Ch. 4 the First Trial

As he sat there hiding on the bench a thousand questions were swirling in Richard's head.

"What was she doing here? How did the White Fang manage to sneak her into this school? Should I go tell Ozpin or Goodwitch or should I try to directly confront her? Why can't my past stay in the past? Why can't I just forget that night and move on with my life?"

"Well first things first, I can't let her see me better mix in the crowd."

He was interrupted from his thoughts by two energetic voices behind him

"Hey Richard, what are you doing in the back of the ship on this bench?"

"Hey Yang I was just getting ready for the first day, by the way what are you doing here Ruby?"

"Well I got into a fight with this Torchwick guy and Ozpin invited me to the school."

"Torchwick" he growled with a menacing look

"Richard, are you ok? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Nothing just making a mental note to myself, now let's see what Beacon has to offer."

Richard stayed back as everyone left making sure he didn't leave in front of that Blake woman. Once she left he proceeded to casually walk with the crowd to the auditorium. Once he was inside he quickly spotted Blake and managed to find a place to stand in her blind spot. After Ozpin gave his speech he made his way to the sleeping room where he found a place in a corner where no one would see him.

"Well who's this little guy sitting here all by himself in a school designed to train real warriors?"

"Let's see if I had to take one guess I'd say you're some rich snob who thinks he's above everyone because he's a little bigger and richer."

"Well the names Cardin and you're going to pay for that little insult." He said as he raised a fist.

Before he could strike Richard casually removed his bandana revealing his scar.

"I wouldn't try it if I were you. The White Fang tried once. There weren't many of them left when I was finished with them."

Suddenly nervous Cardin quickly walked away without saying another word. Richard looked over to see Blake staring wide eyed at him for a split second before quickly returning to her book.

"Great just perfect, that Cardin guy is going to pay for screwing this up."

The next morning Richard went to his locker no longer caring whether Blake sees him or not. He would occasionally see her nervously glancing at him as he would walk to his locker and get his armor and weapons.

"Good Morning Richard you ready for this challenge."

"Morning Yang, I'm just getting ready. Making sure the weapons are loaded and the swords aren't rusty."

"By the Richard I noticed Blake keeps staring at you is everything ok."

"Is she I didn't notice? How did you know who Blake is anyway?"

"Well she did stick up for Ruby earlier and we talked to each other last night. She doesn't seem that bad and kind of nice in a mysterious way."

Richard tried hard to keep the suspicion from showing as they were interrupted by a voice on the voice system.

"Will all first year students report to the training yard for initiation."

"That looks like our cue I'll see you on the battle field buddy."

"I'll catch you later Yang."

"She wouldn't be a bad teammate although I think Ruby's already got dibs on her. Hell any of them would be good as long as it isn't Blake or Cardin."

He made his way to the Platforms over the cliffs where the rest of the students were standing. He sat there as Ozpin explained the rules of the initiation.

"Finally since we have 13 students here the student without a team will have the option to decide which team he or she wants to join."

As he was launched off the platform he quickly fired his pistols in front of him to slow himself down then used his swords to latch on to a tree and stopping his descent. As he got down he heard an Ursa roar and someone yelling and a lot of shotgun shells going off. As he ran to the noise he stopped dead in his track at the sight of Blake going to the same disturbance.

"Fine I'll let Blake take this one don't want to cause any trouble now."

After an hour of walking he heard a group of hushed but menacing voices. He quickly climbed a tree in order to stay hidden while spying on his adversaries.

"Do you have any idea where we are?"

"Don't worry we just head to the sound of gunfire until we find those future hunters and end them before they can cause us any trouble."

"Time to interrupt your party you White Fang scum." Richard said jumping down in the middle of the group smiling.

Blake's POV Across the forest

"I think we're hear, this temple ruin looks like the right spot."

"Look at these chess pieces. I guess this is it. Wait a minute what this thing over here?" Yang said confused.

"It looks like a grave but who would be buried here. It says:

Here lies George Dragon-Heart

Stout as an ox, loyal as a pet and fierce as a dragon

Cut down by the White Fang before he could fully realize greatness

May his name be remembered and his legacy carried on by his teammate and friend.

R

What does this mean Blake, Blake what's wrong?"

Blake had been staring wide eyed at the grave while Yang had been speaking and barely noticed her speaking.

"Huh oh nothing just a mistake." Blake said tears beginning to form on the corners of her eyes.

"Alright then let's move on." Yang hurriedly said obviously aware that this was a sensitive topic for her new teammate.

Back to Richards POV across the forest

He struck first with one sword and a pistol in his hands. He blocked the first man's attack with his sword and knocked him out by hitting his helmet with a .45 round. The next man tried to hit him in the back but was promptly blocked and knocked out by the hilt of his sword. He quickly put another round into the third man and then moved to pistol whip the last man until he too was unconscious. Before he could see if they had anything important on them he was interrupted by the sound of gunfire and the scream of a nevermore and death stalker.

"Let's see what the rest of them have gotten themselves into."

He moved quickly through the forest until he arrived to the sight of Ruby dragging a helpless nevermore up a cliff until finally cutting its head off with her scythe.

Team Ceremony a few hours later:

After listening to the different teams being formed it was finally Richard's turn to enter the stage.

"Finally our odd man out. Since you were unable to find a partner you will be given the choice of which team to join."

"Hmm alright." Richard said as he surveyed the rest of the teams formed. After catching Blake's eye he spoke up and said

"I would like to join team RWBY."