Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY it is the rightful property of Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum (RIP)

Italics are thoughts

Bold Narration

Bold and Italics are flashbacks

Chapter 1 The Brawl before Graduation part 1

This is great! Another beautiful day at Signal nice sunny day, cleared blue sky, birds singing happily just great. Everything was right to start the morning and let me tell you that I was quite happy, or in a very good mood. I kept my smile as I walked the entrance of the school. Why was I so happy? Hmm…I don't know maybe because this is my last year, I'm finally graduating THIS SEMESTER! Booya! That's right finally a third year and just a month before graduation. All the sweat and tears I went through in my studies as well as in leveling up my fighting experience has paid off nicely.

Hopefully, which I'm crossing my fingers big time. I will be able to attend Beacon next semester. It's only the most prestigious combat academy in all of Vale. Two years in combat school, then three years in battle academy or in my case Signal and finally if I'm lucky four years in Beacon in order to become a full fledge huntsman. Oh I just can't wait! In fact I want to graduate already, wish I could speed up time so I can skip graduation and wait for my acceptance letter to Beacon. Yeah bring it baby! I was born ready!

But I guess it will better if I should introduce myself first before conituing. Well my name is Nate Highwind. Anyway I'm seventeen and you already know I'm a senior at Signal Battle Academy. Should I describe myself? Hm…I guess I should don't want to feel like the awkward complete stranger. Well I'm 5'9 feet tall with spiky brown hair, very blue eyes I mean it my eyes are sooo blue like sapphire blue. I'm sure anyone will notice just by staring because-great I'm rambling again sorry my bad. Anyway I'm build not too ripe, though I'm wondering why is that considering the hellish training she gave me sorry I'm rambling got a bad habit of doing that.

My combat attire is a short sleeve buttoned blue vest with black cargo pants and black combat boots. In addition a long blue trench coat, I also have a black just in case I feel like changing. The trench coat makes me look bad ass, I didn't thought of that first. That's what everyone at the Academy is saying anyway, so I take their word for it. My baby is Gale Fang it's my weapon if you're wondering. I build it during my first year at the course of introduction to weapons. It's a dual blade pretty cool weapon if I do say so myself.

Anyway since I mentioned my weapon might as well say my semblance. Pretty sure you know about aura, well my semblance is wind. I can control the air current and bind it to my will, release it and let it blow. That sounded kinda cool. Oh! There was this one time at combat school when I was just a fresh newbie that I took a match and I use my own gas to control it. I was able to spread the fire everywhere it was pretty funny, though I lit a lot of things on fire. Spend a lot of detention because of it-oops I'm rambling again.

But enough about me better to focus on what's going on right now Let's get this show on the road I can't keep my enthusiasm any longer. I just got to the Academy ready to start my day. I guess it will start on a regular day when I met that girl that makes me feel so happy whenever I think of her or when she's near. She's a very good friend.

(Location: Signal Academy Vale Remnant)

The hallway of the Academy was filled with many students passing by, just another normal day. They were ready to get to their first day since it was still early. The usual talking of different kinds of topic most girls talking about cute boys, others talked about combat, boys just been boys trying to pick a fight or just talking strategies and girls. Others will head to their locker to pick their books it was indeed the usual school day.

One girl in particular was about to head to her own locker. She really seemed different from the rest because of her clothes. Black dress with a red hood, black boots, and a belt with a silver colored rose. Truly not ordinary her hair was short colored dark reddish and silver eyes and she was short like 5'4. Her composure was uneasy, looking a bit shy or maybe because she wasn't that good with making friends or trying to build a conversation. She gave a soft sigh holding her backpack when she accidentally bumped into a student.

"Hey watch it Rose!"

"Sorry!"

She quickly apologized while the boy she bumped into left already. Arriving to her locker she picked up a few books putting them in her backpack. Not too far away a certain teen was also picking books from his locker while keeping an eye on the teen girl. He really felt bad for her thought she had a few friends she wasn't that good at making friends, especially when she was a first year just starting Signal. He closed his locker walking towards her.

That red head petite is Ruby Rose she's fifteen and she's a freshmen at Signal. It's me again bet you didn't miss me, well whatever. Been a first year and all I guess she wasn't an expert at the socializing department. But on the kick ass department she's freaking awesome. I'm not kidding I've seen her at the battle simulations she's a force to be reckoned with. The results of training with Professor Qrow, I guess been his niece doesn't add positive points to making friends. I never mind talking to people I like, I mean I care for Ruby not in a romantic away she's only a very good friend that's all.

"Another day of been socially awkward?"

Ruby turned and smiled spotting one of the third years she often talks to. She was always happy to meet up with the spiky haired teen.

"Hi Nate!"

"How'ya doing Ruby busy day huh?"

"Totally I have a written test on first period, and I have an essay to hand on second period. Can't they give us a break? I don't want any of that, just fighting. I only want for my sweet baby to do the talking instead of me!"

"I know what you mean if only they focus more in battle simulations and forget the rest. No classes, no test, no books. Just pure raw fighting" Nate gave a chuckle understanding her point of view.

"I know right? I'm ready to take on a real Grimm and not some silly hologram.

"That makes two of us. Though the holograms are supposed to be in the same combat stats as an actual Grimm they should be equally in strength."

"They should be but they always set the handicap and they're not quite the same as the real thing, its lame. I can do it I trained hard to protect the people from the Grimm. I'll take fighting then talking any day."

"Or more precise trying to make friends" the male teen gave a smirk.

"Hey don't tease!" the silver eyed girl gave a cute pout.

"Well you would rather go find a Grimm than attempting to make any friends" he kept his smirk.

Ruby kept her adorable pout before her eyes lit up at his comment" that's it! Let's go find a Grimm."

"What?" Nate blinked in astonishment.

"Yeah, today after school let's head outside of Vale find a Grimm and beat it up. A Beowulf will be an easy target for us."

The third year was chuckling and felt like patting her on the head" yeah sure, you're kidding?"

"I'm not" she pouted yet again.

"Okaaayyy. Ruby we can't do that."

"Why not?" she replied in a stubborn tone like there was no trouble at all to do such task.

"Because we can't head outside of the city without getting into trouble, we're not official hunters."

The fifteen year old sighed since he had a point. It was forbidden for anyone with no battle experience to head outside of Vale to the territories where the creatures of Grimm reside. They weren't full-fledged hunters not to mention they haven't fought the real thing yet making it a suicide mission. But she was confident the two of them was enough to turn a Beowulf into a pulp of blood. After all she has seen Nate fighting in the battle simulations and he was probably in the same level as her.

The reddish haired girl gave him a cute smile" I'm sure you will have my back if things go south right?"

"Damn that smile and that look in her eyes, she's gorgeous" he tried not to blush but he failed miserably, his cheeks had a tint of red.

"You can always count on me to aid you if we ever engage a real fight. Just not this time, it will have to wait until we graduate."

"But Nate-"she was about to whine but she was cut off.

"But nothing, we're not doing your crazy plan period. I don't want you getting in trouble when you're just a first year. And I don't want to be in trouble either."

"Easy for you to say you're graduating this semester" she pouted trying to get angry at him but she couldn't.

"It has nothing to do with that. Even if you're ready to fight a Grimm it will still be dangerous. I don't want you getting hurt, especially if I get involve."

"And also I don't want a certain someone to kill me if something happens to her little sister because of me."

While Ruby was still pouting at the truth of Nate's word, that certain someone was near and watching. At the end of the hallway stood a girl with long blond hair and lilac eyes with a white complexion, she was wearing a tan vest with gold piping over a yellow low-cut crop top with a black crest that resembles a burning heart. The vest has puffy cap sleeves with black cuffs. On the sides of the cuffs, there are two golden buttons. With a brown with a brown belt buckle, a pouch and a small banner-like object with the crest on it but it was golden colored. Black shorts under her belt which resembles a pleated skirt in the back. Over the short shorts but under the belt is a white asymmetrical skirt along with an orange scarf on her neck with black fingerless gloves and brown knee-high platform boots made of leather with orange socks of different length.

The blond was talking to some of her friends of the same class, until her attention was turned to the locker area. Her lilac eyes fell on the black clothed red hood girl Ruby who was her younger sister. Then they fell on Nate and that cost a slight reaction on her like she was keeping her eyes on him. It was enough to bid farewell to her friends and walked straight towards the two talking teens. She smiled gazing at her sister and kept a neutral glance at the boy, it was part of her older sister protective instincts.

"Hey sis!"

"Yang!" Ruby gave her sister a quick hug.

"Busy?" she smiled.

"You bet ready for the torture- I mean class" the reddish haired girl gave a chuckle.

Yang gave a laugh at her sister's comment, which it was true. Then she turned to Nate who has turned pale and trying to put a brave face. She had to rolled her eyes she knew she was very intimidating and many fear her simply because of her protective nature of her sister. Still she knew Nate were among the safe boys who were normal and had no "bad intentions" with Ruby. Though she hasn't told him that talking to him is like talking to a brother, so yeah he felt like family yet she didn't know why. It felt right he was a good person and to her there were a very few boys she will put her trust completely.

"Sup Nate?"

"Hey Yang!" he smiled keeping his brave face.

Yang Xiao Long age seventeen and a third year just like me. She's that certain someone I mentioned and Ruby's older sister. Anyone who tries to harm her will have a death sentence placed on them. Yeah Yang is" that protective" of Ruby but that's not the reason why I'm scared of her oh no. It's because she's literally the toughest fighter in Signal I'm not kidding. Her fist hit that hard, no one has beaten her. Not to mention she's the most popular in the Academy and any boy would want to date her but they don't have the guts to ask her out because they're afraid of getting sucker punch.

"Look at the time I better get going. Like Ruby I have a busy day ahead."

"Yang you're scaring him off" the silver eyed girl whined seeing his composure.

"I'm not doing in it on purpose. Nate get back here I'm not going to hurt you" the busty blond grabbed his blue vest halting his steps.

"Promise?" he decided to add some humor giving the sad puppy eyes.

"Yeah and don't be scare either."

"That won't be easy" he kept his stare while Ruby blushed his puppy dog eyes was so cute.

"Seriously calm down I know I can be intimidating but I don't see a problem with you talking to my sister".

"That is so easy for you to say" Nate sweat dropped.

"Really…? Would you feel the same way after hearing the crazy plan your dear sister had in mind?"

"Crazy plan?" the blond turned to Ruby who paled.

"Nate don't say a word-"

"Now I'm pretty curious to know" Yang smiled cutting her sister off with a friendly hug.

"She wanted to leave the city and fight a Grimm, pretty crazy right?"

"That is crazy. Ruby you shouldn't think things like that. I know you can take care of yourself but you aren't allowed to leave Vale just so you could pick fights with Grimm" she patted the rosette's head.

"I…I wasn't planning going alone. Nate was going to have my back."

"Oh crap" the male teen panicked.

In an instant Yang was now gazing at him with her eyes changing color from lilac to red" really Nate, were you planning of going with her agreeing with her plan?"

"NO!" he shouted loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Sheesh no need to yell" the blond brawler covered her ears.

"I was against her idea and told her not to go. Like I'm going to let anything bad happen to her."

"There a fair safe" he mentally sighed in relief.

"That's about right. Now Ruby I don't want you getting any more crazy ideas that involve fighting Grimm. You will get your chance eventually once you graduate" she smiled lovingly at her younger sister.

The silver eyed girl just sighed not bothering answering. Just like she told Nate it was easy for them to say they were graduating this semester. She still needed two more years to graduate and it wasn't looking any good. No doubt her older sister will be selected to Beacon because she's super cool and Nate was cool too, but she didn't know if he wanted to attend the prestigious Academy. But to her it was her dream to attend Beacon. Lucky for her the bell rang starting first period, she bid farewell to her sister grabbing her backpack leaving the two teens.

"We better get going too" Nate replied coolly.

"Hey Nate" Yang turned to him with a small smile.

"Hmm…?"

"Thanks, for talking to Ruby. She doesn't have that many friends even if it's her first year."

"I know making friends isn't her specialty. I don't mind been her friend."

"Thanks again" she slightly punched his shoulder making him rubbed the area showing it hurt.

"You should take it easy on those punches, ouch."

"Don't be a wuss. Just remember if you hurt Ruby-"

At that moment Yang froze gazing into Nate's expression. He was dead serious and his eyes showed a lot of determination. It really froze the blond in place because for as long as she has knowing he has never shown such expression before. He was always happy and a bit goofy with his childish antics, but this was someone else. Someone new she never thought it will exist.

"I will never hurt Ruby. Never, you can count on that. I'd rather die than hurt her."

"Nate…?" Yang was still in awe at his change on conduct.

"I'm loyal to my friends and the people that are close to me. That's why hurting them, betraying them that never be me" he gave a smile.

"That's…great" the blond brawler was feeling dumbfounded.

"Later Yang" he left putting his backpack on his back leaving a still dumbfound blond.

"What was that about?"

(Time skip)

(Location: gym)

Everyone was gathering in the long seats. In the middle of the gym was a podium with a microphone obviously a pep rally or maybe an announcement. The student will always gather whenever those occasions were. Ruby was already seated next to Yang because she saved her sister the seat. The bad news poor Nate couldn't find a seat near the sisters because there were too many people. However he found one a few rows behind them someone has saved the seat for him. The spiky haired teen smiled recognizing the person who saved him the spot.

It was a third year same age as him. He head silver hair with yellow eyes wearing a red jacket with a white shirt, green pants with white sneakers. The one thing very noticeable we're the pair of gray wolf ears on the top of his head. Of course Nate knew him very well.

Lucky for me my best friend saved me a seat. His name is Owen Lafor his seventeen and he's a wolf Faunus. Seriously I have nothing against Faunus I hate the whole discrimination thing its stupid. People should accept the Faunus because they're human like us and they deserve every bit of respect. He's a pretty cool fighter he uses boomerangs and his semblance is even better he can teleport anywhere. Well it depends if he knows where he's teleporting or something like that. Those who bully him they will end up somewhere far from the Academy. I heard he once teleported someone to a Grimm filled forest yikes. Overall he's a cool guy or cool Faunus.

"Thanks for the seat Owen" he smiled at the Faunus.

"No problem. I know you would love to be seated next to Rose but it's too late for that" he gave a small smile.

"And risk getting falcon punched by her sister no thanks" Nate sweat dropped.

"I think you're misjudging Xiao Long. She doesn't seem to hold any hostility towards you."

"Better safe than sorry I'll take that any day."

"Looking at it from the bright side you're not on her bad side. The last person who flirted with Rose is still recuperating at the hospital" replied the wolf Faunus.

"Like I would flirt with Ruby go figure" the spiky haired teen crossed his arms.

"You would love to."

"Excuse me?" Nate eyed Owen with a critical look.

"Never mind…"

"Don't get any ideas Owen I don't like Ruby that way."

"That's what they all say."

"She's a friend nothing else nothing more."

"That's how it starts."

Nate decided to ignore his friend as he paid attention to the front. A man has arrived approaching the stand where the microphone stood. He was bold with glasses looking in his middle forties with onyx eyes wearing a black suit with a red tie. Everyone knew him as Mr. Elderwood who is the principal of Signal Academy. Those who knew him saw the man as strict and very" by the book" but he was still a good person and he was willing to help any student with a problem, regarding Academy work of course.

The principal cleared his throat touching the microphone facing the large crowd students.

"Students of Signal we are gathered here today because we are approaching the end of this academic semester, as well as graduation…"

"Thank Monty for that" Nate was so happy because he was graduating.

Meanwhile Ruby smiled while elbowing Yang who was also smiling because she was graduating too.

"Now as you all know we at Signal have a tradition before graduation. Where we randomly pick two seniors and they will battle it out in our annual exhibition match. Nothing serious, I hope. Though it's a match let's remember you're all students who will graduate and I expect any personal issues you may have for the opponent will be put aside. I expect a fair fight and remember to fight with honor."

Elderwood showed a basket filled with many small balls of paper while the students were all anxious and hype of who will fight this year.

"As you can see all the names from the third years are in the basket. I shall begin introducing the first battle participant" he picked one ball opening it, he gazed over the name.

"Yang Xiao Long!"

"Yes!" the blond got up very happy that she will fight since she always enjoys a good brawl.

"Way to go Yang!" cheered Ruby.

"Signal's strongest is fighting. Not good news for who her opponent will be" said Owen.

"And her opponent!" Mr. Elderwood held the second ball of paper he opened it gazing over the name.

"I feel sorry for the poor bastard that has to fight her" Nate was grinning.

"Nate Highwind!"

"What?" the teen's eyes widened.

"It's been nice knowing you" Owen didn't show any concern for his friend.

"You got to be kidding me I'm the poor bastard that has to fight her!"

Nate gulped while gazing at Yang who was grinning at him looking forward to fight him. While Ruby was giving him a worry look oh yeah he should be worried all right.

"I'm so screwed go figure!"

To be Continued

First chapter out and I feel like the drawings for the opponents are supposed to be done in a more new age technology way. Like a big computer selecting the names of the third years. But I choose to do it the old classical way. Read and review, favorite or follow. Don't know if I'll be able to update next Friday I'll be very busy.

OC information:

Name: Nate Highwind

Symbol: a heart with wings with two swords on the front. The heart symbolizes his kindness and loyalty, the wings symbolizes his semblance of wind. The two swords symbolize his weapon the dual blade.

Race: human

Gender: male

Age: 17

Outfit: blue, black and white

Accessory: rectangular goggles

Handedness: right

Complexion: white

Height: 5'9

Hair color: light brown

Eye color: sapphire blue

Semblance: wind

Weapon: Gale Fang (his symbol is carved in the middle)

Affiliation: Signal

Occupation: student

Team: TBA

Partner: TBA

Voice Actor: Jason Marsden (he voiced Noel Kreiss in FFXIII-2 and Lightning Returns)