Welcome to the next chapter of RWBY: Team DUSK, before starting the story. Let's answer some reviews:
altajir95: Thanks. I intended on it being that casual and fun chapter without no actions, but it was a good date between the two silver-eyed teens. And I'll keep on doing that.
Brotherly Issues
"Alright, Hunter keep it up."
Daniel said, as he went straight for Hunter, who, without his bow nervously stood there in a prepared, but almost amateurish fighting stance. Despite being nervous, he maintained that stance as a straight punch was aimed at him. Of course, it wasn't at full strength or speed, considering that Hunter wasn't that experienced in an actual fistfight. He managed to block it at Daniel and continued with the same thing for almost an hour and a half for as long as the group was there.
He wasn't alone, as Alyssa and Sandra stood on the sidelines watching the entire thing, but their group was at an appropriate training area. Both looked on with some interest as Hunter managed to hold up well enough without using his bow. Not surprising considering that he's been Pyrrha's main sparring partner since their attendance at Sanctum Academy; something most, aside from Jaune could ever say they were.
"I think that Hunter is getting better at defending himself without Actaeon."
Alyssa pointed out, her chin resting on her open palms.
"Yeah, I can agree to that. But," Sandra, who started learning more about being a consistent team player, among Team DUSK, continued speaking openly. "If Daniel or Pyrrha got serious, then Hunter wouldn't be able to defend himself against them. Not that I'm saying that they should, but if a serious situation comes up, then how would he handle it then?"
"Well, we're taking baby steps in getting him used to fighting like this. Besides, there's still time before the Vytal Festival Starts at the end of the second semester."
"If we're being honest, I'm looking forward to the Vytal Festival."
"Is it for the fact that you'll be fighting against the students from the four different academies? Or, the music that'll be playing around that time? I heard that there will be a lot of fun things that'll be happening during the festival as all the students will be gathering in Vale."
"I guess that it'd be all of the above, then. I can't help but become curious about what it'd feel like being a part of the Vytal Festival since I was attending Oscuro Academy."
Sandra admitted, thinking back to the times she heard about the Vytal Festival when she was a child and thought about what it would be like to experience that for herself. Both female partners continued talking about whatever they'd be experiencing during the tournament.
"Alright, Hunter, I know that you learned about this before, but you'll need to be vigilant of sudden sneak attacks from someone else," Daniel said, as Hunter nodded his head, after barely managing to block his partner's attack, recalling that he learned that from his father a long time ago. "And you'll need to be prepared for an unforeseen attack that'd disrupt your rhythm. Like this!"
As Daniel said that he stepped back in one swift moment, then followed up using a kick aimed at Hunter's next, something that he immediately flinched at. It was as he pointed out, it was an attack that he wasn't expecting, but it did not land. Hunter was glad about that considering that above punches, Daniel appeared to favor using kicks against people.
"And we're done!"
Daniel announced as Hunter seemed to fall backward onto the ground, as a relieved breath escaped from his mouth. He looked up to find that Daniel wasn't breathing heavily or anything as if this kind of training was just a simple task for him. However, the amount of time spent training wasn't short at all.
'Are you a human, Daniel?'
Hunter signed using his hand before laying on the ground and allowing a breath to escape from his mouth, as a wide smirk appeared on Daniel's face. It was understandable because the kind of training regimen that he used in Mistral for three years wasn't normal.
"I sure am, but I trained to the point of exhaustion several times. Though, I wouldn't mind being one, if it means I were to get my dad's ears," Daniel replied, imagining what it'd feel like to have his dad's Faunus traits. "Despite not being born as a Faunus, I'm happy with what I did inherit from my parents because that made me the person that I am today."
"You mean a nonchalant, smart aleck with a habit of teasing people while charging straight ahead into a situation without a second thought?"
Alyssa asked, hearing that comment from Daniel, something that Sandra almost laughed at.
"Right," Daniel replied, smirking at that comment. "See, I'm glad that my friends get me."
At Daniel's usual nonchalance, while holding up an intentional corny thumbs up, something that caused the three of them to laugh.
Sometimes, the members of Team DUSK found themselves standing around, drinking from the bottled water the group brought with them. At first, a simple conversation about the training that their group has been doing thus far. Compared to the first time the four met, then fought against the Behemoth together, both their teamwork and rhythm have improved a great deal.
Aside from that, the group couldn't see what needed to be improved aside from the obvious things, but the group did train by mixing their semblances. As Daniel pointed out, there were a lot of things that the four of them could do together using them despite their apparent differences.
"So, Daniel, are you cousins coming here when the Vytal Festival starts?"
"Yeah, there's no way those two are going to miss that festival. More so, since it might be their chance to have an actual reason to fight me."
"I find myself surprised each time I hear something about your family," Sandra said, finding him looking forward to fighting his family odd. "But, weren't you protective of them when you were growing up?"
"That is that, and this is this," Daniel calmly answered, holding his hands out as if to further state the past and the present. "Besides, your not a Norden unless you fight against your relative, at least once in life. Besides, the last time the three of us fought was last year when I returned to Atlas once. It's not like I can just continue to baby Gil and Diana forever. And they're not the kind of pushovers that people would expect. Diana already had her moment a couple of years ago."
"How so?"
Alyssa curiously asked.
"Remember that time I said I beat up the guy who dated her for the benefit of dating a Norden?"
"Yeah?"
His three friends/teammates nodded their heads.
"She broke his nose a week later."
Daniel replied, smiling at the memory of that.
"Pft, what?!"
Sandra couldn't hold it in and found herself laughing at that answer.
"You're kidding, right? Wasn't she the most softhearted?"
"Yeah, but he didn't consider one important rule in the Norden Family," Daniel said, holding up two fingers. "If you trash walk or hurt a family or friend, then you can't escape a fight. In class, I heard he called me a mongrel, then she punched him right in the nose before he could finish."
"Alright, I'm starting to like your cousin a bit more."
Sandra said, leaning forward.
"Well, I'm sure it'll be interesting meeting your cousins."
"Same here, I haven't seen them in a while now, aside from letters. I heard that Gil is the leader of his team, with Diana being on the same team as him."
Daniel replied.
'I'm looking forward to the Vytal Festival too. My mother said that she's looking forward to seeing my new friends here.'
"Is she coming here?"
Daniel asked.
'I hope so. She works often in Sanctum sometimes, but she said even if she doesn't come, she'll be cheering for us harder than anyone else.'
Hunter signed, showing a genuine smile at him.
"I hope that we do meet her so that we can hear some embarrassing stories about you."
Alyssa teased, while poking her friend's cheek, much to his embarrassment at the thought of that unable to even respond to that. At Hunter's reaction, Sandra couldn't help finding herself smiling at it either, something that she started getting used to showing compared to before. Sitting there, sharing a casual conversation with friends was a dream that she'd always wanted from childhood.
And now that it was happening right here and now, it felt as if it was a dream for her.
"You know, Daniel, I noticed something."
"From personal experience, I feel as if this is going to be either a tease or shot at me."
Daniel pointed out as he turned his sights on Alyssa.
"Ah, I'm so glad that my friend knows me so well," Alyssa teased, sending a smirk straight for Daniel. "And you're right about it, being at least a tease."
"Alright, let me hear it."
Daniel stated, leaning back a bit.
"Okay," Alyssa paused for a moment and breathed a bit, something that caught their attention, as she ended up being in their sights. "You know, I noticed that Ruby has been getting closer with a certain someone since their date. I noticed before that she used to do her usual thing and hang around you without thinking about it, but to me, it looks as if she's becoming more invested in it."
Daniel could simply stare on almost blankly as Alyssa stared straight at him with a wide smirk that showed off her pristine pearly teeth.
"I'm guessing that someone left another good impression on someone, but it happened to be the young prodigy who entered Beacon Academy two years early. Oh, I wonder what her father and uncle would think if they heard a silver-eyed seventeen-year-old charmed their daughter and niece?"
Alyssa continued teasing Daniel, but the thought of having Qrow Branwen, a legendary Huntsman after him was something even he didn't want. He didn't know much about Yang's and Ruby's father, but he heard the two were on the same team as one.
"Ah, that's all I need right now. A Huntsman, who I've heard nothing aside from rumors about his combat prowess which became almost legendary after me," Daniel said, acting as if he wasn't bothered at all, but then his internal thoughts weren't the same. "I'm not even joking right now. I've crossed criminals, assassins, and bandits, so the last thing that I need right now is the legendary Huntsman, Qrow Branwen coming after me too. And if his last name means anything, then there might be an awkward conversation."
"Be careful, Daniel. Don't forget what I said about you being a womanizer without intending to be."
Sandra said, almost in a teasing tone no different from Alyssa's tone.
"Right, so, how're things with Coco?"
Daniel asked back smirking a little bit.
In response to that, he received Sandra's glare, but this time, it looked more adorable rather than scary, while her lips trembled from the question. Staring at Sandra's expression, caused Daniel, Hunter, and Alyssa to find it to be the most adorable face they'd seen from her.
"Sh-Shut up. It's not like we've done anything that you're thinking about you weirdo. We've just been hanging out, talking, and sharing some of our favorite music sometimes."
"And then you serenade her with one of your songs."
Alyssa said clasping her hands together while leaning over towards her partner, making a childish kissy face, as she scooted closer.
"Knock it off, you weirdo!"
Sandra demanded while mashing her hand against Alyssa's face, who'd continued doing the same childish kissy face as before.
"Alright, let's stop teasing Sandra before she explodes on us. And falls into her previous habit of going all stabby, stabby on either of us."
Daniel said waving his hand.
"It won't be either of us. It's going to be both of you if you mention Coco again."
Sandra threatened, but the group couldn't help finding her adorable again.
"Well, we wouldn't want that. So, do you guys feel like doing something later?"
Alyssa asked thoughtfully.
"Hmm, how about we head out to that place we used to eat at later?"
Sandra asked, glancing over to Daniel and Hunter, who smiled while shrugging their shoulders.
"Yeah, sure thing."
'Yes, I wouldn't mind.'
Both Daniel and Hunter agreed on something that caused Alyssa to nod her head.
"Alright, then let's get cleaned up and head out into Vale for lunch."
Alyssa announced with her usual cool energy while standing straight up, something that caused all her three teammates to stare on, smiling.
After finishing their training session, Team DUSK returned to their dorm rooms, where the team prepared for their next outing. The team of four went to their usual hangout to talk among themselves about all of their upcoming school events. Steadily, their bond proceeded on in the direction the group hoped it'd head in, without stopping since the members of Team DUSK continued learning more about each other.
The next morning, the team left their dorm room and then encountered their next-door neighbors, Team RWBY, who were dressed in their uniforms. Noticing them, the two team leaders paused and greeted one another.
"Good morning, Team DUSK!"
Ruby cheerfully called out, standing in a saluting position.
"Morning, Team RWBY."
Daniel replied, waving his hand straight at them.
"Hey, why didn't you guys tell us that you were heading out into Vale before?
Yang curiously asked, while calling out too.
"Sorry, kinda wanted to spend time together as a team. Why did something happen?"
Alyssa asked, shrugging her shoulders before noticing her best friend's look.
"Ahh, yeah, something happened," Yang groaned while crossing her arms and glancing over towards their white-haired teammate. "Miss Ice Queen here wouldn't let us go out and wanted to study in the library. And I wanted to use Dani to calm her down."
"Am I some kind of Anti-Weiss Weapon for you to use at your beck and call?"
Daniel asked, there was a faint pause as Ruby, Yang, and Blake seemed to remain silent while glancing over at one another. Noticing her teammates' silence, Weiss turned her attention over them, almost not expecting either of them to remain silent this long.
[Yeah, pretty much.]
All three of them replied.
"H-Hey," Weiss turned to her friends/teammates, who looked on with innocent looks. "D-Don't make it sound as if I'm some tyrant. You have been slacking of late, while you should set a better example for your sister!"
Weiss looked on taken aback as her so-called friends referred to her in such a manner, while her hands rests on her hips. In response to her annoyance about her attempt at ensuring the team wouldn't fall behind, it simply caused the sister duo to consider her annoying.
"But, come on, my grades aren't that bad. I'm still passing with the late-night studying that I've been doing so far."
Ruby replied.
"And I'm doing well enough in classes, so I don't need to study as much as I already am."
Yang added.
"Neither of you understands that studying is as important as training is," Weiss stated, not relenting once on the importance that training and studying were to her, then turned her attention over towards Blake. "Blake, I'm sure you understand what I'm talking about."
Weiss turned to Blake, who looked to be paying more attention to a book in her hands, but looked on after she'd been out by her teammate.
"Um, studying is important."
"See."
"Wait for it."
Daniel thought, knowing that more often than not, Blake always had another response to give.
"But, there should be more of a balance between school and life, right?"
Blake asked, something that the others seemed to agree with, even Weiss, at least to some extent something the heiress started learning more as she attended Beacon Academy.
"She's right. If you spend all your time training, then you won't be able to enjoy life."
Daniel stated.
"I guess you're right."
"See, Dani here is our secret weapon in getting on Weiss' warmer side."
Yang said, smiling cheerfully while standing right beside and wrapping her arm around Weiss' shoulder.
"Knock it off."
Weiss demanded, knocking Yang's arm off her shoulder.
"Come on, I doubt that it's that serious. Besides, if we're going to be going, then we might want to head to eat our morning breakfast first."
Alyssa suggested, noting their group's usual dynamic might cause the conversation to go back and forth.
"She's right. So, let's go."
Daniel stated, pointing his thumb straight in the same direction as the dorm's entrance.
Having agreed to that, both teams began heading straight over to Beacon's dining room to have breakfast before classes started.
Once there, the group gathered their breakfast, taking a seat at one of their usual tables, while as usual students conversed with one another. At the table, Daniel found himself sitting in the middle of Ruby and Weiss, which had become the usual sitting position. As Alyssa previously stated, she'd been becoming a lot closer to him compared to before their date. Though, there wasn't much difference between the interaction between Ruby and Weiss, if it did involve him.
"Hey, Daniel, you used to read stories from childhood, right?"
"What do you mean, used to? I still do read fairy tale stories from time to time, when I was at Mistral," Daniel had replied in a joking manner. "My mom used to tell me that reading fairy tales are important to learn about before I'd started to train as a Huntsman. I didn't know the reason, but I guess that it's because those stories, real or not, all have an influence on Remnant and have some lesson or purpose."
Hearing Daniel's response sound almost thoughtful like that was a surprise, but this wouldn't be the first time the group heard such a thing.
"That's cool. So, that means you pretty much read them all," Ruby replied, finding it a good thing that she'd asked him that question. To Ruby's second question, Daniel nodded his head in agreement. "Out of all those fairy tales, which one of them is your favorite?"
"That's a good question. I mean, the one that my mother read to me the most was the Story of the Seasons."
Daniel replied something that caught their attention.
"Oh, I know that story," Alyssa said as if being reminded of her childhood in that instance. "It was one of the most popular books that I used to find a lot of whenever I went out to the library to find something to read. It was about four sisters who helped an old hermit in four different ways, then in return, he bestowed them great power. After that, the four sisters traveled across Remnant helping everyone and visited the hermit each year."
"I remember that one. I remember that my sister read me that story before."
Weiss said, recalling that time when her older sister, Winter read her that fairy tale once.
At the table, there were moments when the others recalled at least hearing the Story of the Season at least once in their childhood.
"Yeah, that one happens to have been one that my mother liked reading the most when she was growing up," the male silver-eyed team leader replied. "Well, to answer your question, my favorite one would be the Two Brothers, one about the creation of the Grimm and then mankind. A lonely dragon travels across the universe looking for a being similar to him. In the end, he split himself into two parts, light and shadow. Together, the brothers created a world for their creations, the older brother favored creation, while the younger one favored destruction. At the peak of it, the younger brother created the Creatures of Grimm to destroy his brother's creations. In the end, the two agreed to one creation, which would return to mankind. A creation that could have chosen to be either side."
Hearing Daniel's response the group stared at him wearing a surprised look on their face, something that didn't go unnoticed by him.
"What?"
Daniel asked, with a raised brow.
"It's kinda surprising to hear that's your favorite one. I would've thought that you would've instead chosen a more lighthearted fairy tale, Dani."
Yang pointed out.
"Well, everyone has their preferences."
Blake said, leaning her head against her chin.
"And we know what Blake's…ngh."
Daniel uttered that last part under his breath, but it was because of Blake's cat ears, she could hear him. And in response to that, he received a kick from the secret Faunus from underneath the table, hurting his knee, to the point of stunning him a bit. He looked up to find that Blake was giving him a not-too-happy look on her face, while continuing to stare at him, ironically like a cat.
"Is there something wrong, Daniel?"
Ruby asked, tilting her head at him.
"Not, in particular," Daniel replied, as he gave a wryly smile. "Well, both Yang and Blake said. I thought the same thing after reading it, but I came around to liking it. Because, despite them being different from one another, and often came to disagreements with one another. In the end, both the brothers almost felt complete whenever they were around one another."
Daniel's response to that caused them to look on surprised about the response that he'd given to them.
The mention of that last part, made them wonder whether or not it had something to do with Daniel's current relationship with his brother. For the most part, each time Daniel mentioned him, the two didn't share the closest brotherly bond, with their interactions ending in a fight. And it realizes that he possibly wanted a closer relationship with his older brother.
"Don't worry, Daniel," Ruby enthusiastically said, while sending her usual cheerful smile straight in his direction. "I think that one day, you and your brother might be able to understand one another one day."
"Thanks, Red Hood."
Daniel replied, placing a hand on top of the younger team leader's head, causing her to giggle, while looking on with a victorious look.
"But, the thing is that we want two different things, and are unable to find common ground on anything related to it. My dad once stated we're too similar in regards we being stubborn about what we want to do, which is opposite to what the other wants."
Daniel spoke honestly, but it did catch their attention that he wasn't clear about what that was exactly.
"And what was that exactly?"
Sandra asked.
"Well…."
As Daniel was speaking, he paused as the group noticed that there was a commotion among the students who'd been eating their breakfast. There was someone thrown over in their direction, most notably in the direction where Ruby, Daniel, and Weiss has been sitting. Reacting, the two young women ducked, so that whoever was sent in their direction, but the man did something different.
Going along with the path the person was heading, he'd reached out, then caught them by their arm, causing the person thrown to land somewhat softer on the ground. The incident surprised those watching as Daniel reacted and did that without hesitating.
"Oh?"
"Ugh," Daniel looked down to find that it was Jaune, who landed on the ground, feeling a little nauseous about being thrown like that. "Thanks, Daniel."
"No problem."
Daniel replied as he freed Jaune.
"Jaune?! Are you alright?!"
Ruby being worried, knelt worried about him.
"Jaune, is Cardin bullying you again?"
Weiss asked, looking down at him a bit inquisitively.
Thinking that was the case, Yang and Blake turned their attention to where Jaune was thrown from, to find who'd thrown him. Their group was aware that despite not bullying Jaune, let alone anyone else as of late, there wasn't much change in his or his team's personality.
"N-No, it wasn't Cardin. It was some guy that we haven't even met before."
"He's right, it looks as if Cardin got thrown himself over there."
Blake pointed out, as she pointed over to Cardin, who was standing beside his teammates, looking on as if there was a situation happening. After finding out what happened, Yang looked on surprised, as she recognized the culprit.
"Uh, Alyssa, you might want to look at this."
"Huh?"
Alyssa looked and sounded confused as she heard that from Yang, then turned to find had thrown Jaune, finding herself surprised. Standing in front of them were the members of Team JNPR, who, of course, weren't happy that their team leader/friend was thrown.
"Ah, that sounds about right."
Instead of sounding surprised, Alyssa instead sounded irritated as she looked at who it was.
Standing there was a rather tall, dark blonde-haired young man, dressed in the Beacon Academy uniform, who'd given off more of a bad boy look. More than that, it looked as if he was much older than them. In front of him, was Pyrrha, who was defending her partner and team leader as a mad expression could be seen on her face.
"Look, I said that it was an accident. I don't know what else you want me to say, redhead."
He said, not showing the slightest reaction to what he'd done.
"You threw our team leader and friend across the room!"
Pyrrha replied, feeling exasperated about the nonchalance of his actions as if it had nothing to do with him.
"It was beyond my control, it's not like I asked him to bump into me. Besides, as I said, it was beyond my control."
Despite his comment, the young man didn't appear that apologetic about the situation, appearing as if he'd been waving her off. Not accepting that response, the members of Team JNPR looked as if they were preparing to go and defend their team leader.
"Wait," Alyssa called out, as she and the others approached Team JNPR, before something else happened, while Jaune walked beside them. "I wouldn't do anything against him."
"Alyssa, why not? He…."
Pyrrha asked confused, but then the young man gave a wide smirk as he approached Alyssa.
"Well, this is a big surprise. I thought that I'd end up meeting you around this time, well, not that I was looking in the first place," the young man blatantly stated, sounding conceited, while reaching his hand out towards Alyssa, who looked on unamused. "So, did ya end up on the same team as your stacked blonde friend?"
"…!"
Yang's eyes turned red at that comment, something that caused her to clench her fists. She wasn't alone as the others looked irritated about the young man's comment. Reading the situation, Daniel could see that Alyssa tried to stop people from fighting against or at least confronting the young man. Aside from being protective of him, if anything, it looked as if she was attempting to protect them.
"Alright. You're either Alyssa's relative or an asshole," Daniel stated, walking up beside Alyssa, not knowing the young man's intentions, but standing up nonetheless. "But, considering your attitude right now and the kind of reaction Alyssa has. It could be both. So, which is it?"
"Ah, that's some comment from a first year," the young man said, turning straight to Daniel with a cocky look. "So, what're you Alyssa's or Yang's man or something."
"I'm a teenager. What're you supposed to be," Daniel replied and asked back not changing his expression. "Are you going to answer the first question? Or are you going to keep being an arrogant dick? Because we were eating breakfast before you tossed our friend."
"Hah, he's never going to give you a straight answer. He's just going to keep going back and forth until someone gets annoyed and swings at him. And that's going to give him a reason to fight you," Alyssa stated sighing at the young man's actions. "His name is Mordred King, he's my older brother."
"And you're right, Dani. He is an asshole."
Yang stated, still glaring straight at Mordred.
"And you still have that fiery temper of yours, Goldilocks."
Mordred said snidely, causing Yang to roll her eyes at the moment.
"What're you doing here, Mordred?"
Alyssa asked, standing between her friends, new and old, and her older brother, who started scratching his head.
"What's it look like, I came here to eat breakfast, waiting for my teammates to come here. And then some blonde kid ended up bumping into me, but I couldn't stop myself and ended up tossing him," Mordred replied, showing a nonchalant look, leaning forward at his younger sister with a snide smirk. "Did any of the lessons at Beacon help at all with that common sense of yours? You know, going against dad's wishes and attending Signal, then coming to Beacon Academy after me."
"…."
Alyssa twitched her eyes, knowing that her older brother was baiting her.
Hearing all these comments from Mordred did start stirring up the irritation within Alyssa, but continued to keep it all down because she knew it wouldn't end well. The same thing couldn't be said about her friends and team, as the clear distaste for Mordred continued building up. Daniel could tell that Alyssa wouldn't be separating them from Mordred without a reason.
"Come on, don't you have anything else to say to your respected older brother? If you're nice to me, then I'll give you some pro advice for becoming a Huntsman. Wait, that's something that I would tell my younger brother if I'd gotten one," Mordred blatantly replied, placing a hand on her shoulder, while she remained silent. "You should've gone to a normal school like our sister and learned to be a wife instead. Not that I can imagine anyone who would take on a tomboy like…."
"Alright, I've had it with you!"
Yang exclaimed as her eyes flared with a dangerous red light.
"Wait, Yang, you know about…."
Alyssa tried warning or at least reminding her best friend.
Not caring about that, Yang got into an immediate stance, then aimed a straight punch at Mordred, who wasn't the slightest bit worried about it. Despite having a punch sailing straight for him, he continued looking on with the same cocky look. In one swift moment, he avoided the punch, while aiming a straight punch at Yang at the same time, which she couldn't avoid.
Before the punch could reach her, Yang found herself being knocked backward, while Daniel kept her from falling by holding her up by the waist. As that happened, the punch sailed above her head without hitting anything at all. A surprised look appeared on Mordred's face, noticing what Daniel had done in an attempt to keep Yang from getting hit.
"Ho, that's surprising. I almost thought that I'd end up getting a hit in."
Mordred said.
"Mordred."
Alyssa growled, noting that her older brother intended on punching Yang.
"Come on, don't give me that look. I didn't do anything, if anything, I was in full right to defend…."
Mordred was preparing to finish his comment.
"Knock it off with that dry-ass innocent tone," Daniel pointed out, staring straight at Mordred. "The moment that Alyssa walked over, you've done nothing but belittle and trash talk her right in front of her friends banking in anyone here to act. If anything, you're acting like some spoiled, snot-nosed brat who simply wants to show that he's far better than someone else. Are you that starved for attention? What are you jealous of or something?"
Daniel said that last part with some snide smile, causing it to strike a nerve in Mordred as he tightened his fist as if he'd looked prepared to fight.
Around them, the students looked on wondering what was going to happen next, some wondering whether or not a fight would end up breaking out. Someone walked through the crowd without causing much of an issue for the crowd of students.
"Listen here you little…."
"Knock it off."
Smack!
Before Mordred could do a single thing, someone knocked him at the back of his head, causing him to stumble a bit forward. It was surprising as he didn't react to that attack as he had done before, but at that moment, he knew who could do that aside from him.
"What the hell, Lancelot?!"
Mordred turned around.
He turned to find a handsome, black-haired, green-eyed handsome young man, the same age as him; but whereas Mordred look like a bad boy, the young man looked like a well-mannered young man.
"We told you all the time to stop messing with the underclassman," Lancelot replied, sounding sincere, then turned and bowed his head. "I apologize for anything he might've said and done. I know, he likely won't ever do that."
"Where's your pride as an upperclassman?"
Mordred asked.
Smack!
"There's no pride in being someone who bullies someone else, especially if he's bullying his baby sister," a woman happily said, slapping his head, then turned her head over towards Cardin and his team. "Like those guys over there, who still haven't changed their minds since they'd gotten here."
[What was that?!]
The entirety of Team CRDL said, standing up, but was silenced as Lancelot stared at them.
Almost all of the students, male and female looked on in surprise as the young woman stood there. Said woman was an undeniably beautiful black-haired, blue-eyed young woman, wearing a sapphire necklace, dressed in the female school uniform. Standing there, the women gave off an attractive allure that could gain the attention of the people standing in the cafeteria.
"Jennifer, don't think that just because you're dating this guy," Mordred said, pointing straight at Lance, who looked a bit flustered at that. "Doesn't mean that you can come around and…?"
Smack!
"Ouch! I swear if one more person hits me," Mordred turned around, stopping as he stared at the person standing behind him. "Ugh."
Standing behind him was a white-haired, purple-eyed young handsome man, whose hair reached his back, while dressed in the male school uniform and a hooded cloak worn over it. He stood a bit taller than Mordred, looking at him with an almost disappointed look.
"Uh, Merlin, this isn't…."
Mordred looked to be sweating as the young man named Merlin maintained the same expression, causing all the students to wonder what was about to happen next.
"Hah," Merlin sighed, before scratching his head. "Mordred, I thought we agreed that you wouldn't belittle or taunt any of our underclassmen. Yet, you're taunting your sister and her friends too. I know your family has your issues, but put them aside since you're training to become a Huntsman, no different from the students here."
Despite Mordred being more or less intimidated by the white-haired young man, his voice sounded almost nice, it was quite appealing to the young woman who heard him. Noticing the atmosphere around him, Merlin let out one soft sigh and glanced over at his teammates.
"Lance, Jennifer, take Mordred over to our table," Merlin said, again scratching his head thinking about the incident that happened. He then turned his attention around to the other students, wearing a jovial expression on his face. "I apologize for the commotion caused by my partner, there's still some time before breakfast ends. So, please finish eating breakfast before heading off to class. As the old saying goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Anyone who has either Professor Oobleck or Glynda as your professor of the first period, you're going to need the energy."
Having heard that suggestion and advice from the upperclassman, in a tone that neither of them could go against at all. So, the students started scattering away from the situation, going back to their respective tables to finish their breakfast. Merlin looked on as the students left the area, leaving the members of Teams RWBY, DUSK, and JNPR, who remained in the same position.
"Ah, I'm sorry about what Mordred did," Merlin stated, bowing his head. "I'm the team leader of Team MAJY, and he happens to be my partner. Mordred might seem, is a complete ass, but I'll keep the reigns on him for as long as I'm around him. I thought that he would grow up after we reach our third year at Beacon, but let's wait and see what happens in our last year. I don't know what happened before that, but I'm sorry that he tried punching your girlfriend."
Their group could see that Mordred wasn't a bad person, and seemed genuine about the words that'd left out of his mouth. But, his comment about Yang being Daniel's girlfriend caught their attention, more so those mentioned in the conversation.
"H-Huh, Dani isn't my boyfriend."
"Yeah, what'd make you think that?"
Yang and Daniel responded to Merlin's question, who looked confused as he stared at the pair.
"Uh, I mean, you haven't stopped holding onto her waist, and she hasn't stopped holding onto you."
Hearing Merlin pointing that out, causes Daniel to realize that his arm has been wrapped around Yang's waist as her arm was around him. Neither realized what they were doing, causing them to step from one another without a second thought. Noticing that, Merlin couldn't help laughing to himself after noticing the reactions between both of the first-year students.
"Pft, it's always good seeing two people with crushes. Well, I'll leave you all to finish your breakfast."
Merlin said, waving his hand and turning around to head back over to his team.
"W-W-Wait, these two aren't…."
Weiss tried speaking up, but then Blake placed her hand on her shoulder. Just as the white-haired young woman turned her black-haired teammate, she found herself shaking her head. Noticing that, Weiss sighed and slumped her shoulders while placing a hand on her forehead.
"Let's just finish eating breakfast."
Weiss said, turning around and heading back over to their table.
"Hah, I didn't think that this would happen after we work up in the morning," Sandra groaned placing a hand right on her forehead, then brushing it across her hair. She then turned her attention over towards Alyssa, who couldn't believe all this just happened. "Alyssa, was that your brother?"
"Hah, yeah," Alyssa replied, tilting her head to the side, where Team JNPR stood and looked on apologetically. "I am so sorry about what my brother did to Jaune."
"Cone on," Jaune said, sounding understanding about the situation despite being thrown a couple of minutes ago by her brother. "You don't have anything to be sorry for, Alyssa. If anything, we should feel sorry that you have an older brother like that."
"You're not wrong."
Alyssa said smiling, not letting go of her sense of humor.
"Well, we're going to be over at our usual table if you guys are interested."
Yang stated, heading straight for their table, alongside her teammates.
"Hah, well this was some way to start the day."
Alyssa added, following behind Yang, unable to stop thinking about what just happened moments ago, while this being her first encounter with her older brother at Beacon Academy.
Looking on as their usual jovial teammate walked off, Daniel, Hunter, and Sandra didn't know what to add about this current situation.
"I heard her family were kinda assholes, but man he took the prize."
Sandra pointed out while crossing her arms.
'I feel bad for her. Alyssa has been trying her hardest to become stronger, but her brother didn't acknowledge any of her efforts.'
Hunter signed, showing concern on his face.
"Yeah, that guy was a serious asshole, talking about both Alyssa and Yang like that, then tried egging everyone on just to fight them. A third-year student or not, I doubt that he could do something such as that because of their training here."
"I can agree with you on that. He dodged Yang's punch, then aimed a punch of his own at the same time without lagging. And it looks as if Alyssa knows about it," Sandra reasoned before coming up with a rational answer. "So, it means, it has to be his semblance. Jeez, Daniel, was your older brother anything like that?"
"He more or less ignored me sometimes, and we never shared a brotherly conversation or anything," Daniel said, before crossing his arms. "And to answer your question. As bad as Mordred is, mine is still worse."
"…?"
'…?'
Sandra and Hunter looked on at Daniel shocked about that, unable to comprehend there is an older brother whose worse than Mordred. But, the thought of that made them more curious about Daniel's brother. However, it didn't change the fact that their group needed to finish breakfast. Their group continued eating their breakfast, as they continued talking among themselves; most of which, was in an attempt to console Alyssa.
Knowing her friends, she knew the group was attempting to do that, and it made her all the more glad that she'd made such great friends.
At Team MAJY's table, Merlin, Lancelot, and Jennifer sat right next to one another, while Mordred sat right in front of his teammates eating in silence. At least for Merlin and Mordred, Lancelot and Jennifer on the other hand….
"Say, aaah~"
Jennifer said, holding a spoon bright in front of the flustered Lancelot, who didn't know what to do at that moment. It was known among the group, there was no chance that he'd deny such a request from Jennifer.
"A-Aaah."
Lancelot nervously and embarrassingly opened his mouth, at Jennifer's smiling face.
Smiling, she extended the spoon forward, putting the food right into her boyfriend's mouth, who proceeded to eat the food. Both couples continued with the same routine, though Jennifer didn't forget to feed herself because it'd be pointless if she didn't.
"Ugh, it's so dumb watching these two lovey-dovey."
Mordred said as he drank from his coffee.
"Hah, I think that it's dumb that you'd be that rude to your sister."
Jennifer pointed out, despite the comment, she sounded happy and sweet, something that sparked an immediate reaction from Mordred.
"What I do with my family is none of your…," Mordred was prepared to state, but then stopped as Lancelot stared at his teammate before he could even finish. "What, you think I'm scared of fighting against you Lancelot? I'll fight you as soon as our combat class starts."
"You relied too much on your semblance to behind with."
Lancelot pointed out, drinking from his coffee.
"I'm sorry, I can't exactly shut it off. So, I don't have much of a choice," Mordred stated, as he continued speaking to his teammate. "Mines remain active without yours. Or, did you forget because you're too focused on your little girlfriend beside you?"
"That's enough," Merlin stated, letting a sigh escape from his mouth. "I thought that after being Team MAJY since our first year would be enough for us to understand one another. But, it looks as if there's still somethings that we need to settle before our final year."
"Yeah, and what would that be?"
Mordred asked.
"I don't like playing favorites or placing blame on one person. But, if that's what it takes, then I'll come out and simply say it," Merlin answered his partner's sudden question, before continuing and sounding serious, which differed from how he normally sounds. "Mordred, you should rectify with whatever insecurity that you might have with…."
"I don't have any insecurity with that girl!"
Mordred declared, but his shouts were somewhat muted by the collective conversations of multiple students. A lot of them, however, did hear his comment, as his three teammates stared at him.
"Tsk, I'm done eating. I'm going on ahead."
Mordred stated, picking up his tray, heading to throw away his uneaten food, then returning his tray to its proper location. After that, his teammates watched as he walked outside of the cafeteria in a huff without turning back to look at them.
"Hah, is he never going to grow up? I haven't met anyone as stubborn as him in my life," Jennifer pointed out as a deep sigh escaped from her mouth, while she drink her orange juice. "I don't even know if it's because of his own family's influence and beliefs anymore."
"As Merlin said, it could simply be because of his insecurity towards his sister," Lancelot added, wondering what he was going to do in this team. "I wonder whether or not our team is going to last after our school year ends. Or if we're going to be that one team that breaks apart after graduating."
"I don't believe that it's the appropriate time to be thinking about these things, Mister Y Llyn!"
Suddenly, behind him, Oobleck appeared and shouted at his usual volume.
"Oh my god," Lancelot couldn't help shouting at the big surprise. "Please stop doing that! Is giving your students a heart attack a part of your job too?!"
"Hmm? I don't believe that was a part of my contract when I signed onto becoming a teacher, Mister Y Llyn!"
Oobleck replied, taking his question seriously as he sat beside the three members of Team MAJY, taking a sip of coffee from his mug.
"So, what's been happening as of late, Professor Oobleck?"
Merlin curiously asked.
"Ah, right. You're team returned from a mission with a fellow Huntsman not so long ago," Oobleck pointed out, as he recalled hearing something about that. "I'd ask about how it went, but since you, three appear to be in high spirits for it to have gone wrong."
"Our mission was successful and we received praise from our chaperon."
Lancelot replied, showing some pride in that.
"Yes, yes good," Oobleck said, nodding his head and drinking coffee, then appeared in front of Lancelot as if he'd glitched. "But, don't let it go to your head, Mister Y Lynn! If you continue letting victories go to your head, then future failures will hit you heavier! You must prepare to succeed and fail at all times!"
"Okay," Lancelot stated, moving back from his professor's face, as he shouted straight in front of his face. "God, do you have something against me?!"
"Nothing, in particular, why?"
Oobleck asked, as if unaware of his attitude.
"I don't know if this is on purpose or not."
Lancelot thought, while blankly staring at his teacher confused.
Noting this, both Merlin and Jennifer held back laughter as their teammate and boyfriend respectively looked a little bit unnerved by their professor.
"By the way, Professor Oobleck. I'm wondering something."
Merlin's question caught Oobleck's attention as he seemed to enter teacher mode.
"Yes, what is it, Mister Ambrose?! Is there anything that I can enlighten you as your teacher?!"
Oobleck excitedly asked, slamming his mug onto the ground, with Merlin laughing a bit about the energy that he noticed from one of his favorite professors.
"I was wondering, what do you think about that group over there?"
Merlin asked, pointing at a specific table.
Turning to that specific table he was talking about, Oobleck could see that Merlin was referring to the table where Teams RWBY, DUSK, and JNPR were. At this point, their group returned to their usual dynamic and seemed to be laughing with one another.
"Oh, are you interested in those three teams as well? Teams RWBY, DUSK, and JNPR are a particular bunch that different professors have talked about at least one time or another. I believe that our headmaster once pointed out that he wouldn't be surprised if those three are our most promising teams."
Oobleck pointed out.
"Is that so? It reminds me of Team CFVY, I still hear that Glynda prefers that team most of all."
Merlin pointed out.
"All of them look like an interesting and fun bunch. I can feel nothing but good emotions from all of them, even the gloomy girl and heiress," Jennifer said, mentioning Blake and Weiss while smiling. "Hmm, it makes me want to probe more the longer that I interact with them."
"Miss Queen. Please, don't follow your habit of using your semblance on people without permission!"
Oobleck said, pointing his mug straight at Jennifer.
"I'm sorry. It might not be constant like Mordred's, but mine is almost second nature," Jennifer pouted as she wasn't able to help to feel the emotions of those around her using her semblance. "Besides, that first-year boy there is a particularly interesting one."
Jennifer said, gesturing over towards Daniel, who seemed to be joking around with Ruby and Weiss, while both the silver-eyed leaders seemed to be joking around much to the heiress' irritation.
"Oh, you mean, Mister Norden? Well, he's quite the particular student, most professors can't tell what his feelings are sometimes. Despite his nonchalant appearance, Mister Norden has been quite the exemplary student despite his previous records at his last combat school."
"Hmm, but there's something odd about him," Jennifer stated, leaning forward, before leaning back up and holding out her arms. "Well, whatever, I might just be a combination of curious and jealous. I think their group has a far better dynamic compared to ours."
"Well, you're still growing young men and women. So, there's no doubt that there are going to be some times when things seem to work and when it doesn't. I think that it'd be good if the upperclassmen interacted more with your underclassmen for as long as possible. It'll end up being a good experience for both parties involved. From the missions, classes and training, you'd never know when you'd have the time to talk to them."
Oobleck thoughtfully said.
Hearing those thoughtful words from their favorite professor, who told them to interact with and converse with all their underclassmen as much as possible.
Once breakfast ended, the students proceeded onto their regular school schedule, without skipping a single beat and putting their minds on the lessons before them.
After school ended, Team DUSK once again found themselves in the training room, but this time, it was a training session between Daniel and Alyssa. Both of them were going at it, wielding their respective weapons, Daniel with Retribution, while Alyssa wielded her Gwyn Ddraig. Sandra and Hunter sat on the sidelines, having finished their training session moments ago.
'It's hard fighting against someone in close combat.'
Hunter signed, letting a sigh escape from his mouth.
"Don't worry about it, Hunter. As long as one of our nearby, we won't let someone get to you on the battlefield," a smile formed on Hunter's face at Sandra's statement, but then she made a teasing smile. "But, I can't promise a person might get passed us. If that happens, then we won't know what's going to happen."
"…," Hunter looked on sadly at Sandra's teasing, while she continued snickering faintly to herself, but there was the faintest happiness about it too. "I'm not happy about being teased about this. But, I am happy that Sandra is starting to interact with us more. And is starting to smile more."
Being at least happy about that, Hunter and Sandra looked on to find their respective partners going at it in a far more direct training session. Holding her thick baton in her hands, Alyssa swung them with great force at Daniel, who blocked them using Retribution. He felt the force behind each attack but kept up a strong stance, which she couldn't break.
As Daniel swung Retribution, she swung one of her batons, Gwyn, straight at it, causing a shock between both weapons. After that, knocked the sword downward, causing it to hit the ground, then stepped on it to keep Daniel from retrieving it. She used her semblance to increase her leg strength, making it impossible for him to retrieve it, then went forward swinging Ddraig at him.
Thinking quickly, Daniel released his grip on Retribution, instead of attempting to force it free, then leaped right over Alyssa as she swung her weapon. Landing behind her, he aimed a kick straight at her from behind, it did end up landing as Alyssa was knocked back a bit.
"Damn, I didn't think that I'd meet someone as nimble as you."
"That's the benefits of being someone forced to train their legs regularly, which I started calling leg day."
"Ah, right. I sometimes forget you saying your mother was someone who solved problems by kicking them. Well, it's about the same as Yang believing she can solve hers by punching them," Alyssa said, before getting right into position. "Well, you'll have to work hard to get Retribution back. Not that you're any weaker without it."
"Oh, good, I thought that you didn't know me," Daniel said, cracking his neck and knuckles. "There are times that I love having a good fistfight too. But, I can't leave Retribution on the ground!"
"Then come and get it!"
Alyssa said as a golden light could be seen around both her arms and legs, signifying that she started using her semblance. She leaped forward appearing in front of Daniel at a moment's notice, she swung Gwyn straight at him, causing the air to almost vibrating as he avoided it; the wind it produced caused the strands of hair to move. Before long, she started brandishing her batons around in an attempt to strike Daniel.
Some strikes from either weapon failed to strike, but for those that reached, it led to an impact that knocked him a good distance in another direction. He was surprised about the adept handling she had in using her weapons; it could be shown that she'd trained to adapt to the situation. There was also the fact that Alyssa could add a great amount of force behind the swing through her semblance.
Alyssa got into position, then propelled forward swinging Ddraig downwards, but then Daniel blocked it using his forearm by her wrist. Following up with that, he fluidly tossed her over his shoulder, causing the blonde to be sent to the ground. Not falling to the ground, Alyssa picked herself back up by releasing a gravity burst from her Gwyn and stood up.
It allowed Daniel enough time to pick up Retribution, pointing it straight at Alyssa, and pulled the trigger, releasing a strong blast straight at her. To defend herself, she crossed both Gwyn Ddraig, making a barrier with the Gravity Dust installed into it. She maintained her stance, without it breaking, then the two started rushing at each other a second time. Another swing from both swords caused another shock between them, during that, she looked on to find a shell being flung into the air.
She couldn't help her attention being attracted to it for a moment, Daniel opened up Retribution, surprising her as she stumbled forward a bit. And couldn't react in time as she was knocked in another direction, as Daniel aimed at her side, something she wasn't expecting at all. Alyssa didn't stumble for long as she recovered and stood in a prepared stance.
"Well, as usual, Daniel is good at mixing attacks from his lower body into wielding swords," Alyssa thought as the shell fell into Retribution's opening, then closed it back up. "That was quite the move, Daniel."
"Thanks."
Daniel said as Retribution's runes started shining white, showing that Wind Dust had been embedded into it. As further noted a bunch of wind spiraled around the blade, as if manifesting a miniature tornado. At that, Alyssa smirked as she released wind from Gwyn, while she released flames from Ddraig. As a smirk appeared on their faces, Daniel and Alyssa rushed straight at one another.
"Hah, that was a good sparring match."
Daniel said as he and the others sat down.
"Yeah, there's nothing like a good spar to clear your minds and woke up a sweat."
Alyssa agreed as she leaned back a bit.
"Yeah, clears your mind, but I doubt that this is one of those times," Sandra said pointing out, bringing out what's been on their minds. "I don't want to be that person. Wait, I'm usually that person. I don't want to point this out, but what did your brother do to Jaune and Yang? And why is he an asshole?"
She wasn't wrong, that was the question going through Daniel's and Hunter's minds during their training sessions with Alyssa and Sandra. Knowing about Alyssa's relationship with her entire family, which was the pure definition of estranged, she decided to become a Huntress. All three looked on to find what expression Alyssa was making, and it looked normal.
"Uh, Alyssa, if you don't want to talk about it, then…."
"No, it's not that, Daniel. It's just that, I don't know where to start with it because both are kind of complex," Alyssa said, as she thought about what to talk about first. "Well, since it happened first, I might as well talk about what's up with his semblance."
Alyssa reasons that the entire thing started because Mordred tossed Jaune over towards their table in the first place.
"Well, his semblance is called Autopilot. If I were to describe it, then it's heightened reflexes, but they're all entirely almost automatic without him needing to act. And the thing is that he can't turn it off, meaning it's passively active, so sometimes, his actions aren't intentional," Alyssa replied. "So, the time he tossed Jaune, it means that there's a chance that he bumped into him. As for the thing with Yang, it lets him attack and counter at the same time with almost no lag between either. In a head-on fight, his semblance can be a serious pain to deal with even if you're knowledgeable about it."
"Ha, so that explains that. I'm guessing that Yang knows about his semblance too, considering what you said."
Daniel pointed out, starting to rest his chin against his palm.
"Yeah, it wasn't the first time those two had a confrontation. I invited Yang over once because we had a school project and we wanted to concentrate on it. So, Mordred returned home, he said some things and I didn't react to it. But, Yang…."
"She got pissed off because her best friend was being talked about and went to punch him."
Sandra finished Alyssa's comment, knowing Yang wasn't the kind of person who'd allow someone to continue to trash talk her friends without a fight.
"Yeah, but it didn't end in the way she thought and I tried warning her too," Alyssa soberly said, while recalling the incident. "She couldn't get in one shot at Mordred, who kept laughing at her as Yang continued trying to punch him. It all ended after our dad caught and scolded him, but he ruined the first impression that I wanted to leave as it was the first time I invited someone over. But, she remained as close with me despite that."
At that memory, Alyssa couldn't help feeling irritated about that and at herself, because she couldn't do anything against her brother either.
"Hah, I can understand Yang, though. Semblance or not, she isn't the kind of person to turn from a fight and even let someone get away with bullying someone else. Also, if you become friends with Yang, then you're likely going to remain friends with her."
Daniel pointed out, noting that it'd be surprising if Yang stopped being friends with anyone, because of something such as that. It was among the things that Alyssa herself was well aware of, but being best friends with Yang felt like a blessing to her. She wasn't allowed to have the dream of being a Huntress, and could simply theorize what her parent's reasons behind it were. From Signal Academy, she met Yang, then coming to Beacon Academy, she made more friends.
'And, the reason he doesn't like you is?'
Hunter signed as he glanced over at Alyssa.
"Ah, that's because…."
"Well, looks who's in here."
A familiar voice caused them to groan, the group turned to find that it was Mordred, standing there at the door of the training room.
"Alright, first you're into being an asshole. So, is stalking the next phase for you?"
Daniel asked, looking forward as Mordred stepped into the room.
"Stop being a smart ass. Don't think you brats are the only ones who want to train."
Mordred replied, pointing straight at Daniel.
"Well, we're finished here. So, you can train here if you want to," Alyssa said, standing up from off the ground, as she started walking for the exit. "Let's go guys."
Agreeing with her, Daniel, Hunter, and Sandra too stood up from off the ground, then started walking outside the room. Neither needed to think about anything else, not wanting to be around Mordred anymore or deal with what he had to say to them. Just before Alyssa walked beside him, Mordred grabbed onto her arm before she could leave the room.
"Don't be mean to your older brother now? Come on, shouldn't you give your proper farewell?"
Mordred conceitedly asked, stopping Alyssa from moving.
"I'm not going to say goodbye to someone I'm likely going to see again," Alyssa said, not turning to her brother at all. "You might be my older brother, but it doesn't mean that I should kiss your ass, no matter how much you want me to. So, if you'd please let me go."
"Don't think that you can…."
"Release my arm."
Alyssa said, this time sounding more like a demand rather than a request.
"…?"
Mordred looked to find Alyssa's hand shining with a golden light, then snatched her wrist from her brother, as it was brought forward. From this and her semblance, he started gnashing his teeth together as if she'd insulted him in that instance.
"You're not even supposed to be here with that semblance of all things," Mordred stated, grabbing onto Alyssa by her shoulder and tried pulling her back. "And you dare turn your back on…."
"Let her go asshole!"
At that moment, Sandra angrily grabbed onto Mordred's shoulder not caring about his semblance but causing his hand to phase off Alyssa's shoulder. As Alyssa previously explained, his passive semblance caused Mordred to direct an elbow straight at Sandra's face. Already realizing what was going to happen, Alyssa turned around to do something. Before that, Daniel intervened, blocking Mordred's elbow strike with an opened palm.
"Ah, so you intervened again. What is she your…?"
Before Mordred could finish, Daniel punched him in the cheek, causing the upperclassman to stumble forward as he felt the pain from that one. After he recovered from the punch, Mordred turned to find Daniel staring straight at him with a serious demeanor.
"Would you look at that, now you have a reason to be mad," Daniel snidely said, before continuing. "I don't care if you're Alyssa's brother or father. If anyone, lays a hand on my friends are going to regret it."
"You little brat."
Mordred brushed his cheek using his hand while approaching Daniel without hesitation.
"Daniel, are you sure about this?"
Alyssa asked, not telling him to stop because she knew he wasn't the kind of person who'd back down from any kind of fight like this.
"Sure thing," Daniel said, nodding his head while cracking his knuckles and neck. "Your luck is bad, Mordred. I happen to have experience in fighting asshole older brothers."
"I doubt that you'd last more than a couple of seconds against me, brat!"
Mordred said as he rushed straight at Daniel.
Amid that, Alyssa, Sandra, and Hunter, knowing their team leader didn't intervene, and instead, the three stepped aside. Both Daniel and Mordred rushed at one another without hesitation, the former aimed a straight punch right at the latter. But, through virtue of his Autopilot, Mordred avoided it and countered using a straight punch right at Daniel's face.
It was a straight, accurate punch that Daniel felt, and stumbled back after feeling, something that no doubt could be the result of Mordred's training. It wasn't something that could've knocked him out, and besides Daniel had all but taken worse attacks. He pressed forward, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks at Mordred, who continued reacting to and avoiding all attacks aimed at him.
"Come on, I thought that you'd be more of a challenge," Mordred cockily said, continuing to avoid all the attacks Daniel aimed at him. "You might as well use your semblance to give yourself more of an edge against me."
"I don't need to use mine against yours."
"Let's see if that cockiness of yours can let you survive more than a…."
As Mordred was preparing to avoid the next punch aimed at him, Daniel suddenly propelled it forward, launching it at a speed he wasn't expecting. Because of that, it'd ended up grazing Mordred's cheek, instead of it landing a hard blow against him. Despite being a simple graze, the older teen couldn't help looking surprised about what'd just happened.
"What the hell?! My Autopilot is supposed to be a flawless semblance. I can avoid any half-ass technique anyone of his caliber can hit him me."
Despite panicking at that moment, his body continued avoiding the punches and kicks being aimed at him, while he continued moving. It was then that, Daniel aimed another straight punch for Mordred, but this time, as it sailed at him, he moved back to avoid it. Suddenly, the punch didn't land, then Daniel moved forward and instead shot a spinning that landed at Mordred's stomach.
"…!"
Mordred seemed surprised as another attack landed, sending him backward a good distance from his previous position. He felt that last one, as his kicks seemed much stronger than the punches that he could land on him, as it managed to wind him a little bit.
"You little shit!"
Mordred seemed pissed off as Daniel's attack managed to do that much to him.
He went forward at a much higher speed than he had before, then releases multiple punches that seemed to all be well-coordinated with one another because of Autopilot. Daniel got into a defensive stance, blocking those punches as they flew at him. But, Mordred did manage to break that guard after one moment, landing a punch on Daniel's cheek.
It ended up causing him to stumble back, but once again, Daniel returned to his usual stance without showing the slightest bit of stalling at all. Seeing that Daniel wasn't just not backing down, but giving him that very same cocky smirk without the slightest fear behind it.
"Damn you," Mordred seemed to be gnashing his teeth again, reaching for behind his back, where his weapon, a black sword collapsed there. "Fine then, let's fight with our swords instead."
"Bring it! First, I'm fighting against an asshole older brother. And now, I'm going to get into a sword fight with one," Daniel replied without fear as he reached for Retribution. "This is making me feel all nostalgic."
Before anything happened, there was tapping down on the ground, but it didn't come from a foot, instead, it sounded like an object. Seconds later, green light wisps appeared around Mordred, taking shape as plant vines wrapped around his limbs and keeping him from moving.
"Hah, you're adamant about proving more and more that I can't leave you alone for a couple of minutes today, aren't you?"
Standing behind him, dressed in training gear, were the other members of Team MAJY, Merlin stood there with a weapon resembling a collapsible staff with different Dust installed into it. Mordred still seemed to be too caught in his anger to care about his teammates being there.
"Let me go, Merlin! I need to teach this brat a lesson!"
Merlin demanded, but couldn't move as the vines were wrapped tightly around him.
"It looks as if he was teaching you a lesson instead."
Lancelot pointed out, almost not revealing that they'd watched almost the entire fight, noticing that Daniel could land a couple of surprising blows on him.
"Shut up, Lancelot!"
Mordred demanded, flailing about.
Noticing his partner's actions, Merlin shook his head and approached the three underclassmen with much more of a calm look.
"I don't know all that happened, but it looks as if Mordred stirred up some trouble again. And for that, I apologize on his behalf."
Merlin again bowed his head as Mordred gnashed his teeth.
"There's nothing for you to apologize for. Besides, I might've punched him too before the fight started."
Daniel replied.
"Right, right. I noticed that too. Why don't you three head out? I'll be talking to Mordred."
Merlin stated something that Daniel, Hunter, Sandra, and Alyssa agreed to.
"Alright. So, we'll be heading out," Daniel said, as he started walking, but then remembered something and then turned to Merlin. "Before it slips my mind, here."
"Hmm?"
Merlin seemed confused but then opened his hand nonetheless as Daniel held his enclosed hand on top of his upperclassman's palm. His hand opened, causing a small object to fall onto his palm, surprising Merlin about the object's identity. After that, Team DUSK without uttering a single word, or turning to Mordred, the four first-years left the training room.
"Ugh, they're gone, so let me go."
Mordred said, letting out an annoyed breath.
"No," Merlin replied, showing no intent on letting Mordred go. "You're going to remain there and listen to me. You might think that fate is unfair, because of one simple thing. But, you can't continue messing with your sister over something that was beyond her control."
"…tsk."
Mordred clicked his tongue, something that irritated his teammates.
"Look, it's not your younger sister's fault she ended up getting your family's semblance, while you ended up with something different from it," Jennifer pointed out, while staring straight at him, obviously not happy herself about what he did. "But, that doesn't mean that you have to continue holding it against her and continue pulling stunts like this. If not, then you're going to die a bitter old man."
Since the Great War, the King Family has produced strong Huntsman, all of whom gained semblances meant to increase their combat strength. But, none could even quite match their great-great grandfather's semblance, Pendragon. If one counted it, then it appeared three times in their family, the second being their grandfather and the third being his younger sister.
For someone, from a family, of Huntsman, it felt like an insult to his sister, who wasn't even allowed to become a Huntress to have something he wanted. Not even their father ended up gaining that semblance, but his daughter ended up with it. After that, their father didn't voice resistance anymore or even praise for Alyssa becoming a Huntress.
"You should be happy with your semblance. It's because you were obsessed with your family that you haven't been able to focus on yours."
"Shut up, Lancelot," Mordred said, not facing his teammate. "I might not have gotten Pendragon, but she won't be able to land a hit against me if we fought. It's the reason she hasn't even once fought against me, and instead hid behind her friends. Her friend, Yang hasn't hit me once. And that brat from before got lucky."
"I doubt that."
Merlin said, standing in front of his partner.
"I don't know your sister well. But, she doesn't seem like she wants to prove your family right about her by getting dragged into your constant taunts. She's trying to become a Huntress and stand on her own two feet," Merlin said, then held up the object that had been handed to him by Daniel. "And I doubt they were all lucky hits."
"What's that?"
Mordred look on confused as he stared at the object but soon revealed that it was a button that'd been torn off.
"It's a button," Merlin confirmed his suspensions. "It's your button."
"What?"
Mordred tried looking down at his shirt, but didn't need to as he felt that his blazer didn't feel right; as a matter of fact, it felt much looser than it should be. Numerous thoughts ran through his mind that instance, he tried thinking about when Daniel could've taken off one of his buttons without his knowledge. But, the more he thought about it, the more it seemed impossible considering the punches he'd landed on him.
"Mordred, there's no such thing as an unstoppable and certain power, even mine," Merlin said, releasing Mordred from his bindings. "If a first-year could steal your button without your knowledge, then imagine what he could've done if he'd been serious. Please think about and consider what you want your future to be like, instead of trying to destroy your sister's future."
After being freed, Mordred found himself staring at the button that'd been dropped on the floor right in front of him while his partner walked away. He tried thinking about the entire fight but still couldn't come up with a single time where Daniel could've taken it off him.
"Dammit, what is that brat?"
Mordred asked, now feeling unnerved.
Among all the punches that Daniel had taken from him, and instead of dodging or defending himself, he thought about taking off a button just to prove a point. No, more than that, it went against all his survival instincts to defend himself from an onslaught of attacks.
A/N: Well, this is the end of the next chapter of RWBY – Team DUSK, Alyssa deserved her own chapter, considering Hunter and Sandra got their own. Also aside from Team CFVY, no other upperclassmen have been mentioned in the series. In this chapter, it came in the form of meeting her older brother, Mordred, at Beacon Academy, where, of course, there were some happenings between them.
I'm sure this is obvious to anyone, but all of the members of MAJY allude to Merlin, Mordred, Lancelot, and Guinevere; all of whom have different relationships with King Arthur, who Alyssa alludes to. Their team name, MAJY (majesty) is purple, which is a color that is often associated with royalty and nobility. As you can guess Mordred and Alyssa don't have a good relationship.
Also, I didn't know what the name was, but Alyssa's weapon, Gwyn Ddraig is based on a weapon used in Singlesticks, a martial art found in Great Britain. I could mention that I got the idea from weapons used in a series called Chrome Shelled Regios by a female character named Nina Antalk, dubbed iron whips.