Yavinus here and...sorry for the long delay. Too many things, I was busy with college, homework and of course the ever present "favourite" of many, thwe Author's Block! Anyway, I rest my mind for a while from the stress and the Volume 4's premiere reminded me that I wanted this to be finished. Hope you enjoy it as much I did it when I destryoed the Block with a rocket launcher.

In one of the many rooms that hosted the teams of Shade Academy, two students (two young girls) were sitting in one of the four beds. The smaller one's hand was on the shoulder of the other

"It wasn't your fault" Gwen tried to comfort her teammate. "You only wanted to

Nebula sighed "But I didn't do anything, I just…stood without doing nothing there while they argued and screaming at each other…and just not even after a week"

Gwen tried hard to not to sigh too. She closed her eyes for a moment, remembering the way the day began.

While being a team leader was something that she didn't expect to be, as her own grandfather wasn't the one in his time, Nebula tried her best to know her own team in the following days, without mayor results. Today she would make sure to change that.

"So, we have to do this homework about the relationships between different types of Dust and Semblances" Nebula said. Team NDGO were in their room after the end of the classes, while their leader was planning how to spend the rest of the day. "So, we can go to the library, we have plenty of time to do it now!" she finished with enthusiasm.

However, as Nebula saw, the only one who was paying attention to her was Gwen. Dew was reading a book with solemnity while Octavia was playing with her yo-yo.

Nebula sighed, "Look, I know that you are all tired, but I believe that the work will take us a lot of time to complete, it would be better to begin now than never"

Gwen nodded silently, while Octavia sighed and stopped playing and Dew closed her book with a loud noise.

"I can help, even if I'm not very…knowledgeable about the subject" Gwen commented.

"Ok boss, we would go to the library to do a wonderful essay about Dust and Semblances, oh joy" Octavia said whit a pessimistic tone. Dew didn't said anything, but gave a curious glance towards Octavia.

The four girls packed their bags .When the team went to the library; Nebula and Dew were the first in search for information while Gwen and Octavia waited in their seats.

"Very well, lest begin" Nebula said when she returned with four books "Ok, we begin with the basics as a way of introduction, Dust activation and Aura…"

"I already saw that back in the Combat Academy, as I guess the rest of us" Octavia said suddenly "I think it would be a little redundant and pointless, why we don't get to the point?"

Gwen looked at the red haired girl with curiosity and Nebula blinked twice before she answered, "Eh…I believe it would be better for the essay to have a proper introduction, although I think a shorter explanation could be the right thing"

Octavia shrugged "If that makes you happy" she simple said.

Dew raised an eyebrow but didn't said anything.

"Ok, so, here it's says that generally Dust needs someone with Aura to be activated, even the average person could shoot a bullet without having his or her Aura unlocked…"

The team continue doing the work, every member contributing in some way or another, but the one who contribute the less was Octavia and it wasn't by lack of effort, but rather of interest. In fact, the rest of NDGO slowy noticed it while they advanced towards the central part of the essay.

"While Semblances are diverse in their own very nature, because they are an external manifestation of Aura itself, Dust can be applied to give them special properties…" Nebula said while she pointed out the page of the book in front of her.

"For example, people with the self-replication abilities can infuse their "clones" so that they can take elemental properties with the right type of Dust"

Gwen nodded and Dew simple gave a small smile.

"Exactly, and close combat weapons as swords and spears can act as special catalysts" the blonde girl said while she gave a curious glance towards Octavia.

Nebula saw this and but she simply continue "And people who possess inherent control over an element can augment their power greatly if they use a type of Dust that synchronize with their Semblance…"

"Well, that's very obvious, why they would indicated something like that?" Octavia interrupted suddenly. "Hell, even a toddler could realize it, why even bother to explain it?"

"Is there any problem?" Dew asked to her teammate.

"No, nothing at all" the red haired girl said.

"Because, by the way that you act, this subject makes you uncomfortable…" Dew continue, "By the way, what is your Semblance?"

Nebula tried to say something, but Octavia was faster than she was and things soon escalated.

"Why you would care?"

"Because we're a team and we need to know each other's strengths and weaknesses" Dew said while she created a mini tornado with the palm of her hand "My power is the control of air itself and I use wind Dust in my spear"

"Of course you can do, we saw already enough of that during the initiation"

"If it's useful, then it's correct to use it multiple times…and I still don't know what your Semblance is"

"Dew, you don't have to demand her to showcase her powers," Nebula said while she tried to impose herself as team leader.

Octavia didn't say anything, then, she opened her palm to form a small flame.

"I can control fire, nothing special, are you happy?"

Then, the rest the team saw that the flame the red haired girl created suddenly began grow and decrease sporadically, while Octavia tried to control it. Gwen saw with horror as some parts of the flame became so big that threatened to burn the books that were near them. When Octavia saw this, she closed her palm, extinguishing the fire.

"Interesting…" Dew said with a smirk in her face "While you can activate your Semblance, you possess a terrible control at it, even with the assist of fire Dust, you can make much more than waves of uncontrolled flames… is surprising you could passed the entrance exam"

"Enough Dew!" Nebula shouted at the blonde girl but she ignore her while Gwen tried to avert her eyes from the scene.

"It's normal in some people, why do you try to make such a problem?" Octavia tried to defend herself "I mean, I was useful in the initiation"

"Maybe, but that was back then, now you are a huntress in training, your abilities must be on point or you would be left behind sooner or later"

Octavia rapidly raised from her chair, her eyes staring towards Dew's defiantly, while the rest of the girls could feel the heat around them rising slightly. Nebula feared that something bad would happen, but she was reassured when Octavia left a heavy sigh.

"Ok…" she said slowly "If you are so secure about my own strength, why we don't test it in the arena?"

Dew simply shrugged.

"If you wish, also…" she added "…no weapons, I want to see how you deal yourself without any aid"

And before the leader of NDGO could say anything, both team members went towards their room rapidly.

Soon, Nebula and Gwen follow them, as they tried to ignore the curious students that watched them in the halls. Inside of it, both Octavia and Dew were changing in their combat clothes.

"You can't do this" Nebula said, raising her voice "It just…no, as leader of team NDGO, I will not permit any fight without my permission"

"And what?" Octavia said without even looking at her, "I want to prove myself to be worthy"

"You proved to be useful back at the initiation; you don't have to push yourself" Nebula tried to resonate with her.

However, Octavia simply gave her a sharp glance before she left the room with Dew. Now the leader of team NDGO was alone with Gwen. The purple haired girl simple fall into her bed, trying to understand how things escalated in that way.

"They are going to star their fight soon," Nebula said "Whatever the result, it will only divide the team"

Gwen tried to though about the lessons of her combat teacher. However, while her lessons were valuable, Gwen didn't remembered anything in particular that could be useful to her team leader really.

"I don't know really," Gwen sighed "Maybe the only thing that we can do right now is to watch them fight, if that what they desire"

Nebula closed eyes trying to think in a solution. It was only darkness, empty and void of anything. When she was about to give up, a small brilliant star appeared in front of her own mind, an idea that seemed crazy or illogical for some people, but Nebula knew that it was that or nothing . She opened her eyes, now having new resolution.

"No…we can't stop them from doing it, but I believe that I could do something about that"

Some students saw with curiosity how two first years, a girl with blond hair and another with red hair were walking together towards the gyms. However, people could note that the red haired one wasn't having the best of days, judging by the expression of her face.

Saying that Octavia Ember was in a foul mood was an understatement, the way that arrogant girl said her words towards her and her entire efforts in being a huntress, even in front of the rest of the team was unforgivable.

She had a flaw (a big one if someone looked from another perspective), yes, but that didn't undermine anything that she did in the last years. That Dew Gayl was talented, Octavia didn't deny that, but by Dust's sake, she was worst that guy back in the Combat Academy. The way that talked, her arrogant smile, everything drove her nuts and it wasn't even a week since they were a team!

But now, right now, the flame burning inside her was desperate for some release, and a fight against the blonde girl was perfect. They arrived soon enough towards the arena, it was empty and they could use it for sparring matches.

Dew positioned herself, radiating confidence, while the air moved at her will, surrounding her. Octavia remembered her hand-to-hand combat lessons, trying to see any kind of flaw in Dew's pose.

Then, when they were about to launch themselves into one another, they saw two familiar figures coming rapidly towards them.

"Nebula? Gwen?" Octavia asked, surprised. Really, it wasn't something that she was happy, being watched by (in her opinion) useless leader, but somehow she was…comfortable in her presence, because at least she wasn't as bad as Dew. "I thought that you wouldn't come"

"I changed of opinion," the purple haired girl said while looking at them "Also, I want to join the match"

Dew blinked twice, now really surprised by the turn of events "And why do you want that?"

"Because…" Nebula began to say, first lowly, then, the next words came like an avalanche "I want to show you that I too, I'm worthy of being your leader!"

Dew and Octavia exchanged glances, trying to comprehend what the purple haired girl just said.

"Well, if you want to…" Dew simply said while she shrouded. Octavia didn't say anything, but in her mind she believed that Nebula became desperate.

The three student positioned in the middle of the arena, while the only member of team NDGO that didn't want to join the fight watched them with fear and maybe a little curiosity in her eyes.

Nebula, Octavia and Dew observed each other, trying to predict their first attack, while doubt invaded their minds simultaneously, as nobody knew how much hand-to-hand combat experience of each one had.

Seconds passed and those seconds became minutes, people watching the fight to come were getting impatient.

Then, before anyone outside the arena was ready, all tension broke into a fiery display of power and skill. Octavia was the first to react, forming a fireball and throwing it against Dew, but the velocity of the projectile was too slow for her opponent, who deflected it rapidly with a gust of wind.

However, Nebula wasn't quiet during those moments and throw a kick towards Dew. The blonde girl blocked it with her arm while she jumped from Octavia's tackle. The kick that the red haired received from the wind manipulator was painful, but she contained her pain and prepared for another strike. The three girls took rapidly distance from each other while not trying to let their guard down.

Dew, wanting to end the combat as fast as possible, prepared her tornados while Octavia tried to accumulate her most powerful attack. Nebula watched them in their anger and sighed. She didn't want to employ that particular technique, but she wanted to show a lesson to both her partners, that were also her responsibility.

She concentrated her aura and above her head appeared a small ball of light. Though that the strange "object" wasn't much bigger than a bulb light, it was definitely more brilliant and noticeable, something that didn't escape from her opponents.

Dew stared at Nebula and then to Octavia, while the former was now entirely focused in her team leader. They all knew the consequences if fire was combine with "star", bad things would happen, and that would be big explosions. Definitely not very good, nope not a bit for them.

But it was too late for Octavia to retract her own attack, and soon enough, Dew threw her tornado towards her, while the red haired girl shoot her fireball to Dew and Nebula launched her star towards the tornado.

The three powers meet in a midpoint; the star penetrated the wind but stayed inside, while the fire was catch by the gust of wind.

The explosion that came from that knocked down instantly the three young huntresses in training. Gwen left out a gasp of surprise and rapidly run towers the arena, worried about her partner's well-being. After the smoke dissipated, the smaller girl left out a sigh of relief when she saw her leader being the first to rise from explosion. There were some small bruises in her face, but nothing that Aura and some rest couldn't heal, but in the other hand Octavia and Dew made a considerable effort in getting up off the ground. Gwen and Nebula helped their respective partners, while Octavia thanked the short girl; Dew didn't say nothing and gave a sharp stare towards the red haired girl.

"So, I guess you are the winner," Dew said without any apparent emotion "Of course, it's natural of you, being the leader"

Nebula shook her head.

"While being a leader has its benefits, I must confess myself that I'm not as skilful with my Semblance as some of my peers," Dew raised an eyebrow but didn't respond.

Octavia left out a small snort of amusement "What, cosmic lady isn't as brilliant as she seems to be?"

"Look Octavia, I don't you know you personally, but I understand that same feeling," Nebula tried to reason "And sorry if I couldn't see that before, but I think that if a person like me could win a combat with this imperfect skills, then there is much more potential for me that as for you"

Octavia didn't say anything and simple shrugged.

"And you…" Nebula looked towards Dew in the eyes "While your performance in the exams was…helpful, your attitude towards your partners is unacceptable, degrading them will NOT make them better"

The blond girl didn't say anything and nodded slowly, acknowledging her leader. However, in her mind, there were others thoughts that she didn't dare to express in this very moment, but maybe one day they would manifested.

"Gwen," Nebula said towards the ballerina huntress "You can wait us in our room, meanwhile, I'm going to take a shower"

Dew and Octavia only gave a last stare to each other before following Nebula. Gwen sighed; she was worried about all of them, feeling that it wasn't going to be the last time that the team would have an inner conflict. Honestly, she didn't know how to deal with it, but she hoped inside hew own very soul that nothing would be worse than today.

"It's a great model, much better than the one I had before," Octavia said to Gwen while they walked in the streets of Vacuo, three days after the match. The sun in that part of the world shined with excess, and while some of the few trees provided of relief with their shadows, it was still incredible hot. However, for the naturals, it was only a normal day and even Gwen with her dark clothes didn't have much problems.

"It was nothing really…," Gwen responded with a low voice "Sorry again for breaking your scroll, you were lucky that you could backup all the archives to your new scroll"

Octavia didn't respond immediately and saw her scroll, the new messages popping out. She sighed and decided to respond them in privacy.

"So…," Gwen tried to continue the conversation "Did you heard about the recent rumours?"

"About the interchange program? No much," Octavia said, she remembered seeing some previous tournaments on TV during her childhood, "Maybe it's because of the forfeit anniversary or something?"

Gwen shrugged and tried to remember about what she heard. Granted, she felt a little guilty of using her Semblance when curiosity dominated her common sense during a conversation between professors, but they still talked in a low voice and it was a little difficult to understand and only picked up some key words.

"I think it was something about the performance of a team during the exam," Gwen concluded "Although, I don't know the specifics"

Octavia shrugged "I don't think it matters that much, I mean, it's not like we would be on Beacon during the second term anyway like the rest of the school"

"But, it could be something special if only one team would be the chosen one," Gwen said while trying to give her own reasoning "Maybe it could be an event to reinforce the union between school and therefore kingdoms alike, but in a special way."

"Well, if someone is lucky enough, good for them, I personally think is a little redundant" Octavia yawned, she was still tired after that work that NDGO had to do in the last day of school during the week. She swore that Dew gave her "that" stare when Nebula and Gwen weren't watching her, that blondie was becoming more annoying every day, she swear to dust.

"Also, I think tomorrow would be some parrying," Gwen said, taking Octavia away of her current flow of though "Maybe we would go into a mission soon"

"Yeah," Octavia wasn't too enthusiastic in fighting with Dew again, even if it was to reinforce team's relations "Maybe we could practice together and test our…"

Then, suddenly, Octavia and Gwen's scrolls lighted up and a bell alarm was hear at the same time, indicating that a new message was receive.

Four eyes bulged in surprise as they saw the content of it. Octavia only had one thing to say

"What the hell?!"

Author's Note: So, it's the end of this fic, isnt? Some could say that it's kind of abrupt, but it's meanst to be. After all, this is only the "prologue" of my next project, the semi-AU fic where teams ABRN and NDGO would meet RWBY and JNPR during the middle-end of V1 and so fowards. And yes, it would be, much, much, bigger than this one. So, leave reviews and constructive critsism, is highgly appreciated. Hope you have enjoy it! But remember, the ride only has just begun!