Chapter 4, DRGN Part 1

Monday in Beacon Academy, Desmond Royal begins his lessons tomorrow along with a new team, he stood in the elevator that will take him to the Headmaster's office, which is where he will meet his Beacon Team. The dragon felt anxious along with many things, fear, nervousness, excitement, and reluctant. These students will have to share a Dorm with him for four years, maybe they would be disgusted in his lifestyle. What if it gets to the point where they just request for a new teammate entirely. Desmond somewhat feared rejection from his peers, he had enough of that in Signal Academy. Though most of the people who targeted him were assholes trying to get on Yang's good side.

Desmond sighed at the mention of Yang.

The dragon didn't hate her, he wanted to understand why she wouldn't tell them what truly happen. What came over her? Desmond's fingertips traced his lips, remembering the sweet taste of the brawler's lips. The contact lasted for a minute but he felt Yang's emotions in that brief kiss, passion and frustration blooming within her. But all he did was stare, his breathing paused as he gazed at the blond dumbfoundedly. She took the silence as a sign of rejection and that's when he heard it... the sound of something fracturing inside her chest.

Her heart.

The dragon's fist collided with the elevator wall his aura coating his knuckles. Desmond Royal should had said something to her, acceptance or rejection would've satisfied. Anything to keep her there and talk to him.

"Does he not notice the elevator stopped or is he just going to keep looking at the floor and punching walls?" A familiar sultry voice spoke in barely a whisper.

"Easily distracted, I suppose?" Another voice he recognized, cold and stern. "Hopefully, he isn't like that in action. I will surely break him out of that."

He listened for another voice only to hear a similar obnoxious snore . Yep, Desmond was certain he had already met these people before. The hot purple-haired girl from the courtyard laid back in one of the headmaster's chairs one smooth leg crossed over the other. The blond from the library was resting her head on the headmaster's desk, Ozpin didn't seem to mind as long as she kept distance away from his prized mug. The tall brown haired man with piercing crimson eyes, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed observed the dragon boy.

"Ah, Mr. Royal," Ozpin smiled, looking up at the teenage dragon. "Did you settle in nicely this weekend?"

​"Can't say It was a relaxing two days," Desmond sighed. "Staying in a Dorm meant for four  is kinda of lonely--"

"Aren't you the  guy who was rubbernecking me in the courtyard?" The purple haired girl said nonchalantly, causing Desmond to wince. "You expect me to share a room with this pervy lizard?"

"You're in front of Beacon's Headmaster, the same person who decides if you stay or get thrown back to whatevercesspool you crawled out of." The gentlemen spoke in a menacing tone, Desmond can sense the discipline behind it. "Watch what you say."

"Who the hell do you think you're talking too?" The purple haired girl grinded her teeth, judging by  the young woman's reaction, she had a fierce temper. The woman looked prepared to start a fight anywhere at anytime.

"Nicholas and Rachel, please refrain yourselves from causing a ruckus." Ozpin said stoicially, the headmaster must had decades of experience dealing with superpowered teenagers that he had grown numb to it.

"This asshole started it!" Rachel pointed an accusing finger at the tall man. "Who does he think he is?"

"Nicholas Ironwood, " The only blond in the room said, awoken by the petty bickering. "That's General James Ironwood's son, Nicholas Ironwood, trained by Altesian specialist and his father himself since the age of 15, grooming to become the next General of the Atlesian military.

"Indeed." Ozpin said, turning to the purple haired girl known as Rachel.  "Mr Ironwood has decided to offer his talents to Beacon Academy. Please try to understand that his mannerisms are vastly different from Vaccuo's, Ms Apollo."

"Yeah, yeah, just keep him in line," Rachel Apollo waved off the crimson eyed man. "Anyways, whats the deal with sleeping beauty over there?" she gestured to the blond who had fallen asleep in a matter of seconds.

"I refuse to work with a person who suffers from hypersomnia, why is she here if that's the case?" Nicholas narrowed his eyebrows at the Headmaster, Desmond could already tell he was losing his patience "These 'teammates' have already proven themselves incompetent, this woman is a savage and the other one hadn't spoken a word yet."

"Oh!" Desmond shook his head  and nodded apologetically. "Sorry man, my name is Desmond--"

"I'm starting to regret accepting your invitation here," Nicholas dismissed Desmond's words and glared directly at Ozpin. "How am I suppose to entrust my life in the hands of-"

"Mr. Ironwood, if I may interrupt you for a second..." Ozpin held a finger out to silence the man, he opened up his desk drawer and pulled out an empty mug labelled 'best headmaster' . Without warning he pitched it at Grace's forehead at full force that it generated a whistling sound through the air. None of their eyes could track the mug's blinding speed until  it came to an abrupt stop in Grace's hand, the blond girl never opening her eyes to catch it.

"Talk about a sleep walker," Desmond stared in astonishment, he doubted the blond girl was expecting it. Either that was her semblance at work or honed reflexes.

"Shit, well I'm impressed!" Rachel smirked clapping at the display of speed. "Let's see if Ironass can do the same, mind if I throw it this time?"

"It will be your last mistake!" Nicholas snapped. "Cease your childish behavior, you're not amusing anyone here."

"I think we need to have an understanding, Iron ass." Rachel chuckled but there was no mirth in it. "Threaten me one more time and I'll bash your skull in. " the temptress's expression darkened matching the fury of an angry Ursa.

"Hold up, let's not escalate to cracking skulls on the first day!" Desmond stepped between them. "Listen, we're getting off on the wrong foot how about we just startover to ease the tension, does that sound good?"

"Hm." Nicholas took a moment to gauge Desmond. The soldier's much more bulky form somewhat intimidating the dragon . "Fine, my name is, Nicholas Ironwood as you already know. I am from the Kingdom Of Atlas, my father is indeed the General of the Atlesian military. I've been trained for several dangers, Grimm invasions, terrorist attacks, hostage situations, rescue operations, etc."

"The name's Rachel Apollo, rising star and musician, you may have went to some of my concerts." There was a silence throughout the room. The musician nearly fell out of her chair. "You're kidding, right? You should've heard my name once in your life!"

"I don't often listen to music." Nicholas crossed his arms.

"I don't get out much." Desmond rubbed the back of his head.

"I don't care." Grace cradled her head in her hand.

"Anyways!" Rachel gritted her teeth. "Born and raised in the sands of Vaccuo, I'm pretty sand smart."

"Sand Smart?" Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "Don't you mean street smart?"

"Of course a preppy Atlas snob doesn't know anything about Vaccuo slang." Rachel said. "No, Ironass I mean sand smart. I got the knowledge to deal with any threat that comes my way and pretty damn resourceful when I need to be. Bring me a stick and a rock then I'll make you a spear."

They turned to Grace expecting her to speak last, however, the girl remained silent having no interest in the conversation.

"Grace Harrison, Mistral, Done." That was the shortest introduction Desmond has ever heard.

"What about you?" Rachel smiled sweetly at the dragon boy.

"M-me?"

"No, the mirror behind you." Rachel said, causing Desmond to turn around. Nothing there but the window, Rachel released a burst of laughter. "Oh god, you actually looked? Yeah, you're going to be fun to mess around with."

"I-I'm Desmond Royal," The dragon's cheeks flushed. "I lived in the island of patch, on the outskirts of the kingdom."

"Cute, an Island boy." Rachel whistled, making a gun shape with her fingers and shooting at Desmond.

"Introductions are over? Good." Ozpin sat down his mug, the entire room swapping focus on him. The headmaster had kept his inquisitive  gaze on his new students.. "I'll make this brief, you're the next generation of Huntsmen and Huntresses. The future protectors of Remnant, bane to the Grimm. You serve the people, not yourselves. In Beacon Academy, your skills will be honed to the sharpest edge. I expect you to see you four walk across the stage one day. But first...you must walk to Ms. Goodwitch's combat class."

"Finally, some action!" Rachel nearly leapt from her seat.

"Wait, you ruffian!" Nicholas held his arm out stopping the musician in her tracks. "Professor Ozpin, you still hadn't given us a Team name or a leader?'

"Ah, you're absolutely correct, Mr. Ironwood." Ozpin laughed lightly. "I neglect the most important part of my duty."

Ozpin cleared his throat.

"The responsibility of Team leader will be assigned to Nicholas Ironwood since his qualifications and credentials far exceed the requirments." Ozpin stated earning a nod from Nicholas, a glint of pride shining in his eyes.

"You made a good decision Headmaster, I' am honored to lead this team to greater things--" Nicholas froze when he heard a ding coming from the elevator  he turned slowly to see Rachel mashing  her finger on the stubborn elevator button. Desmond had a strong feeling he wasn't going to be the weirdest teammate.

Scene Change

"What?!" Weiss's face curled in disgust, slamming her hands on the table.

"He was trying to hit on Pyrrha a few days ago," Jaune growled. "The guy was so freaking condescending and relentless, we had to go somewhere else to train."

"It's quite fine, Jaune." Pyrrha said, this isn't the first time she met people like him. Most of her Opponents were insufferable or too bold. Pyrrha knew to keep her cool around such idiots, being a 'celebrity' means everything stunt you do will be front page news. "I should've been used to it by now, ."

"You should've called me, " Nora grinned. "I'm a very good anger translator."

"You made the best choice to leave, it wouldn't be wise to start fights, especially with people who seek them."

"Renny, we're hunters in training!" Nora threw her arms in the air. "Fighting is next to breathing for us."

"It took every ounce of discipline to restrain myself." Weiss scowled recalling Friday, how the dragon threatened her. "my rapier almost found a firm spot in his--no I'm not even going to degrade myself to-"

"Anger translator to the rescue!" Nora cheered. "She was going to say "asshole"

"We know, " Ren shook his head. "Also, please watch your language at the table, Nora."

"I had my own encounter yesterday, " Blake shrugged still having the book up to her face, honestly she admits she was rude yesterday. Desmond only wanted to make conversation and she couldn't feel any negative vibes from him. But Blake knew well that people can flip like a switch, one moment they pretend to be righteous and next they turn cold-blooded, or maybe that was just her past experiences talking.

"Similar to a Lion, " Pyrrha clenched her fist. "The predator pounces when the prey's herd is away."

"That's one way of putting it Pyrrha." Jaune said . "Why is he going after us though?

"The answer is obvious, " Weiss rolled her eyes. "In his tiny mind he thinks intimidation will cause us to gradually distance ourselves from Yang." The ice queen gestured to the silent blond brawler, poking at her food.

"He wants Yang to lose us?" Pyrrha nearly laughed at the thought, apart of her saw that as a challenge towards her. Pyrrha never truly had friends like these, many would try to leech off her fame back home and she wouldn't allow anyone to take away the real friends she has now.

"I don't understand why he  doesn't just leave us alone." Ruby sighed weakly, she sent a worried  glance  towards her sister. She hasn't spoken to her team all weekend and why wouldn't she? Ruby had failed to keep her safe from the man she used to call friend. "I never realize he was...really like this."

"Ohh Ruby~" Nora cooed, wrapping her arm around Ruby's shoulders. "People don't change until you beat change into them. Remember that."

"Please don't," Ren said, "Nora...I'm beginning to think you have overly violent urges."

"Wow when did you come up with that conclusion after all these years?" Nora deadpanned, continuing to devour her lunch. 

After the bell rang, the Teams  gathered their belongings for combat class except Yang who remained seated and oblivious to her surroundings. Ruby slapped a hand on Yang's shoulder, shocking the brawler from her stupor.

"Yang...we have to go." Ruby gave a sad smile. "Your favorite class is up next."

"Oh.." Yang got up and turned her back to the younger sister, a long breath escaping her lips. "Sorry about that, let's get going." If she was paying attention a little longer, she would've saw a stray tear dripping down the Rose's cheek.

Scene

With Another battle coming to a conclusion, Glynda dismissed the two fighters before fixing the arena with her semblance every fragmented piece of debris rebuilt itself.

"Any volunteers for next match or shall I randomly select?" Glynda spotted a few hands raised, she was prepared to call on them until her scroll buzzed. The deputy mistress sighed, fishing out her scroll to read a message. The students could had sworn she heard Glynda's teeth grinding together. Professor Goodwitch pulled herself together, looking towards the stands. "Change of plans, class. Once again, I must take over the responsibilities of our dearest, Headmaster and initiate not one, not two, but three new applicants." If looks could kill, Glynda's glare would cause a massacre followed by worldwide genocide.

"Did we miss anything?!" A purple haired woman walked in the classroom, alongside a built man and a blond woman. Students caught sight of the purple haired woman, their eyes nearly popping from their skulls. Soon there was chattering amongst the crowd that was hardly quiet.

"Is that Rachel Apollo?"

"The famous singer?"

"No way, she's attending our academy?"

Rachel waved at her fans in the stands, throwing a couple winks and blowing kisses at some of the males. Nicholas shook his head in annoyance,  this action didn't escape Rachel's notice as she raised a certain finger at the soldier.

"Look who's with them, " Jaune said, signaling Ruby to glance at her childhood friend. Strangely, the dragon seemed embarrassed by the purple haired bimbo.

"No Ms Apollo, you're didn't miss anything." Glynda said. "You're on time, are you ready to begin your first lesson-"

"Hell yeah I am!" Rachel interjected stepping into the Arena.

"Language please, " Glynda said, slapping her riding crop on her palm, an unspoken promise for violence if she disobeyed. Rachel detected the threat and nodded.

"Got it, " Rachel swallowed a lump in her throat.

"Yang Xiao Long, please come to the stage." Glynda called but received no answer. Ruby looked to her silent sister carrying a dead expression on her face. "Ms. Xiao long!"

"Y-yes!" Yang snapped back to reality, once she grasped what was going on she immediately entered the arena.

The brawler positioned herself in a fighting stance though it lacked confidence and courage. She barely looked conscious enough to spar, Ruby didn't know why lately her older sister had been falling asleep early in the afternoon. Yang avoided talking to her team, like she felt ashamed to meet their gaze. They thought Desmond was the primary component for her sorrow, even though she didn't say it.

"Be gentle, Blondie it's my first time..." Rachel paused intentionally expecting Yang to blush,  When she was greeted with no response,  the musician groaned in defeat. "Are you feeling alright, Honeypot? Am I not good enough for ya?"

"I'm fine, " Yang said in a shallow tone.

"Don't be shy honeypot, my partner and I are very approachable." Rachel grinned maliciously.

"Partner?" Yang raised an eyebrow.

Rachel Apollo reached behind her, gripping the shaft of a massive silver shaft matching the size of Crescent Rose. She slammed it down with great force, creating a fissure in the arena. The weapon was  revealed to be a  battleaxe with a purple blade and silver outline, mounted on the sides were built in rocket thruster emitting pink energy, that was potentially used to speed up her swings.  Located on the tip was a built in cannon, with four dust chambers on the side. The base of the shaft had a silver long scope with a pink lens.

"My sweet baby Sinister, of course!" Rachel effortlessly hoisted the heavy axe on her shoulder. "Believe me when I say this beauty can turn any Grimm to mush, a bazooka to blow them away and an axe to save the day."

"Right..." Yang  deadpanned not at all amused. "Are we going to start or no--"

"Begin!"

Before Yang could process the battle had begun, Rachel was already moving at lightning speed slamming her shoulder into Yang's chest knocking the brawler a few feet away, then swung Sinister horizontally. Yang raised one of her gaunlets while backpedaling as the battleaxe scratched the surface of Ember Celica. Yang's left fist shot forward landing on then flats side of Sinister's axe blade before delivering a powerful right hook pass Rachel's guard and catching her in the cheek.

The musician spun on her heel recovering from the fierce blow, turning back in time to see another punch soaring at her face. Rachel halted Yang's attack on Sinister's shaft then swept the butt of her weapon across the brawler's feet, hooking her ankles and unbalancing her. The brawler fell on her back  positioned under Sinister's massive form, Rachel mercilessly swung down with the force of a titan. Yang rolled to the side letting Sinister plunge into her original spot, sending an explosion of concrete and dust.

Rachel attempted to tug Sinister free but Yang had already sprang to her feet and punched the axe down, burying  it farther into the arena. The brawler's fist  came up striking Rachel with a swift uppercut, making the musician airborne momentarily before bouncing off the floor once and landing on her side.

"It appears that  Ms. Xiao Long has gained the advantage by disarming her." Nicholas said to Desmond. "I'm curious to see her performance against an opponent specializing \ in hand to hand combat. "

"Yeah, Yang was always a good  fist fighter." Desmond frowned, they sparred plenty of times in Signal and she would always come out on top, She even taught Desmond a few moves.

"You know her personally?" Nicholas raised an eyebrow.

"Don't worry about it, " Desmond said dismissively, the soldier nodded in understanding, he supposed there was bad blood between them.

Yang propelled herself using the recoil from her gauntlet's shotguns, she spirals in the air reeling back her fist for a punch. Rachel wiped the blood from her busted lip and jumping to her feet, she preps herself in a battle stance waiting for the brawler to close the distance. Merely inches away from her target, Yang threw her flaming fist at full speed.

Rachel dropped her jaw unleashing a high pitched scream from her lungs  generating an  abrupt ultrasonic shockwave, powerful enough to make the ground below them shake like a volcanic eruption. The audience clutched their ears in pain, the faunus in the room receiving more damage. Yang went soaring out the arena being a close range, slamming against the wall with enough force to leave a webbed crack.

"What on Oum's great green Remnant was that!?" Nicholas shook his head.

"Her Semblance is Sonokinesis?" Weiss said removing her hands from her ears.

"What did she say!?" Ruby asked rather loudly to Blake.

"Ruby, lower your voice!" Blake caressed her cat ears hidden under her bow.Sometimes it was absolute hell having four ears.

Grace only response was a lazy snort to the noise and back to sleeping while standing. How she was able to do such a thing was beyond Nicholas and Desmond.

"She's able to manipulate sound and ultrasonic waves."" Weiss explained to the temporary deaf girl.

"M-Ms. Apollo, is the winner due to ring out." Glynda cupped her aching ears.  "While I encourage students to use their semblances,  please practice on maintaining control over it."

"Eh, sorry about that Prof, " Rachel walked to her buried weapon and tore it free with little struggle. "People say I have a good pair of lungs-"

"What!?" Desmond screamed in the background, becoming deaf as well.

The End Of Part 1