Hello everyone, I hope you like this chapter of this somewhat updated version with changes.

WORDS STYLE:

Flashback

Thinking

[Tv/Intercom]

Grimm speech bold

TwIsTeD

Cover Art: By Seshirukun

Chapter 3: The Rivals Meet

Beacon was illuminated by the full moon, leaving behind large shadows that it cast over the things below it. Not a single person was seen outside the academy but the statues and architect of the area. It was with this emptiness, an evil took place as the shadows shifted and moved from behind Beacon's statue. A single foot stuck out followed by another until walked out was the samurai Grimm who held the device in its left hand, staring at the compass which it lifted its straw hat to get a better look while it turns in the direction of the academy before it sinks in the shadows once more.

"What is even going on?!" Muttered the Grimm. "This wasn't what I was informed." As it stood behind a few trees with more trees separating him from the building it was still outside of the ballroom where the students slept yet its full attention on the device that wouldn't stop moving.

"This doesn't make sense." As Grimm said it, he was staring more intently at how it stops to point in a specific direction before pointing at another again toad again, not giving him an actual direction which unsettled the Grimm.

"They said this device would pinpoint the target yet this could only mean two things and w—" Immediately the Grimm stops, turning fast as its gaze met that of Adam's who had appeared mid-running with his sword handle gripped. The moment they made eye contact, they took not even a second as they drew their weapons instantly, white blade connecting with red as their blades were pushed up in the air, both taking in the appearance of the other in the seconds that followed as the two stared at each other in the silence of the dead of night.

"Judging by your appearance," Adam grew serious with the frown on his face increasing. "you're a Devil Grimm." His merely caused the Grimm's eyes to narrow as it puts the device away yet not before Adam saw it.

"Interesting," Its blade was moved to be directed at Adam. "To be able to sense me, that is quite impressive indeed."

"Why are you here?!" His demand was met with the Grimm suddenly pulling the blade back down to its side as it started to back up into the tree, the darkness itself more as it began to sink into the shadows. Alerting Adam who suddenly leaps directly for the Grimm, surprising it his attack which causes it to stop in order to

immediately swing it's a blade once again, the sword's clashing with sparks flying and creating more light between the Grimm and Faunus.

"Interference." As Adam heard it, the Grimm stares at him from beneath its hat before it suddenly leaped for him with the sword being swung downward at his he Faunus who brought up his sword in response yet despite blocking it he felt the weight of the blow that caused him to stagger and fall to one knee which the Grimm thrusts this time yet Adam reacts with his sword being moved to the side of his face with the blade forcing the Grimm's to slide against with sparks flying before it was pushed away.

"Hmmm." Was the only sound the Grimm made while Adam stood quickly while aiming his sheath at the Grimm just as it turns to a gun which surprised it as the blade was brought up just as multiple shots were fired, one managing to hit his hat that flew off yet it ignores that and changes into action towards Adam who resheathes his blade while entering a stance as the Grimm headed directly for him.

"This isn't the first time I've seen a Devil Grimm yet..." Adam immediately reacts just as the Grimm reacted by stopping to block the quick unsheathing of rapid strikes and then sheathing again. "this one, why am I getting a bad feeling?"

"Argh." Was the sound of its grunt from the quick strike as each time of the three strikes, one was stronger than the last, slightly pushing the Grimm back a little before Adam went on the offensive again. Charging right at him in a single movement like a leap. With that, he began his move by shooting out his sword, hilt-first out of the barrel of his sheath at the surprised Grimm who quickly swatted at it yet saw Adam holding a gun with his other hand. The Huntsman quickly jumps to the side where his weapon was located while unleashing a barrage of bullets at the Grimm who was blocking each one or dodging the ones he couldn't block with great reflexes.

"Not half bad." The Grimm watched as Adam bad retrieved his weapon and resheathes his blade, leaping into action once more towards the Grimm, only to unsheath it once again as their blades met, what followed was an afterimage of himself being shot out to continue the attack followed by another one. Each one managing to push it back with each strike. The final slash had released an a wave of deep crimson aura that was blocked by the Grimm that didn't see the Faunus throwing his now spinning weapon at the Grimm who blocked it with its left arm, getting damaged as it was getting cut into.

"Argh..." Was the only sound it made as it was backing up with the weapon being shot back at Adam who kicks the hilt to send it once again back but catches it yet left an opening with Adam closing in with a barrage of strikes but due to the impact it didn't do much as he had hoped but caused it to skid back before it charges again with a swing but was dodged by the Faunus who leaps again.

"He's no amateur!" Adam watched as it swung with his sword yet he grabs the Grimm's wrist that held his weapon, quickly using his arm as leverage he lifts himself to knee it in the face while grabbing the weapon by its blade, charging aura into it which caused the Grimm too immediately let go as its hand was steaming from the spike of aura yet this distraction was enough as Adam shot multiple rounds in the Grimm's other hand that held its sword, with the blade being dropped with Adam taking his chance and leaps at the Grimm, having swung down the blade directly for the Grimm's neck.

"NOW!" Adam's blade dug into the Grimm until it phased through from darkness pouring out, taking him by surprise as he watched where he enters already closing while where his blade came out was grabbed.

"A shame." Was all the Grimm said as he slams his left fist into his stomach with the impact sending him back through the air, quickly hitting the ground with a roll before standing up while the Grimm had made its way behind Adam who blocks the sword strike yet at the angle he didn't see the leg being swung into his back that sent him forwards with a roll yet the newly graduate launches himself midroll, stabbing his blade into the ground to turn his body to face the Grimm already charging at him.

"I can win this!" Adam kept up his guard as the blade met his with each strong strike beginning to cause the red blade to glow which the Grimm took notice of before seeing the smile that caused it to stop as it watched the red clothing on Adam's body appearing to glow, mostly his hair while black and red bolts of lightning appeared over his body and leaps for the Grimm who brought its sword up as well just as Adam swung down to unleash a red aura wave at the Grimm, causing an explosion that had awoken the students at the sound being made with Adam staring at the large smoke cloud yet he didn't drop his guard but stares at it before something flew out at him and he swung yet to his shock it was a severed hand that had grabbed his blade and immediately transformed into the darkness that spreads down his sword and onto him.

"What the?!" Adam turns to the cloud to watch as the smoke cleared from being blown away from the Grimm leaping out of it with the sword being brought back yet Adam grits his teeth as his hair lights up before all of a sudden an arrow was shot into its neck, taking it by surprise as it stops with a stumble before turning to look at the one who shot it, a woman with ashen-black hair and bright amber eyes holding a bow with a second drawn, standing upon a tree branch and fired right at the Grimm who easily caught it but at that moment felt the ground shake as Adam was thrown into the air by some force, being pulled back with his weapon and sheath while the earth below the Grimm's feet erupted as it found itself surrounded by the earth that soon enough traps him inside.

"It appears we arrived in time." Spoke none other than the Headmistress herself, Glynda Goodwitch who's gaze was upon the him while placing Adam down in front of her, causing him to look at her with a surprise yet turned immediately just as Glynda's eyes widen to see darkness leaking out of the trap, forming to reveal the Grimm with a sword in hand and arm completely healed.

"Let's continue again another time." As he heard that, Adam and Glynda's eyes widen, unlike Cinder who's narrow just as the Grimm swung its blade down to unleash a wave of darkness at the two yet Glynda creates a barrier with the earth to block it but by the time she pulled it away the darkness was dissipating with it being shown the Grimm was gone.

"He escaped." Cinder muttered with the bow being unnotched. "The attack was a mere diversion upon seeing backup."

A sigh escapes from her mouth while she pushes her glasses up, her gaze still serious as she directs it towards Adam who was staring at where the Grimm had been before disappearing.

"It was a Devil Grimm that seemed to possess a Semblance...of darkness." A hand goes to his chin. "It originally tried to retreat when I found it..." She didn't hide her clear concern upon her face at hearing that while turning and could see past a few trees, students had begun to gather at the windows due to the explosions having taken place.

"It seems all the commotion has woken the kids." Muttered Cinder who jumps off the branch. "Best get a move on Ms. Goodwitch before some of them get too curious." The tone she had caused Glynda to deliver a glare at Cinder yet even so she didn't have time.

"You two, continue patrolling outside before the other huntsmen take your patrol." She begins to move quickly in strides. "I'll return and inform the other teachers of what happened so be prepared to give a briefing first thing in the morning." With those words, she had left the two to deal with the curious students who were watching, one being a conceded Oscar who made eye contact with Glynda. As this was happening, Adana and Cinder stood in the same spot before the Faunus spoke up.

"Thanks." Despite his expression, his tone held some gratitude as he spoke with his gaze meeting Cinders which the Huntress smirks.

"Don't mention it," She turns her back to the Faunus, "If something were to happen to you, I would be stuck doing your shifts until your replacement is hired." She begins walking away from her co-worker who stares at her yet slowly raised an eyebrow at seeing her put more movement in her hips to allow them to swing back and forth yet immediately caught himself on what he was doing and quickly turns away in the opposite direction to do his job while Cinder just smirks at having caught him.

Being the dead of night, the tiredness was already weighing on Cinder who made her way towards her room across the hallway. She very well knew that the initiation was taking place in the morning along with the student's initiation, this merely gave her an estimate of a few hours of sleep.

Her fingers gripped the cold doorknob with a key going on before opening the door, being met with her room that barely had anything at all, no pictures or personal belongings but clothing and weaponry yet even so it was her current home which she enters fully with the door being closed quietly behind her before making her way to the window to open the curtains and to give more light into the room by the full moon yet froze as creaking was heard and a chill running up her spine, turning as a hand grabbed her by the face and being met with the Samurai Grimm.

"K-Kage—" She was cut off as she was lifted off the floor to dangle in the air while the Grimm stares at her before procuring a note that had been tied to the arrow she shot at him which Cinder saw.

"You interrupted my mission and I almost killed a future nuisance," His glowing eyes narrowed. "explain." He told the woman in a low tone yet even so it held his distaste before moving his hand a little off her face so she could speak.

"If you killed him then the 'Hero' would come, it would ruin the plan..." When Kage heard that, he showed great annoyance yet knew she wasn't wrong and dropped her onto the floor, walking past to look out the window.

"That being said," Cinder stands to face the Grimm that spoke. "I was also sent here to check on the so-called 'Spy' that the Queen sent... Cinder Fall." He turns his attention to the Huntress who stares back.

"I have successfully infiltrated Beacon and awaiting my next orders..." A nod of understanding was given as Kage touched his chin while proceeding to walk around her.

"I must say, when I first heard about some orphan being taken in by her majesty, I wasn't all for it especially said orphan being given the task to collect the maiden powers as its sole vessel..." Kage stops in front of her. "So prove me wrong and do not fail the mission you were given or else you will be sent back to Joker, for reconditioning." That question caused Cinder's eyes too widen in fear as she quickly bows her head.

"Yes sir... Without her Grace, I am nothing." Her words caused the Grimm to stare at it before turning its back to her.

"Agreed, so I'll be leaving a specific task for you." This surprised Cinder to look up at the back of the Grimm's head while it was standing before the darkness that was opening up while Kage reveals a device, the compass that was immediately crushed much to her surprise.

"Isn't that the device used to track down the Hero's child?" Cinder immediately asked, knowing of the device from Watt's and watches it being dropped.

"Indeed, yet it failed to do its job as it kept spinning, meaning one of two things. One being it's a failed product but knowing Watt's it's most likely the other—" He was cut off just as Cinder showed shock with wide eyes.

"He has more than one child?" When she spoke those words, the Grimm nods in agreement.

"I cannot tell how many, as of right now I am unsure which is why I'm giving you the side mission to identify his 'children' and report back." Kage turns around to face her while slowly walking back into the darkness. "Do not attempt to kill them or it will put the main mission in jeopardy." He orders the woman who nods as the Grimm was being absorbed into the darkness.

"I'll be reporting back now...as a mere pawn, do your part or else you will be punished." With that said, he was gone without another word and left Cinder by herself which she grits her teeth at being called a 'mere pawn' despite holding half a maidens power yet even so now that she was by herself, she made her way to her bed and sat upon it while she recalls the Grimm, Joker and his laughter. As she did so her hand reaches up to the strap around her neck and removes it, revealing a scar that she proceeds to touch.

"I see," Glynda appeared quite troubled while sitting at her desk with morning tea. "I never heard they could do that." As those words were spoken, in front of her stood Adam and Cinder, both facing the Headmistress that sat on front of them. The room they were in was designed with intricate clockwork mechanisms consisting of many interlocking cogs and gears above them, Ozpin's old office.

"Devil Grimm..." As Glynda said that, Adam recalled the attacks, skill, and downright shocking ability that Grimm he fought had. "It's been only a Hundred years since this new type was discovered. They're supposed to gain a more humanoid form as well as intellect to the point that they can speak but I've never heard a Devil Grimm able to perform a Semblance…"

"I've fought Devil Grimm before but this is the first time, it not only had an ability as well..." Adam made eye contact with her again while Cinder merely watched this conversation unfold. "when I first attacked it, it was holding some sort of device but I didn't get a closer look." When she heard that, a hand rested under her chin.

"Thank you, Mr. Taurus," The Headmistress stood up, gaze hardening on what the future holds. "Your report on what happened will indeed be helpful as well as yours Ms. Fall, you may both leave now, I will be seeing you at the Cliff, Mr. Taurus, and Ms. Fall."

The two simply nod as they turn towards the elevator, both quietly making their way towards it and getting on as Adam was the one who pressed the button as the door slid shut in front of them, leaving the Headmistress in silence.

"What is even happening?" Glynda muttered as her gaze directs itself towards the Window. Meanwhile the two Huntsman and Huntress stood in the elevator.

"I have to ask," Cinder's sudden thoughts being voiced drew Adam's attention. "Why did you join Beacon, rather than stay in Atlas?"

The silence was all there was, Adam, staring at Cinder who stared back before the Faunus broke the eye contact.

"My choice is my own," Adam focuses on the sliding doors. "it doesn't concern you."

Yet, even so, Cinder just smirks when she heard that and looks ahead of herself.

"We'll be working together starting tomorrow so we should converse and talk." Cinder glances back at the Faunus. "I rather not work with a stranger I know nothing about." At this point, the elevator had stopped with the doors sliding open as Adam walked through them which Cinder followed. Adam heading in the other direction of Cinder as he turns a corner and was met with a surprising sight.

"Well if it isn't Mr. Eyepatch." When he heard that voice, Adam simply sighs while staring at one Branwen leaning against the wall. "I didn't expect to see you here."

In response to her words, Adam starts walking yet Yang got in front of him to stop him from walking away.

"You know," Yang muttered, having moved her sunglasses just a bit to show off her red-eyes, "I couldn't tell who would have won the fight." Adam's eyes narrow at her words.

"You were watching?" His words were laced with seriousness at this freshman having seen what was happening which she nods.

"Yup but not the whole thing," the girl smiles as if happy for what she saw of Adam's defeat, "decided to sneak around a little to get a better view."

Her words caused Adam to become suspicious of her reasonings for telling him it, that was until she continued.

"I was honestly expecting more," she began while starting to walk past Adam, "After all, your the Hero's apprentice."

"What?" Adam started, trying hard to not shout at hearing something shocking, turning to look at her, "How do you know that, who are you?"

As if the demand affected her, Yang had stopped walking and looks back at him. "Yang Branwen?"

When he heard that last name, Adam immediately realized who she was. "Your Raven's daughter, yet the only reason you would know about me~~" Adam trails off as his visible eye widens in actual shock, finally making an assumption on who she is but that mere assumption made his job even more difficult.

"Seems my old man didn't tell you about lil ol me," she commented while turning around and pushing her sunglasses up, "but that doesn't change the fact that your disappointing, I could have taken that Grimm."

Adam was not liking her tone when he heard that, yet even so his main thoughts were on one fact, not exactly sure if what she said was true

"Careful Branwen," As Adam spoke up with a tone of seriousness which she just smiles yet what he said next caused her to get excited. "That's how you lose an arm."

"Is that a threat?" Her hair began to become lit as if on fire while her smile widens, obviously itching for a fight with Adam to prove herself yet he immediately stopped her.

"No, it's a warning. If what you claim it true as a child of my master, you shouldn't act so foolish." This caused her eyes to narrow as the fire cut off. "Don't let that arrogance get the better of you, or else it will lead to your downfall."

Those very words caused her to look away in annoyance before walking past Adam with their shoulders bumping intones her other.

"Whatever you say, 'Slave Boy'." Adam stopped dead in his tracks at hearing the last part being muttered and turns with a look of anger that met Yang's smirking expression before she broke it which in turn caused Adam to look away.

"I doubt Sensei would tell Raven, so she must've looked into my past and told her daughter, yet I'm almost positive Sensei knew nothing about Yang." His expression was far from happy and just stares into space. "Sensei told me about Ruby when she was born, yet he made no indication of having a second child yet for her to be here—" Adam stops as his eye narrows.

"Either way, if Ozpin is dead he must've set something up with the Headmistress that involves Naruto's children." As he continued his train of thought, unknown to him stood Cinder at a corner, having overheard the entire conversation which a smile graces her lips.

"To think it would be this easy," As she muttered that, she starts walking away while typing down Yang's name on her scroll, "Now to confirm if there are others."

"How are you feeling?" The question came from the Rabbit Faunus who stood next to Blake who was going through her locker, despite being the next day and appearing physically fine her eyes told everything, a sadness in them while her ear was once again bandaged.

"I'm…just tired." Was her only reply to Velvet who couldn't help but look worried for her newfound friend, only recalling what she witnessed yesterday with her. While this was happening, across the room was Ruby who was having a conversation with Oscar.

"Not only that, but my scythe~" Ruby was in mid-explanation for Oscar, hanging her scythe weapon into a gun. "~is also a customizable high-impact sniper rifle!" The teen looked surprised as he stares at it.

"Wow, I've never seen anything like it back on the farm."

"Yup, I'm kind of a dork when it comes to weapons, sooo... I guess I did go a little overboard when designing it." That seemed to have surprised him even more now.

"You made that?" His question headed a quick nod as she smiles happily.

"Of course! All students at Signal forge their own weapons! Didn't you make yours?" Her question was followed by Oscar starting to sweat as he revealed a handle of sorts before it extends into…a cane.

"A cane?"

"Ah, uh…it…belonged to my grandfather." As he said it, Ruby tilts her head at why he didn't sound so sure where he got it while Oscar was having trouble thinking of a lie. It was at this moment that Ruby's gaze wanders towards the other girls, having been unable to speak to Yang, Weiss, or Blake when she saw them. Weiss with her being busy, Yang with visibly ignoring her on purpose, rather appearing very annoyed and Blake who seemed even more distant yesterday despite the fact she finally was talking to a fellow student.

*click*

Upon hearing that sound, Ruby jolts and looks across from herself with Oscar following her gaze, both finding Weiss standing there, placing her headphones into her locker. This sight had caused Ruby to immediately brighten up at another chance to strike a conversation and make another friend.

"H-Hello again," Her words came out a little too quickly, appearing to be in a hurry for an answer as well as her expression making it obvious how uncomfortable she was as if desperate, "Seems we're locker mates, ha..."

"..."

Ruby received no reply when she saw that Weiss was staring at her locker with Oscar noticing she appeared to be depressed about something.

"Are you—" Ruby could not finish as she noticed Yang walking by with her hands in her pockets, the girl who had been blowing her off yet knowing her mother was on her own mother's team.

"A-Anyways—" She stops to see Weiss had already closed her locker and was walking away with her rapier in hand much to her dismay, the poor Rose looks down at her own feet yet that was when she noticed something sticking out at the bottom of her locker and bends down to push it in when she saw a word, letting the curiosity get the better of her she pulled it out and stood straight up to read it and froze, the insults placed on a single piece of paper shocked her with Oscar's eyes narrowing as he too read it.

"Why…?" Muttered the Huntress in training after reading it while Oscar looked at the numerous looks of anger and hate from many Faunus around the room, yet all Weiss did was look away which results in her not seeing a reptilian Tail being stuck out, tripping the Schnee who fell on the floor, that gained attention from others who saw this.

"Ha!" the laugh originated from the Faunus standing at the locker where Weiss was passing. "Should have watched where you were walking, Schnee." Came the smug tone of one Faunus who was the owner of the snake tail, his characteristics being a skinny and lean male, having less muscle on him the most guys while possessing pale skin. Wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans. His most define trait wasn't his short sage green hair and yellow eyes.

The others just watched this scene yet did nothing with a few Faunus's being uncomfortable at the sudden act against her even tho they disliked her yet a few found it to be justice yet others did not.

"Are you ok," This caused Weiss's eyes to widen, and looks up to see the sight of one Ruby in front of her before she saw her get serious and directs her glare at the Faunus, "Why did you do that, I saw you trip her for no reason!" She points at the Faunus who glares at the girl while stepping forward.

"Have you been living under a rock, human?" He spat the last part, showing his tolerance for Ruby growing less and less, "Don't you know who this is, she's a Schnee!" Hearing his words, Weiss just stares at the floor, already knowing the moment she enters Beacon she would be treated like this, after what that man did, it was to be expected she would deal with bullying.

"So what," When those words were said, she caught many off guard by the outburst, more so the Faunus himself who tripped her, yet the one being the most shocked was the Heiress herself, "It's not her fault for what her dad did!"

"What," As he said it, the Faunus was greatly angered, hands turning to fists as he thought about his families suffering, "ARE YOU DEF—" He was stopped cold upon a hand grabbing his shoulder, slowly he turned to find the towering Adam standing there, looking down at him with his one-eyed gaze being icy cold.

"That is enough, your not even accepted yet your already starting something." He lets go of the reptilian Faunus who looks away, having calmed down as turns away. "If I see this again, you'll be coming with me to see Glynda, understood?"

"Yes, sir." His tone still held anger hey Adam ignored that and walked past many students who just watched him in surprise, annoyance, or awe at what he did.

"Tch." The reptilian Faunus turns away from them. "Help the Schnee Trash for all I care." With that said he walks away from the two with many going back to what they were doing and some continuing to watch. Ruby felt movement and turned back to the heiress to see she was picking herself up while still holding her weapon.

"Are you—"

"Thank you..."

Was all that was said, just before the girl turns and starts walking away from Ruby who was taken aback by the sudden action, having thought this was her moment to get to know her yet, in the end, she still wasn't opening up to her.

While Weiss was walking away, she passed by the red-haired girl who saw that her expression wasn't as sad as it was before the incident yet it was still sad in the end.

xxxxxCHAPTER ENDxxxxx

AUTHOR NOTE: That's it for this chapter and I hope to hear/read what you think of this chapter and the new style.