Chapter 1: Drop out, Losses, & Goodbyes

Before Gris's adventures with RWBY, he was a student on his last years in Signal academy. On the day he graduated and before his parents' deaths he is ready to apply to Beacon and spending his last moments at Signal with his best friend at school before the exams. "I can't believe you made it so fast through this school, Gris," Matt said to him with a smile, Matt is only 2 school years behind him, but they're both roughly the same age and Gris' best friend and next door neighbor.

"Yeah," Gris said grinning back, "I can't wait to show my dad how far I've gotten so fast."

"I'm sure he'll be proud," Matt said patting his shoulder.

On the intercom, someone called his name for the last combat exam so Gris ran to the training center after putting on his combat gear and lifted his hood over his head. He got ready as the test went underway, testing his reflexes, accuracy, and overall skill. Of course, he passed with flying colors with little to no problem. After he was dismissed, he was suddenly met by the principal. Gris gulped as he saw the grim look on his face, "U-um something wrong, sir?" The principal looked at him and gestured for him to follow.

Gris could sense that something is not right about this as they walked into the principal's office. The old man sat down in his seat and looked at Gris with a stern look, "Gris Nuages, I see you've passed the exam, right?"

Gris nodded, keeping an obedient silence.

"I read from your file that you've skipped so many years due to pure skill and intellect," He continued, "I refuse to believe it, you may have skills to show but I can't allow one so young to graduate without official permission."

"S-sir," Gris said hesitantly but was silenced by a wave of the hand.

"I'm sorry but I'll have to hold you back," Said the old man.

There was silence as the principal waited expecting a reaction and eventually Gris said, "You won't hold me back, sir. I'm sorry too because now, I won't come to this school ever."

"Are you saying you drop out," The man said with shock, "Are you serious, young man!? You have the potential but I won't let you graduate early."

"I'm serious," Gris said immediately, "I wish to advance but since you won't let me, I'll drop out." With that, Gris simply bowed and walked out the door. Matt was outside listening in and said, "I heard everything, Gris."

"You gonna try and stop me," Gris said in a joking tone.

"Well whatever's your choice, bro," Matt said, "I won't stop you, but your dad will be a little disappointed." Gris nodded as Matt saw him out of the school ignoring the whispers from the other students.

Gris walked back home alone all the way to his house near the outskirts of the city. Near his house, he saw something strange a large, Deathstalker and some Beowolves attacking someone he knew is his father since he knew his dad uses a long sword that can change into a rifle. Gris ran to the battle and is about to draw his weapons as his father spotted him. "Get back, son," his father shouted, "You can't fight this, and you must run!"

"No! I wanna help, you can't take it alone," Gris persistently said.

His father tackled him out of the way as the Deathstalker spotted him, "I won't let my own son die. Graduated or not you're still my son and I want you safe."

"But-"

"No 'buts' Gris, just get out of here," His father said to him as he shoved him away from the battle, "I'll hold them off, this is my fight," he hesitated, "Your mother's dead and I'll fight these creatures alone with my last breath. Now...go."

Gris was shocked by hearing about his mother but obeyed his dad with tears in his eyes as he ran away. He turned back just in time to see his father get torn apart. He'll never forget seeing it all as he kept running.

Eventually, he ended up at Kala's family store where Kala saw him run in. "Gris? What's wrong," Kala ran up to him. It took a full 30 minutes for him to explain through sobbing gasps and tears and the news shocked Kala as well. The two hugged each other as they both cried. The most of the week after was filled with mourning and his parents' funeral. The next week had Kala trying her best to get Gris back on his feet. Matt heard the news as well and visited regularly since Gris stayed at Kala's place for a while. All the while, Gris felt nothing as though his heart has been ripped out, but eventually, his emotional condition improved after 3 weeks worth of consoling. Even so, he wont go back to Signal and left Kala's home as he decided to go rouge. Gris wandered the city and even entered the forests for training. Sightings of him within the city had him become the Ghost that stalks the streets as a sort of vigilante before he was finally found out by Beacon.

Before he left for Beacon, he, Matt and Kala saw each other at the station for one last farewell before leaving Vale. "Well," Matt said, "I guess this is it, huh?"

"Yeah," Gris said with a sad smile, "You'll visit, right?"

"If I'm not busy," Said Kala as she smiled.

"I'll visit but make sure you write us up while you're there," Matt told him.

"I'll remember that and goodbye," Gris said as he began to walk onto the transport.

"Hey," Matt called out to him, which made Gris turn toward him as Matt continued, "Go get 'em, we'll be rooting for you from here. So will your parents from up there."

Gris smiled and waved at them as the doors closed after he got on. The transport took off along with 2 Bulkheads escorting it. Both Matt and Kala waved at the ship until it faded from view. "Hopefully," Matt said, "He'll be in a good team there. If they find out about him being a Faunus, let's hope they'll still accept him." Kala nodded as they left the station.