Hi, I'm back again.

If you have a hard time visualising Dennis' equipment, think of it this way:

Tempest – A high-calibre pistol capable of shattering Auras in up to 3 shots. Dennis had stolen this from Atlas early on in his days. The stopping power is so strong Dennis' wears special equipment to support the recoil without sacrificing aura. Aura can be used to support and manage the backlash (Will be explained in his backstory)

Wire-Knife – Think of Scorpion's spear from Mortal Kombat but with a Karambit as the blade.

Throwing Knives

Explosive Throwing Knives

Dust Bombs

Flashbangs

Wrist Mounted Laser

Mask – Either can cover his mouth and nose leaving his upper half of his head exposed. Can cover his entire face. Has built in filters against gas and toxins. Can also breathe underwater with a fitted rebreather.

Poison and toxin resistance – Part of Dennis' training, he endured torture with many types of toxins and poison making him resistance to a large number of them. (He can still be poisoned by Tyrian and some types of grimm)

"Hi, I'm back again," Dennis says, stepping into the room with Pyrrha beside him.

"I just saw you," Ryan replies, his tone laced with irritation. Pyrrha tilts her head slightly, confused.

"Yeah, sorry, I got thrown straight into combat class. I'm fine, though—check on her." Dennis says casually before walking off.

Back in his dorm, he runs a quick check on his gear. His vest feels lighter than it should. He rummages through his pouches, his brow furrowing.

"Shit. I'm basically out." He exhales sharply. Searching deeper, his fingers brush against a single flashbang. "One grenade and a bad attitude—not great." He leans against the wall, thinking. "I need to do some jobs, but Ozpin will kill me if he catches me"

The evening bell chimes, signalling the end of the day. A sharp knock at his door pulls him from his thoughts.

"Come in," he calls.

The door swings open. Blake stands there, her amber eyes burning with barely restrained anger. Gambol Shroud rests in her grip.

Flashback

Dennis moves like a shadow through a White Fang warehouse in downtown Vale, unseen by the operatives inside. Sticking close to the crates, he pries one open, his breath hitching at the contents. Atlesian pulse rifles, dust explosives, and an arsenal capable of leveling a district.

"Holy shit," he whispers. "So much for 'peaceful activism.'"

He seals the crate and presses on, stopping at a coded steel door. A flicker of movement catches his eye—a guard approaching. Dennis ducks behind cover, waiting as the man stops in front of the door. Checking his watch, he grimaces.

"Twelve minutes until the cameras reset."

With a flick of his wrist, he hurls his wire-knife around the corner, hooking the guard's leg and yanking him into the shadows. The man barely has time to gasp before Dennis clamps an arm around his throat, applying just enough pressure to stop him from struggling.

"What's your name, buddy?"

"F-Felix," the guard stammers.

Dennis tightens his grip slightly. "Alright, Felix. What's the code for that door?"

"I—I can't tell you." His voice shakes. "She'll kill me."

Dennis presses his knife against the man's throat, his voice dangerously soft. "And I won't?"

Felix exhales shakily. "487939! I swear!"

Dennis smiles and loosens his hold. "See? That wasn't so hard." He lets Felix stumble back, turning away. Then, in one swift motion, he draws Tempest—his high-caliber pistol—and fires a single shot into the dark. Felix collapses motionless in the warehouse

"Now, what was it again? 487939," Dennis mutters, punching in the code. The door clicks open, revealing a dimly lit room. Maps, documents, and tactical plans litter a large table. A quick glance tells him everything—the next White Fang target is a train.

He whips out his scroll, scanning the documents as fast as possible. But a presence prickles at the edge of his senses. A flicker of movement. Yellow eyes gleaming in the dark.

He moves on instinct.

Diving to the side, he narrowly avoids a bullet to the head. Rolling back onto his feet, he finds himself staring at a cat Faunus, her blade glinting under the dim light.

"That wasn't very nice, kitty," he quips.

She doesn't laugh. Instead, she lunges.

Dennis sidesteps, flicking his wire-knife forward. She twists midair, flipping over the attack with feline grace.

"Is that all?" she taunts.

Dennis smirks. "Not quite."

With a sharp tug, he yanks the wire, sending the knife hurtling back towards her. She barely manages to deflect it before he raises Tempest and fires. The bullet slams into her aura, carving a chunk from it.

A sudden explosion rocks the warehouse. Fires erupt around them as debris rains from above. Dennis glances at his watch. "Time's up."

He turns and bolts.

She follows.

A bullet grazes his cheek, shattering his mask. He barely feels it. Twisting mid-run, he snarls, "Do you wanna die here? 'Cause I can arrange that!"

He keeps running, smashing through the warehouse gate, his aura tanking the debris. Behind him, the Faunus is caught in an explosion, sent tumbling through the air.

Dennis watches for a moment, then exhales. "Good riddance."

Flashback Ends

Dennis slams the door shut behind him, already moving as the first impact rattles the frame. Without hesitation, he hurls himself through the window, glass shattering around him. He tucks into a roll upon landing, barely breaking stride as the door behind him explodes into splinters.

His fingers fumble for his scroll. He dials.

"Pick up, pick up, pick up," Dennis mutters under his breath.

A whisper of steel slices the air. Instinct kicks in—he throws his weight back, dropping into a handspring just as a blade slashes at where his throat had been moments ago.

He lands smoothly and sprints into the courtyard, boots skidding slightly on the stone. The call connects.

"Ozpin! Your student is trying to fucking assassinate me! Some help would be appreciated unless you want me to kill her!" he shouts into the scroll.

Murmurs rise as students spill out of the dorms, drawn by the commotion. Shadows move, and then the rest of RWBY steps forward, bearing witness.

Dennis snarls, coating his right arm in aura just in time to parry Blake's incoming strike. Sparks fly as metal meets reinforced energy. He retaliates immediately, his leg snapping upward in a vicious kick that catches her under the chin. Blake is sent reeling, flipping through the air before skidding to a stop.

Dennis exhales sharply, narrowing his eyes. "I remember you now."

Blake wipes a trickle of blood from her lip, her amber eyes burning with fury. "Good. You will pay for your crimes against the Faunus."

Dennis rolls his shoulders, his expression unreadable. "I won't deny I've committed crimes," he admits, voice low, "but you better calm down before I add you to my body count."

Gasps ripple through the crowd. RWBY immediately moves in front of Blake, standing between them. The courtyard falls silent, thick with tension.

Then—

A rhythmic tapping breaks the silence.

Ozpin steps into the scene, his cane clicking against the stone with deliberate patience. He walks past the students, briefly kneeling beside Blake before straightening and facing Dennis.

"I hope you are both okay," Ozpin says, his voice smooth but firm.

Dennis exhales, rolling his shoulders. "I'm fine."

Blake, still seething, wipes the back of her hand across her mouth. "Me too."

Ozpin exhales through his nose, unamused. "Well, Dennis, I must admit I wasn't expecting you to cause this level of chaos on your first day. I'd like to have a word with you, in case our earlier conversation wasn't enough of a warning."

His gaze flickers to Blake. "Miss Belladonna, don't think you're getting away scot-free. Attempted murder is, after all, still a crime."

The crowd shifts uneasily, murmuring among themselves as Ozpin gestures for Dennis to follow him.

Ozpin's Office

The faint hum of the city below is muffled by the thick glass windows. The air inside is warm, filled with the faint scent of coffee.

Ozpin gestures to the chair across from his desk. "Please, sit down, Dennis."

Dennis drops into the seat, arms crossed.

Ozpin folds his hands together. "First, I wanted to thank you. You showed restraint, despite being attacked first. Furthermore, I know you probably could have killed her—but you chose not to."

Dennis raises a brow, scratching the back of his neck. "It's fine," he replies, tone casual but laced with exhaustion.

Ozpin watches him carefully. "I will be speaking with Blake later. She will apologize—"

"No point," Dennis cuts in. "It'll just piss her off more."

Ozpin lets out a small chuckle, shaking his head.

Dennis stands. "Thanks for that."

Without another word, he turns and walks out, leaving Ozpin alone in his office, staring thoughtfully after him.

The next chapter is going to cover the docks as I want the story to pick up at the Fall of Beacon where Dennis' past will catch up with him