"Port bored me half to death last class" said Bruna "it's like listening to somebody narrate paint drying". "I know" said Ruby "but I'm more afraid of what will happen if he keeps winking at Yang". Teams RWBY, CBLT, and JNPR were at dinner; talking about their recent class with Professor Port. "I think I fell asleep" said Lenna "can I copy one of your notes"? "Here" said Blake. "Can I ask you something Pyrrha?" said Cobalt "why has Jaune been so distant lately; I mean the kids been hanging out with CRDL". "Jaune is going through a rough time" said Pyrrha "but I am pretty sure he knows just what he's doing". "Do I detect sarcasm Pyrrha?" asked Tuscan "did something happen between you two"? "Did he ask you out and you turned him down?" asked Lenna "and then he took it too hard and then wallowed in depression and then found a home in a bad crowd"? "What, no!" Pyrrha jumped in her seat. "Lenna" said Cobalt "stop shipping people in real life". "But Bruna and I already came up with a ship name" said Lenna. "Yeah" said Bruna "it's called Arkos". "Guys behave" said Tuscan "you're making her uncomfortable". "Don't worry" said Pyrrha "Nora is much worse". "She found my Fanfiction" Nora pouted. "So" said Ruby, trying to change the subject "anybody have plans coming up? Other than the tournament I mean". "I'm not doing anything" said Pyrrha. "Neither are me or Nora" said Ren. "I'm not going anywhere" said Weiss. "Really guys?" said Ruby "aren't you guys going to do anything exciting"? "We need to go back to Conway for a while" said Cobalt. "At least it's you who is leaving" said Weiss. "Now Weiss" said Yang "you two promised to get along". "Why do you need to leave?" asked Blake. "Jahrestag that week" said Tuscan "as the children of the Viscount we have to be present". "What's Jahrestag" asked Ruby. "It's a day of celebration in Conway that marks the anniversary of when we were founded" said Cobalt "on that day we celebrate with parties, events, and the end of the day we thank those who came before us and paved the way for our future". "Sounds fun" said Ruby "can we come"? "Probably not" said Bruna "considering the company you keep". "What she meant to say is" Cobalt elbowed Bruna "is that a Schnee would only be caught dead in Conway, especially on that day". "Don't you mean "wouldn't be caught dead"?" asked Yang. "I know what I said" he replied "I mean a member of White Fang has a better chance of being let in". "Point taken" said Weiss, staring daggers at Cobalt. The bell rang, telling students to return to their dorms.

"Well today was productive" said Cobalt "nearly gave the Schnee heiress a concussion and then made friends with her". He turned just too see Bruna staring back at him, arms crossed and a disapproving look on her face. "Need I remind you that he father wants me dead?" she said "and wants to raze our home to the ground"? "We know very well what her father wants" he replied "but we don't know what she wants". "Oh so are we playing the diplomacy card now?" mocked Bruna "sure guys; let's be friends with the Schnees. Oh, and while we're at it; let's give the White Fang a WMD"! "I admit it is a lofty goal" said Cobalt "but isn't that what Conways are known for; fighting impossible causes"? "He has a point" said Tuscan "after White Fang went violent; we are short on friends in this world". "That's not it" said Bruna "her family has wanted us off the map since; forever"! "I'm not saying that I can reverse decades of hate" said Cobalt "but I am willing to try". "Well I can't convince you" said Bruna. She collapsed onto her bed and put her headphones on. "She'll be fine tomorrow" said Cobalt "let her sleep on it". Cobalt opened the window and began to climb through it. "I really don't like this" said Lenna "if you keep sneaking out like this; then somebody will notice". "If I don't keep doing this, I put the whole school at risk" said Cobalt "I'll be back in the morning".

That night in the Emerald Forest a monster ruled; it made even Grimm shake in terror. It was a tall wolf like creature; with its long white claws, sharp teeth, and it bony white plates that dotted its back. Its entire upper jaw and skull was covered with a Grimm's white mask and red eyes. It may be classified as such but this is no Grimm, it is an abomination; a crime against nature that should have never been committed. It is both monster and man; this is the Balroth.

The beast engorged itself on a fallen Ursa's corpse, devouring every scrap of flesh from bone. "Why must we do this?" it asked. "Because we hunger" it replied to itself. "We are a crime" it said "a walking abomination". "Silence!" it yelled "we are powerful; we may do as we like". "That power is not our own" it replied "it is cursed placed on us that dooms us to damnation". "Silence fool!" it yelled back "I smell blood". "It's just the corpse you stupid mutt" it replied. "No" it sniffed the air "it's human". The beast ceased its meal and stalked through the brush. "Ow!" a voice called out "quit it with the stinging". "Oh no" it thought "Jaune". "This is one of your friends huh" it replied "we will honor him by feasting on his bones". "Please" it thought "I am begging you, please let him live". "You have no right to make demands" it replied "I am in control and will soon have this seat in permanence, might as well start with him". The beast rose from the brush and roared; startling Jaune and he nearly dropped the box he was carrying. The beast swung at Jaune, but at the last second; it arms froze in mid swing. "Please" the beast struggled to speak "run". "Aaaaahhhh!" Jaune screamed, he turned and ran away with the beast right behind him. The beast was on all fours, slowly gaining on Jaune. Jaune tripped on a root and hit the ground; the beast jumped on top of him and barred its grizzly teeth. "You shall be the first to feed us" it snarled. It raised it claw into the air and brought it down on Jaune. All of the sudden, a white flash enveloped the two. "It burns!" the beast winced, reeling in pain and clutching it claw. Jaune took the opportunity to get back up, grab his box, and run back to the school. "I am glad he is alive" the beast thought "but will I be found out"? "If it was your priority to keep us hidden" it replied "than why did you force me to spare him"?