FOREWORD

This series is intentionally written in transcript form instead of traditional text to give it more of a feeling like the original "RWBY" show. Italics indicate visual descriptions, bold is used for names, and border lines mark where the scene changes.

With that all said, please enjoy!

Volume 1, Chapter 2

Welcome to the Show

When the scene opens, the white ferry with everyone onboard is sailing through the lake towards a massive dock, with long piers where four other identical ships are already unloading passengers. As the main ferry steadily slows to a halt next to the last empty pier, the people inside sway from one side to the other, including Moswen in his seat and accidentally bumping his shoulder into Franklin still next to him with his newspaper.

Moswen: "Oh, sorry!" (when there's no response from Franklin besides a sideways glance, he tries again) "Uh, thanks again for the seat, by the way. If I was standing, I'd probably get seasick, and that's NOT how I want to enter Beacon!" (he chuckles at his own joke)

Franklin: (still reading the paper) "Is that really a trait a Huntsman should have?"

Moswen: (awkwardly scratches the back of his head through his hat) "Well, I... guess not? But hey, we all have weaknesses, right?"

Franklin: "Not if I can help it."

Before any more can be said to answer Moswen's confused expression, a bell tone rings over the boat's speakers, and Franklin immediately stands, tucking the paper under his arm and striding right out the door before anyone else. Moswen, meanwhile, struggles to get up from under the weight of his suitcase, and he gets swept away in the flood of students heading down the gangway. As he finds his footing near the back of the crowd, Moswen looks up at the cliffs above him, waterfalls traveling down the stone sides and crashing into the lake below in a constant field of mist.

Moswen: "Whoa..." (without warning, a man in overalls takes the suitcase while he's distracted) "Wh- Hey!"

The man ignores him as he and other workers in similar outfits load up various bags and cases from the ferry into the bed of a truck, with more like it already driving up the winding tunnel road that snakes through the cliffs.

Honeypot: "Alright, kids, leave your bags here! They'll be going by truck, but you're getting there the fast way!"

The loud announcement to all the passing students comes from Edwin Honeypot, a hefty man with perfectly combed blonde hair in a golden yellow turtleneck suit with red dress pants. He chomps down on a "BEE'S KNEES HONEY BAR" as he gestures behind himself at a metal tunnel where everyone is walking towards.

Moswen enters with the crowd of dozens, and they all step on a large square; when everyone is on board, Honeypot joins them and presses a button to the side, closing them in with a lattice gate as the elevator jerks and moves upwards. Moswen looks a little nervous the longer the ride goes on while Franklin seems as impassive as ever, but a moment later, the rocky walls outside the gate give way to bright sunlight, and after he stops squinting, Moswen steps out with the rest of the students (now going "Oooh" and "Aaaah") to see the view on a small balcony overlooking the entire lake and the now tiny city of Vale beyond it.

Honeypot: "Yes, quite a sight to behold, but the fun doesn't stop here." (he walks ahead as Moswen and the rest of the students follow him up the stairs at either side, finally stepping onto a sprawling brick path as he opens his arms in a dramatic manner) "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Beacon!"

The camera soars through the grey avenue lined with light posts hanging green banners that display two axes and a laurel wreath, past grand arches and the statue of a hooded Huntsman and Huntress on a cliff over a Beowolf, zooming up at the large wooden doors to view the elegant white spires that make up Beacon, with a sleek motorized blimp soaring in the background. One shot shows the giant glowing green lights in the center of Beacon's highest tower, shining even in the light of day.

Honeypot: "Now, you're all free to explore the campus, but don't be late for the Headmaster's presentation in the main amphitheater! You only have an hour, so don't go trying to cover a hundred acres today!"

The students flow around Honeypot as he speaks, splitting off and going down different paths winding off from the main walkway to join with the rest of the teens milling about.

In another section of the school, the upper floors of the dormitories are seen through the view of a screen as its holder takes a picture of the building with a *click* noise. The view shifts as the Tome gets lowered, looking at white boots and red leggings, until it comes back up to reveal Talutah Tepes with her sparkling earrings and choker, tossing back her long maroon hair and smiling for the camera... until a spraying sound is heard from behind and her expression gives way to irritation.

Cut to the sight of a black gloved hand shaking a spray paint can up and down until it gets lifted to a wall already marked with blue. From the nozzle comes a white stream that creates a wide circle, and the graffiti artist continues working, her wolf tail lazily moving side to side until Nuada Glenn stands back up, nodding to herself in satisfaction.

Talutah (offscreen): "Excuse me, but what in the world do you think you're doing?!"

Nuada: (turns to see an angry Talutah storming up to her with hands on her hips, but the Faunus just grins and crosses her arms) "Well, I call it 'markin' my territory' myself. Feel free to tip me some coin if you like what you see!"

Talutah: (incredulous) "Tip you?! I ought to report you for vandalizing school property! What is that even supposed to be?"

Nuada: (looking at her work proudly and gesturing grandly to the graffiti of a blue background and white wolf looking down dejectedly) "Just a lil' sign for... the White Fang!"

Talutah: (scoffs) "Never heard of it. What, is that some street gang of pickpockets you came from?"

Nuada: "It's a movement pushin' for the equal rights of Faunus. Not surprised a prissy 'uman like you wouldn't know anythin' outside of takin' vanity pics with her Tome."

Talutah: (holding her foldable device defensively) "That's not... That's not the point! If you were really so keen on 'equality', you wouldn't be playing up stereotypes by breaking rules the second you step foot in this school!"

Nuada: (shrugs nonchalantly) "What can I say? Sometimes you gotta break some rules to change some rules, be it art crossin' boundaries or even all o' society."

Talutah: (looking her in the eye sharply, hand on her hip as some of her words spoken have an unnatural tone) "I see. So why don't you sign your name under your little masterpiece like a true artist?"

Nuada: (laughs as she uncaps the spray paint, leaning down and working on more as she speaks) "You think I'm that daft? If your reaction is anythin' t'go by, I don't reckon the teachers would quite appreciate this either, so I'm fine with keepin' m'self anonymous. However..."

As Nuada looks up from her unseen addition, she tosses the can at Talutah, who instinctively fumbles to grab it with both hands as her Tome drops right into Nuada's palm. The Faunus stands and snaps a quick photo of the wall, looking pleased with herself while Talutah is irate.

Nuada: "I think a little keepsake wouldn't 'urt none." (she hands back the Tome to Talutah, who swipes it back with an indignant speed, before the graffiti artist steps back) "So I'll see you 'round, Miss Prissypants."

Talutah: (stomps a foot down) "My name is Talutah Tepes, thank you! And where do you think you're going?!"

Nuada: (looks innocently confused) "Me? Why, I'm gunna report this act of vandalizin' t' the teachers!" (peers past Talutah) "Oh, but looks like I don't have to!"

Talutah turns around, and behind her is a muscular woman in an indigo and light-red tracksuit with a violet ponytail and a scowl on her face as she looks at the graffiti on the wall and the spray can in Talutah's hand.

Nuada: (smiling widely, stepping back even further) "Thanks a bunch for comin', Teach, 'cause I gotta get to that assembly! Best of luck dealin' with this troublemaker 'ere!"

Talutah: (at first surprised, she turns back around and addresses the retreating culprit in a calm tone) "So what might your name be, then?"

Nuada: (stops walking and addresses her cheerily) "I don't really want t' associate with rulebreakers, but if y'must know, I'm Nuada Glenn, local do-gooder and scourge o' deviants who'd ruin our… belov'd..."

At the sight of Talutah's grin and the teacher's glower now directed at Nuada, the Faunus stops talking. Talutah glances towards the graffiti, and Nuada sees something written under the saddened wolf that she didn't notice before: The words "NUADA GLENN", fresh paint still dripping down the bricks.

Nuada: (looking at Talutah's victorious smirk) "Oh, you right little tricky bi- WHOA!" (she gets pulled by the collar of her leather jacket, dragged along backwards by the angry teacher) "Hang on, this here's a misunderstandin'! I'm bein' framed, can't you see that? C'mon, at least let me go, I can walk!"

At the scene of the crime, Talutah simply smiles and waves her fingers to the fading voice of Nuada's protests before tossing the spray paint can at the foot of the wall and briskly walking away.

Somewhere else on campus around the amphitheater's sides, a small golden goose symbol is swinging from a string of beads, clasped in the delicate hand of a girl in black and white robes with dark hair past her shoulders. She whispers to herself while walking, head bowed and carrying a small thick orange book with a sketchbook underneath her other arm.

Noire: "O holy Mother, thank you for granting me the chance to be here today. I ask for your blessings in the trials ahead, and your guidance in finding those who will stand by my side in our eternal fight against the-"

Suddenly, she accidentally runs into someone, and with a cry of surprise, the girl falls to the ground, her books cluttering to the brick underneath. Panning up, it's revealed to be Franklin, rolling his eyes and breathing out his nose in annoyance as he turns around... and his face goes slack at the sight of the young woman, patting at her back where she collided with the ground and looking up at him with apologetic magenta eyes.

Noire: "Oh! I'm so sorry! I thought I was watching where I was going, but... apparently not."

Franklin: (flabbergasted) "It's... It's fine." (as the girl gets herself back up, he bends down to pick up her books) "Here."

Noire: (taking them back with a smile) "Thank you."

Franklin: "It's no trouble." (he hesitates before asking) "Um, is... Is that your natural hair color?"

Noire: "Hmm? Oh, this?" (she gestures to the white streak like a band across her bangs to offset the dark) "Yeah, I'm not sure why, but I've had this since I was born thanks to my mom. Some kids get the weirdest hair thanks to their Aura."

Franklin: "I see. And what were you doing?"

Noire: "You know, just saying a quick prayer."

Franklin: (tilting his head) "Prayer?"

Noire: (nodding, not noticing Franklin's confusion as she grabs her necklace) "That's right. I'm grateful to be standing here right now against all odds, so I just wanted to show my thanks and find comfort in knowing that my journey has been watched over, even if I know it's not exactly a common practice these days." (shrugs)

Franklin: "Yes. Err... But what IS a prayer?"

Noire: (confused) "What? I... Oh!" (as she seems to realize something, she giggles) "Hahaha, that's actually a good joke! It's not THAT uncommon, you dork!"

Franklin: (giving a very obviously fake laugh) "Ahaha, yes! I was... just joking. Of course."

Noire: (when she stops giggling, she smiles and looks around at her surroundings) "Honestly, I needed a good laugh before going in. I didn't think this place would be so big and grand. Thanks for helping me forget my nerves for a moment."

Franklin: (nodding along cluelessly) "You're... welcome?"

Noire: (hefting her books) "I guess we better head in soon, huh? It was nice meeting you...?"

Franklin: (stumbling over his words) "Fi- Uh, Franklin. My name is Franklin."

Noire: (bowing her head in thanks) "It was nice meeting you, Franklin. I'm Noire. Good luck with your initiation! I'll even add you to my prayer when I'm NOT walking!" (she laughs again as she steps around the corner to the front door near the Huntsmen statue in the main plaza where other students are slowly going in)

Franklin: "You as well!" (he says this too loudly, raising his hand in farewell, but when she's out of sight, he lowers it, looking around and muttering to himself) "Prayer... Right."

Unseen by Franklin, Moswen is watching at the corner of another building as the young man in the green coat resumes his stoic attitude and marches off where everyone else is walking.

Cobalt: (suddenly next to Moswen) "Well, he's got a good eye at least."

Moswen: "GAH!" (he freaks out and flails around until landing on his back)

Cobalt: "Hahahaha!" (he laughs hysterically while literally slapping his knee) "Ah, man, I'm sorry, but that face was PRICELESS!" (he wipes a tear from his eye as his laughs taper off and extends a hand to Moswen) "Here, let's get you back on your feet."

Moswen is helped up by a young man with friendly brown eyes and spiky red-orange hair, dressed in a baseball uniform themed bright yellow, deep blue, and faded white, with armored shoulder pads, a belt, and a long scarf around his neck.

Moswen: "Uh, thanks. Do we know each other?"

Cobalt: (shrugging) "No, but you might've met my identical twin brother. I'm kidding!" (he laughs again, slapping Moswen lightly on the shoulder) "Nah, I just like treating everyone as if they were my best friend. Cobalt Chukyll, at your service." (extends a hand with brown leather gloves)

Moswen: "I'm Moswen." (goes in for the stronger-than-expected handshake)

Cobalt: "Great name for a great guy! Nice to make your acquaintance, Moswen." (pats Moswen on the back)

Moswen: "You, too." (they both start walking to the amphitheater's grand entrance) "So... what did you mean when you said 'good eye'?"

Cobalt: "Well, obviously, I briefly turned into a Menagerie native. Good'ay, mate! Haha!" (laughs at his own bad impression yet again before he jerks a thumb over in Franklin's direction) "No, but seriously, your buddy over there really lucked out, getting bumped into by a cutie like that. It's no wonder he's tongue-tied."

Moswen: (shakes his head) "I don't think he's my buddy. He said more words to her in a minute than I did on the entire boat ride here."

Cobalt: "Yup, that's the power of a woman's charm, making even the strongest of wills crumble away. Still, if you want a pal, I'll help fill that role!" (puts an arm around Moswen's shoulder despite the noticeable height difference)

Moswen: "You will?"

Cobalt: "Sure thing! I think everyone needs someone by their side, to watch each other's backs and hear out what they're going through. Life lived alone is no life at all! I mean, look at those two over there."

They stop for a moment as Cobalt gestures to a pair of teens up on a nearby hill that manages to get a glimpse of the Emerald Forest over the cliffs through Beacon's buildings. One is a dark-skinned girl with braided dreadlocks, some dyed a deep mossy green to match her wetsuit lined with black and light purple, while her companion is paler than most, with platinum blonde hair arranged in a fringe over his square glasses and dressed in a stark white overcoat and outfit barely colored a light blue, bandages wrapped around both forearms.

Rita: (sitting cross-legged, speaking slowly as if in a trance) "Whoa, Ink... Check out this forest, man. I can, like, feel all the life energy of nature's bounty coursing through those trees. It's radical."

Ink: (gives the forest a glance as he glumly states) "You may see the brilliant light, Rita, but I only feel the darkness in those shadows, the hungering terrors ready to gnaw at our flesh the instant we step into their realm of pain and suffering."

Rita: "Hehe... Right on, man."

Moswen: (blinking) "Are you... sure they're friends?"

Cobalt: (waves the question off as they continue walking) "Eh, they're an odd couple, but I'm sure there's even stranger out there!"

Moswen: "Is that a good thing?"

Cobalt: "Of course! Means that no matter how weird you act, you'll never be the weirdest person in the world! Unless you actually are, hahaha!" (at this, Moswen earnestly smiles, getting used to his new friend's strange quirks while they walk towards the large doors) "Now come on, let's get into that theater! I'll buy the popcorn! Haha, man, I'm on FIRE today!"

Up above the circular amphitheater's ground floor where the two students walk in and join the freshmen gathered before the raised stage, Shirley stands watching as the crowd slowly trickles inside from her place in the bleachers. She turns and walks over a few seats to Wunderbar, cane in his hands and hat dipped low to create a shadow over his eyes, as if deep in thought.

Shirley: "Sir, it looks like almost everyone's here. Are you ready?" (when no response comes, she leans down to his eye level) "Sir?"

Wunderbar: (sleepily mumbling) "Yus, th' r'lrods shud do f'r th' f'rst..."

Shirley: "Professor!"

Wunderbar: "Ah! Yes, yes, I'm up!" (blinks rapidly and rubs his eyes, a golden glow in his irises fading away as he turns to his assistant) "Sorry about that, Miss Locket! I suppose I had too big a brunch!"

Shirley: "You mean the three bowls of Pumpkin Pete's in your office?"

Wunderbar: "There isn't a cereal that's sweeter! Or as high in sugar density." (he stands and begins walking around the edge of the bleachers with Shirley following) "Is everything good to go?"

Shirley: "Yes, sir, though I will again ask if you don't think a simple speech would do."

Wunderbar: (wagging his finger) "Shirley, these are our new recruits for the most dangerous job on the planet! They deserve some special treatment!"

Shirley: (stopping briefly as she sees Franklin in the crowd, alone with arms crossed) "I'm still not sure about that…" (catching up to Wunderbar) "Professor, when we interrogated Franklin Stein, what did he say to get you to let him in? What even is Nigh-"

Wunderbar: "Nothing." (he cuts her off sternly, but as a shocked Shirley reels back, he adopts a gentler tone) "Or at least, nothing important you need to worry yourself over." (he sighs and looks in Franklin's direction) "The simple fact of the matter is, he was right: We're dedicated to training the best, and if we can do that, as well as get him on a more honorable path in life, then we'll be able to proudly call ourselves teachers." (he walks up to the exit as Shirley stays in place, clearly not convinced) "Now, could you kindly do me a favor?"

Shirley: "What's that, sir?"

Wunderbar: (not meeting her eye) "Please... don't bring the topic of Franklin Stein's past up again, with me or anyone else." (without waiting for a response, he heads through the doorway, leaving Shirley on her own to look upset and unsatisfied)

Cutting away from the scene, Talutah is in the midst of the crowd, swiping through her Tome's photos of herself at Beacon until she gets to the White Fang graffiti. Her thumb hovers over the button for the trash icon, but upon consideration, she backs out of the program entirely and closes the device, stuffing it into her skirt pocket.

Nuada (offscreen): "Didn't miss anythin', I hope?"

Talutah: (looking behind herself and smirking at what she sees) "Well, you certainly didn't miss bathtime, did you?"

Nuada: "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up." (she says this irately as she brushes the soap bubbles off her hair, the rest of her clothes and tail wet with water) "I had to 'ose and scrub that entire wall twice over b'fore I was free to go, thanks to you."

Talutah: "I think you mean thanks to YOUR own actions, darling. At least the smell of lavender can overpower even wet dog."

Nuada: "It's WOLF, I'll 'ave you know." (while wringing out her tail like a towel and shaking it) "How'd you do that with my name, any'ow? You didn't ev'n take the cap off the can."

Talutah: (winking and holding a finger to her lips) "A lady has to keep some secrets to herself... especially if she needs to be wary of any inane revenge plots on a particular someone's mind."

Nuada: (shrugs) "I was thinkin' about it, but the way I see it, if somebody's got the wits to pull one over on me, I think I'd rather want them on my side, stuck-up as they might be."

Talutah: "Really?" (raises an eyebrow in surprise)

Nuada: "Cross my 'eart." (demonstrates the phrase with her right hand while the left is tucked behind her back, then reaches the visible hand out) "What do you say? I'm sorry I almost got you in trouble."

Talutah: (hesitates until accepting the truce) "Then I suppose I'm sorry I LANDED you in trouble."

As she takes the handshake, Nuada unexpectedly yanks her down, causing Talutah to let out a small yelp before Nuada's arm wraps around the taller girl, patting her back affectionately. When Talutah starts looking flustered, Nuada lets her go, grinning widely, while the other girl recovers.

Nuada: "See? It's nice when we can all get along."

Up on stage, Wunderbar's hand quickly grabs the microphone stand and brings it to his face.

Wunderbar: "Hello, new students!" (a screeching feedback rings through the amphitheater, causing everyone to groan and clutch their ears) "Sorry, sorry! Let me just... There we are, that's better." (as he adjusts a dial, the screeching stops, and he clears his throat) "Hello, everyone. Welcome to Beacon Academy! My name is Professor Wunderbar, and I will be your Headmaster for the next four years."

Moswen: (from his and Cobalt's spot to the stage's right, he leans down to excitedly whisper into Cobalt's ear) "This guy's a legend! He's the last original Headmaster still running his school!"

Cobalt: (whistles) "He must carry a lot of respect."

Talutah: (cutting to her and Nuada on the other side of the crowd, her face has gone slack, staring in horror at Wunderbar) "Oh, my word..."

Nuada: "What's got you so spooked?"

Talutah: "His color coordination... It's GARISH." (she gulps as if to throw up while Nuada rolls her eyes)

Franklin, for his part, continues to stand at attention on his own, studying Wunderbar carefully from the middle of the room.

Wunderbar: "Now, we could go over boring old school regulations and class schedules while I'm up here, but just for all of you, I'd like to make things a bit more fun..."

The Huntsman snaps his fingers, and the lights dim over the stage except for a lone spotlight over him. Everyone is watching as projected lights appear behind Wunderbar, coloring the architecture in green and gold hues.

Wunderbar: (speaking seriously) "This place was first founded over thirty years ago... after endless war and strife had kept our homelands trading blows."

Cobalt: (whispering to Moswen) "Does he realize he just rhymed there, or-"

Wunderbar: (raising his voice as music starts to swell from somewhere unseen) "So when our world was broken, we needed new herooooes… And that's where you all come in, so... welcoooome to the SHOW!"

With this, he dramatically raises his cane, and the stage erupts in a wave of colored lights waving around in time with the recorded orchestra. Wunderbar spins in place, twirling the cane while ignoring the shocked look on everyone's faces, and the projections behind him reflecting what he sings.

Wunderbar: "I was the very sample of a secret spy and sentinel,/Working for the Warrior King of Vale, now what a spectacle!/We fought for rights of freedom everyone deserves,/From fields of battle to naming newborns after colors!"

As he prances about the stage with grand sweeping gestures, the images grow darker as black fur, white masks, and red eyes begin to emerge, causing stains to appear.

Wunderbar: "But in our rush to conquer, monsters never held back!/They killed with tooth and claw, always on the attack!/In the desert's final fight, when our victory had been won,/The Grimm tried to end us, so we united as one!"

The Grimm vanish as green lightning flashes through them, only their ashes remaining as a golden crown with jewels takes up the space.

Wunderbar: "That's when the idea formed in that old royal head,/'We need the very best who are willing to defend.'/He gave us one last order as peace swept throughout the nations:/'My friends, build four schools to train the next generations!'"

The image changes again into a map of Remnant, each kingdom glowing and weather effects appearing as Wunderbar points at each spot.

Wunderbar: "So from ice cold Atlas to Mistral's mountain gale,/Vacuo's sand tribes and the forest hills of Vale,/We gathered those with promise into our hallowed halls,/The bravest and the brightest, they had all heard our call!"

As the background shifts again to show silhouetted warriors with generic gunblade weapons and multicolored Auras banding together, Wunderbar flourishes his cane at the assembled students before him.

Wunderbar: "Now we let you build your weapons, blades and bullets, take your shot!/And we'll train your Semblances to get you out in a rough spot./You'll keep moving forward, don't hold back or ever slow!"

Wunderbar hops from the stage to speak with the masses, talking quickly into the microphone, while the lights behind him dim and build up to something big.

Wunderbar: "Onward will you go,/'Cause it's in your hands, you know,/Great and mighty will you grow,/And your light shall surely glow!"

Using his cane, Wunderbar leaps back up onto stage, still belting his lines out.

Wunderbar: "Here is where mere mortals become beacons of hope,/So to all of you now with us, weeeelcome... tooooo the... shooooooooooooooooow!"

For the grand finale, Wunderbar twirls his cane again, mimicking the rotating sparklers that now light up from around the stage, and with the last note, he slides forward on his knees, stopping in a crouch with arms outspread and the green wreath-and-axes symbol of Vale behind him.

Wunderbar: (getting back up, bowing deeply as the sparklers continue behind him) "Thank you, thank you! No need for applause!" (as the sparklers finally begin to die down, he notices that nobody is reacting, Franklin looking befuddled while Moswen and Cobalt wear matching grimaces) "Well, maybe a little? No?" (only met with silence, he sighs, saying to himself) "Everyone's a critic, I suppose…" (he stands straight and puts on a smile) "Very well. Please store your weapons in your assigned lockers, then gather in the ballroom tonight, and we'll send for you in the morning when it's time for your first test. Enjoy yourselves until then! While I drown my sorrows in some hot chocolate..."

His cheery disposition disappears as he grumbles his last few words and walks away, and the students chatter among themselves.

Moswen: (blowing air awkwardly) "Well, that was... something."

Cobalt: (nodding slowly, eyes still wide) "It... certainly was."

Meanwhile, a sympathetic Nuada pats Talutah on the back as the taller girl cries into her hands from what she just watched. The Faunus leans back to look at the sign hastily taped to Talutah's cape - "SINGLE AND READY TO MINGLE! (warning: drama queen)" - and looking back at her tears, Nuada subtly rips the note off and crumples it into a ball, letting it drop to the floor.

The balled-up note transitions to a shot of the broken moon in the night sky over Beacon, then changing to the interior of the fancy ballroom, converted into a sleeping hall for new students before their assigned rooms. Freshmen are in pajamas and placing their bedrolls on the floor, including Franklin, still dressed in his stitched-up coat and jeans.

He looks around the room with a critical eye, but softens his gaze when his view lands on Noire near one of the windows, dressed in a frilly dark nightgown with an open sketchbook in her lap that she pencils into. Franklin stands up and moves forward to go over to her, but he stops when someone trips in front of her with a loud "WHO-O-OA!".

Noire: (looking over her knees, concerned) "Are you okay?"

Cobalt: "Yeah, I'm fine!" (rolling himself over on his back, revealing his yellow plaid shirt and baggy blue pants, still cheery as he raps his own head) "Not my first blow to the noggin! Ae-OOP!" (lifts himself a handstand, then launches forward onto his feet, waving his hands stylishly as he stands straight) "Ta-da!"

Noire: (smiling, lightly clapping) "Very impressive."

Cobalt: "Thanks. What'cha drawing there, by the by?"

Noire: "Oh, it's nothing special..." (shyly holding her sketchbook to her chest)

Cobalt: "That I don't believe. Come on, pretty please? I promise I won't judge!" (clasps his hands together)

Noire: (reluctantly, she extends it out to him) "Fine, here..."

Cobalt: (he gently takes it in his still-gloved hands, then his eyes grow wide in amazement at the shaded pencil drawings of Beacon's towers and buildings) "Wow... You really made this? It's incredible!"

Noire: (playing with her hair, not meeting his eyes) "It's not that big a deal. I just sketched out what I could remember from outside."

Cobalt: "Get out of here! You're not drawing from a camera or anything?"

Noire: (shaking her head, a smile slowly coming back as Cobalt flips through other pictures of Vale's stores and Atlas Tower) "No, I just... really like architecture. Before I could be a Huntress, I wanted to design backgrounds for cartoons."

Cobalt: "Well, if the Grimm killing business ever goes bust, I think you can definitely make a name for yourself with this."

He closes the sketchbook, handing it over, and as she takes it, their fingers briefly touch, causing Noire to quickly pull it back, a slight blush on her cheeks. Cobalt doesn't seem to notice as he jerks a thumb at himself.

Cobalt: "Speaking of names, I'm Cobalt."

Noire: "Noire."

Cobalt: "Say, if you don't mind me sleeping here, I'd love to hear about any favorite toons that got you inspired!"

Noire: "Well, there is this one about four kids who go to another world, and they meet these twelve Zodiac creatures..."

As Noire's voice fades in the quiet din of other conversations of the room, with Franklin still watching from his spot as Cobalt sets his bedroll down and sits casually, listening and laughing at Noire's conversation. His face set in a deep scowl, he returns back to his spot and begins flattening it roughly, not realizing he himself is seen by Moswen nearby, now dressed in button-up flax yellow pajamas with a nightcap on (still covering all his hair) and a grey book in his hand titled "The Secrets of La Platina".

Moswen: (looking down at himself, muttering) "Everyone needs someone by their side..." (nodding to himself, he sets the book down, gets out of his bedroll, and approaches Franklin with some caution) "Hi again. Franklin, right? We met on the ferry over-"

Franklin: (without looking up) "I remember. Moswen, the almost-seasick Huntsman."

Moswen: "Uh... Glad to have made an impression?"

Franklin: (he stops fixing his bedroll and fixes Moswen with a critical stare) "Can I help you?"

Moswen: "Well, I noticed you were here by yourself, so I thought..."

Franklin: "I'm fine on my own. I don't need your pity." (turns his attention back to aggressively fluffing a pillow)

Moswen: "I-It's not pity! Just trying to reach out and make friends."

Franklin: (with this, he looks at Moswen curiously) "Why would you want to be friends with me?"

Moswen: (shrugs, laughing awkwardly) "Does it really need an explanation? I mean, I know you probably won't crush on me like her over there, but-"

Franklin: (sternly) "It's not like that."

Moswen: "Oh, okay. Um, still, I guess... I don't know, Huntsmen are supposed to help however they can, right? I'm just doing this to support my family, but it doesn't have to be all about battling monsters. I like to think that sometimes just helping one person can have the ability to change the world."

Franklin: (silent for a moment, no longer scowling at Moswen) "Very grand ideals, wouldn't you say?"

Moswen: (laughs again, scratching his neck) "Yeah, it's kind of silly."

Franklin: "Probably." (when seeing Moswen's face fall, he continues) "But your sense of optimism is... admirable."

Moswen: "Thank you." (smiles, then plays with his hands as he thinks what to do next) "Soooo, do you want to talk about anything, or..."

Franklin: "Unfortunately, we still have to sleep before tomorrow." (starts getting into his bedroll) "If we want to get the best teammates, we need to be as rested as possible."

Moswen: "Oh, right. Well, glad we were able to talk." (raises a hand in farewell as he turns)

Franklin: "Moswen?"

Moswen: (turning back) "Huh?"

Franklin: (quiet as he contemplates something, then says assuredly) "I'm sure you'll make a fine Huntsman one day."

Moswen: "Wow. I... really appreciate that." (his stunned state turns into embarrassment) "I mean, uh, same to you, for the record! Like, you know, being a good Huntsman and everything."

Franklin: (the ghost of a smile leaves his lips, and he nods, businesslike again) "Good night."

With that, Franklin rolls over and covers his body with the rest of the fabric, while Moswen turns and walks away, still smiling as goes over to his own bedroll with the other students heading to their resting places. The camera pans down to Franklin laying on his side, looking troubled until he breathes deeply and closes his eyes.

The screen fades to black, and the credits roll.

AFTERWORD

Hey, guys. Been a while, huh?

As mentioned in the last Chapter, I had to deal with the passing and funeral of my grandma. She was an extraordinarily kind and hard-working woman, and I'm glad I was able to show her how this story began the last few times I was able to see her. Therefore, this series is now in memory of my grandmother, one of my first fans who I'm hoping can still read this wherever she is.

The service itself was a few months ago, but I decided while I was already paused for a hiatus, I would work on planning out the plot and characters as much as I could alongside the team of writing advisors that I'm lucky enough to be working with. We're still getting through the details, but I wanted to release a new chapter by this date, between the spooky time of Halloween and the release date of the "Red" Trailer back in 2012.

So special thanks to my grandma and my team: Alcatraz, Ceo, Maximus Rose, & pbutler400. You can talk with all of us on the FM3 Discord server at /ffEm2cP9VJ , and read more details with the official pages over on the RWBY Fanon Wiki.

Once more, we'll be releasing the next chapter in 2 weeks on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. Again, best of luck figuring out classic allusions, but if it's a little obvious how teams are going to be organized, can you guess what their combined acronyms will be? Looking forward to hearing answers!

See you in the next chapter!

- Carus E. Lumen