The next morning we were all awakened and was told to get dressed and armed ourselves for the event we were doing. We all headed off toward some airships and rode them towards a cliff face where a large forest stretched out for miles. Everyone stood atop some metal tiles, each and every one of us.

Mavis was to my right, holding the bag with Amber in it as the wolf in question peaked her head out enough to see. To her side was Yang, who made some quick glances to Mavis.

“I think she into me.” Mavis whispered to me.

“Her and everyone else I think.” I whispered a reply as I dropped some burnt food into the bag which Amber was happy to eat. Mavis rolled her eyes at this.

“So…” Yang started to say to Mavis, getting her attention. “Have a few people you want to team up with? I have a few in mind myself.” Yang finished that with a wink to Mavis.

“Oh~ I l think I do to.” Mavis said with a giggle, clearly enjoying her flirts with the blonde. I rolled my eyes at this just as the Headmaster and I think his assistant… vice headmaster… whatever the name is. The person was a short-haired blonde woman with a black and white dress and a cape… yes, a cape.

“Good morning everyone, hope you all slept well.” Headmaster Ozpin said to all of us with a smile before clearing his throat. “For years you all have trained to become warriors. And today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest.”

“Now,” The woman started to say. “I’m sure many of you have heard rumours about the assignment of teams… Well, allow us to put an end of your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates… Today.” This caused the other students to mutter and whisper to one another.

“These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to pair up with someone whom you can work well with.” Headmaster Ozpin said to all of us.

“So… what? We pick our teammates now?” One of the other guys called out.

“Good question, and no. When you first land the first person you lay eye contact upon… will be your partner for the next four years.” Ozpin said simply, causing Ruby to yell ‘What!?!’

“Whoa, hold on! What if see someone that doesn’t work well with us?!” A female student yelled out.

“Well… better make it work.” Ozpin answered before continuing. “Now then, when you partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You’ll meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path, or you will die.” The last part didn’t sound like he was joking, he was saying ‘This forest will kill you if you slack off.’ he continues on with what we were supposed to do; Go find some ruins, get a relic, return to the top of the cliff, done.

“Now, any questions?” Headmaster Ozpin asked all of us.

“Umm, yeah uhh-” I heard Jona started to ask before getting cut off.

“Good, now take your positions.” Ozpin said as we all got ready, other than Jona. As she and Headmaster Ozpin were talking, I heard the sound of something launching and some students were getting launched… literally. As a few more got launched I looked over to Mavis.

“See you down there?” I asked, heard the launching getting closer.

“We'll see soon enough.” Mavis said to me before she was launched into the air but unlike the others, she looked to be in control. I shook my head at this before I was launched into the air… man those things are powerful.

Using my own semblance to make thruster like flames to control my flight. I flew around a little bit before finding a spot before landing on the ground. I glanced around and saw nobody around, making me slowly get up.

“Okay… got to find Mavis…” I said to myself as I headed out. Even with some time talking to other people, I was still really shy with them and if I'm partnered up with a total stranger I wouldn't enjoy that…

As I walked through the forest my mind wanders to the ideas of other people I could work with as a partner if need be.

“Well… there's Jona… she seems nice, but she seems a bit too inexperienced for me…” I muttered to myself, don't know why I thought that, just a feeling. “There's Yang but she would try and flirt with Mavis more… and she would do the same… then there's Ruby-”

I stopped when I heard a twig snap and I hid in some bushes as some Beowolf Grimm came out and sniffed around. I had my hand on Molten Fox, ready to torched the Grimm if need be. After some time they moved along before I came out a minute later.

“Right, so Ruby… she's cheerful and nice, and a big weapon nut like me… maybe Ruby would work if I don't find Mavis.” I said to myself before a new thought. “Hmm, though it would change if she found a partner already… or anyone at that…” This cause me to pick up the pace as if I had to guess, everyone wants to pair up with Mavis. I came across a clearing, panting and a little out of breath as panic began to set in. “What if Mavis already has a partner? What if I run into someone I don't know! I would spend the next four years with them!!” I said as panic started to set in as I glanced around unsure if anyone would come out and see me.

It was then that I heard humming from above which brought my attention to the source and to my relief, it was Mavis floating down with the bag in her arms while humming a little tune. She touched ground and glanced back at me, smiling as she did.

“Don't tell me you actually thought I'd have you partner up with some stranger now did you.” She said to me while a happy bark from within the bag let me know that Amber was safe and sound. I stared at her for a few moments before tackling her in a hug.

“I thought you gotten partnered up already!!” I cried, holding her close. I felt like a kid doing this and I could tell that mama would laugh at this if she saw me like this. I felt Mavis pull me away from her.

“Calm down Viri, you're eighteen. Not six.” Mavis said to me with a little laugh.

“Sorry… just worried that I would pair up someone random here.” I said with a little laugh. Mavis smiled before opening the bag, causing Amber to hop out and burt into a blazing fireball that grew in size before reforming into her ferocious wolf like self.

“Remember Amber, stay close to us and don't run off.” Mavis said to her while Amber stretched before looking up at me. I smiled and scratched behind her ear before looking around.

“Now… we need to find the ruins… which is in the northern end so…” I looked up at the sky to try and figure out which way is north.

“Or you can just follow me.” Mavis said to me while Amber barked and followed behind Mavis as she began to walk. I blinked at this… right…

I followed behind her as Amber was walking next to us. I didn't know how far the ruins were but I'm guessing they were pretty far… as I thought this I saw on the Mavis lower back was a weapon, from the looks of it she had a short sword. Has she always had a sword? If so then why is it that I notice this now?

“Umm, Mavis… what kind of weapon do you have?” I asked her, getting her attention.

“Hmm?” She hummed back at me, glancing back to me while she lead the way. “What, this thing?” She asked as she took the sword into her hand. “It's a special blade I crafted with the help of Jericho.” She said to me.

“What can it do?” I asked, now more interested. Just as I said that some rustling came from some bushes and a Ursa came out and growled at us. I took a step back and Amber growled as she got ready for a fight, Mavis however simply hummed as she towards the beast, her sword splitting by the blade to form a fan before delivering a flurry of swiped before she stopped, closed the blade up and the Ursa fell and dissipated.

Mavis turned and gave a bow to us as if it was some kind of show. “Wow…” I said in awe at her weapon. “So it turned into a bladed fan?” I asked, still watching the Ursa dissipate. She chuckled and showed me that it was indeed the case, instead of it being a normal fan, each bit was fitted with a blade. I was in awe at this as I got a closer look of her weapon before she closed it, making it look like a normal short sword and putting it away.

“That looks really cool.” I said happily. She smiled and chuckled before saying

“Come on, we've wasted enough as it is.” Mavis soon said as she lead the way forward. The two of us continued on, fighting Grimm along the way, making me use Molten Fox which I was very happy about.

A few hours of walking before we came up to a large clearing with some ruins in it. In said ruins were pedestals which each held… chess pieces?

“Huh.” I said as we got a closer look. “Reminds me of when Grandpa and I played chess back when he was showing me how to forge weapons.” I said as we walked up to the pedestals, only to find a napping beowolf between them all. My hand went to my weapon as it hums a bit. Mavis did the same but as we did the large Grimm seemed to have woken up. It let out a large yawn and look at us, instead of looking… well evil and Grimm like, it just looked annoyed.

Amber soon barked at the beowolf, to which it responded with a tired bark in return before walking off into the forest, ignoring us both as it did.

“Interesting…” I heard Mavis mutter as she walked up and picked up a chess piece. I went over and saw it was the Bishop piece and it a white gold colour. So I guess the white bishop. I looked around and saw some of the other pieces were missing.

“Guess other groups came around then.” I said as Mavis tossed the piece into the air and caught it.

“It seems so.” Mavis said before looking back outside. “We should be heading back now, don't want to be the last ones left now do we?” She asked me with a glance back. I nodded at her and looked over at Amber, who seemed to be with the Beowolf, who was laying down.

“Amber, we're leaving.” I called out to her which she turned her head and barked before coming over to us. It was then I felt myself be lifted off the ground, no doubt by Mavis as she too did the same. Amber quickly climbed into the bag before we practically flew back up to Beacon cliff. I had to kept reminding myself that Mavis was doing this, as falling isn't something I'm quite fond of and I doubt anyone would benefit from a Viri pancake.

When we landed we saw a moderator walking over to us and Mavis showed him the chess piece.

“Hmm, alright. Head to one of the pelicans ships and they will send you back to Beacon.” He said to us as Mavis handed him the piece. The two of us headed towards the ships and headed back to Beacon, guess we’ll rest before the others came back.

A Few Hours Later…

After the last group of students returned from the Emerald forest, we were all asked to make our way to the Gathering Hall to be assigned to teams… but I thought we were in teams?

“Wasn’t that the point of the event? We were partnered up with our teammate?” I asked Mavis as we made our way to the place.

“A team of two is not a team, Viri. We are missing two more to count as a team.” Mavis said to me, her blade being played around in her hand as she also carried the bag with Amber in it.

“I still don’t get why we had to get-” I stopped as I remember back at the chess pieces and that they’re were two sets of four pieces, one white, and the other black. “Ohh… I get it now… wait so we going to pair up with two strangers than?” I asked, a little nervous about two strangers being part of the team.

“I would assume so but don't fret, you'll have me.” She said to me, arm around my shoulder as she said this. I took comfort in what she said. Yeah… At least I'll have her with me. I smiled at her as we entered the Gathering Hall and sat down. When it started Headmaster Ozpin came up and explained how this was going to work which was what I thought of; both teams of two that grabbed one of two matching chess pieces would be a team of four. There was some muttering as the Headmaster started to read off some names, which they come up and were given a team name.

I saw a number of people went up and were given a team name, hey even Ruby and Yang were part of a team together with two others, a woman with black hair and a bow in her hair and a woman with white hair in an offset ponytail and white dress. Their team was named Team RWBY who was lead by Ruby. We all clapped for them before Ozpin spoke.

“And finally, Mavis, Amaran, Umbra, and Viri.” he called out our names and we stood up and walked onto the stage. I saw that Amaran was the woman I met before and Umbra was another woman with a hood over her hair and pale white skin. We all stood in front of the headmaster as he spoke. “You four have gathered the white bishop piece, you are all now part of Team MAUV, lead by… Mavis.” Everyone clapped for us as the Headmaster turned to the crowd. “That is the end of today's assembly, each leader will now be getting a message and map of the school grounds to find your rooms. You are all now dismissed.”

Everyone got up and headed out of the Gathering Hall, no doubt to see their dorm rooms for the first time. Mavis and I, along with our teammates headed out of the building. I looked back at the two and got a good look at them. Amaran wore a large red shirt with the logo of a bull on the front and had some ripped up jeans on with some brown work boots on. Her hair was still done up in a braid as her cow like ears twitched a bit as she smiled happily. By far she’s the tallest out of everyone… maybe matching grandpa’s height.

Umbra on the other hand was about my height, wearing a white and black hoodie and gray cargo pants. Her hood covered most of her head, it was more like a cowl than a hood as it almost covered her face but I saw she had pale skin and some wisps of brown white hair was peeking out.

“Well, let me be the one to say hello to my new teammates.” Amaran greeted us happily.

“It's nice to meet you two as well.” Mavis said to the both of them as she lead the group across the halls. I looked over at the other two and just saw… well Amaran as she walked behind me so I guess I’ll try to talk to her.

“So… Amaran, how are you?” I asked her, sounding a little awkward.

“I’m doing good. What about you?” Amaran asked me.

“Same… sorry I’m not really good at talking to new people.” I said to her which she smiled at.

“It’s fine, take your time with talking Viri.” Amaran said with a kind smile. I chuckled at this.

“So, where did you come from before coming to Beacon?” I asked Amaran curiously.

“Well, I was born in Mistral but my family moved all the way to Vale. Bought and maintained a farm for some time now.” Amaran explained as she smiled happily as she looked like she was remembering some good times.

“If that’s true, then why did you come to Beacon and become a huntress?” I asked as I arched a brow.

“Well, my dad did say that I was more… adventurous then my brothers so when the option of going to a combat school opened up, I took it.” Amaran said with a shrug.

“Oh, you have brothers? How many?” I asked, somewhat changing the topic.

“Seven.” Amaran answered with a smile.

“Whoa… that’s a lot of siblings.” I said in surprise at her.

“Mom did want a big family.” Amaran said simply. I stared at her in disbelief before Amaran added. “And when I left she had a little boy or girl on the way.”

“I… okay.” I said to simply, not really wanting to get into more detail on Amaran’s large family. I looked back at Umbra who was quiet for this entire time.

“So… Umbra. Where did you live before coming to Beacon.” I asked her… and got nothing from her. “Umm, Umbra? Hello?” I called to her, again nothing. I frowned at this before I looked at Amaran. “Is she shy or just ignoring me?”

“Hmm, I think she’s listening to some music.” Amaran said to me which made me look at her oddly before she turned and waved in front of Umbra’s face. She blinked a few times before reaching up and clicking something.

“Huh? What?” She asked us, surprised by this as well.

“Uhh, you were listening to music?” I asked her curiously, to which she nodded. “How? I don’t see any cords.” Umbra answered that by pulling back her hood to show off her ear which I noticed that there was some hair growing off on to of it that matched her hair colour. I also saw something in her ear as well.

“Wireless earphones, no hassle with cords.” Umbra explained to me before pulling them out. “What were you asking?”

“Umm, where did you live and do before coming to Beacon?” I asked her again.

“I used to live up in Atlas, mostly in an army base.” She answered simply.

“An army base? Why there?” Amaran asked, now curious on our teammate’s living conditions.

“My Uncle was the commander there and my parents died when I was young.” Umbra answered her before adding. “And please… don’t ask for any more than that.”

“Got it.” I said as Amaran simply nodded. It would be bad to poke into other people's personal life when their parents are… well. Before we could continue Mavis has led us to a door which I guessed is our dorm room. Mavis opened it up, revealing a large room with four separate beds and drawers beside them all. We all entered and looked around our new home for the next four years.

“Pick your beds.” Mavis said to us all as she sat on her chosen bed. The rest of us did just that as Umbra went to the one in the far corner and Amaran took the one across from hers which means I got the one across from Mavis. As I went to it I saw that my luggage was already here. I looked up as Mavis taking the bag and dumping Amber out onto the bed… in front of the other two. I looked over at the other two and saw Umbra pulling her hood back, showing that her hair was white and had some brown spots on it. Like what I saw, her ears also had hair growing on top of them, making her look like a great horned owl… Was she a Faunus too? Does that mean I’m part of an all Faunus group? Neat.

“What in the…” Umbra said when Amber rolled over and stood on the bed, shaking a bit as she must’ve been in the bag since the ride back to Beacon and the assembly.

“I know dogs but… not ones that are on fire…” Amaran said as she stared at Amber, me looking at Mavis and gave her a look that says ‘What are you doing?!’

“I'm letting Amber loose so she can take my bed, do you honestly believe I'd keep her in the bag for so long?” Mavis said to me with an arched brow as Amber rolled around in the bed, growing back to her older self again.

“A fire dog… that grows…” Umbra said in shock. “I want to ask questions but I don’t know where to start.”

“Everyone, this is Amber, mine and Viri's pet fire wolf.” Mavis said while Amber burnt up the bed a bit as she rolled around, panting and barking happily. “She doesn't bite nor does she hurt to touch.” She added.

“Fire… wolf?” Amaran said slowly, still staring at Amber. “Is she some kind of new breed of animal?”

“Or maybe an experiment of a wolf with red dust infused in her.” Umbra said, causing all of us to stare at her oddly. “What? I like Sci-fi books.”

“Right… I think there’s going to be an issue with having Amber out in the open Mavis.” I said to her.

“Well… mostly the fact your pet is on fire.” Umbra pointed out.

“She isn't on fire, she is fire.” Mavis said to the owl Faunus with a chuckle. Amber finished rolling about in the bed, the sheets burnt to her liking while Mavis put away her clothes in the dresser. We all stared at the now burnt bed.

“I don’t think the school would enjoy the fact that one of their beds is now like that.” Amaran said as she looked to me. “I mean… other than the fact that you two own a wolf made out of fire.”

“I’m just… I got nothing.” Umbra said as she sat on her bed. I looked over at Mavis before saying.

“What are we going to do with the fact that anyone that could walk in here and see Amber in the open?” I asked her, now worried for Amber if she gets taken away.

“Trust me Viri, that won't be happening.” She said to me before Amber hopped off the bed and went over to me. I ached a brow at Mavis before Amber rested her head on my knee, which I looked down and smiled as I gave her some pets.

“Guess it can’t be helped… you enjoy your new bed?” I asked Amber, gaining a bark from her. As I continued to pet her I heard the window open and Umbra moving over the other window.

“Getting pretty smoky in here. Is this going to be a thing?” Umbra asked us as she opened the window.

“Also, where would you be sleeping Mavis?” Amaran asked before Mavis answered by simply laying down in the air nonchalantly. Everyone stared at her in silence when she did this.

“Huh… I did see her fly off in the air at one point…” Umbra said out loud before heading back to her bed. As she did all I saw on her bed was a small bag that was at the very end of her bed. She didn’t have a lot with her.

“Guessing your Semblance is able to fly?” Amaran asked Mavis in a questioning tone.

“Nope. I'm able to move things around with a wave of my hand. Telekinesis you might call it.” Mavis said to her. “And what's yours?” She asked soon after.

“Well… you can say I can become very strong for a time.” Amaran answered Mavis.

“And take a beating, saw her in a fright with a large boar Grimm and got hit by it. Didn’t even move her.” Umbra added on as she laid in her bed.

“So… super strength and durability?” I asked the Cow Faunus.

“Yup, my brother calls it the Juggernaut. Though it drains my aura when I’m using it quickly.” Amaran answered before adding. “What you can do?”

“Huh? Oh uh, I can control fire.” I answered as I made a little flame appear in my hand.

“I kinda see why you have a pet wolf made out of fire.” Umbra said as she saw this, making me chuckle a bit.

“And what is yours, Umbra?” Asked Mavis to the owl Faunus, looking over at her.

“Predator sense.” Umbra answered Mavis… what?

“What do you mean Predator sense?” I asked her.

“It means what it sounds… kinda… okay so when I use my semblance my senses grow sharper and better. I can see, hear, and smell better for a set amount of time.” Umbra explained to all of us. Mavis hummed at this before Amber went back up to her new bed, making herself comfortable and laying down. The rest of us either put away our clothes in our dressers and hung out for the rest of the day.

Author's Note

Umbra and Amaran are two characters I came up with to fill out the team, I like them :)