I'm sorry it wasn't long, but I've been busy with a lot. WIth all the teams it's hard to manage, but for specific stories with teams ROSE, MEST, SOMR, and KNDS I direct you to Code-Emperor07, The 13 Paged Notebook, pyron55, and Archenarcaleptc.

Fall from Grace

The man drew back his hand and Knives cringed in fear. The thud of the man's fist over Knives' head was harder than he'd been expecting. He looked up to see the warm smile he was more accustomed to. "It's good to see you again brother."

Cyan Silver, the one of the few remaining members of Clan Blut…and he was Knives' cousin. "Hey bro…was it necessary to hit me?" Knives whined.

Cyan glared at him. "You get into a big prestigious school and you don't even bother to write your loving family…I must say I'm ashamed!"

Knives chuckled, "We both know you can't read."

"Caden can…he was accepted into Signal not too long ago…he's really making something of himself." Cyan replied fondly.

"Caden always was smarter than the two of us…he wasn't cut out for this life." Caden had always been weaker…his aura was faint because he was a sickly child, and although now he was attending Signal, no doubt his aura hadn't grown stronger. Cyan on the other hand…he radiated power. Looking at him was like staring into the sun, which is why he knew to fear him. His abilities were well beyond Knives' not only could he heal his own wounds, but he could manifest his aura in combat, sometimes even cancelling out someone else's by forcing his way through his opponent's aura. He liked to call it "Aura Eater" but Knives knew that wasn't correct.

"Yeah…so what have you been up to Knives?"

"Learning mostly…combat classes are no fun, because they're nothing like the drills Ozpin made me run in the 'Panic Room' or fighting against you…"

He smiled. Cyan was known as one of the deadliest assassins money could buy. Knives had gotten his job working for the crime lord he served because of Cyan. "Yeah I am pretty awesome…so what are you doing here?"

"Just digging up mom's old box of files…I think there may be records from Clan Blut in here…one of my professors really wanted to see them."

Cyan's gaze hardened, "You would share the secrets of our Clan with an outsider? You truly have become weak Knives…"

"What do you mean?"

"Running errands like a good dog…slacking off on your combat practice…prancing about in your fancy halls with your education…Caden went to Signal to become stronger…but you went to Beacon and became weaker…you disgust me…"

Knives sat there in shock, but he knew Cyan too well…the only thing Cyan valued was strength…he protected Caden all throughout childhood but would always tell him to "Man up…get stronger!" He had fallen from his cousins graces…it was one thing to feel like an outcast in school…but to feel it from your family…it hurt more than anything Knives could have imagined. He picked up the box and began walking towards Beacon. He memorized everything on the way back. The disgusting odor of blood and booze that permeated District 103; the garbled shouting of vendors as he walked by, the eyes on his back and the shame he felt in his heart. He walked to the airship tram and boarded his way back to Beacon. He left the box in Professor Oobleck's personal mailbox and then entered his dorm.

Everyone looked like they'd had a rough night. Luxus usual joy was replaced with a look of sorrow. Deverou sat in silence playing with his pencil instead of doing his homework, and Caradin was actually cleaning and making things look neat. No doubt his parents would grill him on how things looked or his roommates. "Knives!" He called out. "Hey buddy…if my dad asks…I'm the leader and uh…wear this!" He handed him a red dress shirt with a vest and black slacks.

"Why on earth would I wear this?"

"Because…my dad thinks we're all proper and disciplined and I can't have him thinking we're a bunch of delinquents. Mom would have a panic attack, Dad would pop a gasket, and I would be very, VERY!"

"Caradin…breath…everything will be fine." Knives said smiling. "Just…chill out."

His teammate was obviously flustered, but he took a breath and calmed down, "…Thanks Knives…to be honest I'm glad you're our leader…you may be rough around the edges, but you know what you're doing." He said with a smile.

Knives smiled back, a fake smile, and got ready for bed. It was great Caradin had faith in him, but he had no faith in himself…Luxus should have lead…not him.

*Some time later*

It was the night before the big field trip to Forever Fall. Knives was nervous, and hadn't been feeling up to his task so he had gone to see Ruby, only to find her consoling Jaune. He sat there behind the corner nervously hugging the wall. Mary Knight appeared behind him. "Creepy stalker thing…I can get behind it."

He was about to yell when she covered his mouth. "Sorry…forgot I shouldn't sneak up on people…I'm gonna take my hand away."

She removed her hand and he slumped down. "Wow, you look like crap…what's up?"

"I just…I feel like I've failed somehow…I'm not cut out to be the leader of my team…"

"Probably not." She replied bluntly. "But…we were chosen because Ozpin saw something in us that no one else had. Maybe it was smarts, maybe we kept calm under pressure, or maybe we were weak and he thought the position would make us strong…whatever the reason…we were chosen and we have to live up to it…we can't fail our team…no matter what."

He nodded and smiled. She was right, Ozpin had chosen him…but why? Caradin was stronger and had better experience, but in situations under pressure he had not acted for himself, he had done what Luxus and Knives had told him. Deverou was a servant and a follower; he had accepted the role to serve. Luxus was bold and cunning, and he had a charisma that made Knives want to follow him, but he had obviously never seen combat, the Death Stalker and the giant had disoriented him…he had been shaking terrified. Knives knew what to do and how to react, but he had no faith in himself…that was why…the teammates he had made him confident, they gave him great faith in himself…he promised not to fail them.

*The Next Day*

They followed Goodwitch into the forest and then split up to gather samples of red sap. He went off with his team and began to gather sap. "Listen…guys…"

They turned to face him. "I've been a crappy leader…I've been fighting and acting like a punk when I should have set the bar for the rest of you…Caradin, you are strong and determined…but you need to find your own path…don't live for your parents, live for you. Deverou, you are a wise guy and you seem to be capable of so much whether it is strategy or espionage. But you're stuck in the mindset of a butler…I'm not royalty, if you think I'm messing up call me on it. Luxus…when we first met you were charismatic and determined, but you handed control over so quickly to me. In combat you can be brave, but I see the fear in your eyes and the way your hands shake. You need to visualize something worth fighting to defend…and then do your best to defend it. I need you to be fearless okay?"

They all lowered their heads. Uncharacteristically Deverou spoke first, "I understand what you ask…and we will do our best to become even stronger…"

Caradin and Luxus remained quiet but they beamed at Knives and he smiled. The sound of glass breaking drew their attention, and they readied their weapons.