A/N: This coming arc and the one after are going to be - I guess an attempt to flesh out the two teams in my own way? Hopefully, I do well, I apologize if it's not the best - after these two are done I'll continue into the third season and in this arc. I WILL try and keep it from getting disturbing but some horror will be included a bit - not like - the level of those horror movies that they say is the scariest of all time or whatever I just want to add some suspense and - no this won't be all throughout just this one and the next one will take a lighter tone but so I'll do my best to keep this rated T because of the suspense/possible horror aspect which - I may or may not suck at. Please let me know what you guys think feedback is appreciated - honestly.


"Are you a threat to this school, yes or no" It was a simple question that felt about as loaded as any dorm room that existed within this school or the infirmary he now sat in. After his blackout apparently, the person was defeated but managed to escape under the cover of night thanks to Ruby showing up. Which...opened up another can of worms he hadn't seen anything relating to the girl in question at all – his team didn't even bother to come see him either which probably had to do in part with the fact that whatever she saw was enough of a reason to keep them away and he didn't blame them.

Could he?

"No." He responded

"Are you sure, I don't know exactly what happened that night but judging from the expression she wore when she came in dragging you into my office I'd say she was more afraid of you than whoever attacked you that night." Sora winced at the thought of himself making her afraid a pit of self-loathing accumulated in his gut and he didn't dare look up.

"I'm sending you with team JNPR to the town they originally intended to visit" Sora perked up but his eyes didn't meet his

"Why?" It sounded weaker than Opzin expected

"Because, the only way I'll know if you're a threat is if you're out on the field and the only way to know if it's something in your control or not is to send you on a mission without your team – though they may or may not show much concern and as far as I know the only one remotely capable of fending you off is on that team" Opzin explained

"If you indeed are a threat despite what power you bring us I will remove you myself, I will not allow hard to come to my students" Sora glared bunching up the thin bed sheet in his hands

"If you don't even see me as your student why waste your time trying to find out what side I'm even on?! If you think I'm some sleeper agent or I'm going to just wake up and decide oh hey I feel like killing some hunters and huntresses today why not just deal with me now why prolong your decision?!" He looked up glaring his eyes didn't change but his attitude sure did.

"Because I want to believe there is good In you like your team did, and like your family did – they had enough faith to send you here instead of anyone else they chose you for a reason so, show me why they chose you," Opzin said as he opened the door

"You leave in an hour gather your things" Sora was left alone once again the target of scrutiny – possibly he stood up his legs ached when he finally looked down he noticed how banged up he truly was he has a pretty deep gash along his torso he didn't remember getting although it seemed to be healing pretty well one potion and he'd probably be alright to consider it a scar and a slight nick in his off hand he didn't remember getting, sighing to himself he got dressed and walked out into the hallway.

Today from what he knew or remembered outside of classes was an off day because of the events of yesterday he shook his head and walked onward making it to the room and without saying a word began to pack.

"I see, so you are leaving" The voice belong to Blake he looked back and continued

"Mission," He said simply

The most surprising thing he'd probably ever witness in his life came up a tender hand reached down and rested on his shoulder when he looked over the pale skin that only belongs to two girls and not the one he expected stood with a warm smile.

"We know what happened and whatever happened up there no matter what we know you're good, you didn't harm Ruby even a bit she may be scared but we know no matter what happens you wouldn't harm her or anyone who didn't deserve it.

"W-What's wrong with you?" He stood up shocked

"Where's the oh you're totally at fault and you should be kicked out and I shouldn't scare a young lady and then you hit me with a book or something!" He recited she smiled a bit finally laughing a bit

"In most situations, I would be like that and truthfully you didn't deserve it – however, when we first met I believe I had a right to be skeptical just – not so much? So instead of going off and acting brash, I'll believe in you from the start" He looked at Weiss for the first time as an actual genuine person and gave her a small smile even as he grew sadder

"Thank you, Weiss" She crossed her arms

"Well, you've done enough to prove to me you aren't a bad person. I'm sure whatever happened was because of your attacker not because of you"

"When...-" He started but paused

"When I was attacked, I felt, anger and I guess that led to my blackout? I felt if I didn't stop him at that moment he'd hurt more people it's just -"

"When I'm alone nothing good comes out of trying to use my powers it seems only negativity sprouts and I start to doubt myself and when I'm with any of you I feel like I'm strong enough to fight because -" He looked down searching for the right word to describe this feeling

"Because, I have you guys, my friends" He raised his gaze to meet Weiss' as he slung his bag over his back as Blake came over and gave him a warm embrace she started to make a noise that he associated with cats and soon after the hug ended so did the noise

"Wait, that noise, those – ears are you?" He asked perplexed

"I'm surprised you haven't even figured out that I'm a Faunus myself," Sora stood unmoving

"What would that change? You're still you, Blake"

"I'm glad you feel that way, Sora" She smiled brightly at her friend glad he wasn't going to judge her appearance

"Now, about that pu-" Blake held up a hand to cut him off

"Finish your sentence or tell anyone, you die" He nodded simply walking out of the door he didn't notice Yang or Ruby as Pyrrha called for him on the other end of the hall

"Not going to tell him bye?" Yang asked Ruby didn't meet her sister's gaze she remained downcast remembering the screams Sora made that night as he howled and lunged at her was enough of a reason to keep herself away for the time being as she figured things out on her own she shook her head.

"He'll be alright" Ruby whispered as they walked in Weiss walked out

"Hey, Sora don't – forget – this!" Carrying his father's sword or trying to

"How the hell do you lift this thing?!" She huffed the brunette walked over lifting it over his shoulder easily and smiled a bit.

"It's easy" He finally noticed Ruby and Yang He gave them a quick look and neither looked back his eyes met the wall.

"I'll, be back tomorrow hopefully I figured out the communicator so...call me if you need me" Weiss nodded and Blake said goodbye as Sora marched off to Pyrrha's location

"Trouble in paradise?" The redhead asked with a giggle

"You know, if you weren't right I'd probably joke with you about you and Jaune" Earning him a gasp

"I can probably assume you don't want to talk about it but I'm here if you feel up to explaining while we travel, let us be on our way – the quicker we finish this the sooner you all can make amends" He laughed at that but not for the reason she hoped for.

Outside the rest of her team awaited Jaune carried an air of pessimism, Ren was silent as always and Nora was talking his ear off

"Well, maybe a change of pace will do me good"

So they'd like.


Instead of flying there they were tasked with taking the train there since it was about an hour ride anyway and the helicopter seemed excessive. Ren and Nora sat close sleeping and Jaune ended up resting against the ever exuberant Pyrrha who seemed to relish in this form of comfort Jaune was showing her.

"It's so peaceful," She said casually, to the only other person away who sat looking at an odd angle looking back at Beacon with somber eyes

"I guess" He responded stoically

"You've really taken a liking to her, and whatever happened is really bugging you, isn't it?" He finally took his eyes off the window to face her gaze she had one hand on her lap and her other gently tending to Jaune's cheek and bangs he gave her a skeptical look that she giggled at

"Ruby, you're clearly worried about her anyone who knew you could tell something was bothering you I just happen to know who it's about" The brunette pouted

"Something's – something happened last night and I don't remember what really, that's what worries me " He leaned his head against the window attempting to stretch as much as he could with a yawn he wiped away whatever sleep was in his system before looking back to Pyrrha.

"When we get back I'm sure you can work things out, I'm sure Yang is already trying to sort this out for you as we speak, I know Yang is protective of her younger sister but she seems fond of you enough to the point of allowing you to look after her" She continued her caressing of Jaune's hair as she spoke all Sora could think about was Pyrrha being some type of symbol for more than just peace he started to wonder what he was.

"You're a strong person," She smiled

"As are you, Pyrrha, and – thanks for that I just hope this mission is a quick one so I can deal with our issues" Pyrrha squealed a bit at the term he used

"So you really do see her as your girlfriend?" Sora blushed a bit at the term she used

"We haven't – labeled it yet I'm not even sure if she even wants to date me at this point either so I wouldn't assume that's what we are don't want to get my hopes up" He jolted forward a bit

"What about you two?" The girl in response looked down a loving gaze was all she could give – she smiled finally before looking up

"I do, have feelings for him truly but I want him to find his way before then if I happen to be along that road then I would be very happy but if not I'm happy enough just knowing he's happy" The teen in response gave her a look of disbelief

"You do know if you so much as said anything about having feelings for him he'd jump at the chance to earnestly date you, Pyrrha he holds you in such high regards and yet treats you as a peer he can actually learn and speak to without feeling like he doesn't quite measure up with" She looked down for a few moments

"Maybe that's why he's been feeling a bit inadequate recently it started when Tidus joined he had to meet his expectations and afterward he was lost without that, he had a bar he had to meet and when his bar was gone and met with a shell of his former teammate and he wasn't strong enough to stop him he was left feeling dejected" both teens had looks of negativity

"But I think, having you here with us will do us some good, you might be able to instill some confidence in him again, the last time I've seen him try to put all of his hard work to the test was against the Grimm near mount Glenn but I feel having you alongside us will bolster his confidence a little" the bearer of the key gave a perplexed look

"Why wouldn't he do the same for you?" She smiled a bit

"He knows one day he could be as strong or stronger than me, you radiate a strength he can't acquire by normal means so he may seek acceptance in your eyes, you're probably held in a higher standing than even I am" He arched a brow

"I doubt it, strength isn't the only thing people need to be strong," He leaned off to the right of the seat he took trying to get comfortable

"I'll try my best to help mentor Jaune here, maybe then he can take my spot as the one to fight Sephiroth and I can stop worrying about it," she laughed at this

"For a hunter in the making you sure are quite the procrastinator" She teased

"What's wrong with being lazy?" A new voice interjected they looked over to see Nora looking up through half-lidded eyes as she leaned in closer to Ren shivering a bit before wrapping her arms around his slender form for warmth she looked a lot more innocent in nature compared to her normal energetic self.

"Train rides make Nora tired" Ren stated as he yawned himself he seemed tired as well however that soon changed when the intercom alerted them of the stop they were nearing was the one they had to get off at. After about five minutes Jaune awoke as did the duo cuddled off to the side after stretching they made way out of the train to the station itself


"The town's about a good ten-minute walk from here" Pyrrha explained

"Ren, you're familiar with this area, mind leading the way?" The raven haired teen nodded as they started walking Nora was right behind him with the biggest smile on her face as they started along the road toward the town they were instructed to investigate, before they had word that it had a small Grimm outbreak and the hunter they were tasked with shadowing stayed overnight the day before and was supposed to still be there waiting on them.

The walk was filled with small talk and merriment as Nora talked animatedly as either Jaune or Pyrrha and occasionally Ren responded the fresh air felt great the cows on the side of the road looked healthy and even the birds chirped happily. However the closer they got the more things seemed – to get a bit more sinister in nature, the road slowly closed off into a forest and the road split into the left and right, the former being the town and the latter being a mountain that happened to be covered in what looked to be a never ending snow storm.

The town itself consisted of about twelve or maybe even fifteen houses a bit of livestock and what looked like a bigger building probably a school for younger children to learn. As they walked in the townsfolk began to light up with praises and some fell to their knees in joy this confused them. They continued to what Ren figured to be the mayor's home.

They were met at the door with a man who seemed nearly in his forties or fifties his hair was combed over as if trying to hide his balding like a rug over a hidden door or stash of candy he ushered them in.

"Glad to see you, young hunters, here so soon"

"Glad to be here, sorry we showed up late, some complications it took us longer than we would've liked to be here – I suppose we should ask what the mission is about and where our huntsman we're supposed to shadow is?" The man led them further into his home into a living room with a couch and a rocking chair and a simple rug he took a seat and gestured for them to follow suit. Sora opted to stand as there was only enough room for four.

"Grimm have started to appear killing our livestock, attacking our children and some darker Grimm have been running into town taking people's hearts from their bodies, it all started when a well-known girl who grew up here went missing a few weeks back and that's not all" The man now known as Gerald stated he looked to the group who seemed to be enthralled he sighed rubbing his cheek.

"She was set to leave town she wanted to become a huntress leaving even the man she loved behind, from what I know the day before she left she got into an argument with her beloved and never showed up the next day." The teens all held skeptical looks

"Well...that seems simple don't you just think the guy did it?" Pyrrha responded

"That's just it – even if he did do it, we can't do much about it – rather we have no real evidence" Gerald responded he began to sweat a bit

"More girls have physically turned up dead near the town the man you speak of, Connor moved away into the mountains two days after his beloved vanished and once or twice a week we'd find another dead girl" the team gave skeptical looks

"Not only that, whoever is killing these girls has – a thing with extremely pale women"

"Was she pale? Connors significant other" Jaune asked

"In the beginning yes, however, the more she trained the less she did the night she vanished Connor looked rather deranged and ever since he left Grimm have been showing up"

"We don't have all that much but whatever we have we'll-" Pyrrha raised a hand

"That won't be necessary all we ask for is a place to rest and a few moments to discuss this with my team?" Jaune answered for her

"Ah, yes of course if you need anything I'll be in the next room over"Gerald stood up and walked out his worry never left his features even as he smiled as he stood up and walked away

"What do you all think?" Jaune asked

"It's clear Grimm and Heartless are about, all the negativity over the deaths is what's causing it" Sora reasoned

"Do you think Connor could be the killer?" Nora asked skeptically

"That seems to be the most logical answer but we can't jump to that conclusion just yet, we should meet up with our hunter we were supposed to shadow – relay this information and head up to the mountain to confront Connor" Pyrrha stated matter-a-factually

They called back Gerald in after the discussion and he sat back down a weak smile on his features and he seemed to be at ends at the moment

"We'll help you," He sighed staring up at his ceiling in what seemed to be thankfulness as tears fell

"Oh, thank you, children, thank you, if you need anything, anything at all, please let me know!" He responded happily

"Could you give us a location of where the attacks happen and where Connor's now staying at?" Gerald gave a conflicting look

"Right outside the outskirts of town near an old well a shack is off to the right of it and inside that house is where we find the – uh victims" He seemed uneasy near the end but continued

"As for Connor – at night even during the nights of the attacks a fire burns from the only visible cave at night on that mountain that's where he resides" They nodded that seemed to be all he knew all they needed to do now is find their hunter and begin tracking down all these places for clues

"Alright, if you could just point us in the direction of our hunter, who came a day ago – we'll begin right away," Pyrrha said with a smile one Gerald did not show in kind

"Oh, he...he was with you?" The man stated uneasily

"Did he already investigate if so we should meet up with him and hopefully end this quicker" Jaune stated standing up

"He did investigate, he went to the cabin first and when anyone questioned him about it gave the most paranoid look he could and refused to speak of it, as for the mountain – he went up last night and never came back down it's been a little over twelve hours since he went up there, the only thing we found was his jacket and it was covered in blood" Gerald said weakly

"We believe he's dead"


Back at beacon Ruby couldn't help but sit at the window in Sora's place despite her unease around him she sat looking at the only thing he left behind with it a note – asking him to take care of it while he was away even though she had little to say to him at all at the moment made her feel guilty the fact that he left his necklace the one out of two he'd be seen wearing one a crown the other a wolf head with her person was shocking.

"It's a set, one for me and the other – for someone I care for sincerely I got it as a gift before I left I treasure it and because I do I hope you will too and hold onto it" She felt better wearing the Fenrir necklace it made her feel more connected to the person she cared about most but what she saw that night clearly concerned her.

"What's happening to you?" She thought as she grabbed a hold of the necklace looking at the silver head

"Thinking about him?" Weiss asked she was surprised she even asked she figured if anyone would it would've been Yang

"I – I yeah I'm worried about him but..." Ruby started only to fall flat and trail off

"You're still concerned, Ruby what happened that night, you haven't said anything about it, you've even lost that bounce in your step even when someone mentions cookies" Weiss was coated in worry for her friend

Ruby shifted her weight so she could look down below her eyes not meeting anything but the ground below she seemed deep in thought

"He changed into something – and words of so much – negativity entered my mind and what scared me the most was -" Weiss was leaning closer in anticipation

"The words before he returned to normal" She said cryptically Weiss waited but Ruby never responded

"Well? You can't just leave me like that, tell me!" She demanded all she received, however, was silence

She eventually gave up despite her want to know and sighed when Ruby began to fumble with the necklace

"If I fall in love with you, I'll die, just like she did, huh?" She whispered to herself she knew she wasn't at that part of her life but the thought hat she could love him is what caused her to be concerned he was important to her, yes and someone she had feelings for but to that extent? Not yet those words made her skeptical and concerned and even afraid, who exactly would kill her? Judging from those lifeless eyes and screams pure animalistic nature she assumed he'd be the one to do so.

"Just...What are you?"


And there you have it! the first chapter in this arc hopefully I did well? Let me know I'll update within the coming days!