A/N: Welcome to my very first RWBY fan fiction!
So first I want to say that this story will feature an original team, Team WOLF and like most characters in the RWBY franchise, the characters are based off people and characters from outside sources. I want to break those down and say that there are things that are mentioned and written about that are meant as references.
Wyatt is based off of Old Western gunslingers, but mostly off of Firefly's Malcolm Reynolds.
Orion is based off of, well, Orion. He's taking inspiration from all ancient hunters and the dry wit of Wash from Firefly.
Leah is based off of the Maori Warrior's and the Haka chants.
Fang is based off of Bruce Lee, and Firefly's River Tam.
I do appreciate reviews and constructive criticism. Thank you and enjoy!
Team WOLF
"Are you sure you want to send a first year team with them?" Glynda asked.
"Well look at the facts, team RWBY has knowledge and insight right now that Mr. James needs, and it may be a chance to circumvent a portion of the plans against us," Ozpin answered with a sip of his coffee. "Besides at worst we rid ourselves of a Grimm infestation."
"I'll alert the teams and get an airship ready," Glynda said with a bow.
"I'd also put Mr. James on alert," Ozpin warned. Glynda nodded and made her exit. Ozpin turned in his chair and watched the billowing forest underneath him with a sigh.
XXX
"We're going on a mission! We're going on a mission!" Ruby happily chanted as they packed their bags and weapons.
"More importantly, we're going with a third-year team!" Weiss said. "Can you imagine what we'll be able to learn from them?"
"And their team has a Faunus!" Blake said happily. The others were quiet. "What? I wanted someone else to talk to." She shrugged and resumed packing.
"Do you know what team it is Ruby?" Yang asked. Ruby who hadn't finished her happy skipping remembered and decided to more happy skipping.
"We're going with Team WOLF!" She squealed and kept jumping. But the others were silent. "You guys don't know who Team WOLF is?" She asked.
"I was under the impression we were going with Team GOLD, or Team DEAR." Weiss said.
"Nope! It's Team WOLF!" Ruby kept up her happy dance. "They are one of the coolest teams ever! Their team leader Wyatt has the schools record for the fastest target run and the quick draw contest! And their tracker Orion actually hunts for himself and his food!"
"Sounds like a fun team," Yang said as she slung her bag on her shoulders. "You girls comin' or what?" They quickly finished packing and were out the door after her.
"So, Ruby what are we doing with them?" Blake asked.
"Professor Ozpin told us we're chasing down an Ursa pack that's getting too close to the city."
"And we're shadowing a third year team because?"
Ruby shrugged. In truth Ruby knew exactly what they were doing.
XXX
"Ah, Ruby, right on time." Ozpin greeted her as she skipped in. Ozpin could never understand how she seemed so innocent. It truly belied her surroundings and wishes. He was almost envious.
"Yes sir," Ruby said with a salute.
"This is Wyatt James of Team WOLF." Ozpin stood as the older man looked at her. Early 20's for sure and well above 6', Ruby had to look up to him. Not by much, but enough. His blue jeans were the only bit of color besides gray he wore. His poncho actually covered most of him. It looked uncomfortable to fight in. Ruby could also see the revolvers holstered at his side. She'd spent hours watching videos of him drawing those pistols in the various contests he was in. He slipped his hat off and gave a short bow jerking her out of her stupor.
"It's an honor, Madam. I've heard a lot about you. Shame we've never met before." He had a thick accent. Ruby knew it as the accents she'd heard in the deserts of Atlas. The people there always spoke with one, but his was more toned down probably from his time at Beacon. Ruby wanted to respond but she had a hard time.
"CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH?!" She asked suddenly, furiously digging around her pockets for a small notepad. Wyatt chuckled a bit and obliged.
"I see what you mean, Professor." He said quietly.
"Now your two teams are going to embark on a mission in which both of you have personal ties." Ozpin pulled up a picture, Ruby instantly identified it as did Wyatt only he with a growl.
"What has Roman done now?" Wyatt asked.
"We believe there is a compound hidden somewhere within the forests of Southern Vale, and it's affecting the Grimm there."
"With all due respect professor, this doesn't explain why my team is needed. I could very easily send Orion with them," Wyatt confirmed.
"Because someone positively identified this man as being seen with them." Professor Ozpin held out a file toward him and Wyatt's face paled.
"You're sure?"
"Twice over."
"When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow, at noon."
"Seems like half my life has revolved around high noon," he said as he left. Ruby also gave a bow and left. "Ruby, if you don't mind I'd like to make a request."
XXX
"Well we're here, where are they?" Yang asked. She slipped her sunglasses off and made a quick scan over her surroundings.
"Well we are early." Weiss confirmed with her pocket watch. Ruby, still mindful of Wyatt's request, kept silent until Blake heard something.
"Duck!" She pushed Yang out of the way in time just as Ruby and Weiss dove away. A large row of ice spikes grew from where they were standing and Blake saw an arrow flying for her head just as she stood up. After a clean slice she saw a leaping figure with more arrows aimed her way.
Weiss went to help but she had to protect herself as a falling person garnered her interest. A protective glyph later and she saw the woman charging her slam down on top of it with her weapon. Weiss' glyph held up, but barely. She pushed away and knocked the woman back but she came back a second later with an even heavier strike.
Yang had her hands full with a lithe woman charging her with her bare hands. Yang couldn't even hit her, she blocked every strike and hit just as hard as Yang was hitting her. Yang charged for a punch and even though she connected, the woman kicked her just as hard. Team RWBY sat panting for a moment as the others girded for another attack.
"Hold!" A voice called out. The others looked back and disengaged. The woman in front of Yang bowed and returned a big smile as she strode over to the man walking towards them. The man simply started clapping. "Well done!" He said with a chuckle. "I am genuinely astonished, and impressed."
"Well it wasn't that good, Wyatt." The archer said.
"You didn't get to watch Orion." He turned to Ruby and took his hat off. "Thank you for your cooperation Ruby." He looked over and nudged the archer who still had a baseball cap on.
"What?" He asked. Wyatt pointed at his hat and Orion sighed. "None of them care!" He muttered after he took off his hat.
"Wait Ruby you knew about this?" Weiss asked.
"What, Wyatt asked me not to tell you, besides I can definitely say you all looked great!" Ruby said with excitement.
"Apologies for the sudden outburst, but I wanted an up close look of what we'd be working with. And I'd say it was a success." He put his hat back on and extended his hands to the young women. "My name is Wyatt James, it's a pleasure to meet you all."
"Wait, Wyatt James, the son of Earl James?" Weiss asked. She noticed too late the younger woman trying to silence her. Wyatt grimaced but kept his smile.
"Yes, you must be Madam Schnee, the Schnee corporation was always a big favorite of my father." The two stared at each other with the younger woman still trying to get Weiss to shut up.
"It's is quite brave of you to be here."
"Yes it is," Wyatt said with smirk.
"And you have no fear of what could happen?"
"What's life without a little risk?"
"For you? Much safer."
"Well good thing Earl's got no say from his new home." He turned then to Blake then eyed her bow expectantly. "And you must be Madam Belladonna." She nodded and shook his hand. "And you are?" He turned to Yang with the same hand, but she grabbed it in a death grip.
"Yang Xiao Long, Ruby's older sister and puncher extraordinaire." Wyatt pulled back his hand and shook it vigorously.
"I'll remember that. Ow." He took a step back and introduced the rest of his team. "This is Orion Artis, our team's hunter and tracker." Orion took a step forward and nodded in their directions before walking back. His black baseball cap didn't do a good job of his messy brown hair, it looked like he cut it himself, and after what Ruby told them it could be the truth. The rest of his attire had definitely seen better days, but it was at least clean. His armor was light and was handmade, and his bow hung proudly on his back collapsed inside his quiver.
"This is Leah Whiti, our team's warrior." She took a salute on her chest and stood back. She wore what looked like hide armor and the club on her back and that was it. Her hair was braided tightly in one single braid, and the paint and tattoos shone on her dark skin. She stood a little shorter than Orion, but was twice his width. Weiss clearly understood why her glyph nearly shattered.
"And this is Fang, my little sister." He ruffled her hair and she squirmed to escape it. "She's a master in hand-to-hand." Wyatt said proudly while placing an elbow on her head. She glared and gave a quick strike to his ribs. "And apparently I'll never learn," he muttered. She had probably the wildest hair they'd ever seen. Brightly colored with a slew of different colors, but the red and green shone out the most. She didn't braid it or put it up, she let it flow out freely. She wore sleeveless robes and had odd designs on her arms but the smile on her face reminded them of their fearless leader, only Fang had a large pair of fangs. "She doesn't speak much Common unfortunately."
Blake was excited about meeting a new Faunus but something didn't sit right with her, as the others mingled she pulled Wyatt aside.
"Is Fang a Faunus?" she asked.
"Yes she is, and before you ask, yes, she knows. But there's something here that you need to know." He pulled out a few papers, old by the looks. "By all these accounts Fang is a Draconus."
"That's impossible, Draconus have been extinct for centuries."
"That's what I thought until I looked at the facts, when she uses her semblance or her weapon, her hair adds more colors. That's why we taught her martial arts, so that we could understand what she is before something bad happened to her. I have a special assignment for you. Just keep an eye on her, I'll be giving her full use of her sword for the mission. If something happens, please do your best to work with it and see what you can find out."
"Okay." Blake nodded and rejoined the crowd. She did a double take when Yang and Wyatt smiled at each other but he quickly moved past her to talk to Orion.
"Alright, now that we're all caught up, let's get on board and get this mission started!" Ruby shouted gleefully. The airship took off and soon the two teams were deep in their intelligence.
"So Ruby and I met with Professor Ozpin yesterday morning," Wyatt began. "Team RWBY was chosen because of past experience with this man." Wyatt threw a few images from his scroll onto the board and their stomachs churned. "Roman Torchwick has once again proven his lack of intelligence by not only building and using a base deep in the Southern Forests, he has also agitated Grimm to the point of aggressive conflict." He sat back down in front of the others. "Now my question is what would he be doing out here in the first place?"
"We know he has connections with the White Fang, leading them and using them for his goals," Blake answered. "He also has experience rousing the Grimm for various purposes, such as the attack in Mid-city."
"That could explain the Grimm situation," Orion muttered. "But then why would he purposely agitate them?"
"Potentially for the same reasons he did the last time. Relentless assaults on Vale and the surrounding Kingdoms," Weiss answered.
"But that doesn't explain the base." Leah rubbed the back of her neck and toyed with the braid on the hilt of her club. Wyatt stood up and moved around the group.
"At any case, we'll get more intel when we actually get down there. First I want to set up some ground rules. Number one: I don't want Orion or Blake taking any rounds of watch at night, these two are the ones that will be tracking and I want their minds sharp, the rest of us can handle it. Are we all agreed?"
They all nodded.
"Good number two: Ruby and I have agreed that should we encounter Torchwick at any time, you will all take orders from your respective team leaders, otherwise as the senior team I will be leading us through the mission. Clear?"
Another round of nods.
"Are there any more questions?" Weiss raised her hand.
"If we encounter Grimm during the trek who will take care of them."
"Split up, don't expend too much energy on one Grimm, work together to take them down," Wyatt answered. "Anyone else?" They shook their heads. "Good, now our ETA is 20 minutes. Take the time to get to know each other and specifically your abilities. Fang, I'll need to talk to you for a minute." Fang nodded and skipped over to meet with Orion. Blake took her chance to watch him hand her a Chinese broadsword. It was beautifully carved with nine rings across the spine of the blade and a long flowing scarf attached to the hilt. Soon after Fang returned with a skip and smile. She was reminiscent of Ruby when Blake first met her.
"So Leah? Is that your real name?" Weiss asked.
"Yes, why do you ask?" She had a chill in her tone that unnerved Weiss.
"It's just I had a friend named Leah, and I had wondered if it was just a coincidence."
"Well actually her real name is a twenty syllable long amalgamation of letters, but we shortened it to Leah when she joined up because it's easier to say in the heat of missions," Orion interrupted. Leah glared at him and Orion shut up.
"Well what is your real name? I'm sure I could pronounce it," Weiss said confidently.
"Lea'han'khalad'ashanta'kahdal," she said quickly. Weiss blinked a few times and tried to repeat it with no success. "Just say Leah, it's shorter." She said.
"I will learn it, I promise." Weiss tried to make it better.
"Thank you." Leah said. Weiss could swear she almost cracked a smile.
"That's an interesting weapon, what is it?" Ruby asked. Leah spun it in her hands for a moment before slamming the top down.
"It is my battle club, an heirloom of our clan." It stood about five feet long, and was carved with immense detail. Along the edges of the club were rows of what looked like sharpened teeth, serrated and ready for war. "In truth it was not supposed to go to me, my older brother was set to take the club."
"I'm sorry." Ruby tried hard to change the subject. "Where did you get the armor?" The team fully absorbed what her armor really looked like. Tanned black hide covered the majority of her chest and legs, small armbands with talons covered parts of her arms, and long black feathers stuck in her braid.
"From Grimm I have killed." Her blunt answer shocked the other team, and Orion couldn't help chuckle when they did. "The fur and leather are from Ursa, the talons and feathers are from Nevermore, and the teeth on the edges of my club are from Beowolves." Orion kept laughing at the shocked expressions of the other team.
"I'm sorry," he said nearly in tears. "But their horrified faces!" Leah just clocked him on the back of the head. "OW!"
"Behave." Leah told him.
"Is it true you hunt for yourself Orion?" Blake asked trying to change the subject again. He rubbed the back of his head as he shot a nasty glare to Leah.
"Yes. But not for food, like Leah I use parts of Grimm to make my arrows." He pulled a few out of his quiver. "Deathstalker spines make really good shafts for the arrows, they're really solid and able to take the punishment, Nevermore feathers make for great fletcher materials, and I use Beowolf teeth for the arrow heads."
"Cool." Ruby said straining to keep herself calm.
"Are we like famous to you or something?" Wyatt finally asked.
"Don't mind her she's wanted to be a huntress since she could say the word, and that's not an exaggeration." Yang said with a smirk. "So she's just a huntin' for punishment!" She cracked her grin and did her thumbs up. "Eh? Eh?" The others just groaned except Wyatt who cackled with laughter.
"Oh no, there are two of them." Leah said with her hands across her face.
"Two what?" Weiss asked.
"Two people that think puns are funny."
"What they are!" Wyatt and Yang defended.
"So Fang, who did your hair?" Weiss asked loudly to move the subject away. She opened her mouth to speak but paused and strained.
"It is," she said. She was still thinking. "Natural?" she said almost asking if it was the right word. She looked to Wyatt who gave her the thumbs up and she was visibly pleased.
"Really?" Weiss asked. Fang just nodded. "Does she speak any more Common?"
"No, she doesn't really speak that much to begin with." Wyatt ruffled her hair again and she stuck her tongue out. "But she's proven herself as a fighter, I couldn't be prouder."
"So were you accepted to Beacon early too?" Ruby asked.
"Actually I was accepted late, I joined when I was 21 instead of applying at 19. Hence why my little sister is on my team." Wyatt looked out the window and cracked a smile. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived." They collectively looked out upon a vast and dense forest. Orion looked at it like it was home.
XXX
"He escaped again!" the voice called out. Orion kept running, he had an advantage when he was going through the forest. By the time he finally reached his home he was grabbed and pushed against a tree.
"Let me go!" he commanded, kicking the mans shins. "I have to go home!"
"We will take you home, but you can't keep running back into the woods, it's not safe!" the man pleaded. Orion managed to get away and kept running until he was tackled.
"Get off me!" He struggled again until tears formed.
"Get off of him." A woman's voice rang through and the man was off him. Orion took his chance and began to run again until she stepped in front of him. She had to be at least 30, a teacher maybe.
She had reading glasses, and her attire matched the part. But what gave her away was the chalk on one of her buttons.
"You're from Signal aren't you?" Orion asked.
"Yes. I am Glynda Goodwitch, and you must be Mr. Artis." She said. "Why do you keep running away?"
"I only ran to the city to tell them my sister got sick, but when she died they tried to take me away!"
"Who did?"
"These guys." He pointed to the men who had been pursuing him.
"Why do you keep coming back out here?"
"Cause it's my home."
"Well, can you take me there?" she asked.
"You'll just drag me back," Orion said.
"I won't unless I feel I have to." Glynda said. "So if you can show me, I might not have to take you back." Orion contemplated before he stood back up and started to lead her.
"Are you sure this is a good idea ma'am?" one man asked.
"If it stops you idiots from tackling a 12 year old then yes," she said with a firm tone. Orion couldn't help but laugh a bit.
Glynda had seen a lot in her life, from the huntsmen she trained, to the monsters she had to fight. But she was still shocked with what she saw. The house this young boy had built himself was hidden deep in the heavy forests. High up in the trees and stashed away enough to stay hidden.
"Before we go up I need to do something." Orion took the flowers from his backpack and knelt down to the three large stones in the ground. "Hi mom, hi dad, hi Thena." Glynda felt her stomach tighten at what the boy was doing. "Sorry I'm late, I just got out again. There's a nice woman here, she says she might be able to help." Glynda again felt sick to her stomach watching this poor boy. "Well you ready to go up?" He pulled the rope down and climbed up with incredible speed. Glynda used her abilities to fly up and see his home. "I didn't build all of it, but I've made as many adjustments as I've needed too."
"Thena was your sister wasn't she?" Glynda asked after a moment of silence.
"Yeah, that's the only reason I came to the city, I thought I could help."
"You did the right thing." Glynda struggled with the thoughts of tearing him away from here. But this part of the forest was full of Grimm, and she wasn't sure she trusted his ability to survive.
"Wait!" Orion said. He paused for a moment and then hurriedly grabbed his quiver. She watched the bow emerge and ready an arrow for him as he took aim down the path. Glynda watched as four Beowolves came down the path, sniffing along the ground hungrily. Orion had a full draw and waited until one had just raised it's head.
Glynda wanted to stop the boy but he'd already killed one before she had even registered the thought. He drew another arrow and when one gave a howl he killed it as well. The other two charged the trees but Orion was ready as his bow turned into two small hand axes. He dove from the tree and fell on one of them hard enough to decapitate it. The other one fell in a similar fashion. He panted for a moment before taking out his knife and harvesting the teeth from the two he'd killed by the trees. He also retrieved the two arrows from the other Beowolves he'd killed and began to carve the teeth into arrow heads.
"Where did you learn to do this?"
"Thena taught me to hunt and to harvest what I needed. I have meat stored away in one of the rooms for later and as many pelts as I need to make new clothes and blankets."
"Did she teach you to use the bow you have?" Glynda asked.
"Well I had a wooden one for a while. This used to be hers."
"What happened to her?"
"She got scratched by a Nevermore, then she got really sick."
"Is that what happened to your mother and father?"
"No Thena never told me what happened to them. She said I'd know when I was ready." They were silent for a bit longer.
"You said you knew about Signal academy?"
"I don't want to go," he said bluntly.
"Why not?"
"I belong here with Thena."
"Thena would have wanted what was best for you, we can teach you to better your already great talents," she said. He stayed silent as he kept carving the teeth. "I can't say for sure what she wanted, but I know that we can help you if you want."
"As long as I can visit, and keep their graves clean and away from scavengers."
"I can arrange that."
"I'll pack up tomorrow morning and be back in town, will you be there?"
"Absolutely," she said. "Are you ready to become a huntsmen?"
XXX
"Orion?" Ruby asked again. He snapped out of his daze and looked back at her and the others moving the gear out of the ship.
"Hmm?" he asked as he shook his head.
"I asked why you wanted to become a huntsmen, but if you don't want to say you don't have to."
"No it's okay. I spent so long fighting for my own survival that when I realized I could fight for others' survival I took the chance. It's what my older sister did for me."
"That cool!" Ruby said. Orion smirked as he packed up his belongings.
"I thought so."
XXX
Thank you so much for reading the first chapter of Team WOLF, I do appreciate Reviews and thanks again for reading it, and I'll see you next time!
