Chapter One- New Students

"My name is Diesel Artorias, and I am a hunter. Together with my sister Orchid, we always dreamed of being warriors. We attended Signal Academy for two years, along with our friends Crimson and Rebecca Blackwell who are also related.

We all received top grades in our classes and before our education there was over we met the headmaster of Beacon Academy, Professor Ozpin, who offered us the chance to attend the prestigious school. All of us were on board except for Rebecca, who didn't want to leave her old friends behind. But after some persuasion from the three of us, she decided that being without her brother was more important. So we took his offer, and before we knew it, we were ordered to pack and hop on the next transport ship to Beacon Academy."

"Diesel, hey brother wake up! We're here!" said Orchid.

Diesel opened his eyes and took his first look out the window at Beacon Academy.

"Sure is bigger than we thought huh?" said Orchid

"It looks bigger on the brochure cover."Crimson said. He had his hands behind his head. When the ship came to rest Crimson stood up from his chair and collected his gear from the overhead bin.

"Are you sure this place is going to be right for us?" Rebecca asked. She brushed her bangs out of her eyes and gripped her sword tight.

"You guys think we ready for this?" asked Diesel.

"I think we were already ready the second Professor Ozpin came to Signal Academy to look for new students." said Orchid confidently.

"What do you think Crimson?" asked Diesel as the four walked off the ship

Crimson didn't answer and just stared intently off into the distance. His thoughts raced with the opportunities that awaited them. But as he looked to the left, a girl with black hair caught his attention.

"I know that girl." Crimson mumbled, narrowing his eyes.

"Know who?" Diesel asked. Crimson pointed towards a group of girls in front of them.

Walking in front of them were four girls - one with black hair, gray eyes, and a black combat skirt, wearing a red cape for some reason. The other standing next to her was a blue eyed, white haired girl with a snow- colored combat skirt. Next to her was a tall blonde, with a brown jacket, black shorts, and brown boots. And finally, the girl that Crimson was staring so intently at: jet black hair, black vest, and black bow in her hair. The black haired girl sensed a presence and turned her head. Her smiling face turned grim when her eyes met Crimson's.

"That girl's got eyes for you, Crimson," Rebecca noticed. "What, is she your ex-girlfriend?" Crimson answered by glaring at his sister.

"Geez, I was just joking." said Rebecca, who lowered her head. Before Crimson reached the quartet, the chime of the school's PA system drew their attention.

"My I have your attention please," a female voice said over the loudspeaker. "All students please report to the auditorium."

The group of students made their way students towards the students took their seats. Rebecca and Orchid sat together towards the back. Diesel and Crimson, on the other hand, followed Blake and her friends and sat behind them. Crimson gently patted the red-caped girl on her head.

"Who- Oh my God!" Ruby shouted.

"Hi Ruby." Crimson smiled and waved.

"Hey Ruby, been awhile hasn't it?" said Diesel.

"Diesel! Crimson! What are you two doing here?!" Ruby asked excitedly.

"Ruby, do you know these two?" asked the girl in white, turning around.

"Of course I do, Weiss! These are my two closest friends from Signal!" said Ruby.

"Wow Ruby, I didn't know you had such a cute friend." The blonde-haired girl said as she looked over Crimson. His hair was cut short. His brown eyes gently glowed in the light behind his thick framed glasses. When he noticed Yang's gaze, Crimson's lips turned into a gentle smile.

"Ruby, shouldn't you introduce us to your 'friends?' Weiss rolled her eyes. She didn't seem to trust these two.

"Oh, Sorry. Yang, Blake, Weiss, this is Crimson and Diesel. Crimson, Diesel, this is my sister, Yang. I told you about her." Yang waved, but just at Crimson. "Next to her are my new friends, Weiss and..."

"Blake Belladonna." Crimson said nonchalantly.

"You know Blake?!" Ruby asked excitedly. Blake looked away at the mention of her name.

"Me and her have history. Let's just leave it at that," Crimson said darkly.

"Oh….Did you guys date?" asked Weiss.

"Hell no. My brother has higher standards than that.." Rebecca chided, making Blake grit her teeth.

"Rebecca, shut up." Crimson growled. "No, we did not date...not that I'd want to, anyway."

Diesel just looked at them, feeling the storm brewing between the three of them. He tries to calm everyone down. "Guys, stop it, you can settle your feud after the meeting."

"Wait a second…" Weiss interjected. she looked at Crimson and Rebecca closely. "You two look familiar…Are your parents Carmine and Catalina Blackwell?"

Yes, actually…" Crimson piped up.

"Oh my gosh, I do know you two! Your father and mine have a business agreement together." Weiss said. "

Rebecca nodded with a slight smirk. "Yeah, it's been what, ten, eleven years since we've last met?"

Just then, the room quiets as an older woman with blonde hair walks onto the stage. Her green eyes were covered by a pair of glasses. The only thing out of place was the riding crop she held her right hand.

" For those that don't know me, my name is Glynda Goodwitch. I am one of the teachers here at Beacon. I would like to welcome all of our second semester and long term students back. For our first semester and transfer students, I would like to congratulate you on being accepted into the most prestigious school for Hunters and Huntresses in the nation. Not only that, but you will have a chance to compete in the annual Vytal festival combat tournament. Before you can enter, we will have a review of the rules of the tournament. To that end, I need two volunteers."

"I got two for you." Crimson stood up and yelled. "Myself, and Blake Belladonna."

"Excuse me?!" Blake stood up, her amber eyes full of rage.

"Thank you, Mr…?" Miss Goodwitch struggled to match the student's face to a name.

"Blackwelll. Crimson Blackwell, ma'am." Crimson stood, clutching the bag he'd brought with him in his right hand.

"Right. Well, Mr. Blackwelll, do try to allow your classmates to volunteer themselves, next time." Miss Good Witch said, straightening her glasses. "Mrs. Belladonna, Mr. Blackwell, please go and prepare your respective weapons and then come to the stage."

Weiss took her team leader aside. "Ruby, shouldn't we stop her?"She said, nodding to Blake. Weiss was right to be concerned. While Blake didn't show it, her gaze was fixed intently on Crimson with murderous intent.

"Don't worry Weiss, they'll be fine." Ruby said, patting her friend on the back. Blake got up from her seat. "I'm not the one you should be worried about." At the same time, Diesel was trying to reason with Crimson.

"Umm, Crimson, I don't know what you're planning to do, but don't turn this friendly battle into a vendetta." Diesel said.

"No promises." Crimson quipped. His mind was already made up on how this battle would go.

"I'm worried about him. I've never seen him this angry before." said Rebecca to Diesel.

"Don't worry, I don't think Blake will give him too much trouble." said Diesel.

Yang laughed. "Don't be too sure about that. You don't know her like we do."

Diesel frowned. "I am curious, though, as to what is the problem those two have with each other. Whatever it is something that has been brewing between them for a long time. This isn't something that a little combat spar is gonna solve." thought Diesel.

After a few moments, the two combatants returned to the room. Blake's Gambol Shroud was secured to her back, while Crimson entered while wearing his Saffron Aero: a pair of white gauntlets, with three long blades running from each hand to just past his elbow. On the wall above them were two screens, each which displayed a green bar below their portrait.

"I hope Crimson can control his emotions." said Orchid

"My brother? Control?" Rebecca snorted. "He's a lit match in a room full of dust rounds."

"He's enough of a loose cannon as it is, and whatever the problem is he has with Blake, we may see him hit the breaking point."

"What is the problem between those two anyway?" asked Ruby

"Only he and Blake know Ruby; Crimson isn't one to reveal his personal problems to anyone. Even someone who's been as close to him as I have." said Diesel.

WIth Blake and Crimson on the platform, Miss Goodwitch explains the rules of the match. "Now that are participants are back, this would be a good time to explain the procedure. As you all know, the aura of your soul protects you from damage, but it is not an indefinite shield. The green bar below the fighters' pictures is the visual representation of how much damage has been absorbed by their aura. On my signal, the two will fight until one bar has dropped to the red. Whoever's bar reaches the red first, loses. Have I made my self clear?"

"Yes ma'am." Blake and Crimson said quickly.

"Okay then, get ready..." Miss Goodwitch said.

Saffron Aero whirred with mechanical clanking as the blades flipped down into position over his knuckles. Crimson took his stance, with right foot forward, his left hand up near his chin, and right hand extended out. Blake took position with Gambol Shroud in her right hand. For the second time that day, Blake and Crimson locked eyes.

"And…" Mrs. Goodwitch commanded. The tension between the two radiated throughout the auditorium. To the naked eye, it would seem that these two were readying for a battle to the death, not have a friendly exhibition match.

Miss Goodwitch raised her riding crop into the air, and the room went silent. Rebecca clasped her hands together and began mumbling a prayer for her brother's safety.

Diesel and Orchid looked on, while Weiss, Ruby and Yang quietly spoke to each other.

"I think we should stop this. This doesn't look like a competitive match…" said Ruby

"Blake will be fine." Yang waved her sister's worry away. "Besides, I don't think Crimson will really hurt Blake….will he?"

"If only you knew…" Muttered Rebecca

"And what is THAT supposed to mean?" asked Weiss, putting her hands on her hips.

"I don't like this either," said Diesel. "Crimson looks as if he's gonna rip Blake's head off."

"Brother, you have to stop them!" said Orchid

"I wish I could," said Diesel.

With a swipe of the crop, and a shout, the powder keg was finally lit. "BEGIN!"

Crimson and Blake clashed blades and stared at each other with killer intent They pushed against one another, before breaking apart. Once freed, Crimson stepped forward and let loose a fury of swipes, but all of them where blocked by Blake's sword.

Crimson's reckless strikes left him open, and Blake took full advantage. She separated blade from sheath and stabbed forward into Crimson's midsection. Pressing her advantage, Blake slammed the sheath of her weapon into his chest, then landed an uppercut on Crimson's chin.

Crimson fell back but instantly leaped forward with both claws forward, catching Blake off guard. With his forward momentum he rolled through, knocking Blake to the ground. As he rose, Crimson grabbed hold of Blake and lifted her up, then slammed her down hard. He then jumped on top and stabbed both claws into her chest, before pulling his claws out and swiping them across her body.

Blake cried out in pain, landed two hard punches square on his nose, then push-kicked Crimson away. Before Crimson could recover, Blake dashed forward, and put her speed to work. She used Gambol Shroud's sheath and katana itself in tandem, whirling them as if they were still one before her. Before Crimson could regroup, she jumped back, and switched Gambol Shroud into it's chain scythe mode.

"Blake isn't pulling any punches. She's taking this just as seriously as Crimson is, but smarter." said Diesel.

"What do you mean?" asked Yang.

"Look at her, it looks like she's barely broken a sweat against Crimson." said Diesel.

"He's right. Look at the aura bars. Blake's is still almost full while Crimson's is already yellow." said Weiss.

" Yeah, cause she's trying to wear Crimson out. The bad part about it is...it's working." said Diesel.

Crimson steadied himself and went back on the charge, but as he went forward Blake swung the scythe around and landed a hard strike into his left side, sending him into the wall. Crimson stumbled back to his feet just as Blake pulled Gambol Shroud back by the chain, then swung the scythe upward. The blunt end of it knocked Crimson off of his feet and into the air. She pulled the chain back one more time and let it fly. This time it wrapped around Crimson's right arm, and flung him into the floor.

"Alright you two, that's enough!" Miss Goodwitch yelled.

"I ain't finished yet!" Crimson roared, and pulled hard on the rope wrapped around his arm. He pulled Blake off balance and sprinted forward with a deafening cry. He drove Saffron Aero's blades straight towards her neck. Blake raised her sheath to block and the blow sent her flying back. However, she quickly gathered herself and whipped her chain to the side. The move pulled Crimson's left arm out straight and allowed her to rescue Gambol Shroud from his grip. She combined both sheath and scythe again, and sprinted forward aiming for Crimson's heart. Crimson smirked, side stepped her, and brought his right hand across his body…

"Ohhhh...shit…" Rebecca said, sensing what was coming.

"BITCH..." Crimson shouted as he backhanded Blake across the face. "PLEASE!" he raised his arm and faced his palm down, spiking Blake into the ground.

"Whoa..." Yang mumbled

"Is he trying to take her head off?! This has to stop, now!" Weiss said. She tried shaking Ruby's shoulder to get her to respond, but she was too stunned to move.

Crimson smirked. Blake laid face down on the ground, seemingly lifeless. "Worthless child." He scoffed, and turned to walk away. But as he did, Blake began to stir, and struggle back to her feet.

"Is that...all you can muster?" Blake smirked, despite panting hard. She raised her blade again, and Crimson did the same.

"Okay this has gone on far enough!" said Mrs. Goodwitch who blasted them both backwards with a spell.

The auditorium was in stunned silence, everyone's eyes fixed squarely on the bars representing each fighter's Aura. Both bars were dangerously in the red.

"This was supposed to be an exhibition! Not a fight to the death! I don't know what is wrong with the both of you, But i will not tolerate such blatant disregard." Mrs. Goodwitch's scolding was interrupted with the sound of a solitary round of applause from the back of the room. Everyone's heads turned on the person, who turned out to be none other than the school's headmaster, Ozpin.

"That was quite the exhibition, you two." Ozpin said appreciatively.

" Exhibition?! Two students nearly murdered each other!" Miss Goodwitch cried.

"That they did, yet they showed quite the bit of restraint in not doing so." Ozpin said as he descended the stairs towards the arena. The two fighters were still staring each other down, their breathing ragged, and sweat pouring off the both of them

"Miss Goodwitch, would you mind escorting Mr. Blackwelll and Mrs. Belladonna to my office?" Ozpin addressed her calmly. "I need to speak with them in private."

"Yes sir." Miss Goodwitch sighed.

"Oh, and confiscate their weapons. We don't want any incidents during their journey." said Ozpin. he then turned to the students watching before speaking again. "That concludes today's meeting, you all are free to do what you will for the remainder of the day.

Before leaving, Miss Goodwitch faced team RWBY and DRCO. "The rest of Team RWBY and Team DRCO are confined to their rooms until the meeting with your teammates has concluded."

"What did WE do?" Rebecca groaned

"Miss Blackwell, do not question me at this time. Now away with you all. You'll be able to return in time for dinner." Miss Goodwitch said sternly.

"Your brother is a reprobate " Weiss mumbled as she passed Rebecca.

"What the fuck did you say!?" Rebecca growled as she grabbed Weiss by the arm.

"You heard me," Weiss sniffed.

"Alright you two, enough. Let's just go to our rooms and calm down." Diesel ordered, pushing Rebecca and Weiss apart.

"Umm, Miss Goodwitch, where IS our room?" Orchid asked.

" Room 406." Miss Goodwitch replied before waving her riding crop at Blake and Crimson, making their weapons disappear.

"OOH! I think we're across the hall! We can show you where it is!" said Ruby

Yang looked back and saw Blake and Crimson being escorted to Ozpin's office.

Yang's eyes wandered over Crimson's body as they walked by. "I wonder if he's single…"

Weiss rolled her eyes. "Move it, Yang, before we get into even MORE trouble," said Weiss.

"Coming!" said Yang, giggling.

The students began filing out of the auditorium. The remaining team members of team RWBY and DRCO started to walk from the assembly hall towards the dormitories.

"So...Orchid…" Yang asked to break the silence. "You and your friends went to Signal with Ruby, huh?"

"Yeah.. I didn't have many classes with her though." Orchid said quietly. " Diesel and Crimson saw her more than I did." Orchid said quietly.

"Ah...So Diesel, what did you think of my little sister? She's cute, right?" Yang asked mischievously.

"Hey!" Ruby turned her head towards her sister with a disapproving glance.

"What?!" Yang giggled. "It's a fair question."

Diesel chuckled. "She's cute, but I have my eyes on someone else." He said.

"Ooooooh, do tell." Yang chided.

"Someone here at the school." Diesel said quickly.

"Well that narrows it down." Yang said sarcastically. Before Diesel could reply, Ruby stopped and spun around , holding her hands up above her head as they had reached the dorms.

"We're here!" Ruby said in a sing song voice.

The dormitory was one of several on the campus used to house the students of Beacon academy. They entered the large brick building, and ascended the stairs to the fourth floor. They walked down the hallway, and made the first left to enter the corridor where their rooms were.

Just as they approached the door for team RWBY, the door to across from it opened. A tall girl with a long red ponytail stuck her head out, with worry in her deep green eyes. "There you all are, is everything alright?!." said JNPR member Pyrrha.

"We're fine, Blake is a different story. ." Ruby sighed, shaking her head.

Where is Blake? Did she get hurt bad?" asked Pyrrha.

"No, she looked fine considering. But her and Crimson got called to the principal's office." Said Yang.

"Wait...why?!" asked Pyrrha.

Weiss spoke up. "Because THEIR friend -" she jabbed a finger at the remainder of Team DRCO, "showed up and decided to turn a simple Aura demonstration into a Death Match!"

"Hey! TAKE THAT BACK!" Rebecca snapped, while Orchid moved in to hold her back. Diesel actually nodded his head; it was kind of true, after all.

"I will NOT take it back! They just got here, and have already made a big mess of things!" said Weiss. She stalked into Team RWBY's bedroom and slammed the door behind her.

"Um, should we go...calm her down?" Ruby asked her sister.

"Yeah, we should before she destroys our room with her anger." Yang said and turned to enter their room.

"We'll talk to you guys later." Ruby waved to her friends before entering her team's room.

"So." Orchid said awkwardly. "Who else is hungry?" said Orchid.

"There should be some snacks in the room," Diesel assured his sister. "Let's hope that the meeting goes by fast enough." He took out his keys to open the dorm room door.

"I made extra pancakes if she wants some,"a male voice called from inside team JNPR's room.

"Ren! I didn't know you were listening," said Pyrrha.

A black haired boy with a pink streak in his hair came out the room. "Do we have new people?"

"Yes," said Pyrrha. "Where's Nora and Jaune? I want them to meet the new students."

Ren sighed. "Jaune is resting and Nora is taking a shower, singing 'I'm Queen of the Castle' at the top of her lungs."

"Well since, you're the only one here, Ren these are the new transfer students."

Orchid jumped forward. "Hello I'm Orchid Artorias, and this is my brother Diesel!"

Ren bowed. "Nice to meet you two."

"Oooohhh...new friends!" said a high female voice. A orange-haired girl walked out in white pajamas and pink slippers.

"Ahh...Nora, perfect timing. These are the new transfer students." said Pyrrha.

"Yes, I know, I heard their names from behind the door." Nora turned to Ren. "By the way, we need more syrup."

"You drank it all didn't you?" Ren shook his head and sighed. "Again."

"Well you KNOW I have a sweet tooth!" Nora giggled.

"I'm locking down the syrup from now on.." said Ren, facepalming.

"So, what's your name?" Nora said as she approached Rebecca.

"Fuck off, I'm not in the mood." said snatched the room key from Diesel and went into their room, slamming the door as behind her.

"Nice to meet you Fuck Off!" Nora called after her, waving. "My name's Nora Valkyrie!"

"Nora, that's not really her name." said Pyrrha, sighing.

"It's not? Then how about Jack Off?" said Nora

"NORA!" said Pyrrha and Ren

"I'm kidding." said Nora, holding up her hands.

"Her name is Rebecca," said Diesel. "Please forgive her, she's a bit on edge because her brother Crimson and Blake turned a little aura demonstration into an all out war."

"WAIT WHAT?!" said Nora, and Ren

"Can you guys keep it down?" A yawning blonde-haired boy appeared in the doorway this time.

"Apologies, Jaune, we didn't mean to wake you." said Pyrrha.

"Who are those guys?" Jaune motioned to the new students in the hall.

"Hello, I'm Diesel," Diesel introduced, " and this is my sister Orchid, our partner Rebecca is in the room." said Diesel

"Hello!" Orchid said, smiling gently.

Jaune blushed at the girls' smile. "Well it's, um, nice to meet. You all, I mean. It's nice. To meet you all." Jaune stammered before yawning again.

As Team JNPR and Team DRCO were getting acquainted with each other, Miss Goodwitch entered the hallway, four scrolls in hand. She had just come from delivering Blake and Crimson to Ozpin's office. She cleared her throat before speaking.

"Team DRCO, I'm pleased you have made it to your rooms and are meeting some of your fellow students, but I believe I instructed you to go straight to your rooms."

W-we're sorry Mrs. Goodwitch. We were just making friends." Orchid stammered.

Miss Goodwitch nodded her head."If you all wish to continue this conversation, you may do so via your new scrolls. Make sure Crimson gets his when he returns from the meeting with Professor Ozpin." Miss Goodwitch handed Diesel the scrolls, small semi-transparent rectangles that had buttons to access the communications network and Aura stats. He passed one to his sister, keeping two in his hand.

Just to be clear." Miss Goodwitch continued, "None of you are in trouble." Jaune could be seen breathing a visible sigh of relief. "Because of the seemingly personal nature of Mr. Blackwelll and Mrs. Belladonna's altercation, it was in the best interest of the school to put both teams under lockdown. I am asking all of you, including Team JNPR to keep this under wraps." Her bright green eyes glinted behind her glasses. "Am I understood?" said Goodwitch.

"Yes Ma'am," they all replied. No one even thought about arguing.

"Good. You will be allowed to go down to the cafeteria shortly, once the rest of the student body has finished. In the meantime, I expect all of you to stay in your rooms until I contact you." Goodwitch said and then left.

"It was nice meeting you all," Ren said politely and headed into the room.

"Well, Juane, I guess we can take this time to study. You've been falling behind in Ooblecks class." said Pyrrha

"Ok, fine." said Juane, sounding not too happy about it.

With introductions over, the three teams entered their rooms and continued to talk in private.

End Chapter