A/N- I've been a fan of RWBY for about 3 months now ever since my friend introduced the show to me. I love the crazy badass weapons that Monty Oum comes up with and love his characters even more. After reading through some fanfics for RWBY, I decided to do my own shameless self insert (I admit it, OCs are just the people we wish we were.)

All aspects of RWBY belong to Monty Oum/Lie Ren except for my OCs and Ideas, unless Monty/Ren makes them canon then he gets to keep the credit. I also do not own anything that I use for inspiration but forget to credit. (Let's be honest, everything needs a foundation.)

Beacon Academy, the largest and no doubt most famous school of huntsmanship available in the world of remnant. A place where legends of great heroes, great heroines and whatever is in between, are born. Within one of the academy's many lecture theaters, the third years were 'intently' listening to another 'fascinating' lecture about Professor Peter Ports heroic exploits against the creatures of Grimm.

"… and it was just then that I swung my weapon and cleaved one of the foul beasts in two but another Beowolf snuck up from behind and disarmed me. I quickly and instinctively leapt towards the beast and began wrestling my prey to the ground…" the elderly professor bellowed.

Most of the lecture theater had pretty much fallen asleep. Four students in particular sat on the right most end of the middle row. A tall and tanned young man with long, wavy brown hair tied back in a shoulder length ponytail. He leaned back against his chair in a relaxed manner but kept his dark brown eyes locked onto the elderly professor despite not paying any actual attention.

Sitting on his right was his teammate, a petite woman with olive skin and long dark blue hair reaching down to her waist with three braids, two on the left side of her face and one on the right. She was currently asleep and using her arms as pillows.

On her right was a young man of average build diligently taking notes. He had bright red hair held back by a head band and light blue eyes as well as skin that was a lighter shade to the teammates on his left. He groaned in annoyance at how his teammates acted during class but they never changed even if he told them off.

At the end of the row was the team leader. A pale and slightly slender man who stood half a head shorter than his farthest left teammate. His black hair was jaw length with the front bangs framing his face with one lock hanging down his face, stopping between his eyes while the rest was tied back in a short ponytail. He rested the side of his head on his right hand and was scribbling musical notes in his notebook with his left with his eyes closed.

One would have assumed he was listening to classical music through the earphone hidden from view by his hand, but only his teammate and friend who sat beside him could hear the face melting heavy metal being blasted into his ear. This man was now 19 year old and his name was…

"Mr. Cipher Vanheist." The elderly professor Port called out but Cipher did not hear. "… Mr. Vanheist?"

"Hey jerk! Back to reality!" The serious red head whispered while giving his team leader a swift kick to the shin from under the table.

Immediately Cipher's dark green eyes shot open and he stood up, "huh? Oh, sorry professor Port, I was too engrossed in the epicness of your amazing story." He lied.

"Well, of course you were! My exploits are legendary afterall. But sadly your presence is needed in headmaster Ozpin's office, so you won't be able to hear the rest."

At that moment the lady of the team turned her head slowly and whispered with a wide smile, "busted." The remaining three team members made to get up and follow their leader.

"I am happy to say however that the rest of team CRSS (Pronounced as Cross.) may stay for the rest of the lecture if they so choose."

Cipher turned to his teammates and smiled the most sadistic smile in the world. "Of course they can stay, I wouldn't want them falling behind in Grimm studies, I'll just get the notes from them when I'm done." The smile on his female teammate's face instantly fell. While the other two sat back down.

Cipher grabbed his katana sheathed in a custom saya, he left leaning against his chair and left the lecture theater. "What would Ozpin want with me?" He mumbled to himself as he made his way to the headmaster's office.

"Ohh I wonder what professor Ozpin has planned for us!" Ruby asked excitedly to her friends. "I hope he's sending us on an A-rank hunting mission. Maybe we'll get to fight some really tough enemies." She hopped around excitedly.

"Calm down Ruby, I don't think we're going on any mission like that. Only 3rd and 4th year students get sent on A-rank missions." Pyrrha explained.

"Well maybe the headmaster has recognized our superior talent and is making an exception." Weiss argued.

The two teams, RWBY and JNPR had been called to headmaster Ozpin's office during their free period for reasons yet revealed. They were excited as anything that Ozpin himself personally sought them out for was going to be interesting. Reaching the waiting area they waited only a moment before the receptionist gestured to the door.

The 8 of them entered as quietly as they could except for Nora who practically charged right in. Standing next to Ozpin's desk was a young man slightly older than them with onyx black hair and dark green eyes focused on reading a dossier. Like the others he was wearing the academy standard uniform, the main difference being the katana by his side sheathed within a special gun-saya clamped onto an articulated robotic arm extending from his belt.

"Ah, yes, I'm glad you could all make it." Ozpin greeted the two teams and turned to the green eyed man. "Well?"

"Judging by their accomplishments I'd agree they aren't your run of the mill first years. But so much wasted potential and in all the wrong places." He closed the file and placed it back on the table before crossing his arms. "I'd hate to be the one to squander such an opportunity for this school."

"I choose you because you're the most talented in your year…"

"Not much competition going on in my year." Cipher cut the headmaster off

"True, but these children need the guidance of one who came before."

"Wouldn't that mean a 4th year has more qualification than me?"

"I have faith that you would be able to bond with these children better than any 4th year."

After a short but tense pause Cipher surrendered and nodded.

"Well then, team RWBY, team JNPR, meet Cipher Vanheist. He is a 3rd year student at this academy and is one of our most talented." An assortment of 'hi's and 'hello's came his way to which he responded with a nod of his head. "From today onwards the 8 of you will be involved in a mentor-mentee program."

"So you're giving us a babysitter?" Yang asked sarcastically.

"More like an annoying but totally badass big brother." Cipher joked.

"Professor Ozpin, aren't mentor-mentee programs reserved for 4th and 2nd years?" Pyrrha inquired.

"That is true, under normal circumstances this is reserved for students of said years. But you all do not fit into normal circumstances. The 9 of you have one thing in common, talent. I believe that one who has honed this talent can be a very effective catalyst to hone your own."

"Sharpening a blade by clashing it with another, your methods are as unorthodox as usual professor." Cipher sighed.

"Do you trust me?"

A short pause, "with my life."

"Excellent, then you will be taking them with you on your next mission on Monday." The headmaster stated.

"And my team?"

"They will be reassigned. As for the intel you share with RWBY and JNPR. It will be strictly on a need to know basis."

The group of 9 reached the dining hall and sat together with each team on one side. Cipher remained standing and took out his scroll.

"Why don't you sit down?" Ruby offered.

"I'll sit as soon as I confirm that my teammates didn't leave my stuff in Mr. Port's class." He explained. Holding the device up to his ear. "Hey jack-off! You didn't leave my stuff in class did ya?" He yelled angrily. "Thank goodness." He sighed in relief. "SHE WHAT!?" He yelled again. "Oh, when I get my hands on that vixen I'm gonna…"

"Rough day?" Nora chimed in her usual bubbly attitude.

"Something about a vixen, girl troubles?" Yang teased.

"That witch is the farthest thing in the world from a girl. She's a nightmare." Cipher sighed in defeat. "Anyway, I know your names but not who has which."

"Oh, I'm Yang and this is my little sister, Ruby!" The fiery blond announced loudly, gesturing to herself and her younger sister with red tinted black hair.

"I am Weiss Schnee, heiress of the Schnee Dust Company." The snow haired princess stated with her head held high.

"Blake." Was the only word spoken my the black haired girl with the ribbon.

Cipher turned to the remaining 4 and looked at Jaune.

"Huh? Oh, uhm, my name is Jane Arc… I mean Jaune Arc, but you can call me that if you want." The blond boy sputtered nervously due to pressure.

"I'm Lie Ren." The magenta streaked boy responded quickly.

"NORA!" The bubbly girl shouted.

"Hello, I'm Pyrrha Nikos." The red haired spartan woman finished.

"Uhuh, well, since we're going to be working together next Monday we'd better start off on a good note." Cipher cleared his throat, "My name is Cipher Vanheist…" he paused for a little too long as he sat down.

"What's wrong?" Ruby asked.

"I wanted to say something funny but couldn't think of anything." He explained, leading to a few chuckles and giggles here and there.

"Our first mission together is on Monday, so enjoy your weekend and meet me at the airship docks on Monday afternoon." Cipher ordered. "Now, let me have a few moments of peace."

'What?'s and 'huh?'s were shared and Cipher raised his hand to silence them, he proceeded to close his eyes and simply sat there in the silence. The two teams remained utterly quiet, waiting for him to say something. Nora, the hyperactive one was physically incapable of prolonged silence unless she was busy. Ruby had started shifting around her seat too but for a different reason.

He sighed in defeat, "can't I ever end up with people that appreciate silence?" He asked himself. "What is it?" He asked them

"I'm hungry!" Nora cried out.

"Then go eat, no one's stopping you." Cipher stated tiredly. At his approval Nora quickly dashed off to get dinner. Ren also sighed and left with her. Ruby however was still shifting around in her seat.

"And what's wrong with you?"

"What does your sword transform into?" She beamed.

"Uhh…"

The dark-red haired girl inched closer in curiosity, eyes practically sparkling. He turned to the others.

"Ruby's sorta a weapons nut." Yang explained.

Cipher nodded in understanding. "Weapons are like an extension of the people that use them." Ruby said, still sparkling at the eyes waited patiently for his answer.

"Raika doesn't transform into anything, she's just one sword." Cipher explained holding up the katana which had a hexagonal hand guard made of a greyish metal and black and red hilt wrapping

"Oh so it's a classic!" She squealed excitedly. "Let me see, let me see." She begged.

Cipher immediately frowned and shook his head in a no. "I just wanted to see it." the girl with red tinted hair began to pout.

"Ok, ok." He caved after a short few seconds. "You can only inspect the saya." He bargained as he unclasped the sword and sheath from the robotic arm.

Ruby inspected the whole weapon set with deep interest. "The whole setup is simply a firing mechanism built around the mouth of the steel saya complete with hand rail, trigger and 20 round polymer magazine behind the hand grip. When the trigger is pulled the bullet fires and catches onto the reinforced hand guard which draws the whole sword. And I can rotate the whole saya 180 degrees so The cutting edge can point up or down depending on how I need to draw.." Cipher explained enthusiastically despite his initial disapproval, pointing out each part of the system. "All powered by handmade dust bullets." He continued, pulling out the magazine and showing her the rounds fitted with crystal bullets.

"Well someone's enthusiastic." Yang teased. Cipher froze instantly before letting out a nervous laugh and rubbing the back of his neck.

"When it comes down to Raika I guess I do get excited. You must trust your weapon above all else, because your weapon will never betray you, and if you treat them right, they will never fail you. The same cannot be said of people." He stated casually.

"That's a dark and roundabout way of seeing things." Blake pointed out. Cipher merely shrugged.

"But katanas are quite popular, every year, out of 40 students you see maybe 10 sometimes 20 katana users." Ruby said changing the subject.

"No… in every class of 40 you see 10-20 people who think they are katana users." Cipher exclaimed in an angry tone.

"And what's with the sudden mood swing." Weiss finally joined in even though she was still filing her nails.

An annoyed groan escaped Cipher, "Nowadays everyone makes their own weapons." Everyone nodded in understanding. "And of course that means that…" he spoke venomously as he eyed another katana user walk by. "I end up getting grouped together with dozens of morons who use katanas in name and shape only."

"I don't see your point." Jaune stated as Nora and Ren returned with many, many plates of food.

"When I say Katana, what comes to mind?"

"Two handed, single edged, long sword with a subtle curve?" Nora answered quickly.

Letting out another sigh of exasperation. "Katanas are more than just curved pieces of steel. They are an artistic balance of graceful precision, devastating cutting power, and, and… it just gets me so angry when people say they are katana users but didn't even put any hard work into forging a true one." He exclaimed.

"Our little Blakey here is a katana user too you know?" Yang asserted.

"How long did you take to make it?" Cipher asked grumpily.

"About a week." Blake answered.

"How much did it cost you?"

"900 lien."

"Who was your sword-smithing teacher?"

"I'm sorry what?" Blake questioned back.

"The sword-smith who trained you in the art of sword making." He extended.

"I… didn't have one."

"Exactly… I had to take on a 3 year apprenticeship with a traditional sword-smith before I could forge a true katana. 6 months before I finished Raika. And it cost me about 8000 lien to get the materials by the way. But then again an exceptionally forged katana could sell to art enthusiasts for about 240 grand." Cipher ranted.

"Sounds to me like you're just mad at others because they didn't go through the hard work you did." Ren proclaimed.

Cipher took one deep breath and sighed, "You're right. It's just so infuriating when people prance around without going through the right steps. I trained with one of the strongest sword masters in remnant and forged my own sword under one of the greatest sword smiths. And what do I get in return? I get lumped together with morons who don't even know proper kenjutsu." He groaned as he face planted on the table in frustration.

"Are you happy that you took the hard road?" Ruby enquired.

"Beg your pardon?"

"Well, in the end what matters is whether or not you are satisfied with your choice. You already walked down the harder road, so why cry about it now?"

Cipher took a moment to process her words of wisdom, "yeah, I guess you're right. No matter what I would never exchange Raika, and my hard work has made me a cut above the rest… I can see why Ozpin chose you as a team leader now."

"Ohh my baby sister just makes me so proud." Yang shouted as she pulled Ruby into a bear hug leading to a cartoonish dust cloud of fighting sisters.

"Oh, and Blake, sorry about what I said." Cipher apologized.

"It's fine." She smiled slightly.

"Ho Phipher, queres ke rust ohh yoh peem?" Nora babbled with a mouth full of food.

"Huh?"

"She's asking about your team." Ren repeated for her.

"Ohh, uhm, my teammates are all busy right now. Two of them have gone back home for the weekend and the last one is… I actually have no clue."

"Wow, what a team leader." Yang teased.

"Ok then, I shall use my godlike powers to summon him!" Cipher sarcastically shouted. "I command you! APPEAR!" He shouted while pointing at the entrance to the hall. Minutes passed as nothing happened. Leading to suppressed laughter among the group. "Strange, this normally works."

"Cero!" A deep voice in a foreign accent yelled from behind Cipher.

"Whosawhatnow!?" The man in question jumped in shock.

"Relax mi amigo, it's just me." The tall, tanned man soothed.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack Rios." Cipher muttered as he clutched his chest.

"I didn't know you had a heart?"

"Haha, how hilarious."

The taller man gave out a hearty laugh and turned to the two teams at the table. "Ohh, looks like you snagged yourself some sexy señoritas."

"Woah, slow down there ladiesman217 and put on your broken glasses, They're first years."

Rios' jaw dropped together with his expectations. "One more year, one more year." He mumbled to himself. The others looked to Cipher for an explanation.

"Oh, right… everyone, this is my partner and team member, Rios Hierro." Cipher introduced with a monotone voice. Another wave of 'hi's and 'hello's were shared.

"Rios, these are my mentees for as long as Ozpin wants them to be. Teams RWBY and JNPR."

"RWBY and JNPR!? The freshmen who started that impresionante food fight we missed 2 weeks ago!?" He gasped.

Heaving another sigh, Cipher continued. "Yes… the one we missed because Sylvia was busy playing hide and seek with the kids from the town we were sent to protect."

Yang, Nora and Ruby were smiling to themselves at Rios' compliment, while the others facepalmed in shame. "Well, Cero, I'm glad you're finally in the mood to get yourself a…" Rios paused and eyed each girl, "…few girlfriends… even if they are jailbait."

"Don't you have a date to get to?" Cipher groaned and changed subjects.

"Ah si, mí amorcito is waiting for me." Rios sang in a love struck voice.

"Ugh, I'll be sleeping in the library tonight then." Cipher scoffed.

Rios remembered what he had come here to do. "Cero, mi amigo, Sylvia asked me to pass you a message… 'what is the square root of potato'." Confused faces were shared among the two teams but Cipher instantly paled, which didn't mean much due to his skin tone.

"That little witch!" He shouted in anger.

"Nos vemos mi amigo!" Rios yelled as he walked away. Quite a few girls sitting at other tables were staring at him longingly to which he gave them a charming wink. Leading to a wave of fainting ladies and fan girl squeals to wash over the dining hall.

"Your buddy's kinda hot." Yang purred.

Cipher rubbed his temples in and groaned in frustration. "Just give me your scroll IDs. I need to get going… where did that witch get enough mash potatoes to fill a damn locker?" He ordered before asking himself the second part.

"Yikes, sounds like you've planned yourself a smashing weekend. am I right? Anybody?" Yang joked with her signature puns only to receive the silence of her friends.

First chapter done. Thanks for getting this far. Whether or not I continue this depends on how many people like it so please leave a review. Whether it's a full on critique or just a simple, "good job!" I'll happily accept them. Reviews that tell me I suck but don't give a valid reason will be ignored.

Explanation time: Cipher means Zero, and Rios is the Remnant equivalent of a Spanish person. Cero is the Spanish word for Zero hence the nickname.

You are free to ask questions, submit OC(s) or ideas of your own, heroes, villains and anything in between.