Chapter 2

Present day

"We have arrived at Vale. All passengers that wish to get off, should do so now. This ship will leave once the ship has refueled." Said the boat captain over the ship's speakers. Among those that are getting off is a single huntsman-in-training that is eager to do well in his new school. He had brown eyes and black hair with a brownish tint to them. He was around the average height for a human. In fact, he was an average person all around. Nothing that made him unique from any other person. His combat garb consisted of sleek and thing chest armor that covered a short-sleeved gray shirt. He had pants that were also gray and he had knee and elbow guards for protection. He grabbed a duffel bag and walked out of his room and the ship. Once he was away from the ship, he looked around and was amazed with what he saw. The people and scenery was much better than what he was told about it by his teachers and friends. He smiled as he saw a human and Faunas couple pass him with their hands held together. It always made him happy that Faunas and humans were getting along despite the discrimination still going on. With that, he walked around to find the area where he can take an airship to Beacon academy, the huntsman academy where he will be staying for his time here at Beacon. Along the way, he spotted a monkey Faunas talking with a blue-haired guy. The two seemed to be getting along. After some time of searching, the boy found the airstrip where airships were taking people to Beacon academy. He then purchased a ticket and walked to the airship that will take him to Beacon. As the airship was taking off, he couldn't help but wonder if he will make some friends along the way.

"Well, here's hoping that I'll find some friends here." Said the boy as he brought out a bottle of water and began to drink it. Soon, the airship landed and the passengers got out. Once he set his eyes on Beacon tower, he instantly got mesmerized by it. It was grander than he had initially thought. Beacon was huge to say the least. The walkway to the campus was beautifully decorated with flowers and lamp posts. As for the architecture, Beacon looked more like a castle with giant green lights in the tallest spire for which it was named for. "Man, the place is more awesome up close and personal!" Exclaimed the boy as the made his way to the dormitories. Unfortunately, because he was so fascinated by the tower, he accidentally bumped into a girl, causing them to fall to the ground in a thud. Upon recovering and seeing what he done, the boy instantly panicked.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do that!" Yelled the boy as he held out his hand to the girl. The girl looked at him with an impassive face before taking his hand and getting up. She then began to brush off any dirt that got on her clothing. As she was doing this, the boy couldn't help but observe the girl. The girl had fair skin, short dark-brown hair, and dark-brown eyes. She had wavy locks on one side of her face, dyed starts in dark brown and transitions to caramel. Her clothes consist of a long, cocoa-colored shirt with a dark brown waist cincher. She wore long, dark brown trousers with ribbons on the left side and a brown belt with bullets. Above that, she wore another cocoa-colored belt of bullets with a gold crosshairs buckle. She also had what appeared to be a drape of a black skirt hanging on her right side. She wore a pair of dark brown, high-heeled leather boots with buckles. She also donned a number of accessories, such as a bracelet with black roses as decoration, accompanied by black gloves and necklaces. Finally, she wore a beret of a darker brown and a pair of black, wire-rimmed aviator sunglasses as well as having a black shoulder bag with gold studs, which is held by a strap. Once she was done brushing her clothes, the girl looked at him with her sunglasses covered eyes before talking.

"It's alright. You didn't get much dirt on me. Otherwise, you'll be screaming for mercy right now." Said the girl while placing a hand on her left hip, smiling a dangerous smile, making the boy gulp. His reaction caused her to laugh. "Relax, kid! I was only joking." Said the girl while laughing. After a few seconds of laughter, the girl held out her hand. "Names Coco, leader of team CFVY." The boy shook her hand after a few seconds of hesitation.

"Names Jack. Jack Ryder." Said the boy, causing Coco to raise an eyebrow at the non-color associated name. It was rare for parents, if ever, to not name their kid after a color or at least associated with one. This one was unique. She liked that in a person.

"Jack, huh? What's with the name?" Asked Coco.

"Well, my parents wanted me to be unique from all the others. Plus, they felt that it was a good name for me. That, and my mom didn't like the whole naming after a color thing." Explained Jack. This explanation caused Coco to become even more interested in the boy.

"I see." Said Coco. "Well enough of that. I take it that you're here for the Vytal festival, right?" Seeing him shake his head, Coco continued. "Good, cause if you were, you'd better hope that you wouldn't have to face me in the tournament. I don't go easy on people. Especially not one as cute as you." Teased Coco, causing Jack to blush. "You want me to show you the dorm you're going to stay in?"

"Yes." Said Jack, still blushing. Coco chuckled at the boy before grabbing his hand and dragging him to the dorm that houses all the exchange and visiting students. As they were walking, Jack couldn't help but admire Coco for her looks. She was immensely attractive to look at. Her attire and hair style was gorgeous in his eyes. Plus, the way she handled herself showed confidence in her abilities. All what a guy can want in a woman.

"Well, we're here." Said Coco as the two stopped in front of the dormitory in question. "Just go up to the front desk, show them your credentials, and they'll hook you up with a room. Okay?" Asked Coco as she looked back at Jack.

"Okay. So, when will the Vytal festival start?" Asked Jack as he arrived a bit early than most. He wanted to get to know some of the people in Beacon and hopefully make some friends along the way.

"In about four to five weeks. You got here a lot earlier than most." Commented Coco. "Wanted to eye the competition for someone or your team?"

"No, I actually don't have a team. I choose go solo instead of being on a team." Explained Jack, causing Coco to raise an eyebrow at that. She was honestly surprised with this revelation. Jack seemed like a guy that can get along with most people and to hear that he choose to not join a team was a shock to her. It also meant that he can only live in one kingdom.

"You're from Atlas, then?" Asked Coco. Seeing him nod, she chuckled. "I didn't see that coming. You don't seem like the usual Atlas citizen."

"Yeah, I get that a lot." Said Jack, remembering all the looks of shock and perplexment he got from people when they heard that he was from Atlas, the kingdom known for its militaristic views and culture.

"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" Commented Coco before lowering her sunglasses, allowing him to see her brown eyes. "I like that." With that, she went up to his personal space. "Maybe we should get to know each other more." Said Coco in a seductive voice, making Jack's face to go red.

"W-w-well t-t-that sounds alright." Stuttered Jack as he tried to control his blush. "J-j-j-just give a c-c-c-call and we'll meet up." Coco just laughed at the boy.

"Easy there, tiger. I'm just messing with you." Said Coco before taking a step back. "Still, getting to know you sounds great. I'll give you my number so we can chat up more." With that, Coco gave him her number and after making sure that he remembered it and wrote it down, she left him with a satisfied smile on her face. Once she left, Jack let out a sigh of relief.

"That woman is both amazing and crazy. What a winning combo." Said Jack sarcastically before going into the dormitory. After getting a room with a single room, signing in, and putting his stuff in his room, he began to walk to the cafeteria to get a bite to eat. He was just minding his own business when a mob of people suddenly left the mess hall in a panic. Curious, Jack went inside to see eight beacon students having a food fight. A very messy and violent food fight. He also spotted the two guys he saw earlier in the mess hall as well, just staring at the madness that was happening. He joined them and greeting them. They simply gave a wave to signify they heard him and so the three proceeded to observe the food fight that was happening before them. The contenders of the food fight were knocking each other down left and right, using various foods as a type of weapon. One girl was using turkeys as gloves while another used a sword fish. It was maddening. Only a few minutes passed and three girls were taken out, leaving one against four others. The remaining girl, however, stayed calm and just used her semblance to speed right up to the group before her. This resulted in a vortex that sucked all the food in the area as well as taking all four opponents with her. She stopped near the end of the room before dashing to safety as her four opponents slammed into the wall, cracking it immensely. It didn't stop there, however, as all the food came crashing down on them, completely covering them in food matter and the like. The three bystanders just looked at this in shock before the monkey faunas smiled.

"Told you these guys were awesome." Said the faunas, looking at his partner, who, unfortunately, was covered in soda. He glared at his friend just before a blond woman with green eyes and a wand marched inside the mess hall. She growled in irritation before using her wand to clean everything up. Tables were going back to their rightful place, food was being restored, and even the cracks in the wall were fixed. Once she was finished, the woman looked at the ones responsible before starting to reprimand them. The three decided that was their que to leave and so decided to leave before they could get in trouble. As they were walking and as the blue haired student was complaining about his clothes, the monkey faunas started to converse with Jack.

"So, who are you?" Asked the monkey faunas to Jack after the three found a bench to sit on.

"Jack Ryder. I'm from Atlas and I'm here as a transfer student for Beacon academy. I wanted to see what makes Vale different from Atlas with my own eyes." Explained Jack.

"That's cool. If a bit nerdy." Said the monkey, slightly offending Jack. "Names Sun, by the way. And this guy is Neptune." Said the faunas while also pointing to his blue haired friend, who waved his hand in response. "We're here from Mistral to compete in the Vytal festival. You're here for that too?"

"Not really, I don't have a team so I can't participate in the tournament." Said Jack.

"Oh. Didn't have enough people in your year for full teams?" Asked Sun.

"Actually, I choose to go solo. I wanted to be as independent as I can. Though I will admit that there was an odd number of students in my year and that I was the odd one out." Said Jack.

"That's cool." Said Neptune, ignoring the stains on his clothes to focus on Jack. "You also don't have a name that's not associated with a color. That's pretty cool too."

"Oh yeah! You're the first person I ever met that didn't have a name associated with a color. How's it like. Are you treated differently?" Asked Sun.

"No. Most people don't seem bothered by it. I get some stares every now and then, but other than that, nothing significant like discrimination or the like." Said Jack.

"That's good." Said Neptune. "So, can we all go somewhere else before someone sees this." He pointed at his stained clothes, causing Sun and Jack to laugh.

"Alright, you big baby. Let's get you to the dorm so you can clean up." Said Sun, getting up with Neptune. "Hope we see each other again, Jack. You seem cool." Said Sun as the two left. Jack just smiled before waving goodbye.

"This is going to be a good year." Thought Jack as he leaned back on the bench.

New OC by the way. Felt Bridge was a little ridiculous. Also, What are you're takes on the color naming rule in RWBY?