Co-written by Diamond's Cloak.

Nia Grayson, Riley, Meimei Shui Hua, Sylvia Johnson, Landon, Rin, Fenris, Ringo, & Sun (not Sun Wukong; my Sun's named after the Pokémon character) belong to me.

Shirokuma, Arian Silther, Warwick Grayson, Flare Jewel, Kryztal Jewel, Don Maring, & Rapture belong to Diamond's Cloak.

Big the Cat belongs to SEGA & Sonic Team.

Everyone else belongs to Monty Oum & Rooster Teeth (yes, that includes Prof. Mulberry. He's a minor mention in the book RWBY: After the Fall).

Soon enough, Don, Sun, Rin, & Ringo reached the main courtyard, with Don's eyes glimmering as he looked around. "Ahh...just like episode one...but empty!" He grinned, chuckling.

Glynda Goodwitch soon approached. "Let me guess: more people from another world?" she said with a sigh.

"Wh-wh-what?!" Rin and Ringo exclaimed, almost in unison.

"Wh-wh-why would you say that?!" Sun exclaimed.

"It's the middle of the first semester, you're dressed...uniquely, you have a wolf travelling among you... It's safe to say you're not from here." She sighed. "Besides, three of your friends are already here."

Don was left to only chuckle at everyone else trying to hide their secret. He looked up to Glynda, nodding softly. "W-we...I need to speak to Ozpin."

Glynda sighed again. "Everyone does these days. Alright, follow me." She turned and headed towards the school.

Don fist pumped silently, following behind her. "Well, seeing as it's kinda my fault all of us are here...it'd be smart."

"Your fault?"

"It's...a long story. But, basically, yes."

"Well, there's Landon and Miss Johnson..." Rin trailed off sadly.

"I'm unsure, unfortunately. I didn't even expect these three to be here." Don shrugged.

Glynda led them into the elevator to Ozpin's office. Ozpin had been doing some paperwork when he saw the elevator pop open and saw the kids spill out. He sighed when he saw Glynda with them. "More otherworlders...?"

"Yessir..." Don answered.

"Why they have all come to Beacon is beyond me," she replied, shaking her head. "The lion Faunus says it's his fault."

"They're not all in Beacon...we've got reports from Haven and Atlas about people claiming they'd just appeared here," Ozpin said, looking to Don. "You must be Flare's friend, then."

Don's eyes widened. "Flare's here?! Like...wandering the school?"

"Yes, he's in a team."

Glynda decided to leave.

"Soo, Mr. Ozpin," Rin started. "Don here says we'll need to get some Atlasian tech in order to get home..."

"Wait, who're these other people claiming t' be from our world?" Ringo asked.

Don waved at Glynda, smiling as Ozpin looked to them.

"We have two students right now...Flare and Riley, but it appears the others won't say their actual names," Ozpin answered, "And...having a conference with Ironwood will be difficult."

"Yeah, we kinda already figured that," Ringo retorted.

"Sis, don't smart off to Professor Ozpin," Sun hissed.

Ozpin merely chuckled at Ringo and Sun. "I'll do what I can in regards to speaking with Ironwood. He should be arriving in a few days to speak of some other matters anyways."

"I guess we'll go about our days as normal, then...hitch ourselves up as a new team...?" Don asked.

"As smart as that is, we've actually running out of space in the dorms..." Ozpin mentions, "Two of you will have to join a half team, and the others...I'll try making accommodations in the closest inn."

"I think Rin an' I can stay at the inn. After all, we're not even teenagers," Ringo replied.

"You sure that's smart though? You're practically a little genius, Ringo," Don suggested, looking down to Ringo. "If anything, you and Sun have a better chance of being here and working together."

Ozpin sat there, waiting for the group to pick and choose who stays.

"Yeah, but somethin' tells me it'd be safer...fer you."

Sun nodded. "Yeah, that guy with Cinder and the two foxes seemed to be targeting you."

"...I just wanna get Landon and Miss Johnson away from them," Rin pouted. Fenris nuzzled her hand, and she absent-mindedly stroked him.

Don nodded, "Kryztal isn't one you'd want to deal with...'specially if you've heard the tale about Flare's family," he said, shrugging. "Sun and I will stay here, Ringo and Rin will need a space for themselves and some supervision..."

"I can certainly arrange that," Ozpin says, looking to the mink and lion. "You two will be teamed up with another off-worlder named Meimei, and a Faunus named Arian."

Sun and Ringo nodded.

After class, Shiro, Flare, and Warwick walked into the dueling hall, with Shiro grinning wickedly. "See the legend of Shirokuma," he says, bringing out his sword.

Meimei followed them. She kept her distance from the front row seats.

Warwick and Flare stayed in the front row, grinning as they silently bet each other on the fight.

Riley simply unsheathed her claws, grinning wickedly. Shiro moved to put on his mask, growling as he raced forward and started with a simple slash. Riley turned and ran towards the retaining wall in front of the seats. Shiro watched her, waiting to change his sword's form until she seemed like a threat. He eyed her through his mask, wondering what she'd do. Riley leapt up onto the retaining wall, then turned and aimed a flying kick at him.

Meimei laughed. "See why I didn't take a front row seat, boys? Riley loves utilizing all her puma physicalities."

Flare watched Riley, gripping the wall as Riley aimed her flying kick. "C'mon Riles! Show'em what a couple of cats can do!"

Shiro wasn't too surprised by her movement. He figured if she was to be a puma Faunus, she'd have to be pretty light on her feet. He tucked in and rolled beneath her.

Riley suffered little pain as she landed on all fours. Almost immediately she made a dash at Shiro and attempted a roundhouse kick...keyword, attempted. Riley couldn't kick higher than hip-height. Shiro jumped back to avoid being hit, hitting the retaining wall instead. Grumbling, he attempted to slash at her with his blade again. Riley ducked down and lunged forward, slashing at him with her claws. She grazed him as he tried avoiding her, cutting up his right arm. He grunted, changing his blade to let the "whip" show. He twirled the blade as he lashed out and let it extend to its fullest. She quickly put distance between them and pullled out Valor.

His eyes widened, seeing Valor be pulled out, and remembered how easy it was for Nia to hurt him. He growled, rushing again and tried swinging his blade at her again. Riley dodged like a matador and aimed a strike at the back of his neck. Shiro felt the strike to his neck, yelping before he tried to hit her with the pommel of his blade. Riley yelped and proceeded to back up to the retaining wall. Shiro grinned beneath his mask, winding up his blade and lashed out at her. Riley's eyes widened, and she jumped to the side, the whip-sword just grazing her side. Shiro grinned wider when noticing this, rushing at her head on and attempted a sweeping kick. Riley attempted to tackle and pin him. He rolled quickly, avoiding her chance at pinning him. In his eyes, there's only one person who can do that.

Riley growled as she landed. She loaded Ice Dust in Valor and aimed at his legs. Shiro stood quickly, noticing her pull out Valor again. She fired Ice Dust at his feet. Sure enough, she got him. His feet froze before he could attempt a jump. Riley proceeded to aim a roundhouse kick at him.

When he got stuck in the ice, he'd been in a position perfect for her kick. Her foot connected with his face knocking his mask off as he shut his eyes, groaning. Riley unsheathed her claws and swung at him. He brought his arms up, struggling to block his head with the rest of his body encased.

"I quit," she said rather triumphantly.

Shiro panted, opening his eyes. "Sh-shiro yield...n-nice spar."

Riley fired Fire Dust at his legs and hopped up onto the retaining wall. "Never try to win a fight with a puma." She looked to Warwick and Flare. "Well, boys?"

Shiro broke his legs free, looking up to see Warwick giving Flare some Lien.

"Fiiiine...you're 20 Lien richer..." Warwick says, dropping his head as Flare chuckles.

"I don't even care for monetary value, but thaf was great!"

"Thank you."

"Excellent job, Riley," Meimei complimented. "He barely hit you."

"Hey, I'm a cat."

"Maybe next time Shiro bring string and laser pointer," he says, snickering.

Meimei quickly waved her arms in front of her as Riley growled.

Shiro's eyes widened, backing up as Flare moved in front of him. "Riles...remember, he's not socially adept," he says, bringing his arms up.

Fine, fine." She headed out into the hall.

Flare sighed, watching her leave. He turned to Shiro. "Don't bring up typical cat things around her...she's not one you want on her bad side."

Shiro nodded, watching her leave.

"I don't hang out with Riley much," Meimei said, crossing her arms. "I've yet to get on her 'bad side'. Just what are you talking about, Flare?"

"I don't really know much either...but Dad had warned me that she can be kinda hot-headed," he lied, looking back to Warwick and Shiro.

Meimei sighed. "Maybe we should head after her, make sure no one else pisses her off."

Flare nodded, following after Riley.

Riley was heading towards the elevator to Ozpin's office. If she noticed Flare and Meimei following her, she didn't show it.

Flare was curious of Riley heading to Ozpin's office, starting to move a bit faster to catch up.

Riley headed into the elevator, and Meimei grabbed Flare by the wrist as she sped in beside her.

"H-h-hey Riley..." she panted. "Whatcha headed to Ozpin for?"

"You'll see. I jus' wanted t' talk wit' him."

"O-okay, Riley." Flare said, opening the elevator for the three of them.

Riley headed in.

Don's ears perked, having heard the elevator rise up and open, seeing the two cat Faunus and the human inside. His eyes widened, watching Flare step out and shake his head before rushing up and hugging him tightly. "By the brothers! I didn't think I'd ever see you again!" he exclaims.

Flare was just as surprised, hugging him in response despite feeling himself be choked up. "E-easy...Donte..."

Meimei turned to Riley. "You know about this?"

"Yes, Meimei. I knew Flare's BFF just happened to be visiting Ozpin, and decided to come here with or without you guys," Riley responded sarcastically.

"...I see what Truth meant about you having an attitude."

Riley rolled her eyes. "Hey Oz."

"T-told you..." Flare choked, being released by Don, who looked over to Meimei.

"Who's pretty girl?" he asked, getting punched in the should by Flare, who then noticed the others.

"Ringo? Sun? Rin?" Flare asked, amazed by them being here.

"Hey Flare! Long time, no see!" Ringo greeted.

"Hey Flare." Rin gave a halfhearted wave.

Ozpin smiled at the reunion, looking over to Riley. "Yes ma'am, what can I do for you?"

Riley stoically walked up to him. "Look Oz, I've got somethin' real important for you..." Before he could respond, she embraced him in a hug. "I know you're used t' people turnin' on ya once they find out about yer past. Honestly, I don' know whatcha see in Salem, but I guess she musta been real nice at one point... I don' know how long we're gonna be here, but your past or Salem bein' unkillable mean nothin' t' me. You can trust me, for however long I'm gonna be here."

Sun and Ringo teared up at that.

Don and Flare watched Riley after the later gave his waves to his friends.

Ozpin couldn't react to Riley's hug, listening to her. If he wasn't as void of emotion, he probably would have shed a tear or hugged her in response, but looked at her somewhat blankly. "I...thank you, Riley..." he says, looking to the others and realizing the rest of them also know of his past, but have come straight to him for help. A small smile grew on his face, moving to gently pat Riley's back. "Thank you, all of you. I'll do my best in helping you get home..."

Don teared up slightly, wiping his tears as he gave a gentle nod. "We'll fight for ya till then, sir."

Riley pulled away from him. Ozpin looked at her, smiling. "All of you, I hope you enjoy your stay."

The group nodded. "Thank you," they said, almost in unison. They then headed for the elevator.

"Surprised t' see ya, Flare," Ringo commented. "Also surprised t' see ya ain't a unicorn Faunus."

Meimei, Riley, and Rin looked to him in confusion. "What's she talkin' about?" Rin asked.

Flare blushed, chuckling as Don started laughing. "My allergies...I sneeze and a crystal pokes out of my forehead," he says as he pulls the familiar picture out and hands it over.

"I was surprised too, Ringo!" Don agreed, starting to choke up on his laughter.

Everyone cracked up at the picture.

"Ohh, Chaos!" Riley exclaimed between laughs.

"I'll be sure to make ya sneeze when we get back to the Academy!" Rin said, holding her stomach.

"When...we?" Flare asked, shaking his head. "I'm from the future, Rin. I won't get my Earth powers till I'm thirteen," he grabbed the picture, stuffing it away.

"Oh..." Rin got sad again.

"But...I'll make sure to stop by the Academy to see you," he says, smiling. "You'll probably see me blow smoke though."

"..."

Ringo sighed. "She's been like this ever since Miss Johnson an' Landon went with Cinder."

"Landon and Sylvia are with those loonies?" Flare asked, "Why on earth are they there?"

"I don't know..." Rin said sadly.

Flare shook his head. "We'll save them...won't we, Don?"

"Right! And we'll get back home, too!" He nodded in agreement.

"Who exactly are Landon an' Miss Johnson? ...And why are we still in the elevator?" Riley asked, squirming for space.

Don popped out of the elevator first, pulling Flare out as he tried making a chain of connected hands.

"Sylvia is a scientist, but who she works with I'm unsure of. While Landon is her son, and also a classmate of Rin and Flare's at the Arcane Academy," Don explained.

Ringo and Rin ended up falling out of the elevator. "Oof!"

Riley and Meimei helped them up. "Something about this feels off," the mountain lion said, tapping her chin.

"Didn't Miss Johnson tell Bones she was a nurse?" Rin pointed out, dusting herself off.

Flare shrugged. "My memory is kinda foggy..." he tells Rin.

"I have worse news though, Flare...Kryztal is here, working alongside Cinder." Don mentions, watching Flare's eyes widen.

"And just who is Kryztal?" Meimei asked. Everyone looked at them curiously, even Fenris.

"Kryztal is the name of the man who helped in exterminating my father's species...and is also my uncle," Flare says, drooping his head.

Everyone stared at him wide-eyed...except Meimei (and Fenris).

"Soo, we should probably take out Kryztal," Meimei suggested.

Don nodded. "Considering he tried to kill me in the few moments we met, yeah."

"That's just...that's just wonderful...a planetary killer helping out a witch hellbent on destroying the world."

Riley sighed. "We got our work cut out fer us. Why can't things ever be easy?"

"If things were easy, Don and I wouldn't have to travel to the past for help with our own monster..." Flare sighed.

"Ehh, be glad Rapture didn't make it here...then even Salem would be doomed."

"We can worry about baddies when they come. C'mon Don, Meimei, we've got to meet our new teammate," Sun said. "Hope this Arian guy's cool."

Flare looked at Sun, trying to hold in his laugh, but couldn't. "You're stuck with Arian?!" he asked, laughing loudly.

Don's face shriveled, knowing Flare only laughed like this if something bad was about to rear its ugly head.

"Yyeeaahh, why? What's wrong with him?"

"Everyone else has been complaining about him since Riley and I got here," Flare mentioned.

Sun sighed and shook his head. "Just our luck."

"...Can we take him out, too?" Meimei half-joked.

Don shook his head. "Sounds like a lovely idea...Meimei, is it? But we can't..." The lion Faunus sighed, looking to her. "Ozpin is going to try talking to General Ironwood, to see if he can coerce him into helping us get home."

"Ironwood? He based on the Tinman or something...?" Flare asked.

Riley & Ringo nodded. "Yep. And he's real stubborn," Ringo said. "Like, if he didn't come up wit' the idea, he prob'ly ain't gonna go along wit' it fer long, if at all."

"Which means if he don't help, I'll need to acquire some sort of job and fund it on my own..." Don sighed, not wanting to think that far ahead.

"Well...maybe we all need to get a job or something...I'm sure Nia's tired of paying for our lunch, right Riley?"

Riley grinned. "No, no, let Don fund his project. Getting Ironwood to try and help will just be a waste of time."

"...Just what're you up to, Riley?" Meimei asked, shaking her head.

"Nothing, nothing."

Don crossed his arms, glancing to Riley. "What, you expect Ironwood to be impressed that I'm making a portal with scraps?"

"I don't think that's it..." Flare thought. "I think she likes the idea of being paid to eat..."

"You calling me fat, Flare?" Riley's claws came out.

"I didn't call you fat. Just said you like to eat," Flare answered, bringing hjs hands up defensively. "Don likes to eat too, and do you see him looking like that Big fellow?"

"Who?"

"Pretty sure that's jus' his genetics."

"Well...still...I love eating, and you don't see me being huge."

"As fun as this is, I think we should be going," Meimei said.

"Right, probably split off into our own groups and such...Rin, Ringo. You two might wanna talk to Ozpin about being ready for that guest room. Sun, I suggest you go with Meimei to see where our dorm is. I'll see if there's a blacksmith or something willing to take on an apprentice..." Don said.

"But...aren't you worried someone will try attacking you?" Flare asked.

"Midday, in Vale? Ehh, not too badly."

Everyone nodded. Rin and Ringo headed back into the elevator, while Sun and Meimei headed to the cafeteria.

"Professor Mulberry teaches Weapon Crafting an' Upkeep," Riley said. "Maybe ya can apprentice wit' him..."

Don scratched his chin, thinking about it. "That'd be a smart place to start...but I'm unsure if he actually does commissions."

"He made my guns, an' he's workin' on Flare's weapons."

"Oh yeah? And what happened to Flare's old weapons...?" Don asked, looking at the cat Faunus. "Did you wind up forgetting them back home?"

Flare scratched the back of his head, nodding slowly.

"Heyy, how was he supposed to know we'd end up here?"

"Because he was there when the accident happened!" Don answered, watching Flare carefully.

"Well I didn't expect your machine to knock out the power to the city block! Nor did I expect it to be wired up to your satellite system..." the other responds, crossing his arms.

Riley smacked them both upside the head. "C'mon guys, let's focus less on how we got here an' more on getting home."

Don held his head, cringing slightly as he looked to her. "Well, don't think Mulberry is gonna give me a paying job, considering all he really does is teach students how to work on their things."

"Still smart to ask him," Flare says, rubbing his head as he started moving. "Besides, I gotta go see him anyways, so you might as well come along."