Hey guys so thankfully an idea I was tossing around before I started the first non canon arc has finally begun to take shape (also this will probably be the last non canon arc before season 2). A special thanks to Tommy 2486 for helping me iron out the idea and for being a beta for this chapter.

StormFire: Glad to hear it, that means I must be doing something right at least.

I don't own RWBY as much as I'd want to.

It was a darkened room where each party was meeting, both had agreed that the less through traffic the better. Roman sighed as he stood there waiting with two henchmen for his new potential business partners. They were 20 minutes late and it was starting to piss him off, 'well they definitely have the arrogance now we just have to hope they have the power to back it up.' Suddenly the sound of the door opening snapped him out of his thoughts, his henchman immediately drew their weapons on the door, only to fall to the ground with holes in their chests.

"You know that wasn't very nice, I paid good money to Junior for those two," he said amused.

"You were going to kill them anyway after this meeting, I was just saving you the effort," replied the heavily armoured figure as it strolled into the room.

"True," conceded Roman as they took their seats.

"So," began the figure, "I've been told you want access to our products, the question is what can you offer us?"

Roman nodded, "we have lots of manpower, vehicles, influence, multiple android models and more dust then we know what to do with. Take your pick," he said smugly.

The figure leaned over the table, "my organization is willing to work with you but first you need to do something for us."

"Oh," said Roman surprised, "and what might that be?"

The figured took out a photograph and handed it to Roman, "we want her," it stated.

He looked down at it and his eyes narrowed, "why do you want her?" he asked, suspicious.

The figure took back the photo and leaned back into his chair, "that doesn't concern you Roman. You get her for us and my superiors and I can guarantee that we will share a long and profitable business relationship."

Roman raised his eyebrows, "very well how do we contact you when we have her?" he asked.

The figure got up, "don't worry Roman once you have her we'll contact you," it reassured him.

Roman watched as the figure left the building a frown on his face, he had been in this game for a long time and knew when he was getting a raw deal. Still Cinder said to get their support so he had no choice in the matter, but why ask for her, no scratch that, how did they even know about her? He sighed, looked like the only way to answer this question was to ask her himself.

"Well Little Red looks like we'll be seeing each other again real soon," he muttered.

"Checkmate," said Red smirking.

The poor student looked devastated as he placed his lien in the hat and moved back onto the growing sea of people. Cardin grinned and stood up on the table while Red reset the chess board.

"Come one come all, test your skill against the Red Reaper of Beacon. Win a single game against Red here and you'll get everything in the hat. The total is now up to 500 lien, imagine what you could buy with that kind of money. Price for a game is 5 lien, for three games it's 10, a bargain that you would have to be mad not to take advantage of," he shouted.

"How do we know you're not cheating?" demanded another student.

"Because this is chess, there is no chance involved in the game, it is impossible to cheat," explained a smug Red.

"That is correct Miss Rose but I would like to know why you and Mister Winchester here have decided to start up this stall. Surely you are aware that gambling for money is not allowed here at Beacon," came an amused voice.

The crowd of students split as Ozpin walked over to the two of them, sipping his coffee as he stood in front of them. Cardin had a panicked look on his face while Red just calmly staring back at the headmaster grinning.

"Well headmaster the purpose of Beacon is to educate the students correct? We are merely helping our peers by teaching them a very valuable lesson," she replied.

"Oh and what might that be?" asked Ozpin intrigued.

"Simple, is the risk worth the reward? After all it is our job, no our duty, as team leaders to educate our fellow students of this, is it not? If they don't learn this people could die and the only way we could think of getting this message to stick was by taking things from them, specifically money," lied Red.

"True, well then let's see how well you've learnt that lesson shall we?" he challenged, a small grin on his face as he sat in the empty chair.

"What do you mean?" she said, suspicious.

"A simple game of chess. If you win I'll let you two continue this stall, but if I win you have to donate the money to the school's new construction project, deal?" he offered holding out his hand.

Red frowned looking at his hand, 'he knows about my aura, Yang told me so. So why is he doing this? Maybe he doesn't know that it works outside of combat.' After debating for a good minute she smiled and shook his hand.

"You've got yourself a deal."

Yang walked over to her friends as they crowded around the table, "hey you guys seen Ruby anywhere?"

Blake looked over to her as she sat down, "she left the dorms early in the morning and before you ask no I don't know why, I saw her talking to Cardin before they left but haven't seen her since," she said.

Weiss looked up in concern at this, "maybe we should go find her, it doesn't fill me great hope that a criminal is walking around Beacon unsupervised."

Yang looked at her frowning, "Weiss I told you to stop that, she's not as bad as we first thought."

"Ok ok," said the heiress, throwing up her hands, "I'll be nicer but I still don't trust her."

The blonde just sighed and turned to her food, team JNPR looked at each other in concern as the silence grew.

"So… did you guys hear? The schools got a new construction project going on," informed Jaune, trying to break the awkward atmosphere.

"Indeed they're building a proper combat arena out of the old amphitheatre," said Blake.

"Really why? We have a combat room already," asked Yang confused.

"After that room got destroyed twice, by the same people no less, the school decided that instead of repairing it constantly they'd build a proper arena," answered Pyrrha with a smile.

Yang gave a sheepish grin, "well that place was getting cramped anyway."

They all laughed and started eating as more and more people left the cafeteria. Eventually the room became too quiet and they looked around in confusion, the place was nearly deserted and it was lunch time. They watched as someone ran into the cafeteria and quickly grabbed their friends before dragging them out into the hallways.

Yang frowned, "come on guys whatever's attracting everyone has got to be more interesting than lunch," she said.

They all nodded and followed the group of students to the court yard where a large amount of students had surrounded something. A whispered 'oo' and 'ah' could be heard from the crowd as they approached.

"You don't think Ruby has anything to do with this do you?" asked Jaune, concerned.

"Oh please what're the odds of that," dismissed Yang with a wave of her hand.

The game had been going for an hour and Red could honestly say that without her aura she would have lost within the first five minutes. Even with her aura she was only just able to hold Ozpin off as each assault became worse and worse. 'Damn it! How is he doing this? I should have beaten him by now,' she thought, sweat dripping down the back of her neck.

"Tell me Miss Rose, why do you think the King, the objective of the game, is the most impotent piece on the board?" he asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Red frowned as she moved her Rook to take his Bishop, "it's so you keep him safe and don't charge him ahead like most do with the Queen," she replied.

"That is one answer," nodded Ozpin.

"In a sense the King in chess is like the king in life, his existence is depends on keeping his forces intact and his people on his side. He is a hostage to his people's continued happiness," he concluded, taking her Knight with his own.

Red ran her fingers through her hair, the first signs of stress beginning to appear, 'I needed that piece! What is going on? I'm listening to my aura but it's not working,' she thought frustrated as he took another piece.

"What is your favourite piece Miss Rose?" he said, staring at her.

Confused she leaned back into her chair, "the Queen," she replied, taking his Knight.

Ozpin smiled, "Interesting and why is that?" he asked.

Red shrugged, "it's the most powerful piece, and whoever loses their Queen first usually loses the game because of it."

"I see, so you value it for its power and practicality," he commented amused before taking her Pawn with his Queen.

Red's eyes bulged and she spent the next 10 minutes trying to figure out the trap, finding none she looked back to him. "Why would you waste your Queen on a lowly Pawn?" she asked, confused as she took his Queen.

"Do you know what my favourite piece is Miss Rose?" asked Ozpin, ignoring her while he began attacking with his Rook.

"No Headmaster I don't," she answered with a shake of her head, while blocking off his Rook with her own.

"My favourite is the Pawn," he answered, taking a sip from his now cold coffee.

Red raised her eyebrows in surprise, "but headmaster Pawns are-"

"Weak, small and often exchanged for little to no tactical gain," interrupted the headmaster.

"Well… yeah so why pick them?" she asked, confused.

Ozpin picked up one said piece and held it out in front of him smiling, "because they have no real power and instead have to rely on nothing but their own determination and unswerving loyalty."

Placing the piece back on the board he moved it forward, "is it not strange how often, in the latter stages of the game, the King finds himself abandoned by his Queen, his religious advisors, his castles and his knights, yet defended by a few loyal Pawns?" he asked, rhetorically as Red took his last Bishop.

"The humble Pawn is often forgotten, mistreated and regularly sacrificed in pursuit of strategies of which they may not have even been aware, but despite this Pawns somehow always manage to be there at the end game," said the headmaster picking up his Pawn.

"Well Miss Rose I believe this is checkmate," he said moving the piece to the end of the board, turning it into a Queen. "You should never underestimate Pawns they will often surprise you."

Red just stared at the board, unable to comprehend what had just happened, 'how did I lose? I did everything my aura told me to!'

"You look surprised Miss Rose, you see the problem with blindly following your prediction ability is that it makes you yourself predictable," explained Ozpin, getting up from the chair.

"Predictable?" she repeated, confused.

He nodded, "you always pick the best option for the current situation on the basis that your opponent will react logically to this choice. But if the opponent knew this they could set up traps in advance knowing how you would react to their every move or in this case act illogically such as throwing a Queen away," elaborated the headmaster.

"No ability is infallible Miss Rose, you would do well to remember that," he said, turning around and walking away the students parting before him.

"Oh and one more thing Miss Rose, I thank you for the generous donation and expect to see you and Mr Winchester in detention with Prof. Goodwitch. Have a pleasant day," he called as he disappeared into the school building.

Red and Cardin looked at each other pale, detention sessions with Prof. Goodwitch had a very bad reputation. 'I think I should start writing a will now,' she thought fearfully.

To this day no one knows what happened to Red and Cardin in detention, only that they both came back to their dorms pale faced and unable to sleep for three nights. Whenever they were asked what had happened an expression of pure horror would cross their faces before they curled up into the fetal position muttering incomprehensible words.

Weiss was walking down the halls of Beacon when she heard the sound of music coming from the courtyard, her curiosity getting the better of her she followed it to a crowd of cheering students. 'What's going on here?' she thought confused. Her question was answered when she spotted Ruby and Cardin surrounded by numerous instruments, Ruby was on the guitar and Cardin on drums.

…They see you as small and helpless…

Her eyes widen in surprise, 'I didn't know Ruby could play guitar, Yang said she knew piano but not guitar,' she thought impressed. Placing the guitar on the stand Ruby waved to the crowd getting another cheer from them, "hope you guys are enjoying yourselves, remember to place some lien in the hat if you'd like to see more."

Smiling Ruby looked out over the crowd, "ok now the next song is going to be a different slower song, it's a song from where I come from," she said much to the crowd's confusion.

'Must be from Earth,' realized Weiss suddenly intrigued as she got closer.

"And I need a volunteer to sing for us, Weiss is that you? Perfect! You can sing right?" exclaimed Ruby upon seeing her.

Weiss froze, she hadn't sung since the incident at White Castle. Still it would be interesting to see what Earth songs are like, shrugging she walked up to the stage and grabbed the mic from Ruby.

"Thanks Weiss here's the lyrics and don't worry you'll get the rhythm fairly easily, just follow the melody," informed Ruby, handing her a sheet of paper.

Weiss nodded and Ruby walked over to a nearby keyboard, taking a deep breath the heiress waited until a slowly melody started, immediately quieting the crowd before beginning, hear voice melding with the notes.

Hope can drown lost in thunderous sound
Fear can claim what little faith remains

But I carry strength from souls now gone
They won't let me give in...

I will never surrender
We'll free the Earth and sky
Crush my heart into embers
And I will reignite...
I will reignite

Death will take those who fight alone
But united we can break a fate once set in stone

Just hold the line until the end
Cause we will give them hell...

I will never surrender
We'll free the Earth and sky
Crush my heart into embers
And I will reignite...
I will reignite...
I will reignite.

The students were quiet as the music died down and Weiss felt a tear run down her face, 'if that is just what the music of Earth is like then their culture must be incredible.' Ruby walked over to her with a smile and dry eyes, much to heiress' amazement.

"That was very well done Weiss, I don't think I've ever heard anyone sing it that well before," she complimented her partner.

The heiress nodded, "thanks… um Ruby when you have free time could you tell me more about Earth?" she asked, hopefully.

Ruby looked surprised at this before smiling, "sure thing Ice Queen, but first we need to pack up the equipment, don't won't to get in trouble now do we?"

"I'm afraid it's a bit late for that Miss Rose after all busking on school grounds is forbidden," came a reply.

Ruby and Cardin paled as they stared at something behind her, turning she found herself facing the headmaster.

"It would seem you two are slow learners perhaps another session with Prof. Goodwitch would fix that," he commented.

Ruby grew whiter than her at this point while Cardin just fainted outright, "n-no headmaster that won't be necessary," she stuttered, terrified.

"I see, then your choices are donating the money to the school or another detention session, which will it be?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

Ruby didn't even hesitate, "here take the money," she screamed, thrusting the lien into his face.

Weiss looked shocked at this, there had to be at least 300 lien in there why would anyone ever give that up to get out of a detention? Ozpin smiled as he took the container off them and Ruby began to have colour return to her face again.

"You know Headmaster it's strange, over the past week you always seem to show up just as we're about to end, it's almost as if you're waiting until we get the most money we can before taking it," joked Ruby.

Ozpin just turned to look at her smiling, "you're getting smarter everyday Miss Rose," before walking off, humming a merry tune.

Weiss watched as Ruby blinked and a look of sheer rage crossed her face, screaming she grabbed Crescent Rose and preceded to chop down a tree before storming off. Leaving Weiss and an unconscious Cardin to pack up the instruments.

Two days later the new combat arena was completed three weeks ahead of schedule, when asked how it was completed so quickly the headmaster replied that it was due to numerous donations throughout the week made by an anonymous benefactor. Most assumed that it was the Schnee Company wanting to improve their daughter's schooling experience and didn't give it a second thought.

It was a good day for the citizens of Vale, the sun was out and there was not a cloud in the sky. Red followed the rest of her team to the as they walked down the streets lead by Blake.

"Hey guys why did you drag me out here?" asked Red, curiously as she balanced on a guard rail.

"Because we've had it with you dragging us into your scams that always fail," replied the heiress.

"It was only one time Ice Queen and I said I was sorry! Besides they don't always fail," argued Red defensively, glaring at her teammate.

"Oh really?" replied Weiss crossing her arms. "Tell me one time you and Cardin actually succeeded in getting the money."

"She has a point sis, besides what do you even need the money for anyway?" agreed Yang.

She shot Yang a betrayed look, "well all the stores have specials on now thanks to the festival, so I thought I could stock up on supplies while they're cheap," explained Red.

Weiss gave her an approving nod, "I see, Crescent Rose must go through a fair amount of ammunition due to your fighting style," she theorized.

Red shuffled her feat, "err… yeah ammunition that's what I meant, definitively not cookies or anything like that," she replied, chuckling nervously.

The rest of team RWBY just looked at her in disbelief before each shock their heads muttering something as they walked on. She just shrugged and jumped down from the rail following them, 'this place looks familiar,' she thought looking around.

"So where are we going?" she asked Blake.

The black themed girl glanced at her, "to see someone," she replied, gruffly.

Red frowned, "three words, we're making progress," she said, bitterly.

The Faunus just shot her a glare before rolling her eyes and continuing on, 'great job Red, annoy the person already angry at you,' she thought sighing. While her relationship with Yang had done a complete 180 and Weiss had become tolerable, the rest still treated her with suspicion or in Jaune's case outright terror. Nora hadn't seemed to change much but Red always found the ginger keeping one eye on her at all times when she was around, but whether it was from fear or curiosity she couldn't tell. However Blake was the worst, she openly showed hostility to her whenever possible. When she asked Yang about it the blonde had told her that Tukson was an old friend of her's and that she should just give the Faunus some time.

"We're here," announced Blake.

Red looked up and her eyes widened as she immediately turned and began walking away, "you guys have fun I'm goin- erk," she chocked as Yang grabbed her by the hood.

"Oh no you don't Ruby, you're coming in with us," she said, smirking.

Ignoring her protests the blonde picked her up and threw her over her shoulder before following Blake and Weiss inside.

"Yang this is a very bad idea," she said, fearfully.

"Sis if you want Blake to forgive you then this is the way to go," explained the blonde.

"Oh yeah what am I supposed to say, hi sorry about trying to kill you before but I was in a really dark place, so let's forgive and forget," she exclaimed, sarcastically.

"Yes," replied Yang seriously, "Ruby you need to at least show you're sorry for what you've done."

"Alright Yang you've made your point," sighed Red.

The brawler placed her back on the ground and Blake rang the bell, "Tukson get out here someone needs to talk to you."

All of them looked at each other when no response came causing Blake ring the bell again, "Tukson it's me Blake are you okay?" she called.

Red frowned as she felt something weird in the room, it was confusing her aura. Tuning out a now panicking Blake she focused on the feeling of wrongness in the room, tracing it back to its source. There! In the corner of the room was the source of the problem, except turning around showed there was nothing there. 'No something is there, but it's hidden,' she realized. Deploying her scythe, much to the shock of her teammates, she walked over to the corner and jabbed the area with the blunt end of Crescent Rose. Everyone jumped as the sound of breaking glass was heard followed by cracks appearing in the corner before the illusion was shattered. All of their eyes widened as a bleeding Tukson suddenly appeared in the previously empty corner, quickly rushing over to him Red checked his pulse. She breathed a sigh of relief, it was there but barely.

"Weiss call the ambulance, Yang check the rest of the store, make sure whoever did this isn't still around," she ordered.

Both of them nodded and went to the chosen tasks as Red turned to see a horrified Blake froze in place, "Blake? Blake snap out of it!" yelled Red slapping the Faunus.

"I need you to stabilize him until the paramedics arrive. You're the only one here who has any sort of medical training," she said.

Blake nodded and ran over to him with Weiss as they informed the paramedics of the condition, Red frowned and gripped her scythe tighter as Yang approached and reported an all clear. The blonde looked at her with concern, "you ok Red?" she asked.

"Yeah just one problem," she answered, turning on the brawler.

Suddenly Red punched her in the gut sending her flying into the wall, "You're not Yang," she finished.

'Yang' smiled and the image shattered to reveal a girl wearing a white and pink coat, black pants and undershirt and holding an umbrella.

"So it wasn't a fluke you really can see through them, how interesting now I see why he was so fascinated with you," she commented.

"What are you talking about and what have you done with my sister!" demanded Red angrily.

The girl smiled, "Blondie is currently trying to figure out where the door went, now if you'll excuse me," she said, bowing as she twirled the umbrella in front of her.

"Yeah like I'd let you get away," growled Red.

Charging she brought the blunt end of Crescent Rose down on the girls head intending to knock out the attacker, only for the girl to shatter in front of her. Red's eyes widened, 'how? I didn't even notice the switch!'

Turning she looked back at Weiss and Blake, "can you both look after Tukson? I need to check on Yang," she asked, quickly, they both nodded and Red ran off to find Yang.

Neo stood on the roof watching the store as the police and paramedics arrived, she frowned it looked like the traitor would survive again. She knew Earth aura was good at detection but never expected it to see through her illusions. Neo smirked, 'if she's distracted however then I'll have no problems fooling her.' Still Roman would be interested to hear what had happened because despite the failure they now knew where Red was hiding.

"I'll be seeing you again soon," said Neo, a Cheshire grin on her face as she watched them walk away.

After the incident at the bookshop team RWBY were immediately brought to Ozpin's office for a debriefing.

"How did you know that the illusion was there?" asked Ozpin curious.

Red just shook her head, "it was weird, somehow it was messing with my aura. I just felt wrong in that room, not bad or good just like something wasn't quite right. It was like looking through two pairs of eyes each showing different things," she explained.

Ozpin nodded, "and she was able to disguise herself as Miss Xiao Long?"

Red just nodded, "yes and she wasn't giving off as big of a feeling as Tukson was, if she hadn't of tipped me off I never would have noticed."

Ozpin leaned onto his desk, "that is troubling and what do you mean, tipped you off?"

Red frowned, "she called me Red, Yang never does that," she explained.

Everyone turned to look at her in amazement, "that is most impressive Miss Rose," commended the headmaster.

Blake took a couple of steps forward, "Headmaster what happened to Tukson?" she asked, worriedly.

Ozpin's expression softened into a grateful smile, "he'll live thankfully, you all found him just in time. He's being placed into witness protection for his own safety and has been giving us lots of information about the White Fang."

"It won't matter," replied Red, "Roman would have begun changing locations as soon as he found out about the traitor."

Ozpin nodded in agreement, "sadly you're right, every warehouse we've searched has been emptied."

He leaned back into his chair, "is there anything else you want to tell me?" he asked.

Red sighed, "She was most likely high up in command or maybe even Roman's right hand man so to speak."

Ozpin raised his eyebrows, "why do you think that Miss Rose? Do you know her?"

She shook her head in response, "no but she called me Red, very few people in the White Fang knew that and most were very close to Roman."

"I see," frowned the headmaster, "thank you for the information, you are all dismissed."

As they left the office and headed back to the dorms Red turned to face them, "you guys go on ahead I'm going to be back late tonight," she informed them, getting a nod from both Weiss and Yang as they headed off.

Blake however didn't move, 'here it comes the usual, I'm watching you so don't try any funny business speech,' sighed Red as she braced herself.

"Thank you," came the response instead.

Red blinked, "what?" she asked in complete confusion.

"Thank you, he would have died without you," said Blake before turning around heading back to the dorm.

"Err… you're welcome?" muttered Red as the Faunus disappeared around the corner.

Red shrugged before walking off, "what a day," she sighed, exhausted.

Neo walked into the hide out with a skip in her step, ignoring the hostile looks she received from the White Fang members present she headed over to Roman.

He turned to look at her with an angry expression, "Neo you damn well better have a good reason for why that traitor is still alive. Cinder's pissed and when Cinder's pissed I'm pissed," he growled.

Neo just smiled as she recounted the events that took place in the bookshop, Roman's expression immediately turning from one of anger to intrigued as he smiled.

"So our Little Red can see through your illusions can she and she's been hiding this whole time at Beacon? That girl always finds new ways to surprise me," he said, grinning.

Neo shrugged, "so what do we do now?" she asked.

He turned to look at her, "for now we do nothing and just watch her. We can't take chances here, not with her. We'll wait for an opportunity to present itself," he ordered.

She nodded and headed for her room, her Cheshire grin returning as she pictured the games she would play with the huntress.

"I can't wait."

Ok so first chapter of the new arc is done. Unfortunately my holidays have ended so I won't be able to update as much. I'll try to keep it going as weekly updates but no promises unfortunately sorry guys.