It Lives! It's been so long that I had to reread my own story. Changed some things like Marco's name to Mars, felt it worked better with the roman theme I had going.
Combat class with Miss Goodwitch was a student favorite not because of the teacher mind you, but because if there was one thing that a bunch of hormonal teenagers liked to do, it was fight. That or fuck.
Yang fell into the former, despite her self curated playgirl persona it was just that, a front. Despite all her talk and puns she had never been on a date, let alone had a boyfriend. Though she had a feeling that her dad might have had a hand in that.
Currently the sisters of team RWBY were sitting in the stands of the training grounds while the students of the other teams were filling in before class started. First day of class meant students still had to find their way around. Yang and Ruby, having gone to Signal, were familiar with Beacon already and as such didn't have any problems getting here.
"Yang?"
"Hmm…yeah?"
Ruby was fidgeting in the seat beside her, clearly uncomfortable. Social interaction was her never strong suit and being uprooted and placed in Beacon wasn't doing her any favors.
"Do you think that we should apologize to RAMT? I mean it was kind of us who butted into their conversation. " She seemed to be rubbing her hands nervously. This was clearly eating away at her more than she was willing to let on.
"Maybe, the only one who really has a problem with them is Weiss-cream" Which Yang knew was more on Weiss than them. She'd been there during the 'defilement' as Weiss had branded it and it was nothing more than an accident, the little guy, Louie if she remembered correctly, was clearly apologetic and she couldn't find any dishonesty in him.
"That's why I think we should apologize…" she said flatly.
"You think we should apologize because they had to deal with Weiss?"
"Yes! … I mean no!… It's just…" she rambled.
"Look Rubes, you can't be friends with everyone. Or in your case anyone". That earned a pout. "…and they would have dealt with her eventually". Yang put her arms behind her head as she reclined back in her chair. "I'm sure that this will all boil over soon enough".
Weiss and Blake sat down next to the pair. Team JNPR had also arrived. As was evident by the noise, Nora, they also sat in the seats behind them. Team CRDL sat aways off to the left from them and Team RAMT sat a couple rows down at the very front.
Whether that was to avoid them or because the shortest member of their team wouldn't be able to see over the other students, Yang wasn't sure. Unfortunately for the team behind RAMT that meant that the tall blonde was also there which promptly blocked the view of those behind him.
"Would Ms Xiao-Long and Mr Tudor please come down" Command the voice of Miss Goodwitch.
Yang stood from her seat, rolled her shoulders feeling the nice tender pops and cracks as she did so.
Her team wished her luck as she strolled down the steps.
"You better not lose" Weiss sent her a sharp glare as she hissed. Though the direction of her gaze was more aimed at the team in the front row, of which she saw the little orange haired boy tense up and shiver.
Okay maybe this wouldn't boil over as quickly as she thought.
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Arthur Tudor considered himself above average in intellect and if he was being modest a little above average when it came to his combat skills. As a result of not having a semblance geared for combat more time was devoted to bridging the gap his peers might have had over him.
He was also smart enough to know right away that he is going to lose.
The girl in front of him was better than him, much better. When he pressed to slash with his sword he was rewarded with nothing but air. When he back pedaled to deflect her fists with his sword his feet dug into the ground as he was pushed back.
Seriously what was it with this school and these girls packing so much strength for crying out loud most stood a head shorter than him as well.
"I don't suppose you could take it easy on me" he flashed an uneasy smile.
"Nope" Yang popped if he remembered her name correctly. '"If it makes you feel any better it's nothing against you, but someone on my team doesn't exactly have the best feelings for your team right now."
"Wow… I wonder who that could be" Arthur deadpanned.
"That obvious?" Yang at least had the decency to grimace a little bit. As she slipped inside his guard and delivered a strike with much more strength than any girl her size should be capable of dealing.
He flew back barely able to keep Caliburn in his hand. The strike had created some distance however and his hand went to his side and he leveled a pistol and opened fire. If he couldn't beat her in the melee he'd have to chip away at her from range.
Bullets pinged off the girl's aura but she dashed towards him unrelentingly. Which led to an impromptu game of tag. One of which he was steadily losing because while also being stronger than him, she was also faster. Cause that was fair.
However, he wasn't going to make it easy for her. Bullets were fired, sand was thrown at her eyes, and on at least one occasion he may have cut off a strand of her hair.
The student audience had mixed reactions. His team were supportive, shouting out strategies for him to try on the go, others were booing calling him a coward, and one was calling out for his head. No imagination needed to know who that was.
Fair to say that by the time she had finally cornered him at the edge of the ring she was a little more than peeved. He glanced up to look at the aura meters while he was sitting at a crisp 32% she was at… 69%. Nice.
"Nowhere to run now" she growled. Was it him or did her eyes look a little red, had they always looked like that?
He looked around. An idea flashed through his head. One that would get him out of the ass whooping he was gonna receive.
He stepped outside the ring.
His team went silent, her team went silent, hell just about everyone went silent. Except for the teacher who announced more than a little exasperated. "Winner by…knockout, Miss Xiao-Long."
The gobsmacked look on the girl's face was anything but triumphant. "You fucking troll" she pointed and screamed at him. Arthur couldn't do anything more than shrug.
The students had recovered by this point, laughter echoed from the stands.
"Miss Xiao-Long, while you did win you let the fight be dictated by Mr Tudor. Had you been able to come up with your own strategy you may have been able to win quicker. Time is a very important commodity in real life, it can mean the difference between life and death of you or those around you when you are out on a mission whether they be your friends or civilians."
Yang bristled and sent a not so concealed glare at him. A snap of a riding crop recaptured her attention as Goodwitch leveled a gaze at her. "This is a very important lesson, one you have had the privilege of learning here with little to no repercussions which could not be guaranteed later." In real life it went without saying.
Yang seemed to deflate a little at that. "If anything you should be thanking Mr. Tudor". Arthur tried his best not to preen at that nor let what was probably a shit-eating grin plaster his face. Judging by the way Yang was glaring at him meant he failed.
"And you Mr Tudor!" It was his turn to cower as she turned her gaze on him. "While it was smart to realize that you were disadvantaged in nearly every way" Ouch that one hurt. "To in the end give up is not something the Grimm will take kindly to. While it was unlikely, the avenues to victory never fully closed".
"Dismissed" and so the two were sent back to their seats as the next pair was called up.
As they walked back up he heard Yang's sister Ruby congratulate her on winning. "Doesn't feel like I won" she said with a little mix of anger and confusion.
He was greeted by his team. Roy gave him a sheepish smile, Mars returned a nod of approval, and Louie… well Louie looked positively ecstatic. "That was great, genius even!"
"But I lost?"
"Physically yes, but you were never expected to" he didn't even look apologetic as he said that. Bastard. "You won mentally however, you embarrassed her, look" He gestured with his arms to the other students around. Many sent him a thumbs up or a look of camaraderie.
"Team RWBY is a team of monsters in human form. Very good looking human forms" he whispered the last part under his breath. "To stick it to them is something that many of us will never do. You did it on the first day". He looked proud, perhaps one of the most proud someone had ever looked at him. And it was all after getting his assed handed to him?
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Lunch followed after combat class and nothing of note really happened.
Afterwards was Dust class with Professor Peach. Thankfully Roy had avoided any more serious harm and no freak accident like a sneeze causing a dust explosion happened.
He had learned a lot about his team today which was to be expected because he had only known them for a day and then some.
They were well rounded when put together. Arthur was very quick-witted and focused which honestly made him think he would have made a better team leader than him. But hey that was something to think about another day. Hell it wasn't like other leaders were having identity issues of their own.
Anyway Arthur seemed like he could handle Grimm Studies for the team. He himself could take on the responsibility of Remnant History. And twenty minutes or so ago they had learned that Louie was apparently really knowledgeable when it came to dust. Which looking back on it made sense because of his weapon, Apollo. That covered three of their classes right there.
Combat class, while he hadn't fought yet, Roy knew Mars was the best among them just from initiation. So while individually they were just your average joe, together they were greater than the sum of their parts.
Right now team RAMT was lounging around their dorm. When a knock sounded from their door.
They all looked at Roy. Well he was their leader. But atleast make an attempt or an excuse to get out of it.
Opening it revealed to be team CRDL in casual wear. "Sup" The one with the mohawk he recognized as Russel sent a timid wave. The rest of RAMT joined him at the door. Their hallmates team CRDL had come. Well now was as good a time as any.
Team CRDL was similar to themselves in a way, a team of all boys, single boys, painfully single. They had collected the bishop set at initiation if Roy had remembered correctly.
Introductions were short and easy because as teenage guys it was much easier to talk to each other than to girls.
"Hey, we were wondering if you guys wanted to join us for a friendly sparring session at the training grounds," Cardin, the leader of Team CRDL, suggested with a grin. "We're itching for some action, and it'll be a good chance for us to get to know each other better."
Roy exchanged glances with his team, and after a moment, he nodded. "Sure, why not? It sounds like a fun way to spend the afternoon."
With that agreement, both teams headed towards the training grounds. As they walked, conversations sparked, and the atmosphere became more relaxed. It turned out that Team CRDL, despite their initial tough exterior, were a lively bunch with a good sense of humor.
Once at the training grounds, they split into pairs for the sparring session. Roy found himself with Cardin mostly talking about being made leaders of their respective teams. To Roy's surprise Cardin too was having struggles with being made leader.
"I just don't understand why the teachers chose me, I'm no more capable than any of the other guys. It's not like they chose me based on naming the team"
"No, that would be ridiculous. I'm sure Headmaster Ozpin would have a much more important reason for making us leaders."
"Well look if you ever need help or someone to talk to our door is always open." Cardin offered.
"Thanks that deal goes two ways I hope you know". Roy smiled, sticking out his hand. Cardin laughed before meeting it with his own. "Definitely"
Meanwhile, Louie, who had been chatting with Sky, found himself engaged in a Dust-based discussion. They shared insights and knowledge, realizing they had more in common than they initially thought.
Arthur and Mars had paired up against Russel and Dove. Their bout was filled with banter and quips, showing that they weren't taking it too seriously.
The friendly sparring continued for a while, it became evident that while they may have different personalities and approaches, both teams were passionate about honing their combat skills.
After the sparring session, they all gathered in the center of the training grounds, catching their breaths and sharing laughs. It was a refreshing break from the nerves of their first day at Beacon, and the newfound camaraderie was evident.
As the sun began to set outside the windows of the training grounds, Cardin suggested, "How about we grab dinner together? My treat."
The offer was met with enthusiastic agreement, and both teams headed to a nearby cafe to continue bonding over food and stories. The evening turned into a memorable one, solidifying the beginning of a unique friendship between Team RAMT and Team CRDL.
Cardin doesn't know that Louie is a faunus yet for those who are confused, because his trait isn't really easy to notice and hell if Blake could hide with just a bow I think this is plenty believable. The butterfly effect of RAMT's existence will soon start to create a divergence from cannon I promise.