Remnants

Chapter 006

Act 2


Azul grinned as he opened the door leading to Jerry's dust shop, Dust Till Dawn. Looking to the front of the shop he saw a more elderly man standing at the front desk. "So, Jerry, how's business?"

Jerry smiled at Azul and shrugged enthusiastically, making a so-so gesture before speeding to the back to get Azul's order.

"Well, at least it isn't bad…."

Jerry returned moments later with a dozen or so wrapped packages and a clipboard.

Azul took the clipboard and wrote his signature where needed. "You know, I think you're one of the only dust shops in this district open this late," he finished, handing the clipboard back.

A young girl wearing a red hooded cloak entered the building and headed for the back.

"Well, that wasn't shady at all," Azul commented as he looked in the girl's general direction. "A usual customer or something?"

Jerry shrugged noncommittally.

"Really, just looks to the magazines?"

Jerry rolled his eyes and nodded.

"Well, I mean, if she gives some business at least." Azul shrugged. "Alright, I need to get going, prepping parts and packages. See you around."


"Azul, paper's in," Grun said as he entered from his morning run and dropped it on the table before he went to the fridge.

Azul muttered to himself as he reached over and opened the newspaper, reading from a few of the segments on the front page.

"Last night, local dust shop Dust Til Dawn was robbed by criminals. While they were interrupted, the criminal known as Roman Torchwick escaped with dust crystals and loose dust with an estimated value of more than fifty thousand lien. The robbery was interrupted by Ruby Rose, a local student at Signal combat academy. Miss Rose, while unsuccessful at capturing Torchwick singlehandedly, incapacitated two of his associates. The owner of the establishment, who could only be identified as Jerry, had this to say once a translator was found.

"While I appreciate the actions of Miss Rose, I'm afraid that insurance has been denied due to a very strictly worded clause in my contract. I have henceforth been forced to sell my business to the Schnee dust company."

Miss Rose was originally arrested for vigilantism, but the charges were dropped, and this reporter has found out that the young girl was offered an advanced scholarship to Beacon academy. It does this reporter proud to know the future of huntsmen and huntresses is look–"

The rest of the article and the paper was unfortunately rendered unreadable as it blackened from the heat coming off of Azul's hands.

"Welp. Time to spend another four months finding a reliable source of dust crystals…"

"You look like an old friend just died," Grun noted.

"Dust Till Dawn just had to sell to Atlas."

"What? But I thought Jerry said business was picking up?"

"He was just heavily robbed."

"...Don't want to be that guy when you find him."

"Bowler hat."

"Well then, I guess we're heading to Junior's before we catch the airship?"

"Too recent. Also, speaking of the airship, I think we need to leave now."

"Ready when you are," Grun said as he put his half dozen eggs and pound of freshly fried bacon between an entire loaf of bread.


Azure sighed with relief as he got off the drop ship and took in Beacon's campus again. It was great to be back. Casually, he wondered how long it would be until the new students would arrive.

"Azure, you haven't changed a bit." Grun slapped Azure on the back as he approached him from behind. His new school blazer was already missing its sleeves.

"Grun!" Azure grabbed the bigger faunus in a bear hug. "It's so good to see you. How was break?"

"You know, killed grim and stuff." Grun shrugged. "How was the farm?"

"Oh, you know. Hard work, helped mine some dust crystals, got a few beauties for Azul to experiment with, visited with the herd and got reacquainted, then visited my mom's grave. The usual. Oh, and I had Ma's gourmet cooking. Seriously, one of these days I'll need to bring you by. She might actually be able to fill up that stomach of yours," he said, lightly jabbing at Grun's chiseled abdominals.

"Several all you can eat buffet restaurants would disagree with you," Grun chuckled.

"You haven't met my ma." Azure laughed with him, then turned to see the familiar smile of Topaz. "Now there's a sight for sore eyes." He grinned. "How goes it, Topaz?"

She shrugged noncommittally.

"Get in here," he said, opening an arm for her to join.

A moment later she joined him, squeezing with her crazy strength.

"Just like old times," Azure gasped.

"Azure?" Grun asked, taking a whiff suddenly.

"Yeah?"

"What was the name of that cat you said was a common customer at Tukson's?" Grun asked as the airship carrying the new students opened to allow its passengers to disembark. "You said she was mixed up with the Fang, right?"

"I said she was affiliated, yeah," Azure said. "Why do you ask?"

"Cause we may have an issue," he said, gesturing towards the flock of students heading from the ship to the school. "Near the back."

"What, the girl with the red cape?"

"No, the slight figure just ahead, trying to stay hidden but moving towards the school?"

"Oh, her. I don't think she'll be that much of a problem," Azure said with a shrug.

"Something you're not telling me?"

"I'll get back to you on that later."


Weiss Schnee was having a very bad day. She'd been stuck in a public transport with a bunch of sweaty, immature boys, had to deal with multiple calls from her not-so-noble father to once again try to convince her to come back to Atlas, and then to top it all off some grubby urchin with a red cloak had dared to disturb her precious dust supply. And then there was that girl with the black hair. How dare she bring up her father! Just because her father had chosen to become such an unscrupulous businessman didn't mean she was a part of it. She let out a weary sigh. Just once she wished she could meet someone who appreciated her family name for what it used to stand for instead of what her father was turning it into.

With all these thoughts weighing heavily on her mind, she was hardly in a position to be aware of her surroundings. Of course she wasn't. So, naturally, when she found herself on the ground yet again, in the dirt again, with her precious dust that was essential to her glyphcasting scattered on the cobbled streets again, she was justifiably upset.

"Watch where you're going!" she snapped.

"Or perhaps you could pay attention to where you are walking," Azul commented as he looked at her before holding his hand out.

Weiss looked up at the strange man in front of her. Clearly he was a seasoned warrior. The scar near his jaw was evidence enough of that. His brown hair was neatly parted, but she couldn't quite get a read on him with those sunglasses blocking his eyes. Reluctantly, she took the hand. The trip up was so fast, she practically felt vertigo. She quickly ripped her hand out of her good samaritan's and began to dust herself off. "Yes, well, thank you," she said brusquely as she began gathering the scattered bottles and returning them to their proper place in her carryon. She groaned when she found one of her bottles was still missing. "You wouldn't happen to have seen a vial somewhere around here, would you?"

And then her heart stopped. The crunch shattered through her eardrums as the cartridge in question cracked, then burst, then was ground into a fine powder to mix with the dust contained therein. Her shriek of horror echoed across the campus as she raced up to the offender. "What have you done?"

The boy took a step back, his long blonde hair swaying from the motion as he retreated from the girl's burning gaze.

"Do you have any idea how much this cost to manufacture, let alone how much these cartridges cost to produce? These were custom made for my weapon, you dimwitted oaf!"

"I'm sorry?" He offered apologetically. He stooped down to help pick up the fragments, only to feel his hands sharply slapped to the side.

"Don't touch them," Weiss hissed. "You'll only make it worse. For all I know, you could set off the dust before I even get to clean it up!"

"I doubt that," Azure said as he raised a hand. The dust, purple in color, trailed up from the ground in slow tendrils until it swirled in the air above his palm. He looked at it critically. "Where did you get this dust anyways?"

"It's the best quality money can buy, and I'd like it back if you please," she said primly as she withdrew a spare vial from her jacket.

"All right." Azure shrugged as he brought his hand close to the vial. The dust sifted its way into the open container and Weiss promptly sealed the container shut. "I think you might want to get your money back, though," he said.

"Pardon me?" Weiss asked.

"I said you might want to get your money back. That dust's some of the lowest quality I've handled. I'd say ten, fifteen percent max potency, and that's being generous."

"Clearly you've made a mistake," Weiss said haughtily as she placed the bottle amongst the other cartridges and carefully secured the little suitcase. "My family only manufactures the highest quality," she insisted.

"And you are?"

"What, were you raised in a barn?"

"For part of my life, yes. The name's Azure; Azure Luz. I was raised out on a farming ranch up in Northern Vale. What's your name?"

Weiss raised herself up in as regal and ladylike a manner as she could manage. "I am Weiss Schnee, heir to the Schnee family fortune and the Schnee Dust and Shipping Company."

"I don't see that being something to brag about," Azul cut in as he approached from behind.

"And who, may I ask, are you?" Weiss demanded.

Azul turned towards Azure. "Would you go catch up with the team? I'll be there shortly."

"Are you sure, Azul?"

"Yes. Please go."

"All right." Azure shrugged. "We'll meet you over at the cafeteria."

After a moment Azul turned towards Weiss. "So. You're Weiss Schnee. I've had a few encounters with your father and his … business associates. To answer your question, I am Azul Strike."

"The owner of Strike Co.?"

"Yes, I am."

"I hear your company makes very good weapons," she said conversationally.

"Yes we do," Azul replied. "Listen, Weiss, I have nothing against you; I have a feud against your father and his business. On the other hand, to be honest, you did not make the best first impression by insulting a member of my team."

"That was one of your teammates?" she asked, somewhat surprised. "Well I suppose given his ability to manipulate dust, he would be handy to have as a team member, wouldn't he?"

"His combat skills aren't anything to scoff at either." Azul looked her over a few times. "You're a first year, aren't you?"

Weiss smiled. "Yup. I just arrived from Atlas. You wouldn't happen to know where I go for room assignment and check in, would you?"

Strike shrugged. "You won't be assigned a room until after tomorrow, when you will be assigned teams first. As for the check in, you need to head to the Great Hall."

"Oh. Thanks." She quickly pulled out the handle on her luggage. "Perhaps we can see eachother again. I wouldn't mind discussing the market with you some time." She smiled charmingly and waved as she made her way towards the Great Hall. "Goodbye!"

Topaz had been coming to check on Azul at that point, and for reasons she couldn't understand her hand hovered over her weapon when she heard that line.

Azul sighed aloud. "She acts like nothing bad happened." He turned to look at Topaz. "Oh, hey. I take it the team's worried I'm taking too long?"

Topaz nodded, signing that Grun didn't trust Weiss, and she didn't either.

"I don't know her well enough to get a reading just yet, but I get the feeling she very much dislikes any Faunus."

Over in the distance, an explosion and dust cloud followed immediately by a familiar scream appeared.


"Ah, dorm room, sweet dorm room," Grun smiled as he flexed his shoulders a bit, looking around the room, eyeing the extra beds. "Well, those have to go."

"This time, Grun, could you just have them moved? I had to pay for the last ones," Azul commented.

"And did it even scratch the paint on your bank account?"

"No, but I would prefer to not have to pay for them every semester."

"Fine," Grun sighed.

"Alright, what's wrong?" Azure asked knowingly.

"We have several characters entering this year that are going to be troublesome."

"Such as?"

"A few people who smell very much like some of those anti-Faunus gangs that have been going around Vale for one. That Schnee girl smells like trouble. And there is our black cat friend."

"Speaking of her, I keep hearing about her from the both of you, but I haven't actually seen her myself. Might need you to point her out if you spot her when I'm around," Azul commented.

"I'm pretty sure she won't be a problem. She's a very capable warrior when she puts her mind to it, though," Azure said.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Grun sighed. "Anyway, second year, now we get some actual fun stuff."

"You mean you didn't like going with Professor Qrow last semester?" Azure asked.

"To be fair, that job turned out to be a bust," Azul commented.

"You know if you keep calling him that, he's going to hit you," Grun said

"It's what I've always called him, though."

"Yes, and I repeat myself. If you keep the professor thing going, he's going to hit you." Grun looked to Azul.

"Pretty much accurate," Azul replied with a shrug.

"... Damn you, Pavlov," Azure muttered.

Topaz rolled her eyes. "So what do we do now?" she typed.

"We move onto the next topic. Any of you see anyone noteworthy to keep an eye on?" Azul asked.

"Other than Miss Schnee and those possible anti-Faunus gang members I mentioned?" Grun asked. "The small one in the red cloak and the blond both smell like danger. The small one more then the blonde, though."

"Need a little more info than that, Grun."

"The small one looked like she was carrying some type of collapsed polearm. The blonde ... I think you'll recognise. Her hair is more than halfway down her back. Hard to miss a mane like that."

"Wait, wait, that sounds like Qrow's nieces."

"You realise that the only time Qrow's ever talked about his past is when you two have been so blitzed you've forgotten the existence of the letter Z, right?" Grun asked. "I had to carry the both of you home that night. How was I supposed to know they actually existed?"

"To be fair, it also helps that I had to work on a certain custom order for the one in the red cloak, the problem now being that I can't remember her name from the one encounter..."

"Explains why they smelled like danger then, I mean Qrow is the scariest person I know. He even smells terrifying."

"I'm surprised you can even get past the alcohol."

"I've been around you long enough that it's become a background scent."

"Hey, I'm not that bad. Just not fully in green either..."

"Her name is Ruby," Azure said as he rolled his eyes.

"Met her?" Azul asked.

"She came to Signal a little while after I did." His brow furrowed. "Last I checked, she was still starting out. This should've been her third year at Signal."

Azul hummed aloud. "I wonder what Qrow did to pull that off."

"Azul, in all the time you've known him has Qrow ever seemed like the nepotist type to you?" Grun asked. "She must be here on her own merit."

"It must have been something major then, because you can't just up and leave half way into an academy on above average."

"I trust Ozpin." Grun shrugged. "Anyway, not as high on the priority, but there is a girl with pink hair who smells, weirdly enough, like bubblegum. She was with what I can only guess to be a ninja. No, I'm not joking. Yes, it sounds hilarious when I say it out loud. Oh. Also, Pyrrha got in." Grun chuckled. "But you already knew that, I'll bet."

"I helped define the options she had before her," Azul commented mildly.

"Pyrrha? You mean the champion arena fighter?" Azure asked.

"That is accurate," Azul said.

"You've never seen any of her matches? Heard the name of her sponsor? Seen her blimp?" Grun asked, surprised.

"Farm boy, remember?" Azure said.

"She was sponsored by Strike Co.," Grun said. "Tip, by the way. When you meet her, don't start off with her career. She will be polite, but she really hates that."

"I'll make sure to keep that in mind." Azure smiled and nodded.

"Topaz, any interesting individuals you can note?"

Topaz shook her head. "They pretty much covered everyone outrightly notable, unless that blonde guy is playing the doofus act, but honestly, he seems legitimate."


Three days later the group was heading to the mess hall for breakfast when a red blur seemed to speed by, stop, and turn back before stopping in front of Azul in a shower of rose petals. "Hey, Mister Strike," an overly happy voice spoke as the blur became a young dark haired girl with large silver eyes. She was currently wearing the female version of the school uniform.

"Oh, hello, Ruby. How's it going? Still taking good care of Crescent Rose?"

"I clean and polish her every day, and give her a good sharpening before bed," she said cheerfully.

"Good. At least you're keeping to your word. I'm sure you wouldn't want to go back to straight sword once again."

Ruby shivered a bit. "The horror," she said in a low tone to herself before straightening up. "I didn't know you were going to Beacon." She gasped suddenly, and her eyes widened as she drew uncomfortably close. "Or are you just here on some super secret weapon business?"

Azul chuckled. "I have testing grounds for that. No, no, I'm a student here. Second year. I figured it'd give me a side job, something to get away from paperwork," Azul finished with a groan.

"Ah yeah. Dad always says how paperwork sucks." She nodded. "Yang'll probably need more shells soon. She's been using those shotguns for everything these days. Fighting, falling, making popcorn."

"Seriously? A shipment every other month is becoming too little? Dust-laced shells aren't the easiest to make, but I guess I can send word to the staff to double the production speed…." Azul hummed. "Just warn her that while I can keep the price the same, due to her needing more shipments, it's nearly going to double the yearly cost, for double the amount of course."

"I'll let her know." Ruby saluted happily. "Well, I've got to go meet with my team. Weiss will get real mean if I'm late."

"To be fair, she seems a tad bit mean at all times," Azul replied. "Then again, it's most likely because she isn't getting everything she wants." He shook his head. "Good luck, and once more, be sure to warn me of when you need your ammo when you have five mag's left, okay? The production team gets a little stressed out working at that speed."

"Yeah … about that. … I've only got five left." Ruby chuckled hesitantly. "Gotta go!" And then she was gone.

"Double production of Yang's ammunition … and start Ruby's next batch now," Azul muttered as he pulled out his scroll, typing away a message.

"She seems … cheerful," Grun noted. "But she must be quite competent if you custom made a weapon for her."

"She has a lot of natural talent with her scythe. It also helps that Qrow kept pushing for me to make her one."

"I've seen other close friends of your father's push you for months to do a custom job, and you'd still refuse. Don't give me that Qrow's pushing had anything to do with it."

"The natural talent helped a lot. Also, know how you speed yourself up with your semblance?"

"I'm guessing by her speed and the rose petals, her semblance is speed itself?" Grun asked as they entered the mess hall.

"Yep. She uses custom cartridges with air dust, uses the kick to speed herself up more."

"Clever." Grun nodded approvingly. "So the bubbly thing's an act? Or is she really just that happy?"

"She's always very happy."


"Hey, Topaz, mind if I take a few shots?" Azure asked as Topaz finished emptying yet another clip of rounds from her sniper rifle down the range. "I've never really used a gun before."

Topaz stared at Azure, her face a mixture of shock and pity. Finally, she seemed to gain control of herself as she signaled for him to come over.

Azure did so and waited calmly for further instruction as he stood by the table. Another set of rounds sat in a neat pile, waiting to be withdrawn and loaded into the ammunition sleeve. "Should I sit or stand for this?"

She motioned for him to stand as she showed him where to put his hands and how to hold the gun. She indicated the safety and the firing pin, and how they operated, then gestured to the target.

"So how do I deal with the kickback?" he asked as he held it against his shoulder.

She indicated that he needed to widen his stance.

He did so, aimed carefully, lined the sights, then pulled. The kickback was surprisingly not as bad as he'd thought it would be. It did cause the shot to go a little wide, however, just missing the target by a few inches. "Huh. That was actually kinda fun." A goofy smile pulled up on his face.

Topaz grinned, gesturing to ask if he wanted another shot.

"Till I hit the target?" he haggled.

She nodded.

A half hour later, the target was still in tact. An outline had formed around the target in scuff marks from the bullets' impact. "Oh come on!" Azure roared.

Topaz sighed to herself, shaking her head as she watched.

"I'm one of the best marksmen with a bow. How the heck am I not hitting this target?"

Topaz pulled out her scroll and typed something out before showing him. "A bow isn't the same as a gun. You can't aim the same way."

"So what am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to aim and shoot?"

"Start by aiming over the barrel, not to the side of it," Topaz said.

"I thought I was."

'Are you bracing the gun with your forward hand as well as your back one?"

"You mean holding it with both hands? Yeah, I'm doing that."

"But are you bracing it with both hands?"

"What do you mean by brace?"

Topaz sighed before grabbing his arms and moving him, showing him what she meant. This was going to be a very long day.


"So wait, we have to share a sparring class a month with the newbies?" Grun groaned as they headed to the sparring arena. "When did that come out?

"Well, we did share a class with second years as well," Azul replied. "It's to show new students a variety of combat scenarios, as well as knock some of them down a peg, those that think they can take on the world."

"A peg's fine, but between the two of us, we could probably knock them down a story or two."

"Not every time," Azul shrugged. "Never know what we'll discover," he finished, adjusting the straps of the sheathed broadsword on his hip.

"I guess." Grun sighed. "At least Pyrrha's here, so there is someone to give me a challenge later on."

"I'm guessing she's probably not going to want to fight too much," Azure said. "You guys said she just wants people to see her for who she is, not for a celebrity, right?"

"There is a difference between how you feel about fame, and how you feel about your craft," Grun noted. "Pyrrha has always been my best sparring partner next to Azul."

"Then it sounds like she'll be a challenge," Azure said.

"She isn't a world renowned fighter for nothing, you know."

Azure smiled. "She should be fun, then. After spending a year with you guys, it's hard to find someone who isn't so easy to fight."

"Except you," Grun teased, chuckling.

"Hey!" Azure growled. "I nearly beat you that one time."

"Yes. And then I started to only hold back half as much." Grun winked.

"You wish," Azure grinned. "I had you at at least seventy five percent. You have to give me at least a little more credit than that." He winked back.

"Best to always think your enemy is only at half power, my friend. You'll know better when they're giving it their all."

"And who says I was really trying with you?" Azure asked with a smirk.

"The mop of sweat? The panting? The fact that you sometimes question god as to why he made you think it was a good idea?" Grun chuckled.

"You sure you don't need a doctor, Grun? I think that last blow to the head may have been a bit too hard."

"Now, now, you two. Save all that for another time, unless you want to bring this into the class with everyone," Azul commented.

"Should we, Grun?" Azure asked.

"I'd hate to ruin your reputation in front of the newbies," Grun chuckled.

Azure simply rolled his eyes. "How about we volunteer for the sake of the demonstration?"

"If you're that anxious to get beaten."

Azure shrugged. "Can't get stronger if I don't lose a few times on the way."

Topaz rolled her eyes at her teammates' antics as they entered the classroom.

Glynda gave the same introductory speech, added a little bit about the welcome for returning students, then moved into the fatal question. "Do I have any volunteers?"

Azure raised his hand.

"Well, well, well, Azure Luz. I don't remember you participating too much last year. It's good to see you starting out. And was there anybody in particular you were hoping to fight?"

"If she doesn't mind, I'd like to fight Pyrrha." He smiled over at the warrior. "I'll probably get my butt whooped, but that doesn't mean we can't have some fun."

The battle proved to be short lived, though Azure nearly gained the upper hand when he'd managed to knock Pyrrha off balance after discarding his tonfa, which had constantly been redirected whenever he tried attacking head on. Unfortunately, after that, Pyrrha utilized her shield to parry before swiping with her spear. Azure managed to dodge, but then he took a crippling kick to the stomach as Pyrrha launched herself off the floor with one hand. After that, it was simply a matter of wearing him down before Glynda called the match.

Pyrrha smiled as she extended a helping hand to the Faunus. "That was a good match."

"Thanks." Azure grinned in return, taking the proffered hand as the crowd cheered behind them. "I can see why Azul sponsored you now. You really are a great fighter."

"You know him?"

"We're teammates. Anyways, I guess we'll be seeing you around later." He retrieved his tonfa, then walked off the stage.

"Yeah, I guess we will."

"Thank you, Pyrrha," Glynda said. "Do we have any other volunteers?"

"I hear that you–" Grun pointed to Ruby as he approached the arena. "–Are kinda fast. What do you say to going a round with me?" He cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders as he voiced the question.

"Kinda fast? Kind of fast?" Ruby looked to Yang. "That's supposed to be smacktalk, right?" she whispered. When Yang nodded, ruby smirked. "Oh yeah? Well you're … really tall!" she said as she approached the ring.

The second Glynda gave the signal to start, the two figures became living blurs, constantly shifting and dashing. In fact, most of the observers could only really say it was a fight. The details were beyond them, other than the occasional sound of metal clashing on metal as the blurs struck one another with a powerful display of sparks and discharge. Ruby's scythe gave her the advantage with reach, but it meant she had to keep retreating whenever Grun got in close, which meant the two couldn't stop moving the entire fight. The gauges that marked their auras only seemed to register glancing blows as the two practically danced around each other until Glynda finally had to call for them to drop it as a tie. When they broke, both Grun and Ruby were panting heavily.

"She is fast," Grun admitted between long gasping breaths. This comment even got a small eye twitch reaction from Azul. The two combatants shook hands and dragged themselves back to their peer groups. Weiss did not look amused.

Weiss rose and raised her hand. "Miss Glynda, I would like to go next if it's alright with you."

Glynda looked down at her scroll. "We don't exactly have much time left after Grun and Ruby's match, but I suppose we could simply call it when time runs out if you really want to."

"Yes, please," Weiss said eagerly. She flipped from her seat in the balcony and pirouetted in mid-air before landing gracefully on the stage.

Glynda raised a critical eyebrow, but said nothing else. "And who is willing to face Weiss in combat?"

"I will, Miss Goodwitch," a familiar posh accent said as Violet Charmont leapt into the arena with a purple cape billowing behind him as he proffered a purple rose. "For the lady."

"Um, eww." Weiss looked at the token and its owner with disgust. "Is there a chance I could fight with anybody else? He's almost as bad as Jeanne is." A blonde in the crowd winced at the comment as he sat with his teammates.

"Why, Weiss, I'm hurt. We used to be such good friends."

"Yeah. That's before you became a total snob," Weiss shot back. "I can't believe you actually thought I'd want to date someone like you just because you got my father's approval." She shuddered. "You never even thought to ask me how I felt about it!"

Glynda cleared her throat. "If we stand here much longer, Miss Schnee, class will be dismissed. The two of you can sort out your issues on your own time. You're here to fight. To your places."

Weiss stormed off to her side of the arena, then entered into her combat stance as she drew her sword.

"Don't worry, darling, I promise to be gentle," Violet said with a mocking smile as he gripped his halberd with both hands.

Weiss smirked. "I won't."

"Begin!" Glynda cried.

Weiss launched herself forward, using her standard speed glyph to increase her momentum as she prepared to strike. Of course, she overestimated the power of her rapier and the fighting ability of Violet's halberd as he brought the weapon to bear, catching the rapier's blade at the top between the axe blade and the spike. He attempted to twist the weapon from her hand, but underestimated her grip, which resulted in one of history's most awkward pirouettes as the polearm forced Weiss to do a full turn. Weiss recovered, and moved forward with a lunge. Violet attempted to dodge, but was caught in the side, and a heavy chunk of his aura vanished as it attempted to defend against the normally lethal blow.

After that turning point the match ended quickly. Weiss kept herself inside the reach of Violet's weapon, forcing him to continually retreat. Finally with a flick of her rapier she sent Violet tripping over the arena's edge, and Glynda called disqualification.

Weiss turned disdainfully on her would-be-conqueror. "And by the way, the next time you come within ten feet of me, I'll freeze you solid." Then she made her way towards the bleachers and her team. A cold wind seemed to pass through the arena amidst the quiet whisperings of the students.

"All hail the Ice Queen," Grun whispered to Topaz. Then they chuckled.


Blake sat on the shoulder of the academy's statue looking up at the stars with her favorite novel laid to the side. She sighed heavily, and wiped a tear before it had the chance to fall.

"It looks like you made your choice."

Blake jumped, landing in a three point battle stance as she searched for the speaker.

"Easy, Blake. It's just me," Azure said as he came out from under the shadow of the statue.

"What do you want?" Blake asked with a tired sigh.

"Not much. Just wanted to find out what you chose."

"I'm not letting you touch me again."

"I don't have to, Blake. I just want you to tell me. You know I'm not the type to blab about things. Just tell me what you decided."

Blake's eyes stung with unshed tears as she glared down at Azure.

"I see," Azure said. "So he finally pushed over the edge."

"You don't even know who you're talking about," Blake lashed back.

"No, but I know he was important to you, and I know you were concerned where he was going. Something pushed you to finally leave. Otherwise you wouldn't be here."

Blake turned the other way as the tears began to fall. "Damn you, Azure."

"I'm sorry to make you upset. I had to make sure I could trust you."

"So you read into my life?"

"Your aura. There's a difference. I don't get everything. I get feelings, emotions, sometimes an image or two. It's kind of like looking into your heart. I'm not a psychic. All I can do is see what kind of person you are. The rest just sort of thrusts out at me if it's weighing heavy on someone. And he, whoever he is, was at the time."

"And that's supposed to make it all better, I suppose," she said cynically.

"No, that's a decision that you need to make yourself. You shouldn't be angry at me when he's the one who broke your heart." He tossed her a handkerchief. "Here. It's something my ma made me. Dry your tears. There's someone who wants to meet you."

Blake's body tensed. "Who?"

"That would be me," Azul commented, walking over to the two. "Nice to meet you, Blake. I am Azul."

"What do you want with me?" she asked as she clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

"Nothing, I just want to talk with you," Azul replied, waving dismissively.

"It seems a lot of people want to do that lately," she said dryly.

"Sorry for all the attention, but I have a few important questions. Everything you tell me will stay with me." He looked over to Azure. "Could you tell the team I'll be a bit late?"

Azure nodded. "No problem, Azul. We'll be waiting for you." With that, he walked off towards the dorms.

"Now then, as I am inclined to believe by your presence here, you are no longer affiliated with the White Fang, correct?"

"The White Fang are little more than vicious criminals." She sighed and shook her head.

"Blake, I need clear answers. I need to know I can trust you being here."

Blake let out a grim chuckle. "Trust. Now that's a good one. Trust runs two ways, and mine's been broken before. I'm not about to let it again."

"Then let me help with that," Azul commented, holding out a paper.

"And this is…?"

"A document clearing the theft of a Gambol Shroud short sword and pistol weapon," Azul replied. "I'll show the first half of this trust, Blake. That weapon on your back is now officially yours."

"How can you…?" Her eyes widened as she made the connection.

"To be fair, you did pretty good sneaking the weapon I made past my sight for awhile."

"You're Azul Strike. You're the head of Strike Co."

"Correct. The same one who dealt with several reports of weapon shipments being stolen by White Fang members," he replied. "Blake, I've looked through several reports on someone like you. I'm giving this to you to show I'm still willing to give you a chance. If you truly aren't a threat, I will burn the reports."

"All I want is for Faunus to be treated like people. The right way," she corrected.

"I don't blame you for wanting that. There aren't enough people with the mindset for that, sadly. So I'd like to ask a few questions. Nothing personal, if you're willing to answer…"

Blake shrugged. "Seems you already know plenty about me." She smiled ironically. "Sure. Why not?"

"I know reports, Blake. I would prefer to know you by conversation, rather than reports by a third party," Azul replied. "You aren't affiliated with the White Fang, at least not anymore. I get that now. The information I would like mostly involves a specific individual."

"I don't know how much I can tell you."

"If you think I'm talking about the leader, you're wrong. I want to know info on his second in command," Azul clarified. "Nickname, Saw." Azul sighed darkly. "The one who led the assault on Strike Co. four and a half years ago."

"What?" Blake nearly yelled.

"You never heard about it? A few members of the White Fang seemed to love bragging about it."

"He swore. He promised." Blake practically hissed with fury.

"You heard about the plan, didn't you?" Azul commented. "I bet you heard they never went through with it from your reaction."

"They told me they weren't responsible, that we didn't resort to murder. And I believed them." She shuddered. "Saw is an animal. All he cares about is causing pain and exerting dominance. He probably got off on that attack. Watching humans being rent limb from limb by grimm would whet his appetite."

"I plan on killing him," Azul replied flatly. "Seventy-two dead, thirty injured, and I got to come in the next day, trying to pick up what was left, to ensure my new employees trusted me, to prove I could lead just like my parents."

Blake stared silently ahead for a time. At last, she broke that silence. "Be careful, Strike. That kind of road is very narrow, and very easy to fall off from. I already watched one person go over that edge. I don't need to see another."

"You don't have to worry. I'm very direct in how I do things. My team can also ensure I stay on that path. I just want info on Saw, and I won't bother you about this anymore."

"Your friends had better be strong enough to pull you back then. Once you kill someone, it's almost impossible to stop."

"We're hunters in training, we'll soon be expected to make those hard choices almost every day," Azul replied sadly. "There are always more options, but… I can't forgive what he's done."

"I'm not sure if I can either." Blake began to make her way towards the dorms, her book in hand. "Just make sure you don't take his place."

"Never," Azul replied. After a few second he sighed. "Have a good night, Blake. When you feel ready to give me the information on him, you should know how to find me."

"Check your back pocket." And then she was gone.

Azul reached into his back pocket, pulling out a small slip of paper. After a moment he sighed. "First Grun starts doing that, now her?" he muttered, heading towards his team's dorm.


"You know, I'm beginning to really wonder how this blonde kid got into beacon," Grun said as the group watched across the courtyard. Jaune Arc tripped for the third time in his journey across the courtyard. "I've seen uncoordinated people before, but he makes it into an art form."

Azure shrugged. "Oh, he's probably the stereotypical hero with some kind of superpower buried deep inside that comes out at just the right moment when a deus ex is needed," he said sarcastically. Then he smirked, followed immediately by a wince as Jaune experienced his fourth face fall in a row. "Can't help but feel a little sorry for the guy."

"And sensing weakness, the idioticus bullicus begins to stalk its prey," Grun spoke as he noticed Cardigan, the current alpha bully of the first year class, and his cronies making there way across the courtyard on a beeline for Jaune. "The pack will follow the potential butt of their immature joke until an opportunity to corner it presents itself. It will then proceed to surround the potential victim while the alpha male struts and howls. This ritual seems to serve no purpose other than to stroke his own massive ego to the rest of the pack."

"Think we should do something?" Azul questioned.

"Right now if we interfere, it'll just make things harder for him. We need to wait until they cross a line." Grun shrugged. "Following people is not a crime. Believe me; I've had to use that defense in court before."

"But what exactly would be classified as too far? And wait … is that Pyrrha I see over there behind the statue?" Azure asked.

"Okay, then he's good," Grun said.

"Good how?"

Topaz facepalmed, shook her head, then rolled her eyes before pointing towards the two and pantomiming a heart.

"No, really?" Azure asked.

"Me to velvet is how Pyrrha wishes she was to Jaune," Grun said, also deadpanning.

"Huh. Who'd have thunk?" Azure said as he laid back on the grass and soaked up the sun's rays.

"So … seems Ugly McHat is causing more trouble around vale," Grun said, pulling out a paper and tossing it down.

"All it says is that dust shops have been getting hit, along with some weapons and munitions transports. What makes you think you know who it is? And who the heck is Ugly McHat supposed to be?"

Grun looked to Azul "I thought you told him."

"I ... may have forgotten. I was a little busy," Azul replied.

"So is someone going to tell me or what?" Azure asked.

"This guy, Roman Torchwick, has been out and about in Vale for a bit now. A while ago Grun and I ran into him when I offered to take over for a weapon shipment ... for said reason. As of the last few months, he's been spotted working other jobs than just weapon theft. Now it's dust, munitions, even a few Atlas products mixed in like scrolls. So it's safe to say he's working big time now."

Azure whistled. "So what, are you guys planning on setting up a trap or something?"

"He's not messing with Strike Co. anymore. He learned from the last encounter, and I may have upped security on transports. As for trapping, the police can deal with him."

"And by that he means that he's waiting for something obvious to come up, so he can wait in the shadows and slow clap when Roman's patting himself on the back before beating him up." Grun chuckled. "He likes to act cold sometimes."

"I kinda find it funny how Atlas can't stop him from stealing their shipments, but he refuses to go near mine now."

"You wouldn't let Jimmy go unavenged," grun said

"So what, we just keep on testing our skills and getting better till that big event happens?" Azure asked.

"I honestly don't care that much how it goes. I have bigger problems to deal with," Azul replied simply.

Topaz nodded, trying her best to gesture fangs, which ended up just looking silly.

"Uh … are you trying to do a spider or something, Topaz?" Azure asked.

Topaz shrugged and gestured for them to carry on.

"So are you guys ready for Ooblek's history class? I hear he's going over the human Faunus war this month," Azure said.

"Read it, saw the movie, got the T-shirt," Grun said in a bored tone. This subject always seemed to make him owly.

"I never really got to study it much growing up. It sounds fascinating."

"Humans decided they wanted us all in one island zoo that they could control. We didn't like that, and fought back. They managed to just barely win, but it was decided that the whole containing all Faunus on an island thing was going too far, so here we are today."

"I bet Velvet would like to hear about it," Azure said slyly. "She is going to be there today, after all."

"The war isn't some time of glory, Azure. It was a time where we got lucky and managed to keep ourselves from being caged. Then we got swelled heads and started making crazy legends to tell our kids so they could feel proud. That's all myths and legends. Fairytales."

"Even the ones about your ancestors?"

"What? That I come from some magical warrior race that turned the tide of the war until they got too confident? That was something my father told himself so he could sleep at night, Azure, a seed of pride to keep away the ghosts of the past."

Azure rose and stared Grun square in the face. "Sounds like I was right when we fought at orientation. You really do have issues."

"Yeah, well that's no business of yours." Grun let out a low growl as he marched towards class.

Azure sighed and shook his head. "You know, he's not going to get full mastery till he can let that anger go."

"Azure, you're tapping on thin ice. I'd suggest you be a little less blunt on something like that," Azul said.

"With all due respect, Azul, he's the one that chose to get upset, and completely misinterpreted what I was saying. I'm not about to back down because of that. It wouldn't do either of us any good if I did."

"I can't see how he could misinterpret 'I was right, you have issues,' Azul replied with a raised brow.

Azure groaned. "I meant the earlier stuff. That last comment, I'll admit, was pride and backlash at hostility."

"Mhmm. The pushing point," Azul replied. "Just got to learn those ticks to keep yourself from reacting automatically to it."

"His or mine?"

"...Yes."


The cafeteria was loud and smelled of rich food. The new addition of students had led to the need for more tables than usual as the four continued to eat. Grun, like usual, was filling his stomach as fast and efficiently as possible. Azure was running at a close second with Azul and Topaz running far behind. After an effusive greeting from a certain random pink-haired girl, they'd been able to eat in peace. Team Ventum were just a few tables down, and Tor and Endon waved, grinning as each dug into their drumsticks. Violet ate daintily with knife and fork. Midas followed his example, looking with disdain at their teammates, even as he stole the occasional lustful glance towards Weiss, though whether it was her looks or her money that drew him remained a mystery.

Azul sighed as he pulled out his scroll and tapped at the screen for a moment before putting it away once again. "Welp, looks like I need to chat with Yang about ammo consumption."

"How much has she been using lately?" Azure asked.

"Way too much," he replied. "She shoots every punch she throws almost."

"Well, it is her main weapon."

"She's using her dust-laced ammunition faster than her normal rounds," Azul replied flatly. "For normal fights or sparing matches…"

"Okay, that I can understand then. You could always do it right now, you know. She's right over there."

After a moment Azul got up. "Yeah, probably best to do it now…"

As Azul made his way over to Team RWBY's table, where Team RWBY and Team JNPR were meeting, a sudden burst of laughter caught the attention of the group as Cardin Winchester and his team stood, knelt, or sat around Velvet, who had been eating alone. Sky Lark, one of Cardin's cronies, was holding his hands above his head and wiggling them back and forth while his companions joined in their laughter. Velvet scooted uncomfortably away from Cardin. Grun's eyes slitted as they shifted and locked on Cardin Winchester. He put his fork, which was still loaded with a heap of eggs, down, and watched them closely. Topaz lowered her sunglasses, looking in surprise down at Grun's untouched shovelful of food before staring intently at the bullies in question.

"If he tries anything, I want in," Azure said suddenly as he cracked his knuckles, his eyes narrowing. "There's nothing I hate more than a bully."

"You got it," Grun said as he idly cracked his neck.

It wasn't so much a matter of if Cardin and his team tried anything, but when. A few minutes later Velvet was calling out in pain and asking Cardin to stop as he forcefully tugged one of her ears. His cronies continued to laugh at the antics.

"I told you it was real," Cardin said as he turned to his friends, still laughing.

"What a freak," Russel Thrush, the leanest and least armored of the bunch said as his hair waved like a whitish-yellow flame back and forth on top of his shaved head.

Grun was practically running as he made his way over. "Now, gentlemen," he said, tapping on Cardin's shoulder. "You really, really want to take that back and leave the lady alone." His left arm shook slightly as wisps of wind swam around it. The other three's laughter began to die.

"Otherwise, you could say there'd be trouble," Azure said as strode up to join his teammate. His horse ears stood tall and proud out from his mane-like hair.

"Right, and what are you going–" cardin had started to speak confidently as he turned, only to find himself staring right at Grun's chest. Slowly his head tilted back, and back, until he locked eyes with Grun. His face paled noticeably.

"You have a problem with Faunus. Probably some rich boy suckling off pappa's money teat and figuring he's untouchable. Well let me make this clear," he said, putting a protective arm around Velvet. "This is my girlfriend. If she chose to, she could have wiped the floor with all your sorry asses, but she's too kind hearted for that." He reached out and grasped Thrush's shirt without turning his head, then lifted the struggling boy off the ground. "Four o'clock on the courtyard. Meet us there. Don't show up…" Grun tossed Thrush away, causing the boy to land on a flat, currently cleared stretch of table three feet away. "And I'll find you. You got that, pretty boy?"

Thrush groaned, rubbing his head as a wreath of chiding Velvet heads circled around him, beating him with their ears.

"Oh, and in case any of you other gentlemen get any ideas, even assuming you could manage to gang up on Grun and match him, not very likely, I'll be there to back him up. And so will the rest of our team," Azure said as he fixed the others with a level glare. "I'd suggest tending to your teammate for now. We'll see you soon."

Cardin was sweating bullets. He only nodded as his friends watched, unsure of what to do.

"So now I'm going to count to ten, but my friend here started counting five seconds ago, and I can't account for what he'll do if you're still in front of us when he reaches ten. When I reach it, it probably won't matter, because Azure's crazy. Now. One..."

Cardin toppled out of his chair and onto the floor, his hands scrabbling against the floor for traction as his armor scraped against the tile. Dove Bronzewing and Sky Lark both strove to be ahead of the other in their hasty retreat, shoving, tripping, and otherwise fighting before one lost his balance. Grabbing the other's armor, they clattered and rolled until they ran into Cardin, then kept on rolling until they slammed against the cafeteria doors, the sudden impact breaking them apart. Their eyes seemed to spiral as they sat there, dazed for a few more seconds, until one word roared over the air, searing them back into consciousness with pure fear.

"Ten!"

Three dust clouds shaped just like the bullies in question hovered in the air before two blasts of wind smashed them together and distributed them across the sunbeams, making for an almost divine effect as the light from the windows washed over the three Faunus. Grif held his arm out, a green glow showing the tight control of his semblance while Azure held a pulsing green crystal in his hands, his own aura flaring white.

The cafeteria was silent for a time. Velvet blushed as she nestled up in Grun's embrace. Pyrrha smiled in approval, even as Nora burst into a spirited cheer, clapping at the display and hooting in approval.

Azure pocketed the shrunken dust crystal and patted the excess off his hands, even as he made his way over to Thrush. He laid his hands on Thrush's torso and activated his semblance, merging the two auras together, even as Thrush began to return to full consciousness. Azure broke the contact as quickly as possible, his face filled with disgust. "Get out," he said through clenched teeth.

"You can't–"

"Out!" Azure roared, his hands balled into fists. The air around him began to sizzle and crack as one of his pouches glowed.

Suddenly perceiving that he was completely and utterly alone with a Faunus that could hurl raw elemental fury at will, Thrush did the one thing that made sense under the circumstances. He ran.

Grun looked down to velvet. "You'll be there, right?"

"If you want me to be." Then she kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you."

"For you, I'd have taken on much worse then some idiots who think they're alpha dogs."

"I think I'll take this. I'd prefer to keep dating you in one piece," she said with a smirk.

"You have so little faith in me." He grinned, kissing her head. "Find Coco and stay with her today, okay?"

"Grun–"

"No buts. You're powerful, I know that, but you wouldn't hurt a fly unless it was a grimm, and they use that against you."

Velvet sighed in defeat. "All right."

"I love you," he said, kissing her again. "But I've got to eat."

Velvet giggled. "Worked up an appetite saving the damsel in distress, huh? Go on, ya big lug. I'll see you later." She winked playfully at him, got up on her tiptoes to kiss him, then left.

Azure took a deep breath, then released it explosively as he joined his friend. "Never, in all my life, have I ever felt an aura that clogged with egotism and sadism. It's left a bad taste in my mouth. Mind if we have an eating contest to get it out?"

"Sure. And then we'll talk," Grun said, piling his plate with more food. "This has to go right."

"Sure, but only after we're full, okay? Hey, Topaz! You get to be the judge!"

Topaz rolled her eyes, pushed her glasses back up, shook her head, and smiled as the two took their places. Raising her arm, she looked to each to make sure they were primed, then chopped.

Azul sighed from his seated position away from the group, watching the events that played out. "Guess I'll add that to the notes and reminders…"

"Why? It's not like you have to go," Yang noted

"That's my team, so I probably should go," Azul said as he gestured the group.

"Didn't you have something to say? You're not the type of guy to do stuff without some sort of reason," Yang noted.

"You don't really know me well enough to make that assumption, but you're somewhat right. I need to talk to you about your munitions. You're burning through them too quickly."

"They're bullets. Aren't they made to be shot?"

"Yes, the problem that I'm trying to mention though is your use of the incendiary dust rounds in normal and easy fights."

"I like the blast it gives," she shrugged, "plus it gives great uplift."

"Yes, but you're using them so freely, and at a rate that is abnormally high," Azul replied, sighing afterwards. "Dust-laced ammo is not easy to make, Yang. And did Ruby tell you what I told her to tell you?" Azul asked, looking over to Ruby.

Ruby looked away whistling innocently to herself.

"That's a no.… Listen, Yang. To keep up with your use, you're going to double the yearly cost, because I have to order the teams to make double the rounds. You're working with twenty-five thousand lien yearly, but if you really want to use that much ammo this often, you're going to have to pay fifty thousand at this rate."

"Meh. Dad's got money." Yang shrugged.

"Taiyang's been begging me to either talk you down from this use rate, or for me to lower the price," Azul replied flatly.

"Fine, I'll cut back." Yang rolled her eyes.

"Listen, we can talk about adjusting the creation rate, just cut back a little. You don't need to stop using them."

"Yeah, whatever," Yang said.

"All right, that's all I needed to talk about. Development team has been at my back to talk to you about it," Azul said, standing up. "Good seeing you again. And Ruby," he glanced over. "Remember. Five or less."

As Azul walked away, Yang punched into the air, letting off a loud shot. "Whoops. Misfire," she said.

Azul simply gave a small grin as he turned around, still moving towards his group. "Hey, it happens. Though the more I think on it, the dev team would probably love a break from making your ammo." His grin turned sinister.

Yang just rolled her eyes before grinning.