Chapter 1: Painting the Town Red

Disclaimer: RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum, I only own my OCs.

Team RXDY

A female voice said, "Legends. Stories scattered through time. Mankind has grown quite fond for counting the exploits of heroes and villains forgetting so easily that we are remnants, byproducts of a forgotten past. Man, born from dust, was strong, wise and resourceful. But he was born into an unforgiving world. An inevitable darkness, creatures of destruction. The creatures of Grimm set their sights on man and all of his creations. These forces clashed and it seemed the darkness was intent on returning man's brief existence to the void. However, even the smallest spark of hope is enough to ignite change. And in time man's passion, resourcefulness and ingenuity led to the tools that would even the odds. This power was appropriately named Dust. Nature's wrath in hand, man lit their way through the darkness and in the shadows' absence came strength, civilization and most importantly, life. But even the most brilliant lights eventually flicker and die. And when they're gone, darkness will return. So you may prepare your guardians, build your monuments to a so-called free world but take heed for there will be no victory in strength."

Her voice was then replaced with a male one, "Or perhaps victory is in the simpler things you've long forgotten. Things that require a stronger, more determined soul!"

It was a cold mid-morning on the continent of Anima, Rena leads her team through a village composed of humans and faunus. The two races live in harmony, a rare sight considering the discrimination the faunus face every day.

Draco looked around commenting, "This isn't something you don't see every day. Humans and faunus co-existing without tension."

Rena told him without looking at the dragon faunus, "This village at one point was sparsely populated due to constant attacks by the Grimm. So the mayor of the town asked the Vale Council for assistance but didn't get an answer. Desperate he turned to Atlas. Unlike the Vale Council, Atlas accepted the mayor's plea and with the kingdom's military might backing them, the humans and faunus united to hold the line. Not expecting fierce opposition the invading Grimm forces were pushed back. However, pushing the creatures outside the village's main gate wasn't enough for the mayor. He wanted to prove his village won't tolerate being invaded so mustering his forces along with the Atlas military, the Grimm were hunted down without mercy. Down to the last abomination. Once the village was deemed safe, the mayor thanked his ally. Since then the population has grown from a few thousand to about one point two million and maintained a strong relationship with Atlas, the latter going as far as offering them a fraction of its forces patrolling the boarders. The inhabitants get along well despite being two different races. This should be an example that peace between humans and faunus is possible." A young male deer faunus sees them and offers them a friendly smile something that Yumi returns. Some of the male teenagers melt from it while others are captivated by Rena's beauty.

The glare she sends them is enough for them to get the message.

They stop at a sandwich restaurant for lunch, sitting in a booth. They order what they want and the waiter writes it down before telling them their food will be out shortly.

Draco stated, "You know a lot about this place. How?"

Rena said, "I've been here before." The waiter returns with their food telling them to enjoy the food and ask if they anything else.

The group eats while engaging in idle chatter. After picking their meals clean, Rena pays the bill and the faunus team departs the restaurant.

Arriving at the mayor's office Team RXDY stands before the person.

The mayor was a middle-aged male fox faunus with short gray hair, 48 years old, stood around 5'10, fair skin, amber eyes and still had an impressive build. He wore a blue business suit and purple tie. He currently sits in his brown leather chair.

He interlocked his hands, "Ah, you're the mercenary faunus team everyone talks about. The name's Sean Heatherway, I'm the mayor of this city, Kurajima."

Yumi complimented, "It's a nice place."

Sean smiled, "It is, isn't it?"

Rena asked, "What's the mission?"

Sean became serious, "For about a year, things have been peaceful in Kurajima but recently Grimm have started surfacing. Not only are they picking off travelers but also threatening to end trading routes I've established with Atlas. There's a village near the opening of a mountain range north of here. Head over there, find the source of the Grimm infestation and take it out. Tread carefully. Anima is a haven for bandits. Should you encounter any during the mission, take them out as well."

Draco said, "I'm surprised they haven't raided your village yet or the Grimm coming to eat you."

Sean answered, "The mountain range is known for rock slides and tumbling boulders. They usually keep the Grimm in check but with travelers coming and going, the Grimm are getting bolder."

The dragon faunus assured, "We'll wipe out the infestation, sir. No Grimm will make it out alive."

The mayor smiled gratefully, "Thank you very much. I'll have the money prepared for you when you return." RXDY leaves the mayor's office.

Reaching Kurajima's front gate the guards in the observation towers pull the switch, opening the gate for the team to pass.

Walking along the dirt road the faunus team stays alert, knowing an ambush can happen.

Xavier stated, "Why doesn't Atlas take care of this? They have the firepower to deal with the Grimm."

Yumi looked at him, "Maybe Atlas wants to conserve their resources. They patrol the boarders and don't want to risk losing ships to terrain."

The ox faunus thought about it, "Sounds reasonable." Approaching the neighboring village, the group sees a sign showing the name: Yokohama.

Drawing their weapons they enter the place only to be greeted with blood staining the walls of houses and road and rotting corpses, the horrible scent coming off made Yumi cover her nose. Draco clenches his shotgun while Xavier can only imagine the carnage that plagued this place. Rena keeps walking unfazed by the gruesome sight.

Yumi said, "This place is deserted. I'm not sensing any Grimm."

Rena told her, "Grimm don't have Aura or a soul, they're creatures of darkness." Laying her eye on a little girl Rena moves toward her only to find her half-eaten, the child's brown eyes glazed over. Kneeling the human-like faunus quietly closes the girl's eyes. Shaking her head Rena does a small prayer.

Suddenly the grounds begins to rumble, then shakes violently and explodes. Through the dust glowing red eyes stare back at the faunus hissing. Once the dust clears the Grimm's identity was confirmed as a Death Stalker but this one wasn't like the typical scorpion Grimm seen around Vale. This Death Stalker was obviously larger, older and more dangerous as indicated by the scars on its body.

Xavier balled up his fists, deploying Gemini, "What's a Death Stalker doing out here? Don't they prefer warmer climates such as Vale?"

Draco narrowed his eyes, "This giant makes an exception. It's probably the one preying on travelers Sean told us about. As far as I'm concerned, it's just another dead Grimm." He cocks Judgment.

Releasing a beastly shriek, the overgrown arachnid charges. Raising its left pincer the scorpion swings it, RXDY jumps back. The swing generates a powerful gust of wind that forces the faunus team to lay on the ground. Despite this, they can feel themselves slowly being pushed back prompting them to stab their weapons into the ground for added resistance. When gust ends Draco quickly gets to his feet loading fire Dust shotgun shells into Judgment and opens fire. The Death Stalker brings its pincers together shielding its face. Rena runs at the giant scorpion and leaps into the air, when the Death Stalker separates the pincers the one-eyed faunus swings Scarlet across its face. The attack barely leaves a scratch on the beast's exoskeleton. Rena sees the Grimm bringing its pincer close and forms an X with her gauntlets before the attack connects launching her backwards. She black flips on the ground before recovering in a crouch position stabbing Scarlet into the ground to slow her momentum. Once she comes to a complete stop Rena stands activating her Semblance. Flames erupt on Scarlet with a loud hiss, she stabs her claymore into the ground again the flames race along the fissure her weapon created.

The Death Stalker notices the flame trail coming. A pillar of fire engulfs the Grimm. The team waits for the end result to show. To everyone's shock the Death Stalker is unharmed save for a smoking exoskeleton.

Rena ordered, "Xavier, launch Draco onto the creature's back!" The ox faunus nods grabbing the dragon faunus' outstretched arm. He spins around gathering speed then throws Draco at the scorpion Grimm. Landing on the back Draco extends his claws.

He aggressively slashes at the Grimm causing it to shake its massive body. Draco drives his claws into the back to keep himself steady, frustrated the Death Stalker shakes harder which causes Draco to hold on tighter. Now enraged by the nuisance on its body, the Death Stalker charges at a boulder hoping to drive Draco into the rock. The dragon faunus looks behind him to see the massive rock so he jumps off seconds before the Death Stalker collides with it. Disoriented the Grimm hisses at the headache the collision made. It next feels excruciating pain as Draco targets its limbs. It turns to face the faunus and snaps its pincers at Draco, the young hunter back peddles and looks up to see the Death Stalker lifting its glowing stinger he knows what it was planning. Draco jumps back seconds before the stinger hits the ground, the Death Stalker quickly pulls it out and tries again. Draco evades knowing the stinger contained an extremely potent venom that can kill even the strongest hunter or huntress.

Xavier finds himself battling with a Beringel that was hiding within the village.

The two exchange blows, fists meeting. Sidestepping a punch Xavier grabs it and flips the Beringel overhead. The gorilla Grimm roars at him throwing its fist Xavier catches it and bends the limbs the opposite direction earning him a cry of pain from the Beringel.

Balling its free fist the primate throws a hard punch that Xavier blocks with his gauntlets. Recovering the ox faunus charges his opponent cocking his own fist and thrusts it forward with a yell. The force behind it sends the Beringel into a house. Already weakened by weather and erosion the structure collapses on top of the Grimm. Xavier knows that won't finish it. Beringel were stronger, durable and surprisingly aggressive for its size. The gorilla rises of the debris snapping its arm back into proper place then pounds its chest. Jumping into the air it looks to smash Xavier into the ground. He dodges it and exchanges blows with his adversary once again. Xavier subtly moves Gemini at the direction of punches thrown by the Beringel, absorbing the hits and in turn making the gauntlets brighter.

Rena stares at the Death Stalker with a calm expression while thinking up a strategy to finish the giant arachnid. Every strike dished out won't penetrate its exoskeleton. Directing her gaze upward she sees it. If they can somehow direct the stinger its sheer mass can punch through the exoskeleton.

Yumi uses hit and run tactics on the giant scorpion targeting the joints. Hermes leaves only minor cuts.

Draco sees his comrade in danger and fires at the Beringel this allows Xavier to get up. Gemini glows white hot as he activates his Semblance. Running at his opponent the ox faunus raises his fist the gorilla Grimm does the same. The punches connect but thanks to Semblance Xavier wins shattering the Grimm's arm, dodging attacks by its remaining arm Xavier lands strikes on the Beringel's stomach, chest, legs and finishes it with an uppercut. The Grimm falls onto its back trailing dust as it slides on the ground.

Draco saw his comrade standing and said, "What are you waiting for, Xavier? Finish it!"

The ox faunus replied, "No, that would make me no better than them." Shaking his head at the faunus' refusal to finish the Beringel off, Draco walks over to the dying Grimm and blasts its head off. They both watch as the gorilla evaporates away in black smoke.

Draco turned to face Xavier, "These creatures have no pity or remorse. They will kill you without hesitation, thus you mustn't show them any mercy. Your reluctance to finish a Grimm will cost you your life someday, Xavier." They next see Yumi flying towards them after the Death Stalker whacks her away with its tail.

Kicking back to her feet the wolf faunus wipes the blood from her busted lip then Rena lands next to her seconds later, however she did it on her own.

The one-eyed faunus said, "We need to get this monster to use the stinger on itself."

Draco asked his leader, "How do you propose we do that?"

Rena answered, "Righteous Fury!" Xavier and Draco run at the Death Stalker.

Xavier directs the gathered energy on his gauntlets into himself, enhancing his strength. His feet digs into the dirt as he stops the beast's pincer then with one mighty punch shatters it earning a loud cry of pain from the Death Stalker. Draco climbs the remaining pincer and stands on the arachnid's head. Strapping Judgment to his shoulder he activates his own Semblance, his claws extend, eyes become slits, teeth turn razor-sharp and exposed skin turn into scales. Draco slices away at the scorpion Grimm. Claw marks appear but do no further damage. He targets the eyes since they had no protection, rendering the Death Stalker half blind. The two end their combo.

Rena called out next, "Meteor Shower!" She and Draco hit their combo attack.

Draco deactivates his Semblance, his appearance returning to normal. He loads ice Dust shotgun shells into Judgment and targets the joints of the Death Stalker's legs encasing them in ice as Rena runs at top speed, swinging Scarlet so fast it appears as a blur. Lines appears in the joints that quickly turn into tiny fragments. Its support robbed the scorpion falls to the ground. However, the Death Stalker glares at the group in defiance.

The team leader said, "This is your end. Lunar Eclipse!" Draco throws a smoke grenade from his belt. He purchased some prior to a previous mission.

The smoke expands obscuring the Death Stalker's vision. Yumi activates her Semblance, Lunar. Day becomes night and the moon shines brightly.

Holding her dagger in a reverse grip the wolf faunus charges, jumps into the air and dives at the joint holding the stinger. Timing her attack, Yumi slashes the joint, leaving a cut as Rena removes the other pincer. The faunus duo next jump simultaneously and race towards each other. They strike in unison as they pass each other. An X appears then the stinger breaks off the joint and pierces the Death Stalker's head, killing it. The scorpion Grimm releases one final shriek into the air before the head crashes to the ground. It evaporates in black smoke.

Xavier sighed, "Woo, that beast was tough."

Draco answered, "The Grimm become stronger as they age. What did you expect?" They resume searching for the source of the Grimm infestation.

The team finds a cave inside a huge mountain. Thanks to their faunus traits they see perfectly in the darkness. Down and down they went, the temperature dropping to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Reaching the heart of the cave, RXDY sees a web with skeletons littering it.

Yumi suddenly shivered, "I just got goosebumps, guys. Something is here." As if on queue, a black shape walks out of the darkness and onto the web.

The creature had 8 legs, little over half the size of a Beowolf, white bony plate covering them, massive dagger-like fangs that no doubt contained lethal venom, claws protruded from the tip of its legs meant for climbing and bony spikes lined its massive abdomen. 8 red eyes open and lets out a deep hiss.

Draco recognized it, "A spider Grimm? I thought those were hunted down."

Rena answered, "Think again. This thing must have been preying on travelers, killing them with its venom and carrying them here to its web to feed."

Xavier asked, "Do you think this creature and the Death Stalker have been co-existing without the other noticing?"

Rena nodded, "It's possible. After all, scorpions are in the arachnid family." The spider Grimm hissed louder, "It's best we leave it alone. This Grimm is clearly much older than the Death Stalker we just fought." The spider Grimm watches them leave its sight and returns to whence it came. Exiting the cave, Rena channels fire into her blade and cuts a large chunk of rock out of the mountain, using it to seal off the cave. In her mind she hopes it can contain the arachnid.

At this point the sun was setting, changing the sky into a mixture of orange, pink and red.

The team heads back to Kurajima, the guards see them and raise the front gate. They enter the village as the gate lowers behind them.

Entering Sean's office, Rena informs him of the mission's success.

The fox faunus smiled, "Ah, so you found the Grimm infestation and purged it?"

Rena said, "Yes and no. Yes, we found the reason why so many travelers were being killed. Turns out there was a Death Stalker preying on them but the one we faced was older and much bigger than the typical Death Stalker you may see. It was tough. We still won in the end. No, because there was also a spider Grimm hiding deep within a mountain cave. It's possible it and the Death Stalker were co-existing without noticing or didn't care. The spider Grimm was also preying on travelers as evident by the skeletons littering its web."

Sean queried, "I take it you dealt with this monster?"

Draco shook his head, "No, sir. It was too dangerous. One look and we could tell that thing could kill us with its venom. Rena decided it was best to leave it in peace and to our relief, the spider Grimm didn't follow us. Although she sealed off the cave entrance with tons of rock. The creature won't pose a threat to your people any more."

The mayor let out a sigh of relief, "That's good news. That will put our minds at ease and we can resume trading goods with Atlas and travelers can come here again. I'll still advise them to exercise caution while traveling." Turning in his chair Sean reached down and placed a brown bag on his desk, "As promised, here's your money. 20 million lien." Rena grabs the bag and thanks him.

Xavier said, "We pray your village prospers without any further Grimm trouble."

Sean chuckled, "One can hope." They depart the mayor's office and stop at another restaurant in Kurajima before checking in to a local Inn to rest for the night, using some of the lien to pay for the rooms.

A/N: First official chapter of Team RXDY finished.

I altered the narration we all in the beginning of RWBY Volume 1 slightly.

The team battled with a Death Stalker that was older followed by a Beringel and a spider Grimm, since it was much older than the Death Stalker Rena decided it was better to seal it inside the mountain cave.

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