The sun was low over the buildings across the street as Reed stepped out of the Town Guard headquarters. Phaedra was staying late because of a project she had been assigned, so Reed decided to take the night to visit his favorite side street. He was looking forward to visiting his friends at Komodo Curry, and Reed realized guiltily that it had been several weeks since he had gone to train with his teacher.

Reed rounded the corner to the alley and stopped at the sight that confronted him. A Faunus, some sort of fox by the looks of his large, furry ears, was cowering on the ground, hands wrapped around his ears. The delinquents from Reed's group of recruits stood around him in an intimidating half circle. Their leader stood in the center of their line, her muscular arms folded as her gang took turns kicking the defenseless boy.

"You Faunus are sub-human trash," she taunted. "I swear, if it were up to me the lot of you would be exterminated. You're vermin, parasites sucking off the rest of human society."

"Seraphina," the other female member of the gang warned, nodding in Reed's direction.

Anger raged through Reed's body. He tried to keep his breathing even, but couldn't stop his fists from clenching at his side.

Seraphina sized him up, a malicious smirk creeping across her face. "This has nothing to do with you, skinny. Just keep walking."

The Faunus boy glanced up at Reed from under bruised arms, eyes clouded with pain.

"What is wrong with you," Reed said through clenched teeth. "Does it feel that good to hurt someone who can't defend themselves? Just because he's different from you?"

Her smirk spread to a full, wolfish grin. "Guess we will have to make sure you understand what we're about. Can't have you blabbing to the guard about this little bit of sport, after all."

Seraphina jerked her chin in Reed's direction and the largest member of her gang stepped forward, cracking his knuckles menacingly. He was baby faced and fat, his small eyes without the barest gleam of intelligence.

Reed shifted his weight to the balls of his feet and raised his arms to a ready position. He wasn't too worried about the big guy, but fighting the whole group at once was probably not a good idea. It would be best to take him out quickly.

Roaring, the boy charged, bringing his right fist back for an unimaginative straight punch. Reed side stepped the blow easily. With his opponent off balance, Reed placed one hand on the boy's extended wrist, the other on his shoulder. With a twist of his hips, Reed spun the boy around and drove him face first into the wall of the alley. Babyface's considerable weight added power to the blow, knocking him instantly unconscious.

Reed turned and faced the remaining delinquents. Seraphina's cronies eyed him angrily, fanning out in front of Reed.

"Stop."

The voice rang out from behind the three delinquents and Seraphina pushed in front of them, eying Reed with interest. She had several inches on him, and her spiky red hair gave her the appearance of being even taller.

"You're no match for him," she told the three standing behind her, eyes locked with Reed's. "Not even the three of you together."

"But Seraphina-!"

The look Seraphina gave the other girl quelled her into submission without the need for words. Turning back to Reed, Seraphina continued to eye him.

Seeing his chance, the Faunus boy scrambled to his feet and fled down the alley. Seraphina didn't so much as glance at him.

"All those days sitting bored in class, and I barely registered your presence. Who would have thought someone who could fight worth a damn sat just a few seats away. This is gonna be fun."

Seraphina settled into a ready crouch, eyes alight as she held her hands out to either side. Despite the lack of training evident in her wild stance, Reed could tell she was perfectly balanced and ready to spring. He moved into his own ready stance, one foot slightly extended in front of the other. He wished he hadn't left his staff at home, he felt naked without it.

"Tell me something, before I rip you to pieces," she said. "Why would you, a human, protect some Faunus scum? Faunus aren't people, they are just animals pretending to have humanity. Just look at the White Fang, a bunch of savage bastards who attack humans just because they know they are inferior."

Mention of the White Fang sent a fresh wave of anger coursing through him. "The members of the White Fang are thieves and murderers, but they are not representative of Faunus as a whole. There are plenty of humans who can be called the same."

Seraphina sneered at his words. "Have you no pride? Don't you resent that humans are forced to live side by side with animals?"

"I grew up around some Faunus that are the kindest people you will ever meet," he said, trying to keep the rage he felt at Seraphina's words in check. "And I far prefer their company to your bullshit."

Seraphina gave him no warning whatsoever, no twitch or yell to indicate her intentions. She just leapt forward and brought her left arm around in a powerful hook. Her speed surprised Reed, and he was forced to react before he could activate his semblance. He slid under the blow, only to find her right knee coming up to meet him. He caught it, but her left elbow come back around and slammed into his chin.

He staggered back and tasted blood. His Aura was already healing the small cut on his lip, but the sheer power from her blow had been enough to rattle him. His initial account of Seraphina had been spot on, she was dangerous.

The retreat gave Reed time to activate his semblance, and the fight slowed to half speed. Seraphina jabbed at Reed with her right hand and Reed slipped to the outside. She pulled the hand in, pursuing Reed with her elbow, forcing him to duck under the blow. The moment he did her left leg collided with him, her arm having hidden the approaching blow from view. Luckily Reed had his guard up, and the blow landed painfully across his shoulder and forearm rather than the side of his head.

The blow knocked him through the air down the alley. He tucked into a flip and landed on his feet, right hand braced against the ground for support. Reed could slow his perception of the fight, but for some reason he could not read her moves. She had to be an experienced street fighter, no one else could fight that well on instinct alone.

Reed returned to a standing position and waited for Seraphina to charge him again. She didn't however, tilting her head up at a slight angle before cursing softly.

"Dammit, the cops are on their way. You three, grab that useless lug on the ground and get him out of here. You," she said to Reed. "You and I have unfinished business, but I would rather settle it without the Guard being involved. See you around."

With that, the delinquents fled down the alley, and out of sight. It was several more seconds before Reed heard the sirens of approaching police cars, one flashing by the mouth of the alley where the delinquents had fled.

Reed relaxed and rubbed at the phantom pain lingering around his mouth. He had expected the big delinquent girl to be capable, but he had been unprepared for the sheer ferocity and strength of her attack.

An image flashed in his head of the poor boy fleeing down the alley, his eyes full of apology as he glanced at Reed. He hoped the little Faunus made it home alright.

The next day, Reed was followed everywhere he went by Seraphina's hungry gaze. During the morning speech from Captain Collins, Seraphina stood right behind Reed, giving him the distinct feeling that a knife was about to slide between his ribs. During the midday drills, he could feel Seraphina watching his form and balance, analyzing the combat prowess she had been previously unaware of. In fact, Reed had the distinct impression that if Corporal Tamus wasn't supervising, Seraphina would have rushed him then and there. However, the afternoon lecture was the worst of all.

As Reed sat in his customary place in the back corner of the classroom, Seraphina walked in and scanned the room. Locating him, she sauntered up and dropped into the seat next to Reed, pinning him between her and the wall. Her gang took up their customary seats in the opposite back corner, leaving Seraphina alone with Reed.

For the first time that day, she wasn't watching him. She was staring at the empty lectern, a satisfied smirk twisting her face.

"So, your name is Reed Aoki, right?"

Reed groaned inwardly. He knew it wouldn't be hard for her to discern his name, if she didn't already know it. It would be easy enough to ask around until she found someone that remembered, but for some reason it was so much worse now that he knew she knew it.

"You have me at a disadvantage," Reed replied, voice emotionless. "All I know is that your cronies call you Seraphina."

"Believe it or not, that's all there is," she replied, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms behind her head. "I'm an orphan, and the ones who abandoned me decided it wasn't worth it to tell the orphanage their last name. So it's just Seraphina."

Reed felt a pang of sympathy, which he smothered ruthlessly. Plenty of people had hard pasts, but that didn't excuse the disgusting behavior she had displayed in the alley. It was then that Captain Collins walked in, and the chatter died down as he took his place behind the podium.

"You have been in the Town Guard for several weeks now," Collins said, glancing around the classroom. "And you have started to get a little experience in what it means to protect the town of Adigiar. However, protecting the town is not just about learning to wield a gun-spear, it's a lot of bunch of things. One of those things is going out on patrol, both around the city wall and on the various roads going in and out of town. Starting next week, you will be separated into pairs and go on patrol with a senior guardsman, so he can show you how it is done. Look to the person next to you."

Reed stiffened, and slowly turned to face Seraphina. Her wide smile didn't reach her eyes, which looked empty and hungry. Somehow she'd found out the pairing process, that was why she had decided to sit next to him.

"That is your partner for patrol duty. Starting Monday, rather than come here after drills you will meet your squad leader in the briefing room on the second floor. Make sure you come in uniform, the squad leader will show you how to check out gun-spears for patrol duty, just in case you happen to run across some stray Grimm. Speaking of Grimm, as today will be our last class, I have a special story I've been saving for the occasion. It was fifteen years ago when I was assigned to take care of the biggest Nevermore in Adigiar history. The giant flying creature had been circling the town, snatching up travelers left and right-"

The long-winded, embellishing Captain turned to write something on the board. Seraphina's right hand shot out, attempting to jab Reed in the ribs. He dropped his elbow to block the blow, and was about to retaliate when Collins turned back around, continuing his false narrative. Reed groaned, and sank lower in his seat. Starting next week, life was going to be hell.

Monday afternoon, Reed reported apprehensively to the briefing room after midday drills. He was the last to arrive, and Collins gave him an annoyed look when he walked through the door. A line of older guardsmen sat at the front of the briefing room, one for every pair of new recruits. They ranged from old men that looked like they would barely be able to wield a gun-spear, to young corporals who were probably only a year or two older than the recruits they would be supervising.

"Mr. Aoki, on time by the skin of your teeth," Collins said, "Please sit next to your partner, so we can commence the assignments."

Approaching Seraphina, she gave him a look that suggested she was suppressing a wolfish grin and patted the seat next to her. Reed half expected to see a thumbtack on the seat, but apparently she wasn't that childish. She just wanted to kill him.

"Alright all of you," Collins said, hands behind his back and attempting to puff out his chest in an authoritative manner. He only succeeded in making his ample girth look bigger. "I will introduce each of these senior guardsmen in turn. When I call your names, go with the guardsman assigned. They will explain your assignments and pass on their experience."

The first pair assigned was the fat boy and thin girl from Seraphina's gang. They were introduced to a no-nonsense woman with hair in a tight bun and thick, stocky legs, who led them from the room.

Several other pairs were assigned before Collins introduced one of the youngest senior guardsmen. He was of average height, with surprisingly toned muscles. Despite his youthful appearance his eyes had a hard look to them. Reed guessed that this man had seen some actual combat.

"This is Sergeant Tanners," Collins said, with obvious distaste. "He was a recruit last year. Seraphina and Reed, you will be under him."

When they stood, Sergeant Tanners nodded to them and motioned for them to follow him as he marched from the room. Reed stood and walked out the door, feeling Seraphina's gaze as an itch between his shoulder blades as she followed him out. Outside of the briefing room, Tanners turned to them and gave them both a look up and down.

"My name is Sergeant Felix Tanners. Private Aoki, Private Seraphina," he said, extending a hand to each in turn. "I look forward to working with you. I'm only a year older than the two of you, but I spent that time assigned to a patrol that covered the smaller roads through the woods around Adigiar, so I've fought my share of Grimm. If you have any concerns or questions, just ask. Follow me."

The sergeant turned and marched down the hall at a quick pace. Seraphina and Reed followed two paces behind, Reed constantly having to step over her feet as she tried to trip him. The sergeant stopped at a door at the end of the hall and turned to face them again.

"This is the armory," Tanners said, gesturing at the door behind him. "Every day before patrols you will come here and check out a gun-spear. Grimm rarely come as far as the walls of the city where we will be patrolling, but you still have to be prepared. Plus it is good practice to learn how to march with weapon in hand."

Sergeant Tanners opened the door and strode in. They entered a large room, filled with racks of weapons. The majority were gun-spears, taking up half of the room, with another quarter dedicated to lines of simple rifles with bayonets. One wall was lined with several unique weapons, likely belonging to the few senior guards who actually had enough combat experience to warrant the commissioning of a custom weapon. The entrance was a small serving area, separated from the rest of the armory by a waist-high counter. An enormously fat man sat behind a holographic screen, and Reed could see a CCT System entertainment program playing on it.

"Sergeant Dustin," Tanners said, drawing the man's attention away from his show. "Three gun-spears for patrol."

The man grunted, and heaved himself to his feet. "Already time for the new recruits to start patrols, eh?" He said in an apathetic voice, picking up three gun-spears from a rack. "That's sooner than usual. Damn, that means today is going to be busy. And I was just about to find out who killed the Duke's nephew."

Reed had come to expect this lackadaisical attitude from members of the Guard. Still, it irked him that the man was so obvious about how little he cared about his job.

"Your job must be so difficult," Tanners remarked dryly, passing a gun-spear to Reed and Seraphina. "We'll see you in a few hours."

The fat man grunted, Tanners's sarcasm not even registering as he returned his attention to the screen. The sergeant led them from the room and out of the Town Guard headquarters, heading for the town border.

"As I mentioned earlier, we will be patrolling the wall," the sergeant said, feet striking pavement in perfect marching rhythm. "The walls are less of a deterrent for Grimm, and more to delay them long enough for us to act. It only takes a Creeper or juvenile Beowolf a minute or two to scale the wall, but the patrols are staggered so that even if no one sees them approaching, someone will pass during that time.

"That said, it is still a rare event for a Grimm to be drawn all the way to the city border. That's why we start the recruits on wall duty, to get them used to the motions of patrol with minimal risk. After a few weeks of instruction on the wall we will start to rotate you into patrols that scout the roads through the woods, starting with those we believe to be the most combat ready. Those patrols are much more dangerous, usually encountering at least a small pack of Creepers once per patrol. But don't worry, forest patrols have twice as many veterans as recruits, so you will still have experienced guardsmen to protect you."

Reed wasn't too concerned with the idea of patrolling the woods with an entire regiment of guards. He'd spent enough time in the woods, either alone or with Phaedra, and was confident he could take on any Grimm that would show itself on any of the major roads leading out of Adigiar. Seraphina seemed similarly unconcerned, but maybe she was just thinking how best to torture Reed next.

Tanners turned and gave them an appraising look as he walked down the street, noticing their lack of concern and nodding to himself.

"By the looks of you, you two will be some of the first on forest patrol," he said, returning his gaze forward, "But just because you are used to fighting doesn't mean you should be cocky. Fighting Grimm is completely different from a tournament or street brawl, which I'm guessing is what the two of you are used to, respectively."

Seraphina's gaze snapped from Reed to the sergeant. Obviously she had just registered that Tanners was also someone used to fighting. Reed saw her settle her balance onto the balls of her feet, and Tanners immediately turned to face her.

"I'm guessing you are the type to not respect authority, unless that authority has proved to be stronger than yourself," Tanners said disapprovingly. "Obviously this is going to cause some tension, so let's get it out of the way now.

"My job is to keep the two of you alive, and I expect you privates to follow my every order. I have the authority to instantly dismiss you from the Guard if I deem you unfit for the job, so let's have ourselves an agreement. I will fight you until one of our Auras is depleted. If I win, you will never pull a stunt like trying to attack me from behind again, and will follow my every command without question. If you win, I will allow you to do whatever you want when you should be on wall patrol. Likely that will lead to you being eaten by a Grimm when you switch to forest patrol, but that's your problem, not mine."

Reed admired the young Sergeant's intuition into Seraphina's personality. She was practically animalistic in her lust to prove herself over those around her, and calling her out in this way challenged her to a direct competition. Reed just wondered if he had the skills to back it up.

Seraphina grinned, obviously intent on taking up the challenge. "I like your style, Sergeant. Let's go, I will mop the floor with you."

"Save it for when we are outside the city walls," Tanners replied, turning back around and resuming his walk down the street. "I would prefer my superiors didn't see me beating up a new recruit."

After passing through the North gate, the trio followed the city wall for a little over a mile until a turn hid the gate and road from sight. Tanners turned and rested his gun-spear against the wall, removing his uniform's coat and dropping it on the ground. Seraphina mimicked him as the corporal grabbed his spear again.

"Using a weapon isn't how I roll," Seraphina said, eying her opponent. Without his jacket, Tanners looked smaller than Reed was expecting. His muscles were taut, but he had the body of a runner, and Seraphina probably had thirty pounds on him.

"Do as you please," he responded, spear held casually in one hand. "But we are members of the Town Guard, trained in using a gun-spear. You might as well learn how to use one in an actual fight, unless you plan on beating Grimm to death with your bare hands. Begin whenever and however you please."

Seraphina looked at the sky, as if contemplating. Before Reed could register that the attack had started, the tip of her gun-spear was sweeping in a wide arc towards Tanners's neck. It was stopped cold by his free hand, gripping it just below the tip.

Seraphina looked down in surprise as Tanners pulled sharply on the weapon, drawing her to him. He stepped forward in a powerful push kick, which yanked the spear from Seraphina's grip and sent her sprawling several yards away. As she jumped to her feet, eyes blazing with rage, Tanners tossed her spear back to her.

"Very sloppy," he said, shaking his head. "You've been drilled extensively in how to use a spear, and yet that's how you initiate a confrontation? The advantage of a spear comes from its ability to stab in and pull out quickly, using it for a round-house slash right off the bat is just foolish. Again."

Roaring, Seraphina charged the sergeant, spearhead leveled at his throat. Tanners took up his gun-spear in both hands. When Seraphina was only a foot away he knocked her weapon to the side, then spun and struck her shins with the long wooden end of his weapon. Seraphina snarled in pain as she staggered past and turned to face him again.

"Better, you've got the thing pointed in the right direction at least," Tanners said. "But you shouldn't just charge right in. Ground yourself before your first attack, otherwise you will be easy to put off balance and redirect."

Reed felt a little uneasy at how much combat advice the sergeant was working into their fight. As an instructor, it was the perfect way to deal with an uppity new recruit. Establish dominance, and build up the student at the same time. For selfish reasons, however, Reed wished the sergeant wouldn't make Seraphina a better fighter than she already was.

Seraphina stalked back in and took a more moderate approach. Once she was in range she stepped into a thrust aimed at the sergeant's torso. He slid to the side of the weapon, grabbed the shaft, and pulled himself into the air. His knee landed squarely on the side of Seraphina's head and she staggered to the side.

"Don't leave the gun-spear extended," Tanners admonished. "Once the head is past the target, it presents very little danger. Use the gun, it will help you reset to a ready position after a thrust, and will add damage if you manage to a score a hit."

The gun end of her spear detonated again and again as Seraphina launched a series of attacks at Sergeant Tanners. He weaved between them, occasionally using the shaft of his weapon to redirect an attack if dodging it would put him off balance.

"Much better," he said, voice calm despite being in a flurry of activity aimed at taking his life. "If you keep training, you might actually be worth something in a couple years."

Roaring in frustration, Seraphina stepped forward and spun the butt of her weapon at Tanners like a bat. His eyes grew hard in annoyance. He stepped in and struck the middle of the shaft with his open palm, breaking it in half. As Seraphina staggered back the sergeant spun to build momentum and drove the butt of his spear between her eyes. Light shimmered around her as her Aura shattered and she fell hard to the ground. She tried to sit up, eyes alight with rage, but her neck met the point of Tanner's gun-spear, and she stopped dead.

"Your Aura has been completely depleted," he said, voice hard and uncompromising. "You lose."

Sergeant Tanners didn't say anything more. He just stared Seraphina down, making his dominance obvious from his body language and the deadly spear tip dimpling her throat. After a minute, Seraphina dropped her gaze and Tanners removed the tip from her throat. He walked calmly back to where he had tossed his jacket, picking it up from the ground and straightening it neatly over his undershirt.

"I hope you were paying attention to that too, Reed," Tanners said. "The advice that I gave Seraphina is good for any new recruit, simple but tried and true."

Reed nodded to the man. If Sergeant Tanners were here, wall patrol with Seraphina wouldn't be too bad.