The grand amphitheater of Beacon Academy was flooded with students. Voices filled the main hall, from the prestigious front door to the main stage.

"Holy shit this place is packed!" Grace exclaimed upon walking into the crowded room. "You can say that again.. Jeez" Cyril said in response.

"Let's get closer to the front so we don't miss the briefing.." Grace proposed. "What? You can't hear him from here?" Cyril said jokingly.

"No.. Actually I can't see that far so, I kinda wanted to get closer" Cyril then smiled at Grace, nodding in agreement.

The two began sifting through the crowd, inching towards center stage. "Excuse me. Oops sorry, pardon me." Grace apologized as she kept bumping into people. Unfortunately, Grace tripped and bumped into a taller, muscular young man.

The young man was dark skinned, with dreadlocks tied together in a ponytail. He turned his head towards Grace with a killer's glare.

His red eye pierced through Grace's purple gaze, striking fear into her. "I-I-I'm very sorry s-sir" Grace stammered as he turned around. She stood in front of him, paralyzed in fear as his red and yellow eyes examined at her head to toe.

"You better be..." his deep voice said, cracking his neck, "Unless you're itching for a fight!" as he took a battle stance.

His eyes burned with intensity as he gestured 'come and get me' with his outstretched hand. Grace began to lower her stance and grasp her short sword from behind her. He lunged forward, almost throwing a hook with his right, metallic hand until a voice screamed out: "MARCUS!"

The voice shouted across the room, "Leave her alone! Jeez why the hell do you have to pick a fight with everyone? Could you stop being an asshole for just a minute?"

"Amber?!" Both Marcus and Cyril said, surprised. The two shot curious looks to each other as if to say 'What? You know her too?'.

"Oh hey Cyril!" Amber said with a smile, "I apologize for my friend here, he's honestly a nice gu-"

"WELL THIS NICE GUY WAS FIVE SECONDS AWAY FROM KICKING MY ASS FOR FUN!" Grace interrupted as her face filled with rage.

"Yeah he kinda likes getting into fights it-" "It's so I can measure up how strong I am against others" Marcus said, cutting off Amber.

"So you choose to pick on anyone you please?" Cyril asked. "How I choose to measure my own strength is my business," Marcus aggressively said as he approached Cyril, "Got it?" He asked as he pushed Cyril's shoulder with his finger. Staring Marcus down, gripping his sword, Cyril replied "Got it."

"Back off Marcus," Amber threatened, "Or I'll make you back off." "Fine." Marcus turned around and started walking away.

"I apologize again, he's a bit of a hot head. But I swear he has a good heart!" Amber insisted.

"He's still an asshole to me," Grace whined "but thanks for getting him to stop, I didn't want to start something on my first day."

"It's no biggie! What was your name by the way?" "Grace, and yours?" "Amber. It has been a pleasure to meet you."

"Hey Amber, you coming or what?" Marcus yelled from a fair distance away. "Yeah! I'll be right there!" Amber replied, "So I'll catch you two later then?" The two nodded and smiled at Amber as she left to join Marcus.

"I agree." Cyril stated. "Huh? Agree to what?" Grace asked, puzzled. "He is a bit of an asshole." The two laughed together then was interrupted by Professor Ozpin.

"I'll...keep this brief. You have traveled here today in search of knowledge-to hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose-direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."

Walking off stage, Glynda took his place and announced: "You will gather at the ballroom tonight, tomorrow... Your initiation begins. Be ready. You're dismissed."

"Well he was.. friendly" Grace said sarcastically. "Almost as friendly as Marcus." Cyril laughed as the two exited the amphitheater.