *holds out the papers* Go ahead and take them, I have more copies.

Rennay: Woo! (Eagerly) Gimme! I want an excuse to brain him with his own stupid-looking mace!

Brad hands out the papers to Ren and Yang, Nora also grabs a few.

Brad:Why so many Nora?

Nora:Just in case I lose one!

Jaune:Guys, really, it's fine! Besides, it's not like he's only a jerk to me; he's a jerk to everyone-

Velvet:OW! That hurts!!!

Brad:*Stands up and swiftly turns his head towards Cardin*

Pyrrha:Brad, wait!

Brad:*ignores her and walks over to Cardin*

Cardin:*pulling Velvet's ears* I told you they were real!

Russel:HAH! What a freak!

Brad: Hands off before I lop it off, Winchester!

Cardin: *lets go of her ear* Oh, looks like we got a hero here!

Velvet:*Senses the looming conflict and walks off with her head down*

Brad:*Narrows his eyes and growls* I'm no hero Winchester, I'm your worst bloody nightmare!

Cardin: Oh come on, you think I'm afraid of you because of that scary armor you tote around? Bet you're ugly as a stump under there and you'd send every girl in the class screaming if you took off that helmet!

Russel:Probably just compensating for something!

Brad:*Begins twitching his fingers excitably*

Cardin: Yeah! That it? Scrawny as a toothpick? Ugly? Short? Or maybe you just don't have balls-

A loud strike echoes through the cafeteria as a small amount of blood spatters on the table.

Cardin:*Falls on his back, covering his mouth* MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMH!! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMPH!!! *Pounds the floor with his other fist*

Cardin's teammates step back from Brad, the students in the cafeteria begin panicking.

Brad:WELL COME ON!? NOT USE TO FACING SOMEBODY WHO'LL FIGHT BACK!? *Picks him up off the floor by his collar*

A sharp snap echoes through the cafeteria, Brad drops Cardin.

Glynda:BRADAGAN DRUST!

Brad:*Growls*

Cardin:*grins through his pain, he has a ruptured lower lip and a missing canine*

Glynda:Ozpin's office THIS INSTANT!

Brad: Miss Goodwitch, he started-

Glynda:I don't care who started it, we're going to finish it! MARCH!

Brad is escorted out of the cafeteria by Glynda.

Cardin:*laughs along with his cronies*

Rennay: *Snaps at their laughing* THAT'S IT! *Lunges at Cardin and sinks both her thumbs into nerve clusters* Ya think it's FUNNY to laugh at another guy's suffering, huh?! Ya should find this HILARIOUS! "HA HA HA HA HAAAAAA"!

Cardin screams at the top of his lungs as the students begin cheering.

Oobleck: *Just... appears* Miss Schlitz! I think it would be best if you go with Mrs. Goodwitch and your teammate.

Rennay: But-

Oobleck: There is a time and place for fighting, Miss Schlitz. And perhaps a testimony from his own teammate may help master Drust's case.

Rennay: *Reluctantly complies*

Oobleck: *Stares at C.D.R.L.* And don't even think about laughing this time.

Cardin:*Growls as Russel and Dove help him up*




Ozpin's office;

Brad is sitting in a chair in front of Ozpin's desk, Glynda is standing behind him.

Ozpin:*Sips his coffee*

Brad:*Silent*

Ozpin:You know Mr. Drust, we do not allow violence at this school. Outside of sparring practice and hunting assignments of course.

Brad:*bluntly* I'm not apologizing.

Glynda:*Cracks her flog*

Brad:*Winces*.........

Ozpin:..Nevertheless, the young lady who reported the conflict claims you acted in her defense.

Velvet walks over with her ears drooped.

Brad:.....

Velvet:*Quietly, to Brad* Sorry...

Ozpin:I know you've only recently been taken into polite society Bradagan. I can fully understand, and appreciate, jumping to the defense of others. However despite your noble intentions, you responded with unnecessary force.

Brad:*looks downward*

Ozpin: However....Considering the circumstances I'm not going to put this misdemeanor on your permanent record.

Glynda:Misdemeanor? The boys missing a tooth and that lip is going to require sutures.

Ozpin:Simply a consequence of not knowing one's own strength, Glynda. Am I right Mr. Drust?

Drust:I..Yes professor. Underestimated my swing and overestimated Cardin's aura.

Ozpin:*Smiles* You will not be punished this time Brad, but you must exercise self control in future encounters. You may leave now.


Glynda escorts Brad out of Ozpin's office, Velvet follows.


Glynda:Bradagan, despite getting off the hook scott-free we are going to have faculty members keep an eye on you, particularly around Cardin. I advise you control your temper.

Brad:Yes Miss Goodwitch.

Glynda:*leans in and whispers with a slight smile* Of course we can't keep an eye on you 24/7. Theoretically if you fail to draw alot of blood, leave notable marks, or be around too many witnesses we probably won't be able to trace things back to you. *Leans out* I hope you've learned your lesson young man.

Brad:*more enthusiastic* I have Miss Goodwitch!

Glynda: I do believe that its time for History class, best not to keep Dr. Oobleck waiting!

Brad:I'll head there immediately!

Glynda:Good, I need to get back to my post. Remember, I'll have my eye on you. *Walks ahead*

Brad:...Whew.

Velvet:*Walks up behind him* Brad right?

Brad:*Turns around* Yes, thats my name.

Velvet:I'm sorry, about getting you in trouble. I was just afraid things would get out of hand!

Brad:Well they did, but don't worry about it. You did the right thing getting Miss Goodwitch. Probably would have caved his skull in if I didn't get stopped. Could have been expelled. Maybe worse.

Velvet: I really am thankful for you standing up for me, so..Thank you. *holds out her hand* I'm Velvet.

Brad:*Shakes her hand* Pleased to meet you.

Velvet: Pleasures mine! You really got him good by the way, I think I saw tears!

Brad:Haha, really now? I couldn't see through my helmet.

Velvet:*Holds a picture in front of Brad*

Brad: Talk about waterworks! How did you get that?

Velvet:*holds up her camera* Zoom feature!

Brad: *Chuckles* Well aren't you sneaky?

Velvet:Oh, at the risk of sounding wierd...Can I get a picture of my knight in shining armor? *leans her head to the side and smiles*

Brad:Hrm...Why not! *walks against a window*

Velvet:Good, now strike a pose!

Brad:Errrm..Alright. *Raises his head, stands up straight, and crosses his arms*

Velvet:*Takes a few pictures from different angles* Lovely! You are VERY photogenic!

Brad:Erm..Okay?

Velvet: Thank you so much! For the pictures I mean, and making Cardin squeal to! *runs off excitably* Talk to you later!

Brad:*Waves somewhat awkwardly* Bye...?

Rennay: *Looks after her, running the opposite way* O-kay. *Looks at Brad* She's nice, but that was weird.

Brad: Oh, hello Rennay. What are you doing here?

Ren: I figured having someone advocate for ya might help. (Regretful) Guess I got here too late, huh?

Brad: Yes, already talked to Ozpin and Goodwitch, I think I'm in the clear. Gonna need to be careful around Cardin from now on, I'm gonna be watched.

Rennay: Oh come on, that's not fair! It was Cardin!

Brad: I know, but I split the guys lower lip in half and knocked out a tooth. School'd probably get alot of flak if they didn't atleast watch me. At any rate, Oobleck is probably calling out names. Better head to class.

[Spectre]

Rennay and Brad walk into Oobleck's classroom. They're greeted by varying amounts of applause from everyone besides Oobleck and Cardin.

Rennay:Heheheh..*waves*

Cardin:*Lower lip is sutured and covered with a transparent bandage, he growls as they walk by*

Brad:*growls back*

Cardin:*Crosses his arms and looks away from them, pretending to focus on Oobleck*

Oobleck:*Blinks in front of them* Ah-hah! There's our two young turks! You've arrived just in time for the lecture! *Blinks behind his desk* Please take your seats!

Rennay:*yawns and sits down*

Brad:*Sits down beside her*

Yang:*grins at Brad and whispers* Punching the teeth out of Cardin has been on my to-do list since the start of the year, nice job!

Brad: I just hope this little episode calms him down. People like him do nothing but sow discord, and that of course draws Grimm.

Yang:You know, you'd think that with the whole "Grimm are drawn to negative emotions" thing being common knowledge people wouldn't be such jerkwads all the time!

Brad:True indeed, At least for self-preservation's sake!


Oobleck:AHEM! *blinks in front of them* Pay attention please! *Blinks behind his desk* NOW! The Faunus Rights Revolution, More popularly known as the "Faunus War"! Humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing the Faunus population to Menagerie. *points at the map of said-area with his stick* Now! While this must feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events! Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day! Now, have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?

Several students raise their hands, including Velvet.

Oobleck: Dreadful, simply dreadful! Remember, students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence! *Sips coffee* I mean, I mean, I mean just look at what happened to White Fang! Now, which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorize to be the turning point in the third year of the War?

Weiss:*Raises hand* The Battle Of Fort Castle!

Oobleck:Precisely! And, who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?

Cardin:*Flicks a paper football at Jaune*

Jaune:*Springs awake* Wha? HEY!

Oobleck:Mr. Arc! Finally contributing to class! This is excellent! Excellent! What is the answer?

Jaune:Uhhhh... The answer... The advantage... of the Faunus...

Pyrrha:*Tries to give him the answer via lip reading*

Jaune: Had over that guy's stuff...

Pyrrha:*Gestures over her eyes*

Jaune:Uhh..BINOCULARS!

*Most of the class laughs, particularly Cardin*

Oobleck: Very funny, Mr. Arc! Cardin! Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject!

Cardin: Well, I know it's a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier...

Oobleck:*Shakes his head*

Brad:*growls*

Oobleck:Mr Drust! Self control, we don't want another incident like we had in the cafeteria now do we?

Brad:*Recedes and takes a deep breath* No, Dr. Oobleck.

Cardin:*grins at him*

Oobleck:MISS SCHLITZ! You've slept clear through our last class, how about you participate?

Rennay:*bubble pops* Faunus have nearly perfect....*yawns* Night vision...Let me sleep...*dozes off again*

Oobleck:Absolutley correct! Care to elucidate further...*Points at Blake* Miss Belladonna!

Blake:General Lagune was inexperienced, and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched, and the general was captured. *Turns to Cardin* Perhaps if he'd paid attention in class, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure.

Cardin:*Clenches fist and prepares to get up*

Brad:*Snarls and stands up*

Oobleck:*Sighs* Drust, Winchester, please take your seats.

The two indignantly sit down.

Jaune:*Snickers at Cardin*

Oobleck:*To Cardin* You and Mr. Arc can see me after class for additional readings!

Jaune:*Sighs*

Oobleck:Moving on-


After the lecture, class disbands besides Cardin and Jaune. Pyrrha stays behind at the door. Brad walks out with Rennay slung over his shoulder and he stops in front of Pyrrha.

It is dusk.

Brad:*looks at Pyrrha* Waiting on Jaune?

Pyrrha:Yes.

Brad:Thinking about offering those sparring lessons tonight?

Pyrrha:*Light smile* I am.

Brad:*leans against the wall next to her* Good! He has the potential to be a great fighter, I think he'll do better at sparring against a more...Friendly opponent!

Pyrrha:What do you mean?

Brad:Well everyone I've ever watched him spar with is overly aggressive and leaves no room for error, doesn't really give many opportunities to learn. He's also always so shakey, acts like the slightest mistake will get him kicked out of Beacon.

Pyrrha:*thinking* Hm..

Brad:I think Jaune definitely needs a compassionate, patient teacher like yourself! One who'll take him through things step by step and explain any hiccups in his technique without getting on his back.

Pyrrha:You really think so?

Brad:Lets see...Perfect grades, top of her class throughout her entire school career, champion of several regional tournaments, heart of gold, incredible patience...Why, I'd be lying through my teeth if I said you weren't tutor material!

Pyrrha:*Blushes and scratches her head* Oh stop it!

Brad: NEVER!!! You know you're really the only reason I'm passing any of my classes outside of Professor Ports! Throw me into a cage match with an ursa major and I'll be just peachy, but throw a ten question history pop quiz in front of me and watch my spine turn to jelly.

Pyrrha:*smiles* Well you're welcome!

Brad:That reminds me, if you have the time I need assistance writing that essay on General...Lanugo?

Pyrrha:Its Lagune, and I'd be glad to help!

Brad:*Snaps fingers* Thats the one! Thank you so much.

Pyrrha: Its no trouble, you're a good student.

Brad:Heheheh, I try to be!.....Well, hopefully Jaune will be out of class soon, I'd better Skedaddle before Cardin comes out and we make eye contact! *Walks off and waves* Later Pyrrha!

Pyrrha:*Waves*

Brad: Rennay? PST! *Shakes his shoulder* Wake up.

Rennay:*Blearily* Bwa..?

Brad:We got sparring. We're going up against RWBY tonight.

Rennay:*Springs awake* FINALLY!

Brad: I know we're the only two-warrior team in Beacon at the moment, but I wonder if we're going to go at them one on one or against two at a time?

Rennay:*Shrugs* Could but 2 v 4 at once. But seeing as how Professor Goodwitch has been arranging spars it'll probably be one-on-one to get us started.

Brad: I hope so. I've mostly spent my life fighting Grimm, not people.

Cut to sparring class an hour later, everyone is sitting in the audience whilst BDRS and RWBY are standing on the stage. Oddly enough, Jaune is sitting with team CRDL.

Goodwitch:Students, this will be our last sparring match for today. Seeing as team BDRS has yet to have a turn in sparring since school started, I'm pitting them against RWBY.

Pyrrha:Break a leg, Brad!

Brad:*Horrified* What on earth - Thats against regulations!

Pyrrha:Its a figure of speech, I mean good luck!

Brad:Oh, thats much better!

Cardin:*laughs with his team* Man what a dimwit!

Jaune:*Mutters* Takes one to know one...

Cardin:What was that Jaunny boy?

Jaune:Nothing!


Glynda:Alright, for the first round of the match, I will be pitting Bradagan Drust against Yang Xiao Long.

Yang:*grins and chuckles as she prepares Ember Celica and walks forward*

Brad:*silently gulps, but steps forward twirling Gaebolga and snarling*

Glynda:Remember, eyes on your aura gauges. We don't want any incidents! Now..Begin!


Yang lunges forward rapidly and begins punching at Brad, forcing him to step backwards. Although unable to get an attack in, he blocks some of her attacks.

Yang:*Feigns a punch and delivers a powerful kick to his side*

Brad:*gets knocked over, dropping his weapon* !!!

She attempts to execute a shockwave punch, Brad narrowly rolls out of the way and tries to reach for his weapon, but is blocked by an explosive blast from ember celica and intercepted by Yang.

They begin fighting up close, Yang getting several hits in and Brad blocking a scant few. The sound of Ember Celica pounding against his armor echoes throughout the room.

Despite how aggressively he's being attacked, Brad's aura is dropping relatively slowly.

Glynda:Hm...

Yang gets a powerful punch in on his head, sending his helmet flying off and resulting in Brad ducking and covering his head. The veins on his leg armor and gauntlet glows as he literally mule-kicks Yang causing her to fly into the ceiling and taking off about 1/6th of her aura and a small portion of his. He scrambles swiftly and puts his helmet back on.

Brad:*Animalistic snarl, he jumps over to Gaebolga and picks it back up*

Yang drops down from the ceiling and lands on her feet.

Yang:*Pumps her gauntlets, her eyes turn a reddish tint and her hair brightens* Nice hit!

She fires off several explosive rounds from Ember celica at him that he attempts dodging, but with little success. Brad runs through the blasts, taking some damage but reaching Yang. He goes on the offense and slashes at her with his massive weapon surprisingly fast, she evades several attacks and delivers a colossal gut-punch that sends Brad several yards into the air and landing on his butt.

His aura is about 2/3rds full.

Brad: You hit like an angry goliath!

Yang:*Malicious chuckle*

Brad fires off a high velocity round from Gae Bolga that launches him into the air, while Yang is stunned by the light he fires off a cryogenic round that freezes her in place. He falls from the air in a somersault and smashes down the side of Gaebolga's large blade onto her like an immense paddle, shattering the ice.

Her aura drops down to 1/4th

Brad attempts to finish her with another strike, but she spins out of the ice shards and punches him in the chest, sending him sprawling like a ragdoll.

His aura drops down to 1/5th

Brad:*Gets up, dizzy* Make that a bull Goliath!

Yangs hair is radiating golden fire, her eyes are a burning crimson red.

Brad:*Eyes sparkle as he staggers up* Wwooooooooooah...*Cracks his visor upward*

A bit of Yang's hair is frozen and partially detached. She grabs the frozen, damaged lock and discards it.

She rushes at him with a loud war cry and punches, he narrowly dodges and the wind from her strike causes a breeze to run by the audience.

Brad:*Nervously* Yang, are you alright-

She swiftly maneuvers herself towards him and punches him in the chest, dropping his aura below zero and forming a massive crack in his chestplate, followed by kick to his gut that covers his entire center suit and greaves in a massive fissure, and smashing him into a wall.

Glynda:THATS ENOUGH YANG!

Yang:*Flares down*

Glynda: Bradagan, are you alright!?

Brad:*Coughs* I'm fine..*Staggers up, Rennay walks over and assists him*

Rennay:Easy there big guy!

Brad:Nothing a little nap won't fix! *staggers* I'll be fine.

He weakly walks up to the audience and takes a seat beside Yang, who is looking over her hair.

Brad:Yang? Are you alright? You seemed really upset down there!

Yang:I'm ok! I just Really, really hate it when people mess with my hair, but it'll grow back! I'm more worried about you, I kinda went out of bounds there!

Brad:I'm fine.

Yang:But your armor-

The veins on his armor glow, along with the cracks. They begin regenerating.

Brad:*Cheerfully mimicking her tone* It'll grow back!

Yang:*whistles* Now that is cool! How does it do that?

Brad:This armor is actually carved out of a great metallic tree from my homeland, believe it or not. For a lack of a better term, its a living thing. While it provides about as much protection as a high end metal, it is notably more flexible and regenerates itself if given time out of combat. Only downside is that its fairly heavy.

Yang:Nice, can it do anything else?

Brad:The temperature within is fairly well regulated and it synergizes with my semblance.

Yang:No built in coffee machine?

Brad:HAHA! I wish!

Glynda:Alright, for our next match it will be Rennay Vs...*touches her scroll*....? *Taps it aggressively* *grumbles* Piece of junk!

Rennay:*Awkwardly staring at RWB*

Ruby:*Shrugs*

[Spectre]

Next Week, everyone is sitting in Professor Peach's classroom. Her classroom has several small laboratory stations lining the walls, and various plants growing inside ranging from flowers to shrubs. There is also a large, split terrarium containing a large centipede and tarantula on her desk, the two containers labled "Spiker" and "Sponge".

Brad: I like this classroom, the air is fresh in here.

Rennay:Pleasant change from Professor Mephisto's atleast.


Jaune is sitting with Cardin's group, looking visibly saddened.


Brad:*Narrows eyes at CRDL* Somethings up with those thugs.

Rennay:In other news, Vacuo is pretty warm this time of year. Jaune's been following Cardin around like he's leashed with piano wire.

Brad:Yes. I tried talking to him about it, but he just brushes it off and says they're best friends now, Utter Bollocks! *Quietly* Pyrrha's also been really upset with him, which worries me to death since she-

Pyrrha:*Irritated* Can we just focus on class? Professor Peach should be in at any time now.

Brad:Sorry.

Rennay: *Looks at her nervously, then back to Brad* Yeah, *Points at CRDL* that bunch don't belong here. (Disdainfully) They're probably be better off joining with the White Fang scum.

Blake: *Eyes narrow and growls quietly*

Brad:He'd fit in fairly well, just glue a pair of mule ears on him.

Rennay: (Disdainfully) If we're lucky, him being there'd tear them apart from the inside. (Genuinely angry) I'd pay good lien to see that whole group get fed into a giant meat grinder-

Brad:*Concerned tone* Okay, might be going a little too far there.





The door opens, Professor Peach steps in.

She is rather short with a fair complexion, although a bit squat she is curvaceous with notable hips. Her hair appears to be cut short and dyed bright pink, with a hot yellow underline revealing her natural hair color. She is wearing a small, very bright pink golden-buttoned formal dress with a white shirt underneath. She is carrying a brown duffle bag she pulls a jar of crickets out of.

Peach:Good morning class!

Professor Peach walks over to her desk and she dumps the cricket jar into the tank, the two enormous predatory creepy crawlies making swift work of them as the class stares on, somewhat disturbed. The tarantula is roughly the size of a small cat, the centipede is nearly 5 feet long.

Peach:I am Professor James Peach! You can just call me Jamie for short, I'll be teaching you science! But before we start...*Jokingly* Does anyone want to hold Spiker and Sponge? *Gestures to her two pets*

Ruby:*Raises her hands* I WANNA HOLD 'EM! I WANNA HOLD 'EM!!!

Weiss:ARE YOU CRAZY!?

Peach:*Laughs* Well come on down, they're friendly!

Yang:Ruby, DON'T! Those things could bite!

Ruby:If they were dangerous then she wouldn't have offered to let us hold them~


Ruby walks down to the desk.

Peach:Ok, which one do you want to hold first? Spiker is the Centipede, Sponge is the Tarantula.

Ruby: Spiker!

Peach:Ok then! *Softly reaches her arm into the tank, Spiker crawls around her like a bracer*

Yang:*turning pale* Ruby...

Peach extends her arm towards Ruby, Spiker hisses and begins crawling all over her.

Ruby:*Giggling* HE TICKLES!!!

Yang:*Faints*

Weiss:*Catches Yang despite being horrified* That is wrong on soooooooo many levels!!

Rennay: Erm... (To Brad) Do bugs usually get that big?

Brad:Not even in Ghruama!

Cardin:Hey Professor Peach, Jaune here wants to hold Sponge!

Jaune:WHAT!?! No, NONONONO I-

Cardin:*Glares*

Jaune:I...Ok.

Peach:*gestures him to come down*

Jaune:*Gulps and walks down to the desk*

Peach:*picks up Sponge out of his tank* Ok Jaune, be gentle now!

Jaune:*Slowly reaches down towards Sponge*Eeeeeggh.....

Sponge:*Jaunes hand is reflecting in his beady eyes*

Jaune:Pleasedon'tbitepleasedon'tbitepleasedon'tbite.....

Sponge:*Bristles slightly*

Jaune touches Sponge.

Sponge:....

Jaune:*Grins sheepishly* Hi there!

Sponge:*Makes a clicking noise and crawls up his arm onto his shoulder, then nuzzles his neck*

Peach:Aww, she loves you!

Jaune:*Eyes widen as he turns white as a sheet*..................*Faints*

Sponge:*Crawls off of Jaune and up Peachs' leg, moving onto her shoulder*

Peach:Well, Arthropods aren't for every one! However, I'm going to give Ruby and Jaune extra credit for their bravery!

Cardin:*Growls*

Jaune:*Weakly* Yay...

Ruby:*Still giggling as Spiker crawls on her*

Peach:*Whistles*

Spiker leaps off of Ruby and onto Peach.

Ruby:Awww...

Peach:Come after class and you can play with them any time Ruby! Ok everyone, back to your seats please.

Jaune:*Weakly walks back over to Cardin's group, he takes a seat in between them*

Ruby:*Walks back up to her desk* That was fun! You guys should try it sometimes.

Blake:Pass.

Weiss:*Still horrified* Not on your life!

Yang:*Cries slightly as she has visions of spiker crawling through her hair*


Peach:Okay everyone, since today is your first science class we're gonna kick off the semester with a project! A project that will most likely involve killing grimm!

Nora:YIPPEE!!

Peach:Now, today we're going on a field trip to Forever Fall forest! I need every one of you to collect atleast one jar full of red sap for our experiment. You are free to try some as it is highly nutritious, but please don't dally and make sure not to spill any on you! It draws Grimm like flies to-*Ring* Oh, hold on a second. *Opens her scroll, widens eyes in concern, and puts it up to her head* Whats the problem? Oh...Ooooooh dear!...Yes....Glynda would be the best choice. *Closes her scroll* Ok class, Unfortunately I have to be somewhere so I'm going to have Professor Goodwitch take you to Forever Fall. There should be plenty of jars and taps on the ship for you all to use and Remember, extra jars means extra credit! *Opens her duffle bag then puts Spiker and Sponge in, and proceeds to bolt from the room*

Brad:I've never been to Forever Fall forest before, I hear its quite lovely...*Notices Ren looking irritated* Are you alright? Seems like all of my friends have something eating them of late...

Rennay: (Firmly) It's nothing. Let's just get this project done.

The class disperses and boards the airship, headed to Forever Fall.

Brad:*looking out of the window, admiring the color* I've seen these trees before! Never in such massive amounts though.

Rennay: (Still slightly bitter) Yeah, never seen anything like it in Atlas.

The airship flies over a heavily damaged railroad, there are Grimm prowling around the spot.

Weiss:*Sighs as she notices the railroad* Animals.

Rennay: (Disgusted) Worse than Grimm. At least monsters have the excuse of being mindless.

Brad:What happened here?

Weiss:Big shipment of Schnee dust came through here. After it was pillaged by the White Fang the track was destroyed, thus complicating transport through the region. Nobody can fix it because all the death and chaos drew a huge amount of Grimm here.

Blake:*Sulks and walks away from the group*

Yang:*Exciteably* Think we could take care of it while we're here?

Glynda:No, we're going to be collecting sap far away from this area. The Grimm cluster is so thick the Vale government has been unable to muster a proper hunter team.

The ship flies over an area with no Grimm in sight, it lands and the students leave the ship with their gear in tow.

The students spread out slightly, admiring the beauty of the forest.

Glynda:Yes, students, the forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful. But we are not here to sight-see. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside this forest, and I'm here to make sure none of you die while doing so. Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates. We will rendezvous back here by 4 o'clock. Have fun!

Brad:*Notices a massive pile of red leaves*....*Looks around to make sure nobody is watching, then dives into them and wallows around*

Nora:That man has the right idea! *Grabs and surprises Ren, and drags him with her as she jumps in* GERONIMOOOOOO!!

Pyrrha walks by and looks down at them with an amused and surprised smile.

Pyrrha:*Light laugh* Nora I can understand, but you Bradagan?

Brad:*looks up* Oh come on, look me in the eye and tell me that didn't look fun!...Rennay?

Rennay: *Diligently filling both her and Brad's jars with a worried expression*

Brad:....?


In her mind;

Herzlos: Why are you resting?! You can relax once your task is finished, not before.

Herzlos: Unacceptable! Start from the top! And cease your crying, Grimm won't pity you and neither shall I!

Herzlos: (Disgusted) I have no words. Get out of my sight.

Back to reality;


Rennay: *Tear manages to escape one of her eyes*

Brad: (Genuinely concerned) Rennay? Are you alright?

Rennay: (In a VERY small voice) He used to smile...

Brad:*Squats down to her level* Hey, whats wrong? *cautiously puts his hand on her shoulder*

Rennay: *Jolts* Wha- *Furiously rubs her eyes* I'm fine. I'm fine...

Brad:*Remorsefully* I'm sorry, I should be helping. *Takes out a couple of jars* How about we work on getting some extra credit? I know how to tap these trees really well, we'll get enough to cover one botched assignment!

Rennay:Yeah....That'd be nice.

Brad walks over to a large tree and embraces it, putting his head against the trunk.

Brad:*Grins* Get some more jars!

Rennay: Oooookay? *Grabs about six*

Brad takes Gaebolga and stabs deep into the trunk, sap fires out like a hose. He narrowly avoids getting sprayed.

Brad:MOTHER LODE!

Rennay: WOOHOO! *Gleefully holds up one jar after the other, filling them faster than should be possible* *Holds up a tenth, only for nothing to connect* ... *Looks back at the tree* DAMMIT NORA!

Nora:*Latched onto the tree, sucking sap directly from it*...*smiles and chuckles*

Rennay: *Pushes her out of the way and fills the jar as the tree spurts its last round of sap* And that's five each! We should be great!

Brad:Wonderful! I wonder how everyone else is getting al-

Pyrrha:NORA!

Nora:*giggles*

Brad:...Might have to share ours at this rate.

Rennay:*sighs*

Pyrrha:*filling another jar*

Ren:Nora, you may want to slow down. You could end up getting poisoned at this rate.

Brad:Well the sap is actually quite good for you, I've actually lived off the stuff for the most part back in Ghruama. Only consequence I know of overconsumption is that it'll dye your skin pigments.

Nora:*Skin has turned hot pink*

Ruby:I've had something on my mind though, why does this stuff attract Grimm?

Rennay:Well these trees are very unusual, sharing a surprising amount of traits with animals.

Nora:*Stops in mid-drink*......

Yang:...What?

Brad:Yes, the chemical composition of the sap is actually alot like blood in some aspects, its a really good source of iron and protein. You may notice a bit of a subtle metallic flavor underneath all the sweetness?

Nora:*Still staring into the jar*

Rennay: Still, the sap is different from blood in several key aspects. Despite the presence of hemoglobins there is no proper plasma or leukocytes; and if you go closer to the taproot you'll find the sap starts out blue.

Brad:Indeed, and it has a pleasantly fruity, tart flavor in contrast to the sugary red sap. Hold on a second...

Brad jams Gaebolga's large head into the ground at the base of a tree like a shovel, he stomps down on the smaller head and manages to uproot it.

Yang:*Whistles* Nice leg power you have there!

Brad:Why thank you!

There is a dark purple taproot at the base of the tree, Brad slashes it open and blue sap gushes forth.

Brad:Don't worry about the blue sap, it doesn't draw Grimm.

Rennay:Yep! While it lacks the iron and protein of the red sap, it is rich in various vitamins.

After everyone drains the taproot of blue sap, Brad rips it up.

Brad:You can also eat the taproot, good source of fiber.

Everyone gathers a jar of the blue sap in addition to their red.

Ruby:Think we'll get extra credit for the blue sap?

Rennay:I guess we could, but its not as medically significant as the red.

Ruby:Why not?

Weiss:Well the thing that makes the red sap so useful is that it can actually be used in the creation of artifical human blood for transfusions.

Ruby:Seriously? That is so cool!

Weiss:Yes! The technology is pretty new, but many lives have been saved because the lab-grown blood can help victims hold out until appropriate bloodpacks are availiable.

Rustling is heard. CRDL runs by the group terrified, Screaming Ursa. Russel bumps into Brad and falls down.

Brad:Ursa?! Where?

Russel:*points in the direction he was running from* Back there, its got Cardin!

Rennay: Oooh! Let's go watch!

Brad:*Picks up Russel by the hand*

Russel:Th-thanks! *Runs towards the ship*

Pyrrha:*Drops her jar in realization* JAUNE!! *Starts running*

Rennay: Wait, Ja- *Pales* Ooooooh crap.

Brad:*Looks at everyone besides Rennay and Pyrrha* You go and get Goodwitch! There could be more!


The three run into the forest.


Cardin is attempting to run from the following Ursa, but it leaps over its prey and claws him away. He tries to get up and crawl away.

Cardin: Crap! Crap, crap!

Ursa:*Swipes at Cardin, only to be blocked by Jaune's shield*

Brad:*Lowers his visor* Nice block....

Rennay: I don't get it! Why's he defending that ba-

Ursa: *Roars*

Brad:*grabs Gaebolga and steps forward* Because he's Jaune!

Pyrrha:Wait!

Brad:*looks at Pyrrha*Very well. *Steps back, preparing to leap in if necessary*

Jaune takes the shield out from the Ursa's paw and slashes at its stomach, causing it to lash out and try to crush him. He rolls out of the way and jumps over its swipe at his feet, but he is unprepared for when it launches a claw at him in midair. He lands far away, yet is immediately back on his feet and passing Cardin as he charges again. The Ursa knocks Jaune behind it when he tries for a leaping attack, and he looks at the scroll in his shield to find out that his Aura level is in the red. He grows angry again and starts to run at the Ursa as it also begins to dash towards him.

As they are just about to clash, Pyrrha sees that Jaune has left himself completely open to the Ursa's attack, and lifts her hand out to him, gathering dark red energy in her arm. Just as the Ursa is about to hit him, the glow surrounds Jaune's shield and makes it lift up to block the swipe. Jaune uses the surprise defensive move to lean on the ground, push his shield back up, and swing his blade right through the Ursa's neck. The head falls to the ground as the body slams onto the ground.

Brad:...One swing...*Gushes with pride* HAHAHAHA!!!! ONE SWING!!!!

Rennay: (In disbelief) On an Ursa MAJOR!

Goodwitch and the rest of the students walk over to the scene, stunned.

Jaune:*helps Cardin up*

Cardin:Holy crap, Jaune...

Jaune:*Leans in* Don't ever mess with my team..My friends, ever again. Got it?

Cardin:....*nods silently*

Brad:*Boisterously walks over* I count as one of those, right?

Jaune:*nods in affirmation* Yes.

Brad:HAHAH! *Pats him on the shoulder, knocking him down*

Jaune:OW!

Brad:Oh, sorry! *Pulls him up*

Renney: Always tap a little lighter than you intend to big guy.

Brad: *Scratches the back of his helm* Silly me...


Later at beacon.

Peach:*Looking over the sap jars* Wonderful! Everyone met their quota and even brought in plenty of jars for extra credit, that's what I like to see! I hope none of you went overboard with drinking the sap!

Nora:*Nauseated, her skin is a blood red color*..Urrrp....Worth it...

Rennay: Well, at least we all know what happens if ya do...Erm... (To Brad) Ya don't melt into red slurry if you overdose, right?

Brad:I don't think I've seen a case like Nora's.

Nora:*The whites of her eyes are red, along with her teeth*

Peach:For our project we're going to be working on creating "Field Infusions". While it is more crude type of the substitute blood infusions made in a proper medical environment, this can be created on the field with minimal work...


Later at night, the students are in the cafeteria eating dinner. The televisions are all on showing the same news channel.

Yang:So, whats your workout routine? I'm curious.

Brad:Routine? Well...Professor Goodwitch seems to be keeping us in shape for the most part-

Yang:No, no. I mean what do you do that makes you so strong? The secret to your strength! I mean you're pretty big and all but mass doesn't mean that much in the long run. Does your armor give you a boost?

Brad:No, not directly. I mean I suppose lugging this heavy suit on my person 24/7 counts as an exercise in of itself, but it doesn't really give me a boost.

Yang:Then whats up with the glowing marks?

Brad:Ah, that is my armor expanding due to my semblance. I am capable of increasing the density of my bone and muscle mass.

Ruby:You're like the Incredible Skulk!! *holds up a comic with the spy-based hero in question*

Brad:You could put it that way, yes!

Blake:That concept never made much sense to me, a spy that turns into a bulging giant when angered?

Ruby:Thats the point! He is a professional spy, but must control the beast within so his missions are not compromised!

Blake:Still weird.

Yang: Hey, heroes with contradicting traits can work. Take THIS guy for instance! *Holds up another comic with a scarred, grizzled warrior wielding a lute-battleaxe hybrid* BARDZERK!

Ruby:Ooooooooooh!!! I wanna read it! *reaches for it, Yang holds it out of her reach*

Yang:You're a liiittle too young for this one sis!

Brad:I tried reading that comic, just too dark for my taste.

Lisa Lavender:Yet another dust store robbery has occured in downtown Vale. The store was unoccupied at the time of the robbery and although there were no witnesses evidence points to the White Fang-

Brad:*Scowls*

Rennay:Urgh. Worse than animals, the lot of 'em. They should be tied up and shipped to Ghruama.

Blake:*Narrows eyes*

Lisa: In more positive news, tomorrow students from Vacuo's Shade Academy will be arriving in Vale for the Vytal festival-

The television goes out.

Glynda:*Over the announcer*Students of Beacon, it is currently ten O' clock. Everyone please return to your dorms before the ten thirty curfew.

Rennay:*Gets up rather despondently and walks out*

Weiss and Ruby get ready to head back to their dorms, Blake follows Rennay.

Brad:*Gets up* Time to retire. Goodnight everyone. *Looks at Yang* I...Its been good talking to you Yang.

Yang:Likewise! *Punches him in the shoulder in a friendly manner* How about doing some spotting for me in the gym tommorrow? I don't think Nora's gonna be up to it.

Brad:OH! I...Well, I'd be delighted!

Yang:Great! See you then. *Follows Ruby and Weiss out*

Ruby:Hang on, where'd Blake go?

Brad:Hm..Not sure. At any rate, I'll see you all tomorrow. *Heads in Rennay's direction*


He walks into the hallway.

Blake: What the HELL is wrong with you?!

Rennay: (Off-guard) Wa- What's wrong with ME?! Where's this coming from?

Blake: Don't think I didn't hear you today, the White Fang isn't evil!

Rennay: (In disbelief) They are! They're a bunch of no-good murderers!

Blake: They only do what they think is best for the Faunus!

Rennay: If they think theft and murder's helping the Faunus in any way, they're all insane.

Blake: So they're misguided, it's not like anyone else is trying to help them! If people like you wouldn't be so hateful towards the Faunus they never would have been pushed to this point!

Rennay: I... you... GYAH! *Throws her hand up* (Coldly) You're not worth my time. *Turns and storms off*

Brad:*Watches Ren storm off, then turns to Blake* What the devil just happened?!

Blake:You wouldn't understand..*Turns to walk off*

Brad:*Looks around to make sure nobody is looking* Try me Blake. Lets talk. You really upset Rennay there and I feel that as her teammate I need to understand whats the matter.

Blake:Then talk it over with her!

Brad:I will once she cools down. I've kept your secret, even from Rennay. That should prove I'm willing to listen to your side of the story, maybe I can talk to her and we can all reach an understanding.

Blake:...*sighs*....Follow me. *Starts walking*

Brad follows her.


Blake is sitting on a ledge connected to Ozpin's tower.

Brad:*nervously trying to find a place he can sit* Did we really have to come all the way up here? I'm not exactly what you would call lithe! *Sits down behind a gargoyle, wrapping his arm around it for balance* This will do. Now, why all the secrecy?

Blake:Swear you will not tell anyone about what I'm going to say.

Brad:Solemnly. Not exactly in a position to upset you here, one push and I'm going for a swim in the moat.

Blake: I was a member of the White Fang.

Brad:...Well! Key word "Was". Mind explaining it to me a bit more in-depth?

Blake:I was a member for most of my life. You could almost say I was born into it.

Brad:I see.

Blake:I know what you're thinking, but back then things were different. Alot different. At the end of the Faunus Revolution the White Fang rose as a symbol of peace and unity between humans and the faunus. Unfortunately, despite being promised equality, we were still subjected to discrimination and hate. Humanity still thought of us as lesser beings. And so, the White Fang rose up as the voice of our people. Even from a young age I was there at the front of every rally and boycott. I thought we were making a difference but...I was just a youthful optimist.

Brad:Why did the White Fang turn violent?

Blake:Five years ago, our leader stepped down, and a new one took his place. A new leader, with a new way of thinking. Suddenly, our peaceful protests were being replaced with organized attacks. We were setting fire to shops that refused to serve us, hijacking cargo from companies that used Faunus labor. And the worst part was, it was working. We were being treated like equals. But not out of respect... out of fear.

Brad: I can understand why you left then, and I'm glad you did. I'm not a faunus myself, so I can't say I know what it feels like to be a victim of prejudice but..I haven't really seen much Faunus discrimination during my brief time in Vale. Maybe its the professional environment of the schools I've been attending, maybe I haven't really been looking for it...

Blake: Most people just fear retaliation from the White Fang.

Brad:That may be Blake, but...I cannot sympathize with the White Fang as they are now. I have seen the things they've done in the name of their supposed cause and all its doing is causing the roots of mistrust to bore themselves deeper into our society.

Blake:...........

Brad:I'm going to go and talk to Rennay. Would it be alright if I told her about your secret?

Blake:Do you believe she would keep it?

Brad:I'd trust her with my life. I'm certain the both of you could end up being friends over this, at the very least reach a mutual understanding.

Blake:Ok. I'm going to hold you to that.

Brad:Thank you. *gets up and wobbles back into the school* Goodnight Blake.

Blake:Night.


Brad heads to his dorm.

Brad:Rennay? Are you here?

Rennay: (Voice quavering) No!

Brad:*Concerned* What?

Rennay: *Furiously wipes her eyes* (Firmly) I'm FINE.

Brad:*Sits down on the bed beside her* No you're not.

Rennay: YES I ... *Hands head* (Weakly) No, I'm not.

Brad:Want to talk about it?

Rennay:You aren't gonna give me a choice are ya?

Brad:Not if you really don't want to. I won't force you.

Rennay: ... Alright. Y'know I hate the White Fang by now, right? Ya know why I hate them so much?

Brad:I'll take it you have a much more personal reason than I do.

Rennay: I... *Tears start flowing* (Voice cracks) He USED to smile...

Brad:*Holds her close to him* Your dad?

Rennay: (Miserably) Yeah. He hasn't since... since mum died.

Brad:White Fang?

Rennay: Yeah. Thirteen years ago. Train robbery. They actually attacked the day before, but she killed a few before they fled. They knew they couldn't beat her, so the next day they... *Starts choking on tears* They kidnapped my little brother... and killed him right in front of her.

Brad:*Hugs tighter* I'm so sorry..

Rennay: *Buries her head in his chest plate and sobs*

Brad:Bloody monsters...

Rennay: (Bitterly) They all deserve to die.

Brad: I've no doubt alot of them are as monstrous as the masks they wear. But thats not really a fair thing to say. Some really might be misguided, bad personal experiences with humans making them vulnerable to being drawn in by the White Fangs candy-coated propaganda. Some were probably raised into it from birth.

Rennay:*Moves out of his arms* They killed someone who was TWO YEARS OLD. I'll believe that some are misguided when I see it, not before!

Brad:.....*Simply pulls her back in and hugs her* I understand. Try and get some sleep, ok?

Rennay:*Exhales and wipes her eyes* Alright.

Brad:I sleep lightly. If you need me just wake me.

Rennay:I will, thank you Brad.


The two go to sleep.


Early friday morning.

Brad is sleeping in the corner of the room.

A quick knock echoes from the door.

Brad:*Gets up* Hm!?....Hm.

He walks over to the door and opens it, Yang is standing there wearing some gymwear and carrying a duffle bag.

Yang:*Sing songy* Hellooooo~

Brad:Yang! Wasn't expecting you to be here this early.

Yang:Yeah me neither. Turns out Weiss wants to drag us to the docks this afternoon so we're gonna have to head out early.

Brad:Ah, wanting to be the first to greet the people coming in from Vacuo I take it? She does strike me as being a bit of a social butterfly.

Yang:Yup, now lets hustle!

Brad:Hold on a second....*Writes a note and puts it on Ren's nightstand* Don't want her to worry.


The two head down to the Beacon gym. Its a very large room lined with just about every exercise tool one could need, ranging from more complex machines to simpler tools such as barbells. The two walk over to a lifting bench and Yang begins warming up.

Oobleck:*Wearing his field outfit and filming gym activities* Greetings and welcome back to Mutual of Ozpin's Exploration of the Sweaty Savannah! I am your host, Bartholomew Oobleck! It is early in the morning, and soon the savannah will spring with various species of life... Ah, a new specimen moves into the territory! The Bradigis Drustus, or Metalshelled Skew. He appears to have been lead here by dominant female Yangus Xiaolonginus, or the Gold-Crested Sundrake!


Brad:*Looks around* Ooooh! They have AtlasTrack™ treadmills! I always wanted one of those...

Yang:Just about everything in here is from Atlas, they make the best exercise equipment! *Points* Just look at "Jerkwad" Jerry.


Oobleck: Jerris Jerkinus, more commonly known as the Barking Treadstroller, is a specimen found in the sweaty savannah almost daily. Although small in size, it maintains its position in the territorial hierarchy by making excessive noise and deterring potential predators with hot-spirited aggression!


There is an AtlasTrack™ Exercise wheel being used by a student, who just so happens to be a tailed rat faunus. He's going extremely fast.

Jerry:SPEED THE HELL UP ATLASTRACK™, MY GRANDMA COULD STROLL ON THIS!

AtlasTrack™:Increasing speed!

It goes faster.

Jerry:*begins sweating* MORE SPEED YOU MECHANICAL THUMBSUCKER!!!

AtlasTrack™:Increasing speed further!

Jerry:*begins panting* WHAT KIND OF WIMP DO YOU THINK I AM!? MORE SPEEEEEED!!!

AtlasTrack™:Speed maximized!

Jerry:*Lets out a primal squeal and begins running on all fours* NOW WE'RE TALKING!!!! IM GONNA MAKE YOU MY B-*trips over his own feet and gets spun around rapidly, screaming*

AtlasTrack™:Speed mechanism damaged, please contact AtlasTrack™ to dispatch a repairman.

Jerry:*Squalling* THATS *Spins* RIGHT *Spins* I'M *Spins* FEELING *Spins* TheBURN!!!


Jerry is tossed from the wheel and lands at the base of a treadmill used by Velvet.

Jerry:*Stares up and laughs lewdly* Hey there cottontail!

Velvet::*Scowls and kicks him in the temple*

Jerry:*KOed, his head being jarred by the moving treadmill*


Oobleck:Unfortunately his very means of defense is also incredibly efficient at deterring potential mates.


Brad:Oh, ok. *giddily* I can't WAIT to try them all out!! I just can't believe I've never been to this room in all the time I've been here.

Yang:Well using this facility is optional. Its pretty nice for staying in shape outside of sparring classes and grimm hunting assignments.

Brad:Lovely!

Yang:*Lies down on the bench* Alright! Coming?

Brad:Oh, of course! *zips over to the bench, Yang is effortlessly lifting twice her weight as a warmup* My, you really are strong! *Hypnotically watching her lift the barbell*

Yang:Thanks!


Oobleck:Impressed with the Sundrake's strength, the metalshelled skew's body temperature increases dramatically, causing humidity to arise from within his exoskeleton.


Brad:So how often do you come here?

Yang:Three or four times a week! Usually Nora comes with me but....


*JNPRs room*

Nora:*Lying in bed, solid red* Uuuuggggh....

Ren:*Wearing his apron and smiling lightly, he brings her some sort of...Concoction* Maybe this will teach you not to drink half your body weight in red sap?

Nora:Ugh..*Takes it, looks at it with a highly disturbed look* Not this stuff...!

Ren:Sooner you down it, the sooner you'll reverse your new palette swap.

Nora:Very funny..Ooogh...*Drinks it*....!!! *Pukes into a trashcan* UGH!!!

Ren:*light chuckle* Well, I guess it'll clean the red sap out of your system one way or another.

Nora:*Puts it down, still nauseated* Not funny....*belches*

Ren:I'll go get you some more water. *Takes her glass from the nightstand and walks off*

Nora:*Weakly looks at the ceiling* Boop......

*Back to the gym*


Yang:...Yeah. I'm just glad we got today off. Alright, mind putting about 40 pounds on each side?

Brad:Yes Sir! *adds the weights*

Yang:*Continues lifting, barely slowing down* You're not gonna let me live that down are you?

Brad:No sir!

Yang:*Sighs* Can we atleast keep that little incident between us?

Brad:Yes sir.

Yang:*Annoyed groan* More weight!

Brad puts another 40 pounds on each side.


Oobleck:The Metalhided Skew appears to treat the dominant female with the utmost reverence, referring to her in a manner similiar to a submissive beta male communicates with his alpha, and providing her with more weights on her command in order to bolster her strength!


Brad:*Notices shes starting to sweat a bit* Getting to your limit?

Yang:*Grins* Not in the slightest!

Brad:Excellent! You seem to be able to lift more than most men I know.

Yang:Hah, you should see what Nora can do! This bench ran out of weights so she took all the weights from two others, and thats without her semblance! This one time she actually told Velvet to tase her and she twirled the barbell like a baton!

Brad:That is incredible! I need to accompany you two here more often. I'm missing out-


"TIME TO FEED THE PYTHONS BRO"


Oobleck:Interlopers have entered the scene with a boisterous roar! This roving pack of rogue males frequently scours the area to assert temporary dominance wherever they go!


Yang:Ugh..

Brad:What on earth is that racket?

Yang:Team F.R.A.T.

Brad:*Covers the sides of his helmet*

Yang:Just ignore them.

Brad:Its kind of hard to! Who are they?!

Yang: Frank, Rick, Arnie, and Tim. A pack of meatheads that think they're hot stuff because they have those wierd exotic names.

The four look like a quadruo of frat bros. Frank is wearing a backwards ballcap, sunglasses, and has black hair. Rick has a blonde mowhawk and is covered in gaudy tatoos. Arnie has brown hair with a military buzzcut. Tim has long red hair, a goatee, and a pierced navel, lower lip, and nipples. All four are big, shirtless, and have Gymdouche levels of muscles.

Frank:ALRIGHT! Time to claim our territory bros! *Howls*


Oobleck: The pack hustles around the room to claim their favorite exercise apparatus from other species in an attempt to conquer the entire savannah for themselves! Although they do not require all of the machines, their repeated noise drives away other savannah dwellers.


Yang:*Rolls her eyes* Brad, mind getting me some Auragade?

Brad:Sure thing, which flavor?

Yang:*sits up* Any kind, just not the grape, tastes like cheap cold medicine!

Brad:Yes sir, be back momentarily! *Walks over to a vending machine*

Yang:*Facepalms*

FRAT:*Notices Yang*


Oobleck: Spying the dominant female, the four rogues proceed to serenade her with mating calls.


Rick:*Looks at Yang* AH MAN BROS, TNA ALERT! TNA ALERT!!!

FRAT:WOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Yang:*Groans* These numbskulls never learn. *grumbles* This'll be the 12th time I've sent them to the infirmary! I don't get why they just won't quit!

The four surround Yang.

Yang:What do you idiots want?

Rick:What do we want? Weez about to ask you the same thing!

Tim:Your body's just callin' out to us sweetheart!

Yang:*Stops lifting and stands up with a disgusted growl*


Oobleck:They press their advances on the Goldcrested Sundrake once more, but she is having none of it. As with all the previous encounters, it will most certainly end with them being broken, bloodied, and left as sport for the vultures!


Brad:*notices them surrounding her, he takes a drink from the vending machine and briskly walks over*


Oobleck:Unfortunately for these nomadic rapscallions, they appear to have provoked the ire of the large Metalshelled Skew!


Brad:*Steps forward* Excuse me, but we're trying to-

Frank:*Steps back, afraid* BIGGER GUY, BIGGER GUY!!!

The four huddle.


Frank:Dude, that guy is like four inches taller than Arnie!

Arnie:Pft, more like two. But I see where you're getting at..Probably weighs almost twice as much as me to.

Rick:Getting beat up by a chick is kinda fun but...A guy? That'd just be awkward!

Tim:Alright bros, tactical retreat! We'll come back once we bulk up some more!

The four scatter to the four corners of the gym.


Oobleck:Intimidated by the presence of the Metalshelled Skew, the four rogue males scatter and regroup in the furthest corner of the territory where they will nourish and work themselves in order to have a better chance standing up against the new alpha male in future encounters! With the four confined to the northeast of the savannah, the rest of the regular inhabitants return and get back into their routine.


Rick is lying on a lifting bench with a funnel in his mouth, the other three are pouring protein shakes into it.

FAT: CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!


Yang:....Niiiiice! I didn't have to lift a finger! You're handy to have around.

Brad: *Bashfully* Thank you..Oh, your drink. *Hands her the Auragade* I know you didn't need my help fending off those goons but as the old proverb goes, speak softly and carry a big stick!

Yang: *Takes a swig of her drink* Might need to keep bringing you along when Nora's feeling better, be nice not having to worry about FRAT interrupting us. *Sits back down on the bench* Now, MORE WEIGHT!

Brad:*Eagerly* Yes sir!


Rennay:*Snickers*

Oobleck:Ah! Rennais Schlitzis, more commonly known as the Striker Sloth, has crept onto the scene!

Rennay:...*Dozes off*

Oobleck:This is the laziest known hominid on the face of remnant, sleeping away nearly every waking hour!


CRDL walks into the room and notices Rennay. Cardin creeps towards her with a pot and a metal spoon, followed by his goonies.

Oobleck:A pack of hyenas has entered the field! Not native to the sweaty savannah, it is likely these creatures have stalked the Striker Sloth throughout the school in an attempt to catch her during a period of vulnerability, and have been led to this territory. They confidently surround her, not knowing that the Striker Sloth actually spends time sleeping in order to accumulate terrifying amounts of energy which she will-*Agonized screams, cracking, and puking sounds* Unleash upon the slightest provocation!

Rennay:*Goes back to sleeping*

RDL is carrying a badly beaten Cardin out of the gym.

Oobleck:Having been ferociously trounced, the hyenas carry their injured alpha female to safety!

Cardin:Wha- ALPHA FEMALE!?

Oobleck:Hyenas have a matriarchal pack structure, to use the term alpha male would be unforgivably erroneous!

Cardin:Ugh....

[Spectre]

Brad and Yang are near the gym vending machine.

Yang:Thanks for coming with me today Brad. Mind joining me again in a couple days?

Brad:I'd be happy to!

Yang:Nice! I- *Scroll rings* Ugh, Weiss.

Weiss:*Over the scroll* Yang, we're heading out to the docks!

Yang:Yeah, yeah! I'm on my way. *Closes it* Welp, looks like I have to go. You and Ren got any plans?

Brad:Nothing in particular, I'm going to let her sleep as long as she wants and maybe we'll go for a walk in Vale. Been a while since we left the school grounds.

Yang: That sounds nice! *Puts her duffle bag over her shoulder and starts leaving* See you around!

Brad:*Waves, he turns and notices Ren napping*

Rennay:*Snoring lightly, sitting in her chair*

Brad:Wonder when she got here? *Picks her up and goes to take her back to the dorm*

Rennay: *Yawns and stretches* Hm..Morning! Where are we going?

Brad:*Sets her down* Well if you feel rested up I figured we'd go for a walk around Vale, maybe shop around a bit. Tukson sent me a message and told me he got ahold of a copy of Third Crusade!

Rennay:Been chomping at the bit to get that book haven't you big guy?

Brad:Yes! I loved the first two~ Lets get moving!



The two head out to Vale. They walk down the street, Brad looking somewhat nervous.

Brad: I swear Rennay, everyone looks like they're some sort of shadow creature...

Rennay:They all look fine to me, I think its just your helmet. Maybe you ought to take it off? Just the helmet.

Brad:Not going to happen.

Rennay:...Maybe just open up your visor?

Brad:No.

Rennay:Come on! You got really pretty eyes; Bet Yang will notice them right off the bat.

Brad:*Bashfully* Oh...Why thank y-Wait why do you say that!?

Rennay: *Grins* Have you looked in a mirror? Almost looks like you got a blue and green gradient going on.

Brad: No I mean....TUKSONS! *Points* We're here at long last-

*A familiar monkey Faunus runs by and grazes against Brad*

Sun:*Mockingly* Sorry!

Brad:What the- *Watches him go* Who is that?

Rennay:Dunno.

A pair of police officers run right into him.

Brad:GRAH!!!

Officer:Sorry kid! *Gets up and continues pursuit*

Officer 2:*Grabs Brad's hand and pulls him up* Obey the law, stay in school, etc! *Runs after his comrade*

Rennay:Tut tut. *walks beside Brad and watches them go* Nearly 7 feet tall and built like a brickhouse and people can tell your age just by hearing your voice.

Brad:*Grumbles and takes out his Scroll*...Wait, why's it lighter?...*Turns it around* HEY, MY BATTERIES! That pickpocketing primate!!!!

Rennay:*Bewildered* How could he steal your batteries in such a short amount of time?

Brad:Never underestimate pickpockets, this one time I saw a greenhead steal the clothes off of a policeman's back. He was just standing there in the cold talking with his brothers in arms wearing nothing but his smallclothes, and its like they didn't even notice until about a solid 20 seconds after he was robbed.

Rennay:That sounds...Improbable.

Brad:I can't make this stuff up, I swear.

Rennay:Want to chase after him?

Brad:No, I can always get more batteries. Besides running in public with this armor on just isn't safe. *turns to head towards Tukson's* Might end up bumping into- *Staggers and falls on someone, being held up* Ugh. Someone.

Penny:Salutations!

Rennay:*Notices she's holding him up with one hand, avoiding being crushed*...Wow.

Penny:May I assist you?

Brad:*Stands up* I was about to ask you the same thing. *Grabs her hand and props her up* Are you alright!

Penny:Fantastic! Thank you for asking!

Brad:...........

Rennay:Whats your name?

Penny: Penny!

Rennay:I'm Rennay.

Penny:I think its actually spelled "Renee"!

Rennay:"Spelled"? What are you talking about-

Penny:But I'm not saying its bad! I like your own take on spelling it, gives it more character!

Rennay:...O....kay...

Brad:...I'm Brad. Kinda hard to spell that wrong, I guess.

Penny:It is indeed!

........................

Brad:So, we need to get going! Be seeing you my friend.

Penny:"Friend"?! Wow, Thats two friends I've made so far here in Vale, in one day no less!

Brad:*A little uncomfortable* That beats my personal record! Heheheheh...

Penny:We can paint our nails, and try on clothes, and talk about cute boys!

Rennay:*Snorts*

Brad:*Extremely uncomfortable* I Errr...

Rennay:*Whispers, struggling to hold back laughter* I think she's been a bit sheltered!

Brad:BOOKS! Do you like books? I like books. Lets paint- err, talk about those instead!

Penny:YES! Theres a book store over there, lets go! *Grabs Brads hand and pulls him to Tuksons*

Brad:*weakly* hellllllp meeeeeee......

Rennay:*Follows, chuckling*

The three enter the book store.

Tukson:There you two are! I was wondering when you'd stop by.

Rennay:Hi Tukson!

Brad:Hello again...

Penny:*Lets go of brad* Wow, look at all all this, You must have every book under the sun!

Tukson:Thank you! I try to keep a good stock. *Thinks* You know, that might be a good catch phrase. Been wracking my brain trying to think of one!

Rennay:*looks at some awards on display on a small bulletin board* I think that'd be a really good one. Got a small store here but ya got books you can't even find in Beacon's library.

Tukson:Lots of old connections, if I don't have the book you're looking for I can just about guarantee I'll find it in a week!

Rennay:*browsing the comics* Comics to...

Brad:So! Got that copy of Third Crusade?

Tukson:Yes! I do. *Puts it on the counter* Hardback to boot. It wasn't easy to find!

Brad:Excellent, most excellent! *Pays for it and looks into it eagerly*

Penny:*Picks up a computer magazine, she turns it sideways and a long page folds out*....*Glows red and radiates heat* Now THATS Hardware!

Rennay:*Looks at her awkwardly*.....*Slowly goes back to browsing*

Brad: Oh! One more thing..*leans in and whispers* Do you have the latest issue of Bardzerk?

Tukson:In the back, I thought you didn't like it though.

Brad:Its for a friend.

Rennay: *Stage-whispers* It's for his girlfriend!

Brad:*Scowls*

Tukson:Well she certainly has...Interesting tastes. *Goes to the back and brings the comic out, labled "The Occultation"* I took a peek in this thing, I'm not gonna be stocking this comic anymore. Whoever writes this is living grimm bait.

Brad:*Nervously looks into it out of curiosity* !!!!!! *drops it and holds his head*......................................

Tukson: Brad? BRAD!

Rennay:Big guy!? *Runs over*

Brad:*Shaking*.........I need to sit down. I...*Looks at Rennay*..I'll be fine. *Sits down on a sofa*

Penny:Are you ok!? *Drops her magazine and zips over* Can I get you anything?!

Brad:*Shuts up his visor completely, his armor veins are glowing erratically. He is having difficulty formulating words.* I. just. need. some.... time.

Rennay:*Picks up and looks at the comic, then puts some Lien on the counter* I want to burn it.

Tukson:*Takes the Lien* Don't let me stop you.

Penny:Why would you want to burn a perfectly fine comic? *Walks over and takes it, looking at it*....*hand glows and incinerates it completely* I don't know what that was, but it upsets me very much.

Rennay:Tukson, would you mind if he stayed here for a while? I dunno when he'll be ready to get up.

Tukson:Of course he can.

Brad:*Lowers head, closes legs, and rests his arms inward* Thank you...

Rennay:*looks at Penny* Wanna head out for awhile? He usually likes being alone whenever this happens.

Penny:*Worried* Ok.



The two walk outside.

Penny:Whats wrong with Brad?

Rennay:No idea, he doesn't talk to me about much outside of current events.

Penny:Is he going to be ok?

Rennay:He usually snaps out of it after some time...But it can take a while. I've seen him curl up like that for hours.

Penny:Do you know what causes it?

Rennay: I dunno. Theres not alot that sets him off like that. He doesn't like being touched and is extremely defensive about his armor, never seen him take it off once.

Penny:I wish there was some way we could help him!

Rennay:Me to Penny. *Wearily* Me to-*Reaches down and grabs a blur*

Sun:*grins, she's gripping his tail*...Eheheh...

Rennay:Hey Monkey King, going somewhere with those batteries?

Sun:Hey, look, my Scrolls batteries died and I needed replacements ok? I was gonna pay him back...

Rennay:Riiiiiight. Could have said that earlier when I wasn't about to pull off your tail.

Sun:*weakly* Please don't.




A few hours pass, its in the early evening. Brad is still sitting on the sofa.

Tukson:*Looks at him from the counter* Its almost closing time Brad.

Brad:...*Wearily gets up, speaking in a tired tone of voice* I apologize for any inconvinience.

Tukson:Its no trouble.

Brad:Do you have another issue of that comic by any chance?

Tukson:Yes, I have a few more. You sure you want another one?

Brad:I still intend on giving that gift. I'll just make sure not to peek into it this time.

Tukson:*Hands him another comic* Here, no charge. Just promise me you won't read it.

Brad:I won't. Thank you Tukson. *Takes the comic and leaves the store*


Rennay walks by.


Rennay:*Soft tone* Hey, there you are. Feeling any better?

Brad:I'll live. I just sort of want to head back to our dorm now. *Touches his forehead* My thoughts are just cloudy.

Rennay:Ok. Guessing you're gonna skip dinner, want me to bring you back some food from the cafeteria?

Brad:Sure. I'll probably eat it eventually.

Rennay:OH! Looky what I got! *Holds up the stolen batteries*

Brad:*Slightly brighter tone* Oh, thank you Rennay. I almost completely forgot about those. *Takes them and puts them in his scroll*....Oh dear.

Rennay:What?

Brad:*Sulks* Mephisto wants to see me. He sent the messages hours ago!

Rennay:*Hisses in sympathy* Oooooh....

Brad:Well I guess he has one more lecture for me before the semester ends. *Sighs wearily* Talk about our first day off.


That night, Mephisto's class.

Brad is sitting at Mephisto's desk looking downward.

Mephisto:Ease up Drust, I'm not getting on your back today. *Looks at his paper* Actually, I'm seeing alot of....Relative improvement. You're still failing, but I haved noticed that your average grade is steadily rising. Unfortunately despite this you may not be able to pass math this school year, what with how we're at the very end of this semester.

Brad:*Sighs* I'm trying.

Mephisto:I know you are its just....*Hisses through his teeth* Its not good enough. You'll make a fine huntsman when it boils down to it don't get me wrong, but officially graduating Beacon and acquiring the privelages that it grants isn't going to be possible without a passing math grade.

Brad:I'm doing fine in my other subjects aren't I?

Mephisto: In some? Yes. Port's Class. 124. Peach's class. 95. Oobleck's class. 79. Glynda's class, 68 which alarms me because you've taken down Ursae unarmed but nearly every student trumps you in sparring, and my class....*Exasperated* 32.

Brad:*Droops*

Mephisto:There just has to be something we're missing here. In Peach's lab theres alot of chemistry, it in itself a form of math, involved. Yet I notice that you do very well in there outside of assignments that go into detailing mathematical formulas and the like.

Brad:*Perks up slightly*

Mephisto: So I think we're just trying to teach you the wrong way. Starting next semester the Dust Workshop extracirricular course is going to open up. Its going to strictly involve crafting assignments, most of which involve welding, working with dust and the like. It's going to be using alot of the skills I'm trying to teach in here. Now, If the mutterings I hear among your circle of friends are true you are capable of making your own ammunition?

Brad:I...Yes! *reaches into his armor and puts a rather simple looking warhead with a crude snowflake drawn on a label upon the desk* The school provides ammunition for me for the most part, but when I'm on the field and its life or death, I sneak in my own due to the safety limitations on the ammunition provided by Beacon. My warheads are more volatile but they pack significantly more punch.

Mephisto:*Nervously* Hahaha..I...See. You do realize that can get you expelled don't you?

Brad: I know. But If Rennay or myself are in danger on the field I'd rather risk expulsion than one of us die because my firearm didn't have enough "Oopmh" as they call it. I know the risks of using my ammunition, but I've used it countless times living in the wild, suffered and learned from several mistakes, and with all due respect I'm fairly confident I know what I'm doing at this point.

Mephisto:Believe it or not, I actually respect that. Wouldn't have made it to Beacon otherwise if you weren't atleast somewhat competent, so I'll pretend to forget your flagrant rulebreaking. But I digress, what I'm trying to get at is that we could bend the rules a bit. Heres the scenario, you sign up for the Dust Workshop, I have a little chat with Ozpin, he works his dean magic and we link your grades in the workshop with my math class. Assuming you excell in it, you could probably get a passing grade in addition to the practical skills you'll learn in the dustshop.

Brad:Really?...I'm going with the plan either way, but is this legal?

Mephisto:Not sure, never did anything like this before! But if Ozpin is onboard, which I'm 99.9 percent certain he will be, it shouldn't matter. *leans back in his chair* Wouldn't go screaming it off the rooftops though.

Brad:How does this even work?

Mephisto:Loads of complicated shadowy education system hocus pocus. Point is, do good in the workshop, pass math class. Graduate Beacon and become a licensed hunter. We all live happily ever after in a world with less grimm. Best not think about it and just do it in this case!

Brad:I'll do it! Thanks professor Mephisto!

Mephisto:No worries. Now scram, I have work to do.

Bradagan leaves the room.

Mephisto:....*Rips a random page out of a blank notebook and begins eating it*


The next morning;

Brad and Rennay are awake getting ready for the day.

Brad:Don't think I've seen you get up on your own before.

Rennay:Nightmare sprung me wide awake. Not going back to sleep until I can't take it.

Brad:That bad? Want to talk about it?

Rennay:*Somewhat annoyed* What about you? Ya fell apart in the middle of a bookstore yesterday. Maybe if you'd talk about it a bit more we could actually fix the problem or atleast keep it from happening again!

Brad:I'm fine now. Just...Reminded me of something scary I went through as a kid. Grimm attacked my village as you know.

Rennay:Yeah, you've told me. Several times! But theres just no grimm alive that does something like...That.

Brad:*Sigh* Its just...*Struggling to find words* It was a particularly horrifying night ok? I see something that atrocious whether its in a comic, television, whatever I just...Don't react well.

Rennay:*Uconvinced* If ya say so. Going to make a career as a huntsman difficult.

Brad:*Sighs*

Theres a knock on the door.

Rennay:*wearily* Mind getting that big guy?

Brad:Of course. *Opens the door*

Ruby, Weiss, and Yang are standing outside looking concerned.

Brad:Hello you three. Where's Blake?

Rennay:*Grumbles*

Brad:*looks back at he and talks quietly* I understand you're upset, but please be nice! *turns back* Whats the matter?

Ruby:Blake got really upset and ran off last night. We can't find her anywhere.

Brad:Oh dear. Well, its the weekened so perhaps she just wants a little time alone, she may pop back up monday.

Ruby:Its the Semester Break. We're gonna be off for two weeks!

Brad:Ah, thats right. *mutters absently* I'm sure she can take care of herself but nobody wants two weeks of nonstop worry.

Yang:Well everyone says you're probably the best tracker in school, mind giving us a hand?

Brad:I'm good at pathfinding and such in the wild, hunting down people in the concrete jungle? Not so much. I'll help, though. Coming Rennay?

Rennay:Go on ahead. I'll be right with ya.

Brad:Ok. *Closes the door*

Ruby:Thank you. Whats the matter with Rennay?

Brad:She and Blake had a confrontation the other night over a very ugly subject. I don't think she's entirely too keen on communicating with her at this time.

Yang:We all need to get together for a big heart-to-heart sometimes.

Weiss:*Annoyed* If we ever manage to find our little queen of darkness!

Yang:Weiss!

Ruby:*Quietly, To Brad* Weiss has been reeeaaal crabby all day.

Weiss:*shadow grows on the wall, it has eye stalks and loudly snapping pincers* I AM NOT CRABBY!!!

Ruby:*Hiding behind Brad* See what I mean?

Brad:*looks back towards the BDRS dorm* I think I can understand why.


Rennay: *Flops backwards onto her bed and sighs* ... *Remembers something*

Flashback;
Herzlos: Allies can mean the difference between life and death, no matter your opinions on each other. If they're not against you, I expect you to find a reason to work together. Do not forget, the only ones who are automatically against you are Grimm, Faunus who insist on lowering themselves to the level of mere beasts and bandit scum.
End flashback.

Rennay: *Closes eyes and sighs* Alright, dad. *Gets up and opens the door* Actually, I... *Sighs* All right, I'll help.

Brad:Wonderful!

Ruby:Thanks Rennay! *Points* ONWARD!



The five move out to the streets of Vale.


Ruby:Wow, we got here fast.

Brad:*looks up at a airship and waves*

Galestrike Employee:GALESTRIKE TAXI AIRSHIP SERVICES! "Like Teleportation, but with a fraction of the cost and several times the style!" Now free for combat school students. *Zips off*

Yang:Another reason why Beacon's the bomb!

Ruby:So where do we go from here?

Brad:*Lowers his visor and looks around*.....*reaches down and grabs a strand of black hair* Wish we had someone with a keen sense of smell. The length and sheen indicates this is Blakes.

Yang:How did you find a hair lying on the sidewalk?

Brad:I have a keen eye for details provided my sight isn't obstructed. *Holds it to his face* Hrm.....*Sniffs* Small traces of her shampoo. Unfortunately my sniffer isn't strong enough to establish a trail, but by taking the lack of wind current into consideration I can get an overall idea of the direction this hair fell from....*Points* That way.

RWY:*White eyes*

Ruby:HOW DO YOU DO THAT!?!?

Brad:*shrugs* Grew up in the woods.

Yang:*Excitably* GO GET HER BOY!

Brad:*Deadpan* Woof. *Walks towards the "trail"*

Rennay: *Snickers* (Teasingly) You liiiiike her.

Brad:*Growls*

Rennay: *Gives him a friendly punch on the arm* Ah c'mon big guy, just think of it as an outing with friends!

Brad:*Following the trail* A very important outing!



A little while later,

Yang:Blaaaaaaake!

Ruby:BLAAAAAAAAKE!

Weiss:Hmph..

Ruby:Weiss, you're not helping!

Brad:Just for the record if she does not want to be found at this time she'll probably flee from your voice.

Weiss:*Sticks her tongue out at Ruby*

Ruby:Thats besides the point!

Weiss:You know who could probably help? The police!

Ruby:WEISS!

Weiss:its just an idea!

Ruby:Yeah, a bad one!

Brad:Actually if we had their assistance one of their tracking dogs we could probably use the scent lingering on this strand of hair to find her.

Weiss:*Sticks her tongue out again*

Ruby:GRRRRRRR!! *points at Brad* WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON ANYWAY!?

Brad:Just stating facts.

Rennay: *Snickering* Ya know Rubes, they're right. We could put up a notice for a missing person.

Ruby:*sigh* You don't get it, she said that-...WE'RE NOT GETTING THE POLICE!

Rennay: (Confused) But that doesn't-

Ruby: *Pouts/glares at Rennay, fuming*

Rennay: (Even more confused) O-kay.

Ruby:Wait a second...We don't actually have to contact the police in order to get one of their dogs...

Weiss:Ruby, you aren't actually suggesting we ROB THE POLICE!?

Ruby:ITS NOT ROBBING! Its borrowing. And it won't be theft because we'll bribe the dog with a strip of bacon! He will join us out of his or her own doggy will~

Yang:*grins*I got another idea!


*Cut to the Vale animal shelter*


Shelter Keeper:Okay, so you kids are wanting to adopt a dog for...?

Ruby:Its for our good friend, errr...Jaune! He's always wanted a dog and its his birthday today!

Keeper:...Okay, come on back.


The four are looking over the various dogs.

Ruby:*Darting in front of the different cages* THEY'RE ALL SOOOO CUTE! I want that one! And that one...OH! And YOU!!!

Yang:*To the receptionist* Do you have a dog with a really good sense of smell maybe? Like a...Bloodhound!

Keeper:Err..We have one. But shes a bit..Errr..

*Cut*

A massive, barking beast of a mastiff is being held back behind several heavily chewed iron bars. It has short dark grey hair revealing incredibly dense musculature. Its ears are pointed and has intense, orange eyes with yellow irises and a large mouth filled with powerful teeth. It has a white scar on its face across its nose and is drooling excessivley.

Keeper:This is a Vacuan Grimmhound. Its actually a rare and valuable breed raised for hunting Grimm but...Well, ended up in a shelter so we're giving her away for 20 lien.

Yang:PERFECT!

Ruby:I LOVE HER!!!

Weiss:Haha. Thats it. My teammates are completely and totally insane!

Rennay: *Shakes head* I feel ya, sister.


The group walks outside with the hulking hound.

Weiss:Okay, now that we have 350 pounds of extra responsibility on our hands, may as well try putting it to work!

Dog:*Barks, though its more of a roar*

Ruby:We need to name her! Lets call her...Daisy!

Daisy:*Howls*

Ruby:She likes it!

Brad:Okay girl. *Holds the hair in front of her* We need to find whoever owned this hair. Understand?

Daisy:*Sniffs it*...*howls and begins running*

The group follows Daisy throughout the city.

Eventually they stop, Daisy plants herself in front of a flowerbed.

Daisy:*howls*

Brad:Did you find her girl?

Yang:All I see are flowers...

Daisy:*Whine*

Brad:Ah, these are Black Belladonnas. Flower her shampoo is based on. Its ok girl, we all make mistakes. You were close though!

Daisy:*Whimper*

Weiss:*Suspiciously* How do you know what her shampoo is based on?

Brad: Its a very distinct scent. Are you worried I'm sneaking into your dorm at night and rummaging through your toiletries?

Weiss:Hey, a girls gotta protect her boundaries!

Rennay: *Snickers* Ya might be a snob, but I'm starting to like you.

Weiss:Excuse me? What do you mean by snob!?

Rennay: (Completely clueless) Well, yeah. Ya always carry yourself with such an air of self-importance, give off the impression that 'I'm so much better than you low-born peons', act so posh all the time, stuff like that.

Weiss:*starting to fume*

Rennay: (Confused) Did I say something wrong?

Yang:*Puts her hand on Weiss' shoulder* Ooookay Weiss, might wanna calm down before you pop a gasket!

Rennay: (Getting a bit concerned) Weiss? You okay there, sister?

Weiss:*massive exhale* I'm fine! Just stressed.

Rennay: *Grimmaces* I know how that feels. Wanna talk about it?

Weiss:*off-guard due to her odd sincerity, then looks at Brad* You two are just a big socially awkward bundle aren't you?

Rennay: Kinda. 'Till I left for Beacon, dad never let me leave the grounds for about twelve years.

Brad: And I...Well, you know my story.

Weiss:*looks at Rennay for a second*...Maybe we can talk later.

Rennay:*nods* Anywho! Where to next?

Brad:Going to see if Daisy can get the right scent this time. *Holds the hair in front of Daisy*

Daisy:*Sniffs it and barks, taking off again*


Later,

Weiss:*sighs* This is pointless!

Yang:Weiss, stop being so negative!

Penny:Yeah! its a beautiful day outside!

Everyone:PENNY!?

Penny:Hey guys!...I didn't know you had a dog! She's so pretty!

Daisy:*roars*

Ruby:Erm..Its a long story.

Penny:SO! What are you up to?

Ruby:We're looking for our friend Blake!

Penny:Oh, you mean the Faunus girl?

Ruby:Wait, how do you know that?

Penny:The cat ears?

Yang:What are you talking about? She wears a.....Bow...

*tumbleweed rolls by*

Ruby:She does like tuna alot...

Rennay: (Shocked) She's a - (Hurt) And you didn't tell- (Confused) Bwah?!

Brad:*Silently turns his head away from Rennay*

Penny:Any idea where she is?

Ruby:I don't know, she's been missing since last night!

Penny:Thats terrible! *Grabs Ruby's shoulders* Well don't you worry Ruby my friend, I won't rest until we find your teammate!

Ruby:Thats okay, really! We got this covered, right guys-

*Weiss, Yang, Brad, Rennay, and Daisy are missing*

Ruby:....Really?

*Another tumbleweed rolls by*

Penny:It sure is windy today!



Brad:*Following daisy with Weiss, Yang, and Rennay* So...That happened.

Rennay:I can't believe you never told me she was a faunus!

Weiss:We literally found out last night!

Brad:Well, perhaps she just didn't want to bring any attention to herself. A bow is less of a conversation peice than a pair of flesh and blood cat ears.

Daisy arrives at a tree and howls.

Weiss:*Looks up* Seriously!?

There is a small, black cat stuck in the tree.

Cat:*Frightened mew*

Brad:Thats not Blake, old girl.

Daisy:*sad whine*

Brad:Still, poor thing must be dying to get down!

Brad walks over to the tree and climbs it a short way, he grabs the branch the cat is stuck in. The distressed feline takes the cue and climbs down his arm, Brad scoops him up and gets down.

Cat:*grateful mew*

Weiss:Aww Brad, That was sweet of you!

Yang:*teasingly* Tut tut! I never took you for a heartbreaker.

Brad:*Bashfully backs away* I-err..I wasn't trying to but..Eh.

A tumbleweed rolls by

Brad:...Where are all these Tumbleweeds coming from!?

The From Dust Till Dawn shopkeeper is pulling a light cart filled with tumbleweeds down the sidewalk.

Yang:Hey, its Old Man Dusty! *Waves* HI OLD MAN DUSTY!!!

Dusty:*Waves* Mmmhmmm!! *Continues pulling the cart*

Weiss:My feet are killing me. We've been scouring the streets of Vale for five hours non-stop!

Rennay:Maybe if ya didn't walk everywhere in those lady-stilts?

Weiss:For your information, they're combat heels! The epitome of comfort for a Lady of Battle.

Rennay:*Grin* Keep telling yerself that!

Yang:She's right, how about we just take a quick lunch break?

Weiss:YES! I'm starving! Theres a Simple Wok down the street from here. I'm buying!

Brad:Noodles? Don't think I've had those before, never went for them when they were out in the cafeteria.

Yang:You're in for a treat then, Simple Wok is the best!

Rennay: *Streatches* Thanks, but I'm good. Ate just this morning.

The five walk over to the noodle stand and take a seat, Daisy sits down next to Brad.

Dusty:*Rises up from behind the counter and waves*

Brad:What the-!? Weren't you just-*Points in the direction the tumbleweed cart was going*

Weiss:Its best not to think about it! We'll take four- *Four massive bowls of noodles are set in front of them* Yeah, those.

Rennay:*confused* I said I'm not hungry though...

Weiss:*Pays with a lien card* One's for Daisy.

Daisy:*perky whimper*

Brad:*Sets one down for her*

Yang:Thanks Weiss!

Weiss:Not a problem!

Brad:These look tasty, but out of simple curiosity, do you sell anything else?

Dusty:*offended scowl*

Brad:...Sorry.

Dusty:*Plants a pair of chopsticks in the three bowls*

Brad:...*Prods the chopsticks* Never could use these. *Takes a fork out of his chestplate*

Dusty:*Draws a flintlock pistol and fires the fork out of his hand* HRM!

Brad:Errr...*Takes the chopsticks and awkwardly tries to get the noodles from the bowl into his helmet*

Yang:Dusty is a bit traditional. Great cook though!

Brad:*Dropping several noodles* I'll just have to take your word for it at this rate.....

Daisy:*Happily lapping up the noodles hes dropping*

Yang:So! Once we find Blake whats everyone planning on doing over the semester break?

Weiss:*Hestitantly* I'm just going to stay at Beacon and do some extra studying.

Yang:Ruby and I are heading to Patch to stay with Dad for a while.

Rennay: (Firmly) I'm staying here.

Yang:Yeah, Atlas is a long ways off to just leave for two weeks. Brad?

Brad:Hrm, well. I don't really have a home outside of Beacon. Just going to stay here.

Yang:*Somewhat guilty* Thats..Too bad.

Brad:Oh no worries. Beacon is wonderful, and I'll have Weiss and Rennay to keep me company, at the very least. *Looks down at Daisy* No idea what we're going to do with you though.

Daisy:*Whimper*

Brad:*Picks her up and puts her on his lap, scratching her playfully* Oh, I'll hide you in our closet if I have to!

Daisy:*Roar*

Rennay: Might be a little tough to keep her hidden...

Brad:Nonsense! I'll just keep my outfits under my bed.

Daisy:*tongue stretches out far enough to lick Rennay, essentially sliming her hair*

Rennay: GYACH! Okay, NEVER do that again! *Leaves to wash off*

Daisy:*Sad whine*

Brad:*Baby talks* No lickey! NO LICKEY!

Daisy:*yips*

Yang: Don't like getting a handshake from me but you'll latch right onto a dog huh?

Brad:Oh! Its- its not that. You see, I really like animals, much more honest than people for the most part. I mean, not saying I dislike or...Or Mistrust you! Its just I-

Yang:Relax! Im just joking.

Brad:Oh!...*Shakey, forced laughter*

Daisy:*Jumps off of Brad's lap*

Brad:*gulps, he resumes trying to eat his noodles, failing spectacularly*

Yang:*Moves over him and grabs his chopsticks* Let me show you how to eat with these, kinda pissin' me off seeing these noodles hit the concrete!

Brad:*Reels*

Rennay:*Snickering from a distance, wiping her head with a towel*

Yang:*Successfully picks up a mouthful of noodles and holds them up* See? Not that hard.

Brad:Errm..I uh, thank you. *nervously reaches for the chopsticks*

Yang:*Pops them into his mouth herself* First ones free! *Moves back to her seat*

Brad:.........

Weiss:*Has watched the spectacle with a....Mixed expression*

Brad:*loooooong swallow* Ahem. *Spits out his chopsticks and finally manages to begin eating them* These are delicious.

Yang:Told ya!

Rennay:...By the way, wheres JNPR? I figured they'd be helping us out.

Brad: They went hiking on Patch. Should be back by the end of the Semester break.


Meanwhile, on Patch.

The four arrive at a clearing in a coniferous forest near a river.

Jaune:Ah, beautiful! Ok team, lets set up camp!

Nora:*Looking around, somewhat bored* Are there any grimm here?

Jaune:*Laying out all the camping material, Ren and Pyrrha are starting to put up everything* Nope!

Nora:Bears?

Jaune:Nadda!

Nora:Wolves?

Jaune:Not a one!

Nora:....Wild dogs?

Jaune:Nope! This forest is the safest spot on patch I could find.

Nora:....BOOOOOOring!

Pyrrha: He's right, Nora. Not every day has to consist of us fighting for our lives.

Jaune:THANK YOU!

Back in Vale, it has gotten dark.


The group has gone back to searching.

Daisy:*Snorts, has given up tracking*

Brad:*Scratches behind her ears* There, there.

Daisy:*Whine*

Yang:Well she did her best!

Weiss:*Sadly* Maybe thats the reason she was abandoned, a hound without a proper sense of smell might be viewed as a liability.

Daisy:*droops*

Brad:Well I think she did fantastic! *Gets down on his knees and starts scratching her jowls* Just a little confusing trying to hunt down somebody with such a mixed scent! isn't that right" IDN DAT RIGHT?! *rubs his nose against hers*

Daisy:*Slimes his helm*

Brad:Such a messy kisser! My widdle spunky spitty spaniel yes she IS!!

Rennay:*Cringe* How can you endure that!?

Daisy:*Happy bark*

Rennay:*Dryly* I was talking to Brad.

Daisy:*Whine*

Brad:*Helm is dribbling* Endure what?

Rennay:Nevermind....

[Spectre]

*Mew*

Brad:Huh!? *Fishes around his armor and pulls out the kitten* Oho! Looks like I got a little stowaway. Forgot to put you on the ground.

Cat:*Mew*

Brad:I'm taking you back with me~ Daisy, do you like cats? *Holds the kitten down to daisy*

Daisy:....*Slimes it*

Cat:*Annoyed meow, begins grooming itself*

Brad::Thats a yes!

Rennay:Brad, how are we gonna keep tabs on TWO pets!?

Brad:I got two eyes!

Rennay:*Dryly* So you're going to force yourself to go crosseyed then.

Brad:Not my point! *Nuzzles the kitten against his head, it purrs and rubs its back under his chin*

Weiss: Well, I think -*Awkwardly checks under the cat* He's adorable! If you can't keep him in your room I'll watch him!

Yang:*sighs* Weiss...

Weiss:What? Little pet smuggling won't kill anyone. *picks him up* Isn't dat right?


Some police cars drive by with the sirens blaring, Daisy growls.


Weiss:Think that could lead us to her?

Yang:*Glares at Weiss*

Weiss:What? I'm being sincere!

Brad:*Struggling to hold back Daisy* Might not have a choice either way!

Daisy:*Bolts after the cars, barking*

The group follows Daisy, in turn the police cars, They arrive at the city warehouses. There are several policemen barricaded outside, it appears the area past is a warzone between the White Fang, Penny, Blake, Sun, and Ruby. Daisy growls and shoves her way in.

Yang:Ruby! *begins to run towards the chaos*

Policeman: *Steps in front of her* We got this under control!

Yang:Screw you, my baby sister's back there! *Barges past regardless*

Brad:*Runs past in a more polite manner* She didn't mean that, its been a long day!

Weiss:Hunters in training, we're here to help! *runs past*

Rennay:*notices the White Fang*...*Coldly bolts past*


Policeman:....*sighs* Brats.

Policeman 2: Well Hunters-in-training have just as much legal standing to intercept crime as we do, if not more so.

Policeman:*Groans* Why do we even exist!? They do EVERYTHING!

Policeman 2: Somebody has to write tickets, handle the paperwork, and put up the tape. Besides, we get free coffee and doughnuts and hardly ever have to put our necks on the line. I think we got a pretty sweet arrangement.

Policeman:Huh, point taken. *takes a bite out of the doughtnut* Hey isn't that stowaway monkey back there?

Policeman 2:*Facepalms* First off, don't call him a monkey, Comments like that just give the White Fang ammo against us. Second of all, he's whipping those thugs pretty good and that makes him OK in my book. *notices a cracked Grimm mask flying by*

Policeman:Alright, got your point.


In the Warzone,

Roman:*Onboard a Bullhead providing cover fire* Man, these kids just keep getting weirder!

A Glyph appears underneath a grunt swinging his sword at Blake, exploding and sending him flying.

Blake:*Watches him* Weiss?

Weiss:There you are! We've been looking all over the place for you!

Blake:*ears lower* You..Have?

Weiss:*Sends another thug charging at her flying* Of course we have-

Blake:*Fires a bullet from Gambol Shroud at a thug behind Weiss*

Weiss:..We'll talk after this!

Blake:Right-

Brad:*Lands on top of a pair of thugs charging at them* There you are!

Blake/Weiss:...

Brad:Just wanted to be part of the moment! I missed you to. *Smashes a Pair of thugs with the blunt sides of his weapon, sending them flying into the sea*

Blake:*Slight smile, but obviously trying to focus on the task at hand* And I you, but there are reinforcements coming in we need to-

Brad:*Notices some incoming Bullheads* Not a problem! *Mounts Gaebolga on his shoulder and fires all three elemental warheads bazooka-style at incoming Bullheads, sending them crashing and spewing injured reinforcements everywhere; afflicted with burns, paralysis, and frostbite*

Roman:*Scanning the ground* WHERE ARE THOSE ROCKETS COMING FROM!? *eyes narrow* Hey, I know you! You're the kid who screwed up my drink!

Brad:I said I'm sorry! At any rate, I'm very grateful for the generous tip you left me but...*Rotates Gaebolga, the smaller spearhead points at Roman and opens, revealing the high velocity warhead*

Roman:*focuses and fires the ships turret at Gaebolga*

Brad:!!! *Panics, he narrowly evades and fires the warhead somewhat sloppily in the process*

Romans gunfire hits the missile in mid-flight, causing a loud, bright explosion right over the battleground and disorienting everyone in the area.

Roman:*Has covered his ears and shut his eyes in the nick of time* Got 'em!

He begins firing the turret at the disoriented students, Penny is completely unaffected and uses her spinning blades to protect everyone from shower of bullets.

Roman:*Growls at Penny* Oh give me a break!

Thanks to Penny covering for the group, everyone manages to recover from their disorientation unscathed.

Daisy: Shakes her head and Snarls at some disoriented grunts*

Grunt:That...*Backs away* Thats a big dog...

Daisy:*Furiously roars and leaps, biting into the grunt's neck and piercing right through his aura*

The Grunt's head rolls towards the rest of them.

Grunts:*Scream and scatter, some of them draw weapons and stand their ground*

Daisy:*aura is soaking up gunfire, she mercilessly charges through and begins lethally mauling them, one at a time*

Rennay:*Furiously fighting White Fang grunts, knocking them out*

Cat:*on her shoulder, mewing*

Rennay:*notices the cat* WHERE DID YOU COME FROM!?

Grunt:*Charging towards her, strapped in C4* MA'LO'KOJAAAAAAAAAAANG!!!

Cat:*Swipes at him, hissing*

Grunt:*C4 falls off as he trips past Rennay and falls to the concrete, sliding forward several yards on his spilling viscera*...Cat..Tastrophe..*dies*

Rennay:...*Smiles and cradles the cat* Whos a good kitty? You are, YES YOU ARE!!

Cat:*mew*

Penny:*Squees* YOU HAVE A KITTEN NOW! Hes so cute!

Brad:*Smashes down Gaebolga into a grunt* Does this mean you'll help me keep him!?

Rennay:YUP!

Brad:*excited* YESSS!! *Slashes through several more grunts*

Roman:I'm not sticking around for a battle I can't win. *Speaks into a head-peice* Alright Crocodile, you're up! *Makes his escape*

A White Fang marked bullhead hovers overhead.

White Fang Grunt:*looks out* I'm...I'm starting to have second thoughts about this!

??:*Monstrous, growling voice* NO GOING BACK, YOU DIE FOR THE WHITE FANG OR DIE FROM IT! *Shoves him out*

Grunt:*Lands, he immediately panics and flees*

Blake:*frightened* No..

2:00:30

A hulking, shirtless Faunus wearing a crocodilian-shaped mask, thick leather gauntlets with metallic studding, and covered with rough, scaly plating on his chest and abs leaps from the Bullhead. He has a massive, rough chain wrapped around his chest like a bandolier and a large, sharp round sawblade on his back. The chain goes into a backpack that resembles an engine.

His appearance is hideous. His back is covered in slit-like cuts that give the illusion of a crocodiles back, the rest of his body is covered in tattoos that resemble reptilian scales.

Blake:Jakala.

Jakala: *Glares at Blake* WELL WELL! If it isn't the traitor! *Grins and laughs lewdly* Waited all these years for you to step outta Adams protection, I've waited sooooooo long... *Grabs the chain and yanks it off, revealing its a massive flail that he spins effortlessly. He pulls a crank on his pack that causes the saw to rev up*

Rennay:..Traitor?

Blake:*Scowls and Fires at Jakala with the Gambol shroud pistols*

Jakala:*Scale plate effortlessly soaks up the bullets* TOLD YOU THESE THINGS WERE BULLET-PROOF! *Laughs as he swings the blade at Blake, she evades but it manages to hit Penny, several of his own grunts, and finally wrap around Brad*

Brad:*Attempts to wrestle out of the chains*

Jakala:*Pulls it, yanking Brad and the trapped grunts+Penny in whilst mutilating several thugs* WOAH YOU'RE HEAVY!

Rennay:*Grabs the discarded C4 the grunt dropped and throws it at Jak*

Jakala:*Loses his grip on the chain as he evades the explosives*

Brad:*looks down* Penny, are you alright?!

Penny:*blades hover behind her and fire small lasers, cutting them free* Don't worry Brad, I'm combat ready!

Brad:*Surprised* Clearly, you are!

Jakala:*Growls* THAT WAS A SOLID CARBIDE CHAIN YOU LITTLE B-*blasted in the face by a sniper bullet, destroying his mask and revealing he has a crude glasgow grin carved into his face, a pruned nose, and artificially sharpened teeth*

Ruby: *Cringe* Eugh!

Jakala:*Glares at Ruby, growling* That was my FAVORITE MASK! *Lobs several grenades at Ruby*

Ruby:*Swiftly fires at the grenades, successfully detonating them before they reach her*

Jakala:Will one of you spineless dogs get rid of that sniper already!?

Grunts:*Several of them begin focusing on Ruby*

Ruby:*Notices several moving in* !!

Yang:*Lands in between them, sending them flying with brutal, explosive punches, and finally finishes the last one with a roundhouse kick. She then takes a moment to reload Ember Celica*

Ruby:Thanks Yang!

Yang:Anytime sis! *rejoins the fray*

Blake:*Looks at the grenades on Jakala's belt* BRAD, FEED THE KITTY! *Loads Gambol Shroud with incendiary rounds*

Brad:*Smacks another Grunt into a building* Ok!! *Leaps in front of Jakala*

Weiss:"Feed the Kitty"?

Blake:*leaps onto his back and jams the blade of Gambol Shroud into his shoulder*

Brad:*Winces, his voice is strained* Here we go!

Jakala:*Confused growl*

Blake:*Throws a flashbang in front of Jakala, blinding him*

Brad swiftly sidesteps in a circle around Jakala, the connection of Gambol Shroud into Brad's shoulders allows her to use his aura to power her semblance, she creates several fiery clones of him that surround the immense crocodile faunus.

Jakala:*Regains his sight and notices he's surrounded by hulking fire clones* What the-!?

the clones charge in and explode, also setting off the several grenades Jakala had on his belt. Depleting his aura and heavily damaging him.

Jakala:*roars and falls on his knees, then onto his hands*

White Fang Grunt:RETREAT!!!

The grunts scatter and flee, leaving their cruel leader at the mercy of the group.

Blake:*Disgusted* Jakala.

Jakala:*growls and laughs mockingly* Blake, Barely recognized you without the bruises. Got some pretty looking skin!

Blake:*Angrily punches him across the lower jaw*

Jakala:*Wince* Mmmph...*Spits out a tooth and stands up*

Rennay:*Furious, Injured and bleeding from several minor wounds, notices Jakala and briskly walks over*

Jakala:*Laughs* One of these days Blake I'm going to catch you without all these little friends to protect you! One of these days- *grabbed by Rennay, he begins screaming in pain*

Rennay:*Furiously draining him through the top of his head*

Brad:Rennay! Stop! *Runs over to her*

Jakala:*Falls flat on his face and flails around*

Brad:Please, the police are right here, we can put this thug behind bars and get him questioned, he can help us destroy the White Fang!

Rennay:*Stops draining him, rendering him unconscious and atrophied*.................

Brad:Rennay?

Rennay: *Blinks* (Shaken at Jakala's mortal injuries) I... *Turns and sprints off*

Brad:*Attempts giving chase*

The police move in, they happen to block Brad. he watches her flee out of eyesight.

Brad:*touches his forehead*

Chief:*looks at Jakala* Thats Jakala alright! Looks like he really shrunk down. *Cuffs him* Chain him up and get him to the prison hospital, gather up the rest of 'em and lets haul 'em off!

Blake: Weiss, I want you to know that I'm no longer associated with the White Fang. Back when I was with the-

Weiss: Stop! Do you have any idea of how long we've been searching for you? Twelve hours. That means I've had twelve hours to think about this. And in that twelve hours, I've decided..I don't care.

Blake: (surprised) You don't care?

Weiss: You said you're not one of them anymore, right?

Blake: No, I-I haven't been since I was younger-

Weiss: Ah-bah-bah-bah-bah! I don't want to hear it. All I want to know is that the next time something this big comes up... you'll come to your teammates. And not some...*glares at Sun* Someone else.

Blake:*Wipes a tear from her eyes* Of course.

Ruby: *waving her arms wildly* Yeah! Team RWBY is back together!!

Weiss: *points at Sun* I'm still not quite sure about how I feel about you!

Brad:*walks over to Blake and puts his hand on her shoulder* I'm glad you're ok, and that you got this mess sorted out with your team.

Weiss:Wait, you knew before us!? *To Blake* What makes him so special?

Brad:The way I found out was purely accidental! *thinking fast* One time I was walking by and her bow got snagged on my armor, I accidentally took it off.

Blake:Yes, thankfully there was nobody nearby. I don't regret it happening though, it was a good way to break the ice between us.

Sun:*Dissapointed* Wait, does that mean you two are...

Brad:Oh no, We're just friends and- HEY! You're the one who stole my batteries yesterday!

Sun:*shrugs* Had an emergency call to make! I was gonna bring them right back-

Brad:I'll bet!

Blake:Brad, he's a good guy. Let this one slide.

Brad:*thinks for a second* Well, they were just batteries and I didn't have any classes going on so...Alright.

Sun:*Holds out his hand* Sun Wukong!

Brad:*Shakes it* Bradagan Drust.

Sun:Just curious, you a faunus to?

Brad:No, just human. Sometimes the armor gives people the wrong impression.

Sun:Oh, thats cool to.

Yang:*To Brad and Blake* I hardly ever saw the two of you hang out or even talk to eachother, how are you chummy enough to have such a gnarly team attack?

Brad:Well, we never did anything we figured was worth discussing with anyone else.

*Flashback*

The two are sitting on a sofa in the library, reading to eachother*

Brad:"Mirina, I must confess!" he shouted! "I am not one man. Although I have one body I...Have SIX SOULS!"

Blake:*Puts down her book*...Really?

Brad:*Dissapointed* Yeah. Talk about sequelitis.

Blake:...The first one was better, second wasn't bad, but I think this one is a parody. *Casually tosses it away, revealing it is The Man With Two Souls 3: The Man With Six Souls*


*Another flashback*

The two are sitting on the couch again, watching a movie.

Blake:.................

Brad:..........Actings not half bad.

Blake:Yeah.


*Another flashback*

The two are playing chess.

Blake:....*moves her peice*

Brad:Hrm...*Moves his* King me!

Blake:*Snickers* You Big dummy.


*End flashbacks*

Blake:Yeah. We'd watch movies, spend time in the library, nothing worth announcing to the world.

Yang:Aww, no Zany adventures?

Blake:No Yang, no Zany Adventures.

Brad:We came up with the team attack after watching a cartoon. Took days to convince Blake I wouldn't be bothered getting stabbed by Gambol Shroud, thankfully I have little to no sense of physical pain.

Blake:Can you blame me though? It was a pretty crazy idea! Still is even though it works.

Ruby:*looking around* Hey guys, I can't find Penny and Rennay anywhere.

Brad:Penny I don't know about but..Rennay probably doesn't want to be found right now. Looks like our cat followed her to.

Blake:*pleased* Oh, you have a cat?

Brad:Yes, and a-

Daisy:*runs over to Brad and barks*

Blake:*Blinks onto Brad's shoulders in a panic* WHAT IS THAT THING!?

Brad:That is a dog! *pets her on the head*

Blake:THATS A DROOLING BEAR!

Daisy:*whines*

Brad:If by bear you mean teddy bear, then yes. Don't worry Blake, she's harmless!

Daisy:*Muzzle is caked in blood, she has bits of white fang grunt on her jowls*

Blake:*slowly turns her head to face Brad* Riiiiiiiight.

Brad:Well, relatively harmless. She's alot cuter under all this gristle and gore, just need to give her a bath and she'll look good as new!

Weiss:Catching up here has been nice and all, but if you haven't noticed I'VE BEEN WALKING NONSTOP FOR TWELVE HOURS AND MY FEET ARE KILLING ME! Can we please catch up back at home!?

Brad:I'm completely knackered myself. All in favor of heading home?

The vote wins by a landslide according to the hand raising, even Daisy raises her paw.

Chief:Go on kids, we got this under control.


Later, at Beacon.

Everyone is in their dorms retired from the stressing day.

Brad:*walks out of BDRS' bathroom with Daisy, who is covered with a large towel* There we go sweetheart, good as new! *Dries her off further and removes the towel*

Daisy:*Squeaky clean, she shakes herself off despite being mostly dry, then trots over to Brad's bed and flops down on it*

Blake:*Standing in the corner of the room nervously* Hi. That beast-Err..Daisy right? Shes asleep?

Daisy:*Snoring*

Brad:Hello Blake, didn't see you there! And yes, I think its safe to say shes out for the night. Could barely keep her awake during the bath.

Blake:Whew..Good. Where's Rennay?

Brad:I couldn't find her anywhere. She's going to be quite hard to stumble upon if she doesn't want to be found.

Blake:I see...She was pretty aggressive earlier, I mean with Jakala.

Brad:Yes. Never seen her like that.

Blake:Did you happen to tell her about me?

Brad:No. I just didn't find a very good opportunity. She was extremely upset the night you had your argument. The White Fang has cause her so much grief and pain.

Blake:*Lowers her ears*

Brad:She lost family to them. Her mother and a little brother who was only two years old. From what I gathered this also affected her father in a very negative manner.

Blake:*Tearing up* I.....

Brad:I doubt you did anything to contribute towards that Blake. This happened over 13 years ago, she was around 4.

Blake:Khan didn't take over the White Fang until five years ago though, it doesn't make sense.

Brad:Could have been a splinter group perhaps, I don't know.

Blake:It had to have been. I worked with them since I was a child, our old leader would never do anything like that. I'd swear my life on it!

Brad:I'll take your word for it.

Blake:*thinks* I want to go talk to her. Any idea where she'd be?

Brad:A vent would be my guess. Our cat also followed her, perhaps you'll find Rennay if you find him.

Blake:Okay. Thanks. *Walks out the door*


Blake searches throughout their section of the school, eventually coming upon a vent with their cat standing outside, staring at it forlornly.

Cat:*Mew*

Blake:Hey there. *Stoops down and scoops him up* Is Rennay in there?

Cat:*Mrow*

Blake takes the lid off the vent and puts the cat down, she steps inside and begins looking for her.

Blake: *Hears quiet murmering* Rennay?

(Murmering stops)

Blake: *Sighs* You're making this harder than it has to be.

Rennay: (Echoing) Yeah? Well you're not the girl who nearly KILLED someone!

Blake:You'd be surprised! I probably would have tried to kill him if you didn't.

Rennay: (Conflicted) But... but we're Hunters! We should kill Grimm, not people! I mean... if we can help it.

Blake:I know, I feel the same way. Sometimes our emotions just get the better of us, I heard about what happened to you from Brad. Can we stop yelling and talk?

Rennay: No!

Blake: Now you're just being childish.

Rennay: I don't care, last time we talked it... didn't really have a happy outcome.

Blake:Its ok. We were both upset and...You were right.

Rennay: (Surprised) 'Eh?

Blake:You were right about the White Fang. They're completely out of control, I don't support them anymore!

Rennay: Doesn't excuse me nearly sinking to their level. For all I know, they might've just wanted to incapacitate us before they left. The croc guy didn't deserve to be drained to death, even if he wasn't.

Blake:...He did. Trust me.

Rennay: How do you- hang on, you knew the guy personally?

Blake:Yeah. Hes one of the reasons I left the White Fang in the first place.

Rennay:One of the reasons? Wait, you were IN the White Fang!?

Blake:Can we please just talk? I really don't feel comfortable yelling this.

Rennay: (Hesitantly) I guess... *Hesitantly crawls around the corner, coming into Blake's view*

Blake:*Light smile* There you are. *Holds out the cat* Brought your cat.

Rennay: *Hesitantly takes it* Erm... my cat? This little guy's just something we found when we were looking for you. Must've followed us home. Well, thanks.

Blake:Not a problem. He was waiting outside this vent for you.

Rennay: Huh... weird. The crocodile guy seemed like a dick, but is he really that bad? And if so, what could possibly be as lousy as him?

Blake: Jakala is a monster, even towards fellow White Fang members. Hes a complete and total psychopath that hates humans so much he mutilated his own body to avoid looking anything like one.

Rennay:Thats sick!

Blake:You don't even know the half of it. I was always told he was important to the cause because of his willingness to do what was necessary to get our message across, but before I left I found out the main reason he was onboard was because the White Fang offered him protection so he could do whatever he wanted to humans. Well...It'd be alot easier on me to just give you a list of things he didn't do.

Rennay: *Shudders* Urgh.

Blake:He also...Had his eye on me. Only thing that stopped him from acting on his urge was my partner and our superior, Adam. Jakala was an overgrown coward and Adam was...He wasn't somebody anyone would want to cross.

Rennay: Must've been a good guy.

Blake:*Sighs, she goes to say something, then stops* I....You realized I haven't even talked to my own team and Brad about this, right?

Rennay: (Honestly surprised) Er... no, I didn't. Am I going too far?

Blake:I'd rather not go any farther than I already have if you don't mind.

Rennay: Right. Sorry.

Blake:Anyway I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for yelling at you, and I just want you to know that I don't hold your hatred of the White Fang against you.

Rennay: Yeah... Sorry, Blake. ... I STILL don't have a nickname for ya.

Blake:...Nickname ?

Rennay: Well, yeah. Weiss is Snow Princess, Brad's 'Big Guy', Ruby is Little Red and Yang is Goldilocks.

Blake:Heh, okay....Well, if it helps I grew up in Menagerie. Don't tell anyone by my dad is the head chief-

Rennay: YOU'RE A- *Slaps hand over own mouth* ... Okay, I think I got something, 'Princess'. *Snickers*

Blake:*Ears droop* Princess?....Really?

Rennay: C'mon, it's not that bad is it? You're practically royalty to your kind, I thought you'd be used to names like that. Besides, no-one'll know what it means.

Blake:*Sigh* Alright, Princess it is.

Rennay: (Concerned) If you want something else, you can tell me and I'll call ya that instead. Panther? Shadow Mistress? Echo? Something else? Doesn't have to be now if it annoys ya that much.

Blake:*Cringes at the alternative names* Princess is fine.

Rennay: (Completely sincerely) Hmm.... Nah, I can tell ya don't like it.

Blake:Rennay, its ok. I'm joking, the nickname is fine.

Rennay: (Awkwardly) Oh.... Yeah, I'm not really familiar with joking since my dad doesn't. Like, ever. And he's pretty much the only person I saw for thirteen or so years before coming here. Sorry about that, princess.

Blake:*smiles* You're fine.

Rennay: *Grins back* Thanks, Blake. Now... how about we get outta here? It's a bit cramped.

Blake:Agreed!

Cat:*meow*

The two walk into the BDRS dorm. Brad is sitting next to the bed reading Third Crusade, Daisy has rolled onto her back and is having a doggy dream.

Brad:There you two are! *Puts the book down*

Cat:*Meows and leaps down, running over to Brad and nuzzling to him* Clover! I was wondering where you went off to.

Rennay:Clover?

Brad:Yes. *Lifts him up with one hand, showing a white patch of fur on his chest that resembles a 4-leaf clover*

Blake:Thats a cute name.

Brad:Was thinking of possible names then noticed the patch of white on his chest looks a bit like a clover. *Scoops him up with one hand* So, how are you two?

Rennay:Good!

Blake:I think we're fine, got everything out in the open.

Brad:Wonderful! *Gets up and walks over to them* I can't stand it when theres tension between two of my friends. *Brings them both into a bear hug*

Rennay:*hugs back*

Blake:*Awkwardly shifts her eyes towards Rennay* Brad, you know I'm not really much of a "hugger".

Brad:Oh, sorry. *Lets them both go* Well, its late and now my worries are abated. Whats say we all get some sleep? Its been one hell of a day.

Rennay:*Sprawled on her bed, snoring*

Blake:She was out the moment you mentioned "Sleep".

Brad:I honestly worry she suffers from narcolepsy at times, but she manages to stay awake during hunts and sparring so I don't hound her about it.

Blake:*looks at her and laughs slightly* Well, I'd better head back to our dorm.....*Briefly hugs Brad* Night. *Briskly walks out the door*

Brad:Goodnight Blake.

Brad walks over to his corner and leans back into it, letting Daisy have the bed.

[Spectre]

Two weeks pass, the Semester Break has come to its end. All vacationing students are returning back to Beacon and it is their last day off before classes resume.


A group consisting of Brad, Rennay, Nora, Ren, Blake, Weiss, and several other students are waiting at the airship landing. They're all wearing their school outfits.

Rennay:*grinning* Excited to see Yang again big guy?

Brad:Not JUST Yang! I've also missed Ruby, Pyrrha went to visit her mother back in Mistral, and Jaune has been staying with his family. I've been two long weeks without several friends! I mean, don't take it the wrong way! *looks back at the groups* You lot are WONDERFUL, but I've been missing half my circle; half my heart...

Weiss:Thats kind of an extreme statement. I mean, they've only been gone two weeks.

Blake:*Cuts her eyes at Weiss and whispers with a growl* Jungle.

Weiss:Oh, I forgot. *remorsefully* Sorry.

The airship lands, students begin emerging and reuniting with their old friends.

A dash of rose petals spews from the crowd, Ruby is suddenly hugging Weiss and Blake.

Ruby:MY TEAM, MY DEAREST PRECIOUS TEAM!!!

Weiss:*Hugs back* Stop choking me you dunce!

Blake:*smiles* Its good to see you to Ruby.

Brad:*Stomps over and picks the three up in a giant hug*

Ruby:Oh, Hi Brad!

Brad:*Playfully* "Hi Brad"? That all I get?!

Ruby:Nope! *Hugs him as well*

Pyrrha:*Steps out of the ship*

Brad:*puts down Ruby and notices*...PYRRHA!! *Dashes through the crowd, sending several students flying*

Pyrrha:*Opens her arms* Hello again!

Brad:*Picks her up and gets her in a bear-hug* I've missed you!!

Jaune:*walks out and notices the aggressively happy, armored giant* Uh oh...

Brad:JAUNE! *Picks him up along with Pyrrha, deliberately crushing the two together* How've you both been-*gags* GYAH!!!

Nora:*hugging all three* Friiiiiiiieeeeeeendsssss!

Ren:*Standing beside them* Its good to see you both.

Brad:*resembles a 8 due to Noras hug* My spine...MY SPINE!!!!! Is this what I've been doing to people!? *Nora lets him go, JNPR goes to greet RWB*...Wheres Yang?

Ruby:Vehicle bay!

Brad:..OH!

Yang soars out of the vehicle bay on her motorcycle, she lands in the courtyard and rides by her team.

Yang:HELLOOOOO~ *Turns off her motorcycle and brings her team into a hug*

Brad:*Slowly and dejectedly walks over, the veins on his armor are glowing erratically* YaaAAAANG, HelLOOooooo!

Yang:There you are! *Walks over and hugs him* Hows your break been?

Brad:*Armor begins glowing red and making a sizzling noise as he holds his arms out* F--f--f-f-f-f-f-f-fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine, You?...*Left arm shakes violently, then grows to about 3 times its size and 6 times its length, then hangs limp*...........

Everyone stares in shock, except Rennay who is laughing.

Yang:*Lets go, a bit confused* *Teasingly* Awww, I think I broke him!

Brad:AHEM...Sorry, just not use to all this...Socializing...

Weiss:*Somewhat horrified* What...*points* Was THAT?!

Brad:Semblance, sometimes it...Gets a little out of control! *Shakes his shoulder, his arm snaps back in like measuring tape*

Weiss:*Shudders* (Gross!!!)

Yang: I'm gonna park Bumblebee, I'll meet up with you guys at lunch!


Later, in the Cafeteria.

Everyone is sitting down at their tables. Brad and Rennay are sitting at JNPRs table.

Blake:*reading her journal*

Yang:*catches a grape in her mouth and leans over* Whatchya doin'? *Narrowly catches another*

Blake:*Swiftly closes it* Nothing. Going over some notes from last semester.

Yang:Lame. *moves swiftly to catch two incoming grapes*


Rennay and Nora are giggling. Brad is sitting at the end of the table, pouring dressing on an enormous salad.

Rennay:Man, she is GOOD!

Nora:Silence knave! The queen demands more catapaults!

Rennay:Yes "your highness"! *Makes a couple more spoon catapaults* You were right Nora, Grape Seige is fun!

*Cue a cluster fire of six grapes, Yang catches them all*

Rennay:*In disbelief* How does she DO that!?

Nora:RENNAY, STOP ADMIRING THE ENEMY!! We will break her yet...

*SLAM*

Ruby has laid a massive binder on RWBYs table.

Ruby: *Clears her throat* Sisters... friends... Weiss.

Weiss: Hey!

Ruby: Four score and seven minutes ago, I had a dream.

Yang: This ought to be good. *Catches another series of grapes*

Ruby: A dream that one day, the four of us will come together, as a team, and have the most fun anyone has ever had... ever!

Weiss: Did you steal my binder?

Ruby: *makes "peace" signs with her hands* I am not a crook!

Brad:*Peacefully dressing his salad* That binder could have been important you know, she is the heiress of a world-spanning dust company after all.

Ruby:*Widens eyes in realization*.....*Happily closes them* My failures have been errors in judgment, not of intent!

Blake: What are you talking about?

Ruby: I'm talking about kicking off the semester with a bang!

Yang: I always kick my semesters off with a Yang! Eh? Guys? Am I right?

Brad:*gags in disgust, he grabs the table*

Rennay:*Snickers*

Nora:Boooooooooooooooo! *tosses an apple at Yang*

Yang:*hit in the head* Ow! *growls*

Ruby: Look guys, it's been a good two weeks and between more exchange students arriving and the tournament at the end of the year, our second semester is going to be great! But, classes start back up tomorrow! Which is why I've taken the time to schedule a series of wonderful events for us today.

Weiss: I don't know whether to be proud or scared of what you have in store.

Yang picks up the apple and tosses it back at Nora.

Nora:OW!

Blake: I don't know. I think I might sit this one out.

Weiss: Sit out or not, I think that however we spend this last day, we should do it as a team! *stands up* I for one-*hit with a pie*

Nora/Rennay:*Pointing at Ren*

Ren:*Facepalms*

Brad:*Carefully distributing croutons on his salad* Got to get the distribution of flavor -just- right...

Weiss:*wipes the pie off her face*....*picks up a fish from Blake's plate(much to her bereavement) and tosses it at Nora*

Blake:*Eyes widen and water up* That was special-ordered...

Nora:*Fish hits her right in the face* I HAVE BEEN INSULTED! Ser Rennay, I COMMAND YOU TO EXECUTE RETALIATION ON MY BEHALF!

Rennay:BY YOUR ORDERS MY QUEEN! *throws a pair of tomatoes*

Weiss:*blocks them with a glyph, they deflect and hit Jaune*

Jaune:Oh come on, I just had this dry-cleaned!

Pyrrha:*Laughs*

Yang:*picks up a can of soda and shakes it violently, then bites the top open* GRENADE! *tosses it at JNPR*

JNPR + Rennay:*Scatter,narrowly avoiding the explosion*

Rennay:*ducks under Brad's arm*

Brad:*has been standing between his salad and the soda explosion, his armor is coated but his salad is unharmed* Bit of vinegar here~

Jerry:FOOD FIGHT!!*Hit in the head with a pumpkin, engulfing his head and coating him in a poncho of gourd gore*....*Carves out a pair of holes for the eyes* These guys are in it for real. RUN!!!!

All the students who aren't prepared for Food War(meaning everyone who isn't RWBY, JNPR, Rennay, and Brad who's too busy pimping his salad to care) storm out of the cafeteria, Pyrrha erects a fortress of tables(Minus the one Brad is eating at) with her polarity, and Nora stands at the top.

*in front of Beacon Adacemy*

Girl: Wow, I never expected this place to be so huge.

Guy: Well, it is the site of Vale's CCT tower.

Girl: True. It sure makes Shade look small. *sees Sun and Neptune* Hey, Sun!

Sun: Whoa! When did you two get here?

Guy: Just now.

Sun: Weren't you two going to Shade?

Guy: We're in the student exchange program.

Sun: Right. Anyway, this is Neptune.

Neptune: Hi.

Guy: Ah, you're the guy Sun's mentioned. I'm Crimson Sol.

Girl: Anemone Aquarius. Sun told us you're afraid of water.

Neptune: Of course he did...

Crimson: Anemone can't get enough of the water, literally.

Anemone: Still amazed I survived in Vacuo.

Crimson: You did memorize the locations of every oasis there.

Anemone: True.

Neptune: *noticing a fin poking out of Anemone's back* Is that a shark fin?

Anemone: Swordfish, actually.

Neptune: Oh...

Crimson: Anyway, why don't we head to the dining hall? I could use some lunch.

Anemone: Same! And water.

The four walk in past the stampede of frightened students.

Nora:*Standing on the table fortress with Ser Rennay at her side* HAHAHAHA!! I'M QUEEN OF THE CASTLE~ I'M QUEEN OF THE CASTLE~

Ruby:Justice will be swift, justice will be painful! *Stands up and crushes a milk carton* IT WILL BE DELICIOUSSSSS

*RWBY lets out a rallying warcry, the food war carries on much like it did in the show*

Brad:*using a small knife to slice bits of broccoli and carrots on his salad* Hrm...*Nudges a peice of broccoli over to the left* Presentation needs to be juuuust right...

The two teams + straggler engage in a brutal food war, Rennay serving with JNPR and Brad serving as an obstacle.

Rennay:*throws a series of flatbread buns at RWBY like shuriken*

Nora:RENNAY, WE'RE PLAYING MEDIEVAL FOOD WAR NOT FOOD NINJA!

Rennay:I learned these techniques from warriors of the east, my queen!

Nora:Okay. Still, try and stick with the theme!

Rennay:Hrm...*Swiftly makes a halberd out of a pole, skewering a cheese wheel for an axeblade, a melon slice for a warpick, and a baguette for a spearhead, dashing towards RWBY and intercepting Weiss and Blake's attack*

The chefs are scattering from the chaos of the food war, several would-be meals emerge including a red deer-like equine and a pheasant with long tail feathers*

Brad:My salad, my beloved salad, oh how I adore thee. So perfectly prepared; immaculately dressed with verdant, shimmering fresh lettuce pulsing with the crisp scent of the recent harvest, delicate ribbons of dressing and adorned with gently spiced crouton jewels, as a chaste bride prepared to be given unto her bridegroom on the eve of their marriage. O Salad....Let us consummate our love, held back since you first bounded through my thoughts on the dawn of this glistering morn; our celibacy held betweenst us with purest intent.

Rennay:*leaps on the back of the red equine, the panicking pheasant lands on her head*

Ruby:*points it panic and holds up a comic with a halberd wielding mistralan warrior atop a massive red steed* ITS, ITS LU BU!!

Blake:*looks at Weiss, both of them are struggling to hold back Rennay* The legendary wandering warrior from Mistral!?

Weiss:STAND STRONG MY SISTERS!

Nora:WE'RE MEDIEVAL, NOT EASTERN!!!

Rennay:*Glares back* I'M DEFECTING! YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO ANYMORE! *has her mount buck a pair of watermelons at Nora, she's pummeled and slammed into her table fort, causing it to collapse*

Nora:You..YOU TRAITOR!!!

Ruby:*Looks into her comic*......Makes sense! CHARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGE!!

*The food war rages on as Brad, despite being coated in all sorts of assorted edibles from the war, puts on a bib and begins setting out his silverware*

Brad:Knife, check. Fork, check. Spoon, check. Bib, check. Glass of water in the case of renegade croutons, check....

*The war continues, JNPR and RWBY have united forces to attempt defeating Rennay*

Rennay:*Bucks Ren and Jaune back with her steed, her pheasant fires an egg out of its backside that hits Pyrrha in the face, sending her sprawling*

Ruby:*Snickers, she takes another pole and drives it through an enormous banana, making a scythe, then leaps up on a balcony, positioning her bananascythe like Crescent Roses' sniper mode, swiftly builds and attaches a makeshift sling, then begins sniping the battlefield with smaller sized bananas*

Sun:*waves his fist at Ruby* HEY, that is NOT cool! I wanted to eat that!

Anemone:I never thought I'd see both Weiss Schnee and Pyrrha Nikos in a food fight!

Rennay:*Hit in the back with a banana* ARRRRGH!!! CUTSCENE ARROWS, MY ONE WEAKNESS!! *Dramatically falls off of her mount, which gallops away along with her pheasant hat*...Must...Get...*looks upward* Up?

Nora:*Coldy grins*

Rennay:MERCY!!!

Nora:*Holds up an iced black coffee over her head*

Rennay:NONONONONONONOOOOOOOOOO-*Has the coffee poured on her face* Ewwwwww, Idon'tlikecoffeeeeeeeee.....

Nora:*laughs maliciously and pours some creamer on her*

Rennay:Idon'tlikecreamereitherBradheeelllllllllp...

Brad:*Prepares to take a bite of his salad, then stops and runs towards Rennay and Nora*

Rennay:*hopeful smile*

Brad:*Picks up a small packet off the floor* There you are! Nearly forgot the blue cheese. *walks back over and resumes dolling up his salad*

Rennay:*sighs as Nora resumes torturing her*

Nora:SQUIRM traitor! SQUIRM!!! MUAHAHAHAHHAAHAA!!!

Jaune:*Has gotten up on the balcony where Ruby's at*...*Draws a leek and sneaks up behind her, grinning* DID YOU FORGET ABOUT ME!? *Stabs the leak onto her back*

Jaune's leek bounces off, Ruby grins revealing she's wearing a back shield made from a plate under her hood.

Ruby:BOMBS AWAY! *Tosses a carton of juice and runs off*

Jaune:*Soaked yellow**sniffs* Is this...No...IT CAN'T BE!! AAUUUUUUUGH, I'M ALLERGIC TO PINNAPPLE!! *breaks out into a fierce rash and falls off the balcony*

Pyrrha:*Catches Jaune* Jaune!? JAUNE!! *Growls at Rwby*

Jaune:P....Pyrrha...

Pyrrha:I'm here jaune!

Jaune:I...I...

Pyrrha:*Leans in*

Jaune:AVENGE MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! *plays dead*

Pyrrha:...I will.

Pyrrha screams and uses her polarity to conjure a gigantic storm of shaken soda cans

Rwby ducks for cover as the faux grieving Pyrrha assaults them with a tital wave of soda.

Brad:*ignoring it completely, taking care to shield his salad from the storm* Hrm...No, somethings missing. I didn't properly grate the carrots, blast! Where did I put that-

A bottle of thousand island dressing falls from above and lands on the salad, dunking a portion of its contents on top.

Brad:*Helm goes dark, he stares blankly at his salad*....................

Everyone stares, horrified.

Brad:*Clenches his fist*

Nora:I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant!

Brad:.......*upset* Guys, be more careful! *Carefully picks the thousand island tainted bits from his salad* I spent half an hour preparing this salad, and I want my first meal of this semester to be as perfect as possible! Now I'm going to have to redecorate it! *grumbles and walks over to the kitchen to gather some more salad supplies* Thousand island dressing is disgusting, no idea who invented that rubbish....

Ruby:....CRISIS AVERTED, CARRY ON!

*Food war continues*

[Spectre]

*The food war has gotten intense, Brad is licking the inside of his now empty salad bowl*

Brad:Ahhh...That was wonderful.

Rennay:*Soaked in coffee, she rises from under his table* Has Nora left yet?

Nora:*Smashes Yang through the ceiling, busting her watermelon hammer* OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!!

Rennay:*panics and ducks back under* NEVERMIND!!

Brad:I hate to be a bleeding heart but all this wasted food is giving me an ulcer!

Rennay:Ah come on Big Guy, its just to kick off the semester!

Brad:They've depleted ALL the kitchen stores, theres no telling how much this is going to cost Beacon, and worst yet I'm imagining all the struggling people around Remnant who really could have used this food.

Rennay:*Sighs* Ya really know how to suck the fun out of something!

Brad:I lived off roots, mushrooms, tree sap, and rodents in the Ghruaman Wilds, so pardon me if I'm a tad bristled at seeing the immaculately prepared food provided here being thrown about like a primate's waste.

Rennay:Your concerns have been duly noted. *Shifts to the other side of the table to avoid the sight of an incoming Nora* I love Nora to death but she plays WAY too rough!

Brad:I think we all feel that way, Rennay. *notices Sun, Neptune, Crimson and Anemone* Oh, looks like we got some bystanders. *Gestures for them to come over* Have a seat, we're in a ceasefire zone.

Crimson: *rushes over with everyone else not far behind* Hi!

Brad:Hello. I take it you're exchange students from..*Notices their attire* Vacuo?

Crimson:You got it!

Brad:Anyho, Bradgan Drust. Brad for short. *points under the table* Thats my teammate Rennay.

Crimson: Crimson Sol.

Anemone: Anemone Aquarius. I can't believe Weiss Schnee and Pyrrha Nikos are in a FOOD FIGHT!

Brad:They are the last ones you'd expect to do such a thing based on their reputation aren't they? Really jovial once you get to know them both. Though Weiss can be, pardon the pun, a bit icy

Rennay: *Eyes bulge and kicks a very surprised chicken away from Crimson as it's sent barreling towards him* Pay a little more attention to your surroundings, please! But yeah, shes a good girl once ya get to know her.

Crimson: Won't happen again, Rennay! And yeah, we know how Weiss can be. She's from Atlas, after all. *chuckles*

Rennay: (Indignantly) Hey!

Crimson: Sorry, didn't realize you were from Atlas.

Anemome: We're just used to Atlesians being rich snobs. No offense.

Crimson: Plus we're well aware of the Schnee Dust Company using Faunus labor.

Anemone: Don't remind me...

Rennay: (Grumbles) Not everyone up there's a noble. Those gits wouldn't be seen dead in the military

Crimson: Very true! Heck, I hear there's a Schnee in the Atlesian military.

Anemone: *sees a watermelon flying right at Crimson* CRIMSON!

Crimson: *quickly draws his weapons and slices it with a cross-arm motion*

Brad:*has several bits of watermelon and countless gore coating his armor* Yes, although this is a ceasefire zone sometimes the crossfire goes through.

Rennay: (Surprised) There- Huh. If you're right, they've kept quiet about it. I don't really know much about the S.D.C. except what they say on the news. And listening to what they say, you'd think he was Monty incarnate.

Brad:Can't say I know that much about the Schnee Dust Company, didn't know it even existed until last semester.

Crimson: We've been up to Atlas at least once. From what I saw, Jacques Schnee was... well... a lot of things I shouldn't say. I'll just say he's the last man you'd want as a father.

Anemone: And even that's putting it mildy...

Rennay: (Mutters under her breath) I dunno about that...

Brad:*Uncomfortably thumps his fingers against the table*

Crimson: So Brad, what's your story?

Brad:Oh! Errr..I'm from Ghruama. Grew up in the jungle there.

Brad: Its just lots and lots of Grimm, only wildlife that really survives there are the rodents and ravens because they can eat rot.

Crimson: Ouch. At least you have that huge suit of armor to help keep you protected.

Brad:Yes! I do love my armor. It's saved my hide several times, only complaint is that it obscures my vision.

Rennay: Well... The big guy here never takes it off, sleeps standing up and wakes up at the crack of dawn. Take that for what ya will.

Crimson: Sounds about right.

Brad:Yes, can't afford to waste daylight in Ghruama. Once night falls going outside your shelter is a death sentence.

Crimson: *sees some oranges flying behind Anemone* Anemone, behind you!

Anemone: *turns around and swats them away, revealing her dorsal fin*

Brad:Oh, your a fish faunus! Didn't know they existed.

Anemone: Swordfish to be exact. And there are reptilian Faunus around. Crimson and I saw one guy with a snake tail.

Brad:I thought all Faunus were mammilian.

Rennay:Yep, so far all we knows a Goat, a really friendly rabbit girl and a... *Looks at Brad*

Brad: Erm, I'm human. The dog motiff with the armor can cause some confusion-

Rennay:Nnnnnnnot what I meant, big guy. I was talking about... *Jerks head* Y'know...

Brad: OH! Errr, yes. We know a cat faunus.

Anemone: *looks around and sees Blake knocked out from the food fight* Oh, her?

Rennay: Seriously! How did you figure that out?!

Anemone: When you're a Faunus, it's easy to pick out other Faunus around.

Crimson: *turns to Blake* Wouldn't have guessed just by looking at her. Then again, it's not uncommon for Faunus to hide their trait for fear of oppression.

Anemone: Well, when it's something easy to hide like cat ears. There's no way I'd be able to hide my fin.

Rennay: *Shoots down a watermelon and shields herself from the resulting splatter* Anyway, fish faunus huh? Figured you lot'd stay away from deserts like Vacuo.

Anemone: I'm actually from Menagerie. Crimson's from Vacuo.

Rennay: But you're still FROM Shade out of every possible academy. Why not Haven? Why not here? Both have a lot more water.

Crimson: I was traveling outside Mistral when I first ran into Anemone. She wanted to get as far away from Menagerie as possible so I decided to help. During our travels, we became friends and I eventually helped her get enrolled into Shade since I knew people there.

Rennay: Yeesh. *To Anemone* Trouble back home? 'Sokay if ya do, so does pretty much everyone else we know.

Anemone: I managed to get noticed by the White Fang, and you know how they are.

Rennay: *Glowers* Those animals all deserve to drown. In acid.

Anemone: I won't take offense to that, because PLENTY of us Faunus HATE the White Fang. *randomly turns to Blake, and her eyes widen* Oh, dear Monty...

Crimson: What?

Rennay: *Clamps a hand over her mouth* (VERY quietly) Not. A. Word.

Crimson: Wait... oh crap...

Rennay: (Nervously) Ah, it's just that she's a fish faunus while Blake over there has cat blood, so they probably won't get along easilly.

Anemone: It's not that.

Rennay: *Turns to her, teeth clenched in a smile and eyes wide* (Quietly) SHUT. UP.

Brad:*Whispers* I take it you both recognize her? Do keep it under wraps please, not information she wants spreading out.

Rennay: *Hands Anemone a piece of paper*

Anemone: *Reads it* (If you say anything about her lineage, I will MURDER YOU) *Smiles and looks at Rennay* Her secrets safe with me.

Brad:Goodness me, seems like nearly all of us have some sort of chip on our shoulders.

Crimson: No kidding!

Brad:We have a strange little circle of friends, I'm sure you'll both fit in well enough-

All of the tables around them get set back in order and the mess gets "Undone" for lack of a better word.

Brad:*Recognizes the magic* Oh dear..

Glynda:Children please, DON'T play with your food!

Both of the teams are laughing while the non-participants look on.



The next afternoon, Mephisto's class is nearing its end.

Mephisto:Now I don't expect you lot to memorize this formula permenantly, but please. Try and keep it from leaking out of your skulls until the final exam near the end of the semester.

Brad:Hmmmph...

Rennay:*Has taped her eyes open, but is actually asleep*


The class lets out.

Crimson:Man, you guys weren't kidding. Mephisto is BRUTAL.

Rennay:First day of class he set one of our classmates on fire for acting out.

Anemone:Are you serious!?

Rennay:Yeah, but he was being a total Jagoff and all it really hurt was his pride. Mephisto's is really the only class he keeps his mouth shut in.

Ruby:*Eagerly carrying a board game*

Rennay:*Eyes widen* Is that Revision 9 of Remnant: The Game!?

Ruby:Yup! We're off to play it in the library! WILL YOU JOIN US FOR GLORIOUS BOARDGAMING WAR!?

Rennay:*grins* YES!

Ruby:Dibs on Atlas!

Rennay:Aww man, I wanted Atlas..Guess I'll go with Mistral.

Yang:*Points to herself* Lets see if you two can take on the Grimm Master!

Ruby/Rennay:YOU'RE ON!

The two eagerly rush ahead to the library.

Weiss:*To Blake* I have no idea what they're talking about.

Blake:*Shrugs*

Yang:Coming Brad?

Brad:Would love to, but I signed up for the Dust Workshop and I actually need to grab Gaebolga and head there right now. I'm a bit nervous and I'd rather not show up late for my first elective course. *Heads off*



Brad walks into the Workshop. The classroom itself is in its own building around the size of a warehouse, equipped with countless tools ranging from classic blacksmith gear, advanced machinery, and generous supplies of dust, metals, and parts. There are several students sitting in chairs in the center of the room, all of them have their weapons with them.

Brad:*Takes a seat*

A tall, scrappy blonde fellow with pointed ears walks past the group and stands in front of them. He has a notable stubble and half of his face appears to have been burned in the past, discoloring one of his eyes, though the other one is a fair blue color. His hair is fairly long, and kept in a small ponytail. He's wearing a pair of grey shorts and a green blacksmith's apron, gloves, and boots. He also has a curious, furry grey sash wrapped around his waist.

Cedric:...What? You're all looking at me funny. Something on my face besides the scar?

Student:Uh, no. Its just uh...We were expecting someone more..

Cedric:Shorter and bearded? Less pointy eared? Red haired?

Student:Yeah, that!

Cedric:I get that all the time. Ok, dig the corn outta your ears and listen up. This class is all about a hunter's better half, your weapon. Its your most trusted ally and friend. It'll never betray you, pester you, or ask you for lien to blow on scroll apps. However, that doesn't mean its a low-maintenance relationship. You gotta take care of them; keep them cleaned up, keep 'em up to date, and avoid breaking them. We're gonna cover all that, and more. Repairs, tune ups, upgrades, adjustments, you name it.

Students:*mumble excitably*

Cedric: Now, The Dust Workshop has tons of extra work in addition to mandatory assignments. Students outside of this class are offered extra credit for volunteering their gear to be worked on in here, so theres never any shortage of work to be done. For today, I just want you all head to your workbenches and add one small modification to your weapons. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, could just be a decoration, a polishing...I just want to see how you carry yourselves.

The students get up and begin searching around the room, observing all of the different tools on offer and sitting at their assigned workbenches.

Brad:*Curiously examining a workbench, it suits his size rather well* Hmmm...*Lies Gaebolga on the bench, then reaches into his armor and takes out a large black leather tool roll, decorated with markings resembling a grimm mask. He extends it revealing a collection of curious items*

Cedric:*whistles* Brought your own tools huh?

Brad:Yes, heirlooms.

Cedric:*looking over them* Very interesting....Never seen tools like this, no denying they're really well cared for though.

Brad:Thank you, I try. Need to keep Gaebolga in tip-top shape, Can't do that unless I keep the tools that way.

Cedric moves from Brad and begins speaking to other students.

Brad takes a small box out of his toolset and plugs a tiny, pen-like blowtorch into it. He inserts a red dust battery into it and activates it. A small shower of sparks streams as he begins working on Gaebolga's blades.



Later that Afternoon, Brad enters the library. Yang(Grimm), Ruby(Atlas), Blake(Vale), Weiss(Vacuo), and Rennay(Mistral) are sitting at the table. JNPR is sitting at another table nearby reading.

Yang:The games alot harder with five people!

Ruby:You're just jealous 'cause we won the first round!

Rennay:*Snickers*

Yang:*Friendly* No I'm not, You two are both working against me!

Ruby:*offers a low-five* Mistral Trade Route!

Rennay:*Fives back* Elementary tactic, work together with your enemies to bring down a bigger threat! *Excitably mutters* Then stab them in the back later!

Ruby:Huh?

Rennay:Nothing! Your go-

Brad:What'd I miss? *Pulls up a chair between Rennay and Blake*

Yang:*Fake, dramatic Crying* Your teammate and my own baby sister are out to get me! *lightly slams her face into the table*

Brad:Oh.*Looks at the two* Well shame on you both! Can I play?

Ruby:Sorry Brad, we already got five players.

Brad:Hrm...How many factions are there?

Rennay:Five, but usually only four are allowed. We already stretched things out to accomodate five players, its actually working pretty well!

Yang:Especially when you're playstyle involves merciless ganking!

Ruby:*Sticks out her tongue and does a salt shaker hand expression*

Rennay:*Whispers to Ruby* I'd be careful, I think she's leading us into a trap! You remember that Scuttling Pool she deployed onto the field last round-

Ruby:Blah blah, Scuttlers Schmuttlers, they have horrible stats anyway! *Lays down her card* I use my construction mech to fortify my walls EVEN further-

Rennay:WAIT, THE POOL ACTIVATES WHEN STIMULATED BY-

Yang:*grins*

Rennay:..*sighs* Noise. Specifically from construction.

Ruby:*Screams as she imagines her civilians being torn apart by grimm rats* NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Yang:*Holds up some cards decorated with dog-sized rat-like grimm* Scuttling pool! When deployed and then awakened by the sound of construction a horde of Scuttlers awaken and crawl right under your walls and into the streets, attacking your citizens directly!

Ruby:YOU MONSTERS!!! REN, SAVE MEEEEEE!

Ren:*Stops reading his book* Hm?

Ruby: I MEANT RENNAY, CARRY ON!

Ren:*Does so*

Yang:But thats not all! The higher quality repair card you pull means the more Scuttlers that spawn, with a Atlas Construction mech that makes SIX bam, SIX scuttlers move behind your walls and defenses and maiming your helpless workforce, my ratty minions gnawing at the very backbone of your entire campaign! Acquiring a bonus spawn of 3 scuttlers with every turn that passes while the pool is active!

Rennay:Hang on Ruby, I'm sending a merchant with a silver dust bomb card to destroy the pool! *Deploys the card*

Yang:*Grins* Are you sure thats a wise choice?

Rennay:*Cringes as she remembers a move she made earlier, she begins talking to herself* Grah, I know she set those alpha beowolf ambush cards but going through the forest route only takes one turn. On one hand I could fight them off if I get really lucky with a dice roll, on the other hand I could take the canyon route, which takes three turns but grimm don't get an ambush bonus there, then again Ruby won't have three turns to keep the scuttlers from wiping out her workforce and without a workforce she can no longer generate resource cards....Gotta go for the middle man...MISTRALAN FIRE ARCHERS!

Yang:Hmm!

Rennay:The forest ignites, along with all of the ambush units within!

Yang:Clever! BUT YOU ACTIVATED MY TRAP CARD-

Rennay/Ruby:NOT AGAIN!!!

Yang:*laughs* I'm just messing with ya! *Lays down another trap card* Setting another one though. Better get rid of those scuttlers...

Rennay:*biting her nails* Pleasepleasepleasedon'tbeaghoulpool...

Yang:Its a ghoul pool.

Rennay:VERDAMNT!!!

Brad:I'm going to assume a ghoul pool spawns a bunch of ghouls at the location of a massacre?

Yang:Yup! If more than 5 human units on one side die within two turns, a deployed ghoul pool will replace them with..Well...Ghouls.

Brad:This game is accurate! Its almost like we live in a world specifically designed for a board game.

Ruby:My turn! HYAH!!! *Looks at her hand* HANG ON DEAREST CITIZENS OF ATLAS, YOUR FEARLESS LEADER IS ON HER WAY!!! I deploy NICHOLAS SCHNEE!!

Weiss:Papa Schnee!? THEY MADE MY PAPA SCHNEE INTO A CARD GAME CHARACTER!? But legally thats-*Scowls in disgust and mutters quietly* Of course, thats why father gets royalties from the RTG company....

Ruby:Sorry Weiss...I'll not deploy him if it upsets you-

Weiss:No, no. Its fine. Its..Kind of neat, I guess this helps immortalize him. He'd better be a VERY good card though!

Ruby:Oh but he is! ONE OF THE BEST! *Holds up the card, the grizzled, red scarfed white ranger on the front with one foot on the skull of a dead ursa major* Nicholas Schnee, the self-made rennaisance man of Atlas! This hero card serves multiple purposes, in addition to being able to simultaneously count towards the defense value of all three defense layers at once, Nicholas Schnee gains a bonus when defending the citizen workforce! And when not deployed for combat, he counts as 3 citizen units, allowing me to draw from my resource deck thrice!

Weiss:*smiles* Thats him alright.

Ruby:HOLD THEM OFF NICHOLAS, THE CAVALRY IS ON ITS WAY!

Rennay:I deploy my merchant card through the burned forest, arriving at Atlas!

Yang:*holds out a card* I SEND IN OUROBOROS, LEGENDARY KING TAIJITU FOR THE KILL! Crush her walls to dust!

Ruby:SHES GOT ME BY THE SCRUFF OF MY NECK!! Nicholas will run out of health points the next round, he can't hold off the scuttlers forever! Oh why, WHY did I have to deploy that stupid mech!?

Weiss:HANG IN THERE PAPA!!!

Rennay:Ruby, use the dust bomb!

Ruby:ON WHAT!? Ouroboros in addition to have the passive ability of a regular king Taijitu to ressurect itself after one death, gains an attack bonus the later he's deployed into a game! The dust bomb will nullify its ability and halve its HP, but if I don't use it on the vermin pool I'll lose Nicholas and half my workforce the next round and that will mean-

Rennay:*grabs her by the shoulders* RUBY, STOP BEING HYSTERICAL!!! Your walls can take some damage but if you lose your workforce its all over! Trust me, use the bomb on the scuttling pool, IT WILL WORK!

Ruby:Ok Rennay, I...I trust you!

Rennay:*Sheds a single tear of guilt*

*Sounds of rain hitting a metal roof is heard and an odd smell pervades the air*

Ruby:*quietly*..Ewww, what is that?

Brad:Sorry, this is so gripping I'm sweating bullets in here!

Yang:Yuck...*Snatches a standing fan from a table*

Student:HEY! *Has lien thrown at him* Okay.

She sets the fan in front of brad and blows it in his direction.

Yang:Better?

Brad:Yes, much, now continue! It was Ruby's turn.

Ruby:I use the dust bomb to destroy the scuttling pool! Now lets see if I roll for the bonus to wipe out some of the vermin..*Shakes the dice* Come on lucky dice...*rolls it* Needa6orhigherneeda6orhigher...BETTERYETATEN!!*Rolls it*

It rolls a 10.

Ruby:WOOHOO!!! Half of the scuttlers are wiped out in addition to their spawn pool and the residue from the silver dust cloud weakens the remaining ones by a quarter of their stats! Nicholas manages to kill them off with one health point left!

Weiss:*breathes a massive sigh of relief*

Yang:Nice moves you two!

Sun:*Walks over* Sup losers!

Sun is followed by Neptune, Crimson, and Anemone.

Ruby:Hey Sun!

Sun:*Points to everyone and names them* Ruby, Yang, Blake, Brad, Army Brat...

Rennay:*Slight wave* Monkey King.

Sun:Aaand *points to Weiss* Ice Queen!

Weiss: Why does everyone keep calling me that?

Sun: I never got a chance to formally introduce you guys to my old friend! *Gestures to Neptune*

Neptune: Aren't libraries for reading?

Ren: *Throws his arms up* THANK YOU!

Nora: *Sleep bubble pops* PANCAKES!

Sun: Shut up, Don't be a nerd!

Neptune:HEY! "Intellectual". Thank you. *waves* I'm Neptune.

Weiss:Where are you from Neptune?

Neptune:Haven. And I don't believe I caught your name..Snow Angel.

Weiss:Ummm, I'm Weiss.

Jaune:*In the distance* Are you kidding me!?

Neptune:Pleasure to meet you, Weiss.

Sun:*to Blake* I never took you as the board game playing type.

Blake:Right, well, I think I'm done playing actually. I'll see you guys later. *gets up and leaves*

Nora: *shrugs* Women.

Brad:*Watches her walk off, obviously concerned*...*Gets up, turns to Sun and speaks firmly* Did you upset her earlier? She's been like this all day.

Sun:*nervously* What? NO! Its just- I haven't spoken to her since yesterday and I don't think I offended her in anyway the last time we spoke! If I did I'm sorry, I swear!

Brad: Hrm. I'll buy it for now. *sits back down*

Yang:Blakes always kinda moody. We'll have a talk with her later tonight, I'd just leave her alone for a while.

Neptune: Y'know, Vale's my favorite faction! Mind if I cut in? *takes Blakes seat*

Yang:Sure!

Neptune:*looking through Blake's hand* Hrm..*swiftly analyzes the board* Trap master huh?

Yang:It has its advantages~

Neptune:Cool, cool...Never cared for playing as the Grimm since most of the trap cards are a gamble, have to be really careful when and where you deploy them since the faction they spawn on depends on the other players moves, plus you have cards like Giant Nevermore that can actually end up shooting you in the foot. Never was too fond of relying on RNG.

Yang: Well what can I say, I love the rush! Besides you can always minimize the risks, just have to focus on the flow of the battle, know what your enemy's moves are gonna be!

Neptune:I can agree to that, I have played Grimm a few times before just to get a feel of how their players think. *Lays down a card with a picture of a Wolf staring down from a mountain on one half, a glistening eye on the other* Shifting Spy, increases your dice roll requirements by 2 for four rounds.

Yang:*Annoyed look* Why you cheeky little..

Neptune:Well you said you like the rush of RNG!

Ruby:YAY! A new ally appears!

Neptune:It affects all opposing factions.

Ruby:*Scowls* WE MUST CRUSH HIM!!!

Brad:*looks at Anemone, Crimson, and Sun* So, what are you three up to?

Sun:Nothing much, just taking the gang on a tour of Beacon!

[Spectre]

The game has gone on for 20 minutes, Yang and Ruby look exasperated while Neptune is keeping his cool. Rennay appears to be plotting something.

Yang:*Annoyed* Thats it. I forfeit. *Puts her hand down*

Ruby:Oh come on Yang! Don't be like that-

Yang:I haven't had a single successful dice roll since he started playing, hes bad luck!

Neptune:*Shrugs and shows off a twinkling smile*

Yang:Besides, he's pretty much got me trapped in by setting all of my transport routes with silver dust landmines. All my trap cards have been uprooted or triggered in the wrong places, Everything I do is just gonna result in my forces being blown to smithereens and I have no decent cards in-hand.

Rennay:Gotta admit, turning the RNG against us was pretty clever.

Neptune:Anyway, looks like its my turn again...*Draws several resource cards* More of the same. Okay! Valein Lightning Mortars. Special ability, can attack the walls and the defensive layer behind it at the same time provided I roll a 5 or higher. A safe bet, made even safer since I have the General Leonhardt hero card deployed which lowers the dice roll requirement of offensive card bonus effects by two. *Rolls the dice* Aaaaand FOUR! Exactly what I needed.

Ruby:NOOOOOOOOO!!! *Has visions of her walls being demolished and the soldiers garrisoned within being blown to bits*

Neptune:Due to your placement of units including three Atlas engineers to fortify the wall, two weakened footsoldiers in your defensive line, and a near-dead Sergeant Stumps hero card whos morale boosting effects are negated by Yang's Geist in your ranks, that makes a total of six casualties which also means...

Yang:*Sighs* Ghoul pool.

Yangs Ghouls rise inside of Ruby's workforce an annihilates her citizens.

Ruby:*Slumps* Atlas...Gone...Destrooooyed....

Yang:*Sighs* I'm gonna go check on Blake. Coming Ruby? Weiss?

Weiss:Sure.

Ruby:*Weakly* Carry me. I don't have the strength to go on...

Yang:*Rolls eyes and slings Ruby over her shoulder*

Ruby:*as they walk away* Weeeeeeee......

Neptune:*looks at Rennay* Well, looks like its just you and me.

Rennay:*narrow eyes and looks at her hand* I shall avenge my fallen sisters! *Holds up a card* Mistralan Dance Festival! My workforce won't produce resources for 3 turns, but I gain a -4 subtraction for my dice roll requirements and another 3 are added to yours!

Neptune:*Eyes widen, surprised* So thats the card you've been holding all this time!

Rennay:Yes. I-How can you tell?

Neptune:I always keep an eye on my opponents hands, helps me read their thoughts! I mean, not literally but you get my point. That would be a cool semblance...

Rennay:Riiight. Anyway, your go.

Neptune:*Plays a card* Old Valein King.

Rennay:*Eyes whiten and round out in horror* WHAT.

Neptune:With the Relic of Destruction in his hand he takes over the front lines personally. All of my soldier cards are discarded and translated into citizen cards. *Does so* And the old Valein King gets a stat bonus to his health, attack damage, and evasion for every soldier he sends back.

Rennay:*Dryly* That cards overpowered.

Neptune:True, true..

Rennay:..BUT....

Neptune:...?

Rennay:*Lays down a card with an enormous, scarred white bear on it roaring at the moon* I deploy Bai Xiong, Slayer of Lords!

Neptune:Oh I walked RIGHT into that one!

Rennay:A solid soldier on her own, her hero ability also allows her to function as an Assassin Card! Which gives me a chance of insta-killing ANY single hero card on the turn deployed, and gives them a combat bonus against them should they fail! If I roll a 8 or higher, I instantly kill a hero card of my choice. Due to my high morale boost from the festival, its only a 4 or higher! *Rolls the dice*

Neptune:*Biting his nails*

12

Rennay: PERFECT TWELVE!! Didn't even need the bonus...

Neptune:*Eyes blank as he pictures the Old Valein King being swallowed whole by the immense bear* Ow...Well, there goes my line of defense! *Nervously looks through his hand* Ok..Ok...I deploy another Peridot Auto Turret to defend my walls!

Rennay:*Holds up a card* Mistralan Sapper, on the turn deployed they disable any automated defenses for two turns, but thats not the main reason I'm setting them out. If I roll a seven or higher, meaning three, they also create a hole in your wall that lasts for one turn! *Rolls the dice* Five! Meaning nine~

Neptune:Aw crap! *Desperately looks in his hand* Crapcrapcrapcrap...*Hisses through his teeth and lays down a card* Conscription, transforms a number of citizen cards into footsoldiers for the defense line depending on a roll of the dice. *Rolls it* Six, meaning..Only three cards can be conscripted thanks to your festival. *Sighs and does so*

Rennay:*Deploys another card* Village Gossip!

Neptune:You gotta be kidding me!

Rennay:Nope! Since I drew my Dance Festival card earlier I've been saving my RNG ones. Village Gossip, the cackling of this bored old gal spreads vile rumors throughout your kingdom! If I roll a 5 or lower, your kingdom's dice rolls will be strengthened by 2 for five turns. However, if I roll between a 6 and 8, one of your soldiers will defect and attack their own post, if I roll between a 9 or 11, half of your citizens riot. And if I roll a perfect 12, YOUR ENTIRE KINGDOM ERUPTS INTO ANARCHY!!! Half of your citizens, soldier cards, and hero cards will defect!

Neptune:Man I HATE that card! Still kinda funny how a bored old lady spreading gossip can cause your entire kingdom to divide though.

Rennay:*Rolls her dice* 6, meaning 10 in this case! YOUR CITIZENS RIOT!

Half of Neptunes citizen cards are transformed into "Rioting Citizens". A weak, but in this case very numerous, combat card.

Neptune:I send in my soldiers to restore order to my rapid citizens and-*Looks at the cards* They die in the process and now my workforce has torn itself apart.

Rennay:*Grins*

Neptune:Wow. That was..A really good game. *Gets up and gives a stylish bow* I, Neptune Vasilias, President of Haven's official RTG Club, concede this victory to you Lady...?

Rennay:Rennay Schlitz!

Neptune:Lady Schlitz then. So, how about sharing your Scroll number? *Holds out his Scroll* Gimme a call and we can game anytime.

Rennay:Ok!

The two link their scrolls.

Brad:*Eyes him suspiciously*

Neptune:Thanks. *Winks at her* See you around Red.

Rennay:*Obliviously waves*

Brad:*Gives Neptune a hair-raising glare from underneath his helm*

Neptune:*Shudders as he exits the library* (Why is my skin crawling?)

Rennay:That was an awesome game!

Brad:*Sneers at Neptunes Direction*


The next day, Professor Port's class.


Professor Port:*Pacing around, telling one of his infamous gripping stories*

Brad:*Lying on the desk via his chin*....Eeeeennnnnngggggg...

Rennay:*Lightly snoring*

Crimson:...*Whispers to anemone* What does this have to do with teaching us to hunt Grimm?

Anemone:I guess we're suppose to learn from the Story?

Crimson:I've been listening the best I can, but I'm just not picking up anything.

Brad:*Sighs* Welcome to my World. This is one class Rennay sleeps through uninterrupted, I think Port gets so into his own stories we don't even bother to whisper to one another. Some of us have even developed a line of communication via paper airplanes if we don't want to talk out-loud. *Light chinking sound as a paper airplane hits his helmet* Ah. *opens it*..

"Mind sharing your notes on Nevermores with me? I'm leaving for a week long mission and I'd like to study them in my spare time.

-Velvet"

Velvet:*Friendly wave*

Brad:*Writes his response on the underside of the paper and sends it flying back*

Velvet:*grabs it and opens it*...*Blows him a kiss and smiles*

Brad:*Responds likewise*

Anemone:Who's she?

Brad:Velvet Scarletina. Real sweetheart, she helps me out with Mephistos class so I help her out here in turn. Shes extremely good at math, particularly multiplying.

Anemone/Crimson:.....

Brad:What? Did I say something amusing?

Crimson:No comment!

Cardin:*grins and inches his way towards Velvet*

Brad:*narrows his eyes at Cardin* Whats that Devil up to?

Crimson:Does he give you alot of trouble?

Brad:He's toned down his bullying since a trip to Forever Fall but he's still a bit of a p-...*Eyes widen in realization, he gives a warning point to Velvet*

Velvet:?

Brad:*Flails his arm and points behind her*

Velvet:..*ears twitch slightly*

Cardin:*jumps up behind her* BOO!

Velvet:YATSUHASHI!!!!! *Leaps onto the ceiling and latches onto a rafter*

CRDL:*laughs*

Port:*Looks at the ceiling, concerned* Miss Scarletina?

Quick, heavy footsteps echo. The door to the classroom flies open.

Yatsuhashi:Velvet, are you alright? *Sees her on the ceiling, then notices Cardin laughing right under her*.............

Cardin:*Stops laughing*

Crimson:I like where this is going!

Yatsuhashi:*Walks over to Cardin and stares him down*

Cardin:*Sheepish grin*

Yatsuhashi:*Cracks his neck*

*SLAM*

Cardin's upper body is lodged in the ceiling beside Velvet.

Velvet:*Looks at him*....*Detaches from the rafter and falls*

Yatsuhashi:*Holds out his arm and effortlessly catches her* Are you hurt?

Velvet:I'm fine, my hearts racing though!

Yatsuhashi:*Sets her down* Let me know if he continues to harass you.

Velvet:*ears lop to the side* I will. Thank you. *Shyly strokes her hair*

Yatsuhashi:*Nods and leaves the classroom*

Port:Oh my, its been a while since our classroom has been graced with some collateral damage! I'll contact Miss Goodwitch for cleanup after class. ANYWAY, as I was saying the Nevermore and its unholy brood had me and the child cornered, I was his last and only line of defense! But I knew that the foul feathered fiends had one weakness-

Cardin:*Falls from the ceiling on top of his cronies*

Russel:MY LEG!!

Brad:Certainly glad Yatsu came along, I would have gotten in trouble.

Crimson:Why?

Brad:I'm on probation, knocked out one of his teeth and smashed his lower lip in half last semester.

Crimson:*offers a high five*

Brad:*takes it*

Anemone:That explains his scar and the missing front tooth.

Brad:Yes, in Yatsuhashis case he let Cardin put up his aura first. Unless the aura breaks and actual harm comes to the person within it counts as mere roughhousing as opposed to assault.

Rennay:*Still asleep*

Anemone:Is she always like this?

Brad:Military Brat as Sun calls her, I think shes in the process of making up for a sleep debt she accumulated since she learned how to walk.

Anemone:I see.

*Alarm rings*

Port:AND THEN I- Oh, well. Timed that one wrong I guess, the stunning conclusion to this story will have to wait until our next lecture!

Brad:*Packs up his notes and slings Rennay on his shoulder*

Crimson:Wow, heavy sleeper isn't she?

Brad:She's practically comatose, but surprisingly enough she can get ready for combat at the drop of a hat.

Everyone leaves the classroom.


Around half an hour later,


Brad is standing outside of RWBY's dorm, shaking a bit. He notices Sun and Neptune's voices.

Brad:*Puts his head against the door*...*knocks*

Ruby:COMING! *opens the door* Oh, Hey Brad!

Brad:Hello Ruby. *observes her* Whats with the outfit change?

Ruby:Oh, uhh....

Sun:WE'RE GONNA PAINT THE TOWN RED!

Blake:SUN!

Brad:*Somewhat demanding voice* May I come in?

Ruby:*Sighs* May as well.

He enters the dorm.

Brad:*looks around* I take it you have some big plans today?

Ruby:Yup. We're gonna find out what Torchwick and the White Fang are planning! Weiss and me are gonna check the Schnee records, Blakes gonna infiltrate a White Fang meeting, and Yangs gonna interrogate someone in the shady side of Vale!

Brad:Getting everyone involved besides us then?

Ruby:As I told our two guests here we really don't want to get friends involved!

Blake:We were going to investigate as a team...

Brad:Its not really teamwork if you're all going to split up though, is it?

Sun:THANK YOU!

Ruby:Well we got six people now so nobody has to be alone!

Brad:*Turns his head towards Neptune briefly* Right.

Ruby:So here's the plan! Weiss is with me, Sun's with Blake, and Neptune is going with Yang!

Brad:I've been to downtown Vale before and provide alot of intimidation value, why don't I go with Yang?

Yang:Sorry Brad I don't think Bumblebee could carry your weight, atleast not with the armor!

Brad:*mutters* Damnation.

Neptune:Relax, I can hold my own. I'll watch her back.

Brad:*Mutters to himself* I don't doubt it for a second.

Ruby:Ok! Everyone MOOOOOOVE OUT!

Brad:Wait, what about Rennay and I? Crimson and Anemone?

Ruby:You will be with us in spirit! Its a secret investigation, don't want it getting too big.

Brad:*exhales* Fine.

Everyone besides Brad exits the room, Neptune goes last and has his shoulder firmly grabbed.

Brad:Vasilias. A word?

Neptune:Sure thing man. *turns to face Brad*

Brad:Allow me to be perfectly, comprehinsibly, unambiguously, perspicuously clear with one thing. Yang Xiao Long, the lady you're teaming up with. She is very, VERY dear to me. Now I know she can fully take care of herself, and if she takes a liking to you that is her business. But listen here...If I find out you've harassed her, touched her inappropriately, stepped out of line, otherwise harmed her in ANY way whatsoever, you are going to become extraordinarly well-acquainted with the heel of my boot! Several times over.

Neptune:*Eyes widen* Dude, weres this coming from?

Brad:I observed you in the Library and you've made a very poor first impression with me. I was initially distrustful when I saw you flirt with Weiss off the bat, but then you went and moved onto my dear partner Rennay shortly afterwards when Weiss left! I refuse to let any of my friends become victim to some hustler.

Neptune:Ok, give me a chance to clear this up. I'm not a hustler, 'kay? Not my style. Weiss is really cool, no pun intended; and I'd like to get to know her better. As for Rennay, I like her! Shes really smart and plays a mean RTG, I always want to make friends with people who can beat me at my favorite game. As for Yang, I don't know her that well but I can promise you I'll treat her like a lady. You have nothing to worry about, I'm keeping my hands to myself. Message received loud and clear.

Brad:I'm glad we understand eachother. *takes out his scroll* Number exchange?

Neptune:Huh?

Brad:Call me if you need backup. I want you to know I'm not just some jealous, petty brute. I've no ill will towards you whatsoever.

Neptune:Right on! *takes out his scroll*

The two exchange numbers.

Brad:There we go. You'd best get moving or she'll probably drive off without you!

Neptune:Woops! *Zips away*

Brad:*sighs and sits on Blake's bed*...*Notices her book sticking out from under her pillow, he takes it and hides in in her lower pillowcase instead* Don't want anyone finding that.


Later in the mess hall, Brad is sitting down snacking on a large bowl of wheaties, looking rather dejected.

Rennay:*suddenly beside him* 'Sup big guy?

Brad:*Flinches* !! Rennay, you scared me.

Rennay:So, you're sitting here at 7 PM in the mess hall eating cold cereal; so out of it you couldn't hear my footsteps. Whats wrong with this picture!?

Brad:*Sighs*

Rennay:*Notices a pamphlet stuffed between his platemail*...*Grabs it* Aha!

Brad:Give that back!

Rennay:Hey, its that dance thing CFVY's been working on. Asking Yang?

Brad:Well you can probably read my feelings like a map at this point if your relentless teasing is of any indication. Yes, I was going to ask Yang but...

Rennay:*Sincerely* Couldn't muster up the courage?

Brad:*Sigh* I probably wouldn't have been able to go along with it anyway. Timing wasn't exactly right since she and the rest of RWBY were about to go on some investigation.

Rennay:Wait, WHAT!? *Slams fists on the table*

Brad:Yes, they're concerned about whats been going on with that Torchwick fellow and they all set out to investigate, Sun and Neptune wound up getting involved somehow. Sun went off with Blake and Yang went with that dreamboat Neptune.

Rennay:*Tone returns to being sympathetic* Oooooh, you're scared shes gonna go out with Neptune instead.

Brad:To put it bluntly, yes. Hes..A nice fellow, exceedingly stylish, intelligent, manages to pull off blue hair without looking like a complete ponce, and I'm just a big lummox who hides from the world inside a big pink suit of armor.

Rennay:Wanna chase after her?

Brad:No. If she ends up developing feelings for him, then more power to her. I respect her and myself too much to stalk her like an envious, lovesick puppy, I might not be what she's looking for. *sighs* I'm like her stark opposite.

Rennay:Well ya know what they say, opposites attract!

Brad:*sigh* Maybe. Anyway lets change the subject, you seemed pretty upset a minute ago.

Rennay:*Slams her fists on the table again* They went on an adventure without us!

Brad:Yes, they "Didn't want to get friends involved." Sun and Neptune sort of just happened.

Rennay:(Genuinely hurt) Well... they left us behind! Why would they do that?! They're our friends, we played with our food together! We fought the White Fang together! Doesn't that mean anything to them?!

Crimson and Anemone enter and sit at the table across from them.

Crimson:Sup?

Brad:Oh, nothing. Just enjoying some wheaties.

Anemone: *sees Rennay* Something wrong?

Rennay: *Grumbles* Yes. SOMETHING'S wrong, all right...

Crimson: Anything we can do to help?

Rennay:*Sighs and knocks head against the table*

Brad:Did you know Sun and Neptune left with RWBY to go on a private investigation?

Crimson: I saw them run out, but I didn't get a chance to ask what was going on.

Rennay: (Bitterly) So to answer your question, no. Not unless you can... I dunno, scry or something.

Crimson: You know what? Why don't we go on our own investigation?

Anemone: Great idea!

Rennay: I dunno... No offence, but we don't really know you that well and we've got no idea where to start looking.

Crimson: Might get a good way to get to know each other.

Brad: True, and I really don't like them tackling this alone. Blake and Sun went to a White Fang Faction meeting, Yang and Neptune went to the shady side of town, and Ruby and Weiss went to the communications tower.

Rennay: (Baffled) Bwa- How do you know?

Brad:I got to talk to them briefly before they left me in the dust.

Anemone/Crimson: White Fang?!

Brad:Yes, White Fang attacks have been a big problem lately. I'm particularly worried since we learned last semester that they've been working with one Roman Torchwick for some unknown purpose. A human career criminal.

Crimson: Wait, Torchwick? The guy who's been robbing all those Dust stores?

Anemone: That makes me think, Why would the White Fang be working with a human? That doesn't make sense! And before you ask, no. I wasn't in the White Fang.

Rennay: (Deadpan) Noted. But this guy seems like the type who only cares about his own ends, he'd probably sell out his entire species if it meant a little pocket change.

Anemone: We have to help them! If the White Fang is collaborating with a human, let alone one like Torchwick, something big is going on.

Brad:You're right..But we have no ida where to start-

*The news comes on the Mess Hall television

Rennay: *Remains silent, but eyes narrow*

Lisa Lavender:Tragedy has struck in Vale's shopping district. After noticing a peculiar smell a passerby investigated the local bookstore, Tukson's booktrade, and found the owner and namesake of the small shop dead with several injuries.

*Crime scene shows, Tukson is covered with a slightly bloodied sheet*

Brad:Wh...*Grips the table* What? No, not Tukson...

Rennay:*Blank stare*

Anemone: Hey Crimson, didn't we stop by that store?

Crimson: Yeah. What a shame...

Officer:Several lacerations and sites of blunt impact on his body. Seems like he put up a serious fight and died from a stab wound to the heart, whatever sicko did this looks like he just crushed his head with his foot for fun, maybe to send the message. We have reason to believe this heinous crime to be the result of a White Fang attack, as it was just discovered Tukson had former ties to the radical organization before leaving for reasons unknown. We found packed luggage and a ticket to vacuo, its likely they wanted him dead before he had a chance to skip town.

Rennay: *Eyes widen, raises a hand to her head and staggers back a few steps, hitting the wall and sliding down it, suddenly light headed*

Brad:*walks over to Rennay* Rennay? Rennay. *puts his hands on her shoulders* Are you there?

Rennay: *Blankly staring in shock*

Brad:*embraces her* Dear Oum I cant handle this, not right now...

Crimson: *fire starts forming around his right arm as he becomes more angered, then he snaps out of it to assist Rennay* Hang in there!

Rennay: Right...Sorry. *Is pulled up*

Brad:Its not you, just..Tukson, to think I was just complaining about personal drama earlier and he's been dead for days without any of us knowing!

Lisa:Wait-what!? We're getting live coverage with Cyril. It apears there is a White Fang attack occuring in downtown Vale!

Crimson: WHAT?

Rennay: Strange. They're not usually stupid enough to attack in the open.

Anemone: No, they're not.

Cyril:*In a helicoptor trying to keep track of the chase, he's yelling due to the volume of the chopper* A group of students are in a battle with what appears to be an Atlesian Paladin of all things- MOVE THE FREAKING CHOPPER- *Camera scrambles*This thing has a White Fang brand on it, how'd they get a paladin!?

Crimson: We gotta do something.

Brad:*Sees the camera dropping* Hells fires, they need help!

Anemone: Then let's go!

Rennay: Welp. Dunno how they got an Atlesian mech, but they're gonna lose it soon.

Brad:*panics as Yang Swerves off the road in Bumblebee* BLOODY HELL they're going to get themselves killed, LETS GO GRAB A BULLHEAD!

Anemone: Good thinking!

Crimson: Yeah, we can call our weapons when we get there!

Rennay: Uh-huh... *Notes about where they are* You go ahead.

Brad:What?

Rennay: Don't mind me, I've just fot a REALLY bad idea to get there quickly.

Brad:Well share it with us, we need to get moving!

Rennay: (Sheepishly) Something you'll personally be too heavy for.

Brad:....Wait a second, are you thinking we hop on our weapon lockers, set the coords, and rocket there!?

Rennay: Pretty much, yeah.

Crimson: Works for me!

Brad:BRILLIANT! My locker is especially large since it has to carry Gaebolga.

*The group is at their lockers, putting their coordinates in*

Brad:Bloody hell Rennay, you're a genius, I can't wait to try this! *Latches onto his jumbo locker*

Crimson and Anemone grab onto their lockers.

Rennay: *Cringing* I'm going to need to have my entire digestive tract re-grown after this.

Brad:*holds out his remote and presses the button* As Ruby says, BANZAAAAAAAIIII*Blasts through the ceiling*

Crimson: *does the same* LET'S GO!

Rennay: This is gonna hurt... *Launches her locker*

Gaps on the ceilings over the lockers open and they launch out like rockets, screeching and flying towards the coordinates.

Die

The four rapidly head over the highways

Brad:*looks down at RWBY* There they are!

Rennay: *Latched on for dear life while flying through the air, screaming her lungs out*

Crimson: Looks like we're just in time!

*The lockers land, leaving craters*

Rennay: *Staggers off* Bad... idea...

Weiss:Did you just fly here ON YOUR LOCKERS!?

Crimson: Yup! *opens his locker and grabs his magnums*

Brad:*Takes out Gaebolga and twirls it*

Anemone: *grabs her polearm/harpoon combo*

Roman:Lockers- I- WHAT!? Warrants being said again, THESE KIDS KEEP GETTING WIERDER!

Roman launches a shower of homing rockets that disperse and target everyone

Crimson: *combat rolls out of the way and returns fire*

Ruby:*Cover fires the staggering Rennay* You can thank me by letting me steal that idea, that was crazy awesome!

Rennay: (Weakly) Ah... thanks, Rubes. ... *Shakes off her dizzyness* *Flicks each limb individually, revealing she's had her weapons on the entire time* What? It takes a while to get these things on!

Anemone: *backflips over a rocket then fires an explosive harpoon head at the mech*

Ruby:Heads up guys, FREEZERBURN!

Weiss forms a massive ice glyph, Yang executes a earthquake attack and causes a hazy fog to rise, hampering Roman's vision

Rennay: I think we're getting in their way, you three! Retreat!

Brad:*Cracks visor* With this haze I know I will...RWBY, I'm here if you need me-

A trailing plama bolt fires through the air towards Brad

Brad:*Sent sprawling, his armor singed* What was that!?

A hovering mech with a pair of long-barrelled cannons at the side descends over the warzone.

Rennay: O-kay... Dad brought home pictures of that once. How on Remnant did they get that, it's not even out of testing yet!

Crimson: Regardless, see it's time to quit playing around! *flips his magnums around, pushes a to fold the handles up, then pushes another button to retract the daggers*

Rennay: How's that gonna help? You don't have any range!

Anemone: He's not done yet.

Phantom:*Aims and fires a pair of rapidly flying plasma bolts at Crimson*

Crimson pushes the buttons again, which shoots chains out at the mech, all while dodging.

Phantom Pilot(A White Fang grunt): The hell!? *Swerves in an attempt to lose him*

The ground rumbles as another paladin lands.

Crimson: Oh, great! ANOTHER ONE?

Brad:This just keeps getting better and better! *Fires off an electric warhead at the mech, it explodes and staggers it*

Yang:*Leaps on Roman's Paladin and begins pounding the top of it with her fists*

Roman:Talk about tact! *Rams her through several concrete pillars*

Brad/Blake:YANG!!

Ruby:Don't worry, with each hit she gets stronger; and she uses their energy to fight back!

Crimson: So, her semblance is like a power meter in a fighting game.

Ruby:You could put it that way!

Yang:*Eyes are a solid red color, her hair is radiating*

Brad:Oooooh...

Roman:*Slings his mechs fist at her*

Yang:*Catches it effortlessly, the force of the impact sending out a shockwave*

Brad:*eyes widen as an audible DING is heard and he garbles excitedly*

Phantom:*Aims the two barrels separately and fires off a round at Brad and Crimson*

Brad:*Blasted directly as a result of his slack-jawed admiration, hes sent sprawling*

Anemone:CRIMSON!

Crimson:*narrowly evades the incoming laser*

Anemone: *shoots a non-explosive harpoon head at the Phantom, which sticks* Alright, you asked for it! *sends electricity through the pole to the mech*

Phantom pilot:THIS THING DOESN'T HAVE ELECTRIC ABSORBERS YET!!!

Roman:*manages to evade a punch from Yang* Would you QUIT BELLYACHING!? We need backup!

Another Paladin lands.

Crimson:Well this is getting ridiculous!

Rennay: Oh hell... if they can throw this many at us at a whim, who know how man-ACK!!!

Roman: *Has grabbed her around the torso from behind with one massive mechanical hand, picks her up and grabs her lower half with the other* I really think it's time you stopped... *Twists Rennay and physically rips her in half* being a thorn in my side! *Throws away Rennay's halves*

Brad:RENNAY!? NO!!!

He runs over to Rennay's upper body and falls on his knees, he tries holding her up.

Brad:Rennay!? Rennay! Please...*Takes off his gauntlet and holds her hand* Speak to me...PLEASE! Drain me!

Rennay:*Unresponsive, body is twitching*

Brad's armor begins vibrating and his armor veins start glowing blue. He grabs his head.

Brad:*Shaking his head* No...No..No no no...Not Rennay...Not now..No..No...

Foam spews out of the front of his helmet as his body begins shaking and growing disproportionately.

Crimson: What the hell?

Anemone: *Hanging onto the Phantom* Crimson! Deal with that fourth mech!

Crimson: RIGHT! *turns to the fourth mech* Alright, time for you to burn! *the chains on his weapons catch fire*

Brad falls onto the ground, his legs sprawl out of socket and their limbs snap in several places, forming crude four-jointed limbs that thrash about like a frog's legs. The upper right side of his torso swells and grows outward, his arm growing monstrously large. His other, ungloved arm extends outward and splits in half revealing his bone which twists into a hook-like shape, his fingers snapping down the hook and forming serrations.

Crimson: *notices Brad* Ho-ly crap!

Brad:*eyes shrink back into his socket, his mouth expands grotesquely and his tongue hangs limp and his teeth grow and rupture his gums, bellows with some sort of agitated garble due to his vocal cords hanging from his neck like a wattle*

Brad immediately turns his attention to the nearest mech, which happens to be the third one. He moves freakishly fast despite his hideous deformities, using his massive arms for transport and his gimped legs as springs to bound incredible distances.

Paladin Pilot:WHAT IN MONTY'S NAME IS THAT THING-

The paladin fires rockets at him, his armor takes the brunt of the rockets but they manage to knock off a few chunks of flesh. The injuries go unnoticed by Brad.

Brad:*slashes at the paladin with his split arm, he rakes it back and forth as the serrations slash the mech in half through the waste*

Pilot:*Mech is braying loudly* I CAN'T MOVE, I'M GONNADIEIGONNADIE!!!

Brad takes his swollen arm and begins smashing into the mech, the Pilot within screams as the cockpit is bent inwards, slowly crushing the rider within as a side effect.

Rennay:*shakes*...*opens her eyes and coughs blood* (Heh, this sucks.)

Several White Fang grunts enter the area, they're shocked at the havoc being wreaked by the students against their mechs.

Rennay:*grabs a grunt by the leg as he passes by*

The grunt lets out a brief scream and withers to a husk, Rennay's upper body manages to snap back into place and her lower body slides towards here and reattaches itself like a magnet.

Roman:*Fires a set of missles at Yang, who manages to evade* Hold still you little-*SMASH* What the-!?

Rennay is on the mechs back, having torn off a chunk of armor and now slashing into its wires.

Roman:WHAT THE HELL!? I ripped you in half!

Rennay:I got better. *Slashes a set of wires*

Roman:*Legs stagger, he growls*

Yang:*Takes the opportunity and punches one of Roman's mech arms, demolishing it*

Crimson:*Pulls himself towards the Paladin he's chained to, revealing he grappled onto the back, he notices the rocket silos* Ahah!

Paladin:*opens its rocket pods*

Crimson: *Swings in front of it, detatches the chain, swiftly shifts his ammo cartridges and aims his magnums. The cartridges reveal high-impact rounds.

Pilot: GAH!!!

Crimson fires both of the guns at once, his high impact bullets catch fire as they head towards the missle silos, sending him flying away as they hit, causing the upper half of the paladin to explode. Crimson manages to "Land" on a wall and sends out a blast of fire from his arms and legs as he kicks himself off to propel towards the phantom like a living rocket.

Phatom Pilot:*Manages to put up a cloaking device and barrel roll*

Anemone:*Still electrocuting it, hanging on for dear life* MY AURAS GETTING LOW!

Crimson:*Misses due to the barrel roll, he manages to land on his heels and cause a huge trail of sparks to kick up * Crap!

Rennay:*Notices Brad pounding on the fallen paladin* What the- Brad!?

Brad:*hears Rennays voice*...(Rennay?!) *Gurgles as he regains his senses, he grabs Gaebolga with his swollen hand and stabs the smaller spearhead into the mech like a dagger, opening the spearhead and launching a high impact missle that blows the paladin up and propels him towards the phantom*

Phantom Pilot:*Screams as he notices the enormous freak flying towards him*

Brad Slashes through one of the Phantom's wings as he flies past, and accidentally slams himself into a concrete pillar as he does so.

Phantom Pilot:*Spills out of the bisected phantom* I GIVE UP, PLEASE DON'T KILL ME, IM JUST A NEW RECRUIT, I WAS PROMISED A T SHIRT!!! *Covers his head*

Ruby:ICE FLOWER!

Weiss and Ruby execute their team attack on Roman, engulfing his Paladin in ice. Blake spins Yang around on the ribbon of Gambol shroud and she achieves incredible velocity, delivering a savage punch to Torchwick's mech and sending it sprawling into pieces.

Roman:*Picks himself up without breaking stride* Just had this cleaned!

Yang:*Fires off a missile from Ember Celica*

Neo:*descends in front of Roman and blocks the missile with her Umbrella*

Roman:Ladies, Gentlemen, Ice Queen-

Weiss:Hey!

Roman:Always a pleasure. Neo, if you would?

Neo:*bows*

Yang:*Runs and punches at the two, their figures shatter revealing they were a decoy*...Well, guess he got a new henchman.

Weiss:Yeah, I guess she really made our plans...Fall apart!

Rennay:*snickers*

Yang:*Deadpan* No. Just...No.

Weiss:But you do it!

Yang:There's a time and a place for jokes!

Weiss:Was this not it?

Yang:No, it just wasn't very good.

Weiss:Well at least I'm trying!

Crimson:*looking at the bottom of his shoes, they're smoking* Good thing these are steel-coated!

Anemone:I'll say. You're getting better at your propulsion, I think that's the fastest I've seen you go!

Crimson:Should have guessed that phantom mech could put up a cloak...

Brad:*Picks himself up, holding his head. He's shrunk back down to his regular self*..Rennay?...

Rennay:*Runs up to him* I'm here big guy, are you ok?

Brad:*Can barely talk straight from his quivering* RENNAY!!! Picks her up in a soft hug and bawls* I thought you were DEAD!

Rennay: *Awkwardly hugs back* Heh. Takes a lot to kill me, big guy.

Brad: *sniff* Clearly! How did you survive that!?

Rennay: (Sheepishly) Eheheh... *Looks back at the shriveled husk of a White Fang thug* He got in arms length.

Brad:Still, being sliced in half that's...That's simply unreal, how did the shock or blood loss not kill you straight away!?

Rennay: Y'know how my semblance is... well, that? It has a downside. It doesn't stop me from getting hurt so much as... I guess it nullifies the shock. Unless my head's chopped off, it's really hard to kill me outright.

Brad:No wonder why you're tough as nails! *Exhales* Lets head back to Beacon, I'm dying to get some rest.

Rennay: (Jokingly) And I wanna get some rest now that I'm NOT dying!

Brad:*Extremely forced laughter*

Yang:*facepalms*