A/N: Hello everyone, I am here with a RWBY SYOC that was requested by Onyxwhip. First things first, this story is set way before the show, in fact it is before the Kingdoms were formed. I am extremely nervous about this, but I hope you enjoy.

The world of Remnant has always been as its name suggested, a shattered world. People scattered and disconnected. Hiding behind high walls and separating themselves into different states. Just on the continent of Sanus there were five such states.

Rift was the northernmost city-state. Runned by a council of huntsmen, they were impossible to trade with. They are as cold as the environment around them. The group argued amongst themselves that nothing seemed to be decided.

Ravine, on the edge of the endless desert also suffered from indecision. The elected representatives dividing themselves into parties. They shifted like the sands of their state.

Nullah on the southeastern coast was a strange place. Runned by a religious leader, one who worshiped the brother of creation. He is quite unreasonable and any trade will be turned down.

The Glen is a reasonable trade partner, being the southernmost made the journey difficult, but that doesn't stop the totalitarian leader from agreeing. Siding with a dictator may sound like a bad idea, but it did have its merits.

And lastly Dale. The most beautiful and secure city-state. Nestled by the mountains and the sea, it is the perfect location to live. It is ruled by a fair king with two heirs. Nothing from the outside can get in. Not the power-hungry warlords that prowl the land between city-states or the -

"Grimm Attack," a feminine voice shouted, causing him to jump. This was quickly followed by a giggle. The paper world he had escaped in disappeared instantly replaced by the library the he sat in who knows how long ago. "I scared you didn't I, Jay?" the orange-hair girl said, putting her hands on her hips. Her blue eyes gleamed in amusement from the other side of the map. She gave it a brief look of disinterest.

"Shouldn't you be with your tutor, Oriole?" Jay asked, rubbing his own matching blue eyes. They felt gummy and slightly burned. He rolled the Sanus map into a roll, careful not to rip it. His words didn't hold any anger, just exhaustion.

"He had something else to do today," Oriole explained, "so I spent the morning making this." The girl spun, pointing to her white skirt. It was cut just below her knees in the front with an extra orange layer behind her that rippled like a river behind her.

"I thought you weren't allowed to play with I quote 'anything sharper than a butter knife'," Jay said with amusement. "Father wasn't happy when you cut your hair or mine." He ran his hair through the short blue locks.

Oriole laughed, "but my hair grew back and it is cute short. Like this skirt is also cute short and orange." She pointed to her wavy short hair that barely touched her shoulders and then her orange and white blouse. Jay chuckled, shaking his head. He pushed his blue hair back; he didn't argue. He had to admit he liked his shorter hair as well. "So, what are you doing or what were you doing?" she asked as he pushed himself out of the hard wooden chair. He picked up the rolled up map and the girl sat herself on the empty table.

"I was just thinking about possible trade deals. The harvest was disappointing this year and we need to balance the deficient. Father wants me to be the one to reach out," Jay explained with a groaned, he rubbed his eyes again. He slipped the map onto a shelf.

"You didn't sleep last night," Oriole stated, giving him a smirk. "Come on, brother. Let's get you to bed." She jumped off her perch. She walked to his side, her heels clicking on the stone floor. She picked up Jay's arm as if to steady him. On his feet, he towered over his sister.

"Last time I checked. I was the older sibling," Jay mused. He grinned, waiting for her reaction.

"By fifteen minutes, at most," Oriole responded, "And I should be the oldest, considering how much I take care of you." She was already pushing him along. Jay laughed and the two walked through the stone hallways. Their footsteps in sync. "Making sure you get sleep, and eat. You need to take care of yourself." She counted on her fingers as she spoke. She poked his cheek.

"Why would I need to? You're always there," Jay said with a smile. Oriole grinned and nodded. A loud bellowing noise cut them off. Both froze immediately as the the horn was silenced in moments. Jay's fingers tightened on his sister's shoulder. "Infiltrators," Jay said with a whisper. Wide awake now, he grabbed Oriole's arm and pulled her behind him. "We are going to the armory."

"Those trespassers won't know what hit them," she bragged, her heels clicking rapidly. Jay smirked at the remark until screams reached his ears. He skidded to a stop, keeping his arm out to stop his sister behind himself.

The two became quiet as the shadows in the torchlight formed several humanlike shapes. "Where are all the servants?" Oriole whispered, her voice small. Jay shrugged, nudging her back. His blue eyes looking for a place to hide the both of them.

"Your Highnesses," a soft voice called from behind them. Jay spun quickly to face the threat. His fist stopped inches from the wide-eyes Faunus maid. Her brown bunny ears, drooped and her dark eyes shook at the fist. Jay relaxed letting his hand fall. He breathed a sigh of relief that was match by a whistling noise. The sound ended with a sicking wet thud and the maid's eyes rolled back. Oriole pulled Jay back, her pale hands like claws in his blue-gray tunic. Fire bloomed from the fallen maid.

"Dust," Oriole explained as they backed away from the burning corpse. Her eyes didn't leave the body and her hands were shaking. Jay didn't offer a word. He couldn't comfort his twin. He was looking ahead at the group of four men walking toward them.

They dressed in rags. The only correlation between them was a band at their right wrist. The one who killed the maid held a drawn bow. His dark green eyes were focused on the siblings. His arrow gleamed red with fire dust.

"Just come with us quietly and no one else will be hurt," one with a crude sword said. He was a thin man with dirty blonde hair. The twins back away slowly, giving themselves space from the dirty blade. The others in the group drew their swords.

"Ori," Jay said. The girl grinned , blue eyes darting from one enemy to another. Her movement was quick. Her leg swung forward sending heeled shoe toward the closest man.

The enemy flinched and Jay used the opening. He grabbed the other's wrist, breaking it in a quick motion. Jay saw the sword fall from limp fingers. He shoved the disarmed man backwards into his comrades. He was pushed to the side as another arrow thunked where he was previously standing. Oriole's other heel flew in an arch to the archer as Jay reached down to pick up the fallen sword.

The stunned enemies got to their feet, shuffling so the disarmed intruder hid behind the two others. The pair of swordsmen advanced. Jay blocked the first blow. Both swords locked against his. His own sword inched backwards toward his shoulder. Oriole was there in a blur of orange, her fist colliding with the throat of one and her foot connecting to the back of the knees of the other. She was already moving forward.

Both collapsed and Jay sliced through their worn clothes. The crude blade sliced through the rags and flesh easily. He looked up from the now incapacitated enemies. Oriole was spinning and darting around fists and the occasional arrow. Jay watched as she launched herself using the unarmed assailants arm. He dipped under her weight as she jumped off his shoulder, sending him to his knees and her tumbling into the archer.

Jay ran up to the man giving him a solid blow to his head with his heavy boot. He debated whether to kill him, but decided it was best to keep moving. Oriole had pinned down the archer, using a ribbon to tie his arms behind his back. "I think this one matches the best. It suits you," she said, chipper. "The guards will be here to take your friends and you to the dungeon." The girl looked up and past Jay to the bleeding intruders. "Or perhaps the infirmary." She patted the archer's head, ruffling his hair slightly. She picked up the bow and quiver.

"We need to find Dad," she said, looking down the hall. "He could be in trouble."

Jay frowned at her statement, "I am sure Father is fine." If Oriole flinched at his flat tone, he ignored it. She just pulled her new quiver higher on her shoulder. "We should get my fans. They will be better than this. Did you want to explode yourself?" the last question was for the archer at her feet who spat in her direction. Jay stepped forward threateningly as Oriole just gave a low 'eww'.

The orange-haired girl followed after Jay as he continued to the armory. The quiet crackle of the torches were the only noise now. The two were nearing the grand hall. Jay could feel his stomach tighten. They would be vulnerable as they passed through. Oriole was already pushing the heavy wooden doors. They swung slowly, creaking.

Jay felt all the eyes before he saw them. A variety of colors bearing down on the twins. Red at their wrists. Oriole already had an arrow notched, she sent it above the group. It struck the chandelier with a fiery boom. Men scattered as the lighting crashed to the ground. "Ori," Jay warned. She already notched another fire arrow. She sent it up to the ceiling. Jay watched as men approached them. He stepped protectively in front of his sister as she provided cover.

The first swordsman tried to strike the pair. Jay parried and blocked the blows. Their swords met twice, before Jay sliced a bloody trail across the man's chest. The next enemy was skewered through the shoulder with an arrow before he fell down twitching, yellow sparks flying through his body. Jay pushed forward to another man, he moved to the right to avoid the strike. He slammed the pommel of his sword on the man's head.

He crumpled to the ground. Jay lifted his sword just in time to block a slice. He pushed the sword back as another attack flew past his side, catching his tunic. His blue eyes darted around him. There were too many of them. The sword in his hand was heavy and his eyesight blurred from lack of sleep. His hands shook.

"Hey," Oriole's voice cut through everything, his exhaustion, the battle focus. Jay stiffen as he forcibly turned to face his sister. It was impossible to tear his eyes away. The other's in the room felt the same pull. It was like a magnet, demanding attention. Jay shook his head at his sister. She held all the attention of the room. It was what made her special. Her Semblance. Like a lit beacon at night.

"No, Oriole," Jay shouted. She gave him a wide grin.

"I bet you can't catch me," she said with a laugh. She spun around a now empty quiver swinging around her. Her bare feet slapped the ground as she ran across the debris in the grand hall. The intruders followed, pulled by the girls semblance that made her the center of attention. Jay dug his heels in as he could feel the compulsion to follow after his sister build. He exhaled loudly, activating his own semblance.

The world around him go a bit fuzzy as he faded from perception. "I bet you are hungry. Let's go to the kitchen," Oriole cheery voice called. Her blue eyes met his and she gave him a wink. He had to chuckle; the girl was clever.

She was leading them to an ambush. They did it often enough to the servant's kids. He hurried down the hall. A quick stop at the armory, then slipping into the hidden passage. The intruders wouldn't know what happened.

Jay nearly slipped as he stopped at the armory's door. He jerked the door, hearing it slam against the stone walls. He ran to the far end. Sitting on the far table, were a pair of orange fans and a blue shield. They glimmered with dust. He picked up the fans first, slipping them into his belt. He put the shield on his arm.

His eyes looked for the loose stone that marked the path. He pushed it as hard as he could. It moved slowly. Jay slipped through the narrow opening. The path was dark, but he didn't pause to adjust to the lack of light. He sprinted forward.

"You better be okay, Ori," he whispered into the dark. He held his hands out. They collided with hard stone with a painful jolt. The stone screeched as the door opened. He panted as he stepped into the kitchen, shield up.

There was nothing. There was silence, not Oriole's voice or anything. Jay lowered his shield. The room was empty. Pots and pans were scattered on the ground. "Oriole?" he called out softly, his own voice echoed. He could feel his throat tighten. "Oriole?" he called again louder. He ran to the hall, his heart beating in his chest. It was loud, hammering in his ears.

"Oriole," he shouted. The hall was empty except for a broken bow. He reached down, hands shaking. He pulled the splintered weapon off the ground. Red splotches dotted the gray stone around the bow's resting spot. His breath caught in his throat. He could feel his knees buckling. His hand caught himself before he fell. The other arm dropped limply.

The horn bellowed again. A triumphant sound that didn't reach Jay. The intruders must be gone, but where was Oriole. He slid to the floor, running his hand over the broken edge of the bow. He should get up. He had to find Oriole, she could be okay. Maybe she left the bow behind, maybe the blood wasn't hers. Maybe she was looking him.

Jay got to his feet without a word. He swayed a little, feeling heavy. He kept his hands tight on the broken bow. He put one foot in front of the other. He was slow each step slow. He followed the path she would go. Retracing her steps, he could imagine her barreling down the hall frightened and along. He hurried his steps more. "Oriole," he shouted as he pushed the door to the throne room.

The rubble was still strewn around the room. Jay glared at the figure standing in front of the 'throne'. The man ran his hand over the carved wood, picking up a piece of paper from the seat. "Father," Jay called out as he walked to the man. He turned around to face Jay.

"It appears that you are safe," he responded, keeping his dark blue eyes locked onto his son. He turned back to the paper in his hands. He read the paper. "Though your sister may not be," he said holding out the paper for Jay. Jay took the paper from him.

"King Merle, I will be brief. I have your child. She is safe and will remain so as long as my demands are met. They are minor and will benefit Dale as well. I wish to open trade relations with your state. My associate will arrive in a week's time to give my demands," Jay read out loud. He sneered at the letter. "We're getting her. I'll go to the guild and get the huntsmen. She'll be back by nightfall." Jay pushed the letter toward the man.

"Jay, stay," he commanded. Jay paused. "We can't attack this war lord."

"Of course we can. He has Oriole," Jay argued crumbling the paper in his hand.

"I will not send my men to die for a single person," Merle continued, "The trade op-"

"A single person. That's my sister, my twin, you're talking about. She is worth everything," Jay shouted, the paper was on the ground. "If you can't see that, I will get her myself." The blue-haired prince pivoted sharply. He could hear his name being called out, but he didn't look back.

A/N: Hi there, so this an SYOC. As you can tell, the main plot is Jay finding Oriole. But that isn't all I am planning. I plan to give each accepted member of the rescue party their own arc so to speak. That being said I will only accept, at most, five characters for his team. But other characters can be submitted. One such character is the war lord that took Oriole who will receive a specialized form upon request. If this slot is unfilled, that is fine and I will create a character to fill the spot. Of course, I am willing to accept a couple characters that live in the war lord's camp. The form will be below. Submissions will end September 11 th.

I have only one definite rule. All submissions must be written: Birds of a Feather: [character name].

Name (Color rule doesn't apply since this is WAY before the Great War, just don't give me a too normal name like Bob or something):

Age (any age over 17. Jay and Oriole are 17. This being said Jay isn't going to be the leader of this group):

Gender:

Species (Human or Faunus. Remember since this is ancient history, Faunus will not be treated fairly.)

City-State of Birth (Dale, Rift, Ravine, Nullah, and Glen. Any will be fine):

Semblance:

Appearance

Hair color/ style:

Height/ Weight:

Body build:

Facial features:

Clothing:

Personality (be detailed and give me their way of acting upon certain emotions):

Backstory:

Overall backstory (give me a little summary of their life so far with only the most important events in their lives in detail. Have fun with this. ):

Where are they in the beginning of the story/ where does Jay find them ( characters can be found in Dale):

Why would they help him (are they in it for money, for a favor, pity?)

Do they have any unresolved problems or a goal they want to accomplish (this will tie heavily into their arc)?

Combat:

Weapon (this is ancient history so no mecha-shifts. Dust weapons will have to be time appropriate) :

Style (long-range/ short range, dust wielder)?

Strengths/ Weaknesses?

Other:

What is your character carrying on this trip (this is going to be a long journey so what sort of supplies do they have)?

What sort of survival skills do they have (these characters are going to be outside the walls of their city-states what can they do)?

I think that is everything. I hope that someone thinks this idea is interesting and submits a character. Just a reminder that those who want to submit the war lord or any of Oriole's captors PM me a request for the forms since they will be different than this one.