NNWY

by Angelou Lloron

A crackpot RWBY AU fanfic.

Through a haphazard series of events, fate has brought a psychopathic ice cream, a fiery brawler, a world-renowned fighter and an heiress together | Angelou Llorón

NNWY: A RWBY Retelling

Author's Precautionary Note

So, obviously as far as fanfic goes, this is on the crazier, crack pot fan theory filled side of things, so I'd be glad if you could bear with me.

I plan to go as far as the canon if I can, just in my own way

Neo's personality is based on her closeness with Roman. Though I doubt Neo is Roman's daughter, I do think that Roman is some kind of father figure to her, and so a lot of her actions are defined by her relationship with Roman.

Blake stays with Ilia and Adam (Reasons to be revealed later. Mwahaha)

Yang is a Dragon faunus. Now yes, this is bullshit, but I need this because Blake stays in the White Fang. Besides, if (spoiler warning) Ruby can basically have the eye of a god, I'm sure yang being a dragon faunus isn't too much of a stretch

Iridum Trailer

"Everyone has something they hold dear, something they never want to lose. That's why they pretend. That's why they hide the truth and that's why they lie."

"C'mon Neo, let's get this over and done with." Roman called for me, taking my attention away from the ice cream store.

I pointed to the store.

"Dust first, then you can do what you want."

I nodded, handing him my umbrella.

I slipped into a disguise with my semblance and skipped into the Dust 'Til Dawn. Advantage of being so young is that it's easy to get away with murder.

I went to the back for a magazine to read while scanned for cameras. There was a girl my age in a black long-sleeved dress, a red hood, and headphones on reading a weapons magazine, so I grabbed the same one.

The girl seemed to take note, removing her headphones and taking off her hood. Silver eyes… weird.

"You're into weapons too?" She asked.

I smiled and nodded.

"OH MY GOSH! THANK YOU! My sister always calls me a nerd for liking weapons but they're just so cool, how could anyone not love them?" She talks too much.

I smiled and nodded politely, occasionally using my scroll to communicate any thoughts. As she rambled on about her scythe and flaming swords, I casually stole glances around the store to find any cameras.

None.

Score!

I interrupted her, indicating to her that I had to leave.

"It was nice meeting you. I'm Ruby."

I'm Morgan. I typed onto my scroll.

"Morgan? That's a cool name."

It's short for morganite, like the gem.

"That's awesome! Obviously, I'm name after rubies."

*inserts sarcastic tone* REALLY? I would've NEVER guessed!

"Oh shush! Alright, bye Morgan!"

Bye Ruby.

The girl put her headphones back on and went back to reading the magazine.

I walked out and into the alleyway next the store.

"And?" He asked, handing me back my umbrella.

I crossed my arms, signalling that there were none.

"Well then, boys," He looked back to the goons behind him smirked. "Let's go in."

He started walking, when I stopped him, pointing to his cane, Melodic Cudgel.

"You wanna switch for today?"

I nodded.

"Fine, I'll play the criminal Mary Robins." He grinned, handing me his cane and held my umbrella firmly. He to the looked the goons who seemed confused. "What are you looking at? Get on with it." He shooed them, quickly giving me a wink before following after them. I took off the disguise and started playing with Melodic Cudgel as I walked behind everyone.

The robbery was going routinely until one of the goons crashed into the wall. The cause? That Ruby girl. she dropkicked another goon out the window before drawing her scythe gun.

How'd I miss that? She even talked about it!

Before I knew it, she had thrashed the rest of goons and it was just Roman and I facing her down.

She looked at me funny for a bit, before Roman interrupted her thoughts.

"Well, Red. As much fun as this was, unfortunately this is where we part ways. Neo." I smirked and bowed courteously, before firing a white flare from Melodic Cudgel. She launched herself into the air with her scythe gun's recoil and launched herself into my tangible illusion. Hehe, sucker.

Roman and I got into the roof of the closest buildings and waited for Cinder to pick us up.

"Hey!" Ruby called behind us.

"Persistent." He took a fire dust crystal that he had taken from himself and threw it as her, prompting me to first at it. The explosion, however, was block by a blonde huntress with a riding crop dressed like a stereotypical teacher. Cinder came to our rescues and we managed to board the airship while the smoke from the explosion cleared, but the huntress summoned several streaks of purple to strike our airship. Roman and I stumbled into the cockpit.

"We've got a huntress." Roman shouted.

Cinder swapped positions with him and proceeds to the back, dragging me with her.

"Make yourself useful!" She ordered.

The Huntress created a circular storm cloud out of a glyph above the Bullhead and, with a flick of her crop, hailed down ice shards onto the ship. Cinder and I got to the airship's doorway, and Cinder created a flame on her hand and causing the elaborate designs on the arms and chest of her dress to glow. She fired a burst of fire at the huntress, supported by a few red flares from Melodic Cudgel. The Huntress blocked, but the flames splattered behind her as a liquid and exploded as Cinder raised her hand. The huntress backflipped out of the explosion and, through a series of hand gestures, gathered the shards of broken material to create a large arrow and launches it at use.

Cinder disrupted the arrow with several fiery blasts, but it reformed, into four tendrils, two strike for the airship itself, throwing me off balance, and the other two for us. Cinder avoided the debris, but I got yanked out the airship, crashing next to Ruby. The red hood held me down with her scythe and stepped her arms, so I changed into the 'Morgan disguise' to throw her off.

"Morgan?" Her ever so brief recoil let me lift her off of me and grab Melodic Cudgel and fire at the Huntress' back. Letting Roman and Cinder get away.

"Hello, young lady." I was greeting by a bespectacled old man wearing different shades of green in the interrogation room.

I lazily saluted.

"Quite the colour scheme choice." He smiled, earning him a quick colour show as I changed my eye colours, before resting on brown and brown.

"So, what drives an ice-cream like yourself to work with a criminal like Roman Torchwick."

I shrugged. Does he really think I'd rat out Roman?

"Just on a whim?"

I thought about my answer, before simply nodding.

"Any how has the criminal lifestyle treated you thus far?"

I motioned to the room.

"Then why continue?"

I shrugged again.

"What is your connection with Roman Torchwick?"

I shrugged a third time, getting a sighed out of the old man.

"What would you say if I could give you a clean slate?"

Ï motioned for him to elaborate.

"Do you know who I am?"

Shook my head.

"I am Professor Ozpin, the headmaster of Beacon Academy,"

Crap. I bit my lip.

"What would you say if I let you come to my school, under heavy supervision of course, and have you pardoned of any previous affiliations with Roman Torchwick."

I motioned for something to write with. He took out his scroll and handed it to me.

Idiot.

What's in it for me? I typed.

"You get all your possessions back, you get free accommodation, food, etcetera."

In all honesty, it was a tempting offer, but Roman's safety was more important than anything. Besides, he's not exactly great with my umbrella.

I covered the back of the scroll and quickly sent the safe word to Roman before deleting his number off of Ozpin's scroll and writing a list of demands.

Neo's demands:

Firstly, I can go into town whenever I please, even if it has to be supervised.

Secondly, I want new clothes and all my old stuff. Especially my scroll.

Thirdly, I want some Neopolitan ice cream.

The headmaster looked at the third demand incredulously before chuckling.

"Can I have my own demands?"

Depends on the demands.

"You will take the initiation, attend classes, wear uniform, and join a team like every other student at Beacon."

I facepalmed. Fine, Deal.

Flame Trailer

"I can't tell you the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone."

"Pyrrha, I'm so proud of you!" Father hugged me tightly in excitement. I hugged her back and smiled.

"Thank you."

"I'm sure you're going to do great at Beacon! I'm sure you'll even make some friends."

"I… I'm not so sure about that."

"Oh, come on, I doubt everyone's heard of you. Besides, there isn't going to be any special treatment, just like you've always wanted."

I sighed. "And if I don't?"

"Since when did I raise you to be so negative?" He held my chin in his hand and faced me directly to him. "You will make friends."

"Thank you, father." I smiled lightly.

"Peleus, could I have a word with our daughter?" Mother stood in the door frame.

"Of course, Nereid." Father patted my head and messed my hair a little before leaving, kissing Mother's cheek on the way out.

"Are you prepared for today's spar?" She ignored the topic of Beacon completely.

"Don't you have anything else to say about my acceptance into Beacon?"

"Excuse me?" She raised an eyebrow, showing the bare minimum of surprise.

"This is what I've been working towards my whole life, aren't you the least bit proud of what I've accomplished?"

"Your decision of attending Beacon deliberately went against my wishes."

"I don't want go to Atlas Academy!"

"Then there is nothing more to discuss about the matter."

"Mother!"

"Pyrrha," Her tone grew cold, "there is nothing more to discuss."

I quickly averted my gaze. "Yes, mother." I yielded under my breath.

"Good. Now, are you prepared for today's spar or not?"

"I am."

I drew Miló and Akoúo as I marched into the arena.

The commentator's mic echoed past the arena and into the outer city. "Ladies and Gentlemen. The finale of this year's Mistral regional tournament is finally upon us and we have a returning three-time champion going up against a crowd favourite! Pyrrha Nikos versus Sun Wukong!"

The crowd roared around me as I looked to my opponent.

"Hey." He smiled. A blonde monkey faunus with a tail. He seemed to have four shotguns from what I could see. A ranged fighter, perhaps?

"Hello." I smiled in return.

"Begin!" The commentator announced, and I immediately fired Miló at him as I closed the distance between us. He drew his shotguns to form one staff, slapped Miló into the ground and thrust the staff straight at me. I slid under it and between his legs before pushing back on one leg to ram into him. As I grabbed Miló, he used the momentum from my earlier push to break into a series of rolls, finishing with a front flip. Apparently slightly impressed, Sun gave a slight nod with a small 'Hm'.

He collapsed his staff into two nunchucks and stood ready.

"Gun nunchucks." I corrected my former assumptions about his weapon. Short range is his strong point. I kept Miló in javelin form and tried maintaining mid-range for the javelin form to be effective. He easily bypassed the javelin and got in close, so I retracted Miló into its Xiphos form and rammed myself head on into his onslaught of shotgun rounds and nunchucks with Akoúo. It threw him off, giving me a quick chance to strike back, constant switching between using Miló's Xiphos and rifle forms to keep toe to toe with his nunchucks. Just before he could start pushing back, I slammed the edge of Akoúo into his side, brought Miló's rifle to his chin, and fired, before elbowing him away back. I took the chance to catch my breath and gather my thoughts. So far, short-range is fairly even, and we've both given up on mid-range.

I threw Akoúo at him, allowing him to catch it, before sending a barrage of shots from Miló's rifle. He used Akoúo to block, subsequent blocking his vision. I started running towards him, masking my footsteps with gunshots. When I got in close, I jumped onto Akoúo and launched myself as high as I could into the air. He threw Akoúo aside began spinning his nunchucks, firing rapidly in the process. I used my polarity to make it seem as though Akoúo bounced off the ground and up towards me. I caught Akoúo swiftly, blocked the gunshots, before spinning horizontally, aiming to slash him with Miló's spear on the descent. Sun merely jumped and prepared to hit me as I landed. I briefly held Akoúo in place with my polarity to jump off it and closed the distance with a gunshot-enhanced lunging stab, knocking him off hit feet.

"And with that, Sun's Aura enters the red, making Pyrrha Nikos, the winner of the Mistral Regional Tournament four years in a row!"

I sighed in relief and walked to Sun to help him up.

"You really gave me a run for my money." He smiled.

"As did you." I returned it.

I looked around the audience for my father and saw that he was brimming with excitement, jumping up and down on his seat while mother just looked at me.

I sighed again.

Not in relief this time, but with frustration.

Snow Trailer: White Trailer Revised

"Perfection is a tantamount to despair. Aspire to reach greater levels of brilliance than ever before, but never, NEVER, to reach perfection."

I readied myself by adjusting her hair and walked to our courtyard's centre with Myrtenaster griped firmly. As I reached the centre of our courtyard, a storm slowly starts to form around her. Slowly white Beowolves started to form in the storm and circled me, one behind her me already pouncing. I turned and gasped in surprise, but swiftly impaled it on Myrtenaster. As it faded, three more slowly approached from behind and charged. I dashed forward, dismembering the three as I passed them with swift slashes.

Gold Trailer: Yellow Trailer Revised

"Ever since that day, I've been having these dreams, again and again. Unshakeable terror. Repeated frustrations. Days of remorse and penitence that continue on within my dreams. As I try to stand still, waiting for it to pass, still unable to keep from trembling, I wake up, and without finding my answers, once again, today, I remain in the bad dream."

Ruby fell on her ass again. "Ow."

"Come on. You totally could've dodged that." I chuckled, offering a hand to help ruby up.

"Yang! I've already told you, I'm just not cut out for hand-to-hand." Ruby whined. "Why can't I just use my beautiful Crescent Rose?"

"That's exactly why I wouldn't let you bring it."

Ruby groaned.

"I'm gonna be leaving for Beacon soon. I wanna make sure my little sis can hold her own while I'm gone." I rest on hand on her shoulder and gave her a small pat before getting into stance.

"Fine." Ruby sulked.

I barely gave her time to get into her own stance, let alone block as I landed the first punch, forcing Ruby to block with her wrist. She ducked under the second punch, and then sidestepped the third. I spun around 180 degrees to keep the punch going, forcing Ruby to shuffle back with her arms outstretched to avoid it, then duck under an airborne high kick. Just as Ruby finally got time to ready her stance, I wasted no time restarting a new punch spree. Two punch, Ruby blocked it with her forearms, the third, she sidestepped again.

Ruby when for a punch of her own, only for me to casually tilt my head to dodge it. A quick leg sweep with my left leg tripped Ruby, and as she fell to the ground, I would've landed a nice right hook if she hadn't used her Semblance to speeds away into the trees.

I laughed a little "Nice one, sis! You're not always going to be able to run away from your problems, though. Sometimes, you just have to stand your ground and fight, no matter what." I waited a few seconds to listen for movement. "Alright, enough rest! Get back out here."

When I heard rustling in the bushing, I raised my hand just over my eyes to try spot Ruby. "Ruby?"

Instead, the was a threatening growl and red marks glowing. "Ruby!"

The Ursa charged from out the bushes with a roar. I immediately activated Ember Celica and fired a round to propel myself towards the Grimm. I broke into a running after jumping out from a roll. I fired a round from my left gauntlet, using the momentum to move myself right and dodge the Ursa's left swipe. I only managed to land three quick punches to the Ursa's leg, with the third getting another roar and a reactive swipe that send me tumbling back before I could get in a fourth punch. I managed to flip back upright and slows her momentum by planting my leg on firmly the ground, before firing two more rounds, which arc towards the Ursa, forcing it to go back down to all fours, roaring and charging again.

I grit my teeth as I stands my ground under the Ursa's overhead swipe and landed an uppercut to the it's chin, quickly propelling myself up to get in an airborne kick on the Ursa's chest, before landing. I propelling myself forward to slide under the Ursa's belly, firing six more shots from behind, that only turned the Grimm around and made it angrier, so I fired behind me to propel myself towards it again. I landing a hard right-hook to the Ursa's left jaw, forcing it to wince in pain, before hit the head right again with a second left hook, using the momentum to move to its left. I blocked and grabbed a right swipe from behind, twisted it and punches the Ursa with another right hook, sending it back. I quickly slid under a low left swipe, before propelling myself underneath the Ursa again to dodge the right swipe, finishing the slide with a cartwheel. As the Ursa turned around with another swipe, I launched myself upwards, then fired another round to spin into a left tornado kick, which knocked the Ursa's head right. Before the Grimm pin me down with both paws, I propels myself backwards, and I launched myself forwards for a left hook, only to be swat away into the ground on her back and crashing into the trees, effectively knocking me out.

I flashed back to that day.

The day I found a clue about her.

The day I waited for Dad to leave the house, put Ruby in a wagon, and headed out.

I remembered the long winding path through the towering trees shedding their leaves in the autumn thunderstorm. I had cuts and bruises, I was totally exhausted, but I wasn't gonna let anything stop me. I kept walking, dragging Ruby in the wagon behind me. the further I went the slower I walked, eventually trudging along as I shivered.

I heard Ruby sneeze and glanced behind me.

She wrapped the cloak Summer gave her around herself, half-asleep and turned to her other side,

before going back to her peaceful sleep.

"Don't worry Rubes, we're almost there."

I must've walked for hours. before we finally got there.

I could barely stand, but I didn't care; I had made it. After months of obsessing over my mother, I have finally found a clue and made to this worn-down house the picture had described on the back. But then I heard growling and saw them. Those burning red eyes glowing from the darkness…

A toddler sleeping in the back of a wagon and a stupid girl too exhausted and terrified to even cry for help. We might as well have been served on a silver platter.

"Yang!" Just as the Beowolves attacked – before our Uncle could save us – I was woken up by Ruby shouting.

Without thinking, I activated my Semblance launched myself to the direction of the Ruby's shout to find the Ursa turning around to see me. I quickly meet its claws with a punch, the clash blowing several trees and Ruby back. With the sound of the Ursa's arm snapping, we were both thrown in the directions we were facing, and I caught a glimpse of the Ursa disintegrating before I crashes against another tree.

"Yang!" Ruby runs over to her sister with worry. "Yang, are you okay? Oh, I didn't know how to help without my scythe! I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay…" I took a small breath before continuing. "I've always got your back, sis."

We smiled at each other before Ruby hugged me.

As the memories of that night flashed in my head again, my smile turned sour and I sighed.

"I'm sorry…"

Volume 1

"Perhaps the companionship of an evil person is preferable to loneliness."

Chapter 1: Crook Amongst Heroes

After Ozpin organized everything for both our demands to be met, I waited outside the main hall for the first years to arrive. My new outfit consisted of pink frilled dress shirt, a stripped cream and chocolate brown waistcoat, cream coloured slacks and chocolate brown boots with pink laces, trim, and soles. I also kept my hair in a ponytail. There were kids who seemed to be from both inside and outside of the kingdom. A lot of them had their weapons on them, and many were Faunus. I soon spotted Ruby and sighed. I got up and went to greet her, waiting for the bimbo with her to leave before approaching.

"You!" Ruby was quick to draw her scythe.

I put a finger over my lips as I took out my scroll.

Calm down, I'm now a student. Headmaster enrolled me in exchange for me cutting ties with Roman.

That didn't convince her much.

Do you wanna punch me or something as pay back for doing my job?

"How can I trust you?" She sneered.

Look, I made this choice so that nothing would happen to Roman. At least keep my affiliations with him a secret, if not for me, them for the headmaster.

She was extremely hesitant. "Fine…" She reluctantly put away her scythe.

Who's the bimbo?

"My sister, Yang."

Cool. See you around. I spun on my heel and started walking off, pocketing my scroll.

"Wait!"

I stopped and looked back at her, slightly irritated.

"I-I don't know where to go." She admitted sheepishly.

I motioned for her to follow me.

"What's your actually name?"

I showed her the tattoo of my name on the right side of my neck, without missing a step.

We walked into the main hall and sat on the floor in the front, sitting in silence. Bored, I took my scroll and started playing sudoku while Ruby started watching video on hers.

A few minutes later, the rest of the first years started flooding in.

"Ruby!" The Bimbo called for her sister.

"Yang!" Ruby's cheer for her sister sounded like a baby crying.

Yang then noticed me and did a double take. I opened the notepad on my scroll and started typing.

"Yang, this is girl I talked about, but apparently Ozpin enrolled her here, so I don't think we can do anything to her."

I handed them my scroll. Look, I'm not here to cause trouble. Only reason I'm here is because your sister interrupted one of my jobs and I wanted to keep Roman out of trouble. If you don't trust me, fine. You can expect me to stay till Roman comes to pick me up somehow.

"What then? You go back to helping him?"

I shrugged. He's all I've got.

The mic on stage was turned on and Oz cleared his throat into it to get people's attention.

"I'll keep this brief. I stand before now as the headmaster of a school once built to train the next generation of Huntsman and Huntresses, but as the world has evolved, so to have this school. I stand before you now, as a man who, having seen humanity at its worst, strives to bring out the best I can out the students and prepare them for the worst. I, however, cannot do all the heavy lift. It is up to each and every one of you to be exemplary huntsmen and huntresses so as to both take and pass on the torch generations of humans have kept alive with pride."

Barf.

Ozpin's deputy, Glynda Goodwitch, stepped to the mic. "You will all gather in the barn tonight. Tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready."

Both girls were staring at me after Ozpin's speech.

I typed out a message on my scroll, got up passed it to Yang and walked off.

You heard the man, enjoy playing hero.

"Neo."

I ignored Yang as I went into the girls' bathroom with the toiletries I went shopping to clean up and change before bed.

She followed me in and put my scroll next my toiletry bag before brushing her teeth.

I started changed into a white t-shirt and brown shorts.

"What's your favourite ice flavour?"

I looked at her for a moment before smirking, deciding to humour her. I took my scroll and typed.

Me and Mint Chocolate.

"Figures. Is that your natural hair?"

Miraculously, yes.

"Hey Sis." Ruby trudged in, sleep slowly stealing her consciousness.

"Hey, Sleepy-red." Yang chuckled.

I waved, but Ruby seemed more focused on not passing on the sink.

"Just brush your teeth in the morning sis, it's already eleven-thirty."

"Mom always to brush before you sleep." Ruby mumbles.

Something in Yang's face change slightly, but she hid it well as she picked up her sister and carried her off. "I'm sure mom would let it slide once."

"Nooo… must… teeth…"

"Shh… tomorrow. G'nite Neo."

The next morning, I woke up a little earlier than everyone else and got ready quickly just so that

I could have a quiet morning on the cliff.

I got dressed similarly to yesterday, except with a pink skort, and brown stockings rather than pants.

Just before I could leave the barn, Yang called after me.

"You're up quite early." Yang noted as we walked to get our weapons. She wore similar clothing to what she had on yesterday: a tan crop top jacket, a low-cut yellow crop top with her a black flaming heart on the left; a brown belt covered by pleated brown leather from hip to hip, black mini-shorts, brown, knee-high boots and orange over-the-knee socks with a purple bandanna is tied around her left knee, an orange buff and black fingerless gloves.

Habit. You?

"Ruby snores." She shrugged.

What's your weapon?

"Hoping we'll be on the same team?" She smirked.

I couldn't care less. Your weapons nerd of a sister wouldn't shut up about her scythe when I first met her at Dust 'Til Dawn so was just checking if you're as bad as her.

"She's just a little awkward is all."

We entered the locker rooms and headed for Yang's locker.

"Why a cane?" She asked, noticing I was playing with Melodic Cudgel.

It's Roman's. I have an umbrella with an estoc hidden in it.

"Why do you have his cane?"

I felt like swapping for the day. Sadly, 'the day' turned into an indefinite time period.

"Oh, okay, I kinda get that I guess." Yang opened her locker and put on two weirdly designed bracelets. "Ï love these babies."

What do they do?

"They help me punch stuff."

Ooh, gauntlets.

"With shotguns built into them."

Why does everything also have to be a gun? You, Ruby and even Roman seem to follow that pattern.

"Morning Yang. Neo." Ruby greeted, still confused about how to speak to me. Ruby's attire hadn't changed from the night I met her.

"Morning Ruby. You're awfully chipper."

"Yup, no more Ice Queen, vomit boy, or awkward getting to know you stuff."

Ice Queen and Vomit Boy? I showed Yang the message.

"This heiress with white hair and a scraggly guy Ruby befriended after we left the hall."

Ah, Weiss Schnee. I think I've stolen from her dad's company a few times.

"Please don't take about theft so casually."

Sorry, I'm used to talking to thieves and criminals.

"Anyways, Ruby, you're not gonna be the only one doing initiation."

There's also the teaming up thing.

Ruby was noticeably nervous about that. "Well, I could always team up with Yang, or something…" she mumbled.

"Why not try team up with someone else?" Yang suggested, as awkward about this topic, but for different reasoning.

"My dearest sister Yang are you implying that you do not wish to be on the same team as me?"

Ruby took offense.

"No! I'm just thinking… I don't know, maybe it could help you break out of your shell?"

"What the? I don't need to break out of my shell, that's absolutely ridiculous!"

"Ruby, I'm just trying to help here. I'm not always gonna be there when you need me."

Ruby sighed in defeat. "I know…"

"C'mon, let head to the cliff." Yang then looked to me and noticed my awkward smile. "Sorry about that Neo."

I shook my hands to say it was fine and just followed after the sisters.

As we made our way out, we witnessed the heiress getting hit on by a guy I assumed to be Ruby's friend that Yang mentioned.

"Actually, Jaune, I think you'd make a great leader!" The red-haired girl I've seen on cereal boxes filled Jaune with hope. The blonde wore a black hoodie covered by a white chest-plate, spaulders and reembraces, a belt with hold his sword in the sheath, slightly torn jeans, and sneakers.

"Oh, stop it!" The blonde was more than flattered. His armour was rather basic.

"Seriously, please stop it. This kind of behaviour should not be encouraged!" The Heiress protested. Her combat clothes were casual in contrast with the redhead's bronze and maroon armour. A white, double-breasted jacket/dress with black lining and trimming, white, thigh high boots with black heels, and lace-topped black stockings.

"Sounds like Pyrrha's on board for Team Jaune. Spots are filling up quick! Now, I'm not supposed to do this, but maybe I could pull some strings, find a place for you. What do you say?" God, the boy's desperate.

"All right, that's a bit too close! Pyrrha, a little help, please?!"

Jaune looked back just in time to be greeted by a brass and crimson spear that set the boy flying into a locker.

"I'm sorry!" cereal girl, now dubbed Pyrrha, quickly apologised.

"Would all first-year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Again, all first-year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately." Glynda's voice could be heard over the intercoms.

The heiress passed Jaune as he hung from the locker on her way out. Pyrrha followed her, grabbing her spear and dropping Jaune to the ground.

"It was nice meeting you!" Pyrrha smiled.

"Likewise." Jaune sighed.

Yang smirked as we approached him. "Having some trouble there, lady-killer?"

Jaune looked up at us. "I don't understand. My dad said all women look for is confidence! Where did I go wrong?" Ruby help him up, but still slumped on his feet.

"'Snow Angel' probably wasn't the best start."

"Come on, Jaune, let's go." Ruby led us all out of the locker room, supporting Jaune and his damaged self-esteem as she did.

"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your skills shall be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Oz opened as we all stood on the platforms.

"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumours about the assignment of teams," Glynda started, "well, allow me to put an end to your confusion: each of you will be assigned to your respective teams. Today."

Ruby whined.

"These teammates," Oz continued, "will be with for the rest of your time here at Beacon Academy, so it be best if you team up with those with whom you can work well. That being said, the first person you make eye contact with will be your partner for the next 4 years."

"WHAT?" Ruby cried.

"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. You will be monitored and grade for 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. We will guard that item as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Any questions?" a scraggly blonde guy raised his hand. "Good. Prepare for launch."

I zoned out whatever Ozpin and the blonde guy were saying and started thinking about how'd I'd reach the ground without dying. Without my umbrella, I can't Mary Robins my way down. Before I could finish thinking, I was launched into the air just before Yang.

I rode on Melodic Cudgel and hit the trigger with my foot to propel myself forward and a little higher. As I started descending, I twisted the cane the other way to slow down before rolling on the ground once it hit. I dusted myself off and start climbing the trees to get an idea of where I was. I was pretty much in the middle of the forest, so I started moving in the direction opposite to the cliff we were launched off of.

I heard Ursai growling and guns firing, so I decided to get myself a partner.

"YOU MONSTER!" Yang screamed, before giving the Ursa in front her a flurry of rage-filled, shotgun-enhanced punches. After finally sending it flying through a tree, she turned to the other Ursa.

"What? You want some too?!" She screamed at it, getting a growl in return.

I slammed Melodic Cudgel's base into the ground, causing the cane to fire and propel itself rapidly towards the Ursa, hitting it full-speed in the head and soaring back into my grip, so I could take aim takes aim and blowing the grim's head off. I smirked and teasingly bowed at the bimbo.

"I could've taken him."

I shrugged.

"Well let's get going, partner."

I pointed into the initial direction I was headed, and we started in said direction.

I took out my scroll, and quickly typed.

A few rules of thumb.

When I want your attention, I'll clap twice.

My forearms crossed in front of me either means no or defend.

Slicing motions with my hands mean to cut something.

Punching my hand means hit something.

Got it?

"Think so." Yang said, re-reading the list quickly.

Won't be able to use my scroll mid-combat.

"True."

I put my scroll away, clapped twice and pointed ahead. What I presumed to be the temple was at the bottom of the hill.

"Think this is it?"

I shrugged, before motioning for her to follow as I slid down the hill. At the temple, there were chess pieces on small pedestals. Yang and I looked at each other in confusion.

"Some of them are missing. Guess we're not the first here."

I clapped twice and motioned for her to take a piece.

"Why not a cute little pony?"

I face palmed. That's a black knight.

"What?"

I shook my head and gave her a thumbs up.

"Alright, well, should we wait for teammates or head out?"

"Yee-ha!" Y'know, I've never thought it possible to ride an Ursa, but then this ginger proved me wrong. She killed it her hammer and was oddly sad about that fact.
"It's broken…" She pouted before seeing the relics.

"Ooh," She quickly took a white rook as started singing. "I'm queen of the castle, I'm queen of the castle!"

"Nora!" A boy in green shouted for her.

"Coming Ren!" The ginger saluted before merrily skipping to the boy.

Yang and I looked at each other with the same look but were quickly interrupted by Ruby and Jaune running from a deathstalker, with Ruby shooting it with her sniper as they ran. We immediately ran to help, both Yang and I firing dust rounds at the Deathstalker, successfully stopping it as it waved its pinchers around, trying to defend itself.

"Any ideas?" Jaune looked to us as we distracted it.

"Grab a relic and let's get out of here!" Yang ordered. Ruby blindly grabbed a white rook before we all broke off running, trying to keep the death stalker from catching us. With headed to the cliff and found Pyrrha and Weiss at another abandoned ruins, hiding from the Nevermore circling the bridge.

"Guys, we've got a deathstalker on our tail!" Jaune shouted.

"And we're trying to figure out how to get past that Nevermore!"

The Nevermore screeched at us and let loose its giant feathers. We all just managed to dodge, but the Deathstalker ran for us. I used my semblance to keep it running for the ruins while we ran the other way. It crashed into the ruins, unfortunately blowing our cover from the Nevermore, but temporarily incapacitating the Deathstalker. Nora, Yang, Weiss and Ruby took higher ground and were firing as the Nevermore, while Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, and I went for the Death Stalker. Nora hammered the pincer aside, letting Laune, Ren and I try and in shot and/or stab it, but with little luck.

I assessed the situation for a moment before hatching a plan to take out the Nevermore. Probably the wrong Grimm to focus on, but Oh, well. I double clapped for Yang's attention.

"Got an idea?" Yang asked.

I pointed to Weiss and whistled, then snapped my fingers as I pointed at Pyrrha. She was lost at first, so I double clapped again to get her light bulb on.

"Weiss, Pyrrha. Neo is talking about me when she claps, whistles for Weiss, and snaps her fingers for Pyrrha."

I pulled out my scroll and typed as fast as I could, before throwing it up to yang.

Alright, I'll distract the Nevermore since my semblance is illusions. I'll make it crush into the cliff. Weiss, you use ice dust with your glyphs to keep it in place. By the time the Nevermore is frozen, Yang and Pyrrha, I want you on top of the cliff. Yang, you're gonna jump off with Pyrrha and use your shot-gauntlets to increase your velocity. Before you crash into the Nevermore, throw Pyrrha into it. Pyrrha decapitate it with your spear.

As Yang shouted the plan, I got up myself up onto her platform. Once she finished, I grabbed her arm and I motioned for her to thrown me at the Nevermore. At first, she long as me funny, but a nice stern glare set her straight.

As I flew towards the nevermore, I activated my semblance and made it see all of us standing on pillars on the other side of the now broken bridge, when in reality, I was still flying to the other side and the others still had to cross. As it crashed into the cliff, I caught a glimpse of Weiss using her glyphs to get herself and Pyrrha across while Yang shot-gunned herself across.

Weiss rushed past me and froze the Nevermore's talons to the ground.

I then clapped my hands above my head a few times to get Yang's attention and when she saw me and the frozen Nevermore, she took hold of Pyrrha's arm and dived off of the cliff. Yang's shot-gauntlets sent them faster and faster, and eventually Yang threw Pyrrha, who began spinning gracefully as she descended with her spear extending. The Nevermore finally broke out of the ice, but was a little late, when its head dropped to the floor.

"Russel Thrush. Cardin Winchester. Dove Bronzewing. Sky Lark. (the screen of the auditorium shows each of their profiles as the boys are lined up for the applauding audience to see as Ozpin continues) The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team CRDL, led by... Cardin Winchester!"

The audience gave another wave of ovation as four male students walked up to the stage to take their places in front of the headmaster as their faces filled the screen.

I was sitting the other seven from initiation, next to Yang and Jaune, and played Sudoku on my scroll, bored of the team formation and naming ceremony.

"Jaune Arc. Ruby Rose. Lie Ren. Nora Valkyrie. The four of you retrieved the white rook pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team ARRN (Aurum)." The Latin name for gold. Interesting. Amid the clapping, Nora laughed and hugged Ren.

"Led by... Jaune Arc!"

Jaune did a double take "Huh? L-Led by...?"

"Congratulations, young man." Ozpin smiled at Jaune.

"I didn't see that coming, but at least Ruby's got some friends now." Yang said to me.

"And finally: Miss Neopolitan. Pyrrha Nikos. Weiss Schnee. Yang Xiao Long," the four of us walked up to the stage, the other three holding their hands behind their back while I rested Roman's cane on my shoulders with my arms dangling from them, "The four of you retrieved the black knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team NNWY (NAVY). Led by... Miss Neopolitan!

If I had a voice, I would've screamed something along the lines of. "What?!" but probably with more vulgar language. Weiss was surprised, but quickly hid that, while Yang winked at me.

Ozpin, noticing my confusion amid the last round of cheers, almost smirked. "It looks like things are shaping up to be an... interesting year."

I glared at him.

Chapter 2: Leading the NNWY

Why?!

"As I said Miss Neopolitan, your leadership was what killed the Nevermore. I have never seen better assessment of individual capability to create a singular combined unit." Ozpin seemed quite pleased with himself and it pissed me off to no end.

So, you're letting a proud crook lead a team of wannabe Huntresses?

"Precisely."

Do you have a few loose screws?

"Perhaps. I have been alive for quite some time."

I gave up taking to him, realising that the last half-an-hour of screaming at him through text had done nothing to change his mind, and headed for the door.

"You've been given a title that brings responsibility with it, Miss Neopolitan. I advise you take some time to think about what you will do with it, even if it wasn't what you asked for."

I strolled back to my dorm and sighed once inside.

"Good morning." Pyrrha greeted with a smiled, already dressed and ready.

I ignored her and took out my scroll.

"Where were you?"

Taking with Ozpin.

I opened my sfx app, looked for the air horn sound effect and played at full blast. Yang and Weiss shot up.

"What in the world is wrong with you?" The heiress shouted.

Unpack your stuff and get ready. We've got three hours before classes start and there's still breakfast. I'm showering first.

I tossed my scroll on my bed, got my uniform and went to shower, slamming the door behind me.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed." I heard Yang through door.

I turned the shower on, letting the room turn into a sauna, and undressed. I showered quickly and walked out dressed in uniform, with yesterday's clothes in hand.

I pointed for someone to shower next and Yang went in with her uniform.

Weiss glared at me as she unpacked and got her things together.

I ignored her and packed away the rest of my clothes, including my spare uniforms, in the closet one closet I shared with Yang. I packed my textbooks into the provided 'Beacon Academy' backpack and threw it into the door before getting Melodic Cudgel out from under my bed and started playing with it like Roman would when bored, scowling all the while.

Yang came out the shower and looked to our two remaining teammates.

Weiss strutted her way into the shower and Yang packed her bag before she grabbed my arm and sat by the door.

I'll see you at breakfast. I showed Yang my scroll as I headed out.

She held my leg. "Nope." She popped her P.

Let go.

"Nope."

Why?

"We're a team, so we're going to breakfast as a team."

I rolled my eyes and sat next to bimbo, continuing to play with roman's cane.

"What's with your eyes?" She asked, changing the topic

I can change them how I please, but they usually change based on my mood. Like how yours go red when you're angry.

"What shows what mood?" Pyrrha asked from her bed.

I thought about it for a moment.

-Both eyes brown is my default setting, when I'm bored and/or mellow

-Pink and brown are when I'm amused or happy, I guess

-Brown and white are apparently psycho mode according to Big Boss.

-White is generally fear

"Big Boss?" Pyrrha frowned.

My dad. I call him big boss. I was obviously referring to Roman, though the secret had to be kept between Oz, Ruby, Yang, and I.

Pyrrha was satisfied with that answer, though Yang gave me a look of curiosity.

Tryna check my mood rings? I joked.

"Nah, it's nothing."

Weiss finally came out the bathroom, looking far less cranky and started changing.

"Someone took their time." Yang grinned.

"Hush, you. I needed to wash thoroughly after yesterday's initiation."

"Alright, calm down, Ice Queen."

"Hey!" Said Ice Queen was somehow offended by the nickname.

Oh, Your Majesty, the dear bimbo meant no offense. She was merely commenting on your skill with ice dust and your position most high! Please do not behead her for her poor diction! I smirked as everyone read my message, loving the reactions. Weiss grew more appalled, Yang burst into laughter, and Pyrrha was holding back her giggles.

"You, sardonic brat!" She shrieked.

I snickered, tapping my wrist and motioned for the door.

"Urgh!"

Yang high-fived me after finally panting from her laughing fit and Pyrrha sat on my left, putting me between two of my teammates as we waited for the Heiress to get ready.

My stomach finally awoke and started making a noise.

I whistled for Weiss. Hurry up, I'm starving!

"Fine! I'll leave unpacking for after classes."

Thank you! I sprung up and practically threw the door open. With my backpack slung over one shoulder and Melodic Cudgel in the other, I strutted my way to the dinning like Roman would.

"Yang!" Ruby leaped onto her sister in the middle of the food line.

"Ruby, calm down, jeez." Yang pried her sister off of her was smiling nonetheless.

"Hey Neo."

I waved and dished up some pancakes with for myself before going to a table by the door. Yang sat on my right, followed by Pyrrha and Weiss. Ruby's team sat opposite us on account of us being the only ones they knew.

"Well Yang, say hello to team ARNN! Consisting of, I, Ruby Rose!" Ruby stood at attention like a soldier.

"Nora Valkyrie!" The ginger slammed her one foot on the table, almost stepping on her partner's food, and flexed.

"Nora sit down." The aforementioned partner dragged Nora onto her seat before introducing himself with a simple nod. "Lie Ren."

"And our fearless leader…" Ruby dashed behind the blonde boy next to her, prompting to introduce himself.

"J-Jaune Arc."

We already learnt this from yesterday's ceremony, why were introductions necessary?

"Because we're the team that's gonna go down go down in Beacon history for being awesome!" Nora declared.

Oh, god, there's two overly energetic girls on one team. I pity these boys. At least the only difficult one on my team is the heiress. Pyrrha's nice and quiet, and Yang's just… Yang.

"So, Jaune, what made you want to become a huntsman?" Pyrrha asked, eyeing him interestingly.

"It's kinda a family thing. Both my grandfather and by father were warriors, and as the only guy amongst seven girls, I was the only one who wanted to keep that legacy going." Jaune was very honest in his explanation, but the was a hit of doubt hiding somewhere.

"What about you, Cereal-girl?" Yang asked, Pyrrha.

"Would it be odd if I said that I believed it was my destiny?" She answered with a question.

"Well, for some people," Yang pointed to her sister. "There was no question about what they wanted to do, so destiny isn't far off."

"Well, I don't see destiny as a predetermined future, but more of a calling or a goal that you work towards your whole life." Pyrrha corrected Yang's assumption.

What about you, Ice Queen? I sent the questioning to the Heiress, hoping to get a reason for her bitchy-ness.

"I have a title to uphold. It's as simple as that." And nothing. Just posh, rich brat crap. Pyrrha should really teach her a thing or two about handling a title.

"What about you Neo?" Nora asked, putting me on the spoke.

I thought about an answer to pull out my ass. I've always fought for most of my life, I just decided to make better use of that skill.

Yang and Ruby were obviously indifferent to my answer but seemed oddly interested.

"Ren and I are kinda the same!" Nora almost celebrated, but was cut off by Ren, before nodding at him.

So, what? You two grew up together?

Ren nodded. "We lived in the same village."

"Oooh, you know what they say about childhood friends?" Yang smirked deviously.

Both Nora and Ren Laughed nervously. "We've always been together, but we're not together-together."

"Mhmm…?" Yang was far from convinced.

I was about to type something, but then noticed the time. I quickly gobbled my last pancake as I went to put my tray away.

Class Starts in fifteen, let's go.

I waited at the doors for my team to finished up, and quickly learned that Nora loves pancakes. Any unfinished pancake was quickly devoured by Nora, making me question whether she used sugar instead of protein to gain muscle mass. She is strong enough to wield a Warhammer/grenade launcher hybrid.

"Let's go." Yang grinned as Pyrrha and Weiss followed with Ruby taking charge of her team. That girl's gonna have to learn that she isn't the team leader.

"Monsters! Demons... Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as prey! Ha-ha!" That joke earned Port a choir of crickets and a now awake Ruby Rose.

The Grimm studies class had the sight of an axe-blunderbuss weapon above boards displaying labelled diagrams of various Grimm - King Taijitu, Death Stalker, Beowolf, Boarbatusk, Nevermore, and Ursa.

"Uhhhh... 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..." He paused to give Yang a wink, to which she groaned with very noticeable discomfort. "Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves! From what, you ask? Why, the very world!"

"Yeah!" Jaune raise his fist in agreement, but quickly sat down in embarrassment when everyone looked at him funny.

"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..."

I started tuning him out as my eyelids slowly dropped but was woken up by laughter.

Ruby had drawn a ball-with-limbs-and-a-head drawing of Port with stink lines coming from him and "Professor Poop" written underneath. Jaune, Nora and Yang laughed, Pyrrha smiled politely, trying to avoid trouble and Weiss looks at both Ruby and I with annoyance.

Port cleared his through to get everyone's attention again. "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!" He took a bow before quickly stand upright. "The moral of this story? A true Huntsman must be honourable!" A true Huntsman must be dependable!" A true Huntsman must be strategic, well-educated, and wise! So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?"

Weiss shot her hand up. "I do, sir!"

Port smirked. "Well, then, let's find out!" He turns to gesture at the growling and shaking cage. "Step forward and face your opponent!"

"May I change into to my combat uniform?"

"Not necessary, Miss Schnee. Grab your weapon and let us see what you are made of!"

Weiss ran out quickly to get her stuff before coming back with her rapier. She readied her rapier at the growling creature in the cage and took a stance.

"Go, Weiss!" Yang cheered.

"Fight well!" Pyrrha had made a small flag from paper and toothpick with NNWY written on it and was waving.

I, as the fearless leader, stared at her with dead fish eyes, which somehow angered her more.

"Alright!" Standing next to the cage, Port pulled out his Blunderbuss-axe "Let the match... begin!" He swung down and broke the lock, dropping the cage door to revealing the Boarbatusk inside, which immediately charges at Weiss. She uses her rapier to deflect its attack and roll to the side, readying herself for its next move. The Grimm stood a distance away, studying her.

"Ha-ha! Wasn't expecting that, were you?" Port stood patiently as he watched.

Weiss speed towards the oncoming Boarbatusk, sticking her blade straight at its skull until they met, and her rapier got trapped in its tusks. Weiss got tossed around as she held onto her rapier struggling to get it back.

"Bold, new approach. I like it!"

The Boarbatusk eventually head-butted her to her to let go, before throwing the rapier aside and head-butting her off her feet this time.

"Oh-ho! Now what will you do without your weapon?"

Weiss looked up just in time to see the Boarbatusk charge again, rolling out of the way to avoid getting trampled and made it crash into our desk. She rushed at her sword and slid to get it back.

I quickly typed a message on my scroll for Yang to read to Weiss.

"Weiss! Neo says to for its belly! There's no armour underneath-"

"Don't tell me what to do!" Weiss yelled at me.

I just shrugged. If that thing kills her, that ain't my problem.

The Boarbatusk leapt into the air and rolled into a ball, spinning rapidly in the air and landing on the ground, gaining speed until it launches itself at Weiss. Weiss activated one of her glyphs to blocks the roll, before leaping up into another glyphs so she could drive her blade into the Boarbatusk's stomach. It squeals and falls silent while Weiss gasps in relief.

Hmm… I do distinctly remember telling her such through Yang. Bitch.

Port applauded. "Bravo! Bra-vo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training!" Weiss stood at attention from her exhausted position "I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and... stay vigilant! Class dismissed!"

Weiss glared at me before storming out.

"Sheesh, what's with her?" Jaune asked, watching her storm out.

I rolled my eyes and stalked after her, spinning Melodic Cudgel as I did.

In the locker rooms, we change into out normal combat attire for combat class in the arena. I put on a white frilled dress shirt, the same chocolate brown waistcoat as before, a brown combat skirt and cream brown boots with pink laces, trim, and soles. I also kept my hair in a ponytail under a tilted cream fedora with a pink ribbon around it.

"Alright, students. I have been assigned by Professor Ozpin to take you for combat class." Glynda announced from the arena floor. "As newly formed teams, I suggest we begin with friendly sparring to learn each other's strengths and weaknesses. So which team would like to go first?"

I looked at my teammates, two of which we next to me, the other bitchy one sitting a distance from us.

I raised my hand.

"Miss Neopolitan," Glynda noted, before tapping her scrolls, "which of your teammates would you like to spar against?"

I pointed at Weiss, who looked surprised.

"Miss Schnee, Miss Neopolitan, make you way down."

We walked down to the arena floor and took our stances.

"Are both fighters ready?" Glynda looked at both of us.

We nodded.

"Then you can begin!"

I stood smug and calm, resting Melodic Cudgel on my shoulder like Roman would.

Weiss charged at me, making several quick, but futile thrusts at my head as I swiftly bobbed away from the blade, teasing her with several faces until I started countering. Whacking her rapier aside and ramming Melodic Cudgel into her stomach, sending her staggering back. Weiss got angrier and held her rapier in front of her and concentrating. I cocked an eyebrow as she mixed yellow Dust with a glyph to create a clock glyph beneath herself. Weiss then charged forward and creates a series of glyphs that surround the Lieutenant. She leapt and began ricocheting off each of the glyphs, slashing extremely quickly each time she passes me. Quickly tired of this, I activated my semblance, leaving a fragile copy of myself while I jumped into the air. Weiss crashed into the illusion and the ground as a result, so I quickly fired a white flare from Melodic Cudgel before I landed.

Weiss got up summoned ice dust infused glyphs that fired ice crystals. I quickly blocked then as they came but was throw off as Weiss came for me with another barrage of thrusts and slashes. I managed to keep up with her and eventually countered again through a pull in redirection of force technique, pulling Weiss's sword arm in with my left arm, and hitting her chin with a violent axe kick, before sending her back again with a perfect side kick to the stomach. I started begins pushing Weiss back, now on the offensive, as the Ice Queen tries to counter with her rapier. I kicked her sword arm aside before I slammed Melodic Cudgel's base into the ground – just like in the forest – letting it hit Weiss in the chin at full-speed, before grappling and throwing her back.

"And that's the match! Miss Neopolitan, such aggression was not necessary."

I took out my scroll. So, the strikes for my head are fine?

I sighed and went to help Weiss up. When she slapped my hand aside, I grabbed her arm and yanked her onto her feet.

"Ow! Watch it!" She had landed on her on leg funny and she had to bend it to avoid putting too much weight.

Look, Ice Queen. Just because you've got a fancy title doesn't mean you can act like an entitled little brat. I didn't ask to be team leader, and as much as I would love to step down and let you lead, half-an-hour of arguing wasn't enough to convince Ozpin. Since I'm stuck as leader, you need either get that stick out of your ass or find a new team. Got it?

It was now my turn to storm off as I marched back to the stands and thumbed back next to Yang.

"Miss Schnee, do you need to go to the infirmary?" Glynda asked as Weiss limped her way back to the stands.

"I'll take her." Pyrrha volunteered, quickly helping Weiss out the class.

After classes, Pyrrha and Weiss stayed still in the infirmary, apparently to let Weiss' Aura head her leg, while Yang and I made supper for the team. Well, to be exact, we had gotten take-away from the dining hall, and now I was helping Yang make her mom's infamously cookies that Ruby loved.

"So, do you think Weiss is alright? You did throw her pretty hard." Yang asked, stirring the cookie batter.

I'm sure her money will pay for a new leg.

"You did that to her leg."

I was just kicking her down a few notches, so she could see what it's like to live amongst us mortals.

"Neo!" Yang slammed the bowl of cookie batter down and stared at me with her burning red eyes.

Ooh, someone's Yangry. I glared back at her.

"Look, Ruby and I chose to look past your background because Ozpin trusted you, but I am not gonna be on a team with two arguing kids. So, either apologise to Weiss when she get back or I'm turning you in myself." Yang was dead serious.

Try me. I starred her down for a few minutes longer, before I sighed and gave in. Yes, ma'am.

"Good, now get me the chocolate chips in the cupboard. I made enough for team ARRN to come over."

Since when was that on the table?!

"Since I decided to make Ruby's favourite thing in the world. Ruby will never let me hear the end of it if we don't give her some." Yang deadpanned, getting a snicker out of me. "Also, nice pun."

I handed her the chocolate chips and watched her stir them in. Puns are the lowest form of wit, but they're still witty nonetheless.

Yang chuckled. "You should hear all the puns my dad makes. They're all burned into my brain by this point." After stirring the chips in, she laid out two trays she oiled earlier to keep the cookies from sticking. She took pieces of cookie dough and made them into balls that she pressed onto the trays, before putting in the oven.

"Want leftover cookie dough?"

Sure. I took some from the bowl and made a ball, before eating it. This is great!

"Yup, best recipe in remnant." Yang smiled proudly.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Pyrrha and Weiss walked in, Weiss freezing somewhat when she saw me.

"Pyrrha, come with me to get team ARRN."

Yang dragged Pyrrha out the door to the dorm across the half.

I closed the door behind them before sitting in front of the oven to watch the cookies.

How's the leg?

"It's healed. You did a little more damage than expected. Do you want coffee?" She offered.

Hot chocolate please.

"What are you doing?" She looked at me quizzically.

Watching Yang's cookies.

"Yang bakes?" She frowned as she turned on the kettle.

It's her mom's recipe. She wanted to bring team ARRN over and spoil Ruby.

"Oh."

Is it safe to assumed that I'm probably in trouble for your leg?

Weiss smirked a little. "Just a bit of trouble."

I sighed. Figures… Sorry about that.

"I kind of had it coming to me."

I frowned at her acceptance of her bitchy-ness. Did someone talk to you?

"Yeah. Pyrrha, funnily enough."

Yang did the same to me.

"So, are we good?"

No.

"What?!" Weiss stared at me incredulously.

I laughed. I'm kidding. If you're both sorry for what we did, then that's fine.

"That's not funny! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

I shrugged. I thought it was.

Weiss sighed and rolled her eyes as Yang and Pyrrha popped their heads through the door.

"Are you two good?"

I gave and thumbs up and an awkward smile.

"Yeah." Weiss nodded with a smile.

"Good, then this won't be awkward." Yang kicked the door open and strolled to the oven. Behind her Pyrrha and team ARRN followed, Ruby dashing to Yang and the oven, Ren bringing pancakes while trying to keep Nora from eating them, while Jaune waved awkwardly at Weiss

"Does anyone want tea, coffee or hot chocolate?" Weiss offered.

"I'll have coffee. Milk two sugars." Jaune said.

"Any kind of tea with one sugar." Ren placed his order. "Just don't give Nora coffee. She doesn't need more energy."

"Another hot chocolate it is then." Weiss smiled.

"I'll have the same as Ren." Pyrrha requested.

"Get Ruby Milk with her cookies." Yang said, keeping her eyes on the cookies.

Weiss turned to look at Yang. "Is she five?"

"I'm fifteen!" Ruby defended herself, but Yang didn't have the same train of thought.

"Basically." The blonde shrugged, before getting the oven mitts to take out the cookies.

"Cookies!" Ruby cheered.

"Yang, what would you like to drink?"

"I'll have coffee. Cream, no sugar." Yang answered, dragging Nora and Ruby away from the kitchen.

"Ruby?"

"Coffee, cream and five sugars." Ruby yelled back into the kitchen.

"Three sugars." Yang corrected her sister.

"Yang!" Ruby whined.

"Three. I'm not having you jumping around all night."

Chapter 3: Legendary Lancaster

"Early bird get the worm." Pyrrha smiled, noting the fact that we've bee waking up around the same time for the last two weeks.

I raised my eyebrows in agreement before point at the bathroom.

"After you."

I gave her a small smile and got my uniform to change in the bathroom. After showering, I sounded the morning airhorn as Pyrrha slipped into the bathroom, once again rousing the anger of the Ice Queen.

Rise and shine, Ice Queen.

I head a similar airhorn from Team ARRN's dorm, followed by Ruby's squeaky voice.

I looked to Yang.

She realizes that she isn't team leader, right?

"She'll learn." Yang mumbled groggily.

Well, I thought decorating is in order since we haven't gotten a chance to do it as a team yet. Since there's no tests or assessments this week, I thought I'd be the perfect time.

"Sure…"

"Neo, can you please stop with the airhorn." Weiss practically begged.

Oh, I'm terribly sorry to disturb the beauty sleep of the Ice Queen. I teased

"Don't be a pest." She sneered.

Then can I play a song to wake you up?

"As long as it isn't Ruby's rock or Yang's rap, I'm fine with that."

"Hey, my music is great!" Yang defended.

"And vulgar." Weiss pointed out.

"Fair enough." Yang accepted that fact.

"All done." Pyrrha stepped out the bathroom, leaving the door open to let out the steam.

"Weiss, you can go next." Yang yawned, slowly taking the duvet off of her.

"Thank you." Weiss climbed out of bed and got her stuff for showering.

"So that's the limit with decorating." Yang asked.

"We're decorating?" Pyrrha asked.

"Yeah. Though I think only posters, painting and books for now."

"Alright." Yang went scratching through her stuff to decorate with emerging with a boyband poster and another of the burning heart on her crop-top in yellow crop-top over a black background. "Where should I put these."

Logo on the wall by your bed.

"I think the boyband picture would be fitting by the couches." Pyrrha added.

Got anything, Nikos?

"I didn't really bring anything from home other than my clothing and weapons."

"What? We're fixing that later. This room is for all of us. It should have something for all of us." Yang declared.

Pyrrha got a little sheepish. "Yang, there's no need to–"

"There's every need to!" Yang threw her arms into the air before looking at Pyrrha sincerely with her hands on the redhead's shoulders. "If you're such a people-pleaser, then please me by going with us to get stuff you want."

Pyrrha sighed but smiled in defeat. "Alright, we'll go this weekend."

Breakfast went as usual, with Nora babbling on about some dream she had, Ren correcting her over exaggerations and everyone paying close attention, except Pyrrha and Jaune. The redhead was staring at the blonde, who was staring at the Ice Queen. Jaune went to get drinks for himself and Pyrrha, when the school bullies: CRDL tripped, spilling the drink all over him.

"Haha! How did you get team leader?"

"Hey, Leave him alone!" Ruby stood up quickly, only for me to push her down.

I got this. I strolled to help Jaune but was intercepted by Cardin.

"Need something, Ice-cream faunus?" Cardin smirked.

I looked straight up with an amused smirk. Just here to pickup drinks from blondie on the floor there.

"Really? Jauney Boy?"

He's a goof, sure, but I guess you could call that his charm.

"Hey guys, I think Ms. Ice-cream over here has crush on Jauney Boy."

Wrong girl. Now if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to retrieve the goof.

"Oh come, you think he's a joke as much as we do, why not just–"

I slammed my leg into his doll crotch.

He fell to his knees and held his area.

I wrote a message for the rest of his team. What is he holding? I missed his vagina.

His team quickly grabbed their leader and ran out.

C'mon blondie, you can't be this pathetic. You've got a team to lead. I held out a hand to help him up.

"Yeah, I know…" He didn't take the bullying or my criticism well.

"Jaune, are you okay?" Pyrrha came to get her goofy prince, followed by Ruby.

"Yeah, just peachy! Why?" I can't if he was being sarcastic.

"Really?" Ruby asked. "You seem a little… not okay…"

"Guys, I'm fine. Seriously! Look!" He gave a thumbs up while laughing nervously.

"Jaune, Cardin's been picking on you since the first week of school!" Pyrrha noted sternly.

Jaune feigned ignorance. "Who? Cardin Winchester? Nah... He just likes to mess around! You know, practical jokes!"

"He's a bully." Ruby glared out the door, as though Cardin was about to walk back in.

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

"There's all the times he opens you shield in small doorways." Pyrrha started.

"All the times he's made you drop your books." Ruby continued.

And that one time he pushed you into a locker and sent you flying out of the school. I added the cherry on top.

"I didn't land far from the school!" Jaune tried laughing it off as we returned to our teams.

"Jaune, you know if you ever need help, you can just ask." Y'know if you listen carefully to what Pyrrha just said, you can hear her scream 'Notice me, dammit!'

"Ooooh!" Nora got up from the table and flexed with a not-entirely-sane grin. "We'll break his legs!"

I second that.

"Guys, really, it's fine! Besides, it's not like he's only a jerk to me; he's a jerk to everyone." He defended.

"Yeah, yeah, let's get to class."

"Begin."

With that, Cardin dropped his mace off his shoulder, a cocky grin on his face as he almost taunted Jaune to come forward.

I predict bad things for this boy.

"You and me both." Yang sighed.

Pyrrha was obviously worried.

The blonde grimaced but didn't falter. Or...at least he didn't falter in determination. Squaring his shoulders, Jaune let out a shout as he charged at the tank. He brought his sword down, aiming directly at Cardin's shoulder, but Cardin's was pretty fast for a tank.

Nothing I couldn't beat though.

Spinning his mace lazily, Cardin hit Jaune's shield with a resounding gong. The blonde's eyes widened as he went flying into the ground. His great-grandfather crafted a good shield, considering there wasn't even a dent after that devastating blow, but it didn't change the fact that Jaune stumbled himself onto his feet, wincing a little.

"Damn...that didn't look fun." Yang commented

"Well we knew he wasn't a fighter..." Weiss pointed out

Jaune had just managed to roll away from Cardin, who's mace had cracked the floor where the blonde had been standing. The heirloom sword went for Cardin again, only to be caught in Cardin's mace. With a grunt, Cardin threw Jaune away from him, the cocky grin never once leaving his face.

This is just painful to watch

"Painful or not, you have to credit his raw determination at least." Weiss noted.

The blonde just picked himself right up off the floor, despite his Aura meter dipping into the yellow. Even if he wasn't a good fighter, he sure knew how to channel his stubbornness.

"Jaune doesn't look that hot…" Yang broke in.

"Yeah..." Pyrrha just got more worried each time jaune went down

Ruby looked torn between worry and trying to cheer her leader on.

"Come on Jaune, represent team ARRN!" Eventually she settled for cheering.

It seemed like the blonde appreciated it too. He smiled up at Ruby, before squaring his shoulders again. It was clear enough that he was hurting from the panting he was doing, but the teen wasn't going to give up either. Jaune pushed himself and jumped at Cardin one last time

Only for Cardin to smirk, as he neatly sidestepped Jaune's swing and knocked his shield from his hands.

Ouch...

Jaune stumbled back to his feet, but still refused to give up. Holding his sword with both hands now, he charged at Cardin again. This time, Cardin caught his sword and pushed down, easily overpowering him.

"This is the part where you lose," Cardin finally spoke.

"Over my dead bo–"

Everyone winced as Cardin interrupted him with a kick right in the groin.

Pyrrha nearly jumped into the stadium when Cardin held his mace above Jaune, who was curled up on the floor without any defence beyond his sword. With his Aura in the red, a blow from that mace could do some serious damage right now.

"That bastard better not..." Yang's eyes flared red and her fist were ready to knock the jackass out.

Luckily for everyone involved, the lights snapped back on as Goodwitch walked into view again, "Cardin, that's enough."

"Tch." Said jackass backed up, clearly disappointed he couldn't hit Jaune again.

Goodwitch sent a disapproving look at Cardin, before turning to the other students, "As you can see, Mr. Arc's Aura is in the red. In a tournament style duel, that would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle, and an official can call the match." As she said that, she turned to look at an exasperated Jaune.

"Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now. Please pay attention to your scroll during battle, it is helpful to gauge when to attack...and when to move to a more defensive strategy. We wouldn't want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf now would we?"

Cardin snorted. "Speak for yourself."

Ruby ran to help her leader back to the stands as Goodwitch turned to the audience. "Remember everyone, the Vytal Festival is only a few months away. Students from the other Kingdoms will start arriving any day now," she said, pulling excitement out of Yang, Weiss, Ruby and Nora. "so, keep practicing. Those who compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale."

As the bell rang, I watched Jaune, Ruby and Pyrrha make their way to Oobleck's class.

I pulled Pyrrha aside briefly before we reached class.

He's not gonna last much longer here, left alone in actual combat, unless someone trains him...

The suggestion I gave her sent her brimming that she could help her crush.

"Yes! Yes, prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution-more popularly known as the Faunus War…" Professor Oobleck zoomed up to the front of the class and the map covered in papers behind his desk. "… Humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie." He pointed at the map of said-area with his stick, then zoomed off to the side for a sip of his coffee before appearing in front of the desk.

I say coffee, but I honestly think it's a combo of every energy drink ever made, with some coffee flavouring.

"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!" Oobleck zoomed around the classroom, sipping his coffee again before continuing to zoom and talk. "Now! Have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?"

Velvet raised her hand.

"Yes, yes...simply dreadful," A slight shake of the head accompanied that statement, "remember students, it is this type of thinking that breeds violence. I mean...I mean...just look at the White Fang!" Zooming around the room, Oobleck shot off into another tangent as quickly as the last, "Now which of you can tell me what is widely believed to be the turning point during the third year of the war?"

Weiss's hand shot into the air. The Professor nodded up at the heiress

"The battle at Fort Castle," Weiss answered with absolute certainty.

The Professor sipped his coffee, a smile creeping onto his face, "Exactly! And, who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagoon's forces?"

"Hey!" All eyes turned to see that Jaune had just snapped awake and but Oobleck seemed oblivious to that little tip-bit.

"Ah, Mr. Arc! Finally contributing to class! This is excellent, just excellent! Now tell me, what is the answer?"

Jaune blinked, clearly flustered by the question.

Pyrrha tried to get her crush's attention as he stumbled for the answer.

"Um...the answer? The advantage the Faunus had was..." the blonde slowly spoke, as his noticed Pyrrha. The redhead pointed at her eyes and made circles over them, hoping her friend got the hint. Unfortunately for her...

"Binoculars!" the blonde shouted triumphantly. Professor Oobleck sipped his coffee, as Pyrrha couldn't help but facepalm. Jaune seemed to realize his mistake, as he slouched in his seat. That gave Pyrrha some guilt, probably for giving a shit hint.

"Very funny Mr. Arc," Oobleck zoomed back to his desk, turn his attention to the laughing asshole who woke Jaune up. "Cardin, perhaps you would like to share your thoughts on the subject?"

"Well, I know it's a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier," Cardin replied.

I snapped my fingers, turning all eyes on me. I showed Cardin my scroll. You're a real asshat, y'know that?

Cardin scoffed. "Big words from a mute, Ice-cream Faunus."

I rolled my eyes as I turned to Oobleck. Isn't the answer night vision?

"Indeed. The General was unprepared for the Faunus' ability to see in the dark."

"And he made the mistake of trying to attack the Faunus in their sleep," Pyrrha continued, "his massive army was outmatched, and the General was captured. Perhaps if he had paid more attention in class, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure." She directed her last words to Cardin, who growled on his feet, but a cough from Professor Oobleck made him back down.

"Mr. Winchester, please take your seat," The Professor sounded quite disappointed in his student, "You and Mr. Arc can both join me after class."

"Aww..." Jaune was understandably unhappy by that, but Oobleck continued the lecture until the final bell of the day rang.

As we left class, Pyrrha slowly stalked behind us before stopping outside.

"I'll see you guys, I'll wait for Jaune."

Pyrrha smiled at us.

I winked in approval at the redhead, before teasing her with some sex gestures.

"Neo!"

I snickered, before turning to the rest of the team.

C'mon. let's leave her with Goof Charming.

"Pyrrha, it's fine. I'll take care of Jaune." Ruby said, smiling confidently.

I pulled Ruby by the hood and dragged her off. Ignore her and stick to the plan.

"What was that for?" Ruby protested as I dragged her.

I stopped and turned to face her once we reached our respective dorms. Look, Red. You're not the team leader. You'd make a great one, don't get me wrong, but Ozpin didn't choose you.

Yang saw Ruby's disheartened face and pushed me into our dorm, slamming the door behind the Ice Queen.

"Y'know, I honestly thought you learn from your tantrum with Ice Queen here, but really? You're gonna shoot down Ruby like that?!" Her eyes burned red as she pinned me against the door.

How the hell is she gonna learn otherwise?

"I don't care! She's still a little kid, she doesn't need to act our age!"

"Yang, cut it out!" Weiss pried yang off of me, dropping me to the floor.

Oh, sure. She can act her age and I can't? That's fair. I glared up at my surprised teammates and sighed. Yeah, I'm ruby's age, so what? You're right. If she can get the chance to act her age, then she should. I shouldn't have told her off like that.

I got up and opened the door to apologise to Ruby when I caught a glimpse of Oz and slammed it shut again. Fuck me…

"Ruby. As much as a great leader as you have the potential to be." I put my ear against the door to hear him better.

"Neo what are–" I held a finger up for Yang to shut up, before motioning for both of the her and Weiss to listen with me.

"You can see your leader is struggling with his position, so why not give assist him where you can so that he can be the leader your team deserves." Ozpin finished.

"I…" Ruby started but didn't continue.

We heard footstep slowly distancing as high-heeled ones came closer.

"Hey Pyrrha." Ruby greeted, still sounding dejected.

She got no response and a second later, Pyrrha sauntered in to the dorm, flopping face down on the couch.

I sighed before turning to Yang and Weiss. "You two check on with Pyrrha, I still need to apologise to Red outside."

"You can apologise later, check on Pyrrha. You're the leader; Rubes is my sister."

I pulled a face in annoyance. I hate that Yang was the biggest adult in the team.

I turned to Pyrrha, who was already being tended to by Weiss. I sat down on the bed, legs crossed, and listened.

"He's so warped by his own guilt and failures that he won't even let me help him!" She was fighting the urge to let tears well up in her eyes, but her voice didn't do her justice. "I don't want to help him improve out of pity or a sense of superiority! I just…" I pulled her head onto my lap and shushed her.

You said it yourself: He's wrapped up in his failures. He just needs a win.

"But I could give him that win!"

I shushed her again. Jeez, you're so loud! He's not gonna take a win on a silver platter. As harsh as it sounds, he's done nothing to prove to himself that he's capable of becoming a huntsman.

"He's done more than enough! He thought of the plan to kill the deathstalker in the Emerald Forest!"

"Guys, sorry to interrupt the tears, but I think Ruby's taking Ozpin's advice." Yang motioned for us to come listen.

Weiss and I frowned at the blonde.

"What do you mean?" The heiress asked on behalf of both of us.

"As harsh as Neo was, I think she's that and Ozpin's lecture to motivate Jaune."

The three of us on Pyrrha's bed went to listen to what Yang was hearing.

"Don't lie to my face," Jaune sighed, "I am a failure. I let Cardin put me on a leash, Pyrrha's mad at me you're already doing my job better than I can

"Nope." Ruby replied. "It's my fault at not giving you a chance to be a leader. I guess you could say I failed at being a team follower."

Jaune didn't bother hiding his misery, "But what if I'm a failure at being a leader? I mean, all three of you outshine me."

"Nope." Ruby repeated once more, "Jaune... I failed at letting you be a leader, and Nora and Ren don't need failures. You're a leader. And I'm supposed to support you as your teammate. What we do reflects our team, and that's why we can't fail...we can't fail Ren and Nora."

"But..." Jaune started, but Ruby quickly cut him off.

"No buts mister! I think you could be a better leader than could probably be. And if you need any help leading, I've got your back." Ruby gasped. "I could be your sidekick!"

I heard Jaune snicker a little. "Thanks, Ruby."

"Anytime, Captain!" I hear her wide smiled. "And I'm sure Ren and Nora would be more than willing to help out too."

Yang pulled her ear from the door, brimming with pride. "That's my little sister."

"Do you think Jaune will listen to her?" Pyrrha asked, a glint of hope him her eyes.

I think the fact that she's his teammate helped the leadership speech. I pointed out.

"See? Jaune just needed a Ruby-induced motivation."

"I still think he'll need some time," Weiss interjected, "I'll believe he's fine when he stops moping and starts acting like a leader."

Ice Queen's not wrong.

"Guys, it's Ruby, you don't need to worry about him. Especially you, Pyrrha." I couldn't help but be amused by how protective yet trusting she was when it came to her sister. It reminded me of Roman a little.

"Yes, students, the forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful. But we are not here to sight-see."

Glynda lead the first years through the admittedly breath-taking forest. "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."

The group stopped, and Jaune bumped into Cardin as he carried a of box six empty glass jars. The asshole scowled at Team ARRN's leader, who tried feigning ignorance by whistling.

"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 at 4 o'clock. Have fun!"

While my team and I slowly sauntered off, I caught a glimpse of Cardin grabbing Jaune by hoodie.

"Come on, buddy - let's go!"

Jaune looked to Pyrrha, who flashing him a smile that seemingly bettered his mood.

"I'll catch up with you guys just now, I just wanna make sure Nora doesn't try eating the sap."

"Let's. Go." Jaune actually didn't struggle as Cardin dragged him away from us.

Happy?

"A little." Pyrrha admitted.

C'mon, Victory, we've got sap to jar. We hunted for Weiss and Yang, who had left us to get a head start.

"Here comes the Cherries Jubilee!" Yang and Weiss were finally visible after we wander for a couple of minutes.

What kinda pairing name is that?

"Cherry Jubilee comes from Mistral – Pyrrha's home continent – and it uses Ice Cream – your name."

"That quite well thought out. I'm impressed, Yang." Pyrrha smiled.

Gotta hand it to you, Blondie. I honestly thought you were full of puns. I smirked.

Yang shrugged. "Word place in general. My dad's humour really rubbed off on me."

"Your father should apologize for the crime he committed in spreading this pun disease."

Yang snickered a little. "I guess he gave a bad case of Con-pun-ctivitis."

Weiss and I face palmed at that, while Pyrrha just

Fuck's sake, Xiao Long! Where's to cure?

"She's beyond pink-eye." Weiss sighed.

"You guys done with Sap collecting?"

"Yeah, Ren just asked us to get an extra to jar to keep for his pancake." Yang answered.

Prof. Peach did say it's used at syrup.

"Well, knowing Nora, she's probably devouring the sap as we speak." Weiss giggled a little, something the rest of us were wildly thrown off by.

"What?" was all that Yang could say.

Did the Ice Queen just giggle?

"Hey! I'm not completely cold!" Weiss protested against out shock.

But you do acknowledge the fact that you can a bitch at times, right?

"I'd rather not be insulted so crudely, but yeah." She huffed and crossed her arms – her eyes closed, and her head turned away from us.

We all laughed

Then we heard a thundering roar

Team ARRN, minus their leader, came running to us.

"Did you guys hear that?" Ruby asked.

Suddenly, Team CRDL started running towards us.

Russel, I think his name was, looking back, shouting, 'Ursa! Ursa!' and bumped into Yang, who picked him up by his shirt.

"What?! Where?" The blonde screamed in his face.

Russel struggled in fear but pointed back from where they came. "Back there! It's got Cardin!"

Pyrrha dropped her jar of sap, "Jaune!"

Ruby and I got into leader mode.

Yang! You and Weiss go get Goodwitch!

Yang and Weiss nodded before following the orders, the former dropping Russel in the process.

Ruby looked to her team and nodded in the direction Yang and Weiss were headed. "You two, go with them! There could be more!"

Ruby, Pyrrha, Let's go.

"Rodger." Ruby saluted.

"Right!" Pyrrha lead the way.

"Oh, no!" We arrived just in time to see an Ursa Major leaning over Cardin. It raised its paw to swiping it down, only to be blocked by Jaune's shield. Ruby quickly drew Crescent Rose but was stopped but Pyrrha.

"Wait!" Pyrrha almost ordered.

"For what? He…"

"Just watch."

Jaune just barely managed get himself out from under the weight to of the Ursa's paw and slashes at its stomach, causing it to lash out and try to crush him. He rolled out of the way and jumped over its feet sweep but couldn't dodge a strike mid-air. He hit the ground a little away from Cardin and tumbled onto his feet before charging again, only to be knocked behind the Ursa before he could strike. He to a looked at his Scroll that he started keeping in his shield and was seemingly annoyed again by it when he broke into a run towards the approaching Ursa.

Just before they clashed, Pyrrha lifted her hand out to him, gathering her aura in her arm, using her polarity to lift Jaune's shield up to block the Ursa's swipe. Jaune used the surprise defensive move to lean on the ground, push his shield back up, and cleanly decapitate the Ursa, the head falling to the ground just before the body thudded down after.

"Uh… what?" Red was both confused and in awe of what Pyrrha had just done.

Her semblance is Polarity.

"Whoa, you can control poles..."

I facepalmed at the girl's misunderstanding, but burst into laughter when I saw the pure, innocent awe in her.

"What?" Ruby's tone went back to confusion as I rolled on the floor, holding my stomach in pain from laughing so much and so hard.

"Ruby, Polarity means that I have control over magnetism."

"Oooh… Magnets are cool, too…" Ruby almost whispered in embarrassment as I kept laughing at her.

"Alright, I get it! I made a mistake! Now could you stop laughing at me, so we can go tell everyone what happened." I could hear the pouting in Ruby's voice.

"Why don't we just keep this our little secret?" Pyrrha suggested, offering me a hand to stand up.

I caught my breath after a minute longer of laughing and took her offer.

Keeping Jaune win a secret was probably a good thing, as when Pyrrha came back from her roof talk with Jaune late that night, she was brimming with joy.

Chapter 4: Partners in Crime

"The Vytal Festival! Oh, this is absolutely wonderful!" Weiss squealed.

We were walking through the streets of Vale, which were currently being decorated in time for the Vytal Festival. Red, yellow, and green streamers and balloons were proudly displayed, even the Dust till Dawn shopkeeper had a sign reads in bright red letters "WELCOME TO VALE!" for all the newcomers.

I don't think I've ever seen you smile this much, Weiss. It's kinda weirding me out...

The heiress stopped and turned to me. "How could you not smile? A festival dedicated to the cultures of the world! There will be dances! Parades! A tournament! Oh, the amount of planning and organization that goes into this event is simply breath-taking!"

As we went on walking, Yang sighed, arms crossed. "You really know how to take a good thing and make it sound boring."

"Quiet, you!" The Ice Queen in Weiss snapped.

We stopped near the docks, the sounds of foghorns loud and clear. "Remind me again why we're spending our Friday afternoon visiting the stupid docks?" Yang groaned.

"I've heard that students visiting from Vacuo will be arriving by ship today. And, as a representative of Beacon, I feel as though it is my solemn duty to welcome them to this fine kingdom!" Weiss bullshitted herself a response

Pyrrha smirked. "She wants to spy on them, so she'll have the upper hand in the tournament."

Weiss scoffed. "You can't prove that!"

Yang stopped in her tracks as we passed a block. "Whoa." We all stopped with her to see a shattered window down the street and a door full of yellow caution tape of the Vale Police Force. The majority walked over to the detectives in front, leaving me to follow behind them.

"What happened here?" Pyrrha asked.

The detective with a pad answered – his badge showing his title, Detective Burns – while the other was in the shop. "Robbery. Second Dust shop to be hit this week. This place is turning into a jungle." He strolled over to his partner.

Yang sighed sadly as she glanced back at me. "That's terrible."

"They left all the money again." The partner – Detective Hayman as the badge read– walking out of the shop announced.

Ruby turned her head when she heard this. "Huh?"

"Yeah, just doesn't make a lick of sense. Who needs that much Dust?" Detective Burns asked, nonchalantly waving the gun in his hand around.

"I don't know, an army?"

"You thinking the White Fang?"

Detective Hayman took his shades off. "Yeah, I'm thinking we don't get paid enough."

"Hmph! The White Fang." Weiss crossing her arms and pointing her nose in the air with her eyes closed. "What an awful bunch of degenerates!"

Eh, there are worse out there. I shrugged.

"What could be worse than the White Fang? They want to wipe Humanity off the face of the planet!" She retorted.

It's not like they wanna do it aimlessly, Humanity's never really treated them fairly. I argued. Besides, Considering recent events, it's probably Roman Torchwick. Though I say Roman, I don't think this was his work. Ignoring the night that I met Ruby, Roman's usually very passive about robberies, usually only needing to threaten most.

"That still doesn't change the fact that the White Fang are a bunch of scum." Weiss spat. "Those Faunus only know how to lie, cheat, and steal."

"That's not necessarily true..." Yang sided with me.

"What's with you two? Why are you defending a group of terrorists?"

Because everyone has their reasons for what they do. Just like you have your reasons for being the Ice Queen, the faunus of the White Fang have their reason for believing what they're don't will bring equality and respect.

"THERE'S A LINE BETWEEN RESPECT AND FEAR!" She shouted.

I'd ask why she's so worked up about this, but I'm pretty sure I have a rough idea.

Fine, whatever. Let's drop this.

"People of Vale! The White Fang will not rest until we, the voice of the Faunus, are heard!" There was a girl shouting through a megaphone a few feet off.

Weiss, still simmering from our argument stormed to the source of the voice.

"Weiss, wait!" Yang reached to grabbed the Heiress by the arm, but just missed.

The girl with the megaphone was a brunette in a short black jacket, grey crop-top, maroon jeans, black sneakers and wristbands, a whip on her waist, a Grimm Mask with chameleon horns on it.

"Shut! UP!" Weiss screamed at her.

She turned to Weiss and the recognition hit, she put her megaphone and approached her. "Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, one of the largest producers of energy propellant in the world." The disgust and anger in her voice was hard to miss

"A company that has been at war with the faunus of the White Fang for years!" I… was right…

"The same company infamous for its controversial labour forces and questionable business partners." The faunus retorted.

"My grandfather's company has had a target painted across its back for as long as I can remember, and since I was a child, I've watched entire train cars full of Dust, stolen; board members executed; FAMILY FRIENDS HAVE VANISHED OFF THE FACE OF REMNANT!"

Yang, grab her, before a fight breaks out.

The blonde nodded and swept the Ice Queen off her feet, carrying her over the shoulder.

Weiss hit Yang in the head. "PUT ME DOWN, DAMMIT! I'M NOT DONE WITH THIS LYING, CHEATING, OF AN EXISTENCE!"

Before the cat girl could draw her sword completely, I pressed Melodic Cudgel on her throat with an innocent smile.

Sorry about my teammate. *insert whisper* She's a bit of a racist as you can see.

"Don't mess…!"

I pressed the cane harder against her throat, knowing full well that my eyes were pink and brown. Uh-uh-uh… this cane's also a gun, in case you haven't gathered. Now, I'm not one for shooting people – I like being a little more personal with a blade – but I wouldn't mind putting a hole through your oesophagus right now.

The faunus smirked. "Daddy's looking for you."

I frowned at her choice of word. I know he is, what of it?

"Neo!" Pyrrha shouted.

I snapped my head to find her and Yang walking off, with Weiss still protesting on Yang's shoulder.

"Wanna see him again?" Before I could pull the trigger, I blacked out.

"Kid, you ok?" Roman's voice woke me up. I opened my eyes and was greeted by the eyeliner around his left eye. I smiled briefly, before glaring. "Yeah, I know, I'm not a fan of the brat either, but it was the best gamble we had trying to get you in broad daylight. At least she knocked herself out messing with so many people's minds."

I kept glaring.

"Don't give me that. I spent the last few months trying to figure out how to get you out of Beacon."

While I kept my mouth shut to save your ass.

Roman smiled at that and patted my head. "Thanks, Kiddo."

Anytime. I smiled back. Are the girls I was fine?

Roman frowned. "Who cares? They're probably tearing up Vale trying to find you."

I sat up but stayed under the covers. Just making sure you're kept to your incognito thief code.

He wasn't convinced. "You've never c…"

"Good to see you're awake, Neo." The chameleon girl interrupted with a cocky smile.

I zapped her.

Roman half-smacked me on the back. "Kid, play nice."

I don't like her.

"Neither do I, but tough shit, kid. The lizard's Ilia and the cat's Blake."

"Lizard?!" The Chameleon reacted.

Shut up, will you. Em's mind-fucking leaves me with a headache every time.

"Why should I have to work with the human scum who show no respect for Faunus?" She screamed.

Come here and I'll show you why. I taunted, but before she could take the bait, her cat friend interjected.

"Ilia, Adam said that we are here to assist where we can, not start fights." The cat warned her friend.

"Well, now that introductions are done, how about you say hi to an old friend."

I held my scroll up for Roman to see. Where's my umbrella? I need to put this punk in his place.

"Easy there, kiddo." Roman held me back before I could give Mercury a nice ass-kicking.

"Miss me, Neo?" The silver-haired asshat grinned from the top of a crate of dust.

Just because your girlfriend's asleep, doesn't mean you can try your luck with me.

"I'm not trying anything. Em and I just missed you oh so much?" He snickered.

I groaned. I miss my team and ARRN already.

"Mercury, what do I have to pay you to shut up? My head's still spinning and waiting to be split…" Emerald whined from a crate next to Mercury.

Silence quickly filled the room when we all hear high heels clanking.

"Is she awake?" Cinder asked from the doorway of the bedroom we were in.

Roman sighed. "Yup."

"Good." Cinder strutted her way to me and sat on the edge of the bed.

Her face showed no signs of false concern or amusement. Only annoyance. "I hope you realise how much work you were to retrieve."

I nodded.

"Why didn't you use your semblance the night you were captured?"

I didn't think of it.

Smack!

"Cinder!" Roman was about to protest, when she shot him a look that killed any desire to protect me.

Cinder turn back to me. "Will you act thoughtless again?"

Shook my head furiously.

"Good. Now… other than the staff at Beacon, who know what you are?"

Two girls.

Smack!

"Why do they know?"

It was the girl we were fighting the night I was captured. She told her sister.

I could see the annoyance in her build.

"We'll have to revise our plans." Cinder grabbed my throat and dug her nails in slowly. "You are to stay with Roman and only act when ordered to do so. Am. I. Understood?"

I nodded, but that let her nails dig deeper.

With that, she released me.

I felt around where her nails dug in and noticed blood.

"Roman, when is that shipment from dust from Atlas arriving?" Cinder asked her usual composed and seductive tone returned.

"Tonight."

"Blake, Ilia, do you have your white fang members ready to steal the dust?"

"Yes ma'am." The cat answered.

"Roman, as usual, you will lead this operation. And Neo, why not go with roman for old time sake?" Cinder headed out and stopped by the exit. "And don't get caught this time."

"C'mon, kid. Get geared up and we can head out. Your umbrella's in the corner over there. As much as I hate her, she's right. We can go back to the way things used to be."

Yeah.

…Partners in Crime…

Volume 2

"I don't want to forget today. I want to remember the time I spent with you today - even the little things. But even more than that, I don't want to stop being friends with you! If that day comes then I won't be happy even if I'm able to remember you."

Chapter 1: Friends vs Family

"So, how much farther?" Mercury asked.

A few blocks.

The ass groaned. "This place is so dull."

"Eh, I kinda like it. Tall buildings, diverse culture…" Emerald was about to go on a whole tangent, when Mercury quickly interrupted.

"And nice dopey people who are easy to pickpocket."

Em stopped at grinned proudly. "That's every city."

Mercury acted as a victim. "Ooh, Emerald! Master thief! Please don't take my money! I barely have enough to get by!"

Emerald groaned and glared at him before catching up to me, since I hadn't stopped walking.

I heard mercury sighed behind us. "You're no fun today."

We reached our destination: 'Tukson's Book Trade'. We entered, and Mercury immediately started browsing, while Emerald and I went to the counter and rang the service bell.

We heard a voice from the back "Be right there!"

We all looked at each other briefly before the shop owner came through the double doors behind the counter, carrying stacks of books backwards and out toward the counter.

"Welcome to 'Tukson's Book Trade', home to every book under the sun!" He set the stacks down. "How may I..." Turning around, he hesitated upon recognizing us. "How may I help you?"

"Just browsing." Mercury answered, shutting the book he had in his hand.

"Actually, I was wondering," Emerald started, leaning forward on the counter. "do you have any copies of 'The Thief and The Butcher'?"

Tukson smiled. "Yes, we do."

"That's great." Emerald replied, faking excitement.

"Would you... like a copy?"

"No, just wondering." Mercury closed another book behind us. "Oh, oh! What about "Violet's Garden'? In paperback?"

"He's got it. Hardback too." Mercury held the book up, scanning through a random page.

"Ooh, options are nice."

"Eh, no pictures." Mercury tossed the book down. "Hey! Do you have any comics?"

Tukson pointed to the shelves to Mercury's right. "Near the front."

"Oh, no, wait! What... about... 'Third Crusade'?

Tukson was noticeably unnerved. "Um... I… don't believe we carry that one."

Mercury slammed another book shut. "Oh."

"What was this place called again?" Emerald asked.

"Tukson's Book Trade." The owner answered.

"And you're Tukson?"

He gave a little nod. "That's right."

"So, then I take it that you're the one that came up with the catchphrase?"

"Yes."

"And, what was it again?" Mercury asked.

Tukson sighed. "Tukson's Book Trade, home to every book under the sun."

"Except the Third Crusade."

"It's just a catchphrase."

"It's false advertising!"

I snickered at that.

Emerald stepped back in. "You shouldn't make a promise you can't keep, Tukson."

Mercury starting dimming the window up front with the switch next to the door. "I hear that you're planning on leaving. Moving all the way to Vacuo. Your brothers in the White Fang won't be happy to hear that. And neither are we... You know who we are, don't you?"

"Yes."

"And you know why we're here?"

"Yes."

"So, are you going to fight back?"

"Yes!" Tukson formed claws from his nails and jumped atop his counter. We backed up slightly. He leaps at and slashed at Emerald, but she dodges, flying into Mercury who kicked to me with his shotgun-greaves. I extended the blade hidden in my Umbrella and let it run through his chest.

"What's with you and stabbing people?" Mercury shuddered at the sight of the bloodied estoc coming out the other side of Tukson.

It's more personal that way. I shrugged.

We strode out the store.

"What's with that?" Emerald noticed the comic Mercury stole.

He shrugged. "I like the pictures."

I wonder what the girls are doing?

Other than the fact that they're probably still looking for me, or at the very least, worrying about me. Yang's probably keeping the team together, or more specifically, Weiss in check. I wonder if they've gotten a replacement for me.

"Neo?"

I snapped out of my thought.

"Why are you stopping?" Emerald frowned.

Just a little sleep deprived. I lied.

We got back to the warehouse later than night after spending the rest of the day spending stolen cash. Blake and Ilia were instructing the White Fang members where to move crates as we walked in.

"Oh, look! She sent the kids again! This is turning out just like the divorce! Roman approaches wrapped his arms around us in a group hug from behind, feigning delight to see mercury and Emerald.

Emerald shuddered. "Spare us the thought of you procreating."

Emerald and Mercury pulled away from Roman, while I stayed with him.

Roman rolled his eyes, resting his arm on my head to lean. "That was a joke. And this..." he pulled out a paper from thin air. "just might tell me where you two have been all day."

Emerald searched her pockets. "What!? Agh..."

"I'm a professional, sweetheart. Pay attention, maybe you'll learn something." He read the paper and scowled. "Why do you have this address?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Yeah, I would. Now where have you been all day?"

Mercury answered. "Cleaning up your problems. One of them, at least."

"I had that under control."

"Two packed bags and a ticket out of Vale said otherwise."

"Listen, you little punk. If it were up to me, then I would take you and your little street rat friend here and..."

"Do what, Roman?"

Cinder appeared on the platform above us. She stepped onto an automated lift and rode it down to our level.

Roman laughs nervously. "I'd, uh... not kill them?"

"Cinder!" I glared at Emerald's outburst of excitement at seeing Cinder.

"I thought I made it clear that you would eliminate the would-be runaway."

"I was going to..." He looked at me briefly. "So, I send Neo with these two to take care of it."

Emerald quickly called out Roman's bullshit. "He was going to escape to Vacuo! Mercury and I took it upon ourselves to kill the rat. Neo was just there to give directions.

"I think he was some sort of cat, actually." Mercury corrected.

Emerald snickered. "What? Like a puma?"

"Yeah, there ya go."

"Quiet." Cinder snapped. "Did I not specifically instruct you two to keep your hands clean while in Vale?"

Roman quietly laughed that the two getting reprimanded.

"I just thought..." Emerald sheepishly started.

"Don't think... obey."

Emerald dropped her head in shame. "Yes ma'am. It won't happen again."

"And you." Cinder turned to Roman. "Why wasn't this job done sooner?"

The crook in question pointed to his right, then to his left, then behind him. "Uh…? Eh…? Eh…? EHHHHH! Sorry if I've been busy stealing every speck of Dust in the Kingdom!"

"You're an inspiration to every punk with a gun and a ski mask." Emerald laughed at Mercury's remark. I just rolled my eyes.

"Look around, kid. I've got this town running scared! Police camping out at every corner, Dust prices through the roof, and we're sitting pretty on an old warehouse with more Dust crystals, vials, and rounds than we know what to do with! Speaking of which, if you guys wouldn't mind filling me in on your grand master plan, it might actually make my next string of robberies go a little smoother!" He emphasizes smoother with a fist.

Cinder strutted to Roman. "Oh, Roman. Have a little faith." She placed her hand on his face. "You'll know what you need when you need to know it." Roman seemed entranced, but then looks away with a grunt thanks to a small elbow in his side. "Besides, we're done with Dust." She turned away.

Roman looked at her with uncertainty "O-kay, then what now?"

"We're moving. Have the White Fang clear out this building. I'll send you details and coordinates tonight."

Roman frowned. "Coordinates?"

Cinder looked back at Roman with a self-assured smirk. "We're proceeding to phase two."

Cinder, Mercury and Emerald headed out. Roman attempts to light a cigar but realized Emerald has stolen his lighter. She turned back to face him and stuck her tongue out. I snatched Melodic Cudgel out of Roman's hand, but he stopped me before I could fire the hook at Emerald.

"I'll grab some fire dust. We've got plenty to spare."

Fire, huh…

"Yang… Yang… YANG!" Ruby high-pitched shout snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? What?" I blinked furiously as I remembered where I was. Beacon's dinning hall with team ARRN and a leaderless NNWY. I guess the leadership role falls to Pyrrha, since she's next in order. "Sorry, I spaced out."

"Are okay?" Ruby, Weiss, and Pyrrha looked at me worriedly.

I inwardly sighed and flashed a smile. "Yeah, just tired. What'd I miss?"

The three of them weren't convinced, but Nora catapulted an apple into my forehead, thankfully distracting from me.

Obviously, I threw one back at her, though Nora caught it. "What happened to the grapes?" I asked.

"I've got berries?" Nora shrugged, eating the last grape.

"I'll take it." I shrugged and readied myself to catch some more fruit in my mouth.

In the meantime, Ruby, with an enormous heave, slammed a huge binder onto the table, catching everyone off guard. It was Weiss' "Vytal Festival Activities" binder, with that title crossed out with a red marker pen, and given the new title, "Best Day Ever Activities", underneath.

Ruby cleared her throat. "Brothers…" She said, motioning to Jaune and Ren. "Sisters..." Me and Nora. "Friends..." Pyrrha. "Weiss."

I snickered, while the Ice Queen took offence to that. "Hey!"

Ruby ignored the heiress and continued. "Four score and seven minutes ago, I had a dream."

"This ought to be good." I said to the remains of NNWY before catching a berry in my mouth.

"I know team NNWY has been a little distraught due to… recent events…"

"Recent?" Weiss protested. "She's been missing since last semester!"

"Weiss, Professor Ozpin and Goodwitch, as well as the Vale Police Department have been searching since we realised when vanished." Pyrrha tried comforting, but even she wasn't convinced.

"Clearly, they've all been useless! And you, Xiao Long! She's your partner for dust's sake, why on remnant aren't you as frantic as I am?!"

"Because I trust her." I half lied. "Neo's kicked all of our asses in combat training – except Pyrrha – she's more than capable fending for herself."

"What if they took her by surprise!"

"Weiss, why are you so…" Ruby tried for a question, but…

"I AM NOT HAVING THE WHITE FANG TAKE ANYONE ELSE FROM ME!" Weiss screamed, drawing all eyes in the dining hall to us.

Everyone was stunned.

"H-how do you know the White Fang took her?" Jaune asked.

"The chameleon wench was the last person Neo talked to while in Vale!"

"Weiss!" I forced her back into her seat. "Calm. Down."

"What on Remnant is wrong with you?!" Weiss struggled out of me grip.

"Neo's fine!"

"How can you be so sure?"

Now it was my turn to scream. "BECAUSE SHE LEFT US!"

"Yang…" Ruby looked at me with fear.

"Oh, come on. Like you didn't believe that she didn't leave us for him!"

"What?" Both our teammates stared at me in disbelief.

Feeling tears burning my face, I stormed out and went to get Bumblebee's keys. I need to clear my head.

Ozpin, however, had other plans. "Team NNWY, please report to my office."

"What?" I growled, the only one of us three standing in front of Ozpin's desk, Weiss and Pyrrha sitting on chair.

"Ms. Xiao Long, not in th greatest of moods I see." Ozpin looked at me curiously, before looking to General Ironwood, who stood next to him with a weird girl. "General, Penny, if you would please."

The girl had short, curly orange hair that came down to her chin with a pink bow on the back of her head, bright green eyes, light skin and freckles. She wore a white and grey old-fashioned blouse and overalls, a black and green collar, and a matching pair of stockings. On her back was what looked like a small and thin backpack.

"General Ironwood, what brings you to Beacon?" Pyrrha asked as politely as she could.

The General cleared his throat before speaking "Well, after coming to visit Ozpin to catch up before the Vytal Festival, I have been informed about your missing leader. I come to understood that only Ms. Xiao Long is aware of Ms. Neopolitan's background."

Pyrrha and Weiss looked at me with surprise.

"And Ruby." I added.

"Yes, of course." Ironwood nodded. "And as her partner, I'm sure you want to know whether her disappearance was by choice or against her will."

"Yang, what is he talking about?" Weiss asked carefully,

I sighed. "Neo is Roman Torchwick's partner and I think his kid."

"What?!"

"Interesting…" Ozpin thought. "I didn't rather that the connect was that personal."

"Professor Ozpin, you knew?" Pyrrha looked at the headmaster with shock.

"I enrolled her in hopes of gathering information about Roman Torchwick, as well as his schemes."

"Please. If there's one thing Neo's good at, it's keeping her shut." I scoffed.

Ozpin smiled a little. "I see your mood doesn't overshadow your humour."

"Having a dad like mine helps."

Weiss bolted from her seat. "Yang! How could you keep this from us?"

"She did so by my request." Ozpin immediately underhanded Weiss' anger at me.

"Has Ms. Neo…"

"Neo." I corrected the general.

Ironwood wasn't happy with that but carried on. "Has Neo previously mentioned anything that might hint at her having left again?"

I stayed quiet, letting me legs buckle under me and just sat on the floor.

"No… when I first met her, she said something about Roman 'coming to pick her up somehow.' I guess this was that 'somehow'."

Weiss and Pyrrha were left speechless.

"Thank you, Ms. Xiao Long. We will investigate this matter further." Ozpin nodded. "In the meantime, while to avoid a leaderless, three-woman teams, you will take leadership of the team, with Penny here to take the vacant spot."

"Sal-u-tations!" The ginger girl, now dubbed Penny, greeted us cheerily.

"What?" Weiss and Pyrrha gasped.

"No!" I protested.

"Ms. Xiao Long, I understand your respect for your leader, but we cannot have a team of three."

"Says who?!" I spat back.

"Girls, the world of Remnant is far too dangerous for teams to consist of any less than four members." Ironwood argued.

I slowly fought down my anger as my semblance started literally burning me and stared down the adults with what Neo would've probably called 'rebellious determination.'

"Fine. Watch us."

"Yang, are you out of your mind?!"

"You were creaming at me for not doing anything! What's your problem now?! Pyrrha doesn't even seem to care about finding Neo! She's just been passive about it this whole time!"

"She's not stupid enough to disrespect both the headmaster and the general! You might as well beg them to be expelled!"

"I don't care! Finding Neo comes first!"

"How in the world are you gonna bring Neo back to Beacon if you get kicked out?!"

I was actually surprised. "What?"

Weiss sighed. "Look, I'm about as happy about finding out Neo's criminal record as I am about her disappearance. That's why I'd rather hear what she has to say about it herself."

"Okay, now that we're on the same page, what the heck, Pyrrha." Both of us turned to the redhead, who shrunk.

"I…"

"Do you want to find Neo, or not?" Weiss asked firmly.

"Of course, I want to find Neo. All of you are the first people to ever treat me like a person rather than an object on a pedestal, but it's a pedestal I put myself for my own reasons. I…" Her voice broke. "…can't help you save Neo…"

"Does a title and prestige really mean more to you than one of your friends?!" I shouted at her.

"It's not about that!"

"Both of you, shut up!" Weiss stopped up.

"Fuck off! You've been screaming at me the whole morning!" I screamed in her face.

"SHUT! UP!" Weiss pushed me back. "Unlike you, I actually understand where Pyrrha's coming from, so shut up and listen!"

I shut my mouth, but still angry, I kicked Neo's bed into the wall and slumped onto the floor.

Weiss glared at me, before sitting next to Pyrrha on her bed with a more sympathetic look. "The Schnee family name, though perceived to be glorious, comes with more scorn than we're giving credit for, all because my father has driven our reputation into the dirt. He drove it so far into the ground that my sister gave me the title of 'Heiress of the Schnee Dust Company' just to spite him. To try fix the reputation of the Schnee in her own way. That's why I became a huntress; to fix the Schnee family reputation in my own way. If family reputation's what you're worry worrying about, then don't think of what your parents expect of your family name, but what you want to do with it."

Pyrrha and I just stared at Weiss for a good minute.

"I…" Pyrrha started. "I need time to think."

I sighed, my throat too sore to scream again. "Fine, it's your choice."

"If you want to help out a little more passively, then at least helps us come up with ways to find her."

"I-I can do that." Pyrrha nodded.

"Alright, let's hatch a plan."

Chapter 2: Painting the Town

"Yang? Are you ready?"

"Huh?" I snapped out of my thoughts to see that Weiss had gotten ready in her combat skirt/dress.

"Are you okay?" Weiss locked at me worriedly.

"Yeah sorry, just thinking about Neo."

Weiss sat next to me on my bed and put a hand on my shoulder with a look of reassurance. "We'll find."

I sighed. "I hope so."

"Are we still in agreement about the plan?"

"Yeah. You get Schnee Dust records at the CCT for info on Roman, I get White Fang info from a friend on the shady side of town to see if they have anything to do with Roman. We meet up wherever any White Fang me and go from there." I summarised. "Let's go."

Ruby, just then, burst through the door. "Yeah!"

"Ruby? What are you doing here?" Weiss questioned.

"I wanna help find Neo!"

"Ruby, this is a team matter." I explained. "I'm the only one that gets to beat you up."

"That's…" Weiss looked at me funny.

"Wrong choice of words, my bad."

"Yang, without Neo, I would've still tried playing team leader of ARRN. I owe her that much. Jaune and I both owe her."

"Yeah." Jaune confirmed, the rest of Ruby's team entering with Penny.

"Penny?" Weiss and I stared at the ginger.

"I know cannot replace your leader, but I will still be your teammate." Penny smiled.

"Thanks, Penny."

"We're not gonna stand by and our favourite ice cream melt!" Nora joked.

Chapter 3: Dance-Dance InfiltrationChapter 4: White FangChapter 5: BreachVolume 3 Chapter 1: Friends and FamilyVolume 4 Chapter 1: Friends and FamilyVolume 5 Chapter 1: Friends and FamilyVolume 6 Chapter 1: Friends and Family