Chapter 3: The Odd Squad

Carmine opened his eyes from his deep sleep, the sun barely coming over the horizon. He climbed out of bed and stretched, his shoulder joints popping, the sound somewhat audible. He went into the bathroom and took his shirt off, revealing a series of scars across his back and side. He lightly touched his side, tracing the scars; remembering how he got them. Carmine turned on the water, feeling it heat up with his hand, stepping into the shower and letting it flow over his toned body and scars.

Carmine stepped out of the shower after cleaning himself up, he left the bathroom in a pair of gym shorts and a black T-Shirt walking back into the room with the rest of his team, they were still asleep so he got back into bed and pulled out his scroll, looking at his class schedule and memorizing it. Having time to spare and nothing to do, Carmine decided to go train in the courtyard. He changed his attire, donning a pair of long black gym shorts, long sleeve black shirt, and a pair of black high top sneakers, they had red and white strips going across the sides and connecting on the back. Now fully dressed, he took his scroll and a pair of wireless headphones, leaving the dorm quietly.

Carmine entered the courtyard, finding a secluded spot to train. He connected his scroll to the headphones, putting them into his ears and pressing shuffle. Carmine stretched his legs, lunging forward and stretching the muscles in his legs while also loosening up the muscles in his back and shoulders. The rifleman started jog in place, bringing his knees up into his chest at a fast pace before he slid his right leg outward and lowered his body to the ground. Carmine shot up and delivered an uppercut to an invisible target before he spun around and threw a right roundhouse at about head height before he followed it up with an inside crescent kick with the same leg. Carmine recovered quickly and raised his fists before he started to jab at the same invisible target, bobbing and weaving at the same time; the rifleman jabbed with his left hand a few times before he drove a nasty palm strike with his right hand and followed it with a knee to the invisible enemy's gut. As Carmine continued to shadow box, his vision focused on a ceramic statue that was near some shrubs. Carmine took off in a full sprint as he charged a Supernova in his right fist, the rifleman leapt into the air before he drove his right fist down into the statue; the Supernova exploded and reduced the statue to rubble as the explosion echoed throughout the campus.

"Welp, that's bad." Carmine said before he took off into the night, leaving the statue in a pile of ceramic rubble as lights in dorm rooms flickered on; Carmine sprinted across the courtyard and slipped into the cover of darkness. Carmine slowed his run to a slow walk as he relaxed and slowed his breathing "Early riser, Mr. Sable?" A calm voice asked from behind the rifleman, Carmine nearly jumped out of his skin as he turned around swiftly "Holy fuck! I'm serious about that fucking bell." Carmine said as he faced Ozpin who stood there and sipped from his mug. "Mr. Sable, let me ask you something. Do you regret your time as a mercenary?" Ozpin asked, Carmine stared at the headmaster as he clenched his fists and took a deep breath in before he exhaled a cloud of hot steam. "You ask me if I regret it, but regret what? Killing so many people, so many terrorists and bad guys with guns? Regret not being able to save more people? Regret that my choices got the love of my life killed? Cause if that's what your asking, then no, I don't regret it. I regret not having her here but I know for a fact, without a doubt in my mind, that she would have sacrificed herself if it meant that those bastards died and no more innocent people got killed. Is that what you wanted to FUCKING HEAR?!" Carmine asked as he raised his voice in a hushed yell.

"I'm sorry Mr. Sable, I didn't mean to upset you. Have a good day." Ozpin said in a solemn tone as he turned to walk away. Carmine took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly before he made his way back to his dorm room, Carmine grumbled in anger as he approached his new dorm room. He exhaled slowly as he unlocked the door with his scroll and entered the dorm, as he turned around after closing the door he came face to face with his new team "So... you had quite a morning?" Regalia asked as she brushed her purple hair and tied the ribbon in her hair. Laurel dragged himself out of the bed while Celadon pushed himself off of the floor and wiped some sweat from his forehead "So, what happened out there? We heard an explosion and then yelling, next thing we know is you're walking in as we're waking up." Regalia said in a suspicious tone. Carmine shrugged "I got caught up in the moment and obliterated a statue, then as I was making my daring escape; I was confronted by Ozpin who asked me some questions that frankly pissed me off and I'll leave it at that. I'll explain it to you another day, but for now, let's get ready for class." Carmine said as he grabbed his clothes and walked into the bathroom to shower.

Carmine stepped under the hot water and felt the heat bombard his scarred body, he looked down at his body and traced the scars, recounting what they were. Lacerations, gunshot wounds, burns, Grimm teeth marks, and a few others he had forgot he had. Carmine finished up his shower before he stepped out and pulled on a pair boxers followed by some black gym shorts. Carmine walked out into the dorm room shirtless with his dog tags around his neck, the scars open for the world to see "Holy shit, dude! Are you okay?" Celadon asked as he buttoned his blazer, Carmine sighed and chuckled "Just reminders of my past, that I'll never get rid of." Carmine said as he buttoned up the standard issued uniform dress shirt. "What were you before this?" Laurel asked confused, Carmine pulled on his blazer as he faced his team "I was a mercenary or I should say, still am." Carmine said as he buttoned up the front of the black blazer. Celadon, Laurel, and Regalia got dressed in their uniforms as Carmine typed on his scroll.


Their first class was Professor Port at 9 am, it was 8:30 so Carmine and the rest of Team CRCL headed to class, making it there with no problem and finding seats in the top row. Carmine fidgeted in his seat, Celadon spoke up "Hey man, you good?" Carmine answered him "Yea, I'm just not use to wearing a monkey suit like this." Regalia spoke up "I think they gave you a wrong size, it looks tight around the shoulders and sides." Carmine replied "Well good thing I always carry a spare shirt with me." With that, Carmine carefully tore off the blazer and dress shirt, his team noticed the scars on his back but Carmine didn't realize they were looking, he slipped on the black V-Neck and put his dog tags back on. As more students came in, Carmine propped his feet up on the table, leaning back in his chair but was brought back to attention as Teams RWBY and JNPR came bursting through the door in the brink of time as the clock struck 9 am. "Did... did they forget about class?" Celadon asked as he leaned a little closer in his chair.

Professor Port began "Monsters! Deeeemons... Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as prey! Ha-ha!" Carmine couldn't help but groan at the horrible attempt at a joke "Oh this is gonna be a painful hour and a half." Carmine whispered to Celadon who snickered at Carmines remark. Port continued "Uhhhh... And you shall too, upon graduating from this prestigious academy! Now, as I was saying: Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world! Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces! And that's where we come in. Huntsmen! Huntresses..." Port gave Yang a wink, which she groaned uncomfortably at "Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves! From what, you ask? Why, the very world!" Regalia commented quietly on what she just saw "Jeez, what a creep." The others nodded in agreement, just then some student stood up and raised his fist "Ayyyy-yep!" He said but the rest of the class just stared at him, and Carmine was sure a little part of him died inside 'Wow, talk about awkward.' Carmine thought to himself, slamming his head into the desk, making a loud thud sound as he dozed off.

Carmine came to when he heard Port talking about leadership "So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?" Carmine raised his hand at the same time as Weiss "Oh two students! This better than I expected, well Miss Schnee you can go first, you and Mr. Sable go get ready." With that, Carmine took off to get ready, Laurel commented on how quick he was "Man, he must be itching to fight something." He said pointing at the crate in the middle of the room. As quick as he left, he returned outfitted in his gear but he didn't have his weapons, Port noticed this "No weapons ?" Carmine shook his head "No sir!" He said with enthusiasm in his voice, taking his seat with his squad. Weiss returned in her usual attire, rapier in hand.

Weiss was up first, taking her fighting stance, her team cheering behind her "Goooo Weiss!" Yang cheered, Blake waved a small flag that said RWBY on it "Where'd she get that from?" Laurel asked laughing, "Fight Well" Blake said more cheerfully than usual, Ruby cheered really enthusiastically "Yeah, represent teeeeam RWBY!" but lowered her sword and retorted at her "Ruby! I'm trying to focus!" Weiss said annoyed, Regalia noticed this "What the fuck, why does she speak to her with so much venom on her tongue, even though the rest of her team were cheering her on too." She said a little frustrated, Carmine looked at her "And that's why I call her Queen Bitch." He said mono-toned, Regalia replied "She sure has earned that title." Celadon laughed, everyone returned their attention to the fight just as Port spoke "Let the match... begin!" The professor swung his axe down and broke the lock, dropping the cage door and revealing a Boarbatusk inside, which immediately charged at Weiss. She used her sword to deflect its attack and roll to the side, readying herself for its next move. The Grimm stood a distance away from its enemy, studying her. Port laughed "Ha-ha! Wasn't expecting that, were you?" Team CRCL watched as she made her attempt at fighting, Carmine watched as she charged toward the boar Grimm, stabbing at its skull Carmine shouted out "Now you fucked up!" before Weiss could turn to face Carmine, the Boarbatusk ripped the rapier from her hand sending it flying across the room.

"Oh-ho! Now what will you do without your weapon?" Port said laughing, the Boarbatusk charged but Weiss rolled out of the way and grabbed her rapier, readying it. Ruby yelled out "Weiss, go for its belly!" but Weiss yelled back at her "Stop telling me what to do!" Ruby looked hurt by what Weiss said, just then the Boarbatusk leaped into the air and rolled into a ball, spinning rapidly in the air and landing on the ground, consistently gaining speed until it launched itself at Weiss. It came closer and closer, but Weiss activated one of her blue-white circles and blocked the roll, leaping up into the now-black snowflake symbol and turning it blue again so she can drive the blade into the Boarbatusk's stomach. It squealed and fell silent while Weiss gasped in relief.

"Bravo! Bra-vo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training!" as Weiss stood up at attention from her exhausted position, Ruby continued to frown. "Mr. Sable, You're next!" Port shouted to Carmine who was at the top but ran to the bottom via the desks, careful not to step on anyone, as he reached the bottom he front flipped off and landed perfectly. "So teach, what's the biggest Grimm you got?" Carmine asked cracking his knuckles "Hmm, I got a large Beowolf." Carmine looked up at him with a straight face "How many do you have?" Everyone looked at him in disbelief "Titan, are you serious!?" Jaune yelled, Carmine looked at the blonde knight "Deathly." Carmine said mono-toned, Port replied "I have two, do you want both?" Port asked, somewhat bewildered, Carmine looked almost excited "Hell yes!" He said readying himself as two cages came out of the ground, Port cut the lock off the first one, the cage door being blown open by the Beowolf storming out.

The Beowolf charged at Carmine who sprinted forward and drove his right foot up into the Grimm's jaw, the Beowolf flinched slightly before it bared its teeth and snarled viciously; Carmine readied himself as the Beowolf lunged at him and tried to bite him but Carmine suplexed the Grimm down into the ground. The sudden contact stunned the Grimm and caused it to wobble slightly, Carmine placed himself directly over the Grimm as he grabbed the back of its head and the bottom of its jaw; with a flick of his wrists, the audible cracking of bone echoed through the room as the Beowolf dissipated.

The rifleman readied himself again as Port brought the axe down on the second lock, the Grimm wasted no time and went straight for Carmine's throat; Carmine pulled the Ka-Bar from the sheath on his shoulder before he plunged it into the Beowolf's chest. The Grimm once again attempted to bite the rifleman but was unsuccessful, Carmine grabbed the Grimm by the scruff of its neck as he pulled the blade from its chest. He immediately slammed the Grimm down into the ground before he decapitated the Beowolf, it attempted to attack him the entire time until its head was completely separated, Carmine tossed the head to Port as he sheathed the blade again. Port caught the head and held it stunned as the body began to smoke and dissipate "Get back to when you get tougher Grimm." Carmine said again nonchalantly walking back to his Team who were speechless, Celadon's mouth was wide open in disbelief "Close your mouth Celadon, you look silly." Carmine said chuckling, propping his feet up again.

Port stood there wide eyed, still holding the now smoking Beowolf head "Uhhh, that's all the time we have today, uhh. Dismissed." Port said, still taking in what happened Weiss glared at Ruby and turned away, walking hurriedly to the exit past her teammates. "What the fuck is her problem?" Regalia said standing up, Team CRCL ran out of the room following RWBY and JNPR. They got out in time to catch Ruby talking to Weiss "What's wrong with you? Why are you being-?" Ruby was cut off by Weiss "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? You're supposed to be a leader, and all you've been so far is a nuisance!" Weiss said frustrated, but Ruby scoffed at her statement "What did I do" but that seemed to anger her more "That's just it - you've done nothing to earn your position! Back in the forest, you acted like a child, and you've only continued to do so!"

Weiss's statements were starting to piss Regalia off, as she started to walk over to Weiss but was stopped by Carmine who told her to wait. Ruby looked hurt even more "Weiss, where is this coming from? What happened to all the talk about 'working together'? I thought you believed in acting as a team." She said with sadness in her voice but Weiss didn't care "Not a team led by you. I've studied and trained. And quite frankly, I deserve better." She said with venom "Ozpin made a mistake." That was it, Regalia and Carmine walked over to Weiss "Oh, and what do you w-" She was cut off by Regalia who back handed her across the face, Carmine spoke up standing next to Regalia "That was from me, I don't hit girls but I might have made an exception for you. How dare you talk to her that way, she has been nothing but kind to you and yet you still walk over her like she's dirt. You wanna know how we all got here? Our skill, she single handily squared off with Roman Torchwick and his goons. I was a Mercenary and have taken on hordes of Grimm by myself. I don't know about the rest of you but we're here because we possess the skill to fight and to lead. I suggest you take some time to reevaluate where you're standing."

Weiss looked terrified "Right, yea I- I'll do that." She said rubbing her cheek from where Regalia slapped her, as she walked away Carmine turned around to see everyone staring at him, Jaune broke the silence "You were a Mercenary!?" He asked, Carmine nodded which Jaune replied "That explains a lot more, the outfit, the weapons, the brutality that was that fight." Carmine chuckled rubbing the back of his head "Yea, honestly I was just showing off. Is nobody gonna talk about what just happened?" Carmine asked confused but his confusion was answered by Yang "Hey, someone had to put her in line. Regalia, nice job with the back hand." She said, causing Regalia to giggle "He told me to, I was just following orders." Regalia said pointing at Carmine with her thumb. Ozpin coughed to get their attention "Well, that was something. Carmine, good job on handling the situation." Ozpin's praise was interrupted by Ruby "Was she right? Did you make a mistake?" This caused Ozpin to laugh "That has yet to be seen." He said taking a sip from his mug, "Now I think you all should get to class, Carmine don't forget to change back into your uniform and T-Shirt." Before Carmine could say anything, Ozpin was gone "How did he know?" Laurel asked scratching his head.

They all went to class and finished their first day, the next day started out the same, minus Carmine blowing up a statue. Team CRCL sat in the bleachers with Team RWBY and JNPR, Jaune was currently fighting Cardin Winchester, a large man with a mace. "Man, that Cardin guy looks all brawn and no brains. Me tough guy, me get what me want." Carmine said, making fun of Cardin, causing the three teams to laugh, including Weiss. Regalia nudged Carmine "Looks like what you said worked, I think she might see Ruby as a leader now, and all it took was the fear of God and death to drive that point home." She said, causing Carmine to chuckle "I might have gone overboard a little." He said laughing nervously, just then their attention was brought to the fight, more importantly Glynda yelling at Cardin "That's enough, Mr. Winchester. Stand down!" She addressed the crowd "Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc's Aura has now dropped into the red. In a tournament-styled duel, this would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle, and that the official may call the match. Mr. Arc, Please try to refer to your Scroll during combat. Gauging your Aura will help you decide when it's appropriate to attack, or when it is better to move to a more... defensive strategy. We wouldn't want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf, now, would we?" Cardin scoffed at this "Speak for yourself." Cardin remarked as he walked back to his team, but unfortunately for him, Carmine heard him.

"What was that, caveman Cardin?" Carmine stood up staring the man down, he continued "You think you're so badass and tough, then why don't you fight me? I'll take you on with no weapons." Glynda spoke up "Mr. Sable are you challenging Mr. Winchester?" Carmine replied sarcastically "Nah, I'm asking him to Tea. Of course I'm challenging him, anything to wipe that smug grin off his bitch face." Glynda spoke again "Very well, Cardin do accept?" she asked to which Cardin replied "Gladly."


Walking back down to the floor, Cardin took his place on one side, Carmine walked out in his uniform and took his place, raising his fists. The buzzer sounded and Cardin charged at Carmine who side stepped and tripped him, causing the audience to burst out laughing "What's wrong, bitch boy? Can't fight someone who is better than you?" Carmine said, belittling the brute who stood up yelling with anger, he charged Carmine who this time clocked him in the nose, breaking it, the crack echoing throughout the arena, the audience cringed in pain.

Carmine walked around with his arms out "Are you not entertained!?" He yelled out to the audience, which caused them to cheer loudly. Having had his ego thoroughly stroked, he held his thumb sideways, the crowd followed suit "Well, what will it be?" he asked loudly, the crowd turned their thumbs down. "Well, the people have spoken, prepare to have the worst ass kicking of your life unless you want to forfeit now, your choice. You have a minute to decide." Before Carmine could ready himself, Cardin swung his mace hitting Carmine in the back but Carmine didn't flinch much "Well, now this makes it fun." Carmine said, standing up straight.

Carmine spun around and drove his right foot into the side of Cardin's head, the blow knocked the brute to his knees; he attempted to push himself up but Carmine grabbed the sides of his head and drove his knee into Cardin's nose, Carmine drew his fist back and charged a small Supernova before he delivered a devastating uppercut that sent Cardin flying into a wall. Cardin's aura shattered after he hit the wall, the buzzer sounded as Carmine was walking toward the brute. "Aw come on, we were just starting to have some fun." Carmine said sarcastically, walking over to Cardin, he offered him his hand which he begrudgingly accepted. Carmine pulled him up with ease and pulled him close "Don't you ever try and hurt my friends. You think this hurt, I was holding back. You hurt any of my friends and you will face my wrath ten times over." Carmine said, his voice sounding dark as he let go of Cardin's hand and walked back to his squad.

He sat down and was immediately flooded with praise and idolization from the other teams, "Man, you did a real number on him. We all heard it when you broke his nose, that was awesome!" Nora said excitedly, Carmine took off his mask and smiled at Nora "Thanks, Nora. It was nothing, I was actually holding back." This caused the teams to gasp in disbelief, Jaune was gonna say something but was cut off by Miss Goodwitch "Remember, everyone, the Vytal Festival is only a few months away! It won't be long before students from the other kingdoms start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing! Those who choose to compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale! Dismissed."

With that, they all headed to lunch, Carmine now changed back into his uniform pants and t-shirt got in line to get lunch, grabbing a burger with cheese, some fries, an apple, and a bottle of water, he sat with teams CRCL, RWBY, and JNPR, starting to eat and converse "So Weiss, I see that you now see Ruby as your leader?" Carmine asked, taking a bite from his burger "Yes, after much consideration and taking what you said to heart, I have started acting like a better teammate and I just wanted to thank you for making me see this." Weiss said with gratitude.

Carmine finished chewing and replied to her "And I just wanted to apologize for what I said to you on the first day, as you have seen, I tend to go overboard sometimes so I want to apologize and I hope we can be friends." Carmine said with empathy in his voice, Weiss replied "I accept your apology and would like to be your friend as well." Ruby got excited "Yay, we're all friends again!" This caused everyone to laugh until they heard someone cry out in pain "Ow, that hurts! Please stop!" A girl with bunny ears said grimacing in pain as Cardin was pulling on them "See guys, I told you they were real" Cardin said laughing, his goons laughing along with him "Man, what a freak" one of them spoke, this made Carmine's blood boil, he spoke up "Celadon, Regalia, and Laurel. Subdue his friends, I'll take care of him." With a nod, they all took off before anyone could say anything, Carmine walked over and pegged Cardin in the head with his apple, this caused him to let go of the bunny girl's ears and she walked shyly away, looking at Carmine with defeated eyes but before she could walk away, Carmine placed a hand on her shoulder "Are you ok?" He spoke to her softly, she nodded her head Carmine continued "Go to them, they'll take care of you." He said pointing to teams RWBY and JNPR, she hurriedly walked over to them as they accepted her with open arms.

Carmine returned his focus to Cardin and spoke up "Well well well, it looks like you didn't learn your lesson the first time. Man, I can't wait to whoop your ass again." Cardin scoffed "You don't scare me, get him guys!... Guys?" Cardin turned around to find the rest of his team tied up, one unconscious; Regalia spoke up "Sorry Carmine, he wouldn't go down without a fight." This made Carmine laugh "Looks like it's just you and me, and I take it nobody's told you about me, have they? You see, I used to be a Mercenary, I fought people and Grimm way tougher than you. I've also taken so many lives, I've lost count, and I'm not afraid to take another if it means protecting my friends." This shocked everyone but Carmine continued "So lets dance, abercrombie and bitch!" He shouted raising his fists, Cardin charged at him cocking back his right arm and throwing a punch, Carmine dodged it and delivered five jabs to his side, adding a knee to the gut which caused Cardin to lean over in pain. Carmine clapped his hands together, Cardin swung again connecting a jab to the shoulder but Carmine shook it off like it was nothing.

Carmine connected his combo that he had been working on, Right jab, left jab, uppercut, haymaker to the side and finish it off with a roundhouse to the face. Cardin went down like a sack of bricks, Carmine got down close to him "Don't ever try and pull this shit again. And yes, I was holding back again." He patted him on the head and left, collecting his team and returning to the table. Yang was the first to speak up "Well, I think we know who our resident badass is, and I think everyone will agree." The three teams nodded in unison, filling Carmine with a form of pride. He turned his attention to the bunny girl "I never got your name, I'm Carmine." He said extending his hand to her, she shook his hand "I'm Velvet. Velvet Scarlatina." She said softly "Thank you for saving me, it means a lot." She said to Carmine.

"It was nothing, I just can't stand to see someone get bullied like that and nobody do anything. It makes me sick, so consider yourself under my protection and this goes for all of you." Carmine said raising his arm, everyone cheered but were interrupted by Ozpin and Miss Goodwitch, she spoke first "Does anyone wanna tell me what the hell happened here?" She asked angrily "Oh, well you see Cardin was picking on Velvet, assaulting her so I proceeded to kick his ass into next week." Carmine said chuckling but Glynda didn't laugh and was about to yell at him but she was stopped by Ozpin "That was a very noble thing you did, Mr. Sable. I commend you and your team for it. I mention your team because the rest of team CRDL seems to be tied up. So I know you didn't act alone, so Good Job, Team CRCL. Expect compensation for your good deed." Ozpin said, turning and walking off with Glynda, who used her semblance to take Team CRDL with them as they left.

'Man, this year is starting out awesome. I wish you could see it, Onyx' Carmine thought to himself, eating the rest of his lunch.

(A/N: Thank you for reading, I know I skipped a lot, but I didn't feel like typing it all out. Anyway, what do you think about me adding a bit of Romance into it, Yes or No. Let me know what y'all think and as always remember to Favorite, Follow, and Review. [Edit: 2020: Came back and edited it the best I could, but I'm also running on fumes so I might have missed something.]