Chapter 1

It was the Vytal Festival, Nora Valkyrie's first year competing. Her team, Team JNPR, had made it through to the Doubles Round, where she and her teammate, Pyrrha Nikos, would be competing.

Nora had just finished watching another team of friends, Team RWBY, compete in the Doubles. Team members Yang Xiao Long and Weiss Schnee had won against two members of Team FNKI of Atlas Academy. The fight was thrilling! FNKI's leader played a trumpet as a weapon, and the cat fanus fighting Yang skated so well, a rainbow trail followed her. Although she and RWBY were really close, Nora wanted to meet the FNKI team, remark on how well they fought.

It wasn't long until Nora got her chance...

"Ya fought well today, Katt!" Flynt Coal told his teammate, Neon Katt, as he tuned up his horn.

Neon nodded, "for first years at Beacon, they really were something! That explosive girl seems really fun too!" Neon tied the laces of her skates as she fawned over her opponents.

It was her second time competing in the Vytal Festival. Flynt had managed to make it through to the Singles Round, and nearly won. It surprised the both of them that they lost, especially to newcomers. But what mattered was that Neon enjoyed herself. And she did! She definitely wants to hang out with Team RWBY again, if they weren't busy.

"I'll meet you at the noodle place," Flynt said, "I wanna see a few more fights."

"Phew! That was a close one!" Nora dropped down in her chair at the noodle booth, exhausted. "It's a good thing we thought to bring the lightning dust."

Pyrrrha, who sat beside her, nodded. "I'm glad we were able to pull through. Team VILT made it a close call."

Nora sat up immediately. "Close? That Izabelle girl nearly shaved my head clean with that blade!"

Pyrrha giggled. Almost immediately, her scroll made a noise. She took it out and examined it.

"What is it?" Nora asked, leaning close to look.

"Professor Ozpin wishes to see me," Pyrrha replied.

Nora gasped, "are we in trouble again? If we are, Jaune's taking the blame this time."

"I don't think so," Pyrrha said as she stood up, "he only wishes to see me. Perhaps it's to talk about my progress in the tournament."

"Okay. Just make sure to bring back more syrup when you're done. Ren might make us pancakes to celebrate!"

Pyrrha nodded before walking towards their school building. Nora slumped over on the booth again, waiting for her refill.

Neon skated towards the noodle booth, pleased to see it wasn't busy. She only saw one girl there, obviously tired. Neon slid to the seat next to her.

"Hey, sleepy head!" she remarked to the redhead next to her, "food ain't gonna wait for you to wake up!"

The girl raised her head, a smile growing on her face. "You're the faunus competing against RWBY!"

Neon nodded, folding her arms proudly. "We may not have won, but we kicked butt and had fun!"

"Team RWBY are actually my friends. I know, crazy?"

"Ahh, another Beacon student?"

The girl nodded, "this is my first year here! Get this: my teammate is Pyrrha Nikos! I just fought with her!"

Neon gasped, "THE Pyrrha Nikos? The one on every Pumpkin Pete's box?"

"Yes! She is super nice, and amazing at training!"

"I'm guessing she's your leader. Your headmaster wouldn't be stupid enough to make someone else the leader, right?"

"Well...actually..."

The preppy students were right. The other schools really do run differently.

"Oh, ok then," Neon said, trying to change the topic. She stuck out her hand and said, "Neon Katt."

"Nora Valkyrie," the girl responded, taking her hand and shaking it.

"Wanna trade scroll numbers?" Neon asked. This girl seemed like the perfect candidate for a new friend.