As soon as he was launched, Robin waited for the exact moment before swinging his staff up. Hitting a button he laughed as it spread out into his scarlet glider. The wind was perfect, he didn't even need to direct it as he chose a spot to land. Pressing the button again, Robin landed gracefully on the forest floor. Placing his staff on his back, Robin ignored the drone hovering silently nearby and began to walk down the path.

He hoped he got someone a bit strong than he was. In a fight that would be better than a couple of weak kids against one strong Grim. Not that he minded, the wind couldn't push around a concrete bag, but a stronger partner wouldn't hurt.

On guard, Robin pushed through two bushes in an attempt to find a decent path. He also didn't want to be ambushed by Grim. Quickly popping through, Robin looked around carefully. No Grim.

A rustle caught his attention and he grabbed his staff cautiously. There was definitely something, or someone, here. Contemplating turning his staff into rifle mode, Robin looked around. This wasn't the best place for a fight.

"Ah…" a long string of curses followed.

Robin jumped with surprise as the sounds of an flare, then a series of crashing sounds overhead, followed. He leapt backwards as someone fell from the pine tree beside him. Leaves fluttered down and a bat followed, hitting the ground with a thud. Robin winced and offered his fellow first year student a hand.

"That looked painful," he said sympathetically.

"It was," Richard shook himself, taking the other kid's hand. "At least I survived the tree vine's vicious attack on my leg."

"I doubt any of the other students have ever survived such an assault," Robin said with a straight face.

"Probably not," Richard brushed leaves from his red-sleeved shirt.

"So partners?" Robin asked, glancing at the other kid.

He was tall, lanky, and looked like he ran marathons just to warm up. His red shirt, tan pants, and black shoes enhanced the runner look, not to mention the red bandages around his wrists and his red bandana. Not exactly the buffest guy in the lot, but not exactly weak like Robin.

"Yeah," Richard nodded. "Partners. It's a good thing, I don't like fighting Grim by myself, even though I'm good at it. Name's Richard."

"I'm Robin."

Robin was tall, but rather thin. He was wearing a red tunic over dark gray pants and boots. A light blue belt was strapped across, a shiny red staff attached to it. Not bad for a teammate.

"Did we plan this?" Richard motioned between them, noting the similarities in their outfits, particularly the color red.

"I don't know, maybe they did," Robin glanced at the drone. It was hard to forget they were there, no matter what he was told to do.

"I talked to you last night," Richard pointed a finger at Robin.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you it's rude to point?" Robin rolled his eyes.

"She did, I wasn't listening," Richard shrugged, bending over to pick up his baseball bat.

"Nice weapon, what's it do?" Robin asked.

"Bangs up Grim, shoots flares," Richard rested it on his shoulder. "Best weapon out there. What about you? Saw you floating."

"You know about the Glider then," Robin nodded. "And right now it's a staff. But it also turns into a sniper rifle."

"Whoa!" Richard glanced at the staff. "One of those hardcore weapons!"

"Yeah," Robin shrugged. "I was ambitious in my class."

"I'll say," Richard nodded. "Say, so as our first duty partners let's go grab a relic and get out, maybe dissolve a few Grim while we are at it?"

"Sounds good," Robin grinned.

Rojo shoved his hands in his pockets, wishing he had Rye with him. Rye was more his partner than any of these people. They were thrown together and expected to fight well when in all their training they had been taught to fight separately. At least he had had Rye then. Now he had to make a friend. He prayed it was someone willing to do all the talking. Preferably, their share of the fighting as well.

He froze as he heard the heavy breathing of a Grim. Grabbing his rifle off his back, he waited patiently. Spinning he unloaded half a magazine into the Beowolf. It roared and fell to the ground, disappearing into a cloud of black smoke.

Stepping out of the way of the brass, Rojo lifted his weapon again as the three other Grim snarled and approached in a large circle. Rojo tilted his head, his neck popping.

The first Beowolf leapt towards him. Emptying a few bullets into him, Rojo slammed the butt of the assault rifle into the Grim's head. Grabbing his tomahawk from his black leather jacket, he threw it into the head of the second Beowolf. He didn't have time for the third at this moment and hoped it would wait at least five seconds more before charging.

There was a flash of blue and silver and the sound of the third Beowolf being impaled. Sounded like he had his partner now. Well at least they were in the middle of a fight and didn't have to talk much. Then there was his deal with being thrown together in a fight without knowing each other first. Oh well, there was no pleasing him was there?

The Grim were easily taken down, the last falling with a large icicle impaling its chest. It disappeared and the ice began to melt. Rojo looked up at his fate-given partner. He was short, shirtless, and had a snake tattoo. Not bad as far as partners went.

Ghara flashed the tall, muscular kid in front of him a smile. His katana still gleamed a soft blue as he sheathed it. Black smoke finally disappeared into the trees as the Grim vanished.

"Ghara Mizuchi," he held out a hand.

"Rojo Blanc," the kid answered.

"Nice fighting," Ghara tilted his head a little. "Good-looking weapon."

"Thanks for dealing with that third one," Rojo nodded.

"Well," Ghara rolled his shoulders back. "Seems like we have checked one thing off the list. Let's go grab that relic."

Rojo nodded, and Ghara took the lead. The abandoned temple shouldn't be too far away.

Three sets down, three sets to go. Some favorites making appearances since the Trailers! Enjoy!