"Woo, watch out!"

Mari Honda danced back as a tall, lanky figure darted past her, clutching at his face. She watched with detached amusement as he made for the nearest garbage can, and promptly threw up. Snickering, she turned away, joining the flow of academy hopefuls as they formed up on the promenade leading to Beacon Academy.

It was hard to imagine that she was actually there, about ready to become a member of the elite. Only a select few made it there, and she was one of them. A brief moment of pride struck her; out of everyone at Signal, there were perhaps a dozen that had made it this far. She was one of them.

A backwash of pressurized air caused her long ponytail to whip back before her as another of the landing craft came down for a landing. Her skirt threatened to fly up over her thighs, held in place by the rise of her sword belt.

She sighed, moving to the back of the plaza to lean as casually as she could against one of the marble benches surrounding it. The green and yellow cheongsam didn't single her out as a foreigner here, and that put her at ease. Everyone here was different, from the crimson haired gladiator that passed nearest to her, to the brilliant yellow of-

Ah. Mari grinned. There she was. There was no mistaking the cut of that tan jacket, golden hair cascading down from Yang's shoulders. Even at this distance, she could pick out her violet eyes. The xia straightened, drawing her Jian and waving with it.

When Yang didn't see her over the crowd, she ignited the burners, turning the sword blade into molten flame.

"Sis, that kid's got a collapsible staff! And… She's got a fire sword!"

A shorter figure with saucers for eyes latched onto her friend's arm, fawning over the fiery display. The students around them dodged away, a few muttering curses of surprise as they were nearly singed.

Yang finally noticed and gave her a nod; Mari returned her sword to it's sheathe. Even as she waited, she caught sight of their other friends. Ryan Sunbeam, Artus Swan, Dylan Sang and Scott Roche. They'd been waiting on the far end of the plaza, and as the crowds parted to avoid the flames, they stood. All of them powerful warriors, some of Signal's best.

They were also completely infatuated with Yang. Yes, all four of them. If asked, the Sun Dragon would play it off that they were just interested in her gauntlets.

Gauntlets. Right.

They jogged over to her friend, and Mari made to join them; it was clear from the hesitant set in her friend's shoulders that she wanted to get away from the little redhead beside her.

As the group ran back down the causeway, she slapped Yang's arm roughly, drawing a harsh grin back from the other. "So, we're here!"

Xiao Long laughed, a playful growl. "Yup, and the party's just beginning."

The boys all spoke at once, tripping over themselves to get their buxom friend's attention. Yang skillfully drifted between them, teasing Ryan briefly, before trading barbs with Scott.

Once they found themselves in the main hall, it was easy to slip away from the boys. They'd hook up again later, but as Yang shouldered her way through the crowd and dropped into a pair of seats – boots up on one – Mari wasn't about to complain about some one on one time.

"So who was the girl hanging off your arm when you got in?" She cocked an eyebrow curiously. Yang popped her neck a couple times, and gave her an uncomprehending look. "Short, red dress, big bulky thing on her back that looked like a cannon?" Mari elaborated. "I don't remember her from our class at Sig."

Yang chuckled before beginning the drawn out process of cracking her knuckles, one after another.

"That'd be my sister, Ruby."

Mari's forehead scrunched up. "Sister?"

"Yup."

"I didn't think your sister was –"

"- old enough to get into Beacon?" Yang shot her a mischievous glance. "She's not."

"Then how – "

"She chased down that guy on the news as we came in." The golden haired girl leaned back laconically in her seat, pride evident in her tone. "Torchwick? Yeah. Kicked his butt around downtown Vale and nearly caught him."

Mari blinked. Part of their training was to spar against one another, and the teachers at Signal often ran them through simulations against holographic Grimm, but… to fight against other humans? Aside from sparring, it wasn't something even the graduates had much practice in.

"I know, right? Badass." Yang rolled her eyes. "Now so long as she doesn't explode from all that pent up excitement of being pushed ahead two years, we'll have a genuine Huntress on our hands in a few years."

Almost in tune with her words, there was a low rumble, just strong enough to vibrate Mari's seat beneath her. She glanced back out the door; a few other students were craning their necks to look back outside as well.

Yang spared it only a glance, then shrugged. "I seriously doubt she actually exploded." With a twinkle in her eyes, she regarded her old friend. Mari felt it then, a sudden rush within her as their gaze locked, and she glanced away. If Yang noticed, she didn't acknowledge it.

"So tell me," Xiao Long said with a yawn, settling back in her chair, "How was summer Vaycay?"

"I promise I'll make this up to you!"

Blake Belladonna grit her teeth and forced her step to remain slow and measured. She shouldn't have gotten involved; the Schnee heiress could cause her problems. The more attention she kept off herself, the better.

"So, what's-"

Her ears twitched as she caught the girl speaking to her again. Otherwise, she didn't respond, keeping that same slow, measured pace. No agitation. No sign she'd heard. Just that calm, assured paced, a balanced rolling of the hips which could not be unseated.

It was a few minutes before she registered him, walking a half step behind her to the right, uncomfortably close. She registered a black coat atop a tall, thin body, a pale throat rising to a shock of red hair-

Blake jumped, gasping slightly. Her sudden companion stopped just as suddenly, clearly startled.

"I'm sorry," he said quickly, holding out a placating hand. "I wasn't sure if you heard me."

The faunus drew in another breath, her heart dropping from her throat back to where it belonged once more. It wasn't Adam. Something about the newcomer must have triggered a half-awakened memory. He was tall, certainly, nearly a foot taller than her, but where Adam was slender, this guy was broader in shoulder.

The dark coat that caught her eye wasn't the jet black of her former partner's; instead, it was more the shade of coal over a black vest and pants, the undone collar of a white dress shirt barely visible beneath. Even the red hair was a figment of her imagination; this guy had an unkempt mop of brown hair, above ice blue eyes that regarded her curiously.

Right. He'd said something. "I'm sorry?" Blake managed, taking a step away.

"I said, 'That was a nice thing you did there.'" He gave her a lopsided grin. "I didn't mean to startle you."

Blake nodded, her amber eyes flickering away. This was just the sort of attention she didn't need. She needed an escape route. "It's nothing."

The stranger's grin faltered slightly, and he dropped the hand.

"No, it's not." He shrugged. "It's something pretty rare."

"Either way, I'd rather not discuss it," Belladonna said, sharper than intended. If the stranger noticed, he didn't react. If anything, he seemed pleased, somehow, with her answer.

"Alright, it's dropped." He turned to resume walking, and paused when she didn't move. "You know, we don't have to talk if you don't want, but we're headed to the same place." He shrugged. "Might as well share the walk."

Taken aback, Blake could do little but stare as he started away, hands clasped behind his back, long coat dragging the ground like a cape with each step. This guy was so weird…!

"Hold up." The faunus' sudden stride caught up quickly, bringing her level with her new acquaintance. There was something she couldn't place about him; perhaps it was the smell. Humans usually stank of bodily odour, but this one… it was like he smelt of machine oil.

In time with her steps, Gambol Shroud's comfortable weight pulled at her shoulders; perhaps he had recently performed maintenance on his own weapon.

Seriously. Enough. Stop being paranoid; there was no reason to analyse everyone's motivations inside out and backwards. If she got caught by the White Fang, Blake would have to deal with it when it happened.

Belladonna glanced up at her silent companion again. He didn't look like a faunus; didn't smell like one either.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He didn't bother looking at her, but after a few steps he held out a gauntleted hand, not breaking stride. "Terragon."

Blake glanced at the hand like she would a dead rat. "Sorry?"

"My name." He smirked further. "Traditionally you would give me yours next."

Right. She gently took his hand and shook once. "Blake. Blake Belladonna." She paused, then shot him a sidelong look. "Terragon what?"

Something flashed across his face. It was so quick, no one but her could have noticed it, and even Blake couldn't discern what it was. All the same, it reaffirmed her caution.

He worked his mouth, as though unsure how to respond. "Blazehart."

Blake's eyes narrowed. "That's an odd name."

"Look," he growled, "It's not my fault that people think I was named after a plant." When she shook her head in confusion, he sighed. "Terragon? Tarragon? Dragon spice?"

Blake nodded, understanding now. It seemed odd though; most people in Remnant were named for colours, or their names were close to them. It was generally assumed that people would dress the part; Belladonna plants had jet black fruit, and so Blake's dark clothing matched.

"I didn't mean to offend you," she offered. He sighed again, then turned back to the path before them.

"I startled you," he grunted, "You think my name's odd." He smiled that disarming smile again. "Call it square?"

Blake nodded; she had barely finished when she felt a hand on her arm. Terragon jerked a thumb, and she noticed the background noise had grown louder. Somehow, they'd made the looping journey to the eastern entrance to the amphitheatre in no time. "As promised, walk shared."

He gave Blake a small bow. "I'll leave you to it. Good luck in the new semester!"

"Wait, you're going?" Blake spoke before she could catch herself. Something was very off today.

Her new acquaintance nodded, even as they found themselves getting swept up into the crush of students heading inside. "Not a fan of crowds, and I need to track someone down inside." Terragon offered her a meaningful look. "I'm sure we'll see each other again before long."

He stepped back and joined the throng; despite his height, he vanished within moments.

Terragon grunted in pain as he shrugged out of his vest, muscles pulling tight across his chest and stretching new scar tissue. He shot a glance behind him, out into the common room; after the presentation by Professor Ozpin, the prospective students had been herded back to this long hall, and told to unpack only the essentials for staying the night.

Apparently, there was to be a test in the morning. He shook his head, tossing the vest aside and stripping off his elbow length leather gauntlets. Testing his right hand, he opened and closed it a few time, feeling an uncomfortable grinding in it.

"I wonder if this is what Arthritis feels like," he muttered.

"Oh, you're definitely too young for arthritis. My Mom always says-"

Jaune Arc paused as he spoke when the other looked at him. His face ran through a series of expressions, settling on chagrin. He ran a hand through his scruffy blonde hair. "Never mind."

They'd run into each other on the way back from the assembly. On the night before the entrance exam, they were each assigned a locker, and Glynda Goodwitch had overseen the relieving of each student's weapons. There would get them back the next day, they were assured, but even this had made him uncomfortable.

Terragon had just finished handing over Aetherflame, his crimson hilted longsword, when Jaune made an expression of surprise in the line behind him.

"Well, wow," the thin kid commented. "I never thought I'd see that."

"What?" The other got out of the line so Jaune could hand over his own blade, perhaps a foot shorter in length.

"Everyone here has these super cool swords and axes and spears that change into stuff." Jaune gave his sword over to Goodwitch, who motioned him out of the lineup to join the lineup of disarmed students. "I thought I was the only one who had a sword that was just a sword."

Terragon arched an eyebrow. "Who says it doesn't change?"

In the here and now, he made the same movement as he took in Arc's dress; the younger man was wearing a blue onesie, and frankly, it looked ridiculous. He did his best not to laugh; Jaune seemed nice enough, if a little awkward.

"Probably not arthritis then," he said, removing his shirt and testing the other arm, pumping it a few times to be sure. As expected, it hurt too, but he wasn't about to admit it. "Just sore from training."

Arc's chastened expression disappeared, and his upbeat attitude returned. "Don't worry, buddy." He slapped the bigger man on the shoulder. "It'll work itself out in a few days."

Terragon grunted, swapping out his pants behind the screen for a pair of bottoms, striding out into the common room to where he'd left his sleeping bag. They were packed in like sardines; well over fifty students. He wondered; how many of them would actually be accepted? What sort of test would decide whether or not they got in?

"It's like a BIG slumber party!"

A girl with golden hair flew past him, launching herself down next to another, smaller one, currently busy writing in a notebook. Terragon grinned; it was this kind of boundless enthusiasm he missed. All around, the excitement was palpable. Dozens of conversations flowed and piled on top of each other, students asking themselves the same questions he'd been.

Well, not all of them. Off in the corner, he spotted Blake, curled up with a candle and a book. Closer, the other, smaller girl replied to her friend. "I'm not sure Dad would approve of all the boys though."

Golden-hair glanced up, catching his eye. "I know I do."

Then she growled, like a lioness. Terragon froze, mid arm pump, and then she was gone, blocked by Jaune as he wandered past in that ridiculous onesie. He paused as he saw the growl, head shooting up, and the other man grimaced.

Please, don't think that was meant-

"Euww." Jaune's posture deflated as Golden-hair grimaced. Terragon peeked past the blonde kid, and sure enough, she wasn't looking at them anymore. Jaune resumed his walk across the room, grumbling.

Someone snickered behind him; a tall, brawny guy with a reddish swoop of hair crossed his arms and stepped up beside him. "Geek."

Terragon's eyes narrowed. "Scuze me?"

The big guy jerked his head in Jaune's direction. "Seriously. What kind moron wears something like that in public?"

"Perhaps someone who's cold," Terragon responded, fluffing out his bedding, and ignoring the newcomer.

"If he's cold in here, he's soft." The big guy didn't leave, instead offering his hand to shake. "Huntsmen shouldn't be soft. Cardin Winchester."

Winchester. Despite himself, Terragon smiled slightly. Like the rifle, this guy looked like he had some serious stopping power. The two of them compared, Terragon was slightly taller, but not as heavily muscled. Despite his Olympian build, something about this guy seemed… slimy.

He ignored the hand, and squared himself up to Cardin. "Terragon Blazehart. I'm tired. You're stopping me from sleeping."

Cardin frowned, dropping the hand. "Not very friendly, are ya, Terr."

"Not when I'm tired, no. Or when people make fun of others for no reason."

Winchester grinned. "Got guts, too. Wanted to make you an offer."

Rolling his eyes, Terragon nodded. "Which is?"

"I hear that we're gonna need partners tomorrow." Cardin shrugged his massive shoulders. "Most of the people in here look like wimps, but you don't." He chuckled in what, Terragon was sure, was supposed to be a charming fashion. "Could maybe even give me a challenge in a scrap."

Terragon pasted a bland smile on his face. If only this self-important punk knew. He felt his gorge beginning to rise, feeling the urge to rearrange the other's face growing stronger with every moment. Drawing a steadying breath, he kept his tone neutral. "Regretfully, I must decline. I would assume our partners are already chosen."

"Pfft." Cardin snorted, a sneer beginning to creep across his face. "They're not. What's the matter? Not man enough to work with me?"

The other clenched his fist, focussing on the lancets of pain that shot through it as the bones ground together. "Apparently not."

Winchester rolled his eyes and turned away, waving a hand in the other's face dismissively. "Fine. Whatever, loser. Don't say I didn't offer."

Terragon let out the breath he'd been holding, the fire within sinking down to a manageable level. This wasn't good, at all. It had been a long time since his anger had been this close to the surface; he couldn't afford to let it go.

"That one's a pig."

A tall, curvaceous woman had stopped next to him, wearing a long white nightdress, upon which her crimson hair fell like a cascade of blood. Green eyes pierced his, and for a flash Terragon was reminded of someone else, long gone. He brought himself back to the present, and he nodded.

"Aye, that he is."

The girl gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "I am glad you stood up to him without resorting to violence. He was clearly itching for a fight."

Terragon grinned, dropping to his bedding and crawling in. "Would've been his mistake."

"Oh?" The girl's tone was bemused, a soft tinkle like champagne poured into a crystal glass.

"Yeah. Would've ended up breaking his legs."

And there you have Chapter 2.

Introduced a few important characters, though some got more attention than others; Mari and Terragon are my primary OC protagonists, though each member of teams RWBY and JNPR will be played with regularly.

If you couldn't tell, the four boys that are 'friends' with Yang will be a new team as well, team SABR, though their role in the story will become clear much farther down the road.

I suggest you re-watch from "The First Step p.1, to The Emerald Forest p.2", before continuing. I'm not sure how long the next chapter will be, as it will primarily focus on Terr and Mari's experiences during the initiation test. I may also draw out the test across several chapters if I feel the flow demands it.