Hey! Back with chapter 15 and I think you all will love this!

A week before the mission between team RWBY, LMDR, Sun, and Neptune...

Pyrrha Nikos was known in Beacon as one of the Remnant's most powerful students in training. And with this powerful title, came a large amount of pressure. Many people only saw her warm smile and friendly manner, or how powerful and smart she was in fights, but they didn't see how she got there or kept going.

Pyrrha would train by herself, train Jaune and spare with him, have to be polite to fans from other kingdoms and Beacon that would come up to her at the end of classes, all while balancing a social life with her friends and school life.

Speaking of school life, as of right now Pyrrha shook a little awake as she heard the bell ring for class to begin.

" You good, red?" Mikey nudged her as he quickly hid away his papers, scribbled all over them were random doodles. Pyrrha chcukled at the nickname and nodded.

" Yes, sorry. I am just a little tired is all from last night. Jaune and I were sharing and practicing last night. And he is making wonderful progress so far."

"Aw, dude! Ya two gotta show us sometime!" Mikey whispered to her before letting out a tiny yelp as walked into class, causing the class to quickly silent.

" Afternoon class," The strict teacher greeted, heels clicking the stage as she enters." Today will be a little different for you all. As you know, with your upcoming assignments this semester most of your classes are preparing you for it, and just like my class; we will be doing the same." Glynda explained." I will be assigned a partner project for you all. It will be in line with Doctor, Ooblecks class, and help you with your final assignment for the semester before the Vytal terminates. Which reminds me, I will be having practices in a few weeks for you all as well. The assignment is based on the Great War of Remnant where, if you've been paying attention in your classes." She eyes her students. Only for Mikey to lean over to Donatello who was quickly writing down everything Glynda was saying.

" Why do I feel this is aimed towards us?..."

" This is why." Donatello pointed out and lightly pushed Mikey back, listening to Glynda continues.

" Many kingdoms in those trying times started countless alliances with each other, for example, Vale and Vacuo sabotage Mistral's supply trains of Dust from getting to Atlas, in return if any attacks were to happen to the land they'd be ready to fight for one another. This is what your assignment is about. You will pick a partner to work on attacks together. Team attacks are greatly and widely used in the field as huntsmen that work in a group monopolize their powers to the best of their abilities. By doing this, it'll increase your work efforts in the field." Glynda explained." However, with this assignment, you aren't allowed to partner with someone on your tea. In the field, you'll have to think on your feet. So, you must pick someone from another team to help encourage understanding and communication outside of your teams. I'll leave you two you're decisions and passes to the library for books needed for this assignment." finished as Ruby and Yang looked down the row, grinning widely at the two other teams, and their own team in excitement.

" This should go well," Raph said before watching Ruby quickly get to her feet ad start marking tiny scratch pieces of paper for each member pick out to make it fair and interesting for everyone involved.

Pyrrha was placed with Raph, Blake being placed with Nora, Donnie being placed with Weiss, Jaune getting Yang, Ruby getting teamed up with Leo and lastly Mikey and Ren being paired together.

"...Aww..wish I got Weiss.." Jaune whispered to himself as Pyrrha bit her lip, hearing what the blond said. Giving him an awkward smile before looking over towards the others to see them already pairing up and talking about the ideas.

" Guess it's you and me, huh? This'll be interesting. Two stronger fighters working together." Pyrrha looked down at Raph before nodding with a smile, pushing back her ache in her chest.

" Ah yes, let's not put all our chips in the pale yet, Raphael. I would like to see how your fighting style works, however! We may find some interesting combinations with our skills." Pyrrha tried cheering Raph up at the idea.

" Whatever, I don't care for this other stuff, but fighting's right up my alley." The turtle smirked.

However, from behind the three groups, there was a member of the older class sitting by herself with a worried expression. It was Velvet Scarlatina. Since Velvet was by herself in this class, thanks to last year's incidents with her team, she had to retake this class. She looked over to another student with no teammate, like herself.

Cardin Winchester.

Because the poor bunny Faunus didn't socialize with many, outside of her own team, RWBY, LMBR, or JNPR, she didn't have many choices. Neither did Cardin, only because not many people actually liked Cardin. Which left the two partner less. This leads to Glynda partnering the two together for this assignment.

Quickly from her seat, Pyrrha looks at the new partners, and knowing the two's history, she looked back towards Raphael. A fellow student who hated as much as herself. She quickly, from her seat, shot her hand into the air."? I can be Cardin's partner, while Velvet can be Raphaels!"

" Yeah, let the bully get a taste of his own medicine. And won't it be better for your uh..lesson if a guy like me is paired with a quiet and shy girl like the her-No offense?" Raph ave a side pointed over to Velvet.

" None has taken.." She spoke softly.

" I'm sorry Ms. Nikos, but things like this need to be dealt with and fixed while in training, where it is much safer and won't lead to a death sentence." The bell rang soon after Glynda finished her sentence." Remember students, next week you're partnered assignments will be due by Friday, though we'll be presenting through the week." The class was excused as Velvet sighed from her seats and went over to Cardin, only for the guy to huff at her and walk-off, leaving the three groups giving the Faunus a worried look.

Four days after the Paladin fight...

Down the hall from the library were the spare training rooms were teams of huntsmen or singular students could practice there fighting skills, which Raphael and Pyrhha were using today for sparing practice; also a way for Raph to blow off steam after there failed attempt of catching Roman, and his little sidekick Neo. The two's weapon's clash against each other over again and again till Pyrrha kicks her leg out under her, but Raph swiftly dodges the attack with a huff. She quickly changes her position, giving Raph enough time to sprint at her and flip over the redhead, catching her weapon, and entangling himself and her arms together, keeping them both from using their weapons.

" Where did you learn this?" Pyrrha huffed with a smile.

" Something you pick up over time. Keeps ya on ya feet." He told her before the two fighters pulled away from each other, ending their session." Your fight is exceptional, Raphael! We should be able to start talking about our styles of fighting and put them together for some interesting combos."

" Sounds good to me." He said, stretching before the two turned the see the training room doors cracking open to reveal Leonardo and Ruby at the door.

" Hello there!" Pyrrha greeted with a grin.

" Hi, Pyrrha! Hi Raph!" Ruby smiled and waved." How's partner practice ging for you two?"

" Splendid! Raphael is an excellent sparing partner! We should be finished before presenting the day for us!" From behind Pyrrha Raph smirked and agreed with her statement about himself.

" Yeah Yeah, I'm pretty great. She actually lives up to her legends as one of the strongest." Pyrrha smiles at that.

" Thank you!" She thanked, before turning back to Leo and Ruby," And how is sparring going for you two!"

" Awesome! We're almost finished with our practice attacks!" Ruby grinned in delight.

" Can we see them?" Rah smirked.

" You'll have to wait till tomorrow." Leo retorted back to his brother with a grin.

" We'll I cant wait to see how it goes! Shall we get going? Many others should be waiting to use this room. Maybe we can go get lunch together with the others if they aren't busy at the moment.

" That would be great, Pyrrha. I'm starving." Ruby chcukled.

The groups of four left and ended up meeting up with Nora and Blake who were finishing up their team attacks as well, the new group of sick was off to find their other friends when they stopped and saw Velvet and Cardin, who seemed to be getting into a fight.

" Not this guy again," Raph growled as the six hid behind a wall to watch.

" Ugh, I know right," Ruby whispered as they watched. They picked up that both of them haven't been able to properly work on their team attacks and it was worrying Velvet so much that she might fail this semester and be held back from her team, as she already had. Nora, pure-hearted as she was wanted to step in, but Pyrrha held her back, trying to listen as everyone else did. However, she stepped in when Velvet ran off after Cardin yelled at her. The red-headed warrior whispered for Ruby, Blake, and Leo to go after Velvet, which they quickly did. Pyrrha stomped towards Cardin, glaring at him while Nora and Raph followed after her.

" Cardin Winchester."

Cardin growled, "What is it, Nikos?"

" You are a horrible team leader. Manipulating your partner and bashing her and bringing her down shows everyone what kind of person you are. A what kind of leader you are too." Pyrrha spat in his face, while Cardin growled and got back in her face too.

" Why do you always stick your nose in my business." He growled back at her.

" I take issue because Velvet is a friend of mine and their's," She tossed her hand back towards Nora and Raph, looking extra mad." Doing nothing but yelling and taring down your partner will only hurt you two in the long run."

" Oh, like you know what it even means to be a leader." He said, only for Raph to go and grab his weapons.

" Why you little-" H stopped when Nora placed a hand on his chest to stop him.

" Will you be willing to put a wager on that claim?" Cardin stopped and looked back towards Pyrrha," If you're such a good leader with the same treatment you give Velvet, then they'd really have no problem beating me in a four vs one fight."

" And if I win?" Cardin smirked.

" I'll keep my nose out of you're business for the rest of the time here at Beacon. But if I win, you have to put your beliefs aside and actually work with Velvet to help her pass this class. And if I lose, you'll also get the title of besting the invincible girl." Cardin stayed quiet for a moment, thinking to himself and not hearing Pyrrha, Raph's, and Nora's conversation in front of him.

" Let us help you, Pyrrha!" Nora told her teammate," I wanna help ya beat him up too!"

" Same here! Why do you get all the fun!" Raph said, jokingly but in a serious tone.

" No no, I have to do this by myself." Pyrrha shook her head.

" You know what Nikos." Cardin sneered at her," We have a deal." Cardin walked away," Don't be late to the next sparing class." Cardin laughed.

" Ughhhh, I wanna break his legs though!" Nora whined.

"I know, but maybe some lunch would make you feel better. Let's find the others and see if Velvet would lie to get lunch with us too." With that, the three walked off.

In downtown Vale...

A shopkeeper was fixing his newly reopened sign on his shop, only for the older man to fall, only as someone approaches them.

" S'cuse me? Sorry," They looked up to reveal it was Emerald looking down at them. I'm not really from around here." She voiced. She offered a hand out to the old man before showing a piece of paper." Do you mind pointing me in the direction of this shop?" The old man nodded and soon after she was waving bye to the man as she walked down the street. Where leaning against a building was Mercury.

" I knew you were lost." He smirked at Emerald before she walked back over to him.

" Mercury."

" I will seriously pay you to shut up." She shook the money at him, tickling his cheek before he pushed her hand away.

" That's not you're money." He shook his head.

" But it could be yours for five minutes of silence."

" Mmmmmm...No deal."

She groaned, "Fine." She grabbed the money from the wallet and tossed it to the ground before walking away.

" Whatever. You want me." He laughed and followed after her. Once he caught up to her he placed an arm over her before she scoffed and pushed him off her. As the two walked down the street, Mercury spoke again." How much farther?"

" A few blocks." She explained.

" Ughhhh! This place is so dull! Eh, I kinda like it. Tall buildings, diverse culture."

" And nice dopey people who are easy to pickpocket."

" That's every city."

In a mocking tone, Mercury cupped his cheeks," Oh Emerald! Master thief! Please don't take my money! I barely have enough to get by!" He slung his head forward as she rolled her eyes and walked away. Mercury sighed and followed," You're no fun today."

A bell rang as a bookstore door's opened, showing Emerald and Mercury walking inside as they heard humming. Emerald rang the desk bell as Mercury stayed in the back looking for books.

" Be right there!" The back doors opened to reveal Tukson and many large books in his hands," Welcome to Tukson's book trade; Home to every book under the sun. How may I..." His eyes widened a little at the sight of Emerald and Mercury in his shop." How..may I help you?"

" Just browsing." Mercury slammed the book close.

" Actually, I was wondering. Do you have any copies of The Thief and the Butcher?" She leaned on the desk.

" Yes, we do." Tukson nodded to her.

"That's great!" She smiled enthusiastically, only for an awkward pause to follow after it.

" Would you… like a copy?"

"No. Just curious." Emerald grinned as from behind her Mercury slams a book shut, making Tukson get tenser by the second." Oh, oh! What about… Violet's Garden? In paperback?"

"I-"

"He's got it. Hardback too." Mercury casually said, holding the book up in his hands to show Emerald.

"Ooh. Options are nice." Emerald muttered, tapping her finger against her cheek.

" Eh. No pictures." He grumbled and slams the book shut quickly with a loud smack, then throws it down onto the table," Hey! Got any comics?" Mercury looked towards him.

"Near the front," Tukson told him, biting his anger back by his tongue.

"Oh! No, wait. What about… Third Crusade?" The room got dead silent as Mercury watched Tukson as did Emerald with a creepy smile on her face. Tukson soon gets even tenser by the name.

"Um… I… don't believe we carry that one." Mercury quickly slams a book shut again.

"Oh."

" What was this place called again?"

"...Tukson's Book Trade." Tukson hesitates.

"Aaaand… you're Tukson?" She points towards him slowly.

"That's right." He gave her a quick little nod, careful not to make any sudden moves.

" So then I take it that you're the one that came up with the catchphrase?"

Tukson quickly nodded, "Yes."

"And what was it again?" Mercury pestered, leaning near the door.

Tukson drew out a long sigh before he spoke."Home to every book under the sun."

"Except for Third Crusade." Mercury sneered towards him.

" It's just a catchphrase."

"It's false advertising!" The silver-haired boy playfully joked.

" You shouldn't make a promise you can't keep, Tukson." Emerald leaned towards Tukson, watching him with her blood-red eyes. Mercury dims the storefront lights one by one.

" Or help others break their promises. Specifically… one Rajani Purnima. You know who we're here for, don't you?"

"Yes."

"And you know why we're here." She and Mercury drew in closer to him.

"...Yes."

"So… are you going to fight back?" Emerald grins towards him.

"Yes!"

Tukson's busted out his claws and the Faunus man jumped onto the desk with a growl. Before he burst forward and made a slice at Emerald. She ducked quickly before however, Emerald could use her Semblance on Tukson he knocks her to the side into a buck shelf and rushes into the back. Mercury quickly kicked Tukson back as Emerald stood behind him and narrowed her eyes. Tukson then quickly dove into what he thought was an exposed Emerald, however, he was wrong as Mercury quickly came into the scene and sent his foot out into his face.

Moments passed as in downtown Vale, Tukson's store door opened wide open, and outcomes Emerald and Mercury exiting the shop. The mint hair girl stretches out her back as behind her Mercury holds a comic book.

" Well, one outta two ain't bad." She sighed with a yawn." What's with that?"

"Eh." Mercury shrugged his arms," I like the pictures." Mercury sneered. Then he slams the book shut.

...Later that night...

Inside of a dark, unlit hanger was large bullhead with many White Fang members inside of there. As they were loading up the ship, Emerald and Mercury arrived on the scene. The two walked by many members working quietly and quickly, till they got to Roman Torcwhick.

" Ohhhh, look! She sent the kids again," Roman groaned sarcastically and walked over towards them," This is turning out just like the divorce." Roman spat, wrapping his arms around the two.

" Ugh," Emerald gaged and she and Mercury shoved him off them," Spare us the thought of you Procreating."

" Yeah, don't you already got a brat to take care of." Mercury smirked." Where is the ice pop?"

" Doing better work than you too," He yawned," She works harder too. God, that was a joke," He flicked his wrist out revealing a card," And this! Just might tell me where you've two been all day! Papa dearest Claw ain't gonna like that one bit," Roman only laughed.

"What?!" Emerald looked in confusion as did Mercury.

" I am a professional, sweetheart. Pay attention, maybe you'll learn something." He growled," Why do you have this address?" Roman huffed.

" Won't you like to know?" Emerald pointed.

" Yeah. I would. Now, where have you been all day?" Roman growled.

" Cleaning up you're problems," Mercury stepped in between him and Emerald." One of them at least."

" I had that under control," Roman growled.

" Two Faunus that was in the White Fang and now are in Vale says otherwise," Mercury exposed.

" Listen you little punk," Roman stepped forward," If it were up to me, I'd take you and your little street rat friend here and I would-"

" Do what Roman?"

The three looked up to reveal Cinder Fall's in her signature red flowing dress. She walked onto the platform as it escorted her down. Roman laughed nervously.

" Uhhhh, I would not kill them?"

" Cinder!" Emerald grinned, she went up to her but she walked right by, focused angrily on Roman.

" I thought I made it clear that they would get rid of the would-be conductor."

" I was going to." Roman groaned out.

" He was going to help more members of the White Fang escape to Vacuo. Mercury and I decided to take Cinder's word and take it upon ourselves to kill the rat."

" I think he was some sort of cat actually?" Mercury joked.

" What? Like a puma?" She snickered.

" Yeah, there you go."

" Quiet." Cinder hissed," Didn't I specifically tell you two to do it at night? To keep your hands clean while we're here?" From behind Cinder, Roman quietly pointed at them and laughed.

" I just thought..."

" Don't think. Obey."

"...Yes ma'am. It won't happen again..."

" And you." Cinder growled, looking towards Roman as he laughed anxiously." Why weren't you keeping an eye on them."

" Uhhhh.." He pointed his cane towards a few box's of dust," Uhhhhh..." He did it again, putting more enfaces on more dust crates," UHHHH?!" He waved his arms around the room." Sorry if I been a little busy trying to steal every speck of Dust in the kingdom."

" You're an inspiration to every punk with a gun and a ski mask." Mercury sarcastically joked as Emerald giggled.

" Look around kid. I got everyone in this town running scared. Police camping out at every corner, Dust prices through the roof! And we're sitting pretty with more Dust crystals, vials, and around then what we know what to do with! Speaking of which, if you guys won't mind filling me in on your grand master plan it might actually make my next string of robberies go a little smoother." Roman threatened out towards them.

" Oh Roman~... Have a little faith" Cinder purred walking towards him," You'll know what you need when you need to know," She placed a hand on his cheek. Her eyes soo glowed brighter than before as he growled n looked away." Besides...we've got all the Dust we need."

" Okaaaay then? What now?"

" We're moving." Cinder walked off," Have the White Fang clear out this building. I'll send you details and coordinates tonight."

" Coordinates?"

"We're proceeding to phase two."

Cinder smirked walking off as Emerald and Mercury followed her out, Roman groaned and pulled out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth to calm his nerves. As he went t fish out his lighter, he patted himself looking for it. Only to hear it light and look up to see Emerald holding it.

She sticks her tongue out as the flame burn in her hand and she flicks it out.

Hey guys! How have you been! Thankfully I have off this week and got this chapter out! The next chapter may be a shorter one but I think you'll like it as it'll open up with CRDL vs Pyrrha with a twist Guess

who's gonna join her?

Also, did you guys see the first two episode of Volume 8? AHHHHH! I'm scared! and in love!