BRRRNG BRRRNG BRRRNG

As the sound of my alarm echoes through the room, my eyes flutter open. Looking over, I see it's about eight in the morning and make my way over to the restroom. Splashing water on my face, I look up to see familiar green eyes staring back at me.

"So it wasn't a dream after all… I don't know whether to sigh in relief or break down and cry. Well… new beginnings and all that I suppose. I suppose there are worse worlds to be dropped into. Still not sure on the why, but I must've been… brought back for a reason. Whelp… I suppose I better get ready for the day." After tending to basic hygiene and putting on my uniform I hear a knock at the door.

'Wonder who that is?'

Upon opening the door I see the oh so friendly scowl of-

"Miss Goodwitch? Why are you here?"

"Good morning to you as well Mr. Brakken. I come with a message from the Headmaster. He wishes for you to meet with him before you attend your first class of the day."

"But-"

She places a hand up in interruption. "The Headmaster has already contacted your professor and explained the situation. Now, if you would please follow me."

I nod before closing my door and following her lead. A few minutes of uncomfortable silence pass by before we reach our apparent destination. Upon entry through a large pair of double doors, the first thing that alerts me to where we are is the intense heat in the room followed by noticing various metal tools strewn about. Off to the side I see the Headmaster himself standing in front of a display of weapons along the wall.

"Welcome to the academy's forge Mr. Brakken. I'm sorry for interrupting your preparation for class, but in all the excitement we forgot a mite crucial detail."

He makes a wide gesture at the display. "Your weapon."

Casting my gaze along the wall, I see weapons of varying shapes, sizes, and makes. Ranging from large two-handed Axes to pairs of light, but sharp daggers and everything else in between.

"While I appreciate this Headmaster I already agreed to Ruby's help in making one."

"Miss Rose you say? Hmmmm… That being said, how long do you think it will take to craft said weapon? Do you even have a blueprint thought out?"

Being unable to respond to that, Ozpin continues. "As I thought. I am not saying you should forego the promise you made, rather I am advising you to choose a 'Temporary weapon' of sorts. It may even give you a starting point for when you begin your project with Miss Rose."

As I am unable to see fault in his logic, I begin scanning the wall for something of interest. After a few more moments I happen upon a pair of steel tonfa. With Oz's permission I pull them down from the wall and start off with a few jabs to get a feel for the weight. Off to the side Ozpin takes a sip out of his mug before addressing me.

"Interesting choice. I will have them delivered to your combat locker, should you need to gain access, you can unlock it with the code I've sent to your scroll. While you won't be able to participate in the combat class taught by Miss Goodwitch yet, that doesn't mean you shouldn't be allowed to train or participate in Grimm studies."

With one last uppercut to my invisible foe I turn and look at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

He takes another sip out of his mug. "Oh nothing. I've taken enough of your time as it is. Since this took less time than I expected, If you leave now you should be able to make it just in time for class to start. I hope your first day goes well for you young man."

"Thank you sir. I'll do my best."

Following the directions given to me I manage to make it with a few minutes to spare. Walking through the double doors, I see that quite a few students are already here, chatting with what I would assume is their respective teams while waiting for class to start. Taking my seat, I hear a commotion outside the classroom only for the door to swing open revealing the gasping forms of teams RWBY and JNPR.

"Whew, made it!" Yang wipes her brow.

Chuckling at their near tardiness I wave to them. "Hey guys. Glad you could make it."

Laughing nervously, Ruby takes a seat next to me with the others taking the ones next to her while JNPR sits off in their respective seats. "Yeah, we got a little caught up in unpacking. So are you excited to start your first day at Beacon?"

"Honestly? Even with everything going on I have to admit that I am pretty psyched to be here."

Yang interjects. "Well we're glad to have ya. Maybe later I could show you a few 'moves' eh?"

I feel my ears warm at Yang's teasing before Ruby interrupts, but not quite for the better. "Oh if you guys are gonna train, can I join?"

Yang does her best to not burst out laughing at my face turning scarlet. Ruby continues looking on in confusion while Weiss pinches the bridge of her nose in frustration and Blake has a weird far away look on her face.

'What's her deal? I wonder if she's tired or something. Is she… drooling?'

Before long, a stoutly man with grey hair and a very large handlebar mustache steps into the room.

"Why hello students. My name is Professor Port. Ordinarily I'd have an introductory speech for you all, but seeing as how classes were a bit delayed what say we get right down to business hmm?"

As the professor starts the 'Lesson' I notice Ruby off to my side making crude drawings and Weiss becoming increasingly frustrated.

I turn my head towards Ruby trying to keep my tone low. "Hey, I know it's not the most exciting but we really should-"

"Now who here believes themselves to embody the traits of a Huntsman?" In an instant mine and Port's eyes met while Weiss waves her hand about, declaring herself.

"I appreciate your willingness Ms. Schnee, but it seems Mr..." Trailing off he looks at a piece of parchment on his desk, eyebrows seemingly raised. "Hoho, Mr. Brakken is it? Well let's see what you can do shall we?"

Sweating nervously, I look over to the team beside me hoping for assistance, but…

"You got this Gaius."

"You'll do great!"

"Good luck…"

"Hmph…"

With Ruby, Yang, Blake and Weiss' respective responses I knew I'd found none…

With a nervous muttering of 'Yes sir' I make my way to the combat lockers and punch in my code. Retrieving the tonfas out of my locker and replacing my uniform with my more casual outfit, I make my way back to the classroom to see the professor with-

"Uhhh… Is that a Grimm?"

Laughing heartily at my dumbfounded look, the professor pats me on the back.

"Why yes Mr. Brakken indeed it is. Now if you'd be so kind to take your place over there, we can begin." As he gestures over to a spot in front of the classroom, I make my way over and ready my weapons.

"Are you ready Mr. Brakken?"

Nodding in the affirmative the professor brings back what seems to be a blunderbuss with an axe head in an overhead swing. "Then let the battle commence!"

Professor Port smashes the lock and the cage door flies open, allowing the beast within to make it's exit. Large red eyes glare around the classroom before settling upon me. With a loud squeal the boar themed monster runs forward before… rolling into a ball?

"Woah!" I sidestep to the left barely dodging the speeding boulder of a creature.

"Come on Gaius! You can do it!" Ruby and the others cheer me on, but….

"Would you be quiet? He needs to concentrate!" Weiss shouts at Ruby in frustration.

I turn towards them in my own aggravation. "Hey! I don't need you to- OH crap!" While I'm distracted the Boarbatusk crashes into me knocking my tonfas out of my hands.

"Oh ho! Weren't expecting that were you my boy? Let's see how you do while disarmed."

I kick up off the floor looking around for my weapons only to see them in the last place I would've liked.

"Oh come on! Seriously?!" As the beast continues glaring at me, the tonfas in question jingle around lodged in its tusks.

I sigh while rubbing my forehead in exasperation before bringing my fists up, ready to continue.

"Looks like we're goin old school. Come on then!" With a taunting gesture the boar gears up for another spin. Others cry out for me to move, but I stand my ground, waiting for that opportune moment.

"THERE!" With a grunt my arms launch out grasping hold of the tusks mid spin.

'"Gaius!'" As Ruby and Yang cry out, I focus all my efforts on holding the Boarbatusk in place.

"A bold new approach! I like it!" Port gives a hearty laugh as I concentrate at literally grabbing the bull by the horns, or in this case, Boar. With frustrations growing I feel that familiar warmth flooding me as my Semblance activates. I start pumping the energy I absorb into my body, seeing the Hexagonal pattern litter my arms and the beast is starting losing steam. With a mighty shout I shove the boar away from me. I clench and unclench my fists, getting a feel for my newly enhanced strength before laying my gaze upon my foe once more. It meets my glare with it's own, but keeps its posture low to the ground in caution.

"Well now that the warm up is done… Let's continue!"

I transfer some of the power to my legs and launch myself towards the beast as it rolls into another ball. As both of us near each other for a clash I bring my stance low and kick upward, launching the sentient bowling ball into the air while jumping through the air to follow after it. Reaching the apex of the jump, I grab hold of my tonfas trapped in its tusks and slam it crashing back down while freeing them back into my grasp. landing back on the ground, I hear Ruby shouting.

"Go for its belly! There isn't any armor underneath!"

Weiss goes to shout at her again, but…

"Shut the HELL up Weiss!" I scream.

I give Ruby my thanks and a thumbs up before placing my focus back on the fight. The Boarbatusk stands back up unsteadily. I can see various cracks in it's armor and along it's mask and it does not look happy. Blinded by its own rage at me, it completely forgoes its usual spin tactic and just starts charging me.

"Bad move…" I stand my ground once more and start channeling the energy I've absorbed into the Tonfas while holding them at my sides ready to strike. As it grows closer and closer I continue pumping whatever I can into my weapons. Before I know it, a blazing flame starts raging inside of me. The Boarbatusk enters my range and I allow the flame to burst forth.

"You're FINISHED!"

Both tonfas, thrumming with a blazing glow, impact the beast. In a blinding green flash and a deafening explosion the beast is sent careening into the wall. With a burst of speed I sprint towards the creature and slam my tonfa into its under belly. With one last squeal and a sickening CRUNCH, it falls forward onto the ground covered in cracks and breaks in it's armor before dissipating.

"Ho HO! Well done Mr. Brakken. It seems we are in the presence of a true huntsman in training after all! However, in the future I would appreciate it if you would keep the small talk at a minimum in my class." He pats me on the back and I walk back over to take my seat and the lesson continues. All the while I notice Weiss glaring at me now in addition to Ruby.

'What did I do? She shouldn't have acting like a brat anyways.'

As class comes to an end, I start making my way to the doorway only to hear shouting nearby.

"That's just it! You've done nothing to earn your position, back in the forest all you did was act like a child and have continued to do so." I overhear Weiss' little tantrum, I try to stay out of it since it's not my business,but…

"Where is this coming from Weiss? What happened to all the talk about working together. I thought you believed in acting as a team?" Ruby's voice starts to waiver.

Weiss sneers. "Not a team led by you. I've studied and trained. Quite frankly, I deserve better… Ozpin made a mistake."

"Alright! That's enough!" I step out from the corner and make my way over to Weiss.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me snowflake. I'm sorry but what gives you the right to decide whether or not she's fit to lead?"

"Isn't it obvious? All she's done is act like a child, if I was lea-"

"Oh so that's what this is about. Let me guess, you think you should have been the leader, don't you?"

Weiss' frown deepens. "Of course I should have, I've studied and trained my whole life for this and this… this… Child!"

"Back up snowflake, maybe where you're from everything is handed to you on a silver platter, but life doesn't work like that. Second of all, it doesn't matter what you think because the ultimate decision lies with Ozpin. So what? You think he made a mistake? Well I'll tell you what I think!"

I take a step forward getting into Weiss' space. "I think the only mistake around here was letting a spoiled brat attend this school."

Weiss grits her teeth as a snarl marrs her face, but before she can get a word out my temper peaks once more.

"Walk away Weiss… before I say something I'll really regret…" Not even realizing it, my Aura starts to brighten with a bright green glow and I feel a burning sensation in my eyes. Weiss seems to take notice and promptly starts walking away, albeit at a faster than average pace.

As I try to collect myself I feel a small hand on my shoulder. Looking back, it's Ruby smiling at me with some minor wetness in her eyes. "It's okay Gaius… Maybe she's right."

Ruby looks down and a frown adorns her face as the moisture in her eyes starts to grow.

"No Ruby, she's not. As far as I can tell it's all a moot point anyways."

Ruby raises her head back up with a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"I mean it's only been a few days Ruby. Can anyone really say they are fit for a position when they've only had it for less than a week? Besides, while you may not be there yet, I think you have what it takes to become a good leader. Back in the forest, While I wasn't around for most of it I noticed that the others listened to you. You took stock of a bad situation, but instead of panicking or freaking out you did what needed to be done. You formulated a plan and worked together with them."

"But Weiss-"

"Forget Weiss… She seems to believe training and studying is all it takes to be a leader, but what she doesn't realize is that it takes more than that to lead a team."

"He's right you know." Out of nowhere Ozpin steps out from seemingly behind me

"Holy shi-"

Ruby points at me. "Ah! Swear!"

I place a hand on my chest to calm my racing heart "Geez Oz, we really need to put a bell on you or something."

Ozpin takes a sip out of his mug chuckling all the while. "My apologies, but he is indeed correct Miss Rose. Whether or not you have what it takes to handle the responsibilities of being a leader has yet to be determined. However, from what I have gleaned so far, I haven't seen anything that tells me otherwise."

Ruby rubs the back of her head with an embarrassed smile. Before I can say anything else however, Oz grabs my attention away.

"Now as for you Mr. Brakken. While I can appreciate the sentiment of you coming to a friend's aid, please do try to keep your temper in check? Personally I feel bad for Miss Schnee for being on the tail end of that."

I try to make a response, but find myself at a loss for the words. Sighing I scratch my head in frustration before sighing. "Yeah, you got a point there Oz, I guess I did take it a little too far… Next chance I get I'll apologize to her."

Ozpin nods his head before addressing us once more. "Enjoy your day then. Oh, and before I forget." Ozpin hands me a small piece of paper. "Please be at that location at the appointed time tomorrow morning for your test. That will be all."

As Ozpin walks off I unfold the paper.. 'Cliffside of the Emerald Forest, 10 Am'

Ruby peers over my shoulder. "Oh wow! Looks like you're finally gonna get put on a team! Good for you Gaius. I know you'll do great." She smiles brightly at me.

Seeing Ruby back to her usual chipper self I can't help but smile. "Yeah, I'm gonna rock that test, just you wait and see."

As the day starts to come to an end and I'm walking back to my room, I happen upon a more relaxed Weiss on the way. She gives me a light glare before it fades.

"Oh! Uh hey Weiss."

"Gaius." Well at least she acknowledged me…

"So look… I… I'm sorry I blew up like that. I said some unnecessary things and no one deserves to be treated like that. We cool?"

As I put my hand out for a shake, a light sneer starts to form on her face before quickly dispelling it. Sighing, she takes my hand in hers and gives it a light shake. "I've already made up with Ruby and as I've told her, I will try to take things a little easier and work with you instead of against you. The way I acted was quite unbecoming of me. However, do not think this makes us even. I'm still upset at that 'Snowflake' comment."

"Ah, right… Well maybe I could..." As I try to think of a way to make it up to her I am torn from my thoughts.

"Train with me."

I shake my head trying to understand what just occurred. "Uhh what? Say that one more time?"

Weiss rolls her eyes with a huff. "I said if you wanna make it up to me then train with us. Yang said you were pretty good in a fight and Ruby said your test is tomorrow. So once you've gotten everything settled come train with us sometime. Then maybe I'll consider us even, until I beat you into submission that is." She puts her own hand out for a shake.

I go to speak out, but upon seeing her smile jovially after, I realize what she meant. Grinning back I shake her hand. "Why Weiss if I didn't know better I'd think you just made a joke."

"Who says I'm joking?" At that we both laugh.

"Goodnight Weiss, glad things worked out."

"Me too. Goodnight to you as well."

As I start walking towards my room Weiss calls out to me in a hush tone. "Hey Gaius?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks… For apologizing I mean."

I smile widely and give her a thumbs up. "Yeah. And thank you for giving me a chance. Oh and hey! Tell Ruby and the others if they wanna come watch tomorrow morning then come on by. Maybe with you guys cheering me on I'll perform better."

She laughs. "Maybe if we can get Yang out of bed soon enough we will."

"Hah! Yeah… well, I better get going. See you tomorrow Weiss. Hope to see you guys there."

I wave my arm as I continue towards my room. "Whelp… Tomorrow's a new day. I wonder what Oz has lined up for me?" I slam my fist into the palm of my hand with a small flash of green escaping. "Things are getting pretty exciting around here. Can't wait to shake things up a bit."

Somewhere in the city of Vale

"Hey boss lady, got a hold of those transcripts of the new students you wanted." A well dressed man with a cane drops a stack of documents on the table as a shadowy figure sits at the edge.

"Hmmm…" The figure peruses the documents seemingly disinterested save a few entries, on one entry in particular however... "Interesting…"

The well dressed man lights a cigar. "What is?"

"This particular transcript… It wasn't in the logs before."

The man shrugs. "Maybe it was a last minute entry?"

The woman gives an airy laugh. "That would be the case if it weren't for the fact classes at Beacon have already started and this entry only shows up now. Plus, don't you think it's a little early to be taking transfers?"

"Don't know what to tell ya Boss lady, I'm just a thief. I leave all the heavy thinking to you guys."

As the man walks away puffing on his cigar, the woman's eyes almost gleam. She starts studying the document in further detail as the light from the moon shines through the window illuminating the figure. Long red dress with various gold colored patterns. Lengthy hair as black as ash with amber eyes that glow like a raging fire. Upon finding what she was looking for she grins.

"Gaius Brakken eh? Well he seems like an… Interesting sort."

A/N: Hey guys! Been a while. SO while I hope you guys enjoy the new chapter I am sorry to tell you this may be the last chapter for a bit. That's not to say I'm quitting or stopping writing. The biggest issue right now is I thought I had everything thought out for how I wanted this fic to go, but alas I'm having a few issues and I'm not quite sure how to go about it at this point in time. So until I figure things out I'm putting this story on a sort of Hiatus. I'm sorry to all of you who have enjoyed reading thus far. I don't like it either if i'm being honest, but fret not! I have plenty more ideas just screaming to claw their way outside my dome piece and crawl onto paper. (Graphic enough for ya? Good :P) Anyways, be on the lookout for more of my work coming soon. My plan is to get a few chapters written up before posting so I'm sure that'll be fun XD. Once again, thank you all for taking time out of your days to read this and I'll see you guys in the next one!

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