Months passed before my partner even began to speak to me, but at least he was relatively civil and patient. That girl, Yang, was also becoming increasingly interested in me but unlike the others, there was something about her I actually found attractive. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but aside from her physical traits, there was just something there that I found quite interesting.

I even went so far as to volunteer my scroll number and every once in a while, we chatted about our lives. I prevented myself from getting into a relationship however as my mind was still focused on the ultimate goal of becoming ruler of Remnant.

We'd just come back from our classes and starting yet another weekend when the girls had left the room, leaving Nick and myself alone on a Friday afternoon, my partner reading a comic book while I studied.

"Hey, Darren."

I closed my eyes, dropped my pen and took a quiet deep breath before turning around and opening my eyes again. "Yeah?"

"Give me your help." I was incredibly tempted to snap at him and tell him to fuck off, but after reminding myself that I was still on a short leash, merely asked what he needed.

"An exercise partner. I've got new designs for some armor but the issue is that it's going to be heavy on my shoulders, torso and back so I need some help with strengthening myself."

Intrigued, I asked him to show me said designs, under the false pretence that if I saw it, then I could help assess which muscle groups he needed to work when I was just curious. He walked over to his desk, pulled out several sheets of paper, turned on his desk lamp and flattened them all out and what I saw was actually quite impressive. It looked like a full chest plate and on the back was a chain gun with a belt of ammunition that led into a backpack while some sort of visor covered the left eye.

"The pack will hold the ammunition and the gun when I want to collapse it while the visor will select all grimm combatants and human targets I deem hostile and the front will be reinforced with extra armor to prevent it from being lopsided." He explained.

"How in the hell did you manage to think this up?" I asked, stunned at Nick's true intellect.

He bobbed his head from side to side as he gently put the papers back in his desk. "Had it in mind for a while now but never had the means to put it together until now."

I smirked evilly. "Alright. I'll help you, but realize that if you don't keep up with me, then you won't be able to use that armor."

He smirked back and folded his arms. "And I hope you still realize that if you push me too hard, then I'll tell Dree that you're off the team."

My mirth was quickly replaced by rage as I realized he was willing to kick me off the team if I went so far to push him to his physical limits.

"Fine." I snapped back. "We'll workout whenever you want."

"Tomorrow morning." My partner immediately replied. "Ten o' clock in the gym."

It angered me to have to give in to my weak partner's demands, but I had no other choice. "Fine. Ten in the morning tomorrow. Just show up prepared." I requested with a grunt.

The next day, sure enough, Nick was already waiting for me just outside the locker rooms inside the weightlifting center wearing a pair of dark blue shorts and a matching t-shirt that showed off his spaghetti-arms. I started him off with shoulder exercises and after just one set of overhead shoulder press, he was sweating and his muscles were clearly beginning to give in.

I let loose a sigh of disappointment and asked if he was okay to continue, to which he merely nodded. I had to give the guy credit though, what he lacked in strength he made up for in will as after four more sets of the same exercise, he still wanted to continue even though he looked absolutely haggard.

The day continued and we ended up spending our entire weekend training together. Granted he was still leagues away from where he needed to be, but at least he was willing to try.

As the week's classes continued to progress, Goodwitch informed us of the upcoming dance on Sunday with our missions the day after. Of course I immediately disregarded the event and imagined I'd probably be studying or making use of the gym that day.

The night before the dance, my teammates had just come back from another trip into downtown Vale but this time, Nick appeared to be hiding something behind his back while the girls stood in front of him and addressed me.

"So Darren…" Marie started with a smirk. "The dance is coming up."

I nodded back as I leaned back in my desk chair with arms folded. "Yeah, so?"

"Were you planning on going?" Dree asked, barely containing a smile that got me feeling suspicious.

"No." I drawled out cautiously. "Why?"

My team leader and her partner then stepped to the side as Nick displayed what he had behind his back. A completely pink tuxedo with a white bow tie protected by a dry-cleaning bag.

"Well, you're going now." Nick declared with a malicious grin. I glared daggers back at him before returning back to my studies. He then let loose a chuckle loaded with mirth. "No, that's not the way this works. Either you go to the dance wearing this or you leave Beacon."

Confused, I turned back to him to see all three of my teammates smiling. "We just have to tell Ozpin that you've declined to follow my orders once again and you're gone." Dree stated.

Rage soon welled up in my chest and I noticed my breathing becoming quicker as I realized I quite literally had no choice in the matter. "What time do I have to show up?" I asked between clenched teeth.

"Within half an hour after the dance starts." Marie replied.

I blew out a breath to contain my anger and reluctantly nodded. And they call me a prick. "Fine, I'll go." As they grinned once more, Nick lay out my attire for the dance on my bed before adding one final note.

"Oh, and by the end of the night you have to have danced with at least one girl."

Hate. That was the only thing going through my head as my teammates left the dorm to go to the dance, Marie's arm entwined with Nick's while Dree walked alongside her date; an exchange student from Haven named Sage or something. I hated the suit, hated the affair, hated giving in to their demands and above all, hated leaving Cerberus behind in the dorm, yet another condition set forth by my treacherous teammates.

Shirt discarded, I looked at the embarrassing set of clothes laid out for me on my bed. Along with the suit, they'd also pitched in for a pair of matching shoes for the occasion, much to my chagrin. I then donned the clothes and waited as long as I could before making my way to the ballroom.

Prince of the Dead, reduced to dancing. Once I rule, any who bring up this occasion will immediately be executed and their heads will adorn my throne. I thought walking past a few students who attempted to hide their laughter with hands over their mouths. With one more sigh of frustration, I opened the doors and of course Yang would have to be the one at the podium greeting students as they entered.

She took one look at me, broke into a grin and laughed until she cried. "I'm glad you see the humor in the situation." I deadpanned over her amusement.

She wiped away a tear of mirth and let loose a few chuckles before speaking. "Oh man, this might be the greatest thing I've seen all year."

"Yeah, keep laughing. You're not the first and sure as hell not going to be the last." I announced grimly, making my way to the most isolated table of the room.

"Plotting your vengeance?" Dad asked as he hovered next to my seat.

I nodded and lowered my voice so that no one else would hear over the music and chatting. "This is disgraceful to say the least. I believe that a show of force after I become ruler will suppress any memories of this incident."

"Perhaps I will introduce you to Cerberus… the real Cerberus and he will tear out the throats of those who mock you and feast on their corpses. He is an excellent attack dog."

I chuckled. "I would be very thankful." A thought then came to mind as my head began to wander. "Father?"

"Yes, Diskaden?"

"This beast that you intend to unleash… can you tell me what it will look like?"

He chuckled and the glowing eyes waved from side to side, indicating a shake of his head. "No, I would prefer that you would appear just as surprised as the people when it takes to the world."

I gave a small nod. "Understood."

"Until next time, my son." He said before the familiar black smoke dissipated once more.

The evening progressed slower than Professor Port's grimm anatomy class as the rest of the students danced and my teammates' task pushed itself to the forefront of my brain. I had to find a girl to dance with but most if not all of them hated my guts.

Desperately searching for a solution, my eyes fell on Yang in her white dress that I had to admit actually didn't look too bad and a thought sprang to mind. I figured I could phrase the sentence to make it sound like a request rather than an attempt at flirting.

With a deep breath, I stood and made my way over to her, pushing away all those who stood in my path, earning a few less than kind comments.

"Yang, I need a favor."

The blonde smirked and crossed her arms over her chest. "And what could the dark douchebag possibly need from me?"

Holding back the urge to shout back, I replied. "I need you to dance with me otherwise I'll get kicked out of Beacon."

She began to chuckle lightly. "Wha-what?" She asked confused.

"My teammates told me I had to wear this ridiculous monkey suit and dance with at least one girl by the end of the night otherwise they'd tell Ozpin I wasn't following their wishes and ask him to expel me." I explained.

She nodded slowly. "Alright, but you have to ask for it." I opened my mouth but she held a finger over my lips. "Nicely."

"Yang, will you dance with me?" I asked quickly with a sigh.

She grunted and shook her head. "Not good enough." She declared, turning away.

"Wait!" I exclaimed, putting a hand on her shoulder, causing her to turn around once more. With another sigh, I repeated my earlier sentence. "Yang, would you care to dance?" I asked slower and with more heartiness, earning a nod and a small smile.

She took my hand with her own and we began to follow the motions of the other students around us, moving in rhythm with the music.

"Hey, what's that tattoo supposed to be?" She asked.

"What?" I replied.

"That thing on your hand."

"Oh. That's Cerberus, he's a…" I let out a light chuckle. "A family pet."

She shook her head in amusement. "You're strange."

"Says the girl who bursts into flame." I retaliated with a smirk.

Yang returned the gesture. "How about after our missions we get some sparring practice in before the tournament? Then we'll finally see who'd win."

"Fine." I said with a shrug. "Just a word of warning though, I'm not above hitting a girl." Or any others who dare stand in my path.

She raised one eyebrow and gave me a smug look. "Don't worry about me. Worry about the fact that you might not be able to stand for the weeks after."

We continued our pre-match banter with one another, tossing threats at each other like they were the blows themselves. During our talk, time seemed to fly by unusually quickly as the night came to a close and students began to vacate the ballroom. Much to my confusion, the leader of team JNPR came to the dance wearing a dress simply to lift his partner's spirits and as they left, seemed to be in far better moods than when they arrived.

"But why didn't she just ask him to the dance herself rather than being so distant?" I asked Yang as we walked to our dorms as she explained the whole situation to me.

She let out a frustrated sigh. "Because, and this may be hard for you to believe, but some people just want to see others happy even if it makes themselves sad."

I threw my hands up in resignation. "Alright, fine. I may not understand it, but I maintain that it's just stupid."

She let out a grunt and pointed a thumb at the door she stopped in front of. "This is my dorm. Thanks for the dance, I guess. Even it was only to keep yourself from getting expelled." She added with another trademark smirk.

I scoffed back. "Yeah, don't let it go to your head."

"G'night, black bastard." Yang called as she entered her dorm. I unconsciously smirked and continued to walk down the hall before making a realization. I was going the wrong way.

I entered my dorm to see Nick undoing his tie with Marie's help and Dree dressed in her pyjamas, all of them bearing smirks wide as rivers upon seeing my arrival.

"Something funny?" I inquired.

"You danced with that blonde girl all night long." Marie stated as she undid Nick's tie who gave her a quick thanks.

I shrugged. "Yeah, to keep you guys off my back." I retaliated.

At that, Dree shook her head and began to laugh quietly while my partner spoke. "We never said that there would be further repercussions if you didn't find someone to dance with."

I attempted to argue back, but as I recalled the conversation, realized they were right. Nick only told me to find someone to dance with. None of them ever said that it was part of the original threat.

I said nothing, merely scowled at my failure to realize the mistake earlier and changed into my pyjamas before going to sleep and awaiting our missions the next day.