A quick note, the chapter for this week and the next will be kind of small and slow. They are build-up to the events at the Fall of Beacon.

"Attention, Black Talon!" Vandal Black said, addressing the huge crowd of his followers, "I'm very glad to see that you have all decided to attend this meeting!"
The crowd turned their gaze towards Vandal and stood at attention.
"I'm sure all of you know of our upcoming mission," Vandal said, "But for those of you who don't, allow me to explain."
The few who didn't know of the upcoming mission looked at Vandal with curiosity in their minds.
"We are going to take advantage of the White Fang's impending attack on Vale and launch our own in the midst of the assault!" Vandal said, "They will never see us coming. And when they do, there will be no one left to tell the tale!"
"Vandal Black! Vandal Black! Vandal Black!" the crowd cheered, praising their leader.
"We will go into details in two hours, but for now, prepare yourselves," Vandal said, "You all have a big job ahead of you!"
The crowd dispersed, to search for what they would need.
"Commander Coros," Vandal Black said.
"Yes?" Coros asked.
"I have decided to join to assault force," Vandal said, "So I will warn you now, you fail me here, and you won't live to see another day. Same goes to the Elite Guard."
Vandal walked off, to prepare for the imminent battle.
"See, this is why he shouldn't be in power," Coros said.
"So, mate, should we be getting ready?" Graviton asked.
"Yes," Coros said, "Platinum, Luminous."
"Yes?" the two female members asked.
"I want you two to get us as much Dust-related objects as possible," Coros said.
"Yes, sir," Platinum and Luminous replied.
"Graviton, go get us some backup weaponry," Coros said, "We might need it."
"I'll git it done," Graviton said.
"I shall head to my office and acquire something…special," Coros said.
The Elite Guard members dispersed as Coros made his way to his office.

"Open door, password: SWRD," Coros said.
The door to Coros's office opened, he entered the room, the door closed and he made his way to a filing cabinet. Coros pressed a hidden switch on the top of his cabinet; the top opened and lifted up a vial of an odd looking Dust.
"Ah, my finest creation," Coros said, "He'll never see this coming."
Coros opened a hidden compartment on his arm and hid the vial in it.
"Now, to prepare and wait," Coros said.

The next morning, Team SWRD was finally enjoying a good night of rest.
"Aah…" Rachael sighed as she got up out of her bed, "That was nice."
"Morning, sis," Samuel said as he woke up.
"Should we wake the others up?" Rachael asked.
"We don't have anything going on today, so we don't really need to," Samuel said, "But I am kind of hungry."
Samuel and Rachael got ready for the day and headed out to the cafeteria.

"Mmm…" Samuel said, smelling the food the school had made for breakfast.
"I know, it smells so good," Rachael said.
Samuel and Rachael each grabbed a tray of food, which was the same one that they had the first day they were at Beacon (the initiation), found Team CFVY and sat down with them.
"Morning, guys," Rachael said.
"Good morning," Velvet said.
"How're you doing?" Coco asked.
"A lot better since Max and I finished our fight," Samuel said.
"Did you guys see the fight last night?" Coco asked.
"No, we just hung around, since we have nothing better to do right now," Samuel said.
"Good," Coco said.
"Why? What was so bad?" Rachael asked.
"Do you know Yang Xiao Long and Mercury Black?" Coco asked.
"Yeah," Samuel and Rachael replied.
"Well, they had their fight yesterday and after the match was over, Yang broke Mercury's leg," Coco said.
"Whoa," Samuel said, "That's terrible."
"He and his team flew back to Haven for medical treatment," Yatsuhashi said.
"Wow," Rachael said, "So what happens next?"
"Well, since Teams RWBY, BCST and Mercury's team have either forfeited or been disqualified..." Coco said.
"Wait, what do you mean by 'BCST'?" Rachael asked, interrupting Coco.
"Carter wasn't interested in the fights right now, so he and his team backed out," Velvet said, "So they're sending one of Team GRAY's…healthy members up instead."
"Ah, so there you are," Selkie's voice said.
The group looked at the voice and saw Selkie and Max.
"Hey, guys," Samuel said.
"Nice to see you all," Selkie said, "Mind if we sit down?"
"Anyone's welcome," Samuel said.
"Thank you," Selkie said.
Selkie and Max sat down, next to Rachael and Samuel.
"So, where're William and Danielle?" Selkie asked.
"They're still sleeping," Samuel replied.
"Actually, we're right here," Danielle said as she and William approached the table.
"Nice to see you guys," William said as the two teammates sat down.
"So, Selkie," Samuel said, "We never learned much about you, so is there anything you can tell us about you?"
"Well, I don't know where to start," Selkie said.
"How about how you know Max?" Danielle asked.
"That was a long time ago," Selkie said, "Do you mind, Max?"
Max pulled out his sign.
"Select details only," Max's sign displayed.
"That should be fine," Selkie said.
"He's still very protective about his past," William whispered.
"Well, I guess I could start with the team name," Selkie said, "I was part of a team with Max; we were known as Team SHMR."
"Interesting name. Were you the leader?" Samuel asked.
"No, Max was," Selkie said.
"Wow, must be hard to communicate orders with that sign," Rachael said.
"You'd be surprised," Selkie said.
"Hey, Selkie," William said.
"Yes?" Selkie asked.
"How are you in a fight?" William asked.
"I'll show you another time," Selkie said, "Maybe after the tournament."
"That would be fine," Samuel said, "Considering that it should be over tonight."

Later that day, Samuel didn't know that he would be right, just not in the way he would have wanted to.
"Alright, it's now time to begin the randomization process for our next fight!" Oobleck said.
Teams SWRD, CFVY and BCST, along with Max, Selkie and Sabrina, watched as screen began to cycle through the competitors.
"It looks like our first contender is…Penny Polendina from Atlas!" Port announced as the first fighter was selected, "And her opponent will be…Pyrrha Nikos from Beacon!"
"This should be cool," William said.
"Agh, I swear I'm still sore from our battle with her and Nora," Samuel said.
"You're not the only one," Danielle said.
The fight was quite intense, but in one moment, everything began to fall.
Penny hit Pyrrha's weapons out of her hands and pulled out her own. Pyrrha seemed to suddenly begin to be afraid. As Penny's blades flew towards her, she sent them back at Penny…and this is when everything went very wrong. But things were going much better at the Black Talon's base.

"Sir, the White Fang is moving towards Vale!" a Black Talon technician said.
"It begins," Vandal said as he pressed a button on a control console, "Attention, all Black Talon members, the attack it about to begin! I repeat, the attack is about to begin!"
All of the available Black Talon forces prepared for the assault and was ready to move out in minutes.
"Give the word, sir," Coros said.
"Black Talon, the time is now to attack, and follow me to victory!" Vandal said.
"SIR, YES, SIR!" the Black Talon soldiers replied.
"Move out!" Vandal said.
The Black Talon made haste, to Beacon.

Meanwhile, the disaster that was to begin one of the worst of all was about to take place.
Pyrrha sent Penny's blades back at her. And when they passed Penny, she was torn apart by the cables that connected the blades to her. The pieces of Penny fell to the ground as everyone watched in shock.
"Oh my…" Danielle said in surprise.
Everybody looked at the remains of Penny as negative emotion went through the whole stadium... inviting the Grimm.

So, things are beginning to fall. I hope you're excited for what's coming.

Powerhouse out.