The four young members of team KCPL (Copal) made their way into the massive room that Beacon used for the school cafeteria. After briefly pausing at the entrance, they looked out ahead at the plethora of other students around the bustling location.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Kyle asked, turning to Liam with a worried look on his face.
"Of course!" Liam said, giving a nervous smile but an enthusiastic voice.
"Dude, are you okay? Because it looks like you're about to crap your pants…" Cole replied as he raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, look who it is!" a feminine voice suddenly cried out. The girl began gazing in their direction.
Quickly a group of onlookers approached one by one until a large crowd of mostly female students formed around the team.
"Here comes the wolf pack…" Petra muttered as she glared at the intruders.
"Yep. Can't wait to get eaten…." Cole smirked as he began waving.
"It is him!" A girl cried out.
"He's here finally! But where has he been!?" said another.
"That's his team, right? Uh…who's that Faunus girl? one said quietly
"I know…she looks like she'll bite my head off" a male student said as the crowd around them all continued gossiping and looking on in awe.
'I will take no part in this ' Petra suddenly told her team. "In any way, shape,or form"
Closer and closer the students got until Petra suddenly turned her back and quickly made her way back towards the doorway in a
resentful manner.
"Petra!? Hey..where are yo-" Kyle began before having his path blocked by the swarm of students.
Liam quickly looked over to his team leader as they met eyes. A simple nod was given,and Kyle then turned his back and made his way through the crowd to track down his departed teammate.
"Guess it's just you an-…." Liam said as he began looking at Cole before stopping mid-sentence.
"Yeah…it's pretty cool having him on my team. We're bros. He asked me to be president of his fan club" Cole stated to several female students as they giggled.
"He's totally oblivious….." Liam thought as most of the students facing him were giving looks of admiration.
"Well, here goes," he thought to himself.
Giving a deep sigh, he anxiously gave a small smile and a quick wave of his hand.
Suddenly the familiar scent of perfume, the sound of his name, and the overwhelming sight of others closing in around him came once again.
Then came the usual onset of questions.
"Liam, sign my notebook!"
"Can I get your scroll number!?!"
"Will you take a picture with me!?!"
Liam was in the exact same situation he had been in some many times, and yet…he still had no idea what to do.
Quickly looking over at his only nearby companion, he stared in disbelief.
Cole gave no mind to his predicament, only seeming to rather….enjoy it.
"Alright ladies, give me your contact info so we can add you to the list!" Cole cried out as a swarm of fans also surrounded him, each one attempting to grab ahold of his scroll.
Suddenly a girl cleared her throat loudly as the other students backed away to see who it was.
Standing there in front of Liam was a pale, thin, yet beautiful young female student.
Weiss Schnee.
"Hello Mr.Ivanhoe,was it? She began. "I don't believe we've been properly Introd-"
Suddenly her voice was cut off as the other female students ignored her and went back to their shenanigans.
"Aww, I'm sorry Weiss. Maybe he's used to girls doing that all the time" Ruby Rose said to her teammate.
"I don't need your sympathy" Weiss scoffed before she turned and began walking away.
ELSEWHERE
Kyle sprinted down the hallway, frantically looking left and right for his Faunus teammate. She was gone, nowhere in sight.
"This was ....pointless" he thought to himself. How was he to be a leader if he couldn't keep his team TOGETHER?
Suddenly Kyle thought of it. Yes, something very…common. He quickly pulled out his scroll and checked his contacts. He looked up Petra in his contacts and looked at the only message he had sent her from days past.
'Where are you?' was what it read.
It was a question he had asked himself not just before, but now in the present.
He felt the need to send her the same message. But this time, in a different….context.
Thinking long and hard, Kyle took his time before looking down again at his scroll.
He then typed out and sent his message.
Kyle continued looking down at his scroll, not regretting what he had put on the screen.
"Your team needs you"
He quickly put away his scroll before standing alone in the hallway, looking around as he realized those words meant something.
But it wasn't just those words that remained true.
"I need my team" Kyle thought in his head as he began his way back. "And my team needs me"
CAFETERIA
After what seemed like an eternity…Liam continued to sign, smile, shake hands, and suffer until the crowd began to disperse. He had seen so many new faces, both male and female.
Suddenly Cole approached him, he put his arm around Liam's neck and gave a big grin.
"Bro, That was awesome! You must love being a celebrity!" He said rather loudly. "We're gonna be so popular!"
"He doesn't understand…." Liam thought to himself. "If only he knew…."
Kyle made his way into the cafeteria, looking around until his team members came into view. He quickly walked up to them only to see a very noticeable difference.
A huge grin on his brother's face and a frown on Liam's. "Uh, are you guys alright? "
"We are awesome!" Cole cried. "You missed out on it!"
"Liam…look I'm sorry I didn't stay, I wanted to make sure we faced this as a team" Kyle began. "It looks like things….didn't go as plann-"
"It's fine, it's fine" Liam said as he forced a smile. "Just tell me, where is Petra?"
"Yeah, where's FOXFACE?" Cole said with a smirk. "Was she jealous or something?"
"Don't...call her that" Kyle said, giving his brother a stern look. "I don't think she was jealous at all, it just seems she's more delicate than we thought "
"Does this mean we're having lunch without her?" Liam asked with a sorrowful look.
"I suppose it does….." Kyle replied. "I did try to message her…"
"Ha! You've never been good with girls!" Cole cried.
Kyle closed his eyes and exhaled slowly as he tried to forget that his brother was in the room.
The three then got their lunch and looked for somewhere to sit. Everywhere they looked people were waving for them to come on over.
Suddenly, four slender figures appeared before them. All were dressed in wealthy looking school attire, but once they came even closer…. the smile on Cole's face quickly disappeared.
The brothers stopped dead in their tracks.
Liam stopped moving, quickly noticing. "Uh, guys…what's the matter?"
"Aww, looky here. We have the itty-bitty Voltio brothers being pathetic again" Juliet said as she stood before her teammates.
"However, that stud with you is more than welcome to come sit with us." She gave a small wave to Liam before shyly turning her back.
Kyle sighed before lowering his head. Today just wasn't going well.
"Excuse me?!?" Liam asked as he stared back in disbelief. "HOW do you know these guys?" He asked before looking over at his teammates. Cole stared blankly as before, and Kyle still had a lowered head. Neither responded.
"Who are you?" Liam asked as his tone changed, becoming serious as he turned towards the four students.
"Well HELLO…Mr.Ivanhoe. I'm Juliet Avalore. The stunning, driven, and fabulous leader of team JADE" she told him, stepping aside, bringing her three teammates into view.
Before them stood three other students who looked like they had just been cleaned and dressed to be prepared for a special occasion.
"Dashing aren't they?" Juliet asked as another team member stepped forward.
"Yes, my leader…we are," Draco said, giving a small clap. "Look at how imperfect those two are….they truly must make for dreadful teammates."
"Who do you guys think you are!? Liam said as he gripped his food tray tight. "This is my team, and they are my friends! I don't appreciate you talking to them like that!" He said.
"Oh really? Why is that?" Juliet replied innocently as she tilted her head. "Your team consists of two weaklings and a fur ball….It's especially a shame you aren't their leader."
For the first time, Liam's eyes began to scowl. Suddenly a strange thing began to happen. His silverware and food began to slowly lift from his tray. It was as if the gravity had been turned off.
Team JADE looked back in shock as they watched it rise higher and higher.
"How dare you speak that wa-" Liam began before quickly coming to a halt. His silverware instantly fell back down, and food smacked back to his plate, getting a mess of food onto his chest. Turning his head to see why this had happened, he stopped as he felt and saw a hand on his shoulder. He then saw a face smiling and a pair of eyes gazing into his eyes. It was a beautiful face, one he had never seen before.
"That's enough out of you all," Pyrrha Nikos said. "You shouldn't be treating your fellow classmates this way"
There was an awkward silence before Juliet blinked and shook her head and came back to attention. "Very well...looks like you missed your chance Mr.Ivanhoe" she began as she protruded her lips into a frown. "If you want to associate yourself with these misfits I won't stop you. Toodle-oo!"
She spun around as Team JADE turned away with her.
"I had such high hopes" Draco added towards Liam before turning to walk away with his team.
After a brief silence, Liam turned to Pyrrha and met eyes with her once again. " Thank you, I didn't know how that was going to…turn out."
"That's okay, just thought I'd lend a hand to you guys. Who were they anyway, they seemed like they knew you?" Pyrrha asked.
Kyle lifted his head up and began turning towards her while forcing himself to smile. "Nobody….Just SNOBS
"Yeah, you can say that again…" Pyrrha said with a wide grin. What was that thing that happened? Was that…your semblance?"
"Uh yeah….it's a part of it I don't necessarily like. It only happens when I get angry" Liam told her. "That's why I always avoid getting frustrated"
Liam began wiping the food off his school uniform.
"I see…" Kyle said, rubbing his chin. "Well I'm glad to know that now.". He looked over at his brother. There he stood in silence, watching Team JADE make their way off.
"You guys are welcome to come and sit with my team." Pyrrha suddenly said. "We'd love to have you"
"That…sounds great" Kyle said looking at Liam. "Why don't we do that?".
Liam looked down at his plate and laughed. "I can try," he commented before laughing.
"Let's go buddy" he then told Cole, wrapping his arm around his neck. They all followed Pyrrha towards team JNPR'S table. A familiar looking red-headed girl waved frantically from afar.
Kyle followed behind everyone but looked around one last time. It was no use.
Petra still was gone.
EVENING
Finally after classes were done for the day Kyle and Cole took Liam off campus to eat somewhere nice and quiet. A local restaurant.
Liam laughed and joked with Cole, who was in a much better mood. Kyle smiled and contributed in his own way. But something was still bothering him. Where could his Faunus teammate possibly be?
This continued to bother him as the three walked back to introduce Liam to the dorm he and his brother had been staying in.
As they approached the doorway, a sudden surprise came into their sight.
It was her.
Petra stood outside the dorm room, leaning against the wall with one leg up.
"Hey! Petra, there you are! Where have you been!?" Liam called happily as he ran to see her. "Is everything alright?
"Im fine, just wanted to make sure you three were still alive I suppose" Petra muttered before stepping away from the wall and crossing her arms.
"Uh, It's good to see you Petra.." Kyle began. "Glad you're back" he told her as he held himself back from asking the hundreds of questions running in his head.
"Yeah, glad you aren't dead" Cole yawned as he stepped up to the room door.
Kyle stepped forth and unlocked it.
"So this is it" Liam told Petra as they both stepped through the doorway. "Welcome to the dorm. I used it mostly when those two weren't around."
Cole and Kyle followed them both in.
"Yeah, OUR Dorm. Cole said smugly as he quickly took his shirt off before falling onto his bunk bed.
He leaned on his side and looked over at Petra. "You like what you see?"
Petra walked past him and towards the neighboring bunk bed.
'I wish to have the top bunk. Is that alright with you?" She asked, looking towards Liam.
"Oh, yeah! Of course, of course!" Liam smiled happily and gave a nod. "I prefer the bottom anyway"
"Well I'm glad we're all together as a team" Kyle told everyone suddenly. "Because that's what I intend for us to be from now on"
"Yeah, me too" Liam said, slapping him hard on the back. "We're ready for you to lead us"
"I guess that means…no more secrets, right?" Kyle asked everyone. His eyes looked over at Petra, who was turned around.
Cole began snoring in his bunk.
"HAHA! Looks like it's been a long day for us all!" Liam said with a grin. "But you have my word, no more secrets…"
They all began to change into their bedtime clothes.
Soon after changing, Liam climbed into the bottom of the bunk bed and bundled up.
"Goodnight you guys" he said happily.
"Goodnight" Kyle and Petra said simultaneously.
Kyle looked over at Petra, who had her back turned and was on the top bunk.
"She's hiding some….no not just that." Kyle thought to himself as he laid back onto the top bunk. "Not just lying …." He thought. "But as team leader, it's my job to figure out what that is." Kyle finished with a determined demeanor. Soon, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
A FEW DAYS LATER
Team KCPL,CFVY, and another followed Glynda Goodwitch for a wilderness assignment.
It was in a beautiful blossoming woodland known as Forever Fall.
Kyle, Cole, and Liam kept up near the others. Petra was the last behind everyone, walking slowly. Liam stood next to a taller and more intimidating member of CVFY Yatsuhashi. Kyle looked on as they talked quietly and shook hands.
He then looked over to see Cole standing near Velvet and happily talking. She nervously smiled back, trying to show how she WAS used to friendly conversations. Coco glared over at the two, giving Cole a big 'stinkeye'.
Finally, Kyle turned back his head to see Petra treading along at her own pace. She remained quiet with her head down for some apparent privacy.
"Man, this place....is something else." Liam said aloud.
"Yeah,yeah, we aren't blind. Red leaves, red grass." Coco said.
"Uh...do you know who the heck you're talking to?" Yatsuhashi asked her nervously, looking back at Liam.
"His family is uh....." he began.
"Rich....?" She smiled. "Well, I guess I'd better bow and introduce myself."
"Haha....I wish that were true." Liam laughed, bowing back at them both. Yatsuhashi looked back and began scratching his head but continued walking.
"Listen up, everyone, I'm sure by now you've heard of this place. Glynda began. "Either by reading the textbooks, mentioned by name, or yesterday's events involving the other students."
"Oh yeah.....THE OTHER TEAMS BEFORE US!" Cole cried. Velvet's rabbit ears flinched, folding down slightly from his voice. "I HEARD THERE WAS AN URSA ATTACK!" he continued.
Kyle sighed and looked on. Yes, he also had heard. Maybe if it were to happen to him or the team, he would have no choice but to protect them by....using his semblance and surprising Cole.
"Yes, thank you for the...reminder." Glynda replied softly. "Perhaps yelling wouldn't be wise...Mr.Voltio?"
"Oh... sorry," Cole apologized. "I....heard it was quickly dealt with...right?" Suddenly, everyone came to a stop as Ms.Goodwitch turned around.
"Yes... the leader of Team JNPR. He stood his ground, saving the leader of team CRDL all alone. "
"J-Jaune..!?!" Cole yelled again. "You're kidding! He isn't as strong as anybody!". Kyle felt like shushing his brother but simply kept to himself.
"I'm very surprised as well....." Liam added. "Nothing you can't do with some good ol'experience."
"Yes, everything I have told you is true." Glynda began."But I'm afraid this assignment will still remain for the semester in Professor Peach's classroom."
"Uh...what's that mean?" Cole said, looking confused.
"You will still need to gather a jar's worth of the red sap from a tree. Be on the lookout for danger." Gylnda told them all. "I'm still here to protect you all."
Everyone stood in place before slowly making their way over to take a jar from the box Glynda had brought.
Soon, the three teams gathered separately with only their team members.
"So...what's the plan?" Liam asked, with a smile. "Well, uh I....guess we just pick a place and start there." Kyle told everyone.
"Oh, come on, bro. this doesn't sound hard at all." Cole moaned.
"Hmm.....well, yes. We only have to collect one jar." Kyle began. "But....we're going to have to search more than one tree."
His brother gave a deep sigh before looking up Liam. "Come one man, what do you think?" Cole asked.
Liam gave a simple nod back to him and Kyle. Kyle turned to look behind them at Petra.
Liam also looked back quickly to see her looking at her teammates with crossed arms. "Uh.....what do you think? Kyle asked. "Where do you think we should go?"
She simply shrugged. "You're the leader. It's your decision."
"Geez, you want a zero for the day?" Cole muttered under his breath.
"Hey....it's all good. You can help, " Liam continued."
Kyle looked around to see the other teams quickly starting. Glynda looked over at him and the team with curiosity.
He then gave a small sigh before turning back to his team. "I have an idea."Since Petra has advanced hearing, she can lead us somewhere safe and sound."
"Hmm.....that makes sense." Liam nodded, looking her over. "We can keep away from anywhere that might be dangerous."
"Huh?" Cole replied. "Are you sure she's going to actually help us?"
"Yes....I'll make sure of it," Liam said very confidently.
"I once read on the best way to find the right kind of trees with sap," Kyle said. "So.....yes, I guess she can lead us."
Liam cleared his throat before slowly making his way in front of his Faunus teammate. "You probably already heard our conversation over there.....heh." Petra looked him in the eyes with no reaction. "You can lead us somewhere quiet and perfect to start,"
Suddenly, she heard the two brothers quietly bickering before slowly making their way closer.
"Uh....please help us out. I really think Faunus are cool. Being superhuman's gotta be the best." Cole said, attempting to grin. "Also, for the trouble before, sometimes I can't control.....excitement." he groaned as he made himself sound sincere.
"Please....this'll be over before you know it." Liam smiled.
Kyle stepped forth and slowly offered his hand. Everyone remained quiet and stood all together. After both meeting hands, Kyle and Petra instantly shook.
They then instantly brought them back to themselves.
"Thanks," Kyle told her, smiling.
After a few minutes, Petra soon led the way for her teammates to follow. "I really hope this works," Cole whispered next to Liam. After a brief pause, he looked him in the eyes.
"Yeah....me too."
Less than an hour went by as they followed Petra while Kyle stopped them all when spotting the right trees to drain from. "Geez, I thought it was like a drink," Cole said. "It's WAY too sticky!"
"Shh!" Kyle snapped.
"Sorry....GEEZ." his brother told him with a flat voice. "By the way.....speaking of drinks."
"Are you thirsty?" Kyle replied with a sigh. "Heck no! I always keep my body hydrated. If I'm going to be the best....gotta do the best, " Cole told him.
"Guess that means...augh, just hurry up," his brother sighed, finally filling and closing up the jar with the best sap he could find.
"Relax....I'll be quick." Cole replied. "Uh.....by the way. Good...job."
Kyle paused and looked up to see him jogging off. "Thanks...." he told him softly and a bit surprised. He then looked over to see Liam standing in front of Petra a ways off. They seemed to be having a conversation, but he didn't see Petra respond.
Soon, the three came together and waited in complete silence.
"Thanks for the help today," Kyle told Petra out of nowhere. She looked at with a rather plain, gentle face.
"I think she appreciated that," Liam replied as he put a hand his team leader's shoulder
Kyle smiled as he felt the first uplifting moment between his team as their leader.
After waiting a few minutes, they suddenly heard the ground shaking.
"What in the...." Kyle began. He quickly grabbed his lance to transform it from its travel mode to its full extension.
"Where...is it coming from!?" Liam cried as he drew his greatsword.
He looked over at Petra as her ears began twitching until they stopped.
She quickly turned towards the treeline to the right. There was a roar.
"Over there!" Kyle yelled as it got closer to give a definite direction. "Grimm...." Liam told them both in a firm voice.
"AAHHHH!" Cole shouted suddenly as he ran into view. "DAMMIT! IT'S ANOTHER URSA....COME ON GUYS, HELP!!". He continued with his double-bladed axe Pyros Ascia in its gun form. He fired dust bullets back at the rather large bear Grimm, but to no avail.
Liam suddenly ran past Cole with his sword Schwere Angst and slammed it down into the ground. It unfolded into a protective shield, and It became two tons instantly. The Ursa Grimm ran into his weapon, quickly smaking into it and falling over.
After catching his breath, Cole quickly ran forth towards the Grimm. The Ursa looked over and hit him back into a tree. "Augh!" he cried.
Kyle began attempting to break through the monsters skin with electric dust from his Lance."
Liam suddenly ran towards the beast, blocking its next attack before jumping over and piercing it into the ground. He gave a light twist before it gave a groan for pity. Cole quickly stepped forth and beheaded the grounded creature with one swing of his axe. "Hell yeah! I've always wanted to kill one of these!" he replied.
"Meeting these aren't a fun thing..."Liam began. "Very much a hassle. It was only easy because it was a four on one. A group of grimm....are truly the things of nightmares."
"Uh, I agree...." Cole replied."Very scary."
Suddenly, everyone heard another roar. "IT'S...ANOTHER ONE....!?! Cole asked, screaming. Suddenly, Petra took out the long but rather folded object on her back. Suddenly, another Ursa left from the woodlands and began running at the entire team.
Petra unfolded the object into what looked like a large fan. Her weapon seemed to be pure metal except for the handles. She suddenly ran forward as her teammates followed behind, almost being distracted by her.
Cole ran forward and swung his axe, but the weapon didn't pierce his enemy. Kyle threw his lance in the air, Petra did a backflip and swiped it straight into the Ursa's back.
"Ha!!" He cried. "Someone else attack!"
It gave a loud buzz and shocked the Grimm.
Suddenly, Petra pulled a string tied around her wrist and fan. Suddenly, it transformed into what looked like a very large....throwing star. Kyle stared for a few seconds until he watched as she flung it towards the enemy and pulled it back with her wrist rope.
She held onto her weapon in the middle, where a circle could be seen.
"Hell yeah!" Cole cheered as the Ursa fell to its side. "Wow,"
"Whoa.." Kyle said quietly as he looked at Petra's abilities. Such good reflex and coordination.
Liam walked up to the Grimm, laying weakly on the grass. "Alright, who wants to finish it?"
"Me!" Cole said, quickly stepping forth.
"Haha....why not let your leader decide. Liam replied, grinning.
Kyle looked back at them. " Go ahead...one of you three decide."
"You've been gathering all the sap. Why not get your first kill as the leader?" He smiled. "Right, Cole?"
"Uh... yes. Good choice!" Cole replied , sounding a bit confused.
After they all looked at him, it appeared the Ursa was almost completely dead, but it appeared to be regaining its strength. "Alright then," Kyle said. " Here's to a lucky team."
He then walked up and pierced his weapon into the Ursa's skull, finishing it off.
"Nice." Liam said, "Way to go everyone...you too Petra. Nice weapon you have."
"Yeah, pretty badass. I just hope I can throw my weapon in the air like you guys did, " Cole added.
The two laughed as they looked over at Petra, who gave them a thumbs up.
Soon, they all made their way back to everyone as Glynda asked what went on for everyone. Cole began talking everyone's ears off and happily bragged about the battle. CFVY and most of the other students rolled their eyes in disbelief.
"Aw...come on" Cole said.
"No, he's right," Liam said suddenly. "We encountered an Ursa."
Everyone remained silent as their expressions changed to one of belief.
"There was more than one.....but we all worked together. Kyle did a great job leading us, " he smiled, looking at everyone.
"Very...impressive.," Glynda nodded. "That is a great example of teamwork. "Now, let's all head back to the academy."
"AW YES!" Cole cried. "I'm gonna tell everyone what happened today!"
Velvet smiled before she gave a small laugh.
"Wow..." Kyle thought. "I'm lucky to have them as my teammates. Even if one of them is my brother....and even if one is..as mysterious as HER."
END OF VOLUME 1