Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY, Zelda, Kid Icarus, Pokemon, Final Fantasy, or any other franchise alluded to or included in this work (I don't own the background music either). All I own is this work and my OCs (these include Aris, Oleana, Nash, and any Grimm ideas I come up with).


The newly formed team ALPS emerged from the Portal Shrine and found themselves in a deep forest, the sun shining upon them in between the trees. It wasn't Emerald Forest, but it was somewhere outside of Vale. Pit and Aris quickly unlocked Cloud's and Tifa's auras. "They're a manifestation of your soul," Pit explained to them. "They'll protect you from harm, until they run out."

"So, where are we headed?" asked Tifa.

Pit shrugged and turned to Aris. "Well, you're our leader. Where do you wanna go?"

Aris thought for a moment. "I want to find out who was responsible for the attack on Vale. I remember someone saying that Cinder, Mercury, and Emerald were from Haven Academy, which is in Mistral. Maybe heading there would be our best bet."

"Now that's what I look for in a leader!" Tifa clapped him on the shoulder. "Intelligence, and good morals."

Aris addressed his team. "All in favor?"

Everyone raised their hands.

"It's settled then," said Aris. "To Mistral we go!" He pumped his fist into the air. "Booyah!"

Pit mirrored and echoed him. "Booyah!"

"What was that about?" Cloud said, looking at them quizzically.

"It was a thing we did with our old teammates," Pit explained.

Tifa shot her fist skyward. "Booyah!" Cloud did the same.

Team ALPS set out for Mistral.

BGM: Beware the Forest's Mushrooms - Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Aris's Scroll's map as their guide team ALPS started their journey, walking along a dirt footpath through the forest. Its presence there was rather convenient.

Tifa looked at Aris. "So, this 'Ruby' girl. What did she look like?"

Aris sighed dreamily. "She was the prettiest girl I've ever met. Black hair with red tips. She wore a black and red dress, with a hooded red cape. She carries around a scythe that turns into a sniper rifle, and she named it Crescent Rose. Her eyes are a beautiful shade of silver. Once you get lost in them, you'll never want to find your way out."

"Jeez, you really do have the hots for her," Tifa laughed. "It's cute, though."

Pit checked his Scroll's map. "There's a village up ahead. We'll probably be there by sundown, so maybe we can stay there for the night, and potentially get some info on Ruby's whereabouts."

"Good thinking, Pit," Aris commended.

Team ALPS continued their journey.

Later, at the village...

BGM: Accumula Town - Pokemon Black & White

Aris and his comrades arrived at the village Pit had mentioned. It was a rather peaceful community, humans and Faunus alike milling about and doing their business. As Pit had predicted, it was sundown. "Let's see if we can find a place to stay for the night," Cloud suggested. "Let's ask around and see if we can get any information first, though."

Everyone agreed, and split up to get info.

Aris found himself heading to a smithy. According to a sign outside the building, this particular smithy offered to upgrade and forge weapons, and offered a discount for Huntsmen and Huntresses with at least a student license. Aris knew that Ruby had a student license, so he knocked on the door and waited for an answer.

A gruff, jovial voice echoed from inside. "A customer? It's a bit late, but come on in."

Aris gently opened the door, a small bell ringing as he did so. A burly man with dark skin and two bull horns sticking out of his forehead greeted him. "Hey!" said the Faunus smithy. "I'm the village blacksmith. How can I help ya, kid?"

"I'm looking for information," Aris answered. "Listen, have you seen a girl come through here? Black and red hair? Silver eyes? Carries a scythe that turns into a sniper rifle?"

The blacksmith laughed. "I think I remember someone like that. She a friend of yours?"

"You could say that."

The smithy smiled. "Yeah, I saw her. She came in here with a blonde guy who looked a little like you. He had a sword and shield of his own, and I modified them a little as a way of thanking them for taking out a Geist that was plaguing the village. There was a ginger-haired girl with blue eyes and a hammer with them, too. And a guy with long black hair and green clothes."

Aris snapped his fingers. The first person he'd mentioned was Ruby, no doubt about that. But the other three people sounded like Jaune, Nora, and Ren! Aris had hit the jackpot!

"Do you know where they were planning on going?" Aris asked him.

"Mistral, I think," replied the smithy.

Aris grew even happier. His prediction had been right all along!

"I think that's all the information I need," said Aris. "Thanks a lot!"

"Don't mention it, kiddo," said the smithy. "And, give them my regards when you find them."

"Will do." Aris opened the door to leave. "Thanks again."

"No problem!" said the blacksmith. "Take care out there, kid!"

Aris left the smithy and regrouped with his friends. "Did you guys find anything?" Cloud asked. "I didn't."

"Neither did I," said Tifa.

"No luck for me, either," added Pit.

Aris smiled and put his hands on his hips. "I found exactly the right person. He said Ruby and three of her friends came to his forge after they killed a Geist that was threatening this village. Said they were heading for Mistral."

Pit clapped his hands. "Perfect! Now we just need to stay the night and head out."

"I saw an inn while I was looking for information," said Tifa. "Let's head there."