AN: I may not have received a review stating that to move forward with Hedge becoming Glynda's assistant in combat class, however I did receive some outside of here, so I've decided to move forward with it. Plus it makes sense with an upcoming scene I had already posted in the original version of the story.

Onward!

We find Hedge in one of the training rooms, utilizing both physical and semblance-based attacks on the holographic Grimm, whether that be with Chaos and Destruction, or hand-to-hand combat, with a mixture of lightning knives thrown in with his semblance, Electric Chaos.

It's been a few hours since he spoke with Professor Ozpin to get assigned not only a locker so he could stow his gear in, but also a dorm room so he didn't have stay and sleep where all the first-years were going to be. What Hedge didn't expect was for the Headmaster to offer him a part-time assistant position to Professor Goodwitch with her combat class, to which even the deputy professor was confused on Ozpin's decision. Hedge decided to think on it, and stated that he would provide his decision after the initiation test, to which Ozpin agreed to and invited him to come and spectate tomorrow morning, to which Hedge accepted.

After bisecting an Alpha Beowolf hologram, which was the last Grimm Hedge had to deal with, he decided to call it for the night and head to his dorm room after a quick shower.

The next morning

Hedge wakes up in his dorm room due to a call on his scroll from Anne.

"Wakey wakey, Hedge. How's Vale?" Anne's cheery this morning he thinks to himself.

"Does Mistral have that much action this time of year to make you have this much energy," he checks the time, "at 8 in the morning?"

Anne laughs. "I've been having to stop the local bandits around here from destroying some of the villages. Add on the Grimm too and this girl has been racking up her kill count. Any action on your end?"

Hedge sits up on the bed. "Well in the past few days, I saw a dust shop robbery get thwarted by a 15-year-old girl. Other than that, nothing too crazy."

Anne seems surprised, "What? Did she have any help?"

"One of the professors here at Beacon jumped in to save her, but the robber got away. I'm actually going to go see the first years get placed on their teams. Oh and get this, I was offered an assistant position to the deputy professor's combat class."

Anne responds, "WHAT?! That's insane! You going to do it?"

Hedge: "Truthfully, I am highly debating it, but I'm also thinking of accepting. Plus, gives me a chance to get a head start on seeing what our competition will be like this year with the first-years."

Anne: "That's true. Well let us know if you do take up that offer. Well hopefully that robber turns back up so you can put them down. Don't go letting a little girl out perform you. We're 4th year students for a reason, and you are our team leader. Remember that." The call ends shortly after.

Hedge closes his scroll and looks to the window of the room. "Yeah." He then gets up and starts to get ready for the day and head off to the cliff overlooking the Emerald Forest, where the initiation test will be held.

As he's finishing up, Professor Goodwitch's voice comes onto the intercom of the school. "Will all first years please head to the cliffside to begin initiation." He grabs Chaos and Destruction and heads off to the cliffside via his semblance's teleportation.

When he arrives, he finds the students lined up on what appear to be launch pads. His arrival startles the students wondering what type of semblance he has, but his attention is drawn to a certain red reaper calling out his name once she spotted him.

Ruby: "Hey Hedge!" He looks over and gives a small smile to her. The announcement of his first name was what got a few of the other students speculating on who he was, while a few, after looking over his combat gear and weapons, were able to put two and two together as to who he actually was.

Hedge turns his view to his left as he sees Professor Ozpin and Goodwitch, the latter spooked at his sudden appearance, while the former was intrigued seeing a part of his semblance up close.

"Looks like I made it just in time."

"Why yes, Mr. Badnic," Ozpin responds, "glad you could join us today. Hope you had a good night's rest in the dorm room. You have met some of these students on your way here to Beacon right?"

Hedge grabs a tablet provided by Professor Goodwitch. "Yes, specifically the sisters Ms. Rose and Ms. Xiao Long." He looks over at the two to see Ruby with a beaming smile and Yang with a smug grin. "I'm curious to see what teams are formed this time around."

Goodwitch couldn't help but to chuckle at that, "And to see what type of competition could arise for the Vytal Festival later this year?"

Hedge smiles and bats an eye at her, "Guilty as charged." The students all took a slight offense to that. "Does he really think he can watch and gather all he needs to know on how to beat us?" "Hold up, he's a student?! What academy does he go to?!" "I think he's a student at Shade. He's the runner-up from last year's tournament, if I'm not mistaken." Lot's of students started conversing to each other after learning who the Faunus was in front of them, either wanting to make sure they pass and be able to fight the well-known leader, while others, well, they didn't know if they'd even stand a chance against him.

Timeskip to during the initiation

The professors and Hedge watch the events of the partners being chosen, with Ruby being paired up with Weiss Schnee, the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company in Atlas, and Yang being paired up with Blake Belladona. "Hmm, I thought Ruby would've wanted to join up with her sister at least." He says in his mind. He looks at Weiss. "I wonder what the heiress is doing here at Beacon, and not at Atlas Academy." He then looks over to Yang and Blake's group. "Belladona...why does that name sound familiar?" They watch the events of the fight with the Nevermore and the Death Stalker Grimm and sees the teamwork that the later formed Team RWBY and Team JNPR show off.

"This year is looking to be an…interesting one." Ozpin had just announced Ruby as the leader of Team RWBY. Hedge is seen leaning up against one of the walls in the auditorium. "Took the words right out of my mouth, Professor."

Ruby notices Hedge and brings her team over to him. "Hedge! What are you doing here? Wait, did you see the initiation?"

Hedge smiles, "Hey Ruby, yeah I saw that fight you guys had with the Nevermore and Death Stalker. Gotta admit, even before you guys were officially a team, you guys were already showing teamwork."

Weiss couldn't help but ask.. "Ruby, who is this guy? He looks like a Faunus. Are you apart of that White Fang group?" Blake appears to be ruffled up about what Weiss had said, and Hedge takes notice.

"Hello to you too, heiress. Yes, I'm a Faunus, and no I'm not part of the White Fang. Name's Hedge Badnic, leader of Team HAZL from Shade Academy. I'm studying abroad this year."

Weiss realizes who he is after hearing his last name. "Badnic? Wait, you mean that scientist who was ran out of the kingdom all those years ago? Are you his son, trying to get revenge for him?" Ruby and Yang turn to Hedge surprised.

Hedge realizes this isn't the best time to talk. "You know, Ruby, looks like we'll have to chat another time. Congrats on being team leader. Offer still stands if you guys want to spar some time." Before he leaves, he looks at Blake and notices her bow. He smiles and heads out of the auditorium, but not before Hedge yells out to Ozpin. "Yo Oz! I'd like to take you up on that offer. I can see some benefits to come from that." As he leaves, the sudden announcement left a few of the students who heard him, along with Team RWBY, wondering just what offer their Headmaster had offered the Shade Team Leader.