It was a nice morning at Neo-City as we head towards the dormitory into the room shared by Marcus "The Kane" McGee, Eddy Skipper McGee and Rex Salazar. As Eddy and Rex are snoring loudly on their beds, we see Marcus, wearing a red t-shirt with a stop sign logo over a black & white striped long-sleeve shirt, blue cargo pants and black sneakers, already up as he made his way out of the room, leaving his snoring roommates behind.

As Marcus steps out of the room and closing the door, he let's out a yawn and began to stretch his back which let's out a small pop, "Oh! Yeah! That was good.'' he said in bliss as he began to walk forward in the hallways.

As Marcus turns at one corner, he encounters an odd sight. On the floor is a sleeping Karizza Stronghold and standing next to her is a young woman. The young woman has a pale, youthful complexion, blue-eyes and a light-orange hair tied in short pigtails. She wears long-loose yellow jacket over a white dress shirt, blue denim shorts, black & white striped socks and brown sneakers. This is Erika Yaeger.

Staff and Morals Committee Member

Erika Yaeger

Marcus met Karizza several times during training but never once he got to talk to her but it was days ago that he was able to. One early morning, Marcus was making his way out of the dorm when he accidentally bumps onto Karizza which ended them in a very compromising position, fortunately for him no one saw that. Due to Karizza's sleepy nature, Marcus is forced to carry her towards the Rabbit House as she requested. There Marcus got to know her well, aside from being the Major's eldest daughter, he learns that Karizza has few friends as a lot of people couldn't get use to her behavior. When Karizza asks if he thinks of her the same way as the others, he reassured her that he's not which made the sleepyhead smile brightly. Marcus can't help but find her smile endearing, just seeing a clueless smile from an airhead is enough to start his day in a positive way.

Marcus met Erika during lunch time when she scolded him for running in the halls carrying a box of water balloons. To be honest, Marcus hates disciplinary committees as they constantly tries to ruin his fun of spreading harmless chaos in their school. But for some reason, Marcus couldn't hate Erika. Sure, she scolds him for every stupid things he do but she does in concern rather than in spite. Marcus has witnessed how Erika deeply cares for everyone, her nurturing and motherly traits is something he extremely admires about her. Marcus... as much he does not want to admit it, sees Erika as an older sister figure.

"Hey, Erika." Marcus greeted, "What's up with you and sleepyhead?'' he asked jabbing a thumb at the sleeping Karizza.

Erika turns to him with a grin, "Hey, Marcus.'' she greeted back, "Are you heading towards the Rabbit House?'' she asked.

Marcus nodded, "Yeah... I'm having my daily caffeine addiction there.'' he replied, "Why ask?'' he asked.

"I was about to take Karizza there but Anna just called and needed my help ASAP.'' Erika replied, "Would you be a dear and take Karizza there for me?" she asked, "Since your heading there yourself.'' she pointed out with her hands slapped together.

Marcus rolled his eyes, "Sure... why not.'' he grumbled as he picks up Karizza bridal style.

"Sorry about this, Marcus." Erika apologized, "But I'll make things up for you! Meet me tonight at the AniManga Cafe, drinks are on me.'' she claimed with a wink.

Marcus grinned, "I look forward for that.'' he replied.

As they went on separate ways, Marcus with Karizza in his arms, left the dorms and made their way to the Rabbit House. As he walks at the sidewalk, he comes across Duncan Rosenblatt and two more boys. The first boy with Duncan looks like some sort of goth. He has a short black hair and has blue eyes. He wears a blue hooded jacket, dark gray pants and black & gray shoes. This is Kenny Rogers, Duncan's best friend.

Vanguard Academy Student

Kenny Rogers

The second boy is way taller than Duncan. He has a short black hair and has green eyes hidden behind a pair of sunglasses, and has a small facial hair. He wears a yellow coat over an orange buttoned jacket and a red shirt, black pants and white leather shoes. He wears a brown scarf around his neck and black fingerless gloves on each hand. This is Cesaro Barbossa, also known as Captain.

Rookie Trainee and Vanguard Academy Student

Cesaro Barbossa

Marcus only knew Kenny through Duncan as he is not a trainee but rather a student at Vanguard Academy. Marcus is aware that Kenny doesn't like him and he understand that. Marcus is a jock, Kenny is a nerd, they don't mixed well. But he do respect and admires Kenny for his loyalty and being good friends with Duncan, whom he sees as a brother. Duncan and Kenny's relationship reminds him of Eddy and himself.

Marcus is good friends with Cesaro but their are times that he can't understand the Brazilian young man. Marcus feels that Cesaro is hiding something but he can't be too sure.

"Sup, Marcus." Duncan greeted him as Kenny gave him a stink eye while Cesaro grins at him. The three boys noticed him carrying Karizza in his arms, "Again?!" Duncan exclaimed, "You sure are fond carrying this girl everyday towards the Rabbit House.'' he mused.

Marcus rolled his eyes, "I'm used to it.'' he replied, "It's like not she's heavy or something. In fact, she's pretty light.'' he stated.

"Careful though.'' Cesaro spoke with a grin, "You know that she bites in her sleep.'' he advised.

"I already knew that, the first time I carried her.'' Marcus grumbled, "Anyway... I really should get going. The faster I get to the Rabbit House, the faster that I can put her down.'' he stated.

Duncan nodded as he walks ahead, "Later, bro.'' he said as Cesaro follows him.

Kenny turns to Marcus and flips a finger at him before following the two, Marcus let's out a chuckle as he continues his way towards his destination.

A minute later, Marcus arrives at a store complex where the Rabbit House is located. The exterior of Rabbit House is a comfy, cozy looking café with a curved roof and a hanging sign with a rabbit engraved into it. This is to represent the café. The upper half of the Rabbit House is also a living quarters for the current residents. The front is shown to have two windows with wooden boards that can be opened and a single oval window at the very top which seems to lead to the attic.

Marcus then enters the cafe. The café's floorboards are made of a dark and old type of wood. Most of the booths are also made of wood besides the main island that connects to the bar. There are also a few pieces of art created by the girls at Rabbit House. Inside the cafe, Marcus saw several familiar people in the place such as Venoct and Nyaruto Nyazumaki having a coffee at one table, Samurai Jack and the Soldier are also there sitting at one table having their early morning coffee and Momo Yaoyorozu is sitting alone at one table drinking a latte while working on her laptop at the same time.

Then a young girl walks towards Marcus. The girl has long, periwinkle colored hair with horizontal bangs held by black crossing bands on each side of her head. She has relaxed blue eyes and has a short stature. She wears a blue variant of the Rabbit House Café's uniform: a long ankle-length black skirt, white blouse, waistcoat, and bow tie white socks and blue socks. This is Chino Kafuu, the daughter of the owner of the cafe.

Rabbit House Employee and Vanguard Academy Student

Chino Kafuu

On top of her is an angora rabbit. This is Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe normally called Tippy. The mascot of Rabbit Cafe but secretly being possessed by Chino's late grandfather.

Rabbit House Mascot

Tippy

"Welcome." Chino greeted politely, "Ah... Marcus-san... '' she said before noticing Karizza in his arms, "You brought here again like that?'' she asked.

Marcus let's out a sigh, "Sorry about this, Chino.'' he apologized, "Erika was suppose to accompany this sleepyhead here but work caught up with her, so she asks me to Karizza here instead since I'm about to head here as well.'' he explained.

Tippy suddenly spoke, "That's pretty nice of you, Marcus." he pointed out, "It's good a thing that Karizza and Erika can depend on your reliability.'' he commented. Due to Chino's grandfather possessing Tippy, the angora rabbit gained the ability to speak but no one makes a big deal about it since everyone thinks it was just Chino doing ventriloquism.

Marcus rolled his eyes, "More like abusing my reliability." he pointed out, "Anyway... is there are free table around, I really wanted to put Karizza down on a chair... my arms are killing me." he stated.

Chino the led them at one table, Marcus then placed Karizza down on a chair and gently setting her down on the table. Marcus then sat down on a chair when another young girl approaches them. The girl has strawberry blonde shoulder-length hair with loose bangs, decorated with a cherry blossom hair clip on the side of her head. She has purple Tareme-style eyes. She wears a pink and red variant of the Rabbit House Cafe's uniform: a long ankle-length black skirt, white blouse, waistcoat and bow tie, dark-brown pantyhose and black shoes. This is Cocoa Hoto, Chino's self-proclaimed older sister.

Rabbit House Employee and Vanguard Academy Student

Cocoa Hoto

"Good morning, Marcus-san!" Cocoa greeted rather excitedly, "What are you two having today?'' she asked with a tray in hand.

Before Marcus could reply, Karizza's head sprung up all of a sudden, "Yey! Yey! I'll be having a three mochacinnos and a strawberry coffee!" Karizza exclaimed excitedly.

"That's what make you wake up?!" Marcus exclaimed in disbelief, "And three mochacinnos?! You're getting full of yourself! And where in the hell did you get the idea about a strawberry coffee?!" he retorted.

Cocoa nodded, "Um! Three mochacinnos and a strawberry coffee coming right up!" she cheered.

"Seriously?!" Marcus exclaimed in disbelief.

Marcus let's out a sigh, "Give me a strong coffee... so strong that it'll knocked me off of my misery.'' he grumbled.

Cocoa nodded, "Roger that!" she quipped, "I'll be back in a jiffy!" she said with a salute.

Marcus then watches the ditzy girl skips away towards the bar where Chino is stationed, Karizza then spoke, "Hey Marcus... where's Erika?'' she asked with an innocent smile.

Marcus turns to her with a blank look, "You noticed that just now.'' he grumbled as he shook his head, "Erika has work to do, so she ask me to take you here since you love having early morning coffee." he stated.

"I see... thanks." Karizza replied with a big, bright smile.

Marcus can't help but smile back... her smile... is contagious.

-BREAK-

Meanwhile at the same time at the Vanguard Academy, we see several students walking around the courtyard despite being so early in the morning. Amongs those are Ruby Rose, Jaune Arc, Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie sitting at one bench having a conversation while comparing notes at the same time.

"Hey, Ruby.'' Nora called, "Where's your brother, Robin?'' she asked.

Ruby pulls her hood down, "He is currently at New-New York with his band and the After School Tea Time." she replied, "They're going to perform at the Woodstock event, so he won't be attending class today.'' she stated.

"There's going to be a Woodstock event?!" Jaune exclaimed, "Damn! I should've bought some tickets!" he complained.

"Don't worry, Jaune. We can attend Woodstock next year." Ren reassured.

As they continue talking to each other, a middle-aged man is seen walking towards them. The man has a graying black, spiky hair, dull red eyes, and slight stubble along his jawline. With a red, tattered cloak, he wears a gray dress shirt with a long tail, black dress pants, and black dress shoes. He also wears a ring on his right index finger, two other rings on his right ring finger, and a necklace with a crooked cross-shaped pendant. This is Qrow Branwen, the honorary uncle of Ruby Rose.

Vanguard Academy Instructor, Huntsman and Solo Hero

Qrow Branwen

"Hey, kiddos." Qrow greeted.

"Hey, Uncle Qrow.'' Ruby greeted back, "What's up?'' she asked.

"Pack your bags, kid." Qrow advised, "Your team is going to have a mission at Remnant and I'm coming all with you.'' he stated.

This taken them aback especially Ruby, "Are you serious, Uncle Qrow?'' she asked in surprise.

Qrow nodded, "I am.'' he replied as he turns to Jaune, Ren and Nora, "You three... pack up too, your coming as well.'' he stated much to their surprise.

"Sir, are you serious?" Ren asked, "The three of us are still trainees here and trainees are not allowed yet to take on missions.'' he pointed out.

"Yeah! We don't wanna write any essays because we went on a mission!" Nora added.

"And I got a test this afternoon about the History of America!" Jaune exclaimed, "I studied hard for that!" he stated.

Qrow waves his hands, "Don't worry, I already told the President about this and he agreed to let you three come along.'' he explained, "Besides... the President told me, that if there's a mission that involves one's personal world, he or she are allowed to help... trainee or not.'' he stated,

Jaune looks at Ren and Nora who gave him a nod, Jaune nodded back as he stood up, "Okay! Time to show Remnant what we've learned so far.'' he exclaimed with a smile.

Qrow grinned, "That's the spirit.'' he commented.

As Jaune, Ren and Nora went back to the dorms to pack up, Ruby turns to Qrow, "Uncle Qrow... what about Robin?" she asked.

Qrow shrugs his shoulders, "He's not here right now and he's not replying back from the message I sent him.'' he replied, "I guess, he doesn't want to come.'' he stated.

Ruby looks down, "I see.'' she said before walking away.

Qrow watches his niece walks away before letting out a sigh, "I wonder how Tai will react once he finds out that he's son is alive.'' he mused as he took out his flask and began to take a swig of it.

A/N: Inspired from someonestupED, damnlastwords, Hope the Victor and Ace Neptune. All OCs and concepts not created by moi were given permission for me to use by it's respected creators.