Nyx and Kuro's little chess battle did have a lot of meaning to it, personality-wise to foreshadowing and I had fun writing it more than I should've. Honestly, the similarities between STRQ and NKKL are freakily accurate. Let's hope the past doesn't repeat itself. Who knows maybe Kuro's plan will backfire and he'll be forced into a corner. Leo had bonding moments with most of the team besides Kuro.

Anyway, I will let you view this chapter!

I don't OWN Rwby.

Feet shuffled against the concrete floor, dirty blonde hair bounced with every step. After a quick pat-down and ID scan he heard a buzz, one guard opened the gate and out stepped the tawny-skinned female. A displeased frown upon her features, she was cleared and released. It wasn't the first time and wouldn't be the last time she was apprehended the system was unfair.

Leo stood straight his messy hair an indication of his morning. "What happened?"

Kianna turned her head to the side, Leo and her friends each looked at her awaiting an answer. "Well..." How else should someone say they spent the night locked up?

Kianna's POV

Last Night

Drinking wasn't something I am fond of, maybe it's the downward cheap taste or the personality people adopt after taking a couple of swigs. Whatever the case it never pleased me in the slightest. So, why was I currently sitting in a dress which my friends bought and watching them dance the night away? Oh, because Mauve wanted to celebrate me coming back after my first week. Shaking the ice cubes around in my shoot glass I watched as it swirled, although my friends illegally got us inside and somehow manage to bribe someone to get us cheap alcoholic bottles I opted for water.

The loud music bounced off the walls and into my ear's, musk and some other world smell easily filling the room. Bodies grinded against each other on the dance floor, people were either seen drinking, dancing, and tongue wrestling in the corner; this place wasn't for me. The lights flickered different color's as the bass dropped and the singer changes tones, it was something different.

My eyes drifted over to my friends and anyone could tell they were having fun chatting with some older man, predators were thriving in here; I wasn't a snitch but anyone could tell most people in here were young but it was a Saturday night and I wanted my friends to enjoy it. My nails tapped against the table, boredom was written all over me. Mauve sloppily walked over towards the table once more.

He stunk of cheap alcohol and perfume, and maybe if I wanted to look harder I would've noticed the two love bites on his neck. "C-c'mon iws fune." His slurring and variation of words didn't slip past me, and with that, I figured it was time to leave.

Before I could leave the chair, my male friend found it doable to tap my wrist his cheeks red from the booze most likely. His eyes glistened for a moment, but no words came out as I looked at him with a dumb expression. Yep, time to go.

I left the chair, pulling the flashy dress down. My straightened hair flowed as I swayed over to the rest of my friends, both of them giving me an odd look. Before I could say anything, a loud voice drew out the music. Turning, I saw a tipsy Yang yelling at the bartender about her mother? The music grew louder and for that second I heard Yang say her mother's name, but what came next made me want to exit as soon as possible.

The blood bimbo slammed her gauntlet on the counter, and before anyone else could notice she gave the older working man a left hook. Some security came onto the scene, and by now the function had ceased for the moment. The blonde smashed her drink against some's face before elbowing a guard, everyone began to rush away my friends tried to drag me but in the end, someone pushed us to the side.

My attention left the female and went towards Cadet and Burnel both of them not in the right state of mind for such a thing, with my options slim I pushed them out with the crowd and looked over toward Mauve. He was in the midst of being manhandled by security, and it didn't sit right with me. Even if I had a dress on I wasn't going to let my friends get treated badly!

With vigor I rushed by his side and pried the security guard off, the woman looked at me before trying to take ahold, and I easily chopped them in the neck stunning their nerves, this got the attention of some hesitant officers watching Yang trash the place. Three security guards stood around me, each showing more fear than the rest; the middle one came first side-stepping I extended my leg and tripped him. The other two rushing me right after, unlucky for them one of the guard's bodies flew at them knocking them down like bowling pins.

The dance floor was a mess. Broken glass laid around and even some of the ceiling tiles were spread across the floor, Yang by now was quickly fleeing the scene which in hindsight I should've followed but my friends were probably waiting for me or so I thought.

Exiting the club I was met with Vale officers outside, tending to the injured security my friends were nowhere in sight, and maybe from sheer karma one of the guards pointed me out which caused me to be cuffed.

Present Time

"That sums it up, I was charged with assault and destruction of private property." Now the real question was who cleared the bills? I wasn't keen on spending my hard earn cash so that left my friends who no doubt didn't do it. Perhaps Leo took it upon himself to bail me out? Upon the shocked expression he held, it was unlikely.

"For the record, I was called here by your friends, apparently they got ahold of your scroll and called the group chat we have; I only answered..." Leo stuffed his hands in his poofy pockets before, shaking his head. He was supposed to be doing his morning routine but this came up so here he was.

"S-sorry, we were worried cause this could affect your record at Beacon; you may be expelled." Mauve was only spitballing the worse options that came to mind and it didn't go unnoticed by me.

"Don't think like that!" Brunel smacked the back of Mauve's head causing me to smile a tad bit.

"Thanks for the concern Leo but you should head back to your friends." It's not that I didn't want my teammate around, it's simply I didn't trust him fully. I hardly knew him but he was the second most reliable teammate I had.

"Oh, about that. News of this got back to the Academy and the headmaster wants to have a 'chat' with you as soon as you get back." Maybe next time I should just stay behind bars?

"Thanks, later today when I am back on school ground I will make see to it that I speak to him."

"I'M SORRY KIA!" Mauve's booming voice caused me to tense up, Leo should've just kept his mouth shut.

My hand pulled at the ends of the dress, I wanted to change into more fitting clothing but not wouldn't happen. Leo and Brunel were getting along well, and from my standpoint, I could tell maybe she was fancied by his looks. Besides that, everyone else was calm and enjoying whatever was going on. My head titled and my eyes went to the sky. What did Kuro and Nyx do yesterday? I couldn't help but wonder.

"Aren't you uncomfortable in that dress? We can stop by my place so you can change." Mauve wasn't exactly pouring with cash but his family supplied enough to help him with housing in areas. I can't understand why someone would spend lots of money on items that provided comfort, I believe you should keep your money close and tight. It sounded like I was convincing myself I wasn't that broke.

"If you can." He offered and I saw nothing wrong with wanting to get out of this tight dress, it just didn't sit right with me.

"Hey, we are going to head to my place so Kianna can change! Meet us by the pickup station?" A bunch of nods and muttering freed us from the group and as I was dragged away I saw Leo put his thumbs up at me, my teammates were all idiots.

Mauve wasn't my closest friend but he was by far the most dependable like a caring younger brother? I always stuck up for him, which didn't alter our relationship much sure sometimes he felt useless but I had to remind him he wasn't. Despite that, I had yet to share any past secrets or known information about me call it my fault but even for people I knew for years it's hard to open up about things.

Despite enrolling in Signal at the same time, everyone told me I was his closest friend and it was somewhat nice.

"Is everything going fine at Beacon?" His question left me stunned for a moment, without the minor bumps involving some racist imprudent students so far it was nice.

"It's fair, though at times it is tough." My smile caused his cheeks to turn red, it wasn't cool outside which meant he was embarrassed.

"Y-yea, I figured you hardly message us sometimes; b-but I'm not blaming you or anything! I know you just started and what not..." He was rambling and it was cute in a way.

My hands went to fiddle with my straightened hair, "Sorry, it's not easy to get free time in that school especially during weekdays." Not to mention Goodwitch was breathing down my neck constantly.

"D-Don't apologize! It is not your fault becoming a huntresses takes time and effort and if I know you, you tend to work hard to stay above things." Mauve was an odd case, he was different around me, unlike other people especially our friends and I was sure I knew why, but I didn't want to accept it.

"So how about you tell me about your team? That Leo guy seemed pretty worried about you being locked up." The hint of jealousy didn't help his case in the slightest.

"He just takes friendship seriously, but he has a good heart." Unlike my partner, seriously should I call to check up on Nyx?

"A-ah what about the other's?" Mauve was obviously trying to dig into my life and it was a tad annoying but I owed it to him at least.

"Nyx is a nice person but Kuro on the other hand if I go missing he did it." The joke only caused me to laugh, and Muave stood awkwardly yet nervous?

"I-I'll fight him if something happens to you!" His voice shined with seriousness, and sure I would cheer for him to win but in the long run, I knew it was impossible. After a couple more steps and silence we made it to his apartment, and I felt some sort of weight lift from my chest as I entered.

My weekend wasn't great but it wasn't horrible.

The day left as quick as it came and by now the sun was gone the moon replacing it. Although I spent the day hanging with Leo and my group it was nice; some jokes here and there but overall I had a nice time. So, when we entered the dorm we were shocked to see Nyx and Kuro playing chess?

I didn't know much about that subject, but from the stress lines forming on Nyx's forehead and the fact her ears were pointed downwards; it was clear who was winning. That didn't stop Leo from paying close attention to the two, "I take it the trip around the school brought you guys closer?"

Nyx didn't respond, I wasn't counting on her, Kuro was the one to respond. "I guess? But, who would've known our other teammates were hanging together after school?"

Now it was my turn, "Pardon? Chemistry is important for teams!" I held my ground, but that didn't stop him.

"So you guys bonded over drinks and clubbing?" The smug expression on his face peeved me, who...how?

"It was one example of fun nothing more; and Leo wasn't there." The feathers on my wings bristled.

"I know, I have seen the video; it was funny seeing you get arrested." Kuro's voice shook my nerves, was he teasing me? Before I could react Leo stepped in his arms stopping me from coming onto the male.

"Kuro stop it's not something she wanted to bring into the air." I always thought men got along, but the look the two were giving each other froze me and Nyx.

The air was noticeably tense, at that moment the door was kicked open. Team VRBS and RWBY stood in the doorway, one holding some videos the other holding some sort of treat?

"Care to join us for a movie night? School is canceled we have a free day tomorrow." Yang shook the bag of candy.

"Sure, but where?" Leo was the first to answer and somehow without much thought, all of us were dragged along.

In the end, we were forced into the all-girls team room, and to say it was cramped was an understatement. Well, we had room to move but Yang's clothes littered the area; and she had some suggestive clothing articles. The movie that was chosen was some sappy action romance, only half of us were watching. My eyes glided to the pair of bookworms, they were in their own little circle while Weiss and Sirvard were talking about something. Roy and Leo looked like they were watching and speaking. Ruby, Verdant, and Binda were closely watching.

"Sorry, you had to witness me in such a state yesterday." Unlike them, I was next to Yang sitting on her bed.

"It's quite alright, I honestly didn't mind." Well, other than the part when I got caught I didn't mind.

"Heh...so what's the deal with your team?" Yang's interest wasn't something that threw me off.

"Same ole same ole, Kuro being an asshole and us getting mad." Could that really be considered the norm? We hardly knew each other. My hips shifted on the mattress and for a moment I took in the colorful room. Each bed looked neatly made but the sweet scent is what made me forget about the clothes lying around, Yang was the embodiment of beauty sure; but her habits were nonetheless odd.

"At least yours says something or acts, I think Blake hates us all." Yang took a moment to look at her partner before letting a sigh part her full lips. "She never socialized."

"It's still the start of everything let some time pass, maybe she'll change?" My voice was anything but reassuring.

Yang's eyes bore into mine, and for a moment it looked like she was picking me apart. A nice pink shade dusted on my cheeks, Yang was truly beautiful.

Verdant's POV

The movie was fine and all, but what caught my attention was Kuro sneaking away; at first it seemed like no one noticed but after a quick survey Leo, Blake, and Kianna knew their eyes where he previously was.

Unlike everyone else I followed, my short frame barely making a way out of the room, and in the direction, I figured he went. He didn't get far, well he didn't want to get far; my navy blue coat blew with the small gust that traveled by, my hands sat safely in my pockets. In my eyes at this moment, he looked at peace with himself. Out of the blue, he snapped his head towards me, locking eyes with the taller male I could only stand still. He didn't recognize me not that I thought he would.

I opened my mouth to rekindle some forgotten memories but someone beat me to the punch, "K-Kuro! Help, please! G-Grady and Cardin were taken!" Sky came crashing like a bolt of lightning, sweat beads rolling from his forehead; his eyes have dilated a sign of fear.

"What happened?" I stepped forward forcing myself into the conversation, and in no time he explained.

"We all were in town and out of the blue some strange robe-wearing creeps came from the shadows and knocked out Grady. Cardin and Dove tried to fight but in the end, Cardin was taken and Dove was put in critical condition! Both of them have their scrolls which can be tracked, help me get them back." It was a lengthy request, but that didn't raise any flags, his clothes were tattered and he was having trouble breathing; whatever happened was the truth.

Sky's body began to shake, "I-I know we..." Before he could finish Kuro walked past him his snow-colored hair moving with him, I couldn't read the male but if he was anything like back then; I knew what his response was.

Sky bottom lip came out and his eyelids shut before he could let out an emotional display, Kuro's voice rang around the hallway. "Are you coming? I'm going to need your scroll."

Obviously, there were holes in Sky's stories, like why didn't he alert the proper authorities? Why not tell the headmaster? Something wasn't adding up, but at the moment someone needed help and they would get it despite who they were. Not letting my thoughts get the best of me, I followed the taller man Sky on my side.

"Shouldn't we inform our team members?" My question was easily brushed off, it was well known that Kuro was disliked or slightly hated in his team; to top it off they were attempting to save Cardin someone his team downright hated. Still, wouldn't they look past that and help?

"Logically thinking about it, my team would help but it would cause an uproar with the rest of them; the last thing we need is to get everyone's attention, how would it look if a large group of future warriors ran in the night with weapons?" Kuro didn't say much after that, and it was enough to render me quiet for now. It made sense, but I had an uneasy feeling about this.

What we were doing was considered breaking the law, my half brown boots hit the pavement and with each step, we grew closer to the edge of Vale. Somewhere down the line I sent a text to my team informing them of what was transpiring I was the leader and tough decisions were to be made. Even if Kuro didn't want the attention it may be what saves us in the end.

At least, I was listening to him regarding our weapons. I only bought one, Vernal Aspect. This blade was what I was best with, plus it had a decent range of abilities. After a couple more steps we exited Vale the pathways mixing from manmade floorings to dirt and grime. "How far are they?"

"A couple more miles and we should be coming up to them." Sky was shaking slightly maybe from the cold? The moon didn't do justice in warming things up especially in Vale.

Leaving footprints, we kept moving and after a couple of miles Sky's scroll turned off. The fact he was cursing at an object was amusing, most likely his scroll took a beating with him earlier and just died. This only amplified our problems at least I would've thought so if Kuro didn't keep moving.

Does he know where to go? I don't know his past, maybe he knew how to navigate at night, or perhaps he was letting his instincts lead him? Questions were all I could think of at the moment, and they weren't even the right type.

Time went and soon the sight of fire came into view, smoke flowing into the air. "You guy's scout them out, see if Cardin and Grady are with them; if they are give me a signal and we'll attack." Kuro's plan was short and simple, but it lacked teamwork he was pushing us as lackeys.

Still, we followed the plan and crouched by a bush my eyesight from my Faunus heritage was a key factor it was what separated me from the rest. Well, one thing. The robed men were huddled around the fire, no gender could be made but it was a nice number of them. Ten? Thirteen? The important thing was that our two peers were tied up on the floor, Cardin was slightly beat while Grady was in worse condition.

A twig snapped behind me and I didn't move, I could feel the pressure of whoever it was above me they were egging me on; giving me the option to move. My teeth rubbed against each other for a moment, and I took a deep breath before jumping to the side. My eyes widened at the sight of an unconscious Sky in view, the cause being right in front of me. Before anything could happen I saw nothing.

?

Somehow some kids ended up finding us, and upon a further glance, it was the teen that escaped. So, I caught a Faunus and a human; it'll get me brownie points. Dragging them back to camp, I tossed them on the other two teens; today's haul was good considering we hunted in Vale today. It was a risk, but the reward was no doubt worth it. Unlike, my brethren I didn't hide my face behind petty robes. I let my short brown hair rummage with the wind, we were doing this for the greater good. Human's needed to evolve in order to survive at least that was the code, we got two Faunus and two humans which meant more recruits.

The hair on my neck stood and all the chattering came to a stop as I stomped on the floor, someone else was around. "Come out!" My voice was like lightning, it would shake anyone.

Ruby eyes shined in the dark, and for a moment I thought I found someone worthy of giving me a good fight; they had a wolf-like gaze they were out for blood. The host came out, and my excitement left it was a mere teen like the rest; nothing noticeably different about this one, besides the look in his eye. He wanted to take me down, the hungry look in his eyes was enough to sway me-he was going to be a nice recruit maybe the best in our new line.

My tongue came out and I wet my lips, the wind howled against my tanned skin my hazel eyes going wide; black aura formed around certain parts of my body, "Don't interfere." I ranked higher than these wannabes, but I was nowhere near the highest tier.

The teen hesitated for a moment as my pressure washed over him, but he didn't back down. My legs flexed for a moment before I ran forward, my hazel eyes not leaving my target. The teen tried to move to the side but I was faster, my palm overlapped his face and in a swift moment I smashed his head into the floor. "Boy...you dead?"

His foot met my face, but it didn't faze me in the slightest; I watched as he climbed to his feet pebbles leaving his fair skin. His blade came out, and I couldn't help back away. "I like you."

I like to think it was shock that made him freeze as I stopped next to him, I was leagues above him. My hand came out and the teen couldn't do much but roll like a ragdoll across the ground his body picking up dust.

Kuro's POV

Pain. It shot around my body, I picked the wrong day to act heroically. I stood my legs cracking as a result, the man in front of me was a monster. His skin riddled with scars, but that wasn't the weirdest thing, no it was the black and white veins that laid on his right hand. I needed to retreat and come back later, but that thought was gone almost as fast as it came. He was faster and stronger I needed to even the odds, but if I handled this monster I'd be defenseless against his pals.

Damnit, I usually would've pushed Sky to go do it himself but Verdant was there and Cardin was an asset to me at the moment. "I guess I have no choice.." My aura highlighted my body, and the ground around me began to disintegrate small red color balls filling the air. If I was stronger, I could've used this to hurt him; but I was at a disadvantage. The tall man watched with interest as the balls began to move towards my body and thus went inside, my breathing stopped for a moment this was my best shot.

"What is this..." His words were clear to me, and I launched forward my speed matching his if not lesser. I must've caught him off-guard, he was surprised to see me running towards my peers; my legs shifted and I directed some of my amplified aurae into my blade, and it began to shift getting slightly longer. (think of Qrow's weapon mechanics) My arm raised the blade reflecting the hollow sky, the air was dense and I bought it down. My aura rushing at the monster, it was funny watching him take it like a man.

It pushed him back, his heels digging into the earth as aura left, his arm was slightly cut. "I knew you were good..." He rushed at me unfazed, I didn't have much left in the tank; he threw a barrage of fists at me and I narrowly dodged all of them and followed up with a kick to the jaw of the big man's body rattled as his head went to the side. He ate it and took me down with a gut-wrenching strike, my semblance needed work. I needed to train more. Out of juice, I fell down my sword leaving my grasp. This was it. Soon my injuries would catch up to me, but that was the least of my problems. My mind traveled to my sister, and before my eyes closed I could picture her hand resting on my forehead.

Sirvard's POV

My legs carried me through the pathways, team RWBY on my tail while Nyx and Kianna were up ahead. We split off from Leo, Roy, and Binda; they were tasked with alerting the authorities while we went ahead. Verdant's message didn't bother us at first, hell I thought it was a simple prank but then he sent his location and Ruby began worrying. One thing led to another and here we were headfirst into the unknown. Some of us tried to contact Verdant but the attempts were declined with no answer, Kuro's team even tried to get ahold of either still nothing.

Although it was night, I could make out the set of boot prints in the dirt. They were larger than the smaller ones that overlapped which meant not much time has passed scene someone's been along this path. I was getting an eerie feeling and my gut was telling me to turn back; what lied ahead was something out of a horror story. Pushing aside those negative thoughts, I moved forward the distance between me and team RWBY greater than before as well as the distance between me and the female members of NKKL.

The earthy smell blessed my nose, but that was easily overridden by a gust of cool air. I caught a glimmer of it, but someone flew past. My head turned my skin folding slightly, Nyx and Kianna were quite the ways ahead of me; so how was she sitting on the ground dazed with her back smacked into a tree?

Nyx legs wobbled as she stood, using the tree as a prop she let out a well-deserved breath. Her glasses were crooked but still intact, though her weapon was nowhere to be seen. "Up ahead." Her breathing cut her off. "...tough enemy...Kuro took out get help." She gathered herself and went back forward, and I followed. If Kuro was here didn't that mean everyone else was?

After a couple of seconds of running, I came to the action. Nyx bent down picking her weapon up, her eyes narrowing on the brute that held Kianna up by her arm.

"I think...I killed her." He dropped her body and with a thud, it hit the ground, the wind blew over the three of us still waking. With a gulp, I readied Ravager the moon giving light to the area. I didn't have time to check if she was indeed still living, but I knew she wouldn't die that easily.

The wind howled and I was gone from my spot, my body coming at the bigger male. Launching I threw a forward kick with my weight, in which he sidestepped. Landing I turned and out came my gauntlet, the dark metal coming at him with decent speed and force. He didn't take any precautions to dodge it, he took it head-on literally. So why did my hand hurt afterward? Hazel's eyes bore into mine, and for a moment time stopped the overwhelming sensation of death rushing around my body making the hair's on my arms stand.

Before he could make a solid move, an arrow forced him to back away. Nyx didn't utter a word as she relocated her position, jumping from some three-branch onto the ground. Slender legs carried her towards another natural oxygen maker, her ear's twitched and he appeared out of the blue his fist coming at her with the intent to kill.

A murder of crows flew in the air, the sound of metal clanging in the air. Yang stood her ground taking the fist head-on, her arm shaking from the force. "N-Nyx run!" Her short defensive victory lasted seconds as the sheer strength he applied pushed her onto the ground. But as he turned to face Nyx he could only watch as her mouth widened.

A loud scream echoed out into the air, the waves fluttering some leaves and the sight of the male standing still came into fruition. I didn't know what happened but Yang was staring wide-eyed at Nyx holding back an arrow that lined up to the man's forehead. So why wasn't she taking the shot?

"C'mon, I took down most of your little group kill me." Nyx's hands shook, she hasn't taken a life before but this came with the job. She needed to deliver this was a threat and she had the option to take them out. But death didn't solve everything.

Time ticked in her head, and she let some seconds pass before Ruby and Blake joined them; each staring at the female. "Where are our friends?" Ruby's voice came out, her weapon aimed right at the male's head.

"They are tied up at our campsite...all I say is let my peers go..." Nyx shook her head, and I couldn't help but move towards them. If she wasn't going to finish the job I would.

Blood splattered on Nyx's face, and she could only stand still his body going limp; the infected arm he had disappearing like a Grimm's corpse. Blood leaked from the bullet wound in his head, and everyone turned to Blake who had one of her arms up and fingers on the trigger.

Honestly, I've been letting these characters get away with too much time to crank the difficulty! I showed two semblances during this chapter believe it or not, but figuring out the names and a more descriptive version will pop up later. Not that much action considering it was pretty one-sided till a certain point. I don't take Nyx for the type to get her hands dirty yet, nor anyone for the moment if they haven't already. More information regarding this new 'threat' will be revealed soon. I think I will add a little OMAKE at the end sometimes! Thanks for all the support!