Team VRTX had decided to go into Vale a few hours after their incident in the library. Xavier claimed that it was freedom fighting, while Tanya described it as : "A waste of good time, resources, and learning material. As well as a colossal display of stupidity." They got off free of punishment somehow. Apparently ridiculous occurrences such as that were common in Beacon.

Back down in the city of Vale, the four teens of Team VRTX were walking. Apparently Violet wanted to by a few specialized Dust cartridges for her Spiral Songs.

"Wow..." Ross said in awe as he took in his surroundings. He tailed behind the group as he was walking very slowly, turning around slowly like a camera on panoramic capture mode.

"What's up with Ross?" Xavier asked, motioning behind him with his thumb.

"Oh, Ross? He's just never been to Vale before. Or any modern city for that matter." Violet replied without looking at Xavier.

Xavier's head jerked back a little, "Wait, what?" He questioned.

"Indeed 'what?', I don't recall ever being disclosed this information about our comrade Ross." Tanya added.

Violet turned to her two teammates, "Oh, yeah. He's not from Vale. Or any other Kingdom for that matter." Violet looked further past her friends toward Ross. "Ross! Quit your gawking and catch up!" She ordered, snapping Ross back to reality.

"Oh yeah, you mentioned the Dragon Lands yesterday." Xavier recalled, "Wait, where the heck are the Dragon Lands?" Xavier asked.

"The Dragon Lands are above this continent, between Vale and Vacuo," Ross said, suddenly appearing between Tanya and Xavier.

"Waah!?" The two exclaimed, moving away, "Don't scare me like that!" Xavier exclaimed.

"It's not a big settlement, or very technologically advanced," Ross began to explain.

Tanya had her hand on her chin in thought, "Yes, I remember coming across this in my research a year or so ago. Apparently when Vacuo found your village they weren't even utilizing electricity. It's a real wonder how your people survived this long."

Xavier nodded, "Whoa, that's intense..." He walked ahead of the group before turning to them, "But not as brutal as where I grew up." This statement made the group raise their eyebrows.

"Wait, where are you from, Xavier?" Violet asked the Wolf boy.

"Yeah, I've kinda been wondering that myself." Ross added.

Xavier simply shrugged, "I guess it couldn't hurt to tel-" Before Xavier could finish what he was saying, his ears picked up a sound. A scream. "Someone's in trouble!" Xavier growled, pulling FLLFFL from its sheathe and startling his teammates.

"Wait, what!?" Violet demanded, unfolding Spiral Songs. "What are yo-"

"Over there!" Xavier pointed his sword eastward, "I heard screaming! We gotta go before someone gets hurt." Xavier punched in a few buttons on FLLFFL, gaining a whir and a blue glow from the handle.

"Xavier, wait! We need to-"

Fwoosh! Xavier blasted off toward the screams he heard, leaving his team in a cloud of his jet sword's exhaust.

"Come up with a plan..." Violet finished with a grumble. Ross unholstered and unfolded Bullet-breaker, and Tanya unfolded Mirror Wheels.

Tanya's scroll beeped furiously, opting her to check it and see a message from Xavier, though his contact name was labeled 'Stupid Dog'. It said: 'Dust 'til Dawn, 11th street'. "It seems that we now are informed of which location we're going to be closing in on." She said, showing the message to her teammates.

On the East side of town, a Dust shop's frontmost section had been blasted down. Inside were a group of around twenty Faunas dressed in the notorious uniforms of the White Fang. They were taking Dust in large amounts by the canister, and crystal. The man working the register was cowering behind his desk in fear.

On a rooftop outside was Xavier Ray, crouched on the ledge and looking over the situation. Without planning, he span his sword decoratively, then boosted down and through the structure's opening.

As he landed, so did another. Xavier turned to his left to see a boy a little less than a year younger than him standing there with a crater around his legs, presumably from impacting the floor. He had short black hair in a sharp crewcut, sky blue eyes, and a determined look flaring about him. He wore a grey combat vest, a sky blue t-shirt, blue metallic vambraces, and baggy ash grey jeans with a sky blue stripe down the outside that were stuffed into blue plated combat boots. In his hand was a simple longsword.

Where have I seen this guy before? Xavier asked himself while exchanging glances with the boy.

"Beat it, Scruffy, I'm gonna stop this heist!" The boy yelled at Xavier, pointing his sword threateningly at the Wolf boy.

Xavier scoffed, then spun his sword decoratively before crossing his blade with the boy's. "As if! I got here first, little pig, so I suggest you go squirming home while I blow this house down!"

The two of them had the ends of their swords pointed at each other, a glare in each of their eyes. They were ready to go at it, when...

"Hey! We got Huntsmen outside!"

The two boy's pissing contest was interrupted by a White Fang member who pointed out their presence.

"Fight later! Heist now!" The boy commanded, opting a nod of agreement from Xavier. "Haaaah!" The two of them cried as they charged in to face the enemy!

Xavier began with a boost from FLLFFL, landing in the middle of the group and catching all their attention. "Alright, let's do this!" He exclaimed, slamming his pommel down into the floor and igniting it to create an explosion of blue exhaust!

The other boy leapt in through the opening, lightning buzzing from his free hand and into a pair of robbers! "Hey, it's that one Lord's son, Daniel or something!" One of the terrorists yelled, catching everyone's attention, "You mean that bastard, Ommund Sky!? This is his kid!?" Another asked.

The boy's brow furrowed with anger, "The name's David, you idiots." He growled menacingly, "And no one, no one, talks about my dad like that!" The boy, revealed to be David Sky, gripped his sword tightly. He stabbed his longsword into the floor, then swung himself into the chest of a White Fang member, then pulled his sword out, using the momentum from the release he brought his sword across another terrorist's face!

Xavier was elsewhere in the shop, using his blasts from his nozzle to blow the enemy away and propel himself to his next target. "You White Fang types really need to get your heads on straight!" Xavier exclaimed as he used a boost from his sword to accelerate a stab that knocked a group of robbers into the air like bowling pins! He cut the boost off and landed swiftly on his feet next to a knocked over container of Dust Crystals.

Xavier turned to see three terrorists attempting to sneak up on him, to which he turned to face. The three stopped and started to back up, knowing they made a mistake. "Three little pigs, ready for the slaughter." Xavier muttered intimidatingly, approaching them slowly and allowing some exhaust from FLLFFL to escape to add to the intimidation.

The three decided to shake off their fear and charge the boy. Big mistake. Xavier thought as he burst at them, delivering a beautiful array of deadly slashes that left the three in horrible pain!

Xavier turned his attention to David who was surrounded on all sides by White Fang terrorists.

"Ohoho! We are gonna have a field day on this brat!" One terrorist chuckled, "Man, to think that Ommund Sky would have such a weakling for a son." Another taunted.

All David did in response was chuckle, "You idiots are in for it now." He muttered.

David spread out his arms, sword now sheathed on his back. Blue light started to outline his veins and his eyes glowed in a bright azure! Lightning began to arc from the palms of his hands, gathering and building to become larger.

"Prepare yourselves, you animals!"

The group of terrorists charged in at him, but were met with an explosion of azure light! Static and lightning buzzed throughout their bodies as they twitched in pain. David grinned as he dashed between his disabled enemies, delivering brutal strike after strike, breaking his enemy down and defeating them one by one!

Soon enough, the White Fang had been taken care of. Those who hadn't been knocked out or worse had fled the scene in fear.

All that was left were the two boys, some unconscious criminals, and a broken building.

Xavier looked over his shoulder at the panting brunette. Lightning was discharging from his skin and licking at the floor, spreading a vibrant blue glow.

"Uhh, hey..." Xavier started, sheathing FLLFFL and moving toward David. "You did pretty-"

David turned to him, his eyes glowing blue, "Shut up!" He yelled, an electronic vibe in his voice, "I could've taken those guys, easy! I didn't need your help."

Xavier lifted his hands defensively before backing off a little, "Dude, chill out! I was just sayin' that you did a good job."

The lightning around David faltered a little, "You're just patronizing me." He grumbled, making way for the exit.

"David!"

Xavier and David turned to see a group of three students making their way to the decimated Dust Shop.

One was a brown and yellow cat faunas, wearing some kind of armor mixed with half professional and half grunge attire. On his back was a bow of sorts.

Another was a girl with pale skin and dirty blonde hair that reminded Xavier of Tanya, who wore casual white and grey attire, with an armband that said 'Snowbelle'.

The third was another girl who Xavier recognized as Rei Lavender. Her long black hair and white and purple outfit were unmistakeable.

"Your team?" Xavier asked as the three approached. David briefly glanced over his shoulder at Xaiver, "Yeah, my team." David walked forward, the lightning around him dying down.

"D-david! Are y-you okay?" The girl in white questioned, looking down semi-nervously as he exited the wreck that was once a Dust shop.

"David!" Rei shouted, preparing to slap him in the back, but pulling back as to not get herself zapped, "What the heck was that!? You left us without warning." She scolded.

"Yeah, that was a pretty dumb move." The faunas boy grunted, leaning against a streetlight. "You broke protocol, you scatterbrain. You could've been killed if not for the other guy here." The boy pointed toward Xavier briefly, before turning his attention back to David.

"Guys, leave me alone." David said, moving forward, "I didn't need help, not from him, not from you. I can do things on my own."

The girl in white slid in front of David, blocking his way.

"Out of the way, Caroline." David grunted, annoyed.

"No!" She said, "You could've been hurt, then what good a leader would you be?"

"You guys ore only concerned because I got this stupid condition."

"No," Rei butted in, "We're concerned because we're your friends."

Xavier watched the group argue with David. It reminded him somewhat of the conversations he'd have with his brother back home in Palos.

"Irvine! You shouldn't take on those Humans without anyone to back you up!" Yelled twelve year old Xavier to his older brother Irvine Ray. Irvine's emerald green eyes glowed kindly at his little brother, his waist length silver hair blowing in the autumn wind.

"Relax little guy, I'm doing what's right for us!" Irvine assured, running his hands through Xavier's silver hair and tussling it up. "I'm gonna get some help, don't worry. My friend Adam asked me to see some likeminded individuals." Irvine then proceeded to scratch behind Xavier's ear like he'd always loved.

"Wrruuuh..." Xavier began to pant, gaining a chuckle from his eighteen year old brother.

"Everything's gonna be fine, little guy. We're gonna be fine."

Irvine stood up and holstered LFFLLF onto his back, a five foot long jet sword that turned split at the blades seam, allowing a seven foot laser to shoot between the blades and extend its length.

"Everything's gonna be fine. You're gonna be fine..."

That was the last time he'd seen his brother in person. He'd seen his brother multiple other times, though none was he glad to see.

"White Fang bombs another Schnee Dust Company facility. Three hundred workers killed, five hundred injured."

The news report played all over the TVs and radios of Palos. No matter where Xavier went, he'd hear about this horrible event. So he finally stood in front of a TV store, watching the news play out.

Xavier was fighting back the tears as he saw the dark indigo paw insignia that was sprayed all over the walls, along with red thorny roses and a black upward flame insignia.

Xavier looked at the indigo insignia and tears began to form.

"Irvine..."

Xavier shook his head angrily, trying to get the bad memories of his brother to go away.

"Hey Xav'!"

The wolf boy turned his head to see the rest of Team VRTX walk in on the scene. Ross looked out of breath, Tanya looked annoyed, and Violet looked impressed with her surroundings.

"Wow, Scruffy..." She said, walking over a few unconscious bodies, "You do all this yourself?"

"Uhh..." Xavier scratched the back of his head, then he turned to see David and his team still bickering. "Actually, that guy helped me out a bit."

Violet turned her attention to the group of students outside.

"David? The cripple?" Violet questioned before receiving a glare from Xavier., "what?"

"He's not a cripple..." Xavier corrected, "You should'a seen the guy. He leveled like seven or so with one blast."

"Blast?" Tanya questioned, "You mean he could use the Dust he's been fused with as a weapon?" Tanya leaned back in thought, her foot tapping, her hand rubbing her chin, "That would take an incredible amount of skill and concentration, as it is already quite difficult to channel fused Dust, even while one's Aura is at proper levels."

"He must be a master with Dust control then..." Ross mumbled.

"Yeah... Incredible..."

Soon enough, the four of them had left the scene. They weren't there when the police came around to clean up the mess, but DSRT apparently stayed for some reason.

"So, why couldn't you wait for us?" Violet demanded, stepping abruptly in front of Xavier. The wolf boy tried to go around her but she kept blocking him off. "Answer me! I'm your leader."

"Indeed, why did you abandon the three of us so abruptly?" Tanya added.

"Yeah, not cool man." Ross said, his hands tucked behind his head.

"I... Uh..." Xavier couldn't find the answer. Why didn't I just wait for them? He asked himself. His thoughts went to the White Fang. From the White fang to his brother.

Irvine? I don't get how it could have anything to do with him...

"I was hoping someone would be there, I guess." Xavier replied, walking between the three teens. "He wasn't there."

The other members of VRTX looked between each other.

"Was it Blake?" Violet asked.

"Now where the heck did that come from!?" Xavier shouted. all thoughts of Irvine replaced by embarrassed thoughts concerning the gloomy girl clad in a bow.

"Well, was it?" Ross persisted, a smile growing on his face.

"No! No it wasn't you immature little cubs!" Xavier spat, trying to cover for himself. Cover for myself!? I'm not! This is stupid.

"I'm starting to believe that he was longing to see Ms. Belladonna. I can see it in the way he holds himself; his posture. Slinking shoulders and reddened cheeks." Tanya added.

"Shut up, you human calculator!"

Their bickering continued all the way back to the academy, even a few minutes before going to sleep. Luckily the team had fallen asleep in their proper beds.

They had a big day ahead of them, as they would be journeying to the Forever Fall Forest for a field trip.

Can't wait...

*Mortal Kombat Announcer Voice* Chapter: Komplete!

Okay! I finally pulled this one out of my ass! Not that it's a bad chapter, or anything.

My goal for this chapter was to showcase David a little more. Seeing a bit of Xavier's past was a bonus that I hope you all appreciate.

Does Irvine's weapon sound sexy? It's like an advance version of FLLFFL. My goal for that weapon was to combine Shulk's Manando Sword with FLLFFL.

We also got some specifics on the location of the Dragon Lands.

So, I've decided to ease up on the exclamation marks. I have no idea that they are so offensive to so many of you. I just like to put some flair in my writing. (Don't you dare respond to that)

Well, I hope you guys are enjoying the ride as much as I am. Read and Review, yo.

Artisan Out!

NEXT UP: More of these Grimm guys!?