Combat class...an admittedly...interesting period that every Huntsman in training had to take part in. Some may ask why the future protectors of human and faunus kind were expected to fight amongst themselves rather than the various monsters that sought to end the lives of them and everyone they cared about...and while that was a valid question….Grimm weren't exactly easy to capture and transport safely...no matter what a certain dog boy may claim! Then there was the fact that as sad as it was to admit, even with literal monsters clawing at the walls of every safe haven humanity and faunus may call home, there would likely always be far less obvious monsters that needed to be dealt with. Thieves, bandits, mercenaries, even fallen or disgraced Huntsman and Huntresses...Sad as it was to admit...not every monster was a giant hulking black beast with white skeletal figures...Monsters could come from anywhere, in any shape, form, any age, any background, and they could use any weapon...So! What better way to train for those possible eventualities, than by training with your fellow students? And so, we find two 1st year Huntsmen teams prepared to face off in combat….training combat.

Team RFGH, a band of misfits home to Mantle, led by the one man wrecking crew Rolland Brawn, his brainy beanie wearing partner Ginger Hind, her childhood friend the grifter puma faunus Felinus Concolor, and his best friend, partner, and absolute best boy coywolf Hade Tyx. And their opponents, recent transfers from Haven Academy, Team PANE, a formidable four women squad made up of the ruthless leader Percy Kore, the vampire bat shortstack Nyx Cimmer, the friendly frugal flying fox fem Anti Cimmer, and their calm crafty coyote Eon Mentha. Two teams, three men, five women, three humans and five faunus...ready to throw down and find out which team stood superior.

"Team RFGH, versus Team PANE! Combatants step forth and prepare to defend your honor!"

"Nyx, do you really need to talk like that?"

"Why yes dear cousin, yes I do." The small woman cleared her throat, ignoring the lighthearted glare from the taller woman beside her. "Now, step forth! Who among these teams wishes to be first? Who will draw first blood? Who will bring glory to their team, and who will humiliate and demoralize their teammates? Who I ask you? WHO?!" The small but surprisingly loud female practically screeched, looking among her fellow seven youths for any volunteers...only to let out a long groan as none made to volunteer. "C'mon! It's a combat class! Training! We gotta fight!"

"Can I forfeit?"

"And Mister Hade concedes before even stepping foot into the ring! What a pathetic show of cowardice! Team RFGH is going to struggle to recover from that one."

"Nyx, come on, that's going too far." The coyote eared girl by her side grumbled, shooting a glare towards the small snaggletoothed girl as she stepped towards the taller brown haired canine, placing a hand on his shoulder while offering him a kind smile. "You know Hade doesn't fight against girls…that doesn't make him a coward...in fact it's quite chivalrous."

"Yeah, stand up for your man!" The cat eared faunus chimed in, grinning as he looked past the pair to an unamused young woman with black hair. "Nothing to add there Percy? Not gonna stand up for your boy? Or should we change your nickname to Phony?"

The dark haired woman across from the cat narrowed her eyes but stayed silent, the two canine faunus meanwhile blinked, the tailed boy cocking his head in confusion while the girl with the ears squeaked and made to put some distance between the two. The two teams letting out their own varying sounds from the brief display before the small but loudmouthed female chimed in again. "Well looks to me like we have two groups decided! Hade versus Eon, and judging by those words and looks, Percy and Feli are pair number two...that leaves...Me, Anti, Ginger, aaaaaaaaaaand…." She trailed off momentarily, looking up to the massive male standing a bit away from the group. "Big ol wreck it Rolland."

"I think-"

"Dibs on Ginger!" The small girl cut her cousin off, earning a squeak from the taller female as she looked down at her, then to the beanie wearing girl...and finally over to the musclebound brute who simply cocked an eyebrow whilst wrapping his hands in athletic tape.

"I...b….b…" The tall girl stuttered, looking down to her cousin only to get a big toothy smile from her, two sharp canines seemingly flashing as she gave her a smug look.

"Sorry cuz, dibs."

"I...can I forfeit too? I mean, it's only fair...Hade got out, er...I mean…"

"No forfeits!" The small girl chimed in, pointing a finger dangerously up at the taller bat girl. "Big H may want to humiliate his team."

"Hey…" The boy in question whined softly, his tail lowering in shame.

"Nyx!" The coyote eared cutie growled, coming once again to her fellow faunus' defense.

"But team PANE is a team of proud warrior women! We'd rather die before we'd submit to some big disgusting brute!"

"Hey...I'm standing right here."

"Which is why you're fighting Anti and not me Rollie pollie!" The small girl replied, flashing a smug smile and a quick flick of her tongue towards the clearly offended young man. "You might be big and mean, and you might be mad at me, but even you won't direct that anger at someone undeserving of it~" She smirked as the opposing team leader simply cupped his face and groaned in disgust. "Now where was I? Oh right, Team RFGH might be made up of pansies and assholes and brutes and...a very nice dog boy." She paused for a quick cheer from the only male canine present. "But we're nothing like them! We're cool, mysterious, awesome, baddasses!"

"You forgot to mention humble." The cat faunus grumbled from his spot, earning a glare from the only person present that was actually shorter than him.

"You know, I'm gonna love seeing Percy kick your tail there Feli."

"She can try." The cat growled in response, turning his attention back towards Team Pane's leader. "Nothing quite like kicking a bitch's ass to brighten up your day."

The woman in question meanwhile simply offered the cat a smirk before nodding her head towards her own canine teammate. "Sorry there kitten, but you'll miss that chance today...tell you what though, if you get down on your knees and beg, I'll see about swapping with Eon…Hade and I can have a nice little dance between us...while you get to kick bitch ass like you want."

Felinus let out a low growl, narrowing his eyes towards the woman before stumbling slightly as his own team leader stepped up, a large hand coming to rest on his shoulder. "Alright that's enough...Sounds like we have the fighting pairs decided so can we get this started? I've got places to be tonight."

"Oh? Going to slum it up with your brother in Mantle? Or try your luck with your betters in Atlas?"

"Both if I'm lucky." The larger man replied with a simple shrug before practically shoving the feline faunus to the floor as he moved to brush him aside. "Now then...we have a fight order set up? Probably best to let you two duke it out first...put this stupid feud to rest so we all can have our fights without you bitching at each other."

"Do I have to fight?"

"Yes Hade." The young man sighed, turning his attention back to his canine teammate. "Look, just...give it a shot alright? You know what you're doing, Eon's got aura, you're not gonna hurt her…" Noting the faunus' concerned look, the leader let out another sigh as he cupped his face. "Alright, what about a condition? If you're unable or unwilling to lower your opponent's aura then you can just disarm or restrain to win? That sound fair to everyone?"

"Easy for you to say! Your hands are lethal weapons!" The loudmouthed bat groused, earning an arched eyebrow from the man. "And you're a fucking grappler...wrestler...dude...and not even the cool type of wrestler! No one's going to beat you quick, 'specially not Anti!"

"You can trade with her if you'd like."

"Fuck that!" The girl laughed, earning a disappointed pout from her cousin. "But still, you know that's not fair."

Taking a moment to think, the young man snapped his fingers. "Got it!" Lifting an arm, he motioned towards the large bracer and ring weight on his arm, before doing the same to those attached to his legs. "Anti, if you get off any of my weights or my bracers and we'll count it as you disarming me for the win. Sound fair? I'd offer up my belt too...but...I mean...I don't think anyone wants to see me lose with my pants around my ankles."

The tall woman squirmed momentarily before nodding, a slight smile forming on her face at her opponent's attempt at a joke. "I guess that's the best I can hope for…"

"Yeah, don't want Sprita and Sage hearing about you cheating on them, specially not with a fine faunus cutie." The cat faunus grumbled as he brushed himself off a bit, leveling a glare at his larger leader.

"Oh please, as if he'd ever do something so stupid." The opposing leader grumbled with an eye roll. "Not that he has a chance with either of them."

"For once we agree bitch."

"Oh? But dear sweet Felinus, Eon hasn't even said anything."

"Getting back on track!" Rolland growled, once again stepping between his teammate and his fellow team leader, Felinus seemingly having enough common sense this time to step away before he was knocked to the floor again. "You two are first. Hade and Eon can be second. That leaves me and Anti and Ginger and Nyx…" Looking towards the bats and woman in question, he cocked an eyebrow. "Anyone have a preference?" Seeing the smaller of the bat faunus raising an arm, the young huntsman shot a finger towards her. "No Nyx you can't drink the blood of the losers, and you're going third for even thinking to suggest it."

The aghast look that formed on the little bat's face earned chuckles from the majority of the group before she took on an annoyed pout. "FINE! Mister pushy pants...but just for that, I'm gonna make sure our match lasts as looooooooooooong as possible! Better call your boy and girls and tell them you'll be late!"

"It's probably for the best this way anyways." The black beanie wearing woman muttered, looking over towards her leader as she slipped off and opened her backpack. "I mean...if you unintentionally damaged the training area during your fight...we may not have been able to have ours…" Rummaging through her bag, she passed off a simple revolver and ammo pouch to her feline teammate, before producing a crude looking sawed off shotgun and similar ammo pouch to her canine companion. "Everything's decided then? Can we get this over with?"

"Yeah, let's get started, I got a couple rounds with your name on them Percy." The cat smirked as he worked on loading his revolver before holstering it on his hip.

"Oh? How sweet Feli...better be careful Hade, I think your best buddy has a crush on me." The woman said with a coo and soft smirk, earning a growl from the cat...and a second louder one when the coywolf shot him a look of betrayal. "Now then, everyone out of the way…I have a cat to skin…" Waving her hand, the woman lifted her simple metal club from her waist, slowly twirling and swinging the item, though she did stop to allow the coywolf faunus to plant a kiss on her cheek.

"Good luck Percy, you too Feli!" The happygo lucky boy called, waving as he and the rest of the group moved to the outskirts of the training room.

"Fucking moron…"

"Oh, now is that any way to talk about your best friend Felinus?"

"Hey, I call it as I see 'em." The puma faunus growled, narrowing his eyes on the woman before him, tugging his bandanna up over his mouth. "He's a moron...only way anyone would be so stupid to put up with such a manipulative whore…"

"Heh...why don't you tell me how you really feel there kitten?" Flicking her hair back, Percy gave him a simple smirk. "Just because Hade has excellent taste in women is no reason to be so upset."

"If that moron knew anything about good taste, he'd throw you out like last week's trash and hook up with Eon…"

"And if you had a spine, you'd hook up with your dear sweet Ginger." Snorting at the cat's glare, the woman raised her club to her shoulder before shrugging. "Sadly, it seems like your whole team is nothing but a collection of misfits and failures. A brute trying to play as a hero and win his princess' heart. A thieving alleycat who lies to everyone including himself. A girl so desperate for friendship that she latched onto a thief who uses and abuses her talents...and a broken little puppy who's dedicated his life to the happiness of those around him...truly your team name is fitting...Such a rough little group..."

"Yeah, and you single handedly provide enough pain to cover your entire team…we gonna keep shooting the shit Phony? Cause a word of warning…" The faunus growled as he placed a hand on the butt of his revolver. "You say one more thing about Ginger or Hade, and I'll personally shut you up by shoving a grenade down your throat…"

"Hmph...I take it your Team Leader is still free game for insults then?"

"Be my guest. No skin off my nose."

"Well that's no fun." With a disheartened sigh, the woman shook her head before nodding, taking a moment to tap her club's head against her palm. "Fine then Felinus. I'd say we're good to start."

"Bout time!" The feline faunus smirked, immediately whipping out his revolver as his hand disappeared into the pouch on his left hip, reammerging moments later with a small red orb. "Now what was that about skinning a cat?"

"Oh don't worry. You'll have a front row view of exactly what I meant. I take it I get the first swing?" Percy smirked before raising her club to catch a shot from the faunus' revolver.

"Sorry Phony, you're no lady, so no, no ladies first bullshit. And unlike Hade, I'm not pulling any punches."

"How sweet. No wonder Ginger is so enamored with you." Percy laughed as she blocked another shot from her angered opponent, before rushing forward, looking to close the distance and get up close against the midrange fighting feline.

"Not so fast there Phony!" The cat growled, jumping back while tossing down the red grenade he'd picked out of his pouch, the small orb exploding while creating a wall of flames between himself and his opponent. Nothing overly dangerous or threatening, but it should be enough to dissuade the smug woman from just running up and clubbing him.

Or...well...that had been the plan at least, but it seemed that Percy wasn't going to play by his rules. The young huntress bursting through the firewall, seemingly not even concerned by the flames trailing over her body as she swung her now flaming club straight at the dumbfounded cat faunus. Unfortunately, standing completely still proved to be a poor choice for the boy, her attack caught him square in the chin and sending him reeling before he rolled away from a followup swing. "Come now Feli...That was pathetic...even for you." The woman laughed, patting and brushing the remaining embers off of her clothing as she held up her club, which was now burning brightly as a torch. "Not even Hade would try something so stupid as fighting me with fire…"

"Shut it!" The cat growled, stroking his singed jaw in annoyance as he glared at the woman's torch. "Maybe I just wanted to give you a handicap...you asked for a first swing...why not one up that by giving you flames too?"

"Cute. Hade really should be worried...sounds like you are trying to get in good with me...unfortunately for you though Felinus." The woman lunged forward, swinging her torch like a glorified baseball bat. "You've got nothing I want!"

Luckily, Felinus seemed to have expected the attack, dodging to the side while throwing another grenade towards his target, the green orb making contact with the torch's flames before bursting into a massive ball of foul smelling fire that managed to knock both combatants away. "Good! Not like I'd ever give you anything anyway!" Felinus growled as he started shooting towards the distracted and visibly disgusted young woman. "Nothing save for a serious asskicking!"

Any retort seemed to die as the woman opened her mouth only to gag and retch in disgust, her hate filled eyes watering as she stumbled away from the point of the blast and the hard hitting shots that followed. Taking a moment to wave her torch about in the hopes of dispelling the stench, she quickly extinguished the flames on her torch in favor of the basic club form. Taking a few deep gulps of air, the woman finally managed to regain her composure, glaring dangerously at the cat as he slid a speedloader into the chamber of his revolver. "That was disgusting…"

"Glad you liked it." Feli smirked, spinning his chamber before locking it back into place. "Old family recipe...Hade always gives me a hand in making them." Slipping a hand into his ammo pouch, he pulled out another one of the green stink bombs. "Think of them as gifts from your beau."

"I'll pass...doesn't surprise me though…" The woman smirked as she leveled her extinguished torch before her and looked over the faunus' form. "Your weapon, your grenades, your fighting style...Even your outfit...You just steal and use things that don't belong to you. A gun made by your girlfriend. Stink bombs made by your best friend with a recipe stolen from your brother…you truly are a pathetic little boy Felinus..."

"Coming from a two-faced whore like you, I'll take that and any insult you hurl my way as a compliment."

"Of course...After all, that pissed off face of yours positively screams happiness." The woman took a quick sidestep to avoid a poorly aimed shot, snorting in amusement while twirling her weapon in her hand. "Now then...are you going to actually fight me kitten? Or are you going to keep running and hiding? Can't disarm me if you don't come close."

"And you can't cave in my skull or burn me if you don't close the distance." Raising his weapon, Felinus gave the girl a wink. "I'll stick to doing things my way...we'll see what runs out first, my ammo, or your aura."

"You just want to ruin your leader's plans for the night. Don't you?"

"No, I'm just looking to prolong your suffering slut." Taking a quick shot at the woman's feet to dissuade her from pushing closer, the faunus seemed to go deep into thought before shrugging. "Course, why not kill two birds with one stone?"

"Ever the gentlecat." The woman deadpanned, taking a moment to twist her torch in her hand, the head starting to shift and split slightly. "Well, I'd say we've had enough of a breather...any longer and Nyx'll probably swoop in claiming we've bored her long enough." Before the cat could come up with a witty snarky response, the pesky went back on the offensive, keeping her torch raised to block any shots, and even managing to avoid the next smelly grenade he tossed her way. Or so she thought, because the moment the green grenade passed her it changed color, going from green to blue before immediately exploding, shooting out several smaller explosive rounds into the woman's back, causing her to stumble forward.

Seeing his opening, the faunus lobbed a second, smaller bomb at his own feet, a cloud of dark smoke concealing his form, breaking the line of sight before no doubt making a run for one of the room's cover cubes immediately. Percy's calm demeanor cracking momentarily as the ambush predator managed to escape.

"Go Feli! That was an awesome trick! Go Percy! You can still get him!" The overexcited voice of Hade cut through the air, the coywolf doing his best impression of a cheerleader for both his friend and his girlfriend.

"Hade! Who's team are you on?!"

And just like that, the ambush was ruined and Percy's calm mask slid back into place, turning in time to see the flustered feline poke his head and revolver out from behind one of the raised cubes for a quick shot, only to curse as Percy rushed him once more. Two missed shots and dodged green bomb failed to stop the rushing huntress, though the gags and retching from the peanut gallery made it clear that they were not so lucky as to avoid the attack. Unfortunately, the same proved true for Felinus, for while he managed to avoid the extinguished torch's swing, he failed to avoid the foot that forcibly inserted itself into his ribs.

"Whore!" The cat groaned out, stumbling back before reaching up to catch his attacker's wrist, stopping her overhead swing from connecting, though much to his shame he ended up buckling, the heavier weapon and greater strength from the melee fighter proving a struggle for the sneaky gunner. It certainly didn't help when she mimicked his action and latched onto his own wrist, keeping him from pumping her full of lead...or whatever stone rock dust made...The two fighting for control with the cat faunus on the clear losing end, much to the smug condescending grin of the human.

"Language Felinus! We have sweet innocent ears in attendance."

"The f-" His attempted curse was replaced with a loud yelp as his opponent twisted his wrist.

"Hade."

"Oh cut the shit!" Groaning as the woman continued to push him down, Felinus attempted to find room to maneuver, but it proved ineffective, hardly even budging the woman. "Nghhhh...what happened to ladies being...sweet and dainty? The hell are you so strong?!"

"I'd think the real question dear Felinus." Percy smirked as she leaned closer to the cat, applying more pressure to his wrist, the faunus' bones feeling like they were starting to bend as he struggled to keep hold of his revolver. "Is why you're so pathetically weak...wouldn't surprise me if Ginger could kick your ass."

"Oh that's crossing a fucking line!" He hissed in response, leaning forward, the brim of his hat pressing into the woman's hair as they glared into their eyes. Felinus' green eyes burning with hate like a veritable forest fire, while Percy's dark blue eyes seemed to shine with clear amusement as the faunus tried to gather his strength and turn the tides...tried...and failed…

"Fight, fight, fight! Kiss, kiss, kiss!"

The moment that voice filled the air, both combatants froze, eyes going wide as their heads snapped towards the laughing vampire bat, Nyx gripping her sides as she howled with laughter. The rest of the crowd had...varying reactions, Anti and Ginger wearing looks of confusion and embarrassment, Rolland wearing a look of thinly veiled amusement...and Hade...well...he looked heartbroken, seemingly having taken the bat faunus' teasing to heart in thinking that love was blossoming on the battlefield between his best friend and girlfriend...the sheer audacity of such a scandal!

And while he'd certainly set his friend straight later, and kick the shortstack's ass later, Felinus was not one to look a gift horse...or loudmouthed bat...in the mouth. Making use of the brief distraction, the cat faunus shoved his body forward, headbutting the huntress in training as hard as he could, earning a hiss of pain and from the stunned smug slut. Pushing his advantage, and the woman further, the feline faunus hooked his leg behind his opponent's, causing her to fall back with him coming down right atop her.

"Oooooo, skipping the foreplay and going right in for the main event! Spicy Feli!"

"Shut it!" The cat groaned, managing to finally wrench his wrist free of Percy's ironclad grip, he quickly shoved the head of his revolver to the temple of the stunned girl beneath him. "That little bloodsucker of yours needs to learn to keep her fat mouth shut...but...I think I'll let it pass this one time…" Pressing the muzzle of his revolver harder into the woman's flesh he flashed her a predatory smile. "Checkmate slut."

For once, those deep blue orbs in the woman's eyes actually seemed to be showing some emotion...well, emotion other than disgust and disdain, now, she seemed furious...though, after a moment, the look faded, a calm and amused look appearing in those blue pools. "Actually Felinus...I think the term you're looking for is Check."

"Whatever, check, checkmate, I've won. Say it. Admit it. Pretty Pissy Phony Percy loses to Feli...say it."

"Or what?"

"What? I...Wh…." The cat sputtered, looking down at the too calm woman, then to their teams, then back to her. "I've literally got a fucking gun to your skull! The fuck are you even talking about?"

"Simple Felinus. My aura hasn't dropped, and you haven't disarmed me yet."

"I've got you restrained! You're pinned with a gun to your head that counts as restraint!"

"Don't flatter yourself Felinus." The cat opened his mouth, only to be silenced by a sudden flash and explosion of flame from the girl's torch, recoiling in shock, his hand releasing Percy's wrist as her metal weapon roared to life. And if the stunned fearful look in his green eyes was anything to go on...he knew at that very moment...that he'd fucked up.

And Percy seemed all too happy to prove him right, her left hand clenching Felinus' right wrist in that damned crush grip while her own freed right arm immediately swung that bright burning torch right into the stunned faunus' jaw. Riding the momentum, the pair found their positions reversed, Felinus flat on his back, Percy saddled up atop him, his right hand restrained, her knee pinning his left in place, and her bright burning weapon hovering mere inches from the captured cat's pained face. "Check Felinus." Squeezing hard on his wrist again, the faunus hissed, eyes squeezed shut in clear pain. "Drop it...or I'll break it…"

"F...fuck y…" Another harder squeeze and twist had the cat groaning, eyes shut tight as he weakly struggled and squirmed.

"Not if you were the last male on the planet Felinus…Now...be a good little kitten...and submit." Smirking, the woman pressed her torch closer, her flames licking against his flesh, his aura working to keep him from being burned, but the heat and natural instinct to run when face to face with flames were taking a toll on the young faunus. "Or...you can be a pissy little kitty...and I can have some fun…"

He couldn't give in...he couldn't…there was no way he was going to lose to her...If he could just...get his wrist free he could pump her full of lead...or...if he could get his hand to his grenade pouch...he could pop a stinkbomb or flashbang or...something! Hell, he'd even break out the big bad! Ginger would have his proverbial tail, but it'd be worth it to put the bitch in her place! He just had to get free...somehow...unfortunately, it seemed that the cat's body was not as willing as his mind was...and with one final twist and squeeze, Felinus' hand went limp, his revolver clattering to the floor as Percy smirked that smug grin of hers.

"And that's checkmate Felinus." She said in a sing-song voice, keeping her grip on the cat's now empty hand as she raised her burning torch high above her head, seemingly ready to make good on his suggestion earlier to cave his face in as the cat closed his eyes and braced himself for the coming pain. "Night night~"