Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY or the characters besides the OC's I make up and put into the story, if you want your OC put in the storyellow, shoot me a pm with their attributes and we'll talk from there. The third installment of FATE, enjoy.

"Dude you hear about what team RWBY did on the docks last night? The reports say that members of the team stopped a Whitefang dust appropriation raid." Fuschia said reading the headline from her scroll.

Teale looked at her, "why don't we get to have any cool stuff happen to us, I want to beat some heads in too." She said pulling her jeans on so she could head into town.

"Because we don't go snooping around in the middle of the night looking for thugs" Aeren replied as he put his jacket over the harness to his weapon.

"Oh, then what are we planning now? Head to a cafe for a latte and cookies while holding some of the most advanced weapons to date?" Teale stated sarcastically

"Mock battle in the clearing outside of the school grounds, remember?" Fuschia stated pulling her shoes on her feet.

"It's Teale, she's just going to be a smart alec." Aeren stated putting his hilt and everything in a backpack and zipping it up.

"You've got that right" Ember stated pulling her hood so that she could use it later.

Fuschia nodded, "I'm sorry I drug you all into it, but we could all use the practice."

Teale pulled on her overcoat to be prepared for the weather then said, "no big deal, I just want to beat Cardin and crew's asses, especially for what Cardin did to Ember Friday." She said clenching her fist, "bastard was lucky Aeren was the first one there"

What she was referring get to was from Cardin having gripped and pulled her by her tail to his side where he then started asking what sounded like harmless questions about classes and a few other things while continuing to hold her tail. Then asked her a few more while tightening his grip. When his team came to the table he asked her to the upcoming dance. When she said no he didn't take well to it, and pulled while he gripped causing her to yelp. Upon hearing her yelp Cardin exclaimed, "well well, if the ears and tail didn't give it away, that yelp did, you're nothing but a bitch, are you?"

Before he was able to continue with his verbal attack, the rest of team FATE came hearing their teammates cry. Aeren took Cardin by the arm pulling it behind the larger man's back, as Fuschia and Teale took Ember from the situation and Aeren threw Cardin's weight forward into the table. The rest of team CRDL jumped into action about to go after Aeren before the professor on the cafeteria watch stepped in, berating Aeren for his violent act against another student.

Since Aeren was the only one to act violently, the rest of the team were hungry for a chance to get back at the bully.

"Guys, thank you, but I'm fine, really." Ember stated moments later. "I don't want you guys in trouble over me"

Teale scoffed, "you're our teammate Em, it doesn't matter who of us it is, we stand up for each other"

Fuschia nodded with a smile

"Getting detention and being scolded mean nothing, if it keeps you guys safe I'll take am ass chewing." Aeren stated

"Aw, big brother Aeren here to protect us girls, how sweet" Teale teased brushing her hand over Aerens head as she walked to the door, "I'm going to get some water, I'll be back in a few minutes"

Fuschia rolled her eyes and nodded, Aeren gave a sigh, mumbling something under his breath.

"Aeren, you have everything?" Fuschia asked and as he gave a nod, she looked to Ember, "how about you Ember, have everything?"

Ember pushed a strand of hair from her face and said, "almost, I'm getting the last few things together" She put her weapon and a couple other items in the weapons harness.

Aeren shouldered the stock of arrows he had that he drew from to fill his quiver. Draping it over the beds head board.

Fuschia sat on the edge of her bed and asked, "Have you two planned anything for the Festival coming up?"

Ember glanced at Fuschia with an eyebrow raised and one ear higher than the other. Aeren shrugged inferring that he didn't think anything special about the festival.

"Really? It's a festival that everyone is coming here to Beacon to compete in the tournament, and you two can't care less about it" Fuschia said baffled

Aeren shrugged, "Since when have I been one to make plans?"

"I thought we were training for the tournament up to the tournament?" Ember said questioningly

Fuschia groaned, "you both don't get it, we get time off, there's a dance, there's a festival, and a tournament. There's time we can use to enjoy ourselves."

Aeren replied with a question, asking, "okay, and we have to have plans to play it by ear. Does it really matter if we don't care to make plans?"

Ember scowled at him then said, "Stop being so argumentative Aeren. She is asking a question, not giving orders."

Fuschia chuckled nervously, "Easy guys, wait, Ember? Is that seriously you? Where's the quiet timid girl I met in the forest after initiation?"

"I'm the same girl, I've just had to deal with Aeren and Teale, and as you know, they aren't exactly the easiest to deal with" Ember stated with a shrug, which wasn't wrong, the two together were more than a handful.

Aeren smirked, "Yeah, I noticed her go from silent and shy to shy but assertive. You can blame Teale and myself for that"

Ember glared at Aeren and said, "That's not an accomplishment Aeren"

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm a horrible human being" Aeren replied

Fuschia sighed, "You don't exactly sound sorry Aeren"

Aeren looked to the team leader, "Not to be confrontational, but I don't think it'd change a thing if I were or weren't, Teale and I would still bicker, and Ember would find a way to get the peace she wanted."

Ember rolled her eyes and Fuschia shook her head, "I'm not going to be surprised when she beats both of you black and blue"

Teale opened the door, then looked between her teammates, "I'm didn't miss something important, did I? I had to make an unexpected stop"

Fuschia smirked, "nothing important, just new discoveries" She stated looking to Ember.

Teale looked at Ember, "What? Does Ember have a boyfriend or something?"

Ember turned red almost instantly and Fuschia stammered, "no, no no, I mean she told Aeren to shut up, and I rarely heard her speak up to recently"

"Oh, so you mean her getting the intestinal fortitude to stand up to me and Aeren's-"

"Aeren and I" Fuschia interjected

"Whatever, our bickering and mouthy arguments." Teale finished crossing her arms.

"Well, you two act like you're dating or are brother and sister" Fuschia stated.

"Neither" Aeren replied flatly.

"What? Don't want to be my boyfriend? Tsch, I'm hurt" Teale teased as Aeren rolled his eyes.

"You know better than I do, that we'd just end up killing one other, anyway, you and I both hate eachother." Aeren replied.

Fuschia sighed, "There's no way you two aren't related"

Teale shook her head leaning against the door, Aeren glanced off towards the window and Ember sighed, after composing herself, she stood, "Are we ready?"

Fuschia nodded, "Yeah, let's go"

Teale stood from the door and picked up her weapon. Putting it on her hip and turned to her partner. "So, when do I get to kick Cardin's ass?"

"Maybe soon" Fuschia said with a smile, "Just don't jump the gun"

Teale smiled, "I'd never dream of it"

Aeren opened the door, "Alright, before we have to climb down, let's actually catch the flight down to Vale."

Fuschia nodded and the team started to head out, Teale gave him a playful punch then said, "come on, let's go kick each other's asses"

Ember gave a sigh then said, "Not all of us are looking forward to being beat on as you seem to be"

"You make it sound like an abusive lover Em" Teale said sarcastically, "Don't worry, it's all so we can get better as a team, so half power basically"

"Teale, come on, no need to turn this into a sex talk, let's keep moving before someone calls sexual harassment on us" Fuschia called back and Teale followed. Ember came closely behind the two with Aeren bringing up the rear. As the four walked other students began weaving in and out of the four's loose formation of bodies.

"Hey, girl talk time," Fuschua called just lounld enough for Aeren to hear and fall back a few steps as Teale and Fuschia came together in a triangular formation with Ember

Fuschia started, "Ember, when Teale asked about you having a boyfriend why did you blush so hard?" Fuschia asked barely a step ahead.

Ember gave a light glare and then sighed when two of three sets of eyes from her team were on her waiting for her answer. Teale said, "well, spill it, I'd like to know who is actually running around with our shy little fox."

"Alright, mom" Ember said in an almost groan, "I'm not seeing anyone"

"Then why are you almost glowing red?" Teale asked

Ember's hands went to her face as her ears darted up in alert. After she felt that her face wasnt flush, she glared at Teale who was suppressing a smile."Because you turn everything into a big deal. Or into some sort of twisted joke" Ember sighed.

Fuschia rolled her eyes "Alright alright, so who are you crushing on then?"

"No one, I was surprised that Teale brought me up in the conversation especially trying to make it sound like I have any sort of love life" Ember said.

"Aw, you're no fun, I was at least looking for 'oh, I like this boy' but no-ooh, you're just boring, no crush, no boyfriend." Teale pouted.

Ember crossed her arms and said, "Yeah, well Teale, I'm just not as exciting as you thought"

"Don't worry Ember, I'll get to the bottom of this by the end of the Vytal festival" Teale said increasing the size of her stride.

"Fuschia, how are you able to put up with her?" Ember asked with a huff.

"Why fake smiles and false motivation of course" She replied in an exaggerated smile. "In all honesty, I just don't give her anything to try prying apart anymore, therefore all I hear is everyone's banter."

Aeren called up, "do I have to still be the drag behind bouy?"

"We're done with our chat Aeren, you can come closer" Fuschia said over her shoulder.

"You know, this wouldn't be as bad if you three picked better times to talk about personal things" Aeren said

"Maybe you should have been a girl so you wouldn't complain about it" Fuschia retorted

"Yeah, well, I'd still be left out, I don't think I'd be too keen on boys" Aeren said with a shrug

"Come on, you'd be a cute girl Aeren, I mean look at you, long narrow, jet black hair, I could see it" Fuschia teased

"Trying to say I'd I were a girl I could turn you lesbian?" Aeren asked

"Who said I needed turning?" Fuschia said with a smirk and a wink, "I'm kidding, honestly though, I think you'd fit in more if you were, we wouldn't have to exclude you from girl talk, or any conversations that we usually shoo you away for."

"I could see that, but still, I'm not, I'm a guy, and I'm not girly or batting for the other team, so I get it, I'm pushed away so you three can whisper and giggle amongst one other" Aeren said shrugging slightly.

"Now you make it sound like we hate you, if you want we can talk to you about it all" Fuschia offered jokingly, "we can talk about cute boys, popular music, coffee, fashion-"

"Okay, okay I get it, I'll pass, but thank you, I so appreciate the jesture of including me in your conversations" Aeren replied shaking his head.

Ember chuckled, the thoughts floating through her head because of the conversation were comical to say the least.

Fuschia stepped on to the lawns and was followed closely by the other two. Teale stood against the fence. "Took you three long enough" Teale stated.

"We aren't late, we've still got some time before departure" Fuschia stated putting her hands in her pockets. "I'm not a dunce, I can manage my time perfectly fine."

Aeren rolled his eyes, "you know Teale, you don't have to try and make yourself sound like a hard ass"

Teale stuck her tongue out at him. Ember sighed, "can't we get along for the mock fight? Is that too much to ask of you two?"

Teale chuckled, "my my, take it easy there Em, we're just being friends"

Aeren scoffed, "I don't think friends typically go at each other's throats on a daily basis."

"Best friends are" Teale said with a slight smile.

Fuschia giggled, "It sounds about right"

"You both came to Beacon together" Ember nodded

"I made a promise to his mom that I'd be his stand in sister" Teale reviled, "our parents were close, so once they figured out that we were going to do the same thing, we were asked to watch out for each other."

Fuschia looked between them, "This didn't come out sooner, why?" She asked indicating a puzzled tone.

Teale crossed her arms before pointing to Fuschia, "we told you about our families being close, and you knew we were from the same town in Minstrel, also that we'd been friends since we were young." She said smiling.

Aeren nodded, Ember looked between them, "so you two are almost like brother and sister" She stated trying to put words to it.

"Sorta" Teale stated then shrugged, "probably the closest thing to what we are though."

Fuschia looked to Ember then to Teale, "Are we all in that same standing?"

Aeren looked to Fuschia, "what do you mean?"

"Are we as close to you as you two are to each other?" Fuschia asked plainly

Teale put her hand on their leader's shoulder, "you're family, and that's that" She said before ruffling the girl's spikey pink hair.

Fuschia groaned, "Oh come on"

Aeren sighed, "easy there you two, let's not get kicked off the grounds before we get to do some training rounds." He said then came between the two. Teale let go of Fuschia and put her arms around the other two girls.

"Too further scatter shot the topic of conversation, we're going to kick ass at the Vytal tournament" Teale stated with a smile.

Ember chuckled and brushed the embrace off, "you're going to jinx us Teale." She said with a smile, crossing her arms and facing everyone.

Fuschia smirked, "She's right, but we can be confident. Confidence helps, though I've got to agree with Teale more. We're going to do just dandy."

Aeren chuckled, "Dandy? What are we, six?"

Fuschia stuck her tongue out, "Shut up, wrinkly old fart"

Teale suppressed a laugh by putting her hand over her mouth and shaking her head. "Alright, alright, now I'm gonna say it, settle down, let's get started with this training."

Ember hopped over the fence and looked back, watching the other three follow suit.

"So teams are just going to be partner's to start it off" Fuschia stated with a slight smile.

"So glad I have a small girl with an axe to fight off a rabid girl with a sword." Aeren said jokingly receiving a elbow from his partner.

"Yeah, keep it up Aeren and I bet she'll turn it to three on one training"

Teale said with a smile.

"Next round is Teale and Aeren versus Ember and myself, so keep it up you two" Fuschia said looking between them.

Aeren smirked and nodded, "Alright, well, training time?"

Ember drew the circular blade from her holster, the hilt going through the center of the weapon.

"Fuschia, I'm ready when you are" Teale said drawing her sword.

Fuschia nodded, "Alright right, let's do this, on the count of five"

"Five"

Aeren drew his bow and adjusted his stance while Fuschia put her hand behind her back.

"Four"

Ember gave her weapon a shake, the large circle turning into a half moon shaped axe blade as the hilt extended making the weapon stand almost twice the height Ember stood at.

"Three"

Fuschia drew her rifle in its oversized kukri form, the weapon just a little shorter than her arm.

"Two"

Aeren notched an arrow glancing to his partner then back to his teammates. Teale readied herself in her two handed stance, and Ember stood still, eyeing Teale.

"One"

Teale rolled to the side as Aeren fired an arrow near her foot. Ember took off after Teale rolling and swinging the axe with practiced ease while Teale blocked the attacks with her oddly shaped sword.

Fuschia went for Aeren as he fired another arrow, the second pulling for the midsection on his attacker.

She smiled, 'Too easy' she thought as she dodged to the outside rating her weapon to strike.

Teale broke Ember's attack and put the girl on the defensive, the two moving fluidly as their blades moved in smooth strokes to meet the others. Aeren leaned away from the attack, sending a dust infused arrow at Fuschia's feet pushing them away from one another.

Fuschia smirked, "you're easy to read"

"You're only reactive, look where you're standing" Aeren said and she was standing between two of his arrows. "Check."

Ember fired from the open bolt face in a large downward arch towards Teale, hoping to catch a strong blow on her opponent. Teale cursed grimacing as she lifted her sword to block placing her hand along the blade to brace against the blow. Her elbows buckled from the hit but after the initial blow, she dropped back in anticipation of Ember's next attack. Teale took a dual handed approach again, angling her blade defensively as she watched Ember recover from the axe blade falling.

Fuschia locked her weapon into its firearm state, firing rounds at Aeren. He dove out of the way, the first hitting it's mark, the energy from the shot being absorbed by his aura. Aeren notched two arrows and drew, firing them at Fuschia as he rolled to his feet from the dive.

Teale charged Ember, using the mass of Ember's weapon against her, making full blocks with her sword before pressing instead of glancing them to the side, Ember used the weight of her weapon to cause momentum built strikes, her body only guiding the weapon. Teale's plan was to tire out the fox while advancing so that she would only have to block.

Ember caught on to how Teale was blocking, and started using her weapon's open form to her advantage, pulling the trigger she made a horizontal loop with the axe, firing again altering it to go into a diagonal slash as the weapon came back around, Teale blocked and held her block, the mass of the axe pushed her stance out and to the side to stop the strike, but was otherwise unmoved. 'Not good, I have to even this out' Ember thought to herself lifting the axe and giving it a twist on the grip while changing up her own brought the weapon down and into a secondary form. She held the angled grip behind her as the weapon was still just as large as her, but now, picked into the ground from the spear point of the axe. The blades rotated into a carry position giving her a forward grip while she fired her now mounted cannon at Teale.

Fuschia looked over at the sound of Ember's cannon firing, she shouldered her weapon and took aim. Aeren fired an arrow in front of her sight between the front and rear posts to startle her while he brought the fight back into two dueling groups. "What was that first rule you kept trying to drill into me?" Aeren asked as he held his bow in aim with another dual shot.

Fuschia turned with her rifle, replying, "never give up your back" as she spoke she fired.

Aeren let his arrows fly, pulling the third to his string while dropping to his seat, firing the third directly in front of Fuschia.

"Missed" Fuschia toyed as she loaded a round into the weapon's chamber, locking it in with the lever before aiming. Aeren held his left hand up, clenching his second handle for his weapon system.

"Check mate" He said as he squeezed the handle, at that time, Fuschia went stiff, loosing her balance as she dropped twitching, a hot tingling feeling went through her as the electric dust charge from the arrows around her discharged the current into the air. Aeren looked to his partner to see where she stood with her fight.

Teale and Ember stood with weapons at the ready, Ember showing signs of fatigue from swinging her axe, and Teale still watching for an opening. Seeming to have found it, she charged Ember the point of the sword forward as she ran. Ember fired a shot from the cannon, and Teale dodged the shot while activating her weapon's second function. Aeren notched am arrow and took aim, letting it fly as Ember began bringing the shape shifting axe back up to a defensive hold. Teale swung for Ember's axe haft in a vertical sweeping movement. The arrow came in time to jam into the ground between Teale's feet. Aeren depressed the trigger to discharge a small shock into the air. Unfortunately, it hit them both and only worked to stun.

Teale took only a moment to clear her head from the sensation before capitalizing on Ember's still disoriented state, swinging up, knocking the axe from her grasp and then swept her feet and giving her a tap on the leg to indicate that they both knew the fight was over.

"Too bad, you have been doing a lot better though" Teale commented to Ember before facing Aeren. "Jump in again and I'm going to take off the aura guard and gut you like a trout"

"Don't threaten me with a good time" Aeren mused notching another arrow and drawing.

Teale groaned and watched Aeren for a moment, "I'd you expect me to come to you, you're mistaken, blocking that axe took more out of me than you're worth, so you're coming to me"

"Nah, this distance is fine" Aeren replied, from his mental count, he only had a couple more dust arrows and the rest were all standard point.

"No more of your shock arrows? You really should keep more handy" Teale stated

"Shock dust is more expensive than fire, ice or wind, remember?" Aeren said taking a side step looking for the best move.

"Why else do you think I stocked up on gravity dust before everyone started arriving for the festival?" Teale said while matching him, she knew how he fought, and being a strategic fighter, it put her at a disadvantage when it came to single distant combat. But, she was getting better at blocking, so it gave her a chance in her head.

Aeren drew further and fired his arrow, the arrow moved faster but at a cost, more strain on his bow than a regular draw. Teale dodged by hopping out of the way, then dropped her sword over her shoulder as a shield while she advanced on him. He notched another arrow and fired, the arrow glanced off her weapon. Thinking about his situation, he drew his second handle and clipped it to the single edged short sword blade in his quiver.

Teale smirked, 'terrible idea' she ran the last couple steps and swung her weapon for his shoulder. He blocked and back stepped as the impact hit, "I hope you didn't like this blade too much, cause I'm gonna shatter it"

Aeren gave a sigh and pushed his guard forward and going on the offensive. Teale gave a smirk and turned the duel to her advantage, taking his sword and pushing it out to the outside as she stepped in she used her elbows to stun and then came back around and smacked the sword'she guard into Aeren's chest effectively ending the fight, "Game, set, match, come back when you can fence Archer boy."

Sorry about the wait everyone, but I think that this will be well worth it, longest chapter yet, and gives a better understanding to how the quartet work together. You'Lloyd see more drama and adventure as the story goes on, so keep reading and if you like it or hate it tell me, I'd love to know how I'm doing. As always, AA signing out.